bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing for the fitness benefits of natural transformation during community-embedded evolution
Authors: Winter Macaulay , Harms Klaus , Johnsen Pål Jarle , Buckling Angus , Vos Michiel
Published: March 2023

Natural transformation is a process where bacteria actively take up DNA from the environment and recombine it into their genome or reconvert it into extra-chromosomal genetic elements. The evolutionary benefits of transformation are still under debate. One main explanation is that foreign allele and gene uptake facilitates natural selection by increasing genetic variation, analogous to meiotic sex. However, previous experimental evolution studies comparing fitness gains of evolved transforming- and isogenic non-transforming strains have yielded mixed support for the “sex hypothesis.” Previous studies testing the sex hypothesis for natural transformation have largely ignored species interactions, which theory predicts provide conditions favourable to sex. To test for the adaptive benefits of bacterial transformation, the naturally transformable wildtypeAcinetobacter baylyiand a transformation-deficient ΔcomAmutant were evolved for five weeks. To provide strong and potentially fluctuating selection,A. baylyiwas embedded in a community of five other bacterial species. DNA from a pool of differentAcinetobacterstrains was provided as a substrate for transformation. No effect of transformation ability on the fitness of evolved populations was found, with fitness increasing non-significantly in most treatments. Populations showed fitness improvement in their respective environments, with no apparent costs of adaptation to competing species. Despite the absence of fitness effects of transformation, wildtype populations evolved variable transformation frequencies that were slightly greater than their ancestor which potentially could be caused by genetic drift.
Transfer of modified fecal viromes improve blood glucose regulation and alleviates symptoms of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in an obesity male mouse model
Authors: Mao Xiaotian , Larsen Sabina Birgitte , Zachariassen Line Sidsel Fisker , Brunse Anders , Adamberg Signe , Castro Mejia Josue Leonardo , Larsen Frej , Adamberg Kaarel , Nielsen Dennis Sandris , Hansen Axel Kornerup , Hansen Camilla Hartmann Friis , Rasmussen Torben Sølbeck
Published: March 2023

Metabolic syndrome encompasses amongst other conditions like obesity, type-2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), which are all associated with gut microbiome (GM) dysbiosis. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been explored to treat metabolic syndrome by restoring the GM. FMT is generally safe, but motivated by case reports, accidental transfer of pathogenic bacteria remains a concern. As a safer alternative, fecal virome transplantation (FVT, sterile-filtrated feces) has the advantage over FMT in that mainly bacteriophages are transferred and FVT from lean male donors has shown promise in alleviating the metabolic effects of a high-fat diet in a preclinical mouse study. However, FVT still carries the risk of eukaryotic viral infections. To address this, we here apply recently developed modification methodologies to inactivate or remove the eukaryotic viral component of FVT while maintaining an active enteric bacteriophage community. Modified FVTs were compared with unmodified FVT and saline in an animal model of diet-induced obesity using male C57BL/6N mice. In contrast to the obese control group, mice administered a modified FVT, nearly depleted from eukaryotic viruses (0.1%), exhibited enhanced blood glucose clearance, although without a concurrent reduction in weight gain. The unmodified FVT improved liver pathology and reduced the proportions of immune cells in the adipose tissue with a non-uniform response. GM analysis suggested that bacteriophage-mediated GM modulation had influenced these outcomes. When optimized, this may pave the way for developing safe bacteriophage-based therapies targeting metabolic syndrome through GM restoration.
Repurposing the dark genome. II - Reverse Proteins
Authors: Nayak Sarangadhar , Dhar Pawan K.
Published: March 2023

Based on the expression blueprint encoded in the genome, three groups of sequences have been identified – protein encoding, RNA encoding, and non-expressing. We asked: Why did nature choose a particular DNA sequence for expression? Did she sample every possibility, approving some for RNA synthesis, some for protein synthesis, and retiring/ignoring the rest. If evolution randomly selected sequences for metabolic trials, how much non-utilized (not-expressing) and under-utilized (only RNA encoding) information is currently available for innovations? These questions lead us to experimentally synthesizing functional proteins from intergenic sequences of E.coli (Dhar et al 2009). The current work is an extension of this original report and takes into consideration natural protein-coding sequences ‘read backward’ to generate a new possibility. Reverse proteins are full-length ‘translation equivalents’ of the existing protein-coding genes read in the -1 frame. The structural, functional and interaction predictions of reverse proteins inE.coli, S.cerevisiaeandD.melanogaster, open up a new opportunity of producing ‘first-in-the-class’ proteins towards functional endpoints. This study points to a large untapped genomic space from the fundamental biology and applications perspectives.
TREM2-dependent senescent microglia conserved in aging and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Rachmian N , Medina S. , Cherqui U. , Akiva H. , Deitch D , Edilbi D , Croese T. , Salame TM. , Peralta Ramos JM. , Cahalon L. , Krizhanovsky V. , Schwartz M.
Published: March 2023

Dementia in general, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in particular, are age-related diseases1,2. AD is associated with multiple causative factors3,4, among which local brain inflammation plays a significant role5. Microglia, the brain-resident immune cells6,7, are activated along the disease course7. Yet, their contribution to the disease progression is still controversial. Here, using high-throughput mass cytometry for microglial immuno-phenotyping, we identified accumulation of senescent microglia in several pathologies associated with cognitive decline. These senescent microglia have a unique profile conserved across the multiple conditions investigated, including aging, mouse models of amyloidosis, and tauopathy. Moreover, we found that the expression of markers of senescence correlates with levels of TREM2, whose polymorphism was identified by GWAS as an AD risk factor8,9. A TREM2-null AD mouse model showed lower levels of senescent microglia, relative to TREM2-intact AD mice. Senolysis using the drug ABT-73710,11in an AD mouse model reduced the abundance of TREM2-senescent microglia without affecting levels of TREM2-dependent activated microglia, ameliorated cognitive deficits, and reduced brain inflammation. These results reveal the unexpected contribution of TREM2 to accumulation of senescent microglia in AD pathology, an effect that must be considered when targeting TREM2 as a therapeutic approach.
Agrobacteria deploy two classes of His-Me finger superfamily nuclease effectors exerting different antibacterial capacities against specific bacterial competitors
Authors: Santos Mary Nia M. , Pintor Katherine L. , Hsieh Pei-Yu , Cheung Yee-Wai , Sung Li-Kang , Shih Yu-Ling , Lai Erh-Min
Published: March 2023

Type VI secretion system (T6SS) assembles into a contractile nanomachine to inject effectors across bacterial membranes for secretion.Agrobacterium tumefaciensspecies complex is a group of soil inhabitants and phytopathogens that deploys T6SS as an antibacterial weapon against bacterial competitors at both inter-species and intra-species levels.A. tumefaciensstrain 1D1609 genome encodes one main T6SS gene cluster and fourvrgGgenes (i.e.vgrGa-d), each encoding a spike protein as an effector carrier. Previous study reported thatvgrGa-associated gene 2, named asv2a,encodes a His-Me finger nuclease toxin (also named as HNH/ENDO VII nuclease) contributing to DNase-mediated antibacterial activity. However, the functions and roles of other putative effectors remain unknown. In this study, we identifiedvgrGc-associated gene 2 (v2c) that encodes another His-Me finger nuclease but with distinct SHH motif differed from AHH motif of V2a. We demonstrated that the ectopic expression of V2c caused growth inhibition, plasmid DNA degradation, and cell elongation inEscherichia coli. The cognate immunity protein, V3c, neutralizes the DNase activity and rescues phenotypes of the growth inhibition and cell elongation. Ectopic expression of V2c DNase-inactive variants retains the cell elongation phenotype while V2a induced cell elongation in a DNase-mediated manner. We also showed that the amino acids of conserved SHH and HNH motifs are responsible for the V2c DNase activityin vivoandin vitro. Notably, V2c also mediated the DNA degradation and cell elongation of target cell in the context of interbacterial competition. Importantly, V2a and V2c exhibit different capacities against different bacterial species and function synergistically to exert stronger antibacterial activity against the soft rot phytopathogen,Dickeya dadantii.
Binding to nucleosome poises human SIRT6 for histone H3 deacetylation
Authors: Smirnova Ekaterina , Bignon Emmanuelle , Schultz Patrick , Papai Gabor , Ben-Shem Adam
Published: March 2023

Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) is an NAD+dependent histone H3 deacetylase that is prominently found associated with chromatin, attenuates transcriptionally active promoters and regulates DNA repair, metabolic homeostasis and lifespan. Unlike other sirtuins, it has low affinity to free histone tails but demonstrates strong binding to nucleosomes. It is poorly understood how SIRT6 docking on nucleosomes stimulates its histone deacetylation activity. Here we present the structure of human SIRT6 bound to a nucleosome determined by cryogenic electron microscopy. The zinc finger domain of SIRT6 associates tightly with the acidic patch of the nucleosome through multiple arginine anchors. The Rossmann fold domain binds to the terminus of the looser DNA half of the nucleosome, detaching two turns of the DNA from the histone octamer and placing the NAD+binding pocket close to the DNA exit site. This domain shows flexibility with respect to the fixed zinc finger and moves with, but also relative to, the unwrapped DNA terminus. We apply molecular dynamics simulations of the histone tails in the nucleosome to show that in this mode of interaction, the active site of SIRT6 is perfectly poised to catalyze deacetylation of the H3 histone tail and that the partial unwrapping of the DNA allows even lysines close to the H3 core to reach the enzyme.
Going back to ‘basics’: Harlow’s learning set task with wolves and dogs
Authors: Rivas-Blanco Dániel , Monteiro Tiago , Virányi Zsófia , Range Friederike
Published: March 2023

To survive and reproduce, animals need to behave adaptively by adjusting their behavior to their environment, with learning facilitating some of these processes. Despite the fact that dogs were the subject species for Pavlov’s original studies on learning, relatively little research has been done exploring dogs’ basic learning capabilities, and even fewer focused on the impact evolution may have had on this behavior. In order to investigate the effects of dog domestication on instrumental learning, we tested similarly-raised wolves and dogs in Harlow’s “learning set” task. In Experiment 1, several pairs of objects were presented to the animals, one of which was baited while the other was not. Both species’ performance gradually improved with each new set of objects, showing that they “learnt to learn” but no differences were found between the species in their learning speed. In Experiment 2 addressing reversal learning, once subjects had learned the association between one of the objects and the food reward, the contingencies were reversed and the previously unrewarded object of the same pair was now rewarded. Dogs’ performance in this task proved to be better than wolves’, albeit only when considering just the first session of each reversal, suggesting that either the dogs had not learned the previous association as well as the wolves or that dogs are more flexible than wolves. Further research (possibly with the aid of refined methods such as touchscreens) would help ascertain whether these differences between wolves and dogs are persistent across different learning tasks.
Nerve injury disrupts temporal processing in the spinal cord dorsal horn through alterations in PV+interneurons
Authors: Rankin Genelle , Chirila Anda M. , Emanuel Alan J. , Zhang Zihe , Woolf Clifford J. , Drugowitsch Jan , Ginty David D.
Published: March 2023

How mechanical allodynia following nerve injury is encoded in patterns of neural activity in the spinal cord dorsal horn (DH) is not known. We addressed this using the spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain andin vivoelectrophysiological recordings. Surprisingly, despite dramatic behavioral over-reactivity to mechanical stimuli following nerve injury, an overall increase in sensitivity or reactivity of DH neurons was not observed. We did, however, observe a marked decrease in correlated neural firing patterns, including the synchrony of mechanical stimulus-evoked firing, across the DH. Alterations in DH temporal firing patterns were recapitulated by silencing DH parvalbumin+(PV+) inhibitory interneurons, previously implicated in mechanical allodynia, as were allodynic pain-like behaviors in mice. These findings reveal decorrelated DH network activity, driven by alterations in PV+interneurons, as a prominent feature of neuropathic pain, and suggest that restoration of proper temporal activity is a potential treatment for chronic neuropathic pain.
Repertoire and abundance of secreted virulence factors shape the pathogenic capacity ofPseudomonas syringaepv.aptata
Authors: Nikolić Ivan , Glatter Timo , Ranković Tamara , Berić Tanja , Stanković Slaviša , Diepold Andreas
Published: March 2023

Pseudomonas syringaepv.aptatais a member of the sugar beet pathobiome and the causative agent of leaf spot disease. Like many pathogenic bacteria,P. syringaerelies on the secretion of toxins, which manipulate host-pathogen interactions, to establish and maintain an infection. This study analyzes the secretome of six pathogenicP. syringaepv.aptatastrains with different defined virulence capacities in order to identify common and strain-specific features, and correlate the secretome with disease outcome. All strains show a high type III secretion system (T3SS) and type VI secretion system (T6SS) activity under apoplast-like conditions mimicking the infection. Surprisingly, we found that low pathogenic strains show a higher secretion of most T3SS substrates, whereas a distinct subgroup of four effectors was exclusively secreted in medium and high pathogenic strains. Similarly, we detected two T6SS secretion patterns: while one set of proteins was highly secreted in all strains, another subset consisting of known T6SS substrates and previously uncharacterized proteins was exclusively secreted in medium and high virulence strains. Taken together, our data show thatP. syringaepathogenicity is correlated with the repertoire and fine-tuning of effector secretion and indicate distinct strategies for establishing virulence ofP. syringaepv.aptatain plants.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of N-{N-[amino(dimethylamino)methyl]carbamimidoyl}-3-bromobenzenesulfonamide
Authors: Su Kexin , Luo Jiangshui , Van Meervelt Luc
Published: March 2023

The title compound, C10H14BrN5O2S, is the bromobenzenesulfonamide derivative of the type 2 diabetes drug metformin. The asymmetric unit contains two molecules with almost identical conformations but a different orientation of the bromophenyl moiety. Both molecules exhibit intramolecular N—H...N and N—H...O hydrogen bonds. The molecular packing features chain formation in the a-axis direction by alternating N—H...N and N—H...O interactions. In addition, ring motifs consisting of four molecules and π–π interactions between the phenyl rings contribute to the three-dimensional architecture. A Hirshfeld surface analysis shows that the largest contributions to surface contacts arise from contacts in which H atoms are involved.
Syntheses, crystal structures and Hirshfeld surface analysis of three salts of 1-(4-nitrophenyl)piperazine
Authors: Archana Sreeramapura D. , Foro Sabine , Yathirajan Hemmige S. , Kiran Kumar Haruvegowda , Balerao Rishik , Butcher Ray J.
Published: March 2023

The structures and Hirshfeld surface analysis of three salts of 1-(4-nitrophenyl)piperazine are discussed. In 4-(4-nitrophenyl)piperazin-1-ium salicylate (C10H14N3O2
+·C7H5O3
−), there are strong hydrogen bonds between cation and anion and the 4-nitrophenyl substituent occupies an equatorial position in the piperazinium ring. The cation and anion are linked together by supramolecular interactions [graph-set notation of hydrogen bonding C_{2}^{2}(6) propagating in the a-axis direction]. Additionally, there is π–π stacking involving the salicylate anion and the piperazinium cation in adjacent asymmetric units as well as a C—H...π interaction between a hydrogen atom on the piperazine ring and the phenyl ring within the salicyclate anion. In bis[4-(4-nitrophenyl)piperazin-1-ium] bis(4-fluorobenzoate) trihydrate (2C10H14N3O2
+·2C7H4FO2
−·3H2O), there are two cations, two anions, and three water molecules of solvation in the asymmetric unit, all linked by hydrogen bonds [graph-set notation of hydrogen bonding R
2
2(20) between adjacent cations and R
3
3(9) between a cation and its adjacent anion]. In the anion, the 4-nitrophenyl ring occupies an axial substitution position in the piperazinium ring, which is relatively rare. Within the asymmetric unit, the phenyl groups in the cations show an offset π–π interaction. Additionally, there is a C—H...π interaction between a hydrogen atom on the phenyl ring within a cation and the phenyl ring within an anion. In 4-(4-nitrophenyl)piperazin-1-ium 3,5-dinitrobenzoate (C10H14N3O2
+·C7H4N2O6
−), there is a strong N—H...O hydrogen bond linking the cation and anion and the 4-nitrophenyl ring occupies an axial substitution position in the piperazinium ring, as seen in the previous structure. In the crystal, the cation and the anion form a complex three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded array involving R
2
2(8), R
4
4(12) and R
4
4(20) rings propogating in the a-axis direction. The nitrophenyl group is disordered with occupancies of 0.806 (10) and 0.194 (10).
Data mining–based stock price prediction using hybridization of technical and fundamental analysis
Authors: Kaur Jasleen , Dharni Khushdeep
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The stock market generates massive databases of various financial companies that are highly volatile and complex. To forecast daily stock values of these companies, investors frequently use technical analysis or fundamental analysis. Data mining techniques coupled with fundamental and technical analysis types have the potential to give satisfactory results for stock market prediction. In the current paper, an effort is made to investigate the accuracy of stock market predictions by using the combined approach of variables from technical and fundamental analysis for the creation of a data mining predictive model.

Design/methodology/approach

We chose 381 companies from the National Stock Exchange of India's CNX 500 index and conducted a two-stage data analysis. The first stage is identifying key fundamental variables and constructing a portfolio based on that study. Artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machines (SVM) and decision tree J48 were used to build the models. The second stage entails applying technical analysis to forecast price movements in the companies included in the portfolios. ANN and SVM techniques were used to create predictive models for all companies in the portfolios. We also estimated returns using trading decisions based on the model's output and then compared them to buy-and-hold returns and the return of the NIFTY 50 index, which served as a benchmark.

Findings

The results show that the returns of both the portfolios are higher than the benchmark buy-and-hold strategy return. It can be concluded that data mining techniques give better results, irrespective of the type of stock, and have the ability to make up for poor stocks. The comparison of returns of portfolios with the return of NIFTY as a benchmark also indicates that both the portfolios are generating higher returns as compared to the return generated by NIFTY.

Originality/value

As stock prices are influenced by both technical and fundamental indicators, the current paper explored the combined effect of technical analysis and fundamental analysis variables for Indian stock market prediction. Further, the results obtained by individual analysis have also been compared. The proposed method under study can also be utilized to determine whether to hold stocks for the long or short term using trend-based research.
Blockholder ownership and corporate cash holdings: evidence from European firms
Authors: Alomran Abdulaziz Ahmed
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of ownership by large shareholders (blockholders) on corporate cash holdings. The study further investigates heterogeneity in the relationship between blockholder ownership and corporate cash holdings.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on the precautionary and agency motives of corporate cash holdings, the study focuses on publicly listed firms from 22 European countries for the period from 2006 to 2015. Multiple pooled ordinary least square and fixed effects regression models are employed to examine the relationship between blockholder ownership and firms’ cash holdings.

Findings

This study documents a positive relationship between blockholder ownership and corporate cash holdings which indicates the role of blockholders in influencing firms’ cash holdings policies. However, further analyses show that the effect of blockholding on cash holdings depends on the type of blockholder. While the relationship is still positive between cash holdings and ownership by strategic blockholders, it turns negative for the ownership by institutional blockholders.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides evidence for the important role played by firms’ ownership structures, and especially blockholding, in shaping firms’ cash holdings decisions. The findings are therefore of great value for investors, firms’ management and board and policy makers.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by providing an explanation of the contradictory results documented in the literature on the impact of blockholders on corporate cash holdings. This study, to the best of the author’s knowledge, is the first to examine the effect of blockholder ownership on cash holdings by distinguishing between different types of blockholder.
Offering technologies for innovation: strategies and challenges
Authors: Goebel Karin , Losekann Sabrine Dias , Polla Paola Thalissa Bartoski , Montenegro Karla Bernardo Mattoso , Ávila Andréa Rodrigues
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze the strategies and challenges related to technology transfer (TT) in technology transfer offices (TTOs), specifically regarding actions to offer technologies in their portfolios.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative research used a multiple case study based on interviews with TTO managers from seven Brazilian public Science and Technology Institutions (STIs): University of São Paulo (USP), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Paulista State University (UNESP), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) and Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ).

Findings

STIs that invest more resources in their portfolio’s active offering and marketing are more successful in TT than STIs with a passive strategy. Although this active strategy has grown in importance, there is a disparity among Brazilian TTOs as some are still passive in commercializing their intellectual property. This research also highlights the need for clear policies to overcome obstacles related to legal uncertainty for researchers who wish to undertake projects as entrepreneurs using the intellectual property of STIs.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study cannot be generalized since its conclusions are limited to the studied institutions. However, the outcomes indicate some interesting matters for managers of STIs, public policymakers and TT researchers.

Originality/value

Literature on marketing and innovation related to TT between research institutions and companies in developing countries is still limited. Thus, this research contributes to generating knowledge in the field and improving TTOs.
Students' employability confidence in COVID-19 pandemic: role of career anxiety and perceived distress
Authors: Qazi Wasim , Qazi Zubaida , Raza Syed Ali , Hakim Shah Faiza , Khan Komal Akram
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The present research aims to investigate the impact of “COVID-19 phobia” factors (psychological, social, economic and psychosomatic) on career anxiety and perceived distress. Further, this research assesses whether career anxiety and perceived distress foster or diminish students' employability confidence.

Design/methodology/approach

“Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM)” has been used to analyze the data.

Findings

The results depict that factors (psychological, economic and psychosomatic) are positively and significantly associated with career anxiety and perceived distress. However, social factors indicate an adverse impact on perceived distress. Further, career anxiety and perceived distress positively influence employability confidence, but the associations are not highly impactful.

Originality/value

This research elucidates an unexplored phenomenon in the context of a developing country that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) phobia scale (i.e. psychological, social, economic and psychosomatic) result in career anxiety and distress. Moreover, no studies highlighted the direct impact of career anxiety and perceived distress on employability confidence.
The synergistic effect of the industrial international competitiveness and coopetition network position on market share: evidence from global automobile industry
Authors: Guan Feiyang , Wang Tienan , Sun Linbing
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how the firm’s global coopetition network position impacts market share and to explore the multiple moderating effects of trade network strength and structures on the relationship between firm global coopetition network position and market share.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper selects global automobile manufacturing firms as samples whose classification is “Automobile” in the Factiva database from 2014 to 2018 and develops the measurement for global coopetition network and trade network by using Ucinet6. Finally, Stata was used for data analysis.

Findings

This paper finds that structural holes and centrality are beneficial to improve global market share. And the trade network strength and structures have positive multiple moderating effects on the relationship between the firm global coopetition network position and market share.

Originality/value

This paper explores industrial international competitiveness according to the intricate trade relations among countries and the impact of industrial international competitiveness on the relationship between global coopetition network position of brand firms and market share. The results of this paper expand the current literature on the relationship between characteristics of coopetition network and trade network.
Place attachment in coffee shops: a customer perspective study in North Cyprus
Authors: Haktanir Mine , Gullu Ezgi
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop a better understanding of the key determinants of repetitive visits to coffee shops. The paper intends to answer a simple, yet crucial question, “Why do people go to coffee shops repeatedly, and frequently?”.

Design/methodology/approach

Two coffee shops in North Cyprus are used as case studies in order to provide in-depth information about the perceptions and experiences of coffee shop clients, managers and staff. An inductive methodological structure together with qualitative data collection methods provided a rich, exploratory setting.

Findings

A social network of customers and employees, communication with familiar people and sharing a homely feel are found to be the key determinants of clients' attachment. Comfort, security, sense of belonging and the convenience of the place also play a pivotal role. The traditional habit of coffee drinking is a prime motivation for people of this area to meet up and socialize.

Practical implications

Managers can optimize operational results as it is evident that social and cultural elements are the key drivers for repeat customer visits, while regional planners can set society-driven policies.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by using a holistic approach to understand the factors which influence revisit intentions of coffee shop clients in relation to the third place, the place attachment and the service space concepts. The research approach employed is also significant as it enabled the presentation of the real-life dynamics and its relation to the literature.
The effects of augmented reality shopping experiences: immersion, presence and satisfaction
Authors: tom Dieck M. Claudia , Cranmer Eleanor , Prim Alexandre Luis , Bamford David
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Augmented reality (AR) is transforming the business and interactive marketing landscape. This research aims to investigate consumers' degree of involvement and if a feeling of immersion and presence influences AR shopping satisfaction, comparing high- and low-immersive AR experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a quantitative approach. Two studies were carried out: a high-immersive AR experiment with 173 participants and a low-immersive AR experience with 222 participants. Findings were analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling with SmartPLS.

Findings

Results indicate the antecedents of immersion and presence differ when it comes to different immersive AR levels. In a high-immersive AR experience, flow, information seeking and novelty are attributes related to immersion, while enjoyment and personalization are related to presence. Contrastingly, in a low-immersive AR experience, only flow is related to immersion, while information seeking, novelty and personalization are related to presence. These results highlight the role of immersion and presence as mediators for AR shopping satisfaction experience.

Originality/value

This study's originality lies in the use of a rival model for analysis. Findings suggest a contingent perspective of AR experience, depending on high- or low-immersion experience, so companies must pay attention for how to measure AR experiences to increase involvement and satisfaction.
Variability in terrestrial litter decomposition can be explained by nutrient allocation strategies among soil decomposer communities
Authors: Murúa José M. , Gaxiola Aurora
Published: March 2023

Leaf litter decomposition is a key process for nutrient cycling with broad ecosystem‐level consequences. However, we still cannot explain an important amount of the observed variability in decomposition rates. Therefore, a mechanistic model of how litter quality impacts the metabolic capacity of microbial decomposers to degrade litter at a given rate could improve our understanding of litter decomposition.

Elemental imbalances between leaf litter and microbial decomposers can lead to nutrient‐limited decomposition. Microbial decomposers can deal with elemental imbalances via three main physiological mechanisms; by adjusting their carbon use efficiency (i.e. the proportion of assimilated carbon that is not respired), accumulating nitrogen or adjusting extracellular enzyme allocation between carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Therefore, decomposer communities that adjust to elemental imbalances using these strategies should decompose litter faster than those unable to adjust.

In this study, in a reciprocal transplant microcosm, we experimentally evaluated whether differences in the capacity of decomposers to reduce elemental imbalances help explain variability in decomposition rates. We used litter and soils from three coexisting woody species with contrasting litter C:N. Throughout the decomposition experiment, we quantified litter biomass loss, the allocation to β‐1,4‐glucosidase and β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase (i.e. C and N degrading enzymes), and N accumulation. These data allowed us to identify the main strategies through which decomposers deal with elemental imbalances and their concomitant effects on litter decomposition rates.

Our results confirm that litter decomposition rates are strongly controlled by litter quality, but differences in decay rates are a function of C and N demands of decomposers. Here, decomposers dealt with elemental imbalances mainly through N accumulation and, to a lesser extent, through extracellular enzyme allocation and lower carbon use efficiency. However, when enzymatic allocation and N accumulation were insufficient to reduce elemental imbalances, decomposition rates were slower irrespective of litter quality. Finally, we show that the effectiveness of physiological strategies used by decomposers to reduce elemental imbalances will affect decomposition rates, a key ecosystem process.

Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Ensemble scenario‐based inversion: A new approach for estimating the uncertainty of resistivity models derived from 3D controlled source electromagnetic data
Authors: Causse Emmanuel
Published: March 2023

Non‐linear inversion of controlled source electromagnetic data is non‐unique. Inversion ambiguity and uncertainty grow with model complexity and limitations in sensitivity, for example when imaging deep targets. Uncertainties should be estimated. The best way to do that is by statistical inversion techniques. Because of the large number of parameters of 3D models, these methods are too costly for 3D applications. But neglecting or underestimating uncertainties often leads to erroneous interpretation and poor exploration decisions. The number of inversion parameters can be dramatically reduced while still being able to describe a complex 3D subsurface. To obtain that, I represent prior information by an input ensemble of geologically reasonable prior models. The model space is defined by the principal directions of this ensemble, where the inversion parameters are the coefficients of the different components. In this model space, inversion becomes much more efficient and can produce an updated ensemble of posterior models at the same computational cost as a controlled‐source electromagnetic inversion project using conventional non‐linear inversion techniques. I present examples where unique Gauss–Newton inversions lead to difficult interpretations and poor conclusions about hydrocarbon presence and saturation. The new approach provides a quantitative estimation of resistivity ambiguities and uncertainties leading to better interpretation and safer decisions. The examples use 2D synthetic controlled‐source electromagnetic data and 3D controlled‐source electromagnetic field data.
Cerebral infarction after treatment with dabrafenib plus trametinib for BRAF‐V600E‐positive non–small cell lung cancer: A case report
Authors: Taniguchi Yoshihiko , Tamiya Akihiro , Yanagisawa Atsushi , Shimaya Minako , Kawakami Mayu , Inagaki Yuji , Saijo Nobuhiko , Matsuda Yoshinobu , Okishio Kyoichi
Published: March 2023

Dabrafenib plus trametinib is the standard treatment for BRAF V600E‐mutated non‐small cell lung cancer. No treatment‐related cerebral infarction (CI) has been reported in previous clinical trials. Here, we described a 61‐year‐old Japanese man with BRAF V600E‐mutated lung adenocarcinoma treated with dabrafenib plus trametinib as a third‐line treatment. On the 10th day of dabrafenib plus trametinib treatment, the patient developed fever and was urgently hospitalized on the 18th day owing to impaired consciousness. The patient had disseminated intravascular coagulation because of infection, was treated with thrombomodulin and ceftriaxone, and subsequently improved. On the 44th day, dabrafenib plus trametinib was resumed with a one‐step dose reduction. Three hours after the first oral administration, the patient developed chills, fever, and hypotension. He received intravenous fluids. On the 64th day, 20 mg prednisolone was administered from the previous day, and dabrafenib plus trametinib was resumed with a further one‐step reduction in dose. Five hours after the first oral administration, the patient developed fever, hypotension, paralysis of the right upper and lower limbs, and dysarthria appeared. Head magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple cerebral infarcts. Hemoconcentration because of intravascular dehydration may have caused CI. In conclusion, CI should be taken into consideration during treatment with dabrafenib plus trametinib.
Incidental invertebrate‐derived DNA detection of invasive and threatened species in temperate dry Southeast Australian forest
Authors: Cutajar Timothy P. , Pulsford Stephanie A.
Published: March 2023

Well‐informed biodiversity conservation practice can often be precluded by poor species detectability. For example, populations being missed during surveys can lead to them being omitted from species lists or area management plans. iDNA (invertebrate‐derived DNA) is a recently developed set of techniques for improving the detectability of elusive vertebrates by exploiting their associated invertebrates. Parasitic and scavenging invertebrates can be readily collected, and their gut contents DNA barcoded to detect local vertebrate diversity. However, most iDNA surveys have targeted mammals and have been carried out in tropical areas and/or rainforests. We carried out iDNA surveys targeting frogs in temperate dry sclerophyll forests in south‐eastern Australia. We set mosquito traps broadcasting recorded frog calls with the aim of collecting frog‐biting flies, which are attracted to frog calls. We collected 156 fly specimens, although none were of frog‐biting species, and no frogs were detected via iDNA, despite many being observed in the field. However, two mammal and one reptile species were detected via iDNA: the feral cat (Felis catus: Felidae), domestic dog or dingo (Canis lupus: Canidae) and the threatened Rosenberg's monitor (Varanus rosenbergi: Varanidae). Vertebrate‐sampling flies are likely highly abundant in the area since they were collected apparently incidentally in traps lacking appropriate attractants; a promising result for further surveys is different attractants are employed. This study is one of the few in which an invasive species has been detected through iDNA, and highlights its potential for improved detectability of threatened species outside of the tropics and early detection of invasive species.
Occupational sex segregation in agriculture: Evidence on gender norms and socio‐emotional skills in Nigeria
Authors: Das Smita , Delavallade Clara , Fashogbon Ayodele , Olatunji Ogunleye Wale , Papineni Sreelakshmi
Published: March 2023

Occupational sex segregation is a key driver of the gender gap in earnings. Using data from 11,691 aspiring agribusiness entrepreneurs in Nigeria, this article explores factors that drive sectoral choice, gender differences in the choice decision, and especially the role played by norms around gender roles. When given a choice of 11 agricultural value chains in a government program, we find the majority (54 percent) of the applicants chose to enter into the poultry value chain, and women were more likely to choose poultry than men. This article finds evidence of more restrictive gender norms in Northern Nigeria states, which lowers women's likelihood of entering into agricultural value chains where the potential for profit may be higher. The gender bias in sectoral choice is also attributed to differences in work experience especially in agricultural activities and in the chosen value chain, as well as in land ownership. Women with more experience in male‐dominated agricultural value chains exhibit lower self‐efficacy, which could reflect the challenges they face when deviating from social norms to operate within nontraditional value chains.
ALPS‐Neo pain and stress assessment scale for neonates—A measure for procedural pain
Authors: Vederhus Bente Johanne , Olsen Merete Susan , Eide Geir Egil , Storm Hanne , Guthe Hans Jørgen
Published: March 2023

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate psychometric properties, reliability and validity, of Astrid Lindgren and Lund Children's Hospitals Pain and Stress Assessment Scale for Preterm and Sick Newborn Infants (ALPS‐Neo), as a measure for procedural pain.

Methods

This observational, prospective study with a repeated measures design, explored inter‐rater reliability by two raters assessing 21 neonates during non‐pain and pain events. Construct validity was explored, that is, ability to discriminate between non‐pain and pain, and criterion validity by correlating ALPS‐Neo with Premature Infant Pain Profile‐Revised (PIPP‐R) and Skin Conductance Algesimeter (SCA) in 54 neonates without ventilator support and sedation undergoing routine heel‐stick procedure in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit.

Results

Mean gestational and assessment age of 54 infants was 33.8 weeks and 12.7 days respectively. Inter‐rater reliability from baseline, skin wiping, heel‐stick events for 21 infants demonstrated intraclass correlations with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of 0.49 (−0.27 to 0.79), 0.86 (0.65–0.94) and 0.73 (0.34–0.89) respectively. ALPS‐Neo discriminated significantly between baseline, non‐pain and heel‐stick (mean differences from pain event −2.3 and −1.0 respectively) and correlated during heel‐stick with PIPP‐R (r = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.34–0.72), not with SCA.

Conclusion

ALPS‐Neo may be used as a measure for procedural pain.
Machine learning to predict major bleeding during anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism: possibilities and limitations
Authors: Mora Damián , Mateo Jorge , Nieto José A. , Bikdeli Behnood , Yamashita Yugo , Barco Stefano , Jimenez David , Demelo‐Rodriguez Pablo , Rosa Vladimir , Yoo Hugo Hyung Bok , Sadeghipour Parham , Monreal Manuel ,   and the Registro Informatizado de Enfermedad TromboEmbólica (RIETE) Investigators
Published: March 2023

Predictive tools for major bleeding (MB) using machine learning (ML) might be advantageous over traditional methods. We used data from the Registro Informatizado de Enfermedad TromboEmbólica (RIETE) to develop ML algorithms to identify patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) at increased risk of MB during the first 3 months of anticoagulation. A total of 55 baseline variables were used as predictors. New data prospectively collected from the RIETE were used for further validation. The RIETE and VTE‐BLEED scores were used for comparisons. External validation was performed with the COMMAND‐VTE database. Learning was carried out with data from 49 587 patients, of whom 873 (1.8%) had MB. The best performing ML method was XGBoost. In the prospective validation cohort the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and F1 score were: 33.2%, 93%, 10%, and 15.4% respectively. F1 value for the RIETE and VTE‐BLEED scores were 8.6% and 6.4% respectively. In the external validation cohort the metrics were 10.3%, 87.6%, 3.5% and 5.2% respectively. In that cohort, the F1 value for the RIETE score was 17.3% and for the VTE‐BLEED score 9.75%. The performance of the XGBoost algorithm was better than that from the RIETE and VTE‐BLEED scores only in the prospective validation cohort, but not in the external validation cohort.
Outcomes in minor stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis
Authors: Duan Chunmiao , Xiong Yunyun , Gu Hong‐Qiu , Wang Shang , Yang Kai‐Xuan , Hao Manjun , Zhao Xingquan , Meng Xia , Wang Yongjun
Published: March 2023

Aims

Our study aimed to describe the short‐, medium‐, and long‐term outcomes of intravenous thrombolysis in minor stroke, and to explore the relationship between thrombolysis and clinical outcomes.

Methods

Our study included ischemic minor stroke patients (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≤ 5) within 4.5 h from symptom onset from the Third China National Stroke Registry (CNSR‐III) between August 2015 and March 2018. The primary outcome was a favorable functional outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–1 at 3 months. The secondary outcomes included mRS score of 0–1 at discharge, 6 months, and 1 year. The safety outcomes were symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) at 24–36 h and all‐cause mortality. The association between intravenous thrombolysis and clinical outcomes was studied using multivariable models.

Results

A total of 1905 minor ischemic stroke patients were included. Overall 527 patients (28%) received intravenous t‐PA (IV t‐PA) and 1378 patients (72%) in the non‐IV t‐PA group. Of them, 18.85% (359/1905) participants had a disabled outcome (defined as mRS score ≥ 2) at discharge, 12.8% (242/1885) at 3 months, 13.9% (262/1886) at 6 months, and 13.9% (260/1871) at 1 year. In multivariable analysis, IV t‐PA was associated with favorable functional outcomes at discharge (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13–1.96; p = 0.004), 3 months (aOR 1.51; 95% CI 1.09–2.10; p = 0.01), 6 months (aOR 1.64; 95% CI 1.19–2.27; p = 0.003), and 1 year (aOR 1.52; 95% CI 1.10–2.10; p = 0.01). Symptomatic ICH occurred in 3 (0.6%) patients in IV t‐PA versus 2 (0.1%) in the non‐IV t‐PA group. No significant differences were found in all‐cause mortality between the two groups.

Conclusions

Intravenous t‐PA may be safe and effective in minor stroke (NIHSS ≤ 5) within a 4.5‐h window and further randomized controlled trials are warranted.
Synergistic effects of lipopolysaccharide and rotenone on dopamine neuronal damage in rats
Authors: He Jing‐Yi , Li Dai‐Di , Wen Qian , Qin Ting‐Yang , Long Hong , Zhang Shi‐Bin , Zhang Feng
Published: March 2023

Introduction

The etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is still unknown. Until now, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of PD. However, the specific synergistic role of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the occurrence and development of PD remains unclear.

Methods

The changes in motor behavior, dopamine (DA) neurons quantification and their mitochondrial respiratory chain, glial cells activation and secreted cytokines, Nrf2 signaling pathway, and redox balance in the brain of rats were evaluated.

Results

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced neuroinflammation and rotenone (ROT)‐induced oxidative stress synergistically aggravated motor dysfunction, DA neuron damage, activation of glial cells, and release of related mediators, activation of Nrf2 signaling and destruction of oxidative balance. In addition, further studies indicated that after ROT‐induced oxidative stress caused direct damage to DA neurons, LPS‐induced inflammatory effects had stronger promoting neurotoxic effects on the above aspects.

Conclusions

Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress synergistically aggravated DA neuronal loss. Furtherly, oxidative stress followed by neuroinflammation caused more DA neuronal loss than neuroinflammation followed by oxidative stress.