bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GJA1-20k, an internally translated isoform of Connexin 43, is an actin capping protein
Authors: Baum Rachel , Palatinus Joseph A. , Waghalter Miriam , Shimura Daisuke , Jin Qianru , Kuzmanovich Lucas , Xiao Shaohua , Kléber André G. , Grintsevich Elena E. , Hong TingTing , Shaw Robin M.
Published: January 2022

Previously, we identified that GJA1-20k, an internally translated isoform of Connexin 43, mediates an actin-dependent protective form of mitochondrial fission (Shimura, Nuebel et al. 2021). We found that when GJA1-20k is present, bands of actin surround mitochondria at locations enriched with GJA1-20k, inducing mitochondrial fission which generates less oxygen free radicals, protecting hearts subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Here, we report that GJA1-20k is a direct actin binding protein and thereby identify the mechanism by which GJA1-20k is able to recruit and stabilize actin filaments around the mitochondria. Surprisingly, GJA1-20k functions as a canonical actin capping protein, producing both truncated actin puncta and stabilized actin filaments. GJA1-20k contains an RPEL-like actin binding motif, and we confirm with both computational modeling and biochemistry, that this domain is crucial for actin capping. The actin capping functionality of GJA1-20k adds GJA1-20k to the family of proteins that regulate actin dynamics. As a stress responsive protein, GJA1-20k can help explain cytoskeletal dependent responses to cellular stress, from delivery of channels to affecting mitochondrial size and function.
Light-driven biological actuators to probe the rheology of 3D microtissues
Authors: Méry Adrien , Ruppel Artur , Revilloud Jean , Balland Martial , Cappello Giovanni , Boudou Thomas
Published: January 2022

The mechanical properties of biological tissues are key to the regulation of their physical integrity and function. Although the application of external loading or biochemical treatments allows to estimate these properties globally, it remains problematic to assess how such external stimuli compare with internal, cell-generated contractions. Here we engineered 3D microtissues composed of optogenetically-modified fibroblasts encapsulated within collagen. Using light to control the activity of RhoA, a major regulator of cellular contractility, we induced local mechanical perturbation within 3D fibrous microtissues, while tracking in real time microtissue stress and strain. We thus investigated the dynamic regulation of light-induced, local contractions and their spatio-temporal propagation in microtissues. By comparing the evolution of stresses and strains upon stimulation, we demonstrated the potential of our technique for quantifying tissue elasticity and strain propagation, before examining the possibility of using light to create and map local anisotropies in mechanically heterogeneous microtissues. Altogether, our results open an avenue to guide the formation of 3D tissues while non-destructively charting their rheology of 3D tissues in real time, using their own constituting cells as internal actuators.
Reliable cell retention of mammalian suspension cells in microfluidic cultivation chambers
Authors: Schmitz Julian , Stute Birgit , Täuber Sarah , Kohlheyer Dietrich , von Lieres Eric , Grünberger Alexander
Published: January 2022

We present a new microfluidic trapping concept to retain randomly moving suspension cells inside a cultivation chamber. In comparison to previously published complex multilayer structures, we achieve cell retention by a thin PDMS barrier, which can be easily integrated into various PDMS-based cultivation devices. Cell loss during cultivation is effectively prevented while diffusive media supply is still ensured.
Recurrent emergence of carbapenem resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae mediated by an inhibitory ompK36 mRNA secondary structure
Authors: Wong Joshua L. C. , David Sophia , Sanchez-Garrido Julia , Woo Jia Z. , Low Wen Wen , Morecchiato Fabio , Giani Tommaso , Rossolini Gian Maria , Brett Stephen J. , Clements Abigail , Aanensen David M , Rouskin Silvi , Frankel Gad
Published: January 2022

Outer membrane porins in Gram-negative bacteria facilitate antibiotic influx. In Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), modifications in the porin OmpK36 are implicated in increasing resistance to carbapenems. Analysis of large KP genome collections, encompassing major healthcare-associated clones, revealed the recurrent emergence of a synonymous cytosine to thymine transition at position 25 (25c>t) in ompK36. We show that the 25c>t transition increases carbapenem resistance through depletion of OmpK36 from the outer membrane. The mutation attenuates KP in a murine pneumonia model, which accounts for its limited clonal expansion observed by phylogenetic analysis. However, in the context of carbapenem treatment, the 25c>t transition tips the balance towards treatment failure, thus accounting for its recurrent emergence. Mechanistically, the 25c>t transition mediates an intramolecular mRNA interaction between a uracil encoded by 25t and the first adenine within the Shine-Dalgarno sequence. This specific interaction leads to the formation of an RNA stem structure, which obscures the ribosomal binding site thus disrupting translation. While mutations reducing OmpK36 expression via transcriptional silencing are known, we uniquely demonstrate the repeated selection of a synonymous ompK36 mutation mediating translational suppression in response to antibiotic pressure.
Applied phenomics and genomics for improving barley yellow dwarf resistance in winter wheat
Authors: Silva Paula , Evers Byron , Kieffaber Alexandria , Wang Xu , Brown Richard , Gao Liangliang , Fritz Allan , Crain Jared , Poland Jesse
Published: January 2022

Barley yellow dwarf (BYD) is one of the major viral diseases of cereals. Phenotyping BYD in wheat is extremely challenging due to similarities to other biotic and abiotic stresses. Breeding for resistance is additionally challenging as the wheat primary germplasm pool lacks genetic resistance, with most of the few resistance genes named to date originating from a wild relative species. The objectives of this study were to, i) evaluate the use of high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) from unmanned aerial systems to improve BYD assessment and selection, ii) identify genomic regions associated with BYD resistance, and iii) evaluate genomic prediction models ability to predict BYD resistance. Up to 107 wheat lines were phenotyped during each of five field seasons under both insecticide treated and untreated plots. Across all seasons, BYD severity was lower with the insecticide treatment and plant height (PTHTM) and grain yield (GY) showed increased values relative to untreated entries. Only 9.2% of the lines were positive for the presence of the translocated segment carrying resistance gene Bdv2 on chromosome 7DL. Despite the low frequency, this region was identified through association mapping. Furthermore, we mapped a potentially novel genomic region for resistance on chromosome 5AS. Given the variable heritability of the trait (0.211 – 0.806), we obtained relatively good predictive ability for BYD severity ranging between 0.06 – 0.26. Including Bdv2 on the predictive model had a large effect for predicting BYD but almost no effect for PTHTM and GY. This study was the first attempt to characterize BYD using field-HTP and apply GS to predict the disease severity. These methods have the potential to improve BYD characterization and identifying new sources of resistance will be crucial for delivering BYD resistant germplasm.
Generation of rat lungs by blastocyst complementation in Fgfr2b-deficient mouse model
Authors: Yuri Shunsuke , Murase Yuki , Isotani Ayako
Published: January 2022

Regenerative medicine is a tool to compensate for the shortage of lungs for transplantation, but it remains difficult to construct a lung in vitro due to the complex three-dimensional structures and multiple cell types required. A blastocyst complementation method using interspecies chimeric animals has been attracting attention as a way to create complex organs in animals, but successful lung formation has not yet been achieved. Here, we applied a “reverse-blastocyst complementation method” to clarify the conditions required to form lungs in an Fgfr2b-deficient mouse model. We then successfully formed a rat-derived lung in the mouse model without generating a mouse line by applying a tetraploid-based organ-complementation method. Importantly, rat lung epithelial cells retained their developmental timing even in the mouse body. This result provides useful insights regarding the need to overcome the barrier of species-specific developmental timing in order to generate functional lungs in interspecies chimeras.
Opposite roles of Rad5 in DNA damage tolerance: playing in both error-free and mutagenic lesion bypass
Authors: Masłowska Katarzyna H. , Pagès Vincent
Published: January 2022

DNA Damage Tolerance (DDT) functions to bypass replication-blocking lesions and is divided into two distinct pathways: error-prone Translesion Synthesis (TLS) and error-free Damage Avoidance (DA).

Rad5 is a a multifunctional protein that is involved in these DDT processes. Rad5 contains three well defined domains: a RING domain that promotes PCNA polyubiquitination, a ssDNA-dependent ATPase/helicase domain, and a Rev1-binding domain. Both the RING domain and the ATPase/helicase domain are conserved in human Rad5 ortholog HLTF.

In this study we used domain-specific mutants to address the contribution of each of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rad5 functions to lesion tolerance. Using an assay based on the insertion of a single lesion into a defined locus in the genome of a living yeast cell, we demonstrate that Rad5 plays two opposite roles in lesion tolerance: i) Rad5 favors error-free lesion bypass by activating template switching through polyubiquitination of PCNA; ii) Rad5 is required for TLS by recruiting the TLS polymerase Rev1. We also show that the helicase activity does not play any role in lesion tolerance.
Highly rigid H3.1/H3.2–H3K9me3 domains set a barrier for cell fate reprogramming in trophoblast stem cells
Authors: Hada Masashi , Miura Hisashi , Tanigawa Akie , Matoba Shogo , Inoue Kimiko , Ogonuki Narumi , Hirose Michiko , Watanabe Naomi , Nakato Ryuichiro , Fujiki Katsunori , Hasegawa Ayumi , Sakashita Akihiko , Okae Hiroaki , Miura Kento , Shikata Daiki , Arima Takahiro , Shirahige Katsuhiko , Hiratani Ichiro , Ogura Atsuo
Published: January 2022

The placenta is a highly evolved, specialized organ in mammals. It differs from other organs in that it functions only for fetal maintenance during gestation. Therefore, there must be intrinsic mechanisms that guarantee its unique functions. To address this question, we comprehensively analyzed epigenomic features of mouse trophoblast stem cells (TSCs). Our genome-wide, high-throughput analyses revealed that the TSC genome contains large-scale (>1-Mb) rigid heterochromatin architectures with a high degree of histone H3.1/3.2–H3K9me3 accumulation, which we termed TSC-defined highly heterochromatinized domains (THDs). Importantly, depletion of THDs by knockdown of CAF1, an H3.1/3.2 chaperone, resulted in down-regulation of TSC markers, such asCdx2andElf5, and up-regulation of the pluripotent markerOct3/4, indicating that THDs maintain the trophoblastic nature of TSCs. Furthermore, our nuclear transfer technique revealed that THDs are highly resistant to genomic reprogramming. However, when H3K9me3 was removed, the TSC genome was fully reprogrammed, giving rise to the first TSC cloned offspring. Interestingly, THD-like domains are also present in mouse and human placental cells in vivo, but not in other cell types. Thus, THDs are genomic architectures uniquely developed in placental lineage cells, which serve to protect them from fate reprogramming to stably maintain placental function.
Investigation into the adoption of open government data among students: the behavioural intention-based comparative analysis of three countries
Authors: Lněnička Martin , Nikiforova Anastasija , Saxena Stuti , Singh Purnima
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Open government data (OGD) are considered as a technology capable of promoting transparency openness, and accountability, which in turn has a positive impact on innovation activities and creates responsive government, collaboration, cooperation, co-creation and participation. The purpose of this paper is to explore the adoption of OGD and open data portals among students, in an attempt to discover how governments can improve their actions in this respect.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a behavioural intention-based analysis using constructs from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, which is supplemented with additional constructs that meet the purpose of the study. In total, ten constructs divided into 33 items constituted the input for our study. Input data for the developed model have been collected through a structured questionnaire distributed between bachelor's and master's level students in three countries – the Czech Republic, India and Latvia. A structural equation modelling technique was used to analyse the relationships between variables of the model and test the nine hypothesis defined.

Findings

Six constructs have been identified to facilitate significant relationships with behavioural intention. The analysis of the results of the three countries allows us to draw more objective conclusions in respect to the aim of the study and to reveal country-specific aspects that need to be addressed in the future.

Originality/value

This study adds to the existing literature few theoretical and practical aspects. It highlights the role of open data portals as a central point of OGD infrastructures. It enables governments to understand the relationships among the related constructs, improving their actions and modifying their data infrastructures accordingly.
Do connoisseur consumers care about sustainability? Exploring coffee consumption practices through netnography
Authors: Bartoloni Sara , Ietto Beatrice , Pascucci Federica
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The coffee industry has experienced two major trends: the development of connoisseur consumption of specialty coffee and the importance of sustainability. Despite the increasing concomitant relevance of both trends, literature on how sustainability has been interlacing with connoisseur consumption is rather limited. Therefore, this paper aims to analyse how connoisseur consumers (CC) integrate sustainability into their coffee consumption practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a qualitative netnographic approach through an interpretive cultural analysis of specialty coffee bloggers narratives, conceived as a specific sub-group of CC that tend to be particularly active on social media.

Findings

Through the lens of social practice theories, the study reveals that CC are likely to implement and perceive sustainability very differently from the dominant mass market as subject to the influence of their shared rituals, values, norms and symbolic meanings. Such findings are relevant under a managerial perspective as they also generate insights on how to foster environmentally friendly practices in coffee consumers as well as on how to create more sustainable marketing strategies.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature on coffee consumption behaviour and sustainability. First, by analysing actual behaviours rather than intended, the study offers an alternative approach to the dominant paradigm of linear decisions models in the study of sustainable consumption. Second, because CC possess a unique consumption style, different from the mainstream market, the analysis has led towards the identification of alternative sustainable consumption patterns and enablers.
Application of blockchain technology for agrifood supply chain management: a systematic literature review on benefits and challenges
Authors: Srivastava Ayushi , Dashora Kavya
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore and analyze the application of blockchain technology (BKCT) in agrifood supply chain management (AFSM).

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) using Scopus, Emerald and Web of Science covering publications from 2016 to 2021 (till June). Out of 429 papers, 89 papers were shortlisted from journals based on citation analysis. The citation analysis was followed by a content analysis was for an in-depth analysis.

Findings

Regarding the application of BKCT in the agrifood supply chain, the study highlights the issue of food safety, traceability, transparency, eliminating intermediaries and integrating Internet of things (IoT) with BKCT as prominent applications in the agrifood sector. The study also uses the case of honey supply chain to use the explored applications in the agrifood sector and provides a traceability solution based on blockchain integrated with IoT. The challenges of BKCT as identified in the study are scalability, privacy, security, lack of regulations and lack of skills and training.

Research limitations/implications

The review considers only academic papers obtained from specific databases with their relevance based on number of citations.

Originality/value

The study contributes to filling the existing research gap through this SLR on the application of BKCT in AFSCM. The content analysis further assists in exploring the benefits and challenges of BKCT in the agrifood sector. Thus, the academic articles selected aid in this process.
Determining banking service attributes from online reviews: text mining and sentiment analysis
Authors: Mittal Divya , Agrawal Shiv Ratan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The current study employs text mining and sentiment analysis to identify core banking service attributes and customer sentiment in online user-generated reviews. Additionally, the study explains customer satisfaction based on the identified predictors.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 32,217 customer reviews were collected across 29 top banks on bankbazaar.com posted from 2014 to 2021. In total three conceptual models were developed and evaluated employing regression analysis.

Findings

The study revealed that all variables were found to be statistically significant and affect customer satisfaction in their respective models except the interest rate.

Research limitations/implications

The study is confined to the geographical representation of its subjects' i.e. Indian customers. A cross-cultural and socioeconomic background analysis of banking customers in different countries may help to better generalize the findings.

Practical implications

The study makes essential theoretical and managerial contributions to the existing literature on services, particularly the banking sector.

Originality/value

This paper is unique in nature that focuses on banking customer satisfaction from online reviews and ratings using text mining and sentiment analysis.
Whole building life cycle assessment at the design stage: a BIM-based framework using environmental product declaration
Authors: Feng Haibo , Kassem Mohamad , Greenwood David , Doukari Omar
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Whole building life cycle assessment (WBLCA) is a key methodology to reduce the environmental impacts in the building sector. Research studies usually face challenges in presenting comprehensive LCA results due to the complexity of assessments at the building level. There is a dearth of methods for the systematic evaluation and optimization of the WBLCA performance at the design stage. The study aims to develop a design optimization framework based on the proposed WBLCA method to evaluate and improve the environmental performance at the building level.

Design/methodology/approach

The WBLCA development method is proposed with detailed processes based on the EN 15978 standard. The environmental product declaration (EPD) methods were adopted to ensure the WBLCA is comprehensive and reliable. Building information modeling (BIM) was used to ensure the building materials and assembly contributions are accurate and provide dynamic material updates for the design optimization framework. Furthermore, the interactive BIM-LCA calculation processes were demonstrated for measuring the environmental impacts of design upgrades. The TOPSIS-based LCA results normalization was selected to conduct the comparisons of various building design upgrades.

Findings

The case study conducted for a residential building showed that the material embodied impacts and the operational energy use impacts are the two critical factors that contribute 60–90% of the total environmental impacts and resource uses. Concrete and wood are the main material types accounting for an average of 65% of the material embodied impacts. The air and water heating for the house are the main energy factors, as these account for over 80% of the operational energy use. Based on the original WBLCA results, two scenarios were established to improve building performance through the design optimization framework.

Originality/value

The LCA results show that the two upgraded building designs create an average of 5% reduction compared with the original building design and improving the thermal performance of the house with more insulation materials does not always reduce the WBLCA results. The proposed WBLCA method can be used to compare the building-level environmental performances with the similar building types. The proposed framework can be used to support building designers to effectively improve the WBLCA performance.
Examining the nexus between transformational leadership and follower's radical creativity: the role of creative process engagement and leader creativity expectation
Authors: Nabi Md. Nurun , Liu Zhiqiang , Hasan Najmul
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The primary objective of this study is to examine the nexus between transformational leadership (TL) and followers' radical creativity (FRC). In contrast, creative process engagement (CPE) and leader creativity expectation (LCE) was employed as a mediating and a moderator role, respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative exploratory survey was applied as a research design, and 293 valid responses were collected from industry-university collaborative team leaders-followers. The authors performed descriptive and partial least square based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis using the SPSS 23 and Smart-PLS 3.0 package program to test the hypothesis.

Findings

Empirical results revealed that the TL positively and significantly influences the FRC. Therefore, the mediation of CPE bridges the relationship between TL and FRC, while the moderating role of LCE was insignificant. TL with higher CPE indirectly enhances the FRC.

Research limitations/implications

Unlike the prior conventional componential theory of creativity (CTC), this study extends the scope of CTC addressing CPE and LCE to investigate the nexus between TL and FRC and contributes to the current literature leaders-followers relationship.

Practical implications

Practically, this research contributes to the growing body of the literature demonstrating how organizations might foster radical creativity in their employees and how to inspire followers to participate in radical creativity activities that might enhance organizational performance.

Originality/value

This study has broadened the scope of the CTC by emphasizing the mediating function of CPE in promoting particular aspects of followers' creativity.
Examining the impact of E-supply chain on service quality and customer satisfaction: a case study
Authors: Abdirad Maryam , Krishnan Krishna
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purposes of this study are to introduce the concept of service quality (SQ) in E-Supply chain management (E-SCM) and its impact on increasing customer satisfaction (CS) and provide insightful enhancements to the literature. In addition, the paper also examines the influence of SQ of E-SCM on CS in online shopping.

Design/methodology/approach

After a comprehensive literature review, four key factors for measuring the E-Supply chain (process control, interaction with supplier, management support and focus on customers), four key factors for measuring CS (informing customers, attention to customers’ needs, staff performance accuracy and easy access to services) and four factors for measuring the quality of identification services (assurance, accountability, tangibility and reliability) were selected. The proposed conceptual model was then presented. This model was validated by data collected through a survey of 150 respondents to identify CS, including that of customers of online websites in Iran. The sample data was analyzed using SPSS21, after which the interrelationships between the model and factors were examined based on the partial least square-structural. Model fit indices were then calculated for the data set. The proposed model was validated by using factor analysis and structural equation modeling techniques.

Findings

The results indicated that E-SCM has a direct impact on CS. The effect of SQ was also confirmed. A positive and significant relationship was identified between E-SCM and CS, E-SCM and SQ, as well as SQ and CS (P> 0.05).

Research limitations/implications

The first limitation was to convince respondents to cooperate with the researchers. The second one was the lack of research-related background due to the subject being relatively new.

Originality/value

This study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the first empirical analysis on the CS assessment of SQ of E-Supply Chain in online shopping. This important link to online shopping has rarely been explored. It is expected that by filling this gap, this study will help in strengthening online shopping, which needs a change in the marketing area.
The relationship between managerial entrenchment and accounting conservatism
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Ghanbari Ebrahim , Orfizadeh Saleh
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to assess the relationship between managerial entrenchment and accounting conservatism in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

To test hypotheses, all listed companies on the Tehran Stock Exchange during 2013–2018 (six years) that qualified were selected. Given the defined limitations of the study, a total of 120 firms with 720 year-observations was selected. After collecting data and figures, they were analyzed using EViews software. Having presented the inferential model tests, the panel data with fixed effects model is chosen.

Findings

The study results indicate a positive and significant relationship between managerial entrenchment and unconditional conservatism presented in the income statement. Moreover, the authors find a meaningful relationship between managerial entrenchment and unconditional conservatism about the balance sheet.

Practical implications

Managers will be more aware of the positive consequences of employment optimal corporate governance such as conservative accounting. Such corporate governance is likely to serve their interest in the long run by providing positive signals to the equity owners and board of directors.

Originality/value

By assessing conservatism’s literature in Iran, we observe many studies on this concept. Still, no investigation is carried out on the relationship between conservatism in accounting and managerial entrenchment. The present study is innovative because it evaluates the relationship between managerial entrenchment and two types of conservatism, namely, balance sheet and income statement conservatism, which have never been investigated by prior studies, notably in emerging markets.
Enlarging sustainability learning through integrative thinking with a focus on cultivating virtues
Authors: Sewchurran Kosheek , Davids Lester Merlin , McDonogh Jennifer , Meyer Camille
Published: January 2022

Purpose

In the African context of business practice, the authors face two interrelated challenges. First, executives need to deal strategically and sustainably with growing levels of inequality, under-employment and declining levels of wellness and safety. Second, executive development needs to develop virtues to help executives to address these problems. This paper aims to articulate an integrated, sustainable business education approach that aims to prepare executives to practice integrative thinking while simultaneously cultivating virtues that enhance their lives, thereby enabling them to make ongoing sustainable impacts to their worlds.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a mixed method analysis including both quantitative and qualitative data from student course feedback evaluations from Business Model Innovation (BMI) and Phronesis Development Practice courses run over four consecutive years between 2018 and 2021 at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business as part of the Executive Masters of Business Administration degree.

Findings

The program’s pedagogical approach integrates a philosophical habituation process with a core course on BMI practice. This philosophical integration is one in which there is a sustainable focus on cultivating specific “process” and “practice” virtues which foster awareness amongst executives of their everyday mundane skilful coping in the world. This leads to candidates becoming attuned to ways, in which they can strive for more authenticity and to step into newer ways of being, that allow them to reflect their values and evolve cultural practices.

Originality/value

As the first business school in Africa to base a BMI course on the affordances of the phenomenon of being-in-the-world and a philosophical habituation process, the authors hope to inspire more business schools to adopt holistic, sustainable approaches to executive development that goes beyond the competence paradigm.
Study of mechanical properties of indium-based solder alloys for cryogenic applications
Authors: Deshpande Madhuri Chandrashekhar , Chaudhari Rajesh , Narayanan Ramesh , Kale Harishwar
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to develop indium-based solders for cryogenic applications.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to investigate mechanical properties of indium-based solder formulations at room temperature (RT, 27 °C) as well as at cryogenic temperature (CT, −196 °C) and subsequently to find out their suitability for cryogenic applications. After developing these alloys, mechanical properties such as tensile and impact strength were measured as per American Society for Testing and Materials standards at RT and at CT. Charpy impact test results were used to find out ductile to brittle transition temperature (DBTT). These properties were also evaluated after thermal cycling (TC) to find out effect of thermal stress. Scanning electron microscope analysis was performed to understand fracture mechanism. Results indicate that amongst the solder alloys that have been studied in this work, In-34Bi solder alloy has the best all-round mechanical properties at RT, CT and after TC.

Findings

It can be concluded from the results of this work that In-34Bi solder alloy has best all-round mechanical properties at RT, CT and after TC and therefore is the most appropriate solder alloy amongst the alloys that have been studied in this work for cryogenic applications

Originality/value

DBTT of indium-based solder alloys has not been found out in the work done so far in this category. DBTT is necessary to decide safe working temperature range of the alloy. Also the effect of TC, which is one of the major reasons of failure, was not studied so far. These parameters are studied in this work.
CRISPR Rice vs conventional rice dilemma of a Chinese farmer*
Authors: Jin Yan , Drabik Dušan
Published: January 2022

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology for rice, which makes rice resistant to its two most destructive insect pests, is an alternative to insect‐resistant genetically modified (GM) rice. We advance an economic framework to determine ex ante the planting share of CRISPR rice in China under uncertainty about pest severity and analyse its most significant factors. Using our baseline data and an assumption that yields of CRISPR rice are 10 per cent lower than conventional rice, we estimate the planting share of CRISPR rice to be 37.9 per cent. The mean of the annual benefit of growing CRISPR rice and conventional rice together over conventional rice alone is 2.32 billion US dollars.
Spiritual hair: dreadlocks and the bodies multiple in Rastafari
Authors: Glace Nathan , Waldstein Anna
Published: January 2022

In anthropology, the body is theorized, manifested, and experienced in multiple ways that impact medical practice, social life, biopolitics, and spirituality. This article considers the role of ‘dreadlocks’ (matted hair) in the Rastafari spiritual body and, guided by the ‘body multiple’ concept, explores how the symbolic and performative nature of hair articulates with age and gender. Ethnographic data from the United Kingdom suggest the ways dreadlocks are groomed and/or covered vary widely, revealing diversity and changing meanings attributed to matted hair. By focusing on the spiritual aspects of hair, our work shows that dreadlocks and baldness are outward (visible) and inward (hidden) manifestations of a covenant with Jah (the Creator), rather than contrasting social or psychological statements. The hair symbolism debate in anthropology reveals limitations of universalist and reductionist approaches to understanding the human body. Our Rastafari material suggests the body multiple provides a better framework for interpreting (African‐inspired) spiritual hair.
Kidneys in SARS‐CoV‐2 era: A challenge of multiple faces
Authors: Abdelsalam Mostafa , Abd El Wahab Ahmed M. , Nassar Mohammed Kamal , Samaan Emad , Eldeep Ahmed , Abdalbary Mohamed , Tawfik Mona , Saleh Marwa , Shemies Rasha Samir , Sabry Alaa
Published: January 2022

Introduction

With the evolution of SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic, it was believed to be a direct respiratory virus. But, its deleterious effects were observed on different body systems, including kidneys.

Aim of Work

In this review, we tried as much as we can to summarize what has been discussed in the literature about the relation between SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and kidneys since December, 2019.

Methods

Each part of the review was assigned to one or two authors to search for relevant articles in three databases (Pubmed, Scopus, and Google scholar) and collected data were summarized and revised by two independent researchers.

Conclusion

The complexity of COVID‐19 pandemic and kidney could be attributed to the direct effect of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection on the kidneys, different clinical presentation, difficulties confronting dialysis patients, restrictions of the organ transplant programs, poor outcomes and bad prognosis in patients with known history of kidney diseases who got infected with SARS‐CoV‐2.
Regulatory intermediaries and the challenge of democratic policing
Authors: Cheng Tony , Qu Jennifer
Published: January 2022

Research summary

This study examines a model for achieving democratic governance over police departments: regulatory intermediaries, where non‐state actors are empowered with regulatory authority over public institutions. Drawing on a decade of transcripts from monthly public meetings held by the Chicago Police Board (September 2009–February 2021), this study finds, however, that regulatory intermediaries can regulate the public as much as it does the public institution. We identify three ways that the regulating public becomes the regulatory target: through (1) institutional rules, (2) hierarchized responses, and (3) norms of civility.

Policy implications

The very multiplicity and heterogeneity of voices that democratic processes seek to incorporate can undermine the institutional changes envisioned. Our policy discussion highlights: (1) the value of subordinating fair policymaking processes when seeking substantive policy ends, (2) the potential and limits of curbing institutional incentives through institutional design, and (3) the importance of gauging community grievances through multiple channels for public input.
Transition readiness assessment in adolescents and young adults with rheumatic diseases: The Singapore experience
Authors: Teh Kai Liang , Hoh Sook Fun , Chan Su‐Wan Bianca , Gao Xiaocong , Das Lena , Book Yun Xin , Arkachaisri Thaschawee
Published: January 2022

Background

Transition from pediatric to adult care is a challenging time for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with rheumatic diseases. Validated tools have been developed to assess transition readiness.

Aim

To evaluate transition readiness among AYA with rheumatic diseases and to identify factors associated with transition readiness.

Methods

Patients ≥15 years old were enrolled into our transition program and administered a Transition Readiness Assessment Tool (TRAT) from July 2017. The TRAT consists of 3 components: (a) patient's perception on importance of transition and confidence toward transition on a Likert scale 0‐10; (b) assessment of knowledge on medical and healthcare usage using a set of 23 questions; (c) transition readiness using the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ). Differences between groups were compared to identify factors associated with transition readiness.

Results

Transition readiness assessment was performed in 152 patients. The median score for perception on transition importance was 7.0 (5.0‐8.8) and the median score for confidence in transition was 7.0 (5.0‐9.0). Majority of the patients (>50%) lack knowledge in health insurance, carrying health information, healthcare privacy changes and making own healthcare decision. Patients <20 years old were also deficient in knowledge in navigating healthcare systems. TRAQ scores were lowest in areas pertaining to healthcare insurance and obtaining financial help.

Conclusion

Healthcare insurance literacy and self‐management skills were lacking in the assessment of transition readiness in AYA with rheumatic diseases. Targeted intervention in these areas will improve transition readiness and promote successful transition processes.
PACSIN proteins in vivo: Roles in development and physiology
Authors: Dumont Vincent , Lehtonen Sanna
Published: January 2022

Protein kinase C and casein kinase substrate in neurons (PACSINs), or syndapins (synaptic dynamin‐associated proteins), are a family of proteins involved in the regulation of cell cytoskeleton, intracellular trafficking and signalling. Over the last twenty years, PACSINs have been mostly studied in the in vitro and ex vivo settings, and only in the last decade reports on their function in vivo have emerged. We first summarize the identification, structure and cellular functions of PACSINs, and then focus on the relevance of PACSINs in vivo. During development in various model organisms, PACSINs participate in diverse processes, such as neural crest cell development, gastrulation, laterality development and neuromuscular junction formation. In mouse, PACSIN2 regulates angiogenesis during retinal development and in human, PACSIN2 associates with monosomy and embryonic implantation. In adulthood, PACSIN1 has been extensively studied in the brain and shown to regulate neuromorphogenesis, receptor trafficking and synaptic plasticity. Several genetic studies suggest a role for PACSIN1 in the development of schizophrenia, which is also supported by the phenotype of mice depleted of PACSIN1. PACSIN2 plays an essential role in the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and participates in kidney repair processes after injury. PACSIN3 is abundant in muscle tissue and necessary for caveolar biogenesis to create membrane reservoirs, thus controlling muscle function, and has been linked to certain genetic muscular disorders. The above examples illustrate the importance of PACSINs in diverse physiological or tissue repair processes in various organs, and associations to diseases when their functions are disturbed.
A safe and effective laparoscopic Ladd's procedure technique involving the confirmation of mesenteric vascular perfusion by fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green: A case report of an infant
Authors: Sugita Koshiro , Onishi Shun , Kedoin Chihiro , Matsui Mayu , Murakami Masakazu , Yano Keisuke , Harumatsu Toshio , Yamada Koji , Yamada Waka , Matsukubo Makoto , Muto Mitsuru , Kaji Tatsuru , Ieiri Satoshi
Published: January 2022

We herein report a 20‐month‐old boy who underwent laparoscopic Ladd's surgery. He showed intermittent bilious vomiting after birth and received a definitive diagnosis of intestinal malrotation. Laparoscopic Ladd's procedure was performed with four trocars. Midgut volvulus (180° counterclockwise) was resolved by retrogradely tracing the small intestine from the ileocecal region. After dividing Ladd's ligament, fluorescent navigation with indocyanine green was used. We decided where to dissect the mesenteries by confirming the vascular perfusion through clamping the tissue. Fibrous adhesions were gradually dissected, and it was confirmed that the mesenteric root was sufficiently broadening. Surgeons hesitate to dissect the mesenteric root in laparoscopic procedures compared with open procedures because of the narrow operative view and the risk of vascular injury. Laparoscopic Ladd's procedure using indocyanine green to confirm intestinal blood flow is safe and useful for the small working space in pediatric patients with intestinal malrotation and midgut volvulus.
Age increased the cancer‐specific mortality risk of thyroid cancer with lung metastasis
Authors: Huang Xiu , Xia Qing , Huang Yueye , Peng Aimei , Yang Jie
Published: January 2022

Objective

To investigate the relationship between age and cancer‐specific mortality in thyroid cancer (TC) with lung‐metastasis.

Patients and Methods

A total of 1418 patients with initial distant metastases from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results databases were investigated. Patients with a median follow‐up time of 8 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 2–27] and a median age of 66 years (IQR: 55–76) were divided into five groups by age and the association between age and TC‐specific mortality was analysed.

Results

The TC‐specific mortality rates were 32.78% (118/360), 46.71% (156/334), 53.93% (199/369), 58.96% (158/268) and 82.76% (72/87) in patients aged ≤55 years, >55 but ≤65 years, >65 but ≤75 years, >75 but ≤85 years and >85 years. Kaplan–Meier curves showed that TC‐specific mortality rate was associated with increased age (p < .001). Compared with patients ≤55 years, patients aged >55 but ≤65 years, >65 but ≤75 years, >75 but ≤85 years and >85 years had significantly higher hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.69 (1.26–2.26), 1.97 (1.47–2.64), 2.18 (1.59–2.99) and 3.24 (2.08–5.06) after adjustments for sex, tumour size and radiation therapy (all p < .001). In TC with initial lung‐metastasis, compared with patients ≤55 years, patients aged >55 but ≤65 years, >65 but ≤75 years, >75 but ≤85 years and >85 years had significantly higher adjusted HRs of 1.68 (1.20–2.36; p = .003), 2.18 (1.57–3.02), 2.16 (1.51–3.08) and 2.91 (1.79–4.75; p < .001). Similar results were obtained in papillary TC.

Conclusions

The TC‐specific mortality was increased with age in TC patients with initial lung‐metastasis, indicating that further risk stratification based on age was necessary for TC over 55 years with lung‐metastasis. Individual treatment strategies maybe recommended for such patients.
Retracted: Lifetime maximization energy‐aware routing protocol for route optimization to improve quality of service in wireless sensor networks
Authors: R Vinod Kumar , G Kavithaa , D Jayanthi
Published: January 2022

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are part of the short‐term networks, including sensitivity, computation, and Wi‐Fi connectivity capability. Many routing, range management, and log transfer protocols are specifically designed for WSN. The previous method showed less efficiency in routing management. The proposed lifetime maximization energy‐aware routing protocol (LTMEARP) protocol is known for its high routing efficiency, giving a higher lifetime and throughput performance. The requirement for a routing system approach is advanced with Internet service provider's protocols by recalculating the routing table after the link stage's substitution worldwide, leading to responses and connection failures by sharing important data after traffic. LTMEARP routing protocol has assured high availability routing performances during traffic conditions. LTMEARP support sends homogeneous and expanded nodes. Analyze a new approach to routing‐based selection algorithms for homogeneous node WSNs. The number of connections is limited and must be adjusted using separate paths and header packets to meet the user's network access location. The results show that the LTMEARP has achieved quality without introducing excessive network access program overhead, which deals with the study of communication and the benefits and problems with the performance of each routing technology.
Mechanistic and therapeutic implications of EphA‐4 receptor tyrosine kinase in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ganguly Devargya , Thomas Joshua Abby , Ali Abid , Kumar Rahul
Published: January 2022

Erythropoietin‐producing hepatoma (Eph) receptors belong to a family of tyrosine kinase receptors that plays a pivotal role in the development of the brain. Eph can be divided broadly into two groups, namely, EphA and EphB, comprising nine and five members, respectively. In recent years, the role of EphA‐4 has become increasingly apparent in the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Emerging evidence suggests that EphA‐4 results in synaptic dysfunction, which in turn promotes the progression of AD. Moreover, pharmacological or genetic ablation of EphA‐4 in the murine model of AD can alleviate the symptoms. The current review summarizes different pathways by which EphA‐4 can influence pathogenesis. Since, majority of the studies had reported the protective effect of EphA‐4 inhibition during AD, designing therapeutics based on decreasing its enzymatic activity might be necessary for introducing the novel interventions. Therefore, the review described peptide and nanobodies inhibitors of EphA‐4 that exhibit the potential to modulate EphA‐4 and could be used as lead molecules for the targeted therapy of AD.
In vivo microdialysis reveals that blockade of accumbal orexin OX2 but not OX1 receptors enhances dopamine efflux in the nucleus accumbens of freely moving rats
Authors: Kawashima Hiroki , Aono Yuri , Watanabe Yuriko , Waddington John L. , Saigusa Tadashi
Published: January 2022

The nucleus accumbens contain orexinergic neural inputs and orexin OX1‐ and OX2‐receptors. Behavioural studies suggest that accumbal orexin receptors modulate accumbal dopaminergic activity‐dependent locomotion in rats. We studied the effects of intra‐accumbal injection of orexin receptor ligands on accumbal extracellular dopamine levels in freely moving rats, using in vivo microdialysis and analysed the roles of OX1‐ and OX2‐receptors in the regulation of basal accumbal dopamine efflux. The orexin receptor ligands were applied intra‐accumbally though a microinjection needle attached with a dialysis probe. Neither the nonselective OX1‐ and OX2‐receptor agonist orexin‐A nor the preferential OX2‐receptor agonist orexin‐B (500.0 pg and 5.0 ng) altered accumbal dopamine levels. The nonselective OX1‐ and OX2‐receptor antagonist MK‐4305 (suvorexant, 500.0 pg, 2.5 and 5.0 ng) enhanced dopamine efflux. A 2‐h tetrodotoxin infusion into nucleus accumbens through the probe or co‐administration of orexin‐A (500.0 pg) strongly inhibited MK‐4305 (5.0 ng)‐induced accumbal dopamine efflux. The selective OX2‐receptor antagonist EMPA (90.0 and 900.0 pg, 9.0 ng) increased dopamine efflux. Intra‐accumbal infusion of tetrodotoxin abolished EMPA (9.0 ng)‐induced dopamine efflux. The selective OX1‐receptor antagonist SB‐334867 (10.0 and 20.0 ng) failed to alter dopamine efflux. Co‐administration of orexin‐B (500.0 pg) inhibited both EMPA (9.0 ng)‐ and MK‐4305 (5.0 ng)‐induced dopamine efflux. Intraperitoneal injection of MK‐4305 (10.0 mg/kg) did not affect accumbal dopamine efflux. The present study provides in vivo neuropharmacological evidence that accumbal OX2‐ but not OX1‐receptors exert inhibitory regulation of basal accumbal dopamine efflux and that blockade of accumbal OX2‐receptors enhances dopamine efflux in nucleus accumbens of freely moving rats.