bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IL-4 shaping glutamatergic synapse like structures for more mature iPSC derived neuron phenotypes
Authors: Zimmermann David , Schöpf Clemens L. , Kern Georg , Kalpachidou Theodora , Zeidler Maximilian , Kress Michaela
Published: December 2023

The prototypical pleiotropic anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 not only acts on immune cells but also has important roles in the nervous system mediating antinociception and neuroregeneration. Therefore, we explored the expression of IL-4, its receptors IL4RA and IL13RA1 and downstream signaling components together with morphological and functional assays as well as transcriptomic profiling in human nociceptors differentiating from induced pluripotent stem cells (iNocs).

IL-4 induced de novo formation of synaptic boutons immunoreactive for vesicular glutamate transporter vGLUT1 in iNocs which express both, components of the IL-4 receptor complex (IL-4RA and IL-13RA1) and signaling machinery (Jak1/2, STAT6, PKC isoforms, translation factor EiF4E) during differentiation. Pharmacological inhibition of these translational or cellular signaling components reduced the synaptogenic effect. IL-4 induced distinct transcriptomic changes associated with biological process ontologies for “neuron projection development”, “axonogenesis” and “synapse”, “cellular process involved in reproduction in multicellular organism”, “regulation of membrane potential” and “calcium ion transmembrane transport”. This partially reflected injury-induced transcriptional changes of mouse nerve injury models which contribute to regenerative processes in peripheral nerve but possibly also to reconnecting primary afferent neurons to their projections in the spinal dorsal horn and indicates a critical role for IL-4 in the control of developing and established neuronal networks.
Exploring the prokaryote-eukaryote interplay in microbial mats from an Andean athalassohaline wetland
Authors: Cubillos Carolina F. , Aguilar Pablo , Moreira David , Bertolino Paola , Iniesto Miguel , Dorador Cristina , López-García Purificación
Published: December 2023

Microbial community assembly results from the interaction between biotic and abiotic factors. However, environmental selection is thought to predominantly shape communities in extreme ecosystems. Salar de Huasco, situated in the high altitude Andean Altiplano, represents a poly-extreme ecosystem displaying spatial gradients of physicochemical conditions. To disentangle the influence of abiotic and biotic factors, we studied prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities from microbial mats and underlying sediments across contrasting areas of this athalassohaline ecosystem. The prokaryotic communities were primarily composed of bacteria, notably including a significant proportion of photosynthetic organisms like Cyanobacteria and anoxygenic photosynthetic members of Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria and Chloroflexi. Additionally, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Deltaproteobacteria were abundantly represented. Among eukaryotes, photosynthetic organisms (Ochrophyta, Archaeplastida) were predominant, alongside relatively abundant ciliates, cercozoans, and flagellated fungi. Salinity emerged as a key driver for the assembly of prokaryotic communities. Collectively, abiotic factors influenced both prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities, particularly those of algae. However, prokaryotic communities strongly correlated with photosynthetic eukaryotes, suggesting a pivotal role of biotic interactions in shaping these communities. Co-occurrence networks suggested potential interactions between different organisms, such as diatoms with specific photosynthetic and heterotrophic bacteria or with protist predators, indicating influences beyond environmental selection. While some associations may be explained by environmental preferences, the robust biotic correlations, alongside insights from other ecosystems and experimental studies, suggest that symbiotic and trophic interactions significantly shape microbial mat and sediment microbial communities in this athalassohaline ecosystem.
A niche-adapted brain microbiome in salmonids at homeostasis
Authors: Mani Amir , Henn Cory , Couch Claire , Patel Sonal , Korytar Tomas , Salinas Irene
Published: December 2023

Ectotherms have long been known to have peculiar relationships with microorganisms. For instance, bacteria can be recovered from blood and internal organs of healthy teleost fish. However, until now, the presence of a microbial community in the healthy teleost brain has not been proposed. Here we report a living bacterial community in the brain of healthy salmonids. Brain bacterial loads in salmonids are comparable to those found in the spleen and 1000-fold lower than in the gut. Brain bacterial communities share >50% of their diversity with gut and blood bacterial communities. Using culturomics, we obtained 54 bacterial isolates from the brain of healthy rainbow trout. Comparative genomics uncovered unique niche adaptations associated with brain colonization and polyamine biosynthesis. In a natural system, salmonid brain microbiomes shift with the host life cycle, becoming dysbiotic in reproductively mature Chinook salmon, a species that undergoes reproductive death. Our study redefines the relationship between the teleost brain and bacterial microbiomes under physiological conditions. We posit that this symbiosis may endow salmonids with a direct mechanism to sense and respond to environmental microbes.

One-Sentence Summary

Salmonids have a brain-adapted, resident bacterial community
Effect of Genetic and Dietary Perturbation of Glycine Metabolism on Atherosclerosis in Humans and Mice
Authors: Biswas Subarna , Hilser James R. , Woodward Nicholas C. , Wang Zeneng , Gukasyan Janet , Nemet Ina , Schwartzman William S. , Huang Pin , Han Yi , Fouladian Zachary , Charugundla Sarada , Spencer Neal J. , Pan Calvin , Tang W.H. Wilson , Lusis Aldons J. , Hazen Stanley L. , Hartiala Jaana A. , Allayee Hooman
Published: December 2023

Objective

Epidemiological and genetic studies have reported inverse associations between circulating glycine levels and risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, these findings have not been consistently observed in all studies. We sought to evaluate the causal relationship between circulating glycine levels and atherosclerosis using large-scale genetic analyses in humans and dietary supplementation experiments in mice.

Methods

Serum glycine levels were evaluated for association with prevalent and incident CAD in the UK Biobank. A multi-ancestry genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis was carried out to identify genetic determinants for circulating glycine levels, which were then used to evaluate the causal relationship between glycine and risk of CAD by Mendelian randomization (MR). A glycine feeding study was carried out with atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE−/−) mice to determine the effects of increased circulating glycine levels on amino acid metabolism, metabolic traits, and aortic lesion formation.

Results

Among 105,718 subjects from the UK Biobank, elevated serum glycine levels were associated with significantly reduced risk of prevalent CAD (Quintile 5 vs. Quintile 1 OR=0.76, 95% CI 0.67-0.87; P<0.0001) and incident CAD (Quintile 5 vs. Quintile 1 HR=0.70, 95% CI 0.65-0.77; P<0.0001) in models adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, anti-hypertensive and lipid-lowering medications, blood pressure, kidney function, and diabetes. A meta-analysis of 13 GWAS datasets (total n=230,947) identified 61 loci for circulating glycine levels, of which 26 were novel. MR analyses provided modest evidence that genetically elevated glycine levels were causally associated with reduced systolic blood pressure and risk of type 2 diabetes, but did provide evidence for an association with risk of CAD. Furthermore, glycine-supplementation inApoE−/−mice did not alter cardiometabolic traits, inflammatory biomarkers, or development of atherosclerotic lesions.

Conclusions

Circulating glycine levels were inversely associated with risk of prevalent and incident CAD in a large population-based cohort. While substantially expanding the genetic architecture of circulating glycine levels, MR analyses andin vivofeeding studies in humans and mice, respectively, did not provide evidence that the clinical association of this amino acid with CAD represents a causal relationship, despite being associated with two correlated risk factors.
A Pose-Informed De-Noising Diffusion Model for Adult Naturalistic EEG Signals
Authors: Dutta Angshuk , Hirt Marcel , Santamaria Lorena , Georgieva Stanimira , Gerloff Christian , Li Boyang , Leong Victoria
Published: December 2023

Artifact contamination in EEG (electroencephalogram) signals is a significant problem, especially in naturalistic settings where participants can move freely. This contamination stems from various sources like eye movements, muscle activity, sweat, and electrical interference, whose effects differ greatly from each other. Traditional denoising methods, such as Independent Component Analysis, are limited because they assume a linear relationship between the source of the artifacts and the EEG signals, and often require the dominance of one noise source over others. Moreover, these methods need expert knowledge in EEG analysis and lack an objective standard for evaluation.

To overcome these challenges, we propose two innovations: Firstly, we introduce the use of “video-estimated” pose coordinates – the x and y positions of different body points (like wrists, eyes, and ankles) – to assist in the EEG denoising process. Secondly, we present a denoising diffusion model, EEG-DDM, that utilizes both the contaminated EEG signals and these pose coordinates to effectively denoise the EEG. Our findings show that incorporating keypoints (pose coordinates) improves denoising performance and helps maintain cross-spatial dependencies in the data. Additionally, we enhance human interpretability of the process by displaying saliency maps generated by our model, which explain the contributions of these keypoints in the denoising process.
Coevolution with toxic prey produces functional trade-offs in sodium channels of predatory snakes
Authors: del Carlo Robert E. , Reimche Jessica S. , Moniz Haley A. , Hague Michael T.J. , Agarwal Shailesh R. , Brodie Edmund D. , Brodie Edmund D. , Leblanc Normand , Feldman Chris R.
Published: December 2023

Seemingly unrelated traits often share the same underlying molecular mechanisms, potentially generating a pleiotropic relationship whereby selection shaping one trait can simultaneously compromise another. While such functional trade-offs are expected to influence evolutionary outcomes, their actual relevance in nature is masked by obscure links between genotype, phenotype, and fitness. Here, we describe functional trade-offs that likely govern a key adaptation and coevolutionary dynamics in a predator-prey system. Several garter snake (Thamnophisspp.) populations have evolved resistance to tetrodotoxin (TTX), a potent chemical defense in their prey, toxic newts (Tarichaspp.). Snakes achieve TTX resistance through mutations occurring at toxin-binding sites in the pore of snake skeletal muscle voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV1.4). We hypothesized that these mutations impair basic NaVfunctions, producing molecular trade-offs that should ultimately scale up to compromised organismal performance. We investigate biophysical costs in two snake species with unique and independently evolved mutations that confer TTX resistance. We show electrophysiological evidence that skeletal muscle sodium channels encoded by toxin-resistant alleles are functionally compromised. Furthermore, skeletal muscles from snakes with resistance genotypes exhibit reduced mechanical performance. Lastly, modeling the molecular stability of these sodium channel variants partially explains the electrophysiological and muscle impairments. Ultimately, adaptive genetic changes favoring toxin resistance appear to negatively impact sodium channel function, skeletal muscle strength, and organismal performance. These functional trade-offs at the cellular and organ levels appear to underpin locomotor deficits observed in resistant snakes and may explain variation in the population-level success of toxin-resistant alleles across the landscape, ultimately shaping the trajectory of snake-newt coevolution.
Modeling the synergistic interplay between malaria dynamics and economic growth
Authors: Ngonghala Calistus N. , Enright Hope , Prosper Olivia , Zhao Ruijun
Published: December 2023

The mosquito-borne disease (malaria) imposes significant challenges on human health, healthcare systems, and economic growth/productivity in many countries. This study develops and analyzes a model to understand the interplay between malaria dynamics, economic growth, and transient events. It uncovers varied effects of malaria and economic parameters on model outcomes, highlighting the interdependence of the reproduction number (R0) on both malaria and economic factors, and a reciprocal relationship where malaria diminishes economic productivity, while higher economic output is associated with reduced malaria prevalence. This emphasizes the intricate interplay between malaria dynamics and socio-economic factors. The study offers insights into malaria control and underscores the significance of optimizing external aid allocation, especially favoring an even distribution strategy, with the most significant reduction observed in an equal monthly distribution strategy compared to longer distribution intervals. Furthermore, the study shows that controlling malaria in high mosquito biting areas with limited aid, low technology, inadequate treatment, or low economic investment is challenging. The model exhibits a backward bifurcation implying that sustainability of control and mitigation measures is essential even whenR0is slightly less than one. Additionally, there is a parameter regime for which long transients are feasible. Long transients are critical for predicting the behavior of dynamic systems and identifying factors influencing transitions; they reveal reservoirs of infection, vital for disease control. Policy recommendations for effective malaria control from the study include prioritizing sustained control measures, optimizing external aid allocation, and reducing mosquito biting.
Synthesized Economic Evidence on the Cost-effectiveness of Screening Familial Hypercholesterolemia: A meta-analytic review and Aggregate Distributional Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Wang Mengying , Jiang Shan , Lu Jiao , Tan Kai , Gu Yuanyuan , Li Shunping
Published: December 2023

Background

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a prevalent genetic disorder with global implications for severe cardiovascular diseases. Amid ongoing advancements in genetic disease screening and treatment, the economic evaluation of FH is increasingly vital. Despite numerous studies, international disparities persist, necessitating a comprehensive analysis of the economic assessments of FH screening to provide valuable insights. This study aims to globally examine economic assessments of FH, synthesize evidence, and present economic insights into the impact of FH screening on population equity.

Methods

Systematic literature analysis was used to systematically evaluate 19 FH screening economic evaluation studies and synthesize the evidence. Meta-analysis was used to comprehensively explore the total cost-effectiveness and total net health benefit of different FH screening methods. The aggregate Distributional Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (DCEA) was utilized to assess the impact of FH screening on population equity.

Results

The study results reveal significant differences in the economic evaluations of FH across different countries, and we provide detailed descriptions of unique characteristics. The comprehensive results of cost-effectiveness analysis indicate that FH screening is cost-effective in the majority of countries. The meta-analysis synthesizes the economic impacts of Cascade Screening and Universal Screening across various health outcomes. Additionally, our aggregate Distributional Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (DCEA) suggests that FH screening strategies have the potential to alleviate health inequalities.

Conclusion

This study provides a global perspective on FH economic evaluation. Despite international differences, findings suggest that, in the majority of cases, FH screening is cost-effective, improving health equity and overall population health. The study offers a positive outlook for future health decisions.
Dynamics and bifurcation structure of a mean-field model of adaptive exponential integrate-and-fire networks
Authors: Kusch Lionel , Depannemaecker Damien , Destexhe Alain , Jirsa Viktor
Published: December 2023

The study of brain activity spans diverse scales and levels of description, and requires the development of computational models alongside experimental investigations to explore integrations across scales. The high dimensionality of spiking networks presents challenges for understanding their dynamics. To tackle this, a mean-field formulation offers a potential approach for dimensionality reduction while retaining essential elements. Here, we focus on a previously developed mean-field model of Adaptive Exponential (AdEx) networks, utilized in various research works. We provide a systematic investigation of its properties and bifurcation structure, which was not available for this model. We show that this provides a comprehensive description and characterization of the model to assist future users in interpreting their results. The methodology includes model construction, stability analysis, and numerical simulations. Finally, we offer an overview of dynamical properties and methods to characterize the mean-field model, which should be useful for for other models.
DeepEnzyme: a robust deep learning model for improved enzyme turnover number prediction by utilizing features of protein 3D structures
Authors: Wang Tong , Xiang Guangming , He Siwei , Su Liyun , Yan Xuefeng , Lu Hongzhong
Published: December 2023

Turnover numbers (kcat), which indicate an enzyme’s catalytic efficiency, have a wide range of applications in fields including protein engineering and synthetic biology. Experimentally measuring the enzymes’ kcat is always time-consuming. Recently, the prediction of kcat using deep learning models has mitigated this problem. However, the accuracy and robustness in kcat prediction still needs to be improved significantly, particularly when dealing with enzymes with low sequence similarity compared to those within the training dataset. Herein, we present DeepEnzyme, a cutting-edge deep learning model that combines the most recent Transformer and Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) architectures. To improve the prediction accuracy, DeepEnzyme was trained by leveraging the integrated features from both sequences and 3D structures. Consequently, our model exhibits remarkable robustness when processing enzymes with low sequence similarity compared to those in the training dataset by utilizing additional features from high-quality protein 3D structures. DeepEnzyme also makes it possible to evaluate how point mutations affect the catalytic activity of the enzyme, which helps identify residue sites that are crucial for the catalytic function. In summary, DeepEnzyme represents a pioneering effort in predicting enzymes’ kcat values with superior accuracy and robustness compared to previous algorithms. This advancement will significantly contribute to our comprehension of enzyme function and its evolutionary patterns across species.
Model cyanobacterial consortia reveal a consistent core microbiome independent of inoculation source or cyanobacterial host species
Authors: Kust Andreja , Zorz Jackie , Paniker Catalina Cruañas , Bouma-Gregson Keith , Krishnappa Netravathi , Banfield Jillian F. , Diamond Spencer
Published: December 2023

Cyanobacteria are central to biogeochemical cycling, climate change, and eutrophication. While they readily develop associations with environmental microorganisms, the question of whether they consistently recruit specific microbiomes remains unresolved. Here, we establishedin vitrocyanobacterial consortia by inoculating five different cyanobacterial strains with microbiomes from three freshwater environments to determine if similar non-cyanobacterial organisms were recruited into stable cyanobacteria-based communities. Using amplicon and genome-resolved metagenomic methods we determined that stable cyanobacterial communities largely share the same taxa, regardless of the host cyanobacterial species or inoculation source. Specifically, we identified a 25 species core microbiome, which was significantly enriched in functions for micronutrient biosynthesis, metabolite transport/exchange, and anoxygenic photosynthesis. Furthermore, core species were enriched in putative mobile genetic elements, including two large (> 100 kb) circularized and curated plasmids, encoding functions that may support cyanobacteria-heterotroph symbioses. The consistency observed across these systems indicate that cyanobacterial consortia maintained under similar conditions converge to a predictable structure, and support a core microbiome with taxonomic and functional similarity to core microbiomes of other phototroph-heterotroph symbiotic assemblages.
Apramycin efficacy in the treatment of carbapenem-resistantEnterobacteralesin murine blood stream infection models
Authors: Frimodt-Møller Niels , Hansen Jon U. , Plattner Michel , Huseby Douglas L. , Almind Stine Radmer , Haldimann Klara , Gysin Marina , Petersson Anna , Ercan Onur , Ganz Lea , Hughes Diarmaid , Lundberg Carina Vingsbo , Hobbie Sven N.
Published: December 2023

Background

The aminoglycoside apramycin has been proposed as a drug candidate for the treatment of critical Gram-negative systemic infections. However, its potential in the treatment of drug-resistant bloodstream infections (BSIs) has yet to be assessed.

Methods

The resistance gene annotations of 26 493 blood culture isolates were analyzed.In vitroprofiling of apramycin comprised cell-free translation assays, broth microdilution, and frequency of resistance determination. The efficacy of apramycin was studied in a mouse peritonitis model for nineE. coliandK. pneumoniaeisolates.

Results

Genotypic aminoglycoside resistance was identified in 87.8% of all 6973 carbapenem-resistantEnterobacteralesblood-culture isolates, in comparison to 46.4% of colistin and 2.1% of apramycin resistance. Apramycin activity against methylated ribosomes was > 100-fold higher than other aminoglycosides. Frequencies of resistance were < 10−9at 8 × MIC. Tentative epidemiological cutoffs (ECOFFs) were determined as 8 μg/mL forE. coliand 4 μg/mL forK. pneumoniae. A single dose of 5 to 13 mg/kg resulted in a 1-log CFU reduction in the blood and peritoneum. Two doses of 80 mg/kg, resulting in an exposure that resembles the AUC observed for a single 30 mg/kg dose in humans, resulted in complete eradication of carbapenem- and aminoglycoside-resistant bacteremias.

Conclusion

Encouraging coverage and potent in-vivo efficacy against a selection of highly drug-resistantEnterobacteralesisolates in the mouse peritonitis model warrants further consideration of apramycin as a drug candidate for the treatment and prophylaxis of BSI.
‘Pscore’ - A Novel Percentile-Based Metric to Accurately Assess Individual Deviations in Non-Gaussian Distributions of Quantitative MRI Metrics
Authors: Hafiz Rakibul , Irfanoglu M. Okan , Nayak Amritha , Pierpaoli Carlo
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

Quantitative MRI metrics could be used in personalized medicine to assess individuals against normative distributions. Conventional Zscore analysis is inadequate in the presence of non-Gaussian distributions. Therefore, if quantitative MRI metrics deviate from normality, an alternative is needed.

PURPOSE

To confirm non-Gaussianity of diffusion MRI (dMRI) metrics on a publicly available dataset, and to propose a novel percentile-based method, ‘Pscore’ to address this issue.

STUDY TYPE

Retrospective cohort

POPULATION

961 healthy young-adults (age:22-35 years, Females:53%) from the Human Connectome Project

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

3-T, spin-echo diffusion echo-planar imaging, T1-weighted: MPRAGE

ASSESSMENT

The dMRI data were preprocessed using the TORTOISE pipeline. Forty-eight regions of interest (ROIs) from the JHU-atlas were redrawn on a study-specific diffusion tensor (DT) template and average values were computed from various DT and mean apparent propagator (MAP) metrics. For each ROI, percentile ranks across participants were computed to generate ‘Pscores’– which normalized the difference between the median and a participant’s value with the corresponding difference between the median and the 5th/95thpercentile values.

STATISTICAL TESTS

ROI-wise distributions were assessed using Log transformations, Zscore, and the ‘Pscore’ methods. The percentages of extreme values above-95thand below-5thpercentile boundaries (PEV>95(%),PEV<5(%)) were also assessed in the overall white matter. Bootstrapping was performed to test the reliability of Pscores in small samples (n=100) using 100 iterations.

RESULTS

The dMRI metric distributions were systematically non-Gaussian, including positively skewed (e.g., mean and radial diffusivity) and negatively skewed (e.g., fractional and propagator anisotropy) metrics. This resulted in unbalanced tails in Zscore distributions (PEV>95≠5%,PEV<5≠5%) whereas ‘Pscore’ distributions were symmetric and balanced (PEV>95=PEV<5=5%); even for small bootstrapped samples (average.

DATA CONCLUSION

The inherent skewness observed for dMRI metrics may preclude the use of conventional Zscore analysis. The proposed ‘Pscore’ method may help estimating individual deviations more accurately in skewed normative data, even from small datasets.
FOXA2 is essential for maintaining the urea cycle in acute liver failure
Authors: Feng Rilu , Liu Rui , Tong Chenhao , Lin Tao , Li Xiaofeng , Liu Hui , Shao Chen , Kan Kejia , Sticht Carsten , Li Yujia , Wang Sai , Munker Stefan , Wirth Ulrich , Niess Hanno , Liebe Roman , Meyer Christoph , Wang Shanshan , Ebert Matthias P , Dooley Steven , Ding Huiguo , Wang Hua , Weng Hong-Lei
Published: December 2023

Hepatic encephalopathy is a lethal complication of acute liver failure (ALF), and is caused by hyperammonemia. Ammonia clearance by the liver requires an intact and complete urea cycle comprising six enzymes, including the rate-limiting enzyme carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I (CPS1). To date, the detailed regulation of CPS1 transcription in order to maintain urea cycle in physiological condition and ALF remains largely unknown. This study scrutinizes the role of pioneer factor forkhead box A 2 (FOXA2) in the regulation of CPS1 transcription, urea cycle performance and hyperammonemia. Physiologically, CPS1 transcription requires FOXA2 to maintain chromatin accessibility on its enhancers, which is essential for CCAAT enhancer-binding protein-alpha (C/EBPα) binding to activate gene transcription. In ALF, hepatic C/EBPα expression is inhibited by inflammatory mediators such as TGF-β and TNF-α. In this setting, retinoic acid receptor synergizes with FOXA2 to maintain CPS1 transcriptions. Once ALF patients suffer from massive hepatic necrosis, liver progenitor cells initiate a transcription network comprising FOXA2 and C/EBPα to perform the urea cycle and prevent hyperammonemia. In ALF, hepatic encephalopathy occurs in patients lacking hepatic FOXA2 expression. In mice with acetaminophen-induced ALF, injection of Foxa2-AAV8 maintains urea cycle and prevents hyperammonemia. Taken together, FOXA2 is essential for maintaining the urea cycle. Pharmaceutical induction of hepatic FOXA2 expression might represent a novel approach to treat hepatic encephalopathy in ALF.

One Sentence Summary

Pioneer factor FOXA2 synergizes with C/EBPα or RAR to maintain urea cycle in acute liver failure
Short-run dynamics and long-run effects of monetary policy on residential property prices in South Africa
Authors: Mwanyepedza Robert , Mishi Syden
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The study aims to estimate the short- and long-run effects of monetary policy on residential property prices in South Africa. Over the past decades, there has been a monetary policy shift, from targeting money supply and exchange rate to inflation. The shifts have affected residential property market dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

The Johansen cointegration approach was used to estimate the effects of changes in monetary policy proxies on residential property prices using quarterly data from 1980 to 2022.

Findings

Mortgage finance and economic growth have a significant positive long-run effect on residential property prices. The consumer price index, the inflation targeting framework, interest rates and exchange rates have a significant negative long-run effect on residential property prices. The Granger causality test has depicted that exchange rate significantly influences residential property prices in the short run, and interest rates, inflation targeting framework, gross domestic product, money supply consumer price index and exchange rate can quickly return to equilibrium when they are in disequilibrium.

Originality/value

There are limited arguments whether the inflation targeting monetary policy framework in South Africa has prevented residential property market boom and bust scenarios. The study has found that the implementation of inflation targeting framework has successfully reduced booms in residential property prices in South Africa.
Students' mathematization in mathematics classrooms using the Thailand lesson study incorporated open approach model
Authors: Bunlang Sunti , Inprasitha Maitree , Changsri Narumon
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore students' mathematization through a flow of lessons using the Thailand Lesson Study Incorporated Open Approach (TLSOA) to improve the excellence of instruction.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 16 Grade 4 students were selected because they have been taught using the TLSOA model for four years. Six Lesson Study (LS) team members participated, and two instruments were utilized, namely student worksheets, and field notes. An ethnographic research design was employed.

Findings

The results revealed that the students' mathematical ideas were developed from the real world to the mathematical world through a flow of lessons based on the four phases of the Open Approach (OA).

Practical implications

Firstly, the students demonstrated their ability to represent the real world independently when the teacher posed an open-ended problem. Secondly, the students demonstrated their ability to use semi-concrete aids to develop their ideas while self-learning. Thirdly, the students showed how they developed their ideas to solve the open-ended problem using relevant objects or related concepts as part of a whole-class discussion and comparison exercise. Finally, the students demonstrated their abilities to represent the mathematical world using numbers and symbols to communicate their ideas when they were required to make a summary by connecting their mathematical ideas.

Originality/value

This study adds new insight to the literature on students' mathematization using the TLSOA model.
“I can't look at you while talking!” – fear of missing out and smartphone addiction as predictors of consumer's phubbing behavior
Authors: Paul Justin , Manchanda Parul , Arora Nupur , Aggarwal Aanchal
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Smartphones have become a vital element of daily life and because of this ongoing reliance, consumer' attention is drawn to online platforms, which may harm societal communications. Therefore, this paper investigates a behavioral addiction known as “fear of missing out” (FoMO), which causes anxiety and leads to more problematic smartphone usage and phubbing behavior (PB). In addition, this paper examines the multidimensional perspective of smartphone addiction (SMA) and the moderating role of Big 5 personality types in the aforesaid relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire was administered, to collect data from 468 smartphone users from universities across India. Partial least squares structural equation modeling and Hayes' PROCESS macros were employed as statistical tools for analysis.

Findings

Results highlight that there is a significant association between FoMO and PB with SMA as a significant mediator with partial mediation effect.

Originality/value

Conscientiousness, neuroticism and extroversion were found to be significant moderators in the model. Further, the findings raise awareness regarding smartphone etiquette and additional technology literacy required in this field.
Systemic therapy timing and use in patients with advanced melanoma at the end of life: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: van Lith P. E. A. , Schreuder K. , Jalving M. , Reyners A. K. L. , Been L. B. , Rácz E. , Fransen H. P. , Louwman M. W. J.
Published: December 2023

Novel systemic therapies for advanced melanoma improve survival, but carry potential serious side effects and high costs. This study aimed to assess the timing and use of systemic therapies in the months before death. Patients diagnosed with advanced melanoma (July 2017–June 2020) who died before July 2020 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. We evaluated the timing of systemic therapies within 30 days and 3 months before death, and studied patient and tumor characteristics associated with systemic therapy use between diagnosis and death. Out of 1097 patients 68% received systemic therapy. Almost 25% and 10% started a new therapy within 90 days and within 30 days before death, respectively. Female sex, elevated LDH, BRAF mutation, poor ECOG performance status (≥3), and high comorbidity index reduced the odds of receiving immune therapy. Poor performance status and high comorbidity decreased the odds for both therapies. A considerable number of patients started systemic therapy shortly before death, emphasizing the importance of considering potential benefits and drawbacks through shared decision‐making.
Intimate networks of care: Perceptions of intergenerational family care and experiences of ageing among Chinese midlife and older lesbians and gay men
Authors: Lo Iris Po Yee , Liu Emma H. , Lai Daniel W. L. , Yan Elsie
Published: December 2023

This article examines how lesbians and gay men imagine and build their ‘intimate networks of care’ and negotiate moral expectations towards intergenerational family care as they age. To date, little is known about the strength and complexities of different intimate ties or the role of intergenerational dynamics in shaping ageing sexual minority people’s care needs and choices. Based on narrative interviews with ageing Chinese lesbians and gay men, the findings reveal their experiences of constantly juggling their ties with families of origin, moral values around intergenerational care and the urge to receive support from and offer support to chosen networks of people. Participants exercised agency in expanding their networks of care by building friendship and (online and offline) community networks for mutual care and support in later life. Nevertheless, as evidenced by the centrality of ageing with(out) children, and the moral obligation of caring for parents in participants’ narratives, participants experienced tensions between enacting what was considered morally right/wrong and developing networks of care that were perceived as emotionally intimate. Linking relational sociology with the sociology of morality, we discuss the conceptual utility of ‘intimate networks of care’ for sociological theorising of the linkages between sexuality, care and relational lives.
Testing the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis in South Africa using the ARDL approach
Authors: Ganda Fortune
Published: December 2023

In recent years, an abundance of research has been conducted on the purported environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis, which progressively proposed an inverted U‐shaped relationship between income and emissions. The primary objective of this research is to examine the case of South Africa, which stands as a prominent example of a highly developed industrialized economy within the African continent. This study aims to explore the potential of South Africa in reducing emissions resulting from human activities. Therefore, this study utilizes the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approaches. The study's findings demonstrate the existence of both the U‐shaped curve and the inverted U‐shaped EKC when considering the parameters being examined in both short‐term and long‐term scenarios. In the short term, the inflection points of per capita GDP obtained from two regressions on carbon emissions validate values within the range of US$45.675‐US$45.72. The relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and financial development and their effects on environmental quality have yielded inconclusive and statistically insignificant results in both periods. The long‐term impact of renewable energy usage on environmental quality, specifically in terms of carbon emissions and ecological footprint, is substantial and exhibits a negative correlation. Nevertheless, it is evident that there exists a notable positive correlation in the immediate timeframe. In the long term, human capital has a key role in reducing the ecological footprint, since it is inversely correlated with it. However, in the near term, human capital has a substantial positive relationship with environmental quality, namely in terms of carbon emissions and ecological footprint. Therefore, the study affirms that in certain cases, it is exceedingly difficult for a nation to simultaneously uphold the preservation of its natural environment and foster economic development during the initial phases of expansion, and conversely.
Pregnancy characteristics and outcomes among birthing individuals with a diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome
Authors: Schellenberg Hannah , Baer Rebecca J. , Bandoli Gretchen
Published: December 2023

Background

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) can have adverse effects on health outcomes throughout the life course. Adults with FAS have an increased risk of chronic and infectious diseases. Although these conditions can affect reproductive health, few have described perinatal outcomes among individuals with an FAS diagnosis.

Methods

We analyzed data from the Study of Mothers and Infants, an administrative birth cohort derived from California birth certificates linked with a hospital discharge database. The cohort consisted of 7.3 million singleton, live births between 2005 and 2021. FAS was identified by International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes in maternal hospital discharge records. Pregnancy and birth outcomes were captured via ICD codes in maternal or infant records. We performed descriptive analyses for pregnancy and birth outcomes by maternal FAS diagnosis.

Results

There were 35 babies born to 30 individuals with an FAS diagnosis between 2005 and 2021 (0.5/100,000 live births). The prevalence of births to individuals with an FAS diagnosis increased over the period. Individuals with an FAS diagnosis were more likely to identify as non‐Hispanic White, or “other/multiple” race, and less likely to be Hispanic than those without FAS. They were also more likely to be publicly insured and less than 18 years old. Birthing individuals with FAS were also more likely to use nicotine during pregnancy and to have diagnoses of mental health disorders, epilepsy, substance use disorders, preexisting or gestational hypertension, and sexually transmitted infections or other infections complicating pregnancy. Infants of individuals with FAS were more likely to be born prematurely or small for gestational age and be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the need for improved recognition of FAS among birthing people. The results suggest that individuals with FAS would benefit from early and sustained medical care prior to pregnancy to optimize perinatal outcomes.
Ethnography and ethical life
Authors: Lambek Michael
Published: December 2023

This is a reflection on the relationship between ethnography (as practice and as product) and ethical life. I suggest that there are values internal to the practice of ethnography as fieldwork, as writing, and as reading, irrespective of the historically situated objects and values of ethnography external to it. I summarize my understanding of ethical life as it emerged from my ethnographic experience and reading, focusing on acts of practical judgment and their consequences. I reflect briefly on the ethical nature of ethnographic practice itself.
Investigation on the accumulation of background and pregnancy outcome information on cases consulted by the Japan Drug Information Institute in Pregnancy
Authors: Yakuwa Naho , Murashima Atsuko , Miyazaki Seiko
Published: December 2023

Since pregnant women are excluded from clinical trials, it is essential to accumulate post‐marketing information to evaluate the effects on the fetus of medication use during pregnancy. The Japan Drug Information Institute in Pregnancy (JDIIP) was established at the National Center for Child Health and Development as a Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare project to provide patients with information and conduct follow‐up surveys. In this study, we investigated the status of the accumulation of JDIIP consultation cases to identify issues for enhancing clinical information appropriate for use during pregnancy and to examine how information should be collected and provided. In addition, the status of descriptions of Japanese package inserts, which are representative of those used by healthcare professionals as a source of information, was confirmed for medications used by JDIIP consultation cases. The characteristics of the JDIIP consultation cases information were that the contents that needed to be adjusted when evaluating the effects on the fetus of medication use during pregnancy were obtained. In addition, the follow‐up rate was 83.1%. However, although the number of consultation facilities has increased, the number of consultations has not, indicating the need to further increase the number. It was found that there is limited information on epidemiological studies of clinical use in Japanese package inserts. To improve clinical information on the appropriate use of medications during pregnancy, it is necessary to accumulate more information in the future, and it is considered necessary to consider new approaches utilizing the JDIIP system.
First report of Fusarium commune causing Torreya grandis crown and root rot in China
Authors: Wu Yi‐hao , Pan Jing‐jing , Huang Xiao‐qiao , Gao Zhang‐gui , Shi Hao‐jie , Lin Hai‐ping , Su Xiu
Published: December 2023

Torreya grandis cv. Merrillii is an important economic tree widely cultivated in hilly subtropical areas in China and some parts of Japan and Korea. Crown and root rot was found on T. grandis in Zhejiang Province of China. Three isolates with similar morphology were isolated from diseased samples, and used for identification and pathogenicity tests. The pathogenicity of the isolates was confirmed by fulfilling Koch's postulates. The pathogen was identified as Fusarium commune based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic tree constructed by combining ITS and TEF‐1α gene sequences. This is the first report of F. commune causing crown and root rot on T. grandis in China.
Hill–Chao numbers allow decomposing gamma multifunctionality into alpha and beta components
Authors: Chao Anne , Chiu Chun‐Huo , Hu Kai‐Hsiang , van der Plas Fons , Cadotte Marc W. , Mitesser Oliver , Thorn Simon , Mori Akira S. , Scherer‐Lorenzen Michael , Eisenhauer Nico , Bässler Claus , Delory Benjamin M. , Feldhaar Heike , Fichtner Andreas , Hothorn Torsten , Peters Marcell K. , Pierick Kerstin , von Oheimb Goddert , Müller Jörg
Published: December 2023

Biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (BEF) research has provided strong evidence and mechanistic underpinnings to support positive effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning, from single to multiple functions. This research has provided knowledge gained mainly at the local alpha scale (i.e. within ecosystems), but the increasing homogenization of landscapes in the Anthropocene has raised the potential that declining biodiversity at the beta (across ecosystems) and gamma scales is likely to also impact ecosystem functioning. Drawing on biodiversity theory, we propose a new statistical framework based on Hill–Chao numbers. The framework allows decomposition of multifunctionality at gamma scales into alpha and beta components, a critical but hitherto missing tool in BEF research; it also allows weighting of individual ecosystem functions. Through the proposed decomposition, new BEF results for beta and gamma scales are discovered. Our novel approach is applicable across ecosystems and connects local‐ and landscape‐scale BEF assessments from experiments to natural settings.
Drivers of success, speed and performance in fisheries moving towards Marine Stewardship Council certification
Authors: Rasal Jennifer , Melnychuk Michael C. , Lejbowicz Amanda , Montero‐Castaño Carlos , Ferber Sophie , Longo Catherine
Published: December 2023

With growing concerns about global overfishing, market‐based eco‐certification programs like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) can incentivise adoption of sustainable practices. Several studies investigated drivers of improvement in market‐driven Fisheries Improvement Projects, but failed to use detailed, standardised measures of progress, or considered small samples. We considered the relative influence market, governance and fishery‐specific drivers have on MSC certification speed and success in 208 fisheries. To evaluate improvement we compared pre‐certification scores from MSC pre‐assessments—rapid high‐level audits against the MSC Standard—to scores from full MSC audits. Drivers considered included measures of pre‐assessment quality, as this initial advice might contribute to later certification success. National fishery management capacity, percentage of MSC catch and landed value were the strongest drivers of successful and rapid certification. Environmental improvements occurred for stock management, ecosystem health and governance aspects. While only 48% of fisheries with favourable pre‐assessment outcomes went on to be certified, improvements in many fisheries with lower pre‐assessment scores were observed in their lead‐up to full assessment. Random forest analyses allowed for considering multiple interacting variables simultaneously and revealed influential drivers under specific fishery contexts. For example, higher certification probability was associated with greater percentage of MSC catch under the full dataset, but not under subsets representing fisheries facing more challenging contexts for certification. Fisheries from lower/middle‐income countries had lower overall probability of certification, but this increased with higher management capacity. This suggests multiple drivers interact in instigating fisheries improvements, and MSC pre‐assessments provide valuable resources to understand this journey.