bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep Learning Unravels Potential Antibiotic-Resistance Drugs against Klebsiella Pneumoniae
Authors: Lin Peng , Zhou Jiali , Meng Sijun , Lei Zhihao , Jin Linxiao , Qiu Hesong , Xu Yingfan , Hsu Tsehao , Bu Yemei , Qin Glen , Zhang Wen
Published: November 2024

Background

Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) is a critical pathogen recognized by the World Health Organization due to its high mortality rates and resistance to antibiotics. Developing effective treatments for KP is essential to mitigate the growing threat of multidrug-resistant infections. This study leverages deep learning techniques to identify and validate potential drug candidates against KP, accelerating the drug discovery process and reducing associated risks.

Results

A comprehensive dataset was constructed, comprising 3,475 drugs selected from the DrugBank database, filtered for their potential efficacy and safety. Using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for drug-drug interaction analysis, a prediction accuracy of 72% was achieved. Evolutionary Scale Modeling (ESM) was employed to calculate molecular similarities between drugs and KP strains, identifying five promising candidates with structural similarities exceeding 85% to known KP targets. A drug repurposing knowledge graph (DRKG) further validated these findings, with the PairRE model outperforming other approaches in ranking potential drug candidates.

Conclusions

This study presents a scalable and efficient framework for identifying and validating drug candidates to combat antibiotic-resistant KP. By integrating deep learning models, molecular similarity analysis, and knowledge graph techniques, this approach shortens the drug discovery timeline from years to months. The identified candidates hold significant promise for preclinical and clinical testing, offering a pathway to effective therapies against KP and other multidrug-resistant pathogens.
Unconventional mRNA processing and degradation pathways for the polycistronic yrzI mRNA in B. subtilis
Authors: GILET laetitia , Leroy Magali , Maes Alexandre , CONDON ciaran , BRAUN frederique
Published: November 2024

The ribosome-associated endoribonuclease Rae1 cleaves the Bacillus subtilis yrzI operon mRNA in a translation-dependent manner. This operon encodes up to four small peptides, S1027, YrzI, S1025 and S1024, whose functions were unknown. We show that YrzI is toxic at high concentrations, but co-expression with S1025 abolishes its toxicity. We show that a highly stable mRNA species containing the YrzI and S1025 open reading frames results from endoribonucleolytic cleavage upstream of the yrzI ORF followed by 5-exoribonucleolytic processing arrested by ribosomes bound to its exceptionally strong Shine-Dalgarno sequence. Degradation of this mRNA requires either translation-dependent cleavage within S1025 by Rae1 or direct attack from the structured 3-end by 3-exoribonucleases. Both pathways are atypical for a B. subtilis mRNA.
Superconductivity Induced by Strong Electron-Exciton Coupling in Doped Atomically Thin Semiconductor Heterostructures
Authors: von Milczewski Jonas , Chen Xin , Imamoglu Atac , Schmidt Richard
Published: November 2024

We study a mechanism to induce superconductivity in atomically thin semiconductors where excitons mediate an effective attraction between electrons. Our model includes interaction effects beyond the paradigm of phonon-mediated superconductivity and connects to the well-established limits of Bose and Fermi polarons. By accounting for the strong-coupling physics of trions, we find that the effective electron-exciton interaction develops a strong frequency and momentum dependence accompanied by the system undergoing an emerging BCS-BEC crossover from weakly bound s-wave Cooper pairs to a superfluid of bipolarons. Even at strong-coupling the bipolarons remain relatively light, resulting in critical temperatures of up to 10% of the Fermi temperature. This renders heterostructures of two-dimensional materials a promising candidate to realize superconductivity at high critical temperatures set by electron doping and trion binding energies.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Mediating effect of perceived risk on familiarity and purchase intention: an empirical analysis for private label apparels
Authors: Gandhi Madhuri , Ubba Savita
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The current study aims to analyze the mediating role of perceived risk from private label apparels in between the familiarity and consumer purchase intention (PI).

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling techniques were utilized for evaluating the relationship between different constructs. Participants were given the opportunity for expressing their degree of approval or disapproval using a series of statements using a five-point Likert scale. For the purpose of the survey, a total of 400 participants were selected.

Findings

The finding highlights the mediating role of perceived risk between familiarity and PI of consumers toward private label apparels. When there is a mediator, the direct influence of familiarity on PI is absorbed.

Originality/value

This research aims to offer an understanding of buyer preferences in developing markets as well as providing suggestions for retailers and marketers on how to successfully promote and position private label apparel in such an environment through investigating the importance of familiarity with private label apparel. While doing so, it develops the premise that familiarity with private label apparel directly impacts perceived risk while indirectly impacting PI of consumers towards private label apparel.
Investigating the critical drivers of Fintech adoption to promote business sustainability of SMEs
Authors: Bhat Mohd Abass , Khan Shagufta Tariq , Alkhwaldi Abeer F. , Abdulmuhsin Amir A.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Under the integrated perspective of the Net Valence Framework (NVF) and Theory of Reasoned action (TRA), this research intends to examine the impact of drivers (perceived risks (PRs) and benefits) on FinTech adoption (FA) as well as on business sustainability (BS) of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Oman. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of drivers (perceived risks and benefits) on FinTech adoption (FA) and business sustainability (BS) of SMEs in Oman , under the integrated perspective of the Net Valence Framework (NVF) and Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA).

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data was collected from 402 owners and managers of SMEs in Muscat, Oman using a purposive sampling method. Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares was mainly applied to assess the PRs and perceived benefits (PBs) determining both FA and BS of SMEs.

Findings

The results indicate that PBs (economic, convenience, transaction efficiency) positively impact FA, while PRs (financial, legal, security, operational) act as deterrents toward FA. Both the benefits and risks significantly influence BS. FA itself fosters sustainability, and PBs directly enhance it through ease of use, cost reduction and knowledge acquisition. Conversely, PRs hinder sustainability due to concerns about skills gaps, security, social inclusion and environmental considerations.

Practical implications

The research forms a model capturing the pros and cons of FA of SMEs to provide stakeholders with ideas that would promote sustainability and drive fintech-based growth and innovation. For instance, by improving financial management efficiency, increasing market access and enhancing competitiveness, SMEs can adopt fintech solutions to support sustainable growth and achieve Sustainable Development Goals across the region’s economy.

Originality/value

The current research, through the lens of the NVF as well as TRA, explores the contribution of FA determined by PRs and benefits toward BS of SMEs in the context of Oman.
Fueling the future: unveiling what drives gig worker motivation and engagement in Sri Lanka’s corporate landscape
Authors: Perera Lochana , Jayasena Chathurya , Hettiarachchi Nimashi , Siriwardana Dinal , Wisenthige Krishantha , Wickramaarachchi Colinie
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The gig economy has rapidly grown due to economic trends supporting flexible work and digital platforms, leading to increased demand for corporate gig workers. Although numerous studies have explored various aspects of the gig economy, research on the motivational and engagement factors of gig workers remains relatively rare. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence corporate gig workers’ motivation and engagement in the geographical context of Sri Lanka. Specifically, job autonomy, remuneration, social connection and technology and investigated here.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative study, employing a deductive research approach, was conducted with data gathered through a survey designed using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. Respondents were conveniently selected from Sri Lankan corporate gig workers. A total of 397 responses were obtained through a snowball sampling technique. The collected data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling, providing a robust framework for evaluating the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The findings revealed that job autonomy, remuneration, social connection and technology significantly influence corporate gig worker motivation, whereas motivation significantly influences the engagement of corporate gig workers in Sri Lanka.

Research limitations/implications

This study faced common limitations. Due to challenges in identifying the framework for the population, a snowball sampling technique was employed. One key limitation is the study’s narrow focus on motivation factors within the Sri Lankan context, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the geographic focus and uneven sample distribution could limit the broader applicability of the conclusions. Future research should adopt a cross-cultural approach to explore the influence of social commerce adoption, enhancing the generalizability of the results.

Practical implications

A comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence the corporate gig worker motivation and engagement is provided, facilitating, the decision-makers to gain insight to enhance worker motivation and engagement by adapting strategies. This can lead to higher productivity and job satisfaction among gig workers.

Originality/value

Examination of the motivational and engagement factors specific to corporate gig workers in Sri Lanka, a context that has received limited attention in previous research. Also, it contributes to the existing literature by providing a deeper understanding of the gig economy and gig work, particularly in a non-Western setting.
Blockchain-backed resilient strategies in a stochastic supply chain sourcing and distribution environment under disruption: implications for B2B sector
Authors: Manzoor Rizwan , Sahay B.S. , Gumte Kapil , Singh Sujeet Kumar
Published: November 2024

Purpose

With the changing landscape of the globalised business world, business-to-business supply chains face a turbulent ocean of disruptions. Such is the effect that supply chains are disrupted to the point of failure, supply is halted and its adverse effect is seen on the consumer. While previous literature has extensively studied risk and resilience through mathematical modelling, this study aims to envision a novel supply chain model that integrates blockchain to support visibility and recovery resilience strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

The stochastic bi-objective (cost and shortage utility) optimisation-based mixed-integer linear programming model integrates blockchain through a binary variable, which activates at a particular threshold risk-averse level of the decision-maker.

Findings

Firstly, visibility is improved, as identified by the average reduction of penalties by 36% over the different scenarios. Secondly, the average sum of shortages over different scenarios is consequently reduced by 36% as the recovery of primary suppliers improves. Thirdly, the feeling of shortage unfairness between distributors is significantly reduced by applying blockchain. Fourthly, unreliable direct suppliers resume their supply due to the availability of timely information through blockchain. Lastly, reliance on backup suppliers is reduced as direct suppliers recover conveniently.

Research limitations/implications

The findings indicate that blockchain can enhance visibility and recovery even under high-impact disruption conditions. Furthermore, the study introduces a unique metric for measuring visibility, i.e. penalty costs (lower penalty costs indicate higher visibility and vice versa). The study also improves upon shortages and recoveries reported in prior literature by 6%. Finally, blockchain application caters to the literature on shortage unfairness by significantly reducing the feeling of shortage unfairness among distributors.

Practical implications

This study establishes blockchain as a pro-resilience technology. It advocates that organisations focus on investing in blockchain to enhance their visibility and recovery, as it effectively reduces absolute shortages and feelings of shortage unfairness while improving recovery and visibility.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is a unique supply chain model study that integrates a technology such as blockchain directly as a binary variable in the model constraint equations while also focusing on resilience strategies, costs, risk aversion and shortage unfairness.
Effective video storytelling for small fashion businesses: the mediating role of brand trust
Authors: Kim Gwia , Jin Byoungho Ellie , Jo Heekyeong
Published: November 2024

Purpose

We aim to investigate the impact of different story types on small fashion business brand trust and purchase intention, guided by signaling theory. We investigate two potential moderators – product aesthetic judgment (i.e. consumers’ responses to the aesthetic aspects of a product) and underdog positioning (i.e. brand’s positioning as a loser that is not a leader in the marketplace and has only a small market share but puts efforts into creating valuable products) – that may influence consumers’ responses to a story.

Design/methodology/approach

We developed video stimuli that tell business stories to empirically compare two story types bringing brand trust: identity-focused and product-focused stories. We conducted two experimental studies and tested six hypotheses with 302 datasets. Study 1 compared eco-friendly storytelling with product-focused storytelling, considering perceived product aesthetic judgment as the moderator. Study 2 repeated the experiment with a founder story and a product-focused story, considering the perceived underdog as the moderator.

Findings

The findings suggest that the influence of eco-friendly storytelling, compared to product-focused storytelling, on higher purchase intention is fully mediated by brand trust. Consumers’ perceived product aesthetic judgments toward an eco-friendly product can positively moderate the storytelling effect and brand trust. However, founder storytelling did not bring higher brand trust and, consequently, had no significant impact on purchase intention. Similarly, the perceived underdog did not moderate this relationship.

Originality/value

The study is novel as it is one of the first to compare story types based on story contents, whereas previous studies have focused on story delivery. Especially, we explored which story types and contents effectively build brand trust for small businesses, a critical factor for their success. Based on the extant literature, we categorized story types into identity-focused stories and product-focused stories based on contents. We hypothesized and concluded that an identity-focused story can be more effective in eliciting consumer responses. Furthermore, we confirm the critical role of brand trust as a mediator in bringing about purchase intention through eco-friendly storytelling.
Halal servicescape in the metaverse
Authors: Noor Nurhafihz , Sharifonnasabi FGhazalnaz , Nallarasan Nitheesh Kumar
Published: November 2024

Purpose

With increasing advances in emerging technologies including the metaverse and a continued rise in Muslim-friendly tourism, hospitality providers need to understand the opportunities and challenges involved in capitalizing on the metaverse phenomenon to design new service environments or servicescapes for their Muslim customers. This paper aims to develop a conceptual model of a servicescape in the metaverse that caters to the needs of Muslims and to advance a research agenda in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

The main methodology for this conceptual study is a multidisciplinary literature review. Accordingly, this study synthesized relevant literature on service environments and halal markets from the services marketing, Islamic marketing and computer science fields to advance a logical framework built on seminal servicescape models and the Stimulus-Organism-Response framework.

Findings

This paper provides several contributions. First, this study identifies the experienscape as a suitable foundational servicescape model for halal markets in the metaverse. Second, the authors introduce the “5 Ps halal metaverse component,” which elaborates on the associated opportunities and challenges in catering to the needs of Muslim metaverse travelers. Third, this study develops the halal metaverse servicescape model, which factors the relevant media metaverse components. Finally, the authors propose key managerial implications around four strategic areas and provide a comprehensive research agenda in the concluding section.

Research limitations/implications

Given the conceptual nature of this study, further empirical research is required to ascertain the variables and key relationships proposed in the conceptual model.

Practical implications

The findings of this study highlight the multi-stakeholder and multidisciplinary approaches needed to create a metaverse for halal markets. In addition, the insights help developers and managers to better understand the implications of the metaverse for halal markets and provide them with strategic considerations to better design service landscapes for Muslims in the metaverse.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first conceptual paper that develops a servicescape model in the metaverse in the context of Muslim consumers and comprehensively discusses its challenges and opportunities, thereby advancing the literature on servicescapes for the metaverse as well as service environments optimized for Muslim markets.
The effects of export-facilitating quality infrastructure on Africa’s exports
Authors: Kareem Olayinka Idowu
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The continuous export challenges due to the inadequate quality infrastructure have brought to the fore the importance of export facilitation-quality infrastructure. Different infrastructure investments have been implemented to facilitate export; however, the outcomes were different across export facilitation infrastructures. This study investigates Africa’s export effects of the implemented export-facilitating quality infrastructure.

Design/methodology/approach

An augmented gravity model is specified that is derived from the Helpman, Melitz and Rubenstein framework, which has two steps in the specification and estimation of the model. The extensive margin is the first step – the probability of export – while the second step is the intensive margin of export – the actual export values or volumes.

Findings

The main drivers of the decision to export are telecommunication infrastructure, internet usage and the logistic performance index. At the intensive margin of export, exporting time, the proliferation of telecommunication infrastructure and improvement in the logistics performance index significantly improve the intensity of export, while it is not the case for internet infrastructure usage. Thus, the soft-quality infrastructure has mixed outcomes at both export margins, while the hard-quality infrastructure is insufficient and ineffective for export facilitation, which invalidates the study’s hypothesis that export-facilitating quality infrastructure stimulates exports.

Practical implications

The implemented export-facilitating quality infrastructure measures have achieved marginal improvement in exports. This is due to the inadequate development finance and investment towards enhancing export-facilitating quality infrastructure. Thus, extensive quality infrastructure is needed to facilitate and intensify exports for sustainable development in Africa.

Originality/value

This study departs from previous studies by investigating export facilitation from the lens of export-oriented quality infrastructure rather than the trade time and costs as dominated in the literature. Moreover, the determination of the extent to which quality infrastructure has influenced the probability of export is rarely investigated.
Police officers’ assessments of factors that contribute to police corruption in Ghana
Authors: Amagnya Moses Agaawena , Akinlabi Oluwagbenga Michael , Bello Paul Oluwatosin
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Police corruption – the use or misuse of entrusted power for personal, institutional or third-party advantage – is widespread in emerging economies. Encounters with justice officials in developing nations often involve the payment of bribes, which undermines justice delivery and impedes socioeconomic development. Efforts to tackle or address corruption are usually complex due to the secretive nature of corruption, its perceived benefit to both victims and perpetrators and a lack of consensus on the causes. This article investigates the causes of police corruption from the viewpoint of Ghanaian police officers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on data from a survey of police officers across three regions in Ghana. Descriptive, correlational and linear regression analyses are used to address the issues.

Findings

The results show that factors contributing to police corruption are classified into financial, cultural, institutional and oversight/guidance. We found that police officers’ consideration of a factor as a cause of police corruption is influenced by their perceptions of other factors as causes of corruption.

Practical implications

The results show that corruption causes should not be tackled in isolation as they depend on each other. This suggests that a holistic approach needs to be taken when developing strategies to address the causes of police corruption.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the debate on the causes of police corruption from an African perspective, where there is little quantitative research exploring the causes of police corruption. Control variables do not impact officers’ perceptions of causes of corruption, which contradicts previous studies and contributes to the debate, literature and theory development.
3DCastleBenchy: a process-independent benchmark for additive manufacturing
Authors: Jones Alistair , Faul Janelle , Paul Christopher , Johnston Cael , Benoit Michael
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The 3DCastleBenchy has been developed to facilitate wider adoption and use of additive manufacturing benchmarking artefacts which encourage both technical and non-technical users and designers to connect the growing number of technologies available. This tool will help people working with additive manufacturing to gain understanding of the limitations and design rules for each process.

Design/methodology/approach

Benchmarking is of critical importance for additive manufacturing, allowing for comparisons between technology capability, process optimisation and design guidelines. This work presents the 3DCastleBenchy, a design which balances aesthetic appeal and specific, measurable features which can be used for comparing various additive manufacturing processes.

Findings

The benchmark design was fabricated with three fundamentally different metal additive processes, laser-directed energy deposition (L-DED), laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) and metal extrusion (MEX). These resulting parts were then analysed, thereby allowing common defects and limitations of each process to be identified, namely, the overhang limitations of traditional L-DED, the cracking that can occur in L-PBF and the deposition tool path artefacts present in MEX.

Originality/value

Existing benchmarks typically focus on either tolerance engineering features, or they are purely artistic/demonstrative pieces. The 3DCastleBenchy has been designed to find a balance between these objectives to facilitate communication of design for additive manufacturing concepts.
Beat around the bush: earnings management, CSR spending and CSR report readability
Authors: Dsouza Arun G. , Devji Shridev , Prasad Krishna
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) report readability and earnings management (EM). Additionally, the authors examine the association between CSR spending and CSR report readability to understand the clarity in disclosure when the firms’ investment in CSR is higher.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample for this study consists of 156 publicly traded firms in India spanning 2016–2021. The authors use the Fog Index to measure the readability of CSR reports and absolute discretionary accruals and absolute accrual EM as the proxy for EM. The empirical models are tested using a two-stage system GMM dynamic panel data model.

Findings

The authors find a negative association between the Fog Index and EM, indicating that the readability of CSR reports decreases when EM increases in a firm. Managers use complex words to mislead the stakeholders when there are more EM practices. The authors’ additional analysis shows a positive association between CSR spending and CSR report readability, indicating that the firm spends more reports on the initiatives more precisely, avoiding words with more syllables.

Originality/value

This study offers novel evidence by examining the readability of CSR reports published by Indian firms. Given the mandatory requirement of CSR in India, the readability of disclosures is associated with EM. The authors’ unique focus on CSR report readability provides a new direction for future researchers as they can explore the influence of regulatory mandates on CSR reporting practices.
Young adults’ acceptance of data-driven personalized advertising: Privacy and Trust Equilibrium (PATE) model
Authors: Shin Wonsun , Kim Eunah , Huh Jisu
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine young social media users’ differential acceptance of data-driven ad personalization depending on the types of personal data used, and to propose and test the Privacy and Trust Equilibrium (PATE) model, a new conceptual model developed to explain the intertwined nature of the competing influences of platform-related factors (privacy concern, trust, and privacy fatigue) on acceptance of ad personalization.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 440 Instagram users aged 18–24 in Australia was conducted to examine the relationships between the three factors of the PATE model and acceptance of ad personalization utilizing overt vs covert data collection methods.

Findings

This study shows the highest level of acceptance for personalization using overtly collected data and the lowest for covert data. The results also support the PATE model, revealing the competing dynamics of how the platform-related factors shape consumers’ acceptance of data-driven ad personalization. Privacy concern discourages Instagram users from accepting personalized ads, while trust encourages them. When the pushing influence of privacy concern and the pulling influence of trust form equilibrium, generating cognitive dissonance, privacy fatigue seems to play a significant role in resolving the dissonance, leading to increased acceptance.

Originality/value

This study advances the understanding of how concurrent push–pull-resigning factors affect young consumers’ acceptance of data-driven ad personalization practices, expanding the scope of research on data-driven personalized advertising and privacy.
Phenotypic plasticity accounts for changes in plant phosphorus‐acquisition strategies from mining to scavenging along a gradient of soil phosphorus availability in South American Campos grasslands
Authors: Michelini D. F. , Lattanzi F. A. , Rodríguez‐Blanco A. , Del Pino A. , Piccin Torchelsen F. , Lezama F. , Pinelli V. , Overbeck G. , Inchausti P. , Wasaki J. , Teste F. P. , Lambers H.
Published: November 2024

Plants have evolved numerous traits to acquire phosphorus (P). Correspondingly, soil P availability modulates the functional composition of many plant communities. However, it is unclear to what extent plant species modulate the expression of different P‐acquisition strategies (phenotypic plasticity). Moreover, how variation in soil‐P availability interacts with plant phenotypic plasticity and species turnover to determine what P‐acquisition strategies are present in highly diverse communities? To address these questions, we assessed associations between plant‐available soil P and the magnitude of several P‐acquisition traits in both individual species and plant communities in Campos grasslands.

Root phosphatase activity (phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase), leaf manganese (Mn) concentration (a proxy for carboxylate concentration in the rhizosphere) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization were assessed in 105, 52 and 54 native plant species, respectively, sampled across three to seven plant communities with contrasting concentrations of plant‐available soil P. Furthermore, root diameter and plant cover of those species were also quantified.

Variation in P‐acquisition strategies among species was large: 157‐ and 118‐fold for phosphatases, 96‐fold for leaf [Mn] and 39‐fold for AM colonization. Between half and two‐thirds of the variation in community‐weighted mean P‐acquisition traits was accounted for by the interactive factors plant‐available soil P, soil pH and root diameter. At low‐P availability, phosphatases and carboxylate exudation (P‐mining traits) and thin roots predominated, particularly at low soil pH. At higher P availability, AM associations (P‐scavenging trait) and thicker roots were more common.

Synthesis. Phenotypic plasticity was a major source of variation in the response of P‐acquisition traits to soil properties, particularly for P‐mining traits. Our results reveal that the plasticity of the expression of plant P‐acquisition strategies in individual species was more important than changes in species presence or cover as a mechanism underlying shifts between P‐mining and P‐scavenging strategies as plant P availability varied across communities.
Comparative transcriptomic analysis provides novel insights into mescaline biosynthesis by Lophophora williamsii
Authors: Hwang Eun‐Mi , Jeong Kyu‐Sik , Yoo Seong Yeon , Kim Jihyun , Choe Sanggil , Kim Joo‐Young
Published: November 2024

Lophophora williamsii, known for mescaline synthesis, has raised legal and ethical considerations. However, L. williamsii specimens that do not contain mescaline have been recently identified, necessitating the development of techniques to differentiate between mescaline‐positive and mescaline‐negative groups. Genetic markers have been explored to differentiate these specimens, complementing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Here, we used a single‐molecule real‐time polymerase chain reaction to generate a full‐length L. williamsii transcriptome and elucidate the mechanisms underlying mescaline biosynthesis. In total, 2,839,819 base pairs of highly accurate long reads were obtained using PacBio Iso‐Seq and 70,945 unigenes were obtained through transcriptome sequencing. Known genes involved in the mescaline biosynthetic pathway were confirmed in the L. williamsii transcriptome, including 6 genes encoding tyrosine decarboxylases, 1 encoding tyrosine/DOPA decarboxylase, 215 encoding O‐methyltransferases, and 129 encoding hydroxylases. Gene Ontology analysis revealed 2903 biological processes, 695 cellular components, and 1766 molecular functions. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed two biosynthetic pathways, namely, phenylpropanoid and isoquinoline biosynthesis, associated with mescaline biosynthesis. To investigate genetic differences based on the presence of mescaline, Illumina Nova sequencing was conducted. The expression levels of genes involved in mescaline biosynthesis were compared to establish a candidate gene pool based on the presence of mescaline. Subsequently, functional annotation was performed on the identified candidate genes using a genetic database derived from PacBio sequencing. These findings underscore the need for a re‐evaluation of forensic methods and legal regulations concerning newly identified L. williamsii specimens.
Clinicopathological Characteristics of Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor: A Single Center Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Si Xiaoyan , Wu Shafei , Feng Ruie , Wang Mengzhao , Wang Hanping , Zhang Xiaotong , Zhang Li , Xu Kaifeng
Published: November 2024

Background

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare intermediate‐grade neoplasm. It presents a great challenge in diagnosis and treatment. This study aims to identify the clinicopathological characteristics of IMT.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted, enrolling patients with IMT at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2013 to October 2023. Clinical information, treatments, and efficacy were analyzed.

Results

A total of 72 patients were enrolled, including 38 men and 34 women, with a median age of 46.5 years. The most common primary site included the lung (n = 15, 20.8%), intestinal tract (n = 8, 11.1%), abdominal cavity (n = 7, 9.7%), and nasal sinus (n = 5, 6.9%). Thirty patients harbored anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion genes; Sixty‐five (90.3%) patients underwent surgical resection, and 11 of them had postoperative recurrence. Thirty patients received systemic therapy, including nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (n = 1), steroids (n = 5), chemotherapy (n = 7), targeted therapy (n = 2), and immune checkpoint inhibitor (n = 1).

Conclusions

The most common site of IMT is the lung. Surgery is the main treatment for IMT, and postoperative adjuvant therapy for ALK‐positive patients needs to be focused. The molecular testing is essential for all patients diagnosed with IMTs. Systemic treatment needs further research.
Leadership ability: Labor market outcomes, organizational benefits, and talent management in the auditing profession
Authors: Dong Ting , Kallunki Juha‐Pekka , Nilsson Henrik , Vanstraelen Ann
Published: November 2024

Leadership is considered a core competency for auditors. This study examines how auditors' leadership ability affects their labor market outcomes and audit firm performance. Using Swedish military data on qualified auditors (CPAs), we first show that auditors' leadership ability, measured at around age 18, is a strong predictor of their income and career success. However, our results also suggest that the audit labor market compensates for auditors' leadership ability at a much later stage than the general labor market. Second, we examine whether the value of leadership ability derives from higher‐quality auditing, commercial performance, or both. We find strong evidence that leadership ability enhances auditors' commercial performance and some evidence on leadership ability being associated with higher audit quality. Third, at the audit firm level, we find that auditors' leadership ability significantly benefits audit firm performance measured as client portfolio size and audit firm profitability. Finally, we investigate leadership talent attraction and retention in the auditing profession. We find that the auditing profession attracts better leadership talent than the general labor market. Although nearly a quarter of CPAs leave the profession over the sample period, there is no significant difference in leadership ability between those who stay and those who leave. Overall, our results have important practical implications for audit firms' talent management.
Long‐term exposure to excessive norepinephrine in the brain induces tau aggregation, neuronal death, and cognitive deficits in early tau transgenic mice
Authors: Jeong June‐Hyun , Kim Dong Kyu , Chung Sunwoo , Han Jong Won , Han Jihui , Mook‐Jung Inhee
Published: November 2024

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is marked by the presence of intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), which are primarily composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. The locus coeruleus (LC), the brain's main source of norepinephrine (NE), is one of the earliest regions to develop NFTs and experience neurodegeneration in AD. While LC‐derived NE plays beneficial roles in cognition, emotion, locomotion, and the sleep–wake cycle, its impact on tau pathology is unclear. To explore this relationship, we administered intraperitoneal injections of either N‐(2‐chloroethyl)‐N‐ethyl‐2‐bromobenzylamine (DSP4), a selective neurotoxin for noradrenergic neurons, or reboxetine (RBX), a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, to decrease or increase NE levels, respectively, in early tau transgenic mice expressing mutant human P301L tau (ADLPTau) for two months. Only the RBX‐treated mice exhibited cognitive deficits, as evidenced by their performance in the Y‐maze, novel object recognition, and contextual fear conditioning tests. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates in the LC and hippocampus of the RBX‐treated mice. Furthermore, neuronal apoptosis was observed in the hippocampal CA1 region of these mice. Western blotting showed that RBX injections led to the overactivation of tau kinases PKA and GSK3β, resulting in hyperphosphorylated tau, neuronal loss, and cognitive impairments. Consistent with these findings, human brain organoids exposed to higher NE concentrations also displayed elevated hyperphosphorylated tau and increased activity of the same tau kinases. These findings suggest that excessive NE exposure accelerates tau pathology by overactivating the tau kinases. Thus, modulating NE levels in the brain via the LC‐NE system could be a potential therapeutic strategy for tau‐related AD.
Phosphatidylethanol measures in patients with severe COVID‐19‐associated respiratory failure identify a subset with alcohol misuse
Authors: Pomponio Raymond , Peterson Ryan A. , Owusu Moses , Slaughter Suzanne , Melgar Stephanie , Jolley Sarah E. , Burnham Ellen L.
Published: November 2024

Background

Clinical trials in patients with COVID‐19 have exclusively used self‐ or proxy‐reporting to characterize alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to measure an objective biomarker of recent alcohol use in patients hospitalized with severe COVID‐19‐associated respiratory failure who were enrolled in an investigational clinical trial to determine the prevalence of alcohol misuse, and to explore the relationship of alcohol use with outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a substudy of patients enrolled in the multicenter, phase 2, adaptive platform design, Investigation of Serial Studies to Predict Your Therapeutic Response with Imaging And molecular Analysis in COVID‐19 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04488081), conducted at 20 hospital systems across the United States. Three hundred and fifty‐five patients with available red blood cell (RBC) samples and 60‐day follow‐up assessments were included. RBCs were utilized to measure phosphatidylethanol (PEth). Prespecified thresholds of PEth were utilized to stratify patients into groups: low/no alcohol use (PEth < 20 ng/mL), significant alcohol use (PEth 20–200 ng/mL), and heavy alcohol use (PEth ≥ 200 ng/mL).

Results

In this cohort, 17% of patients met criteria for significant alcohol use, while 4% met criteria for heavy alcohol use. Alcohol misuse was associated with diminished odds for home discharge, though this finding did not achieve statistical significance.

Conclusions

In a cohort of patients with severe COVID‐19 enrolled in a clinical trial, alcohol consumption of two or more standard drinks per day was present among 21%, approximating the proportion of patients with diabetes, and raising the possibility that alcohol consumption alters risk for severe viral pneumonia. Undetected alcohol misuse among clinical trial participants has the potential to influence study outcomes or contribute to adverse events.
Articulations and Erasures of the Black Sense of Place in Colombia
Authors: Mosquera‐Vallejo Ylver
Published: November 2024

This analysis focuses on the sitios, vegas, and rozas which have historically shaped the spatial categories of the Black populations in southwestern Colombia. These locations represent a vernacular geographical language through which Black communities have constituted and imagined their Black worlds. In contrast, the haciendas or cattle ranches have played a role in spatialising the coloniality of power. In this paper, I analyse ethnographically, on the one hand, how sitios, vegas, and rozas have historically articulated Black spatial imaginaries and practices in southwestern Colombia. On the other hand, the haciendas have implied the erasure of Black spatial experiences. Based on the concept of a Black sense of place and establishing theoretical bridges between the decolonial and ontological turn, I argue that, through the geographical principles of location, distribution, and relation, the Black populations enact inside practices that assemble, choreograph, and define their sense of place. I also argue that the Black sense of place has been erased in the area of study, through spatial tactics, such as dispossession, invisibility, and terror.
Limited sampling approach for model‐informed precision dosing of daptomycin to rapidly achieving the target area under the concentration‐time curve: A simulation study
Authors: Yamada Tomoyuki , Oda Kazutaka , Nishihara Masami , Ashida Akira
Published: November 2024

Daptomycin, an anti‐methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus drug, causes exposure‐dependent muscle toxicity and eosinophilic pneumonia. Although the area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC)‐guided dosing is crucial, an optimal blood sampling strategy is lacking. This study aimed to identify an optimal limited sampling strategy using Bayesian forecasting to rapidly achieve the target AUC. Two validated population pharmacokinetic models generated a virtual population of 1000 individuals (models 1 and 2 represent diverse patients and kidney transplant recipients, respectively). The AUC for each blood sample was assessed using the probability of achieving the estimated/reference AUC ratio on the second day (AUC24–48) and at the steady state (AUCss). In Model 1, Bayesian posterior probabilities for AUC24–48 increased from 50.7% (a priori) to 59.4% and for AUCss from 48.9% (a priori) to 61.9%, with one‐point Ctrough sampling at 24 h. With two‐point sampling at 7 and 24 h, the probabilities increased to 73.8% for AUC24–48 and 69.7% for AUCss. In Model 2, the probabilities for both AUC24–48 and AUCss with one‐point Ctrough or two‐point sampling incorporating Ctrough sampling increased compared to a priori probabilities. These results suggest that two‐point sampling incorporating Ctrough during initial dosing enhanced achieving the target AUC24–48 and AUCss rapidly.
Volcanically induced glacier collapses in southern Jan Mayen (Sør‐Jan), Norway
Authors: Larsen Eiliv , Lyså Astrid , Hiksdal Asbjørn , Ninnemann Ulysses N. , Wastegård Stefan
Published: November 2024

Jan Mayen is a small volcanic island situated in the Norwegian–Greenland Sea. The entire island was covered by a contiguous ice cap during the Last Glacial Maximum. The deglaciation of the ice cap was interrupted by a glacier advance in the southern part of the island in the Early Holocene. Today, there are no glaciers in this area, and until now it has been unknown whether any glaciers survived there into the Middle–Late Holocene. We show here that glaciers existed at several sites in the mountain areas of southern Jan Mayen. The investigations were triggered by the discovery of a relict glacier completely covered by tephra and impacted by a lava flow. Samples of ice from the glacier have 18O values that are isotopically indistinguishable from modern precipitation values and fall along the local meteoric water line trend. The lava flow in the glacier catchment and sculpted forms along the base of dry meltwater channels in bedrock show that glacier melting was abrupt and marked by sudden meltwater outbursts (jökulhlaups). Three more sites in southern Jan Mayen have meltwater channels with sculpted beds, gorges and/or sediments associated with lava flows and can be attributed to jökulhlaups caused by rapidly melting glaciers. Radiocarbon dates associated with glacial outwash sediments, cosmogenic dates of meltwater channel incisions, and cosmogenic and K‐Ar dates of lava flows associated with former periods of rapid glacier melting show that the four glaciers collapsed at different times in the Holocene. None of the glaciers reformed after their collapses despite subsequent cooling event(s). Likely, the glaciers were on the brink of existence before their sudden demise.
Autoimmune screening panel in patients with multiple sclerosis: A Vienna multiple sclerosis database study
Authors: Föttinger Fabian , Krajnc Nik , Riedl Katharina , Leutmezer Fritz , Ponleitner Markus , Rommer Paulus , Kornek Barbara , Macher Stefan , Schmied Christiane , Zebenholzer Karin , Zulehner Gudrun , Zrzavy Tobias , Berger Thomas , Bsteh Gabriel
Published: November 2024

Background and purpose

Autoimmune screening panels (ASPs) are often ordered as a part of the diagnostic workup in people with suspected multiple sclerosis (MS). However, data on the significance of ASP seropositivity in MS are scarce. This study aimed to investigate whether routine implementation of ASPs is viable in MS diagnostic workup.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we included patients from the Vienna Multiple Sclerosis Database who were diagnosed with MS according to current McDonald criteria between 2014 and 2021 and had an ASP performed.

Results

We analyzed 212 patients (mean age at serology = 30.4 [SD = 8.5] years, 67% female). Red flag symptoms for presence of systemic autoimmune disease were reported by 5.6% of patients during initial evaluation (sicca syndrome [n = 5], joint pain [n = 4], dermatitis [n = 4]). Complement levels (C3c and C4) were below the lower reference level in 26 of 134 (19.4%) and three of 134 (2.2%), respectively. Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) were positive in 24 of 210 (11.4%), with 18 (8.6%), five (2.4%), and one (0.5%) having mildly, moderately, and strongly positive ANA titers. Extractable nuclear antibody subsets were positive in 10 of 211 (4.7%) patients. ASPs led to the diagnosis of mixed connective tissue disease (n = 1), psoriatic arthritis (n = 1), and Sjögren syndrome (n = 2; positive predictive value [PPV] = 4.9%, negative predictive value [NPV] = 99.3%). Among patients presenting with red flag symptoms, ASPs had better overall test performance (PPV = 100%, NPV = 88.9%).

Conclusions

The rate of ASP seropositivity in MS is low and within the range of the general population. Performance of ASPs without clinical suspicion of systemic autoimmune disease seems unwarranted.