bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Senescent cells develop PDK4-dependent hypercatabolism and form an acidic microenvironment to drive cancer resistance
Authors: Dou Xuefeng , Long Qilai , Liu Shuning , Zou Yejun , Fu Da , Chen Xue , Xu Qixia , Wang Changxu , Ren Xiaohui , Zhang Guilong , Fu Qiang , Campisi Judith , Zhao Yuzheng , Sun Yu
Published: August 2022

Cellular senescence is a state of stable growth arrest, usually accompanied by development of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Although senescent cells remain metabolically active, little is known about their metabolic landscape andin vivopathophysiological implications. Here we show that expression of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) inhibitory enzyme, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4), is significantly upregulated in human senescent stromal cells. Preferentially expressed upon genotoxicity-induced senescence (GIS), PDK4 is negatively correlated with posttreatment survival of cancer patients. Upon cellular senescence, PDK4 shifts glucose metabolic flux from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis, causing enhanced lactate production and forming an acidic microenvironment. However, distinct from the cancer cell-featured Warburg effect, senescent cells maintain an intensive use of pyruvate through the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), displaying increased respiration and redox activity, indicative of a special form of metabolic reprogramming. Conditioned media from PDK4+stromal cells change global expression and promote malignancy of recipient cancer cellsin vitroand accelerate tumor progressionin vivo. Pharmacologically targeting PDK4 restrains the adverse effects of PDK4 in cell-based assays, while promoting tumor regression and extending posttreatment survival in preclinical trials. Together, our study substantiates the hypercatabolic nature of senescent cells, and reveals a metabolic link between senescence-associated acidic microenvironment and age-related pathologies including but not limited to cancer.
Structural basis of Rho-dependent transcription termination
Authors: Molodtsov Vadim , Wang Chengyuan , Firlar Emre , Kaelber Jason T. , Ebright Richard H.
Published: August 2022

Rho and NusG mediate factor-dependent transcription termination in Escherichia coli. Here, we report preparation of complexes functional in factor-dependent termination from RNA polymerase (RNAP), Rho, NusG, and synthetic nucleic-acid scaffolds, and we report cryo-EM structures of complexes. The structures show that functional factor-dependent pre-termination complexes contain a closed-ring Rho hexamer, have RNA threaded through the central channel of Rho, have 60 nt of RNA interacting sequence-specifically with the exterior of Rho and 6 nt of RNA interacting sequence-specifically with the central channel of Rho, have Rho oriented relative to RNAP such that ATP-hydrolysis-dependent translocation by Rho exerts mechanical force on RNAP, and have NusG bridging Rho and RNAP. The results explain five decades of research on Rho and provide a foundation for understanding Rho function.

One sentence summary

Cryo-EM reveals the structure of the functional Rho pre-termination complex
Mosaic loss of Chromosome Y in aged human microglia
Authors: Vermeulen Michael C. , Pearse Richard , Young-Pearse Tracy , Mostafavi Sara
Published: August 2022

Mosaic loss of Chromosome Y (LOY) is a common acquired structural mutation in the leukocytes of aging men that is correlated with several age-related diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The molecular basis of LOY in brain cells has not been systematically investigated. Here, we present a large-scale analysis of single-cell and single-nuclei RNA brain data sets, yielding 851,674 cells, to investigate the cell type–specific burden of LOY. LOY frequencies differed widely between donors and CNS cell types. Among five well-represented neural cell types, LOY was enriched in microglia and rare in neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. In microglia, LOY was significantly enriched in AD subjects. Differential gene expression (DE) analysis in microglia found 172 autosomal genes, three X-linked genes, and 10 pseudoautosomal genes associated with LOY. To our knowledge, we provide the first evidence of LOY in the microglia and highlight its potential roles in aging and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as AD.
Describing small-angle scattering profiles by a limited set of intensities
Authors: Grant Thomas D.
Published: August 2022

Small-angle scattering (SAS) probes the size and shape of particles at low resolution through the analysis of the scattering of X-rays or neutrons passing through a solution of particles. One approach to extracting structural information from SAS data is the indirect Fourier transform (IFT). The IFT approach parameterizes the real-space pair distribution function [P(r)] of a particle using a set of basis functions, which simultaneously determines the scattering profile [I(q)] using corresponding reciprocal-space basis functions. This article presents an extension of an IFT algorithm proposed by Moore [J. Appl. Cryst. (1980), 13, 168–175] which used a trigonometric series to describe the basis functions, where the real-space and reciprocal-space basis functions are Fourier mates. An equation is presented relating the Moore coefficients to the intensities of the SAS profile at specific positions, as well as a series of new equations that describe the size and shape parameters of a particle from this distinct set of intensity values. An analytical real-space regularizer is derived to smooth the P(r) curve and ameliorate systematic deviations caused by series termination. Regularization is commonly used in IFT methods though not described in Moore's original approach, which is particularly susceptible to such effects. The algorithm is provided as a script, denss.fit_data.py, as part of the DENSS software package for SAS, which includes both command line and interactive graphical interfaces. Results of the program using experimental data show that it is as accurate as, and often more accurate than, existing tools.
X-ray diffraction imaging of fully packaged n–p–n transistors under accelerated ageing conditions
Authors: Tanner Brian K. , Danilewsky Andreas , McNally Patrick J.
Published: August 2022

X-ray diffraction imaging was used to monitor the local strains that developed around individual n–p–n bipolar transistors within fully encapsulated packages under conditions of extremely high forward bias to simulate accelerated ageing. Die warpage associated with the packaging was observed to relax systematically as the polymer became viscous due to the temperature rise associated with the dissipation of heat in the transistor. The direct image size and intensity from the individual transistors were interpreted in terms of a model in which local thermal expansion is treated as a cylindrical inclusion of distorted material, contrast arising principally from lattice tilt. The extension of the thermal strain image along the emitter with increasing power dissipation was ascribed to the effect of current crowding in the emitter region. Weaker large-area contrast associated with the base–collector region was interpreted as arising from the smaller change in effective misorientation at the high X-ray energy of thermal lattice dilation in the base region.
Geometric isomers of dichloridoiron(III) complexes of CTMC (5,7,12,14-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane)
Authors: DeLancey Stephanie S. , Clendening Reese A. , Zeller Matthias , Ren Tong
Published: August 2022

Bothtransandcisiron–CTMC complexes, namely,trans-dichlorido[(5SR,7RS,12RS,14SR)-5,7,12,14-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane]iron(III) tetrachloridoferrate, [Fe(C14H32N4)Cl2][FeCl4] (1a), the analogous chloride methanol monosolvate, [Fe(C14H32N4)Cl2]Cl·CH3OH (1b), andcis-dichlorido[(5SR,7RS,12SR,14RS)-5,7,12,14-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane]iron(III) chloride, [Fe(C14H32N4)Cl2]Cl (2), were successfully synthesized and structurally characterized using X-ray diffraction. The coordination geometry of the macrocycle is dependent on the stereoisomerism of CTMC. The packing of these complexes appears to be strongly influenced by extensive hydrogen-bonding interactions, which are in turn determined by the nature of the counter-anions (1aversus1b) and/or the coordination geometry of the macrocycle (1a/1bversus2). These observations are extended to related ferriccis- andtrans-dichloro macrocyclic complexes.
Local groups in Delone sets in the Euclidean space
Authors: Dolbilin Nikolay , Shtogrin Mikhail
Published: August 2022

A Delone (Delaunay) set is a uniformly discrete and relatively dense set of points located in space, and is a natural mathematical model of the set of atomic positions of any solid, whether it is crystalline, quasi-crystalline or amorphous. A Delone set has two positive parameters: r is the packing radius and R is the covering radius. The value 2r can be interpreted as the minimum distance between points of the set. The covering radius R is the radius of the biggest `empty' ball, i.e. the radius of the biggest ball containing no points from the set. The central concept of this article is the so-called local group at a point of X which is defined as a group of a cluster (neighborhoods) around the point of radius 2R. This value 2R is notable because it is the minimum size of cluster that provides the finiteness of the cluster group at each point for any set X from the family of all Delone sets with the covering radius R. A few conjectures and theorems on the local groups for arbitrary Delone sets in the Euclidean plane and 3D space are discussed. Some of these statements significantly refine and generalize the famous Bravais theorem on the impossibility of fifth-order axes in 2D and 3D lattices. A complete proof is given that, in a Delone set X in the 3D Euclidean space, the subset \widetilde{X} of all points at which the local groups contain rotations of order at most 6 is also a Delone set with a certain covering radius \widetilde{R}, where \widetilde{R} < 3R and R is the covering radius for X.
CCP4 Cloud for structure determination and project management in macromolecular crystallography
Authors: Krissinel Eugene , Lebedev Andrey A. , Uski Ville , Ballard Charles B. , Keegan Ronan M. , Kovalevskiy Oleg , Nicholls Robert A. , Pannu Navraj S. , Skubák Pavol , Berrisford John , Fando Maria , Lohkamp Bernhard , Wojdyr Marcin , Simpkin Adam J. , Thomas Jens M. H. , Oliver Christopher , Vonrhein Clemens , Chojnowski Grzegorz , Basle Arnaud , Purkiss Andrew , Isupov Michail N. , McNicholas Stuart , Lowe Edward , Triviño Josep , Cowtan Kevin , Agirre Jon , Rigden Daniel J. , Uson Isabel , Lamzin Victor , Tews Ivo , Bricogne Gerard , Leslie Andrew G. W. , Brown David G.
Published: August 2022

Nowadays, progress in the determination of three-dimensional macromolecular structures from diffraction images is achieved partly at the cost of increasing data volumes. This is due to the deployment of modern high-speed, high-resolution detectors, the increased complexity and variety of crystallographic software, the use of extensive databases and high-performance computing. This limits what can be accomplished with personal, offline, computing equipment in terms of both productivity and maintainability. There is also an issue of long-term data maintenance and availability of structure-solution projects as the links between experimental observations and the final results deposited in the PDB. In this article, CCP4 Cloud, a new front-end of the CCP4 software suite, is presented which mitigates these effects by providing an online, cloud-based environment for crystallographic computation. CCP4 Cloud was developed for the efficient delivery of computing power, database services and seamless integration with web resources. It provides a rich graphical user interface that allows project sharing and long-term storage for structure-solution projects, and can be linked to data-producing facilities. The system is distributed with the CCP4 software suite version 7.1 and higher, and an online publicly available instance of CCP4 Cloud is provided by CCP4.
Purchase intention of organic foods: are lifestyles of health and sustainability the reason for my purchase decision?
Authors: Kaur Jaspreet , Lavuri Rambabu , Thaichon Park , Martin Brett
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of scarcity and the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) consumption tendency on the purchase intention of organic foods. The study used the protection motivation theory and the stimulus-organism-response theory to understand the impact of comparatively new variables like “perceived scarcity” and “perceived consumer effectiveness” (PCE) on the consumer's organic food purchase intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is using structural equation modeling with 402 organic food consumers. The participants are regular consumers who bought organic food from specialized shops and supermarkets in the previous few months. The data has been collected at organic food specialized shops and supermarkets that sell organic foods.

Findings

The results showed that LOHAS consumption tendency (LCT), scarcity and PCE positively affect attitude. Similarly, LCT and PCE direct affect trust. Scarcity and PCE directly positive impact on purchase intention of organic food products. Interestingly, LCT had no direct impact on the purchase intention of the product. Trust and attitude were found to be significant mediators impacting purchase intention.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the past theoretical literature on LOHAS consumption by analyzing new constructs like scarcity and PCE in the context of organic food consumption. These findings will be crucial for marketers planning to launch organic products in new markets.
Factors influencing tourists’ nightlife experience in Belgrade
Authors: Seočanac Marijana , Dimitrovski Darko
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to understand the impact that the experience environment has on the nightlife experience, as well as to identify the factors from the nightlifescape that most influence the tourists’ experience in Belgrade. Additionally, this study seeks to discover whether these factors changed after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the study’s objectives, 679 tourist reviews were collected from one of the most popular travel platforms, TripAdvisor, and analyzed using RapidMiner, the popular software for data/text mining.

Findings

The perception of the physical aspects of the experience environment, the presence of other tourists and the feeling of acceptance are identified as the key factors that influence tourists’ nightlife experience. This study also found that certain factors from the social and sensory environment, such as staff, the presence of other people, the atmosphere and music, had a positive impact on the tourist experience and their intention to recommend the nightlife experience in Belgrade. Moreover, it was discovered that the COVID-19 pandemic did not provoke changes in the main factors influencing tourists’ nightlife experience.

Originality/value

The perception of tourists about Belgrade during the night contributes to the growing body of tourism literature on destination image. Focusing solely on the perception of tourists about Belgrade during the night, this study adds a temporal determinant to the destination image, which can be considered as a valuable add on to the current knowledge in the field.
Stay positive: studying the change patterns in academics' job and life satisfaction during the Covid-19 pandemic through growth curve modeling
Authors: Ghasemy Majid , Frömbling Lena
Published: August 2022

Purpose

During the Covid-19 outbreak, universities around the globe were closed or went online due to lockdowns implemented to curb the pandemic's spread. This study aims to examine the changes in Malaysian academics' job and life satisfaction during a testing four-month period, from the beginning of the first Covid-19 lockdown until two months after it ended. It also assesses the impact of affective states and age group on these two constructs.

Design/methodology/approach

In this longitudinal study, the authors collected data from 220 academics in Malaysia at three time points in 2020, namely the beginning of the lockdown (April), the end of the lockdown (June) and two months after the lockdown (August). The authors applied multivariate latent growth curve (LGC) modeling to study changes in job satisfaction and life satisfaction. In addition, we added age group, as a time-invariant covariate, as well as positive and negative affect, as two time-varying covariates, to our LGC model. The authors estimated the LGC model using the EQS 6.4 statistical package.

Findings

The results show that both job and life satisfaction were stable over time, although their means were below the average. Positive affect was a significant predictor of both types of satisfaction, and age group was a significant predictor of job satisfaction.

Practical implications

The main implication the authors draw from this study is connected to job and life satisfaction's mean values being below average. In line with the affective events theory (AET), the authors recommend paying particular attention to work environment features, such as providing sufficient infrastructure for employees working from home and keeping social relations intact. Especially young academics should receive sufficient support.

Originality/value

The study is one of a limited number that examined longitudinal effects during the Covid-19 pandemic in the domains of human resource management and organizational behavior. Hence, this study expands our knowledge of employees' affect and attitudes during an unprecedented global health crisis, particularly in the under-researched area of the Malaysian higher education sector.
Adoption of big data analytics practices for sustainability development in the e-commercesupply chain: a mixed-method study
Authors: Gangwar Hemlata , Mishra Ruchi , Kamble Sachin
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The study aims to identify the potential drivers of big data analytics (BDA) practices in the supply chain and develop a sustainability evaluation model to evaluate drivers of big data for sustainability development.

Design/methodology/approach

The mixed-method approach was applied to assess sustainability dimensions and calculate the score using two phases. In Phase I, the BDA drivers in the e-commerce industry were finalised using the partial least square based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) method. In Phase II, a case study in the Indian fashion e-commerce industry was carried out to evaluate sustainability dimensions with respect to drivers of BDA and the sustainability score was calculated using the fuzzy analytical hierarchical process (AHP) method.

Findings

The index for economic sustainability (0.220), social sustainability (0.142) and environmental sustainability (0.182) were derived. The higher index value of economic sustainability compared to social sustainability and environmental sustainability signified those drivers of big data bring social and environmental uncertainty along with economic sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

The study will help practitioners promote BDA use for developing environmental/social/economic sustainability in supply chains. Policymakers must ensure whether the integration of BDA practices brings down cost and brings strategic value for ensuring big data success. The study will help managers decide a constant trade-off between the requirement for social, environmental and economic performance.

Originality/value

The study corroborates and adds to the BDA literature by emphasising the positive role of BDA in sustainability development in the supply chain area and highlighting the significant role of different drivers of BDA in sustainability development.
Education for sustainable development and sustainability consciousness: evidence from Malaysian universities
Authors: Saleem Atif , Aslam Sarfraz , Sang Guoyuan , Dare Philip Saagyum , Zhang Tianxue
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to understand the practices and perceptions of education for sustainable development (ESD) in the university classrooms of Malaysia, exploring how holistic, pluralistic and action-oriented approaches to ESD were linked to their knowingness, attitudes and behavior regarding sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The perceptions of 2,678 students and 1,013 teachers from a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses at four Malaysian universities were surveyed. Their views of ESD and sustainability consciousness (SC) were recorded on five-point Likert-type scales, and the resulting data was investigated using descriptive and analytical statistics.

Findings

Holistic, pluralistic and action-oriented approaches to ESD teaching and learning were widespread in Malaysian universities, with significant associations found between ESD approaches and SC. While all three approaches enhanced each aspect of SC, the results indicated the need to develop action-oriented approaches more fully.

Originality/value

This research underlines the importance of sustainability education in the context of higher education. It provides empirical evidence for developing action-oriented approaches to ESD and confirms the utility of holistic content and pluralistic pedagogy to the teaching and learning of sustainability.
Teachers’ competencies in education for sustainable development in the context of Vietnam
Authors: Thao Nguyen Phuong , Kieu Thi Kinh , Schruefer Gabriele , Nguyen Ngoc-Anh , Nguyen Yen Thi Hoang , Vien Thong Nguyen , Hai Yen Ngo Thi , Ha Tran Thai , Phuong Doan Thi Thanh , Duy Hai Tuong , Dieu Cuc Nguyen , Van Hanh Nguyen
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate specific professional competencies of teachers to implement education for sustainable development (ESD) in the contexts of Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors carried out a Delphi study with eight ESD experts in Vietnam to collect their expertise viewpoints regarding teachers’ ESD professional competencies.

Findings

In total, 13 competencies related to three dimensions (content knowledge/cognitive, pedagogical and pedagogical content knowledge, motivation and volition) were highlighted by ESD experts.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed teachers’ competencies were based on the ideas of a small group of experts, and the results need to be tested, refined and confirmed by further work. Besides, in this study, we have not defined the levels of achievement for each competency as well as developed assessment tools.

Practical implications

The specific professional competencies for teachers can be considered as a foundation for developing educational offers focusing on promoting the specific teachers’ professional competencies in basic ESD training.

Originality/value

Studies on educators’ professional competencies for ESD mostly were conducted in western countries. However, competencies do not exist independently; instead, they should be considered in specific contexts of teaching, school, culture and society. This research is among one of the first studies that contextualizes teachers’ competencies in a non-western context.
Low-cycle multiaxial random fatigue life prediction model based on equivalent stress transformation
Authors: He Yingbao , Liu Jianhui , Hua Feilong , Zhao He , Wang Jie
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Under multiaxial random loading, the material stress–strain response is not periodic, which makes it difficult to determine the direction of the critical plane on the material. Meanwhile, existing methods of constant loading cannot be directly applied to multiaxial random loading; this problem can be solved when an equivalent stress transformation method is used.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the Liu-Mahadevan critical plane is introduced into multiaxial random fatigue, which is enabled to determine the material's critical plane position under random loading. Then, an equivalent stress transformation method is proposed which can convert random load to constant load. Meanwhile, the ratio of mean stress to yield strength is defined as the new mean stress influence factor, and a new non-proportional additional strengthening factor is proposed by considering the effect of phase differences.

Findings

The proposed model is validated using multiaxial random fatigue test data of TC4 titanium alloy specimens and the results of the proposed model are compared with that based on Miner's rule and BSW model, showing that the proposed method is more accurate.

Originality/value

In this work, a new multiaxial random fatigue life prediction model is proposed based on equivalent stress transformation method, which considers the mean stress effect and the additional strengthening effect. Results show that the predicted fatigue lives given by the proposed model are in well accordance with the tested data.
Hotel room personalization via ontology and rule-based reasoning
Authors: Ojino Ronald , Mich Luisa , Mvungi Nerey
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The increasingly competitive hotel industry and emerging customer trends where guests are more discerning and want a personalized experience has led to the need of innovative applications. Personalization is much more important for hotels, especially now in the post-COVID lockdown era, as it challenges their business model. However, personalization is difficult to design and realize due to the variety of factors and requirements to be considered. Differences are both in the offer (hotels and their rooms) and demand (customers’ profiles and needs) in the accommodation domain. As for the implementation, critical issues are in hardware-dependent and vendor-specific Internet of Things devices which are difficult to program. Additionally, there is complexity in realizing applications that consider varying customer needs and context via existing personalization options. This paper aims to propose an ontological framework to enhance the capabilities of hotels in offering their accommodation and personalization options based on a guest’s characteristics, activities and needs.

Design/methodology/approach

A research approach combining both quantitative and qualitative methods was used to develop a hotel room personalization framework. The core of the framework is a hotel room ontology (HoROnt) that supports well-defined machine-readable descriptions of hotel rooms and guest profiles. Hotel guest profiles are modeled via logical rules into an inference engine exploiting reasoning functionalities used to recommend hotel room services and features.

Findings

Both the ontology and the inference engine module have been validated with promising results which demonstrate high accuracy. The framework leverages user characteristics, and dynamic contextual data to satisfy guests’ needs for personalized service provision. The semantic rules provide recommendations to both new and returning guests, thereby also addressing the cold start issue.

Originality/value

This paper extends HoROnt in two ways, to be able to add: instances of the concepts (room characteristics and services; guest profiles), i.e. to create a knowledge base, and logical rules into an inference engine, to model guests’ profiles and to be used to offer personalized hotel rooms. Thanks to the standards adopted to implement personalization, this framework can be integrated into existing reservation systems. It can also be adapted for any type of accommodation since it is broad-based and personalizes varying features and amenities in the rooms.
Perception of cyberbullying among students: the study of a developing country
Authors: Tetteh Andrew , Awaah Fred , Addo Dorcas
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate students’ perceptions regarding the causes and effects of cyberbullying among university students. The study also establishes whether or not there would be statistically significant differences among cyberbullying victims, perpetrators, victim-perpetrators and bystanders in their thoughts on the causes and effects of cyberbullying on students’ social lives from a developing country perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses quantitative approach and cross-sectional survey design to collect primary data from 1,374 undergraduate students sampled from selected public universities in Ghana. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance analyses were carried out using statistical package for the social sciences.

Findings

The study reports popularity among friends, extortion, retaliation, stress, trauma and low self-esteem as causes of cyberbullying. Also, cyberbullying resulted in difficulty trusting people, low self-esteem and increased stress. The study also found statistically significant differences among cyberbullying victims, perpetrators, victim-perpetrators and bystanders in their thoughts on the causes and effects of cyberbullying on students’ social lives.

Practical implications

The study’s findings imply that cyberbullying has some fairly significant negative effects on students’ lives in Ghana and must be taken more seriously. Conditions must be created to ensure that perpetrators and victims are given the support needed to curb this menace. Detailed remediating measures are provided in the study.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing literature by studying cyberbullying perceptions among students from a relatively bully-tolerant culture.
Gender and placemaking: talking to women about clean air and sustainable urban environments in changing cities
Authors: Loroño-Leturiondo Maria , Illingworth Sam
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This purpose of this study is to explore the voices of women in conceptualizing a city with clean air, and how this relates to urban structural changes being made more environmentally and socially sustainable.

Design/methodology/approach

A growing body of research suggests that gender is central to placemaking, and in dealing with environmental sustainability, fear of crime, longer life expectancy, unpaid work and economic inequality shape mobility and experiences of the city for women. In this context, the authors conducted a series of interviews with women in Greater Manchester and explored how they envision a city with clean air.

Findings

Findings suggest that the conceptualization of a city with cleaner air is influenced by a range of both direct and indirect factors including safety, pleasantness, greenspace, litter and homelessness. Consequently, these can be powerful elements in designing relevant policies for women and for society at large and in communicating them effectively.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of this study is that whilst it gives voice to women with different backgrounds (e.g. age, ethnicity or professional background) and experiences (e.g. number of children or preferred form of transport), it is not an encompassing voice of all women. For example, although the professional backgrounds of these women are diverse, they all hold a position of relative economic privilege, and as such it is important to acknowledge that these findings do not fully incorporate the voices of other, less privileged, women.

Originality/value

These interviews and their analysis present a novel exploration of the question of air quality and placemaking from a gender perspective, highlighting both a willingness to change and to support structural changes.
Stigma and strategy in Pakistan's HIV prevention sector
Authors: Qureshi Ayaz
Published: August 2022

NGOs often portray commercial sex workers, injecting drug users, transgender people (hijrae), and homosexual men as quasi‐legal persons who are locked in a policing‐criminality relationship with the state, and who therefore need them to mediate this relationship. By advancing such portrayals, NGOs in Pakistan's HIV prevention sector capitalize upon the presumed cultural difference of the so‐called risk groups of HIV. They appropriate stigma against these groups as a strategy to access funds and to fortify their own position as brokers in the unstable donor‐dominated funding landscape of HIV prevention. In doing so, the NGO leaders and members end up stabilizing stigma and reinforcing its attendant inequalities in the socially conservative environment of Pakistan. The discriminatory legal framework that criminalizes sex outside marriage and non‐therapeutic use of drugs goes unchallenged by NGOs, despite their apparent support for universal human rights, partly because the status quo stabilizes these organizations’ position as brokers between state and donor agencies and the so‐called risk groups of HIV.
Integrated multi‐omics approaches to understand microbiome assembly in Jiuqu, a mixed‐culture starter
Authors: Kang Jiamu , Xue Yansong , Chen Xiaoxue , Han Bei‐Zhong
Published: August 2022

The use of Jiuqu as a saccharifying and fermenting starter in the production of fermented foods is a very old biotechnological process that can be traced back to ancient times. Jiuqu harbors a hub of microbial communities, in which prokaryotes and eukaryotes cohabit, interact, and communicate. However, the spontaneous fermentation based on empirical processing hardly guarantees the stable assembly of the microbiome and a standardized quality of Jiuqu. This review describes the state of the art, limitations, and challenges towards the application of traditional and omics‐based technology to study the Jiuqu microbiome and highlights the need for integrating meta‐omics data. In addition, we review the varieties of Jiuqu and their production processes, with particular attention to factors shaping the microbiota of Jiuqu. Then, the potentials of integrated omics approaches used in Jiuqu research are examined in order to understand the assembly of the microbiome and improve the quality of the products. A variety of different approaches, including molecular and mass spectrometry‐based techniques, have led to scientific advances in the analysis of the complex ecosystem of Jiuqu. To date, the extensive research on Jiuqu has mainly focused on the microbial community diversity, flavor profiles, and biochemical characteristics. An integrative approach to large‐scale omics datasets and cultivated microbiota has great potential for understanding the interrelation of the Jiuqu microbiome. Further research on the Jiuqu microbiome may explain the inherent property of compositional stability and stable performance of a complex microbiota coping with environmental perturbations and provide important insights to reconstruct synthetic microbiota and develop modern intelligent manufacturing procedures for Jiuqu.
The Emerging Drugs Network of Australia – Victoria Clinical Registry: A state‐wide illicit substance surveillance and alert network
Authors: Syrjanen Rebekka , Schumann Jennifer , Fitzgerald John , Gerostamoulos Dimitri , Abouchedid Rachelle , Rotella Joe‐Anthony , Knott Jonathan , Maplesden Jacqueline , Hollerer Hans , Hannon Liam , Bourke Elyssia , Hodgson Sarah E , Greene Shaun L
Published: August 2022

Objectives

With an increasingly dynamic global illicit drug market, including the emergence of novel psychoactive substances, many jurisdictions have moved to establish toxicosurveillance systems to enable timely detection of harmful substances in the community. This paper describes the methodology for the Emerging Drugs Network of Australia – Victoria (EDNAV) project, a clinical registry focused on the collection of high‐quality clinical and analytical data from ED presentations involving illicit drug intoxications. Drug intelligence collected from the project is utilised by local health authorities with the aim to identify patterns of drug use and emerging drugs of concern.

Methods

The project involves 10 public hospital EDs in Victoria, Australia. Patients 16 years and over, presenting to a network ED with a suspected illicit drug‐related toxicity and a requirement for venepuncture are eligible for inclusion in the study under a waiver of consent. Clinical and demographic parameters are documented by site‐based clinicians and comprehensive toxicological analysis is conducted on patient blood samples via specialised forensic services. All data are then deidentified and compiled in a project specific database.

Results

Cases are discussed in weekly multidisciplinary team meetings, with a view to identify potentially harmful substances circulating in the community. High‐risk signals are escalated to key stakeholders to produce timely and proportionate public health alerts with a focus on harm minimisation.

Conclusions

The EDNAV project represents the first centralised system providing near real‐time monitoring of community drug use in Victoria and is fundamental in facilitating evidence‐based public health intervention.
Review article: Peripheral intravenous catheter insertion in adult patients with difficult intravenous access: A systematic review of assessment instruments, clinical practice guidelines and escalation pathways
Authors: Paterson Rebecca S , Schults Jessica A , Slaughter Eugene , Cooke Marie , Ullman Amanda , Kleidon Tricia M , Keijzers Gerben , Marsh Nicole , Rickard Claire M
Published: August 2022

The optimal approach for peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion in adult hospitalised patients with difficult intravenous access (DIVA) is unknown. The present study aimed to critically appraise the quality of (i) assessment instruments and (ii) clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) or escalation pathways for identifying and managing patients with DIVA. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EBSCO MEDLINE, EMBASE (OVID) and EBSCO CINAHL databases were searched on 22 March 2021. Studies describing a DIVA assessment measure, CPG or escalation pathway for PIVC insertion in adults (≥18 years of age) were included. Data were extracted using a standardised data extraction form including study design, type of resource and reported clinical outcomes. Quality of DIVA assessment instruments were reviewed using the COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments checklist. Methodological quality of CPGs and escalation pathways was assessed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation‐II (AGREE‐II) instrument. Overall, 24 DIVA resources comprising 16 DIVA assessment instruments and nine CPGs or escalation pathways (including one combined assessment instrument and escalation pathway) were identified. Instruments commonly focused on vein visibility and palpability as indicators of DIVA. CPGs and escalation pathways unanimously recommended use of vessel visualisation technology for patients with or suspected of DIVA. Methodological quality of the resources was mixed. Consensus and standardisation of resources to identify DIVA and recommendations for managing patients with DIVA is limited. Adopting consistent, evidence‐based CPGs, escalation pathways or DIVA assessment instruments may significantly improve clinical outcomes.
Association between metabolic phenotype and urinary albumin‐creatinine ratio in Chinese community adults: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Zhang Yue , Li Binqi , Liu Yang , Gao Wenxing , Chen Kang , Wang Anping , Tang Xulei , Yan Li , Luo Zuojie , Qin Guijun , Chen Lulu , Wan Qin , Gao Zhengnan , Wang Weiqing , Ning Guang , Mu Yiming
Published: August 2022

Background

Urinary albumin‐creatinine ratio (UACR) is a sensitive marker of kidney injury. This study analyzed the prevalence of different metabolic phenotypes and investigated their relationship with UACR in Chinese community adults.

Methods

This study involved 33 303 participants over 40 years old from seven centers across China. They were stratified into six groups according to their body mass index (BMI) and metabolic status: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW), metabolically healthy overweight (MHOW), metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (MUNW), metabolically unhealthy overweight (MUOW), and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO). Increased albuminuria was defined as a UACR ≥30 mg/g.

Results

The percentages of MHNW, MHOW, MHO, MUNW, MUOW, and MUO were 27.6%, 15.9%, 4.1%, 19.8%, 22.5%, and 9.6%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the MHO group (odds ratio [OR] 1.205; 95% CI, 1.081‐1.343), MUNW group (OR 1.232; 95% CI, 1.021‐1.486), MUOW group (OR 1.447; 95% CI, 1.303‐1.607), and MUO group (OR 1.912; 95% CI, 1.680‐2.176) were at higher risk of increased albuminuria compared to the MHNW group. Subgroup analysis indicated that the risk of increased albuminuria was further elevated among regular smokers in men aged 40 to 55 years old with abdominal obesity.

Conclusions

Among Chinese community adults, increased albuminuria was associated with increased BMI whether metabolism was normal or not, and those with abnormal metabolism were at greater risk of increased albuminuria than those with normal metabolism. These findings suggest that overweight or obesity or metabolic abnormalities are risk factors for chronic kidney disease.
Episodic Paleozoic Adakitic Magmatism in the Eastern Tianshan, Southern Altaids: Implications for Petrogenesis and Geodynamics
Authors: WANG Meng , XIAO Wenjiao , MAO Qigui , YANG He , WANG Hao , LI Rui
Published: August 2022

The adakites rocks are typically considered as direct diagnostic evidence for subduction and continental growth, as well as the important evidence to determine the location of the major oceanic basin and evolution history of lost oceanic basins, which are longstanding conundrums for understanding the tectonics of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean (PAO). As the processor of the Altaids, the PAO was a long‐lived ocean, and its multiple subductions led to substantial continental growth in the Central Asian continent. Here we report our newly discovered Paleozoic adakitic rocks (granite and dacite) developed in Jijitaizi in the Eastern Tianshan of the southern Altaids to address the above issues. The Jijitaizi granite and dacite contain high concentrations of Sr (203–343 ppm) and low concentrations of Y (3.00–6.36 ppm) and Yb (0.23–0.62 ppm), indicative of the adakitic affinity. Zircon U‐Pb dating results show that the adakitic rocks were formed in three episodes at 372.26 ± 1.51 Ma, 356.02 ± 1.11 Ma and 334.51 ± 0.68 Ma from the Late Devonian to Carboniferous. The rocks are depleted in Nb, P and Ti, and possess variable Mg#values (28.51–57.22), high Na2O/K2O ratios (1.39–4.94), as well as relatively depleted Hf isotopic compositions, all of which point to a subduction origin from slab melting. Our new finding with the date from the Jijitaizi complex (ca. 321 Ma) suggests continuing subduction of the Paleo‐Asian oceanic slab beneath the Central Tianshan from the Late Devonian to Carboniferous. Our work provides a solid line of key evidence demonstrating that continuous oceanic subduction of the major PAO evolved into its mature stage following subducting beneath the Central Tianshan from ca. 372 to 321 Ma.
Different clinical characteristics and survival between surgically resected pure and combined small cell lung cancer
Authors: Li Yujing , Wang Yanan , Zhou Wensheng , Chen Ya , Lou Yuqing , Qian Fangfei , Lu Jun , Jiang Haohua , Xiang Biao , Zhang Yanwei , Han Baohui , Zhang Wei
Published: August 2022

Background

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most malignant and common form of neuroendocrine lung cancer with pure (P‐SCLC) and combined subtypes (C‐SCLC). However, little is known about the differences between these two groups and in this study we aimed to provide a more comprehensive insight into SCLC.

Methods

Data from 580 postoperative patients with pathologically confirmed SCLC in Shanghai Chest Hospital from January 2010 to December 2020 were collected retrospectively. The clinical characteristics and prognosis were analyzed.

Results

A total of 357 P‐SCLC patients and 223 C‐SCLC patients were included. The results indicated that P‐SCLC appeared to have a higher proportion of being located in the middle lobe than C‐SCLC. The incidences of P‐SCLC in patients with visceral pleural invasion (VPI) and in stage II were higher than C‐SCLC, while C‐SCLC was more likely to be accompanied by higher incidences of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement, and higher levels of CEA, SCCA and CYFRA21‐1 than P‐SCLC. The most common were SCLC combined with large cell neuroendocrine components among 223 C‐SCLCs. Survival analysis confirmed a more favorable disease‐free survival (DFS) (p = 0.016) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.024) in patients with P‐SCLCs compared with C‐SCLCs. Histological type, tumor location, pN stage, adjuvant chemotherapy, serum NSE and CA125 levels were independent risk factors for survival rate in SCLC. In addition, adjuvant chemotherapy was beneficial in improving stage I P‐SCLC and C‐SCLC DFS and OS rates, and similar results were not seen in adjuvant radiation therapy.

Conclusions

Patients with C‐SCLC have a poorer prognosis than P‐SCLC patients. We determined that large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma was the most common additional component of C‐SCLC, and patients with this component appeared to have a longer DFS and OS than other combined components.
soundClass: An automatic sound classification tool for biodiversity monitoring using machine learning
Authors: Silva Bruno , Mestre Frederico , Barreiro Sílvia , Alves Pedro J. , Herrera José M.
Published: August 2022

Passive acoustic monitoring, a non‐invasive technique, is increasingly used to study animal populations and habitats at much larger spatial and temporal scales than standard methods. However, easy to apply tools for reliable detection and classification of signals of interest among hundreds or even thousands of hours of recording are still lacking.

We introduce the r package soundClass, a tool to train convolutional neural networks, and employ them to classify sound events in recordings. soundClass provides a sound event classification pipeline, from annotating recordings to automating trained networks usage in real‐life situations.

We illustrate the package functionality on bat echolocation calls, bird songs and whale echolocation clicks, showing that the package can be used to train networks for several types of sound events, taxonomic groups and environments; and exemplify its application.

This tool facilitates the creation and usage of trained networks and was developed with a strong focus on graphical user interfaces to be used by non‐specialist scientists in statistics and programming.