bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Closed-loop neurostimulation for epilepsy leads to improved outcomes when stimulation episodes are delivered during periods with less epileptiform activity
Authors: Anderson Daria Nesterovich , Charlebois Chantel M. , Smith Elliot H. , Davis Tyler S. , Peters Angela Y. , Newman Blake J. , Arain Amir M. , Wilcox Karen S. , Butson Christopher R. , Rolston John D.
Published: November 2022

In patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, electrical stimulation of the brain in response to epileptiform activity can make seizures less frequent and debilitating. When effective, this therapy, known as closed-loop responsive neurostimulation (RNS), produces long-lasting changes in brain dynamics that correlate with clinical outcomes. Since periods with frequent epileptiform activity are less conducive to neuroplasticity, we hypothesize that stimulation timing, specifically stimulation during brain states with less epileptiform activity, is critical in driving long-term changes that restore healthy brain networks. To test this, we quantified stimulation episodes during low- and high-risk epochs—that is, stimulation during periods with a low or high risk of generating seizures and less or more epileptiform activity—in a cohort of 40 patients treated with RNS. Patients were categorized into three groups: super responders (>90% reduction, n=10), intermediate responders (≥ 50% reduction and ≤ 90% reduction), n=19, and poor responders (<50% reduction, n=11). As hypothesized, in this retrospective study, seizure reduction (median 64.6% reduction at last follow-up) was correlated with more frequent stimulation during low-risk periods compared with high-risk periods. Additionally, stimulation events were more likely to be phase-locked to prolonged episodes of abnormal activity for intermediate and poor responders when compared to super responders, consistent with the hypothesis that improved outcomes are driven by stimulation during low-risk states. These results suggest that stimulation during low-risk periods may more readily induce plasticity that, in turn, facilitates network changes leading to long-term seizure reduction.

One Sentence Summary

Increased stimulation during periods of reduced seizure risk corresponds with improved therapy in responsive neurostimulation for epilepsy.
A Framework for Relating Natural Movement to Length and Quality of Life in Human and Non-human Animals
Authors: Hunter Iain , Leib Raz
Published: November 2022

Natural movement is clearly related to health, however, it is also highly complex and difficult to measure. Most attempts to measure it focus on functional movements in humans, and while this a valid and popular approach, assays focussed on particular movements cannot capture the range of natural movement that occurs outside them. It is also difficult to use current techniques to compare movement across animal species. Interspecies comparison may be useful for identifying conserved biomechanical and/ or computational principles of movement that could inform human and veterinary medicine, plus several other fields of research. It is therefore important that research develops a system for quantifying movement in freely moving animals in natural environments and relating it to length and quality of life (LQOL). The present text proposes a novel theoretical framework for doing so, based on movement ability (MA).MAis comprised of three major variables – Movement Quality, Movement Complexity, and Movement Quantity – that may represent the most important components of movement as it relates to LQOL. A constrained version of the framework is validated inDrosophila, which suggests thatMAmay indeed represent a useful new paradigm for understanding the relationship between movement and length and quality of life.
Prevalence Of carbapenem resistance inAcinetobacter baumaniiandPseudomonas aeruginosain sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Arowolo Margaret Toluwalayo , Orababa Oluwatosin Qawiyy , Olaitan Morufat Oluwatosin , Osibeluwo Bisola Victoria , Essiet Utibeima Udo , Batholomew Olajumoke Hanah , Ogunrinde Oluwaseyi Gbotoluwa , Lagoke Oluwaseyi Aminat , Soriwei Jeffrey Difiye , Ishola Olanrewaju David , Ezeani Onyinye Maryann , Onishile Aminat Oyeronke , Olumodeji Elizabeth
Published: November 2022

Background

Carbapenems are drugs of last resort and resistance to them is considered a great public health threat, especially in notorious nosocomial pathogens likeAcinetobacter baumanniiandPseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of carbapenem resistance inA. baumanniiandP. aeruginosainfections in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

Databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and African Journal Online) were systematically searched following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2020 statements for articles reporting carbapenem-resistantAcinetobacter baumannii(CRAB) and carbapenem-resistantPseudomonas aeruginosa(CRPA) prevalence between 2012 and 2022. Pooled prevalence was determined with the random effect model in R.

Results

A total of 47 articles were scanned for eligibility, among which 25 (14 for carbapenem-resistantA. baumaniiand 11 for carbapenem-resistantP. aeruginosa) were included in the study after fulfilling the eligibility criteria. The pooled prevalence of CRPA in the present study was estimated at 8% (95% CI; 0.02 – 0.17; I2=98%; P <0.01). There was high heterogeneity (Q=591.71, I2=98.9%; P<0.0001). The pooled prevalence of CRAB in the present study was estimated at 20% (95% CI; 0.04 – 0.43; I2=99%; P <0.01). There was high heterogeneity (Q=1452.57, I2=99%; P<0.0001). Carbapenem-resistantA. baumanniiprevalence based on sample source gave estimates of 24% (95% CI; 6 – 49; I2=99%; P<0.01). The carbapenamse genes commonly isolated fromA. baumaniiin this study includeblaOXA23,blaOXA48,blaGES.,blaNDM,blaVIM,,blaOXA24,blaOXA58,blaOXA51,blaSIM-1,blaOXA40,blaOXA66,blaOXA69,blaOXA91, withblaOXA23andblaVIMbeing the most common. On the other hand, blaNDM,blaVIM, blaIMP,, blaOXA48, blaOXA51,blaSIM-1,blaOXA181,blaKPC,blaOXA23,blaOXA50were the commonly isolated carbapenemase genes inP. aeruginosa, among which blaVIMand blaNDMgenes were the most frequently isolated.

Conclusion

Surveillance of drug-resistant pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa is essential in reducing the disease burden in the region and this study has shown that the region has significantly high multi-drug resistant pathogen prevalence. This is a wake-up call for policymakers to put in place measures to reduce the spread of these critical priority pathogens.
Factorizing polygenic epistasis improves prediction and uncovers biological pathways in complex traits
Authors: Tang David , Freudenberg Jerome , Dahl Andy
Published: November 2022

Epistasis is central in many domains of biology, but it has not yet proven useful for complex traits. This is partly because complex trait epistasis involves polygenic interactions that are poorly captured in current models. To address this gap, we develop a new model called Epistasis Factor Analysis (EFA). EFA assumes that polygenic epistasis can be factorized into interactions between a few Epistasis Factors (EFs), which represent latent polygenic components of the observed complex trait. The statistical goals of EFA are to improve polygenic prediction and to increase power to detect epistasis, while the biological goal is to unravel genetic effects into more-homogeneous units. We mathematically characterize EFA and use simulations to show that EFA outperforms current epistasis models when its assumptions approximately hold. Applied to predicting yeast growth rates, EFA outperforms the additive model for several traits with large epistasis heritability and uniformly outperforms the standard epistasis model. We replicate these prediction improvements in a second dataset. We then apply EFA to four previously-characterized traits in the UK Biobank and find statistically significant epistasis in all four, including two that are robust to scale transformation. Moreover, we find that the inferred EFs partly recover pre-defined biological pathways for two of the traits. Our results demonstrate that more realistic models can identify biologically and statistically meaningful epistasis in complex traits, indicating that epistasis has potential for precision medicine and characterizing the biology underlying GWAS results.
The RNA binding proteins hnRNP H and F regulate splicing of a MYC dependent HRAS exon in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Chen Xinyuan , Yang Harry Taegyun , Zhang Beatrice , Phillips John W. , Cheng Donghui , Rigo Frank , Witte Owen N. , Xing Yi , Black Douglas L.
Published: November 2022

The Myc proto-oncogene contributes to the pathogenesis of more than half of human cancers. Malignant transformation by Myc transcriptionally upregulates the core pre-mRNA splicing machinery and causes mis-regulation of alternative splicing. However, our understanding of how splicing changes are directed by Myc is limited. We performed a signaling pathway-guided splicing analysis to identify Myc dependent splicing events. These included an HRAS cassette exon repressed by Myc across multiple tumor types. To molecularly dissect the regulation of this HRAS exon, we used antisense oligonucleotide tiling to identify splicing enhancers and silencers in its flanking introns. RNA binding motif prediction indicated multiple binding sites for hnRNP H and hnRNP F within these cis-regulatory elements. Using siRNA knockdown and cDNA expression, we found that both hnRNP H and F activate the HRAS cassette exon.

Mutagenesis and targeted RNA immunoprecipitation implicate two downstream G-rich elements in this splicing activation. Analyses of ENCODE RNA-seq datasets confirmed hnRNP H regulation of HRAS splicing. Analyses of RNA-seq datasets across multiple cancers showed a negative correlation of hnRNP H gene expression with Myc hallmark enrichment, consistent with the effect of hnRNP H on HRAS splicing. Interestingly, hnRNP F expression showed a positive correlation with Myc hallmarks and thus was not consistent with the observed effects of hnRNP F. Loss of hnRNP H/F altered cell cycle progression and induced apoptosis in the PC3 prostate cancer cell line. Collectively, our results reveal new mechanisms for Myc-dependent regulation of splicing, and point to new possible therapeutic targets in prostate cancers.

SIGNIFICANCE STATMENT

Myc Transformation by the proto-oncogene c-Myc causes dysregulation of the pre-mRNA splicing reaction in cancer, but it is not known how mRNA isoform changes are directed by Myc. Here, we use bioinformatics to identify a splicing event in another proto-oncogene, HRAS, that is regulated by Myc across multiple tumor types. We identify new splicing regulators, hnRNP’s H and F, that control this HRAS exon by binding to enhancer elements within its downstream intron. Additional pan-cancer bioinformatic analyses show hnRNP H expression to be anti- correlated with Myc hallmarks, consistent with the reduced splicing of the HRAS exon in Myc driven cancer. These findings uncover new mechanisms by which Myc can alter splicing in cancer cells and provide new molecular targets for potential therapeutics.
Acute effect of antiseizure drugs on background oscillations inScn1aA1783VDravet syndrome mouse model
Authors: Quinn Shir , Brusel Marina , Ovadia Mor , Rubinstein Moran
Published: November 2022

Objective

Dravet syndrome (Dravet) is a rare and severe form of developmental epileptic encephalopathy. First-line treatment for DS patients includes valproic acid (VA) or clobazam with or without stiripentol (CLB+STP), while sodium channel blockers like carbamazepine (CBZ) or lamotrigine (LTG) are contraindicated. As patients are rarely seizure-free, drug therapy focuses on reducing the seizure burden, as reported by caregivers. In addition to their effect on epileptic phenotypes, antiseizure medications (ASMs) were shown to modify the properties of background neuronal activity. Nevertheless, little is known about these background properties alternations in Dravet.

Methods

Utilizing Dravet mice (DS,Scn1aA1783V/WT), we tested the acute effect of several ASMs on background electrocorticography (ECoG) activity and frequency of interictal spikes.

Results

Compared to wild-type mice, background ECoG activity in DS had lower power and reduced phase coherence, which was not corrected by any of the tested ASMs. However, acute administration of Dravet-recommended drugs, including VA or a combination of CLB+STP, caused, in most mice, a reduction of frequency of interictal spikes, alongside an increase in the relative contribution of the beta frequency band. Conversely, CBZ and LTG increased the frequency of interictal spikes with no effect on background spectral properties. Moreover, we uncovered a correlation between the reduction in interictal spike frequency, the drug-induced effect on the power of background activity, and a spectral shift toward higher frequency bands.

Significance

These data provide a comprehensive analysis of the effect of selected ASMs on the properties of background neuronal oscillations and highlight a possible correlation between their effect on epilepsy and background activity. Thus, examining these properties, following an acute administration, may be used as an additional tool for rapid evaluation of the therapeutic potential of ASMs.

Key Points

Reduced background power and phase coherence in Dravet mice

DS-recommended medicines (VA, CLB+STP) increase the relative beta power

DS-contraindicated drugs (CBZ, LTG) do not cause spectral changes

Correlation between reduction in background power and interictal spike frequency

Correlation between theta to beta bands ratio and interictal spike frequency
Investigations into an overlooked early component of painful nociceptive withdrawal reflex responses in humans
Authors: Thorell Oumie , Ydrefors Johannes , Svantesson Mats , Gerdle Björn , Olausson Håkan , Mahns David A. , Nagi Saad S.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

The role of pain as a warning system necessitates a rapid transmission of information from the periphery for the execution of appropriate motor responses. The nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) is a physiological response to protect the limb from a painful stimulus and is often considered an objective measure of spinal nociceptive excitability. The NWR is commonly defined by its latency in the presumed Ad-fiber range consistent with the canonical view that “fast pain” is signaled by Ad nociceptors. We recently demonstrated that human skin is equipped with ultrafast (Aβ range) nociceptors. Here, we investigated the short-latency component of the reflex and explored the relationship between reflex latency and pain perception.

Methods

We revisited our earlier work on NWR measurements in which, following convention, only those reflex responses were selected that were in the presumed Ad range (taken to be latencies ≥90 ms in that study). In our current analysis, we expanded the time window to search for shorter latency responses and compared those with pain ratings.

Results

In both cohorts, we found an abundance of recordings with short-latency reflex responses. In nearly 90% of successful recordings, only single reflex responses (not dual) were seen which allowed us to compare pain ratings to reflex latencies. We found that shorter latency reflexes were just as painful as those in the conventional latency range.

Discussion

We found a preponderance of short-latency painful reflex responses. Based on this finding, we suggest that short-latency responses must be considered in future studies. We predict these might be signaled by the ultrafast nociceptors, warranting further investigation.
Different NIPBL requirements of cohesin-STAG1 and cohesin-STAG2
Authors: Gil Dácil Alonso , Cuadrado Ana , Giménez-Llorente Daniel , Rodríguez-Corsino Miriam , Losada Ana
Published: November 2022

Cohesin organizes the genome through the formation of chromatin loops. NIPBL activates cohesin’s ATPase and is essential for loop extrusion, but its requirement for cohesin loading is currently unclear. Here we have examined the effect of reducing NIPBL levels on the behavior of the two cohesin variants carrying STAG1 or STAG2 by combining a flow cytometry assay to measure chromatin-bound cohesin with analyses of its genome-wide distribution and genome contacts. We show that NIPBL depletion results in increased cohesin-STAG1 on chromatin that further accumulates at CTCF positions while cohesin-STAG2 diminishes genome-wide. Our data support a model in which NIPBL is not required for initial association of cohesin with chromatin but it is for loop extrusion, which in turn facilitates stabilization of cohesin-STAG2 at CTCF positions after being loaded elsewhere. In contrast, cohesin-STAG1 is loaded and stabilized at CTCF sites even under low NIPBL levels, but genome folding is severely impaired.
Rapid Phenotypic Detection of Carbapenem-ResistantE. coliwith Fluorogenic Culture Media
Authors: Makharashvili Nodar , McNamara James O.
Published: November 2022

Faster, and simpler methods that determine the susceptibility of bacterial pathogens to antibiotics are needed to enable more effective treatment of bacterial infections and reduce the overuse of antibiotics. Here, we demonstrate a simple method for rapidly detecting bacteria and simultaneously determining their antibiotic susceptibility status. We demonstrate the method withE. coli, a high-impact pathogen, and meropenem, a member of the carbapenem class of antibiotics which is usually reserved for multi-drug resistant infections. Inclusion of a fluorogenic oligonucleotide substrate for endonuclease I, a well-conserved nuclease of the Enterobacteriaceae family, in a tryptic soy agar-based media enabled fluorescence-based detection ofE. coligrowth within 9 hours. Plating established carbapenem-resistant and -susceptibleE. colistrains on this media with and without inclusion of meropenem, followed by fluorescent imaging yielded a clear phenotypic measure of the antibiotic susceptibility status of the strains in 9 hours. In addition to its simplicity and fast turnaround time, advantages of this approach include its ability to provide a measure of the bacterial load of the tested samples, and its easy integration into current microbiology laboratory workflows.
Exploring the conformational changes of the Munc18-1/syntaxin 1a complex
Authors: Stefani Ioanna , Iwaszkiewicz Justyna , Fasshauer Dirk
Published: November 2022

Neurotransmitters are released from synaptic vesicles, the membrane of which fuses with the plasma membrane upon calcium influx. This membrane fusion reaction is driven by the formation of a tight complex comprising the plasma membrane SNARE proteins syntaxin-1a and SNAP-25 with the vesicle SNARE protein synaptobrevin. The neuronal protein Munc18-1 forms a stable complex with syntaxin-1a. Biochemically, syntaxin-1a cannot escape the tight grip of Munc18-1, so formation of the SNARE complex is inhibited. However, Munc18-1 is essential for the release of neurotransmittersin vivo. It has therefore been assumed that Munc18-1 makes the bound syntaxin-1a available for SNARE complex formation. Exactly how this occurs is still unclear, but it is assumed that structural rearrangements occur. Here, we used a series of mutations to specifically weaken the complex at different critical positions in order to induce these rearrangements biochemically. Our approach was guided through sequence and structural analysis and supported by molecular dynamics simulations. Subsequently, we created a homology model showing the complex in an altered conformation. This conformation presumably represents a more open arrangement of syntaxin-1a that permits the formation of SNARE complex to be initiated while still bound to Munc18-1. In the future, research should investigate how this central reaction for neuronal communication is controlled by other proteins.
NaWRKY3 is a master transcriptional regulator of defense network againstAlternaria alternatainNicotiana attenuata
Authors: Xu Zhen , Zhang Shuting , Wu Jinsong
Published: November 2022

WRKY transcription factors are involved in plant defense responses against pathogens. However, no WRKYs have been reported yet in resistance ofNicotianaspecies toAlternaria alternata, a necrotrophic fungal pathogen causing brown spot disease. Here, we found that silencingNaWRKY3lead to wild tobaccoNicotiana attenuatahighly susceptible toA. alternata. Combination of transcriptome, electrophoretic mobility shift, ChIP-qPCR and dual-LUC analyses, we uncovered that NaWRKY3 bound to many defense genes’ promoter and activated their expression. Target genes included: 1)lipoxygenases 3,ACC synthase 1andACC oxidase 1, three key enzyme genes for JA and ethylene biosynthesis which were critical forA. alternataresistance; 2)feruloyl-CoA 6’-hydroxylase 1(NaF6’H1), the key enzyme gene for phytoalexins againstA. alternata, scopoletin and scopolin; and 3) threeA. alternataresistance genes, long non-coding RNA (LncRNA L2),NADPH oxidase(NaRboh D) andberberine bridge-like(NaBBL28). SilencingLncRNA L2reducedA. alternata-induced levels of JA andNaF6’H1expression.NaRboh D-silenced plants were strongly impaired in ROS production and stomata closure responses.NaBBL28was the firstA. alternataresistance BBLs identified and was involved in HGL-DTGs hydroxylation. Finally, NaWRKY3 could bind to its own promoter but acted as a transcriptional repressor. Thus we demonstrated that NaWRKY3 is a fine-tuned master regulator of defense network againstA. alternatainN. attenuataby regulating different signaling pathways and defense metabolites. For the first time, such an important WRKY was identified inNicotianaspecies, providing new insight into defense mechanism ofNicotianaplants toA. alternata.
Atomic-level characterization of the conformational transition pathways in SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins
Authors: Ogden Dylan S , Moradi Mahmoud
Published: November 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronaviruses 1 and 2 (SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2) derive transmissibility from spike protein activation in the receptor binding domain (RBD) and binding to the host cell angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). However, the mechanistic details that describe the large-scale conformational changes associated with spike protein activation or deactivation are still somewhat unknown. Here, we have employed an extensive set of nonequilibrium all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, utilizing a novel protocol, for the SARS-CoV-1 (CoV-1) and SARS-CoV-2 (CoV-2) prefusion spike proteins in order to characterize the conformational pathways associated with the active-to-inactive transition. Our results indicate that both CoV-1 and CoV-2 spike proteins undergo conformational transitions along pathways unique to each protein. We have identified a number of key residues that form various inter-domain saltbridges, suggesting a multi-stage conformational change along the pathways. We have also constructed the free energy profiles along the transition pathways for both CoV-1 and CoV-2 spike proteins. The CoV-2 spike protein must overcome larger free energy barriers to undergo conformational changes towards protein activation or deactivation, when compared to CoV-1.
Calpain-2 mediates SARS-CoV-2 entry and represents a therapeutic target
Authors: Zeng Qiru , Antia Avan , Puray-Chavez Maritza , Kutluay Sebla B. , Ding Siyuan
Published: November 2022

Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, much effort has been dedicated to identifying effective antivirals against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A number of calpain inhibitors show excellent antiviral activities against SARS-CoV-2 by targeting the viral main protease (Mpro), which plays an essential role in processing viral polyproteins. In this study, we found that calpain inhibitors potently inhibited the infection of a chimeric vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, but not Mpro. In contrast, calpain inhibitors did not exhibit antiviral activities towards the wild-type VSV with its native glycoprotein. Genetic knockout of calpain-2 by CRISPR/Cas9 conferred resistance of the host cells to the chimeric VSV-SARS-CoV-2 virus and a clinical isolate of wild-type SARS-CoV-2. Mechanistically, calpain-2 facilitates SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-mediated cell attachment by positively regulating the cell surface levels of ACE2. These results highlight an Mpro-independent pathway targeted by calpain inhibitors for efficient viral inhibition. We also identify calpain-2 as a novel host factor and a potential therapeutic target responsible for SARS-CoV-2 infection at the entry step.
Data mining and experimental approaches to identify combination of natural herbs against bacterial infections
Authors: Mittal Ekansh , Duncan Susan , Chamberlin Steven
Published: November 2022

Various studies have identified that natural herbs can be repurposed to treat infectious and bacterial diseases. The purpose of this study is first to test the medicinal value of five herbs including asafoetida, cumin, fenugreek, neem, and turmeric as single agent and in pairs using the bacterial zone of inhibition assay. Second, we used target and network analyses to predict the best combinations. We found that all the herbs as single agent were effective against bacterial infection in the following descending order of efficacy: cumin > turmeric > neem > fenugreek > asafoetida as compared to vehicle (ethanol) treated control. Among all the tested combinations the turmeric and fenugreek combination had the best efficacy in inhibiting the bacterial growth. Next to understand the mechanism of action and to predict the effective combinations among available herbs, we used a data mining and computational analysis approach. Using NPASS, BindingDB, and pathway analysis tools, we identified the bioactive compounds for each herb, then identified the targets for each bioactive compound, and then identified associated pathways for these targets. Then we measured the target/pathway overlap for each herb and identified that the most effective combinations were those which have non-overlapping targets/pathways. For example, we showed as a proof-of-concept that turmeric and fenugreek have the least overlapping targets/pathways and thus is most effective in inhibiting bacteria growth. Our approach is applicable to treat bacterial infections and other human diseases such as cancer. Overall, the computational prediction along with experimental validation can help identify novel combinations that have significant antibacterial activity and may help prevent drug-resistant microbial diseases in human and plants.
Self-regulation of PIN1-driven auxin transport by cell surface-based auxin signaling inArabidopsis
Authors: Wang Jiacheng , Chang Mingzeng , Huang Rongfeng , Gallei Michelle , Friml Jiřn , Yu Yongqiang , Wen Mingzhang , Yang Zhenbiao , Xu Tongda
Published: November 2022

PIN-FORMED (PIN)-driven auxin transport contributes to establishing and maintaining a dynamic auxin concentration gradient alongside plant tissues, which drives the majority of developmental processes in plants. To maintain developmental plasticity in ever-changing environments, plants have evolved self-organizing feedback machinery between auxin signaling and its transport, which has been shown to play essential roles in many fundamental plant processes. However, the molecular mechanism behind this mutual regulation has not yet been clarified. Here, we identified a cell surface-triggered auxin signaling that regulates the PIN1-mediated auxin efflux and further developmental patterning inArabidopsis. Auxin was able to stimulate PIN1 phosphorylation in plants through transmembrane kinases (TMKs), key components in auxin signaling, at the plasma membrane. TMK1 and TMK4 directly interacted with and phosphorylated PIN1 and functioned redundantly in the regulation of PIN1 polarity in plant cells. The phosphorylation sites in PIN1 proteins, targeted by both auxin and TMKs, were required for PIN1 trafficking and polarity, which further controlled auxin responses and downstream developmental patterning inArabidopsis. Therefore, our findings provide a direct mechanism for the self-regulation between auxin signaling and transport that drives the auxin flows and proper development in plants.
BaY16Si4O33 containing Ba(SiO4)4 orthosilicates
Authors: Motozawa Shuto , Kimura Hiromitsu , Takahashi Junichi , Simura Rayko , Yamane Hisanori
Published: November 2022

Single crystals of a new quaternary oxide, barium hexadecayttrium tetrasilicon tritriacontaoxide, BaY16Si4O33, were obtained from a melt-solidified sample prepared by heating a mixture of BaCO3, Y2O3, and SiO2 at 2073 K. X-ray crystal structure analysis revealed that Ba(SiO4)4 orthosilicate clusters in which a Ba atom is surrounded by four SiO4 tetrahedra were isolated in a framework composed of Y and O in the structure of BaY16Si4O33. The dielectric constant measured for polycrystalline ceramics of BaY16Si4O33 sintered at 1953 K was 13 (298 K, 1 MHz), and the thermal expansion coefficient was 8.70 × 10 −6 K−1 (298–873 K), which are close to the values previously reported for Y2O3.
Syntheses and crystal structures of three salts of sparfloxacin, one incorporating extended tapes of fused pentagonal water assemblies
Authors: Shankara Prasad Holehundi J. , Devaraju  , Vinaya  , Basavaraju Yeriyur B. , Yathirajan Hemmige S. , Parkin Sean
Published: November 2022

Three organic salts of sparfloxacin, a difluorinated third-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic, have been synthesized and their crystal structures determined. The salts, sparfloxacinium 4-nitrobenzoate dihydrate, C19H23F2N4O3
+·C7H4NO4
−·2H2O (I), sparfloxacinium 2-phenylacetate, C19H23F2N4O3
+·C8H7O2
− (II), and sparfloxacinium 4-methylbenzoate trihydrate, C19H23F2N4O3
+·C8H7O2
−·3H2O (III), exhibit similar inter-species packing interactions. The overall crystal structures each, however, have their own distinct characteristics, which are described here along with a Hirshfeld surface analysis of the various atom–atom contacts involving the sparfloxacinium cations. In the crystal structure of III, an extended supramolecular tape of edge-fused hydrogen-bonded water pentagons was found. These pentagonal water and tape motifs are compared to related constructs in a broad selection of structure types, ranging from macromolecules to small molecules, clathrates, and exotic `ice' formations on clean metal surfaces.
Risk assessment model for halal supply chain using an integrated approach of IFN and D number
Authors: Khan Shahbaz , Haleem Abid , Khan Mohd Imran
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Halal integrity assurance is the primary objective of Halal supply chain management. Several halal-related risks are present that have the potential to breach halal integrity. Therefore, this study aims to develop the framework for the assessment of halal-related risk from a supply chain perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Risk related to halal is identified through the combined approach of the systematic literature review and experts’ input. Further, these risks are assessed using the integrated approach of intuitionistic fuzzy number (IFN) and D-number based on their severity score. This integrated approach can handle fuzziness, inconsistency and incomplete information that are present in the expert’s input.

Findings

Eighteen significant risks related to halal are identified and grouped into four categories. These risks are further prioritised based on their severity score and classified as “high priority risk” or “low priority risks”. The findings of the study suggests that raw material status, processing methods, the wholesomeness of raw materials and common facilities for halal and non-halal products are more severe risks.

Research limitations/implications

This study only focusses on halal-related risks and does not capture the other types of risks occurring in the supply chain. Risks related to halal supply chain management are not considered in this study. Prioritisation of the risks is based on the expert’s input which can be biased to the experts' background.

Practical implications

The proposed risk assessment framework is beneficial for risk managers to assess the halal related risks and develop their mitigation strategies accordingly. Furthermore, the prioritisation of the risks also assists managers in the optimal utilisation of resources to mitigate high-priority risks.

Originality/value

This study provides significant risks related to halal integrity, therefore helping in a better understanding of the halal supply chain. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study for developing a risk assessment model for the halal supply chain.
“What they allow us to learn”: exploring how white English teachers cultivate students’ critical literacies through curriculum and pedagogy
Authors: Kelly Lauren Leigh
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This qualitative research study examines classroom observations and transcripts, teacher and student interviews and student writing to investigate how white English teachers can cultivate students’ critical literacies regarding race and oppression through classroom literature. As research and practice in the field of critical literacy has yet to effectively center black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) lives and histories, this study aims to expand on existing critical literacy research by examining how literature teachers disrupt the perpetuation of whiteness through literature instruction that explicitly grapples with race and structures of oppression.

Design/methodology/approach

This research examines the pedagogical practices of two white English teachers through a yearlong investigation of classroom instruction and curriculum in an urban high school in a large Northeastern city. The overarching question of this study asks, how do white English teachers cultivate students’ critical literacies regarding race and social justice through classroom literature? Additional questions that guided this study are: How do students in these classes learn about structures of oppression? What language is used in these classrooms to discuss ideas about power? What texts and materials do these teachers use to engage students in critical literacy practices?

Findings

The findings of this study provide insight as to how white English teachers can foster students’ critical literacy development regarding race and oppression through their pedagogy and curriculum. The two teachers’ introduction of critical language and frameworks in the classroom supported students’ ability to critically engage with classroom literature and with their own social worlds. In addition, these teachers’ practices emphasize the need for white teachers to decenter their own knowledge and identities to effectively foster students' critical and sociopolitical development.

Originality/value

This research responds to McLeanet al.’s (2021) call for a disruption of the “perpetuation of Eurocentric, hegemonic perspectives by white scholars” in the field by centering race in approaches to critical literacy development in the classroom. By analyzing data from classrooms in the same school with distinct curricular approaches, this study examines not only what but also how educators are teaching in classrooms designed to cultivate students’ critical and sociopolitical development through English Language Arts. This study offers hope for developing critical and culturally sustaining pedagogies among non-BIPOC educators who teach Black and Latinx populations.
The nexus between households’ indebtedness and consumption: the role of gender, geographical area and income groups
Authors: Wong Zun Yuan , Kusairi Suhal , Abdul Halim Zairihan
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The persistent increase in household indebtedness is an alarming issue that is becoming a major concern for economists and governments in developing nations. Although household consumption is an essential source of economic growth, households’ failure to meet their financial obligations will be one of the causes of economic problems if the increase in consumption is largely financed by household borrowing. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the nexus between households’ indebtedness and consumption and the roles of household characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a microdata set of the Household Expenditure and Income Survey in 2019, which contained a simple random sampling of 4,730 households.

Findings

Using a simultaneous equations model, our results show a negative nexus between households’ consumption and their indebtedness. We find that household savings and size have an indirect impact on the debt service ratio, while the assets and total debt repayment instalments indirectly influence household consumption. We also identify differences in the relationship between the gender of the household head, rural and urban locations and income groups in consumption and indebtedness.

Research limitations/implications

The implication of this study is that governments should adopt several programmes to increase the awareness of household financial and debt management, especially for those in the low-income group.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the empirical literature by establishing a microeconomic perspective of consumption and an indebtedness model focusing on the differences in household characteristics in explaining consumption and indebtedness.
Suicide in prisons: describing trends and staff knowledge and preparedness to address suicide
Authors: Freese Rebekah A. , Canada Kelli E. , Nichols Pagena M. , McNamara Brianna
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Suicide prevention and intervention in prisons is a challenge. Prisons were not designed to be clinical facilities, yet with the growing numbers of people who face mental health challenges in prisons, staff require knowledge and skills to adequately address mental health crises, especially suicide. This study aims to: describe trends in suicide attempts and completions within one state’s prison system and measure staff knowledge and preparedness to address suicide.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a nonexperimental research design and two data sources. Administrative data from 2000 to 2017 on serious suicide attempts and completions were analyzed, and all correctional staff employed in the state’s Department of Corrections were surveyed at one point in time. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted.

Findings

The number of serious suicide attempts trended up but completed suicides decreased. Correctional staff demonstrated high suicide knowledge of risk factors and warning signs of suicide. Staff who viewed a media-based suicide training displayed significantly more knowledge of suicide and perceived greater preparedness compared to staff who did not or did not recall viewing the training.

Originality/value

Corrections staff play a key role in preventing suicides in prison. Innovative intervention is needed to increase suicide awareness, improve communication and enhance prevention skills.
Returning for skill or popularity? The demand for esports match replay
Authors: Wang Wenche
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Among scholarly analyses of sport demand, few have considered the demand for match replays despite replays' indispensable role in sport broadcasts. Different from live matches, viewers of match replays generally have access to match outcomes. Outcome uncertainty is thus less relevant in attracting viewers. This paper addresses this research gap by analyzing the demand for replays of competitive esports matches.

Design/methodology/approach

We collected match replay data for two competitive esports leagues, CrossFire Pro League and King Pro League, from two Chinese esports online platforms, Douyu.com and Huya.com. Drawing on two economic theories of superstar effects—a skilled-based theory and a popularity-based theory, we performed regression analyses and dominance analyses to examine the demand for esports match replays.

Findings

Our results indicated skill to be more important in the demand for tactical games while non-skill-popularity is more instrumental in attracting viewers to replays of leisurely games. The platform with knowledge-sharing features also exhibited a stronger skill impact for tactical games.

Originality/value

Findings contribute to the understanding of sport match replays and offer implications for esports organizers and broadcasters to market games effectively.
Strategic international human resource management (SIHRM) framework: an integrated review and directions for future research
Authors: Patrick Warren Stanley , Jha Jatinder Kumar , Sharma Kumari Gargee
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to review all frameworks of strategic international human resource management (SIHRM) published between 1990 and 2022 to ascertain their relevance in the current context with a focus on methodologies and theories in the post-pandemic era.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study a pool of 69 papers published in 16 journals was considered for full-text evaluation using a set of relevant keywords and pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Findings

The number of qualitative research papers is the highest (90%) and theoretical perspectives are dominated by research-based (17%), institutional (17%) and SIHRM (14%) theories that emphasize competitive advantage, resource dependence and multiple SIHRM frameworks.

Research limitations/implications

This research incorporates dominant theoretical perspectives and methodologies within an integrated SIHRM framework which accommodates the post-pandemic era.

Practical implications

The integrated SIHRM framework reinforces the alignment of multiple contexts, dimensions, models and proportions to enable effective decisions for mitigating the current crisis and future research.

Originality/value

This research integrated a hybrid model of SIHRM by aligning the relevant existing SIHRM frameworks, which management can choose from to leverage the benefits that distributed remote work in an international context and decide what is most suitable for their businesses as they prepare for the future.
To share or not to share screens with customers? Lessons from learning theories
Authors: Roten Yonathan Silvain , Vanheems Regine
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Even as retailers add digital features to their physical stores and equip their service teams with digital devices, no research has addressed the implications of frontline employees (FLEs) sharing a screen side-by-side with customers as a contemporary service practice. This paper aims to identify the potential customer benefits of this service practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Noting the lack of theoretical considerations of screen-sharing in marketing, this paper adopts an interdisciplinary approach and combines learning theories with computer-supported collaborative learning topics to explore how screen-sharing service practices can lead to benefits or drawbacks.

Findings

The findings specify three main domains of perceived benefits and drawbacks (instrumental, social link, individual control) associated with using a screen-sharing service. These three dimensions in turn are associated with perceptions of accepted or unaccepted expertise status and relative competence.

Research limitations/implications

The interdisciplinary perspective applied to a complex new service interaction pattern produces a comprehensive framework that can be applied by services marketing literature.

Practical implications

This paper details tactics for developing appropriate training programmes for FLEs and sales teams. In omnichannel service environments, identifying and leveraging the key perceived benefits of screen-sharing can establish enviable competitive advantages for service teams.

Originality/value

By integrating findings of a qualitative research study with knowledge stemming from education sciences, this paper identifies some novel service postures (e.g. teacher, peer, facilitator) that can help maximise customer benefits.
Engaging in cybersecurity proactive behavior: awareness in COVID-19 age
Authors: Alsmadi Duha , Maqousi Ali , Abuhussein Tala
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Due to the lack of awareness and poor cybersecurity practices that pose cyber threats during COVID-19 time, this research aims to explore user's attitude toward engaging in proactive cybersecurity awareness behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the theory of planned behavior, the relationship between multiple factors and their influence on the attitude is explored. A survey-based approach was utilized to collect responses and a model was proposed and tested on 229 respondents from the University of Petra-Jordan.

Findings

The attitude was significantly influenced by peers' influence and the individuals' cybersecurity threats awareness, especially threats that emerged during the COVID-19 time.

Research limitations/implications

The research benefits decision makers in educational institutions who intend to develop cybersecurity awareness programs and helps them to assess user cybersecurity background weaknesses.

Originality/value

The research is the first to explore users' knowledge dimensions including organizational, information systems and social media as well as peers' influence on cybersecurity awareness. Also, it sheds light on the users’ perception of major cybersecurity hazards in COVID-19 time.
Performance of light fixed‐wing airborne time‐domain electromagnetic system for mapping the near‐surface cover layer in an alluvial plain context: A numerical study
Authors: Schamper Cyril , Sab Guillaume‐Alexandre , Rejiba Fayçal , Flipo Nicolas
Published: November 2022

The mapping of the vertical and lateral variations in the physical properties of the few‐meter cover layer over near‐surface aquifers is important for hydrogeological modelling, particularly for the quantification of the recharge of groundwater systems. The first ground‐based time‐domain electromagnetic survey over a small catchment (Avesnelles, France) of the watershed of Orgeval (Seine basin) was carried out to determine discontinuities in the first silt layer as well as in the Brie multilevel aquifer limestone horizon. The results highlighted the following: (1) a good sensitivity of the time‐domain electromagnetic survey to the presence of multi‐decametric resistive sand lenses, particularly in a location where they were previously identified and (2) the interest in conducting a survey at a fine sampling step but extending to the meso‐scale. To overcome the sampling issue over a watershed of several hundred square kilometres, we proposed numerically assessing the use of a prototype of low‐cost airborne transient electromagnetic systems towed by light fixed‐wing airplanes (with transmitting and receiving loops in the same plane). The present numerical analysis, in 1D for the vertical (i.e. thickness) variation and in 3D for the lateral extensions of localized sandy and resistive units, showed that a conductive few‐meter cover can be mapped even with a system flying at 50 m with, however, the need of a priori constraint on the resistivity of the first layer to estimate its thickness variation as accurately as possible. Even if it did not bring more sensitivity to the layer thickness and despite the severe difficulty of practical implementation with a decametric emission loop, the vertical co‐planar configuration potentially offered better near‐surface lateral resolution (down to ∼40 m) to delineate the sandy units (discontinuities) within the silt layer (if units are at least 50 m in size) and provided better spatial constraints compared to the classical horizontal co‐planar geometry used in the time‐domain electromagnetic. Even if not aerodynamically in the plane of the emission loop, the measurement of the Hx component with a vertical dipole emission loop (PERPxz geometry for perpendicular) improved the lateral resolution (down to ∼20 m; still with at least 50 m size sand units) and confirmed that a geometry different from the classical horizontal co‐planar configuration could be valuable.