bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new story of four Hexapoda classes: Protura as the sister to all other hexapods
Authors: Du Shiyu , Tihelka Erik , Yu Daoyuan , Chen Wan-Jun , Bu Yun , Cai Chenyang , Engel Michael S. , Luan Yun-Xia , Zhang Feng
Published: January 2024

Insects represent the most diverse animal group, yet previous phylogenetic analyses based on the morphological and molecular data have failed to agree on the evolutionary relationships of early insects and their six-legged relatives (together constituting the clade Hexapoda). In particular, the phylogenetic positions of the three early-diverging hexapod groups, the coneheads (Protura), springtails (Collembola), and two-pronged bristletails (Diplura), have been debated for over a century, with alternative topologies implying drastically different scenarios of the evolution of the insect body plan and hexapod terrestrialisation. We addressed this issue by sampling of all hexapod orders, and experimented with a broad range of across-site compositional heterogeneous models designed to tackle ancient divergences. Our analyses support Protura as the earliest-diverging hexapod lineage (Protura-sister) and Collembola as a sister group to the Diplura, a clade we refer to as ‘Antennomusculata’ characterised by the shared possession of internal muscles in the antennal flagellum. The universally recognized ‘Ellipura’ hypothesis is recovered under the site-homogenous LG model. Our cross-validation analysis shows that the CAT-GTR model that recovers Protura-sister fits significantly better than homogenous model. Furthermore, as a very unusual group, Protura as the first diverging lineage of hexapods is also supported by other lines of evidence, such as mitogenomics, comparative embryology, and sperm morphology. The backbone phylogeny of hexapods recovered in this study will facilitate the exploration of the underpinnings of hexapod terrestrialisation and mega-diversity.
Direct excitatory synapses between neurons and tumor cells drive brain metastatic seeding of breast cancer and melanoma
Authors: Venkataramani V. , Karreman M.A. , Nguyen L.C. , Tehranian C. , Hebach N. , Mayer C.D. , Meyer L. , Mughal S.S. , Reifenberger G. , Felsberg J. , Köhrer K. , Schubert M.C. , Westphal D. , Breckwoldt M.O. , Brors B. , Wick W. , Kuner T. , Winkler F.
Published: January 2024

Interactions between neurons and cancer cells are found in many malignancies, but their relevance for metastatic organ colonization remain largely unknown. It is also unclear whether any direct synaptic communication between neurons and cancer cells of non-neural tumor types exists, and if so, whether this can support metastasis and thus cancer progression. Here we show that excitatory synapses are formed between neurons and brain-metastatic melanoma and breast cancer cells. This starts at an early microscopic stage after extravasation into the brain parenchyma, during residence of cancer cells in the perivascular niche, a critical step for their survival. These neuron-cancer synapses showed abona fidesynaptic ultrastructure, and generated excitatory postsynaptic currents mediated by glutamate receptors of the AMPA subtype in cancer cells. In accordance, AMPA receptor signatures were consistently detected in preclinical and patient samples of melanoma and breast cancer brain metastases. Genetic perturbation and pharmacological inhibition of AMPA receptors with the approved antiepileptic drug perampanel in models of breast and melanoma cancer reduced the number of brain metastases and overall brain metastatic burden. These findings demonstrate for the first time that neurons can form biologically relevant direct synapses with non-neural cancer cells. In brain metastasis, a particularly challenging complication of many common malignancies, this non-canonical stimulatory synaptic interaction offers novel therapeutic opportunities.
Engineering of methionine-auxotrophEscherichia colivia parallel evolution of two enzymes fromCorynebacterium glutamicum’sdirect-sulfurylation pathway enables its recovery in minimal medium
Authors: Gabay Matan , Stern Inbar , Gruzdev Nadya , Cohen Adi , Lifshits Lucia Adriana , Ansbacher Tamar , Yadid Itamar , Gal Maayan
Published: January 2024

Methionine biosynthesis relies on the sequential catalysis of multiple enzymes.Escherichia coli, the main bacteria used in research and industry for protein production and engineering, utilizes the three-step trans-sulfurylation pathway catalyzed by L-homoserine O-succinyl transferase, cystathionine gamma synthase and cystathionine beta lyase to convert L-homoserine to L-homocysteine. However, most bacteria employ the two-step direct-sulfurylation pathway involving L-homoserine O-acetyltransferases and O-acetyl homoserine sulfhydrylase. We previously showed that a methionine-auxotrophE. colistrain (MG1655) with deletion of metA, encoding for L-homoserine O-succinyl transferase, and metB, encoding for cystathionine gamma synthase, could be complemented by introducing the genes metX, encoding for L-homoserine O-acetyltransferases and metY, encoding for O-acetyl homoserine sulfhydrylase, from various sources, thus altering theEscherichia colimethionine biosynthesis metabolic pathway to direct-sulfurylation. However, introducing metX and metY fromCorynebacterium glutamicumfailed to complement methionine auxotrophy. Herein, we generated a randomized genetic library based on the metX and metY ofCorynebacterium glutamicumand transformed it into a methionine-auxotrophicE. colistrain lacking the metA and metB genes. Through multiple enrichment cycles, we successfully isolated active clones capable of growing in M9 minimal media without external methionine supplementation. The dominant metX mutations in the evolved methionine-autotrophsEscherichia coliwere L315P and H46R. Interestingly, we found that a metY gene encoding only the N-terminus 106 out of 438 amino acids of the wild-type MetY enzyme is functional and supports the growth of the methionine auxotroph. Recloning the new genes into the original plasmid and transforming them to methionine auxotrophEscherichia colivalidated their functionality. These results show that directed enzyme-evolution enables the fast engineering of new active variants within theEscherichia colimethionine direct-sulfurylation pathway, leading to efficient complementation.
Lipid osmosis, membrane tension, and other mechanochemical driving forces of lipid flow
Authors: Zhang Yongli , Lin Chenxiang
Published: January 2024

Nonvesicular lipid transport among different membranes or membrane domains plays crucial roles in lipid homeostasis and organelle biogenesis. However, the forces that drive such lipid transport are not well understood. We propose that lipids tend to flow towards the membrane area with a higher membrane protein density in a process termedlipid osmosis. This process lowers the membrane tension in the area, resulting in a membrane tension difference calledosmotic membrane tension. We examine the thermodynamic basis and experimental evidence of lipid osmosis and osmotic membrane tension. We predict that lipid osmosis can drive bulk lipid flows between different membrane regions through lipid transfer proteins, scramblases, or other similar barriers that selectively pass lipids but not membrane proteins. We also speculate on the biological functions of lipid osmosis. Finally, we explore other driving forces for lipid transfer and describe potential methods and systems to further test our theory.
Regulation of the aurantio-obtusin accumulation by StTCP4.1-mediated StDA1-StHDR1 module inSenna toraseeds
Authors: Liu Shuang , Liu Jinling , Abozeid Ann , Yin Xuecui , Dong Juane , Liang Zongsuo
Published: January 2024

Senna tora(S. tora) is a commonly used Chinese medicinal plant due to the presence of the bioactive compounds anthraquinones in its mature seeds. Seed size is an important factor that affectS. torayield quantity and quality. However, the mechanism regulating seed size and aurantio-obtusin biosynthesis inS.torais still unclear. In this study, we identified the ubiquitin receptor StDA1 inS.torathat served as a negative regulator to seed formation and limited seed enlargement. Antisense overexpression of StDA1 led to larger seeds inS. toraand promoted the accumulation of aurantio-obtusin. In contrast, overexpression of StDA1 inS.toraresulted in a relative decrease in aurantio-obtusin accumulation. Moreover, StDA1 can directly bind to StHDR1and regulate its degradation through the 26S proteasome to regulate seed size and aurantio-obtusin accumulation. We also found that the StDA1-StHDR1 module is responsive to the MeJA via StTCP4.1, which in turn affects the accumulation of aurantio-obtusin. Overall, we have identified a protein complex that regulates the accumulation of aurantio-obtusin, StTCP4.1-StDA1-StHDR1, as a potential target for improvingS.torayield quantity and quality.
Identification of candidate genes controlling red seed coat color in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata[L.] Walp)
Authors: Herniter Ira A. , Muñoz-Amatriaín María , Lo Sassoum , Guo Yi-Ning , Lonardi Stefano , Close Timothy J.
Published: January 2024

Seed coat color is an important consumer-related train in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata[L.] Walp.) and has been a subject of study for over a century. Utilizing newly available resources, including mapping populations, a high-density genotyping platform, and several genome assemblies, red seed coat color has been mapped to two loci,Red-1(R-1) andRed-2(R-2), on Vu03 and Vu07, respectively. A gene model (Vigun03g118700) encoding a dihydroflavonol 4-reductase, a homolog of anthocyanidin reductase 1, which catalyzes the biosynthesis of epicatechin from cyanidin, has been identified as a candidate gene forR-1. Possible causative variants have been also identified forVigun03g118700. A gene model on Vu07 (Vigun07g118500), with predicted nucleolar function and high relative expression in the developing seed, has been identified as a candidate forR-2. The observed red color is believed to be the result of a buildup of cyanidins in the seed coat.
A distinct signalling circuit upregulates cytotoxic ROS production in a cellular model of Parkinson’s disease: key roles for TRPM2, Zn2+and complex III
Authors: AlAhmad Maali , Isbea Hala , Shitaw Esra , Li Fangfang , Sivaprasadarao Asipu
Published: January 2024

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) serve vital physiological functions, but aberrant ROS production contributes to numerous diseases. Unfortunately, therapeutic progress targeting pathogenic ROS has been hindered by limited understanding of whether the mechanisms driving pathogenic ROS differ from those governing physiological ROS generation. To address this knowledge gap, we utilised a cellular model of Parkinson’s disease (PD), as an exemplar of ROS-associated diseases. We exposed SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to the PD-toxin, MPP+(1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium) and studied ROS upregulation leading to cell death, the primary cause of PD. We demonstrate: (i) MPP+stimulates ROS production by raising cytoplasmic Ca2+levels, rather than acting directly on mitochondria. (ii) To raise the Ca2+, MPP+co-stimulates NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX2) and the TRPM2 (Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin2) channel that form a positive feedback loop to support each other’s function. (iii) Ca2+exacerbates mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) production not directly, but via Zn2+. (iv) Zn2+promotes electron escape from respiratory complexes, predominantly from complex III, to generate mtROS. These conclusions are drawn from data, wherein inhibition of TRPM2 and NOX2, chelation of Ca2+and Zn2+, and prevention of electron escape from complexes -all abolished the ability of MPP+to induce mtROS production and the associated cell death. Furthermore, calcium ionophore mimicked the effects of MPP+, while Zn2+ionophore replicated the effects of both MPP+and Ca2+. Thus, we unveil a previously unrecognized signalling circuit involving NOX2, TRPM2, Ca2+, Zn2+, and complex III that drives cytotoxic ROS production. This circuit lies dormant in healthy cells but is triggered by pathogenic insults and could therefore represent a safe therapeutic target for PD and other ROS-linked diseases.
Complex interplay of R&D, advertising and exports in USA manufacturing firms: differential effects of capabilities
Authors: Kwon He-Boong , Lee Jooh , Brennan Ian
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the dynamic interplay of key resources (i.e. research and development (R&D), advertising and exports) in affecting the performance of USA manufacturing firms. Specifically, the authors examine the dynamic impact of joint resources and predict differential effect scales contingent on firm capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a combined multiple regression analysis (MRA)-multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network modeling and investigates the complex interlinkage of capabilities, resources and performance. As an innovative approach, the MRA-MLP model investigates the effect of capabilities under the combinatory deployment of joint resources.

Findings

This study finds that the impact of joint resources and synergistic rents is not uniform but rather distinctive according to the combinatory conditions and that the pattern is further shaped by firm capabilities. Accordingly, besides signifying the contingent aspect of capabilities across a range of resource combinations, the result also shows that managerial sophistication in adaptive resource control is more than a managerial ethos.

Practical implications

The proposed analytic process provides scientific decision support tools with control mechanisms with respect to deploying multiple resources and setting actionable goals, thereby presenting pragmatic benchmarking options to industry managers.

Originality/value

Using the theoretical underpinnings of the resource-based view (RBV) and resource orchestration, this study advances knowledge about the complex interaction of key resources by presenting a salient analytic process. The empirical design, which portrays holistic interaction patterns, adds to the uniqueness of this study of the complex interlinkages between capabilities, resources and shareholder value.
Exploring the application of PLS-SEM in construction management research: a bibliometric and meta-analysis approach
Authors: Batra Sachin
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach for construction management (CM) scholars has become the preferred approach for its capability of assessing the complex relationship and relaxed normality and sample size assumptions. This paper systematically maps the structure of knowledge about PLS-SEM in CM using bibliometric analysis. Also, the study employs meta-analysis to explore how data and model characteristics, model evaluation and advanced modeling techniques have been utilized in the CM domain.

Design/methodology/approach

This study integrated two methods: bibliometric analysis on a sample of 211 articles identified using the PRISMA framework and meta-analysis on 163 articles identified based on the availability of full-length articles and relevant information.

Findings

The results revealed the leading knowledge formation entities (countries, institutions, authors, sources and documents). Also, the study employs full content analysis to identify six research themes, and meta-analysis is used to explore the use of PLS-SEM based on the following criteria: (1) reasons for using PLS-SEM in CM, (2) data characteristics, (3) model characteristics and evaluation and (4) use of advanced modeling and analysis techniques. Further, the study uses regression analysis and identifies “advanced modeling and analysis techniques” as the critical feature responsible for the publication in a journal with high scientific prestige. Finally, the study presented the comprehensive guidelines to be used by construction management scholars who wish to use PLS-SEM in their research work.

Originality/value

To the author’s knowledge, it is the first study of this kind to use PLS-SEM in CM research. This study provides an extensive analysis of the Scopus database and an in-depth review of the data characteristics, model characteristics and use of advanced modeling techniques in CM research.
The valuation and determinants of franking account balances
Authors: Han Lin , Hu Hansi , Walter Terry
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Are franking credit balances priced? This paper aims to investigate the valuation of franking credit balances via a determinant analysis and value relevance analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The determinant analysis examines the factors that contribute to the increasing cumulative level of franking credit balances. Value relevance studies explore whether franking credit balances are priced in the market.

Findings

The results provide strong evidence of a size effect that the level of franking credit balances increases with firm size and weak evidence of an international focus effect that the level of franking credit balances increases with international ownership. They also find an individual dividend clientele effect that the level of franking credit balances decreases with individual ownership. They find significant evidence that franking credit balances are priced in the market. One dollar of franking credit is worth 1.4 dollars in firm value. That franking balances are capitalized at more than their face value suggests that franking credits signal firms' future dividend policy. They also find that the market valuation of franking balances increases with firm size but decreases with international focus.

Originality/value

This study provides direct evidence that franking credit balances are capitalized into equity prices. In the determinant analysis, this paper improves Heaney's (2009) model by using the percentage of international ownership as the proxy of international focus, thus addressing the limitation of his measure. In the value relevance tests, the study uses a modified model that includes log-transformation to reduce the skewness of variables based on Tanza's (2014) value relevance model. Moreover, the study suggests that the market valuation of franking credit balances increases with firm size, which contradicts Heaney's (2009) findings.
Impact of dividend policy on corporate social responsibility: the role of board governance mechanism
Authors: Farooq Muhammad , Ahmed Asrar , Khan Imran , Munir Muhammad
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of dividend policy on a firm’s participation in corporate social responsibility (CSR)-related activities in the context of Pakistani firms. Furthermore, the role of the board governance mechanism in dividend policy-CSR is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The study’s sample consists of 115 nonfinancial Pakistan Stock Exchange-listed firms from 2010 to 2021. A multidimensional financial method is used to assess the firm’s CSR engagement, and dividend policy is assessed using the dividend payout ratio and dividend yield. The authors used the fixed effect model and the random effect model to fulfill the study’s objectives. Furthermore, the system-generalized method of moment estimation technique is used to test the robustness of the result. In addition, the authors perform reverse causality analysis and investigate the effect of financial constraints on the dividend policy–CSR relationship.

Findings

The authors find that dividend policy has a significant positive impact on CSR. The authors also find that dividend policy is significantly positively associated with components of CSR, i.e. donation, employee welfare and research and development. Furthermore, the authors find that the board governance mechanism strengthens this positive relationship between dividend policy and CSR.

Practical implications

The government and authorities must mandate or at least encourage enterprises to pay dividends as doing so not only keeps shareholders happy but also encourages firms to make CSR initiatives to balance stakeholders. Furthermore, the regulator should take steps to strengthen the board governance structure as it strengthens the positive dividend policy–CSR relationship.

Originality/value

Although little previous research has focused on the CSR-dividend policy link, the authors believe that this is the first study to look at the influence of dividend policy on CSR and the moderating impact of board governance mechanisms in an emerging country, namely, Pakistan.
Users' involvement in digital health collaborative projects
Authors: García-Rayado Jaime , Callens Chesney
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This research analyzes the roles of users in innovative digital health collaborative projects from the perspective of the user by considering three dimensions: their motivation, project activities and the support of the partnership for their effective involvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors unraveled profiles of users by using a Q-methodological analysis of 24 statements and 44 service users. The statements for the three dimensions were designed according to previous models of stakeholder identification and customer participation in new product management.

Findings

The authors obtained two profiles that advocate active participation of users, though with a different degree of involvement. One of them supports the role of users as “advisors” of users' preferences and needs, and the other indicates a higher involvement of users as “cocreators” of the innovation, with the same contribution and responsibility as the other partners.

Originality/value

Previous research has analyzed user involvement in digital health, as part of wider research on factors leading to the success and adoption of innovations. Moreover, previous research has analyzed user involvement in innovation projects, but without differentiating between projects carried out by an individual organization and those conducted by a partnership. This research contributes to filling this gap by revealing users' expectations about their involvement and how they think they will fit in with the dynamics of collaborative projects.
Fast, fresh, healthy and halal: a mobile food app recipe for Muslim millennial loyalty
Authors: Suhartanto Dwi , Dean David , Amin Hanudin , Sugiama Aceng Gima , Amalia Fatya Alty
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to apprise mobile loyalty to halal food purchasing, including food quality, mobile quality, perceived value and satisfaction as its causes, and analyze the halal trust and health risk moderating role on the connections between mobile loyalty and its determinants.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 307 responses from millennial Muslims were collected from the Bandung region of Indonesia via an online survey. Partial least squares modeling was applied to review the proposed mobile loyalty model.

Findings

This research found that the mobile loyalty model integrating halal food quality, mobile service quality, perceived value and satisfaction has satisfactory goodness of fit. The research confirms the function of mobile service quality but not halal food quality as drivers of mobile loyalty. Next, this study suggests that halal trust and health risks do not moderate the association between mobile loyalty and its determinants.

Practical implications

This study recommends that managers devote resources to upgrading the quality of their mobile apps to build loyalty. Offering high-quality halal food is also an important driver of millennial Muslim satisfaction.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to investigate mobile loyalty in halal food.
Does managerial overconfidence affect capital structure rebalancing for entrepreneurial firms?
Authors: Carvalho António , Pacheco Luís Miguel , Sardo Filipe , Serrasqueiro Zelia
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The behavioural theory adds a new paradigm of analysis with the assumptions of the decision maker’s cognitive biases and their repercussions on financing decisions. The aim of the study is to analyse the repercussions of these biases on the adjustment speed of firm’s capital structure toward the optimal level.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a partial adjustment model, the study uses the Dynamic Panel Fractional estimator to analyse panel data from 4,990 Portuguese entrepreneurial firms.

Findings

The results show that the cognitive overconfidence bias impacts the entrepreneurial firm’s capital structure. In fact, the firms run by overconfident managers adjust more slowly than their counterparts. Furthermore, the findings suggest that entrepreneurial firms make relatively fast adjustments toward the optimal debt level and follow a hierarchical financing order in the funding process.

Practical implications

The results of this paper are not only interesting to the academia, but also contain practical implications for corporate, institutional and business policy and governance. First, the paper introduces a new measure of cognitive bias in optimistic managers, which is useful for current and future academic research. Also, in practical terms, the findings of the paper reveal that when a company is contemplating hiring a manager, it should consider whether they need an optimistic or non-optimistic manager based on the company's present life cycle or situation.

Originality/value

The current analysis extends the existing literature. The study suggests that financial classical and behavioural paradigms should not be separated, which can provide evidence to help narrow the gap between these two major perspectives.
Waste management behaviour in the most populated capital city of the world
Authors: Chawla Raunaq , Soreng Eric , Kumar Avinash
Published: January 2024

Purpose

A prime objective of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA; Clean India Mission) is to motivate people to segregate their household waste. The purpose of this study is to assess the ground reality of waste management behaviour of Delhi residents with the help of a modified Value–Belief–Norm (VBN) model. Past researches point the need to include cost as a variable in the VBN model. This study fulfils this need and tests cost as one of the variables on the gathered data.

Design/methodology/approach

The research data were gathered by interacting with the people and the civic staff in the jurisdiction of the three Delhi municipalities through a stratified sampling technique (N = 250). The structural equation modelling was used to analyse the collected data.

Findings

The modified VBN model explains the waste management behaviour, but the variables do not follow the exact causal chain. Values, awareness of consequences, ascription of responsibility and personal norms all explain the resident's waste management behaviour. However, cost limits the resident's waste management behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

The study could only achieve a moderate model fit; its sample size was small; and data were collected through self-reported questionnaire.

Practical implications

Three main practical implications of the study are: (1) While designing waste management solutions, due importance must be given to the cost to be borne by people for adopting these solutions. (2) Design such interventions that target residents' values to convince them to make the desired behavioural change. (3) People need be educated about the ways to sort waste and made aware of the importance of waste segregation in eradicating the urban waste mess.

Originality/value

The paper is an original contribution to testing a modified VBN model in predicting waste management behaviour. The modified model includes cost as a variable missing in the previous research. This research is useful in the backdrop of the SBA and provides suggestions for policymakers and pro-environment researchers.
Lessons learned through interprofessional education: exploring collaboration with elementary education, special education and communication sciences and disorders pre-service professionals
Authors: Bowers Lisa M. , Young Heather D. , Speight Renee
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Interprofessional practice (IPP) is one way to structure collaborations to more effectively meet the complex needs of students in educational settings. This article explores the lessons learned when one research team implemented interprofessional education (IPE) experiences in partnership with a public elementary school and pre-service professionals from elementary education, special education and communication science and disorders.

Design/methodology/approach

This reflective article explores the lived experiences of researchers and partners who completed an IPE experience within one professional development school’s site. Researcher anecdotes are included to support the viewpoints shared.

Findings

It was discovered that IPE experiences are essential to facilitate meaningful collaborations for pre-service professionals to learn with and from one another; however, this requires time, preparation and is most effective when teacher mentors and university professors lead with vulnerability and model flexibility. Investment in IPE is challenging but worth the effort when learning outcomes are realized.

Originality/value

Specific details regarding the structure of this experience are shared as well as future directional goals for programs hoping to implement IPE in their professional practice programs.
Non‐genetic phenotypic variability affects populations and communities in protist microcosms
Authors: Raffard Allan , Jacob Staffan , Schtickzelle Nicolas
Published: January 2024

Intraspecific trait variation (ITV), potentially driven by genetic and non‐genetic mechanisms, can underlie variability in resource acquisition, individual fitness and ecological interactions. Impacts of ITV at higher levels of biological organizations are hence likely, but up‐scaling our knowledge about ITV importance to communities and comparing its relative effects at population and community levels has rarely been investigated.

Here, we tested the effects of genetic and non‐genetic ITV on morphological traits in microcosms of protist communities by contrasting the effects of strains showing different ITV levels (i.e. trait averages and variance) on population growth, community composition and biomass production.

We found that genetic and non‐genetic ITV can lead to different effects on populations and communities across several generations. Furthermore, the effects of ITV declined across levels of biological organization: ITV directly altered population performance, with cascading but indirect consequences for community composition and biomass productivity.

Overall, these results show that the drivers of ITV can have distinct effects on populations and communities, with cascading impacts on higher levels of biological organization that might mediate biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships.
Is it time sociology started researching incompetence?
Authors: Chattoe‐Brown Edmund
Published: January 2024

There appears to be a mismatch between apparent incompetence in the world and the amount of sociological research it attracts. The aim of this article is to outline a sociology of incompetence and justify its value. I begin by defining incompetence as unsatisfactory performance relative to standards. Incompetence is thus intrinsically sociological in being negotiated and socially (re)constituted. The next section foregrounds how widespread and serious incompetence is. This renders effective sociological understanding crucial to welfare. The article then systematically analyses uses of the term in the British Journal of Sociology (a good quality general journal) to assess the current state of research. This analysis fully confirms the neglect of incompetence as a research topic. The next section proposes suitable methods for preliminary incompetence research addressing distinctive challenges like the stigma of being incompetent. These sections then allow incompetence to be better contextualised by other contributing concepts like power, bureaucracy and meritocracy. The final section justifies suggestions about directions for future research.
Apricot polysaccharides as new carriers to make curcumin nanoparticles and improve its stability and antibacterial activity
Authors: Zhou Chunka , Huang Chuanqing , Li Lu , Tian Yunong , Zhang Jin , Lin Lin , Li Changzhu , Ye Yong
Published: January 2024

Apricot polysaccharides (APs) as new types of natural carriers for encapsulating and delivering active pharmaceutical ingredients can achieve high‐value utilization of apricot pulp and improve the solubility, the stability, and the antibacterial activity of insoluble compounds simultaneously. In this research, the purified APs reacted with bovine serum albumin (BSA) by the Maillard reaction, and with d‐α‐tocopheryl succinate (TOS) and pheophorbide A (PheoA) by grafting to fabricate two materials for the preparation of curcumin (Cur)‐encapsulated AP–BSA nanoparticles (CABNs) and Cur‐embedded TOS–AP–PheoA micelles (CTAPMs), respectively. The biological activities of two Cur nano‐delivery systems were evaluated. APs consisted of arabinose (22.36%), galactose (7.88%), glucose (34.46%), and galacturonic acid (31.32%) after the optimized extraction. Transmission electron microscopy characterization of CABNs and CTAPMs displayed a discrete and non‐aggregated morphology with a spherical shape. Compared to the unencapsulated Cur, the release rates of CABNs and CTAPMs decreased from 87% to 70% at 3 h and from 92% to 25% at 48 h, respectively. The antioxidant capacities of CABNs and CTAPMs were significantly improved. The CTAPMs exhibited a better antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli than CABNs due to the synergistic photosensitive effect between Cur and PheoA.
Longitudinal trajectories of substance use disorder treatment use: A latent class growth analysis using a national cohort in Chile
Authors: Bórquez Ignacio , Cerdá Magdalena , González‐Santa Cruz Andrés , Krawczyk Noa , Castillo‐Carniglia Álvaro
Published: January 2024

Background and aims

Longitudinal studies have revealed that substance use treatment use is often recurrent among patients; the longitudinal patterns and characteristics of those treatment trajectories have received less attention, particularly in the global south. This study aimed to disentangle heterogeneity in treatment use among adult patients in Chile by identifying distinct treatment trajectory groups and factors associated with them.

Design

National‐level registry‐based retrospective cohort.

Setting and participants

Adults admitted to publicly funded substance use disorder treatment programs in Chile from November 2009 to November 2010 and followed for 9 years (n = 6266).

Measurements

Monthly treatment use; type of treatment; ownership of the treatment center; discharge status; primary substance used; sociodemographic.

Findings

A seven‐class treatment trajectory solution was chosen using latent class growth analysis. We identified three trajectory groups that did not recur and had different treatment lengths: Early discontinuation (32%), Less than a year in treatment (19.7%) and Year‐long episode, without recurrence (12.3%). We also identified a mixed trajectory group that had a long first treatment or two treatment episodes with a brief time between treatments: Long first treatment, or immediate recurrence (6.3%), and three recurrent treatment trajectory groups: Recurrent and decreasing (14.2%), Early discontinuation with recurrence (9.9%) and Recurrent after long between treatments period (5.7%). Inpatient or outpatient high intensity (vs. outpatient low intensity) at first entry increased the odds of being in the longer one‐episode groups compared with the Early discontinuation group. Women had increased odds of belonging to all the recurrent groups. Using cocaine paste (vs. alcohol) as a primary substance decreased the odds of belonging to long one‐episode groups.

Conclusions

In Chile, people in publicly funded treatment for substance use disorder show seven distinct care trajectories: three groups with different treatment lengths and no recurring episodes, a mixed group with a long first treatment or two treatment episodes with a short between‐treatment‐episodes period and three recurrent treatment groups.
ABCA1 variant rs9282541 is associated with metabolic syndrome in Maya children
Authors: Peña‐Espinoza Barbara I. , Torre‐Horta Emmanuel , Ortiz‐López María G. , Menjivar Marta
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a metabolic disorder encompassing risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (T2D). In Mexico, the MetS is a national health problem in adults and children. Environmental and genetic factors condition the MetS. However, studies to elucidate the contribution of genetic factors to MetS in Mexico are scarce. A recent study showed that variant rs9282541 (A‐allele) in ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) was associated with T2D in the Maya population in addition to low levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C). Thus, this study aimed to determine whether the genetic variant of ABCA1 A‐allele (rs9282541, NM_005502.4:c.688C > T, NP_005493.2:p.Arg230Cys) is associated with MetS and its components in Mexican Maya children.

Methods

The study was conducted in 508 children aged 9–13 from the Yucatán Peninsula. MetS was identified according to the de Ferranti criteria. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan assay by real‐time PCR. Evaluation of genetic ancestry group was included.

Results

The frequency of MetS and overweight–obesity was 45.9% and 41.6%, respectively. The genetic variant rs9282541 was associated with low HDL‐C and high glucose concentrations. Remarkably, for the first time, this study showed the association of ABCA1 rs9282541 with MetS in Maya children with an OR of 3.076 (95% CI = 1.16–8.13 p = 0.023). Finally, this study reveals a high prevalence of MetS and suggests that variant rs9282541 of the ABCA1 gene plays an important role in the developing risk of MetS in Maya children.
Nonsense suppression induces read‐through of a novel BMPR1A variant in a Chinese family with hereditary colorectal cancer
Authors: Wang Zhaokun , Shi Jiaying , Tao Dachang , Xie Shengyu , Yang Yuan , Liu Yunqiang
Published: January 2024

Background

BMPR1A‐mediated signaling transduction plays an essential role in intestinal growth. Variations of BMPR1A lead to a rare autosomal dominant inherited juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) with high probability of developing into colorectal cancer (CRC). Nonsense and frameshift variations, generating premature termination codons (PTCs), are the most pathogenic variants in the BMPR1A gene.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the molecular genetic etiology in a Chinese family with three generations of CRC.

Methods

Pathogenic variants of 18 known CRC susceptibility genes were examined in a Chinese CRC family through multigene panel testing using the next‐generation sequencing platform. The candidate gene variant was validated in the family members by Sanger sequencing. Potential biological functions of the gene variant were further investigated in the RKO colon cancer cell line.

Results

A novel nonsense variant (c.1114A > T, p.Lys372*) of BMPR1A was identified in the CRC family. This variant generated a PTC at the kinase domain and caused nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay. Read‐through inducing reagents G418 and PTC124 partially restored BMPR1A expression and its following signaling pathway.

Conclusion

The identification of the novel BMPR1A variant enriched the genotype–phenotype spectrum of BMPR1A. Meanwhile, our finding also provided support for future PTC‐targeting therapy for BMPR1A‐mediated JPS and CRC.
Dynamics between national security laws and repertoires of political action: A comparative analysis of Hong Kong and South Korea
Authors: Kwak Seohee
Published: January 2024

This article undertakes a comparative analysis of two cases, Hong Kong and South Korea, each characterized by distinct levels of political and civil liberties to elucidate how the institutionalization of national security operates in shaping the repertoires of popular political actions and the repressive conduct of state actors. In both cases, the legal frameworks serve to curtail popular political action, both online and offline, often through discretionary applications of national security norms, resulting in ambiguity. They bestow legitimacy upon state agencies to engage in protest policing, surveillance, and the suppression of individuals or organizations in the name of upholding national security. In contrast, the national security laws in Hong Kong and South Korea, influenced by varying interpretations and applications of perceived threats to national security, result in differences in the extent and degree of contentious political actions and state repression.
Effective strategies for correcting spatial sampling bias in species distribution models without independent test data
Authors: Baker David J. , Maclean Ilya M. D. , Gaston Kevin J.
Published: January 2024

Aim

Spatial sampling bias (SSB) is a feature of opportunistically sampled species records. Species distribution models (SDMs) built using these data (i.e. presence‐background models) can produce biased predictions of suitability across geographic space, confounding species occurrence with the distribution of sampling effort. A wide range of SSB correction methods have been developed but simulations suggest effects on predictive performance are highly variable. Here, we aim to identify the SSB correction methods that have the highest likelihood of improving true predictive performance and evaluation strategies that provide a reliable indicator of model performance when independent test data are unavailable.

Location

Global, simulation.

Time Period

Current, simulation.

Methods

A meta‐analysis was used to evaluate the performance of SSB correction methods in studies where there were direct comparisons between corrected and uncorrected SDMs. A simulation model was then developed to test evaluation strategies against a known truth using four common SSB correction methods.

Results

Effect sizes from published studies suggest some support for small positive effects of SSB correction on predictive performance when assessed using independent test data, but this was not evident using internal cross‐validation and no single method stood out as consistently effective. Simulations support these findings and show that evaluation using internal test data was generally a poor indicator of the true effect of SSB correction. Methods that adjust models relative to a known driver of SSB produced the largest performance gains, but were also the most inconsistent.

Main Conclusions

Correcting SSB in presence‐background SDMs without independent test data to evaluate the effect on model performance requires careful implementation. We recommend clearer documentation of SSB correction effects on SDMs, presenting results from models with and without correction, evaluating effects of different assumptions of SSB implementation on predictions, as well as greater efforts to collect independent test datasets to validate model predictions.
Protocol for the STEADY intervention for type 1 diabetes and disordered eating: Safe management of people with Type 1 diabetes and EAting Disorders studY
Authors: Zaremba Natalie , Harrison Amy , Brown Jennie , Allan Jacqueline , Pillay Divina , Treasure Janet , Ayis Salma , Hopkins David , Ismail Khalida , Stadler Marietta
Published: January 2024

This paper describes the protocol to test the feasibility of the Safe management of people with Type 1 diabetes and EAting Disorders studY (STEADY) intervention. STEADY is a novel complex intervention for people with type 1 diabetes and disordered eating (T1DE) of mild to moderate severity. The STEADY intervention integrates cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with diabetes education, and was developed using Experience‐Based Co‐Design.

Methods

The feasibility of STEADY will be tested using a randomised controlled feasibility trial. Forty adults with T1DE will be recruited and randomised into the STEADY intervention or treatment as usual control group. We will collect demographic, biomedical and psychometric data, routine glucose metrics and conduct the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐5. Participants randomised to the STEADY intervention will receive 12 STEADY therapy sessions with a diabetes specialist nurse trained in CBT, delivered via videoconference and an optional smartphone app. The main outcome at 6 months will be the feasibility of STEADY (recruitment, dropout rates, feasibility of delivery). The secondary outcomes are biomedical (HbA1c and glucose time in range) and psychological (person‐reported outcome measures in disordered eating, diabetes distress, depression and anxiety). A process evaluation will evaluate the fidelity, feasibility, acceptability and appropriateness of STEADY, and participant experiences.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol was approved by the East of England—Essex Research Ethics Committee (21/EE/0235). Study findings will be shared with study participants and disseminated through peer‐reviewed publications and conference presentations.
Wear characteristics of dual‐phase high‐entropy ceramics: Influence of the testing method
Authors: Naughton‐Duszová Annamária , Medveď Dávid , Ďaková Lenka , Kovalčíková Alexandra , Švec Peter , Tatarko Peter , Ünsal Hakan , Hvizdoš Pavol , Šajgalík Pavol , Dusza Ján
Published: January 2024

Wear behavior of a fine‐grained dual‐phase high‐entropy carbide/boride ceramics was investigated using ball‐on‐flat dry sliding methods in air, applying rotational and linear reciprocation motion with SiC counterpart. The investigated system showed very high nanohardness of the carbide and boride grains with mean values of 37.4 ± 2.3 and 43.0 ± 2.9 GPa, respectively, with the microhardness of dual system HV1 29.4 ± 2.0 GPa. The stabilized friction coefficient values during the circular tests changing from .62 to .77. During the reciprocal test, the frictional coefficient values are very similar with an average value of .53. The specific wear rates during the circular motion were similar in the range from 4.65 × 10−7 to 1.68 × 10−7 mm3/N m. During the reciprocal test, the wear rates at 5 and 25 N were similar as in the case of circular motion, but at 50 N load, the wear rate increased significantly to the value of 9.11 × 10−6 mm3/N m. The dominant wear mechanisms in all cases were oxidation driven tribochemical reaction and tribolayer formation in boride grains and mechanical wear in carbide grains. During the linear reciprocation test, the loading mode created conditions resulted in relatively low coefficient of friction and very high specific wear rate.
Ferroelectric anomaly of perovskite layer structured Pb2+‐doped Sr2Nb2O7 ceramics
Authors: Liu Lintao , Chen Tao , Ouyang Delai , Yue Yajun , Yang Bin , Yan Haixue , Abrahams Isaac , Fu Zhengqian , Liang Ruihong , Zhou Zhiyong
Published: January 2024

The spontaneous polarization of perovskite layer structured Sr2Nb2O7 ferroelectrics (FEs) is originated from mainly the oxygen octahedral rotations and partially the displacement of Sr2+ ions. However, there is FE anomaly of showing the typical characteristics of antiferroelectric (AFE)‐like behavior with double polarization–electric field hysteresis loops of Sr2Nb2O7 ceramics by Pb doping. Here, combinations of low frequency and sub‐terahertz band dielectric measurements under applied DC field reveal field‐induced transition from AFE to FE structure. Temperature dependence of dielectric constant suggested a second‐order phase transition near 215°C, which further supported by the lattice parameters and thermal expansion coefficient extracted from the variable temperature X‐ray diffraction in the heating and cooling processes. The selected area electron diffraction results show no new superlattice spots are observed along [1 0 0] zone axis related to c direction. We proposed a model based on octahedral tilting/rotation that accounted for the incommensurate lattice modulation in the c direction for Sr2Nb2O7 system by Pb doping. All the results show AFE‐like behavior be likely to origin from the electron structures of Pb2+ with a 6s2 lone pair. Our results gave us a new concept provide possibilities for the design of AFE‐like materials in layer structured compounds with super high FE Curie point.