bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Setting Observers Up for Success in Simulation
Authors: Johnson Brandon Kyle , Fey Mary
Published: May 2023

Background:

The assignment to be an observer in simulation is common. Despite evidence that learning outcomes are similar for participants and observers, there is uncertainty among simulation facilitators about how to create a valuable learning experience for learners in observer roles.

Problem:

The prebriefing practices of establishing a fiction contract and orienting learners to their role are frequently centered on learners in participant roles.

Approach:

Tailoring a fiction contract to the opportunities and challenges that observers experience as well as the use of feedforward to provide specific objectives to learners in observer roles is discussed.

Conclusions:

Including specific strategies in the prebriefing for learners in observer roles sets observers up for success in simulation learning experiences.
Using Artificial Intelligence to Identify Sources and Pathways of Lead Exposure in Children
Authors: Sambanis Apostolis , Osiecki Kristin , Cailas Michael , Quinsey Logan , Jacobs David E.
Published: May 2023

Context:

Sources and pathways of lead exposure in young children have not been analyzed using new artificial intelligence methods.

Objective:

To collect environmental, behavioral, and other data on sources and pathways in 17 rural homes to predict at-risk households and to compare urban and rural indicators of exposure.

Design:

Cross-sectional pilot study.

Setting:

Knox County, Illinois, which has a high rate of childhood lead poisoning.

Participants:

Rural families.

Methods:

Neural network and K-means statistical analysis.

Main Outcome Measure:

Children's blood lead level.

Results:

Lead paint on doors, lead dust, residential property assessed tax, and median interior paint lead level were the most important predictors of children's blood lead level.

Conclusions:

K-means analysis confirmed that settled house dust lead loadings, age of housing, concentration of lead in door paint, and geometric mean of interior lead paint samples were the most important predictors of lead in children's blood. However, assessed property tax also emerged as a new predictor. A sampling strategy that examines these variables can provide lead poisoning prevention professionals with an efficient and cost-effective means of identifying priority homes for lead remediation. The ability to preemptively target remediation efforts can help health, housing, and other agencies to remove lead hazards before children develop irreversible health effects and incur costs associated with lead in their blood.
Understanding Disparities in Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence and Sustained Viral Suppression Among Black, Hispanic/Latina, and White Women in the United States – Medical Monitoring Project, United States, 2015–2019
Authors: Raiford Jerris L. , Yuan Xin , Carree Tamara , Beer Linda
Published: May 2023

Background:

Racial and ethnic disparities in antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and sustained viral suppression (SVS) have been documented among women with HIV. We examined factors that may account for these racial/ethnic differences among women to inform interventions that increase health equity.

Methods:

We used data from the 2015–2019 cycles of the Medical Monitoring Project, a probability sample of U.S. adults with diagnosed HIV. Using logistic regression with predicted marginal means, we calculated weighted prevalence differences (PDs) of ART adherence and SVS among Black, Hispanic/Latina, and White women taking ART. Using modeling with forward stepwise selection, we adjusted PDs for selected variables, including social and structural determinants of health (SDOH) factors, to examine whether magnitude of PDs was attenuated by their inclusion. We assessed relative changes between unadjusted and adjusted PDs.

Results:

After adjusting for poverty, transportation needs, health literacy, and gap in health insurance/coverage, the Black–White PD in adherence decreased by 11% (−16.0% to −14.2%). After adjusting for adherence, poverty, type of health insurance, and gap in health insurance/coverage, the Black–White PD in SVS reduced 37% (−7.9% to −5.0%) and was no longer statistically different. The Hispanic/Latina–White PD in adherence reduced 24% (−12.7% to −9.6%) after adjusting for poverty, health literacy, and transportation needs. The unadjusted Hispanic/Latina–White PD in SVS was not significantly different.

Conclusion:

Racial/ethnic disparities in HIV outcomes among women taking ART were substantially reduced after accounting for SDOH and other factors although differences remained. Structural interventions to improve SDOH are needed to improve health equity for women with HIV.
Comparison of Anatomical and Diffusion MRI for detecting Parkinson’s Disease using Deep Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Chattopadhyay Tamoghna , Singh Amit , Laltoo Emily , Boyle Christina P. , Owens-Walton Conor , Chen Yao-Liang , Cook Philip , McMillan Corey , Tsai Chih-Chien , Wang J-J , Wu Yih-Ru , van der Werf Ysbrand , Thompson Paul M.
Published: May 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects over 10 million people worldwide. Brain atrophy and microstructural abnormalities tend to be more subtle in PD than in other age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, so there is interest in how well machine learning methods can detect PD in radiological scans. Deep learning models based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can automatically distil diagnostically useful features from raw MRI scans, but most CNN-based deep learning models have only been tested on T1-weighted brain MRI. Here we examine the added value of diffusion-weighted MRI (dMRI) - a variant of MRI, sensitive to microstructural tissue properties - as an additional input in CNN-based models for PD classification. Our evaluations used data from 3 separate cohorts - from Chang Gung University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the PPMI dataset. We trained CNNs on various combinations of these cohorts to find the best predictive model. Although tests on more diverse data are warranted, deep-learned models from dMRI show promise for PD classification.

Clinical Relevance

This study supports the use of diffusion-weighted images as an alternative to anatomical images for AI-based detection of Parkinson’s disease.
Mechanisms of Resistance to CAR-T cell Immunotherapy: Insights from a Mathematical Model
Authors: Santurio Daniela S. , Paixão Emanuelle A. , Barros Luciana R.C. , Almeida Regina C. , Fassoni Artur C.
Published: May 2023

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy long-term follow-up studies revealed non-durable remissions in a significant number of patients. Some of the mechanisms underlying these relapses include poor CAR T cell cytotoxicity or persistence, as well as antigen loss or lineage switching in tumor cells. In order to investigate how antigen-mediated resistance mechanisms affect therapy outcomes, we develop a mathematical model based on a set of integral-partial differential equations. Using a continuous variable to describe the level of antigen expression of tumor cells, we recapitulated important cellular mechanisms across patients with different therapeutic responses. Fitted with clinical data, the model successfully captured the dynamics of tumor and CAR-T cells for several hematological cancers. Furthermore, the role played by these mechanisms are explored with regard to different biological scenarios, such as pre-existing or acquired mutations, providing a deeper understanding of key factors underlying resistance to CAR-T cell immunotherapy.

Statement of significance

Our study introduces the first mathematical model to characterize the influence of a continuous level of antigen expression on the interplay between Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cells and cancer cells. We examine various cellular mechanisms across different hematologic cancers, taking into account both antigen-positive and antigen-negative relapses. Our findings shed light on the role of antigen density in CAR-T cell therapies and provide a valuable framework to investigate resistance with potential to improve patient’s outcomes.
Probing macromolecular crowding at the lipid membrane interface with genetically-encoded sensors
Authors: Löwe Maryna , Hänsch Sebastian , Hachani Eymen , Schmitt Lutz , Weidtkamp-Peters Stefanie , Kedrov Alexej
Published: May 2023

Biochemical processes within the living cell occur in a highly crowded environment. The phenomenon of macromolecular crowding is not an exclusive feature of the cytoplasm and can be observed in the densely protein-packed, nonhomogeneous cellular membranes and at the membrane interfaces. Crowding affects diffusional and conformational dynamics of proteins within the lipid bilayer, and modulates the membrane organization. However, the non-invasive quantification of the membrane crowding is not trivial. Here, we developed the genetically- encoded fluorescence-based sensor for probing the macromolecular crowding at the membrane interfaces. Two sensor variants, both composed of fluorescent proteins and a membrane anchor, but differing by the flexible linker domains were characterizedin vitro, and the procedures for the membrane reconstitution were established. Lateral pressure induced by membrane-tethered synthetic and protein crowders altered the sensors’ conformation, causing increase in the intramolecular Förster’s resonance energy transfer. The effect of protein crowders only weakly correlated with their molecular weight, suggesting that other factors, such as shape and charge play role in the quinary interactions. Upon their expression, the designed sensors were localized to the inner membrane ofE. coli, and measurements performed in extracted membrane vesicles revealed low level of interfacial crowding. The sensors offer broad opportunities to study interfacial crowding in a complex environment of native membranes, and thus add to the toolbox of methods for studying membrane dynamics and proteostasis.
Detection and Molecular Characterization of Animal Adenovirus and Astrovirus from Western Maharashtra, India
Authors: Sawant PM , Waghchaure RB , Shinde PA , Palikondawar AP , Lavania M
Published: May 2023

Background

Astroviruses (AstV) and adenoviruses (AdV) are associated with diarrhoea in young ones of animals. However, the epidemiology and genetic diversity of AstVs and AdVs in animals are not well studied. Hence the present study was conducted to detect and characterize AstVs and AdVs in calves, piglets and puppies in India.

Findings

Out of the processed porcine (48), canine (80), and bovine (65) faecal samples from Western Maharashtra, India, the porcine AstV (PAstV), bovine AstV (BAstV), canine AstV (CAstV), and porcine AdV (PAdV) were detected in 12.5%, 7.69%, 3.75% and 4.1% of samples, respectively. In the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region-based phylogenetic analysis the detected BAstV strains grouped with MAstV-28, MAstV-33, and MAstV-35, CAstV strains belonged to MAstV-5, PAstV strains belonged to MAstV-24, MAstV-26, and MAstV-31. Both the detected PAdV were of genotype 3, exhibiting 91.9-92.5% nucleotide identity with Ivoirian and Chinese strains. The study reports first-time BAstVs from calves and PAdV-3 from piglets in India.

Conclusion

The study revealed diversity in the circulation of AstVs and AdVs in young ones of dogs, pigs and calves. Therefore, extensive epidemiological investigations of AstV and AdV are necessary to confirm their association with diarrhoea and to develop diagnostic tools and control measures.
Tetraspanin CD82 maintains HTLV-1 biofilm polarization and is required for efficient viral transmission
Authors: Arone Coline , Martial Samuel , Burlaud-Gaillard Julien , Thoulouze Maria-Isabel , Roingeard Philippe , Dutartre Hélène , Muriaux Delphine
Published: May 2023

The human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is an oncogenic retrovirus whose transmission relies primarily on cell-to-cell contacts as cell-free viruses are poorly infectious. Among the intercellular transmission routes described, HTLV-1 biofilms are adhesive structures polarized at the cell surface that confine virions in a protective environment, which is believed to promote their simultaneous delivery during infection. Here, we show that several tetraspanins are enriched in HTLV-1 biofilms and incorporated into the viral envelope. However, we report that only tetraspanin CD82 interacts with HTLV-1 Gag which initiates its polarization into viral biofilms. Also, we demonstrate that CD82 maintains HTLV-1 biofilm polarization and favors viral transmission, as its silencing induces a complete reorganization of viral clusters at the cell surface and reduces the ability of infected T-cells to transmit the virus. Our results highlight the crucial role of CD82 in the architectural organization of HTLV-1 biofilms and their transfer through intercellular contacts.
Both stimulus-specific and configurational features of multiple visual stimuli shape the spatial ventriloquism effect
Authors: Kayser Christoph , Debats Nienke , Heuer Herbert
Published: May 2023

Studies on multisensory perception often focus on simplistic conditions in which one single stimulus is presented per modality. Yet, in everyday life we usually encounter multiple signals per modality. To understand how multiple signals within and across the senses are combined we extended the classical audio-visual spatial ventriloquism paradigm to combine two visual stimuli with one sound. The individual visual stimuli presented in the same trial differed in their relative timing and spatial offsets to the sound, allowing us to contrast their individual and combined influence on sound localization judgements. We find that the ventriloquism bias is not dominated by a single visual stimulus but rather is shaped by the collective multisensory evidence. In particular, the contribution of an individual visual stimulus to the ventriloquism bias depends not only on its own relative spatio-temporal alignment to the sound but also the spatio-temporal alignment of the other visual stimulus. We propose that this pattern of multi-stimulus multisensory integration reflects the evolution of evidence for sensory causal relations during individual trials, calling for the need to extend established models of multisensory causal inference to more naturalistic conditions. Our data also suggest that this pattern of multisensory interactions extends to the ventriloquism aftereffect, a bias in sound localization observed in unisensory judgements following a multisensory stimulus.
mTOR Inhibition Suppresses Salinomycin-Induced Ferroptosis in Breast Cancer Stem Cells by Ironing Out Mitochondrial Dysfunctions
Authors: Cosialls Emma , Pacreau Emeline , Ceccacci Sara , Elhage Rima , Duruel Clémence , Desterke Christophe , Roger Kevin , Guerrera Chiara , Ducloux Romane , Souquere Sylvie , Pierron Gérard , Nemazanyy Ivan , Kelly Mairead , Dalmas Elise , Chang Yunhua , Goffin Vincent , Mehrpour Maryam , Hamaï Ahmed
Published: May 2023

Ferroptosis constitutes a promising therapeutic strategy against cancer by efficiently targeting the highly tumorigenic and treatment-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs). We previously showed that the lysosomal iron-targeting drug Salinomycin (Sal) was able to eliminate CSCs by triggering ferroptosis. Here, in a well-established breast CSCs model (human mammary epithelial HMLER CD24low/CD44high), we identified that pharmacological inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), suppresses Sal-induced ferroptosis. Mechanistically, mTOR inhibition modulates iron cellular flux and prevents the iron and ROS bursts induced by Sal. Besides, integration of multi-omics data identified mitochondria as a key target of Sal action. We demonstrated that mTOR inhibition prevents Sal-induced mitochondrial functional and structural alteration, and that Sal-induced metabolic plasticity is mainly dependent on the mTOR pathway. Overall, our findings provide experimental evidences on the detailed mechanisms of mTOR as a crucial effector of Sal-induced ferroptosis, and gives proof-of-concept that careful evaluation of such combination therapy (here mTOR and ferroptosis co-targeting) is required for effective treatment.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Anin-silicoapproach to study the molecular interaction of the PINK1 kinase domain with Parkin Ubl domain
Authors: Biswas Sima , Roy Sreekanya , Bagchi Angshuman
Published: May 2023

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder which creates devastating effects on the neurons of the mid brain. PARK2 and PARK6 genes encode the E3 ubiquitin ligase Parkin and serine/threonine protein kinase PINK1 (PTEN-induced kinase 1), respectively. Mutations in these proteins are responsible for majority of the early onset of PD. PINK1 protein along with Parkin are known to participate in the mitochondrial mitophagy pathway which selectively removes damaged mitochondria. Parkin with the help of its intra-domain interactions goes to an autoinhibited inactive state. Parkin ubiquitin activity is suppressed in this condition. Phosphorylation of the Serine65 residue, present in the Ubl domain of Parkin, is required for its ubiquitin ligase activity. PINK1 protein phosphorylates the Serine65 residue after its self-phosphorylation. After activation, Parkin protein ubiquitinates other damaged mitochondrial proteins for their degradation. Therefore, PINK1-Parkin interaction is important for the proper maintenance of the mitochondrial and neuronal fidelity. In this present work, we are trying to find out how the mutations in the PINK1 kinase domain would affect the modes of its interaction with the Ubl domain of Parkin. We used the three dimensional coordinates of the PINK1 and Ubl domain of Parkin from our previous work and selected the mutations P296L and G309D which have the abilities to hamper the said interactions between PINK1 and the Ubl domain of Parkin. We used molecular docking followed by molecular dynamics simulations to study the nature and structural dynamics of the binding interactions. The results from our study could provide an insight into the PINK1 mediated Parkin activation and plausible biochemical mechanism behind the onset of PD.
A mysterious cloak: the peptidoglycan layer of algal and plant plastids
Authors: MacLeod Alexander I. , Knopp Michael R. , Gould Sven B.
Published: May 2023

The plastids of algae and plants originated on a single occasion from an endosymbiotic cyanobacterium at least a billion years ago. Despite the divergent evolution that characterizes the plastids of different lineages, many traits such as membrane organisation and means of fission are universal – they pay tribute to the cyanobacterial origin of the organelle. For one such trait, the peptidoglycan (PG) layer, the situation is more complicated, and little is known about its distribution and molecular relevance in green algae and land plants. Here, we investigate the extent of PG presence across the Chloroplastida using a phylogenomic approach. Our data support the view of a PG layer being present in the last common ancestor of land plants and its remarkable conservation across bryophytes that are otherwise characterized by gene loss. In embryophytes, the occurrence of the PG layer biosynthetic toolkit becomes patchier, but the availability of novel genome data questions previous predictions regarding a functional coevolution of the PG layer and the plastid division machinery-associated gene FtsZ3. Furthermore, our data confirm the presence of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in seed plants, which were previously thought to be absent from this clade. The thicker and seemingly unchanged PG layer armouring the plastids of glaucophyte algae might still provide the original function of structural support, but the same can likely not be said about the only recently identified and ultrathin PG layer of bryophyte and tracheophyte plastids. In combination with the apparent lack of some genes thought critical for PG layer biosynthesis in land plants that, however, likely have a PG layer, this leaves many issues with respect to the composition, exact function, and biosynthesis in land plants to be explored.
Global identification of mammalian host and nested gene pairs reveal tissue-specific transcriptional interplay
Authors: Montibus Bertille , Cain James , Martinez-Nunez Rocio T , Oakey Rebecca J.
Published: May 2023

Nucleotide sequences along a gene provide instructions to transcriptional and co-transcriptional machinery allowing genome expansion into the transcriptome. Interestingly, nucleotide sequence can often be shared between two genes and in some occurrences, a gene is located completely within a different gene, these are known as host/nested genes pairs. In these instances, if both genes are transcribed, overlap can result in a transcriptional crosstalk where genes regulate each other. Despite this, a comprehensive annotation of where such genes are located, and their expression patterns is lacking. To address this, we provide an up-to-date catalogue of host/nested gene pairs in mouse and human, showing that over a tenth of all genes contain a nested gene. We discovered that transcriptional co-occurrence is often tissue-specific. This co-expression was especially prevalent within the transcriptionally permissive tissue, testis. We used this developmental system and scRNA-seq analysis to demonstrate that co-expression of pairs can occur in single cells and transcription in the same place at the same time can enhance transcript diversity of the host gene. In agreement, host genes are more transcript diverse than the rest of the transcriptome and we propose that nested gene expression drives this observed diversity. Given that host/nested gene configurations were common in both human and mouse genomes, the interplay between pairs is therefore likely selected for, highlighting the relevance of transcriptional crosstalk between genes which share nucleic acid sequence. The results and analysis are available on an Rshiny application.
Targeting APEX2 to the mRNA encoding fatty acid synthase β in yeast identifies proteins that bind and control its translational efficiency in the cell cycle
Authors: Blank Heidi M. , Griffith Wendell P. , Polymenis Michael
Published: May 2023

Profiling the repertoire of proteins associated with a given mRNA during the cell cycle is unstudied. Furthermore, it is much easier to ask and answer what mRNAs a specific protein might bind to than the other way around. Here, we implemented an RNA-centric proximity labeling technology at different points in the cell cycle in highly synchronous yeast cultures. To understand how the translation ofFAS1, encoding fatty acid synthase, peaks late in the cell cycle, we identified proteins that bind theFAS1transcript in a cell cycle-dependent manner. We used dCas13d-APEX2 fusions to targetFAS1and label nearby proteins, which were then identified by mass spectrometry. The glycolytic enzyme Tdh3p, a known RNA-binding protein, bound theFAS1mRNA, and it was necessary for the increased Fas1p expression late in the cell cycle. Lastly, cells lacking Tdh3p had altered size homeostasis, consistent with delayed G1/S transition and exit from mitosis. These results point to unexpected connections between major metabolic pathways. They also underscore the role of mRNA-protein interactions for gene expression during cell division.
Evidence for the Type IV Pili Retraction Motor PilT as a Component of the Surface Sensing System inPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Geiger C.J. , O’Toole G.A.
Published: May 2023

Biofilm formation begins when bacteria contacting a surface induce cellular changes to become better adapted for surface growth. One of the first changes to occur forPseudomonas aeruginosaafter surface contact is an increase in the nucleotide second messenger 3’,5’-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). It has been demonstrated that this increase in intracellular cAMP is dependent on functional Type IV pili (T4P) relaying a signal to the Pil-Chp system, but the mechanism by which this signal is transduced remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the role of the Type IV pili retraction motor PilT in sensing a surface and relaying that signal to cAMP production. We show that mutations affecting the structure of PilT and in particular ATPase activity of this motor protein, reduce surface-dependent cAMP production. We identify a novel interaction between PilT and PilJ, a member of the Pil-Chp system, and propose a new model wherebyP. aeruginosauses its retraction motor to sense a surface and to relay that signal via PilJ to increased production of cAMP. We discuss these findings in light of current TFP-dependent surface sensing models forP. aeruginosa.

Importance

T4P are cellular appendages that allowP. aeruginosato sense a surface leading to the production of cAMP. This second messenger not only activates virulence pathways but leads to further surface adaptation and irreversible attachment of cells. Here, we demonstrate the importance of the retraction motor PilT in surface sensing. We also present a new surface sensing model inP. aeruginosawhereby the T4P retraction motor PilT senses and transmits the surface signal, likely via its ATPase domain and interaction with PilJ, to mediate production of the second messenger cAMP.
DNA CombingversusDNA Spreading and the Separation of Sister Chromatids
Authors: Meroni Alice , Wells Sophie E. , Fonseca Carmen , Ray Chaudhuri Arnab , Caldecott Keith W. , Vindigni Alessandro
Published: May 2023

DNA combing and DNA spreading are two central approaches for studying DNA replication fork dynamics genome-wide at single-molecule resolution by distributing labeled genomic DNA on coverslips or slides for immunodetection. Perturbations in DNA replication fork dynamics can differentially affect either leading or lagging strand synthesis, for example in instances where replication is blocked by a lesion or obstacle on only one of the two strands. Thus, we sought to investigate whether the DNA combing and/or spreading approaches are suitable for resolving adjacent sister chromatids during DNA replication, thereby enabling the detection of DNA replication dynamics within individual nascent strands. To this end, we developed a thymidine labeling scheme that discriminates between these two possibilities. Our data suggests that DNA combing resolves single chromatids, allowing the detection of strand-specific alterations, whereas DNA spreading does not. These findings have important implications when interpreting DNA replication dynamics from data obtained by these two commonly used techniques.
Sequencing the Immunoglobulin Heavy-Chain Locus (IgH) in Turquoise Killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri)
Authors: Seidel Jens , Bradshaw William John , Valenzano Dario Riccardo
Published: May 2023

B cells undergo a process of somatic recombination leading to the synthesis of a staggering diversity of transmembrane and secreted antibodies. This process dates back to the evolution of jawed vertebrates and is pivotal to the origin of lymphocyte-based adaptive immune responses. Here, we optimized a sequencing-based protocol to characterize B-cell-specific IgH transcripts from bulk RNA in the African turquoise killifish, an emerging model organism characterized by naturally short life span and by a vast range of age-dependent dysfunctions.
Examining Peripheral Electrophysiological Responses of the Larval Antennal Sensory Cone ofAnopheles coluzziito Volatile Odorants
Authors: Liu Feng , Sun Huahua , Zwiebel Laurence J.
Published: May 2023

Anopheline larvae rely on their antennae to respond to a complex suite of stimuli with which they navigate their aquatic environment, search for food, and avoid predators and pollution. Chemosensory signaling initiates on dendrites innervating the sensory peg and sensory cone, which are adjacently located at the distal (apical) end of the larval antennae. These structures are the primary sites for the detection of both soluble and volatile semiochemicals, which are biologically relevant chemical signals (typically unitary or blends of compounds) released by one organism that affect the behavior of another. The sensory neurons housed in the larval antennal sensory cone are responsible for the signal transduction processes that initiate responses to a range of volatile stimuli. To investigate the mosquito larval olfactory neuronal response to volatile odorants, we developed this method to record, extracellularly, the electrophysiological responses of sensory cone neurons to a range of chemical stimuli. This method provides an in vivo demonstration of how mosquito larvae perceive volatile semiochemicals in their environment.
QuantifyingAedes aegyptiHost Odor Preference Using a Two-Port Olfactometer
Authors: Metz Hillery C. , Zung Jessica L. , McBride Carolyn S.
Published: May 2023

Blood-feeding mosquitoes are a leading threat to global public health—vectoring dangerous infections including Zika, dengue, and malaria. Mosquitoes identify and target hosts for blood meals by using visual, thermal, and chemical cues. Here we describe an assay for measuring odor-based host-preference behavior—that is, the preferential approach toward one host over another based on differences in the volatile compounds they emit. The assay can be adapted for use with diverse odor sources, from live animals and their breath to odor-scented sleeves with controlled amounts of CO2. Mosquitoes in this assay fly upwind to within 30 cm of the odor source and then enter a small trap. We therefore believe this assay best replicates medium- to short-range host-seeking, when females approach and are preparing to land on a host animal. We also find that relative response in a two-choice test shows less trial-to-trial variation than the absolute number of responsive mosquitoes, which appears more sensitive to exogenous factors such as rearing conditions. This assay has been used to better understand mosquito host-seeking decisions, which can provide fundamental insight into the brain and behavior as well as information useful for the design of novel vector control strategies.
Near-atomic resolution reconstructions from in situ revitrified cryo samples
Authors: Bongiovanni Gabriele , Harder Oliver F. , Voss Jonathan M. , Drabbels Marcel , Lorenz Ulrich J.
Published: May 2023

A microsecond time-resolved version of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has recently been introduced to enable observation of the fast conformational motions of proteins. The technique involves locally melting a cryo sample with a laser beam to allow the proteins to undergo dynamics in the liquid phase. When the laser is switched off, the sample cools within just a few microseconds and revitrifies, trapping particles in their transient configurations, in which they can subsequently be imaged. Two alternative implementations of the technique have previously been described, using either an optical microscope or performing revitrification experiments in situ. Here, it is shown that it is possible to obtain near-atomic resolution reconstructions from in situ revitrified cryo samples. Moreover, the resulting map is indistinguishable from that obtained from a conventional sample within the spatial resolution. Interestingly, it is observed that revitrification leads to a more homogeneous angular distribution of the particles, suggesting that revitrification may potentially be used to overcome issues of preferred particle orientation.
Adoption of electronic commerce as a resilience strategy for women's entrepreneurship in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Kaningini Euphrasie Wamunzila , Malinga Christine Mwati , Furaha Germaine Mirindi , Alulea Jonathan Pembwe , Castiaux Annick
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The present article aims to determine the factors that explain the intention to adopt electronic commerce among women traders in a developing country like Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during a health crisis period.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted in the DRC, in Bukavu Town. A convenience sample of 282 respondents consisting of solely women entrepreneurs (importing traders) in Bukavu Town was selected and the structural equation model was used to test the research hypotheses resulted from Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour.

Findings

The finding results showed that only the factors attitude towards electronic commerce adoption and subjective norms which predict women traders' intention to adopt electronic commerce. The analysis shows that about 38.9% of the variation in the dependent variable is explained by the above variables.

Originality/value

Few studies have presented technology and electronic commerce adoption as resilience of women entrepreneurs in a time of crisis, despite the abundance of the review literature on adoption. This study provides a new approach to assist women entrepreneurs as well as researchers in understanding the drivers of electronic commerce adoption factors in the DRC.
The effect of robot anthropomorphism on revisit intentions after service failure: a moderated serial mediation model
Authors: Cui Jinsheng , Zhong Jianan
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how robotic anthropomorphism and personalized design may affect consumers' reactions to brands after service failure.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted two studies based on cognitive appraisal theory and artificial intelligence device acceptance theory. Study 1 explored the mechanisms by which the type of anthropomorphic design of the service robot (humanoid robot/nonhumanoid robot) influenced revisit intention after service failure through a one-factor between-subjects design based on a restaurant dining scenario. Study 2 was based on a hotel check-in scenario and explored the moderating effect of robot personalization design on the above mechanisms through a 2 (anthropomorphic design: humanoid robot/nonhumanoid robot) × 2 (personalized design: self-name/no name) between-subjects design.

Findings

Study 1 shows that consumers have higher performance expectations for nonhumanoid robots, leading to a higher tolerance for service failure, which in turn generates higher revisit intentions. Study 2 shows that consumers' performance expectations are significantly enhanced after custom naming of humanoid robots, so the serial mediation mechanism for the effect of robot anthropomorphic design on revisit intention does not hold.

Originality/value

This study extends the research of artificial intelligence device acceptance theory in the field of service failure and exploratively proposes an intervention mechanism for the negative effects of the anthropomorphic design of service robots.
The blame game: disaster, queerness and prejudice
Authors: Rushton Ashleigh , Scarlett Jazmin
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to draw attention to how harmful and inaccurate discourses pertaining to disaster responsibility is produced, the negative implications such narratives pose and the role of the media in the ways in which discourses about queerness and disaster are reported.

Design/methodology/approach

Throughout this paper, the authors detail examples of media reporting on discourses relating to people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) being blamed and held responsible for disasters across the world. The authors examine the value of such reporting as well as describing the harm blame narratives have on queer people and communities.

Findings

There is little value in reporting on accounts of people publicly declaring that people with diverse SOGIESC are to blame for disaster. More sensitivity is needed around publishing on blame discourses pertaining to already marginalised communities.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the developing scholarship on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, agender, asexual and aromantic individuals, plus other gender identities and sexual orientations (LGBTQIA+/SOGIESC) and disasters by detailing the harm of blame discourses as well as drawing attention to how the media have a role to play in averting from unintentionally providing a platform for hate speech and ultimately enhancing prejudice against people with diverse SOGIESC.
Cryptocurrency estate planning: the challenges, suggested solutions and Malaysia’s future directions
Authors: Katuk Norliza , Abd Wahab Norazlina , Kamis Nur Syaedah
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to collect evidence on the issues and challenges in cryptocurrency estate planning and the possible approaches or methods to address them. Then, this paper also aims to understand Malaysia’s situation compared to global situations and determine how the country could address those challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adapted a standard systematic review protocol named preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses, guided by three research questions: what are the challenges of cryptocurrency estate planning, how do researchers and practitioners address the issues or challenges and how could Malaysians move towards sustainable cryptocurrency estate planning? Relevant documents reported on cryptocurrency estate planning were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

The results of this review suggested that the issues and challenges in cryptocurrency estate planning can be described from six aspects: awareness, financial aspects, law, process, security and taxation. On the other hand, the approaches or methods to address these challenges may be categorised into laws, processes and technology. Further, a framework for cryptocurrency estate planning in Malaysia is proposed as an initial step towards a sustainable economy and society in Malaysia.

Research limitations/implications

The state and the use of cryptocurrency are still considered new in most countries globally. Hence, people are yet to be aware of the issues that may arise from it. Nevertheless, cryptocurrency estate planning will soon become an area of interest in which this study could enhance the literature and contribute knowledge to understanding the situation.

Originality/value

This study collected evidence on the issues and the approaches to address cryptocurrency estate planning. This study then focused on the Malaysian perspective by proposing a framework that was not covered by existing studies.
Communication apprehension and self-perceived communication competence: a study of undergraduate students in their final year
Authors: Muftah Muneera
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Communication apprehension (CA) is the fear or anxiety about communicating. In addition, self-perceived communication competence (SPCC) refers to the learners' perception of their competence. CA hampers individuals' ability to communicate effectively in various communication contexts, which has an impact on their employability. Confident communicators with effective communication skills are important issues for graduation as well as desirable attributes for recruiting agencies. Given that employers value graduates who can communicate effectively in the workplace without any apprehension, this study was designed to determine the levels of CA and SPCC among final-year non-English major undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia and the extent to which SPCC could affect their CA when speaking in English with implications for their employability as the next generation of workers.

Design/methodology/approach

Two survey questionnaires were administered to 70 non-English major undergraduate students in their final year employing probability random sampling to measure their CA level and to assess their SPCC in different English as foreign language (EFL) contexts. Pearson's correlation and linear regression analysis were used to investigate the relationship between CA and SPCC. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics in SPSS 21.

Findings

The findings indicated a medium level of SPCC and CA. Moreover, the correlation formula revealed that there was a moderately significant association between learners' SPCC and their CA (r (70) = −0.524, p < 0.01). Through regression analysis, it was found that their SPCC could predict 27% of the variance in their CA. The moderate effect of SPCC on CA implied that students could be prepared to cope and perform in the workplace.

Originality/value

Without communication, the establishment and evolution of the human community are unattainable. This aspect is more evident and crucial in the list of graduate objectives and needed outcomes for future career endeavors. The findings encourage instructors and course designers to provide many learning opportunities in pleasurable learning environments to raise students' perceptions of their competence, in turn enhancing their confidence to speak in English and ensuring a smooth transition from academia to the workplace. Based on the findings, several suggestions for future studies in the EFL context are presented.
Determining psycholinguistic features of deception in phishing messages
Authors: Xu Tianhao , Rajivan Prashanth
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Distinguishing phishing emails from legitimate emails continues to be a difficult task for most individuals. This study aims to investigate the psycholinguistic factors associated with deception in phishing email text and their effect on end-user ability to discriminate phishing emails from legitimate emails.

Design/methodology/approach

Email messages and end-user decisions collected from a laboratory phishing study were validated and analyzed using natural language processing methods (Linguistic Inquiry Word Count) and penalized regression models (LASSO and Elastic Net) to determine the linguistic dimensions that attackers may use in phishing emails to deceive end-users and measure the impact of such choices on end-user susceptibility to phishing.

Findings

We found that most participants, who played the role of a phisher in the study, chose to deceive their end-user targets by pretending to be a familiar individual and presenting time pressure or deadlines. Results show that use of words conveying certainty (e.g. always, never) and work-related features in the phishing messages predicted higher end-user vulnerability. On the contrary, use of words that convey achievement (e.g. earn, win) or reward (cash, money) in the phishing messages predicted lower end-user vulnerability because such features are usually observed in scam-like messages.

Practical implications

Insights from this research show that analyzing emails for psycholinguistic features associated with computer-mediated deception could be used to fine-tune and improve spam and phishing detection technologies. This research also informs the kinds of phishing attacks that must be prioritized in antiphishing training programs.

Originality/value

Applying natural language processing and statistical modeling methods to analyze results from a laboratory phishing experiment to understand deception from both attacker and end-user is novel. Furthermore, results from this work advance our understanding of the linguistic factors associated with deception in phishing email text and its impact on end-user susceptibility.
Financial well-being, family financial support and depression of older adults in China
Authors: Fan Lu , Lei Shan
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between objective and subjective aspects of financial well-being, the role of family financial support and depression symptoms of Chinese older adults.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used two waves (2015 and 2018) of the Harmonized China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Two financial ratios: the expenditure-to-income ratio and the financial assets ratio, were used to measure the objective aspect of financial well-being. Perceived money management difficulty was employed to measure the subjective aspect of financial well-being. Depression symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) score. Three analytical models, including an ordinary least squares (OLS) model, an OLS model controlling for lagged depression and a random effects model using panel data, were used to examine the relationships between the objective and subject aspects of financial well-being and depression.

Findings

The results from the three models showed consistent relationships: the expenditure-to-income ratio was a positive contributor, while the financial assets ratio was a negative contributor to depression of older adults in China. The robustness check using binary-coded financial ratio thresholds showed that reaching the suggested thresholds was negatively associated with depression. Perceived money management difficulty contributed positively to depression. The robustness check using the fixed effects model showed no significance of the two ratios, while perceived money management difficulty was positively associated with depression. The insignificance might be due to data limitation (limited waves or rare changes across waves).

Originality/value

The findings indicate that both objective and subjective financial well-being matters in relation to depression symptoms and, therefore, to the overall mental health of the Chinese elderly. Developments in public policies are needed to promote accessible financial services, assistance programs, mental health services and facilities for the older population in China.
COVID-19 pandemic disruptions and environmental turbulence in architectural, engineering and construction project delivery space
Authors: Adesi Michael , Ewuga Duga , Owusu-Manu De-Graft , Boateng Frank , Kissi Ernest
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Firms in the architectural, engineering, construction and operations (AECO) sector continue undertaking projects in a disruptive environment due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aims to explore environmental turbulence in the AECO project delivery space and suggest mechanisms for enhancing resilience against future pandemics.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts the quantitative approach by administering 110 survey questionnaires to participants comprising project managers, site engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors and subcontractors.

Findings

The study identifies 24 COVID-19 disruptions linked to environmental turbulence categorised as scheduling, performance and productivity, project budget, supply chain, resource allocation and technological and regulatory. The study suggested resilient mechanisms for surviving in future pandemics.

Originality/value

This study enhances the understanding of environmental turbulence from the perspective of COVID-19 disruptions in AECO project delivery, while the implementation of the resilient mechanisms improves capability of AECO firms against future pandemics.