bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumour mitochondrial DNA mutations drive aerobic glycolysis to enhance checkpoint blockade
Authors: Mahmood Mahnoor , Liu Eric Minwei , Shergold Amy L. , Tolla Elisabetta , Tait-Mulder Jacqueline , Uribe Alejandro Huerta , Shokry Engy , Young Alex L. , Lilla Sergio , Kim Minsoo , Park Tricia , Manchon J.L. , Rodríguez-Antona Crístina , Walters Rowan C. , Springett Roger J. , Blaza James N. , Zanivan Sara , Sumpton David , Roberts Edward W. , Reznik Ed , Gammage Payam A.
Published: March 2023

The mitochondrial genome encodes essential machinery for respiration and metabolic homeostasis but is paradoxically among the most common targets of somatic mutation in the cancer genome, with truncating mutations in respiratory complex I genes being most over-represented1. While mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have been associated with both improved and worsened prognoses in several tumour lineages1–,3, whether these mutations are drivers or exert any functional effect on tumour biology remains controversial. Here we discovered that complex I-encoding mtDNA mutations are sufficient to remodel the tumour immune landscape and therapeutic resistance to immune checkpoint blockade. Using mtDNA base editing technology4we engineered recurrent truncating mutations in the mtDNA-encoded complex I gene,Mt-Nd5, into murine models of melanoma. Mechanistically, these mutations promoted utilisation of pyruvate as a terminal electron acceptor and increased glycolytic flux without major effects on oxygen consumption, driven by an over-reduced NAD pool and NADH shuttling between GAPDH and MDH1, mediating a Warburg-like metabolic shift. In turn, without modifying tumour growth, this altered cancer cell-intrinsic metabolism reshaped the tumour microenvironment in both mice and humans, promoting an anti- tumour immune response characterised by loss of resident neutrophils. This subsequently sensitised tumours bearing high mtDNA mutant heteroplasmy to immune checkpoint blockade, with phenocopy of key metabolic changes being sufficient to mediate this effect. Strikingly, patient lesions bearing >50% mtDNA mutation heteroplasmy also demonstrated a >2.5-fold improved response rate to checkpoint inhibitor blockade. Taken together these data nominate mtDNA mutations as functional regulators of cancer metabolism and tumour biology, with potential for therapeutic exploitation and treatment stratification.
Artificial contractile actomyosin gels recreate the curved and wrinkling shapes of cells and tissues
Authors: Livne Gefen , Gat Shachar , Armon Shahaf , Bernheim-Groswasser Anne
Published: March 2023

Living systems adopt a diversity of curved and highly dynamic shapes. These diverse morphologies appear on many length-scales, from cells to tissues and organismal scales. The common driving force for these dynamic shape changes are contractile stresses generated by myosin motors in the cell cytoskeleton, an intrinsically active filamentous material, while converting chemical energy into mechanical work. A good understanding of how contractile stresses in the cytoskeleton arise into different 3D shapes and what are the selection rules that determine their final configurations still lacks. Aiming to identify the selection rules governing the shapes formed by contractile forces in living systems, we recreate the actomyosin cytoskeleton in-vitro, with precisely controlled composition and initial geometry. A set of actomyosin gel discs, intrinsically identical but of variable initial geometry, spontaneously self-organize into a family of 3D shapes. This process occurs through robust distinct dynamical pathways, without specific pre-programming and additional regulation. Shape selection is encoded in the initial disc radius to thickness aspect ratio, and thus scale-free. This may indicate a universal process of shape selection, that works across scales, from cells to tissues and organelles. Finally, our results suggest that, while the dynamical pathways may depend on the detailed interactions of the different microscopic components within the gel, the final selected shapes obey the general theory of elastic deformations of thin sheets. Altogether, these results provide novel insights on the mechanically induced spontaneous shape transitions in active contractile matter and uncover new mechanisms that drive shape selections in living systems across scales.

Significance statement

Living systems adopt a diversity of curved and highly dynamic shapes. These diverse morphologies appear on many length-scales, from cells to organismal scales, and are commonly driven by contractile stresses generated by myosin motors in the cell cytoskeleton. By recreating the actomyosin cytoskeleton in-vitro, with precisely controlled composition and initial geometry, we identify the shape selection rules that determine the final adopted configuration. Specifically, we find that shape selection is scale-free, which may indicate a universal process of shape selection, that works across scales, from cells to tissues and organelles. Altogether, our results provide novel insights on the mechanically induced spontaneous shape transitions in contractile active matter and uncover new mechanisms that drive shape selections in living systems.
A glutamatergic DRN-VTA pathway for neuropathic pain and comorbid depression-like behavior modulation
Authors: Wang Xin-Yue , Jia Wen-Bin , Xu Xiang , Chen Rui , Wang Liang-Biao , Su Xiao-Jing , Xu Peng-Fei , Liu Xiao-Qing , Wen Jie , Liu Yuan-Yuan , Zhang Zhi , Liu Xin-Feng , Zhang Yan
Published: March 2023

Chronic pain causes both physical suffering and comorbid mental disorders such as depression. However, the neural circuits and molecular mechanisms underlying these maladaptive behaviors remain elusive. Here, we report a pathway from vesicular glutamate transporter3 neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus to dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VGluT3DRN→DAVTA), of which population activity in response to innocuous mechanical stimuli and sucrose consumption, is respectively inhibited and attenuated by chronic neuropathic pain. Mechanistically, neuropathic pain dampens VGluT3DRN→DAVTAglutamatergic transmission and DAVTAneural excitability. VGluT3DRN→DAVTAactivation alleviates neuropathic pain and comorbid depression-like behavior (CDB) by releasing glutamate, which subsequently promotes DA release in the nucleus accumbens medial shell (NAcMed) and produces analgesia and antidepressant effects via D2 and D1 receptors, respectively. In addition, VGluT3DRN→DAVTAinhibition produces pain-like hypersensitivity and depression-like behavior in healthy mice. These findings reveal a novel VGluT3DRN→DAVTA→D2/D1NAcMedpathway in establishing and modulating chronic pain and comorbid depressive-like behavior.
Hepatobiliary manganese homeostasis is dynamic in the setting of illness in mice
Authors: Sunuwar Laxmi , Tomar Vartika , Wildeman Asia , Culotta Valeria , Melia Joanna
Published: March 2023

Manganese is a diet−derived micronutrient that is essential for critical cellular processes like redox homeostasis, protein glycosylation, and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Control of Mn availability, especially at the local site of infection, is a key component of the innate immune response. Less has been elucidated about Mn homeostasis at the systemic level. In this work, we demonstrate that systemic Mn homeostasis is dynamic in response to illness in mice. This phenomenon is evidenced in male and female mice, mice of two genetic backgrounds (C57/BL6 and BALB/c), in multiple models of acute (dextran−sodium sulfate−induced) and chronic (enterotoxigenic Bacteriodes fragilis) colitis, and systemic infection withCandida albicans. When mice were fed a standard corn−based chow with excess Mn (100 ppm), liver Mn decreased and biliary Mn increased 3−fold in response to infection or colitis. Liver iron, copper, and zinc were unchanged. When dietary Mn was restricted to minimally adequate amounts (10ppm), baseline hepatic Mn levels decreased by approximately 60% in the liver, and upon induction of colitis, liver Mn did not decrease further, however biliary Mn still increased 20−fold. In response to acute colitis, hepaticSlc39a8mRNA (gene encoding the Mn importer, Zip8) andSlc30a10mRNA (gene encoding the Mn exporter, Znt10) are decreased. Zip8 protein is decreased. Illness− associated dynamic Mn homeostasis may represent a novel host immune/inflammatory response that reorganizes systemic Mn availability through differential expression of key Mn transporters with down−regulation of Zip8.

Graphical Abstract

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MAP kinase ERK5 modulates cancer cell sensitivity to extrinsic apoptosis induced by death-receptor agonists and Natural Killer cells
Authors: Espinosa-Gil Sergio , Ivanova Saska , Alari-Pahissa Elisenda , Denizli Melek , Villafranca-Magdalena Beatriz , Viñas-Casas Maria , Bolinaga-Ayala Idoia , Gámez-García Andrés , Colas Eva , Lopez-Botet Miguel , Zorzano Antonio , Lizcano José Miguel
Published: March 2023

Death receptor ligand TRAIL is a promising cancer therapy due to its ability to selectively trigger extrinsic apoptosis in cancer cells. However, TRAIL–based therapies in humans have shown limitations, mainly due inherent or acquired resistance of tumor cells. To address this issue, current efforts are focussed on dissecting the intracellular signaling pathways involved in resistance to TRAIL, to identify strategies that sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL-induced cytotoxicity. In this work, we describe the oncogenic MEK5-ERK5 pathway as a critical regulator of cancer cell resistance to the apoptosis induced by death receptor ligands. Using 2D and 3D cell cultures and transcriptomic analyses, we show that ERK5 controls the proteostasis of TP53INP2, a protein necessary for full activation of caspase-8 activation in response to TNFα, FasL or TRAIL. Mechanistically, ERK5 phosphorylates and induces ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation of TP53INP2, resulting in cancer cell resistance to TRAIL. Concordantly, ERK5 inhibition or genetic deletion, by stabilizing TP53INP2, sensitizes cancer cells to the apoptosis induced by recombinant TRAIL and TRAIL/FasL expressed by Natural Killer cells. The MEK5-ERK5 pathway regulates cancer cell proliferation and survival, and ERK5 inhibitors have shown anticancer activity in preclinical models of solid tumors. Using endometrial cancer patient-derived xenograft organoids, we propose ERK5 inhibition as an effective strategy to sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL-based therapies and Natural Killer cells.
Integration of taxonomic signals from MAGs and contigs improves read annotation and taxonomic profiling of metagenomes
Authors: Hauptfeld Ernestina , Pappas Nikolaos , van Iwaarden Sandra , Snoek Basten L. , Aldas-Vargas Andrea , Dutilh Bas E. , von Meijenfeldt FA Bastiaan
Published: March 2023

Metagenomic analysis typically includes read-based taxonomic profiling, assembly, and binning of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). Here we integrate these steps in Read Annotation Tool (RAT), which uses robust taxonomic signals from MAGs and contigs to enhance read annotation. RAT reconstructs taxonomic profiles with high precision and sensitivity, outperforming other state-of-the-art tools. In high-diversity groundwater samples, RAT annotates a large fraction of the metagenomic reads, calling novel taxa at the appropriate, sometimes high taxonomic ranks. Thus, RAT integrative profiling provides an accurate and comprehensive view of the microbiome. CAT/BAT/RAT is available at https://github.com/MGXlab/CAT. The CAT pack now also supports GTDB annotations.
Metabolic perturbations to anE. coli-based cell-free system reveal a trade-off between transcription and translation
Authors: Kapasiawala Manisha , Murray Richard M.
Published: March 2023

Cell-free transcription-translation (TX-TL) systems have been used for diverse applications, but their performance and scope are limited by variability and poor predictability. To understand the drivers of this variability, we explored the effects of metabolic perturbations to anE. coliRosetta2 TX-TL system. We targeted three classes of molecules: energy molecules, in the form of nucleotide triphosphates (NTPs); central carbon “fuel” molecules, which regenerate NTPs; and magnesium ions (Mg2+). Using malachite green mRNA aptamer (MG aptamer) and destabilized enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (deGFP) as transcriptional and translational readouts, respectively, we report the presence of a trade-off between optimizing total protein yield and optimizing total mRNA yield, as measured by integrating the area under the curve for mRNA time-course dynamics. We found that a system’s position along the trade-off curve is strongly determined by Mg2+concentration, fuel type and concentration, and cell lysate batch, and that variability can be reduced by modulating these components. Our results further suggest the trade-off arises from limitations in translation regulation and inefficient energy regeneration. This work advances our understanding of the effects of fuel and energy metabolism on TX-TL in cell-free systems and lays a foundation for improving TX-TL performance, lifetime, standardization, and prediction.

For Table of Contents Use Only
User testing to inform modification of the MyHealthyGut digital health application in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Erlich Madeline , Lindblad Sarah , Haskey Natasha , Clarkin Darlene Higbee , Dong Taojie , Harvie Ruth , Lunken Genelle , Pirnack Jess , Jacobson Kevan
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation, can be subcategorized into Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The treatment for these conditions is unique to each patient, and may include lifestyle changes, pharmaceutical intervention, and surgery. Lifestyle changes, such as dietary intervention, are a cornerstone of IBD symptom management. Given the daily burden of this disease, self-management is paramount in coping with and/or minimizing symptoms. The MyHealthyGut application (app), successfully proven to be a self-management tool for celiac disease, shows promise for use in an IBD patient population.

Objective

To undertake user testing to inform the development of an IBD-focused version of the current MyHealthyGut app.

Methods

This study was undertaken between October 2021 and April 2022. Participants included IBD patients and healthcare practitioners (HCPs) (physicians, registered dietitians [RD], and registered nurses [RN]), using social media postings and convenience sampling. Two RDs demonstrated how to use the current functions and features of the app with each participant. Participants used the app for a 2-week period which was followed by participation in a focus group or individual interview to provide feedback on the app. Qualitative questionnaires, tailored to each patient category, were administered verbally and feedback was recorded. Thematic analysis techniques were used for data quantification and analysis.

Results

15 participants were recruited and enrolled. Of these, 14 participants took part in the focus group and/or individual interviews. The feedback suggested changes related to clinical uses (e.g. incorporating information collected by the app into electronic medical record systems), food and symptom tracking (e.g. the option to track water intake), ease of use (e.g. the option to autofill food tracker with frequently consumed meals), and app content (e.g. information about IBD treatments). All (100%) of participants reported that they would either use the app themselves or recommend the app to patients, once their suggestions were implemented.

Conclusion

Through user testing and feedback collection, priorities for app modification were identified. Areas of modification in the app functions and features, ease of use, and content were identified. Once updated to meet the needs of IBD patients, the MyHealthyGut app may be a useful tool for IBD self-management.

Funding Source

Canadian Foundation of Dietetic Research
Amino acid auxotrophies in human gut bacteria are linked to higher microbiome diversity and long-term stability
Authors: Starke Svenja , Harris Danielle MM , Zimmermann Johannes , Schuchardt Sven , Oumari Mhmd , Frank Derk , Bang Corinna , Rosenstiel Philip , Schreiber Stefan , Frey Norbert , Franke Andre , Aden Konrad , Waschina Silvio
Published: March 2023

Amino acid auxotrophies are prevalent among bacteria. They can govern ecological dynamics in microbial communities and indicate metabolic cross-feeding interactions among coexisting genotypes. Despite the ecological importance of auxotrophies, their distribution and impact on the diversity and function of the human gut microbiome remain poorly understood. This study performed the first systematic analysis of the distribution of amino acid auxotrophies in the human gut microbiome using a combined metabolomic, metagenomic, and metabolic modeling approach. Results showed that amino acid auxotrophies are ubiquitous in the colon microbiome, with tryptophan auxotrophy being the most common. Auxotrophy frequencies were higher for those amino acids that are also essential to the human host. Moreover, a higher overall abundance of auxotrophies was associated with greater microbiome diversity and stability, and the distribution of auxotrophs was found to be related to the human host’s metabolome, including trimethylamine oxide, small aromatic acids, and secondary bile acids. Thus, our results suggest that amino acid auxotrophies are important factors contributing to microbiome ecology and host-microbiome metabolic interactions.
Killing the enemy or making it your ally? The effects of thiostrepton on tumor associated macrophages
Authors: Pereira-Martins Diego A. , Hilberink Jacobien R. , Weinhäuser Isabel , Rego Eduardo M. , Huls Gerwin , Schuringa Jan Jacob
Published: March 2023

Attempts to convert a tumor supportive M2-polarized macrophage microenvironment into a tumor suppressive M1-polarized one have recently received considerable attention. However, the specificity of novel compounds, their mode-of-action, and efficacy on presumed target cellsin vivoneeds to be interpreted with caution.
Milder presentation of osteogenesis imperfecta type VIII due to compound heterozygosity for a predicted loss-of-function variant and novel missense variant inP3H1—further expansion of the phenotypic spectrum
Authors: Mikhail Kristen A. , VanSickle Elizabeth , Rossetti Linda Z.
Published: March 2023

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable disorder of bone metabolism characterized by multiple fractures with minimal trauma. Autosomal recessive OI type VIII is associated with biallelic pathogenic variants inP3H1and classically characterized by skeletal anomalies in addition to significant bone fragility, sometimes presenting with in utero fractures and/or neonatal lethality.P3H1encodes a collagen prolyl hydroxylase that critically 3-hydroxylates proline residue 986 on the α chain of collagen types I and II to achieve proper folding and assembly of mature collagen and is present in a complex with CRTAP and CypB. Most individuals with OI type VIII have had biallelic predicted loss-of-function variants leading to reduced or absent levels ofP3H1mRNA. The reported missense variants have all fallen in the catalytic domain of the protein and are thought to be associated with a milder phenotype. Here, we describe an infant presenting with five long bone fractures in the first year of life found to have a novel missense variant intranswith a nonsense variant inP3H1without any other bony anomalies on imaging. We hypothesize that missense variants in the catalytic domain of P3H1 lead to decreased but not absent hydroxylation of Pro986, with preserved KDEL retention signal and complex stability, causing an attenuated phenotype.
Double-salt formation in crystal structures containing [Co(en)3]Cl3
Authors: Kollitz Megan R. , Lappin A. Graham , Oliver Allen G.
Published: March 2023

The structures of three racemic double salts of [Co(en)3]Cl3(en is ethane-1,2-diamine, C2H8N2), namely, bis[tris(ethane-1,2-diamine-κ2N,N′)cobalt(III)] hexaaquasodium(I) heptachloride, [Co(en)3]2[Na(H2O)6]Cl7, bis[tris(ethane-1,2-diamine-κ2N,N′)cobalt(III)] hexaaquapotassium(I) heptachloride, [Co(en)3]2[K(H2O)6]Cl7, and ammonium bis[tris(ethane-1,2-diamine-κ2N,N′)cobalt(III)] heptachloride hexahydrate, (NH4)[Co(en)3]2Cl7·6H2O, have been determined, and the structural similarities with the parent compound, tris(ethane-1,2-diamine-κ2N,N′)cobalt(III) trichloride tetrahydrate, [Co(en)3]Cl3·4H2O, are highlighted. All four compounds crystallize in the trigonal space groupP-3c1. When compared with the parent compound, the double salts show a modest increase in the unit-cell volume. The structure of the chiral derivative [Λ-Co(en)3]2[Na(H2O)6]Cl7has also been redetermined at cryogenic temperatures (120 K) and the disorder noted in a previous report has been accounted for.
On the combinatorics of crystal structures. II. Number of Wyckoff sequences of a given subdivision complexity
Authors: Hornfeck Wolfgang , Červený Kamil
Published: March 2023

Wyckoff sequences are a way of encoding combinatorial information about crystal structures of a given symmetry. In particular, they offer an easy access to the calculation of a crystal structure's combinatorial, coordinational and configurational complexity, taking into account the individual multiplicities (combinatorial degrees of freedom) and arities (coordinational degrees of freedom) associated with each Wyckoff position. However, distinct Wyckoff sequences can yield the same total numbers of combinatorial and coordinational degrees of freedom. In this case, they share the same value for their Shannon entropy based subdivision complexity. The enumeration of Wyckoff sequences with this property is a combinatorial problem solved in this work, first in the general case of fixed subdivision complexity but non-specified Wyckoff sequence length, and second for the restricted case of Wyckoff sequences of both fixed subdivision complexity and fixed Wyckoff sequence length. The combinatorial results are accompanied by calculations of the combinatorial, coordinational, configurational and subdivision complexities, performed on Wyckoff sequences representing actual crystal structures.
An extended Painlevé integrable Kadomtsev--Petviashvili equation with lumps and multiple soliton solutions
Authors: Wazwaz Abdul-Majid , Alyousef Haifa A. , El-Tantawy Samir
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to propose an extended (3 + 1)-dimensional integrable Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation characterized by adding three new linear terms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study formally uses Painlevé test to confirm the integrability of the new system.

Findings

The Painlevé analysis shows that the compatibility condition for integrability does not die away by adding three new linear terms with distinct coefficients.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses the Hirota's bilinear method to explore multiple soliton solutions where phase shifts and phase variable are explored.

Practical implications

This study also furnishes a class of lump solutions (LSs), which are rationally localized in all directions in space, using distinct values of the parameters via using the positive quadratic function method.

Social implications

This study also shows the power of the simplified Hirota’s method in handling integrable equations.

Originality/value

This paper introduces an original work with newly developed Painlevé integrable model and shows new useful findings.
Heat transfer characteristics in turbulent FIV of three circular cylinders with different isosceles-triangle arrangements
Authors: Esmaeili Mostafa , Rabiee Amir Hossein
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to numerically explore the heat transfer characteristics in turbulent two-degree-of-freedom vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs) of three elastically mounted circular cylinders.

Design/methodology/approach

The cylinders are at the vertices of an isosceles triangle with a base and height that are the same. The finite volume technique is used to calculate the Reynolds-averaged governing equations, whereas the structural dynamics equations are solved using the explicit integration method. Simulations are performed for three different configurations, constant mass ratio and natural frequency, as well as distinct reduced velocity values.

Findings

As a numerical challenge, the super upper branch observed in the experiment is well-captured by the current numerical simulations. According to the computation findings, the vortex-shedding around the cylinders increases flow mixing and turbulence, hence enhancing heat transfer. At most reduced velocities, the Nusselt number of downstream cylinders is greater than that of upstream cylinders due to the impact of wake-induced vibration, and the maximum heat transfer improvement of these cylinders is 21% (at Ur = 16), 23% (at Ur = 5) and 20% (at Ur = 15) in the first, second and third configurations, respectively.

Originality/value

The main novelty of this study is inspecting the thermal behavior and turbulent flow–induced vibration of three circular cylinders in the triangular arrangement.
Helpful or hurtful? A study on the behavior choice of bystanders in the context of abusive supervision
Authors: Wei Wu , Chen Hao , Feng Jie , Li Jingya
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to reveal the mechanism of peer abusive supervision on bystander behavior based on the perspective of bystander from two different paths of bystander empathy and bystander hostility toward supervisor. At the same time, it discusses the moderation effect of bystander traditionality on the two paths.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a three-wave longitudinal survey. The data were collected from 454 employees and their coworkers in several Chinese enterprises. The authors used Mplus 7.4 and adopted a bootstrapping technique in the data analysis.

Findings

Peer abusive supervision leads bystanders to empathize with the abused colleague and thus exhibit more organizational citizenship behaviors, and peer abusive supervision also induces bystanders to develop hostility toward the abusive supervisor and thus produce more workplace negative gossip behaviors. In addition, it is found that bystander traditionality has a moderation effect in the process by which peer perceptions of abusive supervision influence bystander empathy and bystander hostility.

Originality/value

Based on Affective Events Theory, this study explores the mechanism of colleague perception of abusive supervision on bystander behavior from a bystander perspective. The results of this study not only provide a more comprehensive expansion of the weighting factors in the influence mechanism of abusive supervision but also provide new ideas for organizations to reduce the negative effects of workplace abusive behaviors.
Time-varying connectedness between global economic policy uncertainty and regional real estate markets: evidence from TVP-VAR extended joint connectedness approach
Authors: Zou Haobo , Ahmed Mansoora , Tariq Quratulain , Khan Komal Akram
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The real estate markets may be significantly influenced by the uncertainty in global economic policy. This paper aims to evaluate the time-varying connectedness between global economic policy uncertainty and regional real estate markets to understand how regional real estate markets and uncertainty in global economic policy are related throughout time.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study includes the monthly data from April 2007 to August 2022 of major regions (i.e. Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, North America and Latin America). Moreover, the authors use the time-varying parameter vector auto-regression (TVP-VAR) approach for the analysis.

Findings

The finding revealed a significant level of connectedness among global economic policy uncertainty and selected regional real estate markets. The result highlights more than 80% connectivity between the two variables, which makes the current study valuable. Furthermore, results determine Africa and North America are the shock transmitters; thus, they are considered safe-haven for investors to invest in these markets.

Originality/value

The main novelty is that this research highlights the time-varying connectedness between global economic policy uncertainty and five regional real estate markets (Africa, Asian Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America) using TVP-VAR. Furthermore, the authors used the standard and poor daily real estate investment trust (REIT) indices for the selected REIT markets. Finally, this research suggests practical implications for real estate investors, property developers, stakeholders, policymakers and managers to revise their current policies to maintain the real estate market stability during economic and political uncertainty or in other uncertain situations.
Smart cash point in a B2B market to enable service innovation: towards transparency and shared intentions- a case study
Authors: Megaro Antonietta
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This work tries to detect the factors that can impact service innovation in the retail sector according to a service ecosystem (SES) perspective. This paper aims to understand whether it is possible to study innovation focusing on the impact of technology on resource integration practices in SESs and to rank different patterns of innovation by evaluating their effects in terms of value co-creation.

Design/methodology/approach

To show up the perception of actors, a case study has been carried out through semi-structured interviews. The aggregates of practices and the service innovation archetypes, drawn from the theoretical background, have been used as categories of analysis.

Findings

Service innovation is reconceptualised as the result of the application of new technology to resource integration practices in the retail SES, and it is possible to rank its patterns and outcomes by deepening its effects on the emergence of value co-creation phenomena. Shared intentions have been identified as drivers of service innovation, but greater transparency in systems used to embolden a higher willingness to use could be necessary.

Originality/value

Service innovation has been studied by focusing on value co-creation; for this reason, the willingness to use technology emerged as a determinant of service innovation. This result implies the need for a multilevel reinterpretation of contemporary SES, both regarding the technical features of digital solutions and their adherence to users' skills and the effects of willingness or unwillingness to use on value co-creation.
The role of analyst coverage and value-relevance of energy efficiency
Authors: Khatri Ishwar
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether financial markets value a firm’s specific corporate environmental performance (CEP), i.e. its energy efficiency. This study also investigates the mechanism through which energy efficiency is associated with firm value.

Design/methodology/approach

For the empirical study, a sample of 324 US-listed non-financial firms during the period 2006–2019 was accessed from Thomson Reuters Refinitiv. Using baseline ordinary least squares regression models, this study first estimates the association between energy efficiency and firm value. It then tests the role of analyst coverage (the number of sell-side financial analysts following the firm) in ascertaining the value relevance of energy efficiency. To ensure the robustness of the results, alternative estimations including endogeneity and sample bias correctness tests were performed.

Findings

The study shows that energy efficiency is associated with firm value, and the role of analyst coverage as an external corporate governance mechanism is positive and significant on the value relevance of energy efficiency. Furthermore, this study documents that the relationship is shaped by sustainability-related internal and external risks, indicating that financial analysts’ role becomes more imperative when firms are subject to high scrutiny.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by examining the intersections of energy efficiency, analyst coverage and firm value. It attempts to demonstrate how and why CEP and financial performance are linked. In the context of growing environmental concerns, the pressure of climate change and achievement of net-zero carbon emissions, this study provides valuable insights into the financial market wherein firms’ environmentally responsible behaviours are value-enhancing, and governance mechanisms are impactful. This study suggests that financial analysts can serve as an effective external corporate governance mechanism.
A study on impacts of groundwater seepage on artificial freezing process of gravel strata
Authors: Wang Tianliang , He Ya-Meng , Wu Zhen , Li Jun-jun
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to study the impacts of groundwater seepage on artificial freezing process of gravel strata, the temperature field characteristics of the strata, and the strata process, closure time and thickness evolution mechanism of the frozen wall.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper several laboratory model tests were conducted, considering different groundwater seepage rate.

Findings

The results show that there is a significant coupling effect between the cold diffusion of artificial freezing pipes and groundwater seepage; when there is no seepage, temperature fields upstream and downstream of the gravel strata are symmetrically distributed, and the thickness of the frozen soil column/frozen wall is consistent during artificial freezing; groundwater seepage causes significant asymmetry in the temperature fields upstream and downstream of the gravel strata, and the greater the seepage rate, the more obvious the asymmetry; the frozen wall closure time increases linearly with the increase in the groundwater seepage rate, and specifically, the time length under seepage rate of 5.00 m d−1 is 3.2 times longer than that under no seepage; due to the erosion from groundwater seepage, the thickness of the upstream frozen wall decreases linearly with the seepage velocity, while that of the downstream frozen wall increases linearly, resulting in a saddle-shaped frozen wall.

Originality/value

The research results are beneficial to the optimum design and risk control of artificial freezing process in gravel strata.
The role of behavioural factors and opportunity costs in farmers' participation in voluntary agri‐environmental schemes: A systematic review
Authors: Schaub Sergei , Ghazoul Jaboury , Huber Robert , Zhang Wei , Sander Adelaide , Rees Charles , Banerjee Simanti , Finger Robert
Published: March 2023

Agri‐environmental schemes (AESs) are increasingly implemented to promote the adoption of environmentally friendly practices by farmers. We use a systematic review to explore the role of behavioural factors and opportunity costs in farmers' decisions to participate in AESs in Australia, Europe and North America. Behavioural factors influence how farmers value and perceive options, while opportunity costs relate to farmers' forgone utility when choosing to participate in schemes. We synthesise insights from 79 articles and over 700 factors explaining the participation in AESs. We find that a set of behavioural factors seem consistently connected to participation, including agricultural training, advice and having positive attitudes towards AESs. Moreover, several factors related to opportunity costs also have a rather consistent relationship with AES participation, including market conditions, implementation efforts, profitability, and management and contract flexibility. However, many relationships of behavioural factors and opportunity costs with AES participation are not as consistent and generalizable as sometimes portrayed and require context‐specific interpretation. Those factors with mixed results can still provide insights into farmers' participation decisions as several of them are either ‘positively and insignificantly’ or ‘negatively and insignificantly’ related to participation, such as environmental attitude, trust and farm size. These results suggest that their relationship with AES participation depends on other factors or the setting, highlighting interactions and raising important new research questions. Overall, our results provide several entry points for both researchers and policy‐makers, highlighting uncertainties in relationships between factors and participation that should be considered when designing policies.
The practice and promise of temporal genomics for measuring evolutionary responses to global change
Authors: Clark René D. , Catalano Katrina A. , Fitz Kyra S. , Garcia Eric , Jaynes Kyle E. , Reid Brendan N. , Sawkins Allyson , Snead Anthony A. , Whalen John C. , Pinsky Malin L.
Published: March 2023

Understanding the evolutionary consequences of anthropogenic change is imperative for estimating long‐term species resilience. While contemporary genomic data can provide us with important insights into recent demographic histories, investigating past change using present genomic data alone has limitations. In comparison, temporal genomics studies, defined herein as those that incorporate time series genomic data, utilize museum collections and repeated field sampling to directly examine evolutionary change. As temporal genomics is applied to more systems, species and questions, best practices can be helpful guides to make the most efficient use of limited resources. Here, we conduct a systematic literature review to synthesize the effects of temporal genomics methodology on our ability to detect evolutionary changes. We focus on studies investigating recent change within the past 200 years, highlighting evolutionary processes that have occurred during the past two centuries of accelerated anthropogenic pressure. We first identify the most frequently studied taxa, systems, questions and drivers, before highlighting overlooked areas where further temporal genomic studies may be particularly enlightening. Then, we provide guidelines for future study and sample designs while identifying key considerations that may influence statistical and analytical power. Our aim is to provide recommendations to a broad array of researchers interested in using temporal genomics in their work.
Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for refractory pyoderma gangrenosum
Authors: Nguyen Jacqueline K. , Holmes Zachary , Kelly Robert I.
Published: March 2023

Background

Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) have been increasingly used for various inflammatory dermatoses with success. Small case series and case reports suggest a role for IVIG in the management of refractory pyoderma gangrenosum (PG).

Objective

The objective was to study the characteristics of PG patients treated with IVIG and the efficacy and safety of IVIG for patients with refractory PG.

Methods

An analysis was performed of all patients with PG treated with IVIG from 2012 to 2022 at an Australian tertiary hospital seeing a high volume of PG patients.

Results

We identified 12 patients, 9 females and 3 males, with median age of 61 years (29–77) at IVIG commencement. All patients were taking systemic corticosteroid therapy prior to IVIG treatment, and all had been treated with a steroid‐sparing agent—including ten patients who had been treated with a biologic agent. IVIG was used with corticosteroids in one patient, concurrently with a steroid‐sparing agent in nine patients and with a biologic agent in eight patients. Eleven patients demonstrated treatment response to IVIG—six with excellent response and five with good response. Three patients had complete healing of their most active ulcer. One patient did not respond to IVIG. Nine patients were able to wean their prednisolone dose and one patient was able to cease prednisolone. Four adverse events were recorded, and only one patient had to cease treatment due to aseptic meningitis and headaches.

Conclusion

Our experience suggests that IVIG may be an efficacious treatment for patients with refractory PG due to its pleiotropic and immunomodulatory effects, particularly for patients with malignancy or other systemic conditions where high‐dose immunosuppressive agents are contraindicated.
Can Negation Be Depicted? Comparing Human and Machine Understanding of Visual Representations
Authors: Sato Yuri , Mineshima Koji , Ueda Kazuhiro
Published: March 2023

There is a widely held view that visual representations (images) do not depict negation, for example, as expressed by the sentence, “the train is not coming.” The present study focuses on the real‐world visual representations of photographs and comic (manga) illustrations and empirically challenges the question of whether humans and machines, that is, modern deep neural networks, can recognize visual representations as expressing negation. By collecting data on the captions humans gave to images and analyzing the occurrences of negation phrases, we show some evidence that humans recognize certain images as expressing negation. Furthermore, based on this finding, we examined whether or not humans and machines can classify novel images as expressing negation. The humans were able to correctly classify images to some extent, as expected from the analysis of the image captions. On the other hand, the machine learning model of image processing was only able to perform this classification at about the chance level, not at the same level of performance as the human. Based on these results, we discuss what makes humans capable of recognizing negation in visual representations, highlighting the role of the background commonsense knowledge that humans can exploit. Comparing human and machine learning performances suggests new ways to understand human cognitive abilities and to build artificial intelligence systems with more human‐like abilities to understand logical concepts.
Some Correct Strategies Are Better Than Others: Individual Differences in Strategy Evaluations Are Related to Strategy Adoption
Authors: Menendez David , Brown Sarah A. , Alibali Martha W.
Published: March 2023

Why do people shift their strategies for solving problems? Past work has focused on the roles of contextual and individual factors in explaining whether people adopt new strategies when they are exposed to them. In this study, we examined a factor not considered in prior work: people's evaluations of the strategies themselves. We presented undergraduate participants from a moderately selective university (N = 252; 64.8% women, 65.6% White, 67.6% who had taken calculus) with two strategies for solving algebraic word problems and asked them to rate these strategies and their own strategy on a variety of dimensions. Participants’ ratings loaded onto two factors, which we label quality and difficulty. Participants’ initial evaluations of the quality of the strategies were associated with whether they used the strategies at posttest, and this effect held even when controlling for individual and contextual factors. However, people's evaluations of the difficulty of the strategies were not consistently associated with their later adoption of those strategies. We also examined individual and contextual predictors of strategy ratings and strategy adoption. Participants’ need for cognition and their spatial visualization ability were associated with their strategy evaluations, and the framing of the story problems was associated with their strategy adoption. The findings highlight that strategy adoption depends on multiple interacting factors, and that to understand strategy change, it is critical to examine how people evaluate strategies.
Housing Boom, Dutch Disease, and the Decline in China's Manufacturing Exports
Authors: Liu Zhuqing , Tong Jiadong
Published: March 2023

Drawing on Dutch disease theory, we assess how the recent housing boom has contributed to a decline in China's manufacturing exports. Using Chinese city and enterprise panel data from 2004 to 2013, our analysis reveals that Dutch disease indeed exists and that the housing price increase has played a very important role in affecting China's manufacturing exports through two key channels: resource movement effect and spending effect. Specifically, this paper found that: (i) the housing price increase hindered labor flowing into China's manufacturing industry (resource movement effect) and caused higher inflation (spending effect); (ii) the housing boom clearly impeded China's manufacturing exports, especially after the outbreak of the global economic crisis in 2008; (iii) the impacts of the housing price increase on China's manufacturing exports were heterogenous, and were more significant for labor‐intensive manufacturing businesses, businesses that were foreign owned, less R&D intensive, or located in the central and western regions.
Epilation and depilation in the genital area – motivation, methods, risks and recommendations from a dermatological point of view
Authors: Mezin‐Sarbu Evgeniia , Wohlrab Johannes
Published: March 2023

Pubic hair removal is a body modification practice done worldwide for different socio‐cultural reasons, which is more common in women than in men, more common in younger than in older people, and more common in sexually active people than in abstinent individuals. Since there is no medical indication for genital epilation and depilation, with a few exceptions, there is only very limited evidence in the literature about the methods used and their risks. In order to provide users with guidance from a dermatological perspective on the use of different procedures and associated risks, the existing data were collected, analyzed and evaluated in a systematic literature search. For this purpose, a total of 290 articles in the English‐ and German‐language scientific literature were identified in databases (PubMed, Google Scholar) according to defined search strategies, and 61 publications with scientific significance were identified after assessing relevance. It became clear that depilation methods (shaving, trimming, chemical depilation) are used more frequently compared to epilation methods (waxing, sugaring, mechanical epilation, electro‐epilation, laser, intense pulsed light, drug epilation). The different risks and undesirable effects were analyzed in a method‐associated manner and prophylactic strategies to avoid complications were developed.