bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psycho-cognitive assessment and quality of life in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-carrying the rs4713916 gene polymorphism (G/A) of gene FKBP5 and response to pulmonary rehabilitation: a proof of concept study
Authors: Marcolongo Federica , Scarlata Simone , Tomino Carlo , De Dominicis Chiara , Giacconi Robertina , Malavolta Marco , Bonassi Stefano , Russo Patrizia , Prinzi Giulia
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by pulmonary and extra-pulmonary multi-morbidity including depression, anxiety and cognitive disorders. Several studies investigated the association of the FKBP5 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to anxiety, depression, and behavioral disorders. The FKBP5 gene codifies the FKBP51 protein which modulates the glucocorticoid receptor in the adaptive stress response. Genetic variants of the FKBP5 gene have been associated to a higher risk of developing mental disorders. We analyzed the association of genetic variants and stress exposure investigating the susceptibility to psychological distress and the impact on cognitive balance and quality of life (QoL) of COPD patients carrying the rs4713916 polymorphism (G/A) and we examined its association, with COPD rehabilitative outcomes.

Materials and methods

A pilot study evaluated cognitive, psychological, clinical alterations/disorders, QoL, and coping strategies in 70 older adults with COPD, undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation, stratified according to the FKBP5 rs4713916 genotype (GG or GA).

Results

Carriers of rs4713916 polymorphisms (G/A) show better cognitive performances, a higher degree of independence in the daily living activities, better QoL, no presence of depressive mood and anxiety symptoms, no family history of psychiatric disorders, more ability to cope with stressors by avoiding emotions but demanding emotional support, and lesser use of anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, anti-psychotic, hypnotic-sedative drugs. No difference was found in the number of comorbidities.

Conclusion

These results offer valuable insights into the role of FKBP5 in the complex network of mechanisms associated to clinical, psychological and behavioral features of COPD patients.
Susceptibility of wild canids to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
Authors: Porter Stephanie M. , Hartwig Airn E. , Bielefeldt-Ohmann Helle , Bosco-Lauth Angela M. , Root J. Jeffrey
Published: February 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has proven to be a promiscuous virus, capable of infecting a variety of different animal species, but much work remains in determining the susceptibility of common wildlife species to the virus. Here, we demonstrate that following experimental inoculation with SARS-CoV-2, red fox (Vulpes vulpes) become infected and can shed virus in oral and respiratory secretions. Conversely, experimentally challenged coyotes (Canis latrans) did not become infected or shed virus. Our results add red fox to the animal species known to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and suggest that they may contribute to continued maintenance and transmission of the virus.

Article Summary Line

Experimental infection of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and coyotes (Canis latrans) with SARS-CoV-2 revealed that red fox are susceptible to infection and can shed virus, while coyotes do not become infected.
Impact of APOE ε3 and ε4 genotypes on plasma proteome signatures in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Kaur Gurjeet , Poljak Anne , Masters Colin L , Fowler Christopher , Sachdev Perminder
Published: February 2022

The ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is a high-risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, approximately 25%–40% of patients with AD do not carry the APOEε4 allele, and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying AD are less evident in these individuals. The main objective of this study was to understand better the changes in plasma that may contribute to disease pathogenesis in AD and how APOEε3 and APOEε4 contribute to biomarker profiles in AD. We conducted an in-depth plasma proteomics analysis using intensive depletion of high-abundant plasma proteins using the Agilent multiple affinity removal liquid chromatography (LC) column-Human 14 (Hu14) followed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE) technique. In this study, we identified a high number of protein expression alterations in plasma which were found uniquely in APOEε3 and APOEε4 carriers. These differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were associated with several molecular functions, including complement cascade, glycolysis, metabolism, plasma lipoprotein assembly, remodelling, and clearance. In addition to unique changes in both APOE genotypes, many proteins were also dysregulated in the presence of both APOEε3 and APOEε4 genotypes depicting the involvement of these proteins in the pathogenesis of AD regardless of the APOE genotypes. We also compared the plasma proteomes of ε4 and ε3 carriers in normal controls, which provided insight into factors that may provide protection from progression to AD despite the presence of the ε4 allele. Furthermore, our findings also identified some proteins previously discovered in AD CSF and brain proteomics signatures that could provide clinically meaningful information.
Using Unassigned NMR Chemical Shifts to Model RNA Secondary Structure
Authors: Moudgal Neel , Arhin Grace , Frank Aaron T.
Published: February 2022

NMR-derived chemical shifts are sensitive probes of RNA structure. However, the need to assign NMR spectra hampers their utility as a direct source of structural information. In this report, we describe a simple method that uses unassigned 2D NMR spectra to model the secondary structure of RNAs. Similar to assigned chemical shifts, we could use unassigned chemical shift data to reweight conformational libraries such that the highest weighted structure closely resembles their reference NMR structure. Furthermore, the application of our approach to the 3’- and 5’-UTR of the SARS-CoV-2 genome yields structures that are, for the most part, consistent with the secondary structure models derived from chemical probing data. Therefore, we expect the framework we describe here will be useful as a general strategy for rapidly generating preliminary structural RNA models directly from unassigned 2D NMR spectra. As we demonstrated for the 337-nt and 472-nt UTRs of SARS-CoV-2, our approach could be especially valuable for modeling the secondary structures of large RNA.
A cross taxonomic comparison of bird and butterfly communities of Tamhini Wildlife Sanctuary across two decades
Authors: Dsouza Shawn , Padhye Anand
Published: February 2022

Human disturbance can alter the structure and function of ecological communities. We studied bird and butterfly communities of Tamhini wildlife sanctuary to understand the effects two decades of changing land use and management. We replicated a previous study conducted between 1998 and 2001, sampling 7 line transects every fortnight between April 2016 and April 2017. We analyzed the diversity and structure of functional groups and compared our findings to previous surveys. Species diversity increased for both taxa, however, community composition was significantly different across studies. Changing land may affect multiple trophic levels and alter community assembly and ecosystem function.
Good work in the COVID-19 recovery: priorities and changes for the future
Authors: Griffiths Melda Lois , Gray Benjamin J , Kyle Richard G , Davies Alisha R
Published: February 2022

Employment is a wider determinant of health, and the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted working lives, with individuals having to adapt to new ways of working. These new experiences may shape what kind of work people want in future. This research used a sample of working adults in Wales to identify the workforce’s priorities for future work, and the employment changes that they have considered making since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected at two time-points (May-June 2020; December 2020-January 2021) in a nationally-representative longitudinal household survey across Wales.

Work priorities remained largely stable throughout the pandemic, however the desire to work close to home increased as the pandemic progressed. Those in poorer health prioritised flexibility, and were more likely to consider retiring than their healthier counterparts. Becoming self-employed was more likely to be considered by those with limiting pre-existing conditions or low mental well-being. Over 20% of the total sample had considered retraining, with those with low mental well-being, younger individuals and those experiencing financial insecurity being more likely to consider doing so. Furloughed individuals were more likely to consider retraining, becoming self-employed, securing permanent employment and compressing their working hours.

Those prone to facing insecurity within their working lives (those that were furloughed, those experiencing financial insecurity, and those in ill-health) were all more likely to consider changing their employment conditions – these groups may require additional support in accessing secure and flexible work. Action is needed to ensure that good work, that is good for health, is equally accessible for all.
Secretin receptor as a target in gastrointestinal cancer: expression analysis and ligand development
Authors: Klussmeier Anja , Aurich Stefan , Niederstadt Lars , Wiedenmann Bertram , Grötzinger Carsten
Published: February 2022

Secretin was originally discovered as a gastrointestinal peptide that stimulates fluid secretion from pancreas and liver and delays gastric emptying. In disease, secretin receptor (SCTR) was found to occur as a splice variant in gastrinoma and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Overexpression of SCTR has been described for gastrinomas, carcinoid tumors of the lung and cholangiocarcinoma. SCTR therefore remains a candidate target for molecular tumor imaging as well as for peptide receptor radioligand therapy (PRRT) in a number of oncological indications. The aim of this study was to characterize SCTR expression in esophageal and pancreatic cancer. 65 of 70 PDAC tissues stained strongly positive for SCTR in immunohistochemistry, as were most of 151 esophageal cancer samples, with minor influence of grading in both entities. In addition, the aim of this study was to further delineate residues in human secretin that are critical for binding to and activation of the human SCTR. For a potential development of short and metabolically stable analogs for clinical use, it was intended to probe the peptide for its capacity to incorporate deletions and substitutions without losing its affinity to SCTR. A library of 146 secretin variants containing single amino acid substitutions as well as truncations on either end was tested using β-arrestin2-GFP translocation and fluorescent ligand internalization high-content analysis and cAMP assays run in agonist and antagonist mode as well as a radioligand binding. The main structural determinants of SCTR binding and activation were localized to the N-terminus, with His1, Asp3 being among the most sensitive positions, followed by Phe6, Thr7 and Leu10. Aminoterminal truncation caused a rapid decline in receptor activity and most of these variants proved to be partial agonists showing antagonistic properties. In this study, the most potent antagonist showed an IC50 of 309 ± 74 nM in the β-arrestin2-GFP translocation assay on human SCTR while remaining a weak partial agonist. Future studies will have to demonstrate the utility of further enhanced secretin analogues as tracers for in vivo imaging and therapy.
A Genetically encoded BRET-based SARS-CoV-2 Mpro protease activity sensor
Authors: Geethakumari Anupriya M , Ahmed Wesam S , Rasool Saad , Fatima Asma , Uddin S.M. Nasir , Aouida Mustapha , Biswas Kabir H
Published: February 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 main protease, Mpro, is critical for its replication and is an appealing target for designing anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. In this regard, a number of assays have been developed based on its cleavage sequence preferences to monitor its activity. These include the usage of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)-based substrates in vitro and a FlipGFP reporter, one which fluoresces after Mpro-mediated cleavage, in live cells. Here, we have engineered a pair of genetically encoded, Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET)-based sensors for detecting SARS-CoV-2 Mpro proteolytic activity in living host cells as well as in vitro assays. The sensors were generated by sandwiching Mpro N-terminal autocleavage sites, either AVLQSGFR (short) or KTSAVLQSGFRKME (long), in between the mNeonGreen and nanoLuc proteins. Co-expression of the sensor with the Mpro in live cells resulted in its cleavage in a dose- and time-dependent manner while mutation of the critical C145 residue (C145A) in Mpro completely abrogated the sensor cleavage. Importantly, the BRET-based sensors displayed increased sensitivities and specificities as compared to the recently developed FlipGFP-based Mpro sensor. Additionally, the sensors recapitulated the inhibition of Mpro by the well-characterized pharmacological agent GC376. Further, in vitro assays with the BRET-based Mpro sensors revealed a molecular crowding-mediated increase in the rate of Mpro activity and a decrease in the inhibitory potential of GC376. The sensor developed here will find direct utility in studies related to drug discovery targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and functional genomics application to determine the effect of sequence variation in Mpro.
Quantifying changes in individual-specific template-based representations of center-of-mass dynamics during walking with ankle exoskeletons using Hybrid-SINDy
Authors: Rosenberg Michael C. , Proctor Joshua L. , Steele Katherine M.
Published: February 2022

Ankle exoskeletons alter whole-body walking mechanics, energetics, and stability by altering center-of-mass (CoM) motion. Controlling the dynamics governing CoM motion is, therefore, critical for maintaining efficient and stable gait. However, how CoM dynamics change with ankle exoskeletons is unknown, and how to optimally model individual-specific CoM dynamics, especially in individuals with neurological injuries, remains a challenge. Here, we evaluated individual-specific changes in CoM dynamics in unimpaired adults and one individual with post-stroke hemiparesis while walking in shoes-only and with zero-stiffness and high-stiffness passive ankle exoskeletons. To identify optimal sets of physically interpretable mechanisms describing CoM dynamics, termedtemplate signatures, we leveraged hybrid sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics (Hybrid-SINDy), an equation-free data-driven method for inferring sparse hybrid dynamics from a library of candidate functional forms. In unimpaired adults, Hybrid-SINDy automatically identified spring-loaded inverted pendulum-like template signatures, which did not change with exoskeletons (p>0.16), except for small changes in leg resting length (p<0.001). Conversely, post-stroke paretic-leg rotary stiffness mechanisms increased by 37-50% with zero-stiffness exoskeletons. While unimpaired CoM dynamics appear robust to passive ankle exoskeletons, how neurological injuries alter exoskeleton impacts on CoM dynamics merits further investigation. Our findings support Hybrid-SINDy’s potential to discover mechanisms describing individual-specific CoM dynamics with assistive devices.
HOXD13 is a direct EWS-FLI1 target and moderates fusion-dependent transcriptional states
Authors: Apfelbaum April A. , Wu Feinan , Magnuson Brian , Hawkins Allegra G. , Jiménez Jennifer A. , Taylor Sean D. , Pfaltzgraff Elise R. , Song Jane Y. , Hall Cody , Wellik Deneen M. , Ljungman Mats , Furlan Scott , Ryan Russell J.H. , Sarthy Jay F. , Lawlor Elizabeth R.
Published: February 2022

Oncogenic fusion proteins display exquisite tissue specificity, revealing that malignant transformation requires cooperation with cell-autonomous factors. Recent studies have also demonstrated that tumorigenicity of Ewing sarcoma requires precise regulation of the transcriptional activity of the EWS-FLI1 oncogenic driver. Here we show that the developmentally and anatomically restricted transcription factor HOXD13 is a direct target of EWS-FLI1. Transcriptomic and CUT&RUN studies revealed that HOXD13 binds active, fusion-bound enhancers, resulting in altered expression of EWS-FLI1-induced targets. More strikingly, HOXD13 was found to bind and activate cis-regulatory regions of genes that are normally repressed by EWS-FLI1. Single-cell sequencing demonstrated marked intra-tumoral heterogeneity of HOXD13 transcriptional activity and revealed that antagonism between HOXD13-mediated gene activation and EWS-FLI1-dependent gene repression confers a spectrum of transcriptional cell states along a mesenchymal axis. Thus, HOXD13 serves as an internal rheostat for EWS-FLI1 activity, providing a paradigm for tissue-specific transcription factors as critical partners in fusion-driven cancers.
Oxygen-independent, hormonal control of HIF-1α regulates the developmental and regenerative growth of cardiomyocytes.
Authors: Wanschel Amarylis , Daiou Angeliki , Kuznetsoff Jeffin , Kurtenbach Stefan , Petalidou Katerina , Mouskeftara Thomai , Gika Helen G. , Rodriguez Daniel A. , Papadopoulos Eleftherios I. , Siokatas Georgios , Sarri Polyxeni P. , Karava Kyriaki , Tsivoglou Efthimios , Kottaridi Christine , Salerno Alessandro G. , Valasaki Krystalenia , Balkan Wayne , Dykxhoorn Derek , Schally Andrew , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios L. , Lazou Antigone , Hatzistergos Konstantinos E. , Hare Joshua
Published: February 2022

Here, we present an O2-independent/HIF-1α (Hypoxia inducible factor-1α)-dependent mechanism that regulates developmental and regenerative growth of mammalian cardiomyoblasts. An autocrine feedback mechanism of GH/IGF1/SST (Growth hormone/Insulin-like growth factor 1/Somatostatin) signaling, mediated by GHRH/GHRH-R (Growth hormone-releasing hormone/GHRH-Receptor), is established specifically in NKX2-5 (NK2 Homeobox 5) expressing myocardial cells which affects HIF-1α stability through cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) or cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate) activity. cAMP-mediated HIF-1α stabilization fuels Warburg metabolism and enhances NKX2-5 expression, limiting the developmental and regenerative growth of cardiomyoblasts. In contrast, cGMP-mediated HIF-1α inhibition (or knock-out of HIF-1α) redirects glycolytically derived citrate toward long-chain saturated fatty acid biosynthesis, leading to enhanced developmental and regenerative growth of cardiomyoblasts. These findings suggest that HIF1α-mediated glycolysis serves as a rate-limiting, O2-independent sensor of cardiomyogenesis and that targeting GHRH/GHRH-R signaling could be a therapeutic strategy for regenerating the mammalian heart post-injury.
Variation of the Rdr1 gene insertion in wild populations of Nicotiana benthamiana (Solanaceae) and insights into recent species divergence
Authors: Cauz-Santos Luiz A. , Dodsworth Steven , Samuel Rosabelle , Christenhusz Maarten J.M. , Patel Denise , Shittu Taiwo , Jakob Aljaž , Paun Ovidiu , Chase Mark W.
Published: February 2022

One of the most commonly encountered and frequently cited laboratory organisms worldwide is classified taxonomically as Nicotiana benthamiana (Solanaceae), an accession of which, typically referred to as LAB, is renowned for its unique susceptibility to a wide range of plant viruses and hence capacity to be transformed using a variety of methods. However, the origin and age of LAB and the evolution of N. benthamiana across its wide distribution in Australia remains relatively underexplored.

Here, we have used multispecies coalescent methods on genome-wide single nuclear polymorphisms (SNPs) to assess species limits, phylogenetic relationships and divergence times within N. benthamiana.

Our results show that the previous taxonomic concept of this species in fact comprises five geographically, morphologically and genetically distinct species, one of which includes LAB.

Remarkably, we provide clear evidence that LAB is closely related to accessions collected further north in the Northern Territory; this species split much earlier from their common ancestor than the other four in this clade and is morphologically the most distinctive. Furthermore, this long-isolated species typically grows in sheltered sites in subtropical/tropical monsoon areas of northern Australia, contradicting the previously advanced hypothesis that this species is an extremophile that has traded viral resistance for precocious development.
Genome-wide CRISPR Screens Identify Ferroptosis as a Novel Therapeutic Vulnerability in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Lalonde Marie-Eve , Sasseville Marc , Gélinas Anne-Marie , Milanese Jean-Sébastien , Béland Kathie , Drouin Simon , Haddad Elie , Marcotte Richard
Published: February 2022

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most frequent cancer diagnosed in children. Despite the great progress achieved over the last 40 years, with cure rates now exceeding 85%, refractory or relapsed ALL still exhibit a dismal prognosis. This poor outcome reflects the lack of treatment options specifically targeting relapsed or refractory ALL. To address this gap, we have performed whole-genome CRISPR/Cas drop-out screens on a panel of seven B-ALL cell lines. Our results demonstrate that while there was a significant overlap in gene essentiality between ALL cell lines and other cancer types survival of ALL cell lines was dependent on several unique metabolic pathways, including an exquisite sensitivity to GPX4 depletion and ferroptosis induction and GPX4 KO. Detailed molecular analysis of B-ALL cells suggest that they are primed to undergo ferroptosis as they exhibit high steady-state oxidative stress potential, a low buffering capacity, and a disabled GPX-independent secondary lipid peroxidation detoxification pathway. Finally, we validated the sensitivity of B-ALL to ferroptosis induction using patient-derived B-ALL samples.
Transfer and Fixation of Denatured RNA in Agarose Gels to Membranes by Capillary Transfer
Authors: Green Michael R. , Sambrook Joseph
Published: February 2022

In most cases, fractionation of RNA by agarose gel electrophoresis is but a prelude to hybridization of the fractionated population to specific labeled probes that detect particular target mRNAs. RNA is first transferred from an agarose gel to a 2D support, usually a nylon membrane. This protocol presents the steps involved in the transfer of RNA from an agarose gel to a membranous support, facilitated by the upward flow of buffer, followed by various methods for fixation of the RNA to the membrane in preparation for hybridization. An alternative method for transfer by downward capillary flow is also given.
Synthesis and crystal structure of poly[[bis(aqua-κO)tetrakis(μ-4,4′-bipyridine-κ2
N:N′)hexakis(3-chlorobenzoato)-κ5
O;κ2
O:O′-tricobalt(II)] methanol disolvate]
Authors: Promwit Phakamat , Chainok Kittipong , Wannarit Nanthawat
Published: February 2022

A novel ladder-chain cobalt(II) coordination polymer, {[Co3(C7H4ClO2)6(C10H8N2)4(H2O)2]·2CH3OH}
n
, was synthesized and characterized. The structure contains two CoII centres with different octahedral environments, [Co(1)N3O3] and [Co(2)N2O4]. The O-donating 3-chlorobenzoate anions (3-Clbenz) act as the terminal ligands, while the N-donating 4,4′-bipy molecules play the role of linkers. The Co(1) ions are linked by 4,4′-bipy molecules into linear chains. Two such chains are joined by [Co(2)(3-Clbenz)2(H2O)2] units via two 4,4′-bipy bridging ligands, thus forming the ladder-chain structure. The crystal packing of the title compound is stabilized by supramolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, π–π and halogen...π contacts, giving a three-dimensional framework. The spectroscopic and thermal properties of the title compound have also been investigated.
Bank competition, interest rate pass-through and the impact of the global financial crisis: evidence from Hong Kong and Macao
Authors: Li Jingya , Li Zongyuan , Liu Ming-Hua
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The authors examine the interest rate pass-through in Hong Kong (HK) and Macao both in the long term and short term.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use time series methodology, i.e. unit root, cointegration and error correction models.

Findings

The results show that in the post-global financial crisis (GFC) period, both the long-run and short-run interest rate pass-through from policy rates to prime rates have disappeared in Macao and are weakened significantly in Hong Kong. The long-term relationship between deposit rates and policy rates no longer exists in either market while the short-term relationship has been reduced significantly.

Research limitations/implications

The results indicate that the effectiveness of monetary policy in HK and Macao has been seriously undermined in the post-GFC period. New tools are needed in both regions.

Practical implications

Monetary policy transmission via bank interest rates in both HK and Macao are no longer effective after the outbreak of the GFC.

Social implications

Effort to stimulate the economy and/or control inflation will be hampered.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the impact of the GFC on the effectiveness of monetary policy transmission in HK and Macao.
A multiproject scheduling and resource management model in projects construction
Authors: Cheraghi Esmail , Zohrehvandi Shakib , Vanhoucke Mario , Mohamadpour Tosarkani Babak
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This research presents a multiproject scheduling and resource management (MPSRM) model that includes an M/M/c/n queue system, a p-hub median model, a parallel machine scheduling and a hub location problem solution method. This research aims to design a project network and then sequence raw materials delivery to hub factories.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is implemented as a case study in construction and industrial company. It considers several mines to supply raw materials for production in hub factories. In the sequencing phase, a parallel mine scheduling problem specifies the delivery of raw materials to hub factories. Furthermore, a multisource project scheduling model is studied and designed for building project-oriented companies.

Findings

The results suggest that the proposed MPSRM model in this study significantly reduces project transportation costs. Therefore, creating accurate planning in projects, especially in construction projects where transportation plays an important role, can help reduce time and costs. Researchers, project managers and those dealing with projects can use this model to exploit their projects.

Research limitations/implications

When the number of construction projects in a construction company increases in a region, choosing an appropriate strategy to supply resources and raw materials becomes very important in terms of profit and loss and project completion as scheduled. An increase in transportation demands alongside the economic development on the one hand and providing competitive transportation services, on the other hand, have increasingly spotlighted the significance of hub networks in transportation systems. In addition, in this research, there is no suitable access road from the mines to the project sites, and considering the workload, if any of the projects become a hub, a proper road should be built.

Originality/value

To the best of the knowledge, there is no outstanding research in which a p-hub median location problem by considering queuing model and different transportation modes and a parallel machine scheduling problem are studied simultaneously.
Can a connection with the indigenous cultural values encourage sustainable apparel consumption?
Authors: Chakraborty Swagata , Sadachar Amrut
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The authors investigated the role of cultural (i.e. traditional and religious) values in predicting the relationships between the attitudes toward the environment and slow fashion and the purchase intention for sustainable apparel.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted in Amazon Mechanical Turk with the millennials of the US (n = 317). The data were analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The connection with indigenous cultural values in terms of the (1) traditional values positively influenced attitudes toward the environment and slow fashion; (2) religious values positively influenced attitude toward slow fashion but did not influence attitude toward the environment. (3) Both attitudes towards environment and slow fashion positively influenced purchase intention for sustainable apparel. (4) The connection with cultural values did not influence purchase intention toward sustainable apparel directly; however, (5) attitude toward slow fashion mediated the relationship between connection with cultural values and purchase intention for sustainable apparel both in terms of traditional and religious values, and (6) attitude toward the environment mediated the relationship between connection with traditional values and purchase intention for sustainable apparel.

Practical implications

Instead of focusing only on pro-environmental messages, marketers should use culture-specific cues to evoke favorable attitudinal and behavioral responses toward sustainable apparel.

Social implications

Advertisement cues of sustainable apparel imbuing the target market's cultural values could help in protecting culturally significant elements of nature in the long-term by evoking positive attitudes toward the environment and slow fashion and encouraging purchase intention for sustainable apparel in the short-term.

Originality/value

The authors indicated the importance of indigenous cultural values in shaping favorable attitudes toward the environment and slow fashion and purchase intention for sustainable apparel.
A data examination on a supermarket dataset in Taiwan
Authors: Tang Yung Tai , Yang Hao-Wei , Lo Ming-Min , Wu Hsin-Hung
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to focus on a database from a supermarket for market segmentation.

Design/methodology/approach

Rather than using the questionnaire to collect the customers' purchase behaviors, this study uses a database from a supermarket as an example to illustrate how market segmentation can be performed by adding useful variables particularly from behavioral variables and through Chi-square test and analysis of variance.

Findings

The illustration of the database from a branch supermarket shows that two demographic variables (gender and age group) and two behavioral variables (date of transactions and time of purchase) are critical variables for market segmentation when total money spent and purchased merchandize items are taken into consideration.

Practical implications

This case study can be a reference for supermarket practitioners to follow in order to increase profit and to provide better services for their customers.

Originality/value

No studies have been found to combine demographic variables, behavioral variables, merchandize items and total amount for market segmentation simultaneously. Different combinations of demographic variables, behavioral variables and merchandize items can be further used to perform market segmentation more effectively. This framework used in this case study can be further applied in similar industries including retail industries for market segmentation as well as to fulfill customer needs in practice.
Dissolved organic phosphorus utilization by the marine bacterium Ruegeria pomeroyi DSS‐3 reveals chain length‐dependent polyphosphate degradation
Authors: Adams Jamee C. , Steffen Rachel , Chou Chau‐Wen , Duhamel Solange , Diaz Julia M.
Published: February 2022

Dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) is a critical nutritional resource for marine microbial communities. However, the relative bioavailability of different types of DOP, such as phosphomonoesters (P‐O‐C) and phosphoanhydrides (P‐O‐P), is poorly understood. Here we assess the utilization of these P sources by a representative bacterial copiotroph, Ruegeria pomeroyi DSS‐3. All DOP sources supported equivalent growth by R. pomeroyi, and all DOP hydrolysis rates were upregulated under phosphorus depletion (−P). A long‐chain polyphosphate (45polyP) showed the lowest hydrolysis rate of all DOP substrates tested, including tripolyphosphate (3polyP). Yet the upregulation of 45polyP hydrolysis under −P was greater than any other substrate analyzed. Proteomics revealed three common P acquisition enzymes potentially involved in polyphosphate utilization, including two alkaline phosphatases, PhoD and PhoX, and one 5′‐nucleotidase (5′‐NT). Results from DOP substrate competition experiments show that these enzymes likely have broad substrate specificities, including chain length‐dependent reactivity toward polyphosphate. These results confirm that DOP, including polyP, are bioavailable nutritional P sources for R. pomeroyi, and possibly other marine heterotrophic bacteria. Furthermore, the chain‐length dependent mechanisms, rates and regulation of polyP hydrolysis suggest that these processes may influence the composition of DOP and the overall recycling of nutrients within marine dissolved organic matter.
The dawn of everything?
Authors: Appadurai Arjun
Published: February 2022

The Dawn of Humanity is a sweeping account of how the human species adopted agriculture, central bureaucracies, and inequality despite numerous early experiments with other modes of subsistence, high degrees of freedom from hierarchical power, and many examples of egalitarian social organization. The problem, as the author of this guest editorial sees it, is that the historical examples in the book are chosen without an eye for falsification, the main question about the origins of bureaucracy is evaded, and early human societies end up looking suspiciously like the authors' own preferred anarchist idea of the best possible world.
Behavioral determinants of antibiotic resistance: The role of social information
Authors: Böhm Robert , Holtmann‐Klenner Cindy , Korn Lars , Santana Ana Paula , Betsch Cornelia
Published: February 2022

The increasing development of resistant pathogens is one of the greatest global health challenges. As antibiotic overuse amplifies antibiotic resistance, antibiotic intake poses a social dilemma in which individuals need to decide whether to prosocially reduce their intake in the collective interest versus to (over)use it even in case of mild diseases. We devise a novel behavioral game paradigm to model the social dilemma of antibiotic intake. Using this new method in an incentivized laboratory experiment (N = 272 German participants), we varied whether players had mutual knowledge about their antibiotic intake. The results indicate that there was substantial antibiotic overuse in the absence of social information. Overuse decreased when social information was present. Our postexperimental survey data further suggest that social information impacts people's behavioral motivation, evaluation of the other player, and positive affect. Taken together, providing social information about people's antibiotic intake may help in reducing antibiotic overuse. On a more general level, the novel behavioral game may be adapted to study other aspects of antibiotic intake to promote prudent use of antibiotics.
Effect of transition to an automated milking system for a tie‐stall barn on milk production and cow condition
Authors: Suzuki Tomoyuki , Saito Takashi , Osawa Yuki , Kemmei Koji , Uchiyama Yu , Kawauchi Daisuke , Ishida Mitsuyoshi
Published: February 2022

The effect of the transition from a conventional milking (CM) system in a tie‐stall barn to an automated milking (AM) system specialized for a tie‐stall barn on milk yield, milk composition, teat‐end score, body condition score (BCS), and lying time was evaluated. This study was conducted at a commercial dairy farm from −15 to 153 days after the installation of the AM system. Lactating cows milked with the CM system (average 85 heads) were gradually transitioned to the AM system, and finally, 57 heads were milked with the AM system. No obvious effects of the milking system on milk yield, milk components, BCS, and daily lying time were found based on comparisons between CM and AM cows in the same herd under the same situation of twice‐daily milking. The linear mixed‐effects model for teat‐end scores showed higher scores for front than for rear teats, and small but negative estimates for independent variables of the day after AM, indicating worse teat‐end condition for front than for rear teats and improvement of the condition with increased time since AM.
Why young people stop taking their attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication: A thematic analysis of interviews with young people
Authors: Titheradge Daniel , Godfrey Jo , Eke Helen , Price Anna , Ford Tamsin , Janssens Astrid
Published: February 2022

Background

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that can persist into adulthood. Young people often stop taking ADHD medication during adolescence despite evidence that continuation would be beneficial. Increasingly, young people are restarting medication in early adulthood suggesting that cessation was premature. In this paper we explore the reasons given by young people for discontinuing ADHD medication.

Methods

Qualitative data from the Children and Adolescents with ADHD in Transition between Children's and Adult Services (CATCh‐uS) project was analysed to look for reasons for stopping medication. Semi‐structured interviews with three groups of young people were analysed using thematic and framework analysis; this included young people prior to transition (n = 21); young people that had successfully transitioned to adult services (n = 22); and young people who left children's services prior to transition but re‐entered adult services later (n = 21).

Results

Reasons given by young people for stopping ADHD medication included the following: the perceived balance between benefits and adverse effects of medication; perceptions of ADHD as a childhood or educational disorder; life circumstance of the young person and challenges young people faced in accessing services.

Conclusions

A multidimensional approach is needed to address discontinuation of ADHD medication in order to improve the long‐term prospects and quality of life for these young people. Possible approaches include access to non‐pharmacological treatments and improved psychoeducation. As many reasons given by young people are not unique to ADHD, these findings are also of relevance to medication adherence in other chronic childhood conditions.
Growing sideways: Re‐articulating ontologies of childhood within/through relationships and sexuality education (RSE)
Authors: Atkinson Catherine , Coll Leanne , McBride Ruari‐Santiago , Whittington Elsie , Zanatta Francesca
Published: February 2022

This article presents a collaborative reflective‐thinking‐writing project that draws from the authors’ experiences of co‐productive and critical inquiry with children in the field of gender, sexualities and education. Integrating our collective concerns regarding how childhood can be negatively framed and policed within/through RSE, we explore how these ontological boundaries might be queered through a collective engagement with the possibilities for/of RSE that is affirmative, playful and co‐produced with, rather than for, children.
Richard Whitehall and the team at Smart Design
Authors: Whitehall Richard
Published: February 2022

Finding new ways of sharing information and communicating with one another has been crucial in adapting to the new realities of work.
Michael Derocher
Authors: Derocher Michael
Published: February 2022

Despite being used to connecting remotely with colleagues pre‐pandemic, team dynamics actually improved in the past two years as everyone became a remote worker.
David Parsons
Authors: Parsons David
Published: February 2022

One lesson of the pandemic has been learning to collaborate differently, both physically and virtually, to keep people connected and take advantage of new opportunities.
Predicting the severity of COVID‐19 patients using a multi‐threaded evolutionary feature selection algorithm
Authors: Deniz Ayça , Kiziloz Hakan Ezgi , Sevinc Ender , Dokeroglu Tansel
Published: February 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic has huge effects on the global community and an extreme burden on health systems. There are more than 185 million confirmed cases and 4 million deaths as of July 2021. Besides, the exponential rise in COVID‐19 cases requires a quick prediction of the patients' severity for better treatment. In this study, we propose a Multi‐threaded Genetic feature selection algorithm combined with Extreme Learning Machines (MG‐ELM) to predict the severity level of the COVID‐19 patients. We conduct a set of experiments on a recently published real‐world dataset. We reprocess the dataset via feature construction to improve the learning performance of the algorithm. Upon comprehensive experiments, we report the most impactful features and symptoms for predicting the patients' severity level. Moreover, we investigate the effects of multi‐threaded implementation with statistical analysis. In order to verify the efficiency of MG‐ELM, we compare our results with traditional and state‐of‐the‐art techniques. The proposed algorithm outperforms other algorithms in terms of prediction accuracy.
Vergehendes Erzählen. Philosophische, psychologische und narratologische Dimensionen des Zeitbegriffs in Thomas Manns Der Zauberberg
Authors: Sommer Tim
Published: February 2022

Der Zauberberg ist von der Forschung unter Rückgriff auf einen von Thomas Mann selbst verwendeten Begriff häufig als „Zeitroman” beschrieben worden. Dabei hat oft die Frage nach den historischen und literaturgeschichtlichen Zusammenhängen des Texts – als Rückblick auf das Vorkriegseuropa beziehungsweise als Spiegel der klassischen Moderne – im Mittelpunkt gestanden. Der vorliegende Artikel widmet sich der Zeitthematik des Romans aus einem anderen Blickwinkel. Zum einen zeichnet er nach, welche Zeitdiskurse – von Schopenhauer über Nietzsche und Bergson bis Einstein – sowohl auf inhaltlicher als auch auf narrativer Ebene ihren Niederschlag im Zauberberg gefunden haben. Zum anderen illustriert er, wie die poetologische Dimension des Romans in der literaturwissenschaftlichen Theoriebildung der frühen Bundesrepublik (bei Käte Hamburger, Hans Robert Jauß und Günther Müller) teils implizit und teils explizit nachgewirkt hat. Der Artikel zeigt auf, in welchem Umfang Manns literarisches Reflektieren über die schriftstellerischen Möglichkeiten der Zeitdarstellung die Unterscheidung zwischen Erzählzeit und erzählter Zeit antizipiert hat und argumentiert vor diesem Hintergrund für eine Lektüre des Zauberbergs als eines „Zeitromans” in einem breiteren theoriegeschichtlichen Sinn.
Craftsmanship and Storytelling in Joseph Roth's Der Leviathan
Authors: Hammarfelt Linda K.
Published: February 2022

Joseph Roth's novella Der Leviathan (1934) about the coral merchant Nissen Piczenik has been understood as an allegory of the conditions of literature in a modern capitalist market, and most readings focus on the eponymous mythical creature of the Leviathan. This study instead explores poetical implications of Piczenik's artisanal practice and material consciousness. Using Benjamin's conception of storytelling as a form of craft, the article sheds light on how the depiction of artisanal practice and sensibility can be understood in terms of literary self‐reflection. It further analyzes passages in which storytelling occurs, focusing on the storytellers and on the heterotopical spaces in which stories are exchanged. This results in a re‐evaluation of the novella and its ending, which in this reading depicts the deterritorialization of the storytelling craftsman while simultaneously staging—and inviting readers to take part in—a scene of storytelling.
Ambient pH regulates lactate catabolism pathway of the ruminal Megasphaera elsdenii BE2-2083 and Selenomonas ruminantium HD4
Authors: Fan Yaotian , Xia Guangliang , Jin Yaqian , Wang Hongrong
Published: February 2022

Aims

To explore the impact of ambient pH on lactate catabolism by Megasphaera elsdenii BE2-2083 and Selenomonas ruminantium HD4 in both pure culture and in binary mixed culture.

Methods and results

The growth rate, substrate consumption, product formation, enzymatic activity and gene expression of M. elsdenii and S. ruminantium at various pHs were examined. Furthermore, the metabolism of lactate catabolism pathways for M. elsdenii and S. ruminantium in the co-culture system was investigated by chasing the conversion of sodium L-[3-13C]-lactate in nuclear magnetic resonance. In the pure culture systems, ambient pH had significant effects on the growth of M. elsdenii, whereas S. ruminantium was less sensitive to pH changes. In addition, lactate metabolic genes and activities of key enzymes were affected by ambient pH in M. elsdenii and S. ruminantium. In the co-culture system, low ambient pH reduced the contribution lactate catabolism by M. elsdenii.

Conclusion

M. elsdenii BE2-2083 and S. ruminantium HD4 lactate degradation affected by ambient pH.

Significance and impact of the study

This study demonstrates the regulatory mechanisms of lactate decomposing bacteria in lactate catabolism under the condition of subacute ruminal acidosis.
Nursing management of emergency department violence—Can we do more?
Authors: Timmins Fiona , Catania Gianluca , Zanini Milko , Ottonello Giulia , Napolitano Francesca , Musio Maria Emma , Aleo Giuseppe , Sasso Loredana , Bagnasco Annamaria
Published: February 2022

Background

Emergency departments are the services with the highest risk of violence for nurses. Reports of violence in health care have increased exponentially in the last decade. Front line hospital services are more at risk, and worldwide there are attempts to quantify, manage and prevent episodes of violence, but no consistent solutions have yet been identified.

Aims

To stimulate reflection on causal factors of violence against nurses in emergency departments and discuss potential solutions and strategies for aspects that largely remain unresolved.

Design

A position paper underpinned by experiences and evidence reported in the literature.

Methods

A search of Scopus and CINAHL using the term ‘violence’ provided information concerning the prevalence of the term ‘violence’ in contemporary literature and enabled to capture a general overview of contributing factors of violence and current approaches to its management and prevention.

Conclusions

However, while risk factors have been identified, there is a tendency to over accentuate the extent of their contribution. The main risk factors present conditions related to or accompanied by mental illness and the impact of overcrowding and long waiting times.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

More is needed in terms of implementation of more far‐reaching, holistic, practical and effective management solutions to promote nurses’ safety and adequately support vulnerable patients.