bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individual bat viromes reveal the co-infection, spillover and emergence risk of potential zoonotic viruses
Authors: Wang Jing , Pan Yuan-fei , Yang Li-fen , Yang Wei-hong , Luo Chu-ming , Wang Juan , Kuang Guo-peng , Wu Wei-chen , Gou Qin-yu , Xin Gen-yang , Li Bo , Luo Huan-le , Chen Yao-qing , Shu Yue-long , Guo Deyin , Gao Zi-Hou , Liang Guodong , Li Jun , Holmes Edward C. , Feng Yun , Shi Mang
Published: November 2022

Bats are reservoir hosts for many zoonotic viruses. Despite this, relatively little is known about the diversity and abundance of viruses within bats at the level of individual animals, and hence the frequency of virus co-infection and inter-species transmission. Using an unbiased meta-transcriptomics approach we characterised the mammalian associated viruses present in 149 individual bats sampled from Yunnan province, China. This revealed a high frequency of virus co-infection and species spillover among the animals studied, with 12 viruses shared among different bat species, which in turn facilitates virus recombination and reassortment. Of note, we identified five viral species that are likely to be pathogenic to humans or livestock, including a novel recombinant SARS-like coronavirus that is closely related to both SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, with only five amino acid differences between its receptor-binding domain sequence and that of the earliest sequences of SARS-CoV-2. Functional analysis predicts that this recombinant coronavirus can utilize the human ACE2 receptor such that it is likely to be of high zoonotic risk. Our study highlights the common occurrence of inter-species transmission and co-infection of bat viruses, as well as their implications for virus emergence.
Cerebral malaria is regulated by host mediated changes inPlasmodiumgene expression
Authors: Cimperman Clare K. , Pena Mirna , Gokcek Sohret M. , Theall Brandon P. , Patel Meha V. , Sharma Anisha , Qi ChenFeng , Sturdevant Daniel , Miller Louis H. , Collins Patrick L , Pierce Susan K. , Akkaya Munir
Published: November 2022

Cerebral Malaria (CM), the deadliest complication ofPlasmodiuminfection, is a complex and unpredictable disease. However, our understanding of the host and parasite factors that cause CM is limited. Using a mouse model of CM, experimental CM (ECM), we performed a three-way comparison between: ECM susceptible C57BL/6 mice infected with ECM-causingPlasmodiumANKA (PbANKA) parasites (ANKA(C57BL/6)); ECM resistant Balb/c mice infected withPbANKA (ANKA(Balb/c)); and C57BL/6 mice infected withPbNK65 that does not cause ECM (NK65(C57BL/6)). All ANKA(C57BL/6)mice developed CM. In contrast in ANKA(Balb/c)and NK65(C57BL/6)infections do not result in CM and proceed similarly in terms of parasite growth, disease course and host immune response.. However, parasite gene expression in (ANKA(C57BL/6)) was remarkably different than in ANKA(Balb/c)but similar to the gene expression in NK65(C57BL/6). Thus,PbANKA has a ECM-specific gene expression profile that is only activated in susceptible hosts providing evidence that the host has a critical influence on the outcome of infection.
A simple and rapid CRISPR-Cas12a-based detection test for diastaticSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Uotila Ida , Krogerus Kristoffer
Published: November 2022

DiastaticSaccharomyces cerevisiaeis a common contaminant in the brewing industry. Currently available detection methods are either time-coansuming or require specialized equipment. The aim of this study was to develop a new rapid and simple assay for the detection of diastatic yeast from beer and yeast samples. More specifically, we aimed to develop a simple and rapid assay that requires minimal laboratory equipment or training, and ideally yields results as accurate as PCR-based methods. The developed assay consisted of three main steps: DNA extraction, pre-amplification of DNA, and CRISPR-Cas12a-based detection and visualisation. We compared different preamplification and visualisation techniques, and the final assay involved a one-pot reaction where LAMP and Cas12a were consecutively used to pre-amplify and detect a fragment from theSTA1gene in a single tube. These reactions only required a heat block, a pipette, and a centrifuge. The assay result was then visualised on a lateral flow strip. We used the developed assay to monitor an intentionally contaminated beer fermentation, and it was shown to yield results as accurate as PCR using previously published primers. Furthermore, the assay yielded results in approx. 75 minutes starting from a beer sample. The developed assay therefore offers reliable and rapid quality control for breweries of all sizes and can be performed without any expensive laboratory equipment. We believe the assay will be particularly useful for smaller breweries that don’t already have well-equipped laboratories and are looking to implement better quality control.
Expression profiles of hypoxia-related genes of cancers originating from anatomically similar locations using TCGA database analysis
Authors: Bae Hye Lim , Jeong Kyeonghun , Yang Suna , Jun Hyeji , Kim Kwangsoo , Chai Young Jun
Published: November 2022

Hypoxia is a well-recognized characteristic of the tumor microenvironment of solid cancers. This study aimed to analyze hypoxia-related genes shared by groups based on tumor location. Nine hypoxia-related pathways from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database or the Reactome database were selected, and 850 hypoxia-related genes were analyzed. Based on their anatomical locations, 14 tumor types were categorized into the following six groups. The group-specific genetic risk score was classified as high or low risk based on mRNA expression, and survival outcomes were evaluated. The risk scores in the Female reproductive group and Lung group were internally and externally validated. In the Female reproductive group, CDKN2A, FN1 and ITGA5, were identified as hub genes associated with poor prognosis, while IL2RB and LEF1 were associated with favorable prognosis. In the Lung group, ITGB1 and LDHA were associated with poor prognosis, and GLS2 was associated with favorable prognosis. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the Female reproductive group was enriched in terms related to cilia and skin, while the Lung group was enriched in terms related to cytokines and defense. This analysis may lead to better understanding of the mechanisms of cancer progression and facilitate establishing new biomarkers for prognosis prediction.
Mix-and-extrude: high-viscosity sample injection towards time-resolved protein crystallography
Authors: Vakili Mohammad , Han Huijong , Schmidt Christina , Wrona Agnieszka , Kloos Marco , de Diego Iñaki , Dörner Katerina , Geng Tian , Kim Chan , Koua Faisal , Melo Diogo , Rappas Mathieu , Round Adam , Round Ekaterina , Sikorski Marcin , Valerio Joana , Zhou Tiankun , Lorenzen Kristina , Schulz Joachim
Published: November 2022

Time-resolved crystallography enabled the visualization of protein molecular motion during reaction. While light is commonly used to initiate reactions in time-resolved crystallography, only a small number of proteins can in fact be activated by light. However, many biological reactions can be triggered by the interaction of proteins with ligands. The sample delivery method presented here uses a mix-and-extrude approach based on 3D printed microchannels in conjunction with a micronozzle to study the dynamics of samples in viscous media that can be triggered by diffusive mixing. The device design allows for mixing of ligands and protein crystals in a time window of 2 to 20 seconds. The device characterization using a model system (fluorescence quenching of iq-mEmerald proteins by copper ions) demonstrated that ligand and protein crystals, each within the lipidic cubic phase, can be mixed efficiently. The potential use of this approach for time-resolved membrane protein crystallography to support in the development of new drugs is also discussed.

Synopsis

3D printed mixing-HVE devices address time-resolved membrane protein crystallography challenges via compact dual-flow LCP injection.

Abstract Figure
Crk proteins activate the Rap1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor C3G by segregated adaptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms
Authors: Rodríguez-Blázquez Antonio , Carabias Arturo , Morán-Vaquero Alba , de Cima Sergio , Luque-Ortega Juan R. , Alfonso Carlos , Schuck Peter , Manso José Antonio , Macedo-Ribeiro Sandra , Guerrero Carmen , de Pereda José M
Published: November 2022

C3G is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that activates Rap1 to promote cell adhesion. Resting C3G is autoinhibited and the GEF activity is released by stimuli that signal through tyrosine kinases. Tyrosine phosphorylation of C3G and interaction with Crk adaptor proteins, whose expression is increased in multiple human cancers, participate in C3G activation. However, the molecular details of C3G activation and the interplay between C3G phosphorylation and Crk interaction are poorly understood. Here, we combine biochemical, biophysical, and cell biology approaches to elucidate the mechanisms of C3G activation. CrkL interacts through its SH3N domain with the proline-rich motifs P1 and P2 of inactive C3G in vitro and in Jurkat and HEK293T cells, and these sites are necessary to recruit C3G to the plasma membrane. However, direct stimulation of the GEF activity requires binding of Crk proteins to the P3 and P4 sites. P3 is occluded in resting C3G and is essential for activation, while P4 contributes secondarily towards complete stimulation. Tyrosine phosphorylation of C3G alone causes marginal activation. Instead, phosphorylation primes C3G lowering the concentration of Crk proteins required for activation and increasing the maximum activity. Unexpectedly, optimal activation also requires the interaction of CrkL-SH2 domain with phosphorylated C3G. Phosphorylation and Crk-binding form a two-factor mechanism that ensures tight control of C3G activation. The simultaneous SH2 and SH3N interaction of CrkL with C3G, required for the activation, reveals a novel adaptor-independent function of Crk proteins relevant to understanding their role in physiological signaling and their deregulation in diseases.
Prostaglandin E2 prevents radiotherapy-induced alopecia by attenuating transit amplifying cell apoptosis through promoting G1 arrest
Authors: Lai Shih-Fan , Huang Wen-Yen , Wang Wei-Hung , Hong Jin-Bon , Kuo Sung-Hsin , Lin Sung-Jan
Published: November 2022

Growing hair follicles (HFs) harbor actively dividing transit amplifying cells (TACs), rendering them highly sensitive to radiotherapy (RT). Clinically, there is still a lack of effective treatment for radiotherapy-induced alopecia (RIA). We aimed to dissect the effect and mechanism of local prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) pretreatment in RIA prevention. We found that PGE2 pretreatment reduced RIA by preventing premature termination of anagen through enhancing HF self-repair.

Mechanistically, PGE2 did not activate HF stem cells, but preserved more TACs for regenerative attempts. Pretreatment of PGE2 lessened radiosensitivity of TACs by transiently arresting them in the G1 phase, thereby reducing TAC apoptosis and mitigating HF dystrophy. The preservation of more TACs accelerated HF self-repair and bypassed RT-induced premature catagen entry. Promoting G1 arrest by systemic administration of palbociclib isethionate (PD0332991), a CDK4/6 inhibitor, offered a similar protective effect against RT. Therefore, PGE2 protects HF TACs from RT by transiently inducing G1 arrest, and the regeneration of HF structures lost from RT is accelerated to resume anagen growth, thus bypassing the long downtime of hair loss. PGE2 has the potential to be repurposed as a preventive treatment for RIA.
JUNupregulation drives aberrant transposable element mobilization, associated innate immune response, and impaired neurogenesis in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Scopa Chiara , Barnada Samantha M. , Cicardi Maria E. , Singer Mo , Trotti Davide , Trizzino Marco
Published: November 2022

Adult neurogenic decline, inflammation, and neurodegeneration are phenotypic hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Mobilization of transposable elements (TEs) in heterochromatic regions was recently reported in AD, but the underlying mechanisms are still underappreciated. Combining functional genomics with differentiation of familial and sporadic AD patient derived-iPSCs into hippocampal progenitors, CA3 neurons, and cerebral organoids, we found that upregulation of the AP-1 subunit c-JUN triggers decondensation of genomic regions containing TEs. This leads to cytoplasmic accumulation of TE-derived RNA-DNA hybrids, activation of the cGAS-STING cascade, and increased cleaved caspase-3 levels, suggesting initiation of programmed cell death in progenitor cells and neurons. Notably, inhibiting c-JUN effectively blocks all the downstream molecular processes and rescues neuronal death and impaired neurogenesis in the AD progenitors. Our findings open new avenues for identifying therapeutic strategies and biomarkers to counteract disease progression and diagnose AD in the early, pre-symptomatic stages.
Crystal structure of potassium chloride monohydrate: water intercalation into the B1 structure of KCl under high pressure
Authors: Yamashita Keishiro , Komatsu Kazuki , Kagi Hiroyuki
Published: November 2022

A new hydrate form of potassium chloride, KCl·H2O, is identified for the first time by in situ single-crystal X-ray diffraction under high pressure. It has a monoclinic structure with lattice parameters of a = 5.687 (7), b = 6.3969 (3), c = 8.447 (3) Å and β = 107.08 (8)° at 2.23 (4) GPa and 295 K. The structure of this hydrate has K—Cl alignments similar to the B1 phase of anhydrous KCl, while water molecules intercalate among the ionic species. The coordination structures of the K and Cl atoms can be regarded as the intermediate states between the B1 and B2 phases of KCl. This finding provides a perspective on the structural interpretation of multicomponent materials and an additional candidate for bound water in salt–water systems under high pressure, such as inside of icy bodies.
Performance shortfalls and financialization of non-financial enterprises in China
Authors: Wang Shanshan
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Based on the theory of performance feedback, this study aims to explore the theoretical relationship between performance shortfalls and the financialization of non-financial enterprises. It further analyzes the moderating effect of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and organizational redundant resources.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple regression analysis is used on 16,555 initial samples of 2,658 Chinese A-share issuing enterprises from 2007 to 2019 to empirically test the relationship between performance shortfalls and the financialization of non-financial enterprises, and an instrumental variables-generalized moments estimation model is also used to verify the robustness of the results.

Findings

The results reveal that the greater the performance gap below the aspiration level, the higher the degree of enterprise financialization. Moreover, EPU strengthens the relationship between performance shortfalls and financialization, whereas organizational redundant resources weaken the relationship between performance shortfalls and financialization.

Practical implications

Decision-makers should determine the aspirated performance level of enterprises to make investment decisions that are most conducive to the long-term development of enterprises. Each enterprise should establish scientific management evaluation and supervision systems to avoid financial investment behaviors that place too much emphasis on short-term performance.

Originality/value

This study finds that financialization is one of the reactions when performance of enterprises is lower than the aspiration level, thus expanding the functional dimensions of performance feedback and supplementing the research on the influencing factors of enterprise financialization. The results also reveal information about situational factors, helping identify the boundary conditions through which performance below aspirations affects enterprise financialization.
30 years of artificial intelligence (AI) research relating to the hospitality and tourism industry
Authors: Kong Haiyan , Wang Kangping , Qiu Xuejie , Cheung Catherine , Bu Naipeng
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to review the progress of research on artificial intelligence (AI) relating to the hospitality and tourism industry, focusing on the content, focal points, key terms and trends of AI research.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 491 referred papers are selected from the Web of Science core collection database. These papers, published in the past 30 years (1991–2021), are analyzed by using Gephi and VOSviewer software.

Findings

AI research shows a growing trend since 1991, and the number of publications and citations increased significantly since 2018, indicating that AI became a focus for researchers. AI studies are grouped into four clusters, namely, AI technology, technology acceptance, customers’ perception and future trends. The research focus changed from AI technology in the early stage to customers’ attitudes toward and willingness to accept AI.

Research limitations/implications

The findings contribute to advance knowledge development, identify research gaps and shed light on future research. The results offer practical enlightenment for governments, tourism destinations and hospitality organization.

Practical implications

The results offer practical enlightenment for governments, tourism destinations and hospitality organization.

Originality/value

This study is the initial attempt to provide a systematic review of AI research relating to the tourism and hospitality fields.
Board structure policy, board diversity and social sustainability in the logistics and transportation sector
Authors: Fernandes Valérie , Kuzey Cemil , Uyar Ali , Karaman Abdullah S.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the roles of board gender and cultural diversities in driving social sustainability practices through the moderating effect of board structure policies in the logistics and transportation sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted fixed-effects regression with 2005–2019 data from Thomson Reuters Eikon.

Findings

The results showed that female directors are significant predictors of social sustainability across the four dimensions of human rights, workforce, product responsibility and community development. Additionally, directors with different cultural backgrounds (but not the workforce) are significant determinants of community development, human rights and product responsibility. Furthermore, although board structure policies positively moderate the relationship between board gender diversity and social sustainability, they fail to moderate the relationship between board cultural diversity and social sustainability.

Originality/value

The findings have crucial implications for the logistics and transportation sector's social sustainability and may help the sector align with employees' and society's expectations. The incorporation of board gender and cultural diversities into the research design was a response to calls by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) to address board configuration and stakeholders' concerns.
Women and white-collar criminals: a comparison between pink-collar crimes and red-collar crimes in Iran
Authors: Kamaei Maryam , Gottschalk Petter
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare women committing pink-collar and red-collar crimes in Iran. In the current study, the pink-collar crime, studying murder by women as red-collar criminals and the root of “pink-collar crime” is considered the related terms.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive analytical method is used in this article.

Findings

It was previously thought that white-collar crime has no victim, and it is not necessary to imprison the criminal or consider other punishments. There is no recognized solution for such crimes, as opposed to the legislature and the government’s efforts, and therefore, consumers, government, employees, companies and executives cannot realize these crimes or be aware of them. Unfortunately, recognizing red-collar crimes is impossible using the old, outdated set of laws, and new laws are required. The phenomenon of white- and red-collar crime is endless and must always be in the attention of society to prevent its dangerous consequences for the community.

Originality/value

This article is original and has been submitted only to this journal and has not been submitted to another journal at the same time.
Integrating isotopic and nutritional niches reveals multiple dimensions of individual diet specialisation in a marine apex predator
Authors: Grainger Richard , Raoult Vincent , Peddemors Victor M. , Machovsky‐Capuska Gabriel E. , Gaston Troy F. , Raubenheimer David
Published: November 2022

Dietary specialisations are important determinants of ecological structure, particularly in species with high per‐capita trophic influence like marine apex predators. These species are, however, among the most challenging in which to establish spatiotemporally integrated diets.

We introduce a novel integration of stable isotopes with a multidimensional nutritional niche framework that addresses the challenges of establishing spatiotemporally integrated nutritional niches in wild populations, and apply the framework to explore individual diet specialisation in a marine apex predator, the white shark Carcharodon carcharias.

Sequential tooth files were sampled from juvenile white sharks to establish individual isotopic (δ‐space; δ13C, δ15N, δ34S) niche specialisation. Bayesian mixing models were then used to reveal individual‐level prey (p‐space) specialisation, and further combined with nutritional geometry models to quantify the nutritional (N‐space) dimensions of individual specialisation, and their relationships to prey use.

Isotopic and mixing model analyses indicated juvenile white sharks as individual specialists within a broader, generalist, population niche. Individual sharks differed in their consumption of several important mesopredator species, which suggested among‐individual variance in trophic roles in either pelagic or benthic food webs. However, variation in nutrient intakes was small and not consistently correlated with differences in prey use, suggesting white sharks as nutritional specialists and that individuals could use functionally and nutritionally different prey as complementary means to achieve a common nutritional goal.

We identify how degrees of individual specialisation can differ between niche spaces (δ‐, p‐ or N‐space), the physiological and ecological implications of this, and argue that integrating nutrition can provide stronger, mechanistic links between diet specialisation and its intrinsic (fitness/performance) and extrinsic (ecological) outcomes. Our time‐integrated framework is adaptable for examining the nutritional consequences and drivers of food use variation at the individual, population or species level.
INDIGENOUS URBANISMS
Authors: Blatman Naama , Mays Kyle
Published: November 2022

Indigenous urbanism is an analytic and vital experience that captures everyday life and extreme moments of conflict in settler colonies. While highly localized, Indigenous urbanism/s are comparable across time and space. Delivered from different parts of the world, the essays in this collection highlight that Indigenous urbanism is politically, socially and culturally significant not only for Indigenous peoples in cities, but also for urban settlers and non‐Indigenous people of color. While Indigenous urbanisms are foregrounded by settler‐colonial structures and processes, they also underscore the unresolved nature of social relations in cities, and indeed, the unsettled character of the city itself. This introduction briefly sketches the themes and scope of each essay and draws them into conversation. Taken together, this collection illustrates the relational—rather than reactionary—character of Indigenous urbanisms as structure, in and of the (settler) city. Indigenous urbanisms shape cities by engaging with broader categories of human relations, intimate connections, conflict and resistance.
Recent therapeutic approaches to cystathionine beta‐synthase‐deficient homocystinuria
Authors: Majtan Tomas , Kožich Viktor , Kruger Warren D.
Published: November 2022

Cystathionine beta‐synthase (CBS)‐deficient homocystinuria (HCU) is the most common inborn error of sulfur amino acid metabolism. The pyridoxine non‐responsive form of the disease manifests itself by massively increasing plasma and tissue concentrations of homocysteine, a toxic intermediate of methionine metabolism that is thought to be the major cause of clinical complications including skeletal deformities, connective tissue defects, thromboembolism and cognitive impairment. The current standard of care involves significant dietary interventions that, despite being effective, often adversely affect quality of life of HCU patients, leading to poor adherence to therapy and inadequate biochemical control with clinical complications. In recent years, the unmet need for better therapeutic options has resulted in development of novel enzyme and gene therapies and exploration of pharmacological approaches to rescue CBS folding defects caused by missense pathogenic mutations. Here, we review scientific evidence and current state of affairs in development of recent approaches to treat HCU.
The dynamics of innovation efforts in the early career
Authors: Björklund Tua A. , Gilmartin Shannon K. , Sheppard Sheri D.
Published: November 2022

Although innovation is highly valued in organizations, early‐career professionals face a paradox of bringing in novel ideas, yet having varied latitude and support to see these new ideas through. Building on 35 critical‐incident‐based interviews with early‐career engineers in the United States, this study illuminates the socially situated dynamics of their innovation efforts, examining the process of such promotive proactive behaviour. We find that all participants reported some engagement in creating, championing and implementing new ideas, typically in the form of self‐initiated improvements to the tools and processes participants used in their jobs. Encouragement from direct supervisors, supportive organizational cultures and practices, job scope, time afforded and one's perceived status were key considerations in determining whether to take such initiative. Carrying out innovative work behaviours, in turn, was largely dependent on continued employee initiative and ad hoc, informal cooperation, with individual effort punctuated by influential interactions with others that often determined the perceived valence of efforts. The study adds to understanding the social interactions and perceptions of voice required for innovative work behaviour, revealing when and to whom these prerequisites are afforded. Implications for organizations' innovation capacity and new hires' participation in innovation are discussed.
Vulvar dermatoses—Can a pattern‐based approach improve diagnostic yield?
Authors: Singh Lavleen , Kumari Kalpana , Sharma Sonal
Published: November 2022

Background

Vulvar dermatoses (VD) pose a formidable challenge to clinicians and pathologists owing to various factors. The factors included are the histopathological heterogeneity of the vulva, moist and frictional environment, and the limited experience of gynecologists and general histopathologists in this field. To address this issue, the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD) proposed a histopathological tissue reaction‐based classification system for VD. Therefore, we attempted to study the utility of the 2006 ISSVD classification in reporting VD. We further evaluated if a dermatopathologist review could improve the diagnostic yield.

Materials and Methods

The vulvar biopsy reports (N = 106) were retrieved from histopathology case files, out of which benign non‐infectious conditions (n = 55) were included in the study. The diagnosis retrieved from the case files was considered the initial diagnosis. Three dermatopathologists reviewed each biopsy, and a tissue reaction pattern/diagnosis was assigned as per ISSVD 2006, and this was considered a review diagnosis. The initial and review diagnoses were compared and analyzed. We further studied and analyzed the effect of the dermatopathologist's review on the diagnostic yield.

Results

The sclerotic pattern (34.6%) was the commonest tissue reaction pattern, followed by spongiotic (18%) and acanthotic patterns (14.5%) independently or in combination. The non‐specific/descriptive report rate was significantly decreased following 2006 ISSVD and the dermatopathologist's review (83.6% vs.1.8%).

Conclusion

Rendering tissue reaction patterns to vulvar biopsies will enable a comprehensive understanding of lesions and aid in clinically relevant reporting. In addition, dermatopathologists' review of difficult vulvar biopsies increases the diagnostic yield.
International aid actions for accountability: Identifying interaction effects between programmes
Authors: Nadelman Rachel , McGee Rosie , Khan Ayesha , Gonçalves Euclides , Fox Jonathan , Burge Richard , Aremu Fatai A. , Anderson Colin
Published: November 2022

Motivation

Aid agencies that support public accountability reforms commonly do so in the same places and with similar state and civil society actors. However, the combined effects of their separate programmatic actions are rarely analysed.

Purpose

This study departs from conventional analysis of aid agency relationships that focuses on the macro level of donor co‐ordination and harmonization. Instead, we look at the interactions that happen in practice between aid agency programmes on the ground. Through doing so we propose a new conceptual lens for understanding these interactions.

Methods and approach

We explore how programmes with overlapping public accountability goals interact in specific locations and with what effects, based on qualitative fieldwork on four recent programmes that overlapped in sub‐national areas of Pakistan and Nigeria and supported by lighter‐touch research on two programmes in Mozambique.

Findings

We identify three distinct categories of “interaction effects”—synergy, parallel play, and disconnect. These effects came about both with and without direct engagement between the aid agencies themselves. Synergistic interaction effects—aid agency actions reinforcing one another in pursuit of greater public accountability—were common. Parallel play—siloed working—was also common, risking missed opportunities to extend impact. The study identified one outright disconnect—where aid agency actions undermined each other.

Policy implications

Using this “interaction effects” lens in practice could inform and strengthen aid agency strategies—avoiding conflicting actions and siloed working—and achieving more through synergy with others, particularly in complex contexts. This applies both in programme design and in adapting to other aid programmes' actions in real time. Development programme research and evaluations would benefit from broadening their lens beyond single‐programme studies to understand the combined effects of multiple actors.
Unraveling the role of relative telomere length and CAG expansion on initial symptoms of juvenile Huntington disease
Authors: PerezGrovas‐Saltijeral Adriana , Ochoa‐Morales Adriana , Jara‐Prado Aurelio , Velázquez‐Cruz Rafael , Rivera‐Paredez Berenice , Dávila‐OrtizdeMontellano David , Benítez‐Alonso Edmar O. , Santamaría‐Olmedo Mónica , Sevilla‐Montoya Rosalba , Marfil‐Marín Ernesto , Valdés‐Flores Margarita , Martínez‐Ruano Leticia , Camacho‐Molina Alejandra , Hidalgo‐Bravo Alberto
Published: November 2022

Background and purpose

Juvenile‐onset Huntington disease (JHD) is defined when symptoms initiate before 20 years of age. Mechanisms explaining differences between juvenile and adult onset are not fully understood. Our aim was to analyze the distribution of initial symptoms in a cohort of JHD patients and to explore its relationship with CAG expansion and relative telomere length (RTL).

Methods

A total of 84 JHD patients and 54 neurologically healthy age and sex matched individuals were recruited. CAG length was measured by southern blot or triplet repeat primed polymerase chain reaction. RTL was measured using the Cawthon method.

Results

Psychiatric symptoms were most frequent when considering the entire cohort. When divided into onset before or after 10 years, cognitive symptoms were more frequent in the youngest, whilst in the older group psychiatric symptoms prevailed. Motor symptoms were rare in the youngest and epilepsy was observed only in this group as well as a larger CAG expansion. RTL analysis revealed shorter telomeres in JHD patients compared to controls. This difference is not influenced by age, initial symptoms, time of disease or CAG expansion.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge this is the largest cohort of JHD patients reported. Psychiatric manifestations deserve special attention when JHD is suspected and epilepsy is especially important in the youngest patients. Initial symptoms seem to be influenced by CAG expansion and therefore age of onset. RTL is significantly reduced in JHD patients which can influence the characteristic neurodegeneration of JHD and contribute to the clinical discrepancy between adult and juvenile forms of Huntington disease.
CD226 knockout reduces the development of CD8+ T by impairing the TCR sensitivity of double‐positive thymocytes
Authors: Ma Jingchang , Liu Yitian , Duan Chujun , Wu Shuwen , Xie Yang , Yang Lu , Li Xuemei , Wang Yuling , Zhang Yuan , Zhuang Ran
Published: November 2022

The costimulation molecule CD226 is widely involved in T cell differentiation, activation and immune functional regulation in peripheral immune tissues. CD226‐deficient mice have impaired immune response capacity. The function of CD226 in regulating T cell development in the thymus, a central immune organ, is not yet fully understood. We investigated the development of thymocytes using CD226 knockout mice and single‐cell sequencing techniques. CD226 began to be expressed in the second half of thymocyte development, with a gradual increase from the double‐positive (DP) to single‐positive (SP) phase and higher levels of CD226 on CD8+ T cells than on CD4+ T cells from the SP phase to mature T cells. In the thymus of CD226KO mice, the proportion of DPT at the quiescent phase (DPT‐Q) increased, of which the Gzma+ cluster that tends to be CD8+ T cells and CD5+ cluster that is undergoing positive selection decreased dramatically. Afterward, the proportion of mature CD8+ T cells reduced dramatically. Depletion of CD226 impaired TCR activation signalling and diminished AKT/ERK/NF‐κB/p38 phosphorylation levels. The diminished TCR responsiveness of DPT cells impeded their positive selection process and influenced the maturation of CD8+ T cells. In mechanism, CD226 knockout enhanced DPT cell apoptosis via impairing AKT phosphorylation. These results suggest that CD226 plays a significant role in T cell thymic development via modulation of TCR signalling, affecting CD8+ T cell maturation.
Employee firing costs and accounting conservatism: Evidence from wrongful discharge laws
Authors: Gao Huasheng , Huang Jun , Zhang Tianshu
Published: November 2022

This paper identifies the causal effect of a firm's employee firing costs on its conditional conservatism, using the staggered adoption of US state wrongful discharge laws (WDLs) that increase a firm's cost of firing employees. We find that the adoption of WDLs leads to a significant increase in conditional conservatism. This result is greater for firms that are more labor‐intensive, have higher propensities to fire employees, make more firm‐specific investments and have greater risk. Overall, our findings support the view that higher firing costs lead to greater demand for conditional conservatism to decrease investment inefficiencies because higher firing costs make inefficient investments (including overinvestment in negative‐net present value (NPV) projects and delays in disinvesting poorly performing projects) costlier for the firm.
Associations between endometriosis and allergy‐related diseases as well as different specific immunoglobulin E allergy: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chen Shuozhen , Liu Juan
Published: November 2022

Aim

To explore the associations between endometriosis and different kinds of allergy‐related diseases as well as different specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) allergy.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 1332 female participants ≥20 years and divided them into the endometriosis group (n = 97) and the nonendometriosis group (n = 1235). The confounders were obtained by comparing the differences of variables in groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the associations between endometriosis and allergy‐related diseases as well as different specific IgE allergy. Subgroup analysis were performed in age, body mass index (BMI), and pregnancy history.

Results

After adjusting for confounders, increased risk of allergy (odd ratios [OR] = 2.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31–3.47), hay fever (OR = 2.31, 95%CI: 1.32–4.06), and dog‐specific IgE (OR = 2.13, 95%CI: 1.03–4.41) were observed in females with endometriosis. Among females aged between 30 and 39 years, the risk of allergy (OR = 3.51, 95%CI: 1.07–11.56), hay fever (OR = 3.26, 95%CI: 1.08–9.83), and dog‐specific IgE (OR = 4.39, 95%CI: 1.02–18.88) was increased in patients with endometriosis compared with those without. In terms of females aged 40 to 49 years, the risk of hay fever was increased in patients with endometriosis. For females with BMI of 25–30 kg/m2, the risk of allergy was increased in patients with endometriosis. Increased risk of allergy, hay fever, and dog‐specific IgE was observed in females with a history of pregnancy.

Conclusion

Endometriosis was associated with higher risk of allergy, hay fever, and dog dander. Special care should be provided for patients with endometriosis for the potential risk of allergy.
Parent Engagement with a School‐Based Health Center Consent Process Predicts Student Attendance and School Transition*
Authors: Klein Lauren M. , Johnson Sara B. , Prichett Laura , Abel Yolanda , Connor Katherine , Jones Vanya C.
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

School‐based health centers (SBHCs) fill critical pediatric health care access gaps but typically require parental consent for enrollment. Families' responses to SBHC consent form outreach efforts may reflect broader school engagement. This study investigated whether SBHC consent form return predicted subsequent chronic absenteeism and school transition, indicators of student and family school engagement.

METHODS

Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare the odds of being chronically absent or transitioning out of a US elementary/middle school (n = 1917) during 2015‐2016 and 2016‐2017 for those who declined SBHC enrollment or did not return a consent form, compared to those who enrolled.

RESULTS

Compared to enrolled students, those who declined had 78% lower odds of chronic absenteeism [95% CI: 0.09, 0.54]. Families who did not respond had 2.8 times greater odds of their student transitioning out of school [95% CI: 2.15, 3.58] but were no more likely to be chronically absent.

Conclusions

Consent form return may predict aspects of broader students and family school engagement.
Culture, religion, language and the assessment and management of children's pain by expatriate nurses in Saudi Arabia: A qualitative study
Authors: Alotaibi Khalaf , Higgins Isabel , Chan Sally
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Unrelieved pain among hospitalized children is a common problem that affects all aspects of children's health and their quality of life. Cultural and language differences between nurses and patients have been shown to impact the quality and safety of nursing care and management for children with pain. The aim of this study was to identify the cultural factors, barriers, and facilitators impacting the assessment and management of children's pain by expatriate nurses in Saudi Arabia.

Design and Methods

A qualitative descriptive design was employed in this study. A sample of 16 nurses was conveniently recruited and interviewed through face‐to‐face semistructured interviews. Each interview lasted between 30 and 60 min and was audio‐recorded. Content analysis was used to analyze the transcripts. Transcripts were carefully read, significant statements were highlighted, coded, categorized, and clustered thematically.

Results

Three main themes were identified, namely, (I) low priority of children's pain, (II) culture and religious challenges, and (III) communication challenges.

Practice Implications

Cultural and language differences described by expatriate nurses hindered their care of children with pain. A systematic education for expatriate nurses, children, and families is urgently needed to enhance inter/cross‐cultural understandings and improve childcare in Saudi Arabia. This study identifies the unique challenges faced by expatriate nurses in Saudi Arabia. The findings reveal how a lack of knowledge about cultural values and beliefs can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts between nurses, children, and families and can have an impact on childcare and pain. It also highlights the need to improve pain management practices in multicultural healthcare settings, similar to those of Saudi Arabia and neighboring Arab nations, and across the globe.
Forest canopy and mistletoe infestation alter the facilitative effects of Juniperus oxycedrus s.l. on woody seedlings on Mount Lebanon (Lebanon)
Authors: Douaihy Bouchra , Maamary Andrea , Yammine Ralph , Fridlender Alain , Nemer David , Delerue Florian , Michalet Richard
Published: November 2022

Questions

In this study we investigated the direct effect of the shrub Juniperus oxycedrus s.l. on Mediterranean woody species regeneration, and how this interaction can be modified by the juniper habit, the forest canopy and/or infestation of the juniper by the plant parasite Arceuthobium oxycedri. We also aimed at identifying species response groups in relation to their ecological requirements and successional strategies.

Location

North of Mount Lebanon, in Horsch Ehden natural reserve, a humid montane Mediterranean forest.

Methods

We compared the regeneration of all occurring woody species below and outside 111 Juniperus oxycedrus canopies using the random pair sampling method. We calculated eight relative interaction intensity indexes (RIIJuniper) corresponding to the eight treatment combinations of the three factors: forest canopy (forest/gap), mistletoe infestation (with/without) and juniper habit (spreading/erect). We analyzed the RII values at three different levels: community (all species grouped), species group and species.

Results

Overall, the regeneration of the woody community was facilitated by Juniperus oxycedrus. However, the forest cover significantly reduced the facilitative effect of Juniperus oxycedrus when the latter was not infested by Arceuthobium oxycedri. We identified three species response groups (A: highly facilitated; B: slightly facilitated to neutral; and C: neutral) determined by their response to both Juniperus oxycedrus canopy and forest cover. The most facilitated species were shade‐tolerant/drought‐intolerant late‐successional species.

Conclusions

The results suggest the importance of shade tolerance in the complex mechanism of forest regeneration that is also affected by a parasite plant (Arceuthobium oxycedri), which boosts regeneration dynamics under forest cover by reducing shrub canopy cover.
Testing the chilling‐ before drought‐tolerance hypothesis in Pooideae grasses
Authors: Das Aayudh , Dedon Natalie , Enders Daniel J. , Fjellheim Siri , Preston Jill C.
Published: November 2022

Temperate Pooideae are a large clade of economically important grasses distributed in some of the Earth's coldest and driest terrestrial environments. Previous studies have inferred that Pooideae diversified from their tropical ancestors in a cold montane habitat, suggesting that above‐freezing cold (chilling) tolerance evolved early in the subfamily. By contrast, drought tolerance is hypothesized to have evolved multiple times independently in response to global aridification that occurred after the split of Pooideae tribes. To independently test predictions of the chilling‐before‐drought hypothesis in Pooideae, we assessed conservation of whole plant and gene expression traits in response to chilling vs. drought. We demonstrated that both trait responses are more similar across tribes in cold as compared to drought, suggesting that chilling responses evolved before, and drought responses after, tribe diversification. Moreover, we found significantly more overlap between drought and chilling responsive genes within a species than between drought responsive genes across species, providing evidence that chilling tolerance genes acted as precursors for the novel acquisition of increased drought tolerance multiple times independently, partially through the cooption of chilling responsive genes.
Dietary sugars and amino acids increase longevity and enhance reproductive parameters of Bracon cephi and B. lissogaster, two parasitoids that specialise on wheat stem sawfly
Authors: Cavallini Laissa , Peterson Robert K. D. , Weaver David K.
Published: November 2022

The wheat stem sawfly, Cephus cinctus Norton (Hymenoptera: Cephidae), is a major pest of wheat grown on the Northern Great Plains and Canadian Prairies of North America, causing economic losses of as much as $350 million annually. Two species that parasitize wheat stem sawfly larvae in wheat stems are Bracon cephi (Gahan) and B. lissogaster Muesebeck (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Carbohydrate‐rich diets increase adult parasitoid longevity and reproductive parameters, enhancing their success as natural enemies. In previous studies, these species had increased longevity, egg load, and volume when fed sucrose solutions, encouraging further research on their nutritional needs. Therefore, we conducted experiments with artificial diets using adult females fed sucrose, glucose, and fructose solutions. Females were also fed these sugars in combination with a mixture of amino acids. We assessed individuals daily for longevity. Both species benefited from diets containing carbohydrates, with an increase in longevity from an average of 9 to 51 days for B. cephi, and from 6 to 34 days for B. lissogaster. Additional experiments assessed egg load and volume after 2, 5, and 10 days of cumulative feeding in B. cephi. These females produced 1.4‐fold more eggs when fed amino acids, 2.5‐fold more with sugar, and 2.7‐fold more when fed sugar with amino acids. They had a 1.3‐fold increase in egg volume when fed amino acids, 1.9‐fold with sugar, and 2.1‐fold when fed sugar with amino acids. Our study reveals the nutritional requirements of these braconid parasitoids and the benefits of nutritional sources when implementing conservation biological control strategies.
Sobolev‐orthogonal systems with tridiagonal skew‐Hermitian differentiation matrices
Authors: Iserles Arieh , Webb Marcus
Published: November 2022

We introduce and develop a theory of orthogonality with respect to Sobolev inner products on the real line for sequences of functions with a tridiagonal, skew‐Hermitian differentiation matrix. While a theory of such
L2
‐orthogonal systems is well established, Sobolev orthogonality requires new concepts and their analysis. We characterize such systems completely as appropriately weighted Fourier transforms of orthogonal polynomials and present a number of illustrative examples, inclusive of a Sobolev‐orthogonal system whose leading N coefficients can be computed in  operations.