bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prior exposure to pathogens augments host heterogeneity in susceptibility and has key epidemiological consequences
Authors: Hawley Dana M. , Pérez-Umphrey Anna A. , Adelman James S. , Fleming-Davies Arietta E. , Garrett-Larsen Jesse , Geary Steven J. , Childs Lauren M. , Langwig Kate E.
Published: March 2024

Pathogen epidemics are key threats to human and wildlife health. Across systems, host protection from pathogens following initial exposure is often incomplete, resulting in recurrent epidemics through partially-immune hosts. Variation in population-level protection has important consequences for epidemic dynamics, but how acquired protection influences inter­individual heterogeneity in susceptibility and its epidemiological consequences remains understudied. We experimentally investigated whether prior exposure (none, low-dose, or high­dose) to a bacterial pathogen alters host heterogeneity in susceptibility among songbirds. Hosts with no prior pathogen exposure had little variation in protection, but heterogeneity in susceptibility was significantly augmented by prior pathogen exposure, with the highest variability detected in hosts given high-dose prior exposure. An epidemiological model parameterized with experimental data found that heterogeneity in susceptibility from prior exposure more than halved epidemic sizes compared with a homogeneous population with identical mean protection. However, because infection-induced mortality was also greatly reduced in hosts with prior pathogen exposure, reductions in epidemic size were smaller than expected in hosts with prior exposure. These results highlight the importance of variable protection from prior exposure and/or vaccination in driving population-level heterogeneity and epidemiological dynamics.
Early-branching cyanobacteria up-regulate superoxide dismutase activity under a simulated early Earth anoxic atmosphere.
Authors: Tamanna Sadia Sayed , Boden Joanne Sarah , Kaiser Kimberly Michelle , Wannicke Nicola , Hoering Jonas , Sanchez-Baracaldo Patricia , Deponte Marcel , Frankenberg-Dinkel Nicole , Gehringer Michelle Martine
Published: March 2024

The evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis during the Archean (4-2.5 Ga), required the presence of complementary reducing pathways to maintain the cellular redox balance. While the timing of the evolution of superoxide dismutases (SODs), enzymes that convert superoxide to hydrogen peroxide, within the Bacteria and Archaea is not resolved, SODs containing copper and zinc in the reaction centre (CuZnSOD) were the first SODs estimated to appear in photosynthetic cyanobacteria, from 2.93 Ga. Here we analysed the SOD gene expression and activity in the deep branching strain, Pseudanabaena sp. PCC7367. It releases more O2 and exhibits significantly higher growth rates (p<0.001) and protein and glycogen contents (p<0.05) under anoxic conditions compared to control cultures grown under present oxygen rich atmospheres in low CO2 (LC) or high CO2 (HC), prompting the question as to whether this correlates to higher cellular SOD activity under anoxic Archean simulated conditions. Expression of sodB encoding an iron containing SOD (FeSOD) and sodC, encoding a CuZnSOD, strongly correlated with increased extracellular O2 levels (p<0.001), while transcription of sodA, encoding a manganese containing (MnSOD), correlated to SOD activity during the day (p=0.019), when medium O2 concentrations were the highest. Cytosolic SOD activity was significantly higher (p<0.001) in anoxic cultures, two hrs before nightfall compared to oxic growth conditions. Night-time combined sodABC transcription in stirred cultures was significantly reduced (p<0.05) under anoxic conditions at elevated CO2 levels, as were medium O2 levels (p < 0.001), when compared to cultures grown under present-day oxic conditions with low CO2. Total cytosolic SOD activity remained comparable, suggesting that the replacement rate of SOD is higher under modern-day conditions than on early Earth. Our data suggest that the early branching cyanobacterium Pseudanabaena sp. PCC7367 may have retained ancestral features permitting it to thrive in its ecological niche as a benthic mat in shallow water marine environments.
TALEN-mediated intron editing of HSPCs enables transgene expression restricted to the myeloid lineage
Authors: Seclen Eduardo , Jang Jessica C. , Lawal Aminah O. , Pulicani Sylvain , Boyne Alex , Tkach Diane , Juillerat Alexandre , Duchateau Philippe , Valton Julien
Published: March 2024

Gene therapy in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) shows great potential for the treatment of inborn metabolic diseases. Typical HSPC gene therapy approaches rely on constitutive promoters to express a therapeutic transgene, which is associated with multiple disadvantages. Here, we propose a novel promoter-less intronic gene editing approach that triggers transgene expression only after cellular differentiation into the myeloid lineage. We integrated a splicing-competent eGFP cassette into the first intron ofCD11band observed expression of eGFP in the myeloid lineage but minimal to no expression in HSPCs or differentiated non-myeloid lineages.In vivo, edited HSPCs successfully engrafted in immunodeficient mice and displayed transgene expression in the myeloid compartment of multiple tissues. Using the same approach, we expressed alpha-L-iduronidase (IDUA), the defective enzyme in Mucopolysaccharidosis type I, and observed a 10-fold supraendogenous IDUA expression exclusively after myeloid differentiation. Edited cells efficiently populated bone marrow, blood, and spleen of immunodeficient mice, and retained the capacity to secrete IDUAex vivo. Importantly, cells edited with the eGFP and IDUA transgenes were also found in the brain. This approach may unlock new therapeutic strategies for inborn metabolic and neurological diseases that require the delivery of therapeutics in brain.
The unanticipated oxidation of a tertiary amine in a tetracyclic glyoxal-cyclam condensate yielding zinc(II) coordinated to a sterically hindered amine oxide
Authors: Hubin Daniel J. , Cunningham Blue M. , Hubin Timothy J. , Ebel Jonathan P. , Krause Jeanette A. , Oliver Allen G.
Published: March 2024

The complex, trichlorido(1,4,11-triaza-8-azoniatetracyclo[6.6.2.04,16.011,15]hexadecane 1-oxide-κO)zinc(II) monohydrate, [ZnCl3(C12H23N4O)]·H2O, (I), has monoclinic symmetry (space group P21/n) at 120 K. The zinc(II) center adopts a slightly distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry and is coordinated by three chlorine atoms and the oxygen atom of the oxidized tertiary amine of the tetracycle. The amine nitrogen atom, inside the ligand cleft, is protonated and forms a hydrogen bond to the oxygen of the amine oxide. Additional hydrogen-bonding interactions involve the protonated amine, the water solvate oxygen atom, and one of the chloro ligands.
Bis[S-octyl 3-(2-methylpropylidene)dithiocarbazato-κ2
N
3,S]nickel(II)
Authors: Khan Sultana Shakila , Howlader Md. Belayet Hossain , Sheikh Md. Chanmiya , Miyatake Ryuta , Zangrando Ennio
Published: March 2024

The central NiII atom in the title complex, [Ni(C13H25N2S2)2], is located on an inversion center and adopts a roughly square-planar coordination environment defined by two chelating N,S donor sets of two symmetry-related ligands in a trans configuration. The Ni—N and Ni—S bond lenghts are 1.9193 (14) and 2.1788 (5) Å, respectively, with a chelating N—Ni—S bond angle of 86.05 (4)°. These data are compared with those measured for similar dithiocarbazato ligands that bear n-octyl or n-hexyl alkyl chains. Slight differences are observed with respect to the phenylethylidene derivative where the ligands are bound cis relative to one another.
cis,cis,cis-Dichloridobis(N
4,N
4-dimethylpyridin-4-amine-κN
1)bis(dimethyl sulfoxide-κS)ruthenium(II)
Authors: Park Esther H. , Ortiz Sarah M. , Liang Todd K. , Smucker Bradley W.
Published: March 2024

The structure of the title compound, [RuCl2(C7H10N2)2(C2H6OS)2], has monoclinic (P21/n) symmetry. The Ru—N distances of the coordination compound are influenced by the trans chloride or dimethylsulfoxide-κS ligands. The molecular structure exhibits disorder for two of the terminal methyl groups of a dimethyl sulfoxide ligand.
4-Fluoro-2-(phenylamino)benzoic acid
Authors: Li Jingxi , Long Sihui
Published: March 2024

The title compound, C13H10FNO2, was obtained by the reaction of 2-bromo-4-fluorobenzoic acid with aniline. There are two independent molecules, A and B, in the asymmetric unit, with slight conformational differences: the dihedral angles between the aromatic rings are 55.63 (5) and 52.65 (5)°. Both molecules feature an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by pairwise O—H...O hydrogen bonds to form A–B acid–acid dimers and weak C—H...F interactions further connect the dimers.
5-Bromo-2-(phenylamino)benzoic acid
Authors: Kang Liping , Long Sihui
Published: March 2024

The title compound, C13H10BrNO2, was obtained by the reaction of 2,5-dibromobenzoic acid and aniline. The molecule is twisted with a dihedral angle between the aromatic rings of 45.74 (11)° and an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond is seen. In the crystal, pairwise O—H...O hydrogen bonds generate carboxylic acid inversion dimers.
Combining topic modeling and bibliometric analysis to understand the evolution of technological innovation adoption in the healthcare industry
Authors: Cobelli Nicola , Blasi Silvia
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This paper explores the Adoption of Technological Innovation (ATI) in the healthcare industry. It investigates how the literature has evolved, and what are the emerging innovation dimensions in the healthcare industry adoption studies.

Design/methodology/approach

We followed a mixed-method approach combining bibliometric methods and topic modeling, with 57 papers being deeply analyzed.

Findings

Our results identify three latent topics. The first one is related to the digitalization in healthcare with a specific focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. The second one groups up the word combinations dealing with the research models and their constructs. The third one refers to the healthcare systems/professionals and their resistance to ATI.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s sample selection focused on scientific journals included in the Academic Journal Guide and in the FT Research Rank. However, the paper identifies trends that offer managerial insights for stakeholders in the healthcare industry.

Practical implications

ATI has the potential to revolutionize the health service delivery system and to decentralize services traditionally provided in hospitals or medical centers. All this would contribute to a reduction in waiting lists and the provision of proximity services.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper lies in the combination of two methods: bibliometric analysis and topic modeling. This approach allowed us to understand the ATI evolutions in the healthcare industry.
Spatial structure and influencing factors of an emerging wine tourism network: a case study of the Ningxia wine region
Authors: Gu Qiushi , Ye Ben Haobin , Huang Songshan (Sam) , Wong Man Sing , Wang Lei
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Networks linking tourist attractions or organizations are a major focus of tourism research. Despite extensive research on tourism networks, academic research on the spatial structure and formation of wine tourism networks is limited. This study aims to investigate the spatial structure and factors influencing the development of a network among Ningxia wineries, an emerging wine tourism destination in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses social network analysis to uncover “what” the spatial structure of wine tourism networks looks like. Sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted among key stakeholders to explain the “why” of such structural characteristics.

Findings

The results show that in an emerging wine tourism destination, popular tourist attractions enjoy high centrality and hold key positions in the wine tourism network. Small wineries exhibit high closeness centrality, and only one winery serves as a network broker. According to the stakeholders, the importance of network actors will increase as their economic and political importance increase, while small wineries that lack differentiation in the network may perish.

Practical implications

Local governments can implement the suggested measures for improving network connections, and wineries are advised to find suitable positions to improve the experiences of tourists.

Originality/value

This study pioneers the identification of the distinct structure and factors influencing the network of an emerging wine tourism destination, thus enriching the understanding of the interplay and roles of different actors.
Institutional pluralism and the implementation of women’s enterprise policy
Authors: Mallett Oliver , Wapshott Robert , Wilson Nazila
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This research paper generates new insights into the challenges of implementation in women’s enterprise policy. It argues that organisations involved in policy implementation need to be understood as operating in a context of institutional pluralism and answers: How do organisations involved in the implementation of women’s enterprise policy manage the challenges of institutional pluralism?

Design/methodology/approach

Addressing the need for women’s enterprise policy to learn from the past, the research adopts a historical approach to the study of policy implementation through examination of the UK’s Phoenix Development Fund (1999–2008). It analyses a wide range of secondary sources to examine 34 projects funded and supported by the Phoenix Development Fund that targeted women entrepreneurs.

Findings

Potentially conflicting institutional logics associated with central government, mainstream business support and local communities were managed through four key processes: dominance; integration; constellation and bridging. The management of institutional pluralism was effective in delivering support to communities but not in providing an effective platform for learning in government or establishing sustainable, long-term mechanisms.

Originality/value

The paper develops an empirical contribution to practice through identification of processes to manage the challenges of institutional pluralism and lessons for community-engaged policy implementation. A theoretical contribution to academic debates is provided by the conceptualisation of these challenges in terms of institutional pluralism and the novel concept of institutional bridging. The study also demonstrates the value of historical methods for women’s enterprise policy to learn the lessons of the past.
“I didn’t want to leave my country” – mental health services as experienced by Bosnian refugees in Australia
Authors: Karakas Gabriella , du Plooy Daniel R.
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Despite the substantial body of international research exploring the effects of forced migration on mental health and the obstacles faced by refugee cohorts in accessing mental health services, there is a lack of in-depth studies specifically focusing on Bosnian refugees in Australia – one of the largest ethnic groups of displaced peoples. This qualitative investigation seeks to convey the experiences of mental health services by five Bosnian refugees in Melbourne, highlighting perceived pathways and barriers to service utilisation. This study aims to address two primary research questions: firstly, what characterises the experiences of Bosnian refugees in Australia when accessing mental health services? Secondly, what are the main barriers encountered by this population when seeking mental health services?

Design/methodology/approach

This study used qualitative inquiry and in-depth interviews to investigate the experiences of Bosnian refugees with mental health services in Australia. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews with five Melbourne-based Bosnian refugees who had previously accessed mental health services. Participants were recruited from community groups or associations using purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was used.

Findings

Key themes were revealed, such as the crucial role of social and community services, preferences for individual vs group therapy, potential re-traumatisation from therapeutic engagement, distrust of government-run mental health services and concerns regarding psychopharmaceutical prescription practices. Addressing barriers to mental health service access necessitates a multifaceted approach, including flexible social and community service support, an increased number of co-ethnic professionals and a recognition of cultural variations for effective service provision. Implementing these strategies can enhance help-seeking behaviours, provide culturally appropriate mental health services and improve the experiences of Bosnian refugees in Australia.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to qualitatively explore how Bosnian refugees in Melbourne perceived the adequacy and availability of mental health services upon arrival to Australia. They are a large and potentially vulnerable community, due to experiences of war trauma and dislocation from country of origin. A lack of understanding regarding how this cohort engage with mental health services can lead to persistent inequities and ineffective service provision. This study identifies unique experiences and perspectives of Bosnian refugee participants, including distrust of government-run mental health services, and concerns regarding psychopharmaceutical prescription practices. This research is expected to contribute positively to the discourse on mental health service provision for Bosnian refugees and wider refugee communities in Australia.
Education for the circular economy in higher education: an overview of the current state
Authors: Renfors Sanna-Mari
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Higher education institutions and their lecturers are strategic agents and main drivers that contribute to circular economy transition. This requires them to understand the key circular economy competencies and how to integrate circular economy holistically into their curricula with the suitable teaching and learning approaches. This study aims to support them by providing an overview on the characteristics of education for the circular economy (ECE) and suggestions to lecturers to further develop their curricula.

Design/methodology/approach

The data consisted of scientific articles (n = 22) describing circular economy courses in higher education. Qualitative content analysis with quantitative features was performed on the selected articles to answer the research question.

Findings

The findings confirm that the system’s focus is the key issue in ECE. However, to integrate circular economy holistically into the curricula, ECE should be implemented more widely in the context of different industries and market contexts to find innovative teaching and learning approaches. The demand side needs to be incorporated in the courses, as systemic transformation is also about transforming consumption. All levels of implementation and circular economy objectives should be included in courses to promote systems thinking. In addition, innovative forms of real workplace interaction should be increased.

Originality/value

As ECE has started to emerge as a new field of study, this article provides the first integrated overview of the topic.
GraphQL response data volume prediction based on Code2Vec and AutoML
Authors: Zhang Feng , Wei Youliang , Feng Tao
Published: March 2024

Purpose

GraphQL is a new Open API specification that allows clients to send queries and obtain data flexibly according to their needs. However, a high-complexity GraphQL query may lead to an excessive data volume of the query result, which causes problems such as resource overload of the API server. Therefore, this paper aims to address this issue by predicting the response data volume of a GraphQL query statement.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a GraphQL response data volume prediction approach based on Code2Vec and AutoML. First, a GraphQL query statement is transformed into a path collection of an abstract syntax tree based on the idea of Code2Vec, and then the query is aggregated into a vector with the fixed length. Finally, the response result data volume is predicted by a fully connected neural network. To further improve the prediction accuracy, the prediction results of embedded features are combined with the field features and summary features of the query statement to predict the final response data volume by the AutoML model.

Findings

Experiments on two public GraphQL API data sets, GitHub and Yelp, show that the accuracy of the proposed approach is 15.85% and 50.31% higher than existing GraphQL response volume prediction approaches based on machine learning techniques, respectively.

Originality/value

This paper proposes an approach that combines Code2Vec and AutoML for GraphQL query response data volume prediction with higher accuracy.
Assessing the risk of profit shifting among the suppliers to Danish municipalities
Authors: Gislason Henrik , Hvid Jørgen , Gøth Steffen , Rønne-Nielsen Per , Hallum Christian
Published: March 2024

Purpose

An increasing number of Danish municipalities wish to minimize tax avoidance due to profit shifting in their public procurement. To facilitate this effort, this study aims to develop a firm-level indicator to assess the potential risk of profit shifting (PS-risk) from Danish subsidiaries of multinational corporations to subsidiaries in low-tax jurisdictions.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from previous research, PS-risk is assumed to depend on the maximum difference in the effective corporate tax rate between the Danish subsidiary and other subsidiaries under the global ultimate owner, in conjunction with the tax regulations relevant to profit shifting. The top 400 contractors in Danish municipalities from 2017 to 2019 are identified and their relative PS-risk is estimated by combining information about corporate ownership structure with country-specific information on corporate tax rates, tax regulations and profit shifting from three independent data sets.

Findings

The PS-risk estimates are highly significantly positively correlated across the data sets and show that 17%–23% of the total procurement sum of the Danish municipalities has been spent on contracts with corporations having a medium to high PS-risk. On average, PS-risk is highest for large non-Scandinavian multinational contractors in sectors such as construction, health and information processing.

Social implications

Danish public procurers may use the indicator to screen potential suppliers and, if procurement regulations permit, to ensure high-PS-risk bidders document their tax practices.

Originality/value

The PS-risk indicator is novel, and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the analysis provides the first estimate of PS-risk in Danish public procurement.
Achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) through corporate sustainability: a topic modeling-based bibliometric analysis approach
Authors: Arora Meenal , Gupta Jaya , Mittal Amit , Prakash Anshika
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Considering the swift adoption of innovative sustainability practices in businesses to accomplish sustainable development goals (SDGs), research on corporate sustainability has increased significantly over the years. This research intends to analyze the published literature, emphasizing the existing, emerging and future research directions on achieving the SDGs through corporate sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

This research analyzed the growing trends in corporate sustainability by incorporating 2,038 Scopus articles published between 1999 and 2022 using latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic modeling, bibliometrics and qualitative content analysis techniques. The bibliometric data were analyzed using performance and science mapping. Thereafter, topic modeling and content analysis uncovered the topics included under the corporate sustainability umbrella.

Findings

The findings indicate that investigation into corporate sustainability has considerably increased from 2015 to date. Additionally, the majority of studies on corporate sustainability are from the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Germany. Besides, the USA has the most collaboration in terms of co-authorship. S. Schaltegger was considered the most productive author. However, P. Bansal was ranked as the top author based on a co-citation analysis of authors. Further, bibliometric data were evaluated to analyze leading publications, journals and institutions. Besides, keyword co-occurrence analysis, topic modeling and content analysis highlighted the theoretical underpinnings and new patterns and provided directions for further research.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates various existing and emerging themes in corporate sustainability, which have various repercussions for academicians and organizations. This research also examines the lagging themes in the current domain.
Beyond reality: metaverse technologies revolutionizing libraries and elevating user engagement
Authors: Margam Madhusudhan
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study aims to provide insight into the usage of metaverse technologies in libraries, examining their impact on library service user engagement and assisting in unique promotion and marketing techniques for the metaverse setting.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a literature review approach to synthesize current scholarly material on metaverse technologies and their practical applicability in the library context. It gathered academic literature from Emerald, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar databases to construct a strong foundation for the study from journal articles, which were retrieved using the researcher’s “search string.”

Findings

Metaverse technologies are reshaping the idea of smart libraries, offering innovative approaches to interact with information resources and delivering users progressively immersive and dynamic learning experiences. This in-depth investigation adds to a better understanding of the emerging link between metaverse technology and library professionals. It bridges the gap between libraries and users, transcending geographical boundaries and enabling libraries to serve a global audience. It anticipates metaverse-infused academic libraries welcoming new methods of engaging with their users with interactive capabilities to create a unique environment to explore library resources in an interactive marketing approach.

Originality/value

The metaverse is not only the future but also the future of libraries. This research fills the gap by advancing the literature on cutting-edge library technologies and empowers users to become reflective and well-informed information producers. It also helps library stakeholders engage with their audience in new and impactful ways and explore innovative marketing strategies tailored to the metaverse environment.
Is there equal employment opportunity in tourism? An evaluation of African students' perceptions of future careers
Authors: Chinasa Asadu Glory , Ozgit Hale
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, African students studying tourism and hospitality internationally had diverse experiences in their professional endeavours. This study seeks to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the career progression and perspectives of African undergraduate students specialising in higher education in the fields of tourism and hospitality.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilised qualitative content analysis, which involves subjectively interpreting text data by systematically categorising and coding it to identify themes or patterns.

Findings

The findings deviate from how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the career advancement of African international students studying tourism and hospitality in North Cyprus. Consequently, most developing nations face an increased need for security measures. Tourists will pay higher prices to visit highly secure areas rather than risking their lives. This is one of the reasons why many students from developing nations choose to pursue their careers in developed countries.

Practical implications

It is imperative for the governments of developing nations to make substantial financial contributions to the development of their respective tourism sectors. Augmented investment has the potential to allure international tourists, thereby generating employment prospects for the host economies. The lack of investment forces young individuals to pursue their education overseas. Furthermore, it is imperative for developing nations to enhance their security infrastructure.

Social implications

Our findings suggest that policymakers should establish a diverse management team that includes student employees to develop suitable strategies for industry management. Insufficient student inclusivity can result in a lack of dedication, whereas involving them in management strategies can contribute to the industry’s prosperity.

Originality/value

The findings obtained from this research can stimulate the formulation of strategies within the tourism industry to tackle the intersection of career obstacles.
How do management decisions impact butterfly assemblages in smallholding oil palm plantations in Peninsular Malaysia?
Authors: Harianja Martina F. , Stone Jake , Mamat Wan Z. W. , Hadi Muhamad A. , Luke Sarah H. , Azhar Badrul , Turner Edgar C.
Published: March 2024

In the world's leading palm oil‐producing countries (Indonesia and Malaysia), smallholders make up about 40 per cent of total oil palm plantation area. Management in smallholdings can be highly variable, ranging from intensive monoculture to polyculture systems, especially in the earlier years of cultivation when open canopies allow a variety of understorey crop types to be grown alongside oil palm. Currently, many plantations in the region are mature and due to be replanted, which is likely to have substantial impacts on the ecosystems within them, but studies investigating the impacts of alternative post‐replanting management strategies in smallholder plantations are lacking.

We investigated the impacts of replanting and choice of crop management following replanting (growing oil palm as a monoculture or polyculture) on habitat structure and complexity, and on the abundance, richness and composition of butterfly assemblages in smallholding oil palm plantations in Banting, Selangor, Malaysia. We also assessed the direct effects of habitat structure and complexity on butterfly assemblages. Butterflies are likely to be a valuable indicator group for monitoring the impacts of management practices on biodiversity as butterfly species also show a range of sensitivities to habitat disturbance, with some being vulnerable to change, but others being common in plantations. They are also a functionally important group that pollinate wild plants, are prey for larger species and are common in tropical systems.

Across 27 plantations, we recorded 1227 butterflies from 5 families, 46 genera and 56 species. Habitat structure and complexity differed between management decisions (mature monoculture, immature monoculture, immature polyculture), although many environmental parameters overlapped. We found no significant differences in species richness, density and assemblage composition of butterflies between management decisions. However, changes in local environmental conditions, such as an increase in the coverage of understorey vegetation, increased the abundance of butterflies.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings suggest that replanting oil palm and choice of mono or polyculture have relatively few effects on butterflies, but management for specific features in plantations could benefit butterfly assemblages.
Is the Sky the Limit for Menteen Studios?*
Authors: Farrell Anne M. , Shackell Margaret B. , Swain Monte R.
Published: March 2024

This case exposes students to an intriguing industry: film production and distribution. The focus on relevant costing allows students to make recommendations about keeping, dropping, or expanding a distribution channel and about venturing into a new technology for film distribution. The analysis requires critical thinking. Because students are provided with relatively sparse financial information, they are less likely to be fixated on data and more likely to think critically about how to structure analyses to address strategic and operational issues being weighed by the studio. In addition, the case requires students to communicate their recommendations and the underlying assumptions effectively. This case is suitable for use in undergraduate and graduate managerial and cost accounting courses, introductory MBA courses in managerial accounting or strategic thinking, or undergraduate or graduate courses that are specific to the entertainment industry.
Paediatric indications and dosing guidance for advanced targeted treatments in Australia
Authors: Mahar Patrick D , Robertson Susan J , Orchard David , Baker Christopher , Foley Peter
Published: March 2024

As with adults, paediatric patients may benefit from a number of advanced targeted therapies for inflammatory skin disease. This brief report aims to be an accessible reference tool with respect to regulatory approval and reimbursement of these treatments within Australia.
SARS‐CoV‐2 infection negatively impacts on the quality of embryos by delaying early embryonic development
Authors: Ma Linna , Yao Yufei , Zhang Zhao , Huang Yanhua , Zhang Liuguang , Qiao Pengyun , Kang Jinyu , Ren Chune , Xie Wenling , Liang Rongwei , Wu Hongbo , Liu Zheng , Ma Yanlin
Published: March 2024

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic is an unprecedented health crisis that has affected in vitro fertilization practices globally. Previous studies have shown that SARS‐CoV‐2 impacts the quality of embryos by inducing an immunological response in infertile patients. In this study, the early embryonic development of SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected infertile patients was investigated.

Methods

Sixty‐five SARS‐CoV‐2 infected infertile patients and 258 controls were involved in this study. The major outcome parameters for the cycle were analyzed, including the number of oocytes, maturation oocytes, available embryos per cycle, and embryo morpho kinetic characteristics.

Results

From SARS‐CoV‐2 infection until oocyte retrieval, it took an average of 6.63 days. The results revealed that the number of oocytes and high‐quality embryos on day 3 dramatically reduced in SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected infertile patients. SARS‐CoV‐2 was detected in the follicular fluid of three infertile patients. SARS‐CoV‐2 infection had negatively impacted the number of oocytes in multivariate linear regression models. The early embryonic development in the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection group had a noticeable delay from the six‐cell stage to blastocyst stage.

Conclusions

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection reduced the number of oocytes and high‐quality embryos on day 3. It delays the early embryonic development from the six‐cell stage to blastocyst stage and has a negative impact on the quality of embryos.
Applying Lyon consensus criteria in the work‐up of patients with extra‐oesophageal symptoms – A multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Calabrese Francesco , Pasta Andrea , Bodini Giorgia , Furnari Manuele , Zentilin Patrizia , Giannini Edoardo G. , Maniero Daria , Della Casa Domenico , Cataudella Giovanni , Frazzoni Marzio , Penagini Roberto , Elena Arsiè , de Bortoli Nicola , Visaggi Pierfrancesco , Savarino Vincenzo , Savarino Edoardo , Marabotto Elisa
Published: March 2024

Background

The diagnosis of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on otolaryngologist's assessment of laryngoscopic findings remains contentious in terms of sensitivity and specificity.

Aims

To evaluate GERD prevalence, applying Lyon 2.0 Consensus criteria, in patients with extra‐oesophageal symptoms undergoing laryngoscopic examination and impedance‐pH monitoring.

Methods

In this retrospective assessment, we included 470 patients with extra‐oesophageal symptoms, either isolated or combined with typical symptoms, who had been referred to six tertiary Italian Gastroenterology Units between January and December 2020. Of these, 274 underwent 24‐h impedance‐pH monitoring and laryngoscopy off PPI therapy. GERD diagnosis followed Lyon Consensus 2.0 criteria, incorporating mean nocturnal baseline impedance when pH‐impedance monitoring was inconclusive.

Results

Laryngoscopic examination revealed pathological findings (predominantly posterior laryngitis) in 71.2% (195/274). GERD was diagnosed in 29.2% (80/274) via impedance‐pH monitoring. The prevalence of GERD in patients with positive or negative laryngoscopy was similar (32.3% vs. 21.5%, p = 0.075). No significant difference in proximal reflux occurrences was noted between positive and negative laryngoscopy groups (33.3% vs. 24.1%, p = 0.133). Laryngoscopy demonstrated sensitivity and specificity of 78.8% and 32.0%, respectively, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 32.3% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 28.4%. In contrast, a threshold of four concurrent laryngoscopic signs, identified in only eight patients, demonstrated a PPV of 93.8% and a NPV of 73.6% (sensitivity 25.4%, specificity 99.2%).

Conclusion

This study underscores the limited diagnostic accuracy of laryngoscopy, emphasising the necessity of impedance‐pH monitoring for confirming GERD diagnoses using Lyon 2.0 criteria in patients with suspected extra‐oesophageal symptoms.
A sutureless overlapped anastomosis technique using linear staplers with reinforced bioabsorbable material in robotic right colectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis
Authors: Mori Shinichiro , Kita Yoshiaki , Baba Kenji , Tanabe Kan , Wada Masumi , Yoshino Shunichiro , Nishida Nanako , Iino Satoshi , Setoyama Tetsuro , Maemura Kosei , Ohtsuka Takao
Published: March 2024

Aim

Creation of an overlapped anastomosis using handsewn sutures for common enterotomy is very popular in robotic right colectomy (RRC) with intracorpareal anastomosis (IA). The aim of this study is to present a simple method for constructing a sutureless overlapped anastomosis using a 60 mm linear stapler with a reinforced bioabsorbable material in RRC with IA.

Method

The distal ileum and proximal colon were put in overlapping positions. Enterotomies were created 2 cm proximal to the ileal stump and 8 cm distal to the colonic stump on the antimesenteric side. Subsequently, a 60 mm linear stapler with a reinforced bioabsorbable material was inserted into each lumen and fired. Finally, the bowel was elevated while holding the bioabsorbable material, and the common enterotomy was grasped with the robotic instrument in the middle and closed using a linear stapler with a reinforced bioabsorbable material.

Results

This technique was applied to 10 patients with tumours of the caecum, ascending colon, or transverse colon. The median operating time, anastomosis construction time, blood loss, and postoperative stay were 281 min (range 228–459 min), 12 min (range 11–17 min), 10 mL (range 0–110 mL), and 10 days (range 8–15 days), respectively. No adverse intraoperative events were observed. Postoperatively, one patient developed chylous ascites, but there were no other complications.

Conclusion

The simple technique for constructing a sutureless overlapped anastomosis using a 60 mm linear stapler with a reinforced bioabsorbable material in robotic right colectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis appears to be safe and feasible.
Population pharmacokinetics, enzyme occupancy, and pharmacodynamic modeling of soticlestat in patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies
Authors: Yin Wei , Facius Axel , Asgharnejad Mahnaz , Lahu Gëzim , Vakilynejad Majid
Published: March 2024

Soticlestat (TAK‐935) is a first‐in‐class, selective inhibitor of cholesterol 24‐hydroxylase (CH24H) under phase III development for the treatment of the developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), Dravet syndrome (DS), and Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS). A previous model characterized the pharmacokinetics (PKs), CH24H enzyme occupancy (EO), and pharmacodynamics (PDs) of soticlestat in healthy volunteers. The present study extended this original model for patients with DEEs and investigated sources of variability. Model‐based simulations were carried out to optimize dosing strategies for use in clinical trials. Data from eight phase I and II trials of healthy volunteers or patients with DEEs receiving oral soticlestat 15–1350 mg were included, encompassing 218 individuals for population PK (PopPK) analyses and 306 individuals for PK/PD analyses. Dosing strategies were identified through model‐based simulations. The final mixed‐effect PopPK/EO/PD model consisted of a two‐compartment PK model and an effect‐site compartment in the PK/EO model; soticlestat concentrations at the effect site were linked to 24S‐hydroxycholesterol plasma concentrations using a semimechanistic inhibitory indirect response model. Covariates were included to account for sources of variability. Pediatric dosing strategies were developed for four body weight bands (10 to <15, 15 to <30, 30 to <45, and 45–100 kg) to account for covariate effects by body weight. The final PopPK and PK/EO/PD models accurately described PK, EO, and PD profiles of soticlestat in healthy volunteers and patients with DEEs. Covariate analyses and model‐based simulations facilitated optimization of phase III trial dosing strategies for patients with DS or LGS.
Social network analysis of the CaRE2 health equity center: Team science in full display
Authors: Ezenwa Miriam O. , Smith Thomas Bryan , Richey Joyce , Smith Ukamaka D. , Stern Mariana C. , Reams Renee , Wilkie Diana J.
Published: March 2024

Cancer health disparities that exist in the Black or African American and Hispanic or Latino/x communities are scientific challenges, yet there are limited team science approaches to mitigate these challenges. This article's purpose is to evaluate the team science collaborations of the National Institutes of Health‐funded Florida‐California Cancer Research, Education & Engagement (CaRE2) Center partnership underscoring the inclusion of multidisciplinary team members and future under‐represented minority (URM) cancer researchers. To understand our collaborative efforts, we conducted a social network analysis (SNA) of the CaRE2 Center partnership among University of Florida, Florida A&M University, and University of Southern California with data collected via the dimensions.ai application programming interface. We downloaded metadata for all publications associated with dimensions.ai IDs. The CaRE2 collaboration network increased over time as evidenced by accruing more external collaborators and more publishing of collaborative works. Degree centrality of key personnel was stable in each wave of the networks. CaRE2 key personnel averaged a total of 60.8 collaborators in 2018–2019 (SD = 57.4, minimum = 3, maximum = 221), and 65.8 collaborators in 2020–2021 (SD = 56.06, minimum = 4, maximum = 222). Betweenness was largely stable across all groups and waves. We observed a steady decline in transitivity, the probability that a pair of CaRE2 co‐authors shared a third co‐author, from 0.74 in 2018 to 0.47 in 2022. The SNA findings suggest that the CaRE2 Center partnership's publications show growth in team science collaborations with the inclusion of multidisciplinary team members from the three partner institutions and future URM cancer researchers who were mentored as trainees and early‐stage investigators.
Interstitial mycosis fungoides: A rare presentation of mycosis fungoides with overlapping granulomatous and folliculotropic features
Authors: Chung Christopher , Wu Bicong , LeWitt Tessa , Griffin Teresa , Hooper Madeline , Zhou Xiaolong (Alan) , Choi Jaehyuk , Guitart Joan
Published: March 2024

Background

Interstitial mycosis fungoides (IMF) is a rare subtype of mycosis fungoides (MF) characterized by atypical lymphocytes infiltrating the reticular dermis between collagen bundles with limited epidermotropism and variable granulomatous features.

Methods

Retrospective single institution review of 31 cases of IMF including clinical characteristics, disease course and pathological features.

Results

Our cohort was predominately male (19; 61%, M:F 1.6:1) with a mean age at diagnosis of 43 years (range 11–85), mean signs/symptoms duration of 7 years prior to diagnosis, and 6 years mean follow‐up duration. Clinically, patients often exhibited symmetric ill‐defined patches/plaques involving intertriginous regions with tan‐yellow hyperpigmentation and follicular‐based papules, wrinkling, and alopecia. Lymphadenopathy was noted in seven patients. Fifteen (52%) patients were in near or complete clinical remission at the latest follow‐up. T‐cell receptor gene rearrangement was positive in 23/24 (96%) cases. Histopathologically, atypical cells were small–medium, CD4+ (29; 94%) or rarely CD4+/CD8+ (1; 3%) lymphocytes infiltrating the reticular dermis with thickened collagen bundles (27; 87%), multinucleated giant cells (12; 39%), and often tracing along adnexa with subtle folliculotropism (12/20; 60%).

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates IMF is an indolent subtype of MF with distinct features, including frequent granulomatous and subtle follicular involvement resulting in alopecia.
“MLK's functional philosophy of non‐violence”
Authors: Mann Jeffrey K.
Published: March 2024

The fact that Martin Luther King, Jr. held a moral philosophy of non‐violence is well known. What is less familiar is that he made various exceptions to his prohibitions on violence. Given the absolute language he often used in condemning violent acts, he can give the impression of inconsistency in his ethics. The reality, however, is that his moral framework possesses both consistency and functionality. That is, it holds together logically and has practical usefulness. The key to understanding King is to view his moral philosophy through the lens of Virtue Ethics, not rule‐based ethics. This approach to a philosophy of non‐violence provides value and utility to adherents of both pacifism and Just War Theory, a difficult feat.
Dual DAT and sigma receptor inhibitors attenuate cocaine effects on nucleus accumbens dopamine dynamics in rats
Authors: Hersey Melinda , Mereu Maddalena , Jones Claire S. , Bartole Mattingly K. , Chen Andy Y. , Cao Jianjing , Hiranita Takato , Chun Lauren E. , Lopez Jessica P. , Katz Jonathan L. , Newman Amy Hauck , Tanda Gianluigi
Published: March 2024

Psychostimulant use disorders (PSUD) are prevalent; however, no FDA‐approved medications have been made available for treatment. Previous studies have shown that dual inhibitors of the dopamine transporter (DAT) and sigma receptors significantly reduce the behavioral/reinforcing effects of cocaine, which have been associated with stimulation of extracellular dopamine (DA) levels resulting from DAT inhibition. Here, we employ microdialysis and fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) procedures to investigate the effects of dual inhibitors of DAT and sigma receptors in combination with cocaine on nucleus accumbens shell (NAS) DA dynamics in naïve male Sprague Dawley rats. In microdialysis studies, administration of rimcazole (3, 10 mg/kg; i.p.) or its structural analog SH 3‐24 (1, 3 mg/kg; i.p.), compounds that are dual inhibitors of DAT and sigma receptors, significantly reduced NAS DA efflux stimulated by increasing doses of cocaine (0.1, 0.3, 1.0 mg/kg; i.v.). Using the same experimental conditions, in FSCV tests, we show that rimcazole pretreatments attenuated cocaine‐induced stimulation of evoked NAS DA release but produced no additional effect on DA clearance rate. Under the same conditions, JJC8‐091, a modafinil analog and dual inhibitor of DAT and sigma receptors, similarly attenuated cocaine‐induced stimulation of evoked NAS DA release but produced no additional effect on DA clearance rate. Our results provide the neurochemical groundwork towards understanding actions of dual inhibitors of DAT and sigma receptors on DA dynamics that likely mediate the behavioral effects of psychostimulants like cocaine.