bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IntracellularPlasmodiumaquaporin 2 is required for sporozoite production in the mosquito vector and malaria transmission
Authors: Bailey Alexander J. , Ukegbu Chiamaka Valerie , Giorgalli Maria , Besson Tanguy Rene Balthazar , Christophides George K. , Vlachou Dina
Published: March 2023

Malaria remains a devastating disease and, with current measures failing to control its transmission, there is a need for novel interventions. A family of proteins that have long been pursued as potential intervention targets are aquaporins which are channels facilitating the movement of water and other solutes across membranes. We identify a new aquaporin in malaria parasites and demonstrate that it is essential for disease transmission through mosquitoes. Disruption of AQP2 in the human parasitePlasmodium falciparumand the rodent parasitePlasmodium bergheiblocks sporozoite production inside oocysts established on mosquito midguts, preventing parasite infection of salivary glands and transmission to a new host.In vivoepitope tagging of AQP2 inP. berghei, combined with immunofluorescence assays, reveals that the protein is localized in previously uncharacterized organelles found in the cytoplasm of gametocytes, ookinetes and sporozoites. The number of these organelles varies between individual parasites and lifecycle stages suggesting that they are likely part of a dynamic endolysosomal system. Phylogenetic analysis confirms that AQP2 is unique to malaria and closely related parasites and most closely related to other intracellular aquaporins. Structure prediction analyses identify several unusual features, including a large accessory extracellular loop and an arginine-to-phenylalanine substitution in the selectivity filter principally determining pore function, a unique feature not found in any aquaporins studied to date. This in conjunction with the requirement of AQP2 for malaria transmission suggests that AQP2 may be a fruitful new target of novel antimalarial interventions.
SPOC domain proteins in health and disease
Authors: Appel Lisa-Marie , Benedum Johannes , Engl Magdalena , Platzer Sebastian , Schleiffer Alexander , Strobl Xué , Slade Dea
Published: March 2023

Since it was first described >20 yr ago, the SPOC domain (Spen paralog and ortholog C-terminal domain) has been identified in many proteins all across eukaryotic species. SPOC-containing proteins regulate gene expression on various levels ranging from transcription to RNA processing, modification, export, and stability, as well as X-chromosome inactivation. Their manifold roles in controlling transcriptional output implicate them in a plethora of developmental processes, and their misregulation is often associated with cancer. Here, we provide an overview of the biophysical properties of the SPOC domain and its interaction with phosphorylated binding partners, the phylogenetic origin of SPOC domain proteins, the diverse functions of mammalian SPOC proteins and their homologs, the mechanisms by which they regulate differentiation and development, and their roles in cancer.
The impact of SWI/SNF and NuRD inactivation on gene expression is tightly coupled with levels of RNA polymerase II occupancy at promoters
Authors: Pundhir Sachin , Su Jinyu , Tapia Marta , Hansen Anne Meldgaard , Haile James Seymour , Hansen Klaus , Porse Bo Torben
Published: March 2023

SWI/SNF and NuRD are protein complexes that antagonistically regulate DNA accessibility. However, repression of their activities often leads to unanticipated changes in target gene expression (paradoxical), highlighting our incomplete understanding of their activities. Here we show that SWI/SNF and NuRD are in a tug-of-war to regulate PRC2 occupancy at lowly expressed and bivalent genes in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). In contrast, at promoters of average or highly expressed genes, SWI/SNF and NuRD antagonistically modulate RNA polymerase II (Pol II) release kinetics, arguably owing to accompanying alterations in H3.3 and H2A.Z levels at promoter-flanking nucleosomes, leading to paradoxical changes in gene expression. Owing to this mechanism, the relative activities of the two remodelers potentiate gene promoters toward Pol II–dependent open or PRC2-dependent closed chromatin states. Our results highlight RNA Pol II occupancy as the key parameter in determining the direction of gene expression changes in response to SWI/SNF and NuRD inactivation at gene promoters in mESCs.
Work-integrated learning (WIL) as a part of quality education in architecture: the profession's perspective
Authors: Briant Sarah , Crowther Philip , Clifton Jennifer , Osborne Burton Lindy
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This research argues that architecture knowledge is fragmented between the profession and academia as evidenced by long-standing conflicting opinions regarding desirable graduate attributes. Work-integrated learning (WIL) is one mode of education where these fragments should come together. This research seeks to address a missing part of that WIL model and understand the profession's view of what constitutes quality education as a United Nations (UN) Sustainability Development Goal (SDG).

Design/methodology/approach

Utilising a three round Delphi survey of the architecture profession engaged in WIL programs, this study reports on their perspectives of the key benefits and attributes of WIL and the value of WIL experiences as part of a quality higher education system.

Findings

The architecture profession confirmed the value of WIL programs as contributing to students developing an understanding of workplace culture and contexts. There was strong agreement that WIL experiences can be a valuable part of a quality education and enhance graduate employability. Challenges for practice included semester-based program timing, the length of engagement with practice and the lack of WIL program guidance by universities to prepare the profession for WIL experiences.

Originality/value

While WIL has been extensively researched over the last decade, it is limited in the architecture discipline. Survey findings address the research gap in understanding the architecture profession's views as a key WIL stakeholder which is important given the rapidly changing practice environments, globalisation and the increasingly transdisciplinary context.
Blockchain adoption in agri-food supply chain management: an empirical study of the main drivers using extended UTAUT
Authors: Sharma Anandika , Sharma Anupam , Singh Rohit Kumar , Bhatia Tarunpreet
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Blockchain technology can overcome many complicated problems related to confidentiality, integrity and availability of fast and secure distributed systems in the agri-food supply chain. In emerging economies like India, blockchain application in the agri-food supply chain is still new, and their adoption is underdeveloped. This paper aims to investigate the drivers of blockchain technology adoption and their effect on the behavioral intention of stakeholders in adopting blockchain technology among various stakeholders in the agri-food supply chain. The study also develops a framework to enhance understanding of blockchain adoption in the agri-food supply chain as well as the stakeholders' motivation in seeking blockchain solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the most significant aspects of blockchain adoption in the agri-food supply chain, this study attempts to develop an adoption model by using the extended unified theory of acceptance and technology model with interfirm trust and transparency as additional factors. Data was collected from a sample of 200 stakeholders in the North Indian state of Punjab. The empirical analysis was carried out using structural equation modeling in Smart PLS3.

Findings

The findings supported the developed framework and the results of SEM indicate that all the paths are supported. In particular, the findings of the study reveal that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, interfirm trust and transparency are the drivers of blockchain adoption and have a significant impact on the behavioral intention of stakeholders. Cumulatively, the results positively impact the performance of agri-food supply chain. From this study, it is found that the adoption of blockchain technology in agri-food supply chain enhances their performance.

Originality/value

The originality of the study lies in the developed framework, technology adoption will help them focus in the right direction by eliminating manual methods and converting the agri-food supply chain into a digitalization system.
A new method based on ensemble time series for fast and accurate clustering
Authors: Ghorbanian Ali , Razavi Hamideh
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The common methods for clustering time series are the use of specific distance criteria or the use of standard clustering algorithms. Ensemble clustering is one of the common techniques used in data mining to increase the accuracy of clustering. In this study, based on segmentation, selecting the best segments, and using ensemble clustering for selected segments, a multistep approach has been developed for the whole clustering of time series data.

Design/methodology/approach

First, this approach divides the time series dataset into equal segments. In the next step, using one or more internal clustering criteria, the best segments are selected, and then the selected segments are combined for final clustering. By using a loop and how to select the best segments for the final clustering (using one criterion or several criteria simultaneously), two algorithms have been developed in different settings. A logarithmic relationship limits the number of segments created in the loop.

Finding

According to Rand's external criteria and statistical tests, at first, the best setting of the two developed algorithms has been selected. Then this setting has been compared to different algorithms in the literature on clustering accuracy and execution time. The obtained results indicate more accuracy and less execution time for the proposed approach.

Originality/value

This paper proposed a fast and accurate approach for time series clustering in three main steps. This is the first work that uses a combination of segmentation and ensemble clustering. More accuracy and less execution time are the remarkable achievements of this study.
Cross-cultural cognitive conditions and gender differences in the entrepreneurial activity during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Pinho José Carlos , Sá Elisabete
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to advance knowledge on the gender-specific conditions that lead to higher entrepreneurial activity (EA) in challenging contexts by examining the interdependencies between several cognitive dimensions (perceived opportunities, perceived capabilities, being undeterred by fear of failure, knowing an entrepreneur who started a business because of the pandemic) and one cultural dimension (masculinity) and their relationship with EA of women and men during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor’s special report “Women’s Entrepreneurship 2020/21: Thriving Through Crisis” for 43 countries, this study uses fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to assess complex causal conditions.

Findings

Results revealed six different causal configurations leading to high female EA and the same number leading to high male EA during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although half of these configurations are gender specific, this study found several similarities in the complex conditions leading to the same outcome for women and men. The specific dimensions of perceived opportunities and knowing an entrepreneur who started a business because of the pandemic were crucial for both genders. Still, the latter is particularly important for women. Masculinity orientation was only relevant in the male sample.

Originality/value

Despite the remarkable growth of the research on gender and entrepreneurship over the past years, there is still limited knowledge on what leads to women and men’s EA in times of crisis. This study's results advance the understanding of gender differences and similarities regarding the complex conditions that favour EA under highly challenging circumstances such as the ones imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
Three-parameter interval grey number dynamic TOPSIS method based on comprehensive similarity
Authors: Li Meijuan , Zhang Jiarong , Shen Zijie
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Three-parameter interval grey numbers (TPIGNs) have been extensively studied as an extended form of interval numbers. However, most existing TPIGN multi-attribute decision-making methods only consider the similarity of positions, ignore the similarity of developmental directions and focus primarily on static evaluation. To address these limitations, in this study, the authors propose a dynamic technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) based on modified Jaccard similarity and angle similarity for TPIGNs.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the authors extend Jaccard similarity to a TPIGN environment to represent positional similarity. A simple example is provided to illustrate the limitations of the traditional Jaccard similarity. Then, the authors introduce an angle similarity measure to represent developmental directional similarity. Finally, a dynamic TOPSIS model is constructed by incorporating time-series data into conventional two-dimensional static data. Stage weights are obtained by an objective function designed to maximize the amount and minimize the fluctuation of decision information. A quadratic weighting method is adopted to derive the overall evaluation value of alternatives.

Findings

To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method, this study takes the pre-assessment of ice disaster and the selection of cooperative enterprises as examples. The authors then provide the results of comparative and sensitivity analyses, which demonstrate the effectiveness and flexibility of the proposed method.

Originality/value

The proposed TOPSIS method in a TPIGN environment can take a more holistic and dynamic perspective for decision-making, which helps mitigate the limitations of single-perspective or static evaluations.
Proposed active flow control enabled hybrid tilt propeller/tilt wing aircraft
Authors: Taubert Lutz , Kay Garrett , Wygnanski Israel , Ol Michael
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to address shortcomings of current tiltrotor designs, such as the small aspect ratio of the wings, large download and the close proximity of the rotor tips. It also aims to avoid the complex transition of tiltrotors to normal airplane mode.

Design/methodology/approach

This design combines tiltrotor and tiltwing aircraft designs into a hybrid that is augmented by active flow control, using a gimbaled channel wing for attitude control in hover.

Findings

The proposed hybrid design is based on experimental results of components that were tested individually for potential use in hover and steep ascend from a stationary position.

Originality/value

This research was inspired by the extremely short take-off of the V-22, when its rotors were tilted forward. It combines several design approaches in a unique way to achieve extremely short take-off capabilities combined with high-speed and reduced maintenance costs.
The effects of foreign currency exposure and Sharī’ah-compliant status on financial hedging strategy
Authors: Abdul-Rahim Ruzita , Abd Wahab Adilah , Hudaib Mohammad
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Drawing upon underinvestment theory and clientele effect hypothesis, this paper aims to examine the effects of foreign currency (forex) exposure and Shari’ah-compliant status on firms’ financial hedging strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on data of 250 nonfinancial firms listed on Bursa Malaysia from 2010 to 2018 (2,250 firm-year observations), the authors test the impact of forex exposure based on a vector of foreign-denominated cash flows (FCF) indicators and firms’ Sharīʿah-compliant status on two proxies of financial hedging decisions, namely, the ratio of the notional value of currency derivatives to total assets and a binomial measure of hedging status. The hedging decision models are estimated using panel logistic regression and system generalized method of moments.

Findings

The results indicate significant positive effects of the forex exposure indicators on firms’ propensity to hedge. However, the impact of forex exposure is most prevalent via total FCF. The results also reveal significant positive effects of Sharīʿah-compliant status on firms’ propensity to hedge but its negative impacts on the value of currency derivatives they use. The results suggest that Sharīʿah-compliant firms refrain from engaging in currency derivatives to avoid riba’ and subsequently subdue the clientele effect. However, when the forex exposure reaches higher levels, engagement in currency derivatives becomes a matter of tentative necessity (dharurat).

Research limitations/implications

This study relies exclusively on the disclosure of foreign currency risk and management data in the annual reports of listed companies. Consequently, this limits the sample size to only those nonfinancial listed companies with complete data for the study period. Also, since none of the companies reports using Sharīʿah-compliant derivatives, the authors thus assume that they use derivative instruments that tolerate “riba.”

Practical implications

Given the significance of forex exposure on hedging decisions, the accounting profession must strictly adopt FRS 7 and FRS 139 for all listed firms to avoid market scrutiny and sustain their clientele. The results also call for the Islamic market regulators to include mandatory disclosure of conventional currency derivatives in screening firms for clearly prohibited activities to help enhance the credibility of its Islamic financial market.

Originality/value

Due to difficulty accessing relevant cash flow data, the study is among the few studies that measure forex exposure using FCF and test more proxy indicators. This study is perhaps the first to examine the Shari’ah perspective on currency derivatives in corporate forex risk management.
Students' extrinsic and intrinsic motivation improvements in learning defense engineering based on project-based learning
Authors: Deng Yanyao , Shi Chao
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate student motivation before and after the summer internship, in other words, to evaluate whether the summer internship affects male and female motivations differently.

Design/methodology/approach

Investigating whether the motivation score predicts grade point average was included by adopting a quantitative methodology. The defense engineering summer internship project provides candidates who learned defense engineering knowledge after the project an opportunity to generate motivation of involving in defense engineering discipline and industry.

Findings

This study found a marginal significant main effect on extrinsic motivation – introjected (EMIN) and intrinsic motivation to experience stimulation (IMS) in a summer internship. Furthermore, the study reveals that amotivation construct significantly predicted gender and previous academic performance (GPA) pre-summer internship, and amotivation, Extrinsic motivation – external regulation (EME) and extrinsic motivation – introjection (EMIN) significantly predicted GPA post-summer internship.

Originality/value

The project was done with support from the U.S. Department of defense grant N00014-19-1-2728. These findings are investigated from the project.
Effects of professional commitment, commitment to ethics, internal locus of control and emotional intelligence on the ability to detect fraud through reduced audit quality behaviors
Authors: Yulianti Yulianti , Zarkasyi Mohammad Wahyudin , Suharman Harry , Soemantri Roebiandini
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of professional commitment, commitment to ethics, internal locus of control and emotional intelligence on the ability to detect fraud through reduced audit quality behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis unit is the internal auditor in internal control unit at state Islamic religious higher education in Indonesia. Data processing used covariance-based structural equation modeling using Lisrel Software and the Sobel test to verify the direct and indirect effects.

Findings

This study found empirical evidence that professional commitment and emotional intelligence positively impact the ability to detect fraud. Commitment to ethics and emotional intelligence has a negative effect on reduced audit quality behaviors. Furthermore, this study also provides that commitment to ethics and emotional intelligence indirectly impacts on the ability to detect fraud through reduced audit quality behaviors.

Practical implications

The organization periodically monitors auditors’ behaviors, especially reduced audit quality behaviors, during the audit process and encourages regulators to formulate policies related to increasing the ability to detect fraud.

Originality/value

This study provides knowledge regarding the driving force of internal auditors to mitigate reduced audit quality behaviors and increase the ability to detect fraud.
How can we define social care and what are the levels of true integration in integrated care? A narrative review
Authors: Uribe Gabriela , Mukumbang Ferdinand , Moore Corey , Jones Tabitha , Woolfenden Susan , Ostojic Katarina , Haber Paul , Eastwood John , Gillespie James , Huckel Schneider Carmen
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Integrated health and social care initiatives are increasing and health and social care systems are aiming to improve health and social outcomes in disadvantaged groups. There is a global dialogue surrounding improving services by shifting to an integrated health and social care approach. There is consensus of what is “health care”; however, the “social care” definition remains less explored. The authors describe the state of “social care” within the current integrated care literature and identify the depth of integration in current health and social care initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative literature review, searching Medline, PsychINFO, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane databases and grey literature (from 2016 to 2021), employing a search strategy, was conducted.

Findings

In total. 276 studies were eligible for full-text review, and 33 studies were included and categorised in types: “social care as community outreach dialogues”, “social care as addressing an ageing population”, “social care as targeting multimorbidity and corresponding social risks factors” and “social care as initiatives addressing the fragmentation of services”. Most initiatives were implemented in the United Kingdom. In total, 21 studies reported expanding integrated governance and partnerships; 27 studies reported having health and social care staff with clear integrated governance; 17 had dedicated funding and 11 used data-sharing and the integration of systems’ records.

Originality/value

The authors' demonstrate that social care approaches are expanding beyond the elderly, and these models have been used to respond to multimorbidity [including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)], targeting priority groups and individuals with complex presentations.
The compliance of foreign investment projects with local environmental standards and the role (non-role) of the applicable BITs: the case of Ethiopia
Authors: Mekonnen Seid Demeke
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the compliance of foreign investment projects with local environmental standards in Ethiopia. It examines the cause and impact of the environmental problems created by such projects as well as the necessary policy response, especially by examining the role of the applicable bilateral investment treaties (BITs) in enforcing local standards.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach is fundamentally an empirical study with some doctrinal analysis. The empirical data (qualitative) was collected through interviews, focus group discussions and observation tools.

Findings

The investment projects selected for the case studies were not complying with the local environmental standards, which resulted in several environmental problems. The major cause for the overall environmental problems was not a legal gap in the local standards, but the failure of enforcing such standards by the government bodies and foreign investors. The applicable BITs also played no role in environmental protection as they do not impose environmental obligations along with enforcement mechanisms. Non-compliance with local standards can be mitigated if the applicable BITs impose environmental obligations along with workable enforcement mechanisms – as a treaty obligation has more binding force. The author argues that, in general, foreign investments are not environmental-friendly unless otherwise strictly regulated by combining local environmental standards and a BIT that imposes environmental obligations (along with enforcement mechanisms) on the foreign investors, host state and home state.

Originality/value

The existing literature does not deal with the environmental problems, the enforcement constraints and the role of the applicable BITs together in a single publication. They separately address these issues, which do not give a comprehensive understanding of the cause-and-effect relationship. This paper fills this gap by presenting comprehensive findings that combine the environmental problems and the associated enforcement constraints as well as the role of the applicable BITs in this regard. It also contributes to the ongoing debate concerning whether foreign direct investment is good or bad for the environment by producing empirical evidence from Ethiopia, the African continent.
Impact of reputation on hospitality profitability: impact of service failure online exposure on revenue performance – evidence from the hotel industry in China
Authors: Wang Zhisheng , Lin Xiang , Li Huiying
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Using a video revealing unhygienic practices in Chinese five-star hotels as the case study, this study aims to understand the impact of service failure online exposure on hotel revenue performance in terms of seriousness, magnitude and duration, as well as to identify the hotel-characteristics and hotel-responsiveness factors that influence revenue recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the actual Revenue per Available Room data of ten hotels involved in the incident and five different market segments during 2016–2019. Event study method is used to investigate the effect of online exposure on hotel revenue performance.

Findings

This study confirms the significant negative effect of online exposure and that hotels take nearly nine months to fully recover. The results indicate that hotel size, hotel age and response strategy play an important role in reducing negative impacts. Moreover, this study reveals the dynamic spillover effects of online exposure on different hotel market segments. These effects change from a competitive to a contagious effect with a decrease in class ratings.

Practical implications

Low-class hotel managers should take effective actions to avoid possible negative spillovers from others’ service failure incidents. Hotel managers could consider the synergy of different strategies rather than a single response strategy to minimize losses.

Originality/value

This study theoretically broadens knowledge about the negative impact of online exposure on Chinese hotel revenue. Additionally, the findings examine the dynamic spillover effects on hotels in different segments. Furthermore, they extend the existing findings on the negative impact of online public opinion crises.
Support for the size‐mediated sensitivity hypothesis within a diverse carnivore community
Authors: Jachowski David S. , Marneweck Courtney J. , Olfenbuttel Colleen , Harris Stephen N.
Published: March 2023

Carnivore community dynamics are governed by a complex set of often interacting biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors that are increasingly volatile as a result of global change. Understanding how these changing conditions influence carnivore communities is urgent because of the important role carnivores play within ecosystems at multiple trophic levels, and the conservation threats that many carnivores face globally.

While a great deal of research attention has historically been focused on large carnivores within ecosystems, the size‐mediated sensitivity hypothesis has recently been proposed where the smallest carnivore in a system is likely to be the most responsive to the diverse suite of ongoing environmental and anthropogenic changes within ecological communities.

We deployed camera traps at 197 sites over 4 years to monitor a diverse suite of mammalian carnivores within the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina and then used a two‐step occupancy modelling–structural equation modelling framework to investigate the relative support for four primary hypothesized drivers (interspecific competition/predation, habitat complexity, food availability and anthropogenic disturbance) on carnivore occurrence.

We found that each of the 10 carnivores in our system responded differently to conditions associated with each of these four hypothesized drivers, but that small and medium‐sized carnivores had a greater number of significant (p < 0.05) pathways by which these conditions were influencing occupancy relative to large carnivores. In particular, the smallest carnivore observed in our study was the only species for which we found support for each of the four hypothesized drivers influencing occupancy.

Collectively, our study supports the size‐mediated sensitivity hypothesis and suggests that small carnivores are ideal sentinel species for global change. We echo recent calls for adopting a middle‐out approach to investigations into carnivore community dynamics by refocusing sustained monitoring and research efforts on smaller carnivores within systems.
National integration and institution building
Authors: Zhou Haiwen
Published: March 2023

The mutual dependence between national integration and institution building is established in a formal model. It is shown that a decrease in transportation costs, but not necessarily an increase in population size, reduces the equilibrium number of states and the adoption of rule‐based institutions. With endogenous transportation costs or endogenous population size, the unification process can feed on itself. The model is illustrated by the state of Qin's unification of China in 221 BC. During this process of national integration, transformations from relation‐based governance to rule‐based governance happened.
Changes over time in endorsement of 11 DSM‐IV alcohol use disorder (AUD) criteria in young adults with persistent or recurrent AUD in The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism
Authors: Schuckit Marc A. , Smith Tom L. , Danko George , Tear Jake , Hennies Jessica , Mendoza Lee Anne , Hesselbrock Victor , Edenberg Howard J. , Hesselbrock Michie , Bucholz Kathleen , Chan Grace , Kuperman Samuel , Francis Meredith W. , Plawecki Martin H. ,   The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA)
Published: March 2023

Background

Endorsement of specific Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM‐IV) alcohol use disorder (AUD) criteria have been shown to change significantly over time in men in their thirties who have persistent or recurrent AUD. However, few studies have documented whether the endorsement of AUD items changes over time in younger individuals or in women. We evaluated changes in the endorsement of AUD criteria in 377 men and women with persistent or recurrent AUD during their twenties.

Methods

Information on AUD‐item endorsement over time was available for 223 men and 154 women aged 20‐25 with persistent or recurrent AUD in at least three interviews in the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism. The statistical significance of endorsement changes over time was evaluated using the related‐sample Cochran's Q test for the full sample and for men and women separately. Additional analyses evaluated sex differences in the patterns of change.

Results

In the full sample, the predominant pattern was for a significant increase in the rates of endorsement for six of the seven alcohol dependence criteria but not in the four abuse criteria. A similar pattern was seen within men, but women had significant changes in only three of the seven dependence criteria.

Conclusions

Endorsement of the seven alcohol dependence criteria among individuals with persistent or recurrent AUD in their twenties generally increased, but few changes were observed in the rates of endorsement of the four abuse criteria. These results are discussed in terms of how they reflect on the nature of AUD and the DSM criteria.
Proinflammatory polarization of monocytes by particulate air pollutants is mediated by induction of trained immunity in pediatric asthma
Authors: Movassagh Hesam , Prunicki Mary , Kaushik Abhinav , Zhou Xiaoying , Dunham Diane , Smith Eric M. , He Ziyuan , Aleman Muench German R. , Shi Minyi , Weimer Annika K. , Cao Shu , Andorf Sandra , Feizi Amir , Snyder Michael P. , Soroosh Pejman , Mellins Elizabeth D. , Nadeau Kari C.
Published: March 2023

Background

The impact of exposure to air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter (PM), on the immune system and its consequences on pediatric asthma, are not well understood. We investigated whether ambient levels of fine PM with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 microns (PM2.5) are associated with alterations in circulating monocytes in children with or without asthma.

Methods

Monocyte phenotyping was performed by cytometry time‐of‐flight (CyTOF). Cytokines were measured using cytometric bead array and Luminex assay. ChIP‐Seq was utilized to address histone modifications in monocytes.

Results

Increased exposure to ambient PM2.5 was linked to specific monocyte subtypes, particularly in children with asthma. Mechanistically, we hypothesized that innate trained immunity is evoked by a primary exposure to fine PM and accounts for an enhanced inflammatory response after secondary stimulation in vitro. We determined that the trained immunity was induced in circulating monocytes by fine particulate pollutants, and it was characterized by the upregulation of proinflammatory mediators, such as TNF, IL‐6, and IL‐8, upon stimulation with house dust mite or lipopolysaccharide. This phenotype was epigenetically controlled by enhanced H3K27ac marks in circulating monocytes.

Conclusion

The specific alterations of monocytes after ambient pollution exposure suggest a possible prognostic immune signature for pediatric asthma, and pollution‐induced trained immunity may provide a potential therapeutic target for asthmatic children living in areas with increased air pollution.
Ventilatory responses to hypoxic and hypercapnic environments in naked mole‐rats
Authors: Pamenter Matthew E.
Published: March 2023

Extreme environments are powerful drivers of physiological adaptation. Naked mole‐rats offer an informative example of this relationship as they putatively encounter intermittent hypoxia and hypercapnia in their subterranean habitat. This has presumably driven the evolution of a suite of cellular and physiological adaptations that enable life in these conditions. Recently, my laboratory and others have begun to examine physiological responses to environmental hypoxia and hypercapnia in naked mole‐rats, and the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms that differentiate the responses of this species from those of other small mammals. Prominent among these adaptations are a robust hypoxic metabolic response and blunted ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia. These responses are mediated in part by modifications to the central nervous system signaling pathways that sense and communicate changes in environmental gas levels and initiate and maintain downstream physiological responses. For example, naked mole‐rats retain the signaling architecture necessary for “normal” ventilatory responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia; however, the underlying signaling pathways are muted, resulting in reduced, or even the absence of, sensitivity to otherwise powerful environmental stimuli. Herein, I discuss what we have learned about the manifestation and control of ventilatory and metabolic responses to hypoxia and hypercapnia in naked mole‐rats. I also highlight areas where additional work is warranted and consider the implications of what we have learned for the ecophysiology of a species that thrives in conditions that are deleterious or lethal to most adult mammals.
A 16‐month‐long experience of COVID‐19 in allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients: An SFGM‐TC multicentre cohort study
Authors: Xhaard Aliénor , Xhaard Constance , Rubio Marie‐Therese , Berceanu Ana , Botella‐Garcia Carmen , Coman Tereza , Tavernier Emmanuelle , Labussière‐Wallet Hélène , Chevallier Patrice , Legrand Faezeh , Thiebaut Anne , Menard Anne‐Lise , Paillard Catherine , Chantepie Sylvain , Robin Marie , Nguyen Stephanie
Published: March 2023

This 16‐month‐long multicentre retrospective study of 225 allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) recipients with COVID‐19 examines risk factors for severity and mortality, describing the successive waves of infections (from March to June 2020 and from August 2020 to June 2021). We confirm the negative role of low respiratory tract disease and immunosuppressive treatment. We highlight significantly lower percentages of severe forms and COVID‐19‐related mortality during the second wave. Monthly comparative evolution of cases in alloHSCT recipients and in the French population shows a higher number of cases in alloHSCT recipients during the first wave and a decrease from February 2021.
‘Didn't See the Need’: Misperceptions about glucagon from the perspectives of people with diabetes and their caregivers
Authors: Stuckey Heather L. , Desai Urvi , Mitchell Beth D. , Pearson Teresa L.
Published: March 2023

Aims

Severe hypoglycaemia among people with diabetes who use insulin can be a life‐threatening complication if left untreated. Although glucagon has been approved for treatment of hypoglycaemia since the 1960s, it has been underutilized. We aimed to understand the perceptions of people with diabetes and their caregivers about glucagon.

Methods

We conducted in‐depth, one‐on‐one telephone interviews with people with diabetes and their caregivers in the United States. The interviews included questions around general awareness of glucagon, reasons for owning or not owning glucagon, and suggestions for improving understanding of glucagon as treatment for severe hypoglycaemia. Initial synopsis and inductive codebook schema were used to analyse the responses by two independent researchers. Themes were developed from the codes, and codes were re‐mapped back to the themes.

Results

There were 60 dyads of people with diabetes and their caregivers (N = 120). Four themes developed from the interviews: (1) for most participants, the stated reasons for not owning or renewing a prescription for glucagon included unawareness of the medication, its advantages and its value; (2) misperceptions about glucagon occurred frequently; (3) caregivers often lacked confidence in administering reconstituted injectable glucagon; and (4) education and training from healthcare providers about glucagon would be welcomed.

Conclusions

This study emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to discuss hypoglycaemia prevention and events at each clinical visit, including the use of glucagon in the case of severe hypoglycaemia. Healthcare providers are encouraged to assess the knowledge of people with diabetes and their caregivers regarding treatment and prevention of hypoglycaemia.
Experimental additions of allochthonous dissolved organic matter reveal multiple trophic pathways to stimulate planktonic food webs
Authors: Balzer Matthew J. , Hitchcock James N. , Hadwen Wade L. , Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Westhorpe Douglas P. , Boys Craig , Mitrovic Simon M.
Published: March 2023

There is still considerable debate as to whether the allochthonous (terrestrial) dissolved organic matter (DOM) mobilised during large flow events plays an important role in supporting secondary production in riverine food webs. Understanding how food webs respond to large pulses of terrestrial DOM (tDOM) is important for conceptualising the relative importance of energy sources supporting food webs.

A mesocosm experiment (1,000 L) using three concentrations of leachate (1, 4, 8 mg C/L and a control) made from floodplain DOM was run for 34 days in a dam filled with water from Gunbower Creek in Northern Victoria, Australia. Nutrients, phytoplankton, zooplankton and stable isotope (δ13C signatures) data were collected to examine how floodplain nutrients affected growth and community structure within the lower food web typical of an Australian lowland river.

All leachate additions led to very high concentrations of zooplankton and mixotrophic algae compared to the control. Mixotrophs dominated the algal biovolume of all leachate additions until Day (D)20 and appeared to drive changes in δ13C signatures of particulate organic matter (POM) which were significantly related to changes in zooplankton δ13C signatures. tDOM additions did not significantly suppress obligate autotroph growth which also appeared important as a food source, as reflected in the δ13C signatures of zooplankton and POM after D10.

These results show the ability of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities in lowland rivers to respond quickly to changes in resource availability and quality. Mixotrophs appeared to provide an important trophic link between allochthonous carbon and primary consumers, and increased complimentarily to autotrophic production. This resulted in large net increases to phytoplankton biovolume and potentially played a significant role in driving changes in zooplankton growth.

We suggest that allochthonous DOM may be highly bioavailable and support production through several different trophic pathways, offering a large boost to production via both autotrophy and heterotrophy. Furthermore, we contend that mixotrophy may be an important pathway for allochthonous organic matter to enter riverine food webs and support secondary production.
Austerity's afterlives? The case of community asset transfer in the UK
Authors: Turnbull Neil
Published: March 2023

In the UK, community infrastructure and the care that it provides has been at the sharp end of swingeing government cuts brought about through austere economics and politics. One local manifestation, and legacy, of austerity is the rise in Community Asset Transfer (CAT), a practice whereby local authorities transfer the ownership of public assets to community groups. CAT may predominantly be understood through the lexicon of austerity localism where the state—driven by fiscal pressures—offloads publicly owned buildings onto community groups. However, narrowly applied this interpretation leaves little room for the possibility and/or recognition of other politics which may exist on the ground. In response, this paper sets out a non‐foundational approach to CAT practice that involves in‐depth ethnographic analysis of three CAT community centres in a Welsh local authority. Following Gibson‐Graham's (2006, A postcapitalist politics) call to read for difference rather than dominance, and conscious of the ambivalent politics of CAT, I trace ways in which care is practiced in these new spaces through momentary acts and even explicit political engagement. CATs are experiments in care that allow us a glimpse into the life of community infrastructure after the passing of direct state support. Exploring the afterlives of these assets—and their relational and emotional geographies—reveals an affective politics and orientation not necessarily aligned with neoliberal rationales. Indeed, despite their fragile configuration, CAT practices must be acknowledged, questioned, and considered as part of the wider debate on the future(s) of post‐welfare care.
Coping with an unreliable supplier: An option contract with a backup supplier
Authors: Heydari Jafar , Bakhshi Alireza , Nikoofal Mohammad E.
Published: March 2023

This study considers a channel with a retailer who satisfies demand by ordering from two suppliers: a low‐cost primary supplier whose production is subject to failure and an expensive reliable backup supplier. We develop a call option contract and evaluate the preference of each party through two negotiable scenarios: (i) the backup supplier only decides on option price and (ii) the backup supplier determines both option and exercise prices. We find that higher authority and flexibility of the backup supplier in making decisions in the second scenario results in a lower option price, yet more possibility of achieving channel coordination compared with the first scenario. While the backup supplier prefers the second scenario, the retailer would rather adopt the other one. The results also shed light on when/how the call option contract can be beneficial for each participant. Specifically, when the primary supplier is unable to supply the whole demand, the proposed option contract can be a win‐win Pareto‐improving profit‐sharing mechanism only if the likelihood of failure in the primary supplier's production is sufficiently low. Otherwise, the backup supplier may be a detrimental option for the retailer.
An inflammatory transcriptomic signature in psoriasis associates with future cardiovascular events
Authors: Garshick Michael S. , Barrett Tessa J. , Cornwell MacIntosh G. , Drenkova Kamelia , Garelik Jessica , Weber Brittany N. , Schlamp Florencia , Rockman Caron , Ruggles Kelly V. , Reynolds Harmony R. , Berger Jeffrey S.
Published: March 2023

Background

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk, whose pathogenesis is not fully known.

Objective

We identified a transcriptomic signature in psoriasis and investigated its association with prevalent and future risk of a CV event to understand the connection between psoriasis and CV disease (CVD).

Methods

Psoriasis patients (n = 37) with a history of moderate–severe skin disease without CVD and 11 matched controls underwent whole blood RNA sequencing. This transcriptomic signature in psoriasis versus controls was evaluated in two CVD cohorts: Women referred for cardiac catheterization with (n = 76) versus without (n = 97) myocardial infarction (MI), and patients with peripheral artery disease (n = 106) followed over 2.5 years for major adverse CV or limb events (MACLE). The association between genes differentially expressed in psoriasis and prevalent and incident CV events was assed.

Results

In psoriasis, median age was 44 (IQR; 34–51) years, 49% male and ACC/AHA ASCVD Risk Score of 1.0% (0.6–3.4) with no significant difference versus controls. The median psoriasis area and severity index score (PASI) was 4.0 (IQR 2.9–8.2) with 36% on biologic therapy. Overall, 247 whole blood genes were upregulated and 228 downregulated in psoriasis versus controls (p < 0.05), and 1302 genes positively and 1244 genes negatively correlated with PASI (p < 0.05). Seventy‐three genes overlapped between psoriasis prevalence and PASI with key regulators identified as IL‐6, IL‐1β and interferon gamma. In the CVD cohorts, 50 of 73 genes (68%) identified in psoriasis associated with prevalent MI, and 29 (40%) with incident MACLE. Key regulator transcripts identified in psoriasis and CVD cohorts included SOCS3, BCL3, OSM, PIM2, PIM3 and STAT5A.

Conclusions

A whole blood transcriptomic signature of psoriasis diagnosis and severity associated with prevalent MI and incident MACLE. These data have implications for better understanding the link between psoriasis, systemic inflammation and CVD.