bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Millennial behavioral intentions toward socially responsible investment: an application of norm activation model in a developing country
Authors: Raut Rajdeep Kumar , Kumar Rohit , Das Niladri
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Sustainable financial practices are integral to achieving the United Nation’s development goals that necessitates the collaborative efforts of both corporate and investors. This study focuses on investors’ pro-environmental personal norms (PN) along with hedonic values on socially responsible investment (SRI) intentions, which could help in understanding investors’ responsiveness to corporate Environmental, Social and Governance efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample for this study included 415 responses from young millennial investors, using a cross-sectional research design. A two-step structural equation model was used to analyze construct reliability and validity and to test the hypotheses and overall model predictability. The mediating role of ascribed responsibility (AR) between the awareness of consequence (AOC) and PNs was investigated.

Findings

These results indicate that AOC and AR substantially affect PNs. PNs based on AOC and AR was found to be significant but scored lower than hedonic considerations for SRI. In addition, the relationship between AOC and PNs exhibited a full mediation effect on AR.

Practical implications

These findings suggest that investors are environmentally conscious when aware of the repercussions of their actions. They feel accountable, even when making financial choices. Fund managers might include more environmentally responsible companies in their portfolios and the government could offer tax incentives to attract investors. The active economic participation of an increasing number of pro-environmental investors can improve the macroeconomic climate.

Originality/value

This is the first study to use the norm activation model for pro-environmental behavior in a financial setting. Most previous studies have focused on social norms to showcase individuals’ obligation and responsibility for a good cause. However, this study demonstrates the importance of personal moral obligation in shaping societal norms. Hedonism is a new dimension in the context of responsible investment.
Joy, sorrow and invisible work and theoretical inconveniences in the labour process of community nurses
Authors: Elliott Lise , Chambers Naomi
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper uses data from an ethnographic study of a group of NHS community nurses in England, to analyse their work using labour process theory. A theory influenced by Marxist thinking, which is concerned with the examination of the labour process. This study of the nurses’ work provides insights into their labour process, as well as proposing theoretical development relating to labour process theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper has been developed using data from an ethnographically oriented study of a group of community nurses. Data was produced from 140 h of field observations and also semi-structured interviews with six, community nurses. The data produced from field observations and interview transcripts were analysed thematically and theory building was developed inductively.

Findings

The analysis within this paper highlights two areas of the nurses’ work and both illustrate the theoretical difficulties raised, when using labour process as a tool for analysis, as well as its usefulness. These two areas of work are aspects of invisible work and feelings of joy and sorrow; analysis of both these areas supports a theorising of a distinct relationship between nurse and patient. That is, a relationship between worker and human product, which the paper argues should be accommodated within labour process theory.

Research limitations/implications

More research is required to understand the nature of the proposed social relation in production, particularly with reference to other types of worker, in other caregiving settings. As the demands on healthcare workers and other public sector workers are likely to remain consistently high, improved analytical tools to support research into the nature of caregiving work seem both prudent and timely.

Originality/value

Labour process theory is a useful (but often under-used and rather unfashionable) tool in the analysis of service-based, public sector work. This paper proposes a theoretical development within labour process theory, which would recognise a social relation in production between a worker and their human product, based on empirical data from a study of community nurses. This theoretical development has the potential to improve the usefulness of labour process theory in the analysis of caregiving labour.
Toward green purchase behavior: does sustainability become the dominant mare for Lebanese restaurants
Authors: Darwish Ibrahim Mahmoud , Bazzi Ayman Mahmoud , Ali Alaaeldin Abbass
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The current research seeks to investigate the antecedents of customers’ sustainable purchasing behavior from eco-friendly restaurants located in Lebanon. Moreover, it explores the mediating role of purchase intention on the relationships between pro-environmental antecedents and green purchase behavior. Additionally, it examines the moderating role of willingness to pay premium prices for sustainable products.

Design/methodology/approach

The questionnaire technique was used to gather data, and the convenience sample technique was used to select 397 restaurants’ customers.

Findings

The results revealed a positive effect of customers’ green purchase behavior exerted by environmental concern, purchase intention, and willingness to pay premium prices for sustainable products. Also, the findings adopted a significant mediating role of green purchase intention between pro-environmental antecedents and purchase behavior toward green products.

Practical implications

The current study presents several practical implications for managers and decision-makers. Such as issuing green marketing campaigns on a regular basis to highlight the value of organic food safety, the necessity of using eco-friendly cutlery and the use of renewable energy systems.

Originality/value

This study examined the model pro-environmental antecedents in Lebanon as one of the Middle Eastern developing countries, whereas few studies examined this relationship. Furthermore, this paper contributes by examining the mediating role of green purchase intention.
Assessment of mental health stigma among public safety personnel in Portugal
Authors: Alves Tânia , Madeira Luís
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the presence of mental health stigma among public safety personnel (PSP) in Portugal.

Design/methodology/approach

An online self-administered form was applied, including the Attribution Questionnaire (AQ-9), the Attitudes Towards Mental Health Problems scale (ATMHP) and the socio-demographic characterisation: age, gender, marital status, children, education and geographical location. The sample included police officers, workers of the General Directorate of Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP) and workers of the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM), as well as a control group (general population).

Findings

In total, 1,441 people participated, of whom 85% were police officers, 3.3% were INEM staff, 2.6% were DGRSP staff and 9.1% were from general population. The most common socio-demographic characteristics were male, married/common-law marriage, two children, 12 years of education and living in Lisbon and Tagus Valley. On AQ-9, all groups showed higher scores on the stigmatizing constructs help, pity and coercion and lower scores on blame, anger, segregation and avoidance. For the total score, the authors found significant differences only in comparison with INEM, who scored lower. The ATMHP showed that INEM and police officers generally had lower total scores than DGRSP and the general population, with the general population having the highest score. There were no significant gender differences for most of the results in both questionnaires.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study assessing mental health stigma among PSP in Portugal. The authors found stigma among PSP, with INEM showing a lower score in stigmatizing attributions, and INEM and police officers showing better attitudes and less shame towards mental illness.
The effect of financial constraints on strategic alliances: agency perspective versus resource dependence perspective
Authors: Lee Min Suk , Thosuwanchot Nongnapat
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study examines the effect of financial constraints on firms’ decision to form strategic alliances as a choice of growth strategies. Drawing on agency theory, we argue that financially constrained firms engage in strategic alliances to a greater extent due to the disciplinary role of financial constraints. Nevertheless, financially constrained firms may use strategic alliances as a means to gather more resources from alliance partners. Thus, we further examine agency perspective versus resource dependence perspective through institutional ownership and board size as boundary conditions respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

We test our hypotheses on a sample of all publicly traded industrial U.S. firms covering the years 1985–2017 that engaged in strategic alliances.

Findings

We find that financially constrained firms increase strategic alliances. Moreover, high institutional ownership acts as the monitoring mechanism, which weakens the positive association between financial constraints and strategic alliances.

Originality/value

This study provides a better understanding on financially constrained firms’ decision to form strategic alliances by examining the monitoring role of institutional investors and the resource provision role of the board of directors.
Using patient preference to inform ritlecitinib dose selection for alopecia areata treatment
Authors: Hauber Brett , Whichello Chiara , Mauer Jonathan , Law Ernest , Trapali Myrto , Whalen Edward , Wajsbrot Dalia , Krucien Nicolas , Tervonen Tommi , Zwillich Samuel H. , Wolk Robert
Published: January 2025

Ritlecitinib is an oral Janus kinase 3/tyrosine kinase expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (JAK3/TEC) family kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of severe alopecia areata (AA). Benefit–risk profiles of two doses of ritlecitinib (50 mg vs 30 mg once daily) were evaluated by integrating patient preferences and clinical efficacy and safety estimates for ritlecitinib. A discrete‐choice experiment (DCE) was utilized to elicit preferences for benefit and safety attributes of systemic AA treatments. Benefits included probabilities of ≥80% scalp hair coverage and achieving moderate to normal eyebrows and eyelashes. Potential risks included 3‐year probabilities of serious infection, cancer, and blood clots. Preference estimates were used to calculate the maximum acceptable risk (MAR) that patients would accept for expected increases in benefit from choosing a higher ritlecitinib dose over a lower dose. Ritlecitinib benefits were calculated from the ALLEGRO‐2b/3 clinical trial. MARs were calculated separately for each risk and jointly for all possible combinations. Adults (n = 201) with physician‐confirmed ≥50% scalp hair loss from AA participated. To achieve expected increases in the probabilities of ≥80% scalp hair coverage or moderate to normal eyebrows and eyelashes when choosing 50 mg over 30 mg of ritlecitinib, patients would be willing to accept increases in each 3‐year risk up to a mean of 3.88 absolute percentage points (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.86–4.90) for serious infection, 1.63 (95% CI, 1.08–2.18) for cancer, and 5.30 (95% CI, 3.60–7.00) for blood clots. These results, combined with the estimated differences in risks between the two doses, indicate that patients with AA value increases in the probabilities of scalp, eyebrow, and eyelash hair regrowth, with the average patient accepting increases in potential treatment‐related risks for the 50‐mg dose in exchange for higher efficacy than 30 mg. The DCE approach to measuring risk tolerance, combined with comparisons to expected benefit and risk differences, can be used to optimize AA treatment dose selection.
Schlafen 11 Expression in Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer and Its Association With Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Masuda Ken , Yoshida Tatsuya , Motoi Noriko , Shinno Yuki , Matsumoto Yuji , Okuma Yusuke , Goto Yasushi , Horinouchi Hidehito , Yamamoto Noboru , Watanabe Shun‐ichi , Hoshino Tomoaki , Yatabe Yasushi , Ohe Yuichiro
Published: January 2025

Background

Schlafen 11 (SLFN‐11) has been identified as a sensitizer of tumor cells to DNA‐damaging agents. However, the relationship between SLFN‐11 expression and clinical outcomes in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains unexplored. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the impact of SLFN‐11 expression on survival in patients with limited‐stage (LS) SCLC.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of data from patients pathologically diagnosed with LS‐SCLC post‐surgery between January 2008 and December 2018. SLFN‐11 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays and scored using a histology (H)‐score (range: 0–300).

Results

Overall, 86 patients were included in the analysis with a median H‐score of 43 for SLFN‐11 expression. Among the patients, 44 had high SLFN‐11 expression (provisionally defined as H‐score ≥ 43). No significant differences in clinical profiles were observed between the two groups (high and low SLFN expression). The median survival durations were not reached (NR; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 65.1 months to NR) and 33.5 months (95% CI: 24.2 months to NR) for patients with high and low SLFN‐11 expression, respectively (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.19–0.81; p = 0.012). Among patients who relapsed post‐surgery (n = 21), the median survival durations were 22.0 (95% CI: 7.6–44.9 months) and 8.1 (95% CI: 1.8–24.6 months) months in patients with high and low SLFN‐11 expression, respectively (HR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.06–0.84; p = 0.026).

Conclusions

High SLFN‐11 expression is associated with relatively longer survival in patients with LS‐SCLC in both those undergoing surgery and those who have relapsed.
Evaluating Lichen Sclerosus in Phimosis: Insights From a Multidisciplinary Retrospective Study
Authors: Bighetti Stefano , Mancon Stefano , Suardi Nazareno , Calzavara‐Pinton Piergiacomo , Maione Vincenzo , Arisi Mariachiara , Lughezzani Giovanni , Zerbinati Nicola , Ghini Iacopo , Bettolini Luca
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of lichen sclerosus (LS) in male patients undergoing circumcision for phimosis, emphasising the significance of a multidisciplinary approach in the early diagnosis and management of this condition.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 841 male patients who underwent circumcision at a high‐volume medical centre between 2001 and 2023. Data were collected on clinical diagnoses made by both dermatologists and urologists, along with the corresponding histological findings. Logistic regression models were utilised to assess diagnostic accuracy and the relationship between clinical suspicion and histological confirmation.

Results

Histological confirmation of LS was identified in 30.6% of the cases. Dermatologists demonstrated a diagnostic accuracy of 81.8%, whereas urologists showed an accuracy of 46.1%. The evaluations conducted by dermatologists exhibited a significant correlation with histological confirmation of LS (odds ratio 4.81; 95% confidence interval: 1.96–11.80; p = 0.001).

Conclusions

This study elucidates the differences in diagnostic accuracy between dermatologists and urologists in identifying LS in patients undergoing circumcision for phimosis, highlighting the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach to improve the diagnostic process. Furthermore, the epidemiological data obtained from this research offer valuable insights into the prevalence of LS and the associated diagnostic challenges within a substantial patient cohort.
Nuance and specificity always matter—Especially for all the meanings of ‘gender’: A reply to Jackson and Bussey (2024)
Authors: Tate Charlotte Chucky
Published: January 2025

Jackson and Bussey (The British Journal of Psychology, 2024, 115, 723) present the provocative argument that the concept of a “true gender” is not a useful conceptual object for psychology. While the article does make 2 valid and worthwhile points, the remainder of that article lacks necessary nuance in developing its general conclusion.
Lateralizing value of interictal epileptiform discharges and other parameters in hypothalamic hamartoma
Authors: Niedermoser Friederike , Metzger Sarah M. , Wagner Kathrin , Reinacher Peter C. , Schönberger Jan , Jacobs‐LeVan Julia , Schulze‐Bonhage Andreas , Klotz Kerstin Alexandra
Published: January 2025

Objective

Hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) are associated with pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation (SRT) shows promise as a disconnecting intervention. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is typically used to determine the attachment and intervention side, it presents challenges in cases of bilaterally attached HH, where the epileptogenic side is unclear. The lateralizing potential of electroclinical parameters in such cases remains uncertain. This retrospective study evaluates the lateralization value of specific parameters, particularly in patients with unilateral HH, to improve future diagnostics and treatment approaches for bilateral HH.

Methods

Four lateralizing parameters—semiology, ictal electroencephalography (EEG), and interictal epileptiform discharges during awake (IEDsw) and sleep states (IEDss)—were assessed for correlation with HH attachment side using Spearman's ρ. We calculated areas under the curves (AUCs) and cutoffs for left and right IEDs prognostic lateralizing value, plotting differences between IEDsright and IEDsleft in a receiver‐operating characteristic(ROC) curve to establish the required preponderance of unilateral IEDss to differentiate between left and right HHs. Binomial logistic regression was employed to predict the HH attachment side.

Results

We included 25 patients (2–55 years of age) with mainly unilateral (n = 22) HHs who underwent SRT and presurgical evaluation. All parameters correlated with HH attachment side (semiology R = −.62, p = .005; ictal EEG R = .51, p = .047; IEDs R = .55, p = .018; IEDw, R = .61, p = .018). AUC values for right and left IEDs were .76 (p = .047) and .85 (p = .019), respectively, with cutoffs of .34 and .15. The AUC for “IEDsright–IEDsleft” was .98 (p = .0018) with a cutoff of .16. IEDss and semiology were significant predictors, achieving 88% correct lateralization.

Significance

IEDss are promising biomarkers for HH lateralization in unilateral HH. The predominance of unilateral IEDss suggests ipsilateral HH. Even in cases with predominantly bilateral IEDss, a slight preponderance of unilateral IEDss can indicate the attachment side. In addition, combining IEDss and semiology provides a predictive model for HH lateralization.
Factor VIII Antibodies Demonstrate Type I or Type II Kinetics in Acquired Haemophilia A
Authors: Kamel Kirollos , Sardo Infirri Sofia , Riddell Anne , Chowdary Pratima , Batty Paul
Published: January 2025

Background

Acquired haemophilia A (AHA) is an acquired bleeding disorder resulting from autoantibodies against Factor VIII (FVIII). Previous studies have reported differences in FVIII inhibitor kinetics (type I or type II) in AHA compared to severe haemophilia A.

Aim

To characterise inhibitor kinetics in AHA and evaluate the proportions displaying type I, II or indeterminate kinetics.

Methods

Single‐centre retrospective study of inhibitor kinetics in adults with AHA. Type I kinetics were defined as linear FVIII inhibition with ≥ 97% FVIII inactivation. Type II kinetics were defined as non‐linear kinetics and inability to completely neutralise FVIII. Inhibitor titres were calculated using two methods outlined by the International Council for Standardisation in Haematology.

Results

Baseline samples from 34 patients were included. Fifteen samples (44.1%) exhibited type I kinetics, 16 samples (47.1%) exhibited type II kinetics and 3 (8.8%) were indeterminate. Plateau mean residual FVIII:C was higher for inhibitors displaying type II compared to type I kinetics (18.6 vs. 2.9 IU/dL, p < 0.0001). Non‐linear regression using a dose‐response curve without categorisation for kinetics type yielded a poor fit (R2 = 38%), which improved with refitting using categories of type I or II kinetics that explained 87% and 85% of the variability. The median difference in inhibitor titre between the two reporting methods was 5% and 15% in the type I and II kinetics groups, respectively.

Conclusion

FVIII autoantibodies demonstrate either type I or type II kinetics. Greater discrepancy in reported inhibitor titres depending on the method used is seen for inhibitors with type II kinetics.
Evaluating two rechallenge strategies of immune checkpoint inhibitors: Durvalumab plus tremelimumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yonemoto Takuya , Ogasawara Sadahisa , Kanogawa Naoya , Miwa Chihiro , Fujiya Makoto , Tsuchiya Takahiro , Sawada Midori , Akatsuka Teppei , Izai Ryo , Yumita Sae , Nakagawa Miyuki , Okubo Tomomi , Koroki Keisuke , Inoue Masanori , Nakamura Masato , Kondo Takayuki , Nakamoto Shingo , Itokawa Norio , Atsukawa Masanori , Itobayashi Ei , Moriguchi Michihisa , Kato Naoya
Published: January 2025

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of durvalumab plus tremelimumab in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who have previously received atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev). Additionally, it seeks to assess the feasibility of administering immunotherapy after the occurrence of immune‐mediated adverse events (imAEs) in real‐world clinical practice.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed data from patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with durvalumab plus tremelimumab at four Japanese institutions. Clinical outcomes, adverse events, tumor dynamics, and serum cytokine and chemokine levels were evaluated, with a focus on efficacy following prior Atez/Bev treatment.

Results

Durvalumab plus tremelimumab was administered to 68 patients. The objective response rate was 10.3%, and the disease control rate was 58.8%. Median progression‐free survival was 3.1 months (95% confidence interval 2.0–4.9). imAEs occurred in 50.0% of patients, with colitis being the most common (22.1%). Durvalumab was safely readministered to 14 patients after imAE resolution, although five experienced recurrence. Among 33 patients (48.5%) previously treated with Atez/Bev, improved responses were noted, including two partial responses. Tumor growth dynamics decreased in 60.0% of patients receiving sequential therapy. Common adverse events included elevated liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase 50.0%, alanine aminotransferase 48.5%), pruritus (45.6%), and rash (44.1%).

Conclusions

Durvalumab plus tremelimumab therapy is feasible with proper imAE management and patient selection. Sequential treatment following Atez/Bev offers clinical benefit in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, although some may experience rapid progression. Further biomarker research is needed to optimize immunotherapy strategies.
Intracellular tenofovir‐diphosphate concentrations in HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis users who underwent bariatric surgery
Authors: McGarrity Matthew W. , MacPherson Paul , Li Abby , Naccarato Mark , Anderson Peter , Tan Darrell H. S.
Published: January 2025

Objective

To measure concentrations of tenofovir diphosphate (TFV‐DP) in dried blood spots (DBS) among individuals taking tenofovir disoproxil fumarate plus emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) or tenofovir alafenamide plus emtricitabine (TAF/FTC) who were scheduled to undergo or had already undergone bariatric surgery.

Methods

We enrolled pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users attending clinics in Toronto or Ottawa who were undergoing or had undergone bariatric surgery. After participants completed a minimum of 7 days of consecutive PrEP dosing, we collected DBS samples immediately before they administered their next daily dose of PrEP. Participants who had already undergone bariatric surgery before enrolment provided a single sample at baseline only. One participant undergoing planned bariatric surgery provided samples preoperatively and on postoperative days 7, 28 and 84. TFV‐DP was measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. We compared results against the population range TFV‐DP at varying degrees of adherence and stratified by chronology of bariatric surgery, type of bariatric surgery and PrEP regimen.

Results

Of seven eligible participants, all were gay, cis‐gender men. Median age was 48 years (Q1–Q3: 44–51). Six participants underwent bariatric surgery before enrolment: four Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and two sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Four were taking TDF/FTC and two were taking TAF/FTC. All had therapeutic TFV‐DP concentrations, except for one TDF/FTC participant who underwent SG. One participant taking TAF/FTC enrolled before receiving RYGB and displayed a slight decrease in TFV‐DP over time, although all concentrations remained in the therapeutic range.

Conclusions

Tenofovir diphosphate concentrations were at or near therapeutic values in this small sample of men using oral PrEP who underwent RYGB or SG.
The employment of recommended root canal treatment procedures by dentists in Croatia and the Czech Republic
Authors: Kapitán Martin , Schmidt Jan , Vavřičková Lenka , Vidović Zdrilić Ivana , Vidas Hrstić Jelena
Published: January 2025

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the compliance of dentists in Croatia and the Czech Republic with endodontic recommendations and identify the subjective and objective factors influencing their adherence to them.

Methodology

A total of 1386 dentists from Croatia and the Czech Republic participated in an online survey through a self‐administered, author‐designed questionnaire. After excluding those who did not perform root canal treatments (RCT), 1376 responses (394 from Croatia and 982 from the Czech Republic) were statistically analysed.

Results

The median age of respondents was 40 years, with a higher proportion of females in both countries. Croatian dentists treated fewer patients weekly but performed more RCTs and placed more composite fillings than their Czech counterparts. Czech dentists more frequently employed magnification devices, rubber dam (RD), pre‐endodontic build‐ups, nickel‐titanium (NiTi) instruments, irrigant activation, bioceramic sealers, indirect post‐endodontic restoration of lateral teeth, and single‐visit treatments. These practices were also more common among endodontists than general dental practitioners and other specialists in both countries. Croatian dentists adhered more consistently to the recommended irrigation protocol. In the Czech group, adherence to recommended procedures, such as magnification, RD usage, and irrigation protocol correlated with younger age, smaller weekly number of patients, and preference for treating patients in the supine position. No such correlations were observed among the Croatian dentists.

Conclusions

Despite notable improvements in recent years, dentists still do not fully comply with the recommended RCT working procedures in Croatia and the Czech Republic.
Crop Disease Detection by Deep Joint Segmentation and Hybrid Classification Model: A CAD‐Based Agriculture Development System
Authors: Bhukya Raghuram , Vuppu Shankar , Harshvardhan A , Bukya Hanumanthu , Salendra Suresh
Published: January 2025

Precise detection of crop disease at the early stage is a crucial task, which will reduce the spreading of disease by taking preventive measures. The main goal of this research is to propose a hybrid classification system for detecting crop disease by utilising Modified Deep Joint (MDJ) segmentation. The detection of crop diseases involves five stages. They are data acquisition, pre‐processing, segmentation, feature extraction and disease detection. In the initial stage, image data of diverse crops is gathered in the data acquisition phase. According to the work, we are considering Apple and corn crops with benchmark datasets. The input image is subjected to pre‐processing by utilising the median filtering process. Subsequently, the pre‐processed image under goes a segmentation process, where Modified Deep Joint segmentation is proposed in this work. From the segmented image, features like shape, colour, texture‐based features and Improved Median Binary Pattern (IMBP)‐based features are extracted. Finally, the extracted features are given to the hybrid classification system for identifying the crop diseases. The hybrid classification model includes Bidirectional Long Short‐Term Memory (Bi‐LSTM) and Deep Belief Network (DBN) classifiers. The outcome of both the classifiers is the score, which is subjected to an improved score level fusion model, which determines the final detection results. Finally, the performance of the proposed hybrid model is evaluated over existing methods for various metrics. At a training data of 90%, the proposed scheme attained an accuracy of 0.965, while conventional methods achieved less accuracy rates.
Autoregulation of the Master Regulator Spo0A Controls Cell‐Fate Decisions in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Zarazúa‐Osorio Brenda , Srivastava Priyanka , Marathe Anuradha , Zahid Syeda Hira , Fujita Masaya
Published: January 2025

Spo0A in Bacillus subtilis is activated by phosphorylation (Spo0A~P) upon starvation and differentially controls a set of genes involved in biofilm formation and sporulation. The spo0A gene is transcribed by two distinct promoters, a σA‐recognized upstream promoter Pv during growth, and a σH‐recognized downstream promoter Ps during starvation, and appears to be autoregulated by four Spo0A~P binding sites (0A1‐4 boxes) localized between two promoters. However, the autoregulatory mechanisms and their impact on differentiation remain elusive. Here, we determined the relative affinity of Spo0A~P for each 0A box and dissected each promoter in combination with the systematic 0A box mutations. The data revealed that (1) the Pv and Ps promoters are on and off, respectively, under nutrient‐rich conditions without Spo0A~P, (2) the Ps promoter is activated by first 0A3 and then 0A1 during early starvation with low Spo0A~P, (3) during later starvation with high Spo0A~P, the Pv promoter is repressed by first 0A1 and then 0A2 and 0A4, and (4) during prolonged starvation, both promoters are silenced by all 0A boxes with very high Spo0A~P. Our results indicate that the autoregulation of spo0A is one of the key determinants to achieve a developmental increase in Spo0A~P, leading to a temporal window for entry into biofilm formation or sporulation.
ZjMAPKK4 Interacted With ZjNAC78 Regulates Cold Tolerance Response in Jujube
Authors: Wang Qingfang , Qi Chaofeng , Wang Linxia , Li Min , Niu Yahong , Muhammad Noor , Liu Mengjun , Liu Zhiguo , Wang Lixin
Published: January 2025

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) holds great importance as a fruit tree in China, with strong tolerance to drought and saline stress, but its growth is limited by vulnerability to cold stress. Consequently, the role of MAPK cascades in mediating jujube cold stress response remains unclear, with the specific function of ZjMAPKK4 in this context yet to be fully elucidated. Thus, in the current study, it was found that ZjMAPKK4 was significantly upregulated compared with other ZjMAPK cascade genes after cold treatment. Heterologous transformation of ZjMAPKK4 in Arabidopsis, VIGS‐induced ZjMAPKK4 transiently silencing and overexpression of ZjMAPKK4 in jujube callus assays demonstrated that ZjMAPKK4 positively regulated the cold resistance of jujube. Furthermore, to elucidate the molecular regulation mechanism behind ZjMAPKK4 under cold stress, 25 key DEGs were screened out by transcriptome analysis. Yeast screening cDNA library, yeast two‐hybrid, LCA and Co‐IP analysis showed ZjMAPKK4 interacted with ZjNAC78 and VIGS‐induced ZjNAC78 silenced sour jujube plants showed cold sensitivity and the expression level of cold response genes were downregulated after cold stress. All the results demonstrated that ZjMAPKK4 could interact with ZjNAC78 to regulate the downstream ZjICE‐ZjCBF genes to regulate the cold tolerance of jujube.
Potential of clay‐rich waste and industrial by‐products as effective inorganic soil amendments to enhance soil physical properties
Authors: Chalhoub Maha , Coussy Samuel , Simon Jeanne , Bataillard Philippe
Published: January 2025

Clay minerals play a crucial role in regulating the structure and functions of soils because of their chemical nature and their interactions with other soil constituents. In this context, a key objective of the research described in this article was to assess the extent to which the addition of various types of recycled clay‐rich materials to soils prone to crusting and erosion increase their clay content and improve their physical properties. Excavated soil (ExS), considered waste under European Union law, and quarry sludge (QS), an industrial by‐product of the washing process in mining operations, were used as soil amendments. ExS is dominated by swelling clay mineralogy such as interstratified illite‐smectite, whereas QS contains high level of non‐swelling clay minerals such as kaolinite and illite, and a low level of interstratified illite‐smectite. Lysimeters were filled with topsoil (0–30 cm) from an agricultural field. Treatments where the soil was amended with these materials were compared with a control without amendment. Lettuce was cultivated for three growing seasons. After 250‐days, the aggregate stability and water retention of the topsoil were measured. The equivalent pore‐size distribution (PSD), derived from the soil water retention curve, was analysed to predict soil water and aeration status. The application of QS to the topsoil enhanced soil structure without compromising lettuce productivity compared with the control and other treatments. However, amending topsoil with ExS decreased the stability because of the abundance of swelling clay minerals. Soil water retention at saturation increased from 27% in the control to 42% and 36% with ExS and QS amendments, respectively. At a pressure head >15,000 cm (residual pores <0.2 μm), water retention rose from 6% in the control to 19% with ExS and 14% with QS. The application of the clay‐rich material increased small pores compared with larger ones. This led to a minor increase in porosity responsible for water movement, aeration and root growth. This observation highlights the limitations of clay application benefits, which depend on the quantity and mineralogy of the clay and the presence of other binding agents. Further research is needed to investigate the combined effects of organic matter and clay‐rich materials on improving the soil structure and optimizing the pore size distribution for multiple functions.
Integrating Forestry and Local Administrative Data Using Semantic and GIS Technologies
Authors: Crespo‐Lera Natalia , Vega‐Gorgojo Guillermo , Giménez‐García José M. , Sarmiento Cristina Mayo , Bravo Felipe , Ruano Irene
Published: January 2025

Linking National Forest Inventory (NFI) data with local administrative units (LAUs) unlocks a wealth of benefits for forest management. It enhances precision in assessments, facilitates policy alignment, optimizes resource allocation, and enables effective monitoring and research at the local level. This study presents an automated process to convert official Spanish municipality geometries from the National Geographic Institute's geospatial database into Linked Open Data (LOD) format. This facilitates the assignment of Spanish NFI plots to their corresponding municipalities using GeoSPARQL and their publication in an open LOD repository. Additionally, we compared the results of this assignment with a GIS‐based solution. To demonstrate the potential of this spatial integration, we conducted analyses in two case studies. This work highlights the benefits of integrating forest information with other cross‐domain data using Semantic Web technologies, which can be further complemented by GIS software for spatial analysis.
Prior knowledge changes initial sensory processing in the human spinal cord
Authors: Stenner Max-Philipp , Nossa Cindy Márquez , Zaehle Tino , Azañón Elena , Heinze Hans-Jochen , Deliano Matthias , Büntjen Lars
Published: January 2025

Prior knowledge changes how the brain processes sensory input. Whether knowledge influences initial sensory processing upstream of the brain, in the spinal cord, is unknown. Studying electric potentials recorded invasively and noninvasively from the human spinal cord at millisecond resolution, we find that the cord generates electric potentials at 600 hertz that are modulated by prior knowledge about the time of sensory input, as early as 13 to 16 milliseconds after stimulation. Our results reveal that already in the spinal cord, sensory processing is under top-down, cognitive control, and that 600-hertz signals, which have been identified as a macroscopic marker of population spiking in other regions of the nervous system, play a role in early, context-dependent sensory processing. The possibility to examine these signals noninvasively in humans opens up avenues for research into the physiology of the spinal cord and its interaction with the brain.
Central amygdala NPBWR1 neurons facilitate social novelty seeking and new social interactions
Authors: Soya Shingo , Toda Koji , Sakurai Katsuyasu , Cherasse Yoan , Saito Yuki C. , Abe Manabu , Sakimura Kenji , Sakurai Takeshi
Published: January 2025

The formation of new social interactions is vital for social animals, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. We identified CeA
Npbwr1
neurons, a population in central amygdala expressing neuropeptide B/W receptor-1 (NPBWR1), that play a critical role in these interactions. CeA
Npbwr1
neurons were activated during encounters with unfamiliar, but not with familiar, mice. Manipulations of CeA
Npbwr1
neurons showed that their excitation is essential for maintaining physical interactions with novel conspecifics. Activation of CeA
Npbwr1
neurons alleviated social deficits induced by chronic social defeat stress, suggesting therapeutic potential. Conversely, overexpression of human
NPBWR1
in CeA
Npbwr1
neurons reduced activity of these neurons and impaired social interactions with unfamiliar mice. This effect was absent in a polymorphic variant of the human NPBWR1 gene (404A>T). These findings highlight how CeA
Npbwr1
neurons promote social novelty seeking and reveal a complex interplay between
NPBWR1
genetic variations and social behavior.
Hybrid coral reef restoration can be a cost-effective nature-based solution to provide protection to vulnerable coastal populations
Authors: Storlazzi Curt D. , Reguero Borja G. , Alkins Kristen C. , Shope James B. , Gaido-Lassarre Camila , Viehman T. Shay , Beck Michael W.
Published: January 2025

Coral reefs can mitigate flood damages by providing protection to tropical coastal communities whose populations are dense, growing fast, and have predominantly lower-middle income. This study provides the first fine-scale, regionally modeled valuations of how flood risk reductions associated with hybrid coral reef restoration could benefit people, property, and economic activity along Florida and Puerto Rico’s 1005 kilometers of reef-lined coasts. Restoration of up to 20% of the regions’ coral reefs could provide flood reduction benefits greater than costs. Reef habitats with the greatest benefits are shallow, nearshore, and fronting low-lying, vulnerable communities, which are often where reef impacts and loss are the greatest. Minorities, children, the elderly, and those below the poverty line could receive more than double the hazard risk reduction benefits of the overall population, demonstrating that reef restoration as a nature-based solution can have positive returns on investment economically and socially by providing protection to the most vulnerable people.
Siderophore synthetase-receptor gene coevolution reveals habitat- and pathogen-specific bacterial iron interaction networks
Authors: Gu Shaohua , Shao Zhengying , Qu Zeyang , Zhu Shenyue , Shao Yuanzhe , Zhang Di , Allen Richard , He Ruolin , Shao Jiqi , Xiong Guanyue , Jousset Alexandre , Friman Ville-Petri , Wei Zhong , Kümmerli Rolf , Li Zhiyuan
Published: January 2025

Bacterial social interactions play crucial roles in various ecological, medical, and biotechnological contexts. However, predicting these interactions from genome sequences is notoriously difficult. Here, we developed bioinformatic tools to predict whether secreted iron-scavenging siderophores stimulate or inhibit the growth of community members. Siderophores are chemically diverse and can be stimulatory or inhibitory depending on whether bacteria have or lack corresponding uptake receptors. We focused on 1928 representative
Pseudomonas
genomes and developed an experimentally validated coevolution algorithm to match encoded siderophore synthetases to corresponding receptor groups. We derived community-level iron interaction networks to show that siderophore-mediated interactions differ across habitats and lifestyles. Specifically, dense networks of siderophore sharing and competition were observed among environmental and nonpathogenic species, while small, fragmented networks occurred among human-associated and pathogenic species. Together, our sequence-to-ecology approach empowers the analyses of social interactions among thousands of bacterial strains and offers opportunities for targeted intervention to microbial communities.
The partisanship of mayors has no detectable effect on police spending, police employment, crime, or arrests
Authors: de Benedictis-Kessner Justin , Harvey Matthew , Jones Daniel , Warshaw Christopher
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we examine whether mayors’ partisan affiliations lead to differences in crime and policing. We use a large new dataset on mayoral elections and three different modern causal inference research designs (a regression discontinuity design centered around close elections and two robust difference-in-differences methods) to determine the causal effect of mayoral partisanship on crime, arrests, and racial differences in arrest patterns in medium and large US cities. We find no evidence that mayoral partisanship affects police employment or expenditures, police force or leadership demographics, overall crime rates, or numbers of arrests. At the same time, we find some suggestive evidence that mayoral partisanship may modestly affect the racial composition of arrests. Overall, the results from our multimethod analyses indicate that local partisan politics has little causal impact on crime and policing.
Axially multifocal metalens for 3D volumetric photoacoustic imaging of neuromelanin in live brain organoid
Authors: Barulin Aleksandr , Barulina Elena , Oh Dong Kyo , Jo Yongjae , Park Hyemi , Park Soomin , Kye Hyunjun , Kim Jeesu , Yoo Jinhee , Kim Junhyung , Bak Gyusoo , Kim Yangkyu , Kang Hyunjung , Park Yujin , Park Jong-Chan , Rho Junsuk , Park Byullee , Kim Inki
Published: January 2025

Optical resolution photoacoustic imaging of uneven samples without z-scanning is transformative for the fast analysis and diagnosis of diseases. However, current approaches to elongate the depth of field (DOF) typically imply cumbersome postprocessing procedures, bulky optical element ensembles, or substantial excitation beam side lobes. Metasurface technology allows for the phase modulation of light and the miniaturization of imaging systems to wavelength-size thickness. Here, we propose a metalens composed of submicrometer-thick titanium oxide nanopillars, which generates an elongated beam of diffraction-limited diameter with an aspect ratio of 286 and a uniform intensity throughout the DOF. The metalens enhances visualization of phantom samples with tilted surfaces compared to conventional lenses. Moreover, the volumetric imaging of neuromelanin is facilitated for depths of up to 500 micrometers within the human midbrain and forebrain organoids that are 3D biological models of human brain regions. This approach provides a miniaturized platform for neurodegenerative disease diagnosis and drug discovery.
Cryptic coral diversity is associated with symbioses, physiology, and response to thermal challenge
Authors: Aichelman Hannah E. , Benson Brooke E. , Gomez-Campo Kelly , Martinez-Rugerio M. Isabel , Fifer James E. , Tsang Laura , Hughes Annabel M. , Bove Colleen B. , Nieves Olivia C. , Pereslete Alyssa M. , Stanizzi Darren , Kriefall Nicola G. , Baumann Justin H. , Rippe John P. , Gondola Plinio , Castillo Karl D. , Davies Sarah W.
Published: January 2025

Coral persistence in the Anthropocene depends on interactions among holobiont partners (coral animals and microbial symbionts) and their environment. Cryptic coral lineages—genetically distinct yet morphologically similar groups—are critically important as they often exhibit functional diversity relevant to thermal tolerance. In addition, environmental parameters such as thermal variability may promote tolerance, but how variability interacts with holobiont partners to shape responses to thermal challenge remains unclear. Here, we identified three cryptic lineages of
Siderastrea siderea
in Bocas del Toro, Panamá that differ in distributions across inshore and offshore reefs, microbial associations, phenotypic traits of holobiont partners (i.e., phenomes), and skeleton morphologies. A thermal variability experiment failed to increase thermal tolerance, but subsequent thermal challenge and recovery revealed that one lineage maintained elevated energetic reserves, photochemical efficiency, and growth. Last, coral cores highlighted that this lineage also exhibited greater growth historically. Functional variation among cryptic lineages highlights their importance in predicting coral reef responses to climate change.
Fully biodegradable hierarchically designed high-performance nanocellulose piezo-arrays
Authors: Ghosh Sujoy Kumar , Matino Francesca , Favrin Fabio Lineu , Tonazzini Ilaria , D’Orsi Rosarita , de la Ossa Jose Gustavo , Camposeo Andrea , Li Jun , Liu Wenjian , Hacker Timothy A. , Pisignano Dario , Operamolla Alessandra , Wang Xudong , Persano Luana
Published: January 2025

While piezoelectric sensing and energy-harvesting devices still largely rely on inorganic components, biocompatible and biodegradable piezoelectric materials, such as cellulose nanocrystals, might constitute optimal and sustainable building blocks for a variety of applications in electronics and transient implants. To this aim, however, effective methods are needed to position cellulose nanocrystals in large and high-performance architectures. Here, we report on scalable assemblies of cellulose nanocrystals in multilayered piezoelectric systems with exceptional response, for various application scopes. The submicrometer patterning with effective-flow topography and multilayer stacking promote piezoelectric performance. Record output power and pressure sensitivity in the gentle touch range are obtained in flexible, fully biodegradable systems with stable piezoelectric properties and demonstrated compatibility with different cell lines and implanted devices. These architectures offer new design principles for piezoelectric sustainable materials and for realizing an innovative class of practical components for mechanical energy harvesting and biologically relevant wearables and implants.