bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Operational Knowledge Risks in SMEs – Using a Grey-Dematel Technique
Authors: Foli Samuel , Durst Susanne , Romero Elena Dominguez
Published: January 2024

The increasing recognition of the negative impact of knowledge risks on the operations of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has led to a need for effective methods to evaluate and manage these risks. SMEs often adopt a reactive approach to risk management, which may not be sufficient to address the complex and evolving nature of knowledge risks. This study aims to use the grey-DEMATEL technique to evaluate operational knowledge risks in SMEs, with a focus on identifying the most critical risks and their potential causes and effects. The results revealed 11 operational knowledge risks, and found that outsourcing risks are the most critical among them. Communication risks and improper knowledge application were also found to be significant. Additionally, these risks were successfully categorised into effect risks (including relational risk, espionage, knowledge waste, and continuity risk) and causal risks (including knowledge waste, risks related to knowledge gaps, and the risk of using obsolete or unreliable knowledge). These categories provide a framework for understanding the potential causes and effects of operational knowledge risks and may be useful for designing risk management strategies. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies to use the grey-DEMATEL technique to evaluate operational knowledge risks in SMEs.
Marine eutrophication within the Tarim Platform in sync with Middle to Late Ordovician climatic cooling
Authors: Zhang Junpeng , Li Wenjie , Fang Xiang , Wu Xuejin , Li Chao , Zhang Yuandong
Published: January 2024

Previous work has proposed climatic cooling and atmosphere–ocean oxygenation as potential triggers for the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event, with the suggestion of better oxygenated oceans during the Middle to Late Ordovician. However, recent studies have argued for spatial and temporal heterogeneity in marine redox state on several continents. Here we investigate a black-shale succession accumulated within the Tarim Platform via a combination of geochemical proxies to address these debates. Negative shifts in bulk nitrogen isotopes and synchronous increases in excess phosphorus suggest moderate-high marine primary production coinciding with the development of bottom-water anoxia, as indicated by enrichments in highly reactive iron and modest concentrations of redox-sensitive trace metals (Mo, U). Moreover, the occurrence of black shale correlates well with equivalent successions formed in deep-water marginal basins along several continents, including South China, North China, Laurentia and Baltica. This may suggest an expansion of marine anoxia in low-latitude zones of the late Darriwilian to early Sandbian oceans, probably as a result of enhanced upwelling in sync with climatic cooling. The extent and ultimate cause of marine anoxia requires further quantifying constraints at a global scale, which will enable potential links between global oceanic redox conditions and concurrent biotic changes to be evaluated in more detail.

Supplementary material:
Geochemical dataset for the Dawangou section (Table S1) is available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.7036552

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Chemical Evolution of the Mid-Paleozoic Earth System and Biotic Response collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/chemical-evolution-of-the-mid-paleozoic-earth-system
Exploiting Spatial-Temporal Context for Interacting Hand Reconstruction on Monocular RGB Video
Authors: Zhao Weichao , Hu Hezhen , Zhou Wengang , Li Li , Li Houqiang
Published: January 2024

Reconstructing interacting hands from monocular RGB data is a challenging task, as it involves many interfering factors, e.g., self- and mutual occlusion and similar textures. Previous works only leverage information from a single RGB image without modeling their physically plausible relation, which leads to inferior reconstruction results. In this work, we are dedicated to explicitly exploiting spatial-temporal information to achieve better interacting hand reconstruction. On the one hand, we leverage temporal context to complement insufficient information provided by the single frame and design a novel temporal framework with a temporal constraint for interacting hand motion smoothness. On the other hand, we further propose an interpenetration detection module to produce kinetically plausible interacting hands without physical collisions. Extensive experiments are performed to validate the effectiveness of our proposed framework, which achieves new state-of-the-art performance on public benchmarks.
Fuzzified Deep Learning based Forgery Detection of Signatures in the Healthcare Mission Records
Authors: Priya Ishu , Chaurasia Nisha , Singh Ashutosh Kumar , Mehta Nakul , Kilak Abhishek Singh , Alkhayyat Ahmed
Published: January 2024

In an era subjected to digital solutions, handwritten signatures continue playing a crucial role in identity verification and document authentication. These signatures, a form of bio-metric verification, are unique to every individual, serving as a primitive method for confirming identity and ensuring security of an individual. Signatures, apart from being a means of personal authentication, are often considered a cornerstone in the validation of critical documents and processes, especially within the healthcare sector. In healthcare missions, particularly in the regions that are underdeveloped, hand-written records persist as the primary mode of documentation. The credibility of these handwritten documents hinges on the authenticity of the accompanying signatures, making signature verification a paramount safeguard for the integrity and security of medical information. Nonetheless, traditional offline methods of signature identification can be time-consuming and inefficient, particularly while dealing with a massive volume of documents. This arises the evident need for automated signature verification systems. Our research introduces an innovative signature verification system which synthesizes the strengths of fuzzy logic and CNN (Convolutional Neural Networks) to deliver precise and efficient signature verification. Leveraging the capabilities of Fuzzy Logic for feature representation and CNNs for discriminative learning, our proposed hybrid model offers a compelling solution. Through rigorous training, spanning a mere 28 epochs, our hybrid model exhibits remarkable performance by attaining a training accuracy of 91.29% and a test accuracy of 88.47%, underscoring its robust generalization capacity. In an era of evolving security requirements and the persistent relevance of handwritten signatures, our research links the disparity between tradition and modernity.
Neutrophils in Physiology and Pathology
Authors: Aroca-Crevillén Alejandra , Vicanolo Tommaso , Ovadia Samuel , Hidalgo Andrés
Published: January 2024

Infections, cardiovascular disease, and cancer are major causes of disease and death worldwide. Neutrophils are inescapably associated with each of these health concerns, by either protecting from, instigating, or aggravating their impact on the host. However, each of these disorders has a very different etiology, and understanding how neutrophils contribute to each of them requires understanding the intricacies of this immune cell type, including their immune and nonimmune contributions to physiology and pathology. Here, we review some of these intricacies, from basic concepts in neutrophil biology, such as their production and acquisition of functional diversity, to the variety of mechanisms by which they contribute to preventing or aggravating infections, cardiovascular events, and cancer. We also review poorly explored aspects of how neutrophils promote health by favoring tissue repair and discuss how discoveries about their basic biology inform the development of new therapeutic strategies.
The impact of glucagon to support postabsorptive glucose flux and glycemia in healthy rats and its attenuation in male Zucker diabetic fatty rats
Authors: Estes Shanea K. , Shiota Chiyo , O’Brien Tracy P. , Printz Richard L. , Shiota Masakazu
Published: January 2024

In postabsorptive state, basal plasma insulin (P-INS) and plasma glucose (PG) act dominantly to increase hepatic glucose cycling and reduce endogenous glucose production (EGP) and PG in healthy rats, which is only counteracted by the acute action of basal plasma glucagon (P-GCG) to support EGP and euglycemia. Hyperglucagonemia, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) present in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, is not the primary mediator of hyperglycemia and high EGP as commonly thought; instead, the liver is resistant to glucagon as well as insulin and glucose.
The Imipridone ONC213 Targets α-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase to Induce Mitochondrial Stress and Suppress Oxidative Phosphorylation in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Su Yongwei , Carter Jenna L. , Li Xinyu , Fukuda Yu , Gray Ashley , Lynch John , Edwards Holly , Ma Jun , Schreiner Patrick , Polin Lisa , Kushner Juiwanna , Dzinic Sijana H. , Buck Steven A. , Pruett-Miller Shondra M. , Hege-Hurrish Katie , Robinson Camenzind , Qiao Xinan , Liu Shuang , Wu Shuangshuang , Wang Guan , Li Jing , Allen Joshua E. , Prabhu Varun V. , Schimmer Aaron D. , Joshi Dhananjay , Kalhor-Monfared Shiva , Watson Iain D. G. , Marcellus Richard , Isaac Methvin B. , Al-awar Rima , Taub Jeffrey W. , Lin Hai , Schuetz John D. , Ge Yubin
Published: January 2024

Eradication of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is therapeutically challenging; many patients succumb to AML despite initially responding to conventional treatments. Here, we showed that the imipridone ONC213 elicits potent antileukemia activity in a subset of AML cell lines and primary patient samples, particularly in leukemia stem cells, while producing negligible toxicity in normal hematopoietic cells. ONC213 suppressed mitochondrial respiration and elevated α-ketoglutarate by suppressing α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (αKGDH) activity. Deletion of OGDH, which encodes αKGDH, suppressed AML fitness and impaired oxidative phosphorylation, highlighting the key role for αKGDH inhibition in ONC213-induced death. ONC213 treatment induced a unique mitochondrial stress response and suppressed de novo protein synthesis in AML cells. Additionally, ONC213 reduced the translation of MCL1, which contributed to ONC213-induced apoptosis. Importantly, a patient-derived xenograft from a relapsed AML patient was sensitive to ONC213 in vivo. Collectively, these findings support further development of ONC213 for treating AML.

Significance:

In AML cells, ONC213 suppresses αKGDH, which induces a unique mitochondrial stress response, and reduces MCL1 to decrease oxidative phosphorylation and elicit potent antileukemia activity.

See related commentary by Boët and Sarry, p. 950
Data from NF-YA Underlies EZH2 Upregulation and Is Essential for Proliferation of Human Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Cells
Authors: Garipov Azat , Li Hua , Bitler Benjamin G. , Thapa Roshan J. , Balachandran Siddharth , Zhang Rugang
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) accounts for the most gynecologic malignancy–associated deaths in the United States. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), which silences gene expression through generating trimethylation on lysine 27 residue of histone H3 (H3K27Me3), is often overexpressed in EOCs and has been suggested as a therapeutic target. However, the mechanism underlying EZH2 overexpression in EOCs is unknown. Here, we show that EZH2 is upregulated at the transcription level, and two CCAAT boxes in the proximal regions of the human EZH2 gene promoter are critical for its transcription in EOC cells. Indeed, NF-YA, the regulatory subunit of the CCAAT-binding transcription factor NF-Y, is expressed at higher levels in human EOCs than in primary human ovarian surface epithelial (HOSE) cells. In addition, there is a positive correlation between expression of NF-YA and EZH2 in EOCs. Notably, high NF-YA expression predicts shorter overall survival in patients with EOCs. The association of NF-YA with the promoter of the human EZH2 gene is enhanced in human EOC cells compared with primary HOSE cells. Significantly, knockdown of NF-YA downregulates EZH2, decreases H3K27Me3 levels, and suppresses the growth of human EOC cells both in vitro and in a xenograft mouse model. Notably, NF-YA knockdown induces apoptosis of EOC cells and ectopic EZH2 expression partially rescues apoptosis induced by NF-YA knockdown. Together, these data reveal that NF-Y is a key regulator of EZH2 expression and is required for EOC cell proliferation, thus representing a novel target for developing EOC therapeutics. Mol Cancer Res; 11(4); 360–9. ©2013 AACR.
Data from BRAFV600E Cooperates with PI3K Signaling, Independent of AKT, to Regulate Melanoma Cell Proliferation
Authors: Silva Jillian M. , Bulman Christina , McMahon Martin
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Mutationally activated BRAFV600E cooperates with PTEN silencing in the conversion of normal melanocytes to metastatic melanoma cells, but the mechanism underlying this cooperation is poorly understood. Here, the consequences of pharmacologic blockade of BRAFV600E or phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling were explored using pathway-targeted inhibitors and a panel of human BRAF-mutated melanoma-derived cell lines. Blockade of BRAFV600E → MEK1/2 → ERK1/2 or class I PI3K inhibited melanoma proliferation, whereas inhibition of AKT had only modest effects, even in cells with mutated or amplified AKT. Although single-agent inhibition of either BRAFV600E or PI3K signaling elicited antiproliferative effects, combinatorial inhibition was more potent. Analysis of signaling downstream of BRAFV600E or PI3K revealed that these pathways cooperated to regulate protein synthesis through AKT-independent, mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1)-dependent effects on p70S6K, ribosomal protein S6, and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation. Moreover, inhibition of mTORC1/2 inhibited cell proliferation as profoundly as single-agent inhibition of either BRAFV600E or PI3K signaling. These data reveal a mechanism by which BRAFV600E and PI3K signaling cooperate to regulate melanoma proliferation through AKT-independent effects on protein translation. Furthermore, this study provides a potential foundation for pathway-targeted combination therapy designed to enhance the therapeutic benefit to patients with melanoma that contain combined alterations in BRAF and PI3K signaling.

Implications: PI3K, but not AKT, represent potential targets for melanoma therapy. Mol Cancer Res; 12(3); 447–63. ©2014 AACR.
Data from Utilization of Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Analyses to Identify LKB1–APC Interaction in Modulating Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway of Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Jian Shu-Fang , Hsiao Chang-Chun , Chen Shin-Yi , Weng Ching-Chieh , Kuo Tzu-Lei , Wu Deng-Chyang , Hung Wen-Chun , Cheng Kuang-Hung
Published: January 2024

Abstract
STK11/LKB1, a serine/threonine protein kinase and tumor suppressor, is a key upstream kinase of adenine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, which is a kinase involved in controlling cell polarity and maintaining cellular energy homeostasis. LKB1 is mutated in a significant number of Peutz–Jeghers syndrome (PJS) cases and sporadic cancers, and is most frequently mutated in lung adenocarcinomas; however, little is known about how LKB1 is involved in lung cancer progression. In this study, immunoprecipitation-HPLC tandem mass spectrometry (IP-LC-MS/MS) was performed to identify novel proteins interacting with LKB1 in lung cancer. Interestingly, many LKB1-interacting proteins acquired from the LC-MS/MS approach were mapped, using MetaCore pathway analysis, to the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator activation pathway. Moreover, it was determined that LKB1 directly interacts with APC, and this LKB1–APC interaction was further confirmed by reverse immunoprecipitation assays, but GSK3β was dispensable for the association of LKB1 and APC. Importantly, LKB1 binds to APC to suppress the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is known to be involved in cell proliferation and migration. Subsequent analysis of the downstream targets of the Wnt/TCF pathway led to the identification of several Wnt-regulated genes, such as CD44, COX-2, survivin, and c-Myc, whose expression levels are downregulated by LKB1. In summary, these results demonstrate that LKB1 regulates the Wnt pathway through a direct interaction with APC to suppress the tumorigenic/metastatic potential of lung tumors.

Implications: LKB1 status influences the molecular circuitry (Wnt/β-catenin pathway), cellular biology, and may serve as a potential therapeutic node in genetically defined subsets of lung cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 12(4); 622–35. ©2014 AACR.
Data from Gene Silencing Associated with SWI/SNF Complex Loss during NSCLC Development
Authors: Song Shujie , Walter Vonn , Karaca Mehmet , Li Ying , Bartlett Christopher S. , Smiraglia Dominic J. , Serber Daniel , Sproul Christopher D. , Plass Christoph , Zhang Jiren , Hayes D. Neil , Zheng Yanfang , Weissman Bernard E.
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex regulates gene expression and alters chromatin structures in an ATP-dependent manner. Recent sequencing efforts have shown mutations in BRG1 (SMARCA4), one of two mutually exclusive ATPase subunits in the complex, in a significant number of human lung tumor cell lines and primary non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) clinical specimens. To determine how BRG1 loss fuels tumor progression in NSCLC, molecular profiling was performed after restoration of BRG1 expression or treatment with a histone deacetylase inhibitor or a DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor in a BRG1-deficient NSCLC cells. Importantly, validation studies from multiple cell lines revealed that BRG1 reexpression led to substantial changes in the expression of CDH1, CDH3, EHF, and RRAD that commonly undergo silencing by other epigenetic mechanisms during NSCLC development. Furthermore, treatment with DNMT inhibitors did not restore expression of these transcripts, indicating that this common mechanism of gene silencing did not account for their loss of expression. Collectively, BRG1 loss is an important mechanism for the epigenetic silencing of target genes during NSCLC development.

Implications: Inactivation of the SWI/SNF complex provides a novel mechanism to induce gene silencing during NSCLC development. Mol Cancer Res; 12(4); 560–70. ©2014 AACR.
Data from Actin-Binding Protein, Espin: A Novel Metastatic Regulator for Melanoma
Authors: Yanagishita Takeshi , Yajima Ichiro , Kumasaka Mayuko , Kawamoto Yoshiyuki , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Matsumoto Yoshinari , Watanabe Daisuke , Kato Masashi
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Espin is a multifunctional actin-bundling protein with multiple isoforms, and has special connections to hair cell stereocilia and microvillar specializations of sensory cells in the inner ear. However, there have been no reports showing the expression and function of Espin in cancers, including melanoma. Here, it is demonstrated that Espin expression is significantly increased in melanomas that spontaneously developed in RET-transgenic mice (RET-mice). Importantly, the invasion capacity of Espin-depleted Mel-ret melanoma cells derived from a tumor of the RET-mouse was dramatically less than that of control melanoma cells with reductions of lamellipodia, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and GTP-Rac1 activities. Correspondingly, the ratio of metastatic foci in Espin-depleted Mel-ret melanoma cells was significantly less than that of control melanoma cells in an in vivo melanoma metastasis model. Moreover, Espin could be a novel biomarker of melanoma in humans, because our immunohistochemical analysis data reveal that percentages of Espin-positive cells in human primary and metastatic melanomas were significantly higher than that of cells in melanocytic nevi. Together, these results indicate that Espin is not only a metastatic regulator for melanoma but also a potential biomarker of disease progression.

Implications: Actin-binding protein Espin is expressed in melanoma, affects metastasis, and is a potential target for melanoma therapy. Mol Cancer Res; 12(3); 440–6. ©2013 AACR.
Dual Diagnosis of Nongoitrous Congenital Hypothyroidism-6 and Snijders Blok-Campeau Syndrome
Authors: Yalçın Hatice Yelda , Cinleti Tayfun , Yel Servet , Mutlu Mehmet Burak
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Nongoitrous congenital hypothyroidism-6 (CHNG6) is a thyroid hormone resistance syndrome caused by a thyroid hormone receptor alpha (THRA) gene mutation, characterized by tissue-specific hypothyroidism and near-normal thyroid function tests. Snijders Blok-Campeau syndrome (SNIBCPS) is a rare autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in CHD3 genes, characterized by intellectual retardation, hypotonia, speech problems, and distinctive facial findings. Case Presentation: We report a 3-year-old dual phenotype Turkish girl with novel variants both in the THRA and CHD3 genes, presenting with developmental delay, hypotonia, and congenital hypothyroidism. Thyroid function values were consistent with the laboratory findings of CHNG6 disease: high free tri-iodothyronine (fT3) level, normal free thyroxine (fT4) value, and suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values (under treatment). Molecular studies revealed a novel heterozygous missense c.802 G>A (p.Asp268Asn) variant in THRA that was inherited from her mother and a novel de novo heterozygous frameshift c.4364-4367 del (p.Tyr1455CysfsTer28) variant in CHD3. Discussion/Conclusion: In the literature, there is no case of CHNG6 and SNIBCPS co-existence. Although these are distinct diagnosis, we present this case due to the concomitance of these diseases.
Crosstalk between MicroRNAs and Oxidative Stress in Coeliac Disease
Authors: Pelizzaro Filippo , Cardin Romilda , Sarasini Giulia , Minotto Milena , Carlotto Chiara , Fassan Matteo , Palo Michela , Farinati Fabio , Zingone Fabiana
Published: January 2024

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules involved in regulating gene expression. Many studies, mostly conducted on pediatric patients, suggested that oxidative stress and several miRNAs may play an important role in coeliac disease (CeD) pathogenesis. However, the interplay between oxidative stress and miRNA regulatory functions in CeD remains to be clarified. In this review, we aimed to perform a literature review on the role of miRNAs and oxidative stress in adult CeD patients and to analyze their potential interactions. In this direction, we also reported the preliminary results of a pilot study we recently performed.
How Can It Not Know What It Is?: Remembering Disability as Part of the Whole
Authors: Allegra Indira , Holt Allison Leigh
Published: January 2024

How Can It Not Know What It Is? is a conversation that uses the revered sci-fi film Blade Runner (1982) as a frame to explore the role of memory and affirm disabled identity in collective human experience, specifically concerning technology, the power of self-knowledge, and how these concepts intersect with capitalism and contemporary politics. In an open conversation excerpted here, the artist-authors discuss what it means to be wholly human, navigating subjects from memory to extended cognition, from national mythology to the ethics of AI.
Primitive way country come look inside
Authors: Stienon Ysolde , Tsaplina Marina
Published: January 2024

A disabled poet with Rett syndrome and a disabled performing artist with type 1 diabetes document their 12-month artistic collaboration to illuminate ground-time: the nonverbal, expressive dynamics of embodied communication. Five “communication moments” between the artists (documented in writing, video, and photo) are described. Potentials and limitations of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technologies, specifically Tobii Dynavox eye-tracking technology and Communicator 5, are discussed. Additionally, the authors question the clinical diagnostic category of “intellectual disability” on the grounds of disability justice, decolonial science, and philosophy. Communication-assistive technology platform developers are challenged to consider relational embodiment as the foundation of communication in design decisions regarding platform function. Technologies should facilitate improvisation and nonlinear expression—verbal and nonverbal— while maintaining freedom of nondisclosure. The right to opacity in communication is also discussed.
Ricoeur on the Problem of Archaism in the Augustinian Concept of Time
Authors: Hutchens Benjamin
Published: January 2024

This article will explore the role of what Ricoeur calls ‘archaism’ in his work on the third aporia of time in Time and Narrative. Presented in some detail in the conclusion of the third volume, the concept remains undeveloped. In this article we will identify the three characteristics, two forms and three dispositional states (praise, lamentation and hope) that help us to understand it, specifically in the Augustinian context. We have two main goals. We need to see whether there is a problem of origins in the Aristotelian cosmological conception of time as movement and succession and in the Augustinian psychological conception of time in respect of past, present and future against the limit of the Eternal.
Mergers as the Maintenance Mechanism of Cutoff Lows: A Case Study over Europe in July 2021
Authors: Yamamoto Koryu , Iga Keita , Yamazaki Akira
Published: January 2024

A cutoff low that covered central Europe in the middle of July 2021 brought heavy rainfall and severe flooding, resulting in more than 200 fatalities. This low was formed by a trough on 11 July and merged with another cutoff low around 12–13 July. Analysis of the energy budget and potential vorticity suggests that the main cutoff low was maintained through the merger with another cutoff low; this was the dominant contributor to maintenance of the main cutoff low around 12–13 July. The results of Lagrangian trajectory analyses support this conclusion. Analysis of diabatic PV modification during the merger indicates that radiation acts mainly to enhance the potential vorticity of the parcels when they move from another cutoff low into the main cutoff low, especially in the upper layer. However, that effect is not pronounced in the lower layer. These results demonstrate that cutoff lows can be maintained through a merger with another cutoff low and underline the need to consider diabatic processes when investigating mergers.

Significance Statement

This study examines an upper-tropospheric cyclone called a cutoff low, which caused a high-impact weather event over Europe in the middle of July 2021, and investigates its maintenance mechanism. This cutoff low merged with another, suggesting a contribution to the maintenance. Diabatic processes during the merger are also investigated. The results of this study suggest that not only do cyclone regions merge, but diabatic modification of the vortex structure can be seen when two cutoff lows merge, and the modification process may differ in different vertical layers of the cutoff low.
Perceived Environmental Quality Indicators as Health-Enabling Elements Within Prisons
Authors: Alves Susana , Cabras Cristina , Bellini Diego , Bonaiuto Marino
Published: January 2024

This study evaluates the transition from an older to a new prison facility in Italy to help researchers understand the health-enabling features within prisons from incarcerated persons’ point of view. A total of 216 inmates completed a questionnaire that measured the prison's environmental quality and quality-of-life related constructs. Bivariate correlations show that as inmates’ environmental perceptions improve, so does their place evaluation. When the older and newer prisons were compared, the results revealed the newer prison was more positively evaluated in terms of care of significant spaces, presence of light, beauty, safety, sociability, concentration, and satisfaction.
Becoming an Activist: Critical Action Among Black Youth During the Transition to Adulthood
Authors: Benson Deaweh E. , McLoyd Vonnie C. , Channey Jozet
Published: January 2024

Many Black young adults engage in their communities through critical action, or activism, as they transition into adulthood. However, knowledge about predictors of critical action remain sparse. The present longitudinal study addresses this gap by exploring links between critical action, ethnic-racial identity, and racial discrimination among 143 Black youth who were surveyed as adolescents ( Mage = 15; 66% female) and again as young adults ( Mage = 20). Using hierarchical logistic regression, we found that young adult experiences of racial discrimination were related to increased odds of critical action, accounting for adolescent racial discrimination, gender, caregiver education, and postsecondary enrollment. We also found that criminalizing discriminatory experiences (e.g., being stopped by the police) during young adulthood were related to increased odds of critical action. Our findings document changes in racial discrimination and ethnic-racial identity during the transition to adulthood and suggest that some marginalized youth may transform adverse experiences into critical action.
Telework and Public Employees’ Attitudes Post-Pandemic: Experimental Evidence From Italy
Authors: Perego Alberto , Belardinelli Paolo
Published: January 2024

In public organizations, telework quickly went from being a practice only occasionally adopted to an established way of performing job tasks. Despite the rapid spread of telework in the last few years, research on its motivational impact is still limited. Drawing from insights from social-exchange theory, self-determination theory, and the expectancy-disconfirmation model, we conducted a survey-in-the-field experiment in an Italian municipal government organization to explore how teleworking arrangements impact organizational commitment, relatedness, and work enjoyment. Our findings show that requiring public employees to work entirely from the office has a negative impact on organizational commitment and work enjoyment. Moreover, the disconfirmation of expectations toward teleworking arrangements negatively impacts our outcomes. As for relatedness, we observe that a mix of telework and work from the office makes public employees feel more connected to their colleagues, compared to requiring them to work entirely from either the office or home.
Finding the Right Voice: How CEO Communication on the Russia–Ukraine War Drives Public Engagement and Digital Activism
Authors: Hamelberg Kedma , de Ruyter Ko , van Dolen Willemijn , Konuş Umut
Published: January 2024

This research examines the influence of CEO versus brand communication on public engagement and digital activism during the Russia–Ukraine war. Brand communication refers to messages sent out through an organization's social media accounts, whereas CEO communication comes from the executive's personal account. The authors depart from an analysis of 236,119 tweets investigating the effects of message sender (CEO vs. brand), message framing (self vs. other), and message appeal (informational vs. emotional) on engagement (i.e., likes, retweets, and replies). To further understand, they subsequently deploy a 2 × 2 between-subjects design (N = 608) that introduces scenarios where either a CEO or brand proposes a public policy campaign, advocating support for U.S. citizens (self framing) or Ukrainian civilians (other framing). Key findings reveal that CEO communications foster greater engagement and digital activism than brand messages. CEO communication that merges self framed with informational appeals or other framed with emotional appeals outperforms brand messages regarding public engagement. In addition, CEO campaigns centered on Ukrainian civilians amplify digital activism, mirroring findings when brands approach the war's implications for U.S. citizens. Together, these insights unveil the intricate dance of message sender, framing, and appeal during global geopolitical events, providing vital knowledge for organizations and policy makers aiming to optimize public backing in times of war.
Self-objectification and cosmetic surgery consideration among Chinese young women: The mediating roles of alienation and body image inflexibility
Authors: Huang Xiaole , Lin Rongmao , Yan Youwei
Published: January 2024

The behavior of undergoing cosmetic surgery is a coping strategy for body-image threats and challenges. Self-objectification is associated with alienation and body image inflexibility, and all of these are associated with stronger cosmetic surgery considerations. This study evaluated the relationship between self-objectification and cosmetic surgery consideration, and whether this relationship was mediated by alienation and body image inflexibility. The participants were 650 Chinese female college students. Serial mediation analysis indicated that the relationship between self-objectification and cosmetic surgery consideration was significantly mediated by alienation followed by body image inflexibility. The total mediating effect value was 0.424, accounting for 57.5% of the total effects. These results suggest that reducing alienation and improving the flexibility of body image can reduce the influence of self-objectification on young women’s willingness to undergo cosmetic surgery. These findings provide a basis for intervening or preventing the self-objectified young women’s willingness for cosmetic surgery.
Combining and segmenting geometric shapes into parts depending on symmetry type: Evidence from children and adults
Authors: Zariņa Līga , Šķilters Jurģis , Umbraško Solvita , Bartušēvica Santa
Published: January 2024

Symmetry is an important geometric feature that affects object segmentation into parts, though De Winter and Wagemans note that partly occluded objects can still be identified by the remaining visible parts. In two sets of experiments with children ( n = 31, age 7–11, M = 8.8, SD = 1.4) and adults ( n = 19, age 17–57, M = 30.4, SD = 12.6), we used 13 basic geometric figures distinguished by symmetry types to test how they are naturally segmented or combined and what the developmental impacts are on the segmentation and combination. In the first experiment, participants were asked to cut figures into two along a straight line; in the second experiment, participants had to create five sets of connected two-figure combinations where overlapping figures were allowed. The results confirmed the importance of the symmetry axis in both tasks. Other relevant criteria were dividing into half, maximal/minimal curvature, and use of edges or corners for reference. This study allows comparisons of the impact of symmetry type on the segmentation and combining of geometric figures and indicates developmental differences between children and adults.
InClust+: the deep generative framework with mask modules for multimodal data integration, imputation, and cross-modal generation
Authors: Wang Lifei , Nie Rui , Miao Xuexia , Cai Yankai , Wang Anqi , Zhang Hanwen , Zhang Jiang , Cai Jun
Published: January 2024

Background

With the development of single-cell technology, many cell traits can be measured. Furthermore, the multi-omics profiling technology could jointly measure two or more traits in a single cell simultaneously. In order to process the various data accumulated rapidly, computational methods for multimodal data integration are needed.

Results

Here, we present inClust+, a deep generative framework for the multi-omics. It’s built on previous inClust that is specific for transcriptome data, and augmented with two mask modules designed for multimodal data processing: an input-mask module in front of the encoder and an output-mask module behind the decoder. InClust+ was first used to integrate scRNA-seq and MERFISH data from similar cell populations, and to impute MERFISH data based on scRNA-seq data. Then, inClust+ was shown to have the capability to integrate the multimodal data (e.g. tri-modal data with gene expression, chromatin accessibility and protein abundance) with batch effect. Finally, inClust+ was used to integrate an unlabeled monomodal scRNA-seq dataset and two labeled multimodal CITE-seq datasets, transfer labels from CITE-seq datasets to scRNA-seq dataset, and generate the missing modality of protein abundance in monomodal scRNA-seq data. In the above examples, the performance of inClust+ is better than or comparable to the most recent tools in the corresponding task.

Conclusions

The inClust+ is a suitable framework for handling multimodal data. Meanwhile, the successful implementation of mask in inClust+ means that it can be applied to other deep learning methods with similar encoder-decoder architecture to broaden the application scope of these models.
Genome-wide identification of B-box zinc finger (BBX) gene family in Medicago sativa and their roles in abiotic stress responses
Authors: Li Shuxia , Guo Shuaiqi , Gao Xueqin , Wang Xiaotong , Liu Yaling , Wang Jing , Li Xiaohong , Zhang Jinqing , Fu Bingzhe
Published: January 2024

Background

B-box (BBX) family is a class of zinc finger transcription factors (TFs) that play essential roles in regulating plant growth, development, as well as abiotic stress. However, no systematic analysis of BBX genes has yet been conducted in alfalfa (Medica go sativa L.), and their functions have not been elucidated up to now.

Results

In this study, 28 MsBBX genes were identified from the alfalfa genome, which were clustered into 4 subfamilies according to an evolutionary tree of BBX proteins. Exon-intron structure and conserved motif analysis reflected the evolutionary conservation of MsBBXs in alfalfa. Collinearity analysis showed that segmental duplication promoted the expansion of the MsBBX family. Analysis of cis-regulatory elements suggested that the MsBBX genes possessed many growth/development-, light-, phytohormone-, and abiotic stress-related elements. MsBBX genes were differentially expressed in leaves, flowers, pre-elongated stems, elongated stems, roots and nodules, and most MsBBXs were remarkably induced by drought, salt and various plant growth regulators (ABA, JA, and SA). Further functional verification demonstrated that overexpressing of the MsBBX11 gene clearly promoted salt tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis by regulating growth and physiological processes of seedlings.

Conclusions

This research provides insights into further functional research and regulatory mechanisms of MsBBX family genes under abiotic stress of alfalfa.
Genome-wide identification of MAPK family in papaya (Carica papaya) and their involvement in fruit postharvest ripening
Authors: Zhu Shengnan , Mo Yuxing , Yang Yuyao , Liang Shiqi , Xian Shuqi , Deng Zixin , Zhao Miaoyu , Liu Shuyi , Liu Kaidong
Published: January 2024

Background

Papaya (Carica papaya) is an economically important fruit cultivated in the tropical and subtropical regions of China. However, the rapid softening rate after postharvest leads to a short shelf-life and considerable economic losses. Accordingly, understanding the mechanisms underlying fruit postharvest softening will be a reasonable way to maintain fruit quality and extend its shelf-life.

Results

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are conserved and play essential roles in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, the MAPK family remain poorly studied in papaya. Here, a total of nine putative CpMAPK members were identified within papaya genome, and a comprehensive genome-wide characterization of the CpMAPKs was performed, including evolutionary relationships, conserved domains, gene structures, chromosomal locations, cis-regulatory elements and expression profiles in response to phytohormone and antioxidant organic compound treatments during fruit postharvest ripening. Our findings showed that nearly all CpMAPKs harbored the conserved P-loop, C-loop and activation loop domains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CpMAPK members could be categorized into four groups (A-D), with the members within the same groups displaying high similarity in protein domains and intron–exon organizations. Moreover, a number of cis-acting elements related to hormone signaling, circadian rhythm, or low-temperature stresses were identified in the promoters of CpMAPKs. Notably, gene expression profiles demonstrated that CpMAPKs exhibited various responses to 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (ethephon), 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and the combined ascorbic acid (AsA) and chitosan (CTS) treatments during papaya postharvest ripening. Among them, both CpMAPK9 and CpMAPK20 displayed significant induction in papaya flesh by ethephon treatment, and were pronounced inhibition after AsA and CTS treatments at 16 d compared to those of natural ripening control, suggesting that they potentially involve in fruit postharvest ripening through ethylene signaling pathway or modulating cell wall metabolism.

Conclusion

This study will provide some valuable insights into future functional characterization of CpMAPKs, and hold great potential for further understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying papaya fruit postharvest ripening.
Exploration and bioinformatic prediction for profile of mRNA bound to circular RNA BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 in coronary artery disease
Authors: Guo Ning , Zhou Hanxiao , Zhang Qian , Fu Yahong , Jia Qiaowei , Gan Xiongkang , Wang Yanjun , He Shu , Li Chengcheng , Tao Zhengxian , Liu Jun , Jia Enzhi
Published: January 2024

Background

As a novel circRNA, BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 has not been fully investigated in coronary artery disease (CAD). Our aim is to reveal the possible functional role and regulatory pathway of BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 in CAD via exploring genes combined with BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563.

Methods

A total of 45 peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples of CAD patients were enrolled. The ChIRP-RNAseq assay was performed to directly explore genes bound to BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563. The Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were conducted to reveal possible functions of these genes. The interaction network was constructed by the STRING database and the Cytoscape software. The Cytoscape software were used again to identify clusters and hub genes of genes bound to BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563. The target miRNAs of hub genes were predicted via online databases.

Results

In this study, a total of 221 mRNAs directly bound to BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 were identified in PBMCs of CAD patients via ChIRP-RNAseq. The functional enrichment analysis revealed that these mRNAs may participate in translation and necroptosis. Moreover, the interaction network showed that there may be a close relationship between these mRNAs. Eight clusters can be further subdivided from the interaction network. RPS3 and RPSA were identified as hub genes and hsa-miR-493-5p was predicted to be the target miRNA of RPS3.

Conclusions

BTBD7_hsa_circ_0000563 and mRNAs directly bound to it may influence the initiation and progression of CAD, among which RPS3 and RPSA may be hub genes. These findings may provide innovative ideas for further research on CAD.
Benralizumab treatment in an elderly patient with eosinophilic esophagitis resulted in remission: a case report
Authors: Ishii Azusa , Shibata Tomofumi , Tsunoda Yohei , Kayukawa Takafumi , Kobayashi Masahiro , Orinaka Masami , Miyamatsu Shoko , Ryuge Yoshio , Asano Shuichi , Tanaka Ichidai
Published: January 2024

Background

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) has recently been shown to play a crucial role in eosinophil-mediated diseases, implying that an IL-5 receptor alpha chain (IL-5Rα) antibody (benralizumab) can be effective against eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Here, we present a case in which benralizumab significantly improved the symptoms and signs of an elderly Asian woman with EoE who had inadequate response to existing treatments.

Case presentation

A 73-year-old woman with an 8-year history of bronchial asthma (BA) and a 7-year history of dysphagia presented to our hospital with worsening dysphagia, vomiting, chest pain, and difficulty in eating. Blood biochemical findings revealed an increase in the eosinophil fraction of white blood cells (42.2%), and a conventional chest computed tomography scan revealed esophageal wall thickening. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed mucosal edema as well as multiple esophageal rings, and esophageal biopsy specimens showed an eosinophilic infiltrate of more than 15 cells/ high power field. Based on these findings, she was diagnosed as EoE complicated by BA. We firstly administrated 20 mg/day of prednisolone, rabeprazole sodium and liquid budesonide oral suspension for 5 months; however, they were ineffective and her dysphagia worsened over time. Then, benralizumab treatment in combination with these drugs was started. Her dysphagia completely disappeared 2 weeks after starting benralizumab, and an upper endoscopy showed that the clinical findings had completely disappeared after another 6 weeks. Benralizumab was then given to her for 41 months, and her symptoms remained in remission. In addition, she had no EoE recurrence for more than 12 months after discontinuing benralizumab.

Conclusions

Benralizumab in combination with other multiple drugs significantly improved the symptoms and examination findings of an elderly patients with EoE. Furthermore, she experienced no recurrence even after discontinuing benralizumab withdrawal, suggesting that benralizumab could be an appropriate therapeutic option for EoE.