bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The endemic plant species of Ebo Forest, Littoral Region, Cameroon with a new Critically Endangered cloud forest shrub,Memecylon ebo(Melastomataceae-Olisbeoideae)
Authors: Stone Robert Douglas , Tchiengué Barthelemy , Cheek Martin
Published: December 2023

We emphasise the urgent need to conserve the Ebo forest (Littoral Region, Cameroon), which holds 10 strict endemic plant species and 15 near endemics for a total of 25, a very high number far exceeding the threshold for its recent status as an Important Plant Area (IPA). We describe a further strict endemic species from the Ebo Forest,Memecylon ebosp. nov. (Melastomataceae-Olisbeoideae) placed in sect.Afzelianadue to its ellipsoid blue-green fruits. The yellow petals and jade green anther-connectives ofM. eboare unique in the genusMemecylonas a whole, among its >400 species ranging overall from Africa to the western Pacific.Memecylon ebois assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) using the 2012 IUCN standard due to the small range size and the extremely high and ongoing threats of logging at Ebo, and also due to subsequent threats of potential oil palm plantation and mining projects. With the addition ofMemecylon ebo, the tally of Critically Endangered plant species recorded from Ebo forest is now the highest of any IPA in Cameroon, equalling that of, Ngovayang with 24 CR species.
Real-time measurements of ATP dynamics via ATeams inPlasmodium falciparumreveal drug-class-specific response patterns
Authors: Springer Eric , Heimsch Kim C. , Rahlfs Stefan , Becker Katja , Przyborski Jude M.
Published: December 2023

Malaria tropica, caused by the parasitePlasmodium falciparum(P. falciparum) remains one of the greatest public health burdens for humankind. Due to its pivotal role in parasite survival, the energy metabolism ofP. falciparumis an interesting target for drug design. To this end, analysis of the central metabolite ATP is of great interest. So far, only cell disruptive or intensiometric ATP assays have been available in this system, with various drawbacks for mechanistic interpretation, and partly inconsistent results. To address this, we have established fluorescent probes, based on FRET and known as ATeam, for use in blood stage parasites. ATeams are capable of measuring MgATP2-levels in a ratiometric manner, thereby facilitatingin cellulomeasurements of ATP dynamics in real-time using fluorescence microscopy and plate reader detection, and overcoming many of the obstacles of established ATP analysis methods. Additionally, we established a superfolder variant of the ratiometric pH sensor pHluorin (sfpHluorin) inP. falciparumto monitor pH homeostasis and control for pH fluctuations, which may affect ATeam measurements. We characterized recombinant ATeam and sfpHluorin proteinin vitroand stably integrated the sensors into the genome of theP. falciparumNF54attBcell line. Using these new tools, we found distinct sensor response patterns caused by several different drug classes. Arylamino alcohols increased and redox-cyclers decreased ATP, doxycycline caused first-cycle cytosol alkalization, and 4-aminoquinolines caused aberrant proteolysis. Our results open up a completely new perspective on drugs’ mode of action with possible implications for target identification and drug development.
Regulation of the transcription factor CdnL promotes adaptation to nutrient stress inCaulobacter
Authors: Smith Erika L. , Panis Gaël , Woldemeskel Selamawit Abi , Viollier Patrick H. , Chien Peter , Goley Erin D.
Published: December 2023

In response to nutrient deprivation, bacteria activate a conserved stress response pathway called the stringent response (SR). During SR activation inCaulobacter crescentus, SpoT synthesizes the secondary messengers (p)ppGpp, which affect transcription by binding RNA polymerase to downregulate anabolic genes. (p)ppGpp also impacts expression of anabolic genes by controlling the levels and activities of their transcriptional regulators. InCaulobacter, a major regulator of anabolic genes is the transcription factor CdnL. If and how CdnL is controlled during the SR and why that might be functionally important is unclear. Here, we show that CdnL is downregulated post-translationally during starvation in a manner dependent on SpoT and the ClpXP protease. Inappropriate stabilization of CdnL during starvation causes misregulation of ribosomal and metabolic genes. Functionally, we demonstrate that the combined action of SR transcriptional regulators and CdnL clearance allows for rapid adaptation to nutrient repletion. Moreover, cells that are unable to clear CdnL during starvation are outcompeted by wild-type cells when subjected to nutrient fluctuations. We hypothesize that clearance of CdnL during the SR, in conjunction with direct binding of (p)ppGpp and DksA to RNAP, is critical for altering the transcriptome in order to permit cell survival during nutrient stress.

SIGNIFICANCE

The stringent response (SR) is a ubiquitous bacterial stress response that promotes adaptation to nutrient deprivation. While it is known that SR activation affects RNA polymerase activity to reprogram the transcriptome, the impact of the SR on other transcriptional regulators is not well understood. Here, we show that a conserved transcription factor, CdnL, is cleared upon activation of the SR, and that its clearance is important for cells to efficiently adapt to nutrient fluctuations. Our results suggest that CdnL regulation enables adaptation by transcriptionally downregulating ribosome biosynthesis and flux through metabolic pathways, thereby promoting survival during nutrient stress. As CdnL homologs are broadly found, we hypothesize that CdnL regulation is a conserved mechanism of bacterial adaptation to stress.
Advancing Reef Monitoring Techniques through Exometabolomics: Quantification of Labile Dissolved Organic Metabolites on Coral Reefs
Authors: Garcia Brianna M. , Becker Cynthia C. , Weber Laura , Swarr Gretchen J. , Kido Soule Melissa C. , Apprill Amy , Kujawinski Elizabeth B.
Published: December 2023

Extracellular chemical cues constitute much of the language of life among marine organisms from microbes to mammals. These chemical cues shape foraging and feeding strategies, symbiotic interactions, selection of mates and habitats, and the transfer of energy and nutrients within and among ecosystems. Changes in the chemical pool flux within these ecosystems serve as invisible signals of overall ecosystem health and, conversely, disruption to this finely tuned equilibrium. In coral reef systems, the full scope and magnitude of the chemicals involved in maintaining reef equilibria are largely unknown. In particular, processes involving small, polar molecules, which form the majority components of labile dissolved organic carbon (DOC), are often poorly captured using traditional techniques and therefore remain unconstrained. In this study, we employed a recently developed chemical derivatization method and mass spectrometry-based targeted exometabolomics to capture and quantify polar dissolved phase metabolites on five coral reefs in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We detected and quantified 45 polar exometabolites, and further demonstrate their variability across the investigated geographic landscape and contextualize these findings in terms of geographic and benthic cover differences. By comparing our results to previously published coral reef exometabolomes that did not employ chemical derivatization, we show the novel quantification of 23 metabolites which were previously undetected in the coral reef exometabolome, including compounds involved in central carbon metabolism (e.g.,glutamate) and novel metabolites such as homoserine betaine. We highlight the immense potential of chemical derivatization-based exometabolomics for quantifying labile chemical cues on coral reefs and measuring molecular level responses to environmental stressors. Overall, improving our understanding of the composition and dynamics of reef exometabolites is vital for effective ecosystem monitoring and management strategies.

Synopsis

Minimal research exists on the polar exometabolites on coral reefs, an essential component of reef health and the majority component of labile DOC. This study reports 23 newly quantified polar metabolites on coral reefs and highlights significant differences in the exometabolome composition across geographically distinct reefs and bays.
The first chromosome-level annotated reference genome forChrosomus eos, the northern redbelly dace
Authors: Schultz Ben , Mandeville Elizabeth G.
Published: December 2023

Hybridization amongst teleost fish species is an ongoing phenomenon with unclear implications.Chrosomus eos, the northern redbelly dace, is a species with an especially complex and fascinating history of hybridization with the closely related speciesChrosomous neogaeus, the finescale dace. The two species historically hybridized during the last glacial maximum, forming a rare unisexual F1 hybrid lineage that utilizes gynogenetic reproduction. This hybridization event is currently thought to have only occurred during the glacial period, with subsequent dispersal of parents and hybrids into contemporary ranges during glacial recession and a cessation of further hybridization. All three maintain sympatric relationships, with limited evidence suggesting recent or contemporary hybridization between the parental species. To enable future research, a novel, high-quality, chromosome-level genome was produced through Dovetail Genomics and analyzed for completeness and the syntenic relationship between itself and the high-quality, well cited zebrafishDanio reriogenome.
High-throughput nanoscale crystallization of dihydropyridine active pharmaceutical ingredients
Authors: Metherall Jessica P. , Corner Philip A. , McCabe James F. , Hall Michael J. , Probert Michael R.
Published: December 2023

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients is a key technique in the confirmation of molecular connectivity, including absolute stereochemistry, as well as the solid-state form. However, accessing single crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis of an active pharmaceutical ingredient can be experimentally laborious, especially considering the potential for multiple solid-state forms (solvates, hydrates and polymorphs). In recent years, methods for the exploration of experimental crystallization space of small molecules have undergone a `step-change', resulting in new high-throughput techniques becoming available. Here, the application of high-throughput encapsulated nanodroplet crystallization to a series of six dihydropyridines, calcium channel blockers used in the treatment of hypertension related diseases, is described. This approach allowed 288 individual crystallization experiments to be performed in parallel on each molecule, resulting in rapid access to crystals and subsequent crystal structures for all six dihydropyridines, as well as revealing a new solvate polymorph of nifedipine (1,4-dioxane solvate) and the first known solvate of nimodipine (DMSO solvate). This work further demonstrates the power of modern high-throughput crystallization methods in the exploration of the solid-state landscape of active pharmaceutical ingredients to facilitate crystal form discovery and structural analysis by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
Revitalisation of urban spaces by women architects: enhancing cultural heritage in the gulf region
Authors: Moscatelli Monica , Raffa Alessandro , Ulusoy Shipstone Arzu
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This study aims to demonstrate how women's involvement in urban planning and design in Gulf cities improves urban space's inclusivity and strengthens identity through cultural heritage revitalisation. It also promotes the participation of women in architecture and city-making by showcasing how shaping urban spaces offers local communities opportunities for social interaction and a more inclusive environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper critically compares two case studies in the Gulf region—one in the United Arab Emirates and the other in Bahrain—according to four inclusion criteria: context connection, cultural sensitivity, community engagement and choices of amenities. These inclusion criteria are also applied to an experimental project by women architects' students in Saudi Arabia to inspire the future female architects of the Gulf region. From urban to architectural scales, the project offers a glance into the heritage design by women architects.

Findings

In light of this critical analysis, this study highlights the sensitivity to issues related to the revitalisation of urban areas by women architects. The case studies identified show the role of the female architect in making architecture and linking cultural heritage with contemporary themes. These projects stitch the past with the present and link cultural identity with aspects related to sustainable architecture. Therefore, valorising women's architectural experience is necessary to contribute to sustainable urban development in the Gulf region and beyond.

Originality/value

The present study addresses the importance of the role of women architects in the Gulf region. The research promotes the full and equal participation of women in the architecture and construction of the city to recognise their achievements by increasing their involvement in the work in a more integrated and balanced way.
An eye-tracking-based approach to evaluate the usability of government portal websites in pilot smart cities
Authors: Li Dezhi , Zhou Huan , Zhou Shenghua , Huang Guanying , Ma Xiaoming , Zhao Yongheng , Wang Wentao , Ng S. Thomas
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The study aims to pioneer an innovative approach for the evaluation of government portal websites (GPWs) by introducing an eye-tracking-based method. The research meticulously pinpoints and analyses the distinct usability issues and challenges that users encounter while navigating and interacting with GPWs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study devises an eye-tracking-based GPW usability evaluation approach, which focuses on the major functions (i.e. government information disclosure, government services and interactive responses) of GPWs. An Entropy Weighted Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (EW-TOPSIS) method is employed to process eye-tracking indicator results for deriving GPW usability results.

Findings

The proposed approach is demonstrated to assess the usability of 12 GPWs in pilot smart cities in China, and it is found that most GPWs have lower-than-average usability. GPWs with low usability require more cognitive load that exhibit increased fixation and saccade. The comparisons among the GPW usability results from (1) the eye-tracking experiment, (2) questionnaire surveys and (3) the ready-made performance evaluation report validate the effectiveness of eye-tracking-based GPW usability evaluation.

Originality/value

The work contributes to shifting the GPW usability evaluation approach from a subjective judgment paradigm to an objective paradigm, as well as provides implications for enhancing GPW usability, including improving search function, reducing website complexity and prioritizing user needs.
Digital transformation, financing constraints and enterprise performance
Authors: Liu Meiyu , Li Haiyan , Li Chengyou , Yan Zhaojun
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of digital transformation on enterprises' performance considering financing constraints in the capital market to explore whether digital transformation improves enterprises' performance through the financing constraints channel.

Design/methodology/approach

This study, using a panel data set of 14,669 observations of 2,858 non-financial enterprises that issued A shares on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2013 to 2019, theoretically and empirically tests the impact and mechanism of digital transformation on enterprise performance.

Findings

Digital transformation has a significant positive effect on enterprise performance; this conclusion remains the same after the robustness test and endogeneity problems are dealt with. Financing constraints play a mediation role between digital transformation and enterprise innovation. The effect of digital transformation on enterprise performance varies significantly by size, ownership and industry.

Originality/value

The theoretical contributions of this study not only enrich the literature on the economic benefits and mechanism of digital transformation but also expand the literature on the factors that influence enterprise performance. The practical contribution of this study is the reference that it provides for implementing decisions about enterprise digital transformation and formulating differentiated policies for government digital transformation.
A review of in-memory computing for machine learning: architectures, options
Authors: Snasel Vaclav , Dang Tran Khanh , Kueng Josef , Kong Lingping
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to review in-memory computing (IMC) for machine learning (ML) applications from history, architectures and options aspects. In this review, the authors investigate different architectural aspects and collect and provide our comparative evaluations.

Design/methodology/approach

Collecting over 40 IMC papers related to hardware design and optimization techniques of recent years, then classify them into three optimization option categories: optimization through graphic processing unit (GPU), optimization through reduced precision and optimization through hardware accelerator. Then, the authors brief those techniques in aspects such as what kind of data set it applied, how it is designed and what is the contribution of this design.

Findings

ML algorithms are potent tools accommodated on IMC architecture. Although general-purpose hardware (central processing units and GPUs) can supply explicit solutions, their energy efficiencies have limitations because of their excessive flexibility support. On the other hand, hardware accelerators (field programmable gate arrays and application-specific integrated circuits) win on the energy efficiency aspect, but individual accelerator often adapts exclusively to ax single ML approach (family). From a long hardware evolution perspective, hardware/software collaboration heterogeneity design from hybrid platforms is an option for the researcher.

Originality/value

IMC’s optimization enables high-speed processing, increases performance and analyzes massive volumes of data in real-time. This work reviews IMC and its evolution. Then, the authors categorize three optimization paths for the IMC architecture to improve performance metrics.
Investigating the role of flexibility as a moderator between supply chain integration and firm performance: the case of manufacturing sector
Authors: Jum'a Luay , Bushnaq Malak
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The study aims to examine the impact of three types of supply chain integration (SCI) on supply chain flexibility (SCF), investigate the impact of SCF on supply chain performance (SCP) and analyse the indirect impact of SCI on SCP by considering the mediating role of SCF within the manufacturing sector of Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative approach to validate the study model. An online self-completed questionnaire was used to gather data from 219 participants from managers in various Jordanian manufacturing firms. SmartPLS software was used to perform structural equation modelling to test the formulated hypotheses.

Findings

Based on the findings of the study, firms in Jordan's manufacturing sector would benefit from developing an integrative and flexible supply chain to boost SCP in the present volatile, uncertain, complex and speculative market. In addition, SCP was significantly influenced by investments in supply chain management practices related to SCI and SCF. Moreover, SCF significantly moderated the relationship between SCI and SCP. Thus, SCI and SCF assisted firms in reaching their highest potential performance through increased productivity, decreased expenses and increased satisfaction of their customers.

Research limitations/implications

The study employed a cross-sectional design using SCF as a single construct. Future research should look into the specific type of SCFs that have an immense effect on SCP and how these types are affected by the three types of SCI. Furthermore, future research ought to employ probability sampling techniques to improve the generalizability of results or using a longitudinal data-collection design. Finally, additional research should be conducted to validate the findings of this study by replicating it in other specific industries or countries.

Originality/value

The study fills an identified gap based on previous studies by exploring the linkages between SCI, SCF and SCP in the context of manufacturing sector. Moreover, based on the relational view theory, the study proposed an assessment mechanism for SCP for firms based on the link between three types of SCI and SCF.
Exploring consumer webrooming behaviour in the emerging fashion market: an integrated approach and forthcoming research
Authors: Gopi Rajendra Kumar , Lavuri Rambabu , Sudhakar K Francis
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to explore the role of affective commitment (AC) consumer empowerment on webrooming behaviour (WB) in a multichannel context of the fashion industry, with mediating (attitude [ATT]) and moderating (product involvement [PT]) effect. We used the stimulus– organism–responses theory as a theoretical underpinning.

Design/methodology/approach

We collected 307 responses from fashionable consumer who was purposed fashion products recently through convenience sampling approach and analysed the data with structural equation modelling and PROCESS macro.

Findings

The results illustrated that AC and consumer empowerment had a significant impact on consumer attitude and their WB. Likewise, consumer attitude had a positive mediating association between AC, consumer empowerment and WB. PI significantly moderated the relationship between ACs, consumer empowerment with attitude and attitude with WB.

Originality/value

This study is one of the new research works of its kind, which examines the role of AC and consumer empowerment on WB in the fashion industry. This study contributes to the growing amount of literature on fashion marketing by analysing the rapidly growing phenomena of WB in a multichannel context of the fashion industry.
A critical analysis of large scale research infrastructures’ performances
Authors: Nocella Isabella , Linzalone Roberto , Ammirato Salvatore , Felicetti Alberto Michele
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Large scale research infrastructures (LSRIs) are rising in the competitive and globalized research environment, since they offer to external researchers-users, inputs and services for cutting-edge, large scale researches. Such researches would not be possible with usual infrastructures and budgets of single universities and research institutions. However, despite the strategic relevance acknowledged to LSRI by the nascent literature and by national policymakers, there is a lack of understanding of configurations and key performances of a LSRI. This paper aims to bridge this gap by identifying key morphologies of LSRIs and analysing their performances.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is carried out adopting a mixed research methodology, merging a literature review with a survey conducted on a sample of 11 LSRIs; they provided the data set for the parametrization of a morphological matrix.

Findings

The research led to the identification of seven LSRIs morphologies, with different performance linked to their structure.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper originally proposes the data set needed to develop a morphological analysis of LSRIs.
FromPeople's KingtoKing of a Country: The Development of the Place Element Modifying the Title Paired in Apposition with a Personal Name Traced in thePeterborough Chronicle
Authors: Shinkawa Seiji
Published: December 2023

A king was typically referred to aspeople's kingin the early period of Old English, whereas today,king of a countryis the most commonly used. This study attempts to trace the development of the place element modifying the title paired in apposition with a personal name in the tradition of vernacular English historiography as represented by thePeterborough Chronicle. There existed a strong tendency to specify a smaller land area (city, town, etc.) with the genitive form of the name of the place or with a prepositional phrase involving the place‐name and a larger one (kingdom, shire, etc.) with the genitive form of the name of the people living there in Early Old English. In later periods, however, the prepositional phrase was left as the only place element available for either a smaller or larger land area. Various prepositions heading the prepositional phrase became limited during the Old English period to just one in Early Middle English. Thus, the shift frompeople's kingtoking of a countrywas almost complete in Early Middle English. These findings are related to more general patterns of syntactic change in the noun phrase in English to highlight their current relevance.
Moving beyond the political trust crisis debate: Residual analyses to understand trends in political trust
Authors: VAN DER MEER T.W.G. , VAN ERKEL P.F.A.
Published: December 2023

For decades, political scientists have hotly debated longitudinal trends in political trust rates. An important undercurrent in the debate is that any decline in political trust might signal a legitimacy crisis. Yet, descriptive figures are unable to distinguish between two interpretations of these downward trends: (i) declines that can reasonably be expected as a reflection of declining political trustworthiness (i.e., procedural or output performance) and thereby reflect critical citizens who monitor their democratic institutions; and (ii) downward trends that are not warranted by democratic performance and thereby suggest a more fundamental disconnect between citizens and their democratic institutions.

This research note argues that residuals to multilevel models of political trust allow us to distinguish between these two types, and thereby provide a better understanding of trends in political trust. These residuals do not only reveal short‐term aberrations to the explanatory model (often reflecting short‐lived, country‐specific events), but also the extent to which a country's trust rate systematically underperforms in the middle‐ to long‐term. To the extent that declining trust rates are lower than explanatory models predict, the residuals express excessive distrust. To the extent that declining trust rates are in line with the explanatory models, the residuals reflect critical, monitoring citizenship.

We outline the approach of residual analyses as a tool to better understand trends in political trust. We illustrate the use of these residual analyses on a cross‐national, longitudinal data set (the Eurobarometer), covering 15 Western and Southern European countries between 1999 and 2019. While political trust rates fluctuate in all these countries, we only find evidence for a structural decline in two of these countries. In France and Spain political trust failed to recover in line with improving economic and institutional performance after the Great Recession. We then test the versatility of the tool to different conditions, including retests on an alternative set of countries (11 Central and Eastern European countries between 2004 and 2019) and an alternative dataset with different measures and time points (the European Social Survey).

Finally, we elaborate on the two main conditions under which residual analyses offer a useful tool to the trend debate in political trust research: (1) a firm understanding of the object‐driven determinants of political trust, and (2) a detailed coverage of country‐wave combinations to separate structural trends from short‐term fluctuations.
Does fiscal burden impede green transition? Income, taxation, clean energy, and ecological sustainability in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Okezie Benedette Nneka , Agbanike Tobechi Faith , Nnachi Nwaonuma Douglas , Otta Nkama Nnachi , Nwani Chinazaekpere , Eneje Beatrice Chinyere , Onuoha Ijeoma Perpetual , Nnam Hilary Ikechukwu
Published: December 2023

This study examines the role of tax burden (TB) in the income–energy–environment nexus in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) using the ecological load capacity (ELC) factor as a sustainability indicator. Analyzing data from 1999 to 2021 using the method of moments quantile regression with the bootstrap variance algorithm, the results defy the load capacity curve hypothesis, revealing an inverted U‐shaped relationship between income and ELC. The turning point income is $3257.48 at the 10th quantile and $4317.23 at the 90th quantile. An increased renewable energy share in the consumption mix boosts ELC. Regarding TB, a U‐shaped curve exists between fiscal freedom and ELC, with significance at the 40th and 90th quantiles, with TB score turning points at 67.60 and 71.37, respectively. The Dumitrescu–Hurlin test uncovers bidirectional causality between ELC and the variables. TB affects income and renewable energy unidirectionally, while income and renewable energy have bidirectional causality. These findings suggest that higher taxes on households and businesses hinder the transition to a greener economy via income and energy consumption. An integrated policy approach is necessary to balance revenue generation with the preservation of ecological sustainability in SSA.
Insight into a natural novel histidine decarboxylase gene deletion in Enterobacter hormaechei RH3 from traditional Sichuan‐style sausage
Authors: Pei Huijie , He Wei , Wang Yilun , Zhang Yue , Yang Lamei , Li Jinhai , Ma Yixuan , Li Ran , Li Shuhong , Li Qin , Li Jianlong , Hu Kaidi , Teng Hui , Hu Xinjie , Zou Likou , Liu Shuliang , Yang Yong
Published: December 2023

Histamine (HIS) is primarily formed from decarboxylated histidine by certain bacteria with histidine decarboxylase (hdc) activity and is the most toxic biogenic amine. Hdc, which is encoded by the hdc gene, serves as a key enzyme that controls HIS production in bacteria. In this paper, we characterized the changes in microbial and biogenic amines content of traditional Sichuan‐style sausage before and after storage and demonstrated that Enterobacteriaceae play an important role in the formation of HIS. To screen for Enterobacteriaceae with high levels of HIS production, we isolated strain RH3 which has a HIS production of 2.27 mg/mL from sausages stored at 37°C for 180 days, using selective media and high‐performance liquid chromatography. The strain RH3 can produce a high level of HIS after 28 h of fermentation with a significant hysteresis. Analysis of the physicochemical factors revealed that RH3 still retained its ability to partially produce HIS in extreme environments with pH 3.5 and 10.0. In addition, RH3 exhibited excellent salt tolerance (6.0% NaCl and 1.0% NaNO2). Subsequently, RH3 was confirmed as Enterobacter hormaechei with hdc gene deletion by PCR, western blot, and whole‐genome sequencing analysis. Furthermore, RH3 exhibited pathogenicity rate of 75.60% toward the organism, indicating that it was not a food‐grade safe strain, and demonstrated a high level of conservation in intraspecific evolution. The results of this experiment provide a new reference for studying the mechanism of HIS formation in microorganisms.

Practical Application

This study provides a new direction for investigating the mechanism of histamine (HIS) formation by microorganisms and provides new insights for further controlling HIS levels in meat products. Further research can control the key enzymes that form HIS to control HIS levels in food.
Optimization and modeling of vacuum impregnation of pineapple rings and comparison with osmotic dehydration
Authors: Thomas Binuja , Pulissery Sudheer Kundukulangara , Sankalpa K. B. , Lal A. M. Nandhu , Warrier Aswin S. , Mahanti Naveen Kumar , Kothakota Anjineyulu
Published: December 2023

The vacuum impregnation (VI) process parameters (vacuum pressure = 20–60 kPa; VI temperature = 35–55°C; concentration of the sucrose solution = 40–60 °Brix; and vacuum process time = 8–24 min) for pineapple rings were optimized based on the moisture content (MC), water loss (WL), solids gain (SG), yellowness index (YI), and total soluble solids (TSS) content of pineapple rings using response surface methodology (RSM). A relationship was developed between the process and response variables using RSM and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques. The effectiveness of VI was evaluated by comparing it with the osmotic dehydration (OD) technique. The optimum condition was found to be 31.782 kPa vacuum pressure, 50.441°C solution temperature, and 60 °Brix sucrose concentration for 20.068 min to attain maximum TSS, YI, SG, and WL, and minimum MC of pineapple rings. The R2 values of RSM models for all variables varied between 0.70 and 0.91, whereas mean square error values varied between 0.76 and 71.58 and for ANN models varied between 0.87–0.93 and 0.53–193.78, respectively.

Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) revealed that parenchymal cell rupture was less in VI than in OD. The VI pineapple rings exhibited more pores and high SG, as compared to OD, due to the pressure impregnation. Spectroscopic analysis affirmed that the stretching vibrations of intermolecular and intramolecular interactions were significant in VI as against OD. The VI reduced the drying time by 35% compared to OD, with the highest overall acceptability score and lower microbial load during storage.

Practical Application

Pineapple is a perishable fruit, which necessitates processing for extended shelf life. This study highlights the potential of the vacuum impregnation process as a promising alternative to conventional preservation methods such as osmotic dehydration for pineapples.
Ochratoxin A case study: Establish metrological traceability of mycotoxin measurements using certified reference materials
Authors: Zhang Kai , Tran Ivy , Phillips Melissa M.
Published: December 2023

For the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) mycotoxin program, the desired application of certified reference materials (CRMs) is primarily for validating methods for the determination of mycotoxins in foods and establishing metrological traceability of measurement results generated by such validated methods. The latter has been an important but insufficiently addressed challenge due to the lack of appropriate protocols and CRMs. Taking advantage of two recently available mycotoxin CRMs, OTAN‐1 and Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1565, a protocol was developed for systematically examining uncertainty and establishing metrological traceability of measurement results of ochratoxin A (OTA) in corn through a series of calibration operations using the two CRMs. Instrument and method calibrations were performed using OTAN‐1 and SRM 1565. The OTA value and its standard and expanded (k = 2, approximately 95% confidence) uncertainties were estimated from the calibration data and documented. These results demonstrate that the major contributing source of uncertainty is the sample matrix, highlighting the important role of the certified matrix reference material in method calibration. The value of OTA (38.5 ± 7.2 µg/g; 95% confidence interval) in the incurred sample was metrologically traceable to the International System of Units through two CRMs using the multi‐laboratory validated liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry FDA compendial method. In addition, an alternative estimation of uncertainty was conducted using a one‐point calibration, resulting in comparable uncertainty.
The imprecision of micronutrient requirement values: the example of vitamin D
Authors: Fernandes Tito Horácio , Bell Victoria
Published: December 2023

Food, not nutrients, is the fundamental unit in nutrition. Nutrient requirement values and recommended daily intakes have long been determined and organized in tables by several regulators. These figures, however, overlook the complexity of mixing different foods in a diet and the mediation by human gut microbiota on digestion, metabolism, and health. The microbiome molecular mechanisms and its potential influence on nutrient requirements are far from clear. Guidelines should depend on the sort of intake, along with the dietary habits, rather than focusing on single nutrients. Despite many decades of attempts to investigate the proximate nutrient composition of foods consumed by different world populations, there are still neither standardization of food composition databases nor harmonized dietary intake methods of assessment of nutrients. No all‐inclusive attempt was yet made to emphasize the requirements of the various micronutrients, phytonutrients, and non‐nutrients on gut microbiota and vice versa, and thereafter reflected into dietary guidelines. New multifaceted methods have been advanced to reevaluate the way nutrients and nutrient requirements are assessed within the intricate biological systems. Our main goal here was to enhance the fact that existing food guidelines hold inherent strengths and limitations but fail, in many aspects, namely, in not taking into account essential geographical, ethnic and cultural differences, and the different stages of life, infant nutrition, and the microbiota impact on several micronutrient requirements. Vitamin D is given as an illustration on present inaccuracy of its requirements. Defining dietary reference intakes is therefore an ongoing process specific for each population.
Emotions and inventor productivity: Evidence from terrorist attacks
Authors: Luo Yue , Chen Yangyang , Lin Ji‐Chai
Published: December 2023

We examine whether the emotional shocks associated with terrorist attacks affect local inventors' productivity. We find that high‐fatality attacks make inventors less innovative, and low‐fatality attacks make them more innovative. Inventors living in high risk‐taking environments have greater increase in productivity following low‐fatality attacks, while less decrease in productivity following high‐fatality attacks. Further, the effect of terrorist attacks on inventor productivity comes mainly from exploratory innovation which involves more risks. Inventors affected by high‐fatality attacks are also more likely to move to places without any significant terrorist attack history, but there is no such effect for low‐fatality attacks.
Biologics for inherited disorders of keratinisation: A systematic review
Authors: Chen Michelle K. Y. , Flanagan Alice L. , Sebaratnam Deshan F. , Gu Yaron
Published: December 2023

Background/Objectives

Recent literature highlights the potential of biologics in the management of inherited disorders of keratinisation. In this study, we conducted a systematic review of existing literature on treatment outcomes of inherited keratinisation disorders treated with biologics.

Methods

Eligible records were retrieved through searches of the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed and Scopus. Databases were searched from inception to July 2023 for eligible records. A snowballing method was employed to search the references of the retrieved records for the identification of potentially relevant articles.

Results

One hundred and four eligible studies consisting of a total of 166 patients with an inherited disorder of keratinisation were included. Patients had a median age of 19 years (range: 0.5 to 70 years). The most common disorders were Netherton syndrome (n = 63; 38%), autosomal recessive congenital ichthyoses (n = 27; 16%), CARD14‐associated papulosquamous eruptions (n = 17; 10%) and familial pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) (n = 15; 9%).Of the 207 times biologics were employed, the three most frequently employed biologics were secukinumab (n = 47; 23%), dupilumab (n = 44; 21%) and ustekinumab (n = 37; 18%). Complete remission was observed in 10 (5%) instances, partial remission in 129 (62%), no or limited response to biologic therapy in 68 (32%) cases, and results are still pending in one case. A total of 33 adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

Whilst biologics may be considered in cases of inherited keratinisation disorders recalcitrant to standard therapy, definitive conclusions are prohibited by the low‐level of evidence and substantial heterogeneity in methodology across the included studies. Establishment of consensus definitions, and randomised clinical trials may help ascertain the efficacy and safety of biologic therapy in this context and establish the best agent and dosing protocol for each disorder.
Physiological stress in eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) as influenced by their density, climatological variables and sexes
Authors: Okita‐Ouma Benson , Gort Gerrit , Millspaugh Joshua J. , Prins Herbert H. T.
Published: December 2023

It is important to understand the physiological stressors in animals especially for threatened species or intensively managed to improve their conservation and optimise their reproduction. We sought to understand changes in stress hormones (faecal glucocorticoid metabolites) in black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) in relation to population density and sex (intrinsic factors) and plant minerals, rainfall and land surface temperature (extrinsic factors). We used non‐invasive faecal sampling techniques on animals of known sex, age and dominance in seven populations of contrasting population densities over 1 year. We measured variability in faecal corticosterone metabolites through radioimmunoassay and related them to population density, sex and faecal calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc and potassium as characteristic of plant minerals, rainfall and temperature. We used linear mixed models (LMM) to analyse the data. We did not detect a significant relationship between physiological stress parameters and population density. However, we have indications that stress levels increased as rainfall and temperature increased and were correlated negatively and positively with concentration of faecal phosphorus and copper respectively; we found higher stress levels in females than in males. These results suggest that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors explain the variation in physiological stress observed in black rhinoceros.
Alterations of small non‐coding RNA in the spermatozoa of mice with paternal experimental autoimmune epididymo‐orchitis are associated with metabolic dysfunction in offspring
Authors: Yang Chen , Li Jianlin , Liu Jin‐Chuan , Zeng Qunxiong , Yeung William Shu‐Biu , Chiu Philip Chi‐Ngong , Duan Yong‐Gang
Published: December 2023

Background

Infection and inflammation of the genital tract are major potentially treatable factors contributing to male infertility. The profile of small non‐coding RNA (sncRNAs) in spermatozoa can be altered by environmental exposures and inflammatory conditions.

Objectives

Experimental autoimmune epididymo‐orchitis (EAEO) is a well‐established model of autoimmune‐induced chronic testicular and epididymal inflammation. This model investigates the effect of chronic inflammation on sperm sncRNA profiles and offspring phenotypes.

Materials and methods

Regarding the EAEO model, mice were immunized with testis homogenates thrice. Subsequently, flow cytometry and histological analyses were conducted on EAEO mice. Next‐generation sequencing was used to profile small RNA of spermatozoa from the caput, corpus, and cauda epididymis. We performed a comprehensive integrative analysis of sperm sncRNAs and chronic epididymitis and identified their molecular signatures. The metabolic functions of the first‐generation (F1) offspring were evaluated using a glucose tolerance test (GTT).

Results

Body weight and metabolic function were significantly altered in F1 offspring from EAEO sperm donors. The analysis of cauda sperm sncRNA profiles revealed that the proportions of miRNAs and tsRNAs increased and decreased, respectively, after autoimmunization. Three differentially expressed miRNAs and seven differentially expressed tsRNAs were significantly correlated with F1 metabolic dysfunction. The expression patterns of miRNAs and tsRNAs in mice partially overlapped with those observed in the spermatozoa from human patients with chronic epididymitis.

Discussion and conclusions

We revealed that autoimmune epididymo‐orchitis alters sncRNA profiles in mouse spermatozoa. Offspring from mice with autoimmune orchitis develop metabolic disorders. A comprehensive analysis of human and mouse inflammation data revealed an association between alterations in the miRNA and tsRNA profiles of epididymal spermatozoa and offspring phenotypes.
Microaneurysm detection using high‐speed megahertz optical coherence tomography angiography in advanced diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Huber Kim Lien , Stino Heiko , Schlegl Thomas , Steiner Irene , Nagy Gergely , Niederleithner Michael , Baumann Bernhard , Drexler Wolfgang , Leitgeb Rainer A. , Schmidt‐Erfurth Ursula , Schmoll Tilman , Pollreisz Andreas
Published: December 2023

Purpose

To compare detection rates of microaneurysms (MAs) on high‐speed megahertz optical coherence tomography angiography (MHz‐OCTA), fluorescein angiography (FA) and colour fundus photography (CF) in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods

For this exploratory cross‐sectional study, MHz‐OCTA data were acquired with a swept‐source OCT prototype (A‐scan rate: 1.7 MHz), and FA and CF imaging was performed using Optos® California. MA count was manually evaluated on en face MHz‐OCTA/FA/CF images within an extended ETDRS grid. Detectability of MAs visible on FA images was evaluated on corresponding MHz‐OCTA and CF images. MA distribution and leakage were correlated with detectability on OCTA and CF imaging.

Results

47 eyes with severe DR (n = 12) and proliferative DR (n = 35) were included. MHz‐OCTA and CF imaging detected on average 56% and 36% of MAs, respectively. MHz‐OCTA detection rate was significantly higher than CF (p < 0.01). The combination of MHz‐OCTA and CF leads to an increased detection rate of 70%. There was no statistically significant association between leakage and MA detectability on OCTA (p = 0.13). For CF, the odds of detecting leaking MAs were significantly lower than non‐leaking MAs (p = 0.012). Using MHz‐OCTA, detection of MAs outside the ETDRS grid was less likely than MAs located within the ETDRS grid (outer ring, p < 0.01; inner ring, p = 0.028). No statistically significant difference between rings was observed for CF measurements.

Conclusions

More MAs were detected on MHz‐OCTA than on CF imaging. Detection rate was lower for MAs located outside the macular region with MHz‐OCTA and for leaking MAs with CF imaging. Combining both non‐invasive modalities can improve MA detection.
Crossing riverborderscapes and a view from in‐between: Passenger ferries in South West England
Authors: McGrath Eva , Yarwood Richard , Harmer Nichola
Published: December 2023

This paper explores the everyday experiences of crossing rivers that form local borders. It proposes and utilises the term ‘riverborderscape’ to bring together the particularities, complexities, and creativities associated with these border crossings. The term draws on three areas of scholarship. First, the riverborderscape draws on recent scholarly attention to the materiality, and effects on understanding space and place, of watery environments. Second, the term draws on scholarship from within border studies and cognate disciplines that highlights the border as a liminal space. Third, landscape geographies are used to examine the imagination and performance of crossing riverborderscapes. The paper reports on research carried out with passengers, crew, and communities on three rivers in South West England where the ferry routes cross local administrative boundaries. Over the course of the research, participants shared their experiences of crossing these river borders through writing and drawings created while on board the ferry, as well as through surveys and interviews. The research highlights the effects of the materiality of the river on the routes and experiences of crossing, the role of humour in the construction and subversion of everyday boundaries, and the river in‐between as a liminal space, a landscape where the imagination may be unmoored and creative licence temporarily set free.