bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein interaction analysis ofPlasmodium falciparumcircumsporozoite protein variants with human immunoproteins explains RTS,S vaccine efficacy in Ghana
Authors: Dieng Cheikh Cambel , Ford Colby T. , Lerch Anita , Donu Dickson , Huynh Jennifer , Vegesna Kovidh , Guo Jun-tao , Janies Daniel A. , Amoah Linda , Afrane Yaw , Lo Eugenia
Published: December 2021

Background

The world’s first malaria vaccine RTS,S provides only partial protection againstPlasmodium falciparuminfections. The explanation for such low efficacy is unclear. This study examined the associations of parasite genetic variations with binding affinity to human immunological proteins including human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and T cell receptors (TCR) involved in RTS,S-induced immune responses.

Methods

Multiplicity of infections was determined by amplicon deep sequencing of merozoite surface protein 1 (PfMSP1). Genetic variations in the C-terminal of circumsporozoite protein (PfMSP1) gene were examined across 88 samples ofP. falciparumcollected from high and low transmission settings of Ghana. Binding interactions ofPfMSP1variants and HLA/TCR were analyzed usingNetChopandHADDOCKpredictions. Anti-CSP IgG levels were measured by ELISA in a subset of 10 samples.

Findings

High polyclonality was detected amongP. falciparuminfections. A total 27 CSP haplotypes were detected among samples. A significant correlation was detected between the CSP and MSP multiplicity of infection (MOI). No clear clustering of haplotypes was observed by geographic regions. The number of genetic differences inPfCSPbetween 3D7 and non-3D7 variants does not influence binding interactions to HLA/T cells nor anti-CSP IgG levels. Nevertheless,PfCSPpeptide length significantly affects its molecular weight and binding affinity to the HLA.

Interpretations

The presence of multiple non-3D7 strains amongP. falciparuminfections in Ghana impact the effectiveness of RTS,S. LongerPfCSPpeptides may elicit a stronger immune response and should be considered in future version RTS,S. The molecular mechanisms of RTS,S cell-mediated immune responses related to longer CSP peptides warrants further investigations.
A Neurogenic Signature Involving Monoamine Oxidase-A controls Human Thermogenic Adipose Tissue Development
Authors: Solivan-Rivera Javier , Loureiro Zinger Yang , DeSouza Tiffany , Desai Anand , Yang Qin , Rojas-Rodriguez Raziel , Skritakis Pantos , Joyce Shannon , Zhong Denise , Nguyen Tammy , Corvera Silvia
Published: December 2021

Mechanisms that control “beige/brite” thermogenic adipose tissue development may be harnessed to improve human metabolic health. To define these mechanisms, we developed a species-hybrid model in which human mesenchymal progenitor cells were used to develop white or thermogenic/beige adipose tissue in mice. The hybrid adipose tissue developed distinctive features of human adipose tissue, such as larger adipocyte size, despite its neurovascular architecture being entirely of murine origin. Thermogenic adipose tissue recruited a denser, qualitatively distinct vascular network, differing in genes mapping to circadian rhythm pathways, and denser sympathetic innervation. The enhanced thermogenic neurovascular network was associated with human adipocyte expression of THBS4, TNC, NTRK3 and SPARCL1, which enhance neurogenesis, and decreased expression of MAOA and ACHE, which control neurotransmitter tone. Systemic inhibition of MAOA, which is present in human but absent in mouse adipocytes, induced browning of human but not mouse adipose tissue, revealing the physiological relevance of this pathway. Our results reveal species-specific cell type dependencies controlling the development of thermogenic adipose tissue and point to human adipocyte MAOA as a potential target for metabolic disease therapy.
Optogenetic inhibition of the dorsal hippocampus CA3 region during early-stage cocaine-memory reconsolidation disrupts subsequent context-induced cocaine seeking in rats
Authors: Qi Shuyi , Tan Shi Min , Wang Rong , Higginbotham Jessica A. , Ritchie Jobe L. , Ibarra Christopher K. , Arguello Amy A. , Christian Robert J. , Fuchs Rita A.
Published: December 2021

The dorsal hippocampus (DH) is key to the long-term maintenance of cocaine memories following retrieval-induced memory destabilization; even though, it is not the site of protein synthesis-dependent memory reconsolidation. Here, we took advantage of the temporal and spatial specificity of an optogenetic manipulation to examine the role of the cornu ammonis 3 subregion of the DH (dCA3) in early-stage cocaine-memory reconsolidation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats expressing eNpHR3.0 in the DH were trained to self-administer cocaine in a distinct context and underwent extinction training in a different context. Rats then received a 15-min memory-reactivation session, to destabilize cocaine memories and trigger reconsolidation, or remained in their home cages (no-reactivation controls). Optogenetic inhibition of the dCA3 for 1 h immediately, but not 1 h, after memory reactivation resulted in cocaine-memory impairment as indicated by reduction in drug-seeking behavior selectively in the cocaine-paired context 3 d later, at test, relative to responding in no-inhibition, no-reactivation, and no-eNpHR3.0 controls. Cocaine-memory impairment was associated with reduced c-Fos expression, an index of neuronal activation, in the dCA3 stratum lucidum (SL) and stratum pyramidale (SP) at test. Based on these observations and extant literature, we postulate that recurrent circuits in the SP are activated during early-stage memory reconsolidation to maintain labile cocaine memories prior to protein synthesis-dependent restabilization in another brain region, such as the basolateral amygdala. Furthermore, SL and SP interneurons may enhance memory reconsolidation by limiting synaptic noise in the SP and also contribute to recall as elements of the updated cocaine engram or retrieval links.
Tissue Registration and Exploration User Interfaces in support of a Human Reference Atlas
Authors: Börner Katy , Bueckle Andreas , Herr Bruce W. , Cross Leonard E. , Quardokus Ellen M. , Record Elizabeth G. , Ju Yingnan , Silverstein Jonathan C. , Browne Kristen M. , Jain Sanjay , Wasserfall Clive H. , Jorgensen Marda L. , Spraggins Jeffrey M. , Patterson Nathan H. , Weber Griffin M.
Published: December 2021

Several international consortia are collaborating to construct a human reference atlas, which is a comprehensive, high-resolution, three-dimensional atlas of all the cells in the healthy human body. Laboratories around the world are collecting tissue specimens from donors varying in sex, age, ethnicity, and body mass index. However, integrating and harmonizing tissue data across 20+ organs and more than 15 bulk and spatial single-cell assay types poses diverse challenges. Here we present the software tools and user interfaces developed to annotate (“register”) and explore the collected tissue data. A key part of these tools is a common coordinate framework, which provides standard terminologies and data structures for describing specimens, biological structures, and spatial positions linked to existing ontologies. As of December 2021, the “registration” user interface has been used to harmonize and make publicly available data on 6,178 tissue sections from 2,698 tissue blocks collected by the Human Biomolecular Atlas Program, the Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions program, the Human Cell Atlas, the Kidney Precision Medicine Project, and the Genotype Tissue Expression project. The second “exploration” user interface enables consortia to evaluate data quality and coverage, explore tissue data in the context of the human body, and guide data acquisition.
Information encoded in volumes and areas of dendritic spines is nearly maximal across mammalian brains
Authors: Karbowski Jan , Urban Paulina
Published: December 2021

Many experiments suggest that long-term information associated with neuronal memory resides collectively in dendritic spines. However, spines can have a limited size due to metabolic and neuroanatomical constraints, which should effectively limit the amount of encoded information in excitatory synapses. This study investigates how much information can be stored in the population of sizes of dendritic spines, and whether it is optimal in any sense. It is shown here, using empirical data for several mammalian brains across different regions and physiological conditions, that dendritic spines nearly maximize entropy contained in their volumes and surface areas for a given mean size in cortical and hippocampal regions. Although both short- and heavy-tailed fitting distributions approach 90 − 100% of maximal entropy in the majority of cases, the best maximization is obtained primarily for short-tailed gamma distribution. We find that most empirical ratios of standard deviation to mean for spine volumes and areas are in the range 1.0 ± 0.3, which is close to the theoretical optimal ratios coming from entropy maximization for gamma and lognormal distributions. On average, the highest entropy is contained in spine length (4−5 bits per spine), and the lowest in spine volume and area (2 − 3 bits), although the latter two are closer to optimality. In contrast, we find that entropy density (entropy per spine size) is always suboptimal. Our results suggest that spine sizes are almost as random as possible given the constraint on their size, and moreover the general principle of entropy maximization is applicable and potentially useful to information and memory storing in the population of cortical and hippocampal excitatory synapses, and to predicting their morphological properties.

Significance statement

It is believed that information related to long-term memory is stored collectively in the parts of excitatory synapses called dendritic spines. But how efficient is the information capacity given synaptic size variability? Generally, the larger this variability the higher entropy (information capacity) of spine population. However, this process comes at some cost, as larger synapses use more metabolic energy and brain tissue, suggesting a benefit-cost trade-off for storing long-term information. We show that volumes and areas of actual spines in many different parts of the brain across different mammals and conditions adjust simultaneously their variable mean and standard deviation values to nearly maximize entropy of their distributions. This suggests that storing capacity of dendritic spines is nearly maximal, despite large variability in their sizes.
iTRVZ: liquid nano-platform for signal integration on the plasma membrane
Authors: Tsunoyama Taka A. , Hoffmann Christian , Tang Bo , Hirosawa Koichiro M. , Nemoto Yuri L. , Kasai Rinshi S. , Fujiwara Takahiro K. , Suzuki Kenichi G.N. , Milovanovic Dragomir , Kusumi Akihiro
Published: December 2021

Crosstalk of cellular signaling pathways is essential for coordinating cell responses. Therefore, we suspect the existence of special scaffolding platforms that specifically undertake signal crosstalk and integration. Using advanced single-molecule imaging, we found a nanometer-scale liquid-like platform for integrating the signals downstream from GPI-anchored receptors and receptor-type tyrosine kinases. The platform employs some of the focal adhesion proteins, including integrin, talin, RIAM, VASP, and zyxin, but is distinct from focal adhesions, and is thus termed iTRVZ. The iTRVZ formation is driven by the protein liquid-liquid phase separation and the interactions with the raft domains in the plasma membrane and cortical actin. iTRVZ non-linearly integrates the two distinctly different receptor signals, and thus works as an AND gate and noise filter.

Highlights

Integrin, talin, RIAM, VASP, and zyxin are clustered which called iTRVZ

iTRVZ forms liquid-like nanoscale cluster throughout the plasma membrane

Downstream molecules are recruited to iTRVZ upon different receptor stimulations

Phase separation is critical for iTRVZ formation and its signal transduction

Two weak inputs are integrated in iTRVZ and non-linearly amplified to strong output
Cell-free chromatin particles released from dying cells inflict mitochondrial damage and ROS production in living cells
Authors: Raghuram Gorantla V , Tripathy Bhabesh Kumar , Avadhani Kartikeya , Shabrish Snehal , Khare Naveen Kumar , Lopes Relestina , Pal Kavita , Mittra Indraneel
Published: December 2021

mtDNA damage and the resultant oxidative stress are associated with neurodegenerative diseases, ageing and cancer. However, what triggers mtDNA damage remains unclear. We have reported that cell-free chromatin particles (cfChPs) that are released from the billions of cells that die in the body every day can readily enter into healthy cells and damage their DNA. We show here that cfChPs isolated from sera of healthy individuals, or those that are released from dying cells, inflict direct physical damage mtDNA leading to marked activation of ROS. The latter could be abrogated by concurrent treatment with three different cfChPs deactivating agents. Given that 1×109-1×1012cells die in the body every day, our findings suggest that cfChPs from dying cells are major physiological triggers for mtDNA damage and ROS production. Deactivation of cfChPs may provide a novel therapeutic approach to retard ageing and associated degenerative conditions that have been linked to oxidative stress.
Map-independent representation of an aggression-promoting social cue in the main olfactory pathway
Authors: Cichy Annika , Dewan Adam , Zhang Jingji , Kaye Sarah , Teng Tiffany , Blanchard Kassandra , Feinstein Paul , Bozza Thomas
Published: December 2021

Abstract

While the olfactory system is required for proper social behaviors, the molecular basis for how social cues are detected via the main olfactory pathway of mammals is not well-characterized. Trimethylamine is a volatile, sex-specific odor found in adult male mouse urine that selectively activates main olfactory sensory neurons that express trace amine-associated receptor 5 (TAAR5). Here we show that trimethylamine, acting via TAAR5, elicits state-dependent attraction or aversion in male mice and drives inter-male aggression. Genetic knockout of TAAR5 significantly reduces aggression-related behaviors, while adding trimethylamine augments aggressive behavior towards juvenile males. We further show that transgenic expression of TAAR5 specifically in olfactory sensory neurons rescues aggressive behaviors in knockout mice, despite extensive remapping of TAAR5 projections to the olfactory bulb. Our results identify a specific main olfactory input that detects a prominent male-specific odor to induce inter-male aggression in a mammalian species and reveal that apparently innate behavioral responses are independent of patterned glomerular input to the olfactory bulb.
Contextual and linguistic challenges for French business schools to achieve international accreditation: experts as boundary-spanners
Authors: Vigier Mary , Bryant Michael
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the contextual and linguistic challenges that French business schools face when preparing for international accreditation and to shed light on the different ways in which experts facilitate these accreditation processes, particularly with respect to how they capitalize on their contextual and linguistic boundary-spanning competences.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors interviewed 12 key players at four business schools in France engaged in international accreditations and in three specific categories: senior management, tenured faculty and administrative staff. The interview-based case study design used semi-structured questions and an insider researcher approach to study an underexplored sector of analysis.

Findings

The findings suggest that French business schools have been particularly impacted by the colonizing effects of English as the mandatory language of the international accreditation bodies espousing a basically Anglophone higher education philosophy. Consequently, schools engage external experts for their contextual and linguistic boundary-spanning expertise to facilitate accreditation processes.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to language-sensitive research through a critical perspective on marginalization within French business schools due to the use of English as the mandatory lingua franca of international accreditation processes and due to the underlying higher-education philosophy from the Anglophone academic sphere within these processes. As a result, French business schools resort to external experts to mediate their knowledge and competency gaps.
The moderating effect of coworkers’ training participation on the influence of peer support in the transfer process
Authors: Salamon Janos , Blume Brian D. , Orosz Gábor , Nagy Tamás
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The impact of the number of coworkers participating in training on transfer outcomes has largely been overlooked. This paper aims to examine whether the number of coworkers participating in training interacts with peer support (PS) to influence training motivation and transfer.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey from a sample of 688 employees working in 14 midsize and large companies. All participants were recent trainees in various open skill (e.g. leadership) training programs. Moderated mediation was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Motivation to transfer (MTT) mediated the relationship between PS and perceived training transfer. When more coworkers participated in the training, PS had a stronger influence on trainee MTT.

Practical implications

Organizations should consider training coworker cohorts at the same time to influence MTT and training transfer. Generally, whole-team training programs could be used to boost training transfer outcomes, although it could potentially have a negative impact on transfer if PS is low.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was the first study to demonstrate that the number of coworkers participating in training can moderate the effect of PS on MTT and training transfer.
Suggestions for large-scale, postdisaster reconstruction involving indigenous populations: a participatory approach to recovery after Typhoon Morakot
Authors: Tsai Sung Lun , Ochiai Chiho , Tseng Min Hui , Deng Chuan Zhong
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The participatory method, a major factor for a successful post-disaster reconstruction (PDR) project, is applied in various stages of the PDR. However, the application of this method for PDR involving indigenous populations is underexplored. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the critical factors that can influence the participatory PDR in the indigenous context.

Design/methodology/approach

Two large-scale, indigenous, post-disaster relocation projects after the 2009 Typhoon Morakot were selected as case studies. The qualitative and quantitative methodology (semi-structured interview and questionnaire) were applied in the research.

Findings

A participation-friendly policy, community organization, the extent of damage, flexibility of nongovernmental organizations, understanding of the participatory concept and mutual trust were found to be essential factors that profoundly influence participation in PDR projects.

Originality/value

This study contributes by providing guidelines for future participatory PDR projects, especially in the indigenous context.
Cooperative education during Covid-19 pandemic: enhancing legal rights and professional development of interns in Thailand
Authors: Pathak Shubham , Laikram Siwarut
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The study aims at enriching the existing cooperative education sector in Thailand. Adequate cooperative education has direct impacts upon graduates’ future professional development, employability and enhanced professional skills. The cooperative education framework in Thailand is relatively a recent concept and lacks detailed research.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted in this study is mixed-method, inclusive of qualitative methodology where data were collected through key informant interviews and; quantitative methodology involving survey questionnaires with a sample of 350 respondents. The data analysis included the quantitative analysis with Chi-square and excerpts from the key informant interview respondents. Additional strength, weakness, opportunity and threat analysis is performed to provide for gaps at various levels of cooperative education and the potential opportunities to the graduates in Thailand.

Findings

The findings depict a lack of legal framework for effective skill development, uncertain moral and physical security of the interns and absence of legal rights for interns, minimal support and assistance from the government sector, reduced future employability and insufficient financial resources among poorer students.

Research limitations/implications

Lack of student and cooperative database with the government departments.

Practical implications

The Thai Qualification Framework has been adopted in a majority of universities, however, the quality assurance does not cover the student’s perspectives, financial and social limitations towards attending the cooperative education.

Social implications

With enhanced vulnerabilities due to the Covid-19 pandemic, adverse impacts are analysed and recommendations are provided for enhancing cooperative education opportunities towards students.

Originality/value

This research aims to understand the perspectives of the students who graduated with cooperative education and are currently working professionals.
Exploring differences in the antisocial behaviors of adolescent rule-breaking that affect entrepreneurial persistence
Authors: Randolph Angela F. , Greenberg Danna , Simon Jessica K. , Gartner William B.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The authors explore the relationship between adolescent behavior and subsequent entrepreneurial persistence by drawing on scholarship from clinical psychology and criminology to examine different subtypes of antisocial behavior (nonaggressive antisocial behavior and aggressive antisocial behavior) that underlie adolescent rule breaking. The intersection of gender and socioeconomic status on these types of antisocial behavior and entrepreneurial persistence is also studied.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a longitudinal research design, this study draws from a national representative survey of USA adolescents, the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1997) (NLSY97). Nonaggressive antisocial behavior was assessed with a composite scale that measured economic self-interest and with a second measure that focused on substance abuse. Aggressive antisocial behavior was assessed as a measure of aggressive, destructive behaviors, such as fighting and property destruction. Entrepreneurial persistence was operationalized as years of self-employment experience, which is based on the number of years a respondent reported any self-employment.

Findings

Aggressive antisocial behavior is positively related to entrepreneurial persistence but nonaggressive antisocial behavior is not. This relationship is moderated by gender and socioeconomic status.

Originality/value

These findings contribute to research on the relationship between adolescent behavior and entrepreneurship in adulthood, the effect of antisocial behavior, and demographic intersectionality (by gender and socioeconomic status) in entrepreneurship. The authors surmise that the finding that self-employment for men from lower socioeconomic backgrounds involved in aggressive antisocial behavior was significantly higher compared to others may indicate that necessity entrepreneurship may be the primary driver of entrepreneurial activity for these individuals.
Reflective backward analysis to assess the operational performance and eco-efficiency of two industrial districts
Authors: Appolloni Andrea , D'Adamo Idiano , Gastaldi Massimo , Yazdani Morteza , Settembre-Blundo Davide
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The best strategy to apply for the future cannot disregard a careful analysis of the past and is the one capable of seizing opportunities from outside. Manufacturing sectors are characterized by sudden changes, and in this work, we analyze the ceramic tiles sector characterized by a mature technology in which innovation has played a key role.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims to provide a sectorial analysis based on a historical data set (2004–2019) to highlight how an industry is performing both operationally and in terms of eco-efficiency. For this purpose, from a methodological point of view, the data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used.

Findings

The results of the analysis show that the Spanish ceramics industry shows a growing economic trend by taking advantage of lower industrial costs, while the Italian industry is characterized by a modest decline partially mitigated by exports. The industrial districts are an aggregation of companies that in the ceramic sector has allowed to combine innovation, sustainability and digitalization and is a model toward the maximization of sustainable efficiency because it is a place of aggregation of resources and ideas.

Originality/value

This study experiments with an innovative way of addressing traditional industry analysis, namely, integrating the reflective management approach with DEA-based backward analysis. This provides decision makers with the basis for new interpretations of variable trends.
Exploring the life cycle of family-owned tourism businesses in maturity
Authors: López-Chávez Beatriz Adriana , Maldonado-Alcudia César
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to analyze the life cycle of family-owned hotels in the maturity phase from the integration of theoretical models for family-owned tourism businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative multiple case study was used to analyze four mature family-owned hotels through eight interviews and four observation guides with an abductive method. Three axes were analyzed; the ownership with the Gersick model, the family with the Tobak and Nábradí model and the business with the Butler tourist areas model to identify whether they are going through the consolidation stage, stagnation, rejuvenation or decline within its maturity.

Findings

The cases studied evolve in the three axes. In the business axes, two go through the stagnation stage, another in decline and the last in consolidation; all remain under controlling owners. In the family, there are different generations in charge. The boost to the destination plays a key role as a force for deterministic change in the internal transformation of these organizations, and to remain in consolidation, discontinuous changes and voluntaristic actions are necessary.

Originality/value

Family businesses seek longevity, although a low percentage reaches maturity. This research proposes the integration of life cycle models to understand its development in the axes of family, ownership and business, where aspects of the tourism industry are considered and allow the stage identification through which it passes in maturity, supporting internal decision making.
Main street business owners: aging in plain sight
Authors: Forster-Holt Nancy
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Aging is the most important social-demographic issue worldwide, supported by the initiatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) in its global strategy and action plan for aging and health (Rudnicka et al., 2020). The average age of business owners in most industrialized countries is on the rise. In the United States, fifty-one percent of small private businesses are owned by someone age fifty-plus (SBA Office of Advocacy, 2018).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors shed light on small business owners, who age in place. The authors suggest that their importance as long-term actors in entrepreneurial ecosystems nor the issue of “Main Street churn” have not been meaningfully explored. Understanding the risks they face offers an opportunity for academics and practitioners to provide insights for business owners, the next generation of the acquirer and advisors. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has elevated the status of many of these businesses from invisible (and perhaps taken for granted) to “essential” and amplified the co-dependence of business and the local economy.

Findings

The anticipated “silver tsunami” caused by the retirements of Main Street business owners is not a national and homogeneous wave. Rather, each wave will land on beaches locally. Small business owners age in place, and their importance as long-term actors in entrepreneurial ecosystems nor the issue of “Main Street churn” have not been meaningfully explored. They become embedded in their community and possibly stuck there in retirement.

Originality/value

The embeddedness of these owners – who likely have social connections, community identification and feelings of responsibility to the community directly impacts the places that they care deeply about – is often unquestioned. However, their retirements call for increased visibility within entrepreneurial ecosystems and translations of scholarly work from several kinds of literature into policy and practice.
Dual crossover mechanisms of benevolent supervision on followers' contextual performance and emotional exhaustion alleviation
Authors: Chuang Ya-Ting , Chiang Hua-Ling , Lin An-Pan , Lien Yung-Chih
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Adopting conservation of resources (COR) theory as a guiding framework, this study proposes that benevolent supervision (BS) is a feasible leadership style for building a positive resource gain process in subordinates' extra-role actions and reducing their exhaustion, and leader-member exchange (LMX) and positive affect (PA) serve as indirect crossover mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys were conducted at three-time points with four-week intervals. A total of 304 subordinates and 55 supervisors at a Taiwanese university participated in the surveys, and a multilevel model was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that prior BS (time 1) was positively associated with subordinates' subsequent LMX and PA (time 2). LMX mediated the relationship between BS and subsequent supervisor-rated contextual performance (time 3), and PA mediated the relationship between BS and subordinate-rated emotional exhaustion (time 3). In addition, supervisors' learning orientation positively moderated the relationship between BS and contextual performance via LMX, whereas supervisors' performance orientation negatively moderated this relationship.

Practical implications

The results of the study encourage leaders to exhibit benevolence toward subordinates, increase subordinates' contextual performance and enhance personal feelings, thereby ultimately benefitting the organization.

Originality/value

This study reveals that BS is a source of resource investment in the process of subordinates' positive job (contextual performance) and personal (emotional exhaustion) resource gains through social exchange (LMX) and affective (PA) crossover mechanisms and that supervisors' goal inclinations impact this process.
Impact of high pressure processing on microbiological, nutritional and sensory properties of food: a review
Authors: Amsasekar Ajith , Mor Rahul S. , Kishore Anand , Singh Anupama , Sid Saurabh
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The increased demand for high-quality, nutritionally rich processed food has led to non-thermal food processing technologies like high pressure processing (HPP), a novel process for microbial inactivation with minimal loss of nutritional and sensory properties. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the impact of HPP on the microbiological, nutritional and sensory properties of food.

Design/methodology/approach

Recent research on the role of HPP in maintaining food quality and safety and the impact of process conditions with respect to various food properties have been explored in this paper. Also, the hurdle approach and the effectiveness of HPP on food quality have been documented.

Findings

HPP has been verified for industrial application, fulfilling the consumer demand for processed food with minimum nutrition loss at low temperatures. The positive impact of HPP with other treatments is known as the hurdle approach that enhances its impact against microorganism activity and minimizes the effects on nutrition and sensory attributes.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the impact of HPP on various food properties and a good alternative as non-thermal technology for maintaining shelf life, sensory properties and retention of nutrients.
Forecasting the efficiency of weft knitting production: a decision tree method
Authors: Le Song Thanh Quynh , Ho June , Bui Huong Mai
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a decision support system for predicting the knitting production’s efficiency based on the input parameters of an order. This tool supports the operations managers to make reliable decisions of estimated delivery time, which will result in reducing waste arising from late delivery, overtime and increased labor.

Design/methodology/approach

The decision tree method with a set of logical IF-THEN rules is used to determine the knitting production’s efficiency. Each path of the decision tree represents a rule of the following form: “IF  THEN .” Starting with identifying and categorizing input specifications, the model is then applied to the observed data to regenerate the results of efficiency into classification instances.

Findings

The production’s efficiency is the result of the interaction between input specifications such as yarn’s component, knitting fabric specifications and machine speed. The rule base is generated through a decision tree built to classify the efficiency into five levels, including very low, low, medium, high and very high. Based on this, production managers can determine the delivery time and schedule the manufacturing planning more accurately. In this research, the correct classification instances, which is simply a ratio of the correctly predicted observations to the total ones, reach 80.17%.

Originality/Values

This research proposes a new methodology for estimating the efficiency of weft knitting production based on a decision tree method with an application of real data. This model supports the decision-making process of the estimated delivery time.
Intraspecific interaction of host plants leads to concentrated distribution of a specialist herbivore through metabolic alterations in the leaves
Authors: Ohsaki Haruna , Miyagi Atsuko , Kawai‐Yamada Maki , Yamawo Akira
Published: December 2021

Recent studies suggest that changes in leaf traits due to interactions between plants affect resource utilisation by herbivores, as well as herbivore distribution. However, this has not yet been confirmed experimentally. Here, we investigated the effects of phenotypic plasticity in leaf traits of Rumex obtusifolius (host plant) in response to intraspecific and interspecific interactions on the distribution of two leaf beetles, Gastrophysa atrocyanea (specialist herbivore) and Galerucella grisescens (generalist herbivore).

We investigated the local population density of R. obtusifolius plants and the presence of leaf beetles on the plants at five study sites. Leaf chemicals (condensed tannins and total phenolics) were compared between aggregated and solitary R. obtusifolius plants. To clarify the effects of the interaction environment of R. obtusifolius plants on their leaf traits and on resource utilisation by the leaf beetles, we compared leaf chemicals and preferences of adult leaf beetles among treatments where R. obtusifolius experienced intraspecific interaction, interspecific interaction or no interaction in cultivation experiments. Finally, we evaluated the independent and combined effects of patch size and intraspecific interaction on leaf beetle distribution in mesocosm experiments.

In the field, the presence of the specialist leaf beetle G. atrocyanea was positively correlated with the local population density (rosette overlap ratio) of R. obtusifolius plants; however, there was no correlation in the case of the generalist leaf beetle G. grisescens. In the cultivation experiments, plants in the intraspecific interaction treatment increased their leaf concentrations of condensed tannins and total phenolics, and G. atrocyanea consumed more of these leaves than leaves in other treatments. Similar results were observed in the field. In the mesocosm experiments, larger numbers of G. atrocyanea were distributed on R. obtusifolius plants exposed to below‐ground intraspecific interaction than on plants not exposed to intraspecific interaction.

Our results provide experimental evidence that leaf‐trait changes in response to intraspecific interaction between host plants influence specialist herbivore distribution. This highlights the need to integrate plant–plant interactions into our understanding of plant–animal interactions.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Comparative genomics and proteomics of Eubacterium maltosivorans: functional identification of trimethylamine methyltransferases and bacterial microcompartments in a human intestinal bacterium with a versatile lifestyle
Authors: Feng Yuan , Bui Thi Phuong Nam , Stams Alfons J. M. , Boeren Sjef , Sánchez‐Andrea Irene , de Vos Willem M.
Published: January 2022

Eubacterium maltosivorans YIT is a human intestinal isolate capable of acetogenic, propionogenic and butyrogenic growth. Its 4.3‐Mb genome sequence contains coding sequences for 4227 proteins, including 41 different methyltransferases. Comparative proteomics of strain YIT showed the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway proteins to be actively produced during homoacetogenic growth on H2 and CO2 while butyrogenic growth on a mixture of lactate and acetate significantly upregulated the production of proteins encoded by the recently identified lctABCDEF cluster and accessory proteins. Growth on H2 and CO2 unexpectedly induced the production of two related trimethylamine methyltransferases. Moreover, a set of 16 different trimethylamine methyltransferases together with proteins for bacterial microcompartments were produced during growth and deamination of the quaternary amines, betaine, carnitine and choline. Growth of strain YIT on 1,2‐propanediol generated propionate with propanol and induced the formation of bacterial microcompartments that were also prominently visible in betaine‐grown cells. The present study demonstrates that E. maltosivorans is highly versatile in converting low‐energy fermentation end‐products in the human gut into butyrate and propionate whilst being capable of preventing the formation of the undesired trimethylamine by converting betaine and other quaternary amines in bacterial microcompartments into acetate and butyrate.
Professionalism in the era of accountability: Role discrepancy and responses among teachers in the Netherlands
Authors: Browes Natalie , Altinyelken Hülya K.
Published: January 2022

The roles and identities of professionals have undergone significant transformation in an ever‐globalising world shaped by neoliberal values. In the field of education, standardisation and outcome‐based quality measures have become the norm. Teachers are held accountable through their students’ results, with their work subject to ongoing surveillance (performance‐based accountability). This has changed the nature of teachers’ tasks, and what it means to be a "good teacher". Based on 20 teacher interviews across six primary schools in the Netherlands, this study examines teachers’ practices and beliefs, asking: do they experience role discrepancy? What responses do we see as a result? And, what does this reveal about teachers' sense of professionalism today? Findings show that all teachers experience the pressure of high workloads and the need to prioritise tasks. Whereas a small minority of respondents understand performative tasks as having a crucial function of supporting student learning and achievement, others experienced a discrepancy between these performative tasks and the tasks they believed to be at the heart of good teaching. Confronted with this, teachers responded in different ways; either incorporating all tasks into their schedule, or feeling forced to choose between them. Beyond this, findings indicate that teachers' understandings of key aspects of the profession, such as autonomy, are changing in response to the policy environment. This supports conceptualisations of professions and professionalism as not only "being changed by" external reform, but changing from within.
The economic burden of systemic sclerosis—A systematic review
Authors: Chen Yongcong , Wu Lin , J. Hernández‐Muñoz Jose , J. Miller Michael , Pope Melinda , Huyan Yidan , Zhong Lixian
Published: December 2021

Aim

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare, chronic autoimmune disease associated with a substantial economic burden. This study aimed to assess the costs associated with SSc and to identify major cost drivers.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE and Embase to identify relevant studies. Two independent reviewers evaluated studies based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and performed data extraction. Costs were converted into 2017 US dollars by purchasing power parity. The review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis (PRISMA) guideline.

Results

The original literature search identified 113 potentially relevant citations, of which 10 articles met all the inclusion/exclusion criteria and were included in the data extraction and analysis. The identified studies evaluated costs associated with SSc in 11 countries from North America, Europe, and Australia published between 2009 and 2018. Eight studies reported direct costs and seven studies reported indirect costs. Direct costs varied from $3356 (Hungary) to $27 032 (Germany) with hospitalization and medication being two of the biggest components of direct medical costs in most studies. The indirect costs for lost productivity varied from $2433 (Italy) to $20 663 (UK), accounting for a significant portion of the total economic burden.

Conclusions

Large variations existed in annual costs of SSc, but all studies found that SSc imposed a substantial economic burden on patients and their families. The identified studies were mostly from high‐income countries and there is still a knowledge gap regarding the cost of SSc in other parts of the world.
Editorial: bezafibrate in the treatment of patients with primary biliary cholangitis—are we there yet?
Authors: Rodrigues Pedro M. , Banales Jesus M.
Published: December 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Sorda et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16618 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16726
Editorial: subcutaneous CT‐P13 in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—small change, big consequences
Authors: Carbonnel Franck , Meyer Antoine
Published: December 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Hanzel et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16609 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16724
Editorial: subcutaneous CT‐P13 in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis–small change, big consequences. Authors' reply
Authors: Hanzel Jurij , Bukkems Laura H. , Gecse Krisztina B. , D’Haens Geert R. , Mathôt Ron A. A.
Published: December 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Hanzel et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16609 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16709
Editorial: bezafibrate in the treatment of patients with primary biliary cholangitis—are we there yet? Authors' reply
Authors: Sorda Juan Antonio , González Ballerga Esteban , Barreyro Fernando Javier , Daruich Jorge
Published: December 2021

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Sorda et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16618 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16657
Factors influencing mock parole board members: the impact of an incarcerated person's race/ethnicity, conversion while in prison, and mental health status
Authors: ElBassiouny Amanda , Ayala Rachel , Sircy Kayla
Published: December 2021

The purpose of the current study was to explore how an incarcerated person's race/ethnicity, mental health status, and the type of conversion/lifestyle change experienced in prison would impact a mock parole board member's decisions, perceptions, and emotional reactions. A total of 720 MTurk participants were randomly assigned to read a case file summary of an incarcerated person that varied by his race/ethnicity (White/Black/Arab/Latino), mental health status (no mental health issues/diagnosed with schizophrenia), and the type of conversion/lifestyle change experienced while in prison (Christianity/Islam/atheism/secularism). Participants then responded to items relating to their decision to grant or deny parole, recidivism and rehabilitation, and their perceptions and emotional reactions toward the incarcerated person. It was found that when the incarcerated person converted to Christianity or had a secular lifestyle change, he was perceived more positively than when he converted to atheism. Also, he was perceived more positively if he had no mental illness rather than being diagnosed with schizophrenia. Participants also felt more empathy toward the incarcerated person when he was Black rather than Latino. These factors did impact the perceptions and emotional reactions of mock parole board members.
Tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase 2 plays a key role in regulating the activation of fibroblast‐like synoviocytes in autoimmune arthritis
Authors: Chang Yan , Han Ping , Wang Yueye , Jia Chengyan , Zhang Bingjie , Zhao Yingjie , Li Susu , Li Siyu , Wang Xinwei , Yang Xuezhi , Wei Wei
Published: December 2021

Background and Purpose

Abnormal kynurenine (Kyn) metabolism has been closely linked to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aims of this study were to investigate the role of tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase 2 (TDO2), a rate‐limiting enzyme that converts tryptophan (Trp) to Kyn, in regulating fibroblast‐like synoviocyte (FLS)‐mediated synovial inflammation in autoimmune arthritis.

Experimental Approach

The expression of TDO2 was determined by immunohistochemistry, confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy, imaging flow cytometry and Western blot. TDO2 activity was tested by HPLC and colorimetric assay. TDO2 siRNA and TDO2 inhibitor 680C91 were used to inhibit TDO2 in AA‐FLS function in vitro. A rat model of adjuvant‐induced arthritis (AA) was used to evaluate the in vivo effect of allopurinol (Allo), a TDO2 inhibitor.

Key Results

TDO2 expression was strongly increased in synovial tissue and FLS of RA and AA. Immune cells were found to express high amount of TDO2 proteins at the peak stage of AA. Pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of TDO2 in AA‐FLS resulted in a reduced proliferation, secretion, migration and invasion. Kyn restored the inhibitory effect of TDO2 inhibition on activation of AA‐FLS. Allo treatment ameliorated the arthritis severity and decreased the activity of TDO2.

Conclusion and Implications

Our results suggest that elevated TDO2 expression may contribute to synovial inflammation and joint destruction during arthritis. Therefore, targeting TDO2 activity and the Kyn pathway of Trp degradation may represent a potential therapeutic strategy in RA.