bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Divergence in theSaccharomycesspecies’ heat shock response is indicative of their thermal tolerance
Authors: Fay Justin C. , Alonso-del-Real Javier , Miller James H. , Querol Amparo
Published: July 2023

TheSaccharomycesspecies have diverged in their thermal growth profile. BothS. cerevisiaeandS. paradoxusgrow at temperatures well above the maximum growth temperature ofS. kudriavzeviiandS. uvarum, but grow more poorly at lower temperatures. In response to thermal shifts, organisms activate a stress response that includes heat shock proteins involved in protein homeostasis and acquisition of thermal tolerance. To determine whetherSaccharomycesspecies have diverged in their response to temperature we measured changes in gene expression in response to a 12°C increase or decrease in temperature for fourSaccharomycesspecies and their six pairwise hybrids. To ensure coverage of subtelomeric gene families we sequenced, assembled and annotated a completeS. uvarumgenome. All the strains exhibited a stronger response to heat than cold treatment. In response to heat, the cryophilic species showed a stronger response than the thermophilic species. The hybrids showed a mixture of parental stress responses depending on the time point. After the initial response, hybrids with a thermophilic parent were more similar toS. cerevisiaeandS. paradoxus, and theS. cerevisiaexS. paradoxushybrid showed the weakest heat shock response. Within the hybrids a small subset of temperature responsive genes showed species specific responses but most were also hybrid specific. Our results show that divergence in the heat shock response is indicative of a strain’s thermal tolerance, suggesting that cellular factors that signal heat stress or resolve heat induced changes are relevant to thermal divergence in theSaccharomycesspecies.
A cerebellar population coding model for sensorimotor learning
Authors: Wang Tianhe , Ivry Richard B.
Published: July 2023

The cerebellum is crucial for sensorimotor adaptation, using error information to keep the sensorimotor system well-calibrated. Here we introduce a population-coding model to explain how cerebellar-dependent learning is modulated by contextual variation. The model consists of a two-layer network, designed to capture activity in both the cerebellar cortex and deep cerebellar nuclei. A core feature of the model is that within each layer, the processing units are tuned to both movement direction and the direction of movement error. The model captures a large range of contextual effects including interference from prior learning and the influence of error uncertainty and volatility. While these effects have traditionally been taken to indicate meta learning or context-dependent memory within the adaptation system, our results show that they are emergent properties that arise from the population dynamics within the cerebellum. Our results provide a novel framework to understand how the nervous system responds to variable environments.
An Engineered Human-Antibody Fragment with Fentanyl Pan-Specificity that Reverses Carfentanil-Induced Respiratory Depression
Authors: Eubanks Lisa M. , Pholcharee Tossapol , Oyen David , Natori Yoshihiro , Zhou Bin , Wilson Ian A. , Janda Kim D.
Published: July 2023

The opioid overdose crisis primarily driven by potent synthetic opioids resulted in more than 500,000 deaths in the US over the last 20 years. Though naloxone, a short acting medication, remains the primary treatment option for temporarily reversing opioid overdose effects, alternative countermeasures are needed. Monoclonal antibodies present a versatile therapeutic opportunity that can be tailored for synthetic opioids and that can help prevent post-treatment renarcotization. The ultrapotent analog carfentanil, is especially concerning due to its unique pharmacological properties. With this in mind, we generated a fully human antibody through a drug-specific B cell sorting strategy with a combination of carfentanil and fentanyl probes. The resulting pan-specific antibody was further optimized through scFv phage display. This antibody, C10-S66K, displays high affinity to carfentanil, fentanyl, and other analogs, and reversed carfentanil-induced respiratory depression. Additionally, x-ray crystal structures with carfentanil and fentanyl bound provided structural insight into key drug:antibody interactions.
CaaX-motif adjacent residues control G protein prenylation under suboptimal conditions
Authors: Tennakoon Mithila , Thotamune Waruna , Payton John L. , Karunarathne Ajith
Published: July 2023

Prenylation is a universal and irreversible post-translational modification that supports membrane interactions of proteins involved in various cellular processes, including migration, proliferation, and survival. Thus, dysregulation of prenylation contributes to multiple disorders, including cancers, vascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. During prenylation, prenyltransferase enzymes tether metabolically produced isoprenoid lipids to proteins via a thioether linkage. Pharmacological inhibition of the lipid synthesis pathway by statins has long been a therapeutic approach to control hyperlipidemia. Building on our previous finding that statins inhibit membrane association of G protein γ (Gγ) in a subtype-dependent manner, we investigated the molecular reasoning for this differential. We examined the prenylation efficacy of carboxy terminus (Ct) mutated Gγ in cells exposed to Fluvastatin and prenyl transferase inhibitors and monitored the subcellular localization of fluorescently tagged Gγ subunits and their mutants using live-cell confocal imaging. Reversible optogenetic unmasking-masking of Ct residues was used to probe their contribution to the prenylation process and membrane interactions of the prenylated proteins. Our findings suggest that specific Ct residues regulate membrane interactions of the Gγ polypeptide statin sensitivity, and prenylation efficacy. Our results also show that a few hydrophobic and charged residues at the Ct are crucial determinants of a protein’s prenylation ability, especially under suboptimal conditions. Given the cell and tissue-specific expression of different Gγ subtypes, our findings explain how and why statins differentially perturb heterotrimeric G protein signaling in specific cells and tissues. Our results may provide molecular reasoning for repurposing statins as Ras oncogene inhibitors and the failure of using prenyltransferase inhibitors in cancer treatment.
Exogenous corticosterone administration during pregnancy alters placental and fetal thyroid hormone availability in females
Authors: Paul Emmanuel N. , Shubitidze Salome , Rahim Rodaba , Rucker Imani , Valin Liana , Apostle Stefanos , Andrew Pospisilik J. , Racicot Karen E. , Smithb Arianna L.
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Maternal prenatal stress is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and predisposition to long-term adverse health outcomes in children. While the molecular mechanisms that govern these associations has not been fully teased apart, stress-induced changes in placental function can drive sex-specific phenotypes in offspring. We sought to identify and examine molecular pathways in the placenta that are altered in response to maternal prenatal stress.

Methods

Using a mouse model of maternal prenatal stress, we conducted RNA-seq analysis of whole placenta at E18.5. We used qRT-PCR to validate gene expression changes in the placenta and in a trophoblast cell line. ELISAs were used to measure the abundance of thyroid hormones in maternal and fetal serum and in the placenta.

Results

Dio2was amongst the top differentially expressed genes in response to elevated maternal stress hormone.Dio2expression was more downregulated in female placenta from stressed dams than both female control and male placenta. Consistent with Dio2’s role in production of bioactive thyroid hormone (T3), we found that there was a reduction of T3 in placenta and serum of female embryos from stressed dams at E18.5. Both T3 and T4 were reduced in the fetal compartment of the female placenta from stressed dams at E16.5. Stress hormone induced reduction in thyroid hormone in females was independent of circulating levels of TH in the dams.

Discussion

The placental thyroid hormone synthesis pathway may be a target of maternal stress and modulate fetal programming of health and disease of offspring in a sex-specific fashion.
A call to action: a stakeholder analysis of green logistics practices
Authors: Prataviera Lorenzo Bruno , Creazza Alessandro , Perotti Sara
Published: July 2023

Purpose

There is a growing body of literature discussing the green logistics practices (GLPs) that companies could introduce to reduce the logistics environmental impact. Current approaches also identify several influencing factors within firms that could serve as barriers to, or enablers of, GLPs. However, less is known about the role of extra-firm stakeholders, even though these are crucial to operationalizing green logistics effectively. This study merges current theoretical understanding with empirical evidence to provide a detailed stakeholder analysis of GLPs.

Design/methodology/approach

Using stakeholder theory as a theoretical lens, the authors aimed at offering a mid-range contribution by conducting multiple embedded case studies examining Italian logistics service providers and shippers. GLPs and the related influencing factors were examined as sub-units of analysis within broader companies' environmental sustainability strategies.

Findings

The authors identified cascading effects among factors influencing the adoption of GLPs (e.g. key economic factors are affected by external factors which also influence organizational and collaboration factors). These effects are moderated by interdependencies between primary and secondary stakeholders, and the study highlights the prominent involvement of secondary stakeholders, such as final consumers.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to better understanding how and why companies adopt GLPs, emphasizing the wide set of stakeholders involved and illustrating how different stakeholders impact on GLPs adoption by affecting a set of influencing factors. By combining insights from the available literature with contemporary empirical data, the authors emphasize how Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) and shippers can no longer address the adoption of GLPs as “focal companies”, but only as part of a “focal network of interconnected stakeholders”, all of them influencing GLPs adoption.
Just asking questions: can a far-right president turn agentic knowledge construction into political manipulation?
Authors: Russo Renato , Blikstein Paulo
Published: July 2023

Purpose

There are several connections between education and disinformation, including the association between years of schooling and vulnerability to unfounded hypothesizing. The purpose of this paper is to inquire into a competing explanation: political leaders might be exploring powerful teaching and learning strategies to disseminate agendas based on baseless assumptions, exploiting human’s tendency to generate robust theories even with incomplete or incorrect information.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed ten videos published online by a highly partisan YouTube channel. The footage contained informal encounters between former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and supporters in front of his official residence. The team sought to answer two research questions: Do Mr Bolsonaro’s discursive moves include activators that lead the audience to understand that they are theorizing and reaching conclusions “on their own?” Does Mr Bolsonaro’s audience follow those clues and mention politically motivated hoaxes and conspiracy theories in their comments? This paper draws on perspectives from the field of educational research to investigate the mechanisms used by the president to shape public opinion.

Findings

The authors found evidence of the employment of elements akin to classroom discourse in the dialogues led by Mr Bolsonaro. Specifically, different types of rhetorical questions are present to a substantial extent in the data subset analyzed for this paper.

Originality/value

This work offers an alternative perspective to analyzing disinformation. By drawing from established literature from education research, this paper departs from facile explanations that take for granted the lack of intelligence of the audience. Conversely, it argues that popular, if not powerful, teaching and learning strategies might play an undesired role by shaping individuals’ cognitive processes to create robust, internally consistent theories about the world using flawed assumptions and incorrect “building blocks.”
Leading for employees' enterprise system ambidextrous use through contextual ambidexterity: the mediating role of user empowerment and moderating role of leader–member exchange
Authors: Tang Xiaofan , Wei Shaobo
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop a cross-level research model to explore the relationship between team-level contextual ambidexterity and employees' enterprise system (ES) ambidextrous use, and the mediating role of user empowerment in and moderating effect of leader–member exchange (LMX) on the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a sequential mixed-methods approach, which included a quantitative survey and a qualitative case study. The survey, administered to 244 employees in 59 groups from a financial institution, analyzed the relationships between contextual ambidexterity and ES ambidextrous use. Furthermore, the cross-level mediation and moderation effects were explored. The case study, involving nine members in three groups from a manufacturing firm, served to reinforce the validity of the survey results.

Findings

Team-level contextual ambidexterity can affect ES ambidextrous use directly or through the partial mediator of user empowerment. Furthermore, this study highlights the moderating role of LMX in the relationship between contextual ambidexterity and user empowerment, thereby improving ES ambidextrous use.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by uncovering the cross-level effect of contextual ambidexterity on ES ambidextrous use through user empowerment, thereby extending the ambidexterity perspective and self-determination theory to the ES context. Additionally, this study provides nuanced insights into how to enhance ES ambidextrous use by revealing the moderating role and moderated mediation effect of LMX anchoring on social exchange theory.
The talent management business model and its impact on business performance
Authors: Orea Arturo , del Val M. Teresa , García Carmelo
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to empirically analyse the relationship between the business model and the evolution of employment during the Great Recession, based on data from 75 industrial companies in the Corredor del Henares in Guadalajara, a reference area for being one of the fastest growing economic and business areas in Spain in recent decades.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept of the business model has been incorporated into organizational theory and practice over the last 25 years and continues to attract the interest of the academic and business community. The most recent research found in the literature has confirmed the relationship between business model and business performance, being directly connected to business performance and, therefore, to the creation of employment. However, the conclusions of the available studies are not directly scalable, as they refer to a specific sector or market.

Findings

The result confirms the positive impact of the business model on results and specifically, that talent management, through the value proposition and technology, has an impact on improving business performance. The study specifically confirms that talent integrated in organizations has an impact on the performance through a solid value proposition, scalable and adaptable to changes in the environment and whose transformation must be led by the top management. Talent integrates key partners and considers corporate social responsibility, sustainability, security and transparency as key factors in its management.

Originality/value

Thus, providing new and relevant information for research and business practice, and its conclusions are generalisable thanks to the multi-sector and multi-territorial nature of the sample selected.
Analyzing the impact of Russia-Ukraine crisis on the Indian economy using input-output modeling
Authors: Sarkar Bishal Dey , Gupta Laxmi
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The conflict in Russian Ukraine is a problem for the world economy because it hinders growth and drives up inflation when it is already high. The trade route between India and Russia is also impacted by the Russia-Ukraine crisis. This study aims to compile the most recent data on how the present global economic crisis is affecting it, with particular emphasis on the Indian economy.

Design/methodology/approach

This research develops a mathematical forecasting model to evaluate how the Russia-Ukraine crisis would affect the Indian economy when perturbations are applied to the major transport sectors. Input-output modeling (I-O model) and interval programing (IP) are the two precise methods used in the model. The inoperability I-O model developed by Wassily Leontief examines how disruption in one sector of the economy spreads to the other. To capture data uncertainties, IP has been added to IIM.

Findings

This study uses the forecasted inoperability value to analyze how the sectors are interconnected. Economic loss is used to determine the lowest and highest priority sectors due to the Russia-Ukraine crisis on the Indian economy. Furthermore, this study provides a decision-support conclusion for studying the sectors under various scenarios.

Research limitations/implications

In future studies, other sectors could be added to study the Russian-Ukrainian crises’ effects on the Indian economy. Perturbation is only applied to transport sectors and could be applied to other sectors for studying the effects of the crisis. The availability of incomplete data is a significant concern in this study.

Originality/value

Russia-Ukraine conflict is a significant blow to the global economy and affects the global transportation network. This study discusses the application of the IIM-IP model to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It also forecasts the values to examine how the crisis affected the Indian economy. This study uses a variety of scenarios to create a decision-support conclusion table that aids decision-makers in analyzing the Indian economy’s lowest and most affected sectors as a result of the crisis.
Fennoscandic comparison on KYC obligations of a virtual currency provider
Authors: Keskitalo Kristian , Väyrynen Jaakko
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the virtual currency regulation especially in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Different member states had a bit differently incorporated regulation of AMLD5. Finland has gone the furthest in regulation and even issuers of virtual currency are under the Finnish regulation.

Design/methodology/approach

In one hand, the study approach is legal dogmatics, but in other hand it is comparative legal research. Both approaches can be found in this paper.

Findings

The EEA is going from a more fragmented regulatory landscape based on 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive to a more uniform regulatory approach provided by a legislative package that regulates crypto assets more broadly, coupled with an overhaul of the anti-money laundering rules, bringing them into a single European rulebook. Finland has taken a step further in this matter. Therefore, it would be reasonable for the AMLD5 scope to be expanded in this respect. It is a welcome development that the regulation will be unified and that investor protection will be better taken into account in the future as well.

Originality/value

This paper gives a picture of what kind of challenges is there in Fennoscandic in terms of money laundering regulation of virtual currencies. On the other hand, this paper brings into the discussion the rather clever solutions of Fennoscandic (especially Finland) regarding money laundering of virtual currencies.
Hack for impact – sociomateriality and the emergent structuration of social hackathons
Authors: Faludi Julianna
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Social hackathons are events designed to craft social change using technology that enables citizen empowerment or addresses societal issues by deploying data. Hackathons provide a framework for organizing to help create prototypes and business models through interaction with technology. The relevance of the sociomateriality of the emergent technology (prototype) and organizational structure raises the question if viable and impactful solutions can be developed within such frames.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies an inductive research methodology based on ethnographic participant observation, interviews with participants and event organizers, and qualitative insights from surveys.

Findings

Events such as social hackathons are centered around technology and share a vision of creating opportunities for change. The materiality of prototypes may define their interaction patterns. The differentiation of the embodiment and emergent structuration of technology may be a breaking point for in-group dynamics and a barrier to social innovation. The emergent structuration of technology with a longer initial phase of problem definition and ideation within a group was found to have more potential for impactful embodiment with the technological artifact. Some cases reveal that “expert” participants who shared visions of change enabled by technology were constrained by other members.

Originality/value

The paper suggests an extended view on the connection of sociomateriality, organizing and social impact.
Promoting brand gratitude through unique emotional connection: a qualitative study
Authors: Bhattacharya Subhajit , Dalal Arunava
Published: July 2023

Purpose

A growing challenge for organizations is to keep their brand relevant and connected to consumers. This can be achieved by connecting the consumer not only through conventional lines but also through means of developing emotional bonding, leading to brand gratitude. This study aims to develop a conceptual model by identifying a set of components and establishing a probable linkage between them for the development of brand gratitude.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study involving three focus group discussions with industry experts was conducted to identify the brand elements that can help build a strong emotional connection between the brand and customers, leading to brand gratitude.

Findings

The study identified the different brand elements and their relative influence on building the consumer-brand emotional connection. These components were then incorporated into a conceptual model for creating a “Unique Emotional Connection” (UEC). The outcome of the UEC model is enhanced and long-lasting association of the brand through brand gratitude.

Originality/value

An integrated study to understand the different elements influencing customer-brand emotional connection is rare. Also, papers studying the role of gratitude in brand management are limited. This study has tried to address these gaps through a conceptual framework that can help marketing practitioners to develop a long-lasting customer-brand relationship.
Audit(or) type and audit quality in emerging markets: evidence from explicit vs. implicit restatements
Authors: Eldyasty Mohamed M. , Elamer Ahmed A.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the link between audit(or) type and restatements in Egypt, a complex and multifaceted auditing market. The usual big 4 versus non-big 4 comparison is insufficient as Egypt has a unique mix of private audit firms, one governmental agency (Accountability State Authority) and mandatory/nonmandatory audit services, including single, joint and dual audits.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a sample of listed companies in Egypt and analyzes the impact of auditor type and audit type on explicit, implicit and total restatements. The study uses logistic regression model to examine the underlying relationship.

Findings

Results show no relationship between auditor type and audit quality, positive association between non-big foreign CPA firms and total/implicit restatements and mixed results for the impact of dual audits on audit quality. The study found no link between auditor type and audit quality in Egypt. Egyptian audit firms linked to non-big 4 foreign Certified Public Accounting firms were positively linked to total and implicit restatements. Joint audits did not improve audit quality and were directly related to total and explicit restatements. Dual audits showed mixed results, positively associated with implicit restatements but inversely associated with explicit restatements.

Originality/value

The study provides valuable insights into the complexities of the auditing market in emerging markets and offers valuable insights for stakeholders in the financial statement users, audit firms and governmental agencies.
Managerial values and corporate social responsibility practices: multilevel and multistakeholder analysis
Authors: Belay Habtie Alemnew , Hailu Fentaye Kassa , Sinshaw Gedif Tessema
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to posit that managerial value would be one of the responsible factors for the difference in corporate social responsibility practice among businesses. It then empirically tested the effect of managerial value, with the moderation of organizational culture, on corporate social responsibility practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have devised a “moderated micro-macro model” type of multilevel model, wherein managerial value took the micro (individual level) predictor variable role, stakeholder-based corporate social responsibility practice the macro (organizational level) outcome variable role and organizational culture the macro level moderating variable role. Because they need the attention of inquiry, large manufacturing firms in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, with a sample size of 53, constituted the organizational level units. The recent performance of the firms against corporate social responsibility practice and organizational culture have been judged by 473 randomly chosen employees. Managerial value has been rated by randomly picked managers, numbered 253. Analytically, Croon and van Veldhoven’s multilevel analytical package and Mplus software suited the designed model.

Findings

The study has revealed that managerial value, indeed, is a potential positive driver of CSR practice, the two managerial value dimensions demonstrated differential effects on corporate social responsibility practice and only one of the organizational culture dimensions, hierarchical culture, played a moderation role in managerial value – corporate social responsibility practice link.

Originality/value

The model and this empirical test have not been previously verified.
Marketing cereal to the generation Z cohort: what are the key drivers that stimulate consumer behavioural intentions in South Africa?
Authors: Maziriri Eugine Tafadzwa , Nyagadza Brighton , Mabuyana Brian , Rukuni Tarisai Fritz , Mapuranga Miston
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how health consciousness, perceived nutrition of cereals, hedonic eating values and utilitarian eating values would influence consumers’ attitudes towards cereal consumption, willingness to pay for cereals, actual consumption of cereal products, cereal product consumption satisfaction and continuance of cereal consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

The research embraced a quantitative approach. The examination was completed in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa (SA). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 380 Generation Z consumers of cereal products. Structural equation modelling analysis was used using the smart partial least squares software to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

The results uncovered that the study variables were significantly associated, and surprisingly, the relationship between hedonic eating values and attitudes towards cereal consumption was found to be insignificant. It was also found that attitudes toward cereal consumption positively and significantly mediated the relationship between health consciousness and willingness to pay for cereals, perceived cereal nutrition and willingness to pay for cereals, hedonic eating values and willingness to pay for cereals and utilitarian eating values and willingness to pay for cereals.

Originality/value

This research adds new, fresh knowledge to the established body of knowledge on cereal consumption behaviour. This area has had little research attention in developing African countries like SA.
Correctional officers and the use of force as an organizational behavior
Authors: Schultz William J.
Published: July 2023

During the past 30 years, bureaucratic managerialism has reshaped how prison staff maintain order. Policies and graduated disciplinary models have replaced coercive methods, reducing disciplinary use of force by prison staff against incarcerated people. Managerialism, however, disguises deep problems in the interpretation and enforcement of use‐of‐force policies. Drawing on 131 semistructured interviews with Canadian correctional officers (COs), I show how managers and prison staff interpret and negotiate policies to justify using force to maintain order. Although COs frame policies and management supervision as significant checks on their actions, they also suggest that inconsistencies in policy interpretation and implementation facilitate certain kinds of use‐of‐force decisions, which I define as “construction” and “outsourcing.” I conclude by discussing the broader organizational implications of these findings.
Assessing the necessity of intravenous contrast for computed tomography in the acute undifferentiated abdomen
Authors: Narita Callum , Clements Warren , Varma Dinesh
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Undifferentiated abdominal pain in the emergency setting is frequently investigated with an intravenous contrast enhanced CT as a first line diagnostic test. However, global contrast shortages restricted the use of contrast for a period in 2022, altering standard practice with many scans performed without intravenous contrast. Whilst IV contrast can be useful to assist with interpretation, its necessity in the setting of acute undifferentiated abdominal pain is not well described, and its use comes with its own risks. This study aimed to assess the shortcomings of omitting IV contrast in an emergency setting, by comparing the rate of CT scans with “indeterminate” findings with and without the use of IV contrast.

Methods

Data from presentations to a single centre emergency department for undifferentiated abdominal pain prior to and during contrast shortages in June 2022 were retrospectively compared. The primary outcome was the rate of diagnostic uncertainty, where the presence or absence of intra‐abdominal pathology could not be ascertained.

Results

12/85 (14.1%) of the unenhanced abdominal CT scans provided an uncertain result, compared with 14/101 (13.9%) of control cases performed with intravenous contrast (P = 0.96). There were also similar rates of positive and negative findings between the groups.

Conclusion

Omitting intravenous contrast for abdominal CT in the setting of undifferentiated abdominal pain demonstrated no significant difference in the rate of diagnostic uncertainty. There are significant potential patient, fiscal and societal benefits as well as potential improvements to emergency department efficiency with the reduction of unnecessary intravenous contrast administration.
Towards complex applications of active remote sensing for ecology and conservation
Authors: Latifi Hooman , Valbuena Ruben , Silva Carlos Alberto
Published: July 2023

Remote sensing (RS) and geospatial sciences already amount to a long history of fostering research in topics related to ecology. Data and methods have mainly been subject to research and experiments, but trends are now emerging that suggest the use of RS in practical applications like nationwide monitoring programs and assisting global conservation goals. However, use of active remote sensing for ecological and conservation is in its infancy, and the implications of active sensor data, including light detection and ranging and radio detection and ranging that mostly deliver three‐dimensional (3D) information, are still relatively primitive and have largely been limited to indirect use of their extracted proxies for ecological modelling.

This cross‐journal special feature between Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal of Applied Ecology and Journal of Ecology includes 18 papers that include full research papers, reviews and technical applications. They are mostly novel in either or both their interpretation of proxies derived from active RS data and the direct usage of 3D RS techniques (terrestrial, airborne, UAV borne and spaceborne) to address ecological topics.

We categorized the published contributions into the following thematic groups, with some degree of overlap: (i) ecosystem structural analysis by active data (nine studies); (ii) response of animal populations to climate dynamics as shown by active data; (iii) interactive effects of forest structure and wildlife monitoring (five studies); (iv) forest inventories assisted by active data (one study) and (v) tree type classification by active data (one study).

Synthesis. The studies in this Special Feature and trends shown by other recent works at the interface of ecology and active RS confirm the ongoing shift from indirect and solely proxy‐based approaches to direct and more data‐science driven methods in approaching ecology and conservation problems by means of active sensors. Relatively affordable and accessible drone and citizen science‐based on‐demand active RS data acquisition are becoming common practice, and the future of sensor development is hypothesized to go beyond the current domination of very high spatial resolution data and towards multiple spaceborne platforms. These tools and methods will support spatial upscaling, uncertainty analysis, large‐scale mapping and monitoring of wildlife dynamics, among other topics that can take advantage of multitemporal/time series data. Nevertheless, access to demanding and costly very high‐resolution data sources may still be maintained and optimized by establishing international and public–private partnered data pools.
Identifying risk factors for poor multidimensional recovery after major surgery: A systematic review
Authors: Ou‐Young Jared , Boggett Stuart , El Ansary Doa , Clarke‐Errey Sandy , Royse Colin F. , Bowyer Andrea J.
Published: July 2023

Traditional risk factors used for predicting poor postoperative recovery have focused on postoperative complications, adverse symptoms (nausea, pain), length of hospital stay, and patient quality of life. Despite these being traditional performance indicators of patient postoperative “status,” they may not fully define the multidimensional nature of patient recovery. The definition of postoperative recovery is thus evolving to include patient‐reported outcomes that are important to the patient. Previous reviews have focused on risk factors for the above traditional outcomes after major surgery. Yet, there remains a need for further study of risk factors predicting multidimensional patient‐focused recovery, and investigation beyond the immediate postoperative period after patients are discharged from the hospital. This review aimed to appraise the current literature identifying risk factors for multidimensional patient recovery.

Methods

A systematic review without meta‐analysis was performed to qualitatively summarize preoperative risk factors for multidimensional recovery 4–6 weeks after major surgery (PROSPERO, CRD42022321626). We reviewed three electronic databases between January 2012 and April 2022. The primary outcome was risk factors for multidimensional recovery at 4–6 weeks. A GRADE quality appraisal and a risk of bias assessment were completed.

Results

In total, 5150 studies were identified, after which 1506 duplicates were removed. After the primary and secondary screening, nine articles were included in the final review. Interrater agreements between the two assessors for the primary and secondary screening process were 86% (k = 0.47) and 94% (k = 0.70), respectively. Factors associated with poor recovery were found to include ASA grade, recovery tool baseline score, physical function, number of co‐morbidities, previous surgery, and psychological well‐being. Mixed results were reported for age, BMI, and preoperative pain. Due to the observational nature, heterogeneity, multiple definitions of recovery, and moderate risk of bias of the primary studies, the quality of evidence was rated from very low to low.

Conclusion

Our review found that there were few studies assessing preoperative risk factors as predictors for poor postoperative multidimensional recovery. This confirms the need for higher quality studies assessing risk for poor recovery, ideally with a consistent and multi‐dimensional definition of recovery.
microRNAs‐mediated regulation of insulin signaling in white adipose tissue during aging: Role of caloric restriction
Authors: Corrales Patricia , Martin‐Taboada Marina , Vivas‐García Yurena , Torres Lucia , Ramirez‐Jimenez Laura , Lopez Yamila , Horrillo Daniel , Vila‐Bedmar Rocio , Barber‐Cano Eloisa , Izquierdo‐Lahuerta Adriana , Peña‐Chilet Maria , Martínez Carmen , Dopazo Joaquín , Ros Manuel , Medina‐Gomez Gema
Published: July 2023

Caloric restriction is a non‐pharmacological intervention known to ameliorate the metabolic defects associated with aging, including insulin resistance. The levels of miRNA expression may represent a predictive tool for aging‐related alterations. In order to investigate the role of miRNAs underlying insulin resistance in adipose tissue during the early stages of aging, 3‐ and 12‐month‐old male animals fed ad libitum, and 12‐month‐old male animals fed with a 20% caloric restricted diet were used. In this work we demonstrate that specific miRNAs may contribute to the impaired insulin‐stimulated glucose metabolism specifically in the subcutaneous white adipose tissue, through the regulation of target genes implicated in the insulin signaling cascade. Moreover, the expression of these miRNAs is modified by caloric restriction in middle‐aged animals, in accordance with the improvement of the metabolic state. Overall, our work demonstrates that alterations in posttranscriptional gene expression because of miRNAs dysregulation might represent an endogenous mechanism by which insulin response in the subcutaneous fat depot is already affected at middle age. Importantly, caloric restriction could prevent this modulation, demonstrating that certain miRNAs could constitute potential biomarkers of age‐related metabolic alterations.
Causal associations of sarcopenia‐related traits with cardiometabolic disease and Alzheimer's disease and the mediating role of insulin resistance: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Ye Chaojie , Kong Lijie , Wang Yiying , Zheng Jie , Xu Min , Xu Yu , Li Mian , Zhao Zhiyun , Lu Jieli , Chen Yuhong , Wang Weiqing , Ning Guang , Bi Yufang , Wang Tiange
Published: July 2023

The causal influence of sarcopenia on cardiometabolic disease and Alzheimer's disease and whether and to what extent insulin resistance plays a mediating role therein were unclear. We performed two‐step, two‐sample Mendelian randomization applying genetic instruments of sarcopenia‐related traits based on GWASs from the UK Biobank (up to 461,026 European participants) to examine their causal associations with six cardiometabolic diseases and Alzheimer's disease extracted from large‐scale European descent GWASs with adjustment for body fat percentage and physical activity, and to assess proportions of the causal effects mediated by insulin resistance. Genetic instruments of insulin resistance were derived from the GWASs by Meta‐Analyses of Glucose and Insulin‐related traits Consortium and Global Lipids Genetics Consortium. Each 1‐SD lower grip strength, appendicular lean mass (ALM) and whole‐body lean mass (WBLM), as well as lower walking pace, were causally associated with higher risks of diabetes (odds ratio [OR] range: 1.20 [95% confidence interval: 1.10–1.32] for ALM to 2.30 [1.14–4.68] for walking pace), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ([NAFLD], 1.33 [1.08–1.64] for ALM to 2.30 [1.02–5.18] for grip strength), hypertension (1.12 [1.05–1.20] for ALM to 4.43 [2.68–7.33] for walking pace), coronary heart disease ([CHD], 1.20 [1.13–1.27] for ALM to 2.73 [1.84–4.05] for walking pace), myocardial infarction ([MI], 1.18 [1.11–1.25] for ALM to 2.47 [1.63–3.73] for walking pace), small vessel stroke (1.25 [1.15–1.37] for ALM to 1.29 [1.10–1.52] for WBLM), and Alzheimer's disease (1.10 [1.05–1.15] for ALM to 1.28 [1.19–1.38] for WBLM). These causal associations were largely independent of body fat percentage and physical activity. Insulin resistance mediated 16%–34% of the effect of grip strength and 7%–28% of the effect of ALM on diabetes, NAFLD, hypertension, CHD, and MI. The direct effect of WBLM on diabetes diminished toward null with adjustment for insulin resistance. We found no evidence that insulin resistance was on the causal pathways from walking pace to the studied disease outcomes. Causal findings from the inverse‐variance weighted method were validated by sensitivity analyses. These findings support improving sarcopenia‐related traits as precautions against major cardiometabolic diseases and Alzheimer's disease, with particular emphasis on insulin resistance as a target in the intervention of sarcopenia‐related cardiometabolic risk.
Morphology and morphometry of the spinal cord and meninges in Egyptian Baladi goat (Capra hircus): Stereomicroscopy of blue‐stained gray matter
Authors: El‐Gendy Samir A. A. , Amin Mohamed , Enany El‐Sayed , El‐Bakary Raafat , Karkoura Ashraf , Alsafy Mohamed A. M.
Published: July 2023

The study objective is to obtain normal morphology and morphometric data from Baladi goat spinal cord segments. Using Tompsett's technique for staining gray matter with a blue stain allowed us to calculate the quantity or area of gray and white matter and thus the total area of each segment. The spinal cord of the goat started at the extent of the middle‐third of the occipital condyles, and the tapered end of the spinal cord terminated at the center of the first sacral vertebra. The total length of the spinal cord was 73.3 ± 2.5 cm on average. C3 was the longest spinal segment, measuring 3.95 cm. The gray matter area had a high value at the cervical and lumbar enlargements, with C8 having the highest value of gray matter cross sectional area at 12 mm2 and C7 having the highest value of white matter cross sectional area at 42 mm2. The area of white matter of the cervical region was higher than that of the other spinal regions. At C7, the total cross section area reached its maximum of 53 mm2. The cervical enlargement included segments from C6 to T1, while the lumbar enlargement included L5 to S1. The dura mater is connected cranially to the dens of the axis and caudally to the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae. The epidural space height between lumbar vertebrae was 2 mm in all lumbar spaces and 3 mm in the lumbosacral space. The normal morphology and morphometric data of the goat spinal cord segments may be useful in pathological conditions of the spinal cord and during epidural anaesthesia technique.
Treatment patterns and results of salvage treatment for regional recurrences after stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for primary non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lee Choong‐Won , Kim Byoung Hyuck , Wu Hong‐Gyun , Kim Hak Jae
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for early‐stage lung cancer has shown promising results; however, regional recurrence (RR) development is not uncommon, and salvage treatment strategies have not been established. We aimed to investigate treatment patterns, prognostic factors, and survival outcomes.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis of 391 patients who underwent SABR for primary lung cancer from 2012 to 2019 was performed. Among these patients, 90 patients showed recurrence, including local recurrence (n = 9), RR (n = 33), distant metastasis (DM) (n = 57), and RR with simultaneous DM (n = 8). The median follow‐up duration was 17.3 months.

Results

The median age was 75 years, and most patients underwent primary SABR due to poor lung function (69.7%). Various salvage treatments were performed in cases of RR, including chemotherapy (n = 15), radiotherapy (n = 7), concurrent chemoradiotherapy (n = 2), and best supportive care (n = 9). The median overall survival (OS) and post‐recurrence OS (PR‐OS) were 22.9 and 11.2 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, age ≤75 years (HR = 0.36, p = 0.040), isolated recurrence (HR = 0.34, p = 0.037), and radiotherapy without chemotherapy (HR = 0.25, p = 0.024) were significant prognostic factors for PR‐OS.

Conclusions

Despite various salvage treatments, PR‐OS was less than 1 year after RR in our frail patients group who underwent primary SABR. The toxicities of salvage chemotherapy could be quite severe; thus, careful patient selection is required. Further research is needed to validate our findings.
IgA autoantibody may be the foremost pathogenic in three cases of linear IgA/IgG bullous dermatosis
Authors: Jing Ke , Wang Yuan , Li Suo , Feng Suying
Published: July 2023

Linear IgA/IgG bullous dermatosis (LAGBD) is a relatively rare autoimmune bullous disease characterized by both IgA and IgG antibodies to basement membrane zone. The heterogeneity and pathogenesis of antibodies and the relationship between IgA and IgG in LAGBD have not been fully elucidated. We observed clinical, histological and immunological features of three LAGBD cases at different time points in the disease course. In our cohort, two cases showed IgA antibodies to epidermal antigens vanished when their lesions cleared after 3 months of treatment. One refractory case showed increasing antigens targeted by IgA antibodies with the progression of the disease. Collectively, the results suggest that IgA antibodies may play a major role in LAGBD. In addition, epitope spreading may be related to disease relapse and treatment refractory.
This American dream
Authors: Dawdy Shannon
Published: July 2023

This piece is part of a special section of “hundreds” for Kathleen Stewart.
Thinking through ethnographies: Making sense of societies in transition
Authors: Hasan Mohammad Tareq
Published: July 2023

How can one conceptualize change in societies? What do ethnographies reveal about societies in transition? In elucidating what societal changes entail, this article discusses ethnographies that focus on “societies in transition.” An ethnography that deals with changes in and of society also analyzes people's experiences in a rapidly changing society. In addition to giving analytical perspectives on a region—in this case, gendered ideas and practices in Bangladesh—such ethnographies may guide us to opening new social realities. Hence, ethnographies can reveal the potentialities and temporalities of social systems. Additionally, containing the possibilities of an otherwise within itself, ethnographies reflect critiques of established concepts. Thus, one gets glimpses of the continual becoming of the social rather than seeing it as a bounded system.
Rest so deep now
Authors: Collu Samuele , Taggart Eric
Published: July 2023

In this “hundreds” in honor of Kathleen Stewart, we channel her work on ordinary affects. In the form of a refracted dialogue, we make indirect references to Kathleen Stewart, Lauren Berlant, Sigmund Freud, Donald Winnicott, Gilles Deleuze, and Felix Guattari to evoke the vital and deadly repetitions that sustain the re/production of coupled forms of life.