bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Criminal disenfranchisement: Developments in, and lessons from, Scotland
Authors: Hunter Cara L. C. , McNeill Fergus , Tripkovic Milena
Published: October 2023

This article explores both the reasons for, and the potential impact of, the current level of disenfranchisement in Scotland. First, we scrutinise Scottish legal provisions for their compatibility with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)’s jurisprudence, which require disenfranchisement's aims to be clarified and delimited. Second, we examine where disenfranchisement sits within the wider context of Scottish penal values, and what principles underlie its imposition. Finally, we turn to a discussion of whether and how dis/enfranchisement aligns with the Scottish Government's commitments to the rehabilitation and reintegration of people who have been in prison, and to related empirical evidence about desistance from crime. The limited enfranchisement of prisoners established by the Scottish Government in 2020 avoided these core questions and this article aims to help address this neglect and to open up dialogue on these issues.
The efficacy of written corrective feedback: Searching for the best predictors
Authors: Wang Weiqing
Published: October 2023

The efficacy of written corrective feedback (WCF) is affected by a variety of variables. To maximize the effect of WCF, it is necessary to find out what variables are more predictive of learning. The present study explored the best predictors of learning among six facets of WCF: explicitness, intensiveness, error type, complexity, languaging, and mode of languaging. Seventy‐five first‐year university students wrote an essay and received WCF on their errors. Then the essays with WCF were returned to learners, who were assigned to five conditions: languaging about WCF in written form prompted, languaging about WCF in written form unprompted, languaging in oral form prompted, languaging in oral form unprompted, and no languaging. The languaging groups languaged about the WCF they received and the non‐languaging group only looked through the corrections on their essays. One day after the languaging activity, all groups took an immediate test, and 4 weeks later, a delayed test. It was found that learning in the immediate test was best predicted by error type, complexity, and languaging, and learning in the delayed test was best predicted by error type and mode of languaging. Based on these findings, the pedagogical implications of the study are discussed.
Tournament schedules and incentives in a double round‐robin tournament with four teams
Authors: Csató László , Molontay Roland , Pintér József
Published: October 2023

In a round‐robin tournament, a team may lack the incentive to win if its final rank does not depend on the outcome of the matches still to be played. This paper introduces a classification scheme to determine these weakly (where one team is indifferent) or strongly (where both teams are indifferent) stakeless matches in a double round‐robin contest with four teams. The probability that such matches arise can serve as a novel fairness criterion to compare and evaluate match schedules. Our approach is illustrated by the UEFA Champions League group stage. A simulation model is built to compare the 12 valid schedules for the group matches. Some schedules are shown to be dominated by other schedules. It is found that the strongest team should play at home in the last round against one of the middle teams, depending on the preferences of the tournament organiser. Choosing an optimal sequence of matches with respect to the proposed metric can help to avoid uninteresting matches.
The synthesis of peptides with potential thymic hormone activity: the synthesis of endo‐Arg38a‐deacetylthymosin beta 10
Authors: Abiko T. , Sekino H.
Published: October 2023

A tritetracontapeptide corresponding to the entire amino acid sequence of endo‐Arg38a‐deacetylthymosin beta 10 was synthesized by a conventional solution method. Seven peptide fragments were assembled, followed by deprotection with 1 M trifluoromethanesulfonic acid‐thioanisole‐Me2Se in trifluoroacetic acid. In preliminary experiments the synthetic tritetracontapeptide increased the entire peripheral T‐cell population and a helper T‐cell subset when incubated in vitro with blood which was obtained from a uremic patient with pneumonia, but a suppressor/cytotoxic T‐cell subset was unaffected under these conditions. The synthetic endo‐Arg38a‐deacetylthymosin beta 10 was as active as synthetic deacetylthymosin beta 10 in this in vitro assay.
Translational Control of Alpha‐Amylase Gene Expression in Aspergillus Awamori
Authors: Bhella RS , Altosaar I.
Published: October 2023

Regulation of alpha‐amylase gene expression in Aspergillus awamori was studied by analyzing the enzyme activity levels, rate of protein synthesis, and alpha‐amylase‐specific mRNA levels under various conditions of growth. alpha‐Amylase synthesis was sensitive to catabolite repression as glucose repressed its synthesis by about fourfold. The stimulation of alpha‐amylase synthesis in the presence of its substrate starch was shown to be due to derepression rather than induction as the enzyme was synthesized at similar rates in both starch and starvation media. Repression and derepression of enzyme synthesis was found to be mediated at the translational level. The cellular levels of alpha‐amylase‐specific mRNA as measured by an in vitro translation assay system, were almost identical under all conditions of enzyme synthesis. Relative in vivo and in vitro alpha‐amylase mRNA template activities suggest that alpha‐amylase mRNA is translated much more efficiently during the derepression than under the conditions of repressed synthesis.
Effect of protein kinase modulators on the induction of morphological differentiation of pheochromocytoma PC12 cells by nerve and fibroblast growth factors
Authors: Posypanova GA , Severin SE , Kondratyev AD
Published: October 2023

The effect of protein kinase modulators on the ability of nerve and fibroblast growth factors to induce neurite outgrowth in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells was studied. The protein kinase inhibitor H7 increased the neurite‐stimulating capacity of these factors. The effect of H7 was observed within 1 h and was dose‐dependent. HA 1004, an inhibitor of cAMP‐ and cGMP‐dependent protein kinases, did not affect the neurite‐stimulating activity of NGF. Substances inhibiting protein kinase C, ganglioside GT1b and quercetin, acted in a similar way whereas sphingosine had an opposite effect.
Overproduction and crystallization of tryptophanase from recombinant cells of Escherichia coli
Authors: Tani S. , Tsujimoto N. , Kawata Y. , Tokushige M.
Published: October 2023

We have cloned the tryptophanase structural gene from Escherichia coli B/1t7‐A into E. coli K‐12 MD55 with a vector plasmid, pBR322. The cloned cells produced a large amount of the enzyme corresponding to more than 30% of the total soluble protein. With the enzyme obtained by this overproduction system, we have prepared three different crystals of tryptophanase, apo‐enzyme, holo‐enzyme, and a complex of holo‐enzyme and L‐alanine, by using polyethylene glycol 4000 or potassium phosphate as a precipitant and the hanging drop method. These single crystals appeared to be suitable for X‐ray diffraction analysis.
Stabilization of human prostatic acid phosphatase by coupling with chondroitin sulfate
Authors: Luchter‐Wasylewska E. , Dulinska J. , Ostrowski WS , Torchilin VP , Trubetskoy VS
Published: October 2023

Human prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) (EC 3.1.3.2) was covalently linked to chondroitin sulfate A from whale cartilage. In order to bind the protein amino groups with the preactivated carboxyl groups of chondroitin sulfate, 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3′‐dimethylaminepropyl)carbodiimide and N‐hydroxysulfosuccinimide were used as coupling agents. The product was soluble and enzymatically active. The activity was on average 25% higher than that of the free enzyme. The product was heterogeneous in respect to charge and Mr (50–1500) kDa, as determined by chromatography on Sephacryl S 300 and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The resulting polymers contained covalently bound chondroitin sulfate, as shown by the biotin‐avidin test. The modified enzyme is more resistant against various denaturing agents, e.g., urea, ethanol, and heat. Thus covalent modification of PAP by cross‐linking to chondroitin sulfate could be the preferred method for stabilization of its biological activity.
Application of electron‐donor properties of glucose oxidase and xanthine oxidase for reduction of microsomal NAD(P)H‐dependent electron‐transport chains
Authors: Izotov MV , Shcherbakov VM , Spiridonova SM , Devichenskiy VM , Benediktova SA
Published: October 2023

The reduction of cytochromes b5 and P‐450 in mammalian hepatic microsomes by glucose oxidase and xanthine oxidase has been investigated. Under anaerobic conditions cytochrome b5 is reduced by glucose oxidase to the “dithionite” level, while cytochrome P‐450 remains oxidized. Under the same conditions xanthine oxidase completely reduces both hemoproteins. Besides, neither glucose oxidase nor xanthine oxidase reduces isolated cytochromes. They can be reduced only after addition of microsomes to incubation media. Only in this case are the cytochromes, both isolated and included in microsomal membranes, reduced. The participation of microsomal flavoproteins in the reduction reaction is discussed. The method suggested makes it possible to substantially decrease the rates of reduction of microsomal hemoproteins, thus permitting the investigation of interactions between microsomal NADH‐ and NADPH‐dependent electron‐transport chains and electron carriers.
Preparation and kinetic studies of immobilised yeast cytochrome c peroxidase
Authors: Cooper JM , McNeil CJ , Bannister JV
Published: October 2023

Yeast cytochrome c peroxidase (CcP) was purified from baker's yeast and immobilised onto a nylon membrane. The kinetics of the soluble and immobilised forms of the enzyme were investigated for the catalysed oxidation of potassium ferrocyanide in the presence of H2O2 and m‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid. The pH dependence of the two forms of the enzyme differed. Although both the soluble and the immobilised enzymes showed optimal activity at pH 6.2, a different kinetic behaviour was demonstrated. Both forms of the enzyme showed similar activity toward H2O2, although when m‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid was replaced as the electron acceptor, the immobilised form of the enzyme had a reduced turnover number and an increased Km. The activation energy of immobilised CcP was greater in the presence of both H2O2 [16.6 kJ mol‐1] and m‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid [37.9 kJ mol‐1] than for soluble CcP [11.4 and 23.4 kJ mol‐1, respectively]. The activities of both soluble and immobilised CcP were greatly reduced above 45 degrees C, although at higher temperatures the immobilised enzyme retained a relatively greater percentage of its maximum activity.
Cell‐culturing characteristics of newly developed PHEMA microcarriers: their use with BHK21 cells
Authors: Kiremitci M. , Gurhan I. , Piskin E.
Published: October 2023

Baby hamster kidney (BHK) fibroblasts, as model cells, have been proliferated on acrylic based microcarriers. Microcarriers were prepared by a novel suspension polymerization of acrylic monomers. Hydroxyethyl methacrylate was the basic monomer. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was used as the cross‐linker. A hydrophobic comonomer, namely, methyl methacrylate, was included in order to adjust the hydrophilicity of the resultant matrix. An acrylic comonomer with positively charged tertiary amine groups, i.e., dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, was also added in order to optimize the surface charge of the carriers. The adhesion, spreading, and growth characteristics of BHK cells on these novel beads were studied either in stationary or in submerged culture conditions. The results demonstrate that the cell attachment and growth can be controlled by changing the degree of charge and the hydrophilicity of the poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) matrix.
Biologically active recombinant prothrombin and antithrombin III expressed in a human hepatoma/vaccinia virus system
Authors: Russo G. , Mertens K. , de Magistris L. , Lange H. , Cortese R. , Pietropaolo C.
Published: October 2023

Several systems have been devised that are based on viral promoters suitable for gene expression in eukaryotic cells. One such system, vaccinia virus, has been successfully used to express a variety of heterologous proteins following the construction of a recombinant virus. Indeed, because of the ability of vaccinia virus to infect a wide range of host cells, the expression system can be custom‐designed so that a cell line can be instrumental in ensuring the correct processing of the recombinant polypeptide. We show that recombinant vaccinia virus and human hepatoma cells in culture are an efficient expression system with which to produce correctly modified and biologically active human prothrombin (15 micrograms/10(7) cells) and antithrombin III (40 micrograms/10(7) cells).
High performance affinity chromatography of Bacillus neutral proteases
Authors: Eijsink VG , van den Burg B. , Venema G.
Published: October 2023

Bacillus neutral proteases were purified using bacitracin‐silica as an affinity medium. Several chromatographic procedures were investigated, including high speed runs on columns with 40‐ to 60‐microns silica particles. The high speed procedure enabled the purification of 4.9 mg of B. subtilis neutral protease directly from 165‐ml culture supernatant within 1.5 h. The neutral proteases of B. polymyxa and B. stearothermophilus were also purified. The latter enzyme was further concentrated by a second affinity chromatography step, using Sepharose with glycyl‐D‐phenylalanine as a ligand. During the purification procedures isopropanol was used to prevent autodigestion of the enzymes.
Stabilization of recombinant proteins from proteolytic degradation in Escherichia coli using a dual affinity fusion strategy
Authors: Murby M. , Cedergren L. , Nilsson J. , Nygren PA , Hammarberg B. , Nilsson B. , Enfors SO , Uhlen M.
Published: October 2023

A dual affinity fusion approach has been used to study the expression and secretion of labile recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. Here we show that three small eukaryotic proteins (human proinsulin, a thioredoxin homologous domain of rat protein disulfide isomerase, and the extracellular domain of the alpha 1.2‐chain of a human T‐cell receptor) are stabilized in vivo using a dual affinity fusion strategy, where the gene encoding the desired product is fused between two genes encoding two different affinity domains. Relatively high yields of full‐length product were obtained for all three proteins as compared to when fused to a single fusion partner. Despite the use of a signal peptide, significant amounts of the disulfide protein isomerase and T‐cell receptor gene products were maintained in the cytoplasm, while the proinsulin fusion was efficiently secreted to the periplasm. Interestingly, the E. coli heat shock proteins DnaK and GroEL were associated with the fusion proteins isolated from the cytoplasm.
Murine red blood cells as efficient carriers of three bacterial antigens for the production of specific and neutralizing antibodies
Authors: Polvani C. , Gasparini A. , Benatti U. , DeFlora A. , Silvestri S. , Volpini G. , Nencioni L.
Published: October 2023

Three bacterial toxoids, CRM 197 (mutagenized diphtheria toxin), tetanus toxoid (formaldehyde‐treated tetanus toxin), and PT‐9K/129G (double mutant of pertussin toxin) were encapsulated within red blood cells (RBCs) of B6D2F1 and Balb/C mice according to a mild procedure based on hypotonic dialysis‐isotonic resealing that yielded undamaged RBCs. The toxoid‐loaded RBCs were injected intravenously in order to immunize animals and their effects were compared to those of identical amounts (30–95 micrograms per mouse subdivided into multiple injections) of the corresponding free toxoids injected intravenously in saline. Sera from treated mice were collected and tested for titers of specific antibodies against each of the three antigens and also for titers of neutralizing antibodies, i.e., affording protection from toxic effects induced by the corresponding native toxins. In all experiments, significant seroconversion was observed with both immunization systems. Titers of both specific and neutralizing antibodies against CRM 197 and tetanus toxoid were several‐fold higher upon immunization with the RBC‐encapsulated toxoids, than with the free toxoids. These differences were not due to qualitatively different recognition patterns of antigenic determinants by the two types of sera. Conversely, intravenous immunization with pertussis toxoid either as RBC‐encapsulated or as free antigen elicited a comparably high production of specific and of neutralizing antibodies. These data demonstrate that properly engineered RBCs behave as natural carriers and possibly adjuvants for antigens of vaccinal interest.
Purification and primary structure of pyruvate decarboxylase from Zymomonas mobilis
Authors: Miczka G. , Vernau J. , Kula MR , Hofmann B. , Schomburg D.
Published: October 2023

Pyruvate decarboxylase (E.C. 4.1.1.1), the key enzyme in the glycolytic pathway to ethanol, was isolated in gram amounts from Zymomonas mobilis for structural studies. The primary structure was determined by automated Edman degradation and compared with that deduced from the DNA sequence of the structural gene, previously published by two groups (A. D. Neale, R. K. Scopes, R. E. H. Wettenhall, and N. J. Hoogenraad, 1987, Nucleic Acids Res. 15, 1753–1761; M. Reynen, and H. Sahm, 1988, J. Bacteriol. 170, 3310–3313). The peptide data differ from the published DNA sequences, which also deviate from each other. Crystals diffracting to about 0.3 nm resolution have been obtained by the hanging drop vapor diffusion method. The space group was identified as P4(1)22 or its enantiomorphs containing presumably one tetramer per asymmetric unit.
Multiple enzymatic pathways involved in the metabolism of glyceryl trinitrate in Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Authors: Servent D. , Ducrocq C. , Henry Y. , Servy C. , Lenfant M.
Published: October 2023

A study of glyceryl trinitrate metabolism by a filamentous fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, carried out with the 14C‐labeled substrate, provides evidence for a multienzymatic system leading to di‐ and mononitrate derivatives. At least two independent enzymatic activities were detected in the cytosolic fraction: an aerobic glutathione S‐transferase activity and an anaerobic NADPH‐dependent soluble cytochrome P450‐like activity. Other hemoproteins with enzymatic activities dependent upon the presence of NADPH or ferrous ions were also detected in the microsomal fraction. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra characteristic of an interaction between a hemoprotein and nitric oxide appeared in these two subcellular fractions during the anaerobic metabolism of glyceryl trinitrate.
Effect of 5,7‐unsaturated sterols on ethanol tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.“
Authors: Novotny C. , Flieger M. , Panos J. , Karst F.
Published: October 2023

Structural membrane lipids are known to contribute to the high ethanol resistance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (2, 4, 17). By manipulating the yeast cellular sterol level by changing the carbon‐to‐nitrogen source ratio in the chemostat growth medium, high delta 5,7‐sterol levels were found to increase the resistance of yeast populations to ethanol‐induced death. The resistance of the erg2 (delta 8—‐delta 7‐sterol isomerase) mutant to ethanol‐induced death was generally comparable with that of the delta 5,7‐sterol‐synthesizing strain. In contrast, the sensitivity of anaerobic growth to inhibition by ethanol was higher in the erg2 mutant in comparison with the delta 5,7‐sterol‐synthesizing strains but a high level of those sterols increased the vulnerability of anaerobic growth to ethanol inhibition.
Immortalization of human aortic smooth muscle cells with origin‐minus simian virus 40 DNA
Authors: Murahashi N. , Sasaguri Y. , Ohuchida M. , Kakita N. , Morimatsu M.
Published: October 2023

We established two cell lines of human smooth muscle cells (SMC) by transfection of cells from the aortic intima and aortic media with origin‐minus simian virus 40 (ori‐minus SV40) DNA. Ori‐minus SV40 DNA very efficiently immortalized human smooth muscle cells in culture. Proteins that these cell lines produced included type I, III, IV, and V collagens, fibronectin, and human matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)−1 (tissue collagenase), −2 (“type IV collagenase”), and −3 (stromelysin). The protein production in these cell lines generally mimicked that of normal SMC, but the immortalization stimulated the cell line of medial SMC to produce excessive MMP‐2 and to secrete MMP‐9 (92‐kDa gelatinase). However, since these cell lines did not show a fully malignant phenotype, we concluded that, in addition to the degradation of extracellular matrix macromolecules, including basement membrane components by MMP‐2, −3, and/or −9, some additional factors must be involved for the malignancy of fully transformed cells and that these immortalized human aortic SMC, which share many characteristics with normal SMC, will prove useful to study the role(s) of metalloproteinases in atherosclerosis.
Use of helper‐free retroviral vector to direct a high expression of porcine growth hormone in mouse fibroblast cells
Authors: Hwang LH , Chen BF , Lee PJ , Ho SY , Liu JJ
Published: October 2023

A retroviral vector has been employed to express the cDNA coding for porcine growth hormone (pGH) in the mouse fibroblast cell NIH 3T3 in large quantity. In this study, a single gene vector which contained no selectable marker was used. We have coinfected NIH 3T3 cells with pGH retrovirus and Neo(r) retrovirus to obtain a stable, high‐expression clone. Using a superinfection strategy, we further increased the copy number of proviral DNA in the host chromosome, thus increasing the pGH secretion from 22 to 55 micrograms/10(6) cells/24 h. The recombinant pGH produced from mouse fibroblast cells was heterogeneous at the N‐terminus, which mimicked the situation with bovine growth hormone either from natural sources or from recombinant products derived from mouse fibroblasts. This technology is useful for many biologically important genes to be stably transduced by retroviral vector into mammalian cells and highly expressed.
Binding characteristics and thermal behaviour of cytochrome‐C oxidase, inserted into phospholipid‐coated, magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: de Cuyper M. , Joniau M.
Published: October 2023

A strategy for the immobilization of cytochrome‐c oxidase, used as a representative membrane‐bound enzyme, into so‐called magnetoliposomes has been developed. The latter structures consist of a phospholipid bilayer which covers nanometer‐sized Fe3O4 colloids. Incorporation of the enzyme into the phospholipid envelope is facilitated by a short sonication step. Upon adsorption, the reaction characteristics of the lipid‐depleted enzyme are drastically changed. With double‐layered phosphatidylcholine (PC) magnetoliposomes the activity increases by a factor of approximately 5. After a first magnetic fractionation step, approximately 67% of the activity remains with the magnetoliposome retentate. Subsequent magnetophoresis cycles show that the adsorbed enzyme is firmly fixed into the phospholipid coat. Upon immobilization, the thermal behavior is also profoundly affected. The heating inactivation curves show two sigmoidal transition zones. Irrespective of the PC type used, a first inflection point is located near 39 degrees C, whereas a second one, which is located at higher temperatures, clearly depends on the acyl chain length (56 degrees C with dimyristoyl‐PC and 60 degrees C for dioleoyl‐PC and Ovothin‐200). An identical behavior is observed with classical proteoliposomes with an equal phospholipid composition. By contrast, monolayer‐coated dimyristoyl‐PC magnetic structures are inferior with respect to both their reactivation potency and their ability to strongly affix cytochrome‐c oxidase and to improve the thermal stability of the enzyme.
A procedure for large‐scale plasmid isolation without using ultracentrifugation
Authors: Chakrabarti A. , Sitaric S. , Ohi S.
Published: October 2023

An expedient procedure for large‐scale plasmid isolation from Escherichia coli strains without using ultracentrifugation or special setups or reagents is described. The protocol, which utilizes a modified alkaline extraction procedure as well as differential precipitations by isopropanol and lithium chloride, is simple and rapid and yet produces plasmid DNA with a yield of about 2 mg/liter culture. The isolated plasmids consisted of mostly monomeric and dimeric covalently closed circular DNA. The plasmids could be digested by various restriction endonucleases and were compatible with gene cloning, transfection‐gene expression, and viral production.
Taxon‐specific lens crystallins with endogenous enzymic activities: some perspectives on synthetic applications
Authors: Chiou SH
Published: October 2023

A systematic and general approach has been carried out to provide basic structural and mechanistic information on epsilon‐ and delta‐crystallin with lactate dehydrogenase and argininosuccinate lyase activities respectively from representative species of birds. A detailed kinetic analysis of these two crystallins revealed considerable differences in the enzymic activities among different species of birds. Especially noteworthy is the abundant presence of high activity in duck and goose epsilon‐ and delta‐crystallins in contrast with the total lack of epsilon‐crystallin and diminished activities of delta‐crystallins in chicken and pigeon lenses. Sequence comparison of inactive pigeon delta‐crystallin and active duck crystallin revealed several sequence variations and replacements which may account for the loss of argininosuccinate lyase activity in the lenses of certain birds. Bio‐organic synthesis based on epsilon‐ and delta‐crystallins isolated from duck lenses provides an efficient and practical tool for asymmetric or enantioselective synthesis of some pharmaceutically important chiral intermediates which may open new avenues and potentials in crystallin research.
Identification of the NADPH‐binding protein of the neutrophil superoxide‐generating oxidase of guinea pigs
Authors: Ge F. , Guillory RJ
Published: October 2023

A cell‐free system prepared from polymorphonuclear neutrophils is capable of NADPH‐dependent generation of superoxide anion, but requires the simultaneous presence of plasma membranes, cytosol, arachidonate and guanosine 5′‐[gamma‐thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]). The isolated membranes from such a preparation are able to catalyse NADPH‐dependent superoxide formation independently of added cytosol and activators. Such activated membranes, activated in the cell‐free system, must consequently contain all of the essential components required by the oxidase for superoxide formation, including the NADPH‐binding component. Arylazido‐beta‐alanyl‐[32P]NADPH (3′‐O‐(3‐[N‐(4‐azido‐2‐nitrophenyl)‐amino] propionyl)‐[32P]NADPH), an NADPH analogue and photoaffinity probe, is shown to act in the dark as a substrate for the oxidase activity in the activated membranes and an irreversible photodependent inhibitor following photoirradiation. The photoaffinity probe has been used to identify the specific NADPH‐binding component of the oxidase in the activated membranes. In contrast with the sensitivity of the activated membranes, photoirradiation of arylazido‐beta‐alanyl‐[32P]‐NADPH under identical conditions, but with non‐activated membranes, did not prevent subsequent activation of the treated membranes by cytosol, arachidonate and GTP[S]. However, photoirradiation of the cytosolic fraction in the presence of arylazido‐beta‐alanyl‐[32P]NADPH resulted in an inhibition of the cytosol's ability to activate superoxide generation upon subsequent incubation with plasma membranes in the presence of arachidonate and GTP[S]. These observations are taken as a strong indication that the NADPH‐binding protein of the oxidase is a cytosolic factor which associates with the plasma membrane upon activation. The superoxide‐generating activity of the activated membranes was inhibited irreversibly in a concentration‐ and photo‐dependent manner by arylazido‐beta‐alanyl‐NADPH. The arylazido‐beta‐alanyl‐NADPH‐photodependent inhibition of superoxide generation in the activated membranes correlated with the photodependent labelling of a protein of 55.6 kDa by the arylazido‐beta‐alanyl‐NADPH. Specificity of labelling was indicated by a lack of labelling of the 55.6 kDa region in the non‐activated membranes and protection of the photodependent inhibition and labelling of the 55.6 kDa protein by NADPH. It is proposed that the arylazido‐beta‐alanyl‐NADPH‐labelled 55.6 kDa protein present on the activated membranes is the NADPH‐binding protein of the neutrophil superoxide‐generating oxidase.
AIDS‐Related Factors Predictive of Suicidal Ideation of Low and High Intent Among Gay and Bisexual Men
Authors: Schneider Stephen G. , Taylor Shelley E. , Kemeny Margaret E. , Hammen Constance
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: AIDS‐related stressors were studied in relationship to suicidal ideation and suicide intent among 778 gay and bisexual men (none with AIDS). Over the previous six months, 27% (n = 212) reported suicidal ideation. Subjects who reported suicidal ideation (compared to those who did not) were more likely to report recent (last 6 months) bereavement of partner, recent ARC diagnosis, and multiple close friends with ARC. Suicide ideators were divided by a median split on a self‐report scale of suicide intent into low (n = 105) and high (n = 107) intent suicide ideators. News of HIV seropositivity was specifically related to low intent suicidal ideation. High intent suicidal ideation was associated with having a partner with AIDS or ARC, or multiple close friends with AIDS, or having ARC. Generally speaking, while temporally discrete AIDS‐related events were associated the report of suicidal ideation, ongoing stressors which may more greatly challenge adaptational capacities were more associated with high intent suicidal ideation.
Media Influence on Attitudes Toward Suicide
Authors: Biblarz Arturo , Brown R. Michael , Biblarz Dolores Noonan , Pilgrim Mary , Baldree Brent F.
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: This experiment investigated the effects of viewing films on suicide and violence on attitudes toward suicide. Non‐suicidal university students were assigned to one of three groups: One group was shown a film about suicide, a second saw a film about violence, and the third saw a neutral film. Perceptions of the appropriateness of suicide and level of emotional arousal were measured by a questionnaire administered before and after the films were shown. Both the suicide and violent film groups showed increases in arousal scores after viewing the films. The results suggest that arousal became linked to cognitions specific to film content as a result of viewing the films dealing with suicide and violence. Other findings suggest that, for the suicide and violent film groups, perceived relations with parents were important predictors of film‐induced changes in attitudes toward suicide.
Gender Differences in the Psychosocial Correlates of Suicidal Ideation Among Adolescents
Authors: Rich Alexander R. , Kirkpatrick‐Smith Joyce , Bonner Ronald L. , Jans Frank
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: Gender differences in the psychosocial correlates of suicidal ideation were studied. A sample of 613 high school students (ages 14–19) completed measures of suicidal ideation, depression, hopelessness, life stress, loneliness, alcohol and drug use, and reasons for living. The results of a discriminant function analysis indicated that males reported higher loneliness and substance abuse scores than females whereas females reported greater suicidal ideation, depression, and reasons for living. The results of multiple regression analyses found that, although the same four variables, depression, hopelessness, substance abuse, and few reasons for living emerged as significant predictors of suicidal ideation in both samples, the predictive equation accounted for more of the variance in ideation scores in females (57%) than in males (46%). In a final analysis a discriminant function analysis of the subscales of the reasons for living inventory revealed that females have a greater fear of death and injury whereas males have a greater fear of social disapproval over having suicidal thoughts. This may account for the greater rate of suicide completing among males. Fear of social disapproval, more anger and impulsivity, and less help‐seeking behavior among males are offered as potential variables to explain the observed gender differences.
Learning analytics driven improvements in learning design in higher education: A systematic literature review
Authors: Drugova Elena , Zhuravleva Irina , Zakharova Ulyana , Latipov Adel
Published: October 2023

Background

Driven by the ongoing need to provide high‐quality learning and teaching, universities recently have shown an increased interest in using learning analytics (LA) for improving learning design (LD). However, the evidence of such improvements is scarce, and the maturity of such research is unclear.

Objectives

This study is aimed to evaluate the maturity of research discussing LA‐driven LD improvements in higher education.

Methods

The systematic review analyses 49 empirical papers, assesses their quality and suggests further research directions. The review elaborates on methodological (research questions, strategy and methods, LA‐LD integration theoretical backgrounds) and substantial (LA‐driven LD improvements, types of data used, LA software development) features of the papers.

Results and Conclusions

The findings demonstrated the lack of theoretical alignment between LA and LD, with research tending towards user experience studies. The most frequently used research strategy was a case study; experiments were very rare. Researchers predominantly used parsing for collecting data and AI methods for analysing it; mostly used data types related to registering learners' engagement with learning activities as well as resources and tools provided in digital learning environments.

Takeaways

The research area discussing LA‐driven LD improvements still has a way to go before attaining the level of full maturity. Only a third of the papers reported actual LA‐driven LD improvements; moreover, only three papers measured their effectiveness. The presented LA software was mostly at the beta or implementation stages and did not assess the impact of using this software.
Paid medical malpractice claims: How strongly does the past predict the future?
Authors: Yousefi Kowsar , Black Bernard , Hyman David A.
Published: October 2023

When does the past predict the future? In financial markets, warnings that “past results are no guarantee of future performance” are ubiquitous. But in multiple fields (including professional sports, insurance, and criminal law), it is widely believed that the past is a useful guide to the future. Does that insight apply to medical malpractice (“med mal”)? Using a novel dataset (which includes detailed data on all licensed physicians and all paid claims in Illinois over a 25‐year period), we study whether past paid med mal claims, physician characteristics, and specialty predict future paid med mal claims. After controlling for other factors, physicians with a single prior paid claim have a fourfold higher risk of future claims than physicians with zero prior paid claims. The more prior paid claims a physician has, the higher the likelihood of a future paid claim. Multiple factors (male gender, having an MD, attending a non‐U.S. medical school, practicing in a high‐claim‐risk specialty, and mid‐career status [6–15 prior years of experience]) predict a higher likelihood of having one or more paid med mal claims.
An evaluation of nasogastric (NG) tube removal practices and nutritional intake parameters in an acute neurosurgical population: The development of an NG Transition Feeding Protocol
Authors: McAuliffe Shane , Archer Alan , Carter Amy , Ray Sumantra
Published: October 2023

Background

As a result of the complex nature of neurosurgical patients, nasogastric (NG) tube feeding is often implemented for patients who are unable to consume adequate oral intake. During recovery, patients on enteral nutrition (EN) are progressed to oral nutrition, which can result in NGT removal and discontinuation of supportive feeding plans. This is often before patients become established on sufficient oral intake to meet their nutritional requirements.

Methods

We conducted an exploration of current NG removal practices in patients (n = 23) across five neurosurgical wards over a 3‐month period to assess practitioner review response times, NG feeding duration, decision making on NG removal, and the influence of dietary recommendations and differing EN protocols on patients' ability to meet their nutritional requirements. Our aim was to use this data to design and implement a protocol to improve consistency of these practices.

Results

After oral intake was commenced, only those receiving supplementary EN achieved nutritional targets immediately. Conversely, no patient who had their NGT removed at this stage achieved these targets. Following NG removal, the likelihood of a patient meeting nutritional targets was influenced by the decision maker, supporting the practice of registered dietitian led cessation of NG feeding. These findings led us to develop an “NG Transition Feeding Protocol” to serve as a simple, clear pathway which treating teams can utilise to guide NG feeding decisions.

Conclusions

NG feeding supports neurosurgical patients to meet nutritional requirements in the early stages following commencement of oral intake. The development of an “NG Transition Feeding Protocol” may help to improve consistency of transition feeding on neurosurgical wards, allowing time for nutrition assessment to support informed decisions around NG removal. The aim of this protocol is to improve the efficiency of transition feeding, improve dietetic workload efficiency, nursing staff confidence and avoid compromising nutritional status of patients as a result of the early cessation of EN.
Relationship between shift assignments, organizational justice, and turnover intention: A cross‐sectional survey of Japanese shift‐work nurses in hospitals
Authors: Kida Ryohei , Takemura Yukie
Published: October 2023

Aim

Shift management and planning processes for shift‐working nurses are important for their continued work. This study aimed to determine the association between shift assignments, organizational justice, and their interaction with turnover intention among shift‐work nurses.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study used an online questionnaire administered to Japanese nurses between January and February 2020. Enquiries pertaining to their daily start and end times for each shift type, the shift assignments, organizational justice, and their turnover intention were made. To examine the association with turnover intention, logistic regression analysis was performed with shift assignments, organizational justice, and their interaction terms as independent variables.

Results

A total of 386 nurses participated in the final analysis. Of these, 161 nurses (41.7%) had turnover intention. Unequal work assignments and procedural justice were significantly associated with turnover intention. However, the interaction between these factors was not significant.

Conclusion

The results suggest that procedural justice in the workplace and turnover intention are related, but in shift planning, even procedural justice cannot buffer unequal work from leading to turnover intention. This study provides valuable insights for nursing managers who manage the schedules of shift‐working nurses.
Identification of sheep eimerian parasites, Eimeria crandallis and Eimeria faurei, employing microscopic and molecular tools
Authors: Abdel‐Gaber Rewaida , Al‐Shaebi Esam M. , Yehia Ramy S. , Omer Sawsan A. , El‐khadragy Manal F. , Al Quraishy Saleh , Mohammed Osama B.
Published: October 2023

Coccidiosis, caused by apicomplexan Eimeria species, is a protozoan disease that affects various species of wild and domestic animals. However, data available on Eimeria diversity in ruminants in Saudi Arabia is meagre. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate some eimerian parasites infecting sheep (Sawakni and Harrie breeds) using microscopy and molecular methods for the first time in Saudi Arabia. Twenty‐four fecal samples were collected from sheep farms. Based on the floatation technique, eimerian oocysts were observed in 8 of the 24 (33.33%) fecal samples. The coccidian‐positive samples were subjected to fecal culture in a shallow layer of 2.5% potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7). Detected eimerian oocysts were described micromorphometrically as the basis for traditional oocyst identification. Morphologically, the sporulated oocysts were similar to those of sheep eimerian parasies; Eimeria faurei and Eimeria crandallis. PCR products from the two eimerian species detected from Sawakni and Harrie breeds were sequenced and were found to be distinct from each other with mutations at five positions. One of them clustered with E. crandallis with 99.8%–100% identity with sequences available in GenBank. E. crandallis was obtained from two Sawakni sheep and two Harrie sheep. The other sequences grouped with E. faurei with 99.8% identity with the only sequences available in GenBank. E. crandallis was detected from both Sawakni and Harrie breeds whereas E. faurei was detected only from Sawakni sheep. The findings of this study have implications for the importance of morphometric identification with advanced molecular tools to confirm the identities of sheep Eimeria species and to address the taxonomic study of this eimeriid parasite at the species level.
Futures of english studies: Australia
Authors: Giles Paul
Published: October 2023

This paper considers the professionalization of literary studies in Australian universities. It traces ways in which its interdisciplinary formations have been shaped not only by the cultural contexts of colonialism and postcolonialism, but also by institutional factors and budgetary pressures. Nevertheless, it argues this framework has also created intellectual opportunities for positively reshaping the subject so as to bring it into discursive conversation with cognate fields. It suggests that the repositioning of Australian literature and literary studies in relation to World Literature may offer the prospect of opening up the field for the benefit of scholars the world over.
Kidney outcomes associated with haematuria and proteinuria trajectories among patients with IgA nephropathy in real‐world clinical practice: The Japan Chronic Kidney Disease Database
Authors: Yano Yuichiro , Nagasu Hajime , Kanegae Hiroshi , Nangaku Masaomi , Hirakawa Yosuke , Sugawara Yuka , Nakagawa Naoki , Wada Jun , Sugiyama Hitoshi , Nakano Toshiaki , Wada Takashi , Shimizu Miho , Suzuki Hitoshi , Komatsu Hiroyuki , Nakashima Naoki , Kitaoka Kaori , Narita Ichiei , Okada Hirokazu , Suzuki Yusuke , Kashihara Naoki
Published: October 2023

Aim

Among patients with Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, we aimed to identify trajectory patterns stratified by the magnitude of haematuria and proteinuria using repeated urine dipstick tests, and assess whether the trajectories were associated with kidney events.

Methods

Using a nationwide multicentre chronic kidney disease (CKD) registry, we analysed data from 889 patients with IgA nephropathy (mean age 49.3 years). The primary outcome was a sustained reduction in eGFR of 50% or more from the index date and thereafter. During follow‐up (median 49.0 months), we identified four trajectories (low‐stable, moderate‐decreasing, moderate‐stable, and high‐stable) in both urine dipstick haematuria and proteinuria measurements, respectively.

Results

In haematuria trajectory analyses, compared to the low‐stable group, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence interval [CI]) for kidney events were 2.59 (95% CI, 1.48–4.51) for the high‐stable, 2.31 (95% CI, 1.19–4.50) for the moderate‐stable, and 1.43 (95% CI, (0.72–2.82) for the moderate‐decreasing groups, respectively. When each proteinuria trajectory group was subcategorized according to haematuria trajectories, the proteinuria group with high‐stable and with modest‐stable haematuria trajectories had approximately 2‐times higher risk for eGFR reduction ≥50% compared to that with low‐stable haematuria trajectory.

Conclusion

Assessments of both haematuria and proteinuria trajectories using urine dipstick could identify high‐risk IgA nephropathy patients.
Drought stress‐responsive abscisic acid and salicylic acid crosstalk with the phenylpropanoid pathway in soybean seeds
Authors: La Van Hien , Tran Dinh Ha , Han Viet‐Cuong , Nguyen Tien Dung , Duong Van Cuong , Nguyen Viet Hung , Tran Anh Tuan , Nguyen Thi Huong Giang , Ngo Xuan Binh
Published: October 2023

Crosstalk between hormones and secondary metabolites regulates the interactions between plants and stress. However, little is known about the effects of hormone crosstalk on the concentration of flavonoids in seeds. In this study, we identified abscisic acid (ABA) as a negative regulator of flavonoid accumulation in soybean seeds under drought‐stress conditions. Alterations in flavonoid accumulation at several intensities of water stress, followed by a recovery period, were measured during the soybean seed‐filling stage. Low soil moisture (SM 10%) significantly decreased the total flavonoid content in seeds. The decline in flavonoid content was proportional to the severity of drought stress and was dependent on the activities of phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) and chalcone synthase (CHS), two key phenylpropanoid pathway enzymes. The expression of phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase 1 (GmPAL1), chalcone isomerase 1A (GmCHI1A), and chalcone synthase 8 (GmCHS8) was associated with phenolic and flavonoid accumulation in soybean seeds of plants subjected to drought stress. Interestingly, the expression levels of GmCHS8 were highly correlated with flavonoid levels under drought stress and water recovery conditions. Cinnamic acid, which is a biosynthesis precursor shared by both phenylpropanoid metabolism and salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis, decreased under drought stress conditions. Notably, exogenous ABA suppressed the expression of GmPAL1, which encodes the first rate‐limiting enzyme in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway and affects downstream products such as SA and flavonoids. In conclusion, drought stress altered the phenylpropanoid‐derived compounds, at least with regard to flavonoid and SA accumulation in seeds, which was regulated by antagonistic interactions with ABA.
Between Traditionalism and Revisionism: Estlund and Renzo on the Obligation to Obey Orders to Fight in Unjust Wars
Authors: Venezia Luciano , Sánchez Brígido Rodrigo E.
Published: October 2023

David Estlund and Massimo Renzo argue that, given the right background conditions, combatants are obligated to obey orders to fight in unjust wars, a thesis they put forward even as they recognize that this involves committing serious moral wrongs. Their views, then, fall between traditionalism and revisionism in the theory of just war. We argue that both Estlund and Renzo fail to adequately distinguish between binding and nonbinding serious morally wrong orders, that their views are incompatible with their assumed fact‐relative understanding of morality, and that they fail to establish that combatants are obligated to obey orders to fight in unjust wars. We conclude that just as untenable as these two middle‐ground positions is the traditionalist view.