bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuroanatomical correlates of system-justifying ideologies: a pre-registered voxel-based morphometry study on right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation
Authors: Balagtas Jan Paolo M. , Tolomeo Serenella , Ragunath Bindiya L. , Rigo Paola , Bornstein Marc H. , Esposito Gianluca
Published: March 2023

System-justifying ideologies are a cluster of ideals that perpetuate a hierarchical social system despite being fraught with inequalities. Right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social dominance orientation (SDO) are two ideologies that have received much attention in the literature separately and together. Given that these ideologies are considered to be stable individual differences that are likely to have an evolutionary basis, there has yet to be any examination for volumetric brain structures associated with these variables. Here, we proposed an investigation of overlapping and non-overlapping brain regions associated with RWA and SDO in a sample recruited in Singapore. Indeed, it will be interesting to determine how RWA and SDO correlate in a country that proactively promotes institutionalized multi-culturalism such as Singapore. RWA and SDO scores were collected via self-report measures from healthy individuals (39 males and 43 females; age 25.89 ± 5.68 years). Consequently, voxel-based morphometry (VBM) whole brain and region of interest (ROI) analyses were employed to identify neuroanatomical correlates of these system-justifying ideologies. RWA and SDO scores were strongly correlated despite the low ideological contrast in Singapore's sociopolitical context. The whole brain analysis did not reveal any significant clusters associated with either RWA or SDO. The ROI analyses revealed clusters in the bilateral amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) that were associated with both RWA and SDO scores, whereas two clusters in the left anterior insula were negatively associated with only SDO scores. The study corroborates the claim of RWA and SDO as stable individual differences with identifiable neuroanatomical correlates, but our exploratory analysis suggests evidence that precludes any definitive conclusion based on the present evidence.
Post-marital residence patterns and the timing of reproduction: evidence from a matrilineal society
Authors: Du Juan , Huang Yaming , Bai Peng-Peng , Zhou Liqiong , Myers Sarah , Page Abigail E. , Mace Ruth
Published: March 2023

Humans exhibit a broad range of post-marital residence patterns and there is growing recognition that post-marital residence predicts women's reproductive success; however, the nature of the relationship is probably dependent on whether co-resident kin are cooperators or competitors. Here, we explore this relationship in a Tibetan population, where couples practice a mixture of post-marital residence patterns, co-residing in the same village with the wife's parents, the husband's parents or endogamously with both sets of parents. Using detailed demographic data from 17 villages we find that women who live with only their own parents have an earlier age at first birth (AFB) and age at last birth (ALB) than women who live with only their parents-in-law. Women who co-reside with both sets of parents have the earliest AFB and ALB. However, those with co-resident older siblings postponed reproduction, suggestive of competition-related delay. Shifts to earlier reproductive timing were also observed in relation to the imposition of family planning policies, in line with Fisherian expectations. Our study provides evidence of the costs and benefits to women's direct fitness of co-residing with different kin, against a backdrop of adaptive responses to cultural constraints on completed fertility.
Rapid adaptations of Legionella pneumophila to the human host
Authors: Leenheer Daniël , Moreno Anaísa B. , Paranjape Kiran , Murray Susan , Jarraud Sophie , Ginevra Christophe , Guy Lionel
Published: March 2023

Legionella pneumophila

are host-adapted bacteria that infect and reproduce primarily in amoeboid protists. Using similar infection mechanisms, they infect human macrophages, and cause Legionnaires’ disease, an atypical pneumonia, and the milder Pontiac fever. We hypothesized that, despite the similarities in infection mechanisms, the hosts are different enough that there exist high-selective value mutations that would dramatically increase the fitness of

Legionella

inside the human host. By comparing a large number of isolates from independent infections, we identified two genes, mutated in three unrelated patients, despite the short duration of the incubation period (2–14 days). One is a gene coding for an outer membrane protein (OMP) belonging to the OmpP1/FadL family. The other is a gene coding for an EAL-domain-containing protein involved in cyclic-di-GMP regulation, which in turn modulates flagellar activity. The clinical strain, carrying the mutated EAL-domain-containing homologue, grows faster in macrophages than the wild-type strain, and thus appears to be better adapted to the human host. As human-to-human transmission is very rare, fixation of these mutations into the population and spread into the environment is unlikely. Therefore, parallel evolution – here mutations in the same genes observed in independent human infections – could point to adaptations to the accidental human host. These results suggest that despite the ability of

L. pneumophila

to infect, replicate in and exit from macrophages, its human-specific adaptations are unlikely to be fixed in the population.
Single-cell multiomic analysis reveals the involvement of Type I interferon-responsive CD8+ T cells in amyloid beta-associated memory loss
Authors: Fernando Nilisha , Gopalakrishnan Jaanam , Behensky Adam , Reich Lauren , Liu Chunhong , Bass Victor , Bono Michaella , Montgomery William , De Pace Raffaella , Mattapallil Mary , Nagarajan Vijayaraj , Brooks Stephen , Maric Dragan , Caspi Rachel R , McGavern Dorian B. , Shih Han-Yu
Published: March 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide, but there are limited therapeutic options and no current cure. While the involvement of microglia in AD has been highly appreciated, the role of other innate and adaptive immune cells remains largely unknown, partly due to their scarcity and heterogeneity. This study aimed to study non-microglial immune cells in wild type and AD-transgenic mouse brains across different ages. Our results uncovered the presence of a unique CD8+ T cell population that were selectively increased in aging AD mouse brains, here referred to as “disease-associated T cells (DATs)”. These DATs were found to express an elevated tissue-resident memory and Type I interferon-responsive gene signature. Further analysis of aged AD mouse brains showed that these CD8+ T cells were not present in peripheral or meningeal tissues. Preventing CD8+ T cell development in AD-transgenic mice via genetic deletion of beta-2 microglobulin (B2m) led to a reduction of amyloid-β plaque formation in aged mice, and improved memory in AD-transgenic mice as early as four months of age. The integration of transcriptomic and epigenomic profiles at the single-cell level revealed potential transcription factors that reshape the regulomes of CD8+ T cells. These findings highlight a critical role for DATs in the progression of AD and provide a new avenue for treatment.
Fungal antigenic variation using mosaicism and reassortment of subtelomeric genes’ repertoires, potentially mediated by DNA triplexes
Authors: Meier Caroline S. , Pagni Marco , Richard Sophie , Mühlethaler Konrad , Almeida Joao M. G. C. F. , Nevez Gilles , Cushion Melanie T. , Calderón Enrique J. , Hauser Philippe M.
Published: March 2023

Surface antigenic variation is crucial for major pathogens that infect humans, e.g.Plasmodium1,Trypanosoma2,Giardia3. In order to escape the immune system, they exploit various mechanisms in order to modify or exchange the protein that is exposed on the cell surface, at the genetic, expressional, and/or epigenetic level4. Understanding these mechanisms is important to better prevent and fight the deadly diseases caused. However, those used by the fungusPneumocystis jiroveciithat causes life-threatening pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals remain poorly understood. Here, though this fungus is currently not cultivable5, our detailed analysis of the subtelomeric sequence motifs and genes encoding surface proteins suggest that the system involves mediation of homologous recombinations during meiosis by DNA triplexes. This leads to the reassortment of the repertoire of ca. 80 non-expressed genes present in each strain, from which single genes are retrieved for mutually exclusive expression within subpopulations of cells6. The recombinations generates also constantly new mosaic genes. Dispersion of the new alleles and repertoires, supposedly by healthy carrier individuals, appears very efficient because identical alleles are observed in patients from all over the world. Our observations reveal a unique strategy of antigenic variation allowing colonization of the non-sterile niche corresponding to lungs of healthy humans. They also highlight the possible role in genome rearrangements of small imperfect mirror sequences forming DNA triplexes7. Such mirror sequences are widespread in eukaryotic genomes8, as well as in HIV virus9, but remain poorly understood so far.
A Consequence of Immature Breathing induces Persistent Changes in Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity and Behavior: A Role of Pro-Oxidant State and NMDA Receptor Imbalance
Authors: Arias-Cavieres Alejandra , Garcia Alfredo J.
Published: March 2023

Underdeveloped breathing results from premature birth and causes intermittent hypoxia during the early neonatal period. Neonatal intermittent hypoxia (nIH) is a condition linked to the increased risk of neurocognitive deficit later in life. However, the underlying mechanistic consequences nIH-induced neurophysiological changes remains poorly resolved. Here, we investigated the impact of nIH on hippocampal synaptic plasticity and NMDA receptor (NMDAr) expression in neonatal mice. Our findings indicate that nIH induces a pro-oxidant state, leading to an imbalance in NMDAr subunit composition that favors GluN2A over GluN2B expression, and subsequently impairs synaptic plasticity. These consequences persist in adulthood and coincide with deficits in spatial memory. Treatment with the antioxidant, manganese(III) tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin (MnTMPyP), during nIH effectively mitigated both immediate and long-term effects of nIH. However, MnTMPyP treatment post-nIH did not prevent the long-lasting changes in either synaptic plasticity or behavior. Our results underscore the central role of the pro-oxidant state in nIH-mediated neurophysiological and behavioral deficits and importance of stable oxygen homeostasis during early life. These findings suggest that targeting the pro-oxidant state during a discrete window may provide a potential avenue for mitigating long-term neurophysiological and behavioral outcomes when breathing is unstable during early postnatal life.

Highlights

Untreated immature breathing leads neonatal intermittent hypoxia (nIH).

nIH promotes a pro-oxidant state associated with increased HIF1a activity and NOX upregulation.

nIH-dependent pro-oxidant state leads to NMDAr remodeling of the GluN2 subunit to impair synaptic plasticity.

Impaired synaptic plasticity and NMDAr remodeling caused by nIH persists beyond the critical period of development.

A discrete window for antioxidant administration exists to effectively mitigate neurophysiological and behavioral consequences of nIH.
Single-pulse characterization of the focal spot size of X-ray free-electron lasers using coherent diffraction imaging
Authors: Gao Zichen , Fan Jiadong , Tong Yajun , Zhang Jianhua , He Bo , Nie Yonggan , Luan Hui , Lu Donghao , Zhang Difei , Yuan Xinye , Wang Yueran , Liu Zhi , Jiang Huaidong
Published: March 2023

The characterization of X-ray focal spots is of great significance for the diagnosis and performance optimization of focusing systems. X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) are the latest generation of X-ray sources with ultrahigh brilliance, ultrashort pulse duration and nearly full transverse coherence. Because each XFEL pulse is unique and has an ultrahigh peak intensity, it is difficult to characterize its focal spot size individually with full power. Herein, a method for characterizing the spot size at the focus position is proposed based on coherent diffraction imaging. A numerical simulation was conducted to verify the feasibility of the proposed method. The focal spot size of the Coherent Scattering and Imaging endstation at the Shanghai Soft X-ray Free Electron Laser Facility was characterized using the method. The full width at half-maxima of the focal spot intensity and spot size in the horizontal and vertical directions were calculated to be 2.10 ± 0.24 µm and 2.00 ± 0.20 µm, respectively. An ablation imprint on the silicon frame was used to validate the results of the proposed method.
Monomeric crystal structure of the vaccine carrier protein CRM197 and implications for vaccine development
Authors: Gallagher D. Travis , Oganesyan Natalia , Lees Andrew
Published: March 2023

CRM197 is a genetically detoxified mutant of diphtheria toxin (DT) that is widely used as a carrier protein in conjugate vaccines. Protective immune responses to several bacterial diseases are obtained by coupling CRM197 to glycans from these pathogens. Wild-type DT has been described in two oligomeric forms: a monomer and a domain-swapped dimer. Their proportions depend on the chemical conditions and especially the pH, with a large kinetic barrier to interconversion. A similar situation occurs in CRM197, where the monomer is preferred for vaccine synthesis. Despite 30 years of research and the increasing application of CRM197 in conjugate vaccines, until now all of its available crystal structures have been dimeric. Here, CRM197 was expressed as a soluble, intracellular protein in an Escherichia coli strain engineered to have an oxidative cytoplasm. The purified product, called EcoCRM, remained monomeric throughout crystallization. The structure of monomeric EcoCRM is reported at 2.0 Å resolution with the domain-swapping hinge loop (residues 379–387) in an extended, exposed conformation, similar to monomeric wild-type DT. The structure enables comparisons across expression systems and across oligomeric states, with implications for monomer–dimer interconversion and for the optimization of conjugation.
Humility breeds creativity: the moderated mediation model of leader humility and subordinates’ creative service performance in hospitality
Authors: Tariq Hussain , Abrar Muhammad , Ahmad Bashir
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Drawing on the socially embedded model of thriving and the idiosyncrasy credit model of leadership, this study aims to develop a moderated mediation model to investigate the roles that are thriving at work and leader competency play in the link between leader humility and creative service performance (CSP) of hospitality frontline service employees (FSEs).

Design/methodology/approach

To test the moderated mediation model, the authors applied a time-lagged research design and collected multi-source data from locally owned, star-rated hotels headquartered in the capital city of Pakistan. The authors collected the multi-source data at three different points in time from employees and their respective supervisors (N = 52 managers and their 312 immediate employees).

Findings

The results denote that leader humility positively impacts CSP, thriving at work mediates this impact and leader competency not only moderates the connection between leader humility and thriving at work but also magnifies the indirect association between leader humility and CSP via thriving at work.

Research limitations/implications

The moderated mediation framework based on the socially embedded model of thriving and the idiosyncrasy credit model of leadership will benefit future researchers and practitioners while exploring the impact of leader humility (LH) on FSEs’ CSP in the hospitality context.

Originality/value

The fundamental contribution of this study is developing and testing a research model that concentrates on the effects of leader humility on FSEs’ CSP. Moreover, by receiving support on the mediating role of thriving, this research further sheds light on how subordinates under the leader with humility demonstrate high CSP. In addition, the moderating role of leader competency found in this study further highlights that leader effectiveness depends on the degree to which employees perceive their leader as competent.
Inductive open data study on teleworking dissatisfaction in Spain during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: de Esteban Curiel Javier , Antonovica Arta , Sánchez Morales Maria del Rosario
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The research paper aims to study dissatisfaction of teleworking employees in Spain during the Covid-19 health pandemic in order to propose three models: sociodemographic profile of the teleworking dissatisfied employee; advantages and disadvantages for the teleworking dissatisfied employee and advantages for the teleworking dissatisfied employee.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses official open data obtained from the Spanish National Statistical Institute (INE, 2022) through Decision Trees statistical multivariable models implementing Classification and Regression Trees and Recursive Partitioning and Regression Trees techniques to determine the variables that can influence the satisfaction or dissatisfaction of the subjects.

Findings

This investigation offers three models with two sociodemographic profiles of dissatisfied teleworking employee, who is a high/middle-level manager/employee around 45 years old, and she/he lives with the partner. Regarding the most important advantage of teleworking, employees consider “use/saving of time” and as disadvantage “worse organization and coordination of work”.

Originality/value

This research provides empirical evidence with inductive reasoning on understanding the challenges of teleworking dissatisfied employees in Spain not only in turbulent times but also in “normalcy” to improve overall teleworker well-being and accomplish company’s and organization’s long-term objectives for better productivity and effectivity. The study has high practical value due to the integral approach incorporating dissatisfaction as a driver that can trigger negative behaviours towards the organizations and that is seldom addressed in the literature. Additionally, this paper could provide some new ideas for accomplishing “Spain Digital 2025” and “Europe’s Digital Decade: 2030” plans on institutional level.
The process optimization method of the optimal online sales model of information product demand concerning the spillover effect
Authors: Amin Rubel , Kushwaha Bijay Prasad , Miah Md Helal
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper examines the process optimization method of the online sales model of information product demand concerning the spillover effect. It illustrates the spillover effect (SE) of online product demand compared with traditional market demand. Also, optimized the SE for the ethical and ordinary consumer.

Design/methodology/approach

This article primarily focused on two types of models for online marketing: one is wholesales, and another is the agency. Firstly, the wholesale and agency models without SE and the wholesale and agency models with SE are constructed, respectively, to realize the SE in different sales models. Secondly, online channel participants' optimal price, demand and profit under variant conditions are compared and analyzed. Finally, efficient supply chain theory is optimized for the decision-making of online marketing consumers using an equation-based comparative analysis method.

Findings

The study found that when SEs are not considered, stronger piracy regulation makes online channel participants more beneficial. When the positive SE is strong, it is detrimental to manufacturers. When SEs are not considered, online channel participants only reach Pareto in agency mode. Pareto optimality can be achieved in wholesale and agency modes when SEs are considered.

Originality/value

The research has practical implications for an effective supply chain model for online marketing. This is the first algorithm-based comparative study concerning theoretical spillover effect analysis in supply chain management.
Senior entrepreneurs: the impact of temporal perception on the entrepreneurial process
Authors: Biron Dominique , St-Jean Etienne
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Longer life expectancy brings a new phenomenon: senior entrepreneurship. Whereas starting a business involves investing energy, time, money or other types of resources, ageing is somewhat incompatible with these terms. Research on the impact of time perception on the entrepreneurial process is rather scarce. Considering the lack of knowledge related to the impact of time perception on the entrepreneurship process, this study aims to answer the following research question: how does temporal perception influence the entrepreneurial process?

Design/methodology/approach

Senior entrepreneurs are the most relevant category of individuals from which the impact of time perception could be observed, as they are objectively closer to the end of their careers than younger entrepreneurs. Therefore, longitudinal research was conducted by interviewing five senior entrepreneurs at 4-year intervals.

Findings

Results show that there are two types of temporal perception in entrepreneurship: temporal perception of the entrepreneur's career and temporal perception of the enterprise's development. When these two-time perspectives are not synchronized with the entrepreneur's vision, the entrepreneur develops strategies for seeking to re-establish synchronicity between the temporal perspective (TP) of their entrepreneurial career and that of the business development. The senior entrepreneur is distinguished from a traditional entrepreneur by a limited TP of their entrepreneurial career combined with the notions of bridge employment and generativity.

Research limitations/implications

The number of cases under study did not allow us to examine every possible type of situation. The sampling of the cases under study did not offer great diversity in terms of gender, as the study had only men. However, the range of ages at startup, from 50 to 65 years, provides greater diversity, as does the range of business segments that included the service, manufacturing and retail food industries.

Originality/value

Entrepreneurs with a limited career time perspective correspond to senior entrepreneurs, while others who have an open career prospect, regardless of their age, correspond to any other form of an entrepreneur. This study has also been able to identify that an entrepreneur who realizes their limited entrepreneurial career horizon and perceives a temporal purpose of their company in the service of the involved parties tends to plan the entrepreneurial exit phase.
The efficiency evaluation and influencing factor analysis of regional green innovation: a refined dynamic network slacks-based measure approach
Authors: Fang Zerun , Gui Wenlin , Han Zhaozhou , Lan Lan
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to propose a refined dynamic network slacks-based measure (DNSBM) to evaluate the efficiency of China's regional green innovation system which consists of basic research, applied research and commercialization stages and explore the influencing factors of the stage efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-step procedure is employed. The first step proposes an improved DNSBM model with flexible settings of stages' input or output efficiency and uses second order cone programming (SOCP) to solve the non-linear problem. In the second step, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Tobit models are used to explore the influencing factors of the stage efficiency. Global Dynamic Malmquist Productivity Index (GDMPI) and Dagum Gini coefficient decomposition method are introduced for further discussion of the productivity change and regional differences.

Findings

On average, Chinese provincial green innovation efficiency should be improved by 24.11% to become efficient. The commercialization stage outperforms the stages of basic research and applied research. Comparisons between the proposed model and input-oriented, output-oriented and non-oriented DNSBM models show that the proposed model is more advanced because it allows some stages to have output-oriented model characteristics while the other stages have input-oriented model characteristics. The examination of the influencing factors reveals that the three stages of the green innovation system have quite diverse influencing factors. Further discussion reveals that Chinese green innovation productivity has increased by 39.85%, which is driven mainly by technology progress, and the increasing tendency of regional differences between northern and southern China should be paid attention to.

Originality/value

This study proposes an improved dynamic three-stage slacks-based measure (SBM) model that allows calculating output efficiency in some stages and input efficiency in the other stages with the application of SOCP approach. In order to capture productivity change, this study develops a GDMPI based on the DNSBM model. In practice, the efficiency of regional green innovation in China and the factors that influence each stage are examined.
Rapid tooling: investigation of soft-tooled micro-injection moulding process characteristics using in-line measurements and surface metrology
Authors: Gülçür Mert , Couling Kevin , Goodship Vannessa , Charmet Jérôme , Gibbons Gregory J.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate and characterise a soft-tooled micro-injection moulding process through in-line measurements and surface metrology using a data-intensive approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A soft tool for a demonstrator product that mimics the main features of miniature components in medical devices and microsystem components has been designed and fabricated using material jetting technique. The soft tool was then integrated into a mould assembly on the micro-injection moulding machine, and mouldings were made. Sensor and data acquisition devices including thermal imaging and injection pressure sensing have been set up to collect data for each of the prototypes. Off-line dimensional characterisation of the parts and the soft tool have also been carried out to quantify the prototype quality and dimensional changes on the soft tool after the manufacturing cycles.

Findings

The data collection and analysis methods presented here enable the evaluation of the quality of the moulded parts in real-time from in-line measurements. Importantly, it is demonstrated that soft-tool surface temperature difference values can be used as reliable indicators for moulding quality. Reduction in the total volume of the soft-tool moulding cavity was detected and quantified up to 100 cycles. Data collected from in-line monitoring was also used for filling assessment of the soft-tool moulding cavity, providing about 90% accuracy in filling prediction with relatively modest sensors and monitoring technologies.

Originality/value

This work presents a data-intensive approach for the characterisation of soft-tooled micro-injection moulding processes for the first time. The overall results of this study show that the product-focussed data-rich approach presented here proved to be an essential and useful way of exploiting additive manufacturing technologies for soft-tooled rapid prototyping and new product introduction.
Ground force analysis of a portable electromagnetic seismic vibrator for different surface environments and driving voltages
Authors: Chen Yuda , Lin Jun , Jiang Yuanjie , Xing Xuefeng
Published: March 2023

Knowing the actual ground force is important for seismic data processing and seismic vibrator control. However, the weighted‐sum method is widely used to estimate the actual ground force in seismic vibrator exploration. Due to the nonideal body of the baseplate and the nonlinear coupling between the baseplate and the ground, the weighted‐sum method suffers from estimation error. It is feasible to obtain the actual ground force by using load cells. In previous studies, the effects of different surface environments and driving voltages on the actual ground force were rarely analysed. In this paper, a field experiment was conducted to study the actual ground force of a portable electromagnetic seismic vibrator for different surface environments and driving voltages. The fundamental wave, multiple harmonics, phase distortion, response delay, weighted‐sum method estimation error and ground impedance were analysed. The experimental results show that there are obvious second‐to‐fifth harmonics in the actual ground force. An increase in the driving voltage will enhance the energy ratio of the fundamental wave, suppress the phase distortion and increase the response time of the actual ground force. In a soft soil environment, there are obvious amplitude and phase differences between the weighted‐sum ground force and the actual ground force. The phase difference is affected by the driving voltage, which causes a time delay in the cross‐correlated wavelet between the weighted‐sum ground force and the actual ground force. The ground impedance beneath the baseplate is highly non‐linear. As the vibration frequency increases, the viscosity and stiffness of the coupled ground tend to be stable.
Quantifying the movement, behaviour and environmental context of group‐living animals using drones and computer vision
Authors: Koger Benjamin , Deshpande Adwait , Kerby Jeffrey T. , Graving Jacob M. , Costelloe Blair R. , Couzin Iain D.
Published: March 2023

Methods for collecting animal behaviour data in natural environments, such as direct observation and biologging, are typically limited in spatiotemporal resolution, the number of animals that can be observed and information about animals' social and physical environments.

Video imagery can capture rich information about animals and their environments, but image‐based approaches are often impractical due to the challenges of processing large and complex multi‐image datasets and transforming resulting data, such as animals' locations, into geographical coordinates.

We demonstrate a new system for studying behaviour in the wild that uses drone‐recorded videos and computer vision approaches to automatically track the location and body posture of free‐roaming animals in georeferenced coordinates with high spatiotemporal resolution embedded in contemporaneous 3D landscape models of the surrounding area.

We provide two worked examples in which we apply this approach to videos of gelada monkeys and multiple species of group‐living African ungulates. We demonstrate how to track multiple animals simultaneously, classify individuals by species and age–sex class, estimate individuals' body postures (poses) and extract environmental features, including topography of the landscape and animal trails.

By quantifying animal movement and posture while reconstructing a detailed 3D model of the landscape, our approach opens the door to studying the sensory ecology and decision‐making of animals within their natural physical and social environments.
Diversification and resilience of firms in the agrifood supply chain
Authors: Stevens Andrew W. , Teal Jim
Published: March 2023

Are diversified firms more resilient to negative market shocks than specialized firms? We answer this question in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic by analyzing data from small‐ and medium‐sized firms in the U.S. agrifood supply chain. We first develop revenue‐based measures of firms' vertical (across supply‐chain segment) and horizontal (within supply‐chain segment) diversification. We then compare post pandemic outcomes of more diversified and less diversified firms using several inverse‐probability weighting techniques. We find that vertical diversification reduces firms' resilience, whereas horizontal diversification increases firms' resilience.
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling of alprazolam: Implications for anxiety and addiction
Authors: Burkat Paul M.
Published: March 2023

Aims

Alprazolam is an anxiolytic compound that can lead to psychological and physiological dependence especially with prolonged use. This study utilized physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) modelling to further examine the underlying mechanisms of anxiety treatment and addiction.

Methods

Data and parameter values for this study were obtained from PubMed and DrugBank literature searches. The physiologically based PK models for alprazolam were developed using PK‐Sim software and PD models were implemented with the MonolixSuite 2021R platform.

Results

After single administrations, peak unbound interstitial brain concentrations range from 4 to 33 nM for 0.25–2 mg‐doses of the immediate‐release form and 3–54 nM for 0.5–10‐mg doses of the extended‐release form. With repetitive administrations, peak concentration is 59 nM for a 2‐mg alprazolam immediate‐release dose and 122 nM for a 10‐mg extended‐release dose. Potentiation of EC10 GABA‐gated currents from recombinant GABAARs composed of α1β2γ2, α2β3γ2 and α5β3γ2 subunit combinations is 92, 150 and 75%, respectively, for an alprazolam concentration of 59 nM. The 10–90% rise times for the brain concentration–time profile following a single 1‐mg immediate‐release administration is 22.8 min and 3.8 h for a 3‐mg extended‐release administration.

Conclusion

Unbound interstitial brain concentration–time profiles of alprazolam corresponded to changes in β rhythm activity, peak saccade velocity, mood improvement, cognitive speed slowing and digit symbol substitution test scores. PD models for these endpoints suggest that alprazolam immediate‐release maximal effects on cognitive slowing, cognitive impairment, sedation and mood improvement occur sequentially following the brain concentration–time profile.
Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJ) due to congenital crossing of the renal vessels (CRV): Comparison of the pre‐ and postoperative features of UPJO with and without CRV
Authors: Çelebi Süleyman
Published: March 2023

We evaluated the differences in demographic characteristics of patients with and without underlying crossing renal vessels (CRVs) operated for unilateral symptomatic ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). We identified the features of patients who had undergone open, laparoscopic and robotically assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty at our institution from July 2000 to January 2021. The ratio of renal parenchymal thickness (RPT; ratio between the kidney with UPJO and the healthy kidney), pelvic diameter and kidney functions were recorded. A total of 641 patients were operated for UPJO; 448 were male (69.8%) and 193 (30.1%) were female; 257 had right‐side (40%) and 384 (60%) left‐side disease. Fifty‐eight patients (9%) were found to have CRV (operated on to treat CRV). The age at diagnosis was 6.51 ± 5.09 years in the CRV (+) group and 1.82 ± 1.37 years in the CRV (−) (p < 0.001). The age at surgery was 8.00 ± 4.71 and 4.27 ± 3.54 years, respectively (p < 0.001). At the time of diagnosis, the RPT measurement was significantly better in CRV (+) compared to CRV (−) group (0.71 ± 0.2 vs. 0.64 ± 0.23, p = 0.043) and initial renal functions were 45.53 ± 8.99% and 42.99 ± 11.65% in CRV (+) and (−) groups respectively. At the time of surgery, the RPTs were 0.60 ± 0.24 and 0.63 ± 0.21 in CRV (+) and (−) groups and these values were also correlated with split renal functions (36.28 ± 15.81% and 41.80 ± 14.26%, respectively). Renal functions were significantly decreased in CRV (+) group (p = 0.027). Significant parenchymal improvements were noted during the first postoperative year. The RPTs were 0.71 ± 0.2 and 0.77 ± 0.19 in the CRV (+) and CRV (−) groups, respectively (p = 0.27) in that time; the improvements continued to increase to postoperative third year (0.74 ± 0.20 and 0.78 ± 0.19 respectively; p = 0.939). In patients with CRVs, renal functions seemed to be preserved in the early stages, however it should be kept in mind that sudden obstruction and loss of kidney function might develop in the follow up period.
Clinical course and management of adverse events after endoscopic resection of superficial duodenal epithelial tumors: Multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Dohi Osamu , Kato Motohiko , Takeuchi Yoji , Hoteya Shu , Oyama Tsuneo , Nonaka Satoru , Yoshimizu Shoichi , Yoshida Masao , Ohata Ken , Miura Yoshimasa , Hara Yuko , Tsuji Shigetsugu , Yamasaki Yasushi , Ueyama Hiroya , Kurahara Koichi , Tashima Tomoaki , Abe Nobutsugu , Nakayama Atsushi , Oda Ichiro , Yahagi Naohisa
Published: March 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to elucidate the clinical course and management of adverse events (AEs) after endoscopic resection (ER) for superficial duodenal epithelial tumors (SDETs).

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent ER of SDETs between January 2008 and July 2018 at 18 Japanese institutions were retrospectively enrolled. The study outcomes included the clinical course, management, and risk of surgical conversion with perioperative AEs after ER for SDETs.

Results

Of the 226 patients with AEs, the surgical conversion rate was 8.0% (18/226), including 3.7% (4/108), 1.0% (1/99), and 50.0% (12/24) of patients with intraoperative perforation, delayed bleeding, or delayed perforation, respectively. In the multivariate logistic analysis, involvement of the major papilla (odds ratio [OR] 12.788; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.098–77.961, P = 0.006) and delayed perforation (OR 37.054; 95% CI 10.219–134.366, P < 0.001) were significant risk factors for surgical conversion after AEs. Delayed bleeding occurred from postoperative days 1–14 or more, whereas delayed perforation occurred within 3 days in all cases.

Conclusions

The surgical conversion rate was higher for delayed perforation than those for other AEs after ER of SDETs. Involvement of the major papilla and delayed perforation were significant risk factors for surgical conversion following AEs. In addition, reliable prevention of delayed perforation is required for 3 days after duodenal ER to prevent the need for surgical interventions.
The post‐9/11 novel revisited: Reading three perspectives in contemporary American fiction
Authors: Altwaiji Mubarak
Published: March 2023

This essay on the Ground Zero novel offers three perspectives on one of the most exciting current debates in humanities by approaching the effects of the most notable 21st century event on the American novel. It presents a scholarly analysis of the American novel of the past 20 years and provides a discussion for readers who are divided by geography, ideology, and religion to understand how the 9/11 novel reflects both geopolitical relations and conflicts of our collective present. It sets two necessary provisos for the analysis of post‐9/11 American narrative: terrorism and counter‐terrorism. This analysis approaches the post‐9/11 novel from two opposing perspectives/voices—neutral narratives and political narratives—to provide a neutral cultural territory divorced from geopolitical strategy to understand this new version of American literature and explore the common beliefs and values in it. A third focus, on the literature of immigrants, is emerging in American literary studies and offers a bridge to those interested in exploring the cultural contributions of Muslim immigrants to American culture. It would be a mistake to conclude without referring to the contributions of Arab American writers because the concepts of culture and coexistence are interlinked.
Relationships between T‐lymphocytes and physical function in adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Results from the HEALTH4CLL pilot study
Authors: Crane Justin C. , Gordon Max J. , Basen‐Engquist Karen , Ferrajoli Alessandra , Markofski Melissa M. , Lee Che Young , Fares Sara , Simpson Richard J. , LaVoy Emily C.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Examine physical function and T‐cell phenotype in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) before and after a physical activity (PA) intervention.

Methods

Physical function measures and blood samples were collected from CLL patients (Rai stage 0–4, 50% receiving targeted therapy, N = 24) enrolled in a 16‐week intervention of at‐home aerobic and/or resistance exercise. Flow cytometry characterized T‐cells in cryopreserved peripheral blood cells. Wilcoxon signed‐rank test compared physical function and T‐cell phenotype at baseline and 16‐weeks; Kendall's Tau assessed associations between variables.

Results

Godin leisure‐time PA score increased from baseline to 16‐weeks (mean difference: 14.61, p < .01) and fatigue decreased (mean difference: 6.71, p < .001). At baseline, lower fatigue correlated with a lower proportion of CD8+ T‐cells (τ = 0.32, p = .03) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) inversely correlated with the percentage of PD‐1+CD8+ T‐cells (τ −0.31, p = .03). At 16‐weeks, CRF inversely correlated with the proportion of PD‐1+CD4+ T‐cells (τ −0.34, p = .02). Reduced fatigue at 16‐weeks correlated with an increased CD4:CD8 ratio (τ = 0.36, p = .02) and lower percentage of HLA‐DR+PD‐1+CD4+ T‐cells (τ = −0.37, p = .01).

Conclusions

This intervention increased leisure‐time PA and decreased fatigue in CLL patients. These changes correlated with an increased CD4:CD8 T‐cell ratio and reduced proportion of T‐cells subsets previously associated with poor outcomes in CLL patients.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02194387.
Widespread latitudinal asymmetry in the performance of marginal populations: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Pulido Fernando , Castagneyrol Bastien , Rodríguez‐Sánchez Francisco , Cáceres Yónatan , Pardo Adara , Moracho Eva , Kollmann Johannes , Valladares Fernando , Ehrlén Johan , Jump Alistair S. , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Hampe Arndt
Published: March 2023

Aim

Range shifts are expected to occur when populations at one range margin perform better than those at the other margin, yet no global trend in population performances at range margins has been demonstrated empirically across a wide range of taxa and biomes. Here we test the prediction that, if impacts of ongoing climate change on performance in marginal populations are widespread, then populations from the high‐latitude margin (HLM) should perform as well as or better than central populations, whereas low‐latitude margin (LLM) populations should perform worse.

Location

Global.

Time period

1995–2019.

Major taxa studied

Plants and animals.

Methods

To test our prediction, we used a meta‐analysis to quantify empirical support for asymmetry in the performance of high‐ and low‐latitude margin populations compared to central populations. Performance estimates (survival, reproduction, or lifetime fitness) for populations occurring in their natural environment were derived from 51 papers involving 113 margin‐centre comparisons from 54 species and 705 populations from the Americas, Europe, Africa and Australia. We then related these performance differences to climatic differences among populations. We also tested whether patterns are consistent across taxonomic kingdoms (plants vs animals) and across realms (marine vs terrestrial).

Results

Populations at margins performed significantly worse than central populations, and this trend was primarily driven by the low‐latitude margin. Although the difference was of small magnitude, it was largely consistent across biological kingdoms and realms. Differences in performance were weakly (p = .08) related to the difference in average temperatures between central and marginal populations.

Main conclusions

The observed asymmetry in performance in marginal populations is consistent with predictions about the effects of global climate change, though further research is needed to confirm the effect of climate. It indicates that changes in demographic rates in marginal populations can serve as early‐warning signals of impending range shifts.
Nocturnal blood pressure surge in seconds is associated with arterial stiffness independently of conventional nocturnal blood pressure variability in suspected obstructive sleep apnea patients
Authors: Kokubo Ayako , Kuwabara Mitsuo , Tomitani Naoko , Yamashita Shingo , Shiga Toshikazu , Kario Kazuomi
Published: March 2023

Nocturnal blood pressure (BP) surge in seconds (sec‐surge), which is characterized as acute transient BP elevation over several tens of seconds is induced by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and OSA‐related sympathetic hyperactivity. The authors assessed the relationship between sec‐surge and arterial stiffness in 34 nocturnal hypertensive patients with suspected OSA (mean age 63.9 ± 12.6 years, 32.4% female). During the night, they had beat‐by‐beat (BbB) BP and cuff‐oscillometric BP measurements, and brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was assessed as an arterial stiffness index. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the upward duration (UD) of sec‐surge was significantly associated with baPWV independently of nocturnal oscillometric systolic BP variability (β = .365, p = .046). This study suggests that the UD of sec‐surge, which can only be measured using a BbB BP monitoring device, may be worth monitoring in addition to nocturnal BP level.
PRMT5 inhibition induces pro‐inflammatory macrophage polarization and increased hepatic triglyceride levels without affecting atherosclerosis in mice
Authors: Zhang Yiheng , Verwilligen Robin A. F. , Van Eck Miranda , Hoekstra Menno
Published: March 2023

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) controls inflammation and metabolism through modulation of histone methylation and gene transcription. Given the important role of inflammation and metabolism in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, here we examined the role of PRMT5 in atherosclerosis using the specific PRMT5 inhibitor GSK3326595. Cultured thioglycollate‐elicited peritoneal macrophages were exposed to GSK3326595 or DMSO control and stimulated with either 1 ng/mL LPS or 100 ng/mL interferon‐gamma for 24 h. Furthermore, male low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor knockout mice were fed an atherogenic Western‐type diet and injected intraperitoneally 3×/week with a low dose of 5 mg/kg GSK3326595 or solvent control for 9 weeks. In vitro, GSK3326595 primed peritoneal macrophages to interferon‐gamma‐induced M1 polarization, as evidenced by an increased M1/M2 gene marker ratio. In contrast, no difference was found in the protein expression of iNOS (M1 marker) and ARG1 (M2 marker) in peritoneal macrophages of GSK3326595‐treated mice. Also no change in the T cell activation state or the susceptibility to atherosclerosis was detected. However, chronic GSK3326595 treatment did activate genes involved in hepatic fatty acid acquisition, i.e. SREBF1, FASN, and CD36 (+59%, +124%, and +67%, respectively; p < 0.05) and significantly increased hepatic triglyceride levels (+50%; p < 0.05). PRMT5 inhibition by low‐dose GSK3326595 treatment does not affect the inflammatory state or atherosclerosis susceptibility of Western‐type diet‐fed LDL receptor knockout mice, while it induces hepatic triglyceride accumulation. Severe side effects in liver, i.e. development of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, should thus be taken into account upon chronic treatment with this PRMT5 inhibitor.