bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aspergillus fumigatuscytochrome c impacts conidial survival during sterilizing immunity
Authors: James Matthew R , Aufiero Mariano A , Vesely Elisa M , Dhingra Sourabh , Liu Ko-Wei , Hohl Tobias M , Cramer Robert A
Published: June 2023

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening infection caused by species in the ubiquitous fungal genusAspergillus. While leukocyte-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical for the clearance of fungal conidia from the lung and resistance to IPA, the processes that govern ROS-dependent fungal cell death remain poorly defined. Using a flow cytometric approach that monitors two independent cell death markers, an endogenous histone H2A:mRFP nuclear integrity reporter and Sytox Blue cell impermeable (live/dead) stain, we observed that loss ofA. fumigatuscytochrome c (cycA) results in reduced susceptibility to cell death from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment. Consistent with these observationsin vitro, loss ofcycAconfers resistance to both NADPH-oxidase -dependent and -independent killing by host leukocytes. Fungal ROS resistance is partly mediated in part by Bir1, a homolog to survivin in humans, as Bir1 overexpression results in decreased ROS-induced conidial cell death and reduced killing by innate immune cellsin vivo. We further report that overexpression of the Bir1 N-terminal BIR domain inA. fumigatusconidia results in altered expression of metabolic genes that functionally converge on mitochondrial function and cytochrome c (cycA) activity. Together, these studies demonstrate thatcycAinA. fumigatuscontributes to cell death responses that are induced by exogenous H2O2and by host leukocytes.

Importance

Aspergillus fumigatuscan cause a life-threatening infection known as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), which is marked by fungus-attributable mortality rates of 20%-30%. Individuals at risk of IPA harbor genetic mutations or incur pharmacologic defects that impair myeloid cell numbers and/or function, exemplified by bone marrow transplant recipients, patients that receive corticosteroid therapy, or patients with Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD). However, treatments forAspergillusinfections remains limited, and resistance to the few existing drug classes is emerging. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) classifiedA. fumigatusas a critical priority fungal pathogen. Our research identifies an important aspect of fungal biology that impacts susceptibility to leukocyte killing. Furthering our understanding of mechanisms that mediate the outcome of fungal-leukocyte interactions will increase our understanding of both the underlying fungal biology governing cell death and innate immune evasion strategies utilized during mammalian infection pathogenesis. Consequently, our studies are a critical step toward leveraging these mechanisms for novel therapeutic advances.
A dual-fluorescent recombinant for live observation of Herpes simplex-type 1 infection outcomes
Authors: Domanico Luke F. , Dunn G. P. , Kobiler O. , Taylor M.P.
Published: June 2023

Critical stages of lytic Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) replication are marked by the sequential expression of immediate early (IE) to early (E), then late (L) viral genes. HSV-1 also persists in neuronal tissues via a non-replicative, transcriptionally repressed infection called latency. Understanding the regulation of lytic and latent transcriptional profiles provides focused insight into HSV-1 infection and disease. We sought a fluorescence-based approach to observe temporal progression of HSV-1 infection at the single-cell level. We constructed and characterized a novel HSV-1 recombinant that reports IE and L gene expression by fluorescent protein detection. The dual-reporter HSV-1 visualizes IE gene expression by a CMV promotor-driven YFP, and L gene expression by an endogenous mCherry-VP26 fusion. We confirmed that viral gene expression, replication and spread of infection in epithelial cells is not altered by the incorporation of the fluorescent reporters. Interference with viral DNA polymerase activity abolishes VP26-mCherry detection late in HSV-1 infection, visually reporting the failure to complete viral replication. Viral replication in primary neurons is not altered, but retrograde-directed inoculation of the dual-reporter HSV-1 exhibits a modest reduction in titer, compared to unlabeled HSV-1. Low-dose axonal inoculation in the presence of small molecule modulation of neuronal signaling results in divergent outcomes of YFP and mCherry detection, suggesting different states of latent and lytic replication. Rigorous characterization of this dual-reporter HSV-1 recombinant has demonstrated the utility of temporal observation of HSV-1 replication in live cells and the potential for further insight into the dynamics of infection.

Importance

Herpes simplex virus-type 1 (HSV-1) is a prevalent human pathogen that infects approximately 67% of the global population. HSV-1 invades the peripheral nervous system, where latent HSV-1 infection persists within the host for life. Immunological evasion, viral persistence, and herpetic pathologies are determined by regulation of HSV-1 gene expression. Studying HSV-1 gene expression during neuronal infection is challenging but essential for the development of antiviral therapeutics and interventions. We constructed and characterized a dual-fluorescent HSV-1 recombinant that enables visualization of IE and L gene expression. The recombinant HSV-1 is used to observe the progression and outcome of infection. We demonstrate that drug treatments targeting cellular pathways can manipulate latent HSV-1 infection in neurons to achieve divergent outcomes of infection.
Chitin degradation bySynechococcusWH7803
Authors: Capovilla Giovanna , Castro Kurt G. , Collani Silvio , Kearney Sean M. , Kehoe David M. , Chisholm Sallie W.
Published: June 2023

Chitin is an abundant, carbon-rich polymer in the marine environment. Chitinase activity has been detected in spent media ofSynechococcusWH7803 cultures – yet it was unclear which specific enzymes were involved. Here we delivered a CRISPR tool into the cells via electroporation to generate loss-of-function mutants of putative candidates and identified ChiA as the enzyme required for the activity detected in the wild type.
Understanding the General Principles of T Cell Engagement by Multiscale Computational Simulations
Authors: Su Zhaoqian , Almo Steven C. , Wu Yinghao
Published: June 2023

The use of bispecific antibodies as T cell engagers can bypass the normal TCR-MHC interaction, redirect the cytotoxic activity of T-cells, and lead to highly efficient tumor cell killing. However, this immunotherapy also causes significant on-target off-tumor toxicologic effects, especially when they were used to treat solid tumors. In order to avoid these adverse events, it is necessary to understand the fundamental mechanisms during the physical process of T cell engagement. We developed a multiscale computational framework to reach this goal. The framework combines simulations on the intercellular and multicellular levels. On the intercellular level, we simulated the spatial-temporal dynamics of three-body interactions among bispecific antibodies, CD3 and TAA. The derived number of intercellular bonds formed between CD3 and TAA were further transferred into the multicellular simulations as the input parameter of adhesive density between cells. Through the simulations under various molecular and cellular conditions, we were able to gain new insights of how to adopt the most appropriate strategy to maximize the drug efficacy and avoid the off-target effect. For instance, we discovered that the low antibody binding affinity resulted in the formation of large clusters at the cell-cell interface, which could be important to control the downstream signaling pathways. We also tested different molecular architectures of the bispecific antibody and suggested the existence of an optimal length in regulating the T cell engagement. Overall, the current multiscale simulations serve as a prove-of-concept study to help the future design of new biological therapeutics.

SIGNIFICANCE

T-cell engagers are a class of anti-cancer drugs that can directly kill tumor cells by bringing T cells next to them. However, current treatments using T-cell engagers can cause serious side-effects. In order to reduce these effects, it is necessary to understand how T cells and tumor cells interact together through the connection of T-cell engagers. Unfortunately, this process is not well studied due to the limitations in current experimental techniques. We developed computational models on two different scales to simulate the physical process of T cell engagement. Our simulation results provide new insights into the general properties of T cell engagers. The new simulation methods can therefore serve as a useful tool to design novel antibodies for cancer immunotherapy.
Circular viral copy DNA of Dengue virus (DENV-2) isolated from infected mosquito cell cultures
Authors: Gangnonngiw Warachin , Thongda Wilawan , Kanthong Nipaporn , Flegel T.W.
Published: June 2023

Dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) is a mosquito-borne disease in the familyFlaviviridae. We have previously shown that DENV-2 can infect C6/36 mosquito cells and cause initial cytopathic effects that dissipate upon serial split-passage to yield persistently infected cultures with normal growth and morphology. In other words, the cell line accommodated persistent DENV-2 infections. It has recently been found that insect viral infections induce production of viral copy DNA (vcDNA) fragments via host reverse transcriptase (RT). The vcDNA occurs in both linear (lvcDNA) and circular (cvcDNA) forms and produces small interfering RNA (siRNA) transcripts that can result in an immediate protective RNA interference (RNAi) response. The vcDNA can also result in host acquisition of endogenous viral elements (EVE) in genomic DNA. Thus, we hypothesized that DENV-2 cvcDNA and DENV-2-EVE would arise in C6/36 insect cells challenged with DENV-2 virusin vitro. Here we describe the successful isolation and characterization of cvcDNA constructs homologous to DENV-2 from laboratory challenges with C6/36 cells. At least 1 of these appeared to arise from a DENV-2-EVE. We also show that a linear vcDNA preparation derived from the DENV-2-EVE sequence by PCR significantly reduced DENV-2 replication when applied to naive C6/36 cells prior to DENV-2 challenge. This is preliminary work designed to lay the groundwork for further studies on use of the C6/36 cell model for screening and characterization of protective EVE against both insect and shrimp viruses.
Presence of vitamin B12metabolism in the last common ancestor of land plants
Authors: Dorrell Richard G. , Nef Charlotte , Altan-Ochir Setsen , Bowler Chris , Smith Alison G.
Published: June 2023

Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, (hereinafter B12) is an essential organic micronutrient, required by humans as a cofactor for methionine synthase (METH) and for methylmalonyl CoA mutase (MCM), involved in the propionate shunt. B12is a complex corrinoid molecule made only by a subset of bacteria. Plants and fungi have an alternative methionine synthase (METE) that does not need a B12cofactor, so these organisms are typically considered to neither synthesise nor utilise B12. In contrast many algal species utilise B12if it is available, because they encode both METE and METH. Moreover, a large proportion of algal species encode METH only, and so are like animals in being dependent on an external source of the vitamin. Here, we performed a detailed phylogenetic analysis of the distribution of METE, METH and eleven further proteins implicated in B12metabolism in eukaryotic cells across an exhaustive library of over 1,500 plant and algal genomes and transcriptomes. The results reveal the hitherto undetected existence of B12-associated metabolism deep into the streptophytes. The B12-dependent synthase METH, and the accessory proteins MTRR, CblB, CblC, CblD and CblJ were detected in the basally divergent plant lineage of hornworts, and CblB and CblJ were further identified in liverworts. Using phylogenetic and PFAM analysis we demonstrate this is due to retention of ancestral B12-metabolism pathways in the last common ancestor of land plants, followed by at least two independent complete losses in mosses and vascular plants. We further show more limited distributions of genes encoding B12-related proteins across the algal tree of life, including MCM and type II ribonucleotide reductase, alongside an obligate B12-dependency across several major marine algal orders. Finally, by considering the functional biology of early-diverging land plants, together with the collection sites of ten further algal species inferred to have lost B12-dependent metabolism, we propose freshwater-to-land transitions and symbiotic associations to have been major constraining factors in B12availability in early plant evolution.
What levels of informality tackle poverty in Africa? Evidence from dynamic panel threshold analysis
Authors: Bolarinwa Segun Thompson , Simatele Munacinga
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The paper validates the threshold argument in the informality–poverty nexus. Recent literature and policy have argued the existence of a threshold in the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts dynamic panel threshold analysis, estimated within the framework of system Generalized Method of Moments (SGMM) to control for endogeneity and simultaneity. Data from 40 selected sub-Saharan African countries between 1991 and 2018 are used for the study.

Findings

Empirical results confirm the existence of an average threshold of 31% share of informality in GDP. Also, the paper finds that threshold of informality that addresses mild and severe poverty varies between 24.32 and 36.75%.

Research limitations/implications

The work is limited to African economies. Evidence from other emerging and developed economies is suggested for further research.

Practical implications

Overall, the empirical results indicate a threshold in the informality–poverty nexus. Therefore, an excessive informality level does not benefit the African growth process. Policymakers and governments are advised to operate within the bounds of the threshold of informality that reduces poverty and improve the African economic growth process.

Originality/value

The paper is the first study to provide empirical findings on the nonlinear and threshold argument in the informality–poverty nexus, as far as the authors know.
Spillover effects of crash and jump events: evidence from Chinese market
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Akhter Waheed , Haque Abdul
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the spillover effects of jump and crash events among Chinese nonfinancial firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This sample consists of more than 1.5 million weekly observations of over 3,000 Chinese listed firms over the period 1991–2015. The authors utilize univariate tests to compare the post-event performance of matched peer and non-peer control firms and cross-sectional regressions of their abnormal returns/cumulative abnormal returns (ARs/CARs) and returns on assets (ROAs).

Findings

The authors find that extreme risk-adjusted abnormal stock returns (stock price crashes and jumps) generate statistically significant ARs/CARs in the same directions in industry, size, leverage, and geographical location matched peer firms in Chinese stock market. Further tests reveal that peer firms' response to the crash event is pronounced more in the group of firms about which the information asymmetry is high between investors and firms.

Research limitations/implications

Portfolio investors can adjust their portfolios accordingly by selling stocks of the matching rival firms during a crash period. Policymakers may develop policies so as to protect the interests of small investors in the events of crashes in the markets. They can reduce the information asymmetry between the firms and the investors by making information about the firms more transparent, so as to reduce the contagion in case of crash event.

Practical implications

This study has important implications for portfolio investment managers and policymakers.

Originality/value

To the best of authors' knowledge, this is the first study that combines the jump and crash events and attempts to assess their spillover effects on other firms in Chinese stock market.
Adaptive linear quadratic regulator for optimal structural control based on wavelet transform and genetic algorithm
Authors: Chha Haylim , Peng Yongbo
Published: June 2023

Purpose

In real life, excitations are highly non-stationary in frequency and amplitude, which easily induces resonant vibration to structural responses. Conventional control algorithms in this case cannot guarantee cost-effective control effort and efficient structural response alleviation. To this end, this paper proposes a novel adaptive linear quadratic regulator (LQR) by integrating wavelet transform and genetic algorithm (GA).

Design/methodology/approach

In each time interval, multiresolution analysis of real-time structural responses returns filtered time signals dominated by different frequency bands. Minimization of cost function in each frequency band obtains control law and gain matrix that depend on temporal-frequency band, so suppressing resonance-induced filtered response signal can be directly achieved by regulating gain matrix in the temporal-frequency band, leading to emphasizing cost-function weights on control and state. To efficiently subdivide gain matrices in resonant and normal frequency bands, the cost-function weights are optimized by a developed procedure associated to genetic algorithm. Single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) and multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) structures subjected to near- and far-fault ground motions are studied.

Findings

Resonant band requires a larger control force than non-resonant band to decay resonance-induced peak responses. The time-varying cost-function weights generate control force more cost-effective than time-invariant ones. The scheme outperforms existing control algorithms and attains the trade-off between response suppression and control force under non-stationary excitations.

Originality/value

Proposed control law allocates control force amounts depending upon resonant or non-resonant band in each time interval. Cost-function weights and wavelet decomposition level are formulated in an elegant manner. Genetic algorithm-based optimization cost-efficiently results in minimizing structural responses.
From the land of Gama: event attachment scale (EAS) development exploring fans' attachment and their intentions to spectate at traditional gaming events
Authors: Rehman Junaid , Kashif Muhammad , Arumugam Thangaraja
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The desire to spectate at traditional events and festivals in different countries is dying. From a marketing perspective, researchers and practitioners need to understand why people spectate at these conventional events and festivals. Data-driven marketing approaches can help event and festival marketing policymakers in attracting potential spectators. Drawing on attachment theory, the current study fills this void and explores fans' motivation and intentions to follow Kushti (i.e. traditional wrestling) events while developing a new event attachment scale (EAS).

Design/methodology/approach

Three comprehensive studies were conducted. First, an exploratory study where 12 retired wrestlers, considered hardcore fans of Kushti were interviewed. The collected data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Second, a pilot study (n = 204) was performed leading to a main survey (n = 365). The survey data was analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis techniques.

Findings

Results revealed five types of attachments (i.e., ground attachment, game attachment, emotional attachment, cultural attachment and player attachment). An important intervention is the unique elements within each of these attachments, which may motivate fans to follow traditional gaming events. The new scale offers excellent psychometric properties.

Practical implications

Event and festival marketers should consider the role of tradition while marketing such events. The retired wrestlers can be used as influences/reference points to attract visitors to spectate at Kushti events. Furthermore, facilities such as smooth roads, approachable grounds and excellent service operations during these events can help policymakers to attract more spectators.

Originality/value

The study is unique in contextualizing Kushti and presenting a unique scale to measure fans' motivations and intentions to follow traditional gaming events.
How sales promotion influences consumers’ physical exercise and purchase behaviors: evidence from mobile exercise app data
Authors: Jang Seongsoo , Kim Hwang , Rao Vithala R.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Firms can benefit from designing sales promotion based on the analysis of consumers' physical exercise and purchase data. This study aims to study mobile exercise app data to explore how purchasing a promoted or nonpromoted product affects exercisers’ subsequent exercise and purchase behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from the theoretical framework of overjustification effect, this study empirically examines the effects of the purchase of promoted – monetary and nonmonetary – or nonpromoted products on relationships (1) between past and subsequent exercise behaviors and (2) between past exercise and subsequent purchase behaviors. Novel data of one million exercise activities and purchase transactions created by 7,517 mobile exercise app users were collected.

Findings

The results reveal that monetary and nonmonetary promotions have a negative effect on overall consumers’ amount of physical exercise but increase heavy exercisers’ exercise amount. In addition, nonmonetary (monetary) promotion has a positive (negative) effect on consumers’ purchase expenditure but has no moderating effect on the exercise–expenditure relationship.

Originality/value

This study provides a theoretical framework explaining how to mitigate the dark side of sales promotions while targeting right exercise consumer segments with the right promotion campaigns.
Generation Z's COVID-19 risk perception and socially responsible behaviors influencing intentions to participate in the tourism stimulus campaign
Authors: Kharuhayothin Tanyatip , Kitiwong Weerapong , Chaitarin Warunya
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study leverages an integrated framework that uses the theory of planned behavior (TPB), risk perception and sustainable behavior to investigate the COVID-19 risk perception of a potentially powerful consumer group – generation Z – on decisions to participate in the domestic tourism stimulus campaign and their willingness to practice socially responsible behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. The study adopts partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to examine the data with the final sample of 422 generation Z in Thailand.

Findings

The COVID-19 perceived risk positively affects attitudes, perceived behavioral control and the intention to join domestic tourism campaign, affecting the desire to engage in sustainable behaviors when traveling. Attitude and perceived behavioral control mediated risk perception and the decision to join the campaign. Unlike other studies, generation Z is conscious of the situation but is not risk-averse to travel.

Practical implications

The study offers recommendations (and domestic tourism campaign's features) for government agencies and tourism partitioners, especially developing tourism destinations, to effectively launch domestic tourism campaigns to target generation Z during and after post-pandemic crises.

Originality/value

This study contributes to our limited understanding of generation Z's travel behaviors. It contributes to the extended use of TPB, risk perception and socially responsible conduct of such a specific generation. It is one of the first studies integrating the COVID-19 risk perception of generation Z and their intention to utilize the stimulus campaign.
Immersed in Coleman's bathtub: multilevel dynamics driving new venture survival in emerging markets
Authors: Franczak Jennifer , Pidduck Robert J. , Lanivich Stephen E. , Tang Jintong
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The authors probe the relationships between country institutional support for entrepreneurship and new venture survival. Specifically, the authors unpack the nuanced influences of entrepreneurs' perceived environmental uncertainty and their subsequent entrepreneurial behavioral profiles and how this particularly bolsters venture survival in contexts with underdeveloped institutions for entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

Coleman (1990) ‘bathtub’ framework is applied to develop a model and propositions surrounding how and when emerging market entrepreneur's perceptions of their countries institutional support toward entrepreneurship can ultimately enhance new venture survival.

Findings

Entrepreneurs' interpretations of regulatory, cognitive and normative institutional support for private enterprise helps them embrace uncertainties more accurately reflective of “on the ground” realities and stimulates constructive entrepreneurial behaviors. These are critical for increasing survival prospects in characteristically turbulent, emerging market contexts that typically lack reliable formal resources for cultivating nascent ventures.

Practical implications

This paper has implications for international policymakers seeking to stimulate and sustain entrepreneurial ventures in emerging markets. The authors shed light on the practical importance of understanding the social realities and interpretations of entrepreneurs in a given country relating to their actual perceptions of support for venturing—cautioning a tendency for outsiders to over-rely on aggregated econometric indices and various national ‘doing business' rankings.

Originality/value

This study is the first to create a conceptual framework on the mechanisms of how entrepreneurs in emerging economies affect new venture survival. Drawing on Coleman's bathtub (1990), the authors develop propositional arguments for a multilevel sequential framework that considers how developing economies' country institutional profiles (CIP) influence entrepreneurs' perceptions of environmental uncertainty. Subsequently, this cultivates associated entrepreneurial behavior profiles, which ultimately enhance (inhibit) venture survival rates. Further, the authors discuss the boundary conditions of this regarding how the national culture serves to moderate each of these key relationships in both positive and negative ways.
Research on digital intelligence business model based on artificial intelligence in post-epidemic era
Authors: Lv Bo , Deng Yue , Meng Wei , Wang Zeyu , Tang Tingting
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The 21st century has brought the business model earth-shaking changes, especially since the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic at the end of 2019. Now, the epidemic normalization is slowing down China's rapid development. However, technological development, like artificial intelligence (AI), is unstoppable and is transforming China's economic growth modes from factor-driven to innovation-driven systems. Therefore, it is necessary to study further the new changes in labor entrepreneurship and innovation business models and their mechanism of action on economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

This work studies how innovative human capital (IHC) uses AI and other scientific and technological (S&T) innovation technologies to promote China's innovation-driven economic growth model transformation from the labor entrepreneurship and innovation perspective.

Findings

The research shows that the entrepreneurial innovation ability of IHC can increase marginal return and output multiplier effect. It changes the traditional business model and promotes China's economic growth and innovation development. At the same time, this work analyzes China's inter-provincial panel data through the panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) model. It concludes that there is a nonlinear relationship between IHC and the output of innovative achievements. The main body presents three stages of nonlinear changes: first rising, then slightly declining, and rising so far.

Originality/value

The finding provides a direction for solving the problem of slow economic growth and accelerating the transformation of economic growth mode under epidemic normalization.
Plant litter chemistry drives long‐lasting changes in the catabolic capacities of soil microbial communities
Authors: Bourget Malo Y. , Fanin Nicolas , Fromin Nathalie , Hättenschwiler Stephan , Roumet Catherine , Shihan Ammar , Huys Raoul , Sauvadet Marie , Freschet Grégoire T.
Published: June 2023

Although microbial communities play an important role in explaining plant litter decomposition rates, whether and how litter chemistry may alter catabolic capacities of soil microbial communities remains poorly studied.

During a 1‐year litter decomposition experiment of 12 herbaceous species with contrasting litter chemistry, we examined the effect of plant litter type (roots vs. leaves) and litter chemical traits on the resulting capacity of soil microbial communities to degrade a wide range of carbon substrates of variable complexity (MicroResp™ method).

Litter chemistry impacted both the total catabolic activity as well as specific catabolic capacities of microbial communities. In the early stages of litter decomposition total catabolic activity was mainly influenced by the amount of C and N in litter leachates, and litter N, P and Mg, then, later, by lignin concentrations. Some specific catabolic capacities could also be related to litter initial chemistry. Overall, litter trait effects on soil microbial communities decreased over time and the relative importance of traits shifted during the decomposition process.

Our results highlight that litter chemistry is a strong driver of catabolic capacities of microbial decomposers and, while its effect fades with time, it remains substantial throughout the litter decomposition process. These long‐lasting effects of litter chemistry suggest a persistent control on microbial catabolic capacities in ecosystems with recurrent litter production. Soil microbial catabolic activities were driven by broadly the same chemical traits across leaf and root litters.

Synthesis. Such long‐lasting effects of litter chemistry on catabolic capacities of microbial communities may represent a substantial indirect driver of the decomposition process. Disentangling the relative importance of this overlooked effect of litter chemistry on decomposition represents the next challenge. We argue that such research line should open ground‐breaking perspectives for reconsidering our current understanding of the mechanistic links between litter traits and decomposition rate.

Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Drought intensity alters productivity, carbon allocation and plant nitrogen uptake in fast versus slow grassland communities
Authors: Oram Natalie J. , Ingrisch Johannes , Bardgett Richard D. , Brennan Fiona , Dittmann Georg , Gleixner Gerd , Illmer Paul , Praeg Nadine , Bahn Michael
Published: June 2023

Grasslands face more frequent and extreme droughts; yet, their responses to increasing drought intensity are poorly understood. Increasing drought intensity likely triggers abrupt shifts (thresholds) in grassland ecosystem functioning which can implicate recovery trajectories.

Here, we determined how drought intensity affects plant productivity, and plant–soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling. We exposed model grassland plant communities with contrasting resource acquisition strategies (a fast‐ vs a slow‐strategy plant community), to a gradient of drought intensity. The drought gradient ranged from well‐watered to severely water‐limited conditions. We identified thresholds of plant community productivity (above‐ground biomass) at peak drought and 2 months after re‐wetting, and measured net ecosystem exchange and ecosystem respiration of C throughout the drought and recovery phases. At peak drought and 1 week after re‐wetting, we traced recently acquired C from plants to the soil and into microbial biomass and fatty acids using 13C pulse labelling, and measured plant and soil N.

At peak drought, slow‐strategy plant communities were more drought resistant than fast‐strategy communities, as the threshold in plant productivity occurred at a higher drought intensity for the slow‐ than the fast‐strategy community. Shortly after re‐wetting, microbial uptake of recent plant‐assimilated C increased with increasing past drought intensity, coinciding with an increase in soil N availability and leaf N. Threshold responses to drought intensity at peak drought translated into non‐linear recovery responses, with greater compensatory growth in the fast‐strategy community. At peak drought, increasing drought intensity reduced C uptake and increased relative C partitioning to leaves and microbial biomass. Upon re‐wetting, plant community strategy mediated drought intensity effects on plant and soil C and N dynamics and plant recovery trajectories. The fast‐strategy community recovered quickly, with higher leaf N than the slow community, while the slow community increased C allocation to microbial biomass.

Synthesis. Our findings highlight that C and N dynamics in the plant–soil system display non‐linear responses to increasing drought intensity both during and after drought, which has implications for plant community recovery trajectories.
Using model systems to unravel host–Pseudomonas aeruginosa interactions
Authors: Grandy Shannen , Scur Michal , Dolan Kathleen , Nickerson Rhea , Cheng Zhenyu
Published: June 2023

Using model systems in infection biology has led to the discoveries of many pathogen‐encoded virulence factors and critical host immune factors to fight pathogenic infections. Studies of the remarkable Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium that infects and causes disease in hosts as divergent as humans and plants afford unique opportunities to shed new light on virulence strategies and host defence mechanisms. One of the rationales for using model systems as a discovery tool to characterise bacterial factors driving human infection outcomes is that many P. aeruginosa virulence factors are required for pathogenesis in diverse different hosts. On the other side, many host signalling components, such as the evolutionarily conserved mitogen‐activated protein kinases, are involved in immune signalling in a diverse range of hosts. Some model organisms that have less complex immune systems also allow dissection of the direct impacts of innate immunity on host defence without the interference of adaptive immunity. In this review, we start with discussing the occurrence of P. aeruginosa in the environment and the ability of this bacterium to cause disease in various hosts as a natural opportunistic pathogen. We then summarise the use of some model systems to study host defence and P. aeruginosa virulence.
Spontaneous haemoperitoneum in pregnancy: Nationwide surveillance and Delphi audit system
Authors: Schreurs Anneke M. F. , Overtoom Evelien M. , de Boer Marjon A. , van der Houwen Lisette E. E. , Lier Marit C. I. , van den Akker Thomas , Cornette Jerome , Vogelvang Tatjana E. , Beenakkers Ingrid C. M. , Rosman Ageeth N. , Maas Jacques W. M. , Heineman David J. , Finken Martijn J. J. , de Vries Jan J. J. , Burger Nicole B. , Schaap Timme P. , Bloemenkamp Kitty W. M. , Mijatovic Velja
Published: June 2023

Objective

To evaluate the incidence, diagnostic management strategies and clinical outcomes of women with spontaneous haemoperitoneum in pregnancy (SHiP) and reassess the definition of SHiP.

Design

A population‐based cohort study using the Netherlands Obstetric Surveillance System (NethOSS).

Setting

Nationwide, the Netherlands.

Population

All pregnant women between April 2016 and April 2018.

Methods

This is a case study of SHiP using the monthly registry reports of NethOSS. Complete anonymised case files were obtained. A newly introduced online Delphi audit system (DAS) was used to evaluate each case, to make recommendations on improving the management of SHiP and to propose a new definition of SHiP.

Main outcome measures

Incidence and outcomes, lessons learned about clinical management and the critical appraisal of the current definition of SHiP.

Results

In total, 24 cases were reported. After a Delphi procedure, 14 cases were classified as SHiP. The nationwide incidence was 4.9 per 100 000 births. Endometriosis and conceiving after artificial reproductive techniques were identified as risk factors. No maternal and three perinatal deaths occurred. Based on the DAS, adequate imaging of free intra‐abdominal fluid, and identifying and treating women with signs of hypovolemic shock could improve the early detection and management of SHiP. A revised definition of SHiP was proposed, excluding the need for surgical or radiological intervention.

Conclusions

SHiP is a rare and easily misdiagnosed condition that is associated with high perinatal mortality. To improve care, better awareness among healthcare workers is needed. The DAS is a sufficient tool to audit maternal morbidity and mortality.
A comprehensive review of mung bean proteins: Extraction, characterization, biological potential, techno‐functional properties, modifications, and applications
Authors: Li Shiyu , Feng Xuewei , Hao Xiyu , Zhu Yingying , Zou Liang , Chen Xin , Yao Yang
Published: June 2023

The popularity of plant‐based proteins has increased, and mung bean protein (MBP) has gained immense attention due to its high yield, nutritional value, and health benefits. MBP is rich in lysine and has a highly digestible indispensable amino acid score. Dry and wet extractions are used to extract MBP flours and concentrates/isolates, respectively. To enhance the quality of commercial MBP flours, further research is needed to refine the purity of MBPs using dry extraction methods. Furthermore, MBP possesses various biological potential and techno‐functional properties, but its use in food systems is limited by some poor functionalities, such as solubility. Physical, biological, and chemical technologies have been used to improve the techno‐functional properties of MBP, which has expanded its applications in traditional foods and novel fields, such as microencapsulation, three‐dimensional printing, meat analogs, and protein‐based films. However, study on each modification technique remains inadequate. Future research should prioritize exploring the impact of these modifications on the biological potential of MBP and its internal mechanisms of action. This review aims to provide ideas and references for future research and the development of MBP processing technology.
Tarasoff in Missouri: The jurisprudence of a mental health provider's duty to warn and protect non‐patients of potential risks from patients
Authors: Boulos Nathalie , Mallela Divya , Felthous Alan
Published: June 2023

In 1976, the Supreme Court of California issued its well‐known Tarasoff Principle. From this principle, other courts found a duty to warn, and some found more than just a duty to warn, a duty to protect. As courts in other states adopted a version of the Tarasoff Principle, they issued a wide variety of third‐party liability rules. In light of the dynamic, everchanging Tarasoff jurisprudence in the United States and recent relevant appellate court opinion in Missouri, a timely updated summary and update of Tarasoff‐related jurisprudence in Missouri is warranted. In the present analysis, we compiled the four appellate court decisions that pertained to the questions of Tarasoff‐like third‐party liability in the State of Missouri:Sherrill v. Wilson(1983),Matt v. Burrell(1995),Bradley v. Ray(1995), andVirgin v. Hopewell(2001). We reviewed all legal measures for clinicians to protect nonpatients in Missouri, not just those that relate to protecting nonpatients from violence as in a Tarasof‐like scenario. Thus, this paper concisely provides a compendium of such options and allows for a meaningful comparison of which legal, protective measures are mandatory and which are permissive, thereby evoking the question of whether measures of protecting nonpatients from a patient's violent acts ought to be mandatory duties or permissive application of professional judgment.
Gene cloning, protein expression, and enzymatic characterization of a double‐stranded RNA degrading enzyme in Apolygus lucorum
Authors: Zhang Jie‐Yu , Zhao Jing , Zhu‐Salzman Keyan , Ji Qin‐Qin , Jiang Yi‐Ping , Xiao Liu‐Bin , Xu De‐Jin , Xu Guang‐Chun , Ge Lin‐Quan , Tan Yong‐An
Published: June 2023

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool that post‐transcriptionally silences target genes in eukaryotic cells. However, silencing efficacy varies greatly among different insect species. Recently, we met with little success when attempting to knock down genes in the mirid bug Apolygus lucorum via dsRNA injection. The disappearance of double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) could be a potential factor that restricts RNAi efficiency. Here, we found that dsRNA can be degraded in midgut fluids, and a dsRNase of A. lucorum (AldsRNase) was identified and characterized. Sequence alignment indicated that its 6 key amino acid residues and the Mg2+‐binding site were similar to those of other insects’ dsRNases. The signal peptide and endonuclease non‐specific domain shared high sequence identity with the brown‐winged green stinkbug Plautia stali dsRNase. AldsRNase showed high salivary gland and midgut expression and was continuously expressed through the whole life cycle, with peaks at the 4th instar ecdysis in the whole body. The purified AldsRNase protein obtained by heterologously expressed can rapidly degrade dsRNA. When comparing the substrate specificity of AldsRNase, 3 specific substrates (dsRNA, small interfering RNA, and dsDNA) were all degraded, and the most efficient degradation is dsRNA. Subsequently, immunofluorescence revealed that AldsRNase was expressed in the cytoplasm of midgut cells. Through cloning and functional study of AldsRNase, the enzyme activity and substrate specificity of the recombinant protein, as well as the subcellular localization of nuclease, the reason for the disappearance of dsRNA was explained, which was useful in improving RNAi efficiency in A. lucorum and related species.
‘Old and unfit for other service?’ Maintaining the Fabric of Parliament c.1660–1760
Authors: Eagles Robin
Published: June 2023

The old palace of Westminster developed organically over the period it was used by parliament. As well as the Lords and the Commons, it was also home to the law courts and a number of people, officials and otherwise, who lived on site. It was also a commercial hub. On occasion, there were initiatives to redevelop the complex but these were never acted upon. Instead, there was a regular programme of replacement of perishables and occasional small‐scale developments in preference to undertaking more dramatic alterations.

This article considers the way in which parliament was maintained from the Restoration in 1660 to the accession of George III, the pressures to adapt on those who lived and worked there, and the conflicting interests involved in overseeing the various buildings. Concentrating on the house of lords and drawing on the papers of the lord chamberlain and lord great chamberlain, two of the central figures in managing the palace, it will highlight the tendency to rely on ad hoc solutions. It will also underscore the importance of the complex bureaucratic relationships within the palace, which may have helped preclude a more unified vision for the site.
Catherine of Braganza during the Popish Plot and Exclusion Crisis: Anti‐Catholicism in the Houses of Commons and Lords, 1678–81*
Authors: Gregory Eilish
Published: June 2023

This article evaluates how Catherine of Braganza was scrutinised in parliament during the Popish Plot and Exclusion Crisis, 1678–81. During this period, politicians used Catherine as a political pawn to try and pressurise Charles II to secure the line of succession, which included proposals that he should divorce her and remarry, in order to secure the line of succession away from his Catholic convert brother, James, duke of York. The article focuses on how Catherine's 1661 articles of marriage became central in parliamentary debates following the Popish Plot scandal, and the extent to which politicians considered how far they could control Catherine's Catholic household without breaching the articles, or aggravating Portugal. The colonial assets of Tangier and Bombay (acquired by Britain upon Catherine's marriage to Charles), are given serious attention in understanding decisions made by parliament during this period, as removing Catherine as queen threatened to jeopardise Britain's foreign policy relationship with Portugal, as well as its trade networks and aspirations for colonial enterprises. This article, therefore, revisits Catherine of Braganza's reputation and character through the lens of the Popish Plot and Exclusion Crisis, and how Catherine's place in the Popish Plot narrative influenced England's international relationship with Portugal.
Effect of oven roasting on major chemical components in cereals and its modulation on flour‐based products quality
Authors: Li Limin , Wang Qingfa , Liu Chong , Hong Jing , Zheng Xueling
Published: June 2023

Oven roasting (OR) could induce hierarchical structural changes in starch, which is fundamental for altering the pasting and hydration properties of cereal flour. OR makes proteins denatured and peptide chains unraveled or rearranged. OR could alter compositions of cereal lipids and minerals. Although OR may degrade phenolics, their release from bound forms is predominant when mild/moderate conditions are exerted. Hence, some OR‐modified cereals even exhibit many physiological functions, such as anti‐diabetic and anti‐inflammatory activity. Furthermore, these minor components interplay with starch/protein via physical entrapment, non‐covalent interactions, or cross‐linking. The structural changes and interactions modulate functionalities of OR‐modified cereal flour, its dough/batter property, and related staple food quality. Compared with hydrothermal or high‐pressure thermal treatments, proper OR even induces greater enhancement in technological quality and bioactive compounds release. Given the simple operation and low cost, it is worth utilizing OR for the development of sensory‐appealing healthy staple foods.
Power and public authority
Authors: Ferguson William D.
Published: June 2023

Public authority addresses how actors, ranging from officials to gang leaders, and cultural innovators, interact via cooperation, competition and conflict to generate shifting degrees of social order within territories. This paper summarises four key components that directly relate to power. First, power underlies public authority. Second, public authority entails and engenders institutional bricolage. Third, public authorities utilise functions, structures, ideas and symbols of statehood. Fourth, public authorities seek legitimacy. A systematic exposition of power informs analysing public authority—notably the degree to which it facilitates inclusive or exclusive participation and distribution of benefits. This paper outlines a conceptual framework, with attention to basic elements of power, using a triadic approach that incorporates seven basic formats (or strategic templates) for exercising such power. This framework can inform subsequent inquiry and policy analysis.