bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Scaled Approach
Authors: Ashford Mark , Branston Gareth , Redhouse Naomi
Published: May 2024

This chapter introduces the Scaled Approach, which is a tiered approach to interventions in order to reduce the likelihood of re-offending and risk of serious harm. It details how the YOT will assess the young person using the standardized assessment tool AssetPlus under the Scaled Approach. It also highlights the initial assessment that will calculate the risk of re-offending and will consider the risk of serious harm likely to be involved in further offending. The chapter mentions the Sentencing Children and Young People – Overarching Principles that determine the nature and extent of the requirements that the court should consider in the likelihood of the child or young person re-offending and in the risk of the child or young person causing serious harm. It explores the requirement of a YOT to supervise orders in line with the Scaled Approach model.
Before First Appearance
Authors: Ashford Mark , Branston Gareth , Redhouse Naomi
Published: May 2024

This chapter covers the first appearance of a young person before the court. If a youth attains 18 before the first court appearance, the youth court has no jurisdiction to deal with the case. However, if a youth reaches their 18th birthday before a first appearance, they are expected to be bailed or requisitioned to the adult magistrates' court. The chapter cites the youth court's lack of jurisdiction if a youth fails to attend their first appearance and reaches the age of 18 before they come to court. It cites the lack of power to remit the case to an adult magistrates' court.
After the First Court Hearing
Authors: Ashford Mark , Branston Gareth , Redhouse Naomi
Published: May 2024

This chapter presents the aftermath of the first court hearing. If a defendant appeared before it, the youth court does not necessarily lose jurisdiction over the case because the defendant reaches the age of 18. If plea and allocation have not been dealt with, the defendant who attains the age of 18 will now have the right to elect a jury trial. Any new charges laid after the defendant has attained 18 must be in the adult court. The chapter also clarifies the situation if a defendant appeared at age 17 in the youth court but the proceedings were adjourned and only allocated after their 18th birthday.
Remand to Youth Detention Accommodation
Authors: Ashford Mark , Branston Gareth , Redhouse Naomi
Published: May 2024

This chapter notes that when a defendant turns 18 years old during a remand to youth detention accommodation, they will stay in the aforementioned accommodation until they are released or returned to court. Moreover, the local authority will not be held liable for the cost of any time remanded to the local authority accommodation after the defendant reaches the age of 18. However, any refusal of bail will not be subject to s 91 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 if the case is adjourned after the defendant reaches 18 years old. In that case, the remand will be to a remand centre or prison.
Applying to Amend or Revoke a Sentence
Authors: Ashford Mark , Branston Gareth , Redhouse Naomi
Published: May 2024

This chapter provides an overview of applications to amend or revoke a sentence. It starts with referral orders, noting several circumstances covered by the Sentencing Code (SC). Reparation orders have been repealed by s 162 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. The adult magistrates' court must handle applications to revoke or amend a youth rehabilitation order when an offender reaches the age of 18 by the date of their first court hearing. The chapter considers the powers of the court when dealing with these applications.
Sexual Offences Notification Requirements
Authors: Ashford Mark , Branston Gareth , Redhouse Naomi
Published: May 2024

This chapter highlights that, for determining sexual offence notification requirements, the relevant age is the age on the date of the offence. If the offender is subject to notification requirements, the reduced applicable period does not apply if the offender reaches the age of 18 by the date of conviction.
General
Authors: Ashford Mark , Branston Gareth , Redhouse Naomi
Published: May 2024

This chapter covers how to handle injunctions for anti-social behaviour and gang violence in the county court or High Court. Since 2015, the youth court has been given a civil jurisdiction to grant such injunctions against persons under 18 years old. Funding for representing respondents in applications for these injunctions is available through the civil legal aid scheme, which is subjected to the usual civil merits and means testing. The chapter also considers the provisions within Magistrates’ Court Rules 1981 and Magistrates Court Act 1980. It then looks into the Civil Evidence Act 1995, which applies to both applications for injunctions and breach proceedings.
Artificial Intelligence and Lung Pathology
Authors: Caranfil Emanuel , Lami Kris , Uegami Wataru , Fukuoka Junya
Published: May 2024

This manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in lung pathology, particularly in the diagnosis of lung cancer. It discusses various AI models designed to support pathologists and clinicians. AI models supporting pathologists are to standardize diagnosis, score PD-L1 status, supporting tumor cellularity count, and indicating explainability for pathologic judgements. Several models predict outcomes beyond pathologic diagnosis and predict clinical outcomes like patients’ survival and molecular alterations. The manuscript emphasizes the potential of AI to enhance accuracy and efficiency in pathology, while also addressing the challenges and future directions for integrating AI into clinical practice.
Affinity purification mass spectrometry characterization of the interactome of receptor tyrosine kinase proline rich motifs in cancer
Authors: Jones Christopher M. , Rohwedder Arndt , Suen Kin Man , Mohajerani Safoura Zahed , Calabrese Antonio N. , Knipp Sabine , Bedford Mark T. , Ladbury John E.
Published: May 2024

Receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) overexpression is linked to the development and progression of multiple cancers. RTKs are classically considered to initiate cytoplasmic signalling pathways via ligand-induced tyrosine phosphorylation, however recent evidence points to a second tier of signalling contingent on interactions mediated by the proline-rich motif (PRM) regions of non-activated RTKs. The presence of PRMs on the C-termini of >40% of all RTKs and the abundance of PRM-binding proteins encoded by the human genome suggests that there is likely to be a large number of previously unexplored interactions which add to the RTK intracellular interactome. Here, we explore the RTK PRM interactome and its potential significance using affinity purification mass spectrometry and in silico enrichment analyses. Peptides comprising PRM-containing C-terminal tail regions of EGFR, FGFR2 and HER2 were used as bait to affinity purify bound proteins from different cancer cell line lysates. 490 unique interactors were identified, amongst which proteins with metabolic, homeostatic and migratory functions were overrepresented. This suggests that PRMs from RTKs may sustain a diverse interactome in cancer cells. Since RTK overexpression is common in cancer RTK PRM-derived signalling may be an important, but as yet underexplored, contributor to negative cancer outcomes including resistance to kinase inhibitors.
Culture of Larval and PupalDrosophilaDendritic Arborization Neurons
Authors: Tann Jason Y. , Xu Fangke , Yoong Li-Foong , Moore Adrian W.
Published: May 2024

Drosophiladendritic arborization (da) neurons are a powerful model for studying neuronal differentiation and sensory functions. A general experimental strength of this model is the examination of the neurons in situ in the body wall. However, for some analyses, restricted access to the neurons in situ causes difficulty; da neuron cultures circumvent this. Here, we outline isolation and culture techniques for larval and pupal da neurons. Investigators can use these cultures to perform high-resolution imaging, quantitative immunohistochemistry, and electrophysiology.
Value seeking, health-conscious or sustainability-concerned? Profiling fruit and vegetable consumers in Euro-Mediterranean countries
Authors: Camanzi Luca , Ahmadi Kaliji Sina , Prosperi Paolo , Collewet Laurick , El Khechen Reem , Michailidis Anastasios Ch. , Charatsari Chrysanthi , Lioutas Evagelos D. , De Rosa Marcello , Francescone Martina
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate consumer preferences and profile their food-related lifestyles, as well as to identify consumer groups with similar attitudes/behaviours in the Euro-Mediterranean fruit and vegetable market.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was designed drawing from the food related lifestyles instrument and including other factors relevant to fruit and vegetable consumer preferences. The data were collected in an online survey with 925 participants in France, Greece, and Italy. A principal component analysis was conducted to interpret and examine consumers' fruit and vegetable related lifestyles. In addition, a cluster analysis was performed to identify different consumer segments, based on the core dimensions of the food-related lifestyle approach.

Findings

In each country, three primary consumer segments were distinguished. Health-conscious individuals were predominant in France and Greece, while quality-conscious consumers were prevalent in Italy. These classifications were determined considering various factors such as purchase motivation, perception of product quality, health concerns, environmental certifications, and price sensitivity.

Originality/value

The food-related lifestyle approach has been adapted instrument to create a customised survey instrument specifically designed to capture the intricacies of fruit and vegetable consumer preferences and priorities in three Euro-Mediterranean Countries.
Re-solving wicked problems in global value chains: how probing into modern slavery can advance MNE research and support better policymaking
Authors: (Matt) Rašković Matevž
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to respond to the response pieces by Burmester (2024) and by Dindial and Voss (2024) to the original paper on “Taming wicked problems through international business policy: recommendations for addressing modern slavery”. Beyond engaging with the issues raised by Burmester (2024) and Dindial and Voss (2024), the follow-up helps further clarify the key difference between so-called “grand challenges” and “wicked problems” for both international business (IB) policymaking and multinational enterprise (MNE) research.

Design/methodology/approach

In response to Burmester (2024), the paper juxtaposes key literature on grand challenges and wicked problems to show the theoretical value of applying a wicked problem lens to modern slavery. In engaging with some of the issues raised by Dindial and Voss (2024), this paper further builds on the most current review papers on navigating control and coordination issues within MNEs and the literature on global value chains (GVCs).

Findings

The paper operationalises the field of IB policy of relevance to modern slavery research and proposes an augmented conceptual model of MNEs’ control and coordination mechanisms to address modern slavery under conditions of distributed responsibility in their GVCs.

Originality/value

This paper problematizes the grand challenges’ label imposed on modern slavery and leverages a wicked problem theoretical toolkit that can help better guide modern slavery’s global and multi-level governance nexus. The proposed augmented conceptual model also provides a significant attempt to address some of the key theoretical gaps in GVC and MNE control−coordination literature.
Gene expression programming (GEP) as novel tool for thermal analysis and kinetic modeling of pyrolysis reactions: coal pyrolysis case study
Authors: Najafi Hamidreza , Golrokh Sani Ahmad , Sobati Mohammad Amin
Published: May 2024

Purpose

In this study, a different approach is introduced to generate the kinetic sub-model for the modeling of solid-state pyrolysis reactions based on the thermogravimetric (TG) experimental data over a specified range of heating rates. Gene Expression Programming (GEP) is used to produce a correlation for the single-step global reaction rate as a function of determining kinetic variables, namely conversion, temperature, and heating rate.

Design/methodology/approach

For a case study on the coal pyrolysis, a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.99 was obtained using the generated model according to the experimental benchmark data. Comparison of the model results with the experimental data proves the applicability, reliability, and convenience of GEP as a powerful tool for modeling purposes in the solid-state pyrolysis reactions.

Findings

The resulting kinetic sub-model takes advantage of particular characteristics, to be highly efficient, simple, accurate, and computationally attractive, which facilitates the CFD simulation of real pyrolizers under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions.

Originality/value

It should be emphasized that the above-mentioned manuscript is not under evaluation in any journals and submitted exclusively for consideration for possible publication in this journal. The generated kinetic model is in the final form of an algebraic correlation which, in comparison to the conventional kinetic models, suggests several advantages: to be relatively simpler, more accurate, and numerically efficient. These characteristics make the proposed model computationally attractive when used as a sub-model in CFD applications to simulate real pyrolizers under complex heating conditions.
Improving project management “closeout” phase outcomes: evidence from a large general contractor in Iran using “X-inefficiency theory”
Authors: Mirzaee Ali Mohammad , Martek Igor
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Optimal clean-up procedures lie at the heart of the closeout phase of construction projects under contract law. However, due to its complexity involving multiple issues, potentially unfulfilled contractual obligations, performance claims and counter-claims, combined with consequently deteriorating stakeholder relationships, the management of closeouts is fraught with difficulties leading to suboptimal outcomes. This is particularly true where general contractor (GC) organizations do not have a claims management office (CMO) dedicated to improving such suboptimal clean-up outcomes. Thus, this study aims to develop a model by which CMOs’ may effectively manage the clean-up phase in an environment of closeout claims.

Design/methodology/approach

X-inefficiency theory was utilized as the theoretical lens guiding this study. The theory helps identify closeout strategies implemented by a GC, which manages completion claims through a CMO. Data were received and analyzed from a large GC, which served as the firm case study. In this case, managing the closeout completion claims was the main function of the CMO.

Findings

The average delay of closeout completion was four times greater than construction phase delays. The GC results highlighted the “economic destruction tsunami of projects,” as a root cause for these completion delays. Wrap-up activities under contract law are identified, including within the domains of statements of completion, project handover and debt settlement. Behavior strategies are also defined, including relational and contractual approaches. Moreover, a process for improving closeout claim performance is described, comprising project closeout identification, rational intra-firm behavior, closeout completion and program closeout practice.

Originality/value

Findings from this work can significantly contribute in X-inefficiency theory in relation to how a decrease of X-inefficiency will lead to better closeout claim performance. It also offers practical insights into how best to minimize delayed closeout completion while providing valuable lessons for stakeholders in complex infrastructure projects. Further, a model is developed that may be utilized by owners, consultancies, designers and other contractor organizations in an effort to improve closeout claim performance.
The impact of livelihood resilience and climate change perception on farmers' climate change adaptation behavior decision
Authors: Yang Ming , Xing Fangyuan , Liu Xiaomeng , Chen Zimeng , Wen Yali
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Adopting adaptive behavior has become a basic measure for farmers because the increasingly severe climate change is affecting agricultural production. Perception is a critical first step in adopting adaptive behaviors. Livelihood resilience represents a farmer's ability to adapt to climate change. Therefore, this article aims to explore the impact of livelihood resilience and climate change perception on the climate change adaptation behavior of farmers in the Qinling Mountains region of China.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 443 micro-survey data of farmers are obtained through one-on-one interviews with farmers. The Logit model and Poisson regression model are used to empirically examine the impact of farmers' livelihood resilience and climate change perception on their climate change adaptation behaviors.

Findings

It was found that 86.68% of farmers adopt adaptive behaviors to reduce the risks of facing climate change. Farmers' perception of extreme weather has a significant positive impact on their adaptive behavior under climate change. The resilience of farmers' livelihoods and their perception of rainfall have a significant positive impact on the intensity of their adaptive behavior under climate change. Climate change adaptation behaviors are also different for farmers with different levels of livelihood resilience.

Originality/value

Based on the results, policy recommendations are proposed to improve farmers' perception of climate change, enhance the sustainability of farmers' adaptive behavior to climate change, strengthen emergency management and infrastructure construction and adjust and upgrade farmers' livelihood models.
Directors’ exposure and social enterprise performance: does entrepreneurial mindset and financial resource availability matter?
Authors: Achi Awele
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Building on insights from the upper echelons theory and resource-based view (RBV), this study explains how directors’ exposure influences social enterprise performance through the mediating effect of entrepreneurial mindset, and the contingent role of financial resource availability.

Design/methodology/approach

The study follows a quantitative approach. Data were gathered from a survey of 168 social enterprises (i.e. Community Interest Companies (CICs)) in the United Kingdom (UK), and covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that directors’ exposure positively relates to social enterprise performance, and that the relationship is mediated by entrepreneurial mindset. Additionally, the findings reveal that financial resource availability moderates the indirect path between directors’ exposure and social enterprise performance such that the effect is more pronounced at high levels of financial resource availability.

Originality/value

This study is a pioneering attempt to uncover the linkage between directors’ exposure and social enterprise performance. Unlike past research, the study integrates the upper echelons theory and RBV to extend social enterprise research within the social entrepreneurship domain and provide important practical value for social enterprise practitioners.
Corrected Aggregate Workload approach on order release by considering job’s routing position induced variable indirect load
Authors: Yuan Mingze , Ma Lin , Qu Ting , Thürer Matthias , Huang George Q.
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Workload contribution calculation approaches in the existing literature overestimate or underestimate indirect workload, which increases both workload fluctuation and shop floor throughput performance. This study optimizes a Corrected Aggregate Workload (CAW) approach to control the workload contribution of workstations and Work In Progress (WIP) levels, thereby improving the shop floor throughput performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts simulation experiment by SimPy, and experimental factors are: (1) two workload contribution methods (CAW method and considering Position Corrected Aggregate Workload [PCAW] method); (2) two release methods (LUMS COR release and immediate release); (3) eleven workload norms for LUMS COR release (from 7- to 15-time units), and infinite workload norm for immediate release; and (4) two dispatching rules (First Come First Served, FCFS and Operation Due Date, ODD). Each scenario is replicated 100 times, and for each replication data are collected for 10,000 time units, being the warm-up period set to 3,000-time units.

Findings

The results of this study confirm that the PCAW calculation method outperforms the CAW method, especially during higher workload norm levels. The PCAW method is considered the better solution in practice due to its excellent performance in terms of percentage tardiness and mean tardiness time. The efficient workload contribution approach, as discussed in this study, has the potential to offset delivery performance loss that results from throughput performance loss.

Originality/value

This study proposes a novel approach that considers the workstations’ position in the routing of the job and the position of jobs CAW method. The results demonstrated that it allows shop floor throughput time to be short and feasible. It controls WIP by workload contribution of workstations, resulting in a lean shop floor. Therefore, workload contribution calculation is of particular significance for high-variety Make-To-Order (MTO) companies.
School–university partnership for school renewal: reflections on three large, federally funded projects
Authors: Zheng Yunzheng , Shen Jianping , Reeves Patricia
Published: May 2024

Purpose

In this manuscript, we aimed to (1) illustrate the differences in school–university partnership under the school reform and renewal models and (2) describe the practice of and learning about school–university partnership by reflecting on the three large, federally funded projects, all conducted under the school renewal model.

Design/methodology/approach

We used archival data from the three large, federally funded projects, synthesized our research related to school–university partnerships and developed themes for actions and learnings related to the topic of school–university partnerships.

Findings

The school–university partnerships under the school renewal model are different from that under the school reform model. School–university partnership under the school renewal model is associated with positive results for schools and the university. There are clear themes for the actions and learning in the school–university partnership under the school renewal model.

Originality/value

It is original to study school–university partnerships in the context of the school renewal model.
The curvilinear relationship between governance structure and nonfinancial risk disclosure in Saudi Arabian firms: do ethical values matter?
Authors: Alsulami Faizah , Chafai Ahmed
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the possibility of a curvilinear relationship between governance structure and nonfinancial risk disclosure. This paper also examines the moderating role of ethical values on the governance structure and nonfinancial risk disclosure relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of this paper contains 71 nonfinancial firms listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange from 2013 to 2020 (568 firm-year observations). The authors use OLS regressions to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The authors find there is a U-shaped relationship between governance structure and nonfinancial risk disclosure. Moreover, they show that ethical values moderate the relationship between governance structure and nonfinancial risk disclosure.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study offer implications for policy makers and firm managers in Saudi Arabia which there should periodically assess and adapt their governance frameworks due to potential fluctuations in the optimal level resulting from internal or external disruptions.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in Saudi Arabia that provides new empirical evidence on the curvilinear relationship between governance structure and nonfinancial risk disclosure and the moderating role of ethical values on this relationship.
Hometown religiosity and financial reporting quality: evidence from chairpersons
Authors: Arioglu Emrah , Borak Metin , Ocak Murat
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether there is a relationship between the religiosity levels of chairpersons’ hometowns and the financial reporting quality of companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a unique hand-collected data set obtained from various sources, the authors use ordinary least squares and logistic regressions to test the hypotheses and further implement various methods to address potential issues such as omitted variables, reverse causality and selection bias problems. In addition, the authors control for the religiosity level of chief executive officers’ (CEOs) hometowns. Finally, the authors divide the sample into two subsamples – companies with strong corporate governance and companies with weak corporate governance – to investigate the effect of chairpersons’ hometown religiosity on financial reporting quality under strong or weak corporate governance.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that companies with chairpersons from religious hometowns produce high-quality financial reports. Additional tests, such as the Heckman selection model and instrument variable regression, confirm the robustness of the main results. Controlling for the religiosity level of the CEO’s hometown yields consistent findings with the main results. Finally, additional results indicate that the religiosity levels of chairpersons’ hometowns play a significant role in enhancing financial reporting quality in companies with weak corporate governance.

Practical implications

Companies should consider appointing board members or chairpersons from more religious hometowns, as the empirical results of this study support the positive effects of chairpersons’ hometown religiosity on financial reporting quality.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current study is among the first to demonstrate the relationship between the religiosity level of the chairpersons’ hometown and the financial reporting quality of companies. The study introduces unique hometown religiosity proxies and controls for various variables related to corporate governance, chairperson attributes, company characteristics, and audit firm characteristics.
The dark side of artificial intelligence: threats to tourism workers
Authors: Hamarat Handan , Sahin Haydar , Koç Apuhan Ayşe , İnan Ramazan
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to conduct research by making use of studies investigating the negative effects of artificial intelligence on the future careers and work motivation of tourism employees.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, a literature review, which is one of the qualitative research methods, was used. The study was completed by using a total of 13 articles and two book chapters investigating the negative aspects of artificial intelligence in the research data Science Direct and Web of Science databases as the main references.

Findings

In the articles examined as a result of the research, it was predicted that the entry of artificial intelligence into the tourism sector poses a threat to the future careers of many tourism employees, and this will cause tourism employees to lose their focus and motivation at work. Another conclusion reached as a result of the research is that many tourism workers will be unemployed in the future due to artificial intelligence-supported information systems and robots.

Originality/value

When the literature was reviewed, there was no research that directly examined the negative effects of artificial intelligence on tourism sector employees. Therefore, this research is unique and important in this respect.
Depth imaging of multicomponent seismic data through the application of 2D full‐waveform inversion to P‐ and SH‐wave data: SEAM II Barrett model study
Authors: Liu Youfang , Simmons James
Published: May 2024

We examine the value of the nine‐component seismic survey by generating the Kirchhoff depth migration images of compressional wave (P‐wave), converted wave (PS‐wave) and horizontally polarized shear wave (SH shear wave) data simulated from the SEAM II Barrett unconventional model. We first utilize full waveform inversion to obtain a P‐wave velocity model from P‐wave data and an S‐wave velocity model from SH‐wave data. Both P‐wave and SH‐wave data are generated with the maximum frequency of 20 Hz while assuming that the subsurface is isotropic. To implement full waveform inversion, we use a two‐dimensional time‐domain finite‐difference method and the L2 norm to measure the data misfit. We use both refractions and reflections in P‐ and SH‐wave data to reconstruct the P‐ and S‐wave velocity models from the surface to the reservoir. The inverted P‐ and S‐wave velocities contain the main features of the model (e.g., major faults and channels) but have some difficulties in estimating high‐frequency velocity variation within the first 300‐m depth of the model due to the frequency constraint. We then use the inverted P‐ and S‐wave velocities to generate Kirchhoff depth migration gathers and images from the P‐, PS‐ and SH‐wave data. The flat P‐ and SH‐wave common‐image offset gathers suggest that SH‐ and P‐wave full waveform inversion can generate adequate S‐ and P‐wave velocities for migration. Flat PS‐wave gathers and the clear PS‐wave migration image are also obtained using the inverted P‐ and S‐wave velocities simultaneously. This result indicates that obtaining S‐wave velocities from SH‐wave data can aid PS‐wave data processing and imaging. Moreover, the SH‐wave images and S‐wave images of the radial component provide better delineation of fault planes and small‐scale geobodies within the reservoir since the wavelength of the S‐wave is smaller compared to P‐wave when similar frequency ranges are recorded. Therefore, our study shows that S‐wave velocities can be successfully constructed by the two‐dimensional full waveform inversion application of the SH‐wave data. The subsequent imaging of multicomponent seismic data improves the delineation of certain unconventional reservoirs compared to the traditional P‐wave imaging.
LncRNA AC100826.1 regulated PLCB1 to promote progression in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Dai Shenhui , Wang Qiao , Lyu Yin , Chen Zhipeng , Liu Xiucheng , Zhao Guoqing , Zhang Hao
Published: May 2024

Background

Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor. In the present study, we identified a long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) AC100826.1 (simplify to Lnc1), which was highly expressed in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues compared with the paracancerous tissues. We also observed the critical role of Lnc1 in regulating the metastasis ability of NSCLC cells.

Methods

RNA sequencing was performed to detect differential expression levels of lncRNAs in NSCLC tissues and its paracancerous tissues. Effects of Lnc1 on cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were determined by CCK‐8, transwell and scratch assays. The xenograft experiment confirmed the effect of Lnc1 on NSCLC cells proliferation and migration abilities in vivo. RT‐qPCR and western blots were performed to determine the expression levels of mRNAs and proteins.

Results

The expression level of Lnc1 was related to multiple pathological results, knockdown of Lnc1 can inhibit the proliferation and metastasis abilities of NSCLC cells. silencing phospholipase C, β1(PLCB1) can reverse the promoting effects of overexpression Lnc1 on NSCLC cells proliferation and migration abilities. In addition, the Rap1 signaling pathway was implicated in the regulation of Lnc1 in NSCLC metastasis.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that Lnc1 regulated the metastatic ability of NSCLC cells through targeting the PLCB1/Rap1 signal pathway.
COVID‐19 vaccination in pregnancy: A quantitative and qualitative analysis of the effect of strong public health messaging in an Australian cohort
Authors: Malone Sarah , Walsh Siobhan , Butters Zoe , Seiler Ashleigh , Unterscheider Julia
Published: May 2024

Background

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in pregnancy predisposes women and their offspring to adverse health outcomes, while internationally reported rates of vaccination uptake remain low. Our study objective was to quantify the uptake of COVID‐19 vaccination in pregnant women, and to assess their attitudes toward vaccination in pregnancy with both quantitative and qualitative analyses.

Materials and methods

This is a prospective, cross‐sectional survey at Australia's largest quaternary level maternity centre. A total of 351 pregnant women, at 6–42 weeks gestation receiving antenatal care at our hospital, completed an online voluntary, anonymous, 17 question survey. This was conducted during a five‐week period in November to December 2021. The main outcome measures were demographic data, prior SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and COVID‐19 vaccination status, knowledge and attitudes surrounding COVID‐19 disease and vaccination in pregnancy.

Results

High rates of COVID‐19 vaccination were observed in this pregnant population. Of the 351 respondents, 82% had received at least one dose of the COVID 19‐vaccination. This increased compared to estimates of 15% in June 2021 which were obtained from the hospital's electronic health record.

Conclusions

Our survey demonstrates that a strong public health campaign with clear messaging regarding the beneficial effects of COVID‐19 vaccination in pregnancy can lead to high vaccination uptake rates.
Maternal and perinatal outcomes in nulliparous women with a booking body mass index exceeding 50 kg/m2
Authors: Shepherdson Mia , Koch Ashlee , Gheysen Willem , Beare Elizabeth , Ardui Jan
Published: May 2024

Background

Women with a body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m2 carry an increased obstetric risk; however, the experience of the Class IV and above obese nulliparous women is less understood.

Aims

To describe maternal and perinatal outcomes in nulliparous women of booking BMI > 50 kg/m2.

Materials and methods

A cohort study of 48 nulliparous women who delivered between 2015 and 2019 in a tertiary hospital and had a booking BMI > 50 kg/m2. Obstetric outcome data was collated via electronic and written patient records. The relationship between mode of delivery and BMI was assessed using direct logistic regression. Multiple pregnancies and severe congenital malformations (n = 3) were excluded.

Results

The mean booking BMI was 53.7 kg/m2 (SD 4.05) and mean maternal age was 30.4 years (SD = 5.7). Comorbidities included asthma (43%), essential hypertension (20%) and diabetes (61%). Antenatally, accuracy was compromised in 80% of morphology scans (n = 35). In the perinatal period, 33 women (68.8%) were induced compared to a spontaneous onset of labour in two (4.1%) women. There were nine elective caesarean sections (CS), five of which were for breech presentation. Of those who intended on vaginal delivery (n = 35), 51% (n = 18) had an emergency CS. In these women, the risk of CS increased by a factor of 1.36 for every one point increase in BMI > 50 kg/m2. The average gestational age was 37.5 weeks (SD 2.4) with 14% (n = 6) experiencing preterm deliveries. The incidence of babies born >90th percentile for gestational age was 15 (34%).

Conclusion

Increased BMI impairs maternal and perinatal outcomes and significantly increases the risk of emergency CS. BMI > 50 kg/m2 is associated with higher‐level interventions and obstetric complications.
Electroacupuncture regulates Rab5a‐mediating NGF transduction to improve learning and memory ability in the early stage of AD mice
Authors: Li Jianhong , Yang Minguang , Dai Yaling , Guo Xiaoqin , Ding Yanyi , Li Xiaoling , Zhang Shenghang , Xu Wenshan , Chen Lidian , Tao Jing , Liu Weilin
Published: May 2024

Aims

Nerve growth factor (NGF) loss is a potential factor for the degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Rab5a is a key regulatory molecule of NGF signaling transduction. Here, we investigated the changes of Rab5a in 5 × FAD mice and further explored the mechanism of Electroacupuncture (EA) treatment in improving cognition in the early stage of AD.

Methods

The total Rab5a and Rab5a‐GTP in 5‐month‐old 5 × FAD mice and wild‐type mice were detected using WB and IP technologies. 5 × FAD mice were treated with EA at the Bai hui (DU20) and Shen ting (DU24) acupoints for 4 weeks and CRE/LOXP technology was used to confirm the role of Rab5a in AD mediated by EA stimulation. The Novel Object Recognition and Morris water maze tests were used to evaluate the cognitive function of 5 × FAD mice. The Nissl, immunohistochemistry, and Thioflavin S staining were used to observe pathological morphological changes in the basal forebrain circuit. The Golgi staining was used to investigate the synaptic plasticity of the basal forebrain circuit and WB technology was used to detect the expression levels of cholinergic‐related and NGF signal‐related proteins.

Results

The total Rab5a was unaltered, but Rab5a‐GTP increased and the rab5a‐positive early endosomes appeared enlarged in the hippocampus of 5 × FAD mice. Notably, EA reduced Rab5a‐GTP in the hippocampus in the early stage of 5 × FAD mice. EA could improve object recognition memory and spatial learning memory by reducing Rab5a activity in the early stage of 5 × FAD mice. Moreover, EA could reduce Rab5a activity to increase NGF transduction and increase the levels of phosphorylated TrkA, AKT, and ERK in the basal forebrain and hippocampus, and increase the expression of cholinergic‐related proteins, such as ChAT, vAchT, ChT1, m1AchR, and m2AchR in the basal forebrain and ChAT, m1AchR, and m2AchR in the hippocampus, improving synaptic plasticity in the basal forebrain hippocampal circuit in the early stage of 5 × FAD mice.

Conclusions

Rab5a hyperactivation is an early pathological manifestation of 5 × FAD mice. EA could suppress Rab5a‐GTP to promote the transduction of NGF signaling, and enhance the synaptic plasticity of the basal forebrain hippocampal circuit improving cognitive impairment in the early stage of 5 × FAD mice.
Glucagon‐like‐peptide 1 receptor agonism and attempted suicide: A Mendelian randomisation study to assess a potential causal association
Authors: Nguyen Anthony , Smith Emily , Hashemy Habiba , Agarwal Sri Mahavir , Hahn Margaret K. , Paterson Andrew D. , Dash Satya
Published: May 2024

Glucagon‐like‐peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RA) have transformed type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity management. Multiple regulatory agencies are investigating reported associations between GLP1‐RA and increased suicide attempts (SA), but observational data may be prone to confounding. Randomised control trials (RCT) of GLP‐1RA were largely undertaken in people at lower risk of SA. Real‐world data suggest semaglutide use associates with reduced suicidal ideation and depression but was under‐powered to statistically assess risk of SA. Mendelian randomisation (MR) leverages genetic instrument(s) to infer potential causal association between an exposure and an outcome. We undertook MR using missense variants in the gene encoding GLP1R that improve glycemia, lower T2D risk and/or lower BMI, to investigate potential causal association between GLP‐1RA and SA. In people of European ancestry, MR did not find evidence genetically proxied GLP1RA increased SA in a general population cohort: (rs10305492, exposure: HbA1c, odds ratio [OR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38, 0.41–4.62, p = .60), (rs10305492, exposure: FG, OR 1.27, 0.52–3.13, p = .60) and (rs1042044, exposure BMI, OR 0.30, 0.06–1.48) with concordant results in a multi‐ancestry SA case–control cohort. In conclusion, we did not find MR evidence that increased GLP‐1RA impacts SA. This awaits confirmation with RCT and real‐world data.
Community structure of parasitoids attacking Schizomyia sasakii (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and local adaptation of the gall midge in the Izu region
Authors: Fujii Tomohisa , Matsuo Kazunori , Yukawa Junichi , Kiritani Keizi , Abe Yoshihisa , Tokuda Makoto
Published: May 2024

Insect community structures and biological interactions vary with the distance from the mainland to islands. Gall inducers are key organisms in local arthropod communities because their galls harbor diverse arthropods. We investigated the parasitoid community of a gall‐inducing cecidomyiid Schizomyia sasakii on the Izu Peninsula and the Izu Islands, Japan. We examined relationships between parasitism by Inostemma sp. and Torymus hirtipennis, and gall characteristics, and analyzed the directional selection on gall characteristics induced by S. sasakii in each locality. The species richness of parasitoids on the Izu Islands decreased with the distance from the Izu Peninsula to each island, and area of respective islands. Inostemma sp. preferably attacked large galls on Ohshima Island, and T. hirtipennis tended to attack relatively small galls in the Izu Peninsula. Directional selection on gall characteristics of S. sasakii favored the induction of larger galls and thicker tissues by S. sasakii on Ohshima Island. In contrast, no directional selection was detected in the gall characteristics on Hachijojima Island. The number of alternative host species of parasitoid may affect variation in parasitoid richness of S. sasakii on distant and small islands, because the species richness of gall midges is necessary to maintain local parasitoid populations. Our study supported the ovipositor limitation hypothesis for the torymid species, related to gall size. The directional selection of parasitoid attacks on the Izu Islands may act to favor the induction of large and hypertrophic galls by S. sasakii to avoid the parasitoids.
Une hiérarchie à l’écoute encourage la prise de parole promotrice
Authors: SNOEP‐DELLEMAN Arjuna , AKKERMAN Agnes , SLUITER Roderick , MANEVSKA Katerina
Published: May 2024

Les auteurs explorent la relation entre deux formes individuelles de prise de parole, l'une revendicative, par laquelle les travailleurs défendent leurs propres intérêts, et l'autre promotrice, par laquelle ils agissent pour ceux de leur entreprise. Ils font appel à la modélisation par équations structurelles et à des données sur le comportement de prise de parole des travailleurs aux Pays‐Bas (N = 3 159) et constatent que la réaction du supérieur hiérarchique à la prise de parole revendicative a un effet indirect sur la prise de parole promotrice. Autrement dit, l'expérience vécue par les travailleurs lorsqu'ils défendent leurs intérêts influe sur leur contribution au fonctionnement de l'organisation.
Evaluation of the main disorders and microbiota of the oral cavity of capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella) under human care
Authors: Pires Sabrina Fracascio , Silva Maira Beatriz Gandolfi , Portilho Fábio Vinícius Ramos , de Lima Paz Patrik Junior , Beltrán Urrego Ana Camila , Ribeiro Márcio Garcia , Rahal Sheila Canevese , Okamoto Priscylla Tatiana Chalfun Guimarães , Okamoto Adriano Sakai , Melchert Alessandra
Published: May 2024

Background

Although critical to the overall condition of animals under human care, there is still limited information about oral health in neotropical primates.

Methods

We analyzed the main oral conditions and microbiota using mass spectrometry from 13 capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella) under human care. The findings were registered on odontograms following the Triadan system.

Results

The most prevalent conditions were dental fractures (n = 9), mainly enamel fractures, and periodontal disease (n = 8), mainly grade 1 calculi. When exanimating teeth, alterations were identified in 90 out of the 416 evaluated pieces, being periodontal disease the most common (n = 60), followed by enamel fracture (n = 15) and missing teeth (n = 10). In the oral microbiota analyses, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species were the most prevalent, although no obvious association was observed between isolated organisms and oral conditions.

Conclusions

These findings hold the potential to prevent oral disorders, including fractures and periodontal diseases, contribute to molecular identification of oral microbiota, and to improve the well‐being of primates under human care.
Longitudinal myelin content measures of slowly expanding lesions using 7T MRI in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Huerta Mina M. , Conway Devon S. , Planchon Sarah M. , Thoomukuntla Bhaskar , Se‐Hong Oh , Sakaie Ken E. , Ontaneda Daniel , Nakamura Kunio
Published: May 2024

Background and Purpose

Slowly expanding lesions (SELs) are thought to represent a subset of chronic active lesions and have been associated with clinical disability, severity, and disease progression. The purpose of this study was to characterize SELs using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures related to myelin and neurite density on 7 Tesla (T) MRI.

Methods

The study design was retrospective, longitudinal, observational cohort with multiple sclerosis (n = 15). Magnetom 7T scanner was used to acquire magnetization‐prepared 2 rapid acquisition gradient echo and advanced MRI including visualization of short transverse relaxation time component (ViSTa) for myelin, quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) for myelin, and neurite orientation dispersion density imaging (NODDI). SELs were defined as lesions showing ≥12% of growth over 12 months on serial MRI. Comparisons of quantitative measures in SELs and non‐SELs were performed at baseline and over time. Statistical analyses included two‐sample t‐test, analysis of variance, and mixed‐effects linear model for MRI metrics between lesion types.

Results

A total of 1075 lesions were evaluated. Two hundred twenty‐four lesions (21%) were SELs, and 216 (96%) of the SELs were black holes. At baseline, compared to non‐SELs, SELs showed significantly lower ViSTa (1.38 vs. 1.53, p < .001) and qMT (2.47 vs. 2.97, p < .001) but not in NODDI measures (p > .27). Longitudinally, only ViSTa showed a greater loss when comparing SEL and non‐SEL (p = .03).

Conclusions

SELs have a lower myelin content relative to non‐SELs without a difference in neurite measures. SELs showed a longitudinal decrease in apparent myelin water fraction reflecting greater tissue injury.