bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutritional improvement in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) through plant breeding and biotechnological interventions
Authors: Kumari Vedna , Thakur Ronika , Kumari Jyoti , Kumari Aradhana , Khajuria Diksha
Published: December 2023

Soybean has been grown as an important protein and oil crop for thousands of years. Additionally, it also has a high content of iso-flavonoids, folic acid and saponins, exhibiting various biological activities. It contains several antioxidants, and has anti-diabetic, anti-proliferative, anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties. However, soybean also contains various antinutritional factors such as trypsin inhibitor, agglutinin, lectins, phytic acid and tannins, which reduce nutrient utilisation. Attempts have been made to improve the nutritional quality of soybean through conventional breeding, but anticipated outcomes could not be met and these efforts primarily resulted in agronomically undesirable traits. However, the development of cutting-edge tools and technologies including high throughput genotyping, phenotyping, DNA sequencing techniques and genome editing have made great progress in improving the functional and nutritional qualities of soybean.
Current perspectives for the use of medical ozone in veterinary medicine
Authors: Aamer Haytham , Nour Eman , Refaie Ayman , Youssef Mohamed , El-Ashker Maged
Published: December 2023

Although ozone has been used in veterinary medicine for more than 30 years, it is still inadequate and limited to certain areas and breeds. Medical ozone has gained popularity worldwide as current medical treatments have become more expensive, and there are growing concerns about antibiotic-resistant infections. In this review, we present current perspectives on the application of ozone in veterinary diseases, highlighting its mechanisms of action, how it is generated, and how it acts in living tissues. Furthermore, we address the impact of medical ozone on various diseases in animals, including renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. We also report the inherent biases and limitations of clinical studies and case series related to ozone therapy in veterinary medicine, without control groups. Although the information provided in this review is promising and confirms the potential of medical ozone therapy in the treatment of animal diseases, the accuracy of the results of this therapeutic modality is of vital importance in view of the objections identified in the authorization of ozone therapy and the existence of some limitations associated with relevant studies, which offer the possibility of potential biases.
A review on GaN HEMTs: nonlinear mechanisms and improvement methods
Authors: Du Chenglin , Ye Ran , Cai Xiaolong , Duan Xiangyang , Liu Haijun , Zhang Yu , Qiu Gang , Mi Minhan
Published: December 2023

The GaN HEMT is a potential candidate for RF applications due to the high frequency and large power handling capability. To ensure the quality of the communication signal, linearity is a key parameter during the system design. However, the GaN HEMT usually suffers from the nonlinearity problems induced by the nonlinear parasitic capacitance, transconductance, channel transconductance etc. Among them, the transconductance reduction is the main contributor for the nonlinearity and is mostly attributed to the scattering effect, the increasing resistance of access region, the self-heating effect and the trapping effects. Based on the mechanisms, device-level improvement methods of transconductance including the trapping suppression, the nanowire channel, the graded channel, the double channel, the transconductance compensation and the new material structures have been proposed recently. The features of each method are reviewed and compared to provide an overview perspective on the linearity of the GaN HEMT at the device level.
Optics pioneers win Nobel prize
Authors: Johnston Hamish
Published: December 2023

Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier have been awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize for Physics for their work in attosecond science, as Hamish Johnston reports.
Electrons accelerated by firing lasers into nanophotonic cavities
Authors: Wogan Tim
Published: December 2023

Laser-driven particle accelerators on silicon chips have been created by two independent research groups.
A question of dose
Authors: Crease Robert P
Published: December 2023

It is generally accepted that ionizing radiation – no matter how low – is a risk to human health. Robert P Crease argues that this notion needs to be examined more carefully.
Sharing a love for astronomy
Authors: Johnston Hamish
Published: December 2023

Victoria Grinberg, who is the first “liaison scientist” at the European Space Agency in the Netherlands, talks to Hamish Johnston about her interest in binary stars, why she wants to make astronomy more sustainable and her love of scientific illustrations.
Truth in fiction
Authors: Gardner Kate
Published: December 2023

Kate Gardner reviews Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
Einstein the human being
Authors: Gardner Kate
Published: December 2023

Kate Gardner reviews Einstein in Time and Space: a Life in 99 Particles by Samuel Graydon.
The blue color mechanism on sapphires from different gem deposits before and after heating under oxidizing atmosphere
Authors: Thengthong W , Sakkaravej S , Wongkokua W , Saiyasombat C , Monarumit N
Published: December 2023

The blue color of sapphire is commonly related to the amount of Fe and Ti impurities replacing Al3+ in the Al2O3 structure. Generally, the color intensity on sapphires is related to the gem deposits including the basaltic-related and metamorphic-related ones. The color of sapphires has been changed after heating under oxidizing atmosphere. However, the explanation about the color mechanism from some previous research contradicted each other and it was still wondered. For this reason, this research is focused on the role of Fe and Ti oxidation states as well as the blue color mechanism on sapphires before and after heating under oxidizing atmosphere. In this study, the sapphire samples were collected from different gem deposits including basaltic-related sapphires from Kanchanaburi province, Thailand and metamorphic-related ones from Sri Lanka before and after heating at 1100 °C under oxidizing atmosphere. As a result, the blue color on sapphires before heating can be described as a hole color center assigned to Fe3+-Ti4+ mixed acceptor states inside an energy band gap that could receive an electron from the valence band for charge-balancing after excitation. After heating, the basaltic-related sapphires turned from dark blue to light blue and the metamorphic-related ones turned from light blue to colorless. The Fe3+-Ti4+ mixed acceptor states were decreased because a hole color center was filled by an electron from oxygen during the heating process instead of an electron from the valence band. Therefore, it can be concluded that the blue color mechanism on sapphires before and after heating under an oxidizing atmosphere can be explained by an energy band model involving the presence or absence of Fe3+-Ti4+ mixed acceptor states as well as a hole color center inside an energy band gap.
Skin innervation across amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinical stages: new prognostic biomarkers
Authors: Nolano Maria , Provitera Vincenzo , Caporaso Giuseppe , Fasolino Ines , Borreca Ilaria , Stancanelli Annamaria , Iuzzolino Valentina V , Senerchia Gianmaria , Vitale Floriana , Tozza Stefano , Ruggiero Lucia , Iodice Rosa , Ferrari Sergio , Santoro Lucio , Manganelli Fiore , Dubbioso Raffaele
Published: December 2023

Over recent decades, peripheral sensory abnormalities, including the evidence of cutaneous denervation, have been reported among the non-motor manifestations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, a correlation between cutaneous innervation and clinical features has not been found.

The aims of this study were to assess sensory involvement by applying a morpho-functional approach to a large population of ALS patients stratified according to King’s stages and correlate these findings with the severity and prognosis of the disease.

We recruited 149 ALS patients and 41 healthy controls. Patients undertook clinical questionnaires for small fibre neuropathy symptoms (Small Fiber Neuropathy Symptoms Inventory Questionnaire) and underwent nerve conductions studies (NCS) and 3-mm punch skin biopsies from leg, thigh and fingertip. We assessed intraepidermal nerve fibre (IENF) and Meissner corpuscle (MC) density by applying an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Moreover, a subset of 65 ALS patients underwent a longitudinal study with repeat biopsies from the thigh at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Serum NfL levels were measured in 40 patients.

Sensory symptoms and sensory NCS abnormalities were present in 32.2% and 24% of patients, respectively, and increased across clinical stages. Analogously, we observed a progressive reduction in amplitude of the sensory and motor ulnar nerve potential from stage 1 to stage 4.

Skin biopsy showed a significant loss of IENFs and MCs in ALS compared with healthy controls (all P < 0.001). Across the clinical stages, we found a progressive reduction in MCs (P = 0.004) and an increase in IENFs (all P < 0.027). The increase in IENFs was confirmed by the longitudinal study. Interestingly, the MC density inversely correlated with NfL level (r = −0.424, P = 0.012), and survival analysis revealed that low MC density, higher NfL levels and increasing IENF density over time were associated with a poorer prognosis (all P < 0.024).

To summarize, in patients with ALS, peripheral sensory involvement worsens in parallel with motor disability. Furthermore, the correlation between skin innervation and disease activity may suggest the use of skin innervation as a putative prognostic biomarker.
Characterization of the Chemical Constituents in Radix gentianae by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Pan Xu , Guan Jiao , Cui Yue , Li Lele , Lin Xiaoying , Feng Bo , Zhu Heyun
Published: December 2023

Radix gentianae (RG) is a traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of acute and chronic hepatitis in clinic. However, the chemical profile of RG is still unconfirmed, which hindered the progress of pharmacological study and clinical application. In this study, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography together with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry techniques were employed to separate and characterize the chemical constituents in RG. Under the optimized conditions, a total of 60 compounds were rapidly identified or tentatively characterized. Results indicated that iridoid glucosides, flavonoids, organic acids, amino acids, saccharides and nucleosides were major constituents in RG. It is concluded the established method can help to clarify the substance basis and provide useful information for ascertaining the bioactive constituents and action mechanism of RG.
Regional and National Trends in Consumption of Antimicrobials in Pakistan; Pre and Post-COVID (2019–2021)
Authors: Mustafa Tauqeer , Niazi Muhammad Rehan Khan , Lakdawala Zahra , Mirza Shaper
Published: December 2023

Background

Efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance, a growing public health problem in Pakistan, have been hampered by the lack of high-quality national and provincial-level antimicrobial consumption data. The singular objective of this retrospective study was to measure antimicrobial consumption over 3 years between 2019 and 2021.

Methods

The study was designed to estimate antimicrobial consumption at National and Regional levels. Antimicrobial consumption data was collected by IQVIA covering 110 districts of Pakistan in which 88% of sales are census (accurate sales collected directly from distributors), whereas 12% of sales (sales of 300 pharmacies) are projected on the national level. To determine the usage for 3 consecutive years, the consumption of antibiotics was calculated as defined daily doses (DDD) of antibiotics per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID).

Results

The results of our study demonstrated a steep increase in the consumption of antimicrobials from 2019 to 2021. An increase in consumption of most classes of antibiotics was observed both nationally and Regionally. Quinolones, penicillins (co-amoxiclav), macrolides, and third-generation cephalosporins remained the most frequently used antibiotics nationally. A 40% increase in intravenous use of antimicrobials was observed between 2019 and 2021 at the national level. Moxifloxacin, Levofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, and linezolid were the most commonly used intravenous antibiotics. Region 7 (Peshawar) demonstrated the highest consumption, followed by Region 1 (Karachi) and Region 6 (Faisalabad). Among the most commonly used antibiotics, the use of third-generation cephalosporin (cefixime), quinolones, penicillins (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid), and macrolides (azithromycin) was most noticeable in all regions, particularly in those with the higher consumption of antibiotics.

Conclusions

Although the increase in consumption of all antibiotics is concerning, the steep increase in the use of watch and reserve category antibiotics during the study period calls for immediate actions to limit and regulate their usage.
ALS iPSC-derived microglia and motor neurons respond to astrocyte-targeted IL-10 and CCL2 modulation
Authors: Allison Reilly L , Ebert Allison D
Published: December 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of upper and lower motor neurons (MNs). The loss of MNs in ALS leads to muscle weakness and wasting, respiratory failure, and death often within two years of diagnosis. Glial cells in ALS show aberrant expression of pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic proteins associated with activation and have been proposed as ideal therapeutic targets. In this study, we examined astrocyte-targeted treatments to reduce glial activation and neuron pathology using cells differentiated from ALS patient-derived iPSC carrying SOD1 and C9ORF72 mutations. Specifically, we tested the ability of increasing interleukin 10 (IL-10) and reducing C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2/MCP-1) signaling targeted to astrocytes to reduce activation phenotypes in both astrocytes and microglia. Overall, we found IL10/CCL2NAb treated astrocytes to support anti-inflammatory phenotypes and reduce neurotoxicity, through different mechanisms in SOD1 and C9ORF72 cultures. We also found altered responses of microglia and motor neurons to astrocytic influences when cells were cultured together rather than in isolation. Together these data support IL-10 and CCL2 as non-mutation-specific therapeutic targets for ALS and highlight the role of glial-mediated pathology in this disease.
A phage-encoded RNA-binding protein inhibits the antiviral activity of a toxin–antitoxin system
Authors: Guegler Chantal K , Teodoro Gabriella I C , Srikant Sriram , Chetlapalli Keerthana , Doering Christopher R , Ghose Dia A , Laub Michael T
Published: December 2023

Bacteria harbor diverse mechanisms to defend themselves against their viral predators, bacteriophages. In response, phages can evolve counter-defense systems, most of which are poorly understood. In T4-like phages, the gene tifA prevents bacterial defense by the type III toxin–antitoxin (TA) system toxIN, but the mechanism by which TifA inhibits ToxIN remains unclear. Here, we show that TifA directly binds both the endoribonuclease ToxN and RNA, leading to the formation of a high molecular weight ribonucleoprotein complex in which ToxN is inhibited. The RNA binding activity of TifA is necessary for its interaction with and inhibition of ToxN. Thus, we propose that TifA inhibits ToxN during phage infection by trapping ToxN on cellular RNA, particularly the abundant 16S rRNA, thereby preventing cleavage of phage transcripts. Taken together, our results reveal a novel mechanism underlying inhibition of a phage-defensive RNase toxin by a small, phage-encoded protein.
Quantification of perineural satellitosis in pretreatment glioblastoma with structural MRI and a diffusion tensor imaging template
Authors: van den Elshout Rik , Ariëns Benthe , Blaauboer Joost , Meijer Frederick J A , van der Kolk Anja G , Esmaeili Morteza , Scheenen Tom W J , Henssen Dylan J H A
Published: December 2023

Background

Survival outcomes for glioblastoma (GBM) patients remain unfavorable, and tumor recurrence is often observed. Understanding the radiological growth patterns of GBM could aid in improving outcomes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between contrast-enhancing tumor growth direction and white matter, using an image registration and deformation strategy.

Methods

In GBM patients 2 pretreatment scans (diagnostic and neuronavigation) were gathered retrospectively, and coregistered to a template and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) atlas. The GBM lesions were segmented and coregistered to the same space. Growth vectors were derived and divided into vector populations parallel (Φ = 0–20°) and perpendicular (Φ = 70–90°) to white matter. To test for statistical significance between parallel and perpendicular groups, a paired samples Student’s t-test was performed. O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation status and its correlation to growth rate were also tested using a one-way ANOVA test.

Results

For 78 GBM patients (mean age 61 years ± 13 SD, 32 men), the included GBM lesions showed a predominant preference for perineural satellitosis (P < .001), with a mean percentile growth of 30.8% (95% CI: 29.6–32.0%) parallel (0° < |Φ| < 20°) to white matter. Perpendicular tumor growth with respect to white matter microstructure (70° < |Φ| < 90°) showed to be 22.7% (95% CI: 21.3–24.1%) of total tumor growth direction.

Conclusions

The presented strategy showed that tumor growth direction in pretreatment GBM patients correlated with white matter architecture. Future studies with patient-specific DTI data are required to verify the accuracy of this method prospectively to identify its usefulness as a clinical metric in pre and posttreatment settings.
Nannies go rogue? A call for research into nanny-induced elder abuse in China
Authors: Su Z , McDonnell D , Bentley B L , Dai W , Diao Y , Feng Y , Kadier S , Milawuti P , Alimu T , Dawadanzeng  , Wu X , Jiang J , Liu Y , Yu X , Zou X , Nie J -B , da Veiga C P , Xiang Y -T
Published: December 2023

Older people often face varied and vicious abuse from care workers. Situations are typically more pronounced for older people who live with additional cognitive or physical difficulties, such as dementia and disabilities, the prevalence of which has been on the rise in China and elsewhere. Recent reported discoveries of elder abuse in China, which span alarming levels of verbal, physical, psychological, financial, and sexual abuse, have almost all been caused by nannies or ‘bao mu’. Different from Western countries, the word nanny is often used to refer to people who offer caregiving help in residential settings at large, regardless of the age of the care recipients. What is also different is the lack of regulations or even rigorous training and evaluation processes for nannies in China: almost anyone can become a nanny—even though a background check is often required for nannies, this process is often highly variable and dependent on the specific labour agencies that nannies are registered with. Yet without structured studies and systematic data, little is known about the extent and severity of nanny-induced elder abuse in China. To this end, this article aims to discuss the unique elderly care environment—such as the ‘721 Rule’—in China, particularly in the post-COVID era, and highlight the critical need for timely and rigorous studies on the potential prevalence and severity of nannies’ abuse and neglect of older people.
Neonatal Assessment
Authors: Moss Colleen Reilly , Nation Helen
Published: December 2023

Background:

Assessment of the foot is an essential part of the newborn examination. Foot abnormalities range from an isolated deformity due to intrauterine positioning to a functional impairment due to a structural malformation. The purpose of this article is to review assessment, abnormal findings, and current treatment options of common foot deformities.

Evidence Acquisition:

A review of literature was conducted using keywords in PubMed, Google Scholar, and CINAHL databases from 2018 to 2023.

Results:

Although assessment techniques for the neonatal foot remain the same, recent nonsurgical treatment options are available for a variety of neonatal foot deformities. Early recognition allows for proper evaluation of foot deformities and corrective measures.

Implications for Practice and Research:

Neonatal providers equipped with knowledge of common foot problems can provide support and anticipatory guidance to families.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound in a Tertiary Medical Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Fox Steven , Alwakeel Mahmoud , Wang Xiaofeng , Dugar Siddharth , Chaisson Neal
Published: December 2023

Objective:

Critical care echocardiography (CCE) is a useful tool for managing critically ill patients in intensive care. However, concerns exist regarding the accuracy of CCE examinations because of operator dependence. We sought to evaluate the accuracy of CCE examinations compared with cardiology-performed transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE).

Design, Setting, and Subjects:

We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients in a medical ICU in a large academic medical center in the United States. We compared CCE examinations performed by a fellow and reviewed by a staff physician between May 5, 2020, and December 31, 2021, to TTE obtained within 24 hours of the CCE examination.

Intervention, Measurements, and Main Results:

We developed a standardized process for documentation of all CCE examinations performed in the medical ICU. We assessed agreement (kappa statistic), sensitivity and specificity of CCE examination compared with TTE. Features included left ventricle (LV) systolic function, right ventricle (RV) size, RV systolic function, pericardial effusion, mitral insufficiency, tricuspid insufficiency, and aortic insufficiency. The study analyzed 504 pairs of CCE and TTE examinations. Kappa statistics for detecting LV and RV systolic dysfunction, pericardial effusion, and RV size ranged from 0.60 to 0.74. CCE showed high sensitivity and specificity for detecting LV and RV systolic dysfunction and pericardial effusion, with values ranging from 0.85 to 0.99. The kappa statistic for detecting RV dilation was 0.59, with a sensitivity of 0.71 and a specificity of 0.85. In contrast, CCE examinations were nondiagnostic for mitral, tricuspid, or aortic insufficiency in 60–70% of cases, whereas TTE examinations were nondiagnostic in 20–30% of cases. Kappa statistics for mitral, tricuspid, and aortic insufficiency ranged from 0.32 to 0.42.

Conclusions:

CCE is a reliable tool for assessing LV and RV systolic function, pericardial effusion, and RV size. However, CCE may be limited in its ability to detect mitral, tricuspid, or aortic insufficiency.
Unusual Presentation of Lymphangioma Circumscriptum of the Vulva: In Association With Crohn Disease
Authors: Calhau Ana , Salgueiro Neto Rita , Leiria Gomes Rita , Freitas Tânia , Oliveira Isabel
Published: December 2023

Lymphangioma circumscriptum (LC) is a rare benign condition, with marked dilation of surface lymphatic vessels in the deep and subcutaneous layers. Vulvar LC can become a highly disabling condition with vulvar discomfort, itching, burning and lymph seeping being the dominant symptoms. Biopsy is mandatory for the diagnosis. There is no consensus on the standard treatment for vulvar LC and recurrence is frequent. In complex cases with wide disease location, combination of different treatment options, such as abrasive methods and surgery, may lead to the best clinical and aesthetical result, with extended disease-free periods. We present a patient with a long history of Crohn disease with multiple pelvic surgeries who developed an extensive vulvar LC.
Convergent evolution of ventral adaptations for enrolment in trilobites and extant euarthropods
Authors: Losso Sarah R. , Affatato Pauline , Nanglu Karma , Ortega-Hernández Javier
Published: December 2023

The ability to enrol for protection is an effective defensive strategy that has convergently evolved multiple times in disparate animal groups ranging from euarthropods to mammals. Enrolment is a staple habit of trilobites, and their biomineralized dorsal exoskeleton offered a versatile substrate for the evolution of interlocking devices. However, it is unknown whether trilobites also featured ventral adaptations for enrolment. Here, we report ventral exoskeletal adaptations that facilitate enrolment in exceptionally preserved trilobites from the Middle Ordovician Walcott–Rust Quarry in New York State, USA. Walcott–Rust trilobites reveal the intricate three-dimensional organization of the non-biomineralized ventral anatomy preserved as calcite casts, including the spatial relationship between the articulated sternites (i.e. ventral exoskeletal plates) and the wedge-shaped protopodites. Enrolment in trilobites is achieved by ventrally dipping the anterior margin of the sternites during trunk flexure, facilitated by the presence of flexible membranes, and with the close coupling of the wedge-shaped protopodites. Comparisons with the ventral morphology of extant glomerid millipedes and terrestrial isopods reveal similar mechanisms used for enrolment. The wedge-shaped protopodites of trilobites closely resemble the gnathobasic coxa/protopodite of extant horseshoe crabs. We propose that the trilobites' wedge-shaped protopodite simultaneously facilitated tight enrolment and gnathobasic feeding with the trunk appendages.
Enhancement of antibody thermostability and affinity by computational design in the absence of antigen
Authors: Hutchinson Mark , Ruffolo Jeffrey A. , Haskins Nantaporn , Iannotti Michael , Vozza Giuliana , Pham Tony , Mehzabeen Nurjahan , Shandilya Harini , Rickert Keith , Croasdale-Wood Rebecca , Damschroder Melissa , Fu Ying , Dippel Andrew , Gray Jeffrey J. , Kaplan Gilad
Published: December 2023

Over the last two decades, therapeutic antibodies have emerged as a rapidly expanding domain within the field biologics. In silico tools that can streamline the process of antibody discovery and optimization are critical to support a pipeline that is growing more numerous and complex every year. In this study, DeepAb, a deep learning model for predicting antibody Fv structure directly from sequence, was used to design 200 potentially stabilized variants of an anti-hen egg lysozyme (HEL) antibody. We sought to determine whether DeepAb can enhance the stability of these antibody variants without relying on or predicting the antibody-antigen interface, and whether this stabilization could increase antibody affinity without impacting their developability profile. The 200 variants were produced through a robust highthroughput method and tested for thermal and colloidal stability (Tonset, Tm, Tagg), affinity (KD) relative to the parental antibody, and for developability parameters (non-specific binding, aggregation propensity, self-association). In the designed clones, 91% and 94% exhibited increased thermal and colloidal stability and affinity, respectively. Of these, 10% showed a significantly increased affinity for HEL (5-to 21-fold increase), with most clones retaining the favorable developability profile of the parental antibody. These data open the possibility ofin silicoantibody stabilization and affinity maturation without the need to predict the antibody-antigen interface, which is notoriously difficult in the absence of crystal structures.
Dynamic assessment of stakeholder conflict risk for R&D project portfolios
Authors: Bai Libiao , Zhao Xuyang , Kang ShuYun , Ma Yiming , Zhang BingBing
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Research and development (R&D) projects are often pursued through a project portfolio (PP). R&D PPs involve many stakeholders, and without proactive management, their interactions may lead to conflict risks. These conflict risks change dynamically with different stages of the PP life cycle, increasing the challenge of PP risk management. Existing conflict risk research mainly focuses on source identification but lacks risk assessment work. To better manage the stakeholder conflict risks (SCRs) of R&D PPs, this study employs the dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) to construct its dynamic assessment model.

Design/methodology/approach

This study constructs a DBN model to assess the SCRs in R&D PP. First, an indicator system of SCRs is constructed from the life cycle perspective. Then, the risk relationships within each R&D PPs life cycle stage are identified via interpretative structural modeling (ISM). The prior and conditional probabilities of risks are obtained by expert judgment and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). Finally, crucial SCRs at each stage are identified utilizing propagation analysis, and the corresponding risk responses are proposed.

Findings

The results of the study identify the crucial risks at each stage. Also, for the crucial risks, this study suggests appropriate risk response strategies to help managers better perform risk response activities.

Originality/value

This study dynamically assesses the stakeholder conflict risks in R&D PPs from a life-cycle perspective, extending the stakeholder risk management research. Meanwhile, the crucial risks are identified at each stage accordingly, providing managerial insights for R&D PPs.
A multilevel investigation of team relationship conflict and employee-level subjective career success
Authors: Ullah Rahman , Kundi Yasir Mansoor , Shahid Subhan
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Based on affective event theory (AET), this study aims to unpack the association between team relationship conflict and employees’ subjective career success by examining the mediating role of negative emotions and the moderating role of emotional intelligence.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Mplus 8.1, the study analyzes multi-level, multi-wave data collected from 288 employees in 51 teams across Pakistan.

Findings

The results indicate that team relationship conflict is negatively associated with employees’ subjective career success, both in terms of career satisfaction and job satisfaction. While employees’ negative emotions partially mediate this negative relationship, emotional intelligence moderates the association between team relationship conflict and negative emotions, such that individuals with higher emotional intelligence experience less negative emotions.

Originality/value

This study advances career research by demonstrating how and when team relationship conflict is related to employees’ subjective career success. It also extends current understanding of the mediating and moderating mechanisms behind the association between team relationship conflict and employees’ subjective career success.
Investigation of rail damage considering impact at a welded joint under wet condition
Authors: Wang Zhaoyang , Wu Bing , Huang Jiaqing , Yang Yuqi , Xiao Guangwen
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a transient wheel–rail rolling contact model to primarily investigate the rail damage under wet condition when the train passes through the welded joints.

Design/methodology/approach

The impact force induced by welded joints is obtained through vehicle–track coupling dynamics. The normal and tangential wheel–rail contact pressures were solved by elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) theory and simplified third-body layer theory, respectively. Then, the obtained tangential pressure and normal pressure were applied to the finite element model as moving loads, simulating cyclic loading. Finally, the shakedown map and critical plane method were used to predict rolling contact fatigue (RCF) and the initiation of fatigue cracks.

Findings

The results indicate that RCF will occur and fatigue cracks are more prone to appear on the subsurface of the rail, specifically around 2.7 mm below the rail surface in the vicinity of the welded joint and its heat-affected zone.

Originality/value

The cosimulation of numerical model and finite element model was implemented. The influence of surface roughness and fluids was considered. In this model, the normal and tangential wheel–rail contact pressure, the stress and strain and the rail fatigue cracks were obtained under a rail-welded joint excitation.
Exploring factors influencing educators’ adoption of ChatGPT: a mixed method approach
Authors: Hidayat-ur-Rehman Imdadullah , Ibrahim Yasser
Published: December 2023

Purpose

A number of recent artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled technologies, including summarisers, paraphrasers and the cutting-edge chatbots not only have outstanding potentials in modern educational systems but also could lead to a dramatic paradigm shift in the whole education process. This study aims to explore the factors that shape the academic community’s desire and intention to use AI conversational chatbot technology, with a particular focus on the leading ChatGPT.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a mixed method approach to explore the educators’ adoption of chatbots through an empirically validated model. The model, known as the “Educators’ Adoption of ChatGPT”, was developed by integrating the theoretical foundations of both the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and Status Quo Bias (SQB) frameworks, as well as insights gathered from interviews. The relationships within this model were then tested using a quantitative approach. The partial least squares-structural equation modelling method was used to analyse 243 valid survey responses.

Findings

The outcomes of the analysis indicated that perceived educators’ effort expectancy, educators’ autonomous motivation, perceived learners’ AI competency, perceived educators’ competency, innovative behaviour towards technological agility and perceived students’ engagement are significant determinants of educators’ intention to use chatbots. In contrast, perceived unfair evaluation of students, perceived students’ overreliance and perceived bias/inaccuracies were shown to have significant impacts on the resistance to use the technology, which typically implies a negatively significant influence on the educators’ use intention. Interestingly, perceived fraudulent use of ChatGPT was proven insignificant on the resistance to use chatbots.

Originality/value

This study makes a significant contribution to the field of educational technology by filling the gap in research on the use and acceptance of AI-enabled assistants in education. It proposes an original, empirically validated model of educator adoption, which identifies the factors that influence educators’ willingness to use chatbots in higher education and offers valuable insights for practical implementation.
SDG commentary: services from institutions that offer fair and sustainable living for all humans
Authors: Gordon Ross , Vink Josina
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this commentary is to present a critically constructive examination of the contribution of service research to the development of services from institutions that offer fair and sustainable living for all humans.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw upon critical thinking and critical social theory to problematise the neoliberal agenda (e.g. marketisation and privatisation) that shapes the service ecosystems within which the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and service research relating to SDG11 – sustainable cities and communities – and SDG16 – peace, justice and strong institutions – are often based. The authors critically review extant literature aimed at these goals and present constructive pathways for transformative social change to foster fair and sustainable living for all.

Findings

The authors find that the United Nations institutions, the SDGs and the service ecosystems that shape the research and practice addressing SDG11 and SDG16 are often grounded in neoliberal capitalist ideology that may inhibit transformative change. While service research has made some relevant and important contributions to support the development of services from institutions that offer fair and sustainable living, there is a need to consider alternative assumptions upon which service research and service design can be based to fully realise such transformative goals.

Originality/value

This commentary encourages service research scholars to engage with critically constructive perspectives that harness critique for transformative change.
Microbiome mediating methane and nitrogen transformations in a subterranean estuary
Authors: Euler Sebastian , Jeffrey Luke C. , Maher Damien T. , Johnston Scott G. , Sugimoto Ryo , Tait Douglas R.
Published: December 2023

Subterranean estuaries (STEs) are important coastal biogeochemical reactors facilitating unique niches for microbial communities. A common approach in determining STE greenhouse gas and nutrient fluxes is to use terrestrial endmembers, not accounting for microbially mediated transformations throughout the STE. As such, the microbial ecology and spatial distribution of specialists that cycle compounds in STEs remain largely underexplored. In this study, we applied 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing with paired biogeochemical characterisations to spatially evaluate microbial communities transforming greenhouse gases and nutrients in an STE. We show that methanogens are most prevalent at the terrestrial end (up to 2.81% relative abundance) concomitant to the highest porewater methane, carbon dioxide and dissolved organic carbon concentrations (0.41 ± 0.02 μM, 273.31 ± 6.05 μM and 0.51 ± 0.02 mM, respectively). Lower ammonium concentrations corresponded with abundant nitrifying and ammonia‐oxidising prokaryotes in the mixing zone (up to 11.65% relative abundance). Methane, ammonium and dissolved organic carbon concentrations all decreased by >50% from the terrestrial to the oceanic end of the 15 m transect. This study highlights the STE's hidden microbiome zonation, as well as the importance of accounting for microbial transformations mitigating nutrient and greenhouse gas fluxes to the coastal ecosystems.
Evaluating the effectiveness of key components of Zones of Regulation™ curriculum training on teachers' self‐efficacy at managing self‐regulation needs in autistic pupils
Authors: Öhlböck Elisabeth , Stinson May , McClintock Katrina , Turtle Beverley
Published: December 2023

There has been a rise in autistic pupils in the mainstream classroom. Teachers have often reported frustration caused by a lack of training on managing autistic pupils' presentations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an online training programme comprising the main paradigms and resources of the Zones of Regulation™ curriculum on teachers' sense of self‐efficacy when managing autistic pupils' self‐regulation needs in the mainstream primary school classroom. Purposive sampling was used to identify primary 5, 6 and 7 teachers with at least one autistic pupil with self‐regulation needs in their current class. An occupational therapist with post‐graduate qualifications in autism and sensory processing provided a 2.5‐hour online training session on the Zones of Regulation™ curriculum for participants. The Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) was completed pre‐ and post‐training and at two‐month follow‐up. The Usage Rating Profile‐Intervention Revised was completed post‐training and a survey exploring participants' experience of implementing the Zones of Regulation™ curriculum with their autistic pupils was completed at two‐month follow‐up. Findings showed that online training in the use of the Zones of Regulation™ curriculum significantly improved TSES scores for teachers (p < 0.001). The curriculum was also shown to be an acceptable, understandable and feasible intervention for primary school teachers in the mainstream classroom. This study suggests that education authorities should consider providing training opportunities on the Zones of Regulation™ curriculum to support teachers in the mainstream classroom. It also demonstrates the important role occupational therapists, with post‐graduate qualifications in autism and sensory processing, have in capacity building within education.
Aflatoxin M1 removal from milk using activated carbon and bentonite combined with lactic acid bacteria cells
Authors: Muaz Khurram , Riaz Muhammad , Oliveira Carlos Augusto Fernandes de , Ismail Amir , Akhtar Saeed , Nadeem Habibullah , Waseem Shinawar , Ahmed Zulfiqar
Published: December 2023

This study was planned to explore the AFM1‐reducing potential of various heat and acid‐killed lactic acid bacteria (LAB), activated carbon and bentonite (BENT) in milk contaminated with 0.5 μg/L AFM1 and their impact on milk composition. A negligible impact was observed on milk composition with AC while exhibiting a higher AFM1 removal (78.2%) than bentonite (35.8%). Their combination with LAB cells increased AFM1 decontamination for most of the treatments, with highest AFM1 removal (97.6%) exhibited by a treatment involving 0.1% AC and acid‐killed cells of L. cremoris. The results of this study indicate that LAB cells associated with the adsorbents tested are highly effective in reducing milk AFM1 content.
Senescent skeletal muscle fibroadipogenic progenitors recruit and promote M2 polarization of macrophages
Authors: Zhang Xu , Ng Yan Er , Chini Lucas C. S. , Heeren Amanda A. , White Thomas A. , Li Hao , Huang Haojie , Doolittle Madison L. , Khosla Sundeep , LeBrasseur Nathan K.
Published: December 2023

Senescent cells compromise tissue structure and function in older organisms. We recently identified senescent fibroadipogenic progenitors (FAPs) with activated chemokine signaling pathways in the skeletal muscle of old mice, and hypothesized these cells may contribute to the age‐associated accumulation of immune cells in skeletal muscle. In this study, through cell–cell communication analysis of skeletal muscle single‐cell RNA‐sequencing data, we identified unique interactions between senescent FAPs and macrophages, including those mediated by Ccl2 and Spp1. Using mouse primary FAPs in vitro, we verified increased expression of Ccl2 and Spp1 and secretion of their respective proteins in the context of both irradiation‐ and etoposide‐induced senescence. Compared to non‐senescent FAPs, the medium of senescent FAPs markedly increased the recruitment of macrophages in an in vitro migration assay, an effect that was mitigated by preincubation with antibodies to either CCL2 or osteopontin (encoded by Spp1). Further studies demonstrated that the secretome of senescent FAPs promotes polarization of macrophages toward an M2 subtype. These data suggest the unique secretome of senescent FAPs may compromise skeletal muscle homeostasis by recruiting and directing the behavior of macrophages.
Maltreatment type differences in cortisol stress response trajectories across adolescence
Authors: Peckins Melissa K. , Negriff Sonya , Gordis Elana B. , Zhen Anna , Susman Elizabeth J.
Published: December 2023

This study examined cortisol stress response trajectories across adolescence in 454 maltreated and comparison youth recruited from Los Angeles County between 2002 and 2005 (66.7% maltreated; 46.7% girls; 39.0% Latino; 37.7% Black; 12.3% Mixed or Biracial; 11.0% White; Mage = 10.9 years, SD = 1.2). Adolescents' peak activation and cortisol reactivity and recovery slopes following the Trier Social Stress Test for Children were calculated at four waves, then used to model peak activation and cortisol reactivity and recovery trajectories arrayed by age. Maltreated youth had blunted cortisol reactivity at age 9 relative to comparison youth (b = −.19, p = .02). Sexually and physically abused youth showed blunted cortisol reactivity and recovery trajectories relative to emotionally abused and neglected youth.
Cardiovascular and renal outcomes with varying degrees of kidney disease in high‐risk people with type 2 diabetes: An epidemiological analysis of data from the AMPLITUDE‐O trial
Authors: Gerstein Hertzel C. , Mian Rajibul , Ramasundarahettige Chinthanie , Branch Kelley R. H. , Del Prato Stefano , Lam Carolyn S. P. , Lopes Renato D. , Pratley Richard , Rosenstock Julio , Sattar Naveed
Published: December 2023

Aims

To estimate the incidence of a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) and a composite kidney outcome across estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UACR) levels, and to determine whether efpeglenatide's effect varies with these indices.

Materials and Methods

AMPLITUDE‐O trial data were used to estimate the relationship of eGFR, UACR, and Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) category to the hazard of MACE and the kidney composite. Interactions on these outcomes between eGFR and the UACR, and between each of these variables and efpeglenatide were also assessed.

Results

Baseline eGFR and UACR were available for 3983 participants (mean age 64.5 years). During a median follow‐up of 1.8 years, the hazards of MACE and the kidney composite for the lowest versus highest eGFR third were 1.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2, 2.2) and 2.3 (95% CI 1.9, 2.8), respectively. The hazards for the highest versus the lowest UACR third were 2.3 (95% CI 1.8, 3.1) and 18.0 (95% CI 12.7, 25.5), respectively, and for the high‐ versus low‐risk KDIGO categories the hazards were 2.4 (95% CI 1.8, 3.1) and 16.0 (95% CI 11.6, 22.0), respectively. eGFR and UACR were independent determinants of both outcomes, but negatively interacted with each other for the kidney outcome. Efpeglenatide's effect on both outcomes did not vary with any kidney disease measure (all interaction p values ≥0.26).

Conclusions

In high‐risk people with diabetes, eGFR, UACR, and KDIGO category have different relationships to incident cardiovascular and kidney outcomes. The beneficial effect of efpeglenatide on these outcomes is independent of kidney‐related risk category.
Shaping the rules of the game: How political capabilities affect financial performance
Authors: Richter Philipp C. , Kapteina Benedikt D. S.
Published: December 2023

This study contributes to the growing body of research that examines how political capabilities affect firms' financial performance. Although research has found mixed results for the state and local levels of the governance hierarchy, our study is the first that examines this important relationship at the supranational level. First, by building on the resource dependency theory and the capabilities‐based view, we argue for a positive effect of the relationship. Second, considering that firms become politically active when their industry environment is uncertain, we argue environmental dynamism and munificence moderate this effect. Our findings support the hypothesis that political capabilities are positively related to firm profitability. This effect is magnified when firms operate in industries with high market dynamism. However, we find no effect whereby higher levels of munificence negatively moderate this link.