bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Everyday life information seeking behavior of transgender people in Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Qazi Imran , Warraich Nosheen Fatima , Malik Amara
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the everyday life information seeking behavior of transgender people in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative study, based on a survey design, was conducted to explore the everyday information needs of transgender people along with the types and frequency of using information sources. This study further explored the barriers to seeking everyday life information. Data were collected from 378 transgender people from Pakistan.

Findings

Music related information was the most important daily life information need and television appeared as one of the primary information sources frequently consulted by the transgender people. The respondents revealed a variety of challenges in accessing information including lack of education, lack of understanding about available information sources, biased treatment by the public and lack of technological skills. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was found in everyday information needs and sources consulted on the basis of their age and education.

Originality/value

The findings provide a guideline to educate information providers, government agencies and other stakeholders about the information needs of this marginalized community in Pakistan. This study also suggests ways in which stakeholder may improve information systems and services to better assist transgender people.
Job insecurity and survivor workplace behavior following COVID-19 layoff
Authors: Haldorai Kavitha , Kim Woo Gon , Phetvaroon Kullada
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of job insecurity (JI) on employee work performance (WP) and service innovation behavior (SIB). It further examines the mediating role of affective commitment (AC) and the moderating role of organizational cynicism and financial job dependence (FJD).

Design/methodology/approach

By using a three-wave approach, the hypotheses were tested by collecting data from 473 full-time employees and their supervisors in the Thai hotel industry.

Findings

The results demonstrated that JI negatively affected WP and SIB. AC mediated these relationships. FJD moderated these relationships such that at high levels of job dependence, the negative relationships were weaker.

Research limitations/implications

Human resource managers may reduce the negative effects of JI by creating a supportive and caring work environment through open communication. They may communicate openly with employees about the challenges the organization is facing, and involve them in planning, decision-making and implementation to mitigate the negative effects of JI. They may also provide training and development opportunities to help employees build their skills and increase their value to the organization.

Originality/value

Research on the behavioral consequences of JI is scant in the hospitality sector. Drawing on job–demand resource theory, this study attempts to fill this gap.
Impact of green marketing on peer-to-peer accommodation platform users’ repurchase intention and positive word-of-mouth: mediation of trust and consumer identification
Authors: Huang Songshan (Sam) , Qu Hua , Wang Xuequn
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to testify the effects of green marketing on peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation consumers’ repurchase intention and positive word-of-mouth (WOM) towards P2P accommodation platforms through the mediation of trust and consumer identification.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was applied to collect data from a sample of 488 consumers in China who had used P2P accommodation platforms in the past six months. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The study found that consumers’ perception of green marketing orientation of P2P accommodation platforms significantly increased consumer trust in the platform and consumer identification with the platform, which in turn each positively influenced repurchase intention and positive WOM to the platform. Furthermore, consumer trust had a positive effect on consumer identification and both trust and identification mediated the relationship between green marketing and repurchase intention and that between green marketing and positive WOM.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide P2P accommodation platform operators with important insights to apply green marketing and focus on consumer trust and identification in sustaining their business and coping with the intense market competition.

Originality/value

This study contributes to better understanding of the impact of green business practices on consumers in sharing economy and offers practical implications on sustainable P2P accommodation practices.
The role of lifestyles in the commitment to the Unites Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3. An exploratory study
Authors: Pinho Micaela
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The World Health Organisation recognises that health and well-being are essential to achieve the United Nations Development Agenda 2030. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of ill-health worldwide. Much of the global burden of NCD is caused by individual unhealthy behaviours. A behavioural mindset shift is needed to reduce premature NCD mortality. This article provides an exploratory analysis to understand whether Portuguese society is on the path to achieving better health by considering certain unacceptable individual lifestyles that contribute to diseases and could be avoided.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire was used to collect data from 558 Portuguese citizens. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were used to (1) assess whether respondents were aware of premature mortality caused by NCDs, (2) explore whether individuals should be accountable for their disease-related behaviours, and (3) test for associations between this accountability and respondents sociodemographic and health characteristics.

Findings

Overall, respondents were unaware of the rate of premature mortality associated with chronic diseases and were unwilling to hold fellow citizens accountable for their unhealthy lifestyles. Following a healthy lifestyle proved relevant in the moralisation of others' unhealthy lifestyles, especially those who practice physical exercise.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to awaken attention to the impact that societies' procrastination for others' harmful health behaviours may have on achieving Sustainable Development GoalS (SDGs) and sustainable development.
Gross turnover assessment and tax compliance in Uganda’s small businesses: a deep inquiry on the certainty of presumptive tax law
Authors: Gwokyalya Waliya , Okumu Ibrahim Mike
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the certainty of small business (SB) taxpayers about the presumptive tax law concerning the assessment of income tax based on gross turnover and how this impacts their income tax compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted the exploratory research design. The saturation point was attained upon interviewing nine owners of SB enterprises, eight tax officers from the Uganda Revenue Authority and eight tax consultants. Themes were identified and explained using verbatim texts from the various interviews. Data were analyzed using the content analysis technique.

Findings

The findings indicate that SB taxpayers are uncertain about the nature of the presumptive tax, that it is assessed based on annual sales, indicators used to determine gross turnover and their actual tax liability. This has occasioned resistance to the tax system and inhibited voluntary compliance. SB taxpayers thus opt to wait for the tax officers to make tax assessments. However, they have used this opportunity to bribe or bargain with tax officers to pay low amounts in tax or no tax at all. Thus, policymakers and revenue authorities ought to concentrate on creating massive sensitization of the law on presumptive tax, in this case, the existing tax base on which the tax is imposed and its elements to improve income tax compliance of SBs.

Research limitations/implications

These results are relevant to policymakers and Revenue authorities in developing countries, especially in Africa, in improving income tax compliance of SBs.

Originality/value

This study examines the contribution of certainty of the income tax law on the tax base (gross turnover) on which presumptive tax is imposed to income tax compliance of SBs, which has hardly been covered in previous studies.
Implications of source, content, and style cues in curbing health misinformation and fake news
Authors: Ha Louisa , Rahut Debipreeta , Ofori Michael , Sharma Shudipta , Harmon Michael , Tolofari Amonia , Bowen Bernadette , Lu Yanqin , Khan Amir
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To provide human judgment input for computer algorithm development, this study examines the relative importance of source, content, and style cues in predicting the truthfulness ratings of two common types of online health information: news stories and institutional news releases.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a multi-method approach using (1) a manual content analysis of 400 randomly selected online health news stories and news releases from HealthNewsReview.org and (2) an online experiment comparing truthfulness ratings between news stories and news releases.

Findings

Using content analysis, the authors found significant differences in the importance of source, content, and style cues in predicting truthfulness ratings of news stories and news releases: source and style cues predicted truthfulness ratings better than content cues. In the experiment, source credibility was the most important predictor of truthfulness ratings, controlling for individual differences. Experts have higher ratings for news media stories than news releases and lay people have no differences in rating the two news formats.

Practical implications

It is important for health educators to curb consumer trust in misinformation and increase health information literacy. Rather than solely reporting scientific evidence, educators should focus on addressing cues people use to judge the truthfulness of health information.

Originality/value

This is the first study that directly compares human judgments of health news stories and news releases. Using both the breadth of content analysis and experimental causality testing, the authors evaluate the relative importance of source, content, and style cues in predicting truthfulness ratings.
Board characteristics and dividend payout decisions: evidence from Indonesian conventional and Islamic bank
Authors: Mai Muhamad Umar , Djuwarsa Tjetjep , Setiawan Setiawan
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study attempts to examine the relationship between board characteristics and dividend payout decisions of conventional and Islamic banks.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed unbalanced panel data of both Indonesian conventional and Islamic banks over the period 2008–2021, estimated using tobit and logit models. Dividend payout decisions were measured using the dividend payout ratio and probability to pay dividends. Meanwhile, board characteristics were represented by board size, board independence, board gender diversity, board meeting, board chairman tenure and board chairman tenure.

Findings

The results show that, in the context of conventional banks, board meetings, board chairman tenure and board chairman tenure are correlated with higher dividend payout decisions, while board gender diversity indicates lower dividend payout decisions. On the other hand, in the context of Islamic banks, board size and board meetings are associated with higher dividend payout decisions, while board independence and board chairman tenure are related to lower dividend payout decisions.

Research limitations/implications

This study fills the gaps in the literature on bank dividend policy. It also provides additional insights regarding the relationship between board characteristics and dividend payout decisions in the context of conventional and Islamic banks. In addition, this study gives essential contributions to regulators and investors of both banks, especially in a developing country, Indonesia.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to provide empirical results regarding the relationship between board characteristics and dividend payout decisions of conventional and Islamic banks. Board characteristics are indicated as one of the fundamental factors that determine dividend payout decisions of both conventional and Islamic banks in Indonesia.
Evaluating referral pathways to a specialist trauma service
Authors: Rocca Fiammetta , Schröder Thomas , Regel Stephen
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Lengthy and complex routes to specialist care may negatively affect clinical profiles of trauma survivors accessing mental health services. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics and referral pathways of a cohort of clients accepted by a specialist trauma service in England; and investigate the associations between referral pathways and clients’ clinical profiles, namely, pre-treatment levels of post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, stress and post-traumatic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on 117 consecutive, accepted referrals were extracted from clients’ clinical records. Information on demographics, trauma histories, clinical presentations and referral pathways was synthesised through summary statistics. Correlational analyses were conducted to test associations with pre-treatment scores.

Findings

Clients accessing the service were highly complex and mostly experienced prolonged, interpersonal trauma. Pathways to the service varied, but 50% of the sample had at least four “steps” in their referral histories and seven previous clinical contacts. The average time between trauma and specialist referral was 16.34 years. The number of referral steps positively, significatively and moderately correlated with anxiety and stress at pre-treatment.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include issues around collecting past referral information, the small sample size for clients with available pre-treatment data and the lack of post-treatment scores.

Originality/value

This evaluation provides an informative overview of the characteristics and referral pathways of clients accessing a specialist trauma service. It also offers preliminary insights on the relationship between clients’ routes into the service and their clinical profiles. Practice, commissioning and research implications are discussed.
Well-being, experiences and superyachts
Authors: Williams Russell
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this conceptual paper is to review and synthesise key concepts in luxury with key concepts in well-being to provide a framework to better understand how luxury well-being propositions can be designed and delivered for the growing superyacht marketplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a literature review of key terms: object-related, symbolic and experiential luxury, co-creation of value and well-being.

Findings

This paper aims to observe the size, growth and opportunity of the superyacht market. Moreover, the paper observes that the locus of luxury value is shifting towards experiences and that to achieve the hedonic and eudaimonic outcomes of well-being happiness, crew have an important role to play in the co-creation of value through their interaction with guests and their use of the physical environment.

Practical implications

This paper aims to highlight the importance of combining the mechanics and humanics of the luxury superyacht experiencescape to co-create luxury value across both the dimensions of experience (education, entertainment, escapism and aesthetics) and the dimensions of well-being (body, mind, spirit and environment).

Originality/value

The paper presents a framework for the co-creation of luxury value in the context of luxury well-being on superyachts.
Greening the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) economies: Assessing the impact of electricity consumption, natural resources, and renewable energy on environmental footprint
Authors: Jahanger Atif , Awan Ashar , Anwar Ahsan , Adebayo Tomiwa Sunday
Published: May 2023

Electricity consumption is a crucial factor in the environmental pollution process, and therefore, its impact needs to be carefully considered by policymakers. This study investigates the relationship between energy consumption, electricity generation, natural resource utilization, and environmental pollution in BRICS nations, which have a substantial share in global resource consumption. To this end, we employed a novel methodology, namely the Method of Moment Quantile Regression (MMQR), for the time period between 1990 and 2018, within the framework of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) theory. The study's outcome shows that natural resources and renewable energy are efficacious and significant in curbing environmental degradation among the sample countries. The investigation reveals a positive correlation between electricity consumption and environmental degradation, thereby highlighting this vital resource's role in exacerbating the BRICS nations’ ecological footprint. The findings from this research can provide crucial insights for policymakers to achieve sustainable development and carbon neutrality in these countries.
Automated extraction of seed morphological traits from images
Authors: Dayrell Roberta L. C. , Ott Tankred , Horrocks Tom , Poschlod Peter
Published: May 2023

The description of biological objects, such as seeds, mainly relies on manual measurements of few characteristics, and on visual classification of structures, both of which can be subjective, error prone and time‐consuming. Image analysis tools offer means to address these shortcomings, but we currently lack a method capable of automatically handling seeds from different taxa with varying morphological attributes and obtaining interpretable results.

Here, we provide a simple image acquisition and processing protocol and introduce Traitor, an open‐source software available as a command‐line interface (CLI), which automates the extraction of seed morphological traits from images. The workflow for trait extraction consists of scanning seeds against a high‐contrast background, correcting image colours, and analysing images with the software. Traitor is capable of processing hundreds of images of varied taxa simultaneously with just three commands, and without a need for training, manual fine‐tuning or thresholding. The software automatically detects each object in the image and extracts size measurements, traditional morphometric descriptors widely used by scientists and practitioners, standardised shape coordinates, and colorimetric measurements.

The method was tested on a dataset comprising of 91,667 images of seeds from 1228 taxa. Traitor's extracted average length and width values closely matched the average manual measurements obtained from the same collection (concordance correlation coefficient of 0.98). Further, we used a large image dataset to demonstrate how Traitor's output can be used to obtain representative seed colours for taxa, determine the phylogenetic signal of seed colour, and build objective classification categories for shape with high levels of visual interpretability.

Our approach increases productivity and allows for large‐scale analyses that would otherwise be unfeasible. Traitor enables the acquisition of data that are readily comparable across different taxa, opening new avenues to explore functional relevance of morphological traits and to advance on new tools for seed identification.
Unraveling the metabolic underpinnings of frailty using multicohort observational and Mendelian randomization analyses
Authors: Mak Jonathan K. L. , Kananen Laura , Qin Chenxi , Kuja‐Halkola Ralf , Tang Bowen , Lin Jake , Wang Yunzhang , Jääskeläinen Tuija , Koskinen Seppo , Lu Yi , Magnusson Patrik K. E. , Hägg Sara , Jylhävä Juulia
Published: May 2023

Identifying metabolic biomarkers of frailty, an age‐related state of physiological decline, is important for understanding its metabolic underpinnings and developing preventive strategies. Here, we systematically examined 168 nuclear magnetic resonance‐based metabolomic biomarkers and 32 clinical biomarkers for their associations with frailty. In up to 90,573 UK Biobank participants, we identified 59 biomarkers robustly and independently associated with the frailty index (FI). Of these, 34 associations were replicated in the Swedish TwinGene study (n = 11,025) and the Finnish Health 2000 Survey (n = 6073). Using two‐sample Mendelian randomization, we showed that the genetically predicted level of glycoprotein acetyls, an inflammatory marker, was statistically significantly associated with an increased FI (β per SD increase = 0.37%, 95% confidence interval: 0.12–0.61). Creatinine and several lipoprotein lipids were also associated with increased FI, yet their effects were mostly driven by kidney and cardiometabolic diseases, respectively. Our findings provide new insights into the causal effects of metabolites on frailty and highlight the role of chronic inflammation underlying frailty development.
Weather shocks, livelihood diversification, and household food security: Empirical evidence from rural Bangladesh
Authors: Matsuura‐Kannari Masanori , Luh Yir‐Hueih , Islam Abu Hayat Md. Saiful
Published: May 2023

Extreme weather events have occurred more frequently because of global climate change. For farmers, diversification, including crop and income diversification, is one of the most effective strategies to improve rural livelihoods by managing risk and coping with weather shocks. We investigate the empirical linkages among weather shocks, livelihood diversification, and household food security, exploiting three waves of nationally representative rural household panel data merged with granular weather data in Bangladesh. Using instrumental variable methods to control for the possible endogeneity of livelihood diversification decisions, we find that weather shocks are significant drivers of crop and income diversification. Moreover, both crop and income diversification are found to impact per capita food expenditure, while their effects on household dietary diversity are not robust. In particular, the distributional effects of income diversification are uniformly positive and significant for all quantiles of a per capita food expenditure distribution but are more sizable for the richest households. The findings, therefore, highlight the unequal effect of livelihood diversification within the context of rural South Asia, suggesting the need for diversification interventions targeting rural low‐income groups with the goal of improving socioeconomic status, institutional conditions, and infrastructure.
Family and peer ethnic‐racial socialization in adolescents' everyday life: A daily transactional model with ethnic‐racial identity and discrimination
Authors: Wang Yijie , Zhang Youchuan , Wadsworth Hannah
Published: May 2023

There is limited research on ethnic‐racial socialization outside the family context (e.g., in peer groups). Using two‐week, daily data from 177 U.S. ethnic‐racial minority 9th graders in 2017–2020 (Mage = 14.48 years old; 51% females; 52% Black, 20% Latinx, 10% Asian American, 6% Native American, and 12% Other), this study tested a transactional model of family and peer ethnic‐racial socialization, identity, and discrimination. Bidirectional associations were observed between family and peer cultural socialization across days (βs = .09–.10). Peer but not family cultural socialization promoted adolescents' ethnic‐racial identity on the next day (βs = .07–.10). Ethnic‐racial discrimination predicted greater next‐day family ethnic‐racial socialization (cultural socialization, preparation for bias; βs = .08–.11), whereas family and peer ethnic‐racial socialization predicted next‐day discrimination (βs = .11–.18). The differential roles of family and peer ethnic‐racial socialization are discussed.
Co‐Occurrence, Extension, and Social Salience: The Emergence of Indexicality in an Artificial Language
Authors: Li Aini , Roberts Gareth
Published: May 2023

We investigated the emergence of sociolinguistic indexicality using an artificial‐language‐learning paradigm. Sociolinguistic indexicality involves the association of linguistic variants with nonlinguistic social or contextual features. Any linguistic variant can acquire “constellations” of such indexical meanings, though they also exhibit an ordering, with first‐order indices associated with particular speaker groups and higher‐order indices targeting stereotypical attributes of those speakers. Much natural‐language research has been conducted on this phenomenon, but little experimental work has focused on how indexicality emerges. Here, we present three miniature artificial‐language experiments designed to break ground on this question. Results show ready formation of first‐order indexicality based on co‐occurrence alone, with higher‐order indexicality emerging as a result of extension to new speaker groups, modulated by the perceived practical importance of the indexed social feature.
Patient‐reported outcomes for older adults on CamAPS FX closed loop system
Authors: Schneider‐Utaka A. K. , Hanes S. , Boughton C. K. , Hartnell S. , Thabit H. , Mubita W. M. , Draxlbauer K. , Poettler T. , Hayes J. , Wilinska M. E. , Mader J. K. , Narendran P. , Leelarathna L. , Evans M. L. , Hovorka R. , Hood K. K.
Published: May 2023

Aims

Use of the CamAPS FX hybrid closed loop (CL) system is associated with improved time in range and glycated haemoglobin A1c across the age span, but little is known about its effects on patient‐reported outcomes (PROs).

Methods

This open‐label, randomized, multi‐site study compared CamAPS FX to sensor‐augmented pump (SAP) in a sample of older adults (≥60 years) with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Thirty‐five older adults completed PROs surveys at the start of the study and after each period of 16 weeks using either CL or SAP. At the end of the study, 19 participated in interviews about their experiences with CL.

Results

Results examining the 16 weeks of CL use showed that the overall Diabetes Distress Scale score and two subscales (powerlessness and physician distress) improved significantly along with trust on the Glucose Monitoring Satisfaction Survey. User experience interview responses were consistent in noting benefits of ‘improved glycaemic control’ and ‘worrying less about diabetes’.

Conclusion

In this sample of older adults with T1D who have previously shown glycaemic benefit, there are indicators of improved PROs and subjective user experience benefits.
Screen time: an unbiased search for histone mutations that affect quiescence and chronological aging
Authors: Mitra Mithun , Coller Hilary A.
Published: May 2023

Quiescence, reversible cell cycle arrest, is essential for survival during nutrient limitations and the execution of precise developmental patterns. In yeast, entry into quiescence is associated with a loss of histone acetylation as the chromatin becomes tightly condensed. In this issue, Small and Osley performed an unbiased screen of mutations in histone H3 and H4 amino acids in budding yeast and identified histone residues that are critical for quiescence and chronological lifespan. The results indicate that multiple histone amino acids, likely affecting nucleosome structure and a wide range of chromatin‐associated processes, can promote or inhibit quiescence entry. Many of the same histone amino acids are also critical regulators of chronological lifespan.
Political attacks and the undermining of the bureaucracy: The impact on civil servants' well‐being
Authors: Lotta Gabriela , Tavares Gustavo M. , Story Joana
Published: May 2023

Countries are facing the deterioration of democratic institutions under a process named democratic backsliding. In this context, political attacks on public organizations become more frequent and intense. While previous studies have examined how civil servants counteract and resist political attacks, their ultimate impact on civil servants' well‐being remains underexplored. To shed light on this phenomenon, we conducted an exploratory sequential mixed methods design with civil servants from Brazil. The first phase of the study is qualitative and exploratory. The second is quantitative and we tested if perceived political attacks was associated with higher levels of emotional exhaustion, which, in turn, would lead to a greater incidence of physical health symptoms. Both studies provide compelling evidence of the negative impact of political attacks on civil servants' emotional and physical health, which may have significant consequences for the performance of public organizations and the effective functioning of the democracy.
Acoustic recording complements camera traps for monitoring sensitive penguin populations
Authors: Francomano Dante , Raya Rey Andrea N. , Gottesman Benjamin L. , Pijanowski Bryan C.
Published: May 2023

In the face of global biodiversity loss that threatens social–ecological sustainability, we must improve our knowledge of species' behaviours, life histories and populations. Enhanced understanding is especially critical for taxa like seabirds that live in remote habitats where monitoring is logistically challenging, and technology‐based approaches could lead to major advances. Considering conservation threats and breeding behaviours, penguins represent a promising taxon for further exploration of monitoring methods. Only five of 18 penguin species are currently considered species of Least Concern by the IUCN, and the sensitivity of penguins to ecological disturbances makes them important indicators of ecosystem dynamics. Penguins regularly congregate in dense breeding colonies and are visually and aurally conspicuous animals, making them relatively easy to monitor in some respects. In situ observations and visual remote sensing monitoring methods (i.e. camera traps, uncrewed aerial vehicles and satellite imagery) currently provide highly valuable information on penguin behaviour and population dynamics, but these methods have a number of shortcomings. Several rely on human presence in remote areas, some require clean lines of sight with no visual obstructions, and some offer limited spatial and temporal resolution. In this study we explore the use of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) as a complementary remote sensing method to monitor penguin behaviour and populations at high spatial and temporal resolution without visual constraints or the need for continuous human presence. We conducted observations of vocalization rates and placed automated acoustic recorders in colonies of Magellanic Penguins Spheniscus magellanicus and Southern Rockhopper Penguins Eudyptes chrysocome in conjunction with camera traps. We found positive relationships between acoustic activity and counts of Magellanic Penguins in camera trap photos. We also identified clear diel patterns of acoustic activity that differed between breeding stages, and we found positive correlations between acoustic activity and estimates of colony density for various times of day and radii around recorders. While much work remains to improve this method and refine interpretation, PAM holds great promise as a complementary tool for monitoring the relative abundance and behavioural dynamics of penguins and other colonial animals, particularly those that burrow or nest in dense vegetation that impairs visual monitoring techniques.
RP58 knockdown contributes to hypoxia‐ischemia‐induced pineal dysfunction and circadian rhythm disruption in neonatal rats
Authors: Yang Hui , Zhang Zubin , Ding Xin , Jiang Xiaolu , Tan Lanlan , Lin Chenjie , Xu Lixiao , Li Gen , Lu Lianghua , Qin Zhenghong , Feng Xing , Li Mei
Published: May 2023

Hypoxia‐ischemia (HI) of the brain not only impairs neurodevelopment but also causes pineal gland dysfunction, which leads to circadian rhythm disruption. However, the underlying mechanism of circadian rhythm disruption associated with HI‐induced pineal dysfunction remains unknown. The zinc finger protein repressor protein with a predicted molecular mass of 58 kDa (RP58) is involved in the development and differentiation of nerve cells. In this study, we established an HI model in neonatal rats to investigate the expression of RP58 and its role in pineal dysfunction and circadian rhythm disruption induced by HI. We demonstrated that RP58 was highly expressed in the pineal gland under normal conditions and significantly downregulated in the pineal gland and primary pinealocytes following HI. Knockdown of RP58 decreased the expression of enzymes in the melatonin (Mel) synthesis pathway (tryptophan hydroxylase 1 [TPH1], acetylserotonin O‐methyltransferase [ASMT], and arylalkylamine N‐acetyltransferase [AANAT]) and clock genes (circadian locomotor output cycles kaput [CLOCK] and brain and muscle ARNT‐like 1 [BMAL1]), and it also reduced the production of Mel, caused pineal cell injury, and disrupted circadian rhythms in vivo and in vitro. Similarly, HI reduced the expression of Mel synthesis enzymes (TPH1, ASMT, and AANAT) and clock genes (CLOCK and BMAL1), and caused pineal injury and circadian rhythm disruption, which were exacerbated by RP58 knockdown. The detrimental effect of RP58 knockdown on pineal dysfunction and circadian rhythm disruption was reversed by the addition of exogenous Mel. Furthermore, exogenous Mel reversed HI‐induced pineal dysfunction and circadian rhythm disruption, as reflected by improvements in Mel production, voluntary activity periods, and activity frequency, as well as a diminished decrease in the expression of Mel synthesis enzymes and clock genes. The present study suggests that RP58 is an endogenous source of protection against pineal dysfunction and circadian rhythm disruption after neonatal HI.
Hyperarousal in insomnia disorder: Current evidence and potential mechanisms
Authors: Dressle Raphael J. , Riemann Dieter
Published: May 2023

Insomnia disorder is among the most frequent mental disorders, making research on its aetiology and pathophysiology particularly important. A unifying element of many aetiological and pathophysiological models is that they support or even centre on the role of some form of hyperarousal. In this theoretical review, we aim to summarise the current evidence on hyperarousal in insomnia. Hyperarousal is discussed as a state of relatively increased arousal in physiological, cortical and cognitive‐emotional domains. Regarding physiological hyperarousal, there is no conclusive evidence for the involvement of autonomous variables such as heart rate and heart rate variability, whereas recent evidence points to a pathophysiological role of neuroendocrine variables. In addition, current literature supports a central involvement of cortical arousal, that is, high‐frequency electroencephalographic activity. An increasingly important focus in the literature is on the role of other microstructural sleep parameters, especially the existence of microarousals during sleep. Beyond that, a broad range of evidence exists supporting the role of cognitive‐emotional hyperarousal in the form of insomnia‐related thought and worries, and their concomitant emotional symptoms. Besides being a state marker of insomnia, hyperarousal is considered crucial for the predisposition to insomnia and for the development of comorbid mental disorders. Thus, beyond presenting evidence from cross‐sectional studies on markers of hyperarousal in insomnia, hypotheses about the mechanisms of hyperarousal are presented. Nevertheless, longitudinal studies are needed to further elucidate the mechanism of hyperarousal throughout the course of the disorder, and future studies should also focus on similarities and differences in hyperarousal across different diagnostic entities.
Alcohol‐related liver disease phenotype impacts survival after an acute variceal bleeding episode
Authors: Villagrasa Ares , Hernández‐Gea Virginia , Bataller Ramon , Giráldez Álvaro , Procopet Bogdan , Amitrano Lucio , Villanueva Candid , Thabut Dominique , Ibañez‐Samaniego Luis , Albillos Agustin , Bureau Christophe , Trebicka Jonel , Llop Elba , Laleman Wim , Palazon J. M. , Castellote Jose , Rodrigues Susana , Gluud Lise L. , Ferreira Carlos N. , Cañete Nuria , Rodríguez Manuel , Ferlitsch Arnulf , Mundi Jose L. , Gronbaek Henning , Hernández‐Guerra Manuel , Sassatelli Romano , Dell'Era Alessandra , Senzolo Marco , Abraldes Juan G. , Zipprich Alexander , Casas Meritxell , Masnou Helena , Primignani Massimo , Krag Aleksander , Silva‐Junior Gilberto , Romero‐Gómez Manuel , Tantau Marcel , Guardascione Maria A. , Alvarado Edilmar , Rudler Marika , Bañares Rafael , Martinez Javier , Robic Marie A. , Jansen Christian , Calleja Jose L. , Nevens Frederik , Bosch Jaime , Ventura‐Cots Meritxell , García‐Pagan Juan C. , Genescà Joan ,   for the International Variceal Bleeding Observational Study Group; Baveno Cooperation
Published: May 2023

Background & Aims

Alcohol‐related hepatitis (AH) encompasses a high mortality. AH might be a concomitant event in patients with acute variceal bleeding (AVB). The current study aimed to assess the prevalence of AH in patients with AVB and to compare the clinical outcomes of AH patients to other alcohol‐related liver disease (ALD) phenotypes and viral cirrhosis.

Methods

Multicentre, observational study including 916 patients with AVB falling under the next categories: AH (n = 99), ALD cirrhosis actively drinking (d‐ALD) (n = 285), ALD cirrhosis abstinent from alcohol (a‐ALD) (n = 227) and viral cirrhosis (n = 305). We used a Cox proportional hazards model to calculate adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of death adjusted by MELD.

Results

The prevalence of AH was 16% considering only ALD patients. AH patients exhibited more complications. Forty‐two days transplant‐free survival was worse among AH, but statistical differences were only observed between AH and d‐ALD groups (84 vs. 93%; p = 0.005), when adjusted by MELD no differences were observed between AH and the other groups. At one‐year, survival of AH patients (72.7%) was similar to the other groups; when adjusted by MELD mortality HR was better in AH compared to a‐ALD (0.48; 0.29–0.8, p = 0.004). Finally, active drinkers who remained abstinent presented better survival, independently of having AH.

Conclusions

Contrary to expected, AH patients with AVB present no worse one‐year survival than other patients with different alcohol‐related phenotypes or viral cirrhosis. Abstinence influences long‐term survival and could explain these counterintuitive results.
TAF15 exacerbates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis progression by regulating lipid metabolism and inflammation via FASN and p65 NF‐κB
Authors: Yang Suzhen , Xu Bing , Han Yuying , Jiang MingZuo , Luo Tingting , Wu Nan , Cao Jiayi , Zheng Ying , Shen Lin , Qin Wen , Shi Haitao , Dong Lei
Published: May 2023

Background & Aims

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) consists of a broad spectrum of conditions, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the advanced form of NAFLD. TAF15 is a DNA and RNA binding protein and is involved in crucial inflammatory signalling pathways. We aimed to investigate the role of TAF15 in the progression of NASH and the underlying molecular mechanism.

Methods

We generated mice with hepatocyte‐specific knockdown and overexpression of TAF15 using a specific adeno‐associated virus (AAV). NASH models were established by feeding mice high‐fat and high‐cholesterol diets and methionine‐ and choline‐deficient diets. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation and dual‐luciferase reporter assays were performed to investigate the effect of TAF15 on FASN transcription. Coimmunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays were conducted to explore the interaction of TAF15 and p65. In vitro coculture systems were established to study the interactions of hepatocytes, macrophages and HSCs.

Results

TAF15 was significantly increased in the livers of mouse NASH models and primary hepatocyte NASH model. Knockdown of TAF15 inhibited steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis, while overexpression of TAF15 promoted NASH phenotypes. Mechanistically, TAF15 bound directly to the promoter region of FASN to facilitate its expression, thereby promoting steatosis. Moreover, TAF15 interacted with p65 and activated the NF‐κB signalling pathway, increasing the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and triggering M1 macrophage polarization. Treatment with the FASN inhibitor orlistat partially reversed the phenotypes.

Conclusions

These results suggested that TAF15 exacerbated NASH progression by regulating lipid metabolism and inflammation via transcriptional activation of FASN and interacting with p65 to activate the NF‐κB signalling pathway.
Philosophy, writing, and liberation
Authors: Shusterman Richard
Published: May 2023

In responding to the three creative interpretive discussions in the symposium on my book Philosophy and the Art of Writing, this paper explores the different styles of philosophical discourse and their role in the practice of philosophy as a way of life that extends beyond the discursive and that combines self‐cultivation with care for others in the ethical‐aesthetic pursuit of living beauty. In advocating this aesthetic model of philosophical life over a purely therapeutic model, I suggest how the former can incorporate the latter's concerns for spiritual health and liberation. In developing my response to the symposiasts while elaborating on the themes of my book, I consider issues of ineffability, creative performance, embodiment, truth, heroism, vulnerability, possession, art, spirituality, love, and liberation.
Automatic method based on deep learning to identify and account Rhipicephalus microplus larval hatching
Authors: Santos Igor S. , Tavares Caio P. , Klafke Guilherme M. , Reck José , Monteiro Caio M. O. , Prata Marcia Cristina A. , Golo Patrícia S. , Silva Aristófanes C. , Costa‐Junior Livio M.
Published: May 2023

Reports of Rhipicephalus microplus resistant populations worldwide have increased extensively, making it difficult to control this ectoparasite. The adult immersion test, commonly used to screen for acaricide resistance, produces the results only after 40 days of the tick collection because it needs the eggs to be laid and larvae to hatch. The present study aims to develop an automatic method, based on deep learning, to predict the hatching of R. microplus larva based on egg morphology. Initially, the time course of embryonic development of tick eggs was performed to discriminate between viable and non‐viable eggs. Secondly, using artificial intelligence deep learning techniques, a method was developed to classify and count the eggs. The larval hatching rate of three populations of R. microplus was evaluated for the software validation process. Groups of three and six images of eggs with 12 days of embryonic development were submitted to the software to predict the larval hatching percent automatically. The results obtained by the software were compared with the prediction results of the hatching percentage performed manually by the specialist and with the results of the hatching percentage of larvae obtained in the biological assay. The group with three images of each population submitted to the software for automatic prediction of the larval hatching percent presented mean values of 96.35% ± 3.33 (Piracanjuba population), 95.98% ± 3.5 (Desterro population) and 0.0% ± 0.0 (Barbalha population). For groups with six images, the values were 94.41% ± 3.84 (Piracanjuba population), 95.93% ± 2.36 (Desterro population) and 0.0% ± 0.0 (Barbalha population). Biological assays showed the following hatching percentage values: 98% ± 1.73 (Piracanjuba population); 96% ± 2.1 (Desterro population); and 0.14% ± 0.25 (Barbalha population). There was no statistical difference between the evaluated methods. The automatic method for predicting the hatching percentage of R. microplus larvae was validated and proved to be effective, with considerable reduction in time to obtain results.
Civil servant tactics for realizing transition tasks understanding the microdynamics of transformative government
Authors: Braams Rik B. , Wesseling Joeri H. , Meijer Albert J. , Hekkert Marko P.
Published: May 2023

The transition literature argues that governments have an essential role in facilitating societal transitions. The current paper aims to provide a theoretical and empirical understanding of this government role by analyzing the work of entrepreneurial civil servants. These civil servants try to execute transition tasks but are often resisted by their colleagues who invoke dominant traditions in Public Administration. This raises the question of how they deal with this resistance and manage to execute government transition tasks. We introduce a heuristic rounds‐model to understand the interplay between contestation and responses. Due to its subsequent rounds, the model shows ongoing tactical work navigating opposition and uncovers the tactics' temporariness and their capacity to backfire. We illustrate the value of the heuristic model by analyzing the clash between opposing rationalities and the change agents' continuous tactical adjustment in our case study on “Mobility as a Service” in the Netherlands.
Increasing the margin of patient safety for periodontal and implant treatments: The role of human factors
Authors: Renouard Franck , Renouard Erell , Rendón Alexandra , Pinsky Harold M.
Published: May 2023

Early complications following periodontal and dental implant surgeries are typically attributed to technique or poor biological response, ignoring the possibility of the human element. Interestingly, significant experience is not correlated with increased success, whereas evidence supports the impact of clinical behavior on patient outcome. This is the result of errors, much like those scrutinized in other high‐risk technical fields, such as aviation. What can be surprising is that those who make these errors are very well acquainted with best practices. Given this, how is it possible for the conscientious practitioner to fail to apply protocols that are nonetheless very well known? Recently, the concepts of human and organizational factors have been translated to medicine, though dentistry has been slow to recognize their potential benefit. This review lists specific human factor behaviors, such as use of checklists and crew resource management, which might improve postsurgical outcome.
Attenuation of visual exploration following stress
Authors: Guy Nitzan , Azulay Hagar , Pertzov Yoni , Israel Salomon
Published: May 2023

When we explore our surroundings, we frequently move our gaze to collect visual information. Studies have extensively examined gaze behavior in response to different visual scenes. Here, we examined how differences in an individual's state may affect visual exploration, for example, following acute stress. In this study, participants were exposed to either a psychosocial stressor—performing a public speaking task in front of a two‐person committee—or a control condition absent stress induction. Elicitation of stress responses was validated using cortisol levels and subjective reports. Stress also led to an extended increase in pupil diameter (a proxy of arousal responses), suggesting it may also affect eye movements. Gaze behavior measures were taken prior and following the stress or control tasks. Acute stress attenuated visual exploration, reflected by fewer saccades and a smaller scanned area. Stress did not have a significant effect on either the tendency to look at social features or at salient regions of the images. These findings diverge from theoretical predictions suggesting that acute stress may facilitate social affiliative behaviors (e.g., Tend‐and‐Befriend theory). Reduced saccades and a smaller scanned area may be a possible mechanism explaining previous reports showing stress‐related effects on various cognitive processes (e.g., visual working memory) that rely on visual exploration.