bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
C-terminal cysteines of HRas control Erk signaling and 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2(15d-PGJ2) mediated inhibition of myoblast differentiation
Authors: Pundlik Swarang Sachin , Sahoo Snehasudha Subhadarshini , Barik Alok , Jaysingh Mahapatra Anshuman , Venkateshvaran Ashwin , Math Raviswamy G H , Ramanathan Arvind
Published: May 2023

HRas is an important node that controls cellular signaling, proliferation, and differentiation. Mutants of HRas (e.g., the constitutively active HRas V12) can be oncogenic, and can also inhibit myoblast differentiation. The C-terminal cysteines of HRas (Cys181 and Cys184) serve as substrates for intra-cellular reversible palmitoylation and de-palmitoylation reactions, which control its subcellular distribution. The relationship between the C-terminal cysteines of HRas, its intracellular distribution, and its cellular activity has remained unclear. Understanding this relationship has important implications for targeting HRas in pathogenic states where it is activated. In this study, we show that a mutation in the C-terminal of HRas, C181S, is sufficient to cause increased levels of HRas V12 in the Golgi, decreased HRas V12-driven Akt and Erk signaling and reverse the ability of HRas V12 to inhibit myoblast differentiation. This demonstrates the importance of C-terminal cysteines in controlling HRas V12. It has been previously shown that Cys184 can also be irreversibly modified by an electrophilic prostaglandin lipid 15d-PGJ2. This lipid is released by senescent cells as a part of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). In this study, we show that 15d-PGJ2is secreted by senescent myoblasts formed by treatment with Doxorubicin. We also show that 15d-PGJ2causes decreased levels of HRas within Golgi, activates Erk signaling (but not Akt signaling), and inhibits differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts in an HRas Cys184-dependent fashion. Chemotherapeutics such as Doxorubicin drive senescence and loss of skeletal muscle homeostasis in cancer patients. This study suggests that targeting the senescence-derived synthesis of 15-PGJ2might be a target to promote muscle homeostasis after chemotherapy.
Evolving as an entrepreneur: a life story approach to studying Indian women entrepreneurs
Authors: Khattar Vrinda , Agarwal Upasna A.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to understand how women develop entrepreneurship as a career identity through women's various life stages. Using a life story approach, the authors study the formation of Indian businesswomen's entrepreneurial identity in businesswomen's unique socio-cultural context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study drew upon 15 semi-structured interviews with practicing women entrepreneurs using a qualitative methodology. Gioia methodology was used to systematically analyze the data for theory building.

Findings

The narratives of the Indian women entrepreneurs indicate that Indian women's entrepreneurial identity was a developmental process influenced by various episodes in different life stages-childhood, adolescence, marriage and motherhood. Life episodes influenced the creation and enactment of this entrepreneurial identity, which led to the emergence of entrepreneurship as a career choice.

Research limitations/implications

The study's retrospective design may have raised concerns involving memory recall. The open-ended questions gave the participants the freedom to recount the life episodes that influenced the participants the most and may have partly mitigated this concern.

Originality/value

Prior studies have focused on specific life stages of women entrepreneurs, without taking a holistic life-story view, thereby missing out on how career identity is formed as a result of life episodes. Using the developmental psychology approach, the authors provide a nuanced and holistic lens to understanding women's entrepreneurship.
A real options-based investment-income valuation model for old community renewal projects in China
Authors: Li Dezhi , Yu Lugang , Huang Guanying , Zhou Shenghua , Feng Haibo , Wang Yanqing
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To propose a new investment-income valuation model by real options approach (ROA) for old community renewal (OCR) projects, which could help the government attract private capital's participation.

Design/methodology/approach

The new model is proposed by identifying the types of options private capital has in the OCR project, selecting the option model most suitable for private capital investment decisions, improving the valuation model through the triangular fuzzy numbers to take into account the uncertainty and flexibility, and demonstrating the feasibility of the calculation model through an actual OCR project case.

Findings

The new model can valuate OCR projects more accurately based on considering uncertainty and flexibility, compared with conventional methods that often underestimate the value of OCR projects.

Practical implications

The investment-income of OCR projects shall be re-valuated from the lens of real options, which could help reveal more real benefits beyond the capital growth of OCR projects, enable the government to attract private capital's investment in OCR, and alleviate government fiscal pressure.

Originality/value

The proposed OCR-oriented investment-income valuation model systematically analyzes the applicability of real option value (ROV) to OCR projects, innovatively integrates the ROV and the net present value (NPV) as expanded net present value (ENPV), and accurately evaluate real benefits in comparison with existing models. Furthermore, the newly proposed model holds the potential to be transferred to various social welfare projects as a tool to attract private capital's participation.
National Institute of Development Management – striking a balance between mission and money
Authors: Modi Pratik , Pandey Satyendra C. , Rishi Bikramjit
Published: May 2023

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this study are as follows:

▪ to bring the appreciation of the complexities involved in managing a mission-driven not-for-profit (NPO) institution;

▪ to highlight the pressures and tensions felt by a mission-driven not-for-profit organization from various stakeholders; and

▪ to appreciate the managerial challenge involved in making a not-for-profit organization financially sustainable while meeting its mission objectives.

Case overview/synopsis

The National Institute of Development Management (NIDM), established in 1980 by a group of development professionals, was a mission-driven high-performing knowledge institution focused on professionalizing the management of people’s institutions. From one long-term academic program in 1980 to three in 2019, NIDM came a long way in its journey. For the first five years, the institute offered a stipend to its students in the PGDM-DM program and placed them in village-based organizations. The next 15 years saw a general shift in attention toward the development sector, and NIDM started placing its students in other organizations beyond village-based development organizations. NIDM supported all its activities through funds generated on its own from program fees charged to the students, consulting and training activities. Prof. Sengupta, the Director, faced multiple challenges. He needed to decide what action he could take to keep the 40-year-old institution financially sustainable while remaining committed to the mission of its founders.

Complexity academic level

This case can be used in courses such a Managing Not-for-Profit Organizations and Management of Dual-Purpose Organizations. The case can be taught to the students of management, development management or agribusiness management programs. This case is also suitable for the faculty development programs participants to bring about the appreciation of managing an institution of higher education. The case requires about 70–90 min of class discussion time.

Supplementary material

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Impact of personal innovativeness, perceived smartphone ease of use and mobile self-efficacy on smartphone-based personal information management practices
Authors: Ali Irfan , Warraich Nosheen Fatima
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Although, smartphones have facilitated users to keep their personal information, nonetheless, less has been investigated about factors affecting personal information management (PIM) practices. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how personal innovativeness, perceived ease of use (PEOU) and mobile self-efficacy affect PIM (e.g. finding/re-finding, keeping, organizing and maintaining) practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research design was used in this study. The authors collected data from 222 students of information management from public sector universities using a questionnaire. PLS modeling technique was used to analyze data.

Findings

The authors noted that personal innovativeness significantly impacts finding/refinding information, whereas it insignificantly affects keeping, organizing and maintaining information practices. In addition, smartphone PEOU significantly influences information finding and refinding, information keeping and organizing information, whereas insignificantly influences information maintaining. Moreover, mobile self-efficacy was noted to be significantly associated with finding and refinding information, information keeping, information organizing and information maintaining.

Originality/value

This research is an important contribution to the body of existing literature, as it proposed an integrated model based on constructs extracted from Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Social Cognitive Theory, personal innovativeness and PIM. This study also has practical significance because the findings of this study would be helpful for smartphone application developers and LIS school directors to design programs for information literacy.
An investigation on consumers' preferences for parcel deliveries: applying consumer logistics in omni-channel shopping
Authors: Wang Xueqin , Wong Yiik Diew , Shi Wenming , Yuen Kum Fai
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Omni-channel shopping affords consumers a variety of delivery options to receive products based on their preferred times and locations. By considering consumers' contributions (physical, social and attentive efforts) in co-creating delivery services, this study investigates their preferences for parcel delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

A scenario-based questionnaire survey is conducted for data collection in Singapore (n = 483). Furthermore, a multinomial logistic regression is performed to assess consumers' choice mode of delivery among five alternatives, that is attended home delivery, unattended home delivery, automated self-collection locker, attended pickup point and click-and-collect.

Findings

Compared to attended home delivery, consumers who choose the alternatives are found to be more willing to contribute physical effort but less interested in responding attentively to informational updates. Efforts required for social interactions discourage consumers from choosing attended deliveries, prompting unattended alternatives (e.g. home delivery and self-collection) as more attractive choices. Additionally, socio-demographic factors and product value also influence consumers' preferences.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by integrating the theoretical concept of consumer logistics into omni-channel studies, providing a new approach to examining consumers' channel behaviour. With detailed profiling that links product value and consumers' socio-demographics to their choice mode of delivery, the authors create practical insight into the optimal design of omni-channel distribution systems that best harness consumers' voluntary contributions.
The continuous usage of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered mobile fitness applications: the goal-setting theory perspective
Authors: Lee Jung-Chieh , Lin Rongrong
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Due to the popularity of mobile devices and the development of artificial intelligence (AI), AI-powered mobile fitness applications (MFAs) have entered people's daily lives. However, the extant literature lacks empirical investigations that explore users' continuance usage intentions regarding AI-powered MFAs. To fill this research gap, this paper employs goal-setting theory to establish a research model for exploring how AI-enabled features (i.e. intelligence and anthropomorphism) affect users' perceptions of goal difficulties and goal specificities, which in turn affect their MFA continuance usage intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a survey method to analyze the research model, and a total of 223 responses are collected. The partial least squares (PLS) technique is utilized for data analysis.

Findings

The results show that intelligence and anthropomorphism affect the continuance usage intention of MFA users through their goal difficulty and specificity. Both intelligence and anthropomorphism positively influence goal specificity, whereas they negatively affect goal difficulty. In addition, goal specificity increases users' MFA continuance usage intention, whereas goal difficulty decreases users' continuance usage intention. The findings of this study provide theoretical contributions for AI technology adoption research and offer practical strategies for firms to retain MFA users.

Originality/value

Based on goal-setting theory, this study reveals that as two primary AI features of contemporary mobile fitness apps, intelligence and anthropomorphism, can increase comprehension of users' perceptions regarding goal difficulty and specificity in the context of users' continuance usage intentions toward AI-powered MFAs.
Busy audit committee directors and corporate narrative disclosure in Oman
Authors: Al Lawati Hidaya , Hussainey Khaled , Sagitova Roza
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether, and which type of, busy audit committee (AC) directors affect the quality and quantity of forward-looking disclosure (FLD).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use content analysis to measure the quality and quantity of FLD. The authors use a sample of Omani financial institutions listed on the Muscat Securities Market for the period 2014–2018.

Findings

The authors find that overlapped AC chairs and total overlapped AC directors negatively (positively) affect disclosure quantity (quality). The authors also find that overlapped AC directors with financial expertise and those with multiple directorships positively affect disclosure quantity and quality.

Originality/value

This study offers new insights to policymakers (and managers) as it informs them about the benefits of overlapping AC directorship. It suggests that corporate governance codes should not limit overlapped AC direcotorship.
Investigating the quality of the relationship, supply risk mitigation on medium and large-sized manufacturing firms' supply chain performance in the developing countries: the moderating effect of supplier involvement
Authors: Al-Shboul Moh'd Anwer
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Due to the current volatile environment and fierce competition, manufacturing firms (MFs) must improve their performance to survive. In this regard, checking and monitoring the suppliers' risk should significantly improve the performance of MFs. In addition, a relation based on not being an opportunist, confidence and reliance are influential factors in reducing the supplier defaults on his/her supply obligations and improving supply chain performance (SCP). Besides, the moderator function of supplier involvement (SI) in the relationship between quality of the relationship (QoR) and supply risk mitigation (SRM) is undeniable.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the survey of 148 samples from small to large-sized MFs in Jordan, Turkey and Egypt, empirical evidence has been conducted to support a majority of the authors’ hypotheses. This paper provides a theoretical review of buyer–supplier relationships and supply risk. Hypotheses were tested by using structural equation modeling (SEM)/Smart PLS-4.

Findings

According to the results, confidence and reliance have statistically significant and positive impacts on SRM, resulting in better SCP. Moreover, the findings show that SI positively affects and moderates the relationship between confidence (C) and SRM, while it has no statistically significant influence on the relationship between reliance (R) and SRM.

Practical implications

This study provides necessary material for managers and decision-makers in MFs to confirm the importance and understanding of the QoR in building relationships and business dealings with partners in the SC, in addition to limiting and mitigating the risks of an interruption in supply in particular. Therefore, building a high-quality relationship as a practice based on trust and reliability with suppliers positively affects the performance of the SCs of MFs.

Originality/value

This research paper offers empirical evidence for using QoR within SRM resources of MFs' context for enhancing their supply chain performance. This study is one of few studies that examine the QoR and SRM that contribute to enhancing SCP in MFs in developing countries, which also can serve as a reference for many SC managers and practitioners.
‘Missed Revolutions’: Historical Narratives During Italian Fascism (from Delio Cantimori to Camillo Pellizzi)
Authors: CHIANTERA‐STUTTE PATRICIA
Published: May 2023

This article analyses some examples of historical narratives that, long before the emergence of so‐called postmodern history, had a specific narrative character: the reconstructions of ‘missed revolutions’ taking into account a possible alternative history and tracing back the reasons for a social, political, and economic crisis to an interrupted process, one that, had it been completed, would have triggered some sort of progress. Even if this kind of historical representation cannot properly be classified as a form of alternate history, it can be placed between traditional historical accounts of the past and a more innovative pattern, which entails a more speculative argumentation, and therefore has been used to justify or suggest specific political claims. One of the most obvious examples of this literature are the narrations of the ‘unaccomplished Risorgimento’, which was a highly debated theme in the political, intellectual, and historical discussion from the period of the Italian unification until the economic and political reconstruction following the Second World War. This article will stress four possible functions of the ‘missed revolution’ narratives: first, as a way to discover some currents that have been underestimated by the official historiography or mainstream political discourse; second, to observe the role assigned to particular events in altering the destiny of a nation; third, to show how political and intellectual actors use history to justify political actions or events; and finally, to reveal how, conversely, by reconstructing ‘missed revolutions’ individual historians and, more generally, public intellectuals can take up a specific political stance while writing history.
Combined healthy lifestyle in early pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Wu Linjing , Ouyang Jing , Lai Yuwei , Wu Ping , Wang Yi , Ye Yixiang , Wang Jingyi , Hu Mengyan , Zhang Jijuan , Xu Jiajing , Yang Xue , Yuan Jiaying , Zhao Bin , Song Xingyue , Yan Shijiao , Lv Chuanzhu , Liu Gang , Pan An , Pan Xiong‐Fei
Published: May 2023

Objective

To examine the association of a combined healthy lifestyle in early pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk.

Design, setting and population

A Chinese prospective cohort study with 6980 pregnant women.

Methods

Individual modifiable lifestyle factors were assessed in early pregnancy and a combined lifestyle score was derived from the sum of the lifestyle factors, with a higher score indicating a healthier lifestyle. The association of a combined healthy lifestyle with GDM risk was examined.

Main outcome measures

Gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in middle pregnancy according to the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group criteria or diagnoses in medical records.

Results

Overall, 501 (7.2%) pregnant women were diagnosed with GDM. Being physically active (total energy expenditure in upper three quintiles, i.e. ≥100.1 metabolic equivalent of task [MET]‐hours/week; odds ratio [OR] 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63–0.92), healthy diet (total intake of vegetables and fruits ≥5 times/day; OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.59–0.94), sufficient sleep (night‐time sleep duration ≥7 hours/night; OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.48–0.90) and healthy weight (early‐pregnancy BMI <24.0 kg/m2; OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.46–0.71) were associated with lower GDM risk. The GDM risk decreased linearly across the combined lifestyle score (Ptrend <0.001): women with 2, 3 and 4 lifestyle factors compared with those with 0–1 factor had 38% (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.46–0.84), 57% (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.31–0.58) and 66% (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.22–0.52) lower risks of GDM, respectively.

Conclusion

A healthy lifestyle in early pregnancy was associated with a substantially lower GDM risk.
Contextualizing physical activity in rural adults: Do relationships between income inequality, neighborhood environments, and physical activity exist?
Authors: Baxter Samuel L. K. , Corbie Giselle , Griffin Sarah F.
Published: May 2023

Objective

To examine if income inequality, social cohesion, and neighborhood walkability are associated with physical activity among rural adults.

Data Source

Cross‐sectional data came from a telephone survey (August 2020–March 2021) that examined food access, physical activity, and neighborhood environments across rural counties in a southeastern state.

Study Design

Multinomial logistic regression models assessed the likelihood of being active versus inactive and insufficiently active versus inactive in this rural population. Coefficients are presented as relative risk ratios (RRRs). Statistical significance was determined using 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All analyses were performed in STATA 16.1.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Trained university students administered the survey. Students verbally obtained consent, read survey items, and recorded responses into Qualtrics software. Upon survey completion, respondents were mailed a $10 incentive card and printed informed consent form. Eligible participants were ≥18 years old and current residents of included counties.

Principal Findings

Respondents in neighborhoods with relatively high social cohesion versus low social cohesion were more likely to be active than inactive (RRR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.27–4.90, p < 0.01), after accounting for all other variables in the model. Income inequality and neighborhood walkability were not associated with different levels of physical activity in the rural sample.

Conclusions

Study findings contribute to limited knowledge on the relationship between neighborhood environmental contexts and physical activity among rural populations. The health effects of neighborhood social cohesion warrant more attention in health equity research and consideration when developing multilevel interventions to improve the health of rural populations.
Impact of therapeutic and low volume plasma exchange on clinical laboratory parameters in patients treated for Alzheimer's disease from the AMBAR study
Authors: Grifols Carlota , Barceló Miquel , Núñez Laura , Szczepiorkowski Zbigniew M. , Boada Mercè , López Oscar L. , Páez Antonio
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Little is known about the impact of plasma exchange (PE) on clinical laboratory parameters in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.

Methods

AD patients in the AMBAR trial (N = 322) received weekly therapeutic PE (TPE) for 6 weeks followed by monthly low‐volume PE (LVPE) for12 months. Treatment were placebo (sham PE), low‐albumin, low‐albumin + IVIG (i.e., albumin alternated with intravenous immunoglobulin) and high‐albumin + IVIG.

Results

Coagulation parameters transiently increased post‐TPE. Blood calcium, platelets, and albumin levels decreased but remained within the reference range. Leukocyte counts increased. Fibrinogen, hemoglobin, total protein, gamma globulin, and IgG, transiently dipped below the reference range. Hypogammaglobulinemia (7.2 g/L) persisted in pre‐TPE measurements. No changes were observed during the LVPE period. Cerebrospinal fluid parameters and vital signs were unchanged throughout.

Conclusion

Laboratory parameters of AD patients were affected by TPE similarly to effects of PE‐treatment for other pathologies. These effects were less pronounced or non‐existent for LVPE.
Evaluation of antioxidant films of chitosan with Aquilaria agallocha extract as packaging material
Authors: Karkar Büşra , Şahin Saliha , Bekiz Dilara , Akça Bekir , Özakın Cüneyt
Published: May 2023

In this study, the bark of the Aquilaria agallocha was extracted, and the phenolic content of A. agallocha extract was determined using high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector. The A. agallocha extract–chitosan edible films were prepared by using a different amount of A. agallocha extract (0, 1, 4, and 8 mL) and chitosan solution. Some physical properties of A. agallocha extract–chitosan edible films, water vapor permeability, solubility, swelling ratio, humidity ratio, thickness, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis were investigated. The antibacterial activities, total phenolic content, and antioxidant capacity analysis of the A. agallocha extract–chitosan edible films were performed. The total phenolic content (0, 1, 4, and 8 mL of A. agallocha extract–chitosan edible films 0.92 ± 0.09, 1.34 ± 0.04, 2.94 ± 0.10, and 4.62 ± 0.10 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g film, respectively) and antioxidant capacity (0, 1, 4, and 8 mL of A. agallocha extract–chitosan edible films 52.61 ± 2.85, 104.28 ± 4.78, 304.30 ± 18.23, and 592.11 ± 0.67 mg Trolox equivalent (TE)/g film, respectively) of A. agallocha extract–chitosan edible films increased with the increase in the amount of extract. At the same time, the increase in the amount of antioxidant capacity improved the physical features of the films. The results of the antibacterial activity studies showed that all of the A. agallocha extract–chitosan edible films prevented bacterial growth from Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus considering controlling group.

Practical Applications

To investigate the activity of antioxidant extract–biodegradable film, the A. agallocha extract–chitosan edible film had prepared. The results showed that A. agallocha extract–chitosan edible film was antioxidant and antibacterial properties and was used as food packaging material successfully.
Volcanism Pacing Slumping Gravity Flow Deposits during the Late Carboniferous in the Southern Margin of the Junggar Basin, China
Authors: LI Shixin , ZHANG Tingshan , ZHANG Xi , LIANG Zeliang , JI Dongsheng , POPA Mihai Emilian , YONG Jinjie , LUO Jinyu , ZENG Jianli , ZHU Haihua
Published: May 2023

Deep‐water gravity depositional processes and evolution in arc systems have become topics of intense research focus in recent years. This study discusses the co‐evolution of volcanism and deep‐water gravity flow deposits at the southern margin of the Junggar Basin, based on petrology, geochronology and geochemical analyses. The results show that a massive collapse of unstable sediments from the slope was triggered by volcanism, resulting in the formation of slumping gravity flows. The occurrence of volcanic beds in the slump deposits confirm that synchronous volcanism likely affected sediment instability, triggering gravity flows. The Th/Yb, Ta/Yb and Th/Ta elemental ratios, U‐Pb ages of detrital zircons and paleocurrent directions indicate that the North Tianshan (NTS) island arc represents the provenance of the Qianxia Formation. Moreover, statistical data on the pyroclastic components in the gravity flow deposits reveal an intensity index of volcanism, indicating that volcanism is strongly related to gravity flow deposits, especially in terms of the type and distribution of the deposits. A model for volcanically‐triggered deep‐water gravity flow deposits is established, in order to provide a more in‐depth understanding of the co‐evolution of volcanism and gravity flow deposits within the depositional setting of the late Paleozoic NTS oceanic subduction margin in the Junggar Basin.
The moderation journey of Kurdish Islamism in the Kurdistan region of Iraq
Authors: Raza Hardy Hasib
Published: May 2023

This project assesses the process of moderation within three Islamist political parties, specifically, the Kurdistan Justice Party, the Kurdistan Islamic Union and the Islamic Movement in Kurdistan. The process of Islamist moderation is a gradual and complicated one and there are numerous factors affecting this process. In the literature, ‘inclusion‐moderation theory’ is a key thesis that outlines the factors concerning Islamist moderation. It argues that the inclusion of Islamists in the political arena consequently gives rise to their moderation. However, this study expands upon this thesis and argues that while it holds true for these three Islamist parties, there are other essential factors associated with the moderation journey experienced by these parties. These parties' behavioural changes, in the form of political moderation, are more common compared to ideological moderation. This conclusion is based on two distinct sources of evidence. First, the parties' formal documents, such as internal and programme guides and secondly, first‐hand data obtained by means of interviewing the political elites or leaders of these three Islamist parties.
The Riverine Organism Drift Imager: A new technology to study organism drift in rivers and streams
Authors: de Schaetzen Frédéric , Impiö Mikko , Wagner Basil , Nienaltowski Patryk , Arnold Michael , Huber Martin , Meyer Matthias , Raitoharju Jenni , Silva Luiz G. M. , Stocker Roman
Published: May 2023

Drift or downstream dispersal is a fundamental process in the life cycle of many riverine organisms. In the face of rapidly declining freshwater biodiversity, there is a need to enhance our capacity to study the drift of riverine organisms, by overcoming the limitations of traditional labour‐intensive sampling methods that result in data of low temporal and spatial resolution.

To address this need, we developed a new technology, the Riverine Organism Drift Imager (RODI), which combines in situ imaging with machine‐learning classification. This technique expands on the traditional methodology by replacing the collection cup of a drift net with a camera system that continuously images riverine organisms as they drift through the device. After being imaged, organisms are released into the environment unharmed. A machine‐learning classifier is used after field sampling to identify drifting organisms. Therefore, RODI provides a non‐invasive sampling method that can quantify organism drift at unprecedented temporal resolution.

Multiple deployments have served to validate the performance of the technology in the field. In its current implementation, images are captured continuously for 1.5 h at 50 frames per second. We demonstrate that the quality of the resulting images enables a convolutional neural network classifier to identify organisms to the family level. The weighted F1 score, a metric for the performance of the classifier, was 94%, based on training and testing on a field‐collected dataset consisting of 4598 images of 285 organisms belonging to seven classes (one species, five families and one order).

In conclusion, this work provides a proof of concept, demonstrating the viability of the deployment of RODI as an automated, in situ organism drift sampler. This novel approach offers the possibility to advance our fundamental understanding of the drift of riverine organisms and how this is affected by human impacts in natural streams while, at the same time, can serve as a cost‐effective tool for biodiversity monitoring.
Acts of Disengagement in Border Struggles: Fugitive Practices of Refusal
Authors: Meier Isabel
Published: May 2023

This paper explores people's acts of disengagement from activist campaign and group spaces in the context of border struggle activism in Germany and the UK as fugitive practices of refusal. These acts of disengagement took the form of remaining silent or intentionally distracted, sleeping during activist meetings, distancing oneself from activist groups during conversations, or completely withdrawing from these spaces. The paper approaches these acts, first, as practices of refusal that expose notions of the political rooted in liberal struggles over power and freedom as not only risky but also inherently self‐defeating and, second, as radically optimistic and vitalising practices of recovery and care that insist on alternative modes of thinking, practising, and experiencing sociality and the political that can inspire us to consider political agency in relation to wider abolitionist projects.
Free speech or obedient speech? Revisiting liberal speech norms in ‘closed contexts’
Authors: Koch Natalie
Published: May 2023

Qualitative researchers can usually discern the difference between obedient speech and fearless, critical, or oppositional speech. Yet the context in which speech acts are performed is necessarily uneven, such that the same people who might speak freely in one place are often quick to engage in obedient speech in another. Speech acts also depend on the speaker's positionality, meaning that some speakers may have the privilege to act as ‘truth‐tellers’ and speak freely, whereas the positionality of others does not enable this. This paper considers how these contextual factors can be overlooked when liberal speech norms are taken for granted. Engaging with Michel Foucault's writing on parrhesia, I highlight the issues of positionality and context in defining how socio‐political borders are drawn around free (‘fearless’) speech as opposed to obedient (‘performative’) speech. I show how parrhesia opens up key questions for qualitative research about the politicisation of free versus obedient speech through space and time.
Efficacy and safety of miglustat in the treatment of GM2 gangliosidosis: A systematic review
Authors: Mansouri Vahid , Tavasoli Ali Reza , Khodarahmi Masoud , Dakkali Mohammad Sedigh , Daneshfar Sara , Ashrafi Mahmoud Reza , Heidari Morteza , Hosseinpour Sareh , Sharifianjazi Fariborz , Bemanalizadeh Maryam
Published: May 2023

Background

Since the results of previous studies regarding the safety and efficacy of miglustat in GM2 gangliosidosis (GM2g) were inconsistent, we aimed to assess miglustat therapy in GM2g patients.

Methods

This study followed the latest version of PRISMA. We included the observational or interventional studies reporting GM2g patients under miglustat therapy by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Data extracted included the natural history of individual patient data, as well as the safety and efficacy of miglustat in GM2g patients. The quality assessment was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal checklist.

Results

A total of 1023 records were identified and reduced to 621 after removing duplicates. After screening and applying the eligibility criteria, 10 articles and 2 abstracts met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the studies represented 54 patients with GM2g under treatment with miglustat and 22 patients with GM2g in the control group. Among patients with available data, 14 and 54 have been diagnosed with Sandhoff disease and Tay‐Sachs disease, respectively. Patients included in this review consisted of 23 infantile, 4 late‐infantile, 18 juvenile, and 31 adult‐onset GM2g.

Conclusions

Although miglustat should not be considered a definite treatment for GM2g, it appears that patients, particularly those with infantile or late‐infantile GM2g, could benefit from miglustat therapy to some extent. We also make some suggestions regarding future studies presenting their findings in a standard format to facilitate pooling the available data in such rare diseases for a more comprehensive conclusion.
Role of the orexin system in the bidirectional relation between sleep and epilepsy: New chances for patients with epilepsy by the antagonism to orexin receptors?
Authors: Berteotti Chiara , Calvello Carmen , Liguori Claudio
Published: May 2023

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder, affecting patients of all ages, reducing the quality of life, and associated with several comorbidities. Sleep impairment is a frequent condition in patients with epilepsy (PWE), and the relation between sleep and epilepsy has been considered bidirectional, as one can significantly influence the other, and vice versa. The orexin system was described more than 20 years ago and is implicated in several neurobiological functions other than in controlling the sleep–wake cycle. Considering the relation between epilepsy and sleep, and the significant contribution of the orexin system in regulating the sleep–wake cycle, it is conceivable that the orexin system may be affected in PWE. Preclinical studies investigated the impact of the orexin system on epileptogenesis and the effect of orexin antagonism on seizures in animal models. Conversely, clinical studies are few and propose heterogeneous results also considering the different methodological approaches to orexin levels quantification (cerebrospinal‐fluid or blood samples). Because orexin system activity can be modulated by sleep, and considering the sleep impairment documented in PWE, the recently approved dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs) have been suggested for treating sleep impairment and insomnia in PWE. Accordingly, sleep improvement can be a therapeutic strategy for reducing seizures and better managing epilepsy. The present review analyzes the preclinical and clinical evidence linking the orexin system to epilepsy, and hypothesizes a model in which the antagonism to the orexin system by DORAs can improve epilepsy by both a direct and a sleep‐mediated (indirect) effect.
Topographic information improves simulated patterns of post‐fire conifer regeneration in the southwest United States
Authors: Jung Chang Gyo , Keyser Alisa R. , Remy Cecile C. , Krofcheck Daniel , Allen Craig D. , Hurteau Matthew D.
Published: May 2023

The western United States is projected to experience more frequent and severe wildfires in the future due to drier and hotter climate conditions, exacerbating destructive wildfire impacts on forest ecosystems such as tree mortality and unsuccessful post‐fire regeneration. While empirical studies have revealed strong relationships between topographical information and plant regeneration, ecological processes in ecosystem models have either not fully addressed topography‐mediated effects on the probability of plant regeneration, or the probability is only controlled by climate‐related factors, for example, water and light stresses. In this study, we incorporated seedling survival data based on a planting experiment in the footprint of the 2011 Las Conchas Fire into the Photosynthesis and EvapoTranspiration (PnET) extension of the LANDIS‐II model by adding topographic and an additional climatic variable to the probability of regeneration. The modified algorithm included topographic parameters such as heat load index and ground slope and spring precipitation. We ran simulations on the Las Conchas Fire landscape for 2012–2099 using observed and projected climate data (i.e., Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 and 8.5). Our modification significantly reduced the number of regeneration events of three common southwestern conifer tree species (piñon, ponderosa pine, and Douglas‐fir), leading to decreases in aboveground biomass, regardless of climate scenario. The modified algorithm decreased regeneration at higher elevations and increased regeneration at lower elevations relative to the original algorithm. Regenerations of three species also decreased in eastern aspects. Our findings suggest that ecosystem models may overestimate post‐fire regeneration events in the southwest United States. To better represent regeneration processes following wildfire, ecosystem models need refinement to better account for the range of factors that influence tree seedling establishment. This will improve model utility for projecting the combined effects of climate and wildfire on tree species distributions.
Scanning sympatric sika deer and Japanese serows using drones: A methodological trial in Mt. Asama, Central Japan
Authors: Ito Takehiko Y. , Fukue Yuko , Minami Masato
Published: May 2023

The negative impacts of sika deer (Cervus nippon) on Japanese serows (Capricornis crispus) are a subject of concern in the mountainous regions of Japan. To develop a methodology to collect information with regard to the abundance and habitat selection of sympatric large mammals using drones (unmanned aerial vehicles; UAVs) equipped with thermal infrared and red‐green‐blue (RGB) sensors, surveys were conducted at night and in the early morning in a high mountainous habitat. Despite the similar size and shape in thermal infrared images for sika deer and Japanese serows, species identification based on body color using RGB images was possible during the period from dawn to early morning. The UAV surveys also revealed the large abundance of deer (>40 deer/km2) and suggested different habitat selection between deer and serows in the alpine grassland. Our results were the first snapshots of sympathetic deer and serow distribution. UAV surveys using both thermal infrared and RGB sensors in early morning could be useful for research and monitoring of large mammals in open areas, such as grasslands, marshlands, high mountains, farmlands and drylands.
Cell lineage analysis reveals signal tracing and compartment characterisation in Drosophila haltere
Authors: Dong Wei , Li Ting , Wu Wen‐Jun , Zhang Xu‐bo
Published: May 2023

Insect halteres, as specialised hind wings, play an important role during aerial manoeuvres. In Drosophila, halteres and wings are homologous appendages with different morphology. Previous studies have focused on the metamorphosis of halteres, while current knowledge about its cell lineage and regional compartmentalization is still limited. In this study, we performed cell‐lineage tracing of canonical landmark signals in halteres and present a simple model for haltere development. Cell lineage tracing in wings was used as a reference. The nub showed wing‐like expressions in halteres, whereas hth and pnr exhibited different expressions in adult wings and halteres. The lineage tracing revealed that the pouch region gives rise to end‐bulb, and hinge cells contribute to proximal haltere formation. Moreover, we demonstrated that twi‐expressing cells participate in the cell population of the distal end‐bulb. Haematoxylin and eosin staining indicated that muscle cells were present at the distal end‐bulb. These results indicated that adult halteres displayed unique cell lineage patterns and the muscle cells are important components of end‐bulbs.
Diversity and representation in infant research: Barriers and bridges toward a globalized science of infant development
Authors: Singh Leher , Cristia Alejandrina , Karasik Lana B. , Rajendra Sarah J. , Oakes Lisa M.
Published: May 2023

Psychological researchers have become increasingly concerned with generalized accounts of human behavior based on narrow participant representation. This concern is particularly germane to infant research as findings from infant studies are often invoked to theorize broadly about the origins of human behavior. In this article, we examined participant diversity and representation in research published on infant development in four journals over the past decade. Sociodemographic data were coded for all articles reporting infant data published in Child Development, Developmental Science, Developmental Psychology, and Infancy between 2011 and 2022. Analyses of 1682 empirical articles, sampling approximately 1 million participants, revealed consistent under‐reporting of sociodemographic information. For studies that reported sociodemographic characteristics, there was an unwavering skew toward White infants from North America/Western Europe. To address a lack of diversity in infant studies and its scientific impact, a set of principles and practices are proposed to advance toward a more globally representative science.
Genetic variation in the glucosyltransferase‐B gene of Streptococcus mutans and its relationship with caries experience in children from Córdoba, Argentina, and with strains from other countries
Authors: Carletto‐Körber Fabiana Pia Marina , Acosta‐Jofré María Soledad , Vera Noelia Soledad , Mourelle‐Martínez María Rosa , Jiménez María Graciela , Martínez Juan Enrique , Cornejo Lila Susana , González‐Ittig Raúl Enrique
Published: May 2023

Background

Caries is a worldwide distributed oral disease of multifactorial nature, with Streptococcus mutans being the most commonly isolated bacterial agent. The glycosyltransferases of this bacterium would play an essential role in the aetiology and pathogenesis of caries.

Aim

We explored how the glucosyltransferase‐B (gtf‐B) gene variability of S. mutans from children in central Argentina correlated with their caries experience and how these strains were genetically related to those of other countries.

Design

Dental examinations were performed on 59 children; dmft and DMFT indexes were calculated. From stimulated saliva, S. mutans was grown and counted (CFU/mL). From bacterial DNA, the gtf‐B gene was amplified and sequenced. Alleles were identified and their genealogical relationships established. Clinical, microbiological, and genetic variables were correlated with caries experience. Our sequences were included in a matrix with those from 16 countries (n = 358); genealogical relationships among alleles were obtained. Population genetic analyses were performed for countries with >20 sequences.

Results

The mean dmft + DMFT was 6.45. Twenty‐two gtf‐B alleles were identified here, which showed low genetic differentiation in the network. Caries experience was correlated with CFU/mL, but not with allele variation. Low differentiation was found among the 70 alleles recovered from the 358 sequences and among the countries analyzed.

Conclusion

In this study, caries experience in children was correlated with the number of CFU/mL of S. mutans but not with the gtf‐B gene variability. Combined genetic analyses of worldwide strains support the theory that this bacterium experienced population expansions, probably associated with agriculture development and/or food industrialization.
Local green finance policies and corporate ESG performance
Authors: Xue Qihang , Wang Huimin , Bai Caiquan
Published: May 2023

Based on China's government‐business relations theory, we use difference‐in‐differences and causal forest to find that local green finance policies can significantly enhance corporate ESG performance especially for nonstate‐owned companies, companies with high levels of executive social capital, non‐heavily polluting companies, and companies in developed regions. We also find that the corporate financing constraint mitigation effect and the regional environmental regulation effect of local green finance policies are important mechanisms for promoting corporate ESG performance. Additionally, local green finance policies can strengthen the positive role of corporate ESG performance in enhancing corporate value, which is conducive to corporate sustainability.