bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduction of oligomer size modulates the competition between cluster formation and phase separation of the tumor suppressor SPOP
Authors: Sabri Nafiseh , Cuneo Matthew J. , Marzahn Melissa R. , Lee Jihun , Bouchard Jill J. , Vaithiyalingam Sivaraja , Borgia Madeleine B. , Schmit Jeremy , Mittag Tanja
Published: February 2023

Phase separation is a ubiquitous process that compartmentalizes many cellular pathways. Given that the same interactions that drive phase separation mediate the formation of complexes below the saturation concentration, the contribution of condensates vs complexes to function is not always clear. Here, we characterized several new cancer-associated mutations of the tumor suppressor Speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP), a substrate recognition subunit of the Cullin3-RING ubiquitin ligase (CRL3), which pointed to a strategy for generating separation-of-function mutations. SPOP self-associates into linear oligomers and interacts with multivalent substrates, and this mediates the formation of condensates. These condensates bear the hallmarks of enzymatic ubiquitination activity. We characterized the effect of mutations in the dimerization domains of SPOP on its linear oligomerization, binding to the substrate DAXX, and phase separation with DAXX. We showed that the mutations reduce SPOP oligomerization and shift the size distribution of SPOP oligomers to smaller sizes. The mutations therefore reduce the binding affinity to DAXX, but enhance the poly-ubiquitination activity of SPOP towards DAXX. This unexpectedly enhanced activity may be explained by enhanced phase separation of DAXX with the SPOP mutants. Our results provide a comparative assessment of the functional role of clusters versus condensates and support a model in which phase separation is an important factor in SPOP function. Our findings also suggest that tuning of linear SPOP self-association could be used by the cell to modulate its activity, and provide insights into the mechanisms underlying hypermorphic SPOP mutations. The characteristics of these cancer-associated SPOP mutations suggest a route for designing separation-of-function mutations in other phase-separating systems.
Seasonal variation exists in B-Cell Precursor Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia diagnosis, but not in Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Brain Tumors or Solid Tumors – a Swedish population-based study
Authors: Bychkov Gleb , Bang Benedicte , Engsner Niklas , Heyman Mats Marshall , Nordenvall Anna Skarin , Tettamanti Giorgio , Herold Nikolas , Taylan Fulya , Pontén Emeli , Albert Jan , Jörnsten Rebecka , Strannegård Claes , Nordgren Ann
Published: February 2023

Background

B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) is the most common malignancy in children and adolescents. A combination of genetic predisposition, exposures to diverse microbiota, infections, and an immature immune system have been associated with BCP-ALL development. Genetic aberrations causing the progression of preleukemic cells to overt BCP-ALL have been identified, but drivers behind these aberrations remain largely unknown.

Methods

We analyzed seasonal variation in 1,380 BCP-ALLs, 385 acute myeloid leukemias (AML), 3,052 solid tumors and 1,945 brain tumors retrieved from the population-based Swedish Childhood Cancer Registry (SCCR), aged 0-18 years at diagnosis and diagnosed between 1995-2017. Cases were first aggregated into three types of quarters (3-month periods) based on the time of BCP-ALL diagnosis. Then, data was analyzed using a Bayesian Generalized Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average with external variables (GARIMAX) model, adapted for count data via a negative binomial distribution.

Results

An informative seasonal variation in BCP-ALL with peak quarters in Jul-Sep and Jun-Aug was identified. Manual inspection revealed that the largest number of BCP-ALL cases (138 (10%)) was observed in August. No seasonal variation was detected in the comparison groups of childhood AML, brain tumors, or solid tumors.

Conclusions

Diagnosis of childhood BCP-ALL in Sweden displays seasonal variation with a peak during the summer months, in contrast to other tumor types. We present putative explanation models for this incidence peak that build on the hypothesis of infectious exposure/-s triggering the final progression to BCP-ALL diagnosis in at-risk individuals. Further studies using GARIMAX in larger populations with genetically confirmed BCP-ALL subtypes are warranted.
A non-canonical function of LDHB promotes SLC7A11-mediated glutathione metabolism and protects against glutaminolysis-dependent ferroptosis inKRAS-driven lung cancer
Authors: Zhao Liang , Deng Haibin , Zhang Jingyi , Zamboni Nicola , Geest Gerrit Adriaan , Yang Haitang , Yang Zhang , Gao Yanyun , Xu Duo , Zhong Haiqing , Bruggmann Remy , Zhou Qinghua , Schmid Ralph A. , Marti Thomas M. , Dorn Patrick , Peng Ren-Wang
Published: February 2023

Ferroptosis, a form of non-apoptotic cell death program driven by excessive lipid peroxidation and an important mechanism of tumor suppression, is frequently dysregulated in cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying impaired ferroptosis in oncogene-specific tumors remain poorly understood. Here we report a non- canonical role of lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB), whose main activity is the conversion of lactate to pyruvate, in protecting KRAS-mutated lung cancer from ferroptosis. Silencing of LDHB impairs intracellular glutathione (GSH) metabolism and drives the hypersensitivity ofKRAS-mutant cells to ferroptosis inducers by inhibiting the SLC7A11/GSH/GPX4 axis, a central antioxidant system against lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis by catalyzing GSH synthesis and utilization. Mechanistically, LDHB promotes SLC7A11 expression and GSH biosynthesis, and inhibition of LDHB confers metabolic synthetic lethality with ferroptosis inducers due to increased glutaminolysis and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria, ultimately triggering ferroptosis ofKRAS-driven lung cancer cells. Consequently, combined inhibition of LDHB and SLC7A11 synergistically suppresses tumor growth in multipleKRAS-mutant lung cancer implants and in an autochthonous model ofKras-induced lung adenocarcinoma. Taken together, our results reveal a hitherto unrecognized mechanism of ferroptosis defense by glycolytic LDHB and suggest a new strategy for the treatment ofKRAS-dependent lung cancer.
Gene-signatures for early detection of cancers
Authors: Prakash Om , Khan Feroz
Published: February 2023

Background

Gene signatures represents set of molecular modulations in disease genomes or in cells at specific conditions, and are frequently used to classify samples into different groups for better research or clinical treatment. Multiple methods and applications are available in the literature, but powerful ones that can account for early detection of cancer are still lacking.

Method

In this article, gene-signatures identified through new in-house algorithm (NCT method) by processing transcriptome data (DEGs extracted from RNA-seq dataset) from population. NCT-Method utilized for processing population dataset, from 28 different human cancer from TCGA & GTEx databases, as empirical background. NCT-score used for optimal clustering of gene-set. The identified gene clusters evaluated through survival analysis. Gene-sets with disease-vs-normal survival plot with logPvalue < 0.05 represented as reliable gene signatures.

Results

We applied NCT algorithm to the 28 different cancers, and identified novel gene-signatures as well as inter-relation between different cancers in reference of identified signatures.

Conclusions

The algorithm uses population data, and provides validated gene signatures with reliable capacity to discriminate the cancer and normal samples with higher classification performance. The algorithm will be useful to find signature for any RNA-seq data.
Self-assembly of nanofilaments in cyanobacteria for protein co-localization
Authors: Zedler Julie A. Z. , Schirmacher Alexandra M. , Russo David A. , Hodgson Lorna , Gundersen Emil , Matthes Annemarie , Frank Stefanie , Verkade Paul , Jensen Poul Erik
Published: February 2023

Cyanobacteria offer great potential as alternative biotechnological hosts due to their photoautotrophic capacities. However, in comparison to established heterotrophic hosts, several key aspects, such as product titers, are still lagging behind. Nanobiotechnology is an emerging field with great potential to improve existing hosts but, so far, it has barely been explored in microbial photosynthetic systems. Here, we report the establishment of large proteinaceous nanofilaments in the unicellular model cyanobacteriumSynechocystissp. PCC 6803 and the fast-growing cyanobacterial strainSynechococcus elongatusUTEX 2973. Transmission electron microscopy and electron tomography demonstrated that overexpression of a modified bacterial microcompartment shell protein, PduA*, led to the generation of bundles of longitudinally aligned nanofilaments inS. elongatusUTEX 2973 and shorter filamentous structures inSynechocystissp. PCC 6803. Comparative proteomics showed that PduA* was at least 50 times more abundant than the second most abundant protein in the cell and that nanofilament assembly only had a minor impact on cellular metabolism. Finally, we targeted the fluorescent reporter mCitrine to the nanofilaments using an encapsulation peptide that natively interacts with PduA. To our knowledge, this is the first study to apply bacterial microcompartment based nanotechnology in cyanobacteria. The establishment of nanofilaments in cyanobacterial cells is an important step towards cellular organization of heterologous pathways and the establishment of cyanobacteria as next generation hosts.
The effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP1RA) on hypertensive-induced heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and hypertensive cardiomyopathy
Authors: Zhang Zhe Yu , Liao Song-Yan , Zhen Zhe , Sun Sijia , Lai Wing-Hon , Tsang Anita , Hai Jo Jo Siu-Han
Published: February 2023

Emerging preclinical data suggest that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP1RA) possesses cardioprotective properties against the pathophysiology of hypertension (HT). We sought to unravel the potential therapeutic application of GLP1RA in a clinically relevant large animal model of hypertensive cardiomyopathy (hCMP). A combination of angiotensin II (Ang II) and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) pellets were used to induce sustained HT status and establish hCMP in porcine model. Changes in cardiac echocardiography, invasive hemodynamic parameters, neurohumoral biomarkers and inflammation-related cytokines were investigated in 23 adult pigs, among which 6 were serving as control, 9 were induced with HT, and the remaining 8 were HT-induced with GLP1RA treatment. Eight weeks after the study initiated, HT pigs have developed sustained high blood pressure (BP) at both systole and diastole. Phenotype of hCMP has also become significant as impairment in systolic/diastolic function, left ventricular remodeling and cardiac hypertrophy was determined by echocardiogram and invasive hemodynamics. Additionally, blood norepinephrine (NE) content, venoarterial NE gradient and pro-inflammatory cytokines in HT pigs were increased. GLP1RA treatment halted the elevation in BP, left ventricular remodeling and cardiac hypertrophy development; preserved the left ventricular systolic/diastolic function; reduced the venoarterial NE gradient as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokines at 18 weeks in pigs with hCMP. Our results demonstrate that GLP1RA treatment has a remarkable effect on BP decrease, inflammation suppression and left ventricular function improvement. Thus, we provide novel insight into the therapeutic potential of GLP1RA in HT-induced heart failure in a large animal model of hCMP.
The dominance of coinfecting parasites’ indirect effects on host traits
Authors: Bolnick Daniel I. , Arruda Sophia , Polania Christian , Simonse Lauren , Padhiar Arshad , Roth Andrea , Rodgers Maria L.
Published: February 2023

Indirect genetic effects (IGEs) exist when there is heritable variation in one species’ ability to alter a second species’ traits. For example, parasites can evolve disparate strategies to manipulate host immune response, whether by evading detection or suppressing immunity. A complication arises during coinfection, when two or more parasite genotypes may try to impose distinct IGEs on the same host trait: which parasite’s IGE will be dominant? Here, we apply the notion of dominance to IGEs during coinfection. Using a mathematical model we show that the dominance of IGEs can alter the evolutionary dynamics of parasites. We consider a resident parasite population receiving rare immigrants with a different immune manipulation trait. These immigrants’ relative fitness depends on resident prevalence (e.g., the probability immigrants are alone in a host, or coinfecting with a native), and the dominance of the immigrant’s IGE on host immunity. Next, we show experimentally that the cestodeSchistocephalus solidusexerts an IGE on a host immune trait: parasite antigens from different populations produced different intensities of fibrosis. We then evaluated IGE dominance, finding evidence for overdominance (coinjected antigens induced an even stronger host immune response) which would be detrimental to immigrants when resident prevalence is high. This combination of experimental and modeling results shows that parasites do exhibit IGEs on host traits, and that the dominance of these IGEs during coinfection can substantially alter parasite evolution.
Viral but not bacterial community succession is characterized by extreme turnover shortly after rewetting dry soils
Authors: Santos-Medellín Christian , Blazewicz Steven J. , Pett-Ridge Jennifer , Emerson Joanne B.
Published: February 2023

As central members of soil trophic networks, viruses have the potential to drive substantial microbial mortality and nutrient turnover. Pinpointing viral contributions to terrestrial ecosystem processes remains a challenge, as temporal dynamics are difficult to unravel in the spatially and physicochemically heterogeneous soil environment. In Mediterranean grasslands, the first rainfall after seasonal drought provides an ecosystem reset, triggering microbial activity during a tractable window for capturing short-term dynamics. Here, we simulated precipitation in microcosms from four distinct, dry grassland soils and generated 144 viromes and 84 metagenomes to characterize viral, prokaryotic, and relic DNA dynamics over 10 days. Vastly different viral communities in each soil followed remarkably similar successional trajectories. Wet-up triggered a significant increase in viral abundance and richness, followed by extensive compositional turnover. While temporal turnover in prokaryotic communities was much less pronounced, differences in the relative abundances of Actinobacteria (enriched in dry soils) and Proteobacteria (enriched in wetted soils) matched those of their predicted phages, indicating viral predation of dominant bacterial taxa. Rewetting also rapidly depleted relic DNA, which subsequently re-accumulated, indicating substantial new microbial mortality in the days after wet-up, particularly of the taxa putatively under phage predation. Production of abundant, diverse viral particles via microbial host cell lysis appears to be a conserved feature of the early response to soil rewetting, and results suggest the potential for ‘Cull-the-Winner’ dynamics, whereby viruses infect and cull but do not decimate dominant host populations.
Selection on many loci drove the origin and spread of a key innovation
Authors: Stankowski Sean , Zagrodzka Zuzanna B. , Garlovsky Martin D. , Pal Arka , Shipilina Daria , Castillo Diego Garcia , Le Moan Alan , Leder Erica , Reeve James , Johannesson Kerstin , Westram Anja M. , Butlin Roger K.
Published: February 2023

Key innovations are fundamental to biological diversification, but their genetic architecture is poorly understood. A recent transition from egg-laying to live-bearing inLittorinasnails provides the opportunity to study the architecture of an innovation that has evolved repeatedly in animals. Samples do not cluster by reproductive mode in a genome-wide phylogeny, but local genealogical analysis revealed numerous genomic regions where all live-bearers carry the same core haplotype. Associated regions show evidence for live-bearer-specific positive selection, and are enriched for genes that are differentially expressed between egg-laying and live-bearing reproductive systems. Ages of selective sweeps suggest live-bearing alleles accumulated gradually, involving selection at different times in the past. Our results suggest that innovation can have a polygenic basis, and that novel functions can evolve gradually, rather than in a single step.
Borromean rings redux. A missing link found – a Borromean triplet of Borromean triplets
Authors: O'Keeffe Michael , Treacy Michael M. J.
Published: February 2023

This paper describes a nine-component Borromean structure – a Borromean triplet of Borromean triplets – that was missing from an earlier enumeration.
Correlated lending to government and the private sector: what do we learn from the Great Recession?
Authors: Ozili Peterson K.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate the correlation between credit supply to government and credit supply to the private sector to determine whether there is a crowding-out or crowding-in effect of credit supply to government on credit supply to the private sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used data from 43 countries during the 1980–2019 period. The study employed the Pearson correlation methodology to analyze the data.

Findings

There is a significant positive correlation between credit supply to government and credit supply to the private sector. There is also a significant positive relationship between credit supply to government and credit supply to the private sector, implying a crowding-in effect of government borrowing on private sector borrowing. The positive correlation between credit supply to government and credit supply to the private sector by banks is stronger and highly significant in the period before the Great Recession, while the positive correlation is weaker and less significant during the Great Recession, and the correlation further weakens after the Great Recession. The regional analyses show that the positive correlation between credit supply to government and credit supply to the private sector by banks is stronger and highly significant in the African region than in the Asian region and the region of the Americas.

Originality/value

There is no evidence on the correlation between credit supply to government and credit supply to the private sector during the Great Recession.
Employer brand and international employer brand: literature review
Authors: Špoljarić Anja , Ozretić Došen Đurđana
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This review article offers an insight into employer brand and its importance for organizations, as well as an overview of international employer brand based on research on this topic available to date.

Design/methodology/approach

An examination and critical evaluation of 37 research articles, two scientific monographs and a chapter was conducted. The selection of articles was based on conducted content analysis.

Findings

Having an employer brand has become of utmost importance for many organizations since it was first described in academic literature in mid-1990s. Despite its key role in organizational success, there is a certain lack of recognition of employer brand in academic literature. While employer brand research is somewhat scarce, international employer brand research is almost non-existent. Organizations that operate on different international markets often recruit their employees internationally as well. However, employer brand developed and managed locally differs from the one developed and managed globally.

Research limitations/implications

This review is based on a small number of articles available in the databases. Additionally, only the research papers written in English were included in the review.

Originality/value

This review paper offers a much-needed overview of literature on employer branding within international context. International employer brands and international employer branding have so far been neglected within employer branding literature, despite the obvious need for differentiation. Therefore, this article seeks to provide a systematic overview and identify relevant characteristics of the international employer brand.
Performance evaluation of a single-side windcatcher in the transitional seasons (case study: Khousf town, Southern Khorasan Province, Iran)
Authors: Dormohamadi Mansoure , Tahbaz Mansoureh , Velashjerdi Farahani Azin
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Life experience in hot and arid areas of Iran has proved that in the transitional seasons (spring and autumn) in which the climate is not too hot, passive cooling systems such as windcatchers (baadgir) have functioned well. This paper intends to investigate the efficiency of a single-side windcatcher as a passive cooling strategy; the case study is the Bina House windcatcher, located in Khousf town, near Birjand city, Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the aim, air temperature, relative humidity, wind data and mean radiant temperature were measured by the related tools over five days from September 23 to October 23. Then, the thermal performance of the windcatcher was examined by analyzing the effects of all these factors on human thermal comfort. Quantitative assessment of the indoor environment was estimated using DesignBuilder and its computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tool, a thermal comfort simulation method to compare the cooling potential of the windcatcher. Windcatcher performance was then compared with two other common cooling systems in the area: single-side window, and evaporative cooler.

Findings

The results showed that both windcatcher and evaporative cooler can provide thermal comfort for Khousf residents in the transitional seasons; but the difference is that an evaporative cooler needs to consume water and electricity power, while a windcatcher is a passive cooling system that uses clean energy of wind.

Originality/value

The present study, by quantitative study of single-side windcatchers in a desert region, measured the climatic factors of a historical house and compared it with thermal comfort criteria. Therefore, the results of field measurements were analyzed, and the efficiency of the windcatcher was compared with two other cooling systems, namely single-side ventilation and evaporative cooler, in the two seasons of summer and autumn (transition seasons).
The telework performance dilemma: exploring the role of trust, social isolation and fatigue
Authors: Ficapal-Cusí Pilar , Torrent-Sellens Joan , Palos-Sanchez Pedro , González-González Inés
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Due to the crisis originated by the COVID-19 pandemic, an important number of workers have been incorporating the telework modality. In this context, the distance from the workplace generates new dilemmas for work performance. In the paper the authors study the role of some individual and social antecedents on telework outcomes. In particular, they empirically investigate the direct relationship between trust (TR) and telework performance (PER) and explore mediators of that relationship such as social isolation (SI) and fatigue (FA).

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model with three main hypotheses is proposed and tested using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The study sample, of an exploratory nature, consists of a dataset of 201 teleworkers working in Spanish companies.

Findings

The relevance of the proposed model is demonstrated and FA is found to be the factor that most affects (negatively) PER, followed by TR (positively) and SI (negatively). Beyond the direct effects, the results provide support for the role of SI and FA in mediating the relationship between TR and PER.

Originality/value

This paper discusses the PER dilemma and proposes and tests a background model that may be useful for future research. The results are of interest to human resource managers, consultants, academics and telework tool developers and managers. Practices are proposed to improve TR or to reduce feelings of SI or FA. The research provides a practical evaluation tool for telework implementation.
Theorising circular economy and sustainable operations and supply chain management: a sustainability-dominant logic
Authors: Batista Luciano , Seuring Stefan , Genovese Andrea , Sarkis Joseph , Sohal Amrik
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper introduces initial foundations of a sustainability-dominant logic theory intersecting the sustainable operations and supply chain management (SOSCM) discipline with the circular economy (CE) field of knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies propositional forms of theorising to derive the formulation of propositions and interconnections that interrelate SOSCM and CE principles, concepts and practices which provide a reinforcing theoretical basis underlying the proposed sustainability-dominant logic theory.

Findings

Key findings are represented by elaborated theoretical propositions for a sustainability-dominant logic linking SOSCM and CE principles, concepts and well-established practical assumptions. The initial set of propositions offers useful insights for a sustainability-dominant logic at three managerial levels: product, firm and supply chain level.

Originality/value

The paper offers an original theoretical common ground based on a sustainability-dominant logic linking key SOSCM with CE tenets, this way developing SOSCM theory anchored in the CE paradigm and, conversely, developing CE theory supported by SOSCM principles and praxis. The initial set of propositions introduced in the paper provides a new pathway for future research and debate by OM scholars engaged with SOSCM and CE developments.
Optimal delivery time and subsidy for IT-enabled food delivery platforms considering negative externality and social welfare
Authors: Zhao Bin , Tan Haoquan , Zhou Chi , Feng Haiyang
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Information technology-enabled gig platforms connect freelancers with consumers to provide short-term services or asset sharing. The growth of gig economy, however, has been accompanied by controversy, and, recently, food delivery platforms have been criticized for using data-driven techniques to set strict delivery time limits, resulting in negative externality. This study aims to provide managerial implications on the decisions of delivery time and subsidy for food delivery platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop an analytical framework to investigate the optimal delivery time and subsidy provided to delivery drivers to maximize the gig platform's profit and compare the results with those of a socially optimal outcome.

Findings

The study reveals that it is optimal for the platform to shorten the delivery time and raise the subsidy when the food price becomes higher; nevertheless, the platform should shorten the delivery time and lower the subsidy in response to a higher delivery fee. Increases in the food price or delivery fee have non-monotonic effects on the number of fulfilled orders and the platform's profit. In addition, the authors solve the socially optimal outcome and find that a socially optimal delivery time is longer than the platform's preferred length when the delivery fee is high and the negative externality is strong.

Originality/value

The food delivery platform's optimal decision on delivery time is derived after taking negative externality into account, which is rarely considered in the prior literature but is a practically important problem.
The life course of impulsive males from childhood to adulthood
Authors: Farrington David P. , Aguilar-Carceles Marta
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to advance knowledge about the life course of impulsive males from childhood to adulthood, based on data collected in the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development (CSDD) from age 8 to 65 and to investigate which factors are related to impulsiveness at different ages.

Design/methodology/approach

The CSDD is a prospective longitudinal survey of 411 London males first studied in 1961–1962 at age eight. The males have been assessed face-to-face nine times from age 8 to 48. A total of 77 impulsive boys and 334 non-impulsive boys were identified at ages 8–10 using three measures of impulsiveness: daring/risk-taking (rated by parents and peers), psychomotor clumsiness/impulsivity (based on psychomotor tests of the boys) and poor concentration/restless in class (rated by teachers).

Findings

Parental, family, socio-economic, academic attainment and behavioural factors in childhood were the most significant variables that were related to impulsiveness at ages 8–10. Impulsive males had low IQ, truancy, high daring and a high antisocial personality score at ages 12–14. No exams passed, and a low socio-economic status job were especially significant at ages 16–18, while poor employment, convictions (especially for violence), anti-establishment attitudes and an unsuccessful life were especially characteristic of impulsive males in adulthood (ages 32–48).

Practical implications

Child skills training programmes are needed to reduce childhood impulsiveness.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first-ever publication that documents the life course of impulsive males from childhood to late adulthood.
Fewer newspapers means good news for corrupt public officials: results from a US panel data study
Authors: Swaleheen Mushfiq , Borgia Daniel
Published: February 2023

Purpose

When there is freedom of press, newspapers provide prying eyes that investigate and report the malfeasance by public officials. More prying eyes together with more newspaper readership make monitoring of public officials by the public easier and cheaper. This paper aims to investigate the role of newspapers in helping the public observe the conduct of local officials fearful of discovery of malfeasance by the newspaper readers in the USA during 1978 – 2008 when the internet was still a fledgling source of news.

Design/methodology/approach

A model that recognize that corruption is an agency problem that thrives in the absence of monitoring of public officials is used. The estimation technique used address problems issuing from the subjective nature of measures of press freedom and perception of corruption, and the persistence of corruption over time.

Findings

More newspapers and newspaper readers help to alleviate the agency problem that underlies public corruption in the USA and elsewhere. More newspapers (i.e. more journalists) act to deter corruption at the margin, and, ceteris paribus, higher readership works on exposing corrupt acts and helps to convict the errant officials in larger numbers.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a timely context to consider the implication of sharp fall in local newspapers as well as newspaper readership all across the USA.

Originality/value

This paper extends the literature by considering press freedom, the number of newspapers and size of newspaper readership as joint determinants of public corruption.
Corporate sustainability in entrepreneurial settings: green management and operational fairness as joint drivers of venture competitiveness
Authors: Campos Thalita Láua Reis , Nunhes Thais Vieira , Harney Brian , Oliveira Otavio José de
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Considering the characteristics and barriers faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the need to be competitive in the current scenario of high demand for sustainability, this paper aims to propose drivers for developing corporate sustainability in SMEs based on the most influential theoretical and empirical studies and the authors' experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The scientific method used in this study was content analysis of recent literature (2015–2021), specifically the 30 most cited articles on sustainability in SMEs from the Scopus database. This methodological approach has already been tested and validity by other scientific studies. From this content analysis, elements for the development of sustainability in SMEs were identified. Subsequently, in light of the authors' experience, these elements were grouped by affinity, giving rise to the drivers that aim to guide owners and managers of SMEs in the transition to sustainability.

Findings

The major finding of this paper is the proposition of drivers for the development of sustainability in SMEs. They were proposed considering the reality of these companies to be adequate to their resources and structure and to be simple to apply. Thus, these drivers guide the owners and managers of SMEs in actions that make them more prosperous, fair and green and, consequently, more competitive.

Originality/value

This work contributes theoretically to deepening the recent body of knowledge on sustainability in SMEs and fills the gap that indicates the need for accessible and flexible management solutions oriented to the development of sustainability in SMEs.
The global is rooted in the local: Peter Lor and international librarianship
Authors: Byrne Alex
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Peter Lor’s contributions to library and information science and practice are myriad. This essay focusses on his contributions to the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

Design/methodology/approach

The essay recalls Lor’s achievements and draws on the author’s experience of working with him during challenging times for IFLA.

Findings

Lor’s work and achievements illustrate how the global interconnectedness of the field emerges from and enlivens its local practice and that the global is in turn informed by the local.

Social implications

As an international Federation of library associations and libraries together with practitioners, IFLA reaches into the majority of the world’s nations. This essay demonstrates how leadership within one nation and at a global level can have far reaching results.

Originality/value

The author was in a unique position as IFLA President-elect and then President when Lor was appointed Secretary General of the Federation. The author viewpoint is that of an insider and a colleague.
Viewing advertisements in social networks: the attitude-intention inconsistency revisited
Authors: Nguyen Cuong Hung , Nguyen Hung Vu , Doan Theu Kim , Nguyen Minh Hoang , Le Mai Thi Thu
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study provides a framework to explain the attitude–intention gap in viewing advertisements in social networks. Going beyond the literal and evaluative inconsistency issues in measuring factors with theory of planned behavior (TPB), the authors propose and test a theoretical framework with possible moderators to the relationship between the attitude and behavioral intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Two surveys were conducted to test the theoretical framework, one with students and the other with working people in Hanoi, Vietnam. After testing measure reliabilities and validities, hypotheses were tested with regressions using SPSS.

Findings

In general, the attitude was still found to have a positive relationship with the behavioral intention. However, the attitude–intention gap still exists as trust in social network was found to moderate the relationship between the attitude and intention with the working people sample while trust in brands advertised facilitate the relationship with the student sample. Interestingly, involvement was not found to moderate the relationship.

Practical implications

Several practical implications can be recommended. In general, the marketing strategy for managers is still to develop positive attitude by consumers toward viewing advertisements. However, personalization strategy should be taken with care in advertisement in social network. Providing consumers with perceived privacy control may help enhance the advertisement effectiveness. Finally, building trusts, on or off the social network, should be optimized to increase the users' intention to view advertisements in social network.

Originality/value

This research offers a new explanation for the attitude–intention inconsistency in general and for viewing advertisements in social networks in particular. Going beyond the measurement issues, the research suggests looking at the process under that the attitude can be formed and activated to impact on the intention. Moreover, mixed findings from two comparable samples provide nuanced insights for different groups of consumers.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-10-2021-0563.
Lead isotope measurement of primer gunshot residues and likelihood ratio predictions for forensic cartridge discrimination and individualization in China
Authors: Guo Hongling , Mei Hongcheng , Wang Ping , Hu Can , Zhu Jun
Published: February 2023

Gunshot residues (GSR), cartridge projectiles, and casings are frequently encountered evidence in gun‐related forensic investigations. However, in circumstances where the investigation of striation marks is impossible, such as unrecovered or deformed projectiles and cartridge casings, GSR deposited on the hands or clothes of the shooter and victim‐related items can provide information to establish a link between the suspect, the firearms used, and the victim. Since the formula of primers used by all cartridge manufacturers in China is identical, links based on the conventional morphological and compositional analysis of GSR are difficult to establish. However, the abundance of lead isotopes in primer components of lead styphnate varies significantly, and a fundamental understanding of these differences may facilitate the validation of primer (p)GSR evidence in forensic investigations. Here, 44 pGSR samples were characterized by Pb isotope ratios of 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb using laser ablation multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. There was no obvious mass fractionation of the lead isotope ratios of the primers from individual cartridges analyzed before and after the shooting process, thereby establishing a basis for the comparison of pGSR and unfired cartridges. Evaluation of the results using univariate likelihood ratio (LR) computations revealed low rates of misleading evidence (<0.53%) The results demonstrated that lead isotope ratio analysis of pGSR and LR predictions can provide a practicable method for forensic cartridge discrimination and individualization.
Reduction, evolutionary pattern and positive selection of genes encoding formate dehydrogenase in Wood–Ljungdahl pathway of gastrointestinal acetogens suggests their adaptation to formate‐rich habitats
Authors: Yao Ye , Fu Bo , Han Dongfei , Zhang Yan , Wei Zhiyuan , Liu He
Published: February 2023

Acetogens are anaerobes using Wood–Ljungdahl pathway (WLP) as the terminal electron acceptor for both assimilation and dissimilation of CO2 and widely distributed in diverse habitats. However, their habitat adaptation is often unclear. Given that bacterial genome evolution is often the result of environmental selective pressure, hereby we analysed gene copy number, phylogeny and selective pressure of genes involved in WLP within known genomes of 43 species to study the habitat adaption of gastrointestinal acetogens. The gene copy number of formate dehydrogenase (FDH) in gastrointestinal acetogens was much lower than that of non‐gastrointestinal acetogens, and in five cases, no FDH genes were found in the genomes of five gastrointestinal acetogens, but that of the other WLP genes showed no difference. The evolutionary pattern of FDH genes was significantly different from that of the other enzymes. Additionally, seven positively selected sites were only identified in the fdhF genes, which means fdhF mutations favoured their adaptation. Collectively, reduction or loss of FDH genes and their evolutionary pattern as well as positive selection in gastrointestinal acetogens indicated their adaptation to formate‐rich habitats, implying that FDH genes catalysing CO2 reduction to formate as the first step of methyl branch of WLP may have evolved independently.
Priority conservation areas and a global population estimate for the critically endangered Philippine Eagle
Authors: Sutton L. J. , Ibañez J. C. , Salvador D. I. , Taraya R. L. , Opiso G. S. , Senarillos T. L. P. , McClure C. J. W.
Published: February 2023

Many range‐restricted taxa are experiencing population declines, yet we lack fundamental information regarding their distribution and population size. Establishing baseline estimates for both of these key biological parameters is however critical for directing conservation planning for at‐risk range‐restricted species. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List uses three range metrics that define species distributions and inform extinction risk assessments: extent of occurrence (EOO), area of occupancy (AOO) and area of habitat (AOH). However, calculating all three metrics using standard IUCN approaches relies on a geographically representative sample of locations, which for rare species is often spatially biased. Here, we apply model‐based interpolation using Species Distribution Models (SDMs), correlating occurrences with remote‐sensing covariates, to calculate IUCN range metrics, protected area coverage and a global population estimate for the Critically Endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi). Our final range wide continuous SDM had high predictive accuracy (continuous Boyce Index = 0.934) and when converted to a binary model estimated an AOH as 28 624 km2, a maximum EOO as 617 957 km2, and a minimum EOO as 275 459 km2, with an AOO as 53 867 km2. Based on inferred habitat from the AOH metric, we estimate a global population of 392 breeding pairs (range: 318–447 pairs), or 784 mature individuals, across the Philippine Eagle global range. Protected areas covered 32% of AOH, 13% less than the target representation, with the continuous model identifying key habitat as priority conservation areas. We demonstrate that even when occurrences are geographically biased, robust habitat models can quantify baseline IUCN range metrics, protected area coverage and a population size estimate. In the absence of adequate location data for many rare and threatened taxa, our method is a promising spatial modelling tool with widespread applications, particularly for island endemics facing high extinction risk.
Poisonings from hydrocarbon inhalant misuse in Australia
Authors: Berling Ingrid , Chiew Angela , Brown Jared
Published: February 2023

Background and aims

Inhalational misuse of volatile substances has been a significant public health concern because of the risk of sudden death and associated chronic complications such as encephalopathy. The Australian Government released a Consensus‐based clinical practice guideline in 2011 on the management of volatile substance use in Australia, which noted a lack of available data particularly on harms. This study aimed to measure (1) the number of calls received by the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre (NSWPIC) regarding inhalational hydrocarbon exposures or poisonings and (2) the number of unintentional deaths reported to the National Coronial Information System (NCIS) in Australia.

Design, setting, cases, measurements

We performed a retrospective review of all recreational inhalational hydrocarbon exposure calls to the NSWPIC between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2020. A search was made of the NCIS database in all states and territories over the same period to determine the number of non‐intentional inhalational hydrocarbon‐related deaths in Australia.

Findings

Between January 2010 and December 2020, there were 752 primary calls made to the NSWPIC regarding hydrocarbon use or exposure. Age or age bracket was recorded in 748 cases, with 508 (67%) calls involving children or adolescents. Over the same time, there were 58 unintentional deaths involving the recreational use of inhalational hydrocarbons. The median age at death was 23 years (interquartile range = 15–30 years), and 72% (42 cases) were male. Cause of death was predominately acute suffocation/asphyxia, encephalopathy related to chronic use, cardiac arrest likely from sudden sniffing syndrome or thermal injuries secondary to unintentional fires sparked by the volatile agents.

Conclusion

Although death and cardiac arrest are uncommon among people in Australia who misuse hydrocarbons for recreational use, the deaths and cardiac arrests tend to occur in adolescents.
Down syndrome and biological treatments in dermatology: Efficacy and safety in our real‐life experience and review of literature
Authors: Tancredi Vittorio , Licata Gaetano , Calabrese Giulia , Buononato Dario , De Rosa Alina , Argenziano Giuseppe , Gambardella Alessio
Published: February 2023

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal disorder; several dermatological conditions are common in these patients; among them, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis can be frequently encountered. From 2017 to today, we retrospectively identified 4 adults and 3 under 18‐year‐old patients treated with biological drugs, from our research database. The first endpoint of this study was to evaluate whether the biological drugs work in these special population, and a secondary endpoint was to evaluate any loss of efficacy or any side effects during follow‐up. All patients were treated with biological drugs experience resolution of their psoriasis. Mean PASI (Psoriasis Area Severity Index), BSA (Body Surface Area) and DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) at baseline were 20, 16.5 and 25. At week 4, mean PASI, BSA and DLQI decreased, respectively, to 8, 6 and 12, while at week 24, mean values were, respectively, 3, 1.3 and 1. The patients that started therapy earlier, at week 52, do not have signs of recurrence and side effects. We highlighted that no official guidelines exist to approach these patients, from a literature evaluation the most employed drugs are anti‐TNFα and in particular adalimumab. In our experience, the new anti‐interleukin drugs seem to be well‐tolerated, with no sides effect, good compliance and no loss of efficacy.
Suboptimal care was frequent in severe child physical abuse cases and was mainly related to delayed diagnoses and ineffective secondary prevention
Authors: Blangis Flora , Malorey David , Gras‐Le Guen Christèle , Vabres Nathalie , Picherot Georges , Ricaud Patricia , Chalumeau Martin , Launay Elise
Published: February 2023

Aim

Our aim was to assess suboptimal care before a diagnosis of severe child physical abuse in western France.

Methods

A confidential inquiry was carried out, based on children under 6 years of age who were hospitalised in the Nantes regional university hospital from 2016 to 2018. Two researchers retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all the children who were reported to the authorities for suspected severe child physical abuse. Two experts determined the optimality of care and identified the main categories of suboptimal care.

Results

The median age of the 94 children included in the study was 8 months. A fifth of them had intra‐cranial injuries and a quarter had fractures. One child died and a third had severe sequelae at hospital discharge. Included children frequently (37%) received suboptimal care before the diagnosis of severe CPA and this fell into two categories: delayed diagnosis was experienced by 17% and ineffective secondary prevention by 22%.

Conclusion

Suboptimal care for severe child physical abuse was frequent and fell into two categories: delayed diagnosis and ineffective secondary prevention. These results can help us to design corrective actions.