bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Causes of Autoimmune Psoriasis and Associated Cardiovascular Disease: Roles of Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Antihypertensive Drugs—A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Rezabakhsh Aysa , Manjili Masoud H. , Hosseinifard Hossein , Reza Sadaie M.
Published: November 2023

Current treatments are ineffective to cure or prevent occurrences of autoimmune psoriasis and psoriatic cardiovascular disease/CVD. Psoriasis is associated with deregulated expressions of human endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) variants. ERV transcripts and proteins are detected in lesioned biopsies—without assembled viral particles—in addition to antibody and T-cell responses against ERV-K dUTPase. In persons living with HIV-1, manifestations of psoriasis are exacerbated variably. These may depend on multiple factors, differences in ERVs expressions, subtypes of HIV-1, and/or epigenetics. This article represents a quantitative risk assessment and meta-analysis approach with an attempt to assess causality. We surmise that mutated ERVs trigger aberrant proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes, which in turn induce proinflammatory polarization. Independent risk factors and/or covariates with a range of relative risk/RR ratios appear to significantly impact the development of autoimmune psoriasis or immune intolerance, plausibly through ERVs genes activity. Given the antihypertensive drug’s potential in psoriasis development, a probable role in promising either ERVs activation or perturbations in epigenetic factors is questionable. Although the correlational nature of the data based on RR ratios prevents making robust conclusions, we reckon that the likelihood of attributable risk factors for certain antihypertensive drugs may stem from their pleiotropic effects or potentials for inducing ERV-mediated dysregulation of keratinocytes and/or endothelial cells. These findings expand our knowledge regarding ERV activations and HIV-1, antihypertensive drugs use, and incidents of psoriatic disease, and call for exploring cell-specific therapies aimed at blocking or reversing mutated ERVs gene activity toward attaining stable remissions in psoriasis and associated CVD.
BdNRT2A and BdNRT3.2 are the major components of the High-Affinity nitrate Transport System inBrachypodium distachyon
Authors: David Laure C. , Grégoire Mathilde , Berquin Patrick , Marmagne Anne , Dalmais Marion , Bendahmane Abdelhafid , Miller Anthony J. , Krapp Anne , Daniel-Vedele Françoise , Girin Thomas , Ferrario-Méry Sylvie
Published: November 2023

An efficient nitrate uptake system contributes to the improvement of crop nitrogen use efficiency under low nitrogen availability. TheHighAffinity nitrateTransportSystem (HATS) in plants is active in low external nitrate and is mediated by a two-component system [high affinity transporters NRT2 associated to a partner protein NRT3 (NAR2)].

In Brachypodium, the model plant for C3 cereals, we investigated the role ofBdNRT2AandBdNRT3.2through various experimental approaches including gene expression profiling, functional characterisation in heterologous system, intracellular localization by imaging, and reverse genetics via gene silencing.

Expression ofBdNRT2.AandBdNRT3.2genes in response to nitrate availability fits with the characteristics of the HATS components. Co-expression ofBdNRT2AandBdNRT3.2is required for an effective nitrate transport in the heterologous expression system Xenopus oocytes. Functional interaction between BdNRT2A-GFP and BdNRT3.2-RFP fusion proteins has been observed at the plasma membrane in Arabidopsis protoplasts in transient expression experiments. BdNRT3.2 appeared to be necessary for the plasma membrane localization of BdNRT2A.15Nitrate influx measurements withbdnrt2amutants (two amiRNA mutants and one NaN3induced mutant with a truncated NRT2A protein), confirmed that BdNRT2A is a major contributor of the HATS in Brachypodium.

Directed mutagenesis in BdNRT2A of a conserved Ser residue (S461) specific to monocotyledons has been performed to mimic a non-phosphorylated S461A or a constitutively phosphorylated S461D, in order to evaluate its potential role in the BdNRT2A and BdNRT3.2 interaction leading to plasma membrane targeting. Interestingly, the phosphorylation status of S461 did not modify the interaction, suggesting on a more complex mechanism.

In conclusion, our data show that BdNRT2A and BdNRT3.2 are the main components of the nitrate HATS activity in Brachypodium (Bd21-3) and allow an optimal growth in low N conditions.
Antiviral protection in the Pacific oysterCrassostrea (Magallana) gigasagainst OsHV-1 infection using UV-inactivated virus
Authors: Morga Benjamin , Mège Mickäel , Faury Nicole , Dégremont Lionel , Petton Bruno , Pépin Jean-François , Renault Tristan , Montagnani Caroline
Published: November 2023

The increase of the frequency and severity of marine diseases affecting farmed marine mollusks are currently threatening the sustainability of this aquaculture sector, with few available prophylactic or therapeutic solutions. Recent advances have shown that the innate immune system of invertebrates can develop memory mechanisms allowing for efficient protection against pathogens. These properties have been called innate immune memory, immune priming or trained immunity. Previous results demonstrated the possibility to elicit antiviral immune priming to protect Pacific oysters against the ostreid herpes virus 1 (OsHV-1), currently plaguingM. gigasproduction worldwide. Here, we demonstrate that UV-inactivated OsHV-1 is also a potent elicitor of immune priming. Previous exposure to the inactivated virus was able to efficiently protect oysters against OsHV-1, significantly increasing oyster survival. We demonstrate that this exposure blocked viral replication and was able to induce antiviral gene expression potentially involved in controlling the infection. Finally, we show that this phenomenon can persist for at least 3 months, suggesting the induction of innate immune memory mechanisms. This study unravels new ways to train the Pacific oyster immune system that could represent an opportunity to develop new prophylactic strategies to improve health and to sustain the development of marine mollusk aquaculture.
Mating preferences act independently on different elements of visual signals inHeliconiusbutterflies
Authors: Smith S. H. , Queste L. , Wright D.S. , Bacquet C.N. , Merrill R.M.
Published: November 2023

Mating cues are often comprised of several elements, which can act independently, or in concert to attract a suitable partner. Individual elements may also function in other contexts, such as anti-predator defense or camouflage. InHeliconiusbutterflies, wing patterns comprise several individual color pattern elements, which advertise the butterflies’ toxicity to predators. These wing patterns are also mating cues, and males predominantly court females that possess the same wing pattern as their own. However, it is not known whether male preference is based on the full wing pattern or only individual pattern elements. We compared preferences of maleH. erato lativittabetween female models with the full wing pattern and those with some pattern elements removed. We found no differences in preference between the full wing pattern model and a model with pattern elements removed, indicating that the complete composition of all elements is not essential to the mating signal. Wing pattern preferences also contribute to pre-mating isolation between two otherHeliconiustaxa,H. erato cyrbiaandH. himera, therefore, we next compared preferences for the same models in these species.H. erato cyrbiaandH. himerastrongly differed in preferences for the models, potentially providing a mechanism for how pre-mating isolation acts between these species. These findings suggest that contrasting levels of selective constraint act on elements across the wing pattern.
Transcription termination by RNA polymerase I
Authors: Turowski Tomasz W. , Petfalski Elisabeth , Winz Marie-Luise , Tollervey David
Published: November 2023

Transcription elongation is stochastic and driven by a Brownian ratchet mechanism, making it subject to changes in velocity. However, on regions occupied by multiple polymerases, notably the rDNA, DNA rotation plus torsion constrain polymerase molecules to proceed at the same rate generating “torsional entrainment”. We report that release of entrainment, by co-transcriptional 3’-end cleavage, is permissive for relative movement between polymerases, promoting pausing and backtracking. Subsequent termination (polymerase release) is facilitated by the 5’-exonuclease Rat1 (Xrn2) and backtracked transcript cleavage by RNAPI subunit Rpa12. These activities were reproducedin vitro. Short nascent transcripts close to the transcriptional start site, combined with nascent transcript folding energy, similarly facilitate RNAPI pausing. Nascent, backtracked transcripts at pause sites, are targeted by both the exosome cofactor TRAMP and Rat1, promoting termination. Topoisomerase 2 localizes adjacent to RNAPI pause sites, potentially allowing continued elongation by downstream polymerases. Biophysical modeling supported substantial (∼10%) premature termination.

Highlights

Nascent pre-rRNA 3’ cleavage promotes RNAPI deceleration and termination RNAPI undergoes early, start-site proximal termination at sites of polymerase pausing Biophysical modeling indicates ∼10% early termination – or ∼100 events per minute Model presented for overall organization of pre-rRNA transcription
All-optical voltage imaging-guided postsynaptic single-cell transcriptome profiling with Voltage-Seq
Authors: Csillag Veronika , Noble JC , Calvigioni Daniela , Reinius Björn , Fuzik János
Published: November 2023

Neuronal pathways recruit large postsynaptic populations and maintain connections via distinct postsynaptic response types (PRTs). Until recently, PRTs were only accessible as a selection criterion for single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) through probing by low-throughput whole-cell electrophysiology. To overcome these limitations and target neurons based on specific PRTs for soma collection and subsequent scRNA-seq, we developed Voltage-Seq. An on-site analysis tool, VoltView, was created to guide soma harvesting of specific PRTs using a classifier based on a previously acquired connectome database from multiple animals.

Here, we present a detailed step-by-step protocol, including setting up the optical path, the imaging setup, detailing the imaging procedure, and analysis, the reagents and protocols, complete procedure for sequencing library preparation, and provide other tips and pitfalls to assist researchers in conducting high-throughput all-optical voltage imaging, and to obtain the single-cell transcriptomic data from selected postsynaptic neurons.

Voltage-seq workflow can be completed in ∼6 weeks including 4-5 weeks of viral expression of the Voltron sensor. The approach allows researchers to resolve the connectivity ratio of a specific pathway and explore the diversity of PRTs within that connectome. Furthermore, the high throughput in conjunction with quick analysis gives unique access to find specific connections within a large postsynaptic connectome. Voltage-seq also allows the investigation of correlations between connectivity and gene expression changes in a postsynaptic cell-type-specific manner in both excitatory and inhibitory connections.
Crosstalk between Gut Sensory Ghrelin Signaling and Adipose Tissue Sympathetic Outflow Regulates Metabolic Homeostasis
Authors: Thomas M. Alex , Cui Xin , Artinian Liana R. , Cao Qiang , Jing Jia , Silva Felipe C. , Wang Shirong , Zigman Jeffrey M. , Sun Yuxiang , Shi Hang , Xue Bingzhong
Published: November 2023

The stomach-derived orexigenic hormone ghrelin is a key regulator of energy homeostasis and metabolism in humans. The ghrelin receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR), is widely expressed in the brain and gastrointestinal vagal sensory neurons, and neuronal GHSR knockout results in a profoundly beneficial metabolic profile and protects against diet-induced obesity (DIO) and insulin resistance. Here we show that in addition to the well characterized vagal GHSR, GHSR is robustly expressed in gastrointestinal sensory neurons emanating from spinal dorsal root ganglia. Remarkably, sensory neuron GHSR deletion attenuates DIO through increased energy expenditure and sympathetic outflow to adipose tissue independent of food intake. In addition, neuronal viral tract tracing reveals prominent crosstalk between gut non-vagal sensory afferents and adipose sympathetic outflow. Hence, these findings demonstrate a novel gut sensory ghrelin signaling pathway critical for maintaining energy homeostasis.
Integration of ATAC-seq and RNA-seq identifies novel candidate genes associated with drought tolerance inZoysia japonicaSteud
Authors: Shen Liangying , Qi Zewen , Li Shuwen , Wang Mengdi , Chen Jiabao , Zhang Jiahang , Xu Lixin , Han Liebao , Chao Yuehui
Published: November 2023

Highlight

Integration of ATAC-seq and RNA-seq identifies novel candidate genes associated with drought tolerance inZoysia japonicaSteud.

The warm-season turfgrass Zoysia japonica is renowned for its drought resistance and serves as an exceptional domestic turfgrass in China. In order to unlock the potential of this native grass, identify drought-resistant genes, enhance the genetic transformation system, and maximize its utilization benefits, we conducted physiological characterization, multi-omics analysis, and RT-qPCR experimental verification in Zoysia japonica. This study suggested that 63 high-confidence genes related to drought stress and 6 motifs regulating drought responses were identified using a combined omics approach and RT-qPCR validation. The study discovered a positive correlation between ATAC-Seq peak intensity and gene expression levels. The expression of high-confidence genes was linked toZoysia japonicaresistance evaluation and phenotypic traits, implying that these genes are involved in responding to external drought stress. This study combined ATAC-seq and RNA-seq technologies for the first time to identify drought-related genes inZoysia japonica, elucidating the grass’s adaptation to environmental stress and the regulatory mechanisms underlying stress responses, and laying the groundwork forZoysia japonicaimprovement and breeding.
Individuality across environmental context inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Mathejczyk Thomas F. , Knief Cara , Haidar Muhammad A. , Freitag Florian , McClary Tydings , Wernet Mathias F. , Linneweber Gerit A.
Published: November 2023

Over the past decade, several studies have demonstrated that idiosyncratic animal behaviors remain consistent over long time periods. The consistency of individually variable behaviors over time is often referred to as an animal’s individuality, or if consisting of multiple traits personality. However, most experimental studies have focused on individuality in a single, well-defined environmental context, whereas it is well-established from population studies that animal behavior is highly context-dependent. The ‘person-situation debate’ in humans and decades of observations of animal individuality under intrinsically variable natural conditions raise the question of whether and to what extent animal behavior remains stable across different situations, such as changing environmental contexts. For instance, one individual might be generally more visually guided than another, or rely only on one particular visual cue, or even on this very cue only in a specific environmental context. Here, we use a combination of both well-established and novel behavioral assays to demonstrate the relationship between individual behavior and variable environmental context under tightly controlled laboratory conditions in the model systemDrosophila melanogaster. The consistency of three individual traits (termed exploration, attention, and anxiety) was investigated under changing environmental contexts (temperature, visual cues, arena shape), in both walking and flying flies. We find that individuality is highly context-dependent, but even under the most extreme environmental alterations tested, consistency of behavioral individuality always persisted in at least one of the traits. Furthermore, our quantification reveals a hierarchical order of environmental features influencing individuality. We confirmed this hierarchy using a generalized linear model. In summary, our work demonstrates that, similar to humans, fly individuality persists across different contexts, and individual differences shape behavior across variable environments, thereby making the underlying developmental and functional mechanisms amenable to genetic dissection.
Cross-species and tissue imputation of species-level DNA methylation samples across mammalian species
Authors: Maciejewski Emily , Horvath Steve , Ernst Jason
Published: November 2023

DNA methylation data offers valuable insights into various aspects of mammalian biology. The recent introduction and large-scale application of the mammalian methylation array has significantly expanded the availability of such data across conserved sites in many mammalian species. In our study, we consider 13,245 samples profiled on this array encompassing 348 species and 59 tissues from 746 species-tissue combinations. While having some coverage of many different species and tissue types, this data captures only 3.6% of potential species-tissue combinations. To address this gap, we developed CMImpute (Cross-species Methylation Imputation), a method based on a Conditional Variational Autoencoder, to impute DNA methylation for non-profiled species-tissue combinations. In cross-validation, we demonstrate that CMImpute achieves a strong correlation with actual observed values, surpassing several baseline methods. Using CMImpute we imputed methylation data for 19,786 new species-tissue combinations. We believe that both CMImpute and our imputed data resource will be useful for DNA methylation analyses across a wide range of mammalian species.
Impact of environmentally sustainable innovation practices on consumer resistance: the moderating role of value co-creation in eco-hotel enterprises
Authors: Esawe Ahmed Taher , Esawe Karim Taher , Esawe Narges Taher
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of environmentally sustainable innovation practices on consumer resistance to innovation in eco-hotel enterprises and the moderating influence of value co-creation based on the service-dominant logic and innovation resistance theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the study’s hypotheses on a sample of 382 eco-hotel enterprise consumers surveyed online.

Findings

Results reveal that adopting environmentally sustainable innovation practices and consumers’ participation in value co-creation can negatively influence consumer resistance to innovation. In addition, value co-creation partially moderates the influence of environmentally sustainable innovation practices on consumer resistance to innovation, implying that other variables can influence this relationship. Finally, the results showed that value co-creation is a multidimensional construct with dimensions of meaningfulness, collaboration, contribution, recognition and affective response.

Originality/value

This study contributes significantly to knowledge of value co-creation and innovation resistance in service ecosystems through the lens of sustainability. Incorporating value co-creation as a moderator demonstrates how to address sustainable activities to decrease consumers’ resistance to eco-hotel enterprises’ environmentally sustainable innovation practices. By empirically analyzing these relationships, this study makes various contributions and gives helpful decision-making insights.
Permanent scars, improvisation and new paths forward: communication agency leadership responses to COVID-19
Authors: Capizzo Luke , Nzau Teresia , Oduolowu Damilola , Duffy Margaret , Brengarth Lauren
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide rich, qualitative insights around internal communication in strategic communication agencies, addressing the evolutions in expectations and best practices for agency leadership through COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative interview study with 18 US-based leaders of public relations and advertising agencies to examine their experiences of leading and managing strategic communication teams during COVID-19.

Findings

Synthesized findings around changes in leadership values and important facets of ongoing internal crisis communication led to the development of the following five categories—Improvisation and Flexibility, Transparency and Trust, Ownership and Embodiment, Care and Empathy, Relationships and Resilience.

Originality/value

Using a high-value sample, the study is the first (to the best of the authors' knowledge) to focus on the crucial context of agencies and internal communication around COVID-19; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); and other pandemic-era challenges. It provides theoretical implications around ongoing, internal crisis communication and practical implications for agency leaders in crisis.
Reconstruction work awaits: work identity in the aftermath of health-related career shock
Authors: Suzanne Pamela Agata , Voloshyna Viktoriya , Zikic Jelena
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the stages and processes of work identity reconstruction following a major health-related career shock.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth case study and interpretive phenomenological methods are used to allow for deep reflective self-analysis of post-career shock stages. The paper explores the identity processes and stages a Chief of Human Resources of a multinational firm experienced after being deprived from his main working abilities as a result of a brain stroke.

Findings

Post-shock work identity stages and processes are identified, as long as the importance of identity threat, liminality, identity internalization and relational recognition in the reconstruction process. The findings propose new coping responses that may allow individuals to escape a diminished work identity: identity shedding and identity implanting.

Originality/value

While career shocks play a significant role in career development, there is currently little understanding of how career shocks may affect individuals' work identity or sense of self, particularly over time. The paper provides a nuanced understanding of this phenomenon, through process data collected at several points in time over a period of 14 years.
Dish the dirt! Dual effects of workplace gossip patterns in linking coworker friendship with incivility in the restaurant context
Authors: Khan Mukaram Ali , Shoukat Muhammad Haroon , Zubair Syed Sohaib , Selem Kareem M.
Published: November 2023

Purpose

People are more likely to participate in work-related events that might cause positive and negative affective reactions. Prior research linked coworker friendship with incivility; however, few studies investigated negative workplace gossip. Simultaneously, linking coworker friendship with incivility through positive/negative affective responses is lacking. As such, this paper aims to examine this relationship via the dual mediation effect of positive and negative workplace gossip.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 398 subordinates at family restaurants in Greater Cairo were surveyed, and data was analyzed using SmartPLS4.

Findings

Coworker friendship significantly influences coworker incivility via positive and negative workplace gossip and other underlying mechanisms.

Research limitations/implications

Managers should take the initiative to decrease gossip by sharing information promptly and thoroughly and establishing effective channels for information exchange. In the case of an informal plan, restaurant managers may seek to create a welcoming and motivating corporate atmosphere and cultivate social ties among subordinates to prevent the creation of negative gossip. Restaurant managers should give victims of negative gossip timely psychological counseling.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the restaurant literature on affective emotional responses to coworkers’ judgment-driven behavior from new perspectives.
Investigating the ecological footprint and green finance: evidence from emerging economies
Authors: Vardar Gülin , Aydoğan Berna , Gürel Beyza
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Considering the evolving importance of green finance, this study uses climate-related development mitigation finance as a proxy of green finance and investigates the impact of green finance on ecological footprint as an indicator of environmental quality along with the influence of economic growth, renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions, trade openness and urbanization across 47 developing countries over the period 2000–2018.

Design/methodology/approach

After finding the presence of cross-sectional dependency among variables, the second-generation panel unit root test was employed to detect the order of integration among the variables. Since all the variables were found to be stationary, Westerlund cointegration technique was employed to detect the long-run relationship among the variables. Then, the long-run elasticity among the dependent and independent variables was tested using fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS), dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) and pooled mean group–autoregressive distributed lag (PMG–ARDL) approaches.

Findings

The empirical findings suggest the presence of long-run relationship among all the variables, namely, ecological footprint, green finance, economic growth, renewable energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, trade openness and urbanization for the selected developing countries in the sample. Furthermore, economic growth, greenhouse gas emissions, trade openness and urbanization, all have a positive and significant impact on the ecological footprint, whereas renewable energy consumption and green finance have a significant and negative impact on the ecological footprint, which supports the view that environmental quality is improved with the greater use of renewable energy technologies and allocation of greater amounts of more green finance.

Originality/value

The empirical results of this study offer policymakers and regulators some implications for environmental policy for protecting the countries from ecological issues.
Effect of financial stability on new business establishments in Africa: does ease of doing business matter?
Authors: Kulu Evans , Sebu Joshua , Osei Bismark
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Given the relevance of entrepreneurship in nation-building, studies geared towards the promotion of new businesses are crucial. This study aims to contribute to the finance and entrepreneurship literature by providing empirical evidence on the role ease of doing business plays in promoting new business establishments amidst financial stability.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the fixed and random effect estimation techniques as well as the impulse response function to analyse annual panel data covering 53 African countries.

Findings

The results indicate that regulatory quality and access to electricity promote new business establishments. Also, to experience the direct effect of financial stability on new business establishments or entrepreneurship in Africa, the role of the ease of doing business cannot be isolated. The policy implication is that the creation of an enabling business environment is crucial for new business establishments.

Research limitations/implications

The sample only includes countries in Africa. Future or further studies may want to expand the sample size and also consider a comparative analysis where this analysis will be done plus another region so that the differences in findings can be known.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the role of ease of doing business on new business establishments in the presence of financial stability in Africa.
Identification of optimal maintenance parameters for best maintenance and service management system in the SMEs
Authors: Kumaresan Velmurugan , Saravanasankar S. , Di Bona Gianpaolo
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Through the use of the Markov Decision Model (MDM) approach, this study uncovers significant variations in the availability of machines in both faulty and ideal situations in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The first-order differential equations are used to construct the mathematical equations from the transition-state diagrams of the separate subsystems in the critical part manufacturing plant.

Design/methodology/approach

To obtain the lowest investment cost, one of the non-traditional optimization strategies is employed in maintenance operations in SMEs in this research. It will use the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to optimize machine maintenance parameters and find the best solutions, thereby introducing the best decision-making process for optimal maintenance and service operations.

Findings

The major goal of this study is to identify critical subsystems in manufacturing plants and to use an optimal decision-making process to adopt the best maintenance management system in the industry. The optimal findings of this proposed method demonstrate that in problematic conditions, the availability of SME machines can be enhanced by up to 73.25%, while in an ideal situation, the system's availability can be increased by up to 76.17%.

Originality/value

The proposed new optimal decision-support system for this preventive maintenance management in SMEs is based on these findings, and it aims to achieve maximum productivity with the least amount of expenditure in maintenance and service through an optimal planning and scheduling process.
Investigating the modern renewable energy-environmental Kuznets curve (REKC) hypothesis for East Africa Community (EAC) countries
Authors: Nabaweesi Jennifer , Kigongo Twaha Kaawaase , Buyinza Faisal , Adaramola Muyiwa S. , Namagembe Sheila , Nkote Isaac Nabeta
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The study aims to explore the validity of the modern renewable energy-environmental Kuznets curve (REKC) while considering the relevance of financial development in the consumption of modern renewable energy in East Africa Community (EAC). Modern renewable energy in this study includes all other forms of renewable energy except traditional use of biomass. The authors controlled for the effects of urbanization, governance, foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade openness.

Design/methodology/approach

Panel data of the five EAC countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda for the period 1996–2019 were used. The analysis relied on the use of the autoregressive distributed lag–pooled mean group (ARDL-PMG) model, and the data were sourced from the World Development Indicators (WDI), World Governance Indicators (WGI) and International Energy Agency (IEA).

Findings

The REKC hypothesis is supported for modern renewable energy consumption in the EAC region. Financial development positively and significantly affects modern renewable energy consumption, whereas urbanization, FDI and trade openness reduce modern renewable energy consumption. Governance is insignificant.

Originality/value

The concept of the REKC, although explored in other contexts such as aggregate renewable energy and in other regions, has not been used to explain the consumption of modern renewable energy in the EAC.
Coupled information networks drive honeybee (Apis mellifera) collective foraging
Authors: Hasenjager Matthew J. , Hoppitt William , Cunningham‐Eurich Iona , Franks Victoria R. , Leadbeater Ellouise
Published: November 2023

Collective behaviour by eusocial insect colonies is typically achieved through multiple communication networks that produce complex behaviour at the group level but often appear to provide redundant or even competing information.

A classic example occurs in honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies, where both the dance communication system and robust scent‐based mechanisms contribute to the allocation of a colony's workforce by regulating the flow of experienced foragers among known food sources.

Here we analysed social connectivity patterns during the reactivation of experienced foragers to familiar feeding sites to show that these social information pathways are not simply multiple means to achieve the same end but intersect to play complementary roles in guiding forager behaviour.

Using artificial feeding stations, we mimicked a natural scenario in which two forager groups were simultaneously collecting from distinct patches containing different flowering species. We then observed the reactivation of these groups at their familiar feeding sites after interrupting their foraging.

Social network analysis revealed that temporarily unemployed individuals interacted more often and for longer with foragers that advertised a familiar versus unfamiliar foraging site. Due to such resource‐based assortative mixing, network‐based diffusion analysis estimated that reactivation events primarily resulted from interactions among bees that had been trained to the same feeding station and less so from different‐feeder interactions. Both scent‐ and dance‐based interactions strongly contributed to reactivation decisions. However, each bout of dance‐following had an especially strong effect on a follower's likelihood of reactivation, particularly when dances indicated locations familiar to followers.

Our findings illustrate how honeybee foragers can alter their social connectivity in ways that are likely to enhance collective outcomes by enabling foragers to rapidly access up‐to‐date information about familiar foraging sites. In addition, our results highlight how reliance on multiple communication mechanisms enables social insect workers to utilise flexible information‐use strategies that are robust to variation in the availability of social information.
Divergent community trajectories with climate change across a fine‐scale gradient in snow depth
Authors: Oldfather Meagan F. , Elmendorf Sarah C. , Van Cleemput Elisa , Henn Jonathan J. , Huxley Jared D. , White Caitlin T. , Humphries Hope C. , Spasojevic Marko J. , Suding Katharine N. , Emery Nancy C.
Published: November 2023

Fine‐scale microclimate variation due to complex topography can shape both current vegetation distributional patterns and how vegetation responds to changing climate. Topographic heterogeneity in mountains is hypothesized to mediate responses to regional climate change at the scale of metres. For alpine vegetation especially, the interplay between changing temperatures and topographically mediated variation in snow accumulation will determine the overall impact of climate change on vegetation dynamics.

We combined 30 years of co‐located measurements of temperature, snow and alpine plant community composition in Colorado, USA, to investigate vegetation community trajectories across a snow depth gradient.

Our analysis of long‐term trends in plant community composition revealed notable directional change in the alpine vegetation with warming temperatures. Furthermore, community trajectories are divergent across the snow depth gradient, with exposed parts of the landscape that experience little snow accumulation shifting towards stress‐tolerant, cold‐ and drought‐adapted communities, while snowier areas shifted towards more warm‐adapted communities.

Synthesis: Our findings demonstrate that fine‐scale topography can mediate both the magnitude and direction of vegetation responses to climate change. We documented notable shifts in plant community composition over a 30‐year period even though alpine vegetation is known for slow dynamics that often lag behind environmental change. These results suggest that the processes driving alpine plant population and community dynamics at this site are strong and highly heterogeneous across the complex topography that is characteristic of high‐elevation mountain systems.
Selection of aquatic microbiota exposed to the herbicides flufenacet and metazachlor
Authors: Wijewardene Lishani , Schwenker Julia Anna , Friedrichsen Meike , Jensen Ailina , Löbel Franziska , Austen Tabea , Ulrich Uta , Fohrer Nicola , Bang Corinna , Waschina Silvio , Hölzel Christina Susanne
Published: November 2023

Herbicides are important, ubiquitous environmental contaminants, but little is known about their interaction with bacterial aquatic communities. Here, we sampled a protected natural freshwater habitat and characterised its microbiome in interaction with herbicides. We evolved the freshwater microbiomes in a microcosm assay of exposure (28 days) to flufenacet and metazachlor at environmental concentrations of 0.5, 5 and 50 μg L−1. Inhibitory effects of herbicides were exemplarily assessed in cultured bacteria from the same pond (Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Paenibacillus amylolyticus and Microbacterium hominis). Findings were compared to long‐term concentrations as provided by local authorities. Here, environmental concentrations reached up to 11 μg L−1 (flufenacet) and 76 μg L−1 (metazachlor). Bacteria were inhibited at minimum inhibitory concentrations far above these values; however, concentrations of 50 μg L−1 of flufenacet resulted in measurable growth impairment. While most herbicide‐exposed microcosm assays did not differ from controls, Acidobacteria were selected at high environmental concentrations of herbicides. Alpha‐diversity (e.g., taxonomic richness on phylum level) was reduced when aquatic microbiomes were exposed to 50 μg metazachlor or flufenacet. One environmental strain of P. alcaligenes showed resistance to high concentrations of flufenacet (50 g L−1). In total, this study reveals that ecologic imbalance due to herbicide use significantly impacts aquatic microbiomes.
Metaphors as design tools for microbial consortia: An analysis of recent peer‐reviewed literature
Authors: Szymanski Erika Amethyst , Turner Marie
Published: November 2023

Single engineered microbial species cannot always conduct complex transformations, while complex, incompletely defined microbial consortia have heretofore been suited to a limited range of tasks. As biodesigners bridge this gap with intentionally designed microbial communities, they will, intentionally or otherwise, build communities that embody particular ideas about what microbial communities can and should be. Here, we suggest that metaphors—ideas about what microbial communities are like—are therefore important tools for designing synthetic consortia‐based bioreactors. We identify a range of metaphors currently employed in peer‐reviewed microbiome research articles, characterizing each through its potential structural implications and distinctive imagery. We present this metaphor catalogue in the interest of, first, making metaphors visible as design choices, second, enabling deliberate experimentation with them towards expanding the potential design space of the field, and third, encouraging reflection on the goals and values they embed.
Comparing different citizen science platforms for collecting urban ecological data from Toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) in Argentina
Authors: Schaaf Alejandro A. , Haag Laura M. , Gonzalez Baffa‐Trasci Noelia V. , Yapura Agustina , Chocobar Natalia , Caldano Sol A. , Ruggera Román A.
Published: November 2023

Citizen science projects are valuable tools since they provide substantial amounts of data on different animal species. Currently, there are a wide variety of platforms and objectives for diverse citizen science projects. Despite these advances, the approaches and contributions of citizen science platforms for collecting data on a particular species, and in a specific site or region, have been poorly explored. Thus, in this article, we compare the number of participants and the amount of data collected by three platforms on the Toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) in San Salvador de Jujuy city, located in northwestern Argentina. This particular bird species is very charismatic and frequents urban areas all year round; so that, it is interesting to know what contributions (e.g. participant numbers, ecological and distribution data) are being made about this species on citizen science platforms. Thus, we examined data reported by two global citizen science platforms, iNaturalist and eBird, and one local platform, Tucanes en mi Jujuy (TEMJ). We found that the local, focal TEMJ project had a greater number of participants (n = 193), greater presence records (n = 614) and a wide spatial distribution of data in the city. In the iNaturalist and eBird platforms, the number of participants was smaller (n = 9 and 36, respectively), with fewer presence records (n = 12 and 178, respectively), and even fewer reports of species‐specific ecological data (feeding, behaviour and age). This reflected clear differences between the three platforms, as TEMJ not only reported more presence data but also more detailed information on age and behaviour. Based on this research, we highlight the commitment of citizens to this particular project and the study of species. Therefore, we recommend the implementation of new local and focal citizen science platforms for more detailed ecological data on other charismatic and focal species.
Preparation of betaine injection and its therapeutic effect in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Che Youlan , Xia Tian , Liu Hui , Li Cong , Liu Siyun , Ma Ping , Xu Qingbin , Zhou Ru
Published: November 2023

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life‐threatening disease characterised by elevated pulmonary pressure, right ventricular failure (RVF) and ultimately death. Aggressive treatment of RVF is considered an important therapeutic strategy to treat PAH. Previous studies have indicated that betaine may be may a promising therapeutic approach for PAH‐induced RVF. Therefore, in this study, betaine solution for injection was prepared and characterised using various techniques. The therapeutic efficacy of three different methods of administration (intragastric, nebulised inhalation and intravenous injection) were comprehensively evaluated in terms of pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and pharmacodynamics. The pharmacokinetic results demonstrated that betaine injection administered via nebulised inhalation significantly prolonged betaine's half‐life and increased its internal circulation time compared to the intragastric and intravenous routes. Biodistribution experiments verified that the betaine formulation accumulated in the lung tissue when administered via inhalation. The results of the pharmacodynamic analysis further confirmed that right ventricular systolic pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy index increased in the model group and that inhaled betaine suppressed these pathological changes to a level comparable to those observed in the control group. Taken together, these results indicate that betaine administered by inhalation is a promising strategy for the treatment of PAH‐induced RVF.
A causeway to impact: A proposed new integrated framework for intergenerational community‐based participatory action research
Authors: Loudon Emma , Neary Joanne , McAteer Ben , Higgins Kathryn , Chapman Christopher
Published: November 2023

Over recent decades there has been growing interest in amplifying children and young people's views (CYP) within policy debates. Despite this, they are rarely invited to participate in key policy‐making discussions, and when they are, this tends to be tokenistic. This paper presents an intergenerational methodological framework ‘The Causeway Approach’, inspired by the mythology of the Giant's Causeway, which addresses the challenge of CYP's voices being drowned out by adult stakeholders. This contextualised approach has significant potential to benefit CYP and communities through capacity building, strengthening of social capital and fostering intergenerational connections.
Microbial mats and their palaeoenvironmental analysis in offshore – shelf facies of the Los Molles Formation (Toarcian – Lower Callovian) in the Chacay Melehue area, Neuquén Basin, Argentina
Authors: Rodriguez Maximiliano Nicolás , Campetella Débora Mical , Carmona Noelia Beatriz , Ponce Juan José , Parada Martín Nazareno
Published: November 2023

This contribution presents the first study focused on the analysis of microbial mats in the Los Molles Formation (Toarcian – Early Callovian), Neuquén Basin, Argentina. This unit mainly represents offshore‐to‐shelf environments affected by storms and density currents. The Los Molles Formation is one of the oldest source rocks in the Neuquén Basin and constitutes an unconventional shale gas reservoir of great economic importance. The aim of this work was to identify the microbial activity from the description and interpretation of microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS), to determine the paleoenvironmental and paleoecological conditions under which they formed, and to establish a possible relationship between these structures and the trace fossil Trichichnus. Samples from the levels with MISS were analyzed and described from macroscopic and binocular observations, petrographic microscope thin sections, and SEM samples with EDS analyses. The results showed several levels of microbial mats presenting diverse MISS, including biolaminations and Kinneyia‐like wrinkles structures that were described at the macroscopic level. In thin sections, biolaminations, filament‐like microstructures with different degrees of development, oriented grains and pyrite were observed. SEM images and EDS analyses showed different types of filaments, coccoids and EPS with high concentrations of carbon. These results revealed that the studied levels fulfill the established biogenicity criteria, guaranteeing that they have a bacterial origin. The abundance of the trace fossil Trichichnus sp. throughout the section and the proximity to some Kinneyia‐like wrinkle structures levels suggests that the same organisms may have generated them. Furthermore, they revealed that the Los Molles Formation, at the time of its deposition, experienced paleoecological and paleoenvironmental conditions appropriate for the establishment and development of microbial mats. The extensive levels of microbial mats in the study area suggest that they may have been a source of organic matter for the generation of hydrocarbons from the Los Molles Formation.
State of the Practice Worldwide: Utilizing Hydrogeochemical Data and GIS Tools to Assess the Groundwater Quality in Arid Region: Example from Wadi Feiran Basin, Southwestern Sinai, Egypt
Authors: Omar Ali E. , Abdel‐Halim Khaled A. , Arnous Mohamed O.
Published: November 2023

The paper aims to study the physio‐chemical parameters of Wadi Feiran groundwater and classify it for use for drinking and irrigation. Twenty water samples collected from the WF have revealed a number of physio‐chemical parameters such as pH, TDS, SAR, EC, ions (Na+, Mg+2, Ca+2, K+, Cl−, SO4−2, NO3−, and HCO3−), and trace elements (U, Pb, Cd, Zr, and Fe). The study clarified that the major ion parameters are within the permissible limits according to WHO 2018, except for Ca+2, Cl−, SO4−2, and NO3−, but trace elements have high concentrations, except for Zn. To recognize the association between groundwater quality parameters and their collective impact on whole groundwater quality, correlation coefficient, factor, and cluster multivariate statistical analyses were carried out and confirmed with the constructed LU/LC map. These revealed that the increase of TDS, EC, Cl, SO4, Na, Mg, and NO3 is attributed to rainfall, leakage of municipal sewage Nile water, and human actions. GIS approaches were used to create thematic layers from groundwater physio‐chemical parameters, which were then weighted and combined to produce a groundwater quality model. This model was classified into potable, marginal, and un‐potable water. Potable and marginal water can be used for drinking and irrigation, but un‐potable water can only be used for irrigation.