bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A stochastic model of cortical microtubule anchoring and mechanics provides regulatory control of microtubule shape
Authors: Tian Tim Y.Y. , Macdonald Colin B. , Cytrynbaum Eric N.
Published: September 2022

The organization of cortical microtubule arrays play an important role in the development of plant cells. Until recently, the direct mechanical influence of cell geometry on the constrained microtubule (MT) trajectories have been largely ignored in computational models. Modelling MTs as thin elastic rods constrained on a surface, a previous study examined the deflection of MTs using a fixed number of segments and uniform segment lengths between MT anchors. It is known that the resulting MT curves converge to geodesics as the anchor spacing approaches zero. In the case of long MTs on a cylinder, buckling was found for transverse trajectories. There is a clear interplay between two factors in the problem of deflection: curvature of the membrane and the lengths of MT segments. We examine the latter in detail, in the backdrop of a circular cylinder. In reality, the number of segments are not predetermined and their lengths are not uniform. We present a minimal, realistic model treating the anchor spacing as a stochastic process and examine the net effect on deflection. We find that, by tuning the ratio of growth speed to anchoring rate, it is possible to mitigate MT deflection and even prevent buckling for lengths significantly larger than the previously derived critical buckling length. We suggest that this mediation of deflection by anchoring might provide cells with a means of preventing arrays from deflecting away from the transverse orientation.
Functional Extinction of a Genus of Canopy-Forming Macroalgae (CystophoraSpp.) Across its Warm Range Edge
Authors: Pessarrodona Albert
Published: September 2022

Declines of canopy-forming algae are increasingly prevalent in temperate latitudes, although most losses have occurred across densely populated areas. Here, I use a combination of field surveys, anecdotal evidence, records from the literature and herbaria collections, to document the biogeography of the canopy-forming genusCystophoraacross the sparsely populated end of its distribution in Western Australia. Although historically common, most species were found to be absent or exceedingly rare across their rear (warm) range edge, suggesting their functional extinction. Out of five species, three experienced range contractions >500 km, with some losing approximately 8% of their global distribution. Reasons for their decline are unknown, but likely involve gradual warming, marine heatwaves and rapid urbanization. Increasing human impacts and further warming in the region threatens several species with further extirpation, some of which are endemic to the area and play unique ecological roles.
Natural killer cell-mimic nanoparticles can actively target and kill acute myeloid leukemia cells
Authors: Alizadeh Zeinabad Hojjat , Yeoh Wen Jie , Lomora Mihai , Banz Yara , Riether Carsten , Krebs Philippe , Szegezdi Eva
Published: September 2022

Natural killer (NK) cells are effector lymphocytes of the innate immune system which play a crucial role in recognizing and killing emerging tumor cells. However, as the tumor evolves, it develops mechanisms to inactivate NK cells or hide from them. Here, we engineered a modular nanoplatform that acts as NK cells (NK cell-mimics), carrying the tumor-recognition and death ligand-mediated tumor-killing properties of an NK cell, yet without being subject to tumor-mediated inactivation. In particular, NK cell mimic nanoparticles (NK.NPs) incorporate two key features of activated NK cells: cytotoxic activity via the death ligand, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), and an adjustable tumor cell recognition feature based on functionalization with the NK cell Fc-binding receptor (CD16, FCGR3A) peptide, enabling the NK.NPs to bind antibodies targeting tumor antigens. NK.NPs showed potent in vitro cytotoxicity against a broad panel of cancer cell lines. Upon functionalizing the NK.NPs with daratumumab, a clinically used antibody specific for the CD38 protein expressed by AML cells, NK.NPs effectively targeted and eliminated patient-derived acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts and leukemia-initiating cells as well as CD38-positive AML cells in vivo, in a disseminated AML xenograft system. Specifically, NK.NPs lead to a significant reduction of AML burden in the bone marrow, spleen, and peripheral blood compared to non-targeted TRAIL-functionalized liposomes. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that NK.NPs are effective in mimicking NK cells’ antitumorigenic function and thereby underline their use as therapeutic tools.
Branch point evolution controls species-specific alternative splicing and regulates long term potentiation
Authors: Franz Andreas , Weber A. Ioana , Preußner Marco , Dimos Nicole , Stumpf Alexander , Ji Yanlong , Moreno-Velasquez Laura , Voigt Anne , Schulz Frederic , Neumann Alexander , Kuropka Benno , Kühn Ralf , Urlaub Henning , Schmitz Dietmar , Wahl Markus C. , Heyd Florian
Published: September 2022

Regulation and functionality of species-specific alternative splicing has remained enigmatic to the present date. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIβ (CaMKIIβ) is expressed in several splice variants and plays a key role in learning and memory. Here, we identify and characterize several primate-specific CAMK2B splice isoforms, which show altered kinetic properties and changes in substrate specificity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that primate-specific Camk2β alternative splicing is achieved through branch point weakening during evolution. We show that reducing branch point and splice site strengths during evolution globally renders constitutive exons alternative, thus providing a paradigm for cis-directed species-specific alternative splicing regulation. Using CRISPR/Cas9 we introduced a weaker human branch point into the mouse genome, resulting in human-like CAMK2B splicing in the brain of mutant mice. We observe a strong impairment of long-term potentiation in CA3-CA1 synapses of mutant mice, thus connecting branch point-controlled, species-specific alternative splicing with a fundamental function in learning and memory.
Amyloidogenic Propensity of Self-Assembling Peptides and their Adjuvant Potential for use as DNA Vaccines
Authors: Shrimali Paresh C. , Chen Sheng , Dreher Rachel , Howard Matthew K. , Buck Jeremy , Kim Darren , Rudra Jai S. , Jackrel Meredith E.
Published: September 2022

De novo designed peptides that self-assemble into cross-β rich fibrillar biomaterials have been pursued as an innovative platform for the development of adjuvant- and inflammation-free vaccines. However, they share structural properties similar to amyloid species implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, which has been a long-standing concern for their translation. Here, we comprehensively characterize the amyloidogenic character of the amphipathic self-assembling cross-β peptide KFE8, compared to pathological amyloid and amyloid-like proteins α-synuclein (α-syn) and TDP-43. Further, we developed plasmid-based DNA vaccines with the KFE8 backbone serving as a fibrillizing scaffold for delivery of a GFP model antigen. We find that expression of tandem repeats of KFE8 is non-toxic and can be efficiently cleared by autophagy. We also demonstrate that synthetic KFE8 nanofibers do not cross-seed amyloid formation of α-syn in mammalian cells compared to α-syn preformed fibrils. In mice, vaccination with plasmids encoding the KFE32-GFP fusion protein elicited robust immune responses, inducing production of significantly higher levels of anti-GFP antibodies compared to soluble GFP or α-syn tagged GFP. Antigen-specific CD8+T cells were also detected in the spleens of vaccinated mice and cytokine profiles from antigen recall assays indicate a balanced Th1/Th2 response. These findings illustrate that cross-β-rich peptide nanofibers have distinct properties from those of pathological amyloidogenic proteins, and are an attractive platform for the development of DNA vaccines with self-adjuvanting properties and improved safety profiles.
Modulating the Kynurenine pathway or sequestering toxic 3-hydroxykynurenine protects the retina from light induced damage in Drosophila
Authors: Hebbar Sarita , Traikov Sofia , Hälsig Catrin , Knust Elisabeth
Published: September 2022

Tissue health is regulated by a myriad of exogenous or endogenous factors. Here we investigated the role of the conserved Kynurenine pathway (KP) in maintaining retinal homeostasis in the context of light stress in Drosophila melanogaster. cinnabar, cardinal and, scarlet, are fly genes that encode different steps in the KP. Along with white, these genes are known regulators of brown pigment (ommochrome) biosynthesis. Using white as a sensitized genetic background, we showed that mutations in cinnabar, cardinal, and scarlet differentially modulate light-induced retinal damage. Mass Spectrometric measurements of KP metabolites in flies with different genetic combinations support the notion that increased levels of 3-hydroxykynurenine (3OH-K) and Xanthurenic acid (XA) enhance retinal damage, whereas Kynurenic Acid (KYNA) and Kynurenine (K) are neuro-protective. This conclusion was corroborated by showing that feeding 3OH-K results in enhanced retinal damage, whereas feeding KYNA protects the retina in sensitized genetic backgrounds. Interestingly, the harmful effects of free 3OH-K are diminished by its sub-cellular compartmentalization within the cell. Sequestering of 3OH-K enables the quenching of its toxicity through conversion to brown pigment or conjugation to proteins. This work enabled us to decouple the role of these KP genes in ommochrome formation from their role in retinal homeostasis. Additionally, it puts forward new hypotheses on the importance of the balance of KP metabolites and their compartmentalization in disease alleviation.
Ceramide-1-phosphate transfer protein enhances lipid transport by disrupting hydrophobic lipid–membrane contacts
Authors: Rogers Julia R. , Geissler Phillip L.
Published: September 2022

Cellular distributions of the sphingolipid ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) impact essential biological processes. C1P levels are spatiotemporally regulated by ceramide-1-phosphate transfer protein (CPTP), which efficiently shuttles C1P between organelle membranes. Yet, how CPTP rapidly extracts and inserts C1P into a membrane remains unknown. Here, we devise a multiscale simulation approach to elucidate biophysical details of CPTP-mediated C1P transport. We find that CPTP binds a membrane poised to extract and insert C1P and that membrane binding promotes conformational changes in CPTP that facilitate C1P uptake and release. By significantly disrupting a lipid’s local hydrophobic environment in the membrane, CPTP lowers the activation free energy barrier for passive C1P desorption and enhances C1P extraction from the membrane. Upon uptake of C1P, further conformational changes may aid membrane unbinding in a manner reminiscent of the electrostatic switching mechanism used by other lipid transfer proteins. Insertion of C1P into an acceptor membrane, eased by a decrease in membrane order by CPTP, restarts the transfer cycle. Most notably, we provide molecular evidence for CPTP’s ability to catalyze C1P extraction by breaking hydrophobic C1P–membrane contacts with compensatory hydrophobic lipid–protein contacts. Our work, thus, provides biophysical insights into how CPTP efficiently traffics C1P between membranes to maintain sphingolipid homeostasis and, additionally, presents a simulation method aptly suited for uncovering the catalytic mechanisms of other lipid transfer proteins.

Author summary

Critical cellular processes require spatiotemporal regulation of sphingolipid levels among organelle membranes. Programmed cell death and inflammation, for example, are impacted by the distribution of ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P). C1P levels are specifically altered by ceramide-1-phosphate transfer protein (CPTP), which mediates C1P intermembrane transport. Using a multiscale simulation approach tailored to studying lipid transport, we elucidate key steps in the molecular mechanism used by CPTP to rapidly transport C1P between membranes: Through conformational changes that are coupled to membrane binding, CPTP significantly disrupts C1P’s local hydrophobic environment in a membrane and catalyzes its extraction. Since this catalytic mechanism is biophysically related to that of passive lipid transport, it may be ubiquitously used by lipid transport proteins to rapidly traffic lipids between membranes and ensure membrane homeostasis. Our multiscale simulation approach offers a framework to test this hypothesis and, thus, further our molecular knowledge of how lipid transfer proteins function to regulate cellular lipid distributions.
MAM: Flexible Monte-Carlo Agent based Model for Modelling COVID-19 Spread
Authors: De-Leon Hilla , Aran Dvir
Published: September 2022

In the two and half years since SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in China, hundreds of millions of people have been infected and millions have died. Along with the immediate need for treatment solutions, the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the need for mathematical models that can predict the spread of the pandemic in an ever-changing environment. The susceptible-infectious-removed (SIR) model has been widely used to model COVID-19 transmission, however, with limited success. Here, we present a novel, dynamic Monte-Carlo Agent-based Model (MAM), which is based on the basic principles of statistical physics. Using data from Israel on three major outbreaks, we compare predictions made by SIR and MAM, and show that MAM outperforms SIR in all aspects. Furthermore, MAM is a flexible model and allows to accurately examine the effects of vaccinations in different subgroups, and the effects of the introduction of new variants.
Study on the interactions between cisplatin and cadherin
Authors: Wang Xitong , Sun Jixiang , Shao Kai , Zhi Hongxin , Lin Yamei , Fu Yujie , Liu Zhiguo
Published: September 2022

Cisplatin is an important platinum drug in the chemotherapy of many malignant tumors in clinical application. It is well accepted that its main target is DNA molecule. However, recent studies have shown that platinum drugs may also act on some important functional proteins in the human body and have complicate effects on their efficacy. E-cadherin is newly discovered glycoproteins which have been regarded as the important signs of the occurrence and development of some tumors. In this study, the interactions between cisplatin and E-cadherin were explored by fluorescence spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The fluorescence spectroscopy results indicated that cisplatin can efficiently quench the fluorescence of E-cadherin, and the calculated binding constant Kb was 3.20×106 (25°C), 1.36 ×106(31°C) and 8.22×105 L mol-1 (37°C). The thermodynamic parameters ΔH <0, ΔS <0, ΔG <0, reveal that the fluorescence quenching effect of cisplatin on E-cadherin is static quenching, which is dominated by hydrogen bond and van der Waals interaction. The AFM results revealed that there was a staggered interaction between the intermolecular domains of E-cadherin to form a long spherical chain structure. The addition of cisplatin could significantly affect the staggered effect of the E-cadherin molecules. All these results confirmed that there are strong interactions between cisplatin and cadherin.
Impact of technology, health and consumer-related factors on continued usage intention of wearable fitness tracking (WFT) devices
Authors: Puri Sandeep , Pandey Shweta , Chawla Deepak
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore factors impacting wearable fitness tracking (WFT) device continued usage intention from perspectives of technology attributes (autonomy benefits), health attributes (self-health management benefits, diet-control benefits and health self-efficacy), and consumer attributes (age, gender, technological innovativeness, symbolic benefits, social benefits and hedonic benefits).

Design/methodology/approach

The study integrates constructs from the technology acceptance theories and the health promotion model to develop the research model and hypothesis. The empirical analysis was conducted using data from 217 respondents from India. Logistic regression was used to identify factors that discriminate between groups with low and high continued usage intentions.

Findings

Results indicate higher continued usage intention for WFT devices is driven by perceived benefits-health, autonomy, social and hedonic, and individual characteristics-technological innovativeness and perceived health self-efficacy. Further, perceived symbolic benefits, diet control benefits, age, and gender does not discriminate between the groups with low and high continued usage intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The results may be limited to the context of the sample and the factors considered. The study suggests future research areas.

Practical implications

The paper offers insights for marketers, governments, insurance firms, and related healthcare services on promoting higher usage of WFT devices to yield dual benefits of preventive healthcare and higher profitability.

Originality/value

The study extends existing research by examining factors across consumer, health, and technological domains in a single framework and adds to the limited research in the context of usage of WFT devices in developing countries.
Evaluating team dynamics in interdisciplinary science teams
Authors: Bolduc Sara , Knox John , Ristroph E. Barrett
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This article considers how the evaluation of research teams can better account for the challenges of transdisciplinarity, including their larger team size and more diverse and permeable membership, as well as the tensions between institutional pressures on individuals to publish and team goals.

Design/methodology/approach

An evaluation team was retained from 2015 to 2020 to conduct a comprehensive external evaluation of a five-year EPSCoR-funded program undertaken by a transdisciplinary research team. The formative portion of the evaluation involved monitoring the program’s developmental progress, while the summative portion tracked observable program outputs and outcomes as evidence of progress toward short- and long-term goals. The evaluation team systematically reviewed internal assessments and gathered additional data for an external assessment via periodic participation in team meetings, participant interviews and an online formative team survey (starting in Year 2).

Findings

Survey participants had a better understanding of the project’s “Goals and Vision” compared to other aspects. “Work Roles,” and particularly the timeliness of decision-making, were perceived to be a “Big Problem,” specifically in regard to heavy travel by key managers/leadership. For “Communication Channels,” Year 2 tensions included differing views on the extent to which management should be collaborative versus “hierarchical.” These concerns about communication demonstrate that differences in language, culture or status impact the efficiency and working relationship of the team. “Authorship Credit/Intellectual Property” was raised most consistently each year as an area of concern.

Originality/value

The study involves the use of a unique survey approach.
The Russian Federation's renewable energy development determinants: evidence from empirical research
Authors: Kilinc-Ata Nurcan , Dolmatov Ilya
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The Russian Federation is one of the world’s largest exporters of fossil-based energy sources such as oil, natural gas and coal. Approximately 90% of the energy production in the Russian Federation consists of oil, natural gas and coal. Renewable energy (RE) in the Russian Federation mainly comprises hydroelectric energy. The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that influenced the growth of RE resources in the Russian Federation between 1990 and 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

The unit root tests augmented Dickey and Fuller and Phillips and Perron, as well as Johansen cointegration and Granger causality approaches, were used. This study was conducted using vector error correction models for the years 1990–2020.

Findings

The cointegration method's findings demonstrate that while a rise in non-RE sources has a negative impact on RE development, an increase in income, energy consumption, trade openness and CO2emissions has a favorable impact on RE expansion. The vector error correction model Granger causality test also shows a unidirectional relationship between RE and non-RE sources, gross domestic product, energy consumption and CO2emissions. Trade openness, on the other hand, has no causal association with RE.

Practical implications

The Russian Federation must consider the practical implications of RE sources. However, there is a greater need for the Russian Federation to frame sound energy policies for RE development.

Originality/value

This paper aims to fill a gap in the literature on Russian RE development. Furthermore, the results of the methodological analysis can be used to guide policymakers in the field of RE development. This paper is also more policy-relevant and is quite useful in the context of sustainable energy development.
Blending traditionalism with legalism: a typology of understanding corporate governance systems in Ghanaian Family-owned businesses (FOBs) from a Bourdieusian perspective
Authors: Agyenim-Boateng Cletus , Iddrisu Sulemana , Otieku James
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the nature of corporate governance systems in Ghanaian Family-owned Businesses (FOBs). Specifically, the study investigates the nature of boardroom decisions structures, sources of governance regulations and family roles in corporate governance.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on Bourdieusian perspectives of the field, capital, habitus and doxa, a case study design is used to gather detailed insights about the phenomena. Purposively, the study conducts 20 interviews with participants from 15 FOBs in Ghana. The interview data are complemented with secondary sources, such as FOB handbooks, website information, legal documents and scriptures. Subsequently, data gathered were thematically analysed.

Findings

The study finds that human actors blended traditionally tacit and legally expressed boardroom decisions structures in FOBs governance. Again, traditional values, social acceptance of religious sociology and regulatory frameworks of the field dictate corporate governance practices in FOBs. In multiple family ownerships, orthodoxy of doxa is challenged; hence, power struggles and family roles in governance depend on capital possessed by social actors.

Practical implications

To continue as a going concern, FOBs must be mindful of traditional, religious sociology of family and regulatory frameworks within the field in which they operate. This is because, without this, the going concern of FOBs becomes suspicious and highly unlikely, especially where there are multiple family ownership and generations.

Originality/value

The previous literature predominantly focussed on formal boardroom structures in addressing FOBs' corporate governance issues. Notwithstanding, family governance risk of domineering and distrust associated with traditional and relational governance mechanisms remain under-represented and inconclusive, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Islamic social financing and efficient zakat distribution: impact of fintech adoption among the asnaf in Malaysia
Authors: Ahmad Khaliq , Yahaya Muhamad Hasif
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact factors towards the use of mobile banking among the asnaf for efficient zakat payments by using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) model with additional constructs such as religiosity, attitude and trust (initial trust model) in the Malaysian context.

Design/methodology/approach

The structural equation modelling is used to analyse the data collected from 470 asnaf in Selangor, Malaysia, using the survey methodology.

Findings

This study highlights factors that could influence the asnaf to adopt financial technology (fintech) in order for them to enjoy the benefit of efficient zakat distribution by the zakat institutions.

Research limitations/implications

This study only investigates and contributes added value from the Malaysian context. While it may be similar to other countries that share similar demographic profiles, it might differ for countries that do not have any demographic similarities with Malaysia.

Practical implications

The result of this study highlights the significant factor that practitioners (zakat institutions) in Malaysia could improve fintech adoption and at the same time enhance the efficiency of zakat distribution for the asnaf.

Social implications

This research is basically addressing Islamic social financing. Thus, this study has social implications to address the society's poverty eradication scheme pertaining to the efficiency of zakat institutions in Malaysia for the speedier zakat payments to the asnaf. However, other emerging issues also arise particularly in using the zakat funds by the zakat institutions. By right whatever expenditure that the institutions use from the zakat funds need to have the consent from the asnaf because of their religious and legal rights. Hence, this new gap found from the findings of this study could be further explored by other researchers in future studies especially focusing on the drive towards more efficient administration by the zakat institutions of Malaysia in particular and other zakat institutions spread over Muslim countries elsewhere.

Originality/value

This study found that the UTAUT2 model is rarely used and adopted in investigating technology acceptance and adoption especially when it is related to religious matters such as zakat. Indeed, the findings of this study could be acknowledged as something of original value and significance, therefore contributes to the body of knowledge in this field.
Connecting reverse logistics with circular economy in the context of Industry 4.0
Authors: Khan Sharfuddin Ahmed , Laalaoui Wafaa , Hokal Fatma , Tareq Mariam , Ahmad Laila
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Reverse logistics (RL) has become integral in modern supply chains, with many companies investing in circular economy (CE), a recuperative and effective industrial economy. The traditional linear model triggered many negative environmental consequences such as climate change, ocean pollution, loss of biodiversity and land degradation. The development of RL strategies that support the transition between RL to CE is crucial. The purpose of this paper is to connect RL with CE in the context of Industry 4.0 and develop a hierarchal structure to explore the relationship between RL and CE critical success factors in the context of Industry 4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used both qualitative and quantitative approach. Literature review in collaboration with the Delphi method is used to identify and validate critical success factors. Then, the ISM-based model and MICMAC method were used to determine the relationship between CE and RL success factors and its driving and dependence power.

Findings

This study result shows that waste reduction, skilled employees and expert's involvement and top management commitment and support will provide guidelines and paths for implementing CE and RL, leading to the competitiveness of a firm.

Practical implications

The findings provide managerial insight, particularly useful to third-party logistics companies' managers who are looking to implement RL and CE, to help prioritize where to invest company resources to generate prime difference. Furthermore, this study also identified Industry 4.0 technologies, which would tackle top identified critical success factors within the hierarchical model such as block chain and digital platforms.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by exploring the connection between RL and CE in the context of Industry 4.0 that determines the critical success factors enabling sustainable inter-firm collaboration.
Climate change and the aquatic continuum: A cyanobacterial comeback story
Authors: Zepernick Brittany N. , Wilhelm Steven W. , Bullerjahn George S. , Paerl Hans W.
Published: September 2022

Billions of years ago, the Earth's waters were dominated by cyanobacteria. These microbes amassed to such formidable numbers, they ushered in a new era—starting with the Great Oxidation Event—fuelled by oxygenic photosynthesis. Throughout the following eon, cyanobacteria ceded portions of their global aerobic power to new photoautotrophs with the rise of eukaryotes (i.e. algae and higher plants), which co‐existed with cyanobacteria in aquatic ecosystems. Yet while cyanobacteria's ecological success story is one of the most notorious within our planet's biogeochemical history, scientists to this day still seek to unlock the secrets of their triumph. Now, the Anthropocene has ushered in a new era fuelled by excessive nutrient inputs and greenhouse gas emissions, which are again reshaping the Earth's biomes. In response, we are experiencing an increase in global cyanobacterial bloom distribution, duration, and frequency, leading to unbalanced, and in many instances degraded, ecosystems. A critical component of the cyanobacterial resurgence is the freshwater‐marine continuum: which serves to transport blooms, and the toxins they produce, on the premise that “water flows downhill”. Here, we identify drivers contributing to the cyanobacterial comeback and discuss future implications in the context of environmental and human health along the aquatic continuum. This Minireview addresses the overlooked problem of the freshwater to marine continuum and the effects of nutrients and toxic cyanobacterial blooms moving along these waters. Marine and freshwater research have historically been conducted in isolation and independently of one another. Yet, this approach fails to account for the interchangeable transit of nutrients and biology through and between these freshwater and marine systems, a phenomenon that is becoming a major problem around the globe. This Minireview highlights what we know and the challenges that lie ahead.
Subgroups of internet gaming disorder based on addiction‐related resting‐state functional connectivity
Authors: Wang Zi‐Liang , Potenza Marc N. , Song Kun‐Ru , Dong Guang‐Heng , Fang Xiao‐Yi , Zhang Jin‐Tao
Published: September 2022

Aims

To identify subgroups of people with internet gaming disorder (IGD) based on addiction‐related resting‐state functional connectivity and how these subgroups show different clinical correlates and responses to treatment.

Design

Secondary analysis of two functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data sets.

Setting

Zhejiang province and Beijing, China.

Participants

One hundred and sixty‐nine IGD and 147 control subjects.

Measurements

k‐Means algorithmic and support‐vector machine‐learning approaches were used to identify subgroups of IGD subjects. These groups were examined with respect to assessments of craving, behavioral activation and inhibition, emotional regulation, cue–reactivity and guessing‐related measures.

Findings

Two groups of subjects with IGD were identified and defined by distinct patterns of connectivity in brain networks previously implicated in addictions: subgroup 1 (‘craving‐related subgroup’) and subgroup 2 (‘mixed psychological subgroup’). Clustering IGD on this basis enabled the development of diagnostic classifiers with high sensitivity and specificity for IGD subgroups in 10‐fold validation (n = 218) and out‐of‐sample replication (n = 98) data sets. Subgroup 1 is characterized by high craving scores, cue–reactivity during fMRI and responsiveness to a craving behavioral intervention therapy. Subgroup 2 is characterized by high craving, behavioral inhibition and activations scores, non‐adaptive emotion‐regulation strategies and guessing‐task fMRI measures. Subgroups 1 and 2 showed largely opposite functional–connectivity patterns in overlapping networks.

Conclusions

There appear to be two subgroups of people with internet gaming disorder, each associated with differing patterns of brain functional connectivity and distinct clinical symptom profiles and gender compositions.
Frailty and emergency surgery: identification and evidence‐based care for vulnerable older adults
Authors: Gottesman D. , McIsaac D. I.
Published: September 2022

Frailty is a multidimensional state related to accumulation of age‐ and disease‐related deficits across multiple domains. Older people represent the fastest growing segment of the peri‐operative population, and 25–50% of older surgical patients live with frailty. When frailty is present before surgery, adjusted rates of morbidity and mortality increase at least two‐fold; the odds of delirium and loss of independence are increased more than four‐ and five‐fold, respectively. Care of the older person with frailty presenting for emergency surgery requires individualised and evidence‐based care given the high‐risk and complex nature of their presentations. Before surgery, frailty should be assessed using a multidimensional frailty instrument (most likely the Clinical Frailty Scale), and all members of the peri‐operative team should be aware of each patient's frailty status. When frailty is present, pre‐operative care should focus on documenting and communicating individualised risk, considering advanced care directives and engaging shared decision‐making when feasible. Shared multidisciplinary care should be initiated. Peri‐operatively, analgesia that avoids polypharmacy should be provided, along with delirium prevention strategies and consideration of postoperative care in a monitored environment. After the acute surgical episode, transition out of hospital requires that adequate support be in place, along with clear discharge instructions, and review of new and existing prescription medications. Advanced care directives should be reviewed or initiated in case of readmission. Overall, substantial knowledge gaps about the optimal peri‐operative care of older people with frailty must be addressed through robust, patient‐oriented research.
Religion, spirituality, and well‐being: A systematic literature review and futuristic agenda
Authors: Koburtay Tamer , Jamali Dima , Aljafari Abdullah
Published: September 2022

Informed by religion and psychology literature, this study reviews the literature on religiosity, spirituality, and psychology to support existing theory development in the current emergence of “Management, Spirituality, and Religion” field of study, encourage new contextual thinking and develop a framework to guide businesses on the integration of spirituality and religiosity at work given their documented benefits in relation to personal well‐being and productivity. Using the Web of Science (WoS) database, the paper reviews and synthesizes recent research in a systematic, transparent, and reproducible manner. In addition, to verify and include the state‐of‐the‐art of high‐quality scientific articles, we refer to the Chartered Association of Business Schools list leading to the adoption of the following criteria: (a) journals listed in the ABS ranking as 3‐ and 4‐star class, (b) indexed under the field of ethics (i.e., ETHICS‐CSR‐MAN), (c) articles published between 2000 and 2021, and (d) topical relevance. The review extends the existing literature by developing a framework for organizations that helps in identifying possible linkages between religiosity, spirituality, and employee well‐being. This was done by (1) extending the six indicators of Ryff's well‐being framework, (2) highlighting potential spiritual practices for individuals and organizations and their implications, and (3) presenting a framework that is contextualized to the extent possible and that can serve as a useful guide for organizations. Insights from our review yield in turn two key propositions: (1) workplace spirituality and individual spirituality are both important for employees' well‐being, and (2) individual religiosity is an important factor for personal well‐being. This offers in turn reinvigorated awareness and new insights into the topic under study. The study highlights in closing an array of future possible research directions.
Forgotten forbs: Standard vegetation surveys underrepresent ecologically and culturally important forbs in a threatened grassland ecosystem
Authors: Endress Bryan A. , Averett Joshua P. , Steinmetz Shawn , Quaempts Eric J.
Published: September 2022

Forbs are a culturally and ecologically important yet poorly studied component of the Pacific Northwest Bunchgrass (PNB) ecosystem of western North America. Because many PNB forbs emerge early in the spring and senesce at the onset of summer, typical vegetation surveys, which occur mid‐summer, likely underrepresent forbs. We evaluated how the timing of vegetation sampling affected estimates of perennial forb abundance, richness, and floral density, with a focus on species that are culturally significant to Indigenous people of the region. We sampled 29 plots three times: mid‐summer (July), as well as 7 (May) and 12 (April) weeks prior. Timing had large effects on estimates, with significant declines in forb richness (42%), cover (80%), and floral density (95%) between April and July. The density of Camassia quamash and Lomatium cous, two culturally important species, declined 91% and 96%, respectively, from April to July. Nearly 65% of forbs had documented uses by Plateau Tribes. The consequences of biased estimates are significant and (1) limit our understanding of fundamental ecological processes and interactions; (2) hinder effective conservation and management because we lack information on forb abundance, status, and trends, and (3) result in disproportionately negative impacts to Indigenous communities as many forbs are important for subsistence and ceremonial purposes. Vegetation sampling during the spring months coincident with peak forb abundance, in addition to summer sampling would provide more appropriate data with which to evaluate and characterize PNB vegetation dynamics and improve our understanding, management, and conservation of native forbs.
Auctions versus bookbuilding: The effects of IPO regulation in Japan
Authors: Lehmann Timo , Weber Matthias
Published: September 2022

We analyze a regulatory change in the Japanese IPO market that created an abrupt shift from hybrid price‐discriminatory auctions to bookbuilding. We find that bookbuilding leads to higher underpricing than hybrid price‐discriminatory auctions. Furthermore, we find evidence that price accuracy tends to be higher for auctions than for bookbuilding. The results hold under a variety of OLS specifications and with regression discontinuity designs exploiting the abrupt change of the regulation.
Using remote sensing to quantify the additional climate benefits of California forest carbon offset projects
Authors: Coffield Shane R. , Vo Cassandra D. , Wang Jonathan A. , Badgley Grayson , Goulden Michael L. , Cullenward Danny , Anderegg William R. L. , Randerson James T.
Published: September 2022

Nature‐based climate solutions are a vital component of many climate mitigation strategies, including California's, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Most carbon offsets in California's cap‐and‐trade program come from improved forest management (IFM) projects. Since 2012, various landowners have set up IFM projects following the California Air Resources Board's IFM protocol. As many of these projects approach their 10th year, we now have the opportunity to assess their effectiveness, identify best practices, and suggest improvements toward future protocol revisions. In this study, we used remote sensing‐based datasets to evaluate the carbon trends and harvest histories of 37 IFM projects in California. Despite some current limitations and biases, these datasets can be used to quantify carbon accumulation and harvest rates in offset project lands relative to nearby similar “control” lands before and after the projects began. Five lines of evidence suggest that the carbon accumulated in offset projects to date has generally not been additional to what might have otherwise occurred: (1) most forests in northwestern California have been accumulating carbon since at least the mid‐1980s and continue to accumulate carbon, whether enrolled in offset projects or not; (2) harvest rates were high in large timber company project lands before IFM initiation, suggesting they are earning carbon credits for forests in recovery; (3) projects are often located on lands with higher densities of low‐timber‐value species; (4) carbon accumulation rates have not yet increased on lands that enroll as offset projects, relative to their pre‐enrollment levels; and (5) harvest rates have not decreased on most project lands since offset project initiation. These patterns suggest that the current protocol should be improved to robustly measure and reward additionality. In general, our framework of geospatial analyses offers an important and independent means to evaluate the effectiveness of the carbon offsets program, especially as these data products continue improving and as offsets receive attention as a climate mitigation strategy.
Can trajectory nor‐epinephrine infiltration reduce blood loss during percutaneous nephrolithotomy? A double‐blinded randomized controlled trial
Authors: El‐Shaer Waleed , Haggag Mohamed Salah , Elshaer Alaa , Shaboob Islam , Kandeel Wael , Elmohamady Basheer , Abdelmotaleb Dina Saad , Abdel‐Lateef Sally
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To determine the efficacy and safety of trajectory infiltration with 1:150 000 Norepinephrine (NE) in reducing blood loss during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Materials and methods

This is a prospective randomized double‐blinded placebo‐controlled trial. In all, 140 consecutive patients underwent PCNL for the management of large renal calculi. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to one of either study groups, the NE‐PCNL group (70 patients whose PCNL‐trajectory was infiltrated by NE) or the Placebo group (saline PCNL) (70 patients whose PCNL tracts were infiltrated by normal saline). Procedure‐related blood loss (the primary outcome) was assessed and statistically analyzed. Also, all other procedure‐related events and complications were recorded and compared.

Results

The median blood loss was 378 ml (IQR: 252–504) in the NE‐PCNL group versus 592 ml (IQR: 378–756) in the S‐PCNL group (p < 0.0001). In addition, Hemoglobin and Hematocrit deficits were lower in NE‐PCNL (p < 0.05). Patients who were randomized to the NE‐PCNL group had a higher immediate stone‐free rate (SFR) (80%) compared with those of the S‐PCNL group (70%) (p = 0.034). However, no statistical differences were found in the final SFR. The reported overall complications between the 2 groups were similar (p > 0.05). Indeed, bleeding‐related complications were 1 (1.4%) versus 10 (14.3%) for NE‐PCNL and S‐PCNL, respectively (p = 0.009).

Conclusions

Trajectory infiltration of PCNL tracts by NE was found to be effective and safe in mitigation of PCNL‐related blood loss. This step is a timeless and cost‐effective as NE is readily available in surgical theaters and of very low cost.
Advanced practice nurse roles in Europe: Implementation challenges, progress and lessons learnt
Authors: Unsworth John , Greene Karen , Ali Parveen , Lillebø Gro , Mazilu Donia Carmen
Published: September 2022

Background

Advanced practice nursing (APN) roles offer improved access to care and increased quality and more timely care. Despite the advantages of APN roles, there is a disparity between European countries when it comes to implementing APN roles.

Aim

To explore the implementation of APN roles in a range of European countries and to explore what factors facilitate or hinder the implementation of these roles.

Methods

A case study evaluation of the process of implementing APN roles. The sample included four countries where APN roles were well developed (Ireland, Spain, Norway and the United Kingdom) and four where APN roles were implemented (Estonia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Romania). Interviews were conducted with key informants (n = 28) from government departments, regulatory bodies, nursing associations and universities. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (CPREQ) has been used throughout.

Limitations

The small number of countries when considering the size of the region and key informants representing the view of only three to four people in each country.

Results

Four themes were identified, including the rationale for the development of the roles, influence, the evolutionary nature of role development and evidence. The data also revealed a mismatch between the perceptions of how the roles develop among the different countries in the early stages of implementation.

Conclusion

Successful role implementation is dependent upon a tripartite approach between managers, practitioners and educators. An evolutionary approach to role development was used. Regulation and policy come later on in the process of implementation.

Implications for nursing policy

APN policy should be based on patient needs rather than on the workforce or professional imperatives. The process of implementation can take 15–20 years in total. Recognising the importance of the relationships between service managers and educators is key to the early development of these roles.
Mango enriched with sucrose and isomaltulose (Palatinose®) by osmotic dehydration: Effect of temperature and solute concentration through the application of multilevel statistical models
Authors: do Carmo Juliana Rodrigues , Corrêa Jefferson Luiz Gomes , Resende Mariana , Cirillo Marcelo Ângelo , Corona‐Jiménez Edith , Telis‐Romero Javier
Published: September 2022

Osmotic dehydration (OD) is useful for the enrichment of mangos with interesting solutes. Isomaltulose has healthier properties than sucrose and its use is still scarce in OD processes. The OD of mangos with isomaltulose and sucrose was evaluated, and the effect of solute concentrations (25%, 30%, 35%) and temperatures (25, 35, 45°C) was estimated by multilevel statistical analysis in order to find the best conditions for a greater water loss (WL) and solid gain (SG). In sucrose OD, the highest concentration (35%) had the greatest effect than the temperature for WL and SG. For isomaltulose OD, the concentration provided greater WL and SG, but the effect of temperature was slightly more expressive for SG than WL. The maximum working conditions (35% of isomaltulose or sucrose and 45°C) promoted greater WL and SG for both carbohydrates, and with the OD it was possible to enrich mango with isomaltulose by taking advantage of the osmotic gradient, getting an osmodehydrated product with low glycemic and isulinemic indexes.

Novelty impact statement

Through the osmotic dehydration, it is possible to enrich mango samples with isomaltulose due to its healthy attributes. Instead, a traditional statistical analysis, the multilevel statistical modeling was applied, which was suitable for evidence that the highest solute concentration and temperature conditions promoted the greatest water loss and solid gain, favoring the enrichment process.