bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does the Corporate Lifecycle Affect Board Structure? International Evidence
Authors: Nizar Hamza , Uyar Ali , Lakhal Faten , Karaman Abdullah S.
Published: February 2025

Research Question/Issue

This paper examines the impact of corporate lifecycle on board structure offering insights into how firms evolve and adapt their governance practices over time and across different institutional environments.

Research Findings/Insights

Based on a sample of 23,530 firm‐year observations from 51 countries over the period 2013–2021, we find that corporate lifecycle has a positive effect on board gender diversity and board tenure. This positive effect is more pronounced in firms operating in countries with stronger investor protection and in firms facing higher external market discipline. However, the corporate lifecycle has a negative effect on the proportion of board members with financial or industry expertise. This negative relationship turns positive when investor protection strengthens, and market pressure intensifies. The results also show that gender quota adoption positively influences the association between corporate lifecycle and board gender diversity.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

The findings support lifecycle and legitimacy theory perspectives suggesting that organizations face different challenges and legitimacy pressures at various phases of their lifecycle. To overcome those challenges, companies are likely to adjust their internal governance structures accordingly. The results also provide support for regulations on gender quotas in the boardroom.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Our results suggest that in the early stages, a company considers appointing financial or industry skilled directors who offer essential knowledge for corporate growth and success. As the company matures, the focus shifts toward bolstering corporate legitimacy and gaining social acceptance. This transition indicates a shift toward holistic governance, where the company prioritizes the representation of stakeholders' interests, both in substantive and symbolic ways.
Self‐Reported Cognitive Bias in Psychosis: Further Validation of the Cognitive Biases Questionnaire for Psychosis (CBQ‐P) and the Davos Assessment of Cognitive Biases (DACOBS) in a Large Iranian Clinical and Non‐Clinical Sample
Authors: Aminaee Mohammad , Khosravani Vahid , Samimi Ardestani Seyed Mehdi , Fayyazi Bordbar Mohammad Reza , van der Gaag Mark , Berk Michael
Published: February 2025

Objective

Various factor structures have been suggested for the Davos Assessment of Cognitive Biases (DACOBS) and the Cognitive Biases Questionnaire for Psychosis (CBQ‐P), assessing cognitive bias, necessitating additional validation in diverse languages to enhance the validity of the scales.

Method

Persian versions of these scales were validated within an Iranian cohort comprising 1719 individuals: patients with schizophrenia (n = 334) and major depressive disorder (MDD; n = 346) and a non‐clinical group (n = 1039). The participants completed both self‐report and clinician‐administered assessments.

Results

The 18‐item DACOBS version, comprising four factors, and the single‐factor structure of the CBQ‐P exhibited the optimal model fit, with confirmed reliability. Both scales showed significant correlations with constructs such as paranoid ideation, social cognition, schizotypal personality and positive symptoms. Additionally, the scales differentiated patients with schizophrenia and individuals at high risk for psychosis from those at low risk or patients with MDD. The CBQ‐P and certain subscales of the DACOBS predicted susceptibility to psychosis, positive symptoms and psychosis‐related manifestations.

Conclusions

The research highlights the validity and reliability of the Persian adaptations of the 18‐item DACOBS and the CBQ‐P for evaluating cognitive bias in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and for identifying individuals at an elevated risk for psychosis.
A Novel Physical Neural Network Based on Transformer Framework for Multiaxial Fatigue Life Prediction
Authors: Pan Rui , Gao Jianxiong , Yuan Yiping , Zhou Jianxing , Meng Lingchao , Ding Haoyang , Kong Weiyi
Published: February 2025

The stability of prediction precision under complex loading paths is one of the key challenges in the task of multiaxial fatigue life prediction. This study addresses the challenges of unstable prediction precision in machine learning models, while further improving the precision of multiaxial fatigue life prediction. A novel neural network based on a transformer framework is proposed to capture dependencies between data at multiple scales. Meanwhile, physical loss function with soft adjustments is proposed to add physical constraints to the proposed neural network. These two mechanisms assist each other in improving the accuracy and stability of fatigue life prediction. Performance validation was conducted using fatigue data from nine distinct materials. Comparative analysis was performed against six existing models to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed physical neural network. Experimental evidence supports the high predictive accuracy of the proposed physical neural network, which also demonstrates robust stability across diverse conditions.
The Effect of Spiritual Well‐Being on Hope Among Hemodialysis Patients: A Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Zhou Xu‐Hua , Chen Lin , Zhang Ying‐Jun , He Li , Liu Li , Shi Mei , You Rui
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Spiritual well‐being was a critical component of quality of life for hemodialysis patients. However, existing research primarily concentrates on the overall level of spiritual well‐being and associated factors, often neglecting the heterogeneity within the hemodialysis patients regarding their patterns of spiritual well‐being. In addition, the effect of spiritual well‐being on hope levels in hemodialysis patients remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the latent profiles of spiritual well‐being among hemodialysis patients and to explore their effect on hope.

Methods

A convenience sampling method was employed between July 2023 and March 2024 to recruit hemodialysis patients from three teaching hospitals in Sichuan Province as study participants. All participants complied with a demographic questionnaire, the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy‐Spiritual Well‐Being, and the Herth Hope Index. A latent profile analysis was adopted to identify the latent profiles of spiritual well‐being among hemodialysis patients, and hierarchical linear regression was conducted to examine their role in hope.

Findings

Two latent profiles of spiritual well‐being were identified based on the participants' responses, designated as “Spiritual burnout group”(n = 246, 74.4%) and “Spiritual fulfillment group” (n = 51, 25.6%). Different latent profiles of spiritual well‐being among hemodialysis patients have a significant positive effect on the level of hope (ΔR2 = 0.224, p < 0.001).

Discussion

The spiritual well‐being of hemodialysis patients was identified as suboptimal and demonstrated a significant positive association with their level of hope. Healthcare providers could identify the different profiles of spiritual well‐being in HD patients and deliver targeted interventions to guide them to positively live in harmony with themselves, others, and the environment to improve their level of hope.
High Cost of Scientific Ignorance: A Conceptual Foundation for Scientific Literacy in the Courts
Authors: Mason Sharon , Lorandos Demosthenes
Published: February 2025

This paper examines the failure of Daubert, using analysis from case law, legal scholarship, social psychology, and the philosophy of science to map out the scope of the problem. Next, it provides a diagnostic situated within recent work in social epistemology that highlights structural challenges in the contemporary epistemic landscape. Although the problem of the misuse of science in the courtroom has many different dimensions, one underexplored facet is the courtroom as an instance of broader structural problems in the management of authority, ignorance, and expertise. Building on this analysis, the authors identify five key scientific concepts: (1) the source of scientific authority is derived from consensus within a critical community; (2) falsification, rather than confirmation, is a primary methodological commitment; (3) uncertainty and ignorance in scientific inquiry can managed, but not eliminated; (4) there is a difference between performative, disingenuous pseudoskepticism and a skeptical, critical perspective; and (5) one should be able to recognize genuine scientific expertise and should defer to that expertise. These five foundational ideas provide a conceptual footing for scientific literacy within courtrooms and a basis for educating legal professionals.
Personality Assessment in Groups of Different Verbal Intelligence Levels
Authors: Lozić Martina , Bratko Denis , Vukasović Hlupić Tena
Published: February 2025

The differentiation of personality by intelligence hypothesis, which has mixed support in the literature, predicts that personality is more variable for more intelligent individuals. This study aimed to test that hypothesis by comparing variances, reliability coefficients, and inter‐scale correlations of personality as assessed by self‐reports between groups of participants with different intelligence scores. We used two independent datasets (N1 = 655; N2 = 836; Ntotal = 1491) in which the same vocabulary test was used as a measure of verbal intelligence, but personality was measured as self‐report by different inventories (NEO‐FFI and HEXACO‐100). As the verbal ability scores had a normal distribution, the combined mean was calculated, and empirical groups were generated within each sample to compare groups of participants who indicated a low‐ability group (G1) and the high‐ability group (G3). Results mostly support the differentiation hypothesis in the NEO‐FFI dataset, where participants in G3 have higher variances and reliability coefficients than participants in G1, but do not show lower inter‐scale correlation coefficients. However, the same trend was not found in the second sample where personality was assessed by the HEXACO inventory. In conclusion, the results of this study provide only partial support for the personality differentiation by intelligence hypothesis.
Suspected Calvarial Hyperostosis Syndrome Causing Different Ophthalmological Signs in Two Young Labrador Retrievers—Case Report
Authors: Steinmetz Andrea , Kohl Stefan
Published: February 2025

Objective

To describe calvarial hyperostosis syndrome (CHS) as a potential and unusual cause of exophthalmos or epiphora in young dogs.

Animals Studied

A nine‐month‐old female intact (case 1) and a two‐year‐old male intact Labrador Retriever (case 2).

Procedures

Patient history, including previous treatments, was documented. Both cases underwent physical and ophthalmological examinations, computed Tomography (CT), and histopathological analysis. Additional dacryocystorhinography (DCR) was performed in case 2.

Results

Lateral exophthalmos of the left eye was the primary clinical sign in case 1. In case 2, serous lacrimal discharge was observed without other signs of ocular irritation. A slightly thickened and firm area distal to the medial canthus of the right eye was also noted. In this case, Jones 1 test on the right side was negative, whereas Jones test 2 revealed increased resistance when flushing the nasolacrimal system. CT imaging in both cases identified solid, smoothly marginated new bone formation. In case 1, this involved the left frontal bone, occipital bone, parietal bone, and temporal bone. In case 2, the new bone formation affected the right lacrimal bone and frontal process of the maxillary bone, leading to encasement and narrowing of the nasolacrimal duct (NLD). Histopathological analysis revealed active bone remodeling with osteoblasts in case 1, while case 2 demonstrated regularly differentiated trabecular lamellar bone with intertrabecular spaces. No evidence of neoplasia or osteomyelitis was observed in either case. Taken together, these findings strongly support a diagnosis of CHS in both cases.

Conclusions

CHS involving flat bones can present as exophthalmos or epiphora and should be considered in the differential diagnoses of these conditions, particularly in young dogs.
Silencio y repetición en la narrativa de César Aira: apuntes para un juego intratextual desde la metatextualidad
Authors: Gutiérrez-Hibler Jonathan
Published: February 2025

La obra de César Aira es importante por el ejercicio literario que lleva a cabo en cada texto: una página diaria, sin revisar, para dar como resultado una breve novela en unos cuántos meses. A pesar de lo aparentemente automático que esto parece, cada texto posee vasos comunicantes entre uno y otro, lo cual resignifica una frase en un espacio narrativo distinto o, bien, un texto puede anticipar la trama de otro. En el caso de César Aira, la intratextualidad resulta un elemento de gran peso en la aproximación de sus análisis y la propuesta de mundo en cada obra. Sin embargo, desde la lectura del silencio de Lisa Block de Behar, entre lo implícito de la obra de arte y lo explícito de los metatextos antes de estos, no queda expresada solamente en una transgresión del código silencioso, sino que en los narradores de Aira existe una continuidad de obra en obra a partir de los comentarios (metatextos) críticos de sus narradores o personajes. Los metatextos reconfiguran el código silencioso, entendido como lo implícito desde la perspectiva de Behar.
Statistical shape modeling and prediction of lumbar spine morphology in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Zhang Tianyi , Gu Xuelian , Li Hai , Wu Chenchen , Zhao Niuniu , Peng Xin
Published: February 2025

A lumbar spine statistical shape model (SSM) was developed to explain morphological differences in a population with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Computed tomography (CT) was used to collect data on the lumbar spine vertebrae and curvature of 49 subjects. The CT data were processed by segmentation, landmark identification, and template mesh mapping, then SSMs of the individual vertebrae and entire lumbar spine were established using generalized Procrustes analysis and principal component analysis. Scaling was the most prevalent variation pattern. The weight coefficient was optimized using the Levenberg?Marquardt algorithm, and multiple regression analysis was used to establish a prediction model for age, sex, height, and body mass index (BMI). The effectiveness of the SSM and prediction model was quantified based on the root-mean-square error. An automatic measurement method was developed to measure the anatomical parameters of the geometric model. The lumbar vertebrae size was significantly affected by height, sex, BMI, and age, with men having lower vertebral height than women. The trends in anatomical parameters were consistent with previous studies. The vertebral SSMs characterized the shape changes in the processes, while the lumbar spine SSM described alignment changes associated with translatory shifts, kyphosis, and scoliosis. Quantifying anatomical variation with SSMs can inform implant design and assist clinicians in diagnosing pathology and screening patients. Lumbar spine SSMs can also support biomechanical simulations of populations with AIS.
Location-Dependent Biomechanical Characterization of the Human Achilles Tendon in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients
Authors: Pekedis Mahmut , Ozan Firat , Melez Muhammed
Published: February 2025

Although diabetes is associated with alterations in the structural and functional properties of soft tissue, the response of the human Achilles tendon to location-dependent variations in both quasi-static and dynamic loading is unclear. This study aimed to characterize the elastic, viscoelastic, hysteresis, and failure properties of the distal, midsubstance, and proximal Achilles tendons in diabetic and non-diabetic patients and to investigate the relationship between biomechanical and clinical observations. Tendons were obtained from patients who underwent above- or below-knee amputation. Dumbbell-shaped specimens were harvested from the three sites. Relaxation tests were performed to determine viscoelastic characteristics. Cyclic loading tests at various frequencies were deployed to determine the dynamic modulus and phase angles. Incremental cyclic loading tests were carried out to investigate the backbone curve and energy dissipation due to hysteresis. Additionally, monotonic loading tests were performed to determine the elastic and failure properties. The results show that biomechanical parameters are not significantly different among the three sites. However, the midsubstance site exhibits significantly higher energy dissipation compared to other sites. Additionally, an increase in cyclic frequency enhances the phase angle, indicating that higher energy dissipation may protect the tendon from high loading rates. Furthermore, an increase in body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is significantly and negatively correlated with stiffness and viscoelasticity, suggesting that improving metabolic health may prevent tendon impairment. These findings may assist in creating more effective therapeutic strategies for tendon repair.
Ultrasound Attenuation, Liver Texture Index, and HepatoRenal Index: Assessing Reproducibility and Inter-operator Consistency in Clinical Practice
Authors: Liu Fan , Zeng Haiyan , Yuan Xingxing , Du Lingyue , Wu Xiaoting , Han Xue , Chen Zaiqiang , Yang Shuai Yang , Zheng Jian
Published: February 2025

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of Ultrasound Attenuation (USAT), the Liver Texture Index (LTI) and the HepatoRenal Index (HRI).Material and methods: Between May 2023 to December 2023, 279 patients who underwent USAT, LTI and HRI tests at the Ultrasound Department of The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen were included. All patients were examined by a physician with over 4 years of ultrasound experience. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was utilized to assess the reproducibility of the three quantitative parameters in all patients. Additionally, 63 cases were examined by another physician with six months of experience to evaluate inter-operator reproducibility.Results: The intra-operator reproducibility of USAT, LTI, and HRI were 0.879 (95% CI:0.858-0.898), 0.919 (95% CI:0.904-0.933), and 0.836 (95% CI:0.809-0.862), respectively. The inter-operator reproducibility among different operators were 0.790 (95% CI:0.604-0.894), 0.782 (95% CI:0.591-0.890), and 0.631 (95% CI:0.356-0.806). After 30 operations, the inter-operator reproducibility improved to 0.858 (95% CI:0.731-0.927), 0.909 (95% CI:0.823-0.954), and 0.796 (95% CI:0.587-0.899).Conclusions: USAT, LTI, and HRI have shown good intra-operator reproducibility, and inter-operator reproducibility between the two operators reached a comparable level after 30 training cases.
Identification of novel thiazole derivatives as flaviviral protease inhibitors effective against Dengue (DENV2) and Japanese encephalitis viruses
Authors: Murtuja Sheikh , Das Sayan , Jana Indrani Das , Shilkar Deepak , Rakshit Gourav , Sarkar Biswatrish , Sinha Barij Nayan , Dewangan Rikeshwer Prasad , Mondal Arindam , Jayaprakash Venkatesan
Published: February 2025

Flaviviruses are the causative agents of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) globally and have demonstrated the capacity to result in fatal outcomes if not managed effectively. Among different types of flaviviruses, dengue (DENV) and Japanese encephalitis (JEV) viruses are the most common in tropical and subtropical countries. While vaccines have been developed and licensed for both DENV and JEV, effective treatment options remain sparse. Hence, there is a pressing need to develop small molecules that can target machineries crucial for virus replication and remain conserved across different flaviviruses, thereby could serve as a promising therapeutic option. This study outlines the synthesis of novel thiazole compounds as flavivirus NS2B–NS3 protease inhibitor and characterization of their antiviral activity against DENV and JEV. We synthesized a heterocyclic template derived from a substrate-based retrotripeptide dengue protease inhibitor, leading to 48 thiazole derivatives. Two compounds, 3aq and 3au demonstrated significant inhibition of dengue virus protease activity
in vitro
. Comprehensive characterization of these two compounds was conducted through biochemical assay, which revealed an uncompetitive mode of inhibition. Subsequent cell-based assays using Dengue and Japanese encephalitis viruses as representative flaviviruses revealed the potential of these compounds to block viral RNA synthesis, and viral replication exhibiting 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) in the low-micromolar range. Time-course experiments unveiled that the two compounds impeded the accumulation of viral genomic RNA primarily at later stages of infection, aligning with their capacity to hinder NS2B–NS3 protease activity, polyprotein processing and viral genomic RNA replication. Finally, time of addition experiment showed the compounds remain effective even when added 9 hpi, thereby confirming their potential as promising antivirals. Together, our work presents the development and validation of flavivirus protease inhibitors with therapeutic potential against Dengue (DENV2) and Japanese encephalitis viruses.
TK2268 encodes the major aminotransferase involved in the conversion from oxaloacetic acid to aspartic acid in
Thermococcus kodakarensis
Authors: Su Yu , Michimori Yuta , Fukuyama Yuto , Shimamura Shigeru , Nunoura Takuro , Atomi Haruyuki
Published: February 2025

Amino acid metabolism in archaea in many cases differs from those reported in bacteria and eukaryotes. The hyperthermophilic archaeon
Thermococcus kodakarensis
possesses an incomplete tricarboxylic cycle, and the biosynthesis pathway of aspartate is unknown. Here, four Class I aminotransferases in
T. kodakarensis
encoded by TK0186, TK0548, TK1094, and TK2268 were examined to identify the enzyme(s) responsible for the conversion of oxaloacetate to aspartate. Among the four proteins, the TK2268 protein (TK2268p) was the only protein to recognize oxaloacetate as the amino acceptor. With oxaloacetate, TK2268p only recognized glutamate as the amino donor. The protein also catalyzed the reverse reaction, the transamination between aspartate and 2-oxoglutarate. Substrate inhibition was observed in the presence of high concentrations of oxaloacetate or 2-oxoglutarate. Aminotransferase activity between oxaloacetate and glutamate was observed in cell extracts of the
T. kodakarensis
host strain KU216. Among the individual gene disruption strains of the four aminotransferases, a significant decrease in activity was only observed in the ΔTK2268 strain.
T. kodakarensis
KU216 does not display growth in synthetic amino acid medium when aspartate/asparagine are absent. Growth was restored upon the addition of both oxaloacetate and glutamate. Although this restoration in growth was maintained in ΔTK0186, ΔTK0548, and ΔTK1094, growth was not observed in the ΔTK2268 strain. Our results suggest that TK2268p is the predominant aminotransferase responsible for the conversion of oxaloacetate to aspartate. The growth experiments and tracer-based metabolomics using
13
C
3
-pyruvate indicated that pyruvate is a precursor of aspartate and that this conversion is dependent on TK2268p.

IMPORTANCE

Based on genome sequence, the hyperthermophilic archaeon
Thermococcus kodakarensis
possesses an incomplete tricarboxylic cycle, raising questions on how this organism carries out the biosynthesis of aspartate and glutamate. The results of this study clarify two main points related to aspartate biosynthesis. We show that aspartate can be produced from oxaloacetate and identify TK2268p as the aminotransferase responsible for this reaction. The other point demonstrated in this study is that pyruvate can act as the precursor for oxaloacetate synthesis. Together with previous results, we can propose some of the roles of the individual aminotransferases in
T. kodakarensis
. TK0548p and TK0186p are involved in amino acid catabolism, with the latter along with TK1094p involved in the conversion of glyoxylate to glycine. TK2268p is responsible for the biosynthesis of aspartate from oxaloacetate.
Human Factor H and anti-Neisserial surface protein A (NspA) antibodies compete for overlapping binding sites on meningococcal NspA
Authors: Raghunathan Dhaarini , Lim Susie Sohee , Moe Gregory R. , Beernink Peter T.
Published: February 2025

Neisserial surface protein A (NspA) is a small, conserved outer membrane protein that has been investigated as a vaccine antigen against meningococcal disease. After NspA had been tested in humans, this antigen was discovered to recruit the human complement regulator Factor H (FH). Previous studies in transgenic mice showed that human FH decreased the protective antibody responses to NspA. The purpose of the present study was to map the binding sites for human FH and anti-NspA antibodies. We found that an anti-NspA monoclonal antibody (mAb), AL-12, inhibits binding of FH to NspA by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Based on this result, we tested the roles of the 10 charged residues on the external loops of NspA in binding these two molecules by site-specific mutagenesis and binding experiments. Through ELISA and surface plasmon resonance experiments, we show that three aspartate (D) residues, D77 on loop 2 and D113 and D118 on loop 3, are important for binding human FH. Further, residues D113 and D118, as well as lysine 79 and arginine 109, are involved in binding mAb AL-12, which binds to a conformational epitope. The results have implications for strategies to increase NspA immunogenicity by decreasing binding to human FH, as has been done with other antigens that recruit this complement regulator.
Complete genome sequence of an enterotoxigenic
Bacteroides fragilis
strain 86-5443-2-2 from a piglet
Authors: Lee Eunbi , Yeom Jinki
Published: February 2025

This study presents the genome sequence of
Bacteroides fragilis
strain 86-5443-2-2, isolated from a piglet. The genome of this strain forms a single contig spanning 5.4 million base pairs with a 43.5% GC content and 4,480 genes. Notably, this bacterium possesses two copies of a pathogenic island capable of producing enterotoxins.
Draft genome sequence of
Aspergillus oryzae
(Ahlburg) Cohn ATCC 16868
Authors: Talamantes Becerra Berenice , Hlaing Mya Myintzu , McAuley Catherine M. , Twine Natalie A. , Bauer Denis C. , Shiferaw Terefe Netsanet
Published: February 2025

The draft genome sequence of
Aspergillus oryzae
ATCC 16868 is presented here.
A. oryzae
produces carbohydrase and proteolytic enzymes and is used in the production of fermented food and feed. Genomic data have been utilized to investigate allergenicity and virulence characteristics, contributing to its safety evaluation in food production systems.
Neonatal administration of
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
ATCC 202195 with or without fructooligosaccharide in Bangladesh: a placebo-controlled randomized trial
Authors: Pell Lisa G. , Qamar Huma , Bassani Diego G. , Heasley Cole , Funk Celine , Chen Chun-Yuan , Shawon Jakaria , O'Callaghan Karen M. , Pullenayegum Eleanor , Hamer Davidson H. , Haque Rashidul , Kabir Mamun , Ahmed Tahmeed , O'Kelly Ciobha , Hossain Md Iqbal , Khan Afreen Z. , Loutet Miranda G. , Islam Mohammad Shahidul , Morris Shaun K. , Shah Prakesh S. , Sherman Philip M. , Sultana Shamima , Mahmud Abdullah Al , Saha Samir K. , Sarker Shafiqul A. , Roth Daniel E.
Published: February 2025

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
ATCC 202195 (LP202195) plus fructooligosaccharide (FOS) for 7 days was previously shown to colonize the infant intestine up to 6 months of age and reduced sepsis rates among young infants in rural India. In a phase 2 randomized controlled trial in Dhaka, Bangladesh (
N
= 519), neonatal administration of LP202195 for 1 or 7 days, with or without FOS, increased LP202195 stool abundance from 14 to 60 days of age, versus placebo. Abundance progressively declined in the post-administration period and did not persist beyond 2 months of age. FOS did not affect LP202195 abundance or its duration of persistence. All regimens were well-tolerated and safe. The absence of LP202195 colonization was inconsistent with results from a prior trial. Additional large-scale trials of LP202195 ± FOS are needed to establish its efficacy in infants who do not become LP202195-colonized.

IMPORTANCE

Among infants born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, a 7-day regimen of
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
ATCC 202195 (LP202195) plus fructooligosaccharide (FOS) did not colonize the infant gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The absence of colonization is inconsistent with a prior study of the same synbiotic regimen in India, in which LP202195 was shown to persist in the infant GI tract for up to 6 months. Sustained LP202195 colonization was thought to be required for the probiotic to impart its beneficial impact on newborn sepsis. Therefore, additional trials are warranted to confirm the previously observed effects of LP202195 on infant clinical outcomes in the absence of LP202195 colonization. Moreover, since regimens of LP202195 that did not include FOS were indistinguishable from the synbiotic in terms of colonization, safety, and tolerability, future trials should assess the role of FOS for clinical efficacy; removing FOS would reduce costs, an important consideration for scale-up.

CLINICAL TRIALS

This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as
NCT05180201
.
Plasmid-borne
mcr-1
and replicative transposition of episomal and chromosomal
bla
NDM-1
,
bla
OXA-69
, and
bla
OXA-23
carbapenemases in a clinical
Acinetobacter baumannii
isolate
Authors: Mmatli Masego , Mbelle Nontombi Marylucy , Osei Sekyere John
Published: February 2025

A multidrug-resistant clinical
Acinetobacter baumannii
isolate with resistance to most antibiotics was isolated from a patient at an intensive care unit. The genetic environment, transcriptome, mobile, and resistome were characterized. The MicroScan system, disc diffusion, and broth microdilution were used to determine the resistance profile of the isolate. A multiplex PCR assay was also used to screen for carbapenemases and
mcr
-1 to -5 resistance genes. Efflux-pump inhibitors were used to evaluate efflux activity. The resistome, mobilome, epigenome, and transcriptome were characterized. There was phenotypic resistance to 22 of the 25 antibiotics tested, intermediate resistance to levofloxacin and nalidixic acid, and susceptibility to tigecycline, which corresponded to the 27 resistance genes found in the genome, most of which occurred in multiple copies through replicative transposition. A plasmid-borne (pR-B2.MM_C3)
mcr-
1 and chromosomal
bla
PER-7
, bla
OXA-69
, bla
OXA-23
(three copies),
bla
ADC-25
,
bla
TEM-1B
, and
bla
NDM-1
were found within composite transposons, ISs, and/or class 1 and 2 integrons on genomic islands. Types I and II methylases and restriction endonucleases were in close synteny to these resistance genes within the genomic islands; chromosomal genomic islands aligned with known plasmids. There was a closer evolutionary relationship between the strain and global strains but not local or regional strains; the resistomes also differed. Significantly expressed/repressed genes (6.2%) included resistance genes, hypothetical proteins, mobile elements, methyltransferases, transcription factors, and membrane and efflux proteins. The genomic evolution observed in this strain explains its adaptability and pandrug resistance and shows its genomic plasticity on exposure to antibiotics.

IMPORTANCE

A pandrug-resistant pathogen that was susceptible to only a single antibiotic, tigecycline, was isolated from a middle-aged patient in an ICU. This pathogen contained two plasmids and had a chromosome that contained portions that were integrated externally from plasmids. These genomic islands were rich with resistance genes, mobile genetic elements, and restriction-modification systems that protected the pathogen and facilitated gene regulation. The strain contained 35 resistance genes and 12 virulence genes. The strain was of closer evolutionary distance to several international strains suggesting that it was imported into South Africa. However, its resistome was unique, suggesting an independent evolution on exposure to antibiotic therapy mediated by epigenomic factors and MGE transposition events. The varied mechanisms available to this strain to overcome antibiotic resistance and spread to other areas and/or transfer its resistance determinants are worrying. This is ultimately a risk to public health, evincing the need for antibiotic stewardship.
Profilin Pfy1 is critical for cell wall integrity and virulence in
Candida albicans
Authors: Sun Xun , Wang Yueqing , Yang Xiaomin , Xiang Xi , Zou Lili , Liu Xiaowen , Luo Gang , Han Qi
Published: February 2025

Profilin is a small actin-binding protein that plays an important role in actin polymerization. However, its functions in
Candida albicans
, the most prevalent fungal pathogen, remain unclear. Here, we report that profilin plays a crucial role in
C. albicans
morphogenesis and virulence. Deletion of profilin results in abnormal morphogenesis and impaired hyphal development. Furthermore,
pfy1Δ/Δ
is hypersensitive to cell wall stress and displays thicker cell wall than wild-type cells, indicative of a critical function of Pfy1 in cell wall integrity. In addition, our findings demonstrate that profilin is required for the virulence of
C. albicans
in a murine model of systemic infection. In conclusion, our work provides a promising target for developing antifungal drugs.

IMPORTANCE

Our research revealed Pfy1 is not only involved in hyphal development but also essential for pseudohyphal formation in response to DNA damage agents methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and H
2
O
2.
The disruption of
PFY1
resulted in striking morphological defects in both yeast and hyphal forms. Further investigation suggested that profilin plays a role in polarized growth of
Candida albicans
via binding with Act1, and contributes to cell wall remodeling. Both hyphal growth and cell wall integrity are the important virulence factors of
C. albicans
. Thus,
pfy1Δ/Δ
strains significantly reduced mortality rates in mice. These findings suggested that profilin could serve as a target for developing new antifungal drugs possibly for use in combination therapies with caspofungin, for treating invasive candidiasis.
Disrupting the balance: how acne duration impacts skin microbiota assembly processes
Authors: Sun Lang , Wang Qingqun , Huang Jing , Wang Huan , Yu Zheng
Published: February 2025

Growing interest in the impact of microbial balance on health has driven studies on the ecological processes shaping the skin microbiota. Skin diseases, which alter the skin’s local environment, can disrupt the microbial structure and interact with the disease itself. However, research on microbial assembly in diseased skin remains limited. In this study, we applied ecological models to characterize the processes shaping the skin microbiota in acne patients, considering the impact of disease duration on both skin pores and surfaces using bacterial amplicon sequencing. Our results revealed a significant shift in microbial diversity on the skin surface of patients with long-term acne. Further microbial community analyses showed a transition in ecological processes from healthy to diseased skin. Microbial communities on the skin surfaces of healthy controls and individuals with short-duration acne were primarily driven by heterogeneous selection, whereas microbial drift dominated the assembly process in the long-duration groups. Using the Sloan neutral model, we classified amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) into high-effect and low-effect groups based on relative abundance and sample occurrence. High-effect ASVs, likely exerting a greater ecological influence, were predominantly represented by
Cutibacterium
across all acne-affected skin groups, while
Staphylococcus
became enriched among high-effect ASVs in patients with long-term acne. Functional profiling further demonstrated that high-effect ASVs were significantly enriched in motility-related pathways. Additionally, we observed a reduction in microbial network complexity on skin surfaces as disease duration increased. Overall, the ecological dynamics of skin microbial communities may offer valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying disease onset and persistence.

IMPORTANCE

The skin microbiota plays a critical role in acne development, yet the processes governing microbial assembly during acne progression remain poorly understood. Previous studies predominantly focused on factors such as acne severity, location, and duration in relation to skin microbial structure, with little attention given to the ecological mechanisms shaping the communities. In this study, we applied ecological models to investigate the processes influencing microbial assembly of skin microbiota in acne patients with varying disease durations and examined functions of ecologically important non-neutral amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). Our findings reveal a transition in ecological processes from deterministic to neutral processes as acne duration increased, with non-neutral ASVs potentially contributing to acne pathogenicity and persistence. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the ecological dynamics underlying acne and indicate that targeting these non-neutral ASVs or their associated functions may serve as the basis for future therapeutic strategies.
Late Mesozoic ridge subduction and subduction initiation in the Bangong−Nujiang Tethyan Ocean (Tibet): Evidence from two distinct arc magmatic systems
Authors: Li Chenwei , Zeng Min , Qian Yujie , Deng Litao , Li Zhijun , Stern Robert J.
Published: February 2025

Understanding the temporal and spatial distribution patterns of arc magmatism is crucial for interpreting the evolution of ancient crust formation because the subduction of a mature ocean basin involves multiple stages from subduction initiation to collision, resulting in different kinds of arc magmas in the overriding plate. A comprehensive compilation and synthesis of arc magmatism, combined with systematic studies of key areas within relevant convergent margins, can effectively reveal specific processes, such as ridge subduction and subduction initiation. The Bangong−Nujiang Suture Zone (BNSZ) in the Tibetan Plateau records opening and closing of the Meso-Tethys Ocean and the subsequent accretion of the South Qiangtang Terrane to Asia. This study reports new data for Jurassic arc rocks in the Shiquanhe and Ritu areas of the western BNSZ. By integrating new geochronological and geochemical data with previous studies, we identify two distinct arc magmatic systems in the southern and northern belts of the BNSZ. North Belt arc magmatism was active from ca. 169 Ma to ca. 147 Ma, exhibiting characteristics of a continental arc, including isotopic characteristics (Cordilleran-type arc system). The South Belt transitioned from 165 Ma to 157 Ma high-Mg andesites/diorites (including sanukites and boninites) to low-Mg arc magmatism that continued until ca. 122 Ma, suggesting an intra-oceanic subduction system similar to the Izu-Bonin-Mariana arc system. We propose a model in which low-angle oblique (∼14°) ridge−trench collision (169−156 Ma) in the North Belt induced subduction initiation (164−156 Ma) in the South Belt, which then evolved into self-sustained subduction after ca. 156 Ma. Our new model enhances understanding of the subduction evolution of Meso-Tethys Ocean and serves as a case study for comprehending multi-stage arc magmatic evolutionary processes and subduction initiation.
Exploring phosphorus use efficiency of different potato cultivars on the Canadian Prairies
Authors: Carruthers Laura C , Congreves Kate A.
Published: February 2025

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a staple crop for food security. Unfortunately, potatoes have low phosphorus use efficiency (PUE). To compensate for low phosphorus (P) uptake and maintain yields, high rates of P fertilizer are often repeatedly applied. Little research has been done to identify cultivars that yield well and take up P efficiently on the Canadian Prairies, especially on soils with high P levels. We conducted a 3-year study on high soil test P sites (66-110 kg ha-1 extractable P) in Saskatchewan to evaluate six potato cultivars (Clearwater Russet, Dark Red Norland, Milva, Poppy, Russet Burbank and Sangre) for PUE under P fertilizer rates ranging from 0 to 30 kg P ha-1. Total yield, tuber P concentration, tuber P content, P balance intensity (PBI), and tuber P uptake efficiency (PUpE) were quantified; and cultivar significantly influenced all metrics, whereas fertilizer and the two-way interaction did not. Depending on the year, total tuber yield averaged 14.8-38.6 Mg ha-1 and tuber P content averaged 10.7-19.1 kg P ha-1. Based on the PUE indicators of PBI and PUpE, Dark Red Norland, Sangre, and Milva cultivars consistently ranked in the top half of cultivars. Our experiment suggests that when yield is not limited by soil P, PUE is largely driven by the ability of the plant to produce greater yield. Reducing fertilizer applications to better account for soil P levels is not the only strategy to improve PUE, because cultivar selection is also influential. Selecting high producing cultivars can provide both agronomic and environmental benefits, in the form of yield and PUE.
CDC Rider green field pea
Authors: Warkentin Thomas D. , Tar'an Bunyamin , Banniza Sabine , Arganosa Gene , Barlow Brent , Horner Jaret , de Silva Devini , Wagenhoffer Stacey , Mikituk Kevin , Liu Yong , Breitkreutz Carmen , Weerasinghe Anoja , Raymond Dayna
Published: February 2025

CDC Rider, a green cotyledon field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar, was released in 2021 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan for distribution to Select seed growers through the Variety Release Committee of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. CDC Rider has good lodging resistance, medium time to maturity, medium-sized round seeds, a mean seed protein concentration of 23.7%, and good yielding ability. It is resistant to powdery mildew and moderately susceptible to Mycosphaerella blight and Fusarium root rot. CDC Rider is adapted to the field pea growing regions of western Canada.
Chromosome homologies and polymorphisms in a Neotropical species complex of frogs revealed by the U2 snRNA gene
Authors: Souza Lucas Henrique Bonfim , Silva Bruno Cansanção , Pompeo Jennifer Nunes , Gatto Kaleb Pretto , Lourenço Luciana Bolsoni
Published: February 2025

The Physalaemus cuvieri–Physalaemus ephippifer species complex is a Neotropical frog group that encompasses seven well-supported major clades. Although very similar morphologically, the five lineages previously karyotyped show notorious cytogenetic signatures. There is also evidence of ancient secondary contact between P. ephippifer, which has heteromorphic sex chromosomes, and the lineage known as L1B, which lacks sex chromosome heteromorphism. Here, to aid comparative analysis within this complex, we mapped the U2 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) gene using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). All samples presented a U2 snRNA gene cluster terminally in the short arm of chromosome 6. Additional small FISH signals were also revealed, particularly in one lineage with previously noted polymorphism of nucleolar organizer regions. Moreover, one additional site contributed for the analysis of sex chromosomes, since the Z chromosome of P. ephippifer harbors a small FISH signal, which is absent in the W chromosome. In lineage L1B, chromosome 9—which is homologous to the sex chromosomes of P. ephippifer—is polymorphic for a small FISH signal, as did the Z chromosome in the group derived from the contact between these lineages. Finally, nucleotide sequence analysis revealed some truncated gene sequences, suggesting the presence of pseudogenes of the U2 snRNA gene in these frogs.
Vacuum energy in non-supersymmetric quasi-realistic heterotic-string vacua with fixed moduli
Authors: Basaad Eman , Detraux Luke A. , Avalos Alonzo R. Diaz , Faraggi Alon E. , Percival Benjamin
Published: February 2025

Recently, Baykara et al. (The Quasicrystalline string landscape, 2024; New non-supersymmetric tachyon-free strings, 2024) discussed the existence of quasicrystalline string vacua that contain a single neutral moduli, the dilaton, and studied compactifications of the non-supersymmetric

$$SO(16)\times SO(16)$$

S
O
(
16
)
×
S
O
(
16
)

heterotic-string on these spaces. We discuss a specific class of quasi-realistic string vacua with similar properties that has been known since the late eighties and analyse the vacuum energy in several non-supersymmetric examples that correspond to compactifications of tachyon free ten dimensional vacua as well as compactifications of tachyonic ten dimensional vacua. Our analysis uses the Free Fermionic Formalism of the heterotic-string in four dimensions and employs asymmetric boundary conditions that project all the geometrical moduli by Generalised GSO projections. This methodology produces models with both positive and negative spacetime potential at one-loop.
New axion contribution to the two-photon decays of neutral pions
Authors: Lu Zhen-Yan , Huang Yang , Cheng Ji-Gui , Lu Qi , Wang Shu-Peng
Published: February 2025

The presence of axions introduces new diagrams at one-loop order to the two-photon decays of the neutral pion through axion-pion mixing. In this work, we calculate this correction, missing in all current calculations, in the framework of SU(2) chiral perturbation theory. We show that the correction is proportional to the axion-photon coupling and the square of axion mass, which in turn is strongly suppressed by the axion decay constant for the classical space window but may not be negligible for the QCD axion in the MeV or even larger mass range. On the other hand, in combination with the experimental measurement of the decay width of

$$\pi ^0\rightarrow \gamma \gamma $$

π
0

→
γ
γ

process, this result rules out the standard QCD axion as an explanation for the possible discrepancy between the chiral perturbation theory prediction and the experimental data.
Research on Dynamic Optimization of Industrial Internet of Things Data Transmission Based on BlockChain
Authors: Zhengpu Xia
Published: February 2025

The existing data transmission methods for industrial Internet of Things (IoT) ignore the tracking of abnormal nodes in the blockchain network, resulting in a low success rate of data transmission in industrial IoT, easy data loss, and low transmission efficiency. Therefore, a blockchain-based optimization method for industrial IoT data transmission is proposed. A B-Markov positioning model is constructed using neural networks to map IoT to consortium chains, and smart contracts are designed to eliminate abnormal nodes. Through dynamic optimization algorithms and centralized transmission models, combined with asymmetric encryption of blockchain, efficient data transmission is achieved. Experimental results show that this method has short-time consumption, high integrity, and a high success rate.