bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TRF1 uses a noncanonical function of TFIIH to promote telomere replication
Authors: Yang Zhe , Sharma Keshav , de Lange Titia
Published: October 2022

Telomeric DNA challenges the replisome and requires TRF1 for efficient duplication. TRF1 recruits the BLM helicase, but BLM loss does not explain the extensive telomere fragility, ATR signaling, and sister telomere associations (STAs) induced by TRF1 deletion. Here, we document that Helix2 of the TRFH domain and Helix1 of the Myb domain of TRF1 are required for efficient telomere replication. Mutation of both helices generated a TRF1 separation-of-function mutant (TRF1-E83K/LW-TI) that induced severe telomere replication defects but no ATR signaling or STAs. We identified the transcription and nucleotide excision repair (NER) factor TFIIH as a critical effector of TRF1. Loss of TFIIH subunits, but no other NER factors, caused the same telomere replication phenotypes as the TRF1-E83K/LW-TI mutant independent of the effects on TRF1 expression. TFIIH subunits coimmunoprecipitated with wild-type TRF1 but not with TRF1-E83K/LW-TI. These results establish that the major mechanism by which TRF1 ensures telomere replication involves a noncanonical function of TFIIH.
Syntheses and structural characterizations of the first coordination polymers assembled from the Ni(cyclam)2+ cation and the benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate linker
Authors: Gavrish Sergey P. , Shova Sergiu , Lampeka Yaroslaw D.
Published: October 2022

The asymmetric unit of catena-poly[[[(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-κ4
N
1,N
4,N
8,N
11)nickel(II)]-μ2-5-carboxybenzene-1,3-dicarboxylato-κ2
O
1:O
3] octahydrate], {[Ni(C9H4O6)(C10H24N4)]·8H2O}
n
(I), consists of a macrocyclic Ni2+ cation, a carboxylate dianion and eight highly disordered water molecules of crystallization. The components of the compound catena-poly[[[(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-κ4
N
1,N
4,N
8,N
11)nickel(II)]-μ2-5-carboxybenzene-1,3-dicarboxylato-κ2
O
1:O
3] monohydrate], {[Ni(C9H4O6)(C10H24N4)]·H2O}
n
(II), are two crystallographically unique centrosymmetric macrocyclic dications, a carboxylate dianion and one water molecule of crystallization. In each compound, the metal ion is coordinated in the equatorial plane by the four secondary N atoms of the macrocyclic ligand, which adopts the most energetically stable trans-III conformation, and two mutually trans O atoms of the carboxylate anions in a slightly tetragonally distorted trans-NiN4O2 octahedral geometry. The crystals of both compounds are composed of parallel coordination polymeric chains running along the [010] direction in I and the [110] and [1\overline{1}0] directions in II. The bridging carboxylate anions display different modes of coordination connected with the relative orientation of coordinated O atoms, i.e., remote in I and intermediate in II, thus resulting in essentially different distances between the Ni atoms in the chains [11.0657 (4) and 8.9089 (2) Å in I and II, respectively]. As a result of hydrogen-bonding interactions, the chains are joined together in sheets oriented parallel to the (10\overline{1}) and (001) planes in I and II, respectively.
Social support and risk-taking propensity as predictors of entrepreneurial intention among undergraduates in Nigeria
Authors: Ilevbare Femi Monday , Ilevbare Oluwatosin Eniola , Adelowo Caleb Muyiwa , Oshorenua Favour P.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the determinants of entrepreneurial intention among students of a university in Nigeria, with particular emphasis on their risk-taking propensity, social support and demographic variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the study were collected from 350 undergraduates across seven faculties in Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, through a self-reported questionnaire. Descriptive and regression statistical analysis were used to estimate and test the relationship among entrepreneurial intention and social support, risk-taking propensity and demographic variables.

Findings

The results showed high entrepreneurial intention among the students. The push factors, such as perceived social support from families, risk-taking propensity and previous engagement in business, are key determinants of entrepreneurship intention among the students. The age and father’s occupation also showed a significant relationship with the level of entrepreneurial intention.

Practical implications

This result suggests that strengthening social support for entrepreneurship among students could enhance their desire to own a business during and after graduation. Improving entrepreneurship ecosystems in the university could further motivate those already practicing entrepreneurship while also stimulating intentions among others. For instance, provision of entrepreneurship infrastructure and incentives such as business incubators, innovation hubs, science parks and competitive business grants could enhance the risk-taking propensity among students and motivate them for venture creation.

Originality/value

Understanding the influence of social support and risk-taking propensity on entrepreneurial intention among undergraduates is important for policy and practice. The result further reinforces the need to promote entrepreneurship education to create a critical mass of potential entrepreneurs in the university.
Change and innovation in food aid provision in Sussex and Southwest London during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ranta Ronald , Mulrooney Hilda Mary , Bhakta Dee
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how food aid providers in Sussex and Southwest London responded and managed during the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach consists of three inter-related layers. A qualitative description research approach based on naturalistic inquiry, supplemented by site visits and personal observations was used.

Findings

The pandemic catalysed dramatic, often positive, changes to the provision of food aid, with a move away from the traditional food bank model. It brought about increased coordination and oversight, as well as the upscaling of capabilities, infrastructure and provisions.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature on food aid in the UK It provides evidence for how providers are transforming the sector for the better and potentially helping to deal with the cost-of-living crisis.
The effect of service failure severity on brand forgiveness: the moderating role of interpersonal attachment styles and thinking styles
Authors: Alnawas Ibrahim , Al Khateeb Amr , Abu Farha Allam , Ndubisi Nelson Oly
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of service failure severity on brand forgiveness and to investigate the moderating effects of interpersonal attachment styles and thinking styles on the service failure severity–brand forgiveness relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used retrospective experience sampling to collect the data and structural equation modeling (AMOS 24) to analyze 570 responses collected via an online survey.

Findings

This study shows that the service failure severity–brand forgiveness relationship is not always negative, as different conditions may amplify or weaken it. Specifically, a secure attachment style and holistic thinking weaken the negative impact of service failure severity on brand forgiveness, whereas an anxious attachment style and analytic thinking negatively amplify the relationship. An avoidance attachment style did not appear to play a role.

Practical implications

This study should help hotels fine-tune their segmentation, targeting and positioning efforts and may also help in implementing more focused recovery strategies.

Originality/value

This study provides insights into the role of psychological traits in amplifying/reducing the negative impact of service failure severity on brand forgiveness, thus showing the importance of developing the psychological profiles of customers beyond demographic profiling. The emotional and cognitive typologies of consumers are key to understanding the dependence of forgiveness on service failure severity.
Model comparison in German stock returns
Authors: O'Connell Michael
Published: October 2022

Purpose

In order to provide an updated view on the drivers of German stock returns, the authors evaluate the relative performance of nine competing neoclassical asset pricing models in the German stock market between November 1991 and December 2021.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct asymptotically valid tests of model comparison when the extent of model mispricing is gauged by the squared Sharpe ratio improvement measure of Barillas et al. (2020).

Findings

The study finds that the Fama and French six-factor model with both traditional and updated value factors emerges as the dominant model.

Originality/value

The authors shed new light on the drivers of German stock returns through an updated and extended period of analysis, wider range of potential models and utilization of valid asymptotic tests of model comparison when models are nonnested (Barillas et al., 2020).
Material sustainability information and reporting standards. Exploring the differences between GRI and SASB
Authors: Pizzi Simone , Principale Salvatore , de Nuccio Elbano
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the emerging debate on materiality with novel and original insights about the managerial and theoretical implications related to the adoption of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) as reporting standards. Furthermore, the paper will evaluate the main drivers that favor the combination of the two standards by companies to develop new knowledge about the hierarchical relationship between financial and sustainability materiality.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on a sample of 2,046 US listed companies observed during the period 2017–2020, the research is conducted using quantitative methods. Multinomial logistic regressions are used to evaluate the differences between GRI and SASB’s adoption.

Findings

The analysis highlights that financial and sustainability materiality are driven by different purposes. In detail, SASB’s adoption is driven by factors directly related to financial dynamics, while GRI’s adoption is influenced by the existence of corporate governance mechanisms inspired by sustainable and ethical principles. Furthermore, the last analysis reveals that the combination of the two standards is characterized by the predominance of sustainability materiality.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study on the relationship between financial and sustainability materiality.
Work-from-home (WFH): the constraints–coping–effectiveness framework
Authors: Ahmad Zauwiyah , Asmawi Arnifa , Samsi Siti Zakiah Melatu
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Work-from-home (WFH) arrangement is implemented to enable employees to achieve work–life balance. However, WFH arrangement can be less than ideal. This study developed a WFH framework using qualitative data.

Design/methodology/approach

An open-ended survey was conducted and participated by 621 employees. The data were examined using the qualitative content analysis method.

Findings

Work performance and personal well-being have been identified as WFH outcomes, and 12 relevant research propositions have been developed. Constraints to WFH effectiveness include household and organisational factors whilst instrumental and emotional support were identified as the facilitating conditions. Two moderators were also identified: temporal flexibility and commitment orientation.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a framework that support effective implementation of WFH and similar flexible work arrangements. Managing time, situation, emotions and attitudes are coping strategies used by WFH employees, and the efficacy of these strategies needs further empirical investigation.

Practical implications

Three main factors have been identified as significant in determining WFH effectiveness. Understanding these elements can help managers design solutions to help employees manage work-home boundaries, improving their work performance and well-being.

Originality/value

The Constraints–Coping–Effectiveness WFH framework and research propositions help organisations build WFH guidelines and policies. This study also recognises commitment orientation, which links resources, strategies and outcomes. The inclusion of this variable in future empirical studies could explain the gaps in the current literature.
IC solder joint inspection via adaptive statistical modeling
Authors: Xiao Meng , Cai Nian , Mo Zhuokun , Yan Shule , Tian Nili , Ma Jing , Wang Han
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Statistical modeling has been successfully applied to integrated circuit (IC) solder joint inspection. However, there are some inherent problems in previous statistical modeling methods. This paper aims to propose an adaptive statistical modeling method to further improve the inspection performance for IC solder joints.

Design/methodology/approach

First, different pixels in the IC solder joint image were modeled by different templates, each of which was composed of the hue value of the pixel and a proposed template significance factor. Then, the potential defect image was obtained by adaptive template matching and the potential defect threshold for each pixel. It was noted that the number of templates, matching distance threshold, potential defect threshold and updating rate were adaptively updated during model training. Finally, the trained statistical model was used to inspect the IC solder joints by means of defect degree.

Findings

Experimental results indicated that the proposed adaptive schemes greatly contributed to the inspection performance of statistical modeling. Also, the proposed inspection method achieved better performance compared with some state-of-the-art inspection methods.

Originality/value

The proposed method offers a promising approach for IC solder joint inspection, which establishes different numbers of templates constructed by pixel values and template significance factors for different pixels. Also, some important parameters were adaptively updated with the updating of the model, which contributed to the inspection performance of the model.
Do young women travellers really consider the risk of sexual harassment during night travel? Evening travel vs midnight travel
Authors: Wang Xin , Lai Ivan Ka Wai , Wang Kun
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the influence of benefits and risks for young women travellers on their intention to visit other night tourism destinations. It also compares any path differences between evening and midnight travels.

Design/methodology/approach

A face-to-face survey was conducted in Macau. Multi-group analysis was used to explore the differences between evening and midnight travels.

Findings

Emotional and epistemic benefits positively affect behavioural intentions; security risk negatively affects behavioural intentions, but the risk of sexual harassment does not affect behavioural intentions. Evening travellers pay more attention to emotional benefits than midnight travellers.

Originality/value

This study contributes to tourism research related to women by helping to understand the perceptions of the benefits and risks of young women travellers’ night tourism, especially the gender risks. This study corrects the understanding that young women travellers do not feel that the risk of sexual harassment affects their decision to undertake night travels. It also contributes to night tourism research by distinguishing the proportion of benefits and risks in evening and midnight travels.
Antimicrobial peptide HI‐3 from Hermetia illucens alleviates inflammation in lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells via suppression of the nuclear factor kappa‐B signaling pathway
Authors: Xiaoyan Xu , Hongxia Sun , Jiamin Gao , Huicheng Cui , Ye Liao , Qiang Xia
Published: October 2022

Hermetia illucens‐3 (HI‐3), an active insect antimicrobial peptide extracted from H. illucens larvae, exerts antibacterial and anticancer activity. However, the inflammatory effects and their relative molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To explore the inflammatory effects of HI‐3, an inflammatory model was induced using 1 ng/mL LPS in RAW264.7 cells. The cell viability and phagocytosis of LPS‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells were then detected after HI‐3 treatment. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity, the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and the expression levels of both p65 and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκB) were measured. Results showed that HI‐3 could inhibit the differentiation, proliferation, phagocytosis, and antioxidant ability, as well as the secretion and messenger RNA expression levels of IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β of LPS‐induced RAW264.7 cells in a dose‐dependent manner. At the same time, the level of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 was increased after HI‐3 treatment. Western blotting results showed that HI‐3 suppressed LPS‐induced p65 and IκB activation in a dose‐dependent manner. Therefore, HI‐3 exerts its anti‐inflammatory effect by inhibiting the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and the activation of p65 and IκB, which indicated that HI‐3 could be a promising therapeutic medicine for inflammation.
Biological Flora of Britain and Ireland:Corylus avellana
Authors: Hicks Damien
Published: October 2022

This account presents information on all aspects of the biology ofCorylus avellanaL. (Hazel) that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of theBiological Flora of Britain and Ireland: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation.

WildC. avellanain Britain and Ireland grows in a wide climatic and ecological range, in a broad suite of vegetation communities, particularly woodlands, at all latitudes and from 0 to 650 m asl. It supports a large number of faunal and fungal associates. The developing plant sends up basal shoots every spring from the peripheral parts of its underground stool, which gives it a structural regenerative advantage over cohabitant woody species.

The flowers and pollen ofC. avellanaare adapted for wind pollination, yet honeybees have been observed to gather its pollen. The pollen and fruit ofC. avellanaare a cause of allergic reactions in sensitive people, with previous exposure to Birch pollen a strong predictor of the food allergy.

Corylus avellanais native to Europe and western Asia, and was one of the first plant species to recolonize Europe after the last gIacial period. By the time of its cultivation in the Roman empire, regional human‐selected lineages ofC. avellanawere already developing, with independent domestication in the western and eastern Mediterranean.

Corylus avellanais a genetically diverse taxon with effective gene flow across populations, presenting a continuum of wild to domesticated plants. Its nuts and involucres show a wide morphological variability, with hundreds of cultivars and forms proposed. The taxonCorylus maximaMill. is sympatric and fully fertile withC. avellana, yet rarely self‐sown and their hybrid is little recorded in Britain and Ireland. Independent molecular studies have concluded that specimens ofC. maximacluster withC. avellana.

Hazelnuts are globally one of the most important nut crops, currently with 70% of traded nuts being grown in Türkiye, followed by Italy and Azerbaijan.
Net overboard: Comparing marine eDNA sampling methodologies at sea to unravel marine biodiversity
Authors: von Ammon Ulla , Pochon Xavier , Casanovas Paula , Trochel Branwen , Zirngibl Martin , Thomas Austen , Witting Jan , Joyce Paul , Zaiko Anastasija
Published: October 2022

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses are powerful for describing marine biodiversity but must be optimized for their effective use in routine monitoring. To maximize eDNA detection probabilities of sparsely distributed populations, water samples are usually concentrated from larger volumes and filtered using fine‐pore membranes, often a significant cost–time bottleneck in the workflow. This study aimed to streamline eDNA sampling by investigating plankton net versus bucket sampling, direct versus sequential filtration including self‐preserving filters. Biodiversity was assessed using metabarcoding of the small ribosomal subunit (18S rRNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) genes. Multispecies detection probabilities were estimated for each workflow using a probabilistic occupancy modelling approach. Significant workflow‐related differences in biodiversity metrics were reported. Highest amplicon sequence variant (ASV) richness was attained by the bucket sampling combined with self‐preserving filters, comprising a large portion of microplankton. Less diversity but more metazoan taxa were captured in the net samples combined with 5 μm pore size filters. Prefiltered 1.2 μm samples yielded few or no unique ASVs. The highest average (~32%) metazoan detection probabilities in the 5 μm pore size net samples confirmed the effectiveness of preconcentration plankton for biodiversity screening. These results contribute to streamlining eDNA sampling protocols for uptake and implementation in marine biodiversity research and surveillance.
Hepatic CYP2B10 is highly induced by binge ethanol and contributes to acute‐on‐chronic alcohol‐induced liver injury
Authors: Mackowiak Bryan , Xu Mingjiang , Lin Yuhong , Guan Yukun , Seo Wonhyo , Ren Ruixue , Feng Dechun , Jones Jace W. , Wang Hongbing , Gao Bin
Published: October 2022

Background

The chronic‐plus‐binge model of ethanol consumption, where chronically (8‐week) ethanol‐fed mice are gavaged a single dose of ethanol (E8G1), is known to induce steatohepatitis in mice. However, how chronically ethanol‐fed mice respond to multiple binges of ethanol remains unknown.

Methods

We extended the E8G1 model to three gavages of ethanol (E8G3) spaced 24 h apart, sacrificed each group 9 h after the final gavage, analyzed liver injury, and examined gene expression changes using microarray analyses in each group to identify mechanisms contributing to liver responses to binge ethanol.

Results

Surprisingly, E8G3 treatment induced lower levels of liver injury, steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis as compared to mice after E8G1 treatment. Microarray analyses identified several pathways that may contribute to the reduced liver injury after E8G3 treatment compared to E8G1 treatment. The gene encoding cytochrome P450 2B10 (Cyp2b10) was one of the top upregulated genes in the E8G1 group and was further upregulated in the E8G3 group, but only moderately induced after chronic ethanol consumption, as confirmed by RT‐qPCR and western blot analyses. Genetic disruption of Cyp2b10 worsened liver injury in E8G1 and E8G3 mice with higher blood ethanol levels compared to wild‐type control mice, while in vitro experiments revealed that CYP2b10 did not directly promote ethanol metabolism. Metabolomic analyses revealed significant differences in hepatic metabolites from E8G1‐treated Cyp2b10 knockout and WT mice, and these metabolic alterations may contribute to the reduced liver injury in Cyp2b10 knockout mice.

Conclusion

Hepatic Cyp2b10 expression is highly induced after ethanol binge, and such upregulation reduces acute‐on‐chronic ethanol‐induced liver injury via the indirect modification of ethanol metabolism.
Quality of rural colonoscopy outperforms key performance indicators in a multi‐centre prospective clinical study
Authors: Watson Matthew M. ,   South Australian Rural Surgical Research Group, Watson Dianne C. , Maddern Guy J. , Wichmann Matthias W.
Published: October 2022

Background

High‐quality colonoscopy is vital for the detection and removal of adenomatous polyps and early diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the quality and safety of colonoscopies performed in the non‐metropolitan setting. Key performance indicators measured include completion, polypectomy and adenoma/serrated polyp detection rates, rate of adequate bowel preparation, withdrawal time and complications.

Methods

Prospective data collection for all colonoscopies performed over a one‐year period in seven non‐metropolitan South Australian hospitals. Two general surgeons and twelve registrars working in rural South Australian hospitals (Mount Gambier, Millicent, Naracoorte, Port Lincoln, Port Augusta, Whyalla and Berri) contributed to this study.

Results

In total 3497 colonoscopies were analysed. Complete colonoscopy was achieved in 96.1%. The adenoma detection and serrated polyp detection rates were 25.6% and 5.4% respectively. Cancer was detected in 71 patients (2%). Colonic perforation occurred in five patients (0.1%). There was no procedure‐related mortality.

Conclusions

Colonoscopy performed in the non‐metropolitan Australian setting outperforms key performance indicators set by national institutions. This is the first Australian prospective multi‐centre study investigating the quality and safety of endoscopic procedures.
Barriers to e‐commerce adoption: evidence from the retail and food and beverage sectors in Malaysia
Authors: Kam Andrew Jia‐Yi , Tham Siew Yean
Published: October 2022

There is a continuing interest in small and medium enterprises (SMEs)' e‐commerce adoption, especially from South‐east Asia, including Malaysia. The objective of this study is to examine the key determinants of SMEs embracing e‐commerce in the retail and food and beverage sector in the Klang Valley. Using a Logit model, the findings show that organisational barriers are the most important barriers to SMEs' adoption of e‐commerce, followed by environmental barriers. The findings imply that one‐size‐fits‐all policies should not be used since the barriers are different between adopters and non‐adopters and the scale of their operations. Analysis within variables between adopters and non‐adopters using a decision‐maker, technology, organisation‐environment framework indicates that young leaders are important in adopting e‐commerce. Importantly, technology is not everything when it comes to e‐commerce adoption. It matters more to small firms. Therefore, policy needs to take firm heterogeneity.
Spatial Dependence Modeling of Latent Susceptibility and Time to Joint Damage in Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Mao Fangya , Cook Richard J.
Published: October 2022

Important scientific insights into chronic diseases affecting several organ systems can be gained from modeling spatial dependence of sites experiencing damage progression. We describe models and methods for studying spatial dependence of joint damage in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Since a large number of joints may remain unaffected even among individuals with a long disease history, spatial dependence is first modeled in latent joint-specific indicators of susceptibility. Among susceptible joints, a Gaussian copula is adopted for dependence modeling of times to damage. Likelihood and composite likelihoods are developed for settings, where individuals are under intermittent observation and progression times are subject to type K interval censoring. Two-stage estimation procedures help mitigate the computational burden arising when a large number of processes (i.e., joints) are under consideration. Simulation studies confirm that the proposed methods provide valid inference, and an application to the motivating data from the University of Toronto Psoriatic Arthritis Clinic yields important insights which can help physicians distinguish PsA from arthritic conditions with different dependence patterns.
The Shared Regressive State and Understanding‐without‐Reflection in Supervision
Authors: Yerushalmi Hanoch
Published: October 2022

One of the transformational therapeutic experiences is the therapeutic dyad's immersion in and recovery from shared regressive states that are often provoked by an awakened childhood fear of breakdown. I suggest that the supervisory dyad has parallel transformational experiences – the shared regressive states that follow continuous incomprehension of the unfolding therapeutic reality. Moreover, when the supervisory partners immerse themselves in a shared regressive state, a unique, inclusive, embodied, unsymbolized, and procedural understanding‐without‐reflection emerges spontaneously. Analytic writers describe such an understanding as an unconscious knowledge, and existentialist writers describe it as prereflective consciousness. Before translating this unique understanding into a therapeutic narrative, the supervisor needs to recover from the regressive state and organize it according to discursive and logical analytic principles. From this perspective, the already existing experiential and analytic theoretical knowledge serves as a platform for creating new perceptions and analytic discourses.
Intelligent short term traffic forecasting using deep learning models with Bayesian contextual hyperband tuning
Authors: Swaminatha Rao Lakshmi Priya , Jaganathan Suresh
Published: October 2022

An intelligent transport system (ITS) is fully valuable only if it can dynamically and aptly integrate all the latest cutting‐edge technologies. An ITS focuses on providing services like promptly offering real‐time road traffic information to interested parties, finding ways to reduce the average waiting time and offer secure and reliable services for commuters using past statistics. Short‐term traffic prediction is one such area in which the research community has focused in the past decade. Existing models developed for prediction has scope to improve in terms of accuracy and training time. There is a necessity to develop a best‐performing model that is computationally affluent to train with the optimal hyperparameter configuration as input which leads to improved performance. This article proposes a model that captures the traffic flow trend present in the past data to predict the flow for a future time interval. This model is an amalgamation of seasonal global trend (SGT) model and long short‐term memory (LSTM) model with attention mechanism. A novel hyperparameter tuning algorithm is also proposed which is based on multi‐armed bandit strategy with context, incorporating the right trade‐off between exploitation and exploration of the hyperparameter space using successive halving. Experimental results conducted proves that our forecast model in combination with the proposed hyperparameter tuning algorithm outperforms the existing models like SGT, LSTM models in terms of accuracy and time.
Role of glycosphingolipid SSEA‐3 and FGF2 in the stemness and lineage commitment of multilineage differentiating stress enduring (MUSE) cells
Authors: Aprile Domenico , Alessio Nicola , Squillaro Tiziana , Di Bernardo Giovanni , Peluso Gianfranco , Galderisi Umberto
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Multilineage differentiating Stress Enduring (MUSE) cells are endogenous, stress‐resistant stem cells, expressing pluripotency master genes and able to differentiate in cells of the three embryonic sheets. Stage‐Specific Embryonic Antigen 3 (SSEA‐3), a glycosphingolipid (GSL), is the marker for identifying MUSE cells and is used to isolate this population from mesenchymal stromal cells. GSLs modulate signal transduction by interacting with plasma membrane components. The growth factor FGF2, important for MUSE cells biology, may interact with GSLs. Specific cell surface markers represent an invaluable tool for stem cell isolation. Nonetheless their role, if any, in stem cell biology is poorly investigated. Functions of stem cells, however, depend on niche external cues, which reach cells through surface markers. We addressed the role of SSEA‐3 in MUSE cell behaviour, trying to define whether SSEA‐3 is just a marker or if it plays a functional role in this cell population by determining if it has any relationship with FGF2 activity.

Results

We evidenced how the SSEA‐3 and FGF2 cooperation affected the self‐renewal and clonogenic capacity of MUSE cells. The block of SSEA‐3 significantly reduced the multilineage potential of MUSE cells with production of nullipotent clones.

Conclusions

We contributed to dissecting the mechanisms underlying MUSE cell properties for establishing successful stem‐cell‐based therapies and the promotion of MUSE cells as a tool for the in vitro disease model.
Return migration, rural household investment decision, and poverty alleviation: Evidence from rural Guangdong, China
Authors: Wu Xinhui , Chen Luan , Ma Li , Cai Liru , Li Xun
Published: October 2022

Return migration has been considered advantageous to the productivity of labor and the economic development of origin regions and countries. However, how and why return migrants make their investment decisions and how such processes contribute to poverty alleviation remains unclear. This study evaluated how migration experience influences rural families' choices for productive investments and the underlying mechanism of village poverty alleviation. The result indicates that, when all are given the same monetary budgets, return migrants are more inclined to invest in single agricultural‐related subjects rather than multiple subjects. A concentrated investment implies the investor's intention of expanding the production scale, which can further lead to a more organized, professional agricultural production that can be considered beneficial for community poverty alleviation. Moreover, different approaches of human capital accumulation led to varied capacity growth, among which migration experience effectively enhances the non‐cognitive ability of return migrants. Based on these findings, we suggest that more returnee‐preferential policies, supporting production and organization services should be established to promote agricultural entrepreneurship among the returning groups in poor rural areas.
Synthesis of cerium aluminate by the mechanical activation of aluminum and ceria precursors and firing in controlled atmospheres
Authors: Pinto Rui G. , Frade Jorge R. , Yaremchenko Aleksey A.
Published: October 2022

Single‐phase cerium aluminate was synthesized from mixtures of ceria and metallic aluminum by milling and firing under controlled conditions in reducing (10%H2 + 90%N2) or inert atmospheres (N2 or CO2). Firing in an inert atmosphere (CO2) did not yield conversion to cerium aluminate, and conversion was also low after firing in reducing conditions (10%H2 + 90%N2) and only improved slightly on changing from powder mixtures with coarse Al powder (15 µm) to mixtures with submicron Al (0.77 µm). High‐energy milling promoted reactivity by the combined effects of improved homogeneity, decreasing grain size of the Al precursor, increase in lattice strain and decrease in crystallite size down to 40–50 nm. Extensive oxidation of the metallic Al precursor after long‐term milling prevented complete conversion to cerium aluminate even after firing under reducing conditions at temperatures up to 1400°C. Thermodynamic modeling of the Al–Ce–O system provided interpretation for differences between firing in reducing and inert atmospheres. Controlled milling time hinders oxidation of Al to the poorly reactive α‐Al2O3 polymorph. This was supported by thermogravimetry after controlled milling and yielded phase pure CeAlO3 at T ≥ 1200°C. The high conversion was achieved even by firing at 1100°C under an inert atmosphere.
Spatially explicit phylogeographical reconstruction sheds light on the history of the forest cover in the Congo Basin
Authors: Matvijev Katarina , Dellicour Simon , Kaymak Esra , Hardy Olivier J.
Published: October 2022

Aim

The impact of Pleistocene climatic oscillations on the biodiversity of African tropical rain forests remains poorly understood, and the Congo Basin is particularly understudied. We aim to elucidate how Pleistocene climatic oscillations shaped lowland tropical rain forests by investigating the intraspecific diversity and evolutionary history of a widespread tree species.

Location

Guineo‐Congolian rain forest, Central Africa.

Taxon

Staudtia kamerunensis Warb. (Myristicaceae).

Methods

We used genome skimming combined with maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference to infer the plastid phylogeny. We estimated the time of speciation and differentiation, genetic diversity, and we employed a continuous phylogeographical approach to infer the dispersal history of its plastid lineages.

Results

We sequenced an average of 5,827,783 reads per sample, and the reconstructed reference plastome had a mean depth of 73.3. We identified five plastid lineages that diverged during the Early or Middle Pleistocene and are parapatric, suggesting past population fragmentation. Four lineages are endemic to Lower Guinea, and one spans the Congo Basin. We found contrasting patterns of expansion in the two regions, with a rapid and recent range expansion of the Congolian lineage in the last 200,000 years, while the spread of the Lower Guinean lineages was substantially slower.

Main conclusion

The contrasting demographic histories between eastern and western lineages, associated with contrasted levels of plant species richness and rates of endemism, suggest that forest cover was more stable in Lower Guinea during the Late Pleistocene than in Congolia, where the biodiversity might have been eroded before the forest re‐expanded in the Congo basin. This study illustrates how a continuous phylogeographical inference approach, mostly applied so far for inferring the spread of fast‐evolving pathogens over months or years, can provide new insights to reconstruct the dispersal history of tropical tree species over thousands or millions of years.
Metabolic signatures of β‐cell destruction in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Noso Shinsuke , Babaya Naru , Hiromine Yoshihisa , Taketomo Yasunori , Niwano Fumimaru , Yoshida Sawa , Ikegami Hiroshi
Published: October 2022

Aims/Introduction

In the development of type 1 diabetes, metabolites are significantly altered and might be involved in β‐cell destruction and protection. We aimed to identify new metabolic markers of β‐cell destruction in type 1 diabetes patients.

Materials and Methods

A total of 33 participants were recruited for this cross‐sectional observational study: 23 with type 1 diabetes, seven with type 2 diabetes and three healthy controls. Those with type 1 diabetes were further subdivided into three groups: new‐onset, microsecretors and complete lack of endogenous insulin in type 1 diabetes.

Results

Metabolomic analysis identified a total of 737 peaks, and partial least square analysis was successful in discriminating between the three groups of type 1 diabetes. Among the factor loadings discriminating type 1 diabetes, 3‐phenylpropionic acid (r = 0.80, P = 4.7E−6) and hypotaurine (r = −0.484, P = 1.9E−2) strongly contributed to identifying new‐onset type 1 diabetes, and 5‐methylcytosine to identifying complete‐lack type 1 diabetes (r = 0.586, P = 6.5E−3). Reporter operating characteristics analysis, including all type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and healthy controls, showed that high 3‐phenylpropionic acid (Pc <0.0001) and low hypotaurine (Pc <0.0001) were useful for identifying new‐onset type 1 diabetes, and high 5‐methylcytosine (Pc = 0.002) for the complete‐lack type 1 diabetes.

Conclusions

In the present study, metabolic signatures were shown to be useful in identifying type 1 diabetes at different clinical stages, and 3‐phenylpropionic acid and hypotaurine are novel biomarkers for identifying new‐onset type 1 diabetes, suggesting the involvement of the gut bacterial environment, anti‐oxidant mechanisms through the hypotaurine‐taurine pathway and methylated deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation in the process of β‐cell destruction.
Dietary assessment methods used in adult digital weight loss interventions: A systematic literature review
Authors: Shoneye Charlene L. , Kwasnicka Dominika , Mullan Barbara , Pollard Christina M. , Boushey Carol J. , Kerr Deborah A.
Published: October 2022

The effectiveness of the tailored feedback in digital interventions may be limited by the quality of the dietary assessment (DA) upon which it is based. The present study systematically reviewed studies reporting the protocols for DA methods used to inform tailored feedback in digital weight loss interventions. The search included: PubMed—National Library of Medicine database, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science and ProQuest. Search terms were related to five groups: dietary assessment, weight loss, clinical trials, technology and tailoring. Thirteen articles were eligible for inclusion. The most common DA method was a digital dietary record linked to a food database that provided instant feedback on daily energy intake. Only four studies provided feedback on overall diet quality and intake of fruit, vegetables and fibre. Dietary feedback was provided using text messages, email, mobile applications and online intervention websites. Most digital dietary feedback focused on reducing energy intake without providing feedback to enhance diet quality. This review highlighted the heterogeneity in DA methods used in tailored weight loss interventions, which may account for the range of outcome results reported. Future interventions should publish the protocols describing how dietary data was collected and used to inform dietary feedback.
PuHox52 promotes coordinated uptake of nitrate, phosphate, and iron under nitrogen deficiency in Populus ussuriensis
Authors: Wei Ming , Zhang Mengqiu , Sun Jiali , Zhao Ying , Pak Solme , Ma Miaomiao , Chen Yingxi , Lu Han , Yang Jingli , Wei Hairong , Li Yuhua , Li Chenghao
Published: October 2022

It is of great importance to better understand how trees regulate nitrogen (N) uptake under N deficiency conditions which severely challenge afforestation practices, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been well elucidated. Here, we functionally characterized PuHox52, a Populus ussuriensis HD‐ZIP transcription factor, whose overexpression greatly enhanced nutrient uptake and plant growth under N deficiency. We first conducted an RNA sequencing experiment to obtain root transcriptome using PuHox52‐overexpression lines of P. ussuriensis under low N treatment. We then performed multiple genetic and phenotypic analyses to identify key target genes of PuHox52 and validated how they acted against N deficiency under PuHox52 regulation. PuHox52 was specifically induced in roots by N deficiency, and overexpression of PuHox52 promoted N uptake, plant growth, and root development. We demonstrated that several nitrate‐responsive genes (PuNRT1.1, PuNRT2.4, PuCLC‐b, PuNIA2, PuNIR1, and PuNLP1), phosphate‐responsive genes (PuPHL1A and PuPHL1B), and an iron transporter gene (PuIRT1) were substantiated to be direct targets of PuHox52. Among them, PuNRT1.1, PuPHL1A/B, and PuIRT1 were upregulated to relatively higher levels during PuHox52‐mediated responses against N deficiency in PuHox52‐overexpression lines compared to WT. Our study revealed a novel regulatory mechanism underlying root adaption to N deficiency where PuHox52 modulated a coordinated uptake of nitrate, phosphate, and iron through ‘PuHox52‐PuNRT1.1’, ‘PuHox52‐PuPHL1A/PuPHL1B’, and ‘PuHox52‐PuIRT1’ regulatory relationships in poplar roots.
Wearables, sensors, and smart devices for the detection and monitoring of chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neurotoxicity: Systematic review and directions for future research
Authors: Mantovani Elisa , Demrozi Florenc , Hertz Daniel L. , Turetta Cristian , Ferro Omar , Argyriou Andreas A. , Pravadelli Graziano , Tamburin Stefano
Published: October 2022

Chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) diagnosis is largely based on patient reported outcomes. Wearables, sensors, and smart devices may potentially provide early detection and monitoring of CIPN. We systematically reviewed data on wearables, sensors, and smart devices to detect and/or monitor signs and symptoms of CIPN. Moreover, we provide directions and recommendations for future studies. A literature search using PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and CINHAL databases was conducted from database inception until March 2021. The search was further updated in July 2022 to ensure currency of results. A total of 1885 records were title‐abstract screened, 33 full texts were assessed, and 16 were included. The retrieved papers were heterogeneous in terms of study design, sample size, CIPN severity, chemotherapy agents, type of wearable/sensor/device applied, parameters of interest, and purpose. Data are promising and provide preliminary evidence on wearables, sensors, and smart devices for CIPN detection and monitoring. There are several issues and knowledge gaps that should be addressed. We propose a framework for future studies.
A morphological study of the shape of the corpus callosum in normal, schizophrenic and bipolar patients
Authors: Vermeulen Christiaan L. , du Toit Peet J. , Venter Gerda , Human‐Baron Rene
Published: October 2022

Abnormalities in the morphology of the corpus callosum have been found to be involved in cognitive impairments or abnormal behaviour in patients with mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The present study investigated morphological shape differences of the corpus callosum in a large cohort of 223 participants between normal, schizophrenic and bipolar patients on MRI scans, CT scans and cadaver samples. Healthy samples were compared to a mental disorder population sample to determine morphological shapes variations associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Landmark‐based methodology was used to contour the corpus callosum shape that served as standard positions to allow for radial and thickness partitioning in order to determine shape variations within the specific localised anatomical sections of the corpus callosum. Shape analysis was performed using Ordinary Procrustes averaging and superimposing landmarks to define an average landmark position for the specific regions of the corpus callosum. No significant global shape differences were found between the different mental disorders. Schizophrenia and bipolar shapes differed mostly in the genu‐rostrum, posterior body, isthmus and splenium. Sample group comparisons yielded significant differences between all groups and global measurement parameters and in various sub‐regions. The findings of the present study suggest that the corpus callosum in schizophrenia and bipolar differs significantly compared to healthy controls, specifically in the anterior body and isthmus for schizophrenia and only in the isthmus for bipolar disorder. Shape changes in these regions may possibly, in part, be responsible for the symptoms and cognitive impairments observed in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Mutations in Puccinia triticina pathotypes in wheat rust repository in India
Authors: Kumar Subodh , Bhardwaj Subhash Chander , Gangwar Om Prakash , Prasad Pramod , Lata Charu , Adhikari Sneha
Published: October 2022

Two new variants of Puccinia triticina were identified in the repository cultures of pathotypes 20 (5R27 = SGQPL) and 107‐1 (45R35 = JCGPL) being maintained as live cultures in the national repository at Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India, for 87 and 24 years, respectively. Mixtures of infection types were observed on Lr15 in one pathotype 20 whereas on Lr3 in 107‐1. The single pustule isolations and further purification in both the cases yielded two new pathotypes designated as 20‐2 (57R27 = SHKPL) and 57 (45R39 = KGTPL). The pathotype 20‐2 was one‐step gain in virulence to Lr15 in mother culture of pathotype 20. Contrarily, the second new pathotype though close to 107‐1 (with additional virulence to Lr3), however, resembled standard race 57 of the classical differentials. The difference in virulence on one gene as compared to the respective mother culture and their non‐detection from the field samples reflects mutation for virulence in situ. To confirm the novelty of new pathotypes, detailed studies were conducted on differentials, avirulence/virulence on Lr genes, DNA polymorphism using SSR markers, and the results are presented in this publication. The new variants have been added to the live culture collection of the centre and designated as PrtI 57 and PrtI 20‐2.