bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L-SCRaMbLE creates large-scale genome rearrangements in synthetic Sc2.0 chromosomes
Authors: Lindeboom Timon Alexander , Sánchez Olmos María del Carmen , Schulz Karina , Brinkmann Cedric Kilian , Ramírez Rojas Adán Andrés , Hochrein Lena , Schindler Daniel
Published: December 2022

Optimization of the metabolic flux through heterologous pathways to improve bioproduction or utilization of alternative substrates requires both fine-tuning of non-native gene expression levels and improvement of the host genome. The SCRaMbLE system incorporated into synthetic Sc2.0 yeast strains enables a rapid approach to rearrange the genome ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaein order to create optimized chassis. Here, we show that the light-inducible Cre recombinase L-SCRaMbLE can efficiently generate diverse recombination events when applied to Sc2.0 strains containing a linear or circular synthetic chromosome III. We present an efficient and straightforward workflow for the identification of complex rearranged synthetic chromosomes from SCRaMbLEd isolates without selection pressure. The screening method is based on novel genotyping primers, theloxPsymtags, which indicate not only deletions but also inversions and translocations. Long-read Nanopore sequencing is used to decode the selected genotypes and shows in conjunction with flow cytometry that large-scale karyotype alterations can be a consequence of SCRaMbLE.
Conservation of antiviral systems across domains of life reveals novel immune mechanisms in humans
Authors: Cury Jean , Mordret Ernest , Trejo Veronica Hernandez , Tesson Florian , Ofir Gal , Poirier Enzo Z. , Bernheim Aude
Published: December 2022

Viral infection is a common threat to prokaryotic and eukaryotic life, which has resulted in the evolution of a myriad of antiviral systems. Some of these eukaryotic systems are thought to have evolved from prokaryotic antiphage proteins, with which they may display sequence and structural homology. Here, we show that homologs of recently discovered antiphage systems are widespread in eukaryotes. We demonstrate that such homologs can retain a function in immunity by unveiling that eukaryotic proteins of the anti-transposon piRNA pathway display domain homology with the antiphage system Mokosh. We further utilise this conservation to discover novel human antiviral genes related to the Eleos and Lamassu prokaryotic systems. We propose that comparative immunology across domains of life can be leveraged to discover immune genes in eukaryotes.
Coexisting morpho-biotypes unveil the regulatory bases of phenotypic plasticity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Di Chiaro Pierluigi , Nacci Lucia , Brandini Stefania , Polletti Sara , Donati Benedetta , Gualdrini Francesco , Frige Gianmaria , Mazzarella Luca , Ciarrocchi Alessia , Zerbi Alessandro , Spaggiari Paola , Barozzi Iros , Diaferia Giuseppe R. , Natoli Gioacchino
Published: December 2022

Intratumor morphological heterogeneity predicts clinical outcomes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, it is only partially understood at the molecular level and devoid of clinical actionability. In this study we set out to determine the gene regulatory networks and expression programs underpinning intra-tumor morphological variation in PDAC. To this aim, we identified and deconvoluted at single cell level the molecular profiles characteristic of morphologically distinguishable clusters of PDAC cells that coexisted in individual tumors. We identified three major morpho-biotypes that co-occurred in various proportions in most PDACs: a glandular biotype with classical epithelial ductal features; a biotype with abortive ductal structures and expressing a partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition program; and a poorly differentiated biotype showing partial neuronal lineage priming and absence of both ductal features and basement membrane. The identification of PDAC morpho-biotypes may help improve patient stratification and therapeutic schemes taking into account the spectrum of actionable targets expressed by coexisting tumor components.
FK506-binding protein 2 participates in proinsulin folding
Authors: Hoefner Carolin , Bryde Tenna Holgersen , Pihl Celina , Tiedemann Sylvia Naiga , Bresson Sophie Emilie , Hotiana Hajira Ahmed , Khilji Muhammad Saad , Dos Santos Theodore , Puglia Michele , Pisano Paola , Majewska Mariola , Durzynska Julia , Klindt Kristian , Klusek Justyna , Perone Marcelo J. , Bucki Robert , Hägglund Per Mårten , Gourdon Pontus , Gotfryd Kamil , Urbaniak Edyta , Borowiak Malgorzata , Wierer Michael , MacDonald Patrick Edward , Mandrup-Poulsen Thomas , Marzec Michal Tomasz
Published: December 2022

Apart from chaperoning, disulphide bond formation and downstream processing, the molecular sequence of proinsulin folding is not completely understood. Proinsulin requires proline isomerization for correct folding. Since FK506-binding protein 2 (FKBP2) is an ER-resident proline isomerase, we hypothesized that FKBP2 contributes to proinsulin folding. We found that FKBP2 co-immunoprecipitated with proinsulin and its chaperone GRP94, and that inhibition of FKBP2 expression increased proinsulin turnover with reduced intracellular proinsulin and insulin levels. This phenotype was accompanied by an increased proinsulin secretion and the formation of proinsulin high molecular weight complexes, a sign of proinsulin misfolding. FKBP2 knockout in pancreatic β-cells increased apoptosis without detectable upregulation of ER-stress response genes. Interestingly, FKBP2 mRNA was overexpressed in β-cells from pancreatic islets of T2D patients. Based on molecular modelling and an in vitro enzymatic assay, we suggest that proline at position 28 of the proinsulin B chain (P28) is the substrate of FKBP2’s isomerization activity. We propose that this isomerization step catalyzed by FKBP2 is an essential sequence required for correct proinsulin folding.
Surface SV2A-Syt1 nanoclusters act as a sequestration hub that limits dynamin-1 recruitment and targeting to recycling synaptic vesicles
Authors: Small Christopher , Harper Callista , Jiang Anmin , Kontaxi Christiana , Yak Nyakuoy , Malapaka Anusha , Davenport Elizabeth C. , Wallis Tristan P. , Gormal Rachel S. , Joensuu Merja , Martínez-Mármol Ramon , Cousin Michael A. , Meunier Frédéric A.
Published: December 2022

Following exocytosis, the recapture of plasma membrane-stranded vesicular proteins into recycling synaptic vesicles (SVs) is essential for sustaining neurotransmission. Surface clustering of vesicular proteins has been postulated as a ‘pre-assembly’ mechanism for endocytosis – ensuring high-fidelity retrieval. Here, we used single-molecule imaging to examine the nanoclustering of synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1) and synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) in hippocampal neurons. Syt1 forms surface nanoclusters through interaction of its C2B domain with SV2A, that are sensitive to mutations in this domain (Syt1K326A/K328A) and knocking down SV2A. SV2A co-cluster with Syt1 and blocking SV2A’s cognate interaction with Syt1 (SV2AT84A) also decreased SV2A clustering. Surprisingly, impairing SV2A-Syt1 nanoclustering enhanced plasma membrane recruitment of key endocytic protein dynamin-1, leading to accelerated Syt1 endocytosis, altered intracellular sorting and decreased trafficking of Syt1 to Rab5-positive endocytic compartments. SV2A-Syt1 surface nanoclusters therefore negatively regulate the rate of their own re-entry into recycling SVs by controlling the recruitment of the endocytic machinery.
Photosynthetic capacity in seagrass seeds and early-stage seedlings ofZostera marinaL
Authors: Brodersen Kasper Elgetti , Kühl Michael
Published: December 2022

In many terrestrial seeds, photosynthetic activity supplies O2to the developing plant embryo to sustain aerobic metabolism and enhance biosynthetic activity. However, whether seagrass seeds possess similar photosynthetic capacity to alleviate intra-seed hypoxic stress conditions is unknown.

We used a novel combination of microscale variable chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, a custom-made O2optode microrespirometry system, and planar optode O2imaging, to determine the O2microenvironment and photosynthetic activity in developing seeds and seedlings of seagrass (Z. marinaL.).

Developing, sheath-covered seeds exhibited high O2concentrations in the photosynthetic active seed sheath and low O2concentrations in the center of the seed at the position of the embryo. In light, photosynthesis in the seed sheath increased O2availability in central parts of the seed enabling enhanced respiratory energy generation for biosynthetic activity. Early-stage seedlings also displayed photosynthetic capacity in hypocotyl and cotyledonary tissues, which may be beneficial for seedling establishment.

Sheath O2production is important for alleviating intra-seed hypoxic stress and can increase endosperm storage activity improving the conditions for successful seed maturation and germination.
R-loops and Topoisomerase 1 facilitate formation of transcriptional DSBs at gene bodies of hypertranscribed cancer genes
Authors: Hidmi Osama , Oster Sara , Monin Jonathan , Aqeilan Rami I.
Published: December 2022

DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) pose a significant threat to genomic integrity, and their generation during essential cellular processes like transcription remains poorly understood. In this study, we employed advanced techniques to map DSBs, R-loops, and Topoisomerase 1 cleavage complex (TOP1cc) and re-analyzed ChIP-seq and DRIP-seq data to comprehensively investigate the interplay between transcription, DSBs, Topoisomerase 1 (TOP1), and R-loops. Our findings revealed the presence of DSBs at highly expressed genes enriched with TOP1 and R-loops, indicating their crucial involvement in transcription-associated genomic instability. Depletion of R-loops and TOP1 specifically reduced DSBs at highly expressed genes, uncovering their pivotal roles in transcriptional DSB formation. By elucidating the intricate interplay between TOP1cc trapping, R-loops, and DSBs, our study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying transcription-associated genomic instability. Moreover, we establish a link between transcriptional DSBs and early molecular changes driving cancer development. Notably, our study highlights the distinct etiology and molecular characteristics of driver mutations compared to passenger mutations, shedding light on the potential for targeted therapeutic strategies. Overall, these findings deepen our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms governing DSBs in hypertranscribed genes associated with carcinogenesis, opening avenues for future research and therapeutic interventions.
Examining critical project management skills for successful delivery of major maintenance projects: insights from the United Kingdom energy sector
Authors: Pieterse Bryan , Agyekum Kofi , Manu Patrick , Mohandes Saeed Reza , Cheung Clara , Yunusa-Kaltungo Akilu
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Major maintenance projects are often regarded as maintenance activities regardless of the projects' complexity and scale. Consequently, very scarce research attention has hitherto been paid to the critical skills required when undertaking these projects. More specifically, the body of relevant knowledge is deprived of a study focusing on maintenance projects within the energy sector. In view of this shortcoming, this research aims to examine the critical project management (PM) skills required to deliver major maintenance projects within the energy sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a quantitative research strategy, this study addressed the knowledge gap through a cross-sectional survey of professionals involved in the delivery of major maintenance projects in the United Kingdom's (UK) energy sector. Data obtained were analyzed via descriptive (e.g. frequencies, mean and standard deviation [SD]) and inferential statistical analyses (One sample t-test and exploratory factor analysis (EFA)).

Findings

Out of the 45 PM skills identified in the literature and examined by the respondents, the results obtained from the One sample t-test (based on p (1-tailed) = 0.05) showed that 37 were considered to be at least “important,” accounting for 80.4% of all the skills identified. EFA revealed a clustering of the PM skills items into seven components: “skills related to work scheduling and coordination”; “communication, risk, safety and stakeholder management skills”; “quality assurance skills”; “people management skills”; “skills related to forecasting scope and duration of outage”; “implementation of processes and time management skills” and “technical/engineering skills and experience pertaining to the outage and local site knowledge.”

Originality/value

This study has identified and contributed to the limited state-of-the-art skills project managers must possess to manage major maintenance projects in the energy sector successfully. The findings would be useful to organizations within the energy sector in ensuring that the organizations have suitable personnel in place to deliver major maintenance projects on the organizations' assets.
The socio-cultural integration of immigrants in Germany: changes across generations
Authors: Giovanis Eleftherios , Akdede Sacit Hadi
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Previous studies have used language proficiency, citizenship, labour indicators, educational outcomes and political rights as measures of migrants’ socio-cultural integration. However, little is known about the migrants’ participation in volunteering activities, music concerts, theatrical plays and artistic activities, among others, and how this is compared to the participation of natives, defined as people of German descent and born in Germany. The study aims to investigate and compare the cultural and social involvement between migrants and natives.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis relies on information from the German Socio-Economic Panel Survey (GSOEP). Panel data models, in particular, the random-effects ordered Logit model, are utilised because the investigated outcomes are recorded in frequency and are ordered variables. The authors compare the participation in socio-cultural activities among immigrants of the first, second and 2.5 generations.

Findings

The findings indicate that first-generation immigrants are less likely to engage in various socio-cultural activities. However, the 2.5 generation immigrants are more active than the native population, as this generation of immigrants participates more frequently.

Social implications

The findings highlight the importance of fostering interaction between natives and immigrants in the workplace and the social and cultural realms. Participation in social and cultural activities may increase intercultural awareness and contribute to the eradication of bias and prejudice.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to use a large panel dataset to compare the participation of natives and migrants in various social and cultural activities. In addition, this is the first study to analyse second and 2.5-generation immigrants.
Food 4.0 for competing during the COVID-19 pandemic: experimenting digitalization in family firms
Authors: Barile Domenica , Secundo Giustina , Del Vecchio Pasquale
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Within food industry several changes and innovations are affecting the management of the entire supply chain (production, logistics, etc.). As strategy for the survival and competition, digitalization has assumed a crucial role during the pandemic emergence by causing the reconfiguration of traditional chains and business models. Framed in these premises, the research analyses how digital technologies have innovated the sub-chains of bakery products and pasta within food industry with reference to customers' interactions, delivery and marketing during the COVID-19 pandemic emergence.

Design/methodology/approach

Moving from a critical literature review about the perspectives of digital technologies within the tradition of food industry, action research has been adopted to analyze in deep a case study of the start-up “ArteBianca Delivery” located in South Italy. Through this method, researchers have been deeply involved within the start-up to face the challenge of transforming the marketing and customer care into digital ones due to the COVID-19 restriction.

Findings

Findings provide empirical evidence about the reconfiguration of the traditional business model of a family firm in the food sector into a digital one with the start-up “ArteBianca Delivery”. The marketing, delivery, e-commerce and customer care components of the business models have been supported and enhanced through the adoption of digital tools, such as mobile applications and social technologies useful both for users and for a more urgent digitization of company.

Practical implications

Implications for practice can be identified into the pattern of digital transformation implemented as well as in the opportunity of replication and contextualization of the results to other companies looking for setting up a digital strategy.

Originality/value

Elements of original contribution can be identified into: (1) the exploration of digital transformation in food family firms caused by the pandemic emergence, (2) the contextualization of the digital transformation to the sub-chains of bakery and pasta and (3) the geographical location of the case.
Purpose, process, place, pedagogical affordance and product (5Ps) of student learning in higher education: beyond Beckers
Authors: Mahat Marian
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Universities are investing billions of dollars in building infrastructure, with the design of learning spaces driven by technological developments and long-standing changes in pedagogical theory and practice. The aim of the study is to investigate the alignment between pedagogy and space by responding to a single research question: What is the relationship between the purpose, process, place and product of student learning in higher education?

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on Beckerset al.’s (2015) purpose–process–place framework, the study uses an online survey and photo elicitation method to gather perspectives from educators and students in one Australian university about their learning spaces. A hybrid approach consisting of inductive and deductive coding to thematic analysis was used to find repeated patterns of meaning.

Findings

A total of 24 images of learning spaces were received from 8 educators and 16 students. Thematic analysis of the images and responses by participants highlights the importance of the pedagogical affordances of the learning environment and the product of learning, which are aligned to the purpose–process–place of learning.

Research limitations/implications

This study provided a robust approach grounded in data to understand the alignment between space and pedagogy. Articulating students learning as an output of the alignment between space and pedagogy has important implications for the design of learning spaces and pedagogical practices in higher education. One limitation to the study, however, is noteworthy. The surveys had limited responses. Whilst the small response rates may not necessarily lead to biased results, it is acknowledged that a larger sample is likely to give more reliable results to enable the theory to be generalised.

Originality/value

The study’s findings extend the purpose–process–place framework to include pedagogical affordances and the product of learning. The purpose, process, place, pedagogical affordance and product framework posits that pedagogical affordances within a place must be deployed in such a way so that teaching and learning processes can contribute to enhancing educational goals or purpose to improve student learning outcomes, i.e. product. This framework provides a context for understanding the relationships between pedagogy and space in higher education.
M³LVI: a multi-feature, multi-metric, multi-loop, LiDAR-visual-inertial odometry via smoothing and mapping
Authors: Hu Jiaxiang , Shi Xiaojun , Ma Chunyun , Yao Xin , Wang Yingxin
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a multi-feature, multi-metric and multi-loop tightly coupled LiDAR-visual-inertial odometry, M3LVI, for high-accuracy and robust state estimation and mapping.

Design/methodology/approach

M3LVI is built atop a factor graph and composed of two subsystems, a LiDAR-inertial system (LIS) and a visual-inertial system (VIS). LIS implements multi-feature extraction on point cloud, and then multi-metric transformation estimation is implemented to realize LiDAR odometry. LiDAR-enhanced images and IMU pre-integration have been used in VIS to realize visual odometry, providing a reliable initial guess for LIS matching module. Location recognition is performed by a dual loop module combined with Bag of Words and LiDAR-Iris to correct accumulated drift. M³LVI also functions properly when one of the subsystems failed, which greatly increases the robustness in degraded environments.

Findings

Quantitative experiments were conducted on the KITTI data set and the campus data set to evaluate the M3LVI. The experimental results show the algorithm has higher pose estimation accuracy than existing methods.

Practical implications

The proposed method can greatly improve the positioning and mapping accuracy of AGV, and has an important impact on AGV material distribution, which is one of the most important applications of industrial robots.

Originality/value

M3LVI divides the original point cloud into six types, and uses multi-metric transformation estimation to estimate the state of robot and adopts factor graph optimization model to optimize the state estimation, which improves the accuracy of pose estimation. When one subsystem fails, the other system can complete the positioning work independently, which greatly increases the robustness in degraded environments.
Entry, speed and degree of formality for household businesses: an integrated approach
Authors: Luu Tien Dung
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the factors associated with a household business entrepreneur’s decisions to formalise the firm at a multidimensions level.

Design/methodology/approach

The data set is a panel of 2,336 SMEs and household businesses from Vietnamese SME surveys during the 2005–2015 period.

Findings

This study elucidates how firm-level resources, entrepreneur characteristics and costs of doing business influence an entrepreneur’s decision to enter, the speed and the degree of formality.

Originality/value

This study provides insight into the origins of an entrepreneur’s decisions to the multidimensions of business formality through the lenses of the resource-based view, entrepreneurship and institution theories.
Development and validation of key antecedents of religious brand attitude: a cross-cultural quantitative analysis using smart PLS
Authors: Jumani Zulfiqar Ali , Muhamad Nazlida
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The religious-based brands are increasing daily, and different organizations target religious consumers. However, a scarcity of research in developing nations makes it difficult to determine how customers evaluate religious brands. This study aims to develop a model based on Ajzen’s (1985) theory of planned behaviour (TPB). It incorporates the three mediating factors of religious brand attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 499 (232 Malay and 267 Thai Muslim) respondents were surveyed systematically by adopting the purposive non-probability sampling technique. Empirically three studies with the extended model were tested in a cross-cultural context.

Findings

The results illustrate that the religious brand attitude affects the buying behavioural intentions of Muslims. The analysis found the significant role of Islamic brand attitude and mediating variables. Islamic brand by the customer is the second most significant component after Islamic brand by country of origin. The research provides a theoretical model for the research foundation and a model to analyse religious brands in diverse backgrounds.

Research limitations/implications

Only three different religious brand views were considered independent factors in this study, together with the development of TPB behavioural expectations. The research looked at three different regions in Malaysia as well as Thailand. The research also provides a model that can be used to analyse how various customers view well-known companies and religious brands.

Practical implications

Researchers, teachers and practitioners in the domains of advertising, marketing communications, consumer behaviour and sociology will find this study useful.

Originality/value

The authors develop a novel dual religiosity conceptual model to delineate the sequential nature of religious opinion formation, behaviour and consumption of religious brands. In addition, the authors provide an example using the PLS model analysis as a supporting example.
Overview of herbal therapy of acute and chronic pulmonary disease: a conceptual map
Authors: Balaei-Kahnamoei Majid , Al-Attar Mohammad , Khazaneha Mahdiyeh , Raeiszadeh Mahboobeh , Ghorbannia-Dellavar Samira , Bagheri Morteza , Salimi-Sabour Ebrahim , Shahriary Alireza , Arabfard Masoud
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Acute and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and progressive lung disease that makes breathing difficult over time and can even lead to death. Despite this, there is no definitive treatment for it yet. This study aims to evaluate the studies on single and combined herbal interventions affecting COPD.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, all articles published in English up to 2020 were extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) database and collected using Boolean tools based on keywords, titles and abstracts. Finally, the data required for bibliographic analysis, such as the author(s), publication year, academic journal, institution, country of origin, institution, financial institution and keywords were extracted from the database.

Findings

A total of 573 articles were analyzed. The number of papers in the lung disease field showed an upward trend from 1984 to 2021, and there was a surge in paper publications in 2013. China, Korea and Brazil published the highest number of studies on COPD, and Chinese medical universities published the most papers. Three journals that received the highest scores in this study were the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, International Immunopharmacology and Plos One. In the cloud map, expression, activation and expression were the most frequently researched subjects. In the plus and author keywords, acute lung injury was the most commonly used word. Inflammation, expression of various genes, nitric oxide-dependent pathways, NFkappa B, TNFalpha and lipopolysaccharide-dependent pathways were the mechanisms underlying COPD. Scientometric analysis of COPD provides a vision for future research and policymaking.

Originality/value

This study aimed to evaluate the studies on single and combined herbal interventions affecting COPD.
The relation between players' motivation, virtual communities and stickiness in augmented reality games
Authors: Zhang Rong
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this research was to explore the stickiness of players' motivation in a virtual community and to explore the important factors for gamers.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, motivation was the independent variable; the virtual community was the mediator; and stickiness was the dependent variable. An online questionnaire survey was conducted, with users of augmented reality (AR) as the research objects. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS and AMOS software to verify the research model and research hypotheses, to understand the relation between player motivation and stickiness and to determine whether there were any changes in the virtual community.

Findings

The authors found that the relation between players' motivation in AR-based games and the virtual community had a significant positive impact. Ingress had a significant positive impact on the virtual community and stickiness, and Pokémon had a significant positive impact too. The virtual community of the Ingress game played a completely mediating role in motivation and stickiness, but the virtual community in Pokémon did not have a mediating effect.

Originality/value

The novel approach adopted in this study enabled us to determine the causal relation between player motivation, the virtual community and stickiness, on the basis of the theoretical framework formulated, and the latter was used to construct a path analysis model diagram. The correlation between motivation and the virtual community, between the virtual community and stickiness, and the causal relation between all three was verified. The study results and conclusions may help companies understand how to use virtual communities in AR games to improve stickiness and motivate gamers to continue playing.
Plant water‐use strategies as mediators of herbivore drought response: Ecophysiology, host plant quality and functional traits
Authors: Carvajal Acosta Alma N. , Agrawal Anurag A. , Mooney Kailen
Published: December 2022

The response of herbivorous insects to plant drought stress can range from positive to negative, and it has been challenging to understand the causes of this variation. We tested whether plant trait values associated with aridity gradients might underlie this variation and how such effects vary between two insect feeding guilds.

Here, we propose that plants trait values associated with adaptation to arid environments would result in positive effects of experimental drought on herbivores, with such plant species adaptively shifting resources away from resistance to maintain performance under stress. In contrast, plants with trait values associated with adaptation to mesic environments would result in negative effects of drought because such species lose vigour and thus decrease their host quality.

We tested these predictions using experimental manipulations in 13 milkweed species (genus Asclepias) adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions and the herbivore performance of a specialist leaf‐chewer (monarch butterfly; Danaus plexippus) and sap‐feeder (oleander aphid; Aphis nerii). We exposed plants to physiologically calibrated species‐specific watering regimes to maximize (100%) or reduce (50%) stomatal conductance and then monitored herbivore performance.

The effects of drought stress on herbivore survival ranged from strongly positive (50% increase) to strongly negative (80% decrease) among milkweed species, but these effects were inconsistent between the two herbivores.

Plant trait values associated with adaptation to aridity were correlated with monarch survival in the predicted manner, such that milkweed species with high water‐use efficiency (WUE) and low relative water content (RWC) increased monarch survival under drought. In contrast, aphid survival was unrelated to arid‐adapted trait values.

Drought‐induced changes in plant quality were negatively associated with both herbivore survivals. Specifically, milkweed species that increased cardenolides concentration under drought conditions decreased monarch and aphid survival.

Synthesis. We demonstrated that the indirect effects of drought on herbivores varied tremendously among closely related plant species and between co‐occurring insect herbivores. We in turn present evidence that some of this variation is explained by plant traits associated with adaptation to arid versus mesic environments for leaf‐chewers but not sap‐feeders and that such effects are mediated by drought‐induced changes in chemical defences.
Review article: Acute superior mesenteric vessel ischaemia: A review of clinical practice and biomarkers
Authors: Deen Raeed , Sia Zhi Kiat
Published: December 2022

A patient with acute occlusion of the superior mesenteric vessels resulting in superior mesenteric vessel ischaemia (SMVI) who presents to the ED with abdominal pain and unremarkable abdominal examination risks delay in diagnosis and treatment with adverse outcome. A comprehensive literature search was performed, and the evidence was reviewed. To‐date, there are no accurate biomarkers of SMVI and so, heightened awareness among ED staff and rapidly actioning diagnostic imaging and surgical referral will help fast‐track the patient with SMVI to surgical management. Management of SMVI is challenging and requires ongoing communication. Prompt surgical intervention may help reduce mortality and morbidity in SMVI. SMVI is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. With the lack of accurate biomarkers, diagnosis and management is challenging and requires heightened awareness among ED staff for prompt surgical referral and intervention.
Examining the need for HR analytics to better manage and mitigate incidents of violence against nurses and personal care assistants in aged care
Authors: Pariona‐Cabrera Patricia , Cavanagh Jillian , Halvorsen Beni
Published: December 2022

In this study we argue that human resource (HR) analytics is critical to examine the interconnectedness between human resource management and human capital. The focus is on HR in the aged care sector and the employment, performance management and retention of nursing and personal care assistant staff. What HR fails to achieve in the aged care sector is to protect staff against violence in the workplace. We argue it is time for HR to immerse activities into analysing employee‐related data and supporting nursing staff against violence at work. The findings indicate through HR analytics there are innovative opportunities that can enhance human capital, but they require a thorough analysis of relevant data that will make a difference to an individual's work experiences and performance. An important part of HR analytics is to ensure the quality of data input and expert use of qualitative data to investigate, analyse and find solutions to resolve workplace violence issues.
Endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) vs appendectomy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis: A prospective multicenter randomized clinical trial
Authors: Liu Bing Rong , Kong Ling Jian , Ullah Saif , Xiao Ma , Sun Xiang Zhao , Zhang Ji Yu , Zheng Dong Lin , Zhao Li Xia , Nong Cheng Shen , Qu Bo , Zhao Lei , Liu Dan , Li De Liang , Song Ji Tao
Published: December 2022

Objective

To compare the efficacy and feasibility of endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) with appendectomy for treating acute uncomplicated appendicitis.

Methods

This was a prospective multicenter randomized trial in which consecutive patients were randomized at a ratio of 1:1 to receive either ERAT or appendectomy. The outcomes included technical success rate, procedure time, postoperative pain relief, postoperative analgesic use, time to soft diet intake, length of postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications, and recurrence rate.

Results

From August 2013 to December 2015, 110 patients with acute uncomplicated appendicitis were randomized to ERAT or appendectomy. The technical success rate was 94.55% for ERAT compared with 100% for appendectomy. Recurrence of appendicitis within 3‐year follow‐up occurred in 8 patients following ERAT. Postoperative abdominal pain was less frequent with ERAT than with appendectomy (21.15% [11/52] vs 87.27% [48/55], P < 0.001). Soft diet intake begun earlier after ERAT than appendectomy (6 h vs 48 h, P < 0.001), and post‐procedure hospital stay was shorter (3 days vs 5 days, P < 0.001), as was the use of analgesics postoperatively (9.09% vs 49.09%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

ERAT is a feasible, safe, and effective alternative approach for the management of acute uncomplicated appendicitis. Compared with appendectomy, advantages of ERAT include no skin wound, organ preservation, reduced postoperative pain, early food intake, quick recovery, fewer postoperative complications, and shorter post‐procedure hospitalization. The unsolved problem related to ERAT is the recurrence of appendicitis.
Female reproductive tract microbiome and early miscarriages
Authors: Lebedeva Olga P. , Popov Vasily N. , Syromyatnikov Mikhail Y. , Starkova Natalia N. , Maslov Alexander Y. , Kozarenko Olesya N. , Gryaznova Mariya V.
Published: December 2022

Miscarriage is one of the main causes of reproductive loss, which can lead to a number of physical and psychological complications and other long‐term consequences. However, the role of vaginal and uterine microbiome in such complications is poorly understood. To review the published data on the function of the female reproductive tract microbiome in the pathogenesis of early miscarriages. The articles published over the past 20 years and deposited in PubMed, Google Academy, Scopus, Elibrary, ResearchGate, and EBSCO databases were analyzed. The review presents new data on the impact of the vaginal and uterine microbiome on the local immunity, including defense against sexually transmitted infections, and its association with other factors of miscarriages. The studies on the microbiome of non‐pregnant women with recurrent miscarriages in the anamnesis, patients undergoing IVF, and pregnant women with miscarriages, as well as new directions in the microbiome research are discussed. The majority of studies have demonstrated that the dominant species of the vaginal and uterine microbiome in patients with early miscarriages are non‐Lactobacillus bacteria. As many of these bacteria have not previously been detected by cultural studies and their role in obstetric complications is not well defined, further research on the female reproductive tract microbiome, including the microbiome of the cervix uteri, is needed to develop new approaches for the prognosis and prevention of miscarriages.
Twenty‐five years of management research on poverty: A systematic review of the literature and a research agenda
Authors: Stefanidis Abraham , Casselman R. Mitch , Horak Sven
Published: December 2022

Despite significant economic growth in both developed and emerging markets, several disadvantaged and marginalized segments of the global population still live in poverty. Recognizing the important role of business in alleviating poverty, management scholars have been increasingly investigating the topic of poverty. Although reviews of the extant literature have provided overviews of select poverty‐related themes, such as that of the base of the pyramid, no one study has reviewed the topic of poverty across the management literature. The present systematic literature review collects, organizes and analyzes several hundred articles on poverty research, published in business and management journals during the past 25 years. The study identifies major themes in poverty research, reveals thematic overlaps among subdisciplines, summarizes adopted research methodologies, and recognizes opportunities for future research. We find that, despite the wide variation of research topics and approaches, the studied themes remain relatively insulated within each subdiscipline of management research. Drawing on United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, we conclude that, although the number of articles on poverty has increased considerably during the last decade, there are several research niches that future management scholars can investigate to alleviate one of the most pressing global challenges of our time.
Review: Can digital mental health interventions bridge the ‘digital divide’ for socioeconomically and digitally marginalised youth? A systematic review
Authors: Piers Rowena , Williams Joanne M. , Sharpe Helen
Published: December 2022

Background

Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have the potential to improve the efficiency, accessibility and effectiveness of mental health services for young people, with the potential to reach socioeconomically and digitally marginalised young people with mental health needs who would otherwise not seek help in person. This review aims to investigate the characteristics, acceptability and efficacy of DMHIs specifically developed for socioeconomically and digitally marginalised youth.

Method

Key databases were searched widely and systematically (EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, OpenGrey). Final inclusion in this review required studies to evaluate DMHIs specifically targeting socioeconomically and digitally marginalised children and young people through a broad range of research designs.

Results

Ten studies, describing seven DHMIs, were included in this review. Studies varied in terms of methodology, population, intervention, outcome measures, technologies used and methodological quality. Qualitative and quantitative results are synthesised across three key phenomena of interest: effectiveness, acceptability and feasibility. Findings suggest that there is moderate but limited evidence supporting DMHIs for improving mental health outcomes among these populations.

Conclusions

While there is moderate evidence suggesting that digitally delivered interventions can be effective in improving mental health outcomes among socioeconomically and digitally marginalised youth, more high‐quality research is needed in order to determine whether DMHIs can fully bridge the so‐called ‘digital divide’.
Genetic and clinical features of neonatal and early onset diabetes mellitus in a tertiary center cohort in Brazil
Authors: Costa‐Riquetto Aline Dantas , de Santana Lucas Santos , Franco Pedro Campos , Jr Augusto Cezar Santomauro , Martio Artur Eduardo , Lisboa Hugo Roberto Kurtz , Kohara Suely Keiko , Teles Milena G.
Published: December 2022

Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is defined as the occurrence of severe hyperglycemia in infants under 6 months old and may be permanent (PNDM) or transient (TNDM). When diabetes is diagnosed at 6–12 months of age (early onset diabetes [EOD]), the etiology may be monogenic; however, most cases consist of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Molecular diagnosis was determined in a cohort of 35 unrelated Brazilian patients with NDM or EOD based on targeted next‐generation sequencing panel and/or chromosome 6q24 abnormalities. The impact of genetic testing on treatment and follow‐up was evaluated. Overall, 24 patients had NDM: with 18 (75.0%) having PNDM, 5 TNDM (20.8%) and 1 case in which this information was unknown. Eleven patients had EOD. Genetic testing was positive in 20/24 patients with NDM (83.3%) and in 18.2% of cases of EOD. The commonest causes were ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channel genes, and GCK and IPEX mutations (37.1%, 11.4% and 5.7%, respectively). Patients with PNDM due to KCNJ11 and ABCC8 mutations transitioned successfully to sulfonylureas in almost 60% of cases, reinforcing the benefit of performing genetic testing in NDM as early as possible. This report refers to the largest series of cases of NDM (TNDM and PNDM) and EOD in Brazil in which patients were submitted to molecular investigation and in which the clinical impact of genetic diagnosis was also evaluated.
A thalamic circuit facilitates stress susceptibility via melanocortin 4 receptor‐mediated activation of nucleus accumbens shell
Authors: Deng Qiao , Zhang Shao‐Qi , Yang Ping‐Fen , Dong Wan‐Ting , Wang Jia‐Lin , Chen Jian‐Guo , Wang Fang , Long Li‐Hong
Published: December 2022

Aims

Central melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) has been reported to induce anhedonia via eliciting dysfunction of excitatory synapses. It is evident that metabolic signals are closely related to chronic stress‐induced depression. Here, we investigated that a neural circuit is involved in melanocortin signaling contributing to susceptibility to stress.

Methods

Chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) was used to develop depressive‐like behavior. Electrophysiologic and chemogenetic approaches were performed to evaluate the role of paraventricular thalamus (PVT) glutamatergic to nucleus accumbens shell (NAcsh) circuit in stress susceptibility. Pharmacological and genetic manipulations were applied to investigate the molecular mechanisms of melanocortin signaling in the circuit.

Results

CSDS increases the excitatory neurotransmission in NAcsh through MC4R signaling. The enhanced excitatory synaptic input in NAcsh is projected from PVT glutamatergic neurons. Moreover, chemogenetic manipulation of PVTGlu‐NAcsh projection mediates the susceptibility to stress, which is dependent on MC4R signaling. Overall, these results reveal that the strengthened excitatory neurotransmission in NAcsh originates from PVT glutamatergic neurons, facilitating the susceptibility to stress through melanocortin signaling.

Conclusions

Our results make a strong case for harnessing a thalamic circuit to reorganize excitatory synaptic transmission in relieving stress susceptibility and provide insights gained on metabolic underpinnings of protection against stress‐induced depressive‐like behavior.
A Bodies‐On Museum: The Transformation of Museum Embodiment through Virtual Technology
Authors: Wang Siyi
Published: December 2022

All activities of the museum—exhibition, education, collection, research, and visitor services—involve the conceptualization of the body and technology related to the body. A museum's accumulated knowledge and its physical form involve not only various views of science and culture but also complementary binaries like inside/outside, collective/individual, and body/soul. The body represents an indispensable, constant, and important dimension in the museum. This paper examines future museum development trends that center on the body, presenting the fundamental role the body plays in museums. Starting from a consideration of how museums realize the presence of the body, this analysis continues through the historical and cultural practicality of physical objects, the social attributes of the body in the museum, and the transformation of present‐day museums through virtual technology.
Metaphors and hermeneutical resistance
Authors: Ney Milan
Published: December 2022

In this paper, I explore ways in which metaphors contribute to hermeneutical resistance, that is, to practices that overcome and/or ameliorate hermeneutical injustice. I distinguish two aspects of hermeneutical injustice and two corresponding kinds of resistance: exoteric and esoteric hermeneutical injustice/resistance. The former injustice consists in unjust harm due to an inability to make one's experience understood to others. The latter consists in such a harm due to an inability to fully understand one's own experiences. In exoteric hermeneutical resistance, metaphors can overcome resistances in others to understand oppressed agents' contributions because of its automatic processing and anti‐deniability. In esoteric hermeneutical resistance, metaphors may highlight common structures in various aspects of marginalised agent's experiences, they can provide means of denoting social properties obscured by hermeneutical injustice and they can exhibit hermeneutical injustice by resisting interpretation. I illustrate these practices through works by Emily Dickinson, Ralph Ellison, Frantz Fanon, Paul Celan and Nelly Sachs. Those examples show the power of metaphors in hermeneutical resistance.