bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuning the electron–phonon interaction via exploring the interrelation between Urbach energy and fano-type asymmetric raman line shape in GO-hBN nanocomposites
Authors: Yadav Vidyotma , Mohanty Tanuja
Published: September 2023

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), having an in-plane hexagonal structure in the sp2 arrangement of atoms, proclaims structural similarity with graphene with only a small lattice mismatch. Despite having nearly identical atomic arrangements and exhibiting almost identical properties, the electronic structures of the two materials are fundamentally different. Considering the aforementioned condition, a new hybrid material with enhanced properties can be evolved by combining both materials. This experiment involves liquid phase exfoliation of hBN and two-dimensional nanocomposites of GO-hBN with varying hBN and graphene oxide (GO) ratios. The optical and vibrational studies conducted using UV–vis absorption and Raman spectroscopic analysis report the tuning of electron–phonon interaction (EPI) in the GO-hBN nanocomposite as a function of GO content (%). This interaction depends on disorder-induced electronic and vibrational modifications addressed by Urbach energy (E

u
) and asymmetry parameter (q), respectively. The EPI contribution to the induced disorders estimated from UV–vis absorption spectra is represented as EPI strength (E

e–p
) and its impact observed in Raman phonon modes is quantified as an asymmetry parameter (q). The inverse of the asymmetry parameter is related to E

e–p
, as E

e–p
∼ 1/|q|. Here in this article, a linear relationship has been established between E

u
and the proportional parameter (k), where k is determined as the ratio of the intensity of specific Raman mode (I) and q
2, explaining the disorders’ effect on Raman line shape. Thus a correlation between Urbach energy and the asymmetry parameter of Raman mode confirms the tuning of EPI with GO content (%) in GO-hBN nanocomposite.
Self-cleaning cellulose acetate/crystalline nanocellulose/polyvinylidene fluoride/Mg0.975Ni0.025SiO3 membrane for removal of diclofenac sodium and methylene blue dye in water
Authors: García-Ramírez P , Diaz-Torres L A
Published: September 2023

Recalcitrant pollutants present in wastewater, without an effective treatment, have several effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health due to their chemical structure and persistence. Therefore, it is crucial the development of efficient technologies to eliminate such pollutants in water. Nano-photocatalysts are considered a promising technology for water remediation; however, one common drawback is the difficulty of recovering it after water processing. One effective strategy to overcome such problem is its immobilization into substrates such as polymeric membranes. In this study, a polymeric membrane with embedded Mg0.975Ni0.025SiO3 is proposed to remove model pollutants diclofenac sodium and methylene blue dye by synergetic adsorption and photocatalytic processes. Mg0.975Ni0.025SiO3 was synthesized by the combustion method. The matrix polymeric blend consisting of a blend of cellulose acetate, crystalline nanocellulose and polyvinylidene fluoride was obtained by the phase inversion method. The composite membranes were characterized by FTIR, x-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. With pollutant solutions at pH 7, the pollutant adsorption capacity of the membranes reached up to 30% and 45% removal efficiencies for diclofenac sodium and methylene blue, respectively. Under simulated solar irradiation photocatalytic removal performances of 70% for diclofenac sodium pH 7, and of 97% for methylene blue dye at pH 13, were reached. The membrane photocatalytic activity allows the membrane to avoid pollutant accumulation on its surface, given a self-cleaning property that allows the reuse of at least three cycles under sunlight simulator irradiation. These results suggest the high potential of photocatalytic membranes using suitable and economical materials such as cellulosic compounds and magnesium silicates for water remediation.
Inductive probe measurements in a rotating magnetic field thruster
Authors: Sercel Christopher L , Gill Tate M , Jorns Benjamin A
Published: September 2023

The induced magnetic field during acceleration in a pulsed rotating magnetic field (RMF) thruster is experimentally investigated. A two-axis Bdot probe is employed to characterize the time-resolved evolution of the fields in a 5 kW-class test article. This device is operated at an average power of 4 kW with an RMF frequency of 415 kHz, pulse widths of 125µs, and a repetition rate of 155 Hz. Plasma currents induced in the thruster are shown to reach 2500 A and to have sufficient magnitude to form a field-reversed configuration plasmoid. The Lorentz force resulting from the induced magnetic field contributes ∼25% of measured thrust at this operating condition. Of this Lorentz thrust, ∼58% is due to plasma current interaction with the steady applied bias field, while the remainder is caused by interaction with secondary induced currents in nearby structural elements. This structure force is predicted to scale quadratically with plasma current magnitude. These results are discussed in the context of the historically low performance of these devices and strategies for improving their operation are presented.
Strain field in Ni2MnGa magnetic shape memory alloys with different twin densities under combined tensile and magnetic loading
Authors: D’Silva Glen J , Feigenbaum Heidi P , Ciocanel Constantin
Published: September 2023

This study investigates the strain fields developed in two Ni2MnGa samples, with fine and coarse twin structures, respectively when loaded in tension and/or with a magnetic field. The strain fields have been recorded using the digital image correlation technique, which allowed for the observation of the strain field over the entire sample as it evolves with load. This allows for visual observation of the evolution of the sample’s twin microstructure. This investigation provides a more comprehensive insight into the localized and bulk material behavior than the traditional strain measurement techniques used in previous studies. The results show that the twin density, the uniformity of the magneto-mechanical loading along the sample, and the presence of pinning sites are all contributing to the profile of the tensile strain field. Particularly, the presence of pinning sites and the emergence of perpendicular twin boundaries along the sample inhibit full variant reorientation and recovery. Both samples showed no visible signs of damage or crack formation during tensile testing, and their magneto-mechanical response in tension and compression was found to be similar, but there is a clear tension/compression asymmetry.
Analyzing synergies and efficiency of reducing CO2 and air pollutants in the case of China’s three-year action plan to fight air pollution
Authors: Yang Xinyu , Lin Huaxing , Yang Xiaohui , Cai Zhongyao , Jiang Ping
Published: September 2023

Different from existing studies that only analyze the emission reduction efficiency or mitigation of a single pollutant by the air pollutant control policy, this study focuses on synergies and efficiency of reducing CO2 and air pollutants. We select the panel data from 30 provinces and cities in China from 2013 to 2020, and apply the difference-in-differences model to assess China’s three-year action plan to fight air pollution (referred to as the three-year action plan). To distinguish the method of measuring single pollution emission efficiency, we calculate synergistic efficiency of reducing CO2 and air pollutants emissions through the super-efficiency slack-based measure model which considering various pollutants as undesirable outputs. Furthermore, this study conducted regional heterogeneity analysis of resource endowments by incorporating interactive items of regional dummy variables. The results of study demonstrate the three-year action plan achieve synergies and efficiency of reducing CO2 and air pollutants. And the policy effects are also more pronounced in non-resource-based regions. Furthermore, the three-year action plan enhances management level and the potential for synergistic mitigation, as well as the beneficial effects on resource allocation efficiency and capacity improvement in key regions.
A brief review on the recent development of phonon engineering and manipulation at nanoscales
Authors: Xie Siqi , Zhu Hongxin , Zhang Xing , Wang Haidong
Published: September 2023

Phonons are the quantum mechanical descriptions of vibrational modes that manifest themselves in many physical properties of condensed matter systems. As the size of electronic devices continues to decrease below mean free paths of acoustic phonons, the engineering of phonon spectra at the nanoscale becomes an important topic. Phonon manipulation allows for active control and management of heat flow, enabling functions such as regulated heat transport. At the same time, phonon transmission, as a novel signal transmission method, holds great potential to revolutionize modern industry like microelectronics technology, and boasts wide-ranging applications. Unlike fermions such as electrons, polarity regulation is difficult to act on phonons as bosons, making the development of effective phonon modulation methods a daunting task. This work reviews the development of phonon engineering and strategies of phonon manipulation at different scales, reports the latest research progress of nanophononic devices such as thermal rectifiers, thermal transistors, thermal memories, and thermoelectric devices, and analyzes the phonon transport mechanisms involved. Lastly, we survey feasible perspectives and research directions of phonon engineering. Thermoelectric analogies, external field regulation, and acousto-optic co-optimization are expected to become future research hotspots.
Effect of process parameters on friction stir welding of aluminium alloy AA6082–T6 with an interlayer using response surface methodology
Authors: Singh Avtar , Kumar Vinod , Grover Neel Kanth
Published: September 2023

In the present study, the effects of variation of process parameters on the mechanical properties of friction stir welded A6082–T6 aluminium alloy joints with Zinc (Zn) interlayer are experimentally investigated. Four process parameters, viz. rotational speed, welding speed, interlayer thickness and tool pin diameter are selected to fabricate the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) joints. After filling the Zn particles into the gap maintained between the plates, FSW is performed using different process parameters. Thereafter, tensile and impact strength tests are performed to evaluate the performance of the joints. It is analyzed that the tensile and impact strength of the joints vary from 121 to 197 MPa and 6 to 17 J, respectively. Subsequently, mathematical models are developed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to predict the effect of FSW process parameters on the tensile and impact strength of joints. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is used to check the level and degree of direct effect of process variables on the tensile and impact strength of the joints. It is observed from the results that tool rotational speed is the most influential process parameter, which enhances the mechanical properties of FSW joints, whereas an increase in welding speed reduces the mechanical properties of the joints.
Identifying malnutrition in emergency general surgery: systematic review
Authors: Ashmore Daniel L , Rashid Adil , Wilson Timothy R , Halliday Vanessa , Lee Matthew J
Published: September 2023

Background

Emergency general surgery practice is high risk. Surgery is a key part of treatment, with resultant catabolic stress and frequent need for nutritional support. The aim of this study was to examine the current methods of defining and determining malnutrition in emergency general surgery. This included examining the use of nutrition screening and assessment tools and other measures of malnutrition.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, trial registries, and relevant journals published between January 2000 and January 2022 were searched for studies of adult patients with any emergency general surgery diagnosis, managed conservatively or operatively, with an assessment of nutritional status. Mixed populations were included if more than 50 per cent of patients were emergency general surgery patients or emergency general surgery results could be separately extracted. Studies in which patients had received nutritional support were excluded. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO, the international prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42021285897).

Results

From 6700 studies screened, 324 full texts were retrieved and 31 were included in the analysis. A definition of malnutrition was provided in 23 studies (75 per cent), with nutritional status being determined by a variety of methods. A total of seven nutrition screening tools and a total of nine ‘assessment’ tools were reported. To define malnutrition, the most commonly used primary or secondary marker of nutritional status was BMI, followed by albumin level.

Conclusion

Wide variation exists in approaches to identify malnutrition risk in emergency general surgery patients, using a range of tools and nutrition markers. Future studies should seek to standardize nutrition screening and assessment in the emergency general surgery setting as two discrete processes. This will permit better understanding of malnutrition risk in surgical patients.
EEG-based auditory attention decoding with audiovisual speech for hearing-impaired listeners
Authors: Wang Bo , Xu Xiran , Niu Yadong , Wu Chao , Wu Xihong , Chen Jing
Published: September 2023

Auditory attention decoding (AAD) was used to determine the attended speaker during an auditory selective attention task. However, the auditory factors modulating AAD remained unclear for hearing-impaired (HI) listeners. In this study, scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded with an auditory selective attention paradigm, in which HI listeners were instructed to attend one of the two simultaneous speech streams with or without congruent visual input (articulation movements), and at a high or low target-to-masker ratio (TMR). Meanwhile, behavioral hearing tests (i.e. audiogram, speech reception threshold, temporal modulation transfer function) were used to assess listeners’ individual auditory abilities. The results showed that both visual input and increasing TMR could significantly enhance the cortical tracking of the attended speech and AAD accuracy. Further analysis revealed that the audiovisual (AV) gain in attended speech cortical tracking was significantly correlated with listeners’ auditory amplitude modulation (AM) sensitivity, and the TMR gain in attended speech cortical tracking was significantly correlated with listeners’ hearing thresholds. Temporal response function analysis revealed that subjects with higher AM sensitivity demonstrated more AV gain over the right occipitotemporal and bilateral frontocentral scalp electrodes.
The Oxford Handbook of Criminology
Authors: Liebling Alison , Maruna Shadd , McAra Lesley
Published: September 2023

As the most comprehensive and authoritative single volume on the subject, the seventh edition of the acclaimed Oxford Handbook of Criminology is a completely revised collection of 44 essays by leading authors in the field. It is organized into four sections: constructions of crime and justice; borders, boundaries, and beliefs; dynamics of crime and violence; and responses to crime. Criminology is expanding its borders and seeking new answers to questions of crime and punishment, citizenship, and democratic living, including issues of state crime and globalization. Some of the newest areas of study in criminology include migration, asylum, and the integration of global populations following war or famine; privacy and the governance of ‘big data;’ and the movement to abolish the police and prisons. All of these topics, as well as classic questions of the causes and consequences of crime, receive attention here. The editors have also made room for greater inclusiveness and diversity, with a wider range of newer scholars, and taking account of new developments in the fields of zemiology and green criminology, as well as previously neglected themes such as victimology, sexual violence, and atrocity crimes. The chapters contain extensive references to aid further research, and the book is accompanied by an online resource centre featuring: selected chapters from previous editions; guidance on answering essay questions; practice essay questions; web links; and figures and tables from the text.
18. Domestic violence
Authors: Gadd David
Published: September 2023

This chapter outlines the key definitional and aetiological issues surrounding domestic violence perpetration. It begins with a discussion of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on domestic abuse globally, before assessing international estimates of the percentage of women worldwide who have ever been physically or sexually assaulted by a partner. The second section of the chapter reviews the British historical literature to show how Victorian concern with the protection of respectable women from ‘wife-beaters’ yielded to a medical-psychiatric discourse that blamed hysterical women for provoking men with quick tempers. It then outlines how twentieth-century feminist accounts reframed the problem of ‘wife-beating’ variously in terms of ‘domestic violence’, ‘domestic abuse’, ‘intimate partner violence’, ‘coercive control’, and ‘gender-based violence’ in efforts that exposed the roles of sexism, inadequate legal protection, and gender inequality in perpetuating a ‘continuum’ of abuse against women under patriarchy. The third part of the chapter appraises the critique of gender-based perspectives provided by psychological studies, some of which point to ‘gender symmetry’ in the perpetration of domestic violence and some of which reveal personality differences between perpetrators and non-violent men; as well as sociological studies that expose how the intersections between gender and ethnicity, sexuality and age manifest themselves, both in incidents of domestic violence and in official reactions to them. The chapter concludes by pointing to the challenge of finding a common voice capable of capturing the collective experiences of those in need of protection from domestic violence as well as the need to find ways of responding to perpetrators whose attitudes, motives, backgrounds are not necessarily identical to each other. These challenges are rendered more acute when the law is revealed as unpredictable in its capacity to determine the culpability of the small minority of men who perpetrate grievous assaults on their partners.
33. Restorative justice in the twenty-first century: Making emotions mainstream
Authors: Rossner Meredith
Published: September 2023

This chapter explores recent developments in restorative justice theory, research, and practice. It examines reasons why it has been challenging to define restorative justice and offers a definition that articulates the relationship between values, processes, and outcomes. It then explores the main theoretical traditions that seek to explain how and why restorative justice ‘works’ as a response to crime: shame theories, procedural justice theories, and ritual theories. Following this, it reviews the empirical evidence on how offenders and victims experience restorative justice compared to court, and whether it can reduce reoffending. It concludes by surveying select debates and tensions that arise as the practice continues to evolve.
42. Convict criminology without guarantees: Proposing hard labour for an unfinished criminology
Authors: Earle Rod , Darley Danica , Davies Bill , Honeywell David , Schreeche-Powell Ed
Published: September 2023

This chapter examines the key concepts of convict criminology. It explains that convict criminology is largely involved with criminological and penological research produced by people who combine first-hand experience of imprisonment with criminological training and insight. Moreover, convict criminology offers an alternative perspective on criminological issues grounded in lived experience while reshaping the degraded image of the prisoner in the public imagination. The subfield subverts the abject status of the convict or prisoner as an object of suspicion circulating darkly in the social depths. The chapter mentions that convict criminologists should be wary of the reductionist convenience of their social position to their epistemological position
Stochastic modelling and synthesis of dynamic fish recruitment productivity in the Celtic Seas ecoregion
Authors: Silvar-Viladomiu Paula , Minto Cóilín , Lordan Colm , Brophy Deirdre , Bell Rich , Collie Jeremy , Reid David
Published: September 2023

The Celtic Seas ecoregion (CSE) is undergoing climatic and ecosystem changes, which can induce changes in fish productivity. Globally, the productivity of many stocks has shown evidence of change over decadal timescales. Varying factors might drive these dynamics in the CSE, but for many stocks, these mechanisms have not been fully understood to be included in management advice. We study dynamic productivity for 28 stocks in the Celtic Seas by tracking integrated stochastic signals in the relationship between stock size and recruitment using state-space modelling applying Peterman’s Productivity Method. Our research objectives were to (i) fit Ricker stock–recruitment models with time-varying parameters to all age- or length-based assessed stocks in the CSE, (ii) evaluate which parameters vary in time, (iii) examine temporal characteristics of historical recruitment productivity, and (iv) evaluate productivity correlation across stocks. For 22 out of 28 stocks, at least one of the three time-varying parameter models had a better fit than the time-invariant model. In the CSE, fish productivity has diverse temporal patterns, with some stocks displaying relevant long-term decreasing productivity trends. Getting insight into temporal changes in recruitment productivity is very valuable and has important implications for sustainable fisheries.
Estimating the Burden of Influenza Hospitalizations Across Multiple Seasons Using Capture-Recapture
Authors: Howa Amanda C , Zhu Yuwei , Wyatt Dayna , Markus Tiffanie , Chappell James D , Halasa Natasha , Trabue Christopher H , Olson Samantha M , Ferdinands Jill , Garg Shikha , Schaffner William , Grijalva Carlos G , Talbot H Keipp
Published: September 2023

Background

Influenza remains an important cause of hospitalizations in the United States. Estimating the number of influenza hospitalizations is vital for public health decision making. Combining existing surveillance systems through capture-recapture methods allows for more comprehensive burden estimations.

Methods

Data from independent surveillance systems were combined using capture-recapture methods to estimate influenza hospitalization rates for children and adults in Middle Tennessee during consecutive influenza seasons from 2016–2017 through 2019–2020. The Emerging Infections Program (EIP) identified cases through surveillance of laboratory results for hospitalized children and adults. The Hospitalized Adult Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network (HAIVEN) and New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN) recruited hospitalized patients with respiratory symptoms or fever. Population-based influenza rates and the proportion of cases detected by each surveillance system were calculated.

Results

Estimated overall influenza hospitalization rates ranged from 23 influenza-related hospitalizations per 10 000 persons in 2016–2017 to 40 per 10 000 persons in 2017–2018. Adults aged ≥65 years had the highest hospitalization rates across seasons and experienced a rate of 170 hospitalizations per 10 000 persons during the 2017–2018 season. EIP consistently identified a higher proportion of influenza cases for adults and children compared with HAIVEN and NVSN, respectively.

Conclusions

Current surveillance systems underestimate the influenza burden. Capture-recapture provides an alternative approach to use data from independent surveillance systems and complement population-based burden estimates.
When you hear hoofbeats, think horses before zebras – a case of recurrent small bowel obstructions with a twist
Authors: Jin LongHai , Naidu Krishanth
Published: September 2023

Mechanical small bowel obstructions (SBOs) account for a considerable proportion of hospital admissions for acute abdominal pain. SBOs are most frequently caused by adhesions; and very few SBOs are associated with intraperitoneal devices. An 84-year-old man was admitted to our tertiary institution with recurrent SBOs that were initially believed to be caused by his implantable cardioverter defibrillator which had undergone intraperitoneal migration. However, this was later found to be a misguided ‘zebra’; as the cause was revealed to be a common ‘horse’ — adhesions. This article shares our key learnings from this diagnostic dilemma.
Comparison of distance measurements to dust clouds using GRB X-ray haloes and 3D dust extinction
Authors: Šiljeg B , Bošnjak Ž , Jelić V , Tiengo A , Pintore F , Bracco A
Published: September 2023

X-ray photons from energetic sources such as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) can be scattered on dust clouds in the Milky Way, creating a time-evolving halo around the GRB position. X-ray observations of such haloes allow the measurement of dust cloud distances in the Galaxy on which the scattering occurs. We present the first systematic comparison of the distances to scattering regions derived from GRB haloes with the 3D dust distribution derived from recently published optical-to-near infrared extinction maps. GRB haloes were observed around seven sources by the Swift XRT and the XMM–Newton EPIC instruments, namely GRB 031203, GRB 050713A, GRB 050724, GRB 061019, GRB 070129, GRB 160623A, and GRB 221009A. We used four 3D extinction maps that exploit photometric data from different surveys and apply diverse algorithms for the 3D mapping of extinction, and compared the X-ray halo-derived distances with the local maxima in the 3D extinction density distribution. We found that in all GRBs, we can find at least one local maximum in the 3D dust extinction map that is in agreement with the dust distance measured from X-ray rings. For GRBs with multiple X-ray rings, the dust distance measurements coincide with at least three maxima in the extinction map for GRB 160623A, and five maxima for GRB 221009A. The agreement of these independent distance measurements shows that the methods used to create dust extinction maps may potentially be optimized by the X-ray halo observations from GRBs.
Analysis of unified galaxy power spectrum multipole measurements
Authors: Donald-McCann Jamie , Gsponer Rafaela , Zhao Ruiyang , Koyama Kazuya , Beutler Florian
Published: September 2023

We present a series of full-shape analyses of galaxy power spectrum multipole measurements from the 6dFGS, BOSS, and eBOSS galaxy surveys. We use an emulated effective field theory of large-scale structure (EFTofLSS) model to conduct these analyses. We exploit the accelerated prediction speed of the neural-network-based emulator to explore various analysis setups for our cosmological inference pipeline. Via a set of mock full-shape analyses of synthetic power spectrum multipoles, designed to approximate measurements from the surveys above, we demonstrate that the use of alternative priors on nuisance parameters and restricted model complexity reduces many of the biases previously observed in marginalized cosmological constraints coming from EFTofLSS analyses. The alternative priors take the form of a Jeffreys prior; a non-informative prior that can mitigate against biases induced by marginalizing over poorly constrained nuisance parameters. When performing a joint analysis of all synthetic multipoles, we see an improvement in the level of agreement between the marginalized ln (1010As) constraints and the truth; from ∼2.0σ to ∼0.42σ. Using our pipeline to analyse the measured multipoles, we find an improvement in the level of agreement with cosmic microwave background (CMB) results; from ∼2.4σ to ∼0.5σ. Therefore, we conclude that the spectroscopic galaxy survey data sets listed above are consistent with constraints obtained from the CMB.
Digital artery reconstruction with interposition vein graft: impact on secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon
Authors: Park Seong Oh , Wang Hyung Woo , Han Youngseo , Ahn Hee Chang
Published: September 2023

Objective

Patients with secondary RP show a wide range of symptoms depending on the condition of vascular structures. If the symptoms are localized to specific fingers and angiography reveals a discrete segment of occlusion of a proper digital artery, we perform proper digital artery reconstruction with an interposition vein graft. The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of the surgery in patients with chronic hand ischaemia.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent proper digital artery reconstruction. Each digit that underwent grafting was analysed separately. The results of surgical intervention and recurrence based on patient symptoms were evaluated. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify independent risk factors associated with recurrence, and the Kaplan–Meier method was used to predict the 5-year recurrence-free rate.

Results

A total of 79 digits from 57 patients were included in this study. The majority of patients demonstrated resolution of ischaemic pain and ulceration (97.5% and 95.3%, respectively). Recurrence occurred in 16 (20.3%) patients during the follow-up period. In two cases (2.5%) surgery had no effect. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, smoking and concomitant periarterial sympathectomy were significant factors associated with recurrence. In the Kaplan–Meier analysis, the 5-year recurrence-free rate in the total study population was 69.3%.

Conclusions

Digital artery reconstruction using an interposition vein graft is an effective procedure for improving ischaemic pain and ulceration in patients with RP. Smoking and concomitant periarterial sympathectomy were significantly associated with recurrence.
HLB Progress and Yield Sustainability in Mature Sweet Orange Orchards Treated with Nutritional and Elicitor Products
Authors: Bassanezi Renato Beozzo , Primiano Isabela Vescove , de Mattos Dirceu , Quaggio José Antonio , Boaretto Rodrigo Marcelli , Ayres Antonio Juliano , Bové Joseph Marie
Published: September 2023

Although the implementation of area-wide inoculum reduction and Asian citrus psyllid control are decisive in controlling Huanglongbing (HLB) epidemics, growers continue looking for enhanced nutritional and/or resistance inducer (ENRI) treatments to mitigate yield damage in HLB-affected trees. Therefore, an experiment was set up in an 8-year-old sweet orange orchard to evaluate the effects of the foliar application of nutrients, phosphite, and salicylate sprayed four to five times per year during flushing periods. The trial had eight treatments in four randomized blocks. HLB incidence and yield were assessed from December 2010 to January 2017. HLB-symptomatic trees with less than 5% HLB severity were selected from each plot in the first (Group 1), second (Group 2), and third years (Group 3) after the beginning of treatments to assess the frequency of trees with different HLB symptoms and micronutrient deficiencies, HLB severity, and fruit yield until January 2017. Twenty asymptomatic trees from each plot were also harvested for comparison each year. ENRI treatments did not reduce the progress of HLB incidence in the plots or the HLB severity progress or frequency of HLB symptoms in the selected trees. ENRI treatments did not improve the yield of symptomatic trees compared with asymptomatic trees. Hence, in a scenario without HLB-symptomatic tree removal in mature orchards, disease severity progress and yield reduction in HLB-affected trees remained regardless of ENRI treatment.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Genome Sequence of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. malus HS2 Causing Apple Replant Disease
Authors: Dong Yan-Hong , Han Xiao-Qi , Wang Jin-Hui , Li Bo , Meng Xiang-Long , Dai Peng-Bo , Wang Ya-Nan , Hu Tong-Le , Cao Ke-Qiang , Wang Shu-Tong
Published: September 2023

Apple replant disease (ARD) has been observed to cause 50% mortality in fields where apples are replanted, which has seriously limited the sustainable development of China's apple industry. Our previous study revealed that Fusarium oxysporum is one of the causal agents of ARD; however, its pathogenic mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we obtained the draft genome of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. malus HS2 using a combination of long-read single-molecule real-time sequencing technology (Pacific Biosciences [PacBio]) and MGISEQ sequencing. The total length of the assembled was 56,825,273 bp, and the GC content was 47.72%. The genome provides a valuable resource for facilitating our understanding the response of F. oxysporum to apple.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
ASPP2 binds to hepatitis C virus NS5A protein via an SH3 domain/PxxP motif-mediated interaction and potentiates infection
Authors: Smirnov Artem , Magri Andrea , Lotz Rebecca , Han Xiaoyue , Yin Chunhong , Harris Mark , Osterburg Christian , Dötsch Volker , McKeating Jane A. , Lu Xin
Published: September 2023

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects millions of people worldwide and is a leading cause of liver disease. Despite recent advances in antiviral therapies, viral resistance can limit drug efficacy and understanding the mechanisms that confer viral escape is important. We employ an unbiased interactome analysis to discover host binding partners of the HCV non-structural protein 5A (NS5A), a key player in viral replication and assembly. We identify ASPP2, apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53, as a new host co-factor that binds NS5A via its SH3 domain. Importantly, silencing ASPP2 reduces viral replication and spread. Our study uncovers a previously unknown role for ASPP2 to potentiate HCV RNA replication.
Expanded palette of RNA base editors for comprehensive RBP-RNA interactome studies
Authors: Medina-Munoz Hugo C. , Kofman Eric , Jagannatha Pratibha , Boyle Evan A. , Yu Tao , Jones Krysten L. , Mueller Jasmine R. , Lykins Grace D. , Doudna Andrew T. , Park Samuel S. , Blue Steven M. , Ranzau Brodie L. , Kohli Rahul M. , Komor Alexis C. , Yeo Gene W.
Published: September 2023

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are key regulators of RNA processing and cellular function. Technologies to discover RNA targets of RBPs such as TRIBE (targets of RNA binding proteins identified by editing) and STAMP (surveying targets by APOBEC1 mediated profiling) utilize fusions of RNA base-editors (rBEs) to RBPs to circumvent the limitations of immunoprecipitation (CLIP)-based methods that require enzymatic digestion and large amounts of input material. To broaden the repertoire of rBEs suitable for editing-based RBP-RNA interaction studies, we have devised experimental and computational assays in a framework called PRINTER (protein-RNAinteraction-based triaging ofenzymes that editRNA) to assess over thirty A-to-I and C-to-U rBEs, allowing us to identify rBEs that expand the characterization of binding patterns for both sequence-specific and broad-binding RBPs. We also propose specific rBEs suitable for dual-RBP applications. We show that the choice between single or multiple rBEs to fuse with a given RBP or pair of RBPs hinges on the editing biases of the rBEs and the binding preferences of the RBPs themselves. We believe our study streamlines and enhances the selection of rBEs for the next generation of RBP-RNA target discovery.
How to drive business model innovation for food and beverage enterprises after the pandemic: evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Le Thanh Tiep , Ngo Cuong Cao , Pham Hai Nguyen Ha
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study's main goal is to explore how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food as well as beverage (F&B) area should evolve to survive in a bustled post-pandemic future.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the knowledge-practice gap in the field of Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) as well as Business Model Innovation (BMI), this study examines an integrated framework using the F&B sector as an empirical field of research. This study uses an empirical quantitative approach using the main information aggregated from a questionnaire administered during the study. The sample had 467 valid responses (71.08% response rate). This paper uses the Partial-Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) to examine structural relationships because this technique is usually proposed for models with complex relations.

Findings

According to the research EO is directly and indirectly, correlated with BMI. The correlation is positive and significant. Simultaneously, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is partially mediated in the stated relation between EO as well as BMI, and CETA where it shows a positive moderation part in EO's influence on CSR. In particular, it elucidates how EO promotes CSR and BMI, alongside moderating part of circular economy principles adoption (CEPA).

Practical implications

These research findings suggest that SMEs in the F&B sector should transform the way they traditionally manage their businesses by applying circular economic principles into entrepreneurial orientation to promote CSR-based practices and acquire the resources obtained from internal and external stakeholders. Hence, their business can recover from post-pandemic effects and become resilient to future disruptions. Furthermore, this study suggests that adopting circular economy principles provides a key source of knowledge and insights that allows firms to sharpen their entrepreneurial orientation toward incorporating stakeholders and social environmental concerns into business models for sustainability, especially in the uncertain and drastic changing environment.

Originality/value

This study proposes a novel approach by which BMI is formed and evolved based on circular economy principles-oriented entrepreneurship and the synergies of stakeholders through undertaking corporate social responsibility practices. Drawing from the knowledge-practice gap, this research adds to the existing knowledge about EO as well as BMI with a conceptualized and operationalized empirical framework in a novel context that was not covered in current literature, especially in the context of uncertainties and disruptions experienced during COVID-19 outbreaks. The F&B sector was hit and how it should evolve to recover and build resilience is perceived as an urgent issue.
Transformational women leadership: a road to sustainable development goal of women empowerment
Authors: Gaur Dolly , Gupta Kanishka , Pal Abhinav
Published: September 2023

Purpose

To promote gender equality, world leaders at the UN came up with Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5). It proposes to eliminate discrimination against women by providing them with similar opportunities for reaching leadership positions. Hence, this study aims to examine the contribution made by women transformational leaders to their employees’ performance. The study seeks to emphasize the role played by female leaders in the on-job performance of employees and their mental well-being by encouraging intrinsic motivation among them.

Design/methodology/approach

For the purpose of data collection, a questionnaire was sent through Google Forms to the employees who had females as their superiors or in the decision-making position. Data from a final sample of 517 respondents was gathered, on which SEM was applied to analyze the direct impact of transformational women’s leadership on employee performance and the indirect impact through the mediation of intrinsic motivation.

Findings

The study found that by having feminine traits, women are stronger transformational leaders as they encourage individuals to be self-motivated instead of getting stimulated because of some external incentive. Also, such a leadership style ensures better work performance and mentally healthier employees. In addition, transformational women's leadership creates a better work environment by inspiring a teamwork culture instead of individualism.

Practical implications

The study has implications for not just researchers but other stakeholders as well. The study is useful for organizations as it directs them to hire and promote more women for leadership positions. Also, the results hint that people prefer working for women-led organizations as it will ensure a healthier work atmosphere.

Originality/value

There are many studies from earlier times related to transformational leadership. However, female leadership and the role it plays for employees have not gotten their fair share of attention. Thus, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present work is one of the very few where contributions made by women transformational leaders have been assessed.
Perceptions underlying road safety behaviours of drivers in urban Ghana – a health-belief and planned behaviour perspective
Authors: Odoom Raphael , Odoom Priscilla Teika , Essandoh Mavis
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The study aims to examine social-psychological beliefs and personality traits and their linkage with driver predispositions and road safety behaviour grounded on notions derived from an integration of the health belief model (HBM) and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in social marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a cross-sectional survey to gather data from 587 licenced drivers in 3 major urban settlements in Ghana. The theoretical model was tested by using covariance-based structural equation modelling.

Findings

The study finds that the effects of perceived benefits, perceived behavioural control, social norms and cues to action on road safety behaviour are direct; the effects of perceived susceptibility, severity and barriers on road safety behaviour are fully mediated by driver attitude towards safe driving. Some of these effects were moderated by conscientiousness and neuroticism.

Practical implications

The findings offer empirical grounds for the development of evidence-based social marketing interventions that leverage efficacy-centred messages, social influence through community-based approaches, informational cues with consistent education and are tailored to the personality traits of drivers with the aim of inducing wilful on-road safety behaviour towards achieving sustainable road safety culture.

Originality/value

This study extends the integrative applicability of the HBM and TPB in understanding road safety behaviour and establishes attitude as a vital facilitator, and personality traits as moderators of the belief-preventive behaviour linkage within a developing country context. It contributes towards the use of theory-based outcomes to enhance the efficacy of social marketing road safety campaigns.
‘Again the Same Hopeless Feeling’: Christian Queer Activism as a Personal Experience in Finland, 1960s–2000s
Authors: Alasuutari Varpu
Published: September 2023

LGBTQ people and the Evangelical Lutheran Church have a long history of tension in Finland. Christian queer activists have fought this tension since the late 1960s. This article asks how Christian queer activism was born and personally experienced in Finland from the late 1960s to the early 2000s. Theoretically, this article builds on queer history and affect theory. My data contains autobiographical texts and oral history interviews of the activists and their contemporaries, as well as statements by the Church, newspaper articles and a TV debate that help to contextualise the personal activist narratives. Using the method of close reading, I pay attention to affective circulation and moments in which activism emerged or started to decline. I argue that a wide circulation of negative affects attached to homosexuality in Finland in this era created an atmosphere that both inspired Christian queer activists to act, but as time went on, also caught them up in political despair when nothing seemed to change, making them reorient their activist hope.
Quantification of depth‐dependent microbial growth in encapsulated systems
Authors: Wang Zhiyue , Ishii Satoshi , Novak Paige J.
Published: September 2023

Encapsulated systems have been widely used in environmental applications to selectively retain and protect microorganisms. The permeable matrix used for encapsulation, however, limits the accessibility of existing analytical methods to study the behaviour of the encapsulated microorganisms. Here, we present a novel method that overcomes these limitations and enables direct observation and enumeration of encapsulated microbial colonies over a range of spatial and temporal scales. The method involves embedding, cross‐sectioning, and analysing the system via fluorescence in situ hybridization and retains the structure of encapsulants and the morphology of encapsulated colonies. The major novelty of this method lies in its ability to distinguish between, and subsequently analyse, multiple microorganisms within a single encapsulation matrix across depth. Our results demonstrated the applicability and repeatability of this method with alginate‐encapsulated pure (Nitrosomonas europaea) and enrichment cultures (anammox enrichment). The use of this method can potentially reveal interactions between encapsulated microorganisms and their surrounding matrix, as well as quantitatively validate predictions from mathematical models, thereby advancing our understanding of microbial ecology in encapsulated or even biofilm systems and facilitating the optimization of these systems.
Tetraspanin 1 regulates papillary thyroid tumor growth and metastasis through c‐Myc‐mediated glycolysis
Authors: Han Jihua , Xie Changming , Liu Bo , Wang Yan , Pang Rui , Bi Wen , Sheng Rinan , He Guoqing , Kong Lingyu , Yu Jiawei , Ding Zhaoming , Chen Lili , Jia Jinliang , Zhang Jiewu , Nie Chunlei
Published: September 2023

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common form of thyroid cancer and is characterized by its tendency for lymphatic metastasis, leading to a poor prognosis. Tetraspanin 1 (TSPAN1) is a member of the tetra‐transmembrane protein superfamily and has been implicated in tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis in various studies. However, the role of TSPAN1 in PTC tumor development remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of TSPAN1 on PTC cell behavior. Our results demonstrate that knockdown of TSPAN1 inhibits PTC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while overexpression of TSPAN1 has the opposite effect. These findings suggest that TSPAN1 might play a role in the tumorigenesis and invasiveness of PTC. Mechanistically, we found that TSPAN1 activates the ERK pathway by increasing its phosphorylation, subsequently leading to upregulated expression of c‐Myc. Additionally, we observed that TSPAN1‐ERK‐c‐Myc axis activation promotes glycolytic activity in PTC cells, as evidenced by the upregulation of glycolytic genes such as LDHA. Taken together, our findings indicate that TSPAN1 acts as an oncogene in PTC by regulating glycolytic metabolism. This discovery highlights the potential of TSPAN1 as a promising therapeutic target for PTC treatment. Further research in this area could provide valuable insights into the development of targeted therapies for PTC patients.