bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ICT and Web 2.0 Technologies as a Determinant of Business Performance
Authors: Arh Tanja , Dimovski Vlado , Blažic Borka Jerman
Published: March 2012

This chapter aims at presenting the results of an empirical study, linking the fields of technology-enhanced learning (TEL), Web 2.0 technologies and organizational learning, and their impact on the financial and non-financial business performance. The chapter focuses on the presentation of the conceptualization of a structural model that was developed to test the impact of technology-enhanced learning and Web 2.0 technologies on the organizational learning and business performance of companies with more than 50 employees. The authors provide detailed definitions of technology-enhanced learning, Web 2.0 technologies, and technical terms related to it, its scope and the process of organisational learning, as well as a method for business performance assessment. Special attention is given to the findings related to the observed correlations between the aforementioned constructs. The results of the study indicate a strong impact of ICT and technology-enhanced learning on organizational learning and the non-financial business performance.
Anti-Takeover Cocktails
Authors: Valsan Calin
Published: March 2012

This paper discusses and illustrates the use of three corporate charter provisions with the help of several high profile cases. The Shareholder Rights Plan, golden parachutes, and shark repellents are takeover defence mechanisms used by incumbent managers and boards to fend off hostile bids. Here it is argued that the effectiveness of these measures is greatly increased when used in combination, producing a very potent mix of takeover deterrents.
Exploring the Business Case Development Process in Inter-Organizational Enterprise System Implementations
Authors: Eckartz Silja , Katsma Christiaan , Daneva Maya
Published: March 2012

Creating and negotiating an inter-organizational business case (BC) for multiple-stakeholder enterprise systems is a major challenge. This paper looks closer into the factors that influence the stakeholders’ willingness to share information necessary for the BC development. The authors develop an explanatory framework showing the effect that project constellation has on the development of a shared BC. They identify several factors, such as goal consensus, cultural and semantic similarities and willingness to share information, that mitigate this effect. Subsequently, the authors apply the framework in an inter-organizational case study in which a BC is developed. The findings show that current BC development methods need to be re-stated and complemented by new tools and interventions to support stakeholders in the inter-organizational specific setting. The authors elaborate on the possibilities that group decision support systems might offer to overcome challenges that might be experienced in the BC development process.
A Review of Geospatial Information Technology for Natural Disaster Management in Developing Countries
Authors: Herold Sam , Sawada Michael C.
Published: March 2012

Disasters are deadly and destructive events, particularly in developing countries where economic, social, political and cultural factors increase natural hazard vulnerability. The recent devastation of the Haiti earthquake on January 12th, 2010 was a prime example of the human toll a natural disaster can take in developing regions of the world. There is an imminent need to improve natural disaster management capacity in developing countries to reduce disaster impacts. Given that disasters are spatial phenomenon, the application of geospatial information technology (GIT) is essential to the natural disaster management process. However, in developing countries there are numerous barriers to the effective use of GIT, especially at the local level, including limited financial and human resources and a lack of critical spatial data required to support GIT use to improve disaster management related decision making processes. The results of a thorough literature review suggests that currently available free and open source GIT (FOS GIT) offers great potential to overcome some of these barriers. Thus, disaster management practitioners in developing countries could harness this potential in an attempt to reduce hazard vulnerability and improve disaster management capacity. The use of FOS GIT significantly reduces software costs and can help build local level GIT knowledge/technical skills that are required for successful GIT implementation.
Embracing Geographic Analysis Beyond Geography
Authors: Guan Weihe (Wendy) , Bol Peter K.
Published: March 2012

Without a department of geography, Harvard University established the Center for Geographic Analysis (CGA) in 2006 to support research and teaching of all disciplines across the University with emerging geospatial technologies. In the past four and a half years, CGA built an institutional service infrastructure and unleashed an increasing demand on geographic analysis in many fields. CGA services range from helpdesk, project consultation, training, hardware/software administration, community building, to system development and methodology research. Services often start as an application of existing GIS technology, eventually contributing to the study of geographic information science in many ways. As a new generation of students and researchers growing up with Google Earth and the like, their demand for geospatial services will continue to push CGA into new territories.
The Development of a Virtual Farm for Applications in Elementary Science Education
Authors: Tarng Wernhuar , Chang Mei-Yu , Ou Kuo-Liang , Yu Kein-Fu , Hsieh Kuen-Rong
Published: March 2012

The goal of this study is to develop a virtual farm for educational applications. Users can play the role of a farmer by planting vegetables and raising poultry on the virtual farm to observe their growth through online learning activities. The virtual farm possesses educational and entertaining functions, and it is designed by simulating the real situations of being a farmer to enhance users’ interest and motivation in learning agricultural knowledge. It also provides an alternative way for city people to experience interesting farm life. The virtual farm is highly interactive with 3D visual effects and the attractive features of distance learning, and thus it can be used as an assistant tool in elementary science education. A teaching experiment was conducted and the results showed that the virtual farm could enhance students’ learning effectiveness and motivation.
E-Research Collaboration in Academia and Industry
Authors: Arinze Bay
Published: March 2012

E-Collaboration has come of age in the last decade, with industry and academia using the latest web-based collaborative software to bring together groups of workers to work on common tasks. Research is a $370 billion industry in the United States and is conducted in every sector of the economy. It has collaboration at its core. Most innovations result from collaborative efforts between groups of workers who are often geographically dispersed. Academic leaders now seek the synergies that result from collaboration between their research faculty and others. Web 2.0-based research portals have emerged that allow knowledge sharing and lowering of social barriers between researchers. Another important development is cloud computing, which has dramatically reduced computing costs for organizations. These tools allow researchers in both industry and academia to extend their range and reach, gain synergies between dispersed groups, and increase research efficiency and effectiveness. This paper examines the use of e-research collaboration tools in industry and academia. It describes a framework that matches an organization’s e-research collaboration needs to e-research collaboration solutions across several critical dimensions. The proposed framework will help to improve the understanding of available options for e-collaboration infrastructures, particularly in the sub-area of e-research. It will also help to identify the fit between these infrastructures and organizational e-research collaboration needs.
Cross-National and Cross-Industrial Comparison of ICT-Enabled Business Process Management and Performance
Authors: Lee Ya-Ching , Chu Pin-Yu , Tseng Hsien-Lee
Published: March 2012

Information and communications technologies have changed how firms do business and create value. The objective of this study is to improve the understanding of ICT contribution to firm performance and explore the linkage between ICT impacts and business process management among various countries and industries. This study proposes the ICT-enabled Business Process Management Model. To test the model, survey data from the United States, Taiwan, and Chile was collected. The results show that ICT adoption affects business process management significantly. ICT adoption positively affects workplace reform, leading to workforce reform and improved profits. However, only country differences are recognized in BPM. For the USA, resource planning infrastructure affects workforce reform significantly, and e-commerce infrastructure affects workplace reform significantly, later leading to improved profit. For Taiwan, both resource planning infrastructure and e-commerce infrastructure affect workplace reform significantly, but workforce reform is significantly influenced by resource planning infrastructure. For Chile, the e-commerce infrastructure affects workplace reform significantly, leading to improved profit. This paper contributes to IS research by providing empirical evidence on the impact of ICT adoption on business process management. This paper also explores the impacts of ICT adoption on business process management and financial performance among various countries.
Constraints
Authors: Mazo Raúl , Salinesi Camille , Diaz Daniel , Djebbi Olfa , Lora-Michiels Alberto
Published: March 2012

Drawing from an analogy between features based Product Line (PL) models and Constraint Programming (CP), this paper explores the use of CP in the Domain Engineering and Application Engineering activities that are put in motion in a Product Line Engineering strategy. Specifying a PL as a constraint program instead of a feature model carries out two important qualities of CP: expressiveness and direct automation. On the one hand, variables in CP can take values over boolean, integer, real or even complex domains and not only boolean values as in most PL languages such as the Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis (FODA). Specifying boolean, arithmetic, symbolic and reified constraint, provides a power of expression that spans beyond that provided by the boolean dependencies in FODA models. On the other hand, PL models expressed as constraint programs can directly be executed and analyzed by off-the-shelf solvers. This paper explores the issues of (a) how to specify a PL model using CP, including in the presence of multi-model representation, (b) how to verify PL specifications, (c) how to specify configuration requirements, and (d) how to support the product configuration activity. Tests performed on a benchmark of 50 PL models show that the approach is efficient and scales up easily to very large and complex PL specifications.
Key Success Drivers
Authors: Crosby Phil
Published: March 2012

Success in project management, and particularly in large, high-technology/IT projects, is not easily achieved. This paper draws together a significant number of case studies and research efforts relating to the success and failure of projects from the last four decades, in what is believed to be the only modern meta-study of its type. The author posits that there is a body of knowledge within the literature from which a number of key indicators or focus areas can be derived for practical application especially in the early stages of projects. Studies encompassing more than 2,800 projects are examined, and the success factors for general, and high-technology, projects are newly grouped and ranked as strategic success drivers for use prescriptively by project practitioners and approvers. New correlations between success indicators are presented and the principal drivers examined in further detail to reveal sometimes less obvious characteristics influencing project success. In a series of fieldwork interviews with key staff in high-technology projects, these drivers also emerge consistently as important factors in project success.
A Case Study of How Stakeholder Management Influenced Project Uncertainty Regarding Project Benefits
Authors: Krane Hans Petter , Rolstadås Asbjørn , Olsson Nils O.E.
Published: March 2012

The influence of stakeholders and stakeholder management on project uncertainty is examined, and particularly uncertainty regarding functionality delivered by projects. The case studies, two projects in the Norwegian Rail Authority (Jernbaneverket), included interviews with representatives of internal and external stakeholders and also examination of project documentation. In addition, conflicts and use of power between stakeholders in the projects were studied. The projects actively managed relations with external stakeholders, thereby reducing the risks of negative media attention and neighbour disputes, and also cost and time overruns that such disputes may cause. Both of the projects focused on risk reductions regarding costs and time schedules, and less on the functionality delivered by the project. While mastering potential conflicts with external stakeholders well, the largest project appears to have handled internal disputes less convincingly. The smaller project handled internal disputes well, but experienced problems concerning both costs and time schedules.
Extending Traditional IT-Governance Knowledge Towards SOA and Cloud Governance
Authors: Stantchev Vladimir , Stantcheva Lubomira
Published: March 2012

Enterprises today often strive to keep up with the paces of technological development. A particular case in point is the IT function where traditional governance approaches are often questioned by technology trends. Examples for such trends in the last ten years are the service-oriented architecture (SOA) and cloud computing. The introduction of SOA in the enterprise was one of the key enablers for cloud computing. Therefore, it can serve as a natural fit for bringing traditional IT governance approaches forward to the challenges of cloud governance. This article presents an approach for extending IT governance mindsets to the areas of SOA and cloud governance. It allows an IT organisation the adaptation and the continuous usage of already established governance knowledge and models during the adoption of cloud computing solutions. The authors also present an application case study where they demonstrate the feasibility of the approach in real-life scenarios in the context of an international telecommunication provider.
A Framework for Knowledge Management in Higher Education Using Social Networking
Authors: Benson Vladlena , Morgan Stephanie , Tennakoon Hemamali
Published: March 2012

Recent years show an increase in the popularity of online social networking among the younger generation that opens up possibilities for educators to use it as a higher education platform. The focus of this paper is to highlight some open research questions in the context of knowledge management in higher education with the use of online social networking. Analysis of current research reveals that social networking sites are a useful tool in teaching and learning as well as in employability and career management of students. However, research is limited in terms of the applicability of social networking sites in other parts of the student life cycle including lifelong learning. The possibility of using online social networking in knowledge management, particularly in the area of knowledge accumulation and knowledge sharing is yet to be properly addressed by researchers. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to draw attention to some implications of exploiting knowledge resources with online social networking for HE institutions.
Social Media-Enhanced Phones for Productive Learning of South African Postgraduate Students
Authors: Rambe Patient
Published: March 2012

Despite growing interest in knowledge sharing processes in informal spaces, there is a paucity of research on technology-mediated learning in these spaces. Yet the surge in student use of Social Media-enabled phones presents tremendous opportunities for augmenting learning in privileged, authoritative spaces. This study investigated the potential of Facebook-enabled mobiles to leverage learning in informal learning environments. Third Space Theory illuminated understanding of how students draw on potentially contradictory, multiple “funds of knowledge” in their meaning making and discourses. Twenty six students were interviewed to explore how they exchanged learning resources and collaborated on academic matters. Findings suggest that student appropriation of Facebook-enhanced phones enhances social learning, hones digital literacies, and affords the co-production of knowledge in learning communities. Paradoxically, these educational gains are undermined by the disruptive nature of Social Media and student ambivalence about the blurring of academic (professional) and social divides that creates complex, ‘collapsed contexts.’
Information Systems Service Quality, Zone of Tolerance, and User Satisfaction
Authors: Gorla Narasimhaiah
Published: March 2012

Information system service quality has been a very important theme in both IS practice and research. User service expectations affect perceived service quality and user satisfaction. The objectives of this research are to i) to explore the relationship between perceived IS service quality and user satisfaction across the three regions of zone of tolerance (ZOT) and ii) to validate the associations between service expectations (adequate service and desired service) and service performance. The analysis of the data obtained from 193 IS users revealed a positive and significant association between perceived service quality and user satisfaction across the service zones and service dimensions with stronger associations in the acceptable service zone and weaker associations in the inadequate and superior service zones. Thus, the results demonstrate that the relationship between IS service quality and user satisfaction is affected by ZOT. It is found that the desired service expectation measure is more strongly related to service performance compared to the adequate service expectation measure. It is also observed that irrespective of the ZOT, the service dimension that contributes most to service performance is assurance. Tangibles have the widest ZOT and assurance has the narrowest ZOT compared to most other service dimensions. The author discusses the implications of the present study for both research and practice.
A Simulation-Based Optimization Approach to a Lost Sale Stochastic Inventory Model
Authors: Diaz Rafael , Ezell Barry Charles
Published: March 2012

This paper describes a stochastic inventory model where the control review system is periodic; demand contains auto-correlated components; and categorized as a lost sale case. The authors propose a simulation-based optimization based on using a combination of simulated annealing, pattern search, and ranking and selection methods to search and approximate solutions to this problem. Simulated annealing is employed to stochastically nominate and pre-select solutions in a decision space. Pattern search is used to systematically define a grid of competitive neighbors around pre-selected solutions. Ranking and selection is used to evaluate the performance of such competing pre-selected alternatives. On one hand, results show that service level in terms of filling rates deteriorate as the autocorrelation grows and is ignored. In contrast, service levels were kept almost invariable to the effects of the serially correlated components for solutions suggested using the proposed algorithm.
Post-Partum Anaphylaxis: Universal but Successful Management Protocol Should Not Deter Appreciation of Underlying Etio-Pathogenesis Plethora
Authors: Gupta Deepak , Rubens Andrew , Marjanovic Milos
Published: March 2012

Post-partum Anaphylaxis in mothers is extremely rare and has been reported secondary to initiation of the breast-feeding. However, we hereby report the occurrence of post-partum anaphylaxis in a post-partum patient in the absence of the initiated breast-feeding.
Multi-spacecraft observations of small-scale fluctuations in density and fields in plasmaspheric plumes
Authors: Matsui H. , Darrouzet F. , Goldstein J. , Puhl-Quinn P. A. , Khotyaintsev Yu. V. , Lindqvist P.-A. , Georgescu E. , Mouikis C. G. , Torbert R. B.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. In this event study, small-scale fluctuations in plasmaspheric plumes with time scales of ~10 s to minutes in the spacecraft frame are examined. In one event, plasmaspheric plumes are observed by Cluster, while IMAGE measured density enhancement at a similar location. Fluctuations in density exist in plumes as detected by Cluster and are accompanied by fluctuations in magnetic fields and electric fields. Magnetic fluctuations are transverse and along the direction of the plumes. The E/B ratio is smaller than the Alfvén velocity. Another similar event is briefly presented. We then consider physical properties of the fluctuations. Alfvén mode modulated by the feedback instability is one possibility, although non-local generation is likely. It is hard to show that the fluctuations represent a fast mode. Interchange motion is possible due to the consistency between measurements and expectations. The energy source could be a pressure or density gradient in plasmaspheric plumes. When more events are accumulated so that statistical analysis becomes feasible, this type of study will be useful to understand the time evolution of plumes.
Regional effects of vegetation restoration on water yield across the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Feng X. M. , Sun G. , Fu B. J. , Su C. H. , Liu Y. , Lamparski H.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. The general relationships between vegetation and water yield under different climatic regimes are well established at a small watershed scale in the past century. However, applying the basic theories to evaluate the regional effects of land cover change on water resources has been rarely done due to the complex interactions of vegetation and climatic variability and hydrologic processes at the large scale. The objective of this study was to explore ways to examine the spatial and temporal effects of a large ecological restoration project on water yield across the Loess Plateau region in Northern China. We estimated annual water yield as the difference between precipitation input and modeled actual evapotranspiration (ET) output. We constructed a monthly ET model using published eddy flux ET measurements, ET estimates derived from local watershed streamflow data. We validated the ET models at a watershed and regional levels. The model was then applied to examine regional water yield under land cover change and climatic variability during the implementation of the Grain-for-Green (GFG) project during 1999–2007. We found that water yield in 38% of the Loess Plateau area as a whole might have decreased (1–48 mm yr−1) as a result of land cover change alone. However, combined with climatic variability, 37% of the study area might have seen a decrease in water yield with a range of 1–54 mm yr−1, and 35% of the study area might have seen an increase with a range of 1–10 mm yr−1. Across the study region, climate variability masked or strengthened the water yield response to vegetation restoration. The absolute annual water yield change due to vegetation restoration varied with precipitation regimes with the highest in wet years, but the relative water yield changes were most pronounced in dry years. When compared to findings at the plot or catchment-scale, this study suggested that regional hydrologic effects of vegetation restoration practices had a rather complex pattern due to both spatial differences in climatic regimes and vegetation response. We concluded that the effects of land cover change associated with ecological restoration varied greatly over time and space and were strongly influenced by climatic variability in the arid region. The current regional vegetation restoration projects have variable effects on local water resources across the region. Land management planning must consider the influences of spatial climate variability and long-term climate change on water yield to be more effective and achieve environmental sustainability.
Therapeutic and Research Potential of Human Stem Cells – The GE Healthcare Perspective
Authors: Minger Stephen
Published: March 2012

There has been significant interest in the therapeutic and scientific potential of stem cells since reconstitution of the haematopoietic system was first realized by bone marrow transplantation in the 1960s. The isolation of tissue-specific, multipotent stem cells from adult organs and the derivation of pluripotent human embryonic stem cells offer the potential for regeneration of a number of different tissues and organs susceptible to age-related degenerative conditions and traumatic injury. In the not-too-distant future, it will be possible to repair heart tissue damaged by myocardial infarction, to replace neuronal cells lost in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, to transplant new insulin-producing cells for diabetics and myelinating cells for individuals afflicted with multiple sclerosis, and to replace bone and cartilage lost through aging and inflammatory disease. In addition, the generation of specific populations of defined subtypes of human cells has tremendous potential to revolutionize the fields of drug discovery and investigation into the cellular bases of human disease. The newly emerging field of regenerative medicine will fundamentally alter clinical medicine and significantly influence our perceptions of aging, health and disease, with a myriad of consequences for society at large.
Policy Paradoxes: The Commercialization of Stem Cell Research
Authors: Caulfield Timothy
Published: March 2012

Over the past several years the funding of stem cell research has often been justified on the grounds that it could serve as an engine of regional economic growth. To some degree, this is part of a larger trend, one that has placed biomedical research as a central component of many jurisdictions’ economic strategies. This has led to increasing pressure on researchers to build links with industry, to rapidly move their work to the clinic and to develop commercializable products. While there are undeniable benefits with this approach, it has also created some interesting policy challenges. In this presentation I will both review the nature and extent of the commercialization pressure and explore the related legal, ethical and social issues, including the possible adverse impact commercialization pressure may have on the research environment and the promotion of inappropriate 'hype'.
Nucleotide Sequencing and SNP Detection of Toll-Like Receptor-4 Gene in Murrah Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Mitra M. , Taraphder S. , Sonawane G. S. , Verma A.
Published: March 2012

Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) has an important pattern recognition receptor that recognizes endotoxins associated with gram negative bacterial infections. The present investigation was carried out to study nucleotide sequencing and SNP detection by PCR-RFLP analysis of the TLR-4 gene in Murrah buffalo. Genomic DNA was isolated from 102 lactating Murrah buffalo from NDRI herd. The amplified PCR fragments of TLR-4 comprised of exon 1, exon 2, exon 3.1, and exon 3.2 were examined to RFLP. PCR products were obtained with sizes of 165, 300, 478, and 409 bp. TLR-4 gene of investigated Murrah buffaloes was highly polymorphic with AA, AB, and BB genotypes as revealed by PCR-RFLP analysis using Dra I, Hae III, and Hinf I REs. Nucleotide sequencing of the amplified fragment of TLR-4 gene of Murrah buffalo was done. Twelve SNPs were identified. Six SNPs were nonsynonymous resulting in change in amino acids. Murrah is an indigenous Buffalo breed and the presence of the nonsynonymous SNP is indicative of its unique genomic architecture. Sequence alignment and homology across species using BLAST analysis revealed 97%, 97%, 99%, 98%, and 80% sequence homology with Bos taurus, Bos indicus, Ovis aries, Capra hircus, and Homo sapiens, respectively.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Krisanaprakornkit Suttichai , Iamaroon Anak
Published: March 2012

Oral cancer is one of the drastic human cancers due to its aggressiveness and high mortality rate. Of all oral cancers, squamous cell carcinoma is the most common accounting for more than 90%. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is suggested to play an important role during cancer invasion and metastasis. Recently, emerging knowledge on EMT in carcinogenesis is explosive, tempting us to analyze previous studies on EMT in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this paper, we have first addressed the general molecular mechanisms of EMT, evidenced by alterations of cell morphology during EMT, the presence of cadherin switching, turning on and turning off of many specific genes, the activation of various signaling pathways, and so on. The remaining part of this paper will focus on recent findings of the investigations of EMT on OSCC. These include the evidence of EMT taking place in OSCC and the signaling pathways employed by OSCC cells during their invasion and metastasis. Collectively, with the large body of new knowledge on EMT in OSCC elaborated here, we are hopeful that targeting treatment for OSCC will be developed.
Series de vegetación, números de curva y disponibilidades hídricas. Aplicación a la restauración forestal en zonas secas
Authors: Mongil J. , Martin L. , Navarro J. , Martinez de Azagra A.
Published: March 2012

Las series de vegetación que determinan la sucesión de los ecosistemas llevan asociadas series paralelas de números de curva, de umbrales de escorrentía y de disponibilidades hídricas. Las etapas de vegetación más avanzadas de la serie suelen ir asociadas a mejores condiciones hidrológicas y edafológicas, de tal manera que los números de curva van disminuyendo, los umbrales de escorrentía tienden a aumentar y, por consiguiente, las disponibilidades de agua en el ecosistema se ven favorecidas. En este trabajo se analizan estos postulados con estudios de campo y mediante el modelo hidrológico MODIPÉ. Para ello se ha elegido una serie de vegetación (en concreto, la serie Guadarrámico- Ibérica (supra-meso) silicícola de la encina), se han localizado lugares de vegetación correspondiente a las etapas de la serie (7 puntos de muestreo), y se han elaborado las series de los números de curva y de las disponibilidades hídricas, utilizando el mencionado modelo. Todo ello con el objetivo de aplicar estas consideraciones a la planificación hidrológica y la restauración forestal de terrenos de zonas áridas y semiáridas, donde las crecidas junto con la escasez de agua, controlan el desarrollo urbano, el funcionamiento de los ecosistemas así como su restauración.
Turn a Kind Eye—Offering Positive Reframing
Authors: Menzin Eleanor R.
Published: June 2024

This essay describes the importance of physicians using positive reframing with patients.
Decisions to Practice in Rural Areas Among Mental Health Care Professionals
Authors: Henning-Smith Carrie , Fritsma Teri , Olson Andrew P.J. , Woldegerima Selam , MacDougall Hannah
Published: June 2024

This survey study assesses factors associated with mental health care professionals choosing to practice in rural locations.
Clinical Care Adjustments Based on Socioeconomic Adversity
Authors: Tyris Jordan , Gottlieb Laura M.
Published: June 2024

This Viewpoint discusses methods for addressing socioeconomic challenges to receiving equitable care that children face.
Interferon regulatory factor 4 modulates epigenetic silencing and cancer‐critical pathways in melanoma cells
Authors: Sobhiafshar Ulduz , Çakici Betül , Yilmaz Erdem , Yildiz Ayhan Nalan , Hedaya Laila , Ayhan Mustafa Can , Yerinde Cansu , Alankuş Yasemin Begüm , Gürkaşlar H. Kübra , Firat‐Karalar Elif Nur , Emre N. C. Tolga
Published: June 2024

Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) was initially identified as a key controller in lymphocyte differentiation and function, and subsequently as a dependency factor and therapy target in lymphocyte‐derived cancers. In melanocytes, IRF4 takes part in pigmentation. Although genetic studies have implicated IRF4 in melanoma, how IRF4 functions in melanoma cells has remained largely elusive. Here, we confirmed prevalent IRF4 expression in melanoma and showed that high expression is linked to dependency in cells and mortality in patients. Analysis of genes activated by IRF4 uncovered, as a novel target category, epigenetic silencing factors involved in DNA methylation (DNMT1, DNMT3B, UHRF1) and histone H3K27 methylation (EZH2). Consequently, we show that IRF4 controls the expression of tumour suppressor genes known to be silenced by these epigenetic modifications, for instance cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors CDKN1A and CDKN1B, the PI3–AKT pathway regulator PTEN, and primary cilium components. Furthermore, IRF4 modulates activity of key downstream oncogenic pathways, such as WNT/β‐catenin and AKT, impacting cell proliferation and survival. Accordingly, IRF4 modifies the effectiveness of pertinent epigenetic drugs on melanoma cells, a finding that encourages further studies towards therapeutic targeting of IRF4 in melanoma.
Beekeeping improves shea pollination and fruit set in West African agroforestry parklands
Authors: Nasare Latif Iddrisu , Stout Jane C. , Kwapong Peter Kofi
Published: June 2024

Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn) is a fruit tree of domestic and industrial importance in arid and semi‐arid regions of Sub‐Saharan Africa. Fruit set is largely dependent on insect pollination but recent studies have revealed a pollen deficit. The introduction of managed bees into orchards is an effective approach for enhanced pollination services in temperate climates. However, there is limited information to guide the adoption of this practice in agroforestry parklands.

This study investigated the effect of managed honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) on fruit yield of shea in six parklands across three regions of Ghana.

Tree proximity to the apiary had a detectable effect on fruit set within a 500 m range of the apiary. Proximity of shea trees to apiary was significantly related to number of immature fruit set but not number of mature fruits. Fruit weight and size were not significantly related to distance from apiary or pollination treatment.

This implies that the introduction of beekeeping has the potential to address shea pollination deficit at least within a 500 m range of the apiary. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal hive density per acreage of shea parkland to maximise pollination services.
Restoring landscape burning is compatible with conservation and livestock production in a southeast Australian grassland fragment
Authors: French Ben J. , Prior Lynda D. , Johnson Christopher N. , Leonard Steven W. J. , Bowman David M. J. S.
Published: June 2024

Lowland grassland fragments in southeast Australia are valued for both sheep grazing and conservation. Many fragments are now rarely burnt, despite being shaped by millennia of Aboriginal fire‐use. Restoring fire could potentially reduce fuels, control exotic plant species, promote native species and renew Aboriginal cultural burning. However, this requires understanding of how fire and large herbivores, both native and exotic, are coupled and influence vegetation.

We implemented a single round of low‐intensity experimental burns in an area of remnant grassland and patchy eucalypt woodlands in Tasmania that is managed for conservation, albeit intermittently grazed by sheep, as well as by native and exotic wild herbivores. We compared herbivore activity between burnt and unburnt areas over 2 years using cameras and scat transects, and assessed how fire and herbivory influenced herbaceous biomass and the cover of broad vegetation classes with and without herbivore exclusion.

Contrary to expectations, burnt areas did not disproportionately attract the main herbivores: domestic sheep, introduced deer and native wallabies. In the predominant grassy sward, grazing and fire both reduced herbaceous biomass but we found no support for our hypothesis that grazing reduces biomass more strongly after burning. This contrasts with isolated patches of Poa tussock grassland, where fire reduced biomass much more strongly than grazing, and grazing effects on biomass were more pronounced following burning. The cover of broad vegetation classes was little affected by burning, but excluding herbivores increased exotic grass cover in both burnt and unburnt plots.

Practical implication. In degraded fragments of lowland native grassland, burning and grazing do not necessarily act as strongly synergistic disturbances. Grazing by sheep and wild herbivores can help to control exotic grasses and reduce herbaceous biomass, although burning is much more effective than grazing for reducing biomass of unpalatable Poa tussock grassland. Our results suggest that returning occasional low‐intensity fires to our study system, and other degraded grassland‐woodland fragments, can be compatible with livestock production and conservation goals, but this requires caution and adaptive management.
Characterizing mortality in patients with AQP4‐Ab+ neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Francis Anna , Gibbons Emily , Yu Jeffrey , Johnston Karissa , Rochon Hannah , Powell Lauren , Leite Maria Isabel , Huda Saif , Kielhorn Adrian , Palace Jacqueline
Published: June 2024

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is an autoimmune disease, causing severe disability due to relapses, but recent mortality data are limited. Among 396 patients seropositive for anti‐aquaporin‐4 antibody from 2014 to 2020 in the United Kingdom, 39 deaths occurred: 19 (48.7%) were unrelated to disease; 14 (35.9%) were severe disability‐ or relapse‐related; and 4 (10.3%) were attributed to malignancy/infection. Mean annual mortality was 1.92% versus 0.63% in the matched population. The standardized mortality ratio was 3.04 (95% confidence interval 1.67–5.30) with 1.29% excess mortality per year in patients. Median Expanded Disability Status Scale before death was 7.0. Results highlight the importance of preventing relapses that drive disability.
Manipulation of Cooper‐Pair Tunneling via Domain Structure in a van der Waals Ferromagnetic Josephson Junction
Authors: Huang Junwei , Li Zeya , Bi Xiangyu , Tang Ming , Qiu Caiyu , Qin Feng , Yuan Hongtao
Published: June 2024

Ferromagnetic Josephson junctions play a key role in understanding the interplay between superconductivity and ferromagnetism in condensed matter physics. The magnetic domain structures of the ferromagnet in such junctions can significantly affect the tunneling of the superconducting Cooper pairs due to the strong interactions between Cooper pairs and local magnetic moments in the ferromagnetic tunnel barrier. However, the underlying microscopic mechanism of relevant quasiparticle tunneling processes with magnetic domain structures remains largely unexplored. Here, the manipulation of Cooper‐pair tunneling in the NbSe2/Cr2Ge2Te6/NbSe2 ferromagnetic Josephson junction is demonstrated by using a multidomain ferromagnetic barrier with anisotropic magnetic moments. The evolution of up‐, down‐magnetized domain and Bloch domain structures in Cr2Ge2Te6 barrier under external magnetic fields leads to the enhancement of the critical tunneling supercurrent and an unconventional dual‐peak feature with two local maxima in the field‐dependent critical current curve. The phenomenon of magnetic‐field‐modulated critical tunneling supercurrent can be well explained by the competition between the coherence length of tunneling Cooper pairs and the size of magnetic domain walls in Cr2Ge2Te6 barrier. This kind of ferromagnetic Josephson junction provides an intriguing material system for manipulating Cooper‐pair tunneling by tuning the local magnetic moments within magnetic Josephson junction devices.
Humidity‐Responsive Liquid Metal Core–Shell Materials for Enduring Heat Retention and Insulation
Authors: Chen Xuanhan , Sun Mingyuan , Cao Lu , Rong Huarui , Lin Hao , Chen Yue , Zhang Mingkui , Zhang Ling , Xiao Bing , Li Weihua , Fang Jian , Sun Lining , Zhang Shiwu , Tang Shi‐Yang , Li Xiangpeng
Published: June 2024

High humidity in extremely cold weather can undermine the insulation capability of the clothing, imposing serious life risks. Current clothing insulation technologies have inherent deficiencies in terms of insulation efficiency and humidity adaptability. Here, humidity‐stimulated self‐heating clothing using aluminum core–liquid metal shell microparticles (Al@LM‐MPs) as the filler is reported. Al@LM‐MPs exhibit a distinctive capability to react to water molecules in the air to generate heat, exhibiting remarkable sensitivity across a broad temperature range. This ability leads to the creation of intelligent clothing capable of autonomously responding to extreme cold and wet weather conditions, providing both enduring heat retention and insulation capabilities.
Lateral Confinement in 2D Nanoplatelets: A Strategy to Expand the Colloidal Quantum Engineering Toolbox
Authors: Curti Leonardo , Dabard Corentin , Makké Lina , Fu Ningyuan , Lehouelleur Henri , Hua Muchuan , Bossavit Erwan , Cavallo Mariarosa , Xu Xiang Zhen , Pierucci Debora , Silly Mathieu G. , Guzelturk Burak , Lhuillier Emmanuel , Climente Juan I. , Diroll Benjamin T. , Ithurria Sandrine
Published: June 2024

Among colloidal nanocrystals, 2D nanoplatelets offer a unique set of properties with exceptionally narrow luminescence and low lasing thresholds. Furthermore, their anisotropic shape expands the playground for the complex design of heterostructures where spectra but also scattering rates can be engineered. A challenge that still remains is to combine shell growth which makes NPLs stable, with spectral tunability. Indeed, most reported shelled nanoplatelets end up being red emitters due to a loss of quantum confinement. Here, the combination of both lateral and in‐plane confinements within a single heterostructure is explored. A CdS/CdSe/CdS/CdZnS core–crown–crown shell structure that enables yellow emission is grown and that is responsive to a large range of excitation including visible photons, X‐ray photons, electron beams, and electrical excitations. k.p simulations predict that emission tunability of up to several 100 s of meV can be obtained in ideal structures. This material also displays stimulated emission resulting from bi‐exciton emission with a low threshold. Once integrated into an LED stack, this material is compatible with sub‐bandgap excitation and exhibits high luminance. Scaling of the electroluminescence properties by downsizing the pixel size is also investigated.
Photoinduced Multimodal Motions and Reversible Fluorescence Switching in an Elasto‐Plastic Crystal
Authors: Zhu Jiaxuan , Wu Wenbo , Qi Haoqiang , Yu Hui , Liang Weidong , Wang Ting , Huang Xin , Wang Na , Zhou Lina , Hao Hongxun
Published: June 2024

Multi‐stimuli‐responsive materials have received widespread attention in the field of adaptive materials due to their ability to adapt to changes in the environment. However, fabricating multiple stimuli into a single component crystal still remains challenging. In this study, a polymorphic elasto‐plastic Schiff‐based crystal displaying morphology‐dependent photomechanical motions is designed and investigated. Both Form I and Form II of it exhibit dual plasticity and elasto‐plasticity along different facets, which is attributed to the slidable separating layers. Moreover, Form I retains its elastic bending ability even after being plastically twisted, owing to the well‐maintained strong π–π interactions, whereas Form II can not twist without fractures. In addition, the photomechanical motions of Form I including jumping, twisting to bending are realized by adjusting the crystal morphologies, while Form II is lacking in response to ultraviolet light irradiation. Theoretical calculation analysis reveals that lattice deformation induced by photoisomerization of Form I is the driving forces for crystal motions. Furthermore, reversible luminescence switching behaviors are realized in Form I and Form II upon acid‐base fumigation as well as heating. The synergistic multi‐stimuli‐responsive mode based on heat, acid, and solvent stimuli provides an alternative path for multi‐mode information encryption.
Utilizing Polarization and Multidimensional Spatial Angle‐Resolved Spectroscopy to Reveal the Optical Anisotropy of Few‐Layer Bi2O2Se
Authors: Zhang Xudong , Lou Qi , He Shaodan , Xin Duqiang , Chen Lina , Wu Zipeng , Cheng Zhaofang , Xia Minggang
Published: June 2024

The novel ternary 2D material Bi2O2Se exhibits numerous unique properties in the optical discipline due to its distinctive structure, rendering it of significant research importance and application potential in the domains of new‐generation microelectronics, optoelectronic sensors, and multidimensional optical recognition. However, the optical anisotropy and multidimensional angular resolution of Bi2O2Se have yet to be investigated under the condition of 3D spatial variation of incidence angle. Herein, the spatial optical sensing of the few‐layer Bi2O2Se is investigated under 3D spatially varying incidence conditions using a combination of polarized Raman spectroscopy and multidimensional angle‐resolved spectroscopy. By manipulating the incident angle conditions and adjusting the sample placement angle, a comprehensive optical characterization of materials from diverse spatial orientations is conducted. It is observed that few‐layer Bi2O2Se exhibits a systematically transformed multidimensional spatial photoresponse within visible and near‐infrared wavelengths. This demonstrates the capability of Bi2O2Se as photosensitive semiconductors for 3D stereo optical detection. Furthermore, finite difference time domain simulations reveal that the spatial optical anisotropy of few‐layer Bi2O2Se can be manifested under 3D variable‐angle incidence conditions. The work serves as a crucial guide for the future of Bi2O2Se in anisotropic integrated optics applications, based on polarization‐based chiral recognition.
Surface Engineering on Palladium and Zinc Nanowires for Hydrogen Sensing Working at ≈190–388 K Temperature Range
Authors: Li Zhenxu , Du Lingling , Xing Xiaxia , Zhao Xinhua , Chen Xiaoyu , Huang Xiaohu , Yang Dachi
Published: June 2024

Reliable detection of hydrogen (H2) leakage at low temperatures (e.g., < 273 K) is highly desired in those critical environments that may cause failure in detection, which needs further development. Herein, H2 sensing that can work at ≈190–388 K temperature range has been developed by integrating palladium and zinc nanowires enwrapped with nanosheets (PdZn NWs) as the sensing materials, which have been prepared via combined anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template‐confined electrodeposition and surface engineering. Typically, as‐synthesized PdZn NWs with a diameter of ≈50 nm present rough surfaces, along which abundant pores and fractures have been observed. Beneficially, the PdZn NWs show a lower critical temperature (≈190 K) of the “reverse sensing behavior” than that of pure Pd NWs (287 K), indicating the PdZn NWs are able to work at ≈190–388 K temperature range. Theoretically, such stable H2 sensing can be attributed to the rough surfaces and chemical composition of PdZn NWs, which facilitates H atoms diffusion and accommodates the expansion of PdHx intermediates. The surface engineering of PdZn NWs may contribute to stable H2 sensing at low temperatures, which can be applied to other gas‐sensing materials working at low temperatures.