bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elucidating the causal role of age of menarche, adiposity, lipid fractions, and blood pressure upon cardiovascular disease: A multivariable Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Jee Yongho , Spiller Wes , Sanderson Eleanor , Tilling Kate , Palmer Tom , Ha Eunhee , Kim YoungJu
Published: June 2023

This study evaluates the potential role of multiple correlated risk factors upon coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic stroke, and the extent to which using GWAS summary data including prevalent cases of stroke, as opposed to incident cases, can influence Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. Initially, thirteen candidate risk factors were identified through a literature review, including age of menarche, adiposity, blood pressure, lipid fractions, physical activity, type-II diabetes, smoking, sleep duration, alcohol consumption, and kidney function. Using publicly available summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), the total effect of each exposure on CHD, ischemic, and cardioembolic stroke was estimated using univariable summary MR. Multivariable MR (MVMR) analyses were then used to estimate the conditional effects of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides and systolic blood pressure (SBP) on each outcome. To select the MVMR model a novel forward selection algorithm was applied to include the greatest number of exposures while maintaining sufficient conditional instrument strength for estimation. To examine potential bias from using GWAS summary data derived from prevalent cases of ischemic stroke a GWAS of incident ischemic stroke was conducted using data from the UK Biobank. In univariable MR analyses negative effects of blood pressure were observed across all outcomes, while the effects of remaining exposures differed markedly. HDL was also estimated to have a protective effect on all outcomes except cardioembolic stroke. Univariable and MVMR estimates were directionally consistent, though MVMR estimates were attenuated. Finally, repeating analyses using incident stroke cases yielded results in agreement with prevalent stroke data, suggesting the use of prevalent outcome data did not bias our initial analysis.
What does Serum Glycosylated Apolipoprotein J mean in a heart attack?-----Correlation of serum glycosylated apolipoprotein J with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Yao Rao , Ren Mengmeng , Dong Haibin , Wang Hua , Jia Wenjuan , Ding Xiaoning , Fu Kaixuan , Wang Anyi , Zhu Xuefeng , Gong Lei , Zhong Lin
Published: June 2023

Background

There are few myocardial damage markers that could be used to diagnose acute myocardial infarction(AMI) or assess its severity, especially glycosylated apolipoprotein J(ApoJ-Glyc) has demonstrated superiority in cardiomyocytes and animal STEMI models in the early stages of myocardial ischemia(MI). We aimed to excavate the potential role of ApoJ-Glyc as a protein marker in the pathogenesis of AMI in humans and its added value in the evolution of the disease.

Methods and Results

ELISA was used to determine the serum concentration of ApoJ-Glyc in 163 patients enrolled by the criteria. Statistical analysis could used to discuss the relationship between ApoJ-Glyc and AMI. Compared to control groups, serum ApoJ-Glyc levels decreased by 36% and 37% in early AMI patients and AMI patients, respectively (P<0.0001), showing a higher discriminant value for early diagnosis and diagnosis of AMI [area under the curve (AUC) : 0.871 and 0.886, P< 0.0001]. For the first time, we demonstrated that ApoJ-Glyc was not statistically significant in the comparative difference between NSTEMI and STEMI groups (P> 0.05). Patients with gradually declining ApoJ-Glyc had a higher Grace Risk Scores. Subsequent studies have also demonstrated that more MACCE did occur with a 6-month follow-up(P<0.05).

Conclusions

ApoJ-Glyc which serve as an alarm bell for the detection of early ischaemia, may be a new biomarker for AMI. ApoJ-Glyc can assess the severity of myocardial infarction. The continuous decrease of serum ApoJ-Glyc suggests an increase in the risk of post-AMI ischaemia and the onset of unpredictable MACCE.

Graphic abstract
Wireless monitoring of respiration with EEG reveals relationships between respiration, behaviour and brain activity in freely moving mice
Authors: Dasgupta Debanjan , Schneider-Luftman Deborah , Schaefer Andreas , Harris Julia J.
Published: June 2023

Active sampling in the olfactory domain is an important aspect of mouse behaviour. Numerous methods are being used to measure active sampling behaviour, yet reliable observation of respiration in untethered, freely moving animals is challenging. So far, methods for measuring this have largely been restricted to head-fixed sniff monitoring, which makes it difficult to understand how sniff changes are related to natural mouse behaviour. Here, we implant a telemetry-based pressure sensor into the right jugular vein, which allows respiration to be measured via wireless thoracic pressure sensing in awake and freely moving, untethered mice. After verifying this technique against standard head-fixed respiration measurements, we investigated respiration patterns across a range of experiments in freely moving animals. Respiration frequency increased as mice voluntarily explored novel environmental cues. Combining wireless respiration measurements with EEG/EMG recording, we then used an evolving partial coherence analysis to uncover the direct relationships between respiration and brain activity in different frequency bands over the same exploration period. Finally, we examined respiration patterns across different vigilance states, revealing changes in passive respiration frequency across wakefulness, deep (NREM) sleep and dreaming (REM) sleep, and odour-triggered respiration increases in the absence of brain activity changes during NREM sleep. As it can be combined with behavioural assays and brain recordings, we anticipate that wireless respiration monitoring will be a valuable tool to increase our understanding of how mice use olfaction to process and interact with the environment around them.
PICKLUSTER: A protein-interface clustering and analysis plug-in for UCSF ChimeraX
Authors: Genz Luca R. , Mulvaney Thomas , Nair Sanjana , Topf Maya
Published: June 2023

Motivation

The identification and characterization of interfaces in protein complexes is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of molecular recognition. These interfaces are also attractive targets for protein inhibition. However, targeting protein interfaces can be challenging for large interfaces that consist of multiple interacting regions. We present PICKLUSTER -a program for identifying sub-interfaces in protein-protein complexes using distance clustering. The division of the interface into smaller “sub-interfaces” offers a more focused approach for targeting protein-protein interfaces.

Availability and implementation

The plug-in PICKLUSTER is implemented for the molecular visualization program UCSF ChimeraX 1.4 and subsequent versions and and is freely available in the ChimeraX toolshed or, together with the source code, fromhttps://gitlab.com/topf-lab/pickluster.git).

Contact

maya.topf@cssb-hamburg.de
Chemodiversity in flowers ofTanacetum vulgarehas consequences on a florivorous beetle
Authors: Sasidharan Rohit , Brokate Lukas , Eilers Elisabeth J. , Müller Caroline
Published: June 2023

The chemical composition of plant individuals can vary, leading to high intraspecific chemodiversity. Diversity of floral chemistry may impact the responses of flower-feeding insect visitors.

Plants ofTanacetum vulgarevary significantly in their leaf terpenoid composition, resulting in distinct chemotypes. We investigated the composition of terpenoids and nutritents of flower heads and pollen in plants belonging to three chemotypes, dominated either by β-thujone (BThu), artemisia ketone (Keto) or a mixture of (Z)-myroxide, santolina triene and artemisyl acetate (Myrox). Moreover, we tested the effects of these differences on preferences, weight gain and performance of adults of the shining flower beetle,Olibrus aeneus.

The terpenoid composition and diversity of flower heads and pollen significantly differed among individuals belonging to these chemotypes, while total concentrations of terpenoids, sugars, amino acids or lipids of the pollen did not differ. Beetles preferred the BThu over the Myrox chemotype in both olfactory and contact choice assays, while the Keto chemotype was marginally repellent in olfactory assays. The beetles gained the least weight within 48 h and their initial mortality was highest when feeding exclusively on floral tissues of the Myrox chemotype. Short-term weight gain and long-term performance were highest on the BThu chemotype.

In conclusion, the beetles showed chemotype-specific responses towards differentT. vulgarechemotypes, which may be attributed to the terpenoid composition in flower heads and pollen rather than to differences in nutrient profiles. Both richness and overall diversity are important factors when determining chemodiversity of individual plants and their consequences on interacting insects.

SHORT SUMMARY

We demonstrate thatTanacetum vulgarechemotypes distinguished by their leaf terpenoid profiles also show unique floral and pollen chemotypes based on terpenoid composition and diversity, which affect the preference and performance of a beetle florivore.
Comparison of control and transmission of COVID-19 across epidemic waves in Hong Kong: an observational study
Authors: Yang Bingyi , Lin Yun , Xiong Weijia , Liu Chang , Gao Huizhi , Ho Faith , Zhou Jiayi , Zhang Ru , Wong Jessica Y. , Cheung Justin K. , Lau Eric H. Y. , Tsang Tim K. , Xiao Jingyi , Wong Irene O. L. , Martín-Sánchez Mario , Leung Gabriel M. , Cowling Benjamin J. , Wu Peng
Published: June 2023

Background

Hong Kong contained COVID-19 for two years, but experienced a large epidemic of Omicron BA.2 in early 2022 and endemic transmission of Omicron subvariants thereafter.

Methods

We examined the use and impact of pandemic controls in Hong Kong by analysing data on more than 1.7 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and characterizing non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical interventions implemented from January 2020 through to 30 December 2022. We estimated the daily effective reproductive number (Rt) to track changes in transmissibility and effectiveness of community-based measures against infection over time. We examined the temporal changes of pharmaceutical interventions, mortality rate and case-fatality risks (CFRs), particularly among older adults.

Findings

Hong Kong experienced four local epidemic waves predominated by the ancestral strain in 2020 and early 2021 and prevented multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants from spreading in the community before 2022. Strict travel-related, case-based, and community-based measures were increasingly tightened in Hong Kong over the first two years of the pandemic. However, even very stringent measures were unable to contain the spread of Omicron BA.2 in Hong Kong. Despite high overall vaccination uptake (>70% with at least two doses), high mortality was observed during the Omicron BA.2 wave due to lower vaccine coverage (42%) among adults ≥65 years of age. Increases in antiviral usage and vaccination uptake over time through 2022 was associated with decreased case fatality risks.

Interpretation

Integrated strict measures were able to reduce importation risks and interrupt local transmission to contain COVID-19 transmission and disease burden while awaiting vaccine development and rollout. Increasing coverage of pharmaceutical interventions among high-risk groups reduced infection-related mortality and mitigated the adverse health impact of the pandemic.
HTLV-1 Rex hijacks UPF1 in a CRM1 dependent manner, leading to NMD inhibition and revealing unexpected proviral roles of UPF1
Authors: Prochasson L , Mghezzi-Habellah M , Roisin A , Palma M , Robin JP , de Bossoreille S , Sareoua L , Cluet D , Mouehli M , Decimo D , Réty S , Desrames A , Chaze T , Matondo M , Dutartre H , Thoulouze MI , Lejeune F , Jalinot P , Mocquet V
Published: June 2023

The hijacking of CRM1 export is an important step of the retroviral replication cycle. Here, we investigated the consequences of this hijacking for the host. During HTLV-1 infection, we identified the formation of a complex composed of Rex, CRM1 and the RNA helicase UPF1, leading to the nuclear retention of UPF1. We further showed how this leads to the inhibition of the nonsense mediated mRNA decay (NMD), known to have an antiviral function. Corroborating these results, we described a similar process with Rev, the functional homolog of Rex from HIV-1. Unexpectedly, we also found that, for HTLV-1, this process is coupled with the specific loading of UPF1 onto vRNA, independently of NMD. In this latter context, UPF1 positively regulates several steps of the viral replication cycle, from the nuclear export of vRNA to the production of mature viral particles.
Virome analysis of irrigation water sources provides extensive insights into the diversity and distribution of plant viruses in agroecosystems
Authors: Maksimović Olivera , Bačnik Katarina , Selda Rivarez Mark Paul , Vučurović Ana , Mehle Nataša , Ravnikar Maja , Gutiérrez-Aguirre Ion , Kutnjak Denis
Published: June 2023

Plant viruses pose a significant threat to agriculture. Several are stable outside their hosts, can enter water bodies and remain infective for prolonged periods of time. Even though the quality of irrigation water is of increasing importance in the context of plant health, the presence of plant viruses in irrigation waters is understudied. In this study, we conducted a large-scale high-throughput sequencing (HTS)-based virome analysis of irrigation and groundwater sources to obtain complete information about the abundance and diversity of plant viruses in such waters. We detected nucleic acids of plant viruses from 20 families, discovered several novel plant viruses from economically important taxa, likeTobamovirusand observed the influence of the water source on the present virome. By comparing viromes of water and surrounding plants, we observed presence of plant viruses in both compartments, especially in cases of large-scale outbreaks, such as that of tomato mosaic virus. Moreover, we demonstrated that water virome data can extensively inform us about the distribution and diversity of plant viruses for which only limited information is available from plants. Overall, the results of the study provided extensive insights into the virome of irrigation waters from the perspective of plant health. It also suggested that an HTS-based water virome surveillance system could be used to detect potential plant disease outbreaks and to survey the distribution and diversity of plant viruses in the ecosystems.
A Likelihood Ratio Test for Hybridization Under the Multispecies Coalescent
Authors: Peng Jing , Kong Sungsik , Kubatko Laura
Published: June 2023

Several methods have been developed to carry out a statistical test for hybridization at the species level, including the ABBA-BABA test andHyDe. Here, we propose a new method for detecting hybridization and quantifying the extent of hybridization. Our test computes the likelihood of a species tree that is possibly subject to hybridization using site pattern frequencies from genomic-scale datasets under the multispecies coalescent. To do this, we extend the calculation of the likelihood for site pattern frequency data for the 4-taxon symmetric and asymmetric species trees proposed in Chifman and Kubatko (2015) by incorporating an inheritance parameter, resulting in efficient computation of the likelihood under a scenario of hybridization. We use this likelihood computation to construct a likelihood ratio test that a given species is a hybrid of two parental species. Simulations demonstrate that our test is more powerful than existing tests of hybridization, includingHyDe, and that it achieves the desired type I error rate. We apply the method to two empirical data sets, one for which hybridization is believed to have occurred and one for which previous methods have failed to detect hybridization.
Analysis of DNA methylation in rainbow trout spermatozoa: the strengths and limitations of RRBS
Authors: Marina El Kamouh , Aurélien Brionne , Amin Sayyari , Delphine Lallias , Catherine Labbé , Audrey Laurent
Published: June 2023

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mark in fish spermatozoa since it has been shown that some sperm methylome features are transmitted to the offspring. To ensure the transmission of unaltered information to the offspring, the characterization of this mark and its stability in spermatozoa is essential. DNA methylation status can be assessed at the whole genome level with an identification of the methylated and unmethylated cytosines using RRBS (reduced representation bisulfite sequencing). This method allows the sequencing of a subset of the genome expected to be enriched in CpGs. We aim to characterize the data provided by RRBS in rainbow trout spermatozoa, in order to evaluate the suitability of this approach for sperm biotechnologies studies. We observed that RRBS did provide a reduced amount of genomic data, thus allowing the processing of many biological replicates. Although, in our dataset, only a small fraction of the whole genome CpGs was present in all 6 to 12 replicates, the sum of the analyzed CpGs spanned 9 % of the total genomic CpGs. They distributed evenly all over the genome, and all genomic features were represented. RRBS is therefore an effective method to scan the DNA methylation of the along genome in a reduced pattern. However, one should be aware of the choices that are to be made regarding fragment size selection and regarding the options during bioinformatic data processing.
Opposing chemosensory functions of closely related gustatory receptors
Authors: Ahn Ji-Eun , Amrein Hubert
Published: June 2023

Most animals have functionally distinct populations of taste cells, expressing receptors that are tuned to compounds of different valence. This organizational feature allows for discrimination between chemicals associated with specific taste modalities and facilitates differentiating between unadulterated foods and foods contaminated with toxic substances. In the fruit flyD. melanogaster, primary sensory neurons express taste receptors that are tuned to distinct groups of chemicals, thereby activating neural ensembles that elicit either feeding or avoidance behavior. Members of a family of ligand gated receptor channels, the Gustatory receptors (Grs), play a central role in these behaviors. In general, closely related, evolutionarily conserved Gr proteins are co-expressed in the same type of taste neurons, tuned to chemically related compounds, and therefore triggering the same behavioral response. Here, we report that members of the Gr28 subfamily are expressed in largely non-overlapping sets of taste neurons inDrosophilalarvae, detect chemicals of different valence and trigger opposing feeding behaviors. We determined the intrinsic properties ofGr28neurons by expressing the mammalian Vanilloid Receptor (VR1), which is activated by capsaicin, a chemical to which wildtypeDrosophilalarvae do not respond. When VR1 is expressed inGr28aneurons, larvae become attracted to capsaicin, consistent with reports showing thatGr28aitself encodes a receptor for nutritious RNA. In contrast, expression of VR1 in two pairs ofGr28b.cneurons triggers avoidance to capsaicin. Moreover, neuronal inactivation experiments show that theGr28b.cneurons are necessary for avoidance of several bitter compounds. Lastly, behavioral experiments ofGr28deficient larvae and live Ca2+imaging studies ofGr28b.cneurons revealed that denatonium benzoate, a synthetic bitter compound that shares structural similarities with natural bitter chemicals, is a ligand for a receptor complex containing a Gr28b.c or Gr28b.a subunit. Thus, theGr28proteins, which have been evolutionarily conserved over 260 million years in insects, represent the first taste receptor subfamily in which specific members mediate behavior with opposite valence.
Blockade of IKK signaling induces RIPK1-independent apoptosis in human cells
Authors: Nataraj Neha M. , Herrmann Beatrice , Shin Sunny , Brodsky Igor E.
Published: June 2023

Regulated cell death in response to microbial infection plays an important role in immune defense and is triggered by pathogen disruption of essential cellular pathways. Gramnegative bacterial pathogens in theYersiniagenus disrupt NF-κB signaling via translocated effectors injected by a type III secretion system (T3SS), thereby preventing induction of cytokine production and antimicrobial defense. In murine models of infection,Yersiniablockade of NF-κB signaling triggers cell-extrinsic apoptosis through Receptor Interacting Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase 1 (RIPK1) and caspase-8, which is required for bacterial clearance and host survival. Unexpectedly, we find that human macrophages undergo apoptosis independently of RIPK1 in response toYersiniaor chemical blockade of IKKα/β. Instead, IKK blockade led to decreased cFLIP expression, and overexpression of cFLIP contributed to protection from IKK blockade-induced apoptosis in human macrophages. Importantly, IKK blockade also induces RIPK1 kinase-independent apoptosis in human T cells and human pancreatic cells. Altogether, our data indicate that, in contrast to murine cells, blockade of IKK activity in human cells triggers a distinct apoptosis pathway that is independent of RIPK1. These findings have implications for the contribution of RIPK1 to cell death in humans and the efficacy of RIPK1 inhibition in human diseases.
Decrypting crypto: implications of potential financial accounting treatments of cryptocurrency
Authors: Hubbard Benjamin
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine potential financial accounting treatments for cryptocurrencies, including the current guidance, and compare the benefits and shortcomings of each method. It proposes the introduction and use of an intangible asset revaluation model. The study aims to inform both standard setters and financial statement preparers of the most appropriate accounting treatment of this digital asset.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses an exploratory analysis and conceptualizes each technical treatment option. For each potential treatment, this paper describes the technical accounting guidance and financial statement implications. The study also uses an illustration to compare the outcomes of each treatment option.

Findings

This paper provides insights into the most appropriate financial accounting treatment of cryptocurrencies. Findings indicate the best option is an intangible asset revaluation model that allows firms to elect a fair value option and record fluctuations in market value to other comprehensive income. This model would improve the accuracy of asset numbers while maintaining the relevance of income amounts by preventing large gains or losses from fair value fluctuations from flowing through the income statement.

Research limitations/implications

The number of firms that hold cryptocurrencies on their balance sheet remains small, thus the research is limited to anecdotal and expository analysis.

Practical implications

The study includes implications for accounting standard setters as they continue to deliberate the appropriate financial accounting treatment for cryptocurrencies. The study can inform the standard setting process and impact future authoritative guidance.

Social implications

The use of cryptocurrency is extremely popular among individual investors and consumers. Updating accounting guidance on crypto can help support a robust crypto market through a useful, informative approach to measurement and reporting. This can also aid in improving the economic prosperity of crypto investors.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to examine and understand appropriate accounting guidance for cryptocurrencies. Current guidance has been deemed ineffective and there is debate regarding the proper treatment moving forward. This paper contextualizes this debate and provides suggested solutions.
The impact of Leagile software development on operational performance
Authors: Yadav Ramkaran , Yadav Vinod , Mittal M.L. , Jain Rakesh , Yadav Jigyasa
Published: June 2023

Purpose

In software development (SD), practitioners have realized the importance of lean thinking. A new term “Leagile” is coined, which is an integrated approach of traditional lean and agile thinking to managing the operations. The study aims to investigate the application of the Leagile principles in a new sector and establish a relationship between the adoption of Leagile approach and operational performance (OP) in SD organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical research is conducted to investigate the linkage between the Leagile principles and operational measures. Data is collected through surveys from 256 SD industries located in 11 states of India and analysed using the structural equation modelling approach.

Findings

The practitioners envisage a positive impact of adoption of Leagile principles on OP of SD organizations, but one of the principles, i.e. perfection, is unable to influence the performance.

Originality/value

The study contributes by authorizing the contribution of Leagile principles towards OP of SD organizations. The outcomes will motivate the practitioners to enhance the adoption of Leagile principles in SD organizations.
The salience of remote leadership: implications for follower self-control and work-life balance
Authors: Walsh Megan M. , Carleton Erica L. , Ziemer Julie , Ortynsky Mikaila
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine whether remote work moderates the mediated relationship between leadership behavior (transformational leadership and leader incivility), followers' self-control, and work-life balance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a three-wave, time lagged study of 338 followers. Drawing on social information processing theory, a moderated mediation model was proposed: it was hypothesized that remote work strengthens the relationship between leadership behavior (transformational leadership and leader incivility), follower self-control, and subsequent work-life balance (moderated mediation). The theoretical model was tested using OLS regression in SPSS.

Findings

The results show that working remotely strengthens the mediated relationships between leadership behavior, self-control, and work-life balance.

Practical implications

Organizations need to consider the interaction between remote work and leadership. Leader behaviors have a stronger relationship with follower self-control and work-life balance when the frequency of remote work is higher, so it is important to increase transformational leadership and reduce leader incivility in remote contexts. Leadership training programs and respectful workplace initiatives should be considered.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates the importance of leader behaviors for followers' self-control and work-life balance in relation to remote work. This study is the first to examine the boundary condition of remote work in relation to leadership behavior, follower self-control, and work-life balance.
Leveraging product quality and price for attainment of the manufacturer's economic objectives
Authors: Goswami Mohit , Daultani Yash , Ramkumar M.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This paper analytically models and numerically investigates two operating levers, namely optimization of product price and optimization of product quality in the context of a manufacturer that sells the products directly in the marketplace. The study attempts to identify how optimizing product quality and product price can fulfill a manufacturer's economic aims such as maximization of the manufacturer's profit and market demand. Anchored to the extant literature, the demand is modeled as a parametric joint multiplicative function of price and quality. Further, price is modeled as a function of product quality.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the authors evolve the analytical expression for the manufacturer's profit. Thereafter, following the mathematical principles of unconstrained optimization, the authors arrive at the conditions for optimal product quality and product price. The authors further perform numerical experiments to understand the behavior of economic dimensions such as profit and demand with respect to sensitivities associated with cost, quality and price.

Findings

The authors find that under product quality optimization, the optimal product quality is a unique solution in that a highest possible theoretical manufacturer's profit is obtained. However, in the case of product price optimization, the optimal product price is non-unique and is a function of product quality. The authors further find that in the context of functional quality-level expectations, product quality optimization as an operating lever gives a better dividend. However, in the case of higher product quality expectations, product price optimization performs better than product quality optimization. Further, several novel findings are also obtained from numerical experimentations.

Originality/value

The findings of the authors' study have implications for types of industries characterized by relatively low as well as relatively high competitive intensity. Further, as opposed to several extant studies that have often carried out joint optimization of quality and price, the authors' study is one of the first to study the impact of product price and product quality on the manufacturer's economic objective in a disparate and focused manner, thus capturing individual effects.
Pensions and retirement systems research: a retrospective assessment from 1910 to 2022 using bibliometric analysis
Authors: Owusu Godfred Matthew Yaw , Onumah Regina Mensah , Essel-Donkor Amanda Efua
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to present a bibliometric analysis of research on pensions and retirement systems over the past 100 years. The study examines the intellectual structure and mapping in the field of pension and retirement; uncovers growth and publication patterns; identifies thematic areas in the pension domain; provides analysis of gaps; and recommends direction for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sourced data from the Scopus database between 1910 and 2022 covering a 112-year period. Employing bibliometric techniques, a total of 6,661 papers were selected and analyzed using SPSS and VOSviewer software.

Findings

Results from the cluster analysis suggest research in this domain has focused on five thematic areas namely pension plans, retirement systems, pension schemes, demographic, and socio-economic determinants of pension and retirement decisions. The authors show from the overlay visualization output how these themes have evolved within the period under review. The study further presents major developments, conclusions and suggestions for future research directions based on insights obtained from the research themes to enrich the field of pension and retirement planning.

Research limitations/implications

The study is useful for informing researchers and practitioners on the state of the pension domain, and findings are useful avenues in developing the research field.

Originality/value

The study adds to existing literature on pension and retirement by offering an analysis of the state of pension research over a century and highlighting areas for future research.
Vulnerability on the frontline: systematic review and meta-analysis of frontline employee vulnerability
Authors: Riedel Aimee , Beatson Amanda , Worsteling Asha , Mulcahy Rory Francis , Keating Byron W.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The current research aims to introduce the concept of frontline employee (FLE) vulnerability and examine its antecedents and consequences using a framework grounded in Job Demands-Resource theory (JD-R).

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review and meta-analysis guided by PRISMA is utilized to review previous FLE literature (204 studies) and develop a conceptualization of FLE vulnerability. The meta-analysis then examines the antecedents and consequences of FLE vulnerability and provides generalizable findings including the identification of critical areas for future research.

Findings

The meta-analysis provided support for the proposed conceptualization of FLE vulnerability. Specifically, job demands and individual characteristics were observed to increase FLE vulnerability, conceptualized as an individual's susceptibility to experience state-based harm. Job resources were seen to minimize FLE susceptibility to vulnerability. FLE vulnerability was also observed to significantly strengthen negative outcomes and decrease positive outcomes.

Originality/value

This research addresses calls for greater investigation into how negative events may impact FLE vulnerability. This is achieved by defining FLE vulnerability as a concept which represents one's susceptibility to experience state-based harm as a result of job and/or individual characteristics. The research also provides greater understanding of the health impairment process within JD-R through the introduction and expanded definition of harm that moves beyond physical considerations to also include emotional and psychological harms. Finally, the research adds to the small body of meta-analytic research in the field of service management.
Short‐term plastisphere colonization dynamics across six plastic types
Authors: Silva Vinuri , Pérez Vilma , Gillanders Bronwyn M.
Published: June 2023

Marine plastic pollution is a major concern worldwide, but the understanding of plastisphere dynamics remains limited in the southern hemisphere. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a study in South Australia to investigate the prokaryotic community of the plastisphere and its temporal changes over 4 weeks. We submerged six plastic types (i.e., High‐Density Polyethylene [HDPE], Polyvinyl chloride [PVC], Low‐Density Polyethylene [LDPE], Polypropylene [PP], Polystyrene [PS] and the understudied textile, polyester [PET]) and wood in seawater and sampled them weekly to characterize the prokaryotic community using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding. Our results showed that the plastisphere composition shifted significantly over short time scales (i.e., 4 weeks), and each plastic type had distinct groups of unique genera. In particular, the PVC plastisphere was dominated by Cellvibrionaceae taxa, distinguishing it from other plastics. Additionally, the textile polyester, which is rarely studied in plastisphere research, supported the growth of a unique group of 25 prokaryotic genera (which included the potential pathogenic Legionella genus). Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the colonization dynamics of the plastisphere over short time scales and contributes to narrowing the research gap on the southern hemisphere plastisphere.
‘I am more than just my label’: Rights, fights, validation and negotiation. Exploring theoretical debates on childhood disability with disabled young people
Authors: Brady Geraldine , Franklin Anita ,   RIP:STARS Collective
Published: June 2023

Through the creation of safe spaces in which to explore and challenge dominant negative views of disabled children and young people, this co‐written paper presents unique insight into the meaning and impact upon disabled young people’s lives of medical lenses and deficit models of disability. Bodies of work and dominant debates in medical sociology, disability studies and childhood studies have so far largely overlooked the experiences and positioning of disabled children and young people and have rarely involved them in the development or discussion of theory. Drawing on empirical data, and through a series of creative, reflective workshops with a UK‐based disabled young researchers’ collective (RIP:STARS), this paper discusses areas of theoretical importance identified by the disabled young researcher collective—the validation of their lives, negotiation of their identity and acceptance in society. The implications, and possibilities, of platforming disabled children and young people’s voices in theoretical debates are deliberated and are achieved through the yielding of privileged academic voice and the development of a symbiotic, genuine partnership which resonates with disabled young people and recognises them as experts in their own lives.
Emergence of subprime lending in minority neighborhoods
Authors: Jakučionytė Eglė , Singh Swapnil
Published: June 2023

Subprime lending is concentrated in minority neighborhoods. However, the literature provides little evidence for what led to this concentration. We use the endorsement of credit scores in mortgage underwriting by the Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) in 1995 to answer this question. We show that prime lenders were substituted by subprime lenders in minority neighborhoods. As a result, the share of subprime lending increased by 5 percentage points in minority neighborhoods, relative to nonminority neighborhoods. Prime lenders with a stronger relationship with the GSEs reduced their lending in minority neighborhoods more, and the level of securitization by the GSEs in minority neighborhoods also decreased.
Evaluation of the insecticidal toxicity of various pesticides for Atractomorpha lata (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) control
Authors: Lee Yuno , Jung Jin‐Woo , Kang Dong‐Hyun , Kim Hyun Kyung , Kim Gil‐Hah
Published: June 2023

The insecticidal activity of 38 commercialized pesticides against Atractomorpha lata nymphs in Korea was studied. Seven pesticides showed greater than 70% insecticidal activity against A. lata nymphs after 48 h of treatment, and similar results were observed for adult A. lata using the spray method. The insecticidal activity of the seven pesticides, except for thiacloprid, against Oxya sinuosa adults was similar to that against A. lata. Clothianidin, tetraniliprole, and thiacloprid showed higher toxicity when plants and insects were treated together than when insects were treated directly, indicating that pesticides have ingestion toxicity against A. lata. Clothianidin and thiacloprid have been observed to have knockdown effects on both A. lata nymphs and adults. Tetraniliprole showed 86.7% mortality until 7 days after treatment in the residual effect test of pesticide exposure under field conditions.

Therefore, this study provides basic data for A. lata control; tetraniliprole was found to be an effective insecticide for the control of A. lata nymphs and adults.
Pacification as a key problem of politics in international political thought
Authors: Poets Desirée
Published: June 2023

This article is a response to Paul Kelly's discussion of Lenin and Mao in Conflict, War and Revolution: The problem of politics in international political thought (2022). Taking on a postcolonial perspective, it analytically expands how the book theorizes violence by understanding the violence of capitalist and colonial domination as a paradigm of war that structures pacified social relations and politics. The paper proposes that pacification, as a phenomenon that spans different kinds of modern nation‐states, begs for a distinct theory of violence in international political thought. In so doing, it places Marxism, Post Colonialism, Coloniality/Decoloniality, Settler Colonial Studies, Anglophone Indigenous thought, post‐structuralism and Brazilian Anthropology in conversation to reveal shared genealogies of anti‐colonial, decolonial and anti‐capitalist thought without uncritically collapsing these traditions.
Circulating FGF18 is decreased in pleural mesothelioma but not correlated with disease prognosis
Authors: Mosleh Berta , Schelch Karin , Mohr Thomas , Klikovits Thomas , Wagner Christina , Ratzinger Lukas , Dong Yawen , Sinn Katharina , Ries Alexander , Berger Walter , Grasl‐Kraupp Bettina , Hoetzenecker Konrad , Laszlo Viktoria , Dome Balazs , Hegedus Balazs , Jakopovic Marko , Hoda Mir Alireza , Grusch Michael
Published: June 2023

Background

Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is a relatively rare malignancy with limited treatment options and dismal prognosis. We have previously found elevated FGF18 expression in PM tissue specimens compared with normal mesothelium. The objective of the current study was to further explore the role of FGF18 in PM and evaluate its suitability as a circulating biomarker.

Methods

FGF18 mRNA expression was analyzed by real‐time PCR in cell lines and in silico in datasets from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Cell lines overexpressing FGF18 were generated by retroviral transduction and cell behavior was investigated by clonogenic growth and transwell assays. Plasma was collected from 40 PM patients, six patients with pleural fibrosis, and 40 healthy controls. Circulating FGF18 was measured by ELISA and correlated to clinicopathological parameters.

Results

FGF18 showed high mRNA expression in PM and PM‐derived cell lines. PM patients with high FGF18 mRNA expression showed a trend toward longer overall survival (OS) in the TCGA dataset. In PM cells with low endogenous FGF18 expression, forced overexpression of FGF18 resulted in reduced growth but increased migration. Surprisingly, despite the high FGF18 mRNA levels observed in PM, circulating FGF18 protein was significantly lower in PM patients and patients with pleural fibrosis than in healthy controls. No significant association of circulating FGF18 with OS or other disease parameters of PM patients was observed.

Conclusions

FGF18 is not a prognostic biomarker in PM. Its role in PM tumor biology and the clinical significance of decreased plasma FGF18 in PM patients warrant further investigation.
Releasing YAP dysfunction‐caused replicative toxicity rejuvenates mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Yu Fanyuan , Yao Lin , Li Feifei , Wang Chenglin , Ye Ling
Published: June 2023

Hippo‐independent YAP dysfunction has been demonstrated to cause chronological aging of stromal cells by impairing the integrity of nuclear envelope (NE). In parallel with this report, we uncover that YAP activity also controls another type of cellular senescence, the replicative senescence in in vitro expansion of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), but this event is Hippo phosphorylation‐dependent, and there exist another NE integrity‐independent downstream mechanisms of YAP. Specifically, Hippo phosphorylation causes reduced nuclear/active YAP and then decreases the level of YAP protein in the proceeding of replicative senescence. YAP/TEAD governs RRM2 expression to release replicative toxicity (RT) via licensing G1/S transition. Besides, YAP controls the core transcriptomics of RT to delay the onset of genome instability and enhances DNA damage response/repair. Hippo‐off mutations of YAP (YAPS127A/S381A) satisfactorily release RT via maintaining cell cycle and reducing genome instability, finally rejuvenating MSCs and restoring their regenerative capabilities without risks of tumorigenesis.
Motivational interviewing and problem‐solving therapy intervention for patients on antiretroviral therapy for HIV in Tshwane, South Africa: A randomized controlled trial to assess the impact on alcohol consumption
Authors: Parry Charles D. H. , Myers Bronwyn , Londani Mukhethwa , Shuper Paul A. , Janse van Rensburg Charl , Manda Samuel O. M. , Nkosi Sebenzile , Kekwaletswe Connie T. , Hahn Judith A. , Rehm Jürgen , Sorsdahl Katherine , Morojele Neo K.
Published: June 2023

Background and Aims

Reduction of alcohol consumption is important for people undergoing treatment for HIV. We tested the efficacy of a brief intervention for reducing the average volume of alcohol consumed among patients on HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Design, Setting and Participants

This study used a two‐arm multi‐centre randomized controlled trial with follow‐up to 6 months. Recruitment occurred between May 2016 and October 2017 at six ART clinics at public hospitals in Tshwane, South Africa.

Participants were people living with HIV, mean age 40.8 years [standard deviation (SD) = 9.07], 57.5% female, and on average 6.9 years (SD = 3.62) on ART. At baseline (BL), the mean number of drinks consumed over the past 30 days was 25.2 (SD = 38.3). Of 756 eligible patients, 623 were enrolled.

Intervention

Participants were randomly assigned to a motivational interviewing (MI)/problem‐solving therapy (PST) intervention arm (four modules of MI and PST delivered over two sessions by interventionists) or a treatment as usual (TAU) comparison arm. People assessing outcomes were masked to group assignment.

Measurements

The primary outcome was the number of standard drinks (15 ml pure alcohol) consumed during the past 30 days assessed at 6‐month follow‐up (6MFU).

Findings

Of the 305 participants randomized to MI/PST, 225 (74%) completed the intervention (all modules). At 6MFU, retention was 88% for the control and 83% for the intervention arm. In support of the hypothesis, an intention‐to‐treat‐analysis for the primary outcome at 6MFU was −0.410 (95% confidence interval = −0.670 to −0.149) units lower on log scale in the intervention group than in the control group (P = 0.002), a 34% relative reduction in the number of drinks. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken for patients who had alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) scores ≥ 8 at BL (n = 299). Findings were similar to those of the whole sample.

Conclusions

In South Africa, a motivational interviewing/problem‐solving therapy intervention significantly reduced drinking levels in HIV‐infected patients on antiretroviral therapy at 6‐month follow‐up.
Toward optimising reproductive output of Eristalis tenax (Diptera: Syrphidae) for commercial mass rearing systems
Authors: Upchurch Annick , Spurr Cameron J. , Quarrell Stephen R. , Rowbottom Raylea M. , Allen Geoff R.
Published: June 2023

Developing mass rearing systems for the drone fly, Eristalis tenax, is a crucial step toward its use as a complementary commercial pollinator. To meet the timing of commercial needs for E. tenax, there is significant value to both predicting and managing reproductive output and development within the rearing protocol. To help achieve this, our study focuses on the laboratory manipulation of adult mating and the timing of the development of eggs in E. tenax. To stagger colony cohorts, egg rearing temperatures ranging from 12 to 30°C were found to be suitable for both successful egg development and hatching viability (97 to 28.3 h to first hatch, respectively). The mating window for E. tenax females was established to commence from 2 weeks post eclosion and reached 75 ± 11% mated at 7 weeks. Reproductive output over 12 weeks was assessed in separate cage manipulation trials: (1) varying the sex ratio with 20:40, 30:30 and 40:20 female and male flies respectively per cage and (2) varying the adult density per cage with 15:15, 30:30, 60:60 and 120:120 female and male flies per cage. Female percentage mated and egg cluster size, which averaged 200.6 ± 4.3 eggs per cluster, did not change between treatments in the sex ratio and density trials. Egg cluster output per female was significantly reduced for treatments across both trials, which had more than 30 females in a cage. A stocking rate of 15:15 produced 86% more eggs per female than expected, a percentage well above that of all other treatments. However, the highest stocking density produced the most eggs when assessed at a per cage level. Fly survival was significantly different between the sexes across both trials with males dying earlier in cages stocked with more females than males. Although the fly colonies were held at constant temperatures and light conditions for 6 months, we found evidence of endogenous overwintering behaviours among flies resulting in lower mating rates, egg hatching success and greater longevity among flies studied over winter.