bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ALDH3A1-mediated detoxification of reactive aldehydes contributes to distinct muscle responses to denervation and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis progression
Authors: Li Ang , Dong Li , Li Xuejun , Yi Jianxun , Ma Jianjie , Zhou Jingsong
Published: December 2024

Different muscles exhibit varied susceptibility to degeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neuromuscular disorder. Extraocular muscles (EOMs) are particularly resistant to ALS progression and exploring the underlying molecular nature may deliver great therapeutic value. Reactive aldehyde 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) is implicated in ALS pathogenesis and ALDH3A1 is an inactivation-resistant intracellular detoxifier of 4-HNE protecting eyes against UV-induced oxidative stress. Here we detected prominently higher levels ofALDH3A1in mouse EOMs than other muscles under normal physiological conditions. In an ALS mouse model (hSOD1G93A) reaching end-stage,ALDH3A1expression was sustained at high level in EOMs, whereas substantial upregulation ofALDH3A1occurred in soleus and diaphragm. The upregulation was less pronounced in extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle, which endured the most severe pathological remodeling as demonstrated by unparalleled upregulation of a denervation markerANKRD1expression. Interestingly, sciatic nerve transection in wildtype mice inducedALDH3A1andANKRD1expression in an inverse manner over muscle type and time. Adeno-associated virus enforced overexpression ofALDH3A1protected myotubes from 4-HNE-induced DNA fragmentation, plasma membrane leakage and restored MG53-mediated membrane repair. Our data indicate thatALDH3A1may contribute to distinct muscle resistance to ALS through detoxifying reactive aldehydes.
KP.2-based monovalent mRNA vaccines robustly boost antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Wang Qian , Mellis Ian A. , Wu Madeline , Bowen Anthony , Gherasim Carmen , Valdez Riccardo , Shah Jayesh G. , Purpura Lawrence J. , Yin Michael T. , Gordon Aubree , Guo Yicheng , Ho David D.
Published: December 2024

In response to the ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were recently updated to encode the spike protein of the KP.2 subvariant of the JN.1 sublineage. However, the immunogenicity of KP.2-based monovalent mRNA vaccines (KP.2 MV) has yet to be fully evaluated and reported, particularly against dominant and growing viral variants KP.3.1.1 and XEC, which bear some distinct mutations from KP.2. Here we report that KP.2 MV boosters elicit robust neutralizing antibody titers in a cohort of 16 healthy adult participants against all tested variants in pseudovirus neutralization assays. The highest post-boost geometric mean titers were against older variants D614G (17,293) and BA.5 (14,358), suggestive of immune imprinting, but the post-boost titers against currently dominant or growing viruses KP.3.1.1 (1,698) and XEC (1,721) were still robust. Fold-changes in titers were highest against recent JN.1 subvariants, including JN.1, KP.2, KP.3, KP.3.1.1, and XEC, (5.8-to-7.8-fold), compared to older variants D614G and BA.5 (1.6- and 2.5-fold), which suggests that KP.2 MV boosters have at least partially mitigated immune imprinting. Overall, these results show that KP.2 MV boosters elicit robust neutralizing antibodies against dominant SARS-CoV-2 viruses.
The sparse driver system forin vivosingle-cell labeling and manipulation inDrosophila
Authors: Xu Chuanyun , Luo Liqun
Published: December 2024

In this protocol, we introduce a sparse driver system for cell-type specific single-cell labeling and manipulation inDrosophila, enabling complete and simultaneous expression of multiple transgenes in the same cells. The system precisely controls expression probability and sparsity via mutantFRTsites with reduced recombination efficiency and tunable FLP levels adjusted by heat-shock durations. We demonstrate that this generalizable toolkit enables tunable sparsity, multi-color staining, single-cell trans-synaptic tracing, single-cell manipulation, andin vivoanalysis of cell-autonomous gene function.

For details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Xu et al. 2024.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Extracellular microbes are required for mosquito development even in the presence ofWolbachia
Authors: Serrato-Salas Javier , Bemplidaki Danai , Roger Ivan , Epelboin Yanouk , Gendrin Mathilde
Published: December 2024

Wolbachiais an endosymbiotic bacterium infecting a wide array of invertebrates that gained attention for its potential to curb the transmission of vector-borne diseases. Its capacity to colonize arthropod populations is generally driven by vertical transmission and reproductive manipulation. In some insect species,Wolbachiaadditionally became an essential nutritional symbiont, providing vitamins to its host. As mosquito larvae require microbe-derived vitamins for development, we studied whether such a support ofWolbachiawould exist in mosquitoes but be masked by the presence of other microbes. We choseCulex quinquefasciatusspecies to address this question, as it is highly colonized withWolbachia. We developed a method to produceCulex quinquefasciatusdevoid of extracellular microbiota and demonstrated thatWolbachiaalone is insufficient to support larval development. Using transient colonization withEscherichia coli, we managed to produce adultCulex quinquefasciatusharboringWolbachiaonly. When curbingWolbachiainfection of theseE. coli-colonized larvae via tetracycline treatment, we obtained a higher larval development. Together, our data indicate thatWolbachiadoes not support development but rather acts here as a metabolic burden, and thatE. coliis sufficient for development success even in a species that grows in “dirty” water. This opens the way towards gnotobiology studies inCulex quinquefasciatusand highlights the complex relationships betweenWolbachiaand its mosquito host.

Author summary

Wolbachiais a bacterium infecting many invertebrates that gained attention for its potential to curb the transmission of vector-borne diseases, such as dengue. In some insect species,Wolbachiaprovides vitamins to its host. As mosquito larvae require microbe-derived vitamins for development, we studied whether such a support ofWolbachiawould exist in mosquitoes but be masked by the presence of other microbes. We choseCulex quinquefasciatusspecies to address this question, as it is highly colonized withWolbachia. We developed a method to produceCulex quinquefasciatusdevoid of extracellular microbiota and demonstrated thatWolbachiaalone is insufficient to support larval development. We transiently colonized these larvae withEscherichia colito rescue larval development and to produce adults harboringWolbachiaonly. When curbingWolbachiainfection of theseE. coli-colonized larvae via tetracycline treatment, we obtained a higher larval development. Together, our data indicate thatWolbachiadoes not support development but rather acts here as a metabolic burden, and thatE. coliis sufficient for development success even in a mosquito species that grows in “dirty” water.
Lysosomal function, resistance to stress and repair are compromised by expression of the Alexander disease GFAP R239C mutant
Authors: Hernández-Gerez Elena , Goya-Iglesias Nuria , Viedma-Poyatos Álvaro , Pajares María A. , Pérez-Sala Dolores
Published: December 2024

Intermediate filaments are critical regulators of cell responses and organizers of cellular structures. GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) is an intermediate filament protein mainly expressed in astrocytes. GFAP mutations are associated with Alexander disease (AxD), a type of leukodystrophy that causes degeneration of astrocytes and ultimately neurodegeneration. AxD astrocytes display protein aggregation, proteostasis defects and altered organelle homeostasis. We previously showed that expression of GFAP AxD mutants in astrocytes provoked mitochondrial alterations and oxidative stress. Here we have used an astrocytoma cell model to explore the impact of GFAP AxD mutants on the lysosomal degradation pathway. Expression of GFAP AxD mutants in this model elicits marked alterations in lysosomal distribution. Cells expressing the GFAP R239C mutant display defective lysosomal activity and intraluminal acidification. Lysosomes are primary sites of oxidative damage. Moreover, expression of GFAP R239C increases susceptibility of lysosomes to oxidative stress, resulting in a greater loss of lysosomal “mass” and compromised membrane integrity, as revealed by increased intraluminal recruitment of galectins, with respect to cells expressing GFAP wt. Notably, lysosomes in GFAP R239C expressing cells are also more vulnerable to chemically-induced rupture. Interestingly, lysosomes of cells expressing GFAP wt are able to rapidly recover after removal of the damaging agent. In sharp contrast, recovery of acidic vesicles is severely impaired in cells expressing GFAP R239C, suggesting a defect in lysosomal repair. Taken together, our results show that expression of the GFAP AxD mutant is sufficient to deeply perturb lysosomal distribution, function and repair. These alterations could contribute to proteostasis defects and cellular toxicity in AxD.
Distribution of contezolid in different tissues of mice and human patients infected withMycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Li Qi , Wang Yujin , Zhu Qingdong , Lin Yanrong , Chu Naihui , Lu Yu , Nie Wenjuan
Published: December 2024

Background

Linezolid (LZD), while effective againstMycobacterium abscessus(MAB), can cause myelosuppression and peripheral neuropathy. Contezolid (CZD) shares a similar antimicrobial profile with improved safety, but biodistribution data remain limited. This study evaluated CZD’s biodistribution in MAB-infected mice and humans and its therapeutic potential across infection sites.

Methods

MICs of CZD and LZD against 32 clinical MAB isolates and three reference strains were determined. In MAB-infected mice, drug concentrations were quantified in plasma and pulmonary and cerebral tissues at 2, 4, and 8 hours post-administration. In MAB-infected patients, CZD concentrations in bone, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid were measured at multiple time points and MAB counts in sputum cultures were assessed daily over 14 days.

Results

Respective MIC50and MIC90values were 8 and 32 µg/mL (LZD) and 16 and 32 µg/mL (CZD). Pharmacokinetic CZD and LZD level comparisons revealed peak CZD plasma levels within 2 hours, higher systemic CZD levels, comparable pulmonary tissue concentrations, and slightly lower CZD cerebral tissue penetration. In patients, CZD levels in ankle joint effusion samples reached 2.0885 µg/mL at 6 hours, peaking in the posterior malleolus. Plasma CZD concentrations peaked at 8.2349 µg/mL at 3 hours and dropped to 6.1065 µg/mL by 6 hours, while CSF levels were 0.9295 and 0.792 µg/mL at 3 and 6 hours, respectively. Sputum bacterial burden decreased rapidly within 24 hours of CZD treatment, with near-complete clearance by day 4.

Conclusion

CZD and LZD exhibit comparable tissue distribution but different site-specific penetration, supporting their potential for treating diverse MAB infections.
Multinucleated giant cells are hallmarks of ovarian aging with unique immune and degradation-associated molecular signatures
Authors: Converse Aubrey , Perry Madeline J. , Dipali Shweta S. , Isola Jose V. V. , Kelly Emmett B. , Varberg Joseph M. , Zelinski Mary B. , Gerton Jennifer L. , Stout Michael B. , Pritchard Michele T. , Duncan Francesca E.
Published: December 2024

The ovary is one of the first organs to exhibit signs of aging, characterized by reduced tissue function, chronic inflammation, and fibrosis. Multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs), formed by macrophage fusion, typically occur in chronic immune pathologies, including infectious and non-infectious granulomas and the foreign body response1, but are also observed in the aging ovary2–4. The function and consequence of ovarian MNGCs remain unknown as their biological activity is highly context-dependent, and their large size has limited their isolation and analysis through technologies such as single-cell RNA sequencing. In this study, we define ovarian MNGCs through a deep analysis of their presence across age and species using advanced imaging technologies as well as their unique transcriptome using laser capture microdissection. MNGCs form complex interconnected networks that increase with age in both mouse and nonhuman primate ovaries. MNGCs are characterized by highGpnmbexpression, a putative marker of ovarian and non-ovarian MNGCs5,6. Pathway analysis highlighted functions in apoptotic cell clearance, lipid metabolism, proteolysis, immune processes, and increased oxidative phosphorylation and antioxidant activity. Thus, MNGCs have signatures related to degradative processes, immune function, and high metabolic activity. These processes were enriched in MNGCs compared to primary ovarian macrophages, suggesting discrete functionality. MNGCs express CD4 and colocalize with T-cells, which were enriched in regions of MNGCs, indicative of a close interaction between these immune cell types. These findings implicate MNGCs in modulation of the ovarian immune landscape during aging given their high penetrance and unique molecular signature that supports degradative and immune functions.
Hydrahas mammal-like mutation rates facilitating fast adaptation despite its nonaging phenotype
Authors: Sahm Arne , Riege Konstantin , Groth Marco , Bens Martin , Kraus Johann , Fischer Martin , Kestler Hans , Englert Christoph , Schaible Ralf , Platzer Matthias , Hoffmann Steve
Published: December 2024

Growing evidence suggests that somatic mutations may be a major cause of the aging process. However, it remains to be tested whether the predictions of the theory also apply to species with longer life spans than humans.Hydrais a genus of freshwater polyps with remarkable regeneration abilities and a potentially unlimited life span under laboratory conditions. By genome sequencing of single cells and whole animals, we found that the mutation rates inHydra’s stem cells are even slightly higher than in humans or mice. A potential explanation for this deviation from the prediction of the theory may lie in the adaptability offered by a higher mutation rate, as we were able to show that the genome of the widely studiedHydra magnipapillata strain 105 has undergone a process of strong positive selection since the strain's cultivation 50 years ago. This most likely represents a rapid adaptation to the drastically altered environmental conditions associated with the transition from the wild to laboratory conditions. Processes under positive selection in captive animals include pathways associated withHydra’s simple nervous system, its nucleic acid metabolic process, cell migration, and hydrolase activity.
3d
oxide molecules to tailor large magnetic anisotropy energies on MgO films
Authors: Shehada Sufyan , dos Santos Dias Manuel , Abusaa Muayad , Lounis Samir
Published: December 2024

Designing systems with large magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) is desirable and critical for nanoscale magnetic devices. A recent breakthrough achieved the theoretical limit of the MAE for 3d transition metal atoms by placing a single Co atom on a MgO(100) surface, a result not replicated by standard first-principles simulations. Our paper, incorporating Hubbard-U correction and spin-orbit coupling, successfully reproduces and explains the high MAE of a Co adatom on a MgO (001) surface. We go further by exploring ways to enhance MAE in 3d transition metal adatoms through different structural geometries of 3d−O molecules on MgO. One promising structure, with molecules perpendicular to the surface, enhances MAE while reducing substrate interaction, minimizing spin fluctuations, and boosting magnetic stability. Additionally, we demonstrate significant control over MAE by precisely placing 3d−O molecules on the substrate at the atomic level.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Polaron formation in insulators and the key role of hole scattering processes in band insulators, charge density waves, and Mott transitions
Authors: Amelio Ivan , Mazza Giacomo , Goldman Nathan
Published: December 2024

A mobile impurity immersed in a noninteracting Fermi sea is dressed by the gapless particle-hole excitations of the fermionic medium. This conventional Fermi-polaron setting is well described by the so-called ladder approximation, which consists of neglecting impurity-hole scattering processes. In this work, we analyze polaron formation in the context of insulating states of matter, considering increasing levels of correlation in the medium: band insulators originating from external periodic potentials, spontaneously formed charge density waves, and a Fermi-Hubbard system undergoing a metal-Mott insulator transition. The polaron spectral function is shown to exhibit striking signatures of the underlying fermionic background, such as the single-particle band gap, particle-hole symmetry and the transition to the Mott state. These signatures are identified within the framework of the Chevy ansatz, i.e., upon restricting the Hilbert space to single particle-hole excitations. Interestingly, we find that the ladder approximation is inaccurate in these band systems, due to the fact that the particle and hole scattering phase spaces are comparable. Our results provide a step forward in the understanding of polaron formation in correlated many-body media, which are relevant to both cold-atom and semiconductor experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Topological string as massive spinning particle in three dimensions
Authors: Karataeva I. Yu. , Lyakhovich S. L. , Retuntsev I. A.
Published: December 2024

A model is proposed for a classical bosonic string in d=3 Minkowski space with an action functional that includes Gauss and mean world-sheet curvature. The Lagrangian is invariant under 3d Poincaré transformations modulo total divergence. In addition to the diffeomorphism, the action enjoys the extra gauge symmetry with the second derivatives of the scalar gauge parameter. This symmetry gauges out all the local degrees of freedom (d.o.f.), while some global d.o.f. survive. The Hamiltonian constrained analysis confirms that the model does not have any local d.o.f.. The world sheet of the string turns out to be a cylinder with timelike axis. The global d.o.f. of this string describe one single irreducible massive 3d particle with spin. The particle momentum is a conserved vector directed along the cylinder axis while the momentum square is a fixed constant determined by the parameters in the action. The total angular momentum is a conserved vector that defines the position of the axis of the cylinder whose specific value is defined by initial data, while the spin, being the product of momentum and angular momentum is fixed by the parameters in the string Lagrangian.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Measurement of the Spin Polarization of a Slow Positron Beam Using Circularly Polarized Microwave Radiation
Authors: Newson D. M. , Cassidy D. B.
Published: December 2024

We have measured the spin polarization of a slow positron beam via state-selective depopulation of 2S13 positronium atoms, generated by passing the beam through a gas cell. Our method employs circularly polarized microwave radiation to drive 2S13→2P13 transitions, for which either ΔmJ=+1 or ΔmJ=−1, and relies on the fact that asymmetries between the two cases yield the underlying positron beam polarization. Using this technique we show that the polarization of a positron beam derived from a solid neon moderator may be increased from 30% to 90% by increasing the moderator thickness, with an associated reduction in beam intensity of 60%.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Empirical insights into the effects of research-based teaching strategies in quantum education
Authors: Donhauser Anna , Bitzenbauer Philipp , Qerimi Linda , Heusler Stefan , Küchemann Stefan , Kuhn Jochen , Ubben Malte S.
Published: December 2024

The present review intends to show the current state of teaching quantum-related content, to analyze and compare its learning efficiency, and to give a systemized overview of quantum-educational activities in the last years. We focus on teaching and learning elements, their innovative tools, and process-oriented studies that are empirically validated. In terms of content, we mainly concentrate on aspects of modern quantum technology. The final dataset for our analysis and synthesis included 50 studies published since 2017 and until the follow-up survey in February 2024. We have found that most of the teaching strategies described and investigated are in the field of quantum mechanics and are designed to provide an introduction to the rather broad and differentiated topic of quantum science. Studies specifically addressing mathematical concepts can exclusively be found for the target group of university students. Visualizing ideas or innovative social interventions to improve quantum learning is mainly found in schools while only a few approaches for further education show validated results. Tools most often examined in the studies reported were of digital nature, though some experiment-focused learning environments were also evaluated.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
All the lonely people, where do they all come from: age moderating the mediation effect of loneliness among Portuguese students
Authors: Kulari Genta
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The present study aimed to examine the mediation role of loneliness in the relationship between perceived social support and depressive symptoms among university students in Portugal. The study also investigated the moderation role of age on the mediation model.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data sample consisted of 755 participants (aged 18–55 years) attending university in Lisbon, Portugal, from February through May 2023. Participants completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale. The SPSS Program with PROCESS macro (Model 4 and Model 8) was used to test the hypotheses regarding the mediation and the moderated mediation effects.

Findings

The bootstrap result for indirect effect loneliness (β = −0.083, p < 0.0001) was significant, indicating that loneliness mediated the relationship between perceived social support and depressive symptoms. Moreover, the interaction term (perceived social support x age) had a significant positive effect on the direct negative association between perceived social support and depressive symptoms (B = 0.0312; p < 0.05), showing that age moderated the direct relationship between the aforementioned variables. Importantly, the results showed that age moderated the indirect association (via loneliness) between perceived social support and depressive symptoms.

Originality/value

This research advances our understanding of loneliness among university students of different age ranges while providing empirical data on the effect of loneliness in the relation of social support and depressive symptoms. Moreover, the study delves on possible strategies to combat the expression of loneliness and further depressive symptoms.
Study on the dynamic characteristics of double row self-aligning roller bearings with surface faults
Authors: Yang Huiming , Yang Xia , Huang Yuqi
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study is to establish the nonlinear dynamics equations of roller bearings with surface faults on outer raceway, inner raceway and rolling elements to analyze the dynamic characteristics of the double row self-aligning roller bearings, and provided theoretical basis for bearing fault diagnosis and life prediction.

Design/methodology/approach

First, based on the momentum theorem, the formulas for quantitative calculation of impact load were established, when roller was in contact with the fault of the inner or outer raceway. Then, the fault position piecewise functions and the load-carrying zone piecewise functions were established. Based on these, the nonlinear dynamic equations of double row self-aligning roller bearings are established, and Matlab is used to simulate the faulty bearings at different positions, sizes and rotational speeds. Finally, the vibration test of the fault bearings are completed, and the correctness of the nonlinear dynamic equations of the rolling bearing are verified.

Findings

The simulation and test results show that: the impact load increased with the increasing rotate speed and fault size, and the larger the fault size, the longer the impact load existed and the shorter vice versa.

Originality/value

The nonlinear dynamic equation of double row self-aligning roller bearings is established, which provides a theoretical basis for bearing faults diagnosis and fatigue life prediction.
Cancellation of the ZEDE law in Honduras and international investment law issues
Authors: Sharmin Tanjina
Published: December 2024

Purpose

In 2013, Honduras Congress passed the Zones for Employment and Economic Development (ZEDE) Organic Law, along with some constitutional changes, to create ZEDEs, which are essentially special economic zones with some unique features. Prospera Honduras Inc., a company with substantial United States investment, invested in Honduras relying on the ZEDE Organic Law and the Free Trade Agreement between Central America, the Dominican Republic and the United States of America (CAFTA-DR). In 2022, Honduras cancelled the ZEDE Organic Law, allegedly harming Prospera Honduras Inc.’s investments. Prospera and some other foreign investors have initiated an investor-state arbitration against Honduras for several alleged breaches of CAFTA-DR provisions. Honduras has remained silent and decided not to participate in the arbitration. This paper aims to examine whether the cancellation of the ZEDE Organic Law gives rise to international investment law obligations under the CAFTA-DR.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a doctrinal research and contains qualitative analysis.

Findings

The article concludes that CAFTA-DR preserves some regulatory space for host states; therefore, it would be wrong to assume that the arbitral decision in Prospera Inc. and others v. Honduras will favour only the foreign investors. This article also argues that, drawing insights from this dispute, future International Investment Agreements should better preserve Indigenous people’s rights. Moreover, the host states should reconsider whether they intend International Investment Agreements (IIAs) to apply to special economic zones in future.

Originality/value

There is no existing scholarly work examining the international investment law issues relating to the cancellation of ZEDEs in Honduras. Therefore, the findings of this article will be novel.
A typology of born global firms’ attributes and future directions
Authors: Khan Huda , Cavusgil S. Tamer
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The phenomenon for born global firms (BGFs) has become mainstream, which is observed across many industries and countries. This study aims to distill extant literature regarding BGFs to uncover critical attributes shared by BGFs. It applies a frame-based approach, a relatively under-applied methodology in the international business (IB) literature, to develop a multi-dimensional typology of BGFs’ attributes.

Design/methodology/approach

A frame-based methodology was used to uncover and classify the dimensions of BGFs’ attributes that emanate from the literature.

Findings

With BGFs as the superordinate phenomenon or concept, a typology of five subordinate dimensions emerged, namely, defining characteristics, orientations, capabilities, resources; strategies/actions.

Originality/value

This paper offers three important contributions. First, it provides a clear delineation of attributes associated with BGFs to provide a holistic perspective of the born global phenomenon. Second, it demonstrates a relatively under-applied frame-based methodology to analyze the BGFs’ attributes and presents conceptual clarity based on the literature review. Third, this paper identifies critical areas and recommends important guidelines for future scholarly developments in the born global literature.
Followership role orientations in clothing factories: a lower-level managers’ perspective
Authors: Kotsev Emil
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to explore three dimensions (initiative, conformity and distance) of followership role orientation among lower-level managers in apparel factories, and second, to examine to what extent these orientations are influenced by the position held and the tasks performed.

Design/methodology/approach

Pragmatism is selected as the research philosophy and a quantitative research design is adopted. Empirical data is obtained through a combination of exploratory and descriptive research strategies. The research was conducted in eight Bulgarian enterprises, and 219 managers took part in it.

Findings

Lower-level managers in clothing factories indicate low-to-moderate initiative orientation, moderate-to-high conformity orientation and low-to-moderate distance orientation. It is found that the position held and tasks performed influence the followership role orientations of lower-level managers. The influence is most significant regarding the conformity orientation – foremen and storekeepers show moderate-to-high conformity, QC supervisors are neutral and technologists express low-to-moderate conformity.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to study the followership role orientations of lower-level managers in apparel manufacturers. A unique combination of dimensions is used to measure follower orientations and a new assessment tool is described and validated. Thus, the study fills a significant gap in followership theory and enriches the practical toolkit for managing employee relations in clothing factories.
Spectrophotometric and calculative determination methods of textile color-difference threshold considering the observing condition
Authors: Chae Youngjoo
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the varying color-difference thresholds for textiles under various illuminants.

Design/methodology/approach

To determine color-difference thresholds, 108 fabric samples with widely ranging colors were spectrophotometrically measured and visually assessed under four illumination conditions (correlated color temperatures of 2,856 K and 6,504 K; illuminances of 100 lx and 2,000 lx).

Findings

The mean spectrophotometric color-difference threshold (solely based on the textile’s physical color attributes in machine vision) was 4.22 ΔE*ab; thus, a mechanically measured color difference between two textiles (regardless of illuminant) of less than 4.22 ΔE*ab indicated individuals’ inability to differentiate between two textiles. The calculated color-difference thresholds, which reflected the color differences perceived by people considering textiles’ physical color attributes and the environmental factors in which they were observed, were higher than the spectrophotometric thresholds. This meant that under various illuminants, people had greater difficulty perceiving color differences than mechanically measured spectrophotometric thresholds. Particularly, larger discrepancies between the two threshold types occurred under reddish illuminants of 2,856 K than under bluish-white illuminants of 6,504 K. Furthermore, the extent to which people perceived color differences as distinct from actual differences under illumination was larger for greenish-blue textiles than for textiles of other hues.

Originality/value

The determined spectrophotometric and calculative color-difference thresholds for textiles can help fashion companies predict consumers’ perceptions of the colors of their textile products under various illuminants and, accordingly, appropriately plan colors of products and create standards for color quality control.
The SROI puzzle: exploring barriers and strategies for effective social value measurement
Authors: Giorbelidze Maya
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The study aims to explore the complexities and challenges of measuring social impact, with a particular emphasis on the practical application of the social return on investment (SROI) methodology. By investigating social enterprises in Georgia, the study seeks to understand how social value is quantified and the implications of such measurements for policy and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a mixed-methods approach, centered on the SROI methodology, to measure the social impact of 11 social enterprises in the Republic of Georgia. It incorporates qualitative interviews and quantitative financial analysis, engaging stakeholders from enterprises, beneficiaries and local authorities. The methodology adapts SROI to the Georgian context, addressing challenges such as data scarcity and cultural sensitivity.

Findings

Findings reveal significant challenges in social impact measurement, including the complexity of quantifying diverse impacts, lack of standardized methodologies and resource constraints. The application of SROI in Georgia demonstrates its flexibility and the critical role of stakeholder engagement, yet underscores the need for context-specific adaptations and rigorous data collection.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited by its geographic focus on Georgia, which may affect the generalizability of findings. In addition, the reliance on stakeholder-reported data introduces potential biases. These limitations highlight the necessity for broader, cross-cultural studies and methodological advancements in social impact measurement.

Practical implications

The study offers practical insights for organizations implementing SROI, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement, cultural sensitivity and adapting methodologies to local contexts. It suggests strategies for overcoming data limitations and enhancing the credibility of social impact assessments.

Social implications

The research underscores the transformative potential of social enterprises in addressing societal challenges. By quantifying social impact, organizations can better articulate their contributions to societal well-being, informing policy decisions and fostering a culture that values social over mere economic returns.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on social impact measurement by detailing the application of SROI in a novel context – Georgia. It addresses a significant gap in understanding how social impact can be measured in transitional economies and offers valuable insights into the methodological and practical challenges involved.
Isolation and characterization of a novel methanogen Methanosarcina hadiensis sp. nov. from subsurface Boom Clay pore water
Authors: Giménez Francisco Javier , Peeters Eveline , Honty Miroslav , Leys Natalie , Mijnendonckx Kristel
Published: December 2024

Safe geological disposal of radioactive waste requires a thorough understanding of geochemical conditions in the host formation. Boom Clay is a potential candidate in Belgium, where active methanogenesis has been detected in its deep subsurface, influencing the local geochemistry. However, the pathways driving this process and the characteristics of the methanogenic archaea involved remain unclear. We isolated a distinct archaeal strain from Boom Clay pore water and characterized it geno‐ and phenotypically. Isolate TD41E1‐1 belongs to a novel species of the Methanosarcina genus, for which the name Methanosarcina hadiensis sp. nov. is proposed. TD41E1‐1 cells are coccus‐shaped, irregularly sized cells enveloped by extracellular polymer substances. Growth and substrate utilization experiments and genomic analysis demonstrated that the strain prefers methylated compounds or hydrogen as substrates for methane production. Although it possesses a complete acetoclastic pathway, no growth was observed in the presence of acetate in the tested conditions. Based on its phylogenetic relation to other known Methanosarcina species and on the presence of c‐type cytochromes, it can be concluded that the strain likely occupies an intermediate position between type I and type II Methanosarcina species. These findings provide valuable insights for assessing Boom Clay's suitability for geological disposal of radioactive waste.
Examining the Inclusion of Trust and Trust‐Building Principles in European Union, Italian, French, and Swiss Health Data Sharing Legislations: A Framework Analysis
Authors: ZAVATTARO FEDERICA , von WYL VIKTOR , GILLE FELIX
Published: December 2024

Policy Points

First, policymakers can strengthen the inherent trust‐building effect of legislations on citizens by incorporating trust‐building principles within health data‐sharing legislations in a recognizable and comprehensive manner to explicitly signal public trust to policy implementers as one of the policy outcomes to be achieved in the implementation phase.

Second, policymakers can use the proposed “public trust in health data sharing” framework as an initial guide to incorporate trust‐building principles within health data‐sharing legislations.

Context

Public trust is critical to both system legitimacy and the successful implementation of data‐driven health initiatives. Legislations are an essential instrument for building public trust, as they can have a dual effect on trust: a passive effect by reinforcing the public perception of an active regulatory system that upholds the rule of law and an active effect as a tool for policymakers to signal trust‐building actions to be undertaken during the implementation phase. However, there is limited evidence on the extent to which health data‐sharing legislations contain references to trust and trust‐building principles for their practical implementation.

Methods

By applying an evidence‐based “public trust in health data sharing” framework, 36 legislations from the European Union (EU), Italy, France, and Switzerland on health data sharing were analyzed to assess 1) how the term “trust” is embedded in legislations, and 2) the presence and quality of trust‐building principles within the selected legislations.

Findings

Nine legislations incorporated references to “trust,” mainly within the explanatory memorandum and preambles of EU legislations. The most prevalent trust‐building principles were “agencies of accountability” (72%) and data “security” (70%). In contrast, the principles “public information” (14%) and “time” (6%) were the least presented. Moreover, the qualitative analysis showed that the majority of the trust‐building principles were implicit in the legal text, with Swiss legislations having the highest number of explicit references.

Conclusions

The limited and implicit use of “trust” and trust‐building principles in EU, Italian, French, and Swiss legislation emphasizes the opportunity to raise policymakers’ awareness of these principles. The proposed framework provides an initial guide for policymakers to incorporate trust‐building principles within health data‐sharing legislations in a recognizable and comprehensive manner. This ensures that policy implementers at various stages of the policy process can implement trust‐building actions, contributing to public trust building in both European and national health data‐sharing initiatives.
Institutionalising Interpersonal Ideas in Law
Authors: Lacey Nicola
Published: December 2024

How can we best deploy law so as to have positive effects in the social world? This question is at the heart of legal scholarship. In this lecture, I revisit a familiar and widely researched aspect of contemporary legal reality – expanding and increasingly complex regulatory frameworks in criminal law and abutting areas of governance – to ask how we might best pursue the project of constraining, rationalising or even reversing these developments to improve their social impact. I suggest that the research evidence points towards giving greater attention to the language framing legal or other regulatory standards, and argue that we should pay attention to the coordinating and communicative potential of legal institutionalisations of ideas which find their primary reference point in extra‐legal discourse. Such concepts have played a key role in the common law, and occupy a central position in legal philosophy, yet until recently their practical importance in shaping legal governance has been eclipsed by concern with the institutional frameworks and vectors of interest within which legal regimes co‐evolve. I argue that scholarship on the development of law amid the interplay of interests and institutional frameworks itself suggests that ideas should hold a key place in the legal imagination.
Internal Crisis Communication in Hospitals the Choice of Communication Channels and Its Impact on Effectiveness
Authors: Winzer Hendrik , Stevik Tor K. , Scholderer Joachim
Published: December 2024

The COVID‐19 pandemic has highlighted the need for effective internal crisis communication (ICC) in hospitals. However, only little is known about how the choice of communication channels influences the effectiveness of ICC. Our case study offers novel insights into this relationship. We performed an in‐depth analysis of ICC during the COVID‐19 pandemic at a Norwegian tertiary public hospital. We conducted 22 in‐depth interviews with stakeholders from various hierarchical levels who actively participated in ICC. We mapped the relationships of the actors involved in ICC and performed a social network analysis. The emergency reorganization of the hospital made ICC processes more complex compared to the ordinary line structure of communication, and on lower hierarchical levels several redundant (and not necessarily officially approved) communication channels were used. Moreover, we found that the effectiveness of ICC was reduced by communication channels with speed and bandwidth limits. In contrast, communication channels with a high capability to transmit contextualized information improved the effectiveness of ICC. Since our case hospital shares common characteristics with many other tertiary public hospitals, including fragmentation of responsibilities during crisis response, we use our results as a basis for recommending appropriate communication channels and avoiding a decoupling of ICC between hierarchical levels and professions.
Case Report: Acute Additive Polyarthritis as a Presentation of Type 2 Lepromatous Reaction: The Role of Differential Diagnosis
Authors: Pérez Mingan Gloria Caterine , Llamas Castellanos Bruny Carolina , Álvarez Lora Esaú del Cristo , Palomino Vergara María Judith , Camacho Chaljub Francisco
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Type 2 lepromatous reaction is a severe complication triggered by proinflammatory cytokines, it affects patients with lepromatous leprosy and border lepromatous leprosy. This reaction can occur before, during, or after treatment.

Case Report

We report a case of acute polyarthritis as type 2 lepromatous reaction debut. A 30‐year‐old male with a history of Hansen's disease 5 years ago received a complete therapeutic regimen with cure criteria. Consulted due to a 3‐day history of arthralgia predominantly affecting the hands, knees, and feet. On the fifth day of hospitalization, the patient developed intensely painful, nodular erythematous lesions. The pathological history, clinical presentation, and the presence of polymorphonuclear cells led to the diagnosis of type 2 lepromatous reaction.

Conclusion

Identifying individuals with risk factors or a history of leprosy, along with a high index of suspicion, positively impacts the early identification of leprosy reactions as an imitator of other causes of acute or chronic symmetrical polyarthritis.
Whombat: An open‐source audio annotation tool for machine learning assisted bioacoustics
Authors: Martínez Balvanera Santiago , Mac Aodha Oisin , Weldy Matthew J. , Pringle Holly , Browning Ella , Jones Kate E.
Published: December 2024

Automated analysis of bioacoustic recordings using machine learning (ML) methods has the potential to greatly scale biodiversity monitoring efforts. The use of ML for high‐stakes applications, such as conservation and scientific research, demands a data‐centric approach with a focus on selecting and utilizing carefully annotated and curated evaluation and training data that are relevant and representative. Creating annotated bioacoustic datasets presents a number of challenges, such as managing large collections of recordings with associated metadata, developing flexible annotation tools that can accommodate the diverse range of vocalization profiles of different organisms and addressing the scarcity of expert annotators.

We present Whombat, a user‐friendly, browser‐based interface for managing audio recordings and annotation projects, with several visualization, exploration and annotation tools. It enables users to quickly annotate, review, and share annotations, as well as visualize and evaluate a set of machine learning predictions on a dataset. The tool facilitates an iterative workflow where user annotations and machine learning predictions feedback to enhance model performance and annotation quality.

We demonstrate the flexibility of Whombat by showcasing two distinct use cases: (1) a project aimed at enhancing automated UK bat call identification at the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT), and (2) a collaborative effort among the USDA Forest Service and Oregon State University researchers exploring bioacoustic applications and extending automated avian classification models in the Pacific Northwest, USA.

Whombat is a flexible tool that can effectively address the challenges of annotation for bioacoustic research. It can be used for individual and collaborative work, hosted on a shared server or accessed remotely, or run on a personal computer without the need for coding skills. The code is open‐source, and we provide a user guide.
Counternarratives of COVID‐19: Girls' stories of disrupted schooling in Malawi
Authors: Silver Rachel , Makhuva Stella , Morley Alyssa
Published: December 2024

This article challenges mainstream discourses of girls' education during COVID‐19 that sexualize girls in the Global South and reproduce racialized differences. We draw on a longitudinal cohort study of Malawian young women conducted from 2020 to 2023 to offer counternarratives of the intersecting risks to school retention. We argue that the pandemic was less a rupture for girls' status quo than an intensification of the conditions that already characterized school‐going amidst “syndemic” conditions, including climate change, the transformation of relations of care, and the privatization of public education.
Why does the brain matter for education?
Authors: Thomas M. S. C. , Arslan Y.
Published: December 2024

Background

The present special issue on mind, brain and education (educational neuroscience) contains four papers that employ a neuroscience‐informed approach to educational phenomena, including dyslexia, academic self‐concepts, bullying and the effect of mindset on learning.

Aim

This commentary positions the papers with respect to the goals and methods of educational neuroscience, placing them on a continuum of approaches from basic research to applied intervention.

Procedure

We argue that a focus on the brain matters for teachers because it increases understanding of how learning works and the factors that influence learning outcomes and student well‐being without being reductionist. Constraints on learning that arise from biology sometimes seem arbitrary outside a neuroscience framework (several examples are provided). A neuroscience perspective encourages a more holistic and developmental view of learning than a narrow cognitive (memory) oriented approach. Because educational neuroscience is an inherently translational field that relies on dialogues between researchers and practitioners, we argue it is important to understand how teachers view the field and how insights from the science of learning might usefully feed into their practice. We then assess the insights, strengths and limitations of the four papers, as well as the potential that their respective lines of work offer.