bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systemic pharmacological suppression of neural activity reverses learning impairment in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome
Authors: Shakhawat Amin Md , Foltz Jacqueline G , Nance Adam B. , Bhateja Jaydev , Raymond Jennifer L
Published: October 2023

The enhancement of associative synaptic plasticity often results in impaired rather than enhanced learning. Previously, we proposed that such learning impairments can result from saturation of the plasticity mechanism (Nguyen-Vu et al., 2017), or, more generally, from a history-dependent change in the threshold for plasticity. This hypothesis was based on experimental results from mice lacking two class I major histocompatibility molecules, MHCI H2-Kband H2- Db(MHCIKbDb−/−), which have enhanced associative long-term depression at the parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses in the cerebellum (PF-Purkinje cell LTD). Here, we extend this work by testing predictions of the threshold metaplasticity hypothesis in a second mouse line with enhanced PF-Purkinje cell LTD, theFmr1knockout mouse model of Fragile X syndrome (FXS). Mice lackingFmr1gene expression in cerebellar Purkinje cells (L7-Fmr1KO) were selectively impaired on two oculomotor learning tasks in which PF-Purkinje cell LTD has been implicated, with no impairment on LTD-independent oculomotor learning tasks. Consistent with the threshold metaplasticity hypothesis, behavioral pre-training designed to reverse LTD at the PF-Purkinje cell synapses eliminated the oculomotor learning deficit in the L7-Fmr1KO mice, as previously reported in MHCIKbDb−/−mice. In addition, diazepam treatment to suppress neural activity and thereby limit the induction of associative LTD during the pre- training period also eliminated the learning deficits in L7-Fmr1KO mice. These results support the hypothesis that cerebellar LTD-dependent learning is governed by an experience-dependent sliding threshold for plasticity. An increased threshold for LTD in response to elevated neural activity would tend to oppose firing rate stability, but could serve to stabilize synaptic weights and recently acquired memories. The metaplasticity perspective could inform the development of new clinical approaches for addressing learning impairments in autism and other disorders of the nervous system.
An apparent lack of synergy between degradative enzymes againstStaphylococcus aureusbiofilms
Authors: Ellis Jeremy R. , Rowley Paul A.
Published: October 2023

The use of enzymes represents an approach to combat bacterial infections by degrading extracellular biomolecules to disperseStaphylococcus aureusbiofilms. Commercial enzyme preparations, including cellulase, amylase, pectinase, zymolyase, and pepsin, exhibit concentration-dependent dispersion ofS. aureusbiofilms. Here, we report that low concentrations of these enzymes generally lack synergy when combined or added together sequentially to biofilms. Only the addition of a protease (pepsin) followed by a commercial mixture of degradative enzymes fromArthrobacter luteus(zymolyase 20T), demonstrated synergy and was effective at dispersingS. aureusbiofilms. A more purified mixture ofArthrobacter luteusenzymes (zymolyase 100T) showed improved dispersal ofS. aureusbiofilms compared to zymolyase 20T but lacked synergy with pepsin. This study emphasizes the complexity of enzymatic biofilm dispersal and the need for tailored approaches based on the properties of degradative enzymes and biofilm composition.
Phospholipid transport to the bacterial outer membrane through an envelope-spanning bridge
Authors: Cooper Benjamin F. , Clark Robert , Kudhail Anju , Bhabha Gira , Ekiert Damian C. , Khalid Syma , Isom Georgia L.
Published: October 2023

The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria provides a formidable barrier, essential for both pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance. Biogenesis of the outer membrane requires the transport of phospholipids across the cell envelope. Recently, YhdP was implicated as a major protagonist in the transport of phospholipids from the inner membrane to the outer membrane however the molecular mechanism of YhdP mediated transport remains elusive. Here, utilising AlphaFold, we observe YhdP to form an elongated assembly of 60 β strands that curve to form a continuous hydrophobic groove. This architecture is consistent with our negative stain electron microscopy data which reveals YhdP to be approximately 250 Å in length and thus sufficient to span the bacterial cell envelope. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations and in vivo bacterial growth assays indicate essential helical regions at the N- and C-termini of YhdP, that may embed into the inner and outer membranes respectively, reinforcing its envelope spanning nature. Our in vivo crosslinking data reveal phosphate-containing substrates captured along the length of the YhdP groove, providing direct evidence that YhdP transports phospholipids. This finding is congruent with our molecular dynamics simulations which demonstrate the propensity for inner membrane lipids to spontaneously enter the groove of YhdP. Collectively, our results support a model in which YhdP bridges the cell envelope, providing a hydrophobic environment for the transport of phospholipids to the outer membrane.
“Loss of alkyladenine DNA glycosylase alters gene expression in the developing mouse brain and leads to reduced anxiety and improved memory”
Authors: Bordin Diana L. , Grooms Kayla , Montaldo Nicola P. , Martin Sarah L Fordyce , Sætrom Pål , Samson Leona D. , Bjørås Magnar , van Loon Barbara
Published: October 2023

Neurodevelopment is a tightly coordinated process, during which the genome is exposed to spectra of endogenous agents at different stages of differentiation. Emerging evidence indicates that DNA damage is an important feature of developing brain, tightly linked to gene expression and neuronal activity. Some of the most frequent DNA damage includes changes to DNA bases, which are recognized by DNA glycosylases and repaired through base excision repair (BER) pathway. The only mammalian DNA glycosylase able to remove frequent alkylated DNA based is alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (Aag, aka Mpg). We recently demonstrated that, besides its role in DNA repair, AAG affects expression of neurodevelopmental genes in human cells. Aag was further proposed to act as reader of epigenetic marks, including 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), in the mouse brain. Despite the potential Aag involvement in the key brain processes, the impact of Aag loss on developing brain remains unknown. Here, by using Aag knockout (Aag-/-) mice, we show that Aag absence leads to reduced DNA break levels, evident in lowered number of γH2AX foci in postnatal day 5 (P5) hippocampi. This is accompanied by changes in 5hmC signal intensity in different hippocampal regions. Transcriptome analysis of hippocampi and prefrontal cortex, at different developmental stages, indicates that lack of Aag alters gene expression, primarily of genes involved in regulation of response to stress. Across all developmental stages tested aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (Aldh2) emerged as one of the most prominent genes deregulated in Aag-dependent manner. In line with the changes in hippocampal DNA damage levels and the gene expression, adultAag-/-mice exhibit altered behavior, evident in decreased anxiety levels determined in the Elevated Zero Maze and increased alternations in the Elevated T Maze tests. Taken together these results suggests that Aag has functions in modulation of genome dynamics during brain development, important for animal behavior.

Highlights

Aag loss results in reduced DNA damage signal in developing hippocampus;

5hmC signal intensity is perturbed in hippocampal regions ofAag-/-mice;

Gene expression is altered inAag-/-hippocampus and prefrontal cortex;

Aag repressesAldh2expression;

Aag-/-mice have reduced anxiety and improved memory.
What do we talk about when we talk about strategic renewal: a systematic literature review of 40 years of research
Authors: Ciszewska-Mlinarič Mariola , Wójcik Piotr
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to synthesize the literature on the topic of strategic renewal by identifying the key dimensions of extant research and the connections between fragmented research domains.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies systematic literature review to identify the level of consistency and generalizability of research findings across existing studies in a comprehensive manner.

Findings

This study identifies six main themes of strategic renewal in the extant literature: (1) antecedents, (2) initiation, (3) logic, (4) structure, (5) process and (6) outcomes of strategic renewal.

Research limitations/implications

By integrating the current streams of research, the review offers a conceptual model of strategic renewal that maps the current state of the research and provide insights into key themes for the future research.

Originality/value1

This study, identifies connections between fragmented research domain and offers a conceptual framework of strategic renewal.
Farm households’ adaptive strategies in response to climate change in lowlands of southern Ethiopia
Authors: Aboye Almaz Balta , Kinsella James , Mega Tekle Leza
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the adaptation strategies they practice and the factors that influence their use of adaptation strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The mixed-method sequential explanatory design was used to triangulate the data collected. Multistage sampling was used to select 400 sampled households for household surveys. Eight focus groups, each with eight to ten participants, and 24 key informants, were specifically chosen based on their farming experiences. Chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA and a binary logit model were used to analyze the data.

Findings

The majority of farmers used simple and low-cost adaptation strategies like changing planting dates, selling livestock and off-farm and nonfarm work. A minority of farmers used advanced adaptation strategies like crop diversification and water harvesting for irrigation. The result further revealed that: the age of the household head, educational status of household heads, farm size, livestock ownership, farming experiences, household income, access to credit and access to climate information significantly influenced the adoption of the adaptation strategies. Public policy should provide water harvesting and irrigation technology, climate-related information and the provision of microcredit facilities to enhance the farmers’ resilience to climate change risks.

Originality/value

Although several studies on climate change adaptation strategies are available, this paper is one of the few studies focusing on a particular agro-ecological zone, an essential precursor to dealing with current and projected climate change in the area. It provides helpful insights for developing successful adaptation policies that improve adaptive capacity and agricultural sustainability in southern Ethiopia’s lowlands.
Not all crises are the same: the effects of crisis triggered successions in family firms
Authors: Ren Peng , Botero Isabel C. , Fiet James O.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Although succession planning can be important for the continuity of family firms, not all family business have the opportunity to engage in this planning. Sometimes, these organizations face crisis events that may trigger an intra-family succession. However, what happens when there is an unplanned succession? Are family businesses doomed to fail? This project aims to explore unplanned successions that are triggered by crisis and the impact that this can have on post-succession financial performance. The authors also examine the moderating role of successor characteristics (i.e. education and previous work experience) on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The ideas were tested using data from 151 publicly listed family firms in China.

Findings

The findings indicate that having a crisis driven intra-family succession does not always result in lower post-succession performance. It is only successions that are triggered by market crises that negatively impact financial performance after the unplanned succession. In these instances, the education and previous experience of the successor moderate the negative relationship between market crisis succession and financial performance such that having more experience and a college education diminishes these negative effects on performance.

Practical implications

The results point to the importance of the preparation of the next generation in helping family firms navigate unplanned successions. The findings indicate that education and previous work experience of the successor can help a family firm manage a crisis.

Originality/value

This study continues to build the understanding about unplanned successions and the important role that successor preparation can have for the success of the family firm.
Do we love celebrity endorsers? The joint impacts of consumers' need for status, celebrity’s star power and image congruence on celebrity endorsement effectiveness
Authors: Yang Wan , Zhang Lu , Wei Wei , Yoo Michelle , Rathjens Bobbie
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The current study aims to examine the joint impact of consumers' need for status (NFS), celebrity's star power and consumer-celebrity image match on consumers' attitudes toward the celebrity endorsement.

Design/methodology/approach

A factorial design was employed to test the research model. Consumer-celebrity image match was manipulated, and consumers' NFS and celebrity's star power was captured using existing measurement scales. A total of 365 responses were collected via Qualtrics. Hayes's (2013) PROCESS procedure was used to analyze the data and test hypotheses.

Findings

Results indicate that consumers with high (vs low) NFS have more favorable attitudes toward the endorsed brand. More importantly, consumers high in NFS, in an endorsement where celebrity-consumer image matches, have more favorable attitudes toward the brand endorsed by a celebrity with more (vs less) star power. In contrast, in an endorsement where celebrity-consumer image mismatches, they react the same regardless of the endorser's star power.

Practical implications

This study offers suggestions to hospitality marketing professionals in strategically using celebrity endorsers in their marketing campaigns and strategies that allows firms to further formulate positive and enduring brand images while encouraging favorable consumer behaviors.

Originality/value

While most hospitality studies have focused on the traits of celebrity endorsers, little attention has been paid to the impact of consumers' characteristics on celebrity endorsement. This study advances the growing literature on hospitality celebrity endorsement by providing empirical evidence to delineate the relationship among celebrities, endorsed brands and consumers.
Leveraging social capital to catalyse post-pandemic anti-fragility: the “Vilnius model”
Authors: Warren Giannina , Grigaliūnaitė Simona
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to delve into the interdependent connection between place branding and social capital, specifically focusing on how it contributes to uniting a city’s recovery efforts during times of crisis. By using the theoretical frameworks of social capital and cultural intermediation, the case study of Vilnius, Lithuania, exemplifies how cities can navigate through turbulent periods by prioritising the work of place marketers and their relationships in their strategic approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, mixed method case study approach used four different methods of investigation, drawing on multiple sources of evidence, including a mix of interviews with key actors, content analysis, netnography and participant observation.

Findings

Go Vilnius, in collaboration with the City of Vilnius Municipality, leveraged existing stakeholder relationships and a strong common identification among political actors, promotional intermediaries, residents and city institutions to not only adapt to the unfolding crisis but to evolve its marketing, place-making, tourism and community engagement strategies to emerge as a more resilient, dynamic and animated city after the pandemic.

Practical implications

This case study demonstrates that a “network constellation” approach centralised around key stakeholder relationships held by marketing, tourism and promotional professionals is a crucial component in urban post-pandemic and emergency planning.

Social implications

By placing marketing professionals at the heart of crisis planning, cities can capitalise on the inherent social capital that is their key occupational resource and leverage their relationships with residents, the business community, international collaborators and the media for swift and maximum impact.

Originality/value

By identifying the “network constellations” that facilitated the institutionalisation of place branding activities in the face of both a local and global shutdown, this paper positions place marketers, acting as cultural intermediaries, at the centre of crisis planning and prevention strategies for anti-fragile cities of the post-pandemic future.
Fuel vehicles or new energy vehicles? A study on the differentiation of vehicle consumer demand based on online reviews
Authors: Wang Xiaoguang , Cheng Yue , Lv Tao , Cai Rongjiang
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The authors hope to filter valuable information from online reviews, obtain objective and accurate information about the demands of auto consumers and help auto companies develop more reasonable production and marketing strategies for healthy and sustainable development. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected review data from online automotive forums and generated a corpus after pre-processing. Then, the authors extracted consumer demands and topics using the LDA model. Finally, the authors used a trained Word2vec tool to extend the consumer demand topics.

Findings

Different types of vehicle consumers have the same demands, such as “Space,” “Power Performance,” and “Brand Comparison,” and distinct demands, such as “Appearance,” “Safety,” “Service,” and “New Energy Features”; consumers who buy new energy vehicles are still accustomed to comparing with the brands or models of fuel vehicles; new energy vehicles consumers pay more attention to services and service quality during the purchasing and using process.

Research limitations/implications

The development time of new energy vehicles is relatively short, with some models being available for only one year or even six months. The smaller amount of available data may impact the applicability of topic models. The sample size, especially for new energy vehicles, needs to be increased to improve the general applicability of topic models further.

Practical implications

First, this measure helps online review websites improve their existing review publication mechanisms, enhance the overall quality of online review content, increase user traffic and promote the healthy development of online review websites. Second, this allows for timely adjustments in future product production and sales plans and further enhances automotive companies' ability to leverage online reviews for Internet marketing.

Originality/value

The authors have improved the accuracy and stability of the fused topic model, providing a scientific and efficient research tool for multi-dimensional topic mining of online reviews. With the help of research results, consumers can more easily understand the discussion topics and thus filter out valuable reference information. As a result, automotive companies may gain information about consumer demands and product quality feedback and thus quickly adjust production and marketing strategies to increase sales and market share.
Promoting subjective well-being of IT professionals through gratitude practice: a moderated mediation analysis of gender and employee engagement
Authors: Bhargava Sheela , Sharma Renu , Kulshreshtha Monika
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the potential mediating role of employee engagement in the relationship between gratitude and subjective well-being (SWB) of employees working in the information technology (IT) sector in India. The study investigated a moderated mediation model for gratitude and SWB, treating employee engagement as a mediator and gender as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 162 professionals working IT sector in India. Process Macro, AMOS and IBM SPSS 22 were used to analyze the mediation and moderation effects.

Findings

The results depicted that employee engagement fully mediates the positive association between gratitude practice and the SWB of employees as well as the demographic variable; gender also demonstrated a full moderation effect between them.

Originality/value

This research may be one of the few studies from the Indian context that explore whether gratitude practiced by employees working in the IT sector can play a significant role in impacting their SWB. Past research models had not introduced employee engagement’s indirect impact on the examined variables.
Supporting STEM graduate students in strengthening their professional identity through an authentic interdisciplinary partnership
Authors: Wenner Julianne A. , Frary Megan , Simmonds Paul J.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Historically, graduate education’s goal was to prepare academics; now most science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics (STEM) graduate students (GSs) go on to nonacademic careers. STEM GSs must be equipped for success regardless of career aspirations, which can be done by strengthening GSs’ professional identities. This study aims to explore an interdisciplinary partnership designed to strengthen STEM GS professional identity.

Design/methodology/approach

The STEM Partnership Project (SPP), asked STEM GSs to serve as disciplinary experts and teach STEM content to elementary teacher candidates (TCs) so the TCs could design and teach an elementary science lesson. GSs also enrolled in a one-credit course to support SPP participation and activities. Over five semesters, the authors collected data from 28 STEM GSs across different disciplines and degree programs in the form of course assignments, surveys and interviews.

Findings

The SPP supported the development of a professional identity by having GSs serve as and feel like experts; increasing GSs’ sense of belonging in their field; increasing GSs’ self-confidence that they could (learn to) teach a wide variety of audiences; and raising GSs’ awareness of their ability to serve others via their field.

Originality/value

The SPP’s outcomes were consistent across STEM disciplines, did not require GSs to take on large amounts of coursework, nor did it cost much beyond materials for the various lessons. Furthermore, the key components that strengthened GSs’ professional identities could be adapted for different contexts and institutions.
Cutaneous basophil infiltration in atopic dermatitis is associated with abundant epidermal infiltration of helper T cells: A preliminary retrospective study
Authors: Nagashima Natsumi , Ugajin Tsukasa , Miyake Kensuke , Walls Andrew F. , Namiki Takeshi , Yokozeki Hiroo , Karasuyama Hajime , Okiyama Naoko
Published: October 2023

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a heterogenous inflammatory skin disorder. Our previous study revealed that basophil infiltration in skin is observed in approximately 60% of AD cases. However, the clinical and histological characteristics of AD associated with basophil infiltration remain unclear. We examined basophil infiltration by immunohistochemical staining of 38 specimens from 34 patients who underwent skin biopsies to diagnose AD from April 2016 to September 2021 at Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital. The patients/specimens were divided into two groups, 17 patients/21 specimens associated with little or no basophil infiltration (basophil‐low group) and 17 patients/17 specimens associated with marked basophil infiltration (basophil‐high group). The clinical characteristics of the patients (age, sex, complications, blood biomarkers, skin symptoms, and treatment) and histological features of the specimens were compared between the groups. Basophil‐high patients were significantly younger than basophil‐low patients. Blood basophil counts were higher in basophil‐high patients than in basophil‐low patients. CD4+ T‐cell infiltration was more marked in basophil‐high specimens than in basophil‐low specimens. CD4+ T cells infiltrated into the dermis as well as into the epidermis only in the basophil‐high specimens. Thus, basophil‐high AD can be characterized by skin lesions associated with abundant helper T‐cell infiltration in younger patients.
Are Australian regulatory and policy frameworks ready for a distributed‐energy‐resources‐led energy transition?
Authors: Akimov Alexandr , Inchauspe Julian , Mouritz Mike , Silva Angie
Published: October 2023

Electricity markets are facing innovation disruptions at levels never seen before. One of the major drivers is the introduction of distributed energy resources (DERs) technologies, especially those that apply to rooftop solar power. This has called into question established regulatory practices and brought new challenges to system operations. In this context, this article seeks to provide a comprehensive investigation of potential policy options for Australia's energy markets from two perspectives. We first examine recent and proposed reforms in this area, and then proceed to review the challenges for Australian regulators that will have major implications for the future, affecting policymaking, regulation, and market design.

Points for practitioners

The Australian energy framework is complicated, reflecting its regulatory history, geographical complexity, and federal governance structure.

As a force for creative distraction, the penetration of DERs has created challenges for the electricity system and requires careful regulatory treatment.

Topical themes in the regulation of DERs include, amongst others, technical standards, metering access, reserve capacity, new business models, network stability, the role of regulated utilities, and support for low‐income households.

The necessary regulatory transition is accepted as being evolutionary rather than revolutionary in nature so as to enable the existing major stakeholders to adapt to the new environment.
Severe maternal morbidity surveillance, temporal trends and regional variation: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Tsamantioti Eleni , Sandström Anna , Muraca Giulia M. , Joseph K. S. , Remaeus Katarina , Razaz Neda
Published: October 2023

Objective

To quantify temporal trends and regional variation in severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in Sweden.

Design

Cohort study.

Population

Live birth and stillbirth deliveries in Sweden, 1999–2019.

Methods

Types and subtypes of SMM were identified, based on a standard list (modified for Swedish clinical setting after considering the frequency and validity of each indicator) using diagnoses and procedure codes, among all deliveries at ≥22 weeks of gestation (including complications within 42 days of delivery). Contrasts between regions were quantified using rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Temporal changes in SMM types and subtypes were described.

Main outcome measures

Types and subtypes of SMM.

Results

There were 59 789 SMM cases among 2 212 576 deliveries, corresponding to 270.2 (95% CI 268.1–272.4) per 10 000 deliveries. Composite SMM rates increased from 236.6 per 10 000 deliveries in 1999 to 307.3 per 10 000 deliveries in 2006, before declining to 253.8 per 10 000 deliveries in 2019. Changes in composite SMM corresponded with temporal changes in severe haemorrhage rates, which increased from 94.9 per 10 000 deliveries in 1999 to 169.3 per 10 000 deliveries in 2006, before declining to 111.2 per 10 000 deliveries in 2019. Severe pre‐eclampsia, eclampsia and HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count) syndrome (103.8 per 10 000 deliveries), severe haemorrhage (133.7 per 10 000 deliveries), sepsis, embolism, disseminated intravascular coagulation, shock and severe mental health disorders were the most common SMM types. Rates of embolism, disseminated intravascular coagulation and shock, acute renal failure, cardiac complications, sepsis and assisted ventilation increased, whereas rates of surgical complications, severe uterine rupture and anaesthesia complications declined.

Conclusions

The observed spatiotemporal variations in composite SMM and SMM types provide substantive insights and highlight regional priorities for improving maternal health.
Credit supply shocks, home purchase volume, and borrowing behavior
Authors: Conklin James N. , Liu Haoyang , Zhang Calvin
Published: October 2023

We exploit the 2007 private label securitization (PLS) freeze as a quasi‐experiment to study the impact of a negative credit supply shock on home purchases and borrowing behavior. Using a difference‐in‐differences estimator, we show that a negative supply shock to first‐lien mortgages has little impact on the volume of purchases financed with a mortgage, but significantly reduces the average first‐lien loan balance. Much of this reduction in loan balances is the result of increased bunching at the conforming loan limit that is achieved through a combination of greater second mortgage utilization and larger downpayments. Importantly, we find significant heterogeneity in the response to the mortgage supply shock across borrower characteristics and house price levels. Home purchase volume does decline after the shock for less creditworthy borrowers and in expensive locations. The reduction in first‐lien balances is fairly uniform across borrower types, however, the effect is slightly more acute in less expensive areas. Our results suggest that financial market frictions (e.g., downpayment constraints, imperfect credit) play an important role in determining how credit supply shocks impact housing purchases and borrowing behavior.
Support seeking, system avoidance, and citizenship: Social safety net usage after incarceration
Authors: Bryan Brielle
Published: October 2023

Scholars have long described the American penal state and welfare state as joined by a common logic of social marginalization. But researchers have only recently begun to explore how the individuals who pass through the carceral system also interact with welfare state programs. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, in this article, I explore how formerly incarcerated individuals make claims on the welfare state and how participation varies across social programs and states, as well as by race, drawing on theories of social welfare rights‐claiming and system avoidance. In so doing, I provide the first nationwide estimates of the extent to which previously incarcerated adults use social safety net resources. I find that participation in welfare programs varies with incarceration history, program structure, and race. Rather than finding patterns consistent with system avoidance, I find that previously incarcerated White Americans seem to engage in active rights claiming, participating in public assistance programs more than similarly eligible never‐incarcerated counterparts. All formerly incarcerated individuals, however, have limited access to more generous social insurance programs, and the shift to an increasingly employment‐based social safety net seems likely to further limit access to the welfare state for the growing population of Americans leaving prison.
Quercetin promotes the secretion of musk by regulating the hormone level and microbial structure of forest musk deer
Authors: BO Xinyu , CHEN Jialing , MU Jinzhan , DONG Xianggui , REN Zhanjun , LIU Jinyao , WANG Shuhui
Published: October 2023

Musk is a scarce and precious medical resource secreted by male forest musk deer (FMD). Current research to promote musk secretion in FMD has used almost exclusively hormone injections, but this approach can be detrimental to the health of FMD. In order to conserve this endangered species as much as possible while increasing the production of musk, this study first used bioinformatics methods to predict the function of quercetin, a flavonoid that promotes testosterone (T) production and prevents late‐onset male hypogonadism. On the basis of good prediction effect, different concentrations of quercetin were added to the diet of FMD. The results showed that quercetin could change the levels of T, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol, and regulate the structure of intestinal microorganisms and musk microorganisms of FMD. Moreover, there is a correlation among musk components, hormones, intestinal microorganisms, and musk microorganisms, which indicates that the production of musk may be regulated by these three at the same time, and the addition of quercetin with 800 mg per kg diet could significantly increase the yield of muscone (P < 0.05), the most effective ingredient in musk. In addition, quercetin decreased the high level of cortisol during musk secretion, which may relieve the stress on FMD in this process. This may help to protect the health of FMD. Combined with the results of software prediction, we finally proposed a possible mechanism for the complex process of musk secretion in FMD with a view to providing ideas for further studies.
Microencapsulation of phenolic compounds extracted from soybean seed coats by spray‐drying
Authors: Bergesse Antonella Estefanía , Asensio Claudia Mariana , Quiroga Patricia Raquel , Ryan Liliana Cecilia , Grosso Nelson Rubén , Nepote Valeria
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to characterize and microencapsulate soybean seed coats phenolic compounds by spray‐drying, evaluating physicochemical properties and storage stability. Different extraction methodologies were used to obtain crude extract (SCE), ethyl acetate fraction, water fraction, and bound phenolic extract. Extraction yield, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant capacity were determined. HPLC–electrospray ionization source‐MS/MS analysis was performed on SCE. Microencapsulation by spray‐drying of SCE incorporating 10%, 20%, and 30% maltodextrin (MD) was carried out. Drying yield (DY), encapsulation efficiency (EE), moisture, morphology and particle size, dry, and aqueous storage stability were evaluated on the microcapsules. SCE had 7.79 g/100 g polyphenolic compounds (mainly isoflavones and phenolic acids) with antioxidant activity. Purification process by solvent partitioning allowed an increase of phenolic content and antioxidant activity. Microcapsules with 30% MD exhibited the highest DY, EE, and stability. Microencapsulated polyphenolic compounds from soybean seed coats can be used as functional ingredients in food products.

Practical Application

Soybean seed coat is a usually discarded agro‐industrial by‐product, which presents antioxidant compounds of interest to human health. These compounds are prone to oxidation due to their chemical structure; therefore, microencapsulation is a viable and reproducible solution to overcome stability‐related limitations. Microencapsulation of soybean seed coats polyphenols is an alternative which protects and extends the stability of phenolic compounds that could be potentially incorporated into food products as a natural additive with antioxidant properties.
A Methodist Opera? The Troublers of Israel (1767) as Response to the Anti‐Methodist Critique
Authors: McInelly Brett C.
Published: October 2023

Abstract: This essay examines the The Troublers of Israel in the context of Methodism's uneasy, and seemingly contradictory, relationship with the theatre and argues that its anonymous author purposefully adapted the operatic form to achieve his rhetorical, and religious, aims. Even though this tactic has confused bibliographers who have miscategorized the piece as an anti‐Methodist work since the nineteenth century, the operatic form, like George Whitefield's preaching, effectively demonstrates how the Methodists coopted and redeployed the dramatic arts as a means of conveying their religious message while reframing and refuting anti‐Methodist arguments. The Troublers provides further evidence, in addition to Whitefield's preaching, that the Methodists recognized the power of the dramatic arts to influence belief and behaviour at the same time they condemned more mainstream forms of plays and playgoing.
prioriactions: Multi‐action management planning in R
Authors: Salgado‐Rojas José , Hermoso Virgilio , Álvarez‐Miranda Eduardo
Published: October 2023

Designing effective conservation strategies requires deciding not only where to locate conservation actions (i.e. which territorial units should be priortized), but also which type actions should be deployed. For most of conservation planning contexts, deciding where and what to do usually yields a complex and computationally challenging decision‐making setting. Although the resulting optimization problems have typically been tackled using heuristic approaches, recent advances in mixed integer programming (MIP) solver technology have turned MIP‐based approaches into a practical alternative for solving complex conservation planning problems.

We introduce theRpackageprioriactions, which allows solving complex conservation planning problems comprising prioritization and action deployment decisions.prioriactionsfeatures a MIP approach that allows formulating and solving optimally (or nearly optimally) a wide class of conservation planning problems (characterized by different spatial and functional constraints and requirements). Furthermore, the package allows using a variety of commercial and open‐source exact solvers enhancing its usability as well as its practical effectiveness.

Here, we present a comprehensive description of the main functions available inprioriactions. This package has a workflow of three straightforward steps: (a) validation of the input data, using theinputData()function that prepares input; (b) the creation of a prioritization model, using theproblem()function, allows the creation of two types of common models: theminimization of coststo achieve a recovery target andmaximizing the recovery benefitsgiven a limited budget; and (c) to solve of the model, using thesolve()function.

Theprioriactionspackage provides a user‐friendly platform for addressing different multi‐actions management problems, allowing to identify more rigorously, transparently and in a reproducible way the spatial deployment of management actions.
Alcohol‐related morbidity and mortality by fathers' parental leave: A quasi‐experimental study in Sweden
Authors: Honkaniemi Helena , Juárez Sol Pía
Published: October 2023

Background and Aims

Fathers' parental leave has been associated with decreased risks of alcohol‐related hospitalizations and mortality. Whether this is attributable to the health protections of parental leave itself (through stress reduction or behavioral changes) or to selection into leave uptake remains unclear, given that fathers are more likely to use leave if they are in better health. Using the quasi‐experimental variation of a reform incentivizing fathers' leave uptake (the 1995 Father's quota reform), this study aimed to assess whether fathers' parental leave influences alcohol‐related morbidity and mortality.

Design

Quasi‐experimental interrupted time series and instrumental variable analyses.

Setting

Sweden.

Participants

Fathers of singleton children born from January 1992 to December 1997 (n = 220 412).

Measurements

Exposure was indicated by the child's birthdate before or after the reform and used to instrument fathers' 2‐ and 8‐year parental leave uptake. Outcomes included fathers' hospitalization rates for acute alcohol‐related (intoxication; mental and behavioral disorders) and chronic alcohol‐related diagnoses (cardiovascular, stomach and other diseases; liver diseases), as well as alcohol‐related mortality, up to 2, 8 and 18 years after the first child's birthdate.

Findings

In interrupted time series analyses, fathers of children born after the reform exhibited immediate decreases in alcohol‐related hospitalization rates up to 2 (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.51–0.87), 8 (IRR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.57–0.96) and 18 years after birth (IRR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.54–0.96), particularly in acute alcohol‐related hospitalization rates, compared with those with children born before. No changes were found for alcohol‐related mortality. Instrumental variable results suggest that alcohol‐related hospitalization decreases were driven by fathers' parental leave uptake (e.g. 2‐year hospitalizations: IRR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.03–0.84).

Conclusions

In Sweden, a father's parental leave eligibility and uptake may protect against alcohol‐related morbidity.
Demographic and clinical associations to employment status in older‐age bipolar disorder: Analysis from the GAGE‐BD database project
Authors: Mallu Amulya , Chan Carol K. , Eyler Lisa T. , Dols Annemiek , Rej Soham , Blumberg Hilary P. , Sarna Kaylee , Forester Brent P. , Patrick Regan E. , Forlenza Orestes V. , Jimenez Esther , Vieta Eduard , Schouws Sigfried , Sutherland Ashley , Yala Joy , Briggs Farren B. S. , Sajatovic Martha
Published: October 2023

Objective

The current literature on employment in older adults with bipolar disorder (OABD) is limited. Using the Global Aging and Geriatric Experiments in Bipolar Disorder Database (GAGE‐BD), we examined the relationship of occupational status in OABD to other demographic and clinical characteristics.

Methods

Seven hundred and thirty‐eight participants from 11 international samples with data on educational level and occupational status were included. Employment status was dichotomized as employed versus unemployed. Generalized linear mixed models with random intercepts for the study cohort were used to examine the relationship between baseline characteristics and employment. Predictors in the models included baseline demographics, education, psychiatric symptom severity, psychiatric comorbidity, somatic comorbidity, and prior psychiatric hospitalizations.

Results

In the sample, 23.6% (n = 174) were employed, while 76.4% were unemployed (n = 564). In multivariable logistic regression models, less education, older age, a history of both anxiety and substance/alcohol use disorders, more prior psychiatric hospitalizations, and higher levels of BD depression severity were associated with greater odds of unemployment. In the subsample of individuals less than 65 years of age, findings were similar. No significant association between manic symptoms, gender, age of onset, or employment status was observed.

Conclusion

Results suggest an association between educational level, age, psychiatric severity and comorbidity in relation to employment in OABD. Implications include the need for management of psychiatric symptoms and comorbidity across the lifespan, as well as improving educational access for people with BD and skills training or other support for those with work‐life breaks to re‐enter employment and optimize the overall outcome.
Racial disparities in low‐risk cesarean birth rates across hospitals
Authors: Clark Rebecca R. S. , Peele Morgan E. , Srinivas Sindhu , Lake Eileen T.
Published: October 2023

Background

We compared low‐risk cesarean birth rates for Black and White women across hospitals serving increasing proportions of Black women and identified hospitals where Black women had low‐risk cesarean rates less than or equal to White women.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional analysis of secondary data from four states, we categorized hospitals by their proportion of Black women giving birth from “low” to “high”. We analyzed the odds of low‐risk cesarean for Black and White women across hospital categories.

Results

Our sample comprised 493 hospitals and the 65,524 Black and 251,426 White women at low risk for cesarean who birthed in them. The mean low‐risk cesarean rate was significantly higher for Black, compared with White, women in the low (20.1% vs. 15.9%) and medium (18.1% vs. 16.9%) hospital categories. In regression models, no hospital structural characteristics were significantly associated with the odds of a Black woman having a low‐risk cesarean. For White women, birthing in a hospital serving the highest proportion of Black women was associated with a 21% (95% CI: 1.01–1.44) increase in the odds of having a low‐risk cesarean.

Discussion

Black women had higher odds of a low‐risk cesarean than White women and were more likely to access care in hospitals with higher low‐risk cesarean rates. The existence of hospitals where low‐risk cesarean rates for Black women were less than or equal to those of White women was notable, given a predominant focus on hospitals where Black women have poorer outcomes. Efforts to decrease the low‐risk cesarean rate should focus on (1) improving intrapartum care for Black women and (2) identifying differentiating organizational factors in hospitals where cesarean birth rates are optimally low and equivalent among racial groups as a basis for system‐level policy efforts to improve equity and reduce cesarean birth rates.
Acute myeloid leukaemia relapse after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Mechanistic diversity and therapeutic directions
Authors: Herrity Elizabeth , Pereira Mariana Pinto , Kim Dennis Dong Hwan
Published: October 2023

Emerging biological and clinical data, along with advances in new technologies, have exposed the mechanistic diversity in post‐haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) relapse. Post‐HCT relapse mechanisms are relevant for guiding sophisticated selection of therapeutic interventions and identification of areas for further research. Clonal evolution and emergence of resistant leukemic strains is a common mechanism shared by relapse post‐chemotherapy and post‐HCT, other mechanisms such as leukemic immune escape and donor T cell exhaustion are unique entities to post‐HCT relapse. Due to diversity in the mechanisms behind post‐HCT relapse, the subsequent clinical approach relies on clinician discretion, rather than objective evidence. Lack of standardized selection based on post‐HCT relapse mechanism(s) could be a contributing factor to observed poor outcomes. Therapeutic strategies including donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI), second transplant, immunotherapies, hypomethylating agents, and targeted strategies are supported options and efficacy may be enhanced when post‐HCT AML relapse mechanism is established and guides treatment selection. This review aims, through compilation of supporting studies, to describe mechanisms of post‐HCT relapse and their implications for subsequent treatment selection and inspiration for future research.
Pakistani children's lived experiences of relationships in the context of child protection services in Norway: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Wilson Samita , Hean Sarah , Abebe Tatek , Heaslip Vanessa
Published: October 2023

This paper examines how children from immigrant background experience and negotiate power relations with family and social workers in the context of child protection services (CPS) in Norway. Using the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology, 11 children from Pakistani background were interviewed about their lived experiences with CPS. Analysis of the data highlights that children have to negotiate and navigate generational and gendered power relations both within the families and the CPS to exercise their agency. The analysis contributes to a limited research field focusing on immigrant children's multidimensional lived realities in the context of CPS, where children's voices are largely missing.