bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure and activity of botulinum neurotoxin X
Authors: Martínez-Carranza Markel , Škerlová Jana , Lee Pyung-Gang , Zhang Jie , Burgin Dave , Elliott Mark , Philippe Jules , Donald Sarah , Hornby Fraser , Henriksson Linda , Masuyer Geoffrey , Beard Matthew , Dong Min , Stenmark Pål
Published: January 2023

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent toxins known and are used to treat an increasing number of medical disorders. All BoNTs are naturally co-expressed with a protective partner protein (NTNH) with which they form a 300 kDa complex, to resist acidic and proteolytic attack from the digestive tract. We have previously identified a new botulinum neurotoxin serotype, BoNT/X, that has unique and therapeutically attractive properties. We present the cryo-EM structure of the BoNT/X-NTNH/X complex at 3.1 Å resolution. Unexpectedly, the BoNT/X complex is stable and protease resistant at both neutral and acidic pH and disassembles only in alkaline conditions. Using the stabilizing effect of NTNH, we isolated BoNT/X and showed that it has very low potency bothin vitroandin vivo. Given the high catalytic activity and translocation efficacy of BoNT/X, low activity of the full toxin is likely due to the receptor-binding domain, which presents weak ganglioside binding and exposed hydrophobic surfaces.
A dominant-negative avirulence effector of the barley powdery mildew fungus provides mechanistic insight to barley MLA immune receptor activation
Authors: Crean Emma E , Bilstein-Schloemer Merle , Maekawa Takaki , Schulze-Lefert Paul , Saur Isabel ML
Published: January 2023

Nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs) recognize pathogen effectors to mediate plant disease resistance, which is often accompanied by a localized host cell death response. Effectors can escape NLR recognition through various polymorphisms, allowing the pathogen to proliferate on previously resistant host plants. The powdery mildew effector AVRA13-1 is recognized by the barley NLR MLA13 and activates host cell death. We demonstrate here that a virulent form of AVRA13, called AVRA13-V2, escapes MLA13 recognition by substituting a serine for a leucine residue at the C-terminus. Counterintuitively, this substitution in AVRA13-V2 resulted in an enhanced MLA13 association and prevented the detection of AVRA13-1 by MLA13. Therefore, AVRA13-V2 is a dominant-negative form of AVRA13and has likely contributed to the breakdown ofMla13resistance. Despite this dominant-negative activity, AVRA13-V2 failed to suppress host cell death mediated by the MLA13 auto-active “MHD” variant. Neither AVRA13-1 nor AVRA13-V2 interacted with the MLA13 auto-active variant, implying that the binding moiety in MLA13 that mediates association with AVRA13-1 is altered after receptor activation. We also show that mutations in the MLA13 coiled-coil signalling domain, which were thought to impair Ca2+-channel activity and NLR function, instead resulted in MLA13 auto-active cell death. The data constitute an important step to define intermediate receptor conformations during NLR activation.
DNA elements tether canonical Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 to human genes
Authors: Barrasa Juan I. , Kahn Tatyana G. , Lundkvist Moa J. , Schwartz Yuri B.
Published: January 2023

Development of multicellular animals requires epigenetic repression by Polycomb group proteins. The latter assemble in multi-subunit complexes, of which two kinds, Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) and Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), act together to effect the repression of key developmental genes. How PRC1 and PRC2 recognize specific genes remains an open question. Here we report systematic identification of DNA elements that tether canonical PRC1 to human developmental genes. Their analysis indicates that sequence features associated with PRC1 tethering differ from those that favour PRC2 binding. Throughout the genome, the two kinds of sequence features mix in different proportions to yield a gamut of DNA elements that range from those tethering predominantly PRC1 to ones capable of tethering both PRC1 and PRC2. The emerging picture is similar to paradigmatic targeting of Polycomb complexes by Polycomb Response Elements (PREs) ofDrosophilabut providing for greater plasticity.
Investigating predictors of medical students' intentions to engagement in volunteering during the health crisis
Authors: Mouloudj Kamel , Bouarar Ahmed Chemseddine
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the present paper is to investigate Algerian medical students' intention to participate in volunteer work during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework by integrating the constructs of personal moral norms and perceived risk of COVID-19 and followed a self-administered questionnaire survey to collect data among a convenience sample of medical students (n = 267) in five Algerian universities. The data obtained were analyzed through a hierarchical multiple regression process in which three models were considered.

Findings

Findings of this study show that attitude toward volunteering, perceived behavior control (PBC), personal moral norm and subjective norm significantly and positively predicted medical students' intention to engage in volunteer work during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, students' perceived risk of COVID-19 significantly and negatively predicted students' intention to participate in volunteer activities. Moreover, the authors' analyses showed that the extended TPB model explained 75.1% of the variance of intention.

Practical implications

The findings of this study have implications for understanding medical students' volunteer behavior during health crises. Some implications are provided for the crisis and emergency managers of hospitals and policymakers to attract and recruit enough medical students' volunteers for future waves of COVID-19 or other similar health crises.

Originality/value

This is the first paper from Algeria and one of the few from Africa that identifies predictors of intentions to participate in volunteer activities among medical students.
Evaluating the decentralization of public hospitals in Turkey in terms of technical efficiency: data envelopment analysis and Malmquist index
Authors: Bağcı Hasan , Çil Koçyiğit Seyhan
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Decree Law No. 663 introduced a decentralized organizational structure and administration pertaining to Turkish public hospitals in November 2011. This study aims to explore the effects of the public hospital unions (PHUs), which were a result of Decree Law No. 663, on the efficiency and productivity of public hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) and DEA-based Malmquist total factor productivity (TFP) index were used from 2011 to 2016. Raw materials and supply expenses, salaries and fringe benefits, other service costs, general administrative expenses, total number of beds, number of specialists, number of residents, number of general practitioners, number of nurses and midwives and other medical officials were used as input variables. Working capital turnover, number of inpatients, number of outpatients and number of surgical operations for Groups A, B and C were used as output variables.

Findings

According to the DEA scores, the percentage of efficient hospitals showed a declining trend from 2011 to 2016. The TFP results also showed a decreasing trend from 2011 to 2016.

Practical implications

Providing administrative and financial autonomy to public hospital managers may cause efficiency and productivity losses, which is contrary to expectations.

Originality/value

This study is the first to reveal the impact of decentralization of public healthcare providers on their performance levels in Turkey.
Does Facebook penetration improve governance? A reflection on the World Governance Indicators of 185 countries
Authors: Morshed Md. Manjur , Mazumder Tanmoy
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Social media creates a public sphere, which functions as the third wheel of governance. This study aims to examine the relationship between Facebook penetration and the World Bank’s World Governance Indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a Pearson correlation was estimated between Facebook penetration and governance indicators. Second, ordinary least squares analysis was used to examine a variety of additional economic and population factors, including Facebook penetration. In both instances, the colinearity of the variables is examined.

Findings

The findings indicate that there is no conclusive correlation between Facebook penetration and governance; however, the opposite is true for developing, emerging and least developed countries, though the relationship is not uniform across regions. In addition, per capita gross domestic product and population dynamics, specifically the proportion of the population aged 15–64, have a significant impact on governance measures. The colinearity of the variables suggests that governance is a broad concept, and that the direct correlation between Facebook penetration and governance may be misleading.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should incorporate panel data from other social media platforms, such as Twitter and Reddit, to better understand temporal factors and the relationship between social media penetration and governance.

Practical implications

This paper opens up new avenue for investigation on the impact of social media on governance.

Social implications

This paper can contribute to the complexity of social media as means for voice and accountability. In addition, the paper mentions how social media can be used more neutrally to ensure exposure to diverse perspectives.

Originality/value

The growing importance of the internet and the popularity of social networking websites are generating a great deal of scholarly attention. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is almost no literature that links Facebook penetration and governance. This paper intends to fill this void.
Best practices for digital transformation based on a systematic literature review
Authors: Van Veldhoven Ziboud , Vanthienen Jan
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Digital transformation (DT) projects are complex and often unsuccessful. While researchers have suggested many guidelines and best practices on how to successfully roll out DT projects and how they are spread among a large number of scientific papers. The aim of this paper is to synthesize these guidelines into clear overviews.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted on both Scopus and Web of Science to search for papers suggesting DT guidelines or best practices. In total, 150 papers dealing with DT and guidelines were fully analyzed.

Findings

Eight main DT guidelines were found and each one was expanded with several best practices on how to implement these. The results are eight tables giving an overview of the commonly agreed-upon best practices for each DT guideline.

Research limitations/implications

These overviews are useful for both researchers and practitioners, to guide future work and to be inspired respectively. This paper calls for more research on how these guidelines are followed in practice, how these differ per industry and what their impact is on the overall success of DT projects.

Originality/value

The synthesis of DT guidelines organized into an accessible format has not yet been conducted before, and can serve as a seminal pinpoint for future research.
How do females in top executive positions influence firm profitability: new insight from non financial firms on Ghana Stock Exchange
Authors: Luh Peter Kodjo , Kusi Baah Aye
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of female chairperson, female chief executive officer and presence of females on boards on listed firms’ profitability using data from Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used ordinary least square estimation and generalized least square (i.e. fixed and random effect estimation techniques) estimation on the data of 15 nonfinancial listed firms on Ghana Stock Exchange between 2010 and 2020.

Findings

The results show that while males dominate corporate executive positions in listed nonfinancial firms in Ghana, females serving in top corporate executive positions like chief executive officer, board chairperson and female board membership positively impact listed firms’ performance in the form of return on assets, net profit margin and gross profit margin. These findings are consistent even when year and industry effects are controlled for. This suggests that enacting policies at the national and firm levels to encourage female participation in corporate executive roles/positions are critical for promoting firm performance.

Originality/value

This study extends extant empirical literature on the economic role of female executives in firm performance from the developing context of Ghana. With calls in literature for more studies on the subject matter in varied contexts and conditions, this study takes the discussion a step further by investigating whether the gender of those in positions such as board chairperson and chief executive officer matters in firm profitability in Ghana.
The role of financial status, attitudes, behaviours and knowledge for overall well-being in Portugal: the mediating role of financial well-being
Authors: Junça Silva Ana , Dias Raquel
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Although overall well-being is a well-studied phenomenon, financial well-being only recently has attracted scholars’ attention. Accordingly, this study aimed to understand the relationship between financial well-being, its predictors (financial status, financial behaviour, financial knowledge and financial attitudes) and overall well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data from 262 working adults.

Findings

The results showed that only financial status was positively related to financial well-being and the latter was positively related to overall well-being. It was also found that financial well-being mediated the relationship between financial status and overall well-being. In sum, these results showed a multidisciplinary concept of overall well-being and that individuals tend to prioritize financial security over the other components.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional nature of the data is a limitation.

Practical implications

Practically speaking, this research is relevant because it highlights the evidence of financial status as an important influence on financial well-being, as well as the role of household income in individuals’ financial satisfaction.

Originality/value

The study addresses a call for research on the relationship between financial well-being, its main predictors and how these contribute to explain overall well-being.
The heterogeneous effect of leverage on firm performance: a quantile regression analysis
Authors: Ghardallou Wafa
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to look at the effect of financial leverage on the performance of Saudi listed companies. It particularly proposes to examine the heterogeneity of this relationship depending on firm profitability and firm size.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a sample of 120 nonfinancial companies listed on the Tadawul stock exchange during the period 2017–2020. Data is obtained from the companies’ financial reports. This study uses the system GMM and the quantile regression. The first methodology examines the effect of leverage decisions on firm performance, whereas the second one tests the heterogeneity of this relationship.

Findings

GMM results demonstrate the adverse effect of leverage on firm performance in terms of return on assets, return on equities and Tobin’s Q. Besides, quantile regression results show that this relationship is heterogeneous. Particularly, leverage seems to have a greater adverse effect on the performance of high-profitable firms than low-profitable firms. Moreover, leverage has a negative effect in larger firms, whereas the influence becomes negative in smaller ones.

Originality/value

This study is unique in that it approaches the capital structure issue from a different perspective, where the leverage decision is distinctly considered at various levels of firm profitability and firm size. In addition, the majority of the existing studies is carried out in developed countries. However, the results might not apply to emerging countries given the specificity of their institutional structure. In this regard, Saudi Arabia has a distinctive business climate characterized by the absence of corporate tax and an illiquid bond market.
Exploring the impact of digital work on work–life balance and job performance: a technology affordance perspective
Authors: Duan Sophia Xiaoxia , Deng Hepu , Wibowo Santoso
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Digital technologies have been transforming the traditional workplace and reshaping how work is designed, performed and managed in organizations. This makes understanding digital work and its impact on job performance critically important. This study investigates the impact of digital work on job performance in organizations from the perspective of technology affordance.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive review of the related literature has been conducted, leading to the development of a conceptual model for exploring the impact of digital work on job performance from the perspective of technology affordance. Such a model is then tested and validated using structural equation modelling on the survey data collected in Australia.

Findings

The study shows that the use of digital technologies significantly improves coordination and knowledge sharing between individuals, leading to better work–life balance and improved job performance. Furthermore, the study reveals that the use of digital technologies that can enhance communication and decision-making does not significantly influence work–life balance and job performance in digital work.

Originality/value

This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the impact of digital work on job performance in organizations from the perspective of technology affordance. It explores the changing role of digital work in transforming existing working practices in organizations, and how different technology affordances in digital work can be actualized for improving work–life balance and job performance in a digitalized working environment.
Business interest associations in the USA and Europe: evaluation of digital marketing techniques applied on their websites and social networks
Authors: Ponzoa José M. , Gómez Andrés , Arilla Ramón
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop a proprietary indicator to measure the digital presence of the institutions: the digital presence index.

Design/methodology/approach

This research delves into how nonprofit institutions, specifically business interest associations (BIAs), have developed their internet presence by applying essential digital marketing techniques. To this end, and using big data mining tools, this study analyzes the tracking by internet users of 102 BIAs, with their respective websites in 36 countries in Europe and the USA. In addition, the presence and activity of the institutions included in this study on social networks are considered.

Findings

This research serves as a basis for discussing the current gap between social reality and the digitalization of institutions. In this sense, conclusions are drawn on the importance of managerial profiles in decision-making on digitization and the necessary knowledge that, together with Web and social network managers, they must have to articulate the means and techniques that promote the internet presence of the organizations they manage.

Originality/value

Conclusions are drawn according to the geographical scope of the BIAs, and an argument is made about the difficulties of connection and loss of prominence of this type of institutions among their different target audiences, especially among the youngest and most digitized.
Impact of social media participation on female entrepreneurs towards their digital entrepreneurship intention and psychological empowerment
Authors: Chakraborty Uttam , Biswal Santosh Kumar
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The use of social media is becoming increasingly important for entrepreneurial marketing as a way to gain psychological empowerment through female entrepreneurship. The participation of female entrepreneurs on social media has witnessed an increasing trend. The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of social media participation on female entrepreneurs towards digital entrepreneurship intention and their psychological empowerment.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study integrates the Stimulus–Organism–Response framework with uses and gratification theory to understand and determine a theoretical framework in understanding the importance of social media for female entrepreneurship in the contemporary digital era. To ensure internal consistency of the latent constructs, this study determines Cronbach’s alpha for all the variables. Further, exploratory factor analysis is performed to ensure the unidimensionality of the latent constructs. Structural equation modelling is performed to test the theoretical framework.

Findings

Data analysis confirms the significant effect of social media participations on female entrepreneurs towards their digital entrepreneurship intention which further affects their psychological empowerment.

Originality/value

The practical contributions of this study highlight the importance of female entrepreneurship which is essential for attaining self-reliance by reducing the socio-economic barriers. Further, female entrepreneurs’ participation in social media communities enhances the levels of empowerment.
How AI encourages consumers to share their secrets? The role of anthropomorphism, personalisation, and privacy concerns and avenues for future research
Authors: Kronemann Bianca , Kizgin Hatice , Rana Nripendra , K. Dwivedi Yogesh
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the overall research question “How can artificial intelligence (AI) influence consumer information disclosure?”. It considers how anthropomorphism of AI, personalisation and privacy concerns influence consumers’ attitudes and encourage disclosure of their private information.

Design/methodology/approach

This research draws upon the personalisation-privacy paradox (PPP) and privacy calculus theory (PCT) to address the research question and examine how AI can influence consumer information disclosure. It is proposed that anthropomorphism of AI and personalisation positively influence consumer attitudes and intentions to disclose personal information to a digital assistant, while privacy concerns negatively affect attitude and information disclosure.

Findings

This paper develops a conceptual model based on and presents seven research propositions (RPs) for future research.

Originality/value

Building upon PPP and PCT, this paper presents a view on the benefits and drawbacks of AI from a consumer perspective. This paper contributes to literature by critically reflecting upon on the question how consumer information disclosure is influenced by AI. In addition, seven RPs and future research areas are outlined in relation to privacy and consumer information disclosure in relation to AI.
A politics of suffering: Anarchism and embodiment in the life of Voltairine de Cleyre
Authors: Golder Lauren J.
Published: January 2023

American anarchist‐feminist Voltairine de Cleyre created a radical vision of liberation informed by her experiences of chronic illness, depression, poverty and misogyny. This article traces the connections between de Cleyre's embodied experiences and her theorisations of anarchism. Drawing on feminist and disability theories, it argues that de Cleyre's suffering led her to an empathetic vision of anarchism which prioritised freedom from suffering, highlighting the role of embodiment in social movements and political theory. Anarchism provided de Cleyre both a means to understand her own pain as well as its remedy.
Mapping non‐conventional atmospheric drinking‐water harvesting opportunities in Central Eurasia: The case of Kazakhstan
Authors: Srymbetov Tamerlan , Jetybayeva Albina , Dikhanbayeva Dinara , Rojas‐Solórzano Luis
Published: January 2023

Drinking water scarcity is becoming an urgent problem worldwide, and it affects developing and developed countries alike. Kazakhstan is not an exception and has its primary sources of drinking water (groundwater, rivers, and lakes) continuously depleted and polluted; moreover, the country will be close to its exploitation limits within the following decades. However, modern technologies allow us to harvest drinking water from unintegrated sources, like the atmosphere. Therefore, it is crucial to research which non‐conventional technologies can be used to obtain drinking water from unintegrated sources for the country, considering the cost, viability of use through the year, and local climate conditions. Thus, the present assessment was performed for the 14 demographic regions in Kazakhstan and two city‐states, and a map depicting the most feasible technology for each region is presented, including their levelized cost per liter. Seven mature technologies were found to be feasible in Kazakhstani year‐round climates. However, Air AW3 technology and Artificial Glaciers (AG) were the most cost‐effective for family‐size and village‐size solutions, respectively. The water provided via utility pipelines proved to be the most cost‐effective manner, when available, to supply drinking water at a family‐size scale, but found a less expensive competitor in the AG technology for village‐size solutions. Moreover, the lack of utility water pipelines in some Kazakhstani regions, principally countryside rural areas, makes it vital to deploy and implement these alternative water‐harvesting technologies to guarantee the future water security of these regions.
Effect of different storage conditions on the stability and safety of almonds
Authors: Rodrigues Paula , Jelassi Arij , Kanoun Elifa , Sulyok Michael , Correia Paula , Ramalhosa Elsa , Pereira Ermelinda Lopes
Published: January 2023

Almond production in Portugal is of great importance for the economy of their main producing areas. However, the contamination of these nut fruits with fungi and mycotoxins poses a significant risk to food safety and security. This work intended to evaluate the influence of storage conditions on the microbial and mycotoxin stability and safety of almonds throughout long‐term storage. Two almond varieties—Lauranne and Guara—were submitted to three different storage conditions, namely, 4°C with noncontrolled relative humidity (RH), 60% RH at 25°C, and 70% RH at 25°C, for a storage period of 9 months. Samples were collected after 0, 3, 6, and 9 months of storage and analyzed for microbial loads (aerobic mesophiles, yeasts, and molds), mold incidence and diversity, and mycotoxin contamination. In total, 26 species were identified belonging to 6 genera: Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium, Paecilomyces, and Talaromyces. For the variety Guara, mycotoxins related to Aspergillus sect. Flavi, such as aflatoxins, averufin, versicolorin C, and norsolorinic acid, were detected only after 9 months of storage at 70% and 60% RH. Penicillium mycotoxins, such as quinolactacin A and roquefortine C, were also detected. For the variety Lauranne, Penicillium mycotoxins were detected, such as citrinin, quinolactacins A and B, roquefortines C and D, cyclopenin, cyclopenol, penitrem A, viridicatin, and viridicatol. Mycotoxins related to Aspergillus, such as aspulvinone E, flavoglaucin, paspalin, asperglaucide, asperphenamate, cyclo(L‐Pro‐L‐Tyr), and cyclo(L‐Pro‐L‐Val), were also detected.

Practical Application

(Optional, for JFS Research Articles ONLY) The quality of almonds depends on the storage period and the RH and temperature at which they are stored. Storage of almonds at 60% RH at 25°C is a good storage condition to maintain the stability and safety of nuts in terms of microbial and mycotoxin contaminations.
Circular RNA, circular RARS, promotes aerobic glycolysis of non‐small‐cell lung cancer by binding with LDHA
Authors: Li Haoran , Huang Qi , Guo Haifa , Chen Xiuyuan , Li Xiao , Qiu Mantang
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Accumulating evidence has highlighted the critical roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aims to unveil the roles of circRARS (circular RARS) (hsa_circ_0001551) in NSCLC.

Methods

Quantitative real‐time PCR was used to determine the expression of circRARS in NSCLC tissues and cells. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to determine the prognostic value of circRARS expression. CCK8, transwell, and wound healing assays were used to assess the proliferation, invasion, and migration abilities of NSCLC cells. RNA pull‐down, cell fraction, glucose consumption, lactate production, and lactate dehydrogenase activity assays were conducted to explore the potential mechanisms of circRARS in NSCLC.

Results

circRARS is upregulated in NSCLC tissues and positively correlated with smoking status, lymph node metastasis, and higher tumor stages. NSCLC patients with high expression of circRARS have poor overall survival. Functional assays demonstrated that circRARS accelerated the proliferation, invasion, and migration of NSCLC cells in vitro. The cell fraction suggested that circRARS mainly accumulated in cytoplasm and the RNA pull‐down assay showed lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA) could bind with circRARS. Furthermore, circRARS positively regulates LDHA activity and LDHA expression at the transcription level. Moreover, downregulated circRARS decreases glucose consumption and lactate production and compromises aerobic glycolysis in NSCLC cells. Finally, rescue assays showed circRARS could promote NSCLC cell proliferation by regulating LDHA activity.

Conclusion

This study shows that circRARS can promote glycolysis and tumor progression in NSCLC by regulating LDHA.
ALAS1 associated with goat kidding number trait was regulated by the transcription factor ASCL2 to affect granulosa cell proliferation
Authors: Li Wentao , Li Kunyu , He Xiaoyun , Jiang Yanting , Lan Rong , Hong Qionghua , Liu Yufang , Chu Mingxing
Published: January 2023

ALAS1 is a member of the α‐oxoamine synthase family, which is the first rate‐limiting enzyme for heme synthesis and is important for maintaining intracellular heme levels. In the ovary, ALAS1 is associated with the regulation of ovulation‐related mitochondrial P450 cytochromes, steroid metabolism, and steroid hormone production. However, there are few studies on the relationship between ALAS1 and reproductive traits in goats. In this study, a mutation located in the promoter region of ALAS1 (g.48791372C>A) was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the kidding number of Yunshang black goats. Specifically, the mean kidding number in the first three litters and the kidding numbers of all three litters were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in individuals with the CA genotype or AA genotype than in those with the CC genotype. To further investigate the regulatory mechanism of ALAS1, the expression of ALAS1 in goat ovarian tissues with different genotypes was verified by real‐time quantitative PCR. The results showed that the expression of ALAS1 was significantly higher in the ovaries of individuals with AA genotype than those with AC and CC genotypes (p < 0.01), and the expression trend of transcription factor ASCL2 was consistent with ALAS1. Additionally, the ALAS1 g.48791372C>A mutation created a new binding site for the transcription factor ASCL2. The luciferase activity assay indicated that the mutation increased the promoter activity of ALAS1. Overexpression of the transcription factor ASCL2 induced increased expression of ALAS1 in goat granulosa cells (p < 0.05). The opposite trend was shown for the inhibition of ASCL2 expression. The results of real‐time quantitative PCR, EdU and Cell Counting Kit‐8 assays indicated that the transcription factor ASCL2 increased the proliferation of goat granulosa cells by mediating the expression of ALAS1. In conclusion, the transcription factor ASCL2 positively regulated the transcriptional activity and expression levels of ALAS1, altering granulosa cell proliferation and the kidding number in goats.
Drinking Wine with Friends: Plato's Lesson for Contemporary Democratic Theory
Authors: Trimçev Eno
Published: January 2023

Democratic theory tells us that citizens should be engaged, informed, passionate, reasonable, willing to speak up, ready to listen, and militant but also restrained. Yet we are rarely told how they might achieve this. The challenge is particularly relevant for theories that distinguish between the liberal and democratic principles of our regime with their contradictory ideals of citizenship. This article draws on Plato's reflections on drinking wine with friends in the Laws to argue that the political psychology suggested therein fits the complex ideal of citizenship in a liberal democracy. Furthermore, it shows how extrapolitical and even disreputable social practices can not only help prepare citizens for political life but also enable them to deal with the inequalities that inevitably contaminate it. Weaving together law, contestation, reason, and passion, the Platonic account articulates the psychological burdens of citizenship in a liberal democracy and suggests ways to cope with them.
Exotic animal cafés in Japan: A new fashion with potential implications for biodiversity, global health, and animal welfare
Authors: Sigaud Marie , Kitade Tomomi , Sarabian Cécile
Published: January 2023

Wildlife trade is a multibillion‐dollar industry and concerns not only the exploitation of animals for their body parts but is also largely fueled by the demand for exotic pets. We document, in Japan, a recent phenomenon closely related to the pet trade and rapidly spreading in Asia: the display of exotic animals in a café/bar context. We surveyed 142 exotic animal cafés (EACs) by visiting their website and/or social media accounts. We recorded every available exotic animal species, their status based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and Appendix according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). We compared the CITES Appendix‐listed species imported in Japan during 1975–2019 to the species present in EACs. Most EACs opened in major cities between 2015 and 2017 under the label “owl café.” We recorded 3793 individuals belonging to 419 different species in 137 EACs active in 2019. The most numerous exotic animals were birds (62% – owls 40%) but reptiles (21%), mammals (15%) and to a lesser extent, amphibians (2%) were also found. A total of 403 individuals belonged to 52 threatened species. The majority (60%) of the species identified were CITES‐listed (Appendix I: 53 individuals, 9 species; Appendix II:2482 individuals, 235 species and Appendix III:16 individuals, 6 species). While most species present in EACs are mainly imported as “captive bred” in Japan, we found 30 species that were mainly imported as “wild‐caught,” “ranched” or “farmed.” The increase of importations of owl species is concomitant with the openings of EACs, reflecting the demand for owls in Japan. We argue that these EACs promoted through social media: (1) might have consequences for biodiversity as they encourage the purchase of exotic animals and represent a pool of potentially invasive species with their pathogens; (2) present a risk of pathogen transmission due to frequent close interactions with consumers; and (3) raise serious concerns about animal welfare.
Motivating relational organizing behavior for biodiversity conservation
Authors: Jones Megan S. , Niemiec Rebecca M.
Published: January 2023

As biodiversity loss and climate change accelerate, more people worldwide are engaging in conservation behaviors to “do their part.” Yet, individual behavior change alone is insufficient for the large‐scale, rapid change needed to address these crises. Relational organizing, which involves individuals reaching out to others in their social network, can enhance the speed and scale of conservation behavior change and address the complex, collective action nature of many conservation problems. However, many people practicing conservation behaviors in their own lives do not engage in relational organizing about conservation issues. Here, we suggest this may be the result of specific social‐psychological factors inhibiting people from reaching out to others. We summarize the evidence and offer a research and practice agenda to prioritize (1) understanding the social‐psychological barriers that prevent relational organizing, and (2) addressing these barriers through targeted outreach interventions to help scale and accelerate community action for conservation.
Bioindicators of edge effects within Atlantic Forest remnants: Conservation implications in a threatened biodiversity hotspot
Authors: de la Sancha Noé U. , González‐Maya José F. , Boyle Sarah A. , Pérez‐Estigarribia Pastor E. , Urbina‐Cardona J. Nicolas , McIntyre Nancy E.
Published: January 2023

Aim

Deforestation of the Atlantic Forest of eastern Paraguay has been recent but extensive, resulting in a fragmented landscape highly influenced by forest edges. We examined edge effects on multiple dimensions of small mammalian diversity.

Location

Forest fragments of eastern Paraguayan Atlantic Forest.

Methods

We trapped small mammal species at different distances from the forest edge (DTE) in reserves and estimated multiple dimensions of diversity per site. Similarity analysis identified species clusters that best described the patterns of diversity across reserves. Multivariate ordination and linear mixed models were used to determine the influence of DTE on various dimensions of small mammal diversity.

Results

There was an increase in richness and abundance along a DTE gradient, and remnants with higher edge:area ratios showed higher richness and abundance, independent of remnant size. Species at edges were generalists, open‐habitat species or exotic species (spillover effect). We found higher phylogenetic diversity and functional richness and divergence towards forest edges. Spillover of non‐forest and invasive species best explained richness, generalist forest species best explained total abundance, abundance of Hylaeamys megacephalus best explained diversity and evenness metrics and the presence of Marmosa paraguayana best explained various phylogenetic diversity models. None of the models that included megafauna or social factors were shown to be important in explaining patterns as a function of DTE.

Main Conclusions

We found strong support for a spillover effect and mixed support for complementary resource use and enhanced habitat resources associated with ecotones. Generalists characterized edge assemblages but not all generalists were equivalent. Edges showed more phylogenetically and functionally distinct assemblages than the interior of remnants. There was a conservation of functional diversity; however, open‐habitat species, habitat generalists and exotic species boosted diversity near forest edges. Mechanisms governing diversity along forest edges are complex; disentangling those mechanisms necessitates the use of multiple dimensions of diversity.
A co‐formulation of pramlintide and insulin A21G (ADO09) improves postprandial glucose and short‐term control of mean glucose, time in range, and body weight versus insulin aspart in adults with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Andersen Grit , Eloy Rosy , Famulla Susanne , Heise Tim , Meiffren Grégory , Seroussi Cyril , Gaudier Martin , Mégret Claire , Chan You‐Ping , Soula Olivier , Riddle Matthew
Published: January 2023

Aim

Pramlintide improves postprandial glucose but requires additional injections. We investigated the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, efficacy and safety of ADO09, pramlintide/insulin A21G co‐formulation, in type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Materials and Methods

This double‐blinded, randomized, two‐period cross‐over study compared prandial administration of ADO09 or insulin aspart over 24 days in T1D using either ≤40 U bolus insulin per day [low‐dose group (LD), n = 28] or 40‐75 U [high‐dose group (HD), n = 16]. Glycaemic responses through continuous glucose monitoring, and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics profiles following mixed‐meal‐tolerance tests were evaluated at baseline and at the end of treatment.

Results

Glucose increments from 0 to 4 h after mixed‐meal‐tolerance test (primary endpoint) were 39% (not statistically significantly) lower with ADO09 in the low‐dose group and 69% lower in the high‐dose group. Mean continuous glucose monitoring glucose during ambulatory treatment was lower with ADO09 than with aspart (LD: –8.2 ± 7.9 mg/dl, p = .0001; HD: –7.0 ± 10 mg/ml, p = .0127), and time‐in‐range (70–180 mg/dl) improved (LD: +4%, p = .0134; HD: +4%, p = .0432). Body weight declined significantly with ADO09 (LD: –0.8 kg; HD: –1.6 kg). Hypoglycaemic events were slightly more frequent with ADO09 versus aspart (LD: 142 vs. 115; HD: 96 vs. 79). Gastrointestinal events occurred more frequently with ADO09 but were generally transient, and no other safety signals were identified.

Conclusions

In comparison with aspart, ADO09 was well tolerated and effective in T1D across a wide range of dosage, significantly improving the average blood glucose level and body weight during 24 days of ambulatory treatment. Meal test profiles confirmed improvement of glycaemic patterns and other responses with ADO09.
The porosity distribution of nickel‐base single‐crystal superalloy DD5 and its fatigue life property
Authors: Li Piao , Susmel Luca , Jiang Wen , Yin Haibiao
Published: January 2023

The porosity of nickel‐base single crystals (NBSXs) is still an unavoidable casting problem that has a significant influence on the fatigue life of NBSXs. In order to quantify the porosity effect, a porosity‐distribution‐related life prediction method is proposed in this paper. The porosity size in a NBSX was measured, and the size distribution was regressed. The results show that the porosity size that is characterized by Feret's diameter follows a modified logarithmic normal distribution. The relation among the applied stress, porosity size, and lifetime is expressed by using the proposed method. The disperse band of S–N curve is investigated based on the probability distribution of the porosity size. The results show that the predicted S–N curve agrees well with the experimental data.
Disentangling thermal from alternative drivers of reflectance in jewel beetles: A macroecological study
Authors: Wang Lu‐Yi , Franklin Amanda M. , Hugall Andrew F. , Medina Iliana , Stuart‐Fox Devi
Published: January 2023

Aim

To predict future colour–climate relationships, it is important to distinguish thermal drivers of reflectance from other evolutionary drivers. We aimed to achieve this by comparing relationships between climate and coloration in ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) and near‐infrared (NIR) light, separately.

Location

Samples were distributed primarily across Australia and North America, with some from Africa and Asia.

Major taxa studied

Coleoptera: Buprestidae.

Methods

We used jewel beetles as models to identify climatic drivers of reflectance, because jewel beetles have highly diverse coloration and a wide distribution and are often active in hot conditions. Specifically, we tested the association between climate, body size and reflectance using a phylogenetic comparative analysis for three wavebands (UV–Vis, NIR and total).

Results

Reflectance of jewel beetles was more strongly predicted by body size than by climate. NIR reflectance and total reflectance were not associated with climate, but larger beetles had higher NIR reflectance. For UV–Vis reflectance, small beetles were darker in warmer and more humid environments, whereas there was no association with climate for large beetles.

Main conclusions

Our study suggests that variation in reflectance of jewel beetles is not driven by thermal requirements and highlights the importance of considering NIR reflectance when evaluating explanations of the effects of colour on thermoregulation.
Migraine aura‐like episodes following sclerotherapy for varicose veins of the lower extremities—A systematic review
Authors: Bahtiri Lionesa , Thomsen Andreas Vinther , Ashina Messoud , Hougaard Anders
Published: January 2023

Objective

This systematic review provides a summary and evaluation of cases of migraine aura‐like episodes elicited by sclerotherapy of veins of the lower extremities and discusses possible underlying mechanisms.

Background

Sclerotherapy is a commonly used treatment for varicose veins. Symptoms resembling migraine aura have been reported during and following sclerotherapy of the lower extremities, suggesting that sclerotherapy may elicit migraine aura.

Methods

We searched PubMed for articles reporting neurological complications that were transient and fully reversible following sclerotherapy treatment for varicose veins in the lower limbs. There were no restrictions regarding article language or publication date. Only original studies and case reports were included. Two authors independently reviewed included articles in detail. Data were extracted from each article, including details on symptoms, previous migraine history, sclerotherapy method, and the presence of a right‐to‐left cardiac shunt in patients. We evaluated whether episodes fulfilled modified International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition, criteria for 1.2 Migraine with aura or 1.5.2 Probable migraine with aura.

Results

The search yielded 777 articles, 28 of which were included. Twenty‐six articles reported 119 episodes of transient neurological symptoms in 34,500 sclerotherapy sessions. Two additional articles reported six episodes of transient neurological symptoms with no specification of the number of sessions. Of the 125 episodes, 119 involved transient visual disturbances, and eight met the modified criteria for Probable migraine with aura. In most episodes (98%), clinical information was insufficient to determine if the criteria were fulfilled.

Conclusions

Symptoms that are clinically indistinguishable from migraine with aura attacks may occur following sclerotherapy, although this likely is rare. Microembolization through a right‐to‐left shunt triggering cortical spreading depolarization is a possible mechanism. Our findings are limited by infrequent specific assessments for neurological complications and a low level of detail in the description of symptoms in the available literature. Future prospective studies are needed to determine this phenomenon's incidence and underlying mechanisms.
Designing of passive cooling silicon oxynitride composite cement
Authors: Miyazaki Hidetoshi , Eguchi Kazuki , Tsuruda Mako
Published: January 2023

Si2N2O, which shows high radiative cooling ability, was mixed and hardened with ordinary Portland cement to prepare cement specimens having radiative cooling abilities. The bulk cement specimens were prepared with diameters of 50 mm and two different thicknesses of 3 and 10 mm, and Si2N2O powder were mixed with 2 and 10 wt%. The temperatures of the blank specimen (without radiative cooling Si2N2O powder) and the cement composite specimens were measured in a thermostatic chamber maintained at ambient temperature, and the radiative cooling abilities of the specimens were evaluated. The obtained specimens showed a radiative cooling ability in the range 0.077–0.92 W/m2; thus, the results of this study suggested the possibility of a cement composite with passive cooling property.