bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational design of Matrix Metalloprotenaise-9 (MMP-9) resistant to auto-cleavage
Authors: Bonadio Alessandro , Oguche Solomon , Lavy Tali , Kleifeld Oded , Shifman Julia
Published: April 2023

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is an endopeptidase that remodels the extracellular matrix and has been implicated as a major driver in cancer metastasis. Hence, there is a high demand for MMP-9 inhibitors for therapeutic purposes. For such drug design efforts, large amounts of MMP-9 are required. Yet, the catalytic domain of MMP-9 (MMP-9Cat) is an intrinsically unstable enzyme that tends to auto-cleave within minutes, making it difficult to use in drug design experiments and other biophysical studies. We set our goal to design MMP-9Catvariant that is active but stable to autocleavage. For this purpose, we first identified potential autocleavage sites on MMP-9Catusing mass spectroscopy and then eliminated the autocleavage site by predicting mutations that minimize autocleavage potential without reducing enzyme stability. Four computationally designed MMP-9Catvariants were experimentally constructed and evaluated for auto-cleavage and enzyme activity. Our best variant, Des2, with 2 mutations, was as active as the wild-type enzyme but did not exhibit auto-cleavage after seven days of incubation at 37°C. This MMP-9Catvariant, with an identical to MMP- 9CatWT active site, is an ideal candidate for drug design experiments targeting MMP-9 and enzyme crystallization experiments. The developed strategy for MMP-9CATstabilization could be applied to redesign of other proteases to improve their stability for various biotechnological applications.
Physcomitrium patensSMXL homologs are PpMAX2-dependent negative regulators of growth
Authors: Guillory Ambre , Lopez-Obando Mauricio , Bouchenine Khalissa , Lambret Louis , Bris Philippe Le , Lécureuil Alain , Pillot Jean-Paul , Steinmetz Vincent , Boyer François-Didier , Rameau Catherine , de Saint Germain Alexandre , Bonhomme Sandrine
Published: April 2023

SMXL proteins are a plant-specific clade of type I HSP100/Clp-ATPases.SMXLgenes are found in virtually all land plant genomes. However, they have mainly been studied in angiosperms. InArabidopsis thaliana, three SMXL functional subclades have been identified: SMAX1/SMXL2, SMXL345 and SMXL678. Out of these, two subclades ensure transduction of endogenous hormone signals: SMAX1/SMXL2 are involved in KAI2-ligand (KL) signaling, while SMXL678 are involved in strigolactone (SL) signaling. Many questions remain regarding the mode of action of these proteins, as well as their ancestral role. We addressed these questions by investigating the function of the fourSMXLgenes of the mossPhyscomitrium patens.We demonstrate that PpSMXL proteins are involved in the conserved ancestral MAX2-dependent KL signaling pathway and act as negative regulators of growth. However, PpSMXL proteins expressed inA. thalianaunexpectedly cannot replace SMAX1/SMXL2 function in KL signaling, whereas they can functionally replace SMXL4/5 and restore root growth. Therefore, the molecular function of SMXL could be conserved, but not their interaction network. Moreover, one PpSMXL clade positively regulates transduction of the SL signal inP. patens.So far, this function has only been reported herein in moss, where it represents a novel crosstalk between SL and KL signaling pathways.
Frizzled2 receives the WntA morphogen during butterfly wing pattern formation
Authors: Hanly Joseph J , Loh Ling S , Mazo-Vargas Anyi , Rivera-Miranda Teomie S , Livraghi Luca , Tendolkar Amruta , Day Christopher R , Liutikaite Neringa , Earls Emily A , Corning Olaf BWH , D’Souza Natalie , Hermina-Perez José J , Mehta Caroline , Ainsworth Julia , Rossi Matteo , McMillan W. Owen , Perry Michael W , Martin Arnaud
Published: April 2023

Butterfly color patterns provide visible and biodiverse phenotypic readouts of the patterning processes that occur in a developing epithelium. While the secreted ligand WntA was shown to instruct the color pattern formation in butterflies, its modes of reception and signal transduction remain elusive. Butterfly genomes encode four homologues of the Frizzled-family of Wnt receptors. Here we show that CRISPR mosaic knock-outs offrizzled2(fz2) phenocopy the color pattern effects ofWntAloss-of-function in multiple nymphalids. WhileWntAmosaic clones result in intermediate patterns of reduced size, consistently with a morphogen function,fz2clones are cell-autonomous. Shifts in pupal expression inWntAcrispants show thatWntAandfz2are under positive and negative feedback, respectively. Fz1 is required for Wnt-independent planar cell polarity (PCP) in the wing epithelium. Fz3 and Fz4 show phenotypes consistent with Wnt competitive-antagonist functions in vein formation (Fz3 and Fz4), wing margin specification (Fz3), and color patterning in the Discalis and Marginal Band Systems (Fz4). Overall, these data show that the WntA/Frizzled2 morphogen-receptor pair forms a signaling axis that instructs butterfly color patterning, and shed light on the functional diversity of insect Frizzled receptors.
Color traits of soybean conventional and trangenic cultivars are affected by glyphosate concentrations using digital imaging
Authors: Costa Francisco Cleilson Lopes , Piza Mateus Ribeiro , Rodrigues Lais Nóbrega , Bruzi Adriano Teodoro , Pereira Welison Andrade
Published: April 2023

Soybean is the most cultivated oilseed crop in the world, with much of the merit obtained in recent years due to genetic improvement in which greater genetic progress can be obtained by improving physiological characteristics, which result in a greater impact on yield. Color spectra can be good indicators of the physiological quality of plants by quantifying the intensity of colors in the RGB spectra, being a non-destructive method that allows optimizing the collection and the number of data. We aimed to identify differences in spectral reflection between conventional, transgenic RR1 and RR2 soybean cultivars under the effect of glyphosate herbicide. The plants were cultivated in five-liter pots in a greenhouse in a randomized block design, following cultural treatments recommended for the soybean crop. Leaves of plants in vegetative stages V1 or V2 were collected and duly identified to compose a second experiment, being then submitted to incubation in plastic trays in which the treatments were organized in a completely randomized design in a 6×6 factorial scheme, with three replications. Glyphosate herbicide doses (0.0, 0.03%, 0.06%, 0.12% and 0.24% AE/ha) were added to the leaf petiole on a cotton pad in order to maintain constant contact with the respective dose. The trays were kept under ambient conditions for 14 days after incubation under 16h-light and 8h-dark of artificial light. Images were collected with a smartphone camera on the 13th day after leaves collection (DAC) in an appropriate studio to maintain adequate lighting, and on the 14th DAC SPAD index data were collected in three locations on the leaf, avoiding the midrib. The images were cropped and then segmented using manual thresholding in which the average values for the red, green and blue channels were extracted. The Excess Red Index (ExR) was calculated using the red and green channels data. The data obtained were analyzed and the significant effects of the model were analyzed by the Skott-Knott test for the cultivar factor and regression models were adjusted for the dose factor. Spearman’s correlation was used to verify the relationship between the studied variables. In view of our results, glyphosate affects the chlorophyll of resistant plants when subjected to continuous exposure and at high doses, leading to senescence and that the red channel information can be used to infer the level of interference in the photosynthetic activity of plants subjected to the herbicide.
Structure of racemic duloxetine hydrochloride
Authors: Bhadbhade Mohan M. , Gao Jiabin , Rich Anne M. , Marjo Christopher E.
Published: April 2023

Duloxetine hydrochloride (trade name Cymbalta) is marketed as a single enantiomer (S)-N-methyl-3-(naphthalen-1-yloxy)-3-(thiophen-2-yl)propylaminium chloride, C18H20NOS+·Cl−, which is twice as effective as the (R)-enantiomer in serotonin uptake. Here, we report the crystal structure of duloxetine hydrochloride in its racemic form (space group Pna21), where it shows significant differences in the molecular conformation and packing in its extended structure compared to the previously reported (S)-enantiomer crystal structure. Molecules of this type, comprising aromatic groups with a single side chain terminated in a protonated secondary amine, are commonly found in active antidepressants. A Cambridge Structural Database survey of molecules with these features reveals a strong correlation between side-chain conformation and the crystal packing: an extended side chain leads to molecules packed into separated layers of hydrophobic and ionic hydrophilic phases. By comparison, molecules with bent side chains, such as racemic duloxetine hydrochloride, lead to crystal-packing motifs where an ionic hydrophilic phase is encapsulated within a hydrophobic shell.
Different strategies and bio-removal mechanisms of petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated sites
Authors: Ahmed Salim , Kumari Khushboo , Singh Durgeshwer
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Petroleum hydrocarbons are naturally occurring flammable fossil fuels used as conventional energy sources. It has carcinogenic, mutagenic properties and is considered a hazardous pollutant. Soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons adversely affects the properties of soil. This paper aim to remove pollutants from the environment is an urgent need of the hour to maintain the proper functioning of soil ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

The ability of micro-organisms to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons makes it possible to use these microorganisms to clean the environment from petroleum pollution. For preparing this review, research papers and review articles related to petroleum hydrocarbons degradation by micro-organisms were collected from journals and various search engines.

Findings

Various physical and chemical methods are used for remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons contaminants. However, these methods have several disadvantages. This paper will discuss a novel understanding of petroleum hydrocarbons degradation and how micro-organisms help in petroleum-contaminated soil restoration. Bioremediation is recognized as the most environment-friendly technique for remediation. The research studies demonstrated that bacterial consortium have high biodegradation rate of petroleum hydrocarbons ranging from 83% to 89%.

Social implications

Proper management of petroleum hydrocarbons pollutants from the environment is necessary because of their toxicity effects on human and environmental health.

Originality/value

This paper discussed novel mechanisms adopted by bacteria for biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons, aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation pathways, genes and enzymes involved in petroleum hydrocarbons biodegradation.
What determines the development of a rural collective economy? A fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) approach
Authors: Hong Ruling , Zhan Minlu , Wang Fuxi
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study explores configurations that promote the development of collective economies in China's rural villages and reveals the multiple development pathways that otherwise remain relatively unexamined in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors obtained first-hand representative case data from 20 villages in 12 counties in 5 provinces in East, West and Central China via fieldwork and applied fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to conduct a configurational comparative study of the development of village collective economies.

Findings

This paper identifies five factors in the current literature that affect the development of village collectives, based on an “entrepreneur–situation” analytical framework. Using the fsQCA method, this study further obtains two main configurations of conditions that culminate in the growth of rural collective economies in China. The first solution is the “top-down path”: When entrepreneurial leadership (EL), resource endowment (RE) and government assistance (GA) are present, a village collective economy will experience a high level of development, irrespective of policy support (PS) and villagers' participation (VP). The second solution is the “bottom-up path”: When EL, VP and PS are present and GA is not present, a village collective economy will experience a high level of development, irrespective of RE. In both situations, EL stands out as the core condition for the development of village collective economies, implying the need for the government to vigorously cultivate the entrepreneurial skills and aspirations of village cadres.

Originality/value

Taking a configurational perspective and using an fsQCA approach, this research constructs an “entrepreneur–situation” analytical framework to investigate the key combinations of factors and pathways involved in the high level of development of Chinese village collective economies.
Board gender diversity, quotas and critical mass theory
Authors: Lefley Frank , Janeček Václav
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The corporate communications literature recently focused on corporate board gender diversity, specifically looking at two central aspects: gender quotas and equitable target percentages for women on corporate boards. This paper extends the debate by focusing on board gender diversity and critical mass theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper gives a conceptual viewpoint on the issues raised in the literature on board gender diversity through a critical mass theory lens.

Findings

Following the 2022 European Union (EU) directive, all EU member states will have to attain a 40% women representation on large corporate boards to achieve board gender diversity and what has been termed a “critical mass”. However, the literature indicates that gender diversity benefits may not be achieved if a critical mass is not composed of independent women directors who create a voice that produces a collective action. The authors highlight why a critical mass may not be achieved. The inconsistency in prior research linking corporate board gender diversity to economic performance may result from the critical mass of women directors not reflecting an independent collective action. However, as gender-diverse boards evolve, the authors argue that women will not just be seen as female directors but will be accepted on equal terms with their male counterparts and have an equal voice; gender will no longer be an issue and critical mass theory may then become irrelevant.

Practical implications

From a corporate communications perspective, this study will focus the minds of human resources (HR) professionals on the importance of the composition of women on corporate boards if the HR professionals wish to obtain the full potential benefits of board gender diversity. Theoretically, this study highlights the importance of critical mass and collective action when researching the economic benefits of corporate board gender diversity. Investment analysts may wish to look more closely at the structure of corporate boards and not just the numbers.

Originality/value

This paper gives a conceptual viewpoint on the critical mass theory and corporate board gender diversity, identifying that it is not just the numbers that are important but also the issue of minority independence and collective action, and this is, therefore, unique in this respect. Future research should identify if a critical mass (not just numbers) of women on corporate boards has been achieved. Only then that the linkage, based on critical mass theory, between board gender diversity and corporate performance/profitability can be made. Knowing whether board sizes are being increased to accommodate the added female directors would be also interesting, or will the new female directors replace existing male directors? However, the most important research question, once gender diversity has been achieved, could be: Is critical mass theory relevant with respect to board gender diversity?
Effect of equity checks and balances on corporate social responsibility: A moderated mediating effect
Authors: Yang Ya-ru , Wang Jianqiong , Lou Wentao
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the interaction between internal factors of corporate governance, especially the relationship between equity checks and balances and corporate social responsibility (CSR), and further analyze the mediating of green innovation performance and the moderating role of environmental uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2012 to 2020 constructed a regulated mediation effect model, empirically tests the impact of equity checks and balances on CSR and the mediation and mediator roles of green innovation performance and environmental uncertainty.

Findings

(1) Equity checks and balances among shareholders have a significant positive impact on CSR. (2) Equity checks and balances have a positive impact on green innovation performance, green innovation performance has a positive impact on CSR and green innovation performance plays a partial mediation effect between equity checks and balances and CSR. (3) Additionally, environmental uncertainty not only moderates the relationship between Green Innovation Performance and CSR but also moderates the direct effect between equity balance and CSR, which verifies the existence of a moderated mediation effect.

Research limitations/implications

The study only considers listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets as the research sample and does not include unlisted and gem enterprises.

Practical implications

The present research can offer some managerial implications about implementing equity checks and balances among shareholders, actively fulfilling CSR and developing new products.

Social implications

This study complements previous studies on the role of green innovation in corporate governance by exploring the impact of green innovation on equity checks and balances and CSR. And this study explores the dynamic moderating of environmental uncertainty within enterprises and provides another explanation for the mixed results of equity checks and balances, green innovation performance and CSR.

Originality/value

By demonstrating the influence of the ownership structure of A-shares listed companies on CSR, this paper provides a new and comprehensive theoretical framework to examine the interaction between equity checks and balances, green innovation performance, environmental uncertainty and CSR. The results can be used as a reference for corporate governance, improving innovation performance and fulfilling CSR.
Move to innovation: place-based industrial relocation policy and firm innovation in China
Authors: Zheng Xian , Huang Jinchuan , Yuan Ziqing
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study investigates whether and how place-based industrial relocation policy affects firm innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

By exploiting the establishment of China's National Industrial Relocation Demonstration Zones (NIRDZs) as a quasi-natural experiment in a difference-in-differences design, the authors examine the externalities of industrial policies that support sustainable development and growth from the perspectives of firms' patenting activities.

Findings

The study consistently finds that the NIRDZs policy significantly boosts local firm innovation, translating into a 60.46% increase in the patent applications of treated firms. The estimation results remain robust to a series of alternative specifications. Moreover, heterogeneity analysis suggests that the firms that benefited most were state-owned enterprises, firms with higher productivity, or firms in non-high-tech industries. Further, the authors find that the NIRDZs policy stimulates firm innovation mainly in the form of utility model patents, followed by designs and invention patents.

Research limitations/implications

The results provide suggestions and implications for policymakers to improve the efficiency of state-led industrial policies and avoid “government failure” in policy implementation.

Social implications

This study provides suggestions and implications for policymakers to improve the efficiency of state-led industrial policies and avoid “government failure” in the policy implementation.

Originality/value

This study fills the research gap by exploiting quasi-experiments to assess the effectiveness of state-led industrial policies for emerging economies. (2) The analysis sheds empirical light on how corporate innovation is motivated and financed by selective and functional industrial policies. (3) Theoretically, the results rationalize why state-led industrial relocation fuel innovation capabilities of localities from Marshall externalities and competition crowding-out effects.
Twitter sentiment and stock market: a COVID-19 analysis
Authors: Katsafados Apostolos G. , Nikoloutsopoulos Sotirios , Leledakis George N.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Using textual analysis the authors study the relationship between social media sentiments and stock markets during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analysis is based on a sample of 1,616,007 tweets over the period January to June 2021 for seven countries. The authors process the tweets via the VADER analyzer thereby producing both positive and negative sentiment measures.

Findings

Particularly, the authors prove that higher positivism is associated with a short-term increase in stock prices. On the other side, negativism relates inversely to stock prices with long-term impact, in the case of English-spoken countries. Notably, the study results remain robust to the inclusion of various control variables, including virtual fear and Google vaccine indexes. Finally, the authors prove that positivism is associated with higher returns and lower volatility in the short-run, while negativism is linked with lower returns in the short run.

Practical implications

The study analysis also has significant policy implications for researchers, investors and policymakers. First, researchers can employ our measures to quantify market sentiments and expand their research arsenal to incorporate social media trends, thus providing better explanatory power. Second, during times of severe uncertainty such as in a pandemic period, investors could beneficially take into account our textual measures and empirical results when using asset pricing models or constructing their portfolios. Third, the finding that the stock market is heavily governed by sentimental behaviors, especially during crisis periods, implies that policymakers including central banks, governments and capital market commissions must consider these sentiments before exerting their policies. In this regard, governments can effectively develop policy tools and approaches to manage recovery from the pandemic, which translates to greater long-term economic resilience. Moreover, central banks should accordingly adjust their monetary policy measures in order to stabilize financial markets, and by extension, to stop the pandemic from turning into a renewed financial crisis. For example, asset purchase program is considered the main instrument of this kind of intervention.

Originality/value

The authors confirm that this work is original and has not been published elsewhere, nor is it currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. The paper should be of interest to readers in the areas of finance.
Linking CSR and organizational performance: the intervening role of sustainability risk management and organizational reputation
Authors: Singh Kuldeep , Abraham Rebecca , Yadav Jitendra , Agrawal Amit Kumar , Kolar Prasanna
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to look at the multifaceted relationship mechanism between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and organizational performance (OP) via sustainability risk management (SRM) and organizational reputation (OR).

Design/methodology/approach

This research connects CSR to OP via SRM and OR. Based on a sample of 325 managers of multinational firms in India, a theoretical model was proposed and analyzed through sequential mediation regressions analysis.

Findings

The findings indicate that CSR is positively and appreciably associated with OP. Furthermore, SRM and OR have been found to have a sequentially mediating effect on the interrelationship between CSR and OP. The study recognizes that organizations with a proactive approach to CSR tend to manage sustainability risk more actively, which helps to improve OR and ultimately results in better OP.

Originality/value

The research advances understanding of the triple bottom line and offers a platform for building strategic and successful CSR policies by offering valuable insights on the link between CSR and OP.
Palynology and mycology as biological evidence in a homicide case
Authors: Povilauskas Leticia Karina , Tranchida María Cecilia
Published: April 2023

Criminal cases are studied from several disciplines to link a suspect with a criminal act. In this case, a man was reported missing in a coastal area in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The victim's relatives pointed to a possible suspect, and the local police carried out the investigation. We contributed to this research by applying palynological and mycological techniques. Palynomorphs and fungal spores offer valuable trace evidence, as they can be easily transferred between objects and crime scenes due to their minute size and persist on them for a long time. The victim was found 25 days later, lying on sandy soil, which partially covered the body, 35 km from where the suspect was arrested. Comparative samples were collected from the crime scene and the suspect's home and belongings (clothes, footwear, and seized vehicle). The palynological associations obtained from the crime scene and the defendant's belongings were dominated by diatoms and acritarchs (Acantomorphitae), all elements of marine origin, and a high CFU number of Bipolaris cynodontis, which allowed the defendant's clothing to be related to the place of corpse discovery. Soil from the defendant's home had an entirely continental composition, and the fungal biota was characteristic of prairie areas which were different from those of the crime scene.
Neighborhoods of last resort: How landlord strategies concentrate violent crime
Authors: Gomory Henry , Desmond Matthew
Published: April 2023

Studies of crime hot spots have argued that landlords’ management styles, specifically their tenant screening and property monitoring techniques, affect crime. These studies, however, have rarely considered the political–economic contexts in which these actions take place: specifically, how landlords’ behaviors are shaped by, and themselves reproduce, larger rental market structures. Drawing on data pertaining to eviction rates, criminal incidents, housing code violations, and landlord behavior in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this study documents how extractive rental management strategies, such as weak tenant screening, frequent eviction filings, and property disinvestment, concentrate crime at particular properties. In turn, high rates of crime in a neighborhood incentivize these extractive landlord strategies. By showing how landlords’ economic strategies are central to urban crime geographies, this study contributes to our understanding of third‐party policing by revealing the limits of market‐based solutions to place management dilemmas.
Porous‐nanozyme‐based colorimetric sensor for rapid detection of kanamycin in foods under neutral condition
Authors: Zou Wenying , Wang Junjun , Yang Siyi , Tang Yue , Niu Xiaojuan , Wu Yuangen
Published: April 2023

Most colorimetric methods based on nanozymes need to have excellent performance under acidic condition, so they are currently facing some challenges in the field of food hazard detection. Herein, a facile and rapid colorimetric sensor for kanamycin (KAN) detection in foods under neutral condition has been designed using the peroxidase‐mimic activity of porous nanozyme like Co3O4 nanodisk. Further investigations showed that the interaction mechanism between porous Co3O4 nanodisk and substrates belongs to a ping–pong model, and the inhibition type of KAN on the peroxidase‐mimic activity is noncompetitive inhibition. The constructed sensor has good sensitivity for KAN with the limit of 57 nM, and the color changes can be discerned visually when KAN exceeds 0.5 µM. Besides, the colorimetric sensor obtains excellent recovery results in chicken serum, milk, honey, and pork, which shows that the proposed sensing strategy can provide a rapid and convenient detection method for KAN in foods under neutral condition.

Practical Application

The established sensing strategy can rapidly distinguish whether KAN residue exceeds the permissible level within 10 min, which meets the requirement for on‐site monitoring of antibiotics in foods, and also open up a new idea for other hazards detection under neutral condition.
How does environmental corporate social responsibility contribute to the development of a green corporate image? The sequential mediating roles of employees' environmental passion and pro‐environmental behavior
Authors: Ali Muhammad Asghar , Khan Abdul Zahid , Azeem Muhammad Umer , Inam ul Haq
Published: April 2023

Drawing on social cognitive theory and social information processing theory, this study investigated how organizations' efforts to embody environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) shape consumer perception of a green corporate image through employees' environmental passion and pro‐environmental behavior (PEB). To test our hypotheses, we collected multisource time‐lagged data from 214 employee–customer dyads from hotel and banking sector organizations in Pakistan. The findings show that organizations' green corporate image is a function of their efforts to engage in ECSR activities as demonstrated through employees' environmental passion and PEB. These findings have important implications in the environment and management domains because it can help organizations draft useful strategies to counter environmental degradation and generate a green corporate image in customers' minds through employees' green behavior.
The role of learning theory in multimodal learning analytics
Authors: Giannakos Michail , Cukurova Mutlu
Published: April 2023

This study presents the outcomes of a semi‐systematic literature review on the role of learning theory in multimodal learning analytics (MMLA) research. Based on previous systematic literature reviews in MMLA and an additional new search, 35 MMLA works were identified that use theory. The results show that MMLA studies do not always discuss their findings within an established theoretical framework. Most of the theory‐driven MMLA studies are positioned in the cognitive and affective domains, and the three most frequently used theories are embodied cognition, cognitive load theory and control–value theory of achievement emotions. Often, the theories are only used to inform the study design, but there is a relationship between the most frequently used theories and the data modalities used to operationalize those theories. Although studies such as these are rare, the findings indicate that MMLA affordances can, indeed, lead to theoretical contributions to learning sciences. In this work, we discuss methods of accelerating theory‐driven MMLA research and how this acceleration can extend or even create new theoretical knowledge.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Multimodal learning analytics (MMLA) is an emerging field of research with inherent connections to advanced computational analyses of social phenomena.

MMLA can help us monitor learning activity at the micro‐level and model cognitive, affective and social factors associated with learning using data from both physical and digital spaces.

MMLA provide new opportunities to support students' learning.

What this paper adds

Some MMLA works use theory, but, overall, the role of theory is currently limited.

The three theories dominating MMLA research are embodied cognition, control–value theory of achievement emotions and cognitive load theory.

Most of the theory‐driven MMLA papers use theory ‘as is’ and do not consider the analytical and synthetic role of theory or aim to contribute to it.

Implications for practice and/or policy

If the ultimate goal of MMLA, and AI in Education in general, research is to understand and support human learning, these studies should be expected to align their findings (or not) with established relevant theories.

MMLA research is mature enough to contribute to learning theory, and more research should aim to do so.

MMLA researchers and practitioners, including technology designers, developers, educators and policy‐makers, can use this review as an overview of the current state of theory‐driven MMLA.
The identification and management of people with an at‐risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis in primary and secondary care services: A qualitative interview study
Authors: Strelchuk Daniela , Wiles Nicola , Derrick Catherine , Zammit Stan , Turner Katrina
Published: April 2023

Aims

Early intervention in people with an at‐risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis can prevent the onset of psychosis. Clinical guidelines recommend that ARMS are referred to triage services, and then to Early Intervention (EI) teams in secondary care for assessment and treatment. However, little is known about how ARMS patients are identified and managed in UK primary and secondary care. This study explored patients' and clinicians' views of ARMS patients' care pathways.

Methods

Eleven patients, 20 GPs, 11 clinicians from the triaging Primary Care Liaison Services (PCLS) and 10 EI clinicians were interviewed. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

Most patients said their symptoms started in adolescence with depression and anxiety. Before being referred to EI teams, most patients were referred by their GP to well‐being services for talking therapies, which they had not found helpful. Some GPs said secondary care‘s high acceptance thresholds and scarce treatment availability made them reluctant to refer to EI teams. Triage in PCLS was influenced by patients’ risk of self‐harm, and formulation of psychotic symptoms; only those without clear evidence of other pathology and not at high risk of self‐harm were referred to EI teams, the others being referred to Recovery/Crisis services. Although patients referred to EI teams were offered an assessment, only some EI teams were commissioned to treat ARMS.

Conclusions

Individuals meeting ARMS criteria might not receive early intervention due to high treatment thresholds and limited treatment availability in secondary care, suggesting clinical guidelines are not being met for this patient group.
Selenium suppressed the LPS‐induced inflammation of bovine endometrial epithelial cells through NF‐κB and MAPK pathways under high cortisol background
Authors: Cui Luying , Zhang Jiaqi , Guo Jing , Zhang Min , Li Wenjie , Dong Junsheng , Liu Kangjun , Guo Long , Li Jun , Wang Heng , Li Jianji
Published: April 2023

The bovine uterus is susceptible to infection, and the elevated cortisol level due to stress are common in cows after delivery. The essential trace element selenium plays a pivotal role in the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory defence system of body. This study investigated whether selenium supplementation protected endometrial cells from inflammation in the presence of high‐level cortisol. The primary bovine endometrial epithelial cells were subjected to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide to establish cellular inflammation model. The gene expression of inflammatory mediators and proinflammatory cytokines was measured by quantitative PCR. The key proteins of NF‐κB and MAPK signalling pathways were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence. The result showed that pre‐treatment of Na2SeO3 (1, 2 and 4 μΜ) decreased the mRNA expression of proinflammatory genes, inhibited the activation of NF‐κB and suppressed the phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, P38MAPK and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase. This inhibition of inflammation was more apparent in the presence of high‐level cortisol (30 ng/mL). These results indicated that selenium has an anti‐inflammatory effect, which is mediated via NF‐κB and MAPK signalling pathways and is augmented by cortisol in bovine endometrial epithelial cells.
Going green in Thailand: Upgrading in global organic value chains
Authors: Moore Joel D. , Donaldson John A.
Published: April 2023

Under what conditions are some small‐scale agricultural producers able to overcome challenges associated with shifting to organic production, whereas most are not? The answers are vital for the global effort to encourage more sustainable, pro‐poor forms of agriculture—more organic farming, more sustainable production; more smallholders engaged in green production, more income and better livelihoods. Yet, answering this question is challenging in part because previous analyses of global production networks, such as those associated with organic agriculture, focus more on broad governance patterns than the specific factors and actors that help smallholders shift to organic production and link to far‐flung markets. To fill in these gaps, we conducted fieldwork in Isan, Thailand, a major rice‐producing area in which many groups of smallholders have attempted to shift into organic production. Doing so allows us to identify the critical challenges associated with upgrading into organic production and analyse how specific actors enabled some groups to overcome these challenges. Our findings provide a generalizable theoretical approach to understanding how to link small‐scale farmers to global value chains in ways that can potentially enhance smallholders' livelihoods, spark rural development and encourage more sustainable practices in agriculture.
Passion Amid the Pandemic: Applying a Person‐Centered Approach to Examine Cross‐Domain Multi‐Passion Profiles during a Crisis
Authors: Astakhova Marina N. , Ho Violet T. , McKay Alexander S.
Published: April 2023

We examine whether having cross‐domain passion (i.e., harmonious and obsessive passion for work and for non‐work activities) during the COVID‐19 pandemic can help individuals fare better amid the crisis. Drawing from work‐family boundary framework, we develop a provisional theory of cross‐domain multi‐passion, and in two studies, we use latent profile analysis to uncover five passion profiles – Dispassionate at Work and Play; Dispassionate at Work, Ambidextrous at Play; Harmonious at Work, Ambidextrous at Play; Harmonious at Work and Play; and Moderately Harmonious at Work and Play. In Study 1, we inductively explore these profiles and their relationships with life satisfaction. In Study 2, we replicate the number and content of these profiles, and test whether segmentation‐integration preferences and work and non‐work constraints predict the probability of individuals belonging to a certain profile. Overall, these profiles reveal how individuals can co‐host multiple forms of passion simultaneously, and how doing so relate to their life satisfaction during the pandemic.
Twig black pitting and cankers of pomegranate (Punica granatum) caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae in Central Italy
Authors: Cesari Erica , Pachioli Silverio , L'Aurora Alessia , Scala Valeria , Pucci Nicoletta , Loreti Stefania , Scortichini Marco
Published: April 2023

In May 2019, a two‐year‐old pomegranate orchard cultivar “Wonderful”, located in Central Italy, showed extensive black pitting and longitudinal cankers on twigs as well as apical leaf wilting. Bacterial isolates were identified by applying biochemical, molecular and pathogenicity assays. All isolates showed identical biochemical characteristics typical of Pseudomonas syringae. In addition, upon artificial inoculations, the isolates caused symptoms in pomegranate twigs and leaves similar to those observed in the field, and in lemon fruit and pear leaves. The isolates possess the syrB gene. An ERIC‐PCR fingerprinting analysis revealed an identical pattern for the strains isolated from pomegranate and other strains previously obtained from lemon and chickpea, in Tunisia and Italy, respectively, as well as a similarity with other strains obtained from different host plants. The 16S rRNA gene analysis showed a very high similarity with other P. s. pv. syringae strains. The study allowed to conclude that the disease was caused by P. s. pv. syringae, reported for the first time as a pathogen for pomegranate. Frost and high humidity could have favoured the outbreak. The year after the outbreak, a formulate that contains zinc, copper, manganese, chitosan and garlic powder, effectively reduced the severity of the disease in the field.
Psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ family impact module
Authors: Lima Lígia , Lemos Sara , Barbieri‐Figueiredo Maria Do Céu , Martins Teresa , Andrade Luísa
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to assess the psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Family Impact Module in parents of children/adolescents with chronic health conditions.

Design and Methods

The European Portuguese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Family Impact Module was administered to 237 parents of children/adolescents with chronic disease and/or chronic disorder. Participants were recruited from the day hospital and/or outpatient services of four hospitals in Northern Portugal, the majority being mothers (87.3%) aged between 31 and 50 years (86.9%). The questionnaire was administered online through the REDCap platform. The hierarchical factor model of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Family Impact Module proposed by Varni and colleagues was tested.

Results

Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated good model fit, with the following indices (χ2/gL = 2.19; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.90;  root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.07 immune cell [IC] 90% = 0.06−0.07). Internal consistency values were high (parent quality of life subtotal, α = .96; family functioning subtotal, α = .92; total score, α = .96).

Practice Implications

The European Portuguese version of the PedsQL™ FIM is a reliable and valid measurement tool for nurses to assess the impact of the child/adolescent chronic conditions on family's quality of life and to develop interventions to improve their well‐being.
Demographic monitoring of the invasive ladder snake on Formentera (Balearic Islands, Spain)
Authors: Febrer‐Serra M. , Lassnig N. , Colomar V. , Picó G. , Sureda A. , Pinya S.
Published: April 2023

The ladder snake Zamenis scalaris was first reported in 2006 in Formentera (Balearic Islands, Spain), until then a snake‐free Mediterranean island. Since 2016, intense control campaigns have been carried out and, for the first time, snake captures over 2017–2020 have been used to analyze the sex ratio, age, fat percentage, population density, and seasonality of this invasive population. The male‐biased sex ratio found in the present work could be the result of capture biases caused by different detection probabilities between sexes. A reduction of snake body length over time was observed, which could indicate a depletion of the larger snakes due to intense snake capture. The highest capture frequencies of both sexes were reported in May and June, coinciding with the mate searching period in the species native range and indicating that snakes increase their movements during this period. Size‐specific survivorship curves indicated a drop in survivorship at medium sizes, which suggested a survival cost associated with reproduction, presumably due to increased mortality during the mating season. Population density decreased from 1.812 snakes/ha in 2017 to 0.669 snakes/ha in 2020. Evidence obtained in the present work has allowed to evaluate the main ecological aspects of Z. scalaris and the current state of the population of this invasive snake on the island of Formentera. Results showed that the population is well established in Formentera, but prolonged control campaigns have caused its decline. This study becomes a starting point to improve the management and control programs of invasive snake populations in the Balearic Islands. Long‐term control as well as the improvement of the detection and capture of adult females are strongly recommended to attempt the eradication of Z. scalaris in Formentera.
Technical change, constant rate of exploitation and falling rate of profit in linear production economies
Authors: Basu Deepankar , Orellana Oscar
Published: April 2023

Can cost‐reducing technical change lead to a fall in the long run rate of profit if class struggle manages to keep the rate of exploitation constant? In this paper, we derive three results that, taken together, answer this question in the affirmative. First, we identify three properties that new real wage bundles must satisfy to keep the rate of exploitation constant and lead to a falling rate of profit. Second, we derive sufficient conditions for existence of an infinite number of such real wage bundles. Third, we show that, if the initial real wage bundle is such that the maximum price‐labor value ratio is larger than 1 plus the rate of exploitation, then starting from any configuration of technology, there always exists a viable, capital‐using labour‐saving technical change that satisfies the sufficient conditions of the previous result. These results vindicate Marx's claim that if the rate of exploitation remains unchanged then technical change in capitalist economies can lead to a fall in the long run rate of profit.
Synergistic effects of calcium and melatonin on physiological and phytochemical attributes of Dracocephalum kotschyi genotypes under salinity stress
Authors: Vafadar Farinaz , Ehsanzadeh Parviz
Published: April 2023

Since regulatory roles of calcium (Ca) and melatonin (MT) in physiological responses of plants to salinity stress are lacking, various Dracocephalum kotschyi genotypes (Bojnord, Urmia, Fereydunshahr, and Semirom) were pretreated with exogenous Ca (5 mM), MT (100 μM), and Ca + MT in the presence of salt (75 mM NaCl). In addition measuring the concentration of phenolic compounds by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), histochemical evaluations of essential oils and phenolic compounds in glandular trichomes of leaf samples was performed by light microscope. Salt stress reduced shoot fresh (SFW) and dry weight (SDW), leaf area (LA), relative water content (RWC), and maximum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), but enhanced total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC), phenolic compounds concentrations, 2,2‐diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, electrolyte leakage (EL), proline, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentrations, and Na+/K+ and essential oils and TPC of the glandular trichomes of leaves in all D. kotschyi genotypes. Foliar spraying of Ca, MT, and particularly Ca + MT on D. kotschyi seedlings improved SFW, SDW, RWC, TPC, TFC, proline, and phenolic compounds concentrations, Fv/Fm, and DPPH radical scavenging capacity, but reduced H2O2, EL, and Na+/K+ in the leaves and essential oils and TPC in the glandular trichomes of all genotypes under both nonstress and salt stress conditions. These findings indicate that the crosstalk between MT and Ca synergistically improves salt tolerance, TPC and TFC, phenolic compounds concentration, and essential oils accumulation in glandular trichomes of different D. kotschyi genotypes.