bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empowering Moroccan University Students Through Extracurricular Involvement in Collegiate Clubs: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Belamghari Mohamed
Published: September 2024

Extracurricular clubs stand out as transformative and accommodating hubs in the academic experience of university students, thereby offering opportunities for personal growth, community building, and effective academic engagement. This research investigates the profound influence of academic club participation on Moroccan university students, with a specific focus on experiences within clubs such as the Bookworms and Public Speaking Clubs at Ibn Zohr University. Employing a qualitative longitudinal approach, including qualitative case studies and longitudinal analysis, the research reveals three main themes: empowerment through inclusivity, increased academic engagement and excellence, and a sense of agency and achievement. Findings indicate that club participation fosters a sense of belonging, enhances academic motivation, and develops essential soft skills, leadership orientations and community engagement. The study calls for institutional support and integration of clubs into the curriculum to promote educational research and practice within Moroccan universities.
Mapping the Conceptual and Intellectual Structure of the Investor’s Financial Behaviour: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Ansari Zeenat Jamal , Gupta Seema , Bhatia Meena
Published: September 2024

Examining the diverse roles played by various kinds of investors in the stock market is crucial, because of their differing behaviours while making investment decisions. This study reviewed the academic literature on investor behaviour to acquire insights into the current status, developments and significant gaps with the help of bibliometric analysis. The research methodology involved selecting articles from the Scopus database and conducting performance analysis using VOSviewer software for science mapping. The study retrieved 313 research articles using the PRISMA protocol. It identified influential articles, journals, authors and five major themes (inefficiency and bubbles in the stock market, technological advancement in the financial market, behavioural aspect in investment decisions, prospect theory and cognitive bias and stock trading behaviour), adding to the body of knowledge on investor behaviour. The findings also revealed that there has been a consistent rise in research in this area. In addition, scientific mapping techniques, such as bibliographic coupling, showed that the majority of the literature is focused on the connection between asset price models, behavioural biases, investor sentiment and portfolio choices. Finally, the research directions identified in this study could serve as a guide for future research.
Pioneer of Artificial Intelligence and Trailblazer in Decision-Making
Authors: Sethi Suresh P.
Published: September 2024

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the world we know. Suresh Sethi describes the fascinating career of Herbert A. Simon, a father of artificial intelligence, renaissance man, and true polymath who made pioneering contributions to fields ranging from economics to psychology and from management to the philosophy of science.
Countercyclical Marketing During Recessions
Authors: Kumar Nirmalya
Published: September 2024

Nirmalya Kumar argues that during recessions, firms should fight against their instinct to reduce marketing budgets. Instead, a large body of academic research demonstrates that firms investing in countercyclical marketing perform better both during and immediately after an economic downturn.
Universities as knowledge incubators: Possibilities for novelty
Authors: Valsiner Jaan
Published: September 2024

The current Special Issue is dedicated to possibilities of maintaining and enhancing of new knowledge production function of universities, with a focus on the social sciences. It starts from the assumption that our contemporary university administration systems have become inflexible due to their bureaucratic overgrowth of regulations of university studies. From that follows the need to create new conditions to knowledge incubators—groups of researchers united with goals of innovation in a given field. The different contributions cover the relevance for knowledge incubation improved funding possibilities, new technologies (AI), and general intellectual atmosphere in universities. This atmosphere is generated through a set of local social norm systems about inclusion <> exclusion of participants in different places on university territories, the demand structures of assignments, plagiarism tests, and organization of examinations. All these super-curricular structures enhance the fixed knowledge transfer functions of higher education in contrast to new knowledge incubation. The latter is particularly important in the social sciences since new ways of understanding human beings within societies are needed. Contributions to this Section also outline the socio-political constraints upon knowledge incubation. Paradoxically it can be the application for and success in gaining research funding that can curtail innovation in ideas in the social sciences.
Rural greenways for urban environmental demands: Environmentalised urbanisation in the Pearl River Delta
Authors: Chung Calvin King Lam , Dai Jingya
Published: September 2024

China’s environmental turn is diversifying the country’s urbanisation trajectories. Previously abstracted and exploited as a vast land reserve for urban expansion, the countryside of China now captures the imagination of a growing crowd of green-loving urbanites with its ecological and cultural resources, propelling a new, environmentalised form of urbanisation. In the Pearl River Delta, the development of rural greenways has driven this urbanisation, in which rural lives and landscapes have evolved in response to their encounters with urban users of the greenways. Based on the late John Friedmann’s multidimensional understanding of China’s urbanisation, this paper unpacks four aspects of changes brought about by greenway-driven urbanisation in the Pearl River Delta’s countryside since the 2010s, namely, economic diversification, institutional adaptation, physical reconfiguration, and sociocultural transformation. These changes underscore the need for research on China’s urban-rural relations to pay more attention to the growing centrality of the environment in the politics and practices of urbanisation.
Recombination fraction in pre-recombinant inbred lines (PRERIL) - revisiting a century old problem in genetics
Authors: Xu Shizhong , Osorio y Fortéa José
Published: September 2024

Background

Traditional recombinant inbred lines (RILs) are generated from repeated self-fertilization or brother-sister mating from the F1 hybrid of two inbred parents. Compared with the F2 population, RILs cumulate more crossovers between loci and thus increase the number of recombinants, resulting in an increased resolution of genetic mapping. Since they are inbred to the isogenic stage, another consequence of the heterozygosity reduction is the increased genetic variance and thus the increased power of QTL detection. Self-fertilization is the primary form of developing RILs in plants. Brother-sister mating is another way to develop RILs but in small laboratory animals. To ensure that the RILs have at least 98% of homozygosity, we need about seven generations of self-fertilization or 20 generations of brother-sister mating. Prior to homozygosity, these lines are called pre-recombinant inbred lines (PRERIL). Phenotypic values of traits in PRERILs are often collected but not used in QTL mapping. To perform QTL mapping in PRERILs, we need the recombination fraction between two markers at generation t for t < 7 (selfing) or t < 20 (brother-sister mating) so that the genotypes of QTL flanked by the markers can be inferred.

Results

In this study, we developed formulas to calculate the recombination fractions of PRERILs at generation t in self-fertilization, brother-sister mating, and random mating. In contrast to existing works in this topic, we used computer code to construct the transition matrix to form the Markov chain of genotype array between consecutive generations, the so-called recurrent equations.

Conclusions

We provide R functions to calculate the recombination fraction using the newly developed recurrent equations of ordered genotype array. With the recurrent equations and the R code, users can perform QTL mapping in PRERILs. Substantial time and effort can be saved compared with QTL mapping in RILs.
Quality and safety in prehospital airway management – retrospective analysis of 18,000 cases from an air rescue database in Germany
Authors: Lorenzen Ulf , Marung Hartwig , Eimer Christine , Köser Andrea , Seewald Stephan , Rudolph Marcus , Reifferscheid Florian
Published: September 2024

Background

Prehospital airway management remains crucial with regard to the quality and safety of emergency medical service (EMS) systems worldwide. In 2007, the benchmark study by Timmermann et al. hit the German EMS community hard by revealing a significant rate of undetected oesophageal intubations leading to an often-fatal outcome. Since then, much attention has been given to guideline development and training. This study evaluated the incidence and special circumstances of tube misplacement as an adverse peri-intubation event from a Helicopter Emergency Medical Services perspective.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of a German helicopter-based EMS database from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2020. All registered patients were included in the primary analysis. The results were analysed using SPSS 27.0.1.0.

Results

Out of 227,459 emergency medical responses overall, a total of 18,087 (8.0%) involved invasive airway management. In 8141 (45.0%) of these patients, airway management devices were used by ground-based EMS staff, with an intubation rate of 96.6% (n = 7861), and alternative airways were used in 3.2% (n = 285). Overall, the rate of endotracheal intubation success was 94.7%, while adverse events in the form of tube misplacement were present in 5.3%, with a 1.2% rate of undetected oesophageal intubation. Overall tube misplacement and undetected oesophageal intubation occurred more often after intubation was carried out by paramedics (10.4% and 3.6%, respectively). In view of special circumstances, those errors occurred more often in the presence of trauma or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, with rates of 5.6% and 6.4%, respectively. Difficult airways with a Cormack 4 status were present in 2.1% (n = 213) of HEMS patients, accompanied by three or more intubation attempts in 5.2% (n = 11).

Conclusions

Prehospital airway management success has improved significantly in recent years. However, adverse peri-intubation events such as undetected oesophageal intubation remain a persistent threat to patient safety.

Trial registration

The study was registered in the German Register for Clinical Studies (number DRKS00028068).
Perceptions of adults with type 1 diabetes toward diabetes-specific quality of life measures: a survey-based qualitative exploration
Authors: Holmes-Truscott Elizabeth , Schipp Jasmine , Cooke Debbie D. , Hendrieckx Christel , Coates Elizabeth J. , Heller Simon R. , Speight Jane
Published: September 2024

Background

Diabetes-specific quality of life (QoL) questionnaires are commonly used to assess the impact of diabetes and its management on an individual’s quality of life. While several valid and reliable measures of diabetes-specific QoL exist, there is no consensus on which to use and in what setting. Furthermore, there is limited evidence of their acceptability to people with diabetes. Our aim was to explore perceptions of adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) toward five diabetes-specific QoL measures.

Methods

Adults (aged 18 + years) with T1D living in Australia or the United Kingdom (UK) were eligible to take part in ‘YourSAY: QoL’, an online cross-sectional survey. Recruitment involved study promotion on diabetes-related websites and social media, as well as direct invitation of people with T1D via a hospital client list (UK only). In random order, participants completed five diabetes-specific QoL measures: Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQoL-19); Diabetes Care Profile: Social and Personal Factors subscale (DCP); DAWN Impact of Diabetes Profile (DIDP); Diabetes-Specific Quality of Life Scale: Burden Subscale (DSQoLS); Diabetes Quality of Life Questionnaire (Diabetes QOL-Q). They were invited to provide feedback on each questionnaire in the form of a brief free-text response. Responses were analysed using inductive, thematic template analysis.

Results

Of the N = 1,946 adults with T1D who completed the survey, 20% (UK: n = 216, Australia: n = 168) provided qualitative responses about ≥ 1 measure. All measures received both positive and negative feedback, across four themes: (1) clarity and ease of completion, e.g., difficulty isolating impact of diabetes, dislike of hypothetical questions, and preference for ‘not applicable’ response options; (2) relevance and comprehensiveness, e.g., inclusion of a wide range of aspects of life to improve personal relevance; (3) length and repetition, e.g., length to be balanced against respondent burden; (4) framing and tone, e.g., preference for respectful language and avoidance of extremes.

Conclusions

These findings suggest opportunities to improve the relevance and acceptability of existing diabetes-specific QoL measures, and offer considerations for developing new measures, which need to be better informed by the preferences of people living with diabetes.
Genetic markers of late radiation toxicity in the era of image-guided radiotherapy: lower toxicity rates reduce the predictive value of γ-H2AX foci decay ratio in patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy
Authors: Nuijens Anna C. , Oei Arlene L. , Koster Lisa , Hoebe Ron A. , Franken Nicolaas A.P. , Rasch Coen R.N. , Stalpers Lukas J.A.
Published: September 2024

Background

A predictive assay for late radiation toxicity would allow more personalized treatment planning, reducing the burden of toxicity for the more sensitive minority, and improving the therapeutic index for the majority. In a previous study in prostate cancer patients, the γ-H2AX foci decay ratio (γ-FDR) was the strongest predictor of late radiation toxicity. The current study aimed to validate this finding in a more varied group of patients with pelvic cancer. Additionally, the potential correlation between the γ-FDR and patient-reported outcomes was investigated.

Methods

Prostate and gynecological cancer patients with ≥ 24 months of follow-up were included in the current analysis. Toxicity was evaluated by physician (CTCAE version 4) and patient (EORTC questionnaires). γ-FDRs were determined in ex vivo irradiated lymphocytes. Correlation between γ-FDR and toxicity was assessed using both linear and logistic regression analyses. The highest toxicity grade recorded during follow-up was used. The association between global quality of life and γ-FDR was tested by comparing the change in quality of life over time in patients with γ-FDR < or ≥ 3.41, a previously established threshold.

Results

Eighty-eight patients were included. Physician-assessed and patient-reported cumulative grade ≥ 2 toxicity was 25% and 29%, respectively; which is much lower than in the previous cohort (i.e., 51% CTCAE grade ≥ 2). Patients with toxicity exhibited less favorable dose-volume parameters. In men, these parameters showed significant improvement compared to the previous cohort. The proportion of patients with a low γ-FDR increased with severity of toxicity, but this trend was not statistically significant. In addition, a γ-FDR < 3.41 was not correlated with the development of moderate to severe toxicity. Post-treatment decline in global quality of life was minimal, and similar for patients with γ-FDR < or ≥ 3.41.

Conclusions

In the present study, the γ-H2AX foci decay ratio could not be validated as a predictor of late radiation toxicity in patients with pelvic cancer. Improved radiotherapy techniques with smaller irradiated bladder and bowel volumes have probably resulted in less toxicities. Future studies on genetic markers of toxicity should be powered on these lower incidences. We further recommend taking persistency, next to severity, into consideration.
Environmental bacterial load during surgical and ultrasound procedures in a Swedish small animal hospital
Authors: Alsing-Johansson Todd , Bergström Karin , Sternberg-Lewerin Susanna , Bergh Anna , Östlund Emma , Penell Johanna
Published: September 2024

Background

Environmental bacteria in animal healthcare facilities may constitute a risk for healthcare-associated infections (HAI). Knowledge of the bacterial microflora composition and factors influencing the environmental bacterial load can support tailored interventions to lower the risk for HAI. The aims of this study were to: (1) quantify and identify environmental bacteria in one operating room (OR) and one ultrasound room (UR) in a small animal hospital, (2) compare the bacterial load to threshold values suggested for use in human healthcare facilities, (3) characterise the genetic relationship between selected bacterial species to assess clonal dissemination, and (4) investigate factors associated with bacterial load during surgery.

Settle plates were used for passive air sampling and dip slides for surface sampling. Bacteria were identified by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption—Time Of Flight. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by broth microdilution. Single nucleotide polymorphism-analysis was performed to identify genetically related isolates. Linear regression was performed to analyse associations between observed explanatory factors and bacterial load.

Results

The bacterial load on settle plates and dip slides were low both in the OR and the UR, most of the samples were below threshold values suggested for use in human healthcare facilities. All settle plates sampled during surgery were below the threshold values suggested for use in human clean surgical procedures.

Staphylococcus spp. and Micrococcus spp. were the dominating species. There was no indication of clonal relationship among the sequenced isolates. Bacteria carrying genes conveying resistance to disinfectants were revealed.

Air change and compliance with hygiene routines were sufficient in the OR. No other factors possibly associated with the bacterial load were identified.

Conclusions

This study presents a generally low bacterial load in the studied OR and UR, indicating a low risk of transmission of infectious agents from the clinical environment. The results show that it is possible to achieve bacterial loads below threshold values suggested for use in human healthcare facilities in ORs in small animal hospitals and thus posing a reduced risk of HAI. Bacteria carrying genes conveying resistance to disinfectants indicates that resistant bacteria can persist in the clinical environment, with increased risk for HAI.
Absence of ATG9A and synaptophysin demixing on Rab5 mutation-induced giant endosomes
Authors: Choi Jiyoung , Wu Yumei , Park Daehun
Published: September 2024

ATG9A is the only integral membrane protein among core autophagy-related (ATG) proteins. We previously found that ATG9A does not co-assemble into synaptophysin-positive vesicles, but rather, localizes to a distinct pool of vesicles within synapsin condensates in both fibroblasts and nerve terminals. The endocytic origin of these vesicles further suggests the existence of different intracellular sorting or segregation mechanisms for ATG9A and synaptophysin in cells. However, the precise underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. In this follow-up study, we investigated the endosomal localization of these two proteins by exploiting the advantages of a Rab5 mutant that induces the formation of enlarged endosomes. Notably, ATG9A and synaptophysin intermix perfectly and do not segregate on giant endosomes, indicating that the separation of these two proteins is not solely caused by the inherent properties of the proteins, but possibly by other unknown factors.
Enhancing the Flexural Capacity of Deteriorated Low-Strength Prestressed Concrete Beam Using Near-Surface Mounted Post-Tensioned Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Bar
Authors: Cho Sanghyeon , Chung Wonseok , Jung Woo-tai , Park Jong-sup , Lee Heeyoung
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to address the critical issue of age deterioration in prestressed concrete (PSC) structures by investigating the strengthening of aged PSC structures using a near-surface mounted (NSM) post-tensioned carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). A total of nine PSC beams, each with a length of 6.5 m, were fabricated for a four-point bending test. Various experimental parameters were taken into account, including the strengthening method, compressive strength of concrete in the PSC beam, and the prestressing force of the PSC beam. The results indicated that the NSM post-tensioned CFRP strengthening system proved more efficient when compared to the NSM non-post-tensioned CFRP strengthening system. The flexural capacity of the NSM post-tensioned CFRP strengthening system, under the deteriorated low-strength PSC beam, increased by up to 30.9% compared to the PSC reference beam. Additionally, the experimental results were compared to a finite-element analysis, and a parametric study was conducted to examine the material properties of the PSC beam. Consequently, the NSM post-tensioned CFRP strengthening system is expected to be an effective solution for addressing the issue of deteriorated low-strength PSC structures.
Methionine deficiency inhibited pyroptosis in primary hepatocytes of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella): possibly via activating the ROS-AMPK-autophagy axis
Authors: He Yuanlin , Wu Pei , Jiang Weidan , Liu Yang , Jin Xiaowan , Ren Hongmei , Zhang Ruinan , Zhou Xiaoqiu , Feng Lin
Published: September 2024

Background

Methionine (Met) is the only sulfur-containing amino acid among animal essential amino acids, and methionine deficiency (MD) causes tissue damage and cell death in animals. The common modes of cell death include apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, necroptosis. However, the studies about the major modes of cell death caused by MD have not been reported, which worth further study.

Methods

Primary hepatocytes from grass carp were isolated and treated with different doses of Met (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 mmol/L) to examine the expression of apoptosis, pyroptosis, autophagy and necroptosis-related proteins. Based on this, we subsequently modeled pyroptosis using lipopolysaccharides and nigericin sodium salt, then autophagy inhibitors chloroquine (CQ), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitors compound C (CC) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) were further used to examine the expression of proteins related to pyroptosis, autophagy and AMPK pathway in MD-treated cells respectively.

Results

MD up-regulated B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bax), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 II (LC3 II), and down-regulated the protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), sequestosome 1 (p62), cleaved-caspase-1, cleaved-interleukin (IL)-1β, and receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIP) 1 in hepatocytes, while it did not significantly affect RIP3. In addition, MD significantly increased the protein expression of liver kinase B1 (LKB1), p-AMPK, and Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) without significant effect on p-target of rapamycin. Subsequently, the use of CQ increased the protein expression of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3), cleaved-caspase-1, and cleaved-IL-1β inhibited by MD; the use of CC significantly decreased the protein expression of MD-induced LC3 II and increased the protein expression of MD-suppressed p62; then the use of NAC decreased the MD-induced p-AMPK protein expression.

Conclusion

MD promoted autophagy and apoptosis, but inhibited pyroptosis and necroptosis. MD inhibited pyroptosis may be related regarding the promotion of autophagy. MD activated AMPK by inducing ROS production which in turn promoted autophagy. These results could provide partial theoretical basis for the possible mechanisms of Met in ensuring the normal structure and function of animal organs. Furthermore, ferroptosis is closely related to redox states, it is worth investigating whether MD affects ferroptosis in hepatocytes.
Ubiquitin modification in the regulation of tumor immunotherapy resistance mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets
Authors: Hong Zihang , Liu Furong , Zhang Zhanguo
Published: September 2024

Although immune checkpoint-based cancer immunotherapy has shown significant efficacy in various cancers, resistance still limits its therapeutic effects. Ubiquitination modification is a mechanism that adds different types of ubiquitin chains to proteins, mediating protein degradation or altering their function, thereby affecting cellular signal transduction. Increasing evidence suggests that ubiquitination modification plays a crucial role in regulating the mechanisms of resistance to cancer immunotherapy. Drugs targeting ubiquitination modification pathways have been shown to inhibit tumor progression or enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. This review elaborates on the mechanisms by which tumor cells, immune cells, and the tumor microenvironment mediate resistance to cancer immunotherapy and the details of how ubiquitination modification regulates these mechanisms, providing a foundation for enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy by intervening in ubiquitination modification.
Predicting of hepatic steatosis in living liver donor via CT liver attenuation index (LAI) and fibroscan controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) correlation with biopsy result
Authors: Mahfouz Somaia Mohammed Ali , Mohamed Fatma Salah eldin , Chalabi Nivine Abdel Moneium , Abdel-Rahman Hazem Ibrahim
Published: September 2024

Background

The most prevalent persistent parenchymatous liver alterations in healthy individuals are thought to be hepatic steatosis. The liver biopsy is the most crucial procedure for the identification and measurement of hepatic steatosis. By identifying the liver attenuation index (LAI) at CT image with fibroscan controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), hepatic steatosis can be evaluated without the risk of liver resection.

Objective

Using liver biopsy histological analysis as a reference standard, to examine the precision of the CT liver attenuation index (LAI) and fibroscan controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) for quantitative evaluation of macrovesicular steatosis in living related liver donors.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, comparing the CT liver attenuation index & fibroscan controlled attenuation parameter with liver biopsy result for the detection of the steatosis in subject's candidate for liver living donors, 50 subjects were conducted at Ain Shams Specialized Hospital and other private hospitals over about 2 years.

Results

Our study reported that liver attenuation index of 9 is the cutoff value in post-contrast CT images with sensitivity 100% and specificity 80% that make it a very good method to exclude donor to have steatosis ≥ 15%, which mean that if donor had LAI index < 9, we can safely do proceed do liver biopsy. Our study reported that CAP measurement had an AUROC OF 0.780, for detecting steatosis ≥ 15%, with sensitivity is only 60% with specificity as CT LAI of 80%, our results consider low compared to other studies, that could be due to small number of donors in our study with steatosis ≥ 15% (five cases from 50 donors) unlike the other studies.

Conclusion

When used to estimate the amount of liver fat in liver donors, the examined CAP and CT indices worked equally. But according to multivariate analysis, the only factor strongly linked with hepatic steatosis in a living donors was the CT LAI index. We contend that the combination of CT LS attenuation index and CAP allows for the detection of the degree of hepatic steatosis and can be used as an option to liver biopsy, reserving liver biopsy for those with positive steatosis donors.
Genomic insights into cpb2-positive Clostridium perfringens and the potential biological function of cpb2 gene
Authors: Wu Ke , Yuan Yuan , Fang Mingjin , Liu Yiwen , Yang Danjiao , Zhang Likun , Tian Xin , Dou Leina , Ye Dongyang , Fox Edward M. , Wang Juan , Yang Zengqi
Published: September 2024

Clostridium perfringens, capable of causing intestinal infections in both animals and humans, represents a significant public health concern. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of the beta2 toxin-coding gene cpb2 in C. perfringens from various host species and to explore the genetic contexts of this gene. The results showed an enrichment of cpb2 in pig-derived C. perfringens. A comparative analysis of the detection rates of cpb2 and pCP13-like plasmids revealed that the cpb2 gene itself, rather than the pCP13-like plasmids, caused the enrichment. Sequence comparison of cpb2-positive pCP13-like plasmids showed that cpb2 was located on the cpb2-hp-transcriptional regulator (PadR family) segment. Despite the diverse plasmid structures of pCP13-like plasmids, the cpb2-hp-transcriptional regulator (PadR family) segment was consistently observed in all cpb2-positive C. perfringens strains, suggesting the potential transmission of the cpb2 gene on this specific genetic segment. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis of the C. perfringens strains harboring pCP13-like plasmids, as well as 31 pCP13-like plasmids, indicated that cpb2 did not affect the evolutionary relationship of either pCP13-like plasmids or C. perfringens. Genetic markers, particularly those located on mobile genetic elements (MGEs), that can help bacteria survive in external environments are more readily enriched in the population. The high prevalence of cpb2 in pig-derived strains indicated that it might confer a selective advantage, enhancing the survival and persistence of C. perfringens in the pig intestine. In conclusion, our study elucidated the genetic context, host tropism and potential biological functions of cpb2, which can provide references for further research.
All psychiatric disorders are equal, but some are more equal than others! An unconscious bias that calls for precision terminology
Authors: Arjmand Shokouh , Guldager Matti Bock , Wegener Gregers
Published: September 2024

We address the unconsciously biased perception of psychiatric disorders, highlighting a hierarchical perspective that favours certain diagnoses over others. We aim to uncover reasons for these inequities, emphasising the need for a shift toward pathophysiology-based nomenclature that can promote equal support for each disorder, enhance treatment adherence and encourage open discussions.
Aharonov-Bohm effect mediated by massive photons
Authors: Kang Kicheon
Published: September 2024

Virtual photons play an essential role in the locally realistic description of the Aharonov-Bohm interference. We show that the effect of virtual photons in the interferometer is manifested by a change in their spectrum. In particular, when a vacuum is confined between two ideal conducting plates, the photons obey the two-dimensional Proca equation, the wave equation with finite effective mass. This results in a short-range interaction between a test charge and a magnetic flux, and hence the Aharonov-Bohm effect is reduced exponentially at a large distance between the two bodies. On the other hand, a semiclassical description is also possible, and this raises the interesting question of how to prove the physical reality of virtual photons.
Canal de tomada de riscos da política monetária
Authors: Vieira Passos Felipe , Carrasco-Gutierrez Carlos Enrique , Amorim Loureiro Paulo Roberto
Published: September 2024

Este estudo investiga o impacto da transmissão monetária por meio do novo canal de tomada de risco, que possui o potencial de desencadear crises financeiras. Utilizamos os modelos ARDL e VEC com dados brasileiros no período de 2003 a 2021. Os resultados indicam uma relação negativa e significativa entre as taxas de juros de política monetária e o risco bancário, principalmente a longo prazo. Isso sugere a natureza pró-cíclica das instituições financeiras em resposta à política monetária: em cenários de aumento (ou diminuição) das taxas de juros e crises econômicas, as instituições financeiras se tornam mais avessas (ou propensas) ao risco. Também observamos a heterogeneidade do risco em relação às condições do mercado de ações, contas públicas, incertezas e taxa de câmbio.
Portfolio resampling in the Brazilian stock market
Authors: Barbosa Oliveira André , Trucíos Carlos , L. Valls Pereira Pedro
Published: September 2024

Markowitz optimization plays a crucial role in modern portfolio theory. However, it is well known that Markowitz optimization is highly affected by estimation errors in the mean vector and covariance matrix, resulting in extreme and/or unrealistic portfolio weights, lack of diversification, and poor out-of-sample performance. In response to these challenges, Michaud and Michaud (1998) proposed a heuristic portfolio resampling approach aimed to deliver more diversified and better out-of-sample portfolio performance. This approach has received both criticism and praise among academics and practitioners, with the main critique being the unclear economic benefits of applying this method to empirical data. To contribute to this ongoing debate, our study assess the performance of the Michaud and Michaud (1998) portfolio resampling approach using data from the Brazilian stock market. Additionally, we evaluate whether a resampling approach based on factor structure can yield superior out-of-sample performance. Our findings indicate no evidence of superiority over Markowitz optimization, reinforcing criticisms of the portfolio resampling approach.
Effects of oil shocks on markets in G7 countries
Authors: Phillipe de Albuquerquemello Vinícius , Eduardo Alves da Silva Marcelo , Medeiros Rennan Kertlly
Published: September 2024

This paper aims to assess the effects of oil price shocks on the stock markets of the G7 countries. We develop an oil sentiment indicator that measures the volatility of oil prices. We analyze oil shocks on the stock market of the G7 countries, using a structural VAR and Local Projection approach. Our results suggest that oil shocks explain 8% of the US stock market, 10% in Germany, and 7% in the UK. These results point out the possibility of using this sentiment variable for forecasting the stock market’s volatility.
Η ιδιαιτερότητα της σχολικής κουλτούρας στην Ελλάδα: θεωρητική προσέγγιση και ερευνητική στοιχειοθέτηση
Authors: Λαλιώτη Ευθυμία , Κουτούζης Μανώλης
Published: September 2024

Στο πλαίσιο της ερευνητικής προσπάθειας για χαρτογράφηση της κουλτούρας του Δημόσιου Σχολείου στην Ελλάδα, αναζητήθηκαν στοιχεία σχολικής κουλτούρας που άπτονται αφενός της λειτουργίας του ελληνικού κοινωνικού και εκπαιδευτικού συστήματος (κοινά στα δημόσια σχολεία: πρόσληψη γραφειοκρατικής οργάνωσης του ελληνικού δημόσιου σχολείου και της ελληνικής εκπαίδευσης, απόψεις για το σχολείο, την εκπαίδευση και τον εκπαιδευτικό), αφετέρου της ιδιοσυστασίας κάθε σχολικής μονάδας και της σχετικά αυτόνομης δράσης της (ιδιοσυστασιακά/διακριτικά της καθεμιάς: ιδιογραφικά χαρακτηριστικά της σχολικής μονάδας, αποκλίσεις στην αντιμετώπιση του ανθρώπινου παράγοντα, στην αξιοποίηση των ευκαιριών και στην εσωτερική στοχοθεσία). Αποκαλύφθηκε η μίξη κοινών και ιδιοσυστασιακών στοιχείων, ο μοναδικός συνδυασμός των οποίων προσδίδει την ιδιαιτερότητα της σύνθεσης κάθε σχολικής κουλτούρας. Μάλιστα ο βαθμός παρουσίας των στοιχείων αυτών σε καθέναν από τους δύο προσανατολισμούς κουλτούρας που αναδείχτηκαν (μέσω ποσοτικής διερεύνησης της δυνατότητας για τυπολογική κατάταξη της σχολικής κουλτούρας στην Ελλάδα) διαφέρει: τα ιδιοσυστασιακά στοιχεία υπερτερούν των κοινών στον επικρατέστερο προσανατολισμό της ανθρωποκεντρικής-ανοιχτής-συνεργατικής κουλτούρας με εντονότερη την ενεργητικότητα, ενώ τα κοινά στοιχεία υπερτερούν των ιδιοσυστασιακών στον σπανιότερο προσανατολισμό της γραφειοκρατικής-κλειστής κουλτούρας, με εμφανέστερη την υποτονικότητα. Η ποιοτική διερεύνηση του θέματος στηρίχτηκε στη Μελέτη μεμονωμένων Περιπτώσεων 12 σχολικών μονάδων (ειδικό δείγμα της έρευνας), μέσω συγκριτικής και συνδυαστικής θεώρησης ανά σχολική μονάδα δεδομένων ποσοτικοποιημένων (από το Ερωτηματολόγιο του γενικού δείγματος) και ποιοτικών (από τις ατομικές και ομαδικές Συνεντεύξεις εκπαιδευτικών: Διευθυντών/-ντριών και Διδασκόντων/-ουσών).
Εισαγωγή
Authors: Μιχαλέλλη Μαρία , Παπαχρήστου Μαρία
Published: September 2024

Εισαγωγή στη θεματική του δεύτερου τεύχους του ακαδημαϊκού επιστημονικού περιοδικού Mos Historicus: Κριτική επιθεώρηση της ευρωπαϊκής ιστορίας.
Refined home-brew media for cost-effective, weekend-free hiPSC culture and genetic engineering
Authors: Truszkowski Lukasz , Bottini Sveva , Bianchi Sara , Bell Helen , Becca Silvia , Savorè Giulia , Snijders Kirsten E , Sozza Federica , Rubinetto Cristina , Ferrara Luana , Balmas Elisa , Elton Catherine , Bertero Alessandro
Published: September 2024

Background Cost-effective, practical, and reproducible culture of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) is required for both basic and translational research. This is especially crucial for large-scale expansion of hiPSCs for cell therapy, which should be made accessible to many patients regardless of their socioeconomic background. Basal 8 (B8) has emerged as a cost-effective solution for weekend-free and chemically-defined hiPSC culture. However, homebrewing of some recombinant growth factors for B8 can be a bottleneck towards both access and reproducibility of this technology. Moreover, we found the published B8 formulation to be suboptimal in normoxic hiPSC culture, which is widely used. Lastly, the suitability of B8 for applications such as genome editing or organoid differentiation remains to be assessed. Methods We formulated B8 with commercially available, animal-free growth factors, refined its composition to support normoxic culture of the widely-used WTC11 hiPSC line, and compared it to commercial Essential 8 (E8) and a home-made, weekend-free E8 formulation (hE8). We measured pluripotency marker expression and cell cycle with flow cytometry, and investigated the transcriptional profiles by bulk RNA sequencing. We also assessed the efficiency of gene editing, single-cell sorting, and cardiac differentiation in both monolayer and organoids. Results hE8 performed similarly to commercial E8 in all the assays. Despite morphological changes, cells in B8+, our optimised variant of B8, expressed the pluripotency marker NANOG at the highest level. At the same time, cells grown in B8+ were primed towards a mesendodermal fate. B8+ outperformed other media with regard to genome editing via homology directed recombination, and was on par with other media in other assays. Conclusions Overall, optimised weekend-free media formulations promise to democratise the generation of engineered cells for a wide range of applications.
Addressing Artificial Intelligence Anxiety in Higher Education with Positive Framing
Authors: Basgier Christopher
Published: September 2024

This article illustrates how Appreciative Inquiry can respond to crisis narratives about the future of higher education in the age of generative AI. The first centers on the use of positive framing in discussions of the value of human tutors in an AI world. The second describes the Simultaneity principle’s role in redirecting faculty’s attention to core intellectual values in AI-focused faculty development programs.
Five years with the GDPR: an empirical study emphasising information privacy and the consumer
Authors: Presthus Wanda , Sørum Hanne
Published: September 2024

Consumers’ privacy rights have been enshrined in law, long before information systems and the Internet was brought to life. In 2018, stricter regulations relating to information privacy came into force, named the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Using elements of Roger’s diffusion of innovations theory, we investigated the research question: How has five years of the GDPR influenced consumer’s knowledge, attitude, and practice of their enhanced rights? We draw on empirical data collected in Norway through four online survey questionnaires over five years (N=1293). Quantitative (descriptive statistics) and qualitative analyses (manual cluster text mining) were performed to obtain a state-of-the-art mapping of insights on consumers and their information privacy. Our findings show that the respondents’ answers remained similar over the years, and that the GDPR has not had a significant influence on the consumer. The respondents demonstrated a high degree of knowledge regarding both the regulation and technology, such as cookies. Their attitude was sceptical, as they valued their enhanced rights but questioned the feasibility. Regarding their practice, our findings reveal diversity. Some respondents took careful actions to protect their privacy, while most did not. The present paper should be interesting to both the industry (practitioners) and academia (researchers).
Team delivery capability and agility: complementary effects on information systems development project outcomes
Authors: Xia Weidong , Rathor Shekhar , Batra Dinesh
Published: September 2024

Contemporary Information systems development (ISD) involves not only implementing a predefined set of requirements but also managing changes that emerge during the development process due to unanticipated business and technical needs. ISD project requirements increasingly become both planned and emergent. ISD teams need delivery capabilities to routinely execute what has been planned, and agile capabilities to sense and respond to changes that emerge during the development project. In other words, ISD teams must effectively manage their abilities to not only routinely deliver software applications that meet defined requirements but also sense and respond to changes emerging during the project. The extant literature has not studied the distinction and relationship between ISD team delivery capability and agility. This study empirically examines the differential effects of ISD team delivery capability and agility on ISD project outcomes. Survey data collected from professionals working on 160 software development projects were used to test the research model and hypotheses. The results suggest that ISD delivery capability positively affects agility, agility positively impacts change-response outcome, and agility mediates the relationship between delivery capability and change-response outcome.
Machine Learning for K-Adaptability in Two-Stage Robust Optimization
Authors: Julien Esther , Postek Krzysztof , Birbil Ş. İlker
Published: September 2024

Two-stage robust optimization problems constitute one of the hardest optimization problem classes. One of the solution approaches to this class of problems is K-adaptability. This approach simultaneously seeks the best partitioning of the uncertainty set of scenarios into K subsets and optimizes decisions corresponding to each of these subsets. In a general case, it is solved using the K-adaptability branch-and-bound algorithm, which requires exploration of exponentially growing solution trees. To accelerate finding high-quality solutions in such trees, we propose a machine learning-based node selection strategy. In particular, we construct a feature engineering scheme based on general two-stage robust optimization insights, which allows us to train our machine learning tool on a database of resolved branch-and-bound trees and to apply it as is to problems of different sizes and/or types. We experimentally show that using our learned node selection strategy outperforms a vanilla, random node selection strategy when tested on problems of the same type as the training problems as well as in cases when the K-value or the problem size differs from the training ones.

History: Accepted by Andrea Lodi, Area Editor for Design & Analysis of Algorithms—Discrete.

Funding: This work was supported by the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek [Grants OCENW.GROOT.2019.015 and VI.Veni.191E.035].

Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2022.0314 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2022.0314 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .
Digitalisasi Komoditas dan Hasil Olahan Kopi Desa Pesanggarahan, Kecamatan Batu, Kota Batu, Jawa Timur
Authors: Rahayu Lucky Putri , Muntini Melania Suweni , Indarto Bachtera , Arifin Zainal , Widianto Muhammad Yusuf Hakim , Al Kindhi Berlian , Priambodo Joko , Adhim Fauzi Imaduddin
Published: September 2024

Sejak 2015 hingga saat ini luas lahan pertanian kopi di Kota Batu bertambah, dimana pada tahun 2015 seluas 109 ha, tahun 2016 luas lahan menjadi 140,1 ha dan 2017 hingga 2018 seluas 150,9 ha. Sehingga, komoditi kopi saat ini memiliki nilai ekonomi tinggi dan berpeluang sangat besar dalam pemasaran. Dalam konteks ini, salah satu desa yang berpotensi dalam pengembangan produksi kopi ini adalah Desa Pesanggrahan. Dalam hal ini, pengabdian masyarakat dilakukan untuk mengembangkan aplikasi pemasaran berbasis website dan Android, yang ditujukan khusus untuk memasarkan produk kopi dan olahan berbahan dasar kopi. Aplikasi ini dirancang untuk memudahkan proses transaksi antara penjual dan pembeli dengan mengintegrasikan kegiatan promosi dan transaksi dalam satu platform yang dapat diakses oleh pengguna dengan tingkat akses yang berbeda. Tujuan utama dari aplikasi ini adalah untuk mempercepat proses transaksi serta memperluas jangkauan pemasaran produk kopi dan turunannya. Selain itu, aplikasi ini juga bertujuan untuk memperkenalkan produk-produk berbahan dasar kopi kepada masyarakat luas serta mengenalkan daerah-daerah penghasil kopi di Jawa Timur. Aplikasi ini telah dibuat dan dimanfaatkan oleh masyarakat Desa Pesanggrahan.
Aplikasi Integrated Smart Urban Farming Menggunakan Konservasi Hidroponik dan Budidaya Ikan Lele dalam Pemanfaatan Lahan Tidur di Kelurahan Gading, Surabaya
Authors: Putro Herdayanto Sulistyo , Imania Irfani Hidayatul , Salsabila Hana , Aulia Rafika Frida , Baraza Salma Zaura , Nafilah Chafsoh , Aryaputra Rafi Aditya , Wardani Sulistya Ningrum Ayu , Khodijah Khodijah , Nurfatin Euisya Maulida , Haromain Akhmad Imam , Prasetyo Bagus Dwi , Alamanda Gandhes , Sanjani Vanisya Dewimarta , Agustin Risqi Sintania , Wulandari Tri Ayu , Nusantara Araminta Widyanisa Sekar , Ariesta Cynthia Regina , Enrico Geraldo , Safitri Inneke Oktaviana , Suryanegara Jihan Ghina , Widyastuti Yanuardhani Putri , Hidayah Fiqi , Novananda Ella Dwiva , Inayah Aufa , Indriani Anisa Rara , Az-zahrah Balqis Amirah , Rachman Annisa , Najdah Evana Fausta , Gusman Imam Nur Rizky
Published: September 2024

Lahan terbatas di perkotaan menyulitkan budidaya ikan dan tanaman. Untuk itu perlu inovasi guna mendukung ketahanan pangan dan gizi masyarakat perkotaan. Sistem budidaya ikan dengan ember 60 L dapat menjadi solusi efektif untuk memenuhi kebutuhan protein hewani dan sayuran. Aquaponik mini dengan model vertiminaponik menggabungkan budidaya ikan dan tanaman, menawarkan keuntungan dibandingkan dengan metode tradisional. Riset menunjukkan tingkat kelangsungan hidup lele lebih tinggi dalam kolam aquaponik. Budidaya ikan di ember budikdamber menjadi solusi alternatif. Kelurahan Gading, Kota Surabaya, menghadapi tantangan dengan pengelolaan lahan greenhouse yang tidak optimal. Solusi untuk mengatasi hal ini adalah dengan mengembangkan usaha budidaya ikan air tawar seperti lele, dan sayuran seperti kangkung, bayam, caisim, pakcoy, dan lainnya. Usaha ini tidak hanya memberikan peluang ekonomis tambahan tetapi juga memenuhi kebutuhan gizi masyarakat dengan menyediakan sumber protein hewani dan sayuran yang berkualitas. Pengembangan usaha ini memiliki potensi terhadap kesejahteraan dan ketahanan pangan masyarakat Kelurahan Gading.