bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Planning for Adaptation: A System Approach to Understand the Value Chain's Role in Supporting Smallholder Coffee Farmers' Adaptive Capacity in Peru
Authors: Morales Laura V. , Robiglio Valentina , Baca María , Bunn Christian , Reyes Martin
Published: April 2022

Coffee is a major global commodity whose production is sustained by and provides livelihoods for millions of smallholder families in the tropics. However, it is highly sensitive to climate change and the climate risk family farmer's face from direct impacts on coffee production are often compounded by further impacts on the physical and social landscapes and infrastructure. We examine the vulnerability (sensitivity and adaptive capacity) of smallholder coffee farmers in northeastern Peru via the lens of their central participation in a value chain that mediates access to livelihood assets, affecting their adaptive capacity and aspects of their sensitivity. Using a staged and participatory, mixed-methods approach, we sought to understand the territorial climate exposure, the structure of the regional value chain and role of different actors in supporting farmer adaptive capacity, and assess the vulnerability of the entire value chain (including other actors in addition to farmers). We found heterogeneity not only in the potential impact of climate change on coffee production, future adaptation needs and vulnerability of farmers across the territory (among elevational zones and regions), but in the distribution of vulnerability among value chain actors. Farmers are the most vulnerable actors, simultaneously the most sensitive and with the lowest adaptive capacity, issues stemming from their strong territorial dependence and pre-existing social and economic asymmetries with actors in the coffee value chain who are not as territorially dependent (e.g., private companies). We make the case that supporting the adaptation of smallholder farmers in the study region requires moving beyond a value-chain approach to a territorial systems perspective that more intentionally involves those actors with stronger, locally vested interests (e.g., local governments and institutions) in their adaptation and requires the strengthening capacities of these actors in various areas.
Toward a Nature-Based Economy
Authors: Chami Ralph , Cosimano Thomas , Fullenkamp Connel , Nieburg Dinah
Published: April 2022

Humanity faces a dual threat to its existence: climate change and biodiversity loss. The two risks are linked through human activity and an economic system that promotes growth at the expense of nature. Creating a nature-based economy can mitigate the dual risks and bring sustained, shared prosperity. The article shows how markets can be developed around the protection and regeneration of nature. Policies and actions needed to unleash the resources and innovation of markets to ensure that nature-based economic growth is shared and sustainable are specified. A nature-based economy ensures that conservation is a source of capital for development.
Perception and Reinterpretation of English Song Lyrics by Native Speakers of Japanese: A Case Study of Samples From the TV-Show Soramimi-Hour
Authors: Scherling Johannes , Kornder Lisa , Kelly Niamh
Published: April 2022

Cross-linguistic mondegreens occur when foreign song lyrics are misperceived and reinterpreted in the listener's native language. In Japan, such humorous reinterpretations of non-native song lyrics are known assoramimi(空耳, “mishearing”). Word plays of this kind do not only have an entertaining character for listeners, but they also offer a valuable source to identify and describe potential phonological processes which can be observed in native Japanese listeners' adaptations of English song lyrics into Japanese. We hypothesized that the reinterpretation of English song lyrics by listeners is a result of the perception of non-native auditory input through the first language's phonological and morphological system. That is, misperceptions do not occur arbitrarily, but are governed by the phonological and morpho-phonological rules of the listener's first language system. To test this hypothesis, we examined a corpus containing 60 English-Japanese mondegreens taken from the Japanese TV-showSoramimi Awā(Soramimi Hour). Results confirmed our hypothesis: The Japanese adaptations were observed to follow different phonological processes which aimed to subject the non-native auditory input to the phonological rules of Japanese.
A New Frontier in Science Communication? What We Know About How Public Audiences Respond to Cinematic Scientific Visualization
Authors: Jensen Eric A. , Borkiewicz Kalina Maria , Naiman Jill P.
Published: April 2022

Presenting data in visually appealing formats has long been a useful science communication technique. Millions of people around the world have encountered scientific visualizations through documentary films on giant and small screens. Visual effects software from the film industry can increasingly be used to visualize scientific data. Such cinematic scientific visualization should be (a) based on real data, (b) understandable, and (c) entertaining for a public audience. To investigate what is known about how audiences respond to this type of science communication, this essay presents an overview of the literature on this topic, highlighting key findings, gaps, and directions for future research. The sprawling nature of the theoretical and empirical research literature on audience responses to cinematic scientific visualization makes it difficult to achieve comprehensive coverage of relevant studies and theoretical models. Recurring methodological limitations present further challenges to establishing a foundation of reliable knowledge on this topic. Nevertheless, prior research has identified several factors that affect how public audiences respond to cinematic scientific visualizations. Here, we discuss findings relating to intelligibility, film content, and immersion. These results offer a basis for hypotheses to be tested by future confirmatory studies of audience responses to cinematic scientific visualizations.
Multivessel vs. Culprit Vessel-Only Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xiong Bingquan , Yang Huiping , Yu Wenlong , Zeng Yunjie , Han Yue , She Qiang
Published: April 2022

Background

The optimal revascularization strategy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicating by cardiogenic shock (CS) remains controversial. This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention (MV-PCI) compared to culprit vessel-only PCI (CO-PCI) for the treatment, only in patients with STEMI with CS.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted. Studies assessed the efficacy outcomes of short (in-hospital or 30 days)/long-term mortality, cardiac death, myocardial reinfarction, repeat revascularization, and safety outcomes of stroke, bleeding, acute renal failure with MV-PCI vs. CO-PCI in patients with STEMI with CS were included. The publication bias and sensitivity analysis were also performed.

Results

A total of 15 studies were included in this meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in short- and long-term mortality in patients treated with MV-PCI compared to CO-PCI group [odds ratio (OR) = 1.17; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.92–1.48; OR = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.58–1.28]. Similarly, there were no significant differences in cardiac death (OR = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.44–1.00), myocardial reinfarction (OR = 1.24; 95% CI, 0.77–2.00), repeat revascularization (OR = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.40–1.42), bleeding (OR = 1.53; 95% CI, 0.53–4.43), or stroke (OR = 1.42; 95% CI, 0.90–2.23) between the two groups. There was a higher risk in acute renal failure (OR = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.04–1.69) in patients treated with MV-PCI when compared with CO-PCI.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggests that there may be no significant benefit for patients with STEMI complicating CS treated with MV-PCI compared with CO-PCI, and patients are at increased risk of developing acute renal failure after MV-PCI intervention.
Association Between Early Oral β-Blocker Therapy and In-Hospital Outcomes in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction With Mild-Moderate Heart Failure: Findings From the CCC-ACS Project
Authors: Wang Miao , Liu Jing , Liu Jun , Hao Yongchen , Yang Na , Liu Tong , Smith Sidney C. , Huo Yong , Fonarow Gregg C. , Ge Junbo , Morgan Louise , Ma Changsheng , Han Yaling , Zhao Dong , Zhan Siyan
Published: April 2022

Background

There are limited data available on the impact of early (within 24 h of admission) β-blocker therapy on in-hospital outcomes of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and mild-moderate acute heart failure. This study aimed to explore the association between early oral β-blocker therapy and in-hospital outcomes.

Methods

Inpatients with STEMI and Killip class II or III heart failure from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China project (n = 10,239) were enrolled. The primary outcome was a combined endpoint composed of in-hospital all-cause mortality, successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation after cardiac arrest, and cardiogenic shock. Inverse-probability-of-treatment weighting, multivariate Cox regression, and propensity score matching were performed.

Results

Early oral β-blocker therapy was administered to 56.5% of patients. The incidence of the combined endpoint events was significantly lower in patients with early therapy than in those without (2.7 vs. 5.1%, P < 0.001). Inverse-probability-of-treatment weighting analysis demonstrated that early β-blocker therapy was associated with a low risk of combined endpoint events (HR = 0.641, 95% CI: 0.486–0.844, P = 0.002). Similar results were shown in multivariate Cox regression (HR = 0.665, 95% CI: 0.496–0.894, P = 0.007) and propensity score matching (HR = 0.633, 95% CI: 0.453–0.884, P = 0.007) analyses. A dose-response trend between the first-day β-blocker dosages and adverse outcomes was observed in a subset of participants with available data. No factor could modify the association of early treatment and the primary outcomes among the subgroups analyses.

Conclusion

Based on nationwide Chinese data, early oral β-blocker therapy is independently associated with a lower risk of poor in-hospital outcome in patients with STEMI and Killip class II or III heart failure.
Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Chest Pain
Authors: Manchanda Ashley S. , Kwan Alan C. , Ishimori Mariko , Thomson Louise E. J. , Li Debiao , Berman Daniel S. , Bairey Merz C. Noel , Jefferies Caroline , Wei Janet
Published: April 2022

Chest pain is a common symptom in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease that is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. While chest pain mechanisms can be multifactorial and often attributed to non-coronary or non-cardiac cardiac etiologies, emerging evidence suggests that ischemia with no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) is a prevalent condition in patients with chest pain and no obstructive coronary artery disease. Coronary microvascular dysfunction is reported in approximately half of SLE patients with suspected INOCA. In this mini review, we highlight the cardiovascular risk assessment, mechanisms of INOCA, and diagnostic approach for patients with SLE and suspected CMD.
Peer Assessment and Video Feedback for Fostering Self, Co, and Shared Regulation of Learning in a Higher Education Language Classroom
Authors: Clayton Bernard Rebecca , Kermarrec Gilles
Published: April 2022

Self-regulated learning includes the cognitive, metacognitive, behavioral, motivational, and affective aspects of learning. The conceptualization of self and socially regulated learning has recently received much attention and peer assessment has been found to increase the use of metacognitive activity. The present exploratory qualitative study aimed to identify self-, co-, and socially shared regulatory processes in an oral English as a Foreign Language task. The regulatory activity deployed by 10 learners was studied within the context of a peer assessment task using an assessment form paired with video feedback in the context of an English language classroom at a French university. These interactions were filmed and discussed in individual self-confrontation interviews which were analyzed through inductive coding. Specific findings from the classroom setting shed light on existing gaps in the literature. First, students can gain confidence in their own skills through assessing their peers and activating regulatory processes both individually and as a group. Second, appropriate tools can increase co-regulated and socially regulated learning through the structuring of cooperative regulatory behaviors. Third, psychological safety appeared to be a propitious social context for supporting regulated learning (SRL, CoRL, and SSRL). We also shed light on the fact that adaptive regulatory strategies are present in oral (as well as written) English as a Foreign Language tasks. These results indicate the potential for learning situations based on video feedback used in conjunction with peer assessment and collaborative learning in order to develop regulatory behaviors in language learners.
Benefits of Mind Wandering for Learning in School Through Its Positive Effects on Creativity
Authors: Gericke Christian , Soemer Alexander , Schiefele Ulrich
Published: April 2022

There is broad agreement among researchers to view mind wandering as an obstacle to learning because it draws attention away from learning tasks. Accordingly, empirical findings revealed negative correlations between the frequency of mind wandering during learning and various kinds of learning outcomes (e.g., text retention). However, a few studies have indicated positive effects of mind wandering on creativity in real-world learning environments. The present article reviews these studies and highlights potential benefits of mind wandering for learning mediated through creative processes. Furthermore, we propose various ways to promote useful mind wandering and, at the same time, minimize its negative impact on learning.
Time to Move On: The Role of Greenness in Africa and Temperatures at a Mediterranean Stopover Site in Migration Decision of Long-Distance Migratory Passerines
Authors: Aharon-Rotman Yaara , McEvoy John F. , Kiat Yosef , Raz Tal , Perlman Gidon Y.
Published: April 2022

Many migratory species have advanced their migration timing as a response to advanced breeding conditions. While data on arrival timing to breeding grounds in Europe is plentiful, information from the African departure sites are scarce. Here we investigated changes in arrival timing of four long-distance migratory passerines to a stopover site in Israel and potential links to Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) at the species-specific African pre-departure sites and local temperatures at the stopover site. We found that Lesser whitethroat (Curruca curruca) and Eastern Bonelli’s warbler (Phylloscopus orientalis) advanced arrival to the stopover site. The arrival timing of Thrush nightingale (Luscinia luscinia) and Olive-tree warbler (Hippolais olivetorum) did not change and was associated with mean EVI at the pre-departure site in Africa during the pre-migratory period. Additionally, temperatures at the stopover site affected the arrival timing of Lesser whitethroat only. This is probably because this species breed at higher northern latitudes and fine-tune their migration timing to match local conditions. Our results show that spring migration can be influenced by exogenous cues such as weather condition and food availability, and the level of response is species-specific. Moreover, some species show flexibility and fine-tuned migration speed in response to local conditionsen route.While flexibility seems advantageous, dependence on multiple sites with varying conditions may ultimately limit advanced arrival to the breeding ground and result in mismatch with optimal conditions.
Hydro-Edaphic Gradient and Phylogenetic History Explain the Landscape Distribution of a Highly Diverse Clade of Lianas in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Gerolamo Caian Souza , Costa Flavia R. C. , Zuntini Alexandre R. , Vicentini Alberto , Lohmann Lúcia G. , Schietti Juliana , Rocha Elisangela X. , Angyalossy Veronica , Nogueira Anselmo
Published: April 2022

Plant distribution patterns may indicate habitat specialization either by closely related species with conserved traits or by phylogenetically distant species with converging traits. Lianas represent a large proportion of the overall tropical species diversity and abundance. Despite their importance, little is known about the relationship between habitat specialization and the phylogenetic structure of lianas, especially at the landscape scale where forest disturbances and hydro-edaphic gradients are crucial. To explore this knowledge gap, we used one of the most diverse lineages of Neotropical lianas to test whether (i) landscape environmental gradients explain liana species diversity and composition, (ii) habitat specialization is phylogenetically conserved along ecological gradients, and (iii) closely related liana species have more similar distribution patterns. We hypothesized that hydro-edaphic and forest disturbance gradients determine the compartmentalization of a subset of closely related species in different portions of the ecological gradients. To test our hypothesis, we examined the distribution of the tribe Bignonieae on 34 1-ha permanent plots systematically distributed over a 42 km2 forested landscape area in Central Amazon. We used proxies for the hydro-edaphic, forest disturbance, and soil nutrient gradients. Liana diversity increased along the hydro-edaphic gradient (i.e., toward dry plateaus), but slightly decreased along the forest disturbance gradient. Further, we found evidence of habitat specialization along the hydro-edaphic gradient on plateaus with deeper water tables, where liana assemblages are subsets of closely related species, exhibiting phylogenetic clustering. The opposite pattern was found on valleys, where liana assemblages were phylogenetically overdispersed. Our results support the role of phylogenetic niche conservatism on plateaus and a stronger environmental filter within the hydrologically dynamic valleys, associated with a functional convergence of more distantly related species. The selection of more distantly related species on hydrologically dynamic areas is a general pattern among trees, palms and now lianas. We conclude that ecological filters and phylogenetic history have played fundamental roles in structuring liana assemblages unevenly at the landscape scale. Fine-scale hydrology determines several aspects of plant community organization, whose mechanisms need to be experimentally investigated in the Amazon basin.
Network Architecture Producing Swing to Stance Transitions in an Insect Walking System
Authors: Strohmer Beck , Mantziaris Charalampos , Kynigopoulos Demos , Manoonpong Poramate , Larsen Leon Bonde , Büschges Ansgar
Published: April 2022

The walking system of the stick insect is one of the most thoroughly described invertebrate systems. We know a lot about the role of sensory input in the control of stepping of a single leg. However, the neuronal organization and connectivity of the central neural networks underlying the rhythmic activation and coordination of leg muscles still remain elusive. It is assumed that these networks can couple in the absence of phasic sensory input due to the observation of spontaneous recurrent patterns (SRPs) of coordinated motor activity equivalent to fictive stepping-phase transitions. Here we sought to quantify the phase of motor activity within SRPs in the isolated and interconnected meso- and meta-thoracic ganglia. We show that SRPs occur not only in the meso-, but also in the metathoracic ganglia of the stick insect, discovering a qualitative difference between them. We construct a network based on neurophysiological data capable of reproducing the measured SRP phases to investigate this difference. By comparing network output to the biological measurements we confirm the plausibility of the architecture and provide a hypothesis to account for these qualitative differences. The neural architecture we present couples individual central pattern generators to reproduce the fictive stepping-phase transitions observed in deafferented stick insect preparations after pharmacological activation, providing insights into the neural architecture underlying coordinated locomotion.
A Novel Pyroptotic and Inflammatory Gene Signature Predicts the Prognosis of Cutaneous Melanoma and the Effect of Anticancer Therapies
Authors: Xu Yujian , Chen Youbai , Niu Zehao , Xing Jiahua , Yang Zheng , Yin Xiangye , Guo Lingli , Zhang Qixu , Qiu Haixia , Han Yan
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to construct a gene signature comprising genes related to both inflammation and pyroptosis (GRIPs) to predict the prognosis of patients with cutaneous melanoma patients and the efficacy of immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy in these patients.

Methods

Gene expression profiles were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to identify GRIPs. Univariable Cox regression and Lasso regression further selected key prognostic genes. Multivariable Cox regression was used to construct a risk score, which stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups. Areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) were calculated, and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed for the two groups, following validation in an external cohort from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). A nomogram including the GRIP signature and clinicopathological characteristics was developed for clinical use. Gene set enrichment analysis illustrated differentially enriched pathways. Differences in the tumor microenvironment (TME) between the two groups were assessed. The efficacies of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), chemotherapeutic agents, and targeted agents were predicted for both groups. Immunohistochemical analyses of the GRIPs between the normal and CM tissues were performed using the Human Protein Atlas data. The qRT-PCR experiments validated the expression of genes in CM cell lines, Hacat, and PIG1 cell lines.

Results

A total of 185 GRIPs were identified. A novel gene signature comprising eight GRIPs (TLR1, CCL8, EMP3, IFNGR2, CCL25, IL15, RTP4, and NLRP6) was constructed. The signature had AUCs of 0.714 and 0.659 for predicting 3-year overall survival (OS) in the TCGA entire and GEO validation cohorts, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed that the high-risk group had a poorer prognosis. Multivariable Cox regression showed that the GRIP signature was an independent predictor of OS with higher accuracy than traditional clinicopathological features. The nomogram showed good accuracy and reliability in predicting 3-year OS (AUC = 0.810). GSEA and TME analyses showed that the high-risk group had lower levels of pyroptosis, inflammation, and immune response, such as lower levels of CD8+ T-cell infiltration, CD4+ memory-activated T-cell infiltration, and ICI. In addition, low-risk patients whose disease expressed PD-1 or CTLA-4 were likely to respond better to ICIs, and several chemotherapeutic and targeted agents. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the distinct expression of five out of the eight GRIPs between normal and CM tissues.

Conclusion

Our novel 8-GRIP signature can accurately predict the prognosis of patients with CM and the efficacies of multiple anticancer therapies. These GRIPs might be potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CM.
Coronavirus Disease 2019-Related Alterations of Total and Anti-Spike IgG Glycosylation in Relation to Age and Anti-Spike IgG Titer
Authors: Schwedler Christian , Grzeski Marta , Kappert Kai , Rust Jörn , Heymann Guido , Hoppe Berthold , Blanchard Véronique
Published: April 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been affecting the world since January 2020 and has caused millions of deaths. To gain a better insight into molecular changes underlying the COVID-19 disease, we investigated here the N-glycosylation of three immunoglobulin G (IgG) fractions isolated from plasma of 35 severe COVID-19 patients, namely total IgG1, total IgG2, and anti-Spike IgG, by means of MALDI-TOF-MS. All analyses were performed at the glycopeptide level to assure subclass- and site-specific information. For each COVID-19 patient, the analyses included three blood withdrawals at different time-points of hospitalization, which allowed profiling longitudinal alterations in IgG glycosylation. The COVID-19 patients presented altered IgG N-glycosylation profiles in all investigated IgG fractions. The most pronounced COVID-19-related changes were observed in the glycosylation profiles of antigen-specific anti-Spike IgG1. Anti-Spike IgG1 fucosylation and galactosylation showed the strongest variation during the disease course, with the difference in anti-Spike IgG1 fucosylation being significantly correlated with patients’ age. Decreases in anti-Spike IgG1 galactosylation and sialylation in the course of the disease were found to be significantly correlated with the difference in anti-Spike IgG plasma concentration. The present findings suggest that patients’ age and anti-S IgG abundance might influence IgG N-glycosylation alterations occurring in COVID-19.
Latin Dance and Working Memory: The Mediating Effects of Physical Activity Among Middle-Aged and Older Latinos
Authors: Aguiñaga Susan , Kaushal Navin , Balbim Guilherme M. , Wilson Robert S. , Wilbur JoEllen E. , Hughes Susan , Buchner David M. , Berbaum Michael , McAuley Edward , Vásquez Priscilla M. , Marques Isabela G. , Wang Tianxiu , Marquez David X.
Published: April 2022

Background

Physical activity (PA) is a promising method to improve cognition among middle-aged and older adults. Latinos are at high risk for cognitive decline and engaging in low levels of PA. Culturally relevant PA interventions for middle-aged and older Latinos are critically needed to reduce risk of cognitive decline. We examined changes in cognitive performance among middle-aged and older Latinos participating in the BAILAMOS™ dance program or a health education group and compared the mediating effects of PA between group assignment and change in cognitive domains.

Methods

Our 8-month randomized controlled trial tested BAILAMOS™, a 4-month Latin dance program followed by a 4-month maintenance phase. A total of 333 older Latinos aged 55+ were randomized to either BAILAMOS™, or to a health education control group. Neuropsychological tests were administered, scores were converted to z-scores, and specific domains (i.e., executive function, episodic memory, and working memory) were derived. Self-reported PA was assessed, and we reported categories of total PA, total leisure PA, and moderate-to-vigorous PA as minutes/week. A series of ANCOVAs tested changes in cognitive domains at 4 and 8 months. A mediation analysis tested the mediating effects of each PA category between group assignment and a significant change in cognition score.

Results

The ANCOVAs found significant improvement in working memory scores among participants in the dance group at month 8 [F(1,328) = 5.79, p = 0.017, d = 0.20], but not in executive functioning [F(2,328) = 0.229, p = 0.80, Cohen’s d = 0.07] or episodic memory [F(2,328) = 0.241, p = 0.78, Cohen’s d = 0.05]. Follow-up mediation models found that total PA mediated the relationship between group assignment and working memory, in favor of the dance group (β = 0.027, 95% CI [0.0000, 0.0705]). Similarly, total leisure PA was found to mediate this relationship [β = 0.035, 95% CI (0.0041, 0.0807)].

Conclusion

A 4-month Latin dance program followed by a 4-month maintenance phase improved working memory among middle-aged and older Latinos. Improvements in working memory were mediated by participation in leisure PA. Our results support the current literature that leisure time PA influences cognition and highlight the importance of culturally relevant PA modalities for Latinos.

Clinical Trial Registration

[www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT01988233].
Discovery of Novel Drug Candidates for Alzheimer’s Disease by Molecular Network Modeling
Authors: Zhou Jiaxin , Li Qingyong , Wu Wensi , Zhang Xiaojun , Zuo Zhiyi , Lu Yanan , Zhao Huiying , Wang Zhi
Published: April 2022

To identify the molecular mechanisms and novel therapeutic agents of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD), we performed integrative network analysis using multiple transcriptomic profiles of human brains. With the hypothesis that AD pathology involves the whole cerebrum, we first identified co-expressed modules across multiple cerebral regions of the aging human brain. Among them, two modules (M3 and M8) consisting of 1,429 protein-coding genes were significantly enriched with AD-correlated genes. Differential expression analysis of microarray, bulk RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data revealed the dysregulation of M3 and M8 across different cerebral regions in both normal aging and AD. The cell-type enrichment analysis and differential expression analysis at the single-cell resolution indicated the extensive neuronal vulnerability in AD pathogenesis. Transcriptomic-based drug screening from Connectivity Map proposed Gly-His-Lys acetate salt (GHK) as a potential drug candidate that could probably restore the dysregulated genes of the M3 and M8 network. Pretreatment with GHK showed a neuroprotective effect against amyloid-beta-induced injury in differentiated human neuron-like SH-SY5Y cells. Taken together, our findings uncover a dysregulated network disrupted across multiple cerebral regions in AD and propose pretreatment with GHK as a novel neuroprotective strategy against AD.
Sensory-Specific Satiety Dissociates General and Specific Pavlovian-Instrumental Transfer
Authors: Lingawi Nura W. , Berman Talia , Bounds Jack , Laurent Vincent
Published: April 2022

Pavlovian conditioning enables predictive stimuli to control action performance and action selection. The present experiments used sensory-specific satiety to examine the role of outcome value in these two forms of control. Experiment 1 employed a general Pavlovian-instrumental transfer design to show that a stimulus predicting a food outcome energizes the performance of an instrumental action earning another food outcome. This energizing effect was removed when the stimulus-predicted outcome or a novel outcome was devalued by sensory-specific satiety. Experiments 2 and 3 employed a specific Pavlovian-instrumental transfer design to demonstrate that a stimulus predicting a particular food outcome promotes the selection of an instrumental action earning the same, but not a different, food outcome. Remarkably, this effect was maintained when all or just one of the stimulus-predicted outcomes were devalued by sensory-specific satiety. These results indicate that satiety alone removes the expression of general PIT. By contrast, satiety or outcome-specific devaluation does not regulate the expression of specific PIT, which is insensitive to changes in outcome value. This dissociation is consistent with the view that general and specific PIT are two separate phenomena driven by distinct psychological mechanisms.
Plasticity-Related Gene 5 Is Expressed in a Late Phase of Neurodifferentiation After Neuronal Cell-Fate Determination
Authors: Gross Isabel , Brandt Nicola , Vonk Danara , Köper Franziska , Wöhlbrand Lars , Rabus Ralf , Witt Martin , Heep Axel , Plösch Torsten , Hipp Mark S. , Bräuer Anja U.
Published: April 2022

During adult neurogenesis, neuronal stem cells differentiate into mature neurons that are functionally integrated into the existing network. One hallmark during the late phase of this neurodifferentiation process is the formation of dendritic spines. These morphological specialized structures form the basis of most excitatory synapses in the brain, and are essential for neuronal communication. Additionally, dendritic spines are affected in neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease or schizophrenia. However, the mechanisms underlying spinogenesis, as well as spine pathologies, are poorly understood. Plasticity-related Gene 5 (PRG5), a neuronal transmembrane protein, has previously been linked to spinogenesisin vitro. Here, we analyze endogenous expression of the PRG5 protein in different mouse brain areas, as well as on a subcellular level. We found that native PRG5 is expressed dendritically, and in high abundance in areas characterized by their regenerative capacity, such as the hippocampus and the olfactory bulb. During adult neurogenesis, PRG5 is specifically expressed in a late phase after neuronal cell-fate determination associated with dendritic spine formation. On a subcellular level, we found PRG5 not to be localized at the postsynaptic density, but at the base of the synapse. In addition, we showed that PRG5-induced formation of membrane protrusions is independent from neuronal activity, supporting a possible role in the morphology and stabilization of spines.
Formation of Nε-Carboxymethyl-Lysine and Nε-Carboxyethyl-Lysine in Pacific Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) Induced by Thermal Processing Methods
Authors: Zhou Pengcheng , Dong Shiyuan , Zeng Mingyong
Published: April 2022

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are important endogenous hazardous substances produced during the thermal processing of foods, which have attracted much attention due to the potential health risks. The current research first investigated the effect of different thermal processing methods (steaming, boiling, sous vide (SV), and sterilizing) on the formation of two typical markers of AGEs, including Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) and Nε-carboxyethyl-lysine (CEL), in Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). The compositions, lipid oxidation, di-carbonyl compounds, and AGEs in 12 kinds of processed oysters were detected, and the Index values (total Z-score) were calculated. The SV treatment at 70°C caused higher processing yield and lower CEL level while sterilizing in oil at 121°C greatly resulted in the formation of CML. The Index value of SV-treated oysters was much lower than steamed, boiled, and sterilized ones. Correlation analysis showed that the CML and CEL levels were positively correlated with fat content, a* and b* value (p < 0.05), and negatively correlated with moisture content and L* value (p < 0.05). Besides, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances had a negative correlation with CML (r = −0.63, p < 0.05) while no significant correlation with CEL (p > 0.05), suggesting that lipid oxidation had a greater effect on the formation of CML but less on the formation of CEL. In summary, SV treatment at 70°C within 15 min was a recommended thermal processing method to reduce the formation of AGEs in oysters.
History Taking as a Diagnostic Tool in Children With Chronic Cough
Authors: Kantar Ahmad , Marchant Julie M. , Song Woo-Jung , Shields Michael D. , Chatziparasidis Grigorios , Zacharasiewicz Angela , Moeller Alexander , Chang Anne B.
Published: April 2022

Chronic cough is a common symptom of many underlying respiratory and non-respiratory disorders and may be associated with less serious causes, such as gastroesophageal reflux and nasal diseases. Chronic cough in children differs from that in adults with respect to its etiologies and management since it can indicate a symptom of an underlying disease in children. Guidelines for managing chronic cough in children are based on recording the history, followed by physical examination, chest radiography, and spirometry. Thus, taking accurate respiratory history for coughing helps delineate the pathophysiological basis of the cause of chronic cough. Detailed history taking enhances the evaluation and treatment, and facilitates a tailored diagnostic identification of likely diagnoses. While studies have described evidence-based red flags in children with chronic cough, the value of skilled physicians regarding history taking has received less attention for the best patient care. In the present article, we outline the major questions comprising a detailed history taking for chronic cough in children.
Novel IL2RG Gene Mutation in One of Dizygotic Twins Causing Profound Changes of Receptor Structure
Authors: Rutkowska-Zapała Magdalena , Szaflarska Anna , Kluczewska Anna , Ciȩciwa Julia , Plewka Jacek , Michalska Anna , Siedlar Maciej
Published: April 2022

In this study, we report a 4-month-old boy with T−B+NK− severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to a novel mutation in exon 2 of IL2RG, the gene encoding the interleukin (IL) common gamma chain (γc) of the cytokine receptors for IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15, and IL-21. The patient was born from a twin pregnancy. He manifested recurrent infections of the gastrointestinal tract, whereas his twin brother was asymptomatic with no immune defects. In order to evaluate the effect of this unreported variant on the protein structure, a structural modeling process was performed showing prominent biochemical alterations of the protein features, including molecular weight, isoelectric charge, and possible changes to its secondary and tertiary structure.
Cloning and Characterization of 1,8-Cineole Synthase (SgCINS) Gene From the Leaves of Salvia guaranitica Plant
Authors: Ali Mohammed , Alshehri Dikhnah , Alkhaibari Abeer Mousa , Elhalem Naeema A. , Darwish Doaa Bahaa Eldin
Published: April 2022

Monoterpenes are one of the most common groups belonging to the terpenoid family, with a C10 structure comprising of two isoprene units. Most of monoterpenes are volatile plant compounds, and they act as signaling molecules between plants and the environment, particularly as defensive compounds against herbivores and pathogens. In this study, 1,8-cineole synthase (SgCINS) gene was identified and cloned from the leaves of Salvia guaranitica plant. To examine the role of SgCINS in insect resistance, we transformed and expressed this gene into tobacco leaves. The metabolic analysis revealed that the production of various types and amount of terpenoid was increased and decreased in SgCINS overexpression and control lines, respectively, suggesting that overexpressing SgCINS in transgenic tobacco plants lead to an increase in the production of various types of terpenoids and other phytochemical compounds. These results indicated why transgenic tobacco was highly resistant against cotton worm than the highly susceptible control plants. Our results demonstrate that the SgCINS gene can play an important role in plants against cotton worm insect attack, and pave the way for using terpenoids genes for improving resistance to insect attack in higher plants.
Affective Instability and Emotion Dysregulation as a Social Impairment
Authors: Schmidt Philipp
Published: April 2022

Borderline personality disorder is a complex psychopathological phenomenon. It is usually thought to consist in a vast instability of different aspects that are central to our experience of the world, and to manifest as “a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity” [American Psychiatric Association (APA), 2013, p. 663]. Typically, of the instability triad—instability in (1) self, (2) affect and emotion, and (3) interpersonal relationships—only the first two are described, examined, and conceptualized from an experiential point of view. In this context, disorders of self have often motivated analyses of self-experience and the sense of self, affective disorders have been frequently considered in the light of emotional experience and its phenomenological structure. Patterns in the phenomenology of social experience have found comparatively little traction when it comes to the conceptualization of the interpersonal disturbances in borderline. In this paper, I argue that interpersonal instability in borderline consists in much more than fragile and shifting relationships but, most importantly, also involves certain styles in experiencing others. These styles, I suggest, may play an explanatory role for the borderline-typical patterns of interpersonal turmoil and so deserve more attention. To better describe and understand these styles, I explore the phenomenological structure of borderline affective instability and discuss the implications it might have for how a person experiences and relates to other people. Considering core aspects of borderline affective instability, such as alexithymia, emotional contagion, emotion dysregulation, and chronic emptiness, I propose borderline can be interpreted as a disturbance of interaffective exchange, which gives rise to certain ways of experiencing others that imply a social impairment.
The Role of Green Human Resource Practices in Fostering Green Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Hameed Rizwana , Mahmood Asif , Shoaib Muhammad
Published: April 2022

This study develops a conceptual framework and investigates green human resource practices (GHRM)—green recruitment and selection, green training and development, and green reward and compensation? effects on pro-environmental psychological climate and pro-environmental behavior, which cause green corporate social responsibility (GCSR). We employ information technology (IT) capabilities as a moderator between the GHRM and pro-environmental behavior. It applies a convenience sampling technique and survey questionnaire to collect data from 388 employees at CPEC projects. Results demonstrate that GHRM positively influences pro-environmental psychological climate and pro-environmental behavior that significantly develops GCSR. IT capabilities significantly moderate the relationships between GHRM and pro-environmental behavior. The study findings add to the body of green HRM practices, strategic management, and information processing and policy makers better postulate, align, and exercise their green HRM practices for its synergetic effects for green CSR and sustainability. We also acknowledge some limitations and provide future directions.
Assessing the Effects of COVID-19 on Restaurant Business From Restaurant Owners’ Perspective
Authors: Sardar Sazu , Ray Rudrendu , Hasan Md. Kamrul , Chitra Shital Sohani , Parvez A. T. M. Shahed , Avi Md. Ashikur Rahman
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to assess the effects of COVID-19 on the restaurant businesses of Bangladesh. It examines the socio-economic impacts of the humanitarian disaster of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of restaurant owners. The study also intends to provide recommendations to mitigate effects on the restaurant business.

Design/Methodology/Approach

A qualitative research approach was adopted to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the restaurant businesses of Bangladesh. A total of 22 in-depth interviews were conducted with the top-ranked restaurant owners in the Rajshahi City Corporation area of Bangladesh. Thematic analysis technique was applied for analyzing the collected data.

Findings

The study found that the restaurant owners were compelled to reduce their number of employees, and forced to ensure social distancing and proper sanitization which increased the expenses. Although online orders and home delivery services have increased significantly, restaurant business operation is gradually turning critical owing to the lack of financial support. Thus, restaurant owners urge the govenrment for financial assistance.

Research Limitations/Implications

Since this research only focused on one city in Bangladesh, the outcomes of study may have a dearth of generalizability. Hence, the investigators are encouraged to extend the study area.

Practical Implications

This study will help restaurant owners and policymakers in formulating contemporary business policies and strategies. Thus, it will be supportive of improving the present condition of the restaurant businesses in developing countries like Bangladesh.

Originality/Value

This paper identified the truculent scenario of the restaurant business during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Mini-Review of Work Stress and Mindfulness: A Neuropsychological Point of View
Authors: González-Palau Fátima , Medrano Leonardo Adrián
Published: April 2022

Work stress is consistently linked with the deterioration of cognitive and mental health, limitations in everyday workplace performance, and an increased risk of developing diseases. A common thread binding these consequences appears to be stress-associated alterations in neuropsychological functions and affective domains, especially those reliant on hippocampal, prefrontal, and amygdala brain area. Although research broadly supports the claim that the practice of mindfulness meditation for the reduction of the consequences of stress and the promotion of health exert positive effects on workplaces, the precise neuropsychological benefits of Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in the context of organizations remain elusive. In this review, we will analyze the impairments imposed by stress on the brain areas and functions and the benefits of MBIs from a neuropsychological point of view. This is significant since there is a centrality of cognitive functions in core processes necessary for work achievements, such as emotion regulation, problem-solving, and learning. The promotion of wellbeing is a responsibility shared between workers and organizations. Developing healthy environments allows workers to exercise greater control over their work, face work challenges, work productively and develop their talent.
The Influence of Social Exclusion Types on Individuals' Willingness to Word-of-Mouth Recommendation
Authors: Wenting Feng , Lijia Wang , Cuixin Gao
Published: April 2022

As the pace of modern life accelerates, social exclusion occurs more and more frequently in interpersonal interactions. The type of social exclusion can lead to different psychological needs of individuals, and, thus, affects the tendency of word-of-mouth (WOM) recommendation. There are three experiments in this research. Experiment 1 explores the influence of social exclusion types on the willingness of WOM recommendation. The result shows that being rejected increases individuals' willingness to WOM recommendations while being ignored decreases individuals' willingness. Experiment 2 explores the internal psychological mechanism of the influence of social exclusion types on WOM recommendation behavior and proves the mediating role of psychological needs (affiliative-focused needs; power/provocation need). In experiment 3, the moderating effect of product attributes (scarcity/popularity) on the main effect is analyzed. This research is the first to explore the influence of social exclusion types on individuals' willingness to WOM recommendations, which enriches the research on social exclusion in the field of WOM recommendations.
Study on the Compromise Effect Under the Influence of Normative Reference Group
Authors: Du Qinglong , Li Kunyang
Published: April 2022

The compromise effect is an important context effect, but its research is still insufficient under the influence of social factors and purchase tasks. This study explores the change of compromise effect in different group norm scenarios by constructing three different group norm reference points. Three conclusions were drawn. First, the compromise effect always exists under the influence of different groups’ normative reference points if there is a compromise effect in a product set. Second, the effect value of the compromise effect will be significantly different with the change of group norm reference point. Third, group norms can indeed induce the compromise effect. Therefore, these findings would help to further enrich the literature results of the compromise effect and strengthen its application in marketing practice.