bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TIME FOR COFFEE regulates phytochrome A-mediated hypocotyl growth through dawn-phased signaling
Authors: Wang Yan , Su Chen , Yu Yingjun , He Yuqing , Wei Hua , Li Na , Li Hong , Duan Jie , Li Bin , Li Jigang , Davis Seth J , Wang Lei
Published: May 2022

To enhance plant fitness under natural conditions, the circadian clock is synchronized and entrained by light via photoreceptors. In turn, the circadian clock exquisitely regulates the abundance and activity of photoreceptors via largely uncharacterized mechanisms. Here we show that the clock regulator TIME FOR COFFEE (TIC) controls the activity of the far-red light photoreceptor phytochrome A (phyA) at multiple levels in Arabidopsis thaliana. Null mutants of TIC displayed dramatically increased sensitivity to light irradiation with respect to hypocotyl growth, especially to far-red light. RNA-sequencing demonstrated that TIC and phyA play largely opposing roles in controlling light-regulated gene expression at dawn. Additionally, TIC physically interacts with the transcriptional repressor TOPLESS (TPL), which was associated with the significantly increased PHYA transcript levels in the tic-2 and tpl-1 mutants. Moreover, TIC interacts with phyA in the nucleus, thereby affecting phyA protein turnover and the formation of phyA nuclear speckles following light irradiation. Genetically, phyA was found to act downstream of TIC in regulating far red light-inhibited growth. Taken together, these findings indicate that TIC acts as a major negative regulator of phyA by integrating transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms at multiple levels.
Parental Love and Procreation
Authors: Shpall Sam
Published: May 2022

The main goal of this paper is to explore the forcefulness of the adoption challenge to procreative parenting. After framing the challenge, I consider two of the most developed attempts to respond to it, due to Luara Ferracioli and Elizabeth Brake. I argue that neither strategy is a promising way to vindicate the permissibility of procreative parenting. I then present several reasons to value procreative parenting that are underappreciated in the recent literature. Though these considerations deserve more philosophical attention, I’m agnostic about whether they are strong enough to overcome the adoption challenge. I explain why this agnosticism is reasonable, and the debate about permissibility arguably intractable, in the context of prevailing deontological assumptions structuring discussions of procreation. I conclude by arguing that an independently interesting metaethical thesis, which I call deontic fictionalism, may give us some perspective on this debate and others like it.
Determinants of Short-Term Corporate Yield Spreads: Evidence from the Commercial Paper Market
Authors: Huang Jing-Zhi , Liu Bibo , Shi Zhan
Published: May 2022

What drives short-term credit spreads: credit risk, liquidity risk, or both? We investigate this issue using the structural approach to credit risk modeling and a novel data set of secondary market transaction prices for Chinese commercial papers (CPs). In particular, we propose and test a structural model with jump risk and exogenous market illiquidity under which the predicted yield spreads can be decomposed into a credit component and a liquidity component. We find that credit risk and, especially liquidity risk, are important determinants of short-term yield spreads. Our model-based decomposition results show that, on average, credit risk and market liquidity account for about 25% and 52% of CP yield spreads, respectively. For comparison, we also examine the drivers of the US CP yield spreads using security-level data. We find that credit risk accounts for a small fraction of the observed yield spreads but liquidity contributes a much greater proportion.
Schizophrenia in Translation: Why the Eye?
Authors: Silverstein Steven M , Choi Joy J , Green Kyle M , Bowles-Johnson Kristen E , Ramchandran Rajeev S
Published: May 2022

Schizophrenia is increasingly recognized as a systemic disease, characterized by dysregulation in multiple physiological systems (eg, neural, cardiovascular, endocrine). Many of these changes are observed as early as the first psychotic episode, and in people at high risk for the disorder. Expanding the search for biomarkers of schizophrenia beyond genes, blood, and brain may allow for inexpensive, noninvasive, and objective markers of diagnosis, phenotype, treatment response, and prognosis. Several anatomic and physiologic aspects of the eye have shown promise as biomarkers of brain health in a range of neurological disorders, and of heart, kidney, endocrine, and other impairments in other medical conditions. In schizophrenia, thinning and volume loss in retinal neural layers have been observed, and are associated with illness progression, brain volume loss, and cognitive impairment. Retinal microvascular changes have also been observed. Abnormal pupil responses and corneal nerve disintegration are related to aspects of brain function and structure in schizophrenia. In addition, studying the eye can inform about emerging cardiovascular, neuroinflammatory, and metabolic diseases in people with early psychosis, and about the causes of several of the visual changes observed in the disorder. Application of the methods of oculomics, or eye-based biomarkers of non-ophthalmological pathology, to the treatment and study of schizophrenia has the potential to provide tools for patient monitoring and data-driven prediction, as well as for clarifying pathophysiology and course of illness. Given their demonstrated utility in neuropsychiatry, we recommend greater adoption of these tools for schizophrenia research and patient care.
Effects of remotely-delivered physical activity education on exercise beliefs and intentions of active and nonactive cancer survivors and their partners
Authors: Ulrich Gillian R , Nogg Kelsey A , Freeman Slaton Z , Ranby Krista W
Published: May 2022

Physical activity (PA) is recommended for cancer survivors and their romantic partners yet cancer couples may be unaware of the benefits of PA specific to them. Exercise interventions targeting survivors and partners simultaneously may prove effective at increasing exercise knowledge, intentions, and outcomes. To examine the effects of a remotely-delivered cancer-specific exercise education video on cancer survivors’ and their partners’ exercise knowledge, beliefs, and intentions. Cancer survivors (N = 209) and their romantic partners (N = 155) completed an online survey with an embedded education video randomized to half the sample. Group differences (education vs. control) on study constructs among the whole sample and on a subset of the sample not meeting exercise guidelines [i.e., less than 150 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per week; 50.5% survivors, 45.1% partners] were examined. Group differences on study constructs were also tested between survivors and partners meeting exercise guidelines or not. Survivors and partners in the education condition were more likely to correctly report the MVPA guidelines. The education increased survivors’ personal exercise importance, outcome expectations, and likelihood of joining an individual exercise program. Participants meeting guidelines were significantly different on multiple exercise beliefs compared to those who were not. Among those not meeting guidelines, the education increased survivors’ belief in the importance of exercising with their partner. A remotely-delivered exercise education video increased exercise knowledge and beliefs, which represents an important step in the development of couples’ exercise interventions for cancer survivors and their romantic partners.
The Appearance of Digital Competence in the Work of Health Sciences Educators
Authors: Pajari Juha , Sormunen Marjorita , Salminen Leena , Vauhkonen Anneli , Aura Suvi , Koskinen Monika , Mikkonen Kristina , Kääriäinen Maria , Saaranen Terhi
Published: May 2022

The digital competence of health sciences educators is important for the delivery and development of modern education and lifelong learning. The aim of the study was to assess the appearance of digital competence in the work of Finnish health sciences educators and to determine whether educators' background factors are related to the areas of digital competence appearance. The European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators was used as a theoretical background. The participants were Finnish health sciences educators (n = 388). Data were collected by quantitative survey and statistically analyzed. Results show that health sciences educators had participated in continuing education to develop their expertise and used a variety of digital methods and materials. Educators need more competence to improve healthcare students' ability to use digital technology. In the area of Teaching and Learning, educators younger than 40 years rated the appearance of digital competence as better than did those between the ages of 40 and 49 years. In the future, health sciences educators' basic and continuing education could take into account the competence requirements for digital competence, and educators' expertise must be increased in areas where digital competence does not appear strong.
Development of Nursing Informatics Competence Scale for Korean Clinical Nurses
Authors: Jang Seon Mi , Kim Jeongeun
Published: May 2022

Much of the research on nursing informatics competence has been conducted in a Western context. Thus, this study aimed to develop the Korean Nursing Informatics Competence Assessment Scale for clinical nurses and to evaluate its validity and reliability. A total of 52 items were derived based on the hybrid model. After a content validity test by six experts and item evaluation by 20 nurses, the scale was revised to include 35 items. For this study, 214 nurses completed the nursing informatics competence assessment scale to verify the scale's reliability and validity. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed five factors composed of 20 items; the fit index of the derived model was good. A positive correlation between scores on the nursing informatics competence scale and the patient safety competence scale (r = .66, P < .001) was found for the criterion-related validity test. Cronbach's α was .91, indicating that the instrument is reliable and stable. Overall, this study provides preliminary evidence for the validity and reliability of the Korean nursing informatics competence assessment scale to evaluate clinical nurses. This study contributes to the understanding and improvement of nursing informatics competence by providing a reliable scale for assessing clinical nursing practice.
Association of Concussion History and Prolonged Recovery in Youth
Authors: Chizuk Haley M. , Cunningham Adam , Horn Emily C. , Thapar Raj S. , Willer Barry S. , Leddy John J. , Haider Mohammad N.
Published: May 2022

Objective:

To determine the number of prior concussions associated with increased incidence of persistent postconcussive symptoms (PPCS) in a cohort of acutely concussed pediatric patients.

Design:

Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting:

Three university-affiliated concussion clinics.

Participants:

Two hundred seventy participants (14.9 ± 1.9 years, 62% male, 54% with prior concussion) were assessed within 14 days of concussion and followed to clinical recovery. Participants with a second head injury before clinical recovery were excluded.

Measures: and Main Outcome:

Concussion history, current injury characteristics, recovery time, and risk for prolonged recovery from current concussion.

Results:

There was no statistically significant change in PPCS risk for participants with 0, 1 or 2 prior concussions; however, participants with 3 or more prior concussions had a significantly greater risk of PPCS. Twelve participants sustained a subsequent concussion after clinical recovery from their first injury and were treated as a separate cohort. Our secondary analysis found that these participants took longer to recover and had a greater incidence of PPCS during recovery from their latest concussion.

Conclusion:

Pediatric patients with a history of 3 or more concussions are at greater risk of PPCS than those with fewer than 3 prior concussions.
Shigellosis Cases With Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infections: Population-Based Data From 6 US Jurisdictions, 2007 to 2016
Authors: Ridpath Alison D. , Vanden Esschert Kayla L. , Bragg Sarah , Campbell Stephanie , Convery Christine , Cope Anna , Devinney Katelynn , Diesel Jill C. , Kikuchi Nicole , Lee Nicole , Lewis Felicia M.T. , Matthias James , Pathela Preeti , Pugsley River , Sanderson Slutsker Jennifer , Schillinger Julia A. , Thompson Corinne , Tingey Colleen , Wilson Janae , Newman Daniel R. , Marsh Zachary A. , Garcia-Williams Amanda G. , Kirkcaldy Robert D.
Published: May 2022

Background

Shigella species, which cause acute diarrheal disease, are transmitted via fecal-oral and sexual contact. To better understand the overlapping populations affected by Shigella infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States, we examined the occurrence of reported STIs within 24 months among shigellosis case-patients.

Methods

Culture-confirmed Shigella cases diagnosed from 2007 to 2016 among residents of 6 US jurisdictions were matched to reports of STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and all stages of syphilis) diagnosed 12 months before or after the shigellosis case. We examined epidemiologic characteristics and reported temporal trends of Shigella cases by sex and species.

Results

From 2007 to 2016, 10,430 shigellosis cases were reported. The annual number of reported shigellosis cases across jurisdictions increased 70%, from 821 cases in 2007 to 1398 cases in 2016; males saw a larger increase compared with females. Twenty percent of male shigellosis case-patients had an STI reported in the reference period versus 4% of female case-patients. The percentage of male shigellosis case-patients with an STI increased from 11% (2007) to 28% (2016); the overall percentage among females remained low.

Conclusions

We highlight the substantial proportion of males with shigellosis who were diagnosed with STIs within 24 months and the benefit of matching data across programs. Sexually transmitted infection screening may be warranted for male shigellosis case-patients.
Facilitators and Barriers of HIV Partner Notification Services Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China: A Qualitative Analysis Using a Socioecological Framework
Authors: Yan Xumeng , Xu Yongshi , Tucker Joseph D. , Miller William C. , Tang Weiming
Published: May 2022

Background

HIV partner notification services (HIV PS) have been poorly implemented in most low- and middle-income countries, including China. Understanding the social context of partner services for key populations is important for scaling up HIV testing services. This study aims to examine facilitators and barriers of HIV PS using qualitative analysis.

Methods

This article qualitatively analyzed the texts obtained from a crowdsourcing open call and adopted the socioecological framework to understand the social context of Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV that influenced their uptake of HIV partner services. Crowdsourcing means collecting ideas from and sharing solutions with the public. The open call was held to solicit ideas to enhance HIV partner services for Chinese MSM. Two coders conducted a content analysis of the texts from the submissions using inductive and deductive coding methods to identify facilitators and barriers of HIV PS.

Results

Textual data from 53 submissions were analyzed. The most mentioned barrier, stigma associated with HIV PS, was deeply embedded at several levels, highlighting the urgent need for stigma reduction. Among the facilitators, many people mentioned anonymous online notification could protect the privacy and avoid social harm for index partners. Differentiated partner services may improve HIV PS uptake by providing tailored intervention according to the individual circumstances. Some people suggested implicit notification, which meant testing the attitude of the partner before direct disclosure. This was feasible and acceptable in many settings.

Conclusions

The unique social context of MSM living with HIV provides opportunities for embedding HIV partner services. More clinical trials that test the acceptability and effectiveness of the HIV PS interventions are needed.
The Concise Assessment of Leader Management Tool
Authors: Florez Amy R. , Shepard Lindsay N. , Frey Mary E. , Justice Lindsey B. , Constand Sara E. , Gilbert Gregory E. , Kessler David O. , Kerrey Benjamin T. , Calhoun Aaron W.
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Resuscitation events in pediatric critical and emergency care are high risk, and strong leadership is an important component of an effective response. The Concise Assessment of Leadership Management (CALM) tool, designed to assess the strength of leadership skills during pediatric crises, has shown promising validity and reliability in simulated settings. The objective of this study was to generate further validity and reliability evidence for the CALM by applying it to real-life emergency events.

Methods

A prospective, video-based study was conducted in an academic pediatric emergency department. Three reviewers independently applied the CALM tool to the assessment of pediatric emergency department physicians as they led both a cardiac arrest and a sepsis event. Time to critical event (epinephrine, fluid, and antibiotic administration) was collected via video review. Based on Kane's framework, we conducted fully crossed, person × event × rater generalizability (G) and decision (D) studies. Interrater reliability was calculated using Gwet AC2 and intraclass correlation coefficients. Time to critical events was correlated with CALM scores using Spearman coefficient.

Results

Nine team leaders were assessed in their leadership of 2 resuscitations each. The G coefficient was 0.68, with 26% subject variance, 20% rater variance, and no case variance. Thirty-three percent of the variance (33%) was attributed to third-order interactions and unknown factors. Gwet AC2 was 0.3 and intraclass correlation was 0.58. The CALM score and time to epinephrine correlated at −0.79 (P = 0.01). The CALM score and time to fluid administration correlated at −0.181 (P = 0.64).

Conclusions

This study provides additional validity evidence for the CALM tool's use in this context if used with multiple raters, aligning with data from the previous simulation-based CALM validity study. Further development may improve reliability. It also serves as an exemplar of the rigors of conducting validity work within medical simulation.
2021 Guideline for Management of Patients With Lower-Extremity Wounds Due to Diabetes Mellitus and/or Neuropathic Disease
Authors: Bonham Phyllis A. , Brunette Glenda , Crestodina Lea , Droste Linda R. , González Arturo , Kelechi Teresa J. , Ratliff Catherine R. , Varnado Myra F.
Published: May 2022

This article provides an executive summary of the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society's (WOCN) “2021 Guideline for Management of Patients With Lower-Extremity wounds Due to Diabetes Mellitus and/or Neuropathic Disease.” This executive summary presents an overview of the systematic process used to update and develop the guideline and recommendations from the guideline for screening and diagnosis, assessment, and management and education of patients with lower-extremity wounds due to diabetes mellitus and/or neuropathic disease. In addition, the executive summary provides suggestions for implementing recommendations from the guideline. The guideline is a resource for WOC nurse specialists and other nurses and health care professionals who work with adults who have/or are at risk for lower-extremity wounds due to diabetes mellitus/neuropathic disease. The complete guideline includes the evidence and references supporting the recommendations, and it is available in print and electronically from the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society, 1120 Rt 73, Suite 200, Mount Laurel, New Jersey, 08054; Web site: www.wocn.org.
Effects of Information, Motivation, Behavioral Skills Model on Urinary Incontinence in Men With Overactive Bladder and Urge Incontinence
Authors: Tuzer Hilal , Gezginci Elif , Yilmazer Tuba
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an intervention based on and information, motivation, behavioral skills (IMB) model on urinary incontinence symptoms, impact on daily activities, and incontinence-specific quality of life in men with overactive bladder dysfunction (OAB) and urge incontinence.

DESIGN:

Parallel-group, open-label, randomized-controlled clinical trial.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING:

The sample comprised 60 male patients admitted to the urology clinic of a training and research hospital in Ankara, Turkey. Inclusion criteria were adult men older than 18 years and diagnosed with OAB and urge incontinence.

METHODS:

Data were collected from February 2018 to February 2019. Participants were randomized into 2 equal groups. The intervention group (n = 30) received a structured intervention based on the IMB model, and a control group (n = 30) received standard OAB management. The primary outcome was severity of urge incontinence measured by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Secondary outcomes were mean scores on the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7), and Urinary Incontinence Information Rating. All outcome measures were evaluated before and 6 months after the training.

RESULTS:

Following the intervention, mean ICIQ-SF scores were significantly lower in the IMB model group as compared to the control group. Analysis revealed a significant increase in knowledge scores in both groups when baseline scores were compared to postintervention scores (P = .000 for the intervention group and P = .004 for the control group). The intervention group participants also had a higher postintervention scores when compared to control group subjects (P = .000).

CONCLUSIONS:

A structured behavioral intervention based on the IMB model significantly alleviated the severity of bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms in adult males with OAB and urge incontinence when compared to standard care.
Effectiveness of a Pressure Injury Prevention Care Bundle; Prospective Interventional Study in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Yilmazer Tuba , Tuzer Hilal
Published: May 2022

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a pressure injury prevention care bundle.

DESIGN:

Prospective interventional study.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING:

Participants were 13 nurses and 104 patients cared for in the intensive care unit for at least 24 hours in a university hospital in Ankara, Turkey.

METHODS:

The study was conducted in 2 stages: the pre-care and post-care bundle stages. In the pre-care bundle stage, the pressure injury incidence of the patients was followed by the nurses. At the end of the third month, the researcher held a 1-day training program for the nurses about the care bundle use to promote correct implementation. In the post-care bundle stage, the nurses provided care according to the bundle. Compliance with the care bundle was assessed. Pressure injury incidence rates in the pre- and post-care bundle stages were compared.

RESULTS:

The incidence of stage 1 pressure injury was 15.11 (1000 patient-days) in the pre-care bundle stage and 6.79 (1000 patient-days) in the post-care bundle stage; this reduction was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS:

A pressure injury prevention bundle was implemented in an intensive care unit, resulting in a decline in stage 1 pressure injuries.
Enterovirus D68 epidemic, UK, 2018, was caused by subclades B3 and D1, predominantly in children and adults, respectively, with both subclades exhibiting extensive genetic diversity
Authors: Howson-Wells Hannah C. , Tsoleridis Theocharis , Zainuddin Izzah , Tarr Alexander W. , Irving William L. , Ball Jonathan K. , Berry Louise , Clark Gemma , McClure C. Patrick
Published: May 2022

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has recently been identified in biennial epidemics coinciding with diagnoses of non-polio acute flaccid paralysis/myelitis (AFP/AFM). We investigated the prevalence, genetic relatedness and associated clinical features of EV-D68 in 193 EV-positive samples from 193 patients in late 2018, UK. EV-D68 was detected in 83 (58 %) of 143 confirmed EV-positive samples. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed extensive genetic diversity, split between subclades B3 (n=50) and D1 (n=33), suggesting epidemiologically unrelated infections. B3 predominated in children and younger adults, and D1 in older adults and the elderly (P=0.0009). Clinical presentation indicated causation or exacerbation of respiratory distress in 91.4 % of EV-D68-positive individuals, principally cough (75.3 %), shortness of breath (56.8 %), coryza (48.1 %), wheeze (46.9 %), supplemental oxygen required (46.9 %) and fever (38.9 %). Two cases of AFM were observed, one with EV-D68 detectable in the cerebrospinal fluid, but otherwise neurological symptoms were rarely reported (n=4). Both AFM cases and all additional instances of intensive care unit (ICU) admission (n=5) were seen in patients infected with EV-D68 subclade B3. However, due to the infrequency of severe infection in our cohort, statistical significance could not be assessed.
Improving the Assessment of Deep Learning Models in the Context of Drug-Target Interaction Prediction
Authors: Torrisi Mirko , de la Vega de León Antonio , Climent Guillermo , Loos Remco , Panjkovich Alejandro
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Machine Learning techniques have been widely adopted to predict drug-target interactions, a central area of research in early drug discovery. These techniques have shown promising results on various benchmarks although they tend to suffer from poor generalization. This is typically related to very sparse and nonuniform datasets available, which limits the applicability domain of machine learning techniques. Moreover, widespread approaches to split datasets (into training and test sets) treat a drug-target interaction as an independent entities, when in reality the drug and target involved may take part in other interactions, breaking apart the assumption of independence. We observe that this leads to overly optimistic test results and poor generalization of out-of-distribution samples for various state-of-the-art sequence-based machine learning models for drug-target prediction. We show that previous approaches to reduce bias in binding datasets focus on drug or target information only and, thus, lead to similar pitfalls. Finally, we propose a minimum viable solution to evaluate the generalization capability of a machine learning model based on the systematic separation of test samples with respect to drugs and targets in the training set, thus discerning the three out-of-distribution scenarios seen at test time: (1) drug or (2) target present in the training set, or (3) neither.
Chromosomal position of ribosomal protein genes impacts long term evolution ofVibrio cholerae
Authors: Larotonda Leticia , Mornico Damien , Khanna Varun , Bernal Joaquín , Ghigo Jean Marc , Val Marie-Eve , Comerci Diego , Mazel Didier , Soler-Bistué Alfonso
Published: May 2022

It is unclear how gene order within the chromosome influences bacterial evolution. The genomic location of genes encoding the flow of genetic information is biased towards the replication origin (oriC) in fast-growing bacteria. To study the role of chromosomal location on cell physiology we relocated theS10-spec-αlocus (S10), harboring half of ribosomal protein genes, to different chromosomal positions in the fast-growing pathogenV. cholerae. We found that growth rate, fitness and infectivity inversely correlated the distance between S10 andoriC. To gain insight into the evolutionary effect of ribosomal protein genomic position, we evolved strains bearing S10 at its currentoriC-proximal location or derivatives where the locus far from it, at the chromosomal termini. All populations increased their growth rate along the experiment regardless S10 genomic location. However, the growth rate advantage of anoriC-proximal location persisted along experimental evolution indicating that suppressor mutations cannot compensate S10 genomic position. An increment in biofilm forming capacity was another common trait observed along the experiment. Deep sequencing of populations showed on average 1 mutation fixed each 100 generations, mainly at genes linked to flagellum biosynthesis regulation, lipopolysaccharide synthesis, chemotaxis, biofilm and quorum sensing. We selected fast-growing clones displaying a ∼10% growth rate increment. We found that they harbored inactivating mutations at, among other sites, the flagellum master regulatorsflrAB. The introduction of these mutations into naïveV. choleraestrains resulted in a ∼10% increase of growth rate. Our study therefore demonstrates that the location of ribosomal protein genes conditions the evolutionary trajectory of growth rate in the long term. While genomic content is highly plastic in prokaryotes, gene order is an underestimated factor that conditions cellular physiology and lineage evolution. The lack of suppression enables artificial gene relocation for genetic circuit reprogramming.
Hyperinsulinemia acts via acinar insulin receptors to initiate pancreatic cancer by increasing digestive enzyme production and inflammation
Authors: Zhang Anni M.Y. , Xia Yi Han , Lin Jeffrey S.H. , Chu Ken H. , Wang Wei Chuan K. , Ruiter Titine J.J. , Yang Jenny C.C. , Chen Nan , Chhuor Justin , Patil Shilpa , Cen Haoning Howard , Rideout Elizabeth J. , Richard Vincent R. , Schaeffer David F. , Zahedi Rene P. , Borchers Christoph H. , Johnson James D. , Kopp Janel L.
Published: May 2022

The rising pancreatic cancer incidence due to obesity and type 2 diabetes is closely tied to hyperinsulinemia, an independent cancer risk factor. Previous studies demonstrated reducing insulin production suppressed pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) pre-cancerous lesions inKras-mutant mice. However, the pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms remained unknown and in particular it was unclear whether hyperinsulinemia affected PanIN precursor cells directly or indirectly. Here, we demonstrate that insulin receptors (Insr) inKrasG12D-expressing pancreatic acinar cells are dispensable for glucose homeostasis, but necessary for hyperinsulinemia-driven PanIN formation in the context of diet-induced hyperinsulinemia and obesity. Mechanistically, this was attributed to amplified digestive enzyme protein translation, triggering of local inflammation and PanIN metaplasiain vivo.In vitro, insulin dose-dependently increased acinar-to-ductal metaplasia formation in a trypsin– andInsr-dependent manner. Collectively, our data shed light on the mechanisms connecting obesity-driven hyperinsulinemia and pancreatic cancer development.
Weaving a 2D net of hydrogen and halogen bonds: cocrystal of a pyrazolium bromide with tetrafluorodiiodobenzene
Authors: van Terwingen Steven , Ebel Ben , Wang Ruimin , Englert Ulli
Published: May 2022

Hydrohalides of Lewis bases may act as halogen bond (XB) acceptors and combine two directional interactions, namely, hydrogen bonds (HB) and XBs in the same solid. 3-(1,3,5-Trimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetylacetone (C11H16N2O2, HacacMePz) was protonated with HX(X = Cl or Br) to afford the hydrohalides, C11H17N2O2+·X−or H2acacMePz+·X−(1,X = Cl;2,X = Br). Hydrohalides1and2are isomorphous and adopt a classical dipole packing. Consistent with the observation for most β-diketones, the enol form with an intramolecular HB is observed. Additional noteworthy interactions are HBs of the protonated pyrazolium towards theX−anion at donor–acceptor distances of 2.9671 (17) Å for1and 3.159 (4) Å for2. Cocrystallization of hydrobromide2with the XB donor tetrafluorodiiodobenzene (TFDIB) leads to the adduct C11H17N2O2+·Br−·0.5C6F4I2·H2O or (H2acacMePz+·Br−)2·(H2O)2·TFDIB (3), in which the XB donor TFDIB is situated on a crystallographic centre of inversion. Classical HBs link organic cations, water molecules and Br−anions into chains along [010]. Almost orthogonal to this interaction, XBs with Br...I = 3.2956 (4) Å connect neighbouring chains along [102] into two-dimensional sheets in the (10-2) plane. Assisted by their negative charge, halide anions represent particularly good nucleophiles towards XB donors.
Structural basis of human LRG1 recognition by Magacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody with therapeutic potential
Authors: Gutiérrez-Fernández Javier , Javaid Faiza , De Rossi Giulia , Chudasama Vijay , Greenwood John , Moss Stephen E. , Luecke Hartmut
Published: May 2022

The formation of new dysfunctional blood vessels is a crucial stage in the development of various conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurological disease and inflammatory disorders, as well as during tumor growth, eventually contributing to metastasis. An important factor involved in pathogenic angiogenesis is leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1), the antibody blockade of which has been shown to lead to a reduction in both choroidal neovascularization and tumor growth in mouse models. In this work, the structural interactions between the LRG1 epitope and the Fab fragment of Magacizumab, a humanized function-blocking IgG4 against LRG1, are analysed, determining its specific binding mode and the key residues involved in LRG1 recognition. Based on these structural findings, a series of mutations are suggested that could be introduced into Magacizumab to increase its affinity for LRG1, as well as a model of the entire Fab–LRG1 complex that could enlighten new strategies to enhance affinity, consequently leading towards an even more efficient therapeutic.
The FIX-up mix-up; undue façadism or adaptive reuse? Examining the former FIX brewery transformation into the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Athens
Authors: Tsilika Evangelia , Vardopoulos Ioannis
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the rehabilitation project of the iconic urban industrial building in Athens, “FIX” brewery, and the practices followed, so as to initiate a discussion on the role of the façades in such a process. In particular, this study suggests that by choosing to restore just two of the façades out of the whole building, while placing emphasis on creating a new face for the new use, frontality is promoted against the pre-existing homogeneity approach, and façadism is introduced. However, both façadism and frontality distance this project from the rationale behind the adaptive reuse and redevelopment of built heritage.

Design/methodology/approach

A thorough architectural analysis of the FIX brewery building's long history and its consecutive transformations, besides providing adequate evidence for the hypothesis set, provided the opportunity to broaden the scope of this research and explore the role of the façades in adaptive reuse practice. Methodology-wise, this research was further strengthened by a comparative analysis of the Weverij De Ploeg adaptive reuse project in Bergeijk.

Findings

In the light of this critical analysis, the current study first highlights the importance of a building's façades in shaping public perception and establishing a connection to the city, by transmitting information and meanings about the building's structure, function, character and era. Accordingly, it stretches the need for façades' retention when adapting an industrial building of cultural heritage to a new use. Second, it emphasizes the need of fostering a holistic perspective toward a historic industrial building of such merit, respecting the building as a whole and in all its depth.

Originality/value

This in-depth analysis provides a solid ground for rethinking adaptive reuse, concretizing the appropriate approaches to industrial buildings of cultural heritage from parties involved (inter aliagovernment leaders, legislators, property developers, historians, urban planners, architects and other engineers), to ensure both the building's continuity and longevity, and an efficient and sustainable urban regeneration.
A two-study examination of age discrimination, work meaningfulness, and bridge employment intentions
Authors: Peng Yisheng
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Based on the role theory, this study examines whether workplace age discrimination indirectly relates to older workers' bridge employment intentions through work meaningfulness.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 used two-wave time-lagged survey data from one hundred and seventy nurses (≥45 years old) from the Midwestern United States. Study 2 used three-wave time-lagged survey data from one hundred and eighty-six employees from a wide range of occupations in the United States. The online survey contains various self-reports on workplace age discrimination, work meaningfulness, affective commitment, and bridge employment intentions.

Findings

Results in Study 1 found that workplace age discrimination was negatively and indirectly related to older nurses' bridge employment intentions through their experiences of work meaningfulness. Results in Study 2 further confirmed the mediating role of work meaningfulness in the relationship between age discrimination and bridge employment intentions, above and beyond the role of affective commitment.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the research by testing the indirect relationship between workplace age discrimination and older workers' bridge employment intentions through work meaningfulness, further raising our awareness of the importance of social and interpersonal experiences in older workers' preretirement jobs to their late-career development.
A bibliometric and content analysis of policy instruments on facilitating the development of prefabricated construction in China
Authors: Gan Xiao-Long , Xie Kexin , Liu Hanqiu , Rameezdeen Raufdeen , Wen Tao
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the policy instruments used by the China's Government on prefabricated construction (PC) development, with the aim to clarify the pattern and discover the focus of the policy instruments using the methods of bibliometric analysis and content analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a thorough screening by all researchers, 25 policies were identified from 1995 to 2021 were selected and analysed. The external attribute analysis clarified the issuing year, organisation, and the format of each policy. The content analysis was adopted firstly to analyse the policy instrument. An analysis framework including environmental instruments, supply instruments and demand instruments was applied in categorising and counting of each policy instrument. The bibliometric analysis was then carried out to extract keywords of the policy instruments, construct a co-word network and complete the cluster analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that the policies lack consistency and had relatively low authority. The results of content analysis show that the policy system relies heavily on environmental and supply instruments, whilst the use of demand instruments seems to be grossly inadequate. The results of the bibliometric analysis identify the core ideas of each policy instrument category, discuss the existing problems and then put forward the corresponding countermeasures.

Research limitations/implications

This study comprehensively and systematically analysed the policy instruments on facilitating the development of PC in China which broaden the research perspectives of the PC development by introducing the methods of political science. The research findings afford helpful information for future policy adjustments and elucidate the effective delivery of policies to facilitate PC development for developing countries.

Originality/value

This study provides an in-depth understanding of policy instruments used by China's Government on PC development. By integrating the policy instrument analysis framework into the mixed methods of content analysis and bibliometric analysis, this study provides an innovative way to conduct policy instrument analysis.
Disruptive technology and AI in the banking industry of an emerging market
Authors: Omoge Akinyemi Paul , Gala Prachi , Horky Alisha
Published: May 2022

Purpose

As disruptive technologies, such as the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled customer relationship management (CRM) systems, alter the processes and strategies that banks use in service delivery models, the impact of such technologies on consumer acceptance and buying behavior must continue to be examined. This research studies the impact of technology usage and acceptance of AI-enabled banking CRM systems in Nigeria on consumer buying behavior via the mediation of customer satisfaction and service quality. The study also investigates the negative impact of technology downtime, a frequent phenomenon in the emerging market, which has not, to this point, been studied on a large scale.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collect quantitative data via a face-to-face administered questionnaire from four hundred customers of ten different Nigerian banks regarding their perceptions of technology use in the banking sector.

Findings

While the research finds that technology usage has positive and direct effects on service quality, customer satisfaction and consumer buying behavior, service quality was found not to have a significant effect on consumer buying behavior. The study also establishes that technology downtime has a moderating effect on technology usage, consumer buying behavior and customer satisfaction in the banking context.

Originality/value

Scant literature exists that explores the importance of culture in technology usage and acceptance, specifically in developing countries like Nigeria. This study explores the impact of technology usage along with acceptance in the Nigerian setting on Nigerian consumers and their resulting satisfaction. Technology usage has been known to impact customer satisfaction in various ways, but no study has looked specifically at how technology in the banking sector can further be of help or harm from a Nigerian perspective. This study explores the technology usage in banking sector of Nigeria and its impact on the consumer buying behaviour. No studies in our knowledge have been known to consider the role of technology downtime, a frequent phenomenon in emerging market, as a factor, which will affect the customer satisfaction and buying behavior. Thus, this study (1a) explores the negative outcomes of technology downtime on both service quality and customer satisfaction, (b) explores the moderating relationship of technology downtime on the technology usage and consumer-related outcomes.
Developing an Islamic crowdfunding model: a new innovative mechanism to finance SMEs in the Middle East
Authors: Abdeldayem Marwan , Aldulaimi Saeed
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate and discuss the viability of Islamic crowdfunding (ICF) as an alternative form of financing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Middle Eastern and Islamic business environment. This study raised essential questions: what is the perception of ICF in the Middle East? Does the Middle East region really need an Islamic crowdfunding model to support SMEs? Is it possible to create a crowdfunding platform complaint with Sharia? What are the requirements for developing an Islamic crowdfunding model?

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology followed to answer these questions is a qualitative research design depends on in-depth interviews, literature review, historical analysis and critical discussion. Data analysis was conducted using NVivo to analyze 25 in-depth interviews with Islamic scholars, Sharia board members and Islamic finance experts from different Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Iraq, UAE and Bahrain. In addition, more than 115 transcriptions, memos and research articles were used.

Findings

The study provides a new Islamic Sharīʿah-compliant crowdfunding model as the main outcome of this study. In addition, the content analysis revealed four main themes to be the essential pillars to develop the ICF model. These provisions of Islamic Sharia are: Project Idea (Halal) (28.5%), Funding Goal (36%), Return and Risk (14%) and Funding Commitments (21.5%). The findings also revealed that the four types of crowdfunding (reward-based crowdfunding, donation-based crowdfunding, loan-based crowdfunding and equity-based crowdfunding) are legal and supported by evidence from Quran and Sunnah.

Originality/value

Despite the critical development in Islamic finance and the expanding number of young Muslims slanting digital Islamic services, empirical studies exploring this issue in the Middle East is still inadequate. Further, ICF has increased attention and there is an urgent need for financing new SMEs in the Middle East.
Identifying the key areas for benchmarking towards the improvement of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) construction firms in developing countries: the case of Ghana
Authors: Kissi Ernest , Aigbavboa Clinton , Babon-Ayeng Prosper
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify key areas for benchmarking (BM) towards the improvement of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) construction firms in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed the use of the quantitative research method in the collection and analysis of primary data collected from field surveys using a piloted close-ended questionnaire created following a review of available literature on BM. Based on 63 solicited views of professionals with SMEs (quantity surveyors, project managers and architects) data collected were statistically analysed using a one-sample t-test.

Findings

The findings of the study indicate that the key areas for BM towards the improvement of SME construction firms in developing countries in order of relevance are “Financial Performance”, “Competitiveness”, “Customer Satisfaction”, “Technology Advancement”, “Communication Skills”, “Collaboration”, “Employee Satisfaction” and “Product orientation”.

Practical implications

The study has given more insight into the areas that need more attention for SMEs BM to achieve improvement. It can therefore be suggested firms that adapted identified areas will derive the benefits of BM. It is further opined that more BM education should be provided to various SMEs construction firms to facilitate an effective and efficient BM regime aiming at performance enhancement in project delivery.

Originality/value

This forging research attempts to identify the key areas for BM towards the improvement of SMEs construction firms in developing countries. Although there have been several efforts to create BM tools for the construction industry.