bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of larval host and natural microsporidian infection on adult life history traits of the forest tent caterpillar (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)
Authors: Preti Flavio , Flaherty Leah , Evenden Maya L
Published: May 2023

Host affiliation and entomopathogenic infections play a major role in shaping population dynamics of the forest tent caterpillar (FTC), Malacosoma disstria Hübner (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae). The effect of these individual factors has been studied, but it is unknown whether interactions between these factors significantly impact FTC life history traits. In the laboratory, we investigated a tritrophic interaction among larval diet, larval microsporidian infection, and FTC life history traits. Larvae were reared on foliage of trembling aspen, Populus tremuloides Michx (Malpighiales: Salicaceae) or sugar maple, Acer saccharum Marshall (Sapindales: Sapindaceae), or an artificial diet. Natural levels of microsporidian infection were assessed through microscopy and categorized as none (0 spores), low (1–100 spores), or high (>100 spores). Microsporidian infection and larval diet individually, but not interactively, impacted FTC life history traits. Moths with high infection had smaller wings, but infection did not increase the probability of wing malformations. Wings of FTC reared on fresh maple foliage were significantly smaller, had a higher probability of wing malformation, and a lower likelihood of cocoon production than FTC reared on other diets, but displayed higher overall survival. While microsporidian infection did not influence FTC-diet interactions, we provide further evidence on how these main effects may individually contribute to shaping FTC adult life history traits, and, ultimately, cyclical population dynamics. Future research should consider how larval mortality, distinct infection levels, and geographical source of FTC populations affect this tritrophic interaction.
Heart failure pharmacological treatments and outcomes in heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Stolfo Davide , Lund Lars H , Sinagra Gianfranco , Lindberg Felix , Dahlström Ulf , Rosano Giuseppe , Savarese Gianluigi
Published: May 2023

Background

Guideline recommendations for the treatment of heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) derive from small subgroups in post-hoc analyses of randomized trials.

Objectives

We investigated predictors of renin–angiotensin system inhibitors/angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (RASI/ARNI) and beta-blockers use, and the associations between these medications and mortality/morbidity in a large real-world cohort with HFmrEF.

Methods and results

Patients with HFmrEF (EF 40–49%) from the Swedish HF Registry were included. The associations between medications and cardiovascular (CV) mortality/HF hospitalization (HFH), and all-cause mortality were assessed through Cox regressions in a 1:1 propensity score-matched cohort. A positive control analysis was performed in patients with EF < 40%, while a negative control outcome analysis had cancer-related hospitalization as endpoint. Of 12 421 patients with HFmrEF, 84% received RASI/ARNI and 88% beta-blockers. Shared-independent predictors of RASI/ARNI and beta-blockers use were younger age, being an outpatient, follow-up in specialty care, and hypertension. In the matched cohorts, use of both RASI/ARNI and beta-blocker use was separately associated with lower risk of CV mortality/HFH [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.83–0.98 and HR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.74–0.90, respectively] and of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.69–0.81 and HR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.72–0.87, respectively). Results were consistent at the positive control analysis, and there were no associations between treatment use and the negative control outcome.

Conclusions

RASI/ARNI and beta-blockers were extensively used in this large real-world cohort with HFmrEF. Their use was safe since associated with lower mortality and morbidity. Our findings confirm the real-world evidence from previous post-hoc analyses of trials, and represent a further call for implementing guideline recommendations.
Knowing Your Field Community: Elevating the Human Dimension in Ecological Research and Teaching
Authors: Bowser Gillian , Cid Carmen R
Published: May 2023

Synopsis

Public health researchers have long been aware of the importance of defining the human community associated with research on environmental health initiatives. However, the field community’s human components where applied ecology research is conducted, e.g. diverse participants and perspectives, are often overlooked in environmental problem solving. We outline a framework for elevating the human dimension in defining the field community in applied ecology research and for teaching diverse undergraduate students the skills needed to address Anthropocene environmental concerns. We promote broadening participation and incorporating cultural and racial perspectives in ecology research planning, implementation, and teaching. We use the environmental research problem of concern to identify the diverse human community groups potentially connected to the problem and guide the strategies for incorporating their perspectives in the proposed research project. Which human community, whether local, ethnic, or visiting public community, affects the resource management strategy, i.e. people protect what they love, can change the outcomes of applied ecological research, as well as promote development of a diverse environmental workforce. Broadening participation and perspectives means that the people asking the research questions are also part of the social ecological community processes who choose which questions to pursue to manage the natural resources of the community. Here, we promote research and teaching practices that consider the long-standing multicultural connections to nature to allow all students to pursue their love of nature and its beauty in a safe, comfortable, and mentoring setting. We integrate current human diversity, equity, and inclusion-focused pedagogical knowledge into the Ecological Society of America-endorsed 4DEE multidimensional curricular framework. We provide a faculty action guide to engage and train diverse students in ecological practices that meet the needs of today’s environmental problem-solving workforce.
Multilevel quasi-Monte Carlo for random elliptic eigenvalue problems II: efficient algorithms and numerical results
Authors: Gilbert Alexander D , Scheichl Robert
Published: May 2023

Stochastic partial differential equation (PDE) eigenvalue problems (EVPs) often arise in the field of uncertainty quantification, whereby one seeks to quantify the uncertainty in an eigenvalue, or its eigenfunction. In this paper, we present an efficient multilevel quasi-Monte Carlo (MLQMC) algorithm for computing the expectation of the smallest eigenvalue of an elliptic EVP with stochastic coefficients. Each sample evaluation requires the solution of a PDE EVP, and so tackling this problem in practice is notoriously computationally difficult. We speed up the approximation of this expectation in four ways: we use a multilevel variance reduction scheme to spread the work over a hierarchy of FE meshes and truncation dimensions; we use QMC methods to efficiently compute the expectations on each level; we exploit the smoothness in parameter space and reuse the eigenvector from a nearby QMC point to reduce the number of iterations of the eigensolver; and we utilize a two-grid discretization scheme to obtain the eigenvalue on the fine mesh with a single linear solve. The full error analysis of a basic MLQMC algorithm is given in the companion paper (Gilbert, A. D. & Scheichl, R. (2023) Multilevel quasi-Monte Carlo methods for random elliptic eigenvalue problems I: regularity and analysis. IMA J. Numer. Anal.), and so, in this paper, we focus on how to further improve the efficiency and provide theoretical justification for using nearby QMC points and two-grid methods. Numerical results are presented that show the efficiency of our algorithm, and also show that the four strategies we employ are complementary.
Cellular gp96 upregulates AFP expression by blocking NR5A2 SUMOylation and ubiquitination in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Qian Liyuan , Liang Zhentao , Wang Zihao , Wang Jiuru , Li Xin , Zhao Jingmin , Li Zihai , Chen Lizhao , Liu Yongai , Ju Ying , Li Changfei , Meng Songdong
Published: May 2023

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the most widely used biomarker for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, a substantial proportion of HCC patients have either normal or marginally increased AFP levels in serum, and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In the present study, we provided in vitro and in vivo evidence that heat shock protein gp96 promoted AFP expression at the transcriptional level in HCC. NR5A2 was identified as a key transcription factor for the AFP gene, and its stability was enhanced by gp96. A further mechanistic study by co-immunoprecipitation, GST pull-down, and molecular docking showed gp96 and the SUMO E3 ligase RanBP2 competitively binding to NR5A2 at the sites spanning from aa 507 to aa 539. The binding of gp96 inhibited SUMOylation, ubiquitination, and subsequent degradation of NR5A2. In addition, clinical analysis of HCC patients indicated that gp96 expression in tumors was positively correlated with serum AFP levels. Therefore, our study uncovered a novel mechanism that gp96 regulates the stability of its client proteins by directly affecting their SUMOylation and ubiquitination. These findings will help in designing more accurate AFP-based HCC diagnosis and progression monitoring approaches.
A case of acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy variant of Guillain Barre syndrome and anaphylaxis reaction as a complication from hyaluronic acid breast enhancement from an unlicensed beautician
Authors: Ng Yuki Julius , Ling Aaron , Nam Loke Jian , Tylors Priscamy Siaman , Bin Maliki Aminnur Hafiz , Wan Ali Sharifah Ashrina
Published: May 2023

Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) as a complication of hyaluronic acid (HA) exposure is an extremely rare occurrence. We report a case of GBS, acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) variant, after a HA breast enhancement procedure. A 41-year-old lady underwent a HA breast enhancement procedure from an unlicensed beautician and developed anaphylaxis followed by bilateral breast abscess and neurological deficits involving both motor and sensory components. The AMSAN variant of GBS was diagnosed from the cytoalbuminologic dissociation and nerve conduction study. Her GBS and breast abscess were managed with plasmapheresis and bilateral mastectomy. In this case, GBS was highly suspected to be caused by HA with possible impurities. To the author’s knowledge, the association between HA and GBS has not been reported or known, and further studies are required to establish this association. To prevent mortality and morbidity, breast enhancement procedures should be performed by trained professionals with properly vetted products.
GlobULeS – V. UVIT/AstroSat studies of stellar populations in NGC 362: detection of blue lurkers in a globular cluster
Authors: Dattatrey Arvind K , Yadav R K S , Kumawat Gourav , Rani Sharmila , Singh Gaurav , Subramaniam Annapurni , Singh Ravi S
Published: May 2023

We report the discovery of four blue lurkers with low- and extremely low mass white dwarf (ELM WD) companions in the Galactic globular cluster NGC 362 using AstroSat’s Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT). We analysed the multiwavelength spectral energy distribution (SED) of far-ultraviolet-bright main-sequence stars using data from the UVIT, Ultraviolet Optical Telescope, Gaia EDR3, and 2.2-m ESO/MPI telescopes. Two each of low-mass WDs and ELM WDs are found as companions for the four blue lurkers by the fitting of two-component SED models. The effective temperatures, radii, luminosities, and masses of two low-mass WDs are (35 000, 23 000) K, (0.04, 0.05) R⊙, (1.45, 0.22) L⊙, and (0.2, 0.2) M⊙, while the two ELM WDs are (14 750, 14 750) K, (0.09, 0.10) R⊙, (0.34, 0.40) L⊙, and (0.18, 0.18) M⊙, respectively. The position of blue lurkers within the cluster shows that they originated via the Case A/B mass-transfer mechanism in a low-density environment. This is the first detection of blue lurkers with low-mass WDs and ELM WDs as companions in a globular cluster. The companion’s cooling age is less than 4 Myr, which suggests that they were just recently formed. These binary systems might have originated due to the cluster’s recent core collapse.
Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma Donor-Derived Infection and Hyperammonemia Syndrome in 4 Solid Organ Transplant Recipients From a Single Donor
Authors: Wigston Charlotte , Lavender Melanie , Long Rebecca , Sankhesara Dipen , Ching David , Weaire-Buchanan Graham , Mowlaboccus Shakeel , Coombs Geoffrey W , Lam Kaitlyn , Wrobel Jeremy , Yaw Meow Cheong , Musk Michael , Boan Peter
Published: May 2023

Hyperammonemia syndrome (HS) is a life-threatening condition occurring in solid organ transplant patients, affecting primarily lung recipients, and is associated with Mycoplasma hominis and/or Ureaplasma spp infection. The organ donor was a young man who died of hypoxic brain injury and had urethral discharge antemortem. The donor and 4 solid organ transplant recipients had infection with M hominis and/or Ureaplasma spp. The lung and heart recipients both developed altered conscious state and HS associated with M hominis and Ureaplasma spp infections. Despite treatment with antibiotics and ammonia scavengers, both the lung and heart recipients died at day +102 and day +254, respectively. After diagnosis in the thoracic recipients, screening samples from the liver recipient and 1 kidney recipient were culture positive for M hominis with or without Ureaplasma spp. Neither the liver nor kidney recipients developed HS. Our case series demonstrates the unique finding of M hominis and Ureaplasma spp dissemination from an immunocompetent donor across 4 different organ recipients. Phylogenetic whole genome sequencing analysis demonstrated that M hominis samples from recipients and donor were closely related, suggesting donor-derived infection. Screening of lung donors and/or recipients for Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma spp is recommended, as well as prompt treatment with antimicrobials to prevent morbidity.
Choice of Law Meets Private Law Theory
Authors: Dagan Hanoch , Peari Sagi
Published: May 2023

Choice of law can, and often should, be an important feature of an autonomy-enhancing law as it expands the possible frameworks within which people can govern their affairs. The theory of choice of law we develop in this article builds on three core notions that dominate existing doctrine: states, party autonomy and what we loosely refer to as ‘limitations’; but it releases choice of law from its subordination to private international law (or its interstate equivalent in federal contexts). As a free-standing concept, choice of law belongs to private law’s empowering sections and thus participates in the obligation of liberal states to proactively promote people’s self-determination. This foundation of the field refines its three fundamental notions in a way that facilitates their peaceable cohabitation. It also recalibrates the boundaries of choice-of-law doctrine, clarifies its prescriptions and offers grounds for its reform.
Exoduster Entrepreneurs: Distinctiveness and Segregation in Minority Communities
Authors: Ruef Martin , Beezer Ihsan
Published: May 2023

This study examines the creation of Black communities in the context of the Exoduster movement, the first major migration of African Americans out of the southern and border states. We focus initially on Nicodemus, Kansas, a site with well-preserved archival information, and then turn to census microdata on roughly three-hundred African-American communities that emerged in Kansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma between 1880 and 1920. Analysis of these communities informs a general model of minority-majority group relations that is differentiated along two dimensions: spatial segregation and the distinctiveness of business activities. Under conditions of prejudice from the majority ethno-racial group, the model predicts that rates of minority business proprietorship and community growth will increase with segregation and distinctiveness, but that the joint occurrence of these conditions presents an existential threat. We draw conclusions for the trajectories of several well-known Black communities, including Nicodemus, Tulsa, and Langston, Oklahoma.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Combined With Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Protect Ischemic Myocardium by Regulating miR-20a-5p/E2F1/p73 Signaling
Authors: Wang Yang , Chen Li , Wang Lu , Pei Gaiqin , Cheng Hongxin , Zhang Qing , Wang Shiqi , Hu Danrong , He Yong , He Chengqi , Fu Chenying , Wei Quan
Published: May 2023

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a serious threat to human health. Although monotherapy with pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) or adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) has been reported to have positive effect on the treatment of MI, a satisfactory outcome has not yet been achieved. In recent years, combination therapy has attracted widespread interest. Herein, we explored the synergistic therapeutic effect of combination therapy with PEMFs and ADSCs on MI and found that the combination of PEMFs and ADSCs effectively reduced infarct size, inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis and protected the cardiac function in mice with MI. In addition, bioinformatics analysis and RT-qPCR showed that the combination therapy could affect apoptosis by regulating the expression of miR-20a-5p. A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay also confirmed that the miR-20a-5p could target E2F transcription factor 1 (E2F1) and inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis by regulating the E2F1/p73 signaling pathway. Therefore, our study systematically demonstrated the effectiveness of combination therapy on the inhibition of cardiomyocyte apoptosis by regulating the miR-20a-5p/E2F1/p73 signaling pathway in mice with MI. Thus, our study underscored the effectiveness of the combination of PEMFs and ADSCs and identified miR-20a-5p as a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of MI in the future.
Impact of sarcopenia on clinical outcomes for patients with resected hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective comparison of Eastern and Western cohorts
Authors: Beumer Berend R. , Takagi Kosei , Buettner Stefan , Umeda Yuzo , Yagi Takahito , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi , van Vugt Jeroen L.A. , IJzermans Jan N.M.
Published: May 2023

Background:

Patient fitness is important for guiding treatment. Muscle mass, as a reflection thereof, can be objectively measured. However, the role of East–West differences remains unclear. Therefore, we compared the impact of muscle mass on clinical outcomes after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a Dutch [the Netherlands (NL)] and Japanese [Japan (JP)] setting and evaluated the predictive performance of different cutoff values for sarcopenia.

Method:

In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, patients with HCC undergoing liver resection were included. The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was determined on computed tomography scans obtained within 3 months before surgery. The primary outcome measure was overall survival (OS). Secondary outcome measures were: 90-day mortality, severe complications, length of stay, and recurrence-free survival. The predictive performance of several sarcopenia cutoff values was studied using the concordance index (C-index) and area under the curve. Interaction terms were used to study the geographic effect modification of muscle mass.

Results:

Demographics differed between NL and JP. Gender, age, and body mass index were associated with SMI. Significant effect modification between NL and JP was found for BMI. The predictive performance of sarcopenia for both short-term and long-term outcomes was higher in JP compared to NL (maximum C-index: 0.58 vs. 0.55, respectively). However, differences between cutoff values were small. For the association between sarcopenia and OS, a strong association was found in JP [hazard ratio (HR) 2.00, 95% CI [1.230–3.08], P=0.002], where this was not found in NL (0.76 [0.42–1.36], P=0.351). The interaction term confirmed that this difference was significant (HR 0.37, 95% CI [0.19–0.73], P=0.005).

Conclusions:

The impact of sarcopenia on survival differs between the East and West. Clinical trials and treatment guidelines using sarcopenia for risk stratification should be validated in race-dependent populations prior to clinical adoption.
A comparison of the national surgical quality improvement program and the society of thoracic surgery cardiac surgery preoperative risk models: A cohort study
Authors: Dyas Adam R. , Bronsert Michael R. , Henderson William G. , Stuart Christina M. , Pradhan Nisha , Colborn Kathryn L. , Cleveland Joseph C. , Meguid Robert A.
Published: May 2023

Background:

Cardiac surgery prediction models and outcomes from the ACS-NSQIP have not been reported. We sought to develop preoperative prediction models and estimates of postoperative outcomes for cardiac surgery using the ACS-NSQIP and compare these to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (STS-ACSD).

Methods:

In a retrospective analysis of the ACS-NSQIP data (2007-2018), cardiac operations were identified using cardiac surgeon primary specialty and sorted into cohorts of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) only, valve surgery only, and valve+CABG operations using CPT codes. Prediction models were created using backward selection of the 28 nonlaboratory preoperative variables in ACS-NSQIP. Rates of 9 postoperative outcomes and performance statistics of these models were compared to published STS 2018 data.

Results:

Of 28,912 cardiac surgery patients, 18,139 (62.8%) were CABG only, 7,872 (27.2%) were valve only, and 2,901 (10.0%) were valve+CABG. Most outcome rates were similar between the ACS-NSQIP and STS-ACSD, except for lower rates of prolonged ventilation and composite morbidity and higher reoperation rates in ACS-NSQIP (all P<0.0001). For all 27 comparisons (9 outcomes x 3 operation groups), the c-indices for the ACS-NSQIP models were lower by an average of ~0.05 than the reported STS models.

Conclusions:

The ACS-NSQIP preoperative risk models for cardiac surgery were almost as accurate as the STS-ACSD models. Slight differences in c-indexes could be due to more predictor variables in STS-ACSD models or the use of more disease- and operation-specific risk variables in the STS-ACSD models.
Quantification of vessel separation using the carotid-jugular angle to predict the nerve origin of neck peripheral nerve sheath tumours: a pooled analysis of cases from the literature and a single-center cohort
Authors: Wong Chia-En , Huang Chi-Chen , Chuang Ming-Tsung , Lee Po-Hsuan , Chen Liang-Yi , Hsu Hao-Hsiang , Huang Chih-Yuan , Wang Liang-Chao , Lee Jung-Shun
Published: May 2023

Background:

Postoperative nerve palsy is a major complication following resection of neck peripheral nerve sheath tumours (PNSTs). Accurate preoperative identification of the nerve origin (NO) can improve surgical outcomes and patient counselling.

Material and methods:

This study was a retrospective cohort and quantitative analysis of the literature. The authors introduced a parameter, the carotid-jugular angle (CJA), to differentiate the NO. A literature review of neck PNST cases from 2010 to 2022 was conducted. The CJA was measured from eligible imaging data, and quantitative analysis was performed to evaluate the ability of the CJA to predict the NO. External validation was performed using a single-centre cohort from 2008 to 2021.

Results:

In total, 17 patients from our single-centre cohort and 88 patients from the literature were analyzed. Among them, 53, 45, and 7 patients had sympathetic, vagus, and cervical nerve PNSTs, respectively. Vagus nerve tumours had the largest CJA, followed by sympathetic tumours, whereas cervical nerve tumours had the smallest CJA (P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression identified a larger CJA as a predictor of vagus NO (P<0.001), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.907 (0.831–0.951) for the CJA to predict vagus NO (P<0.001). External validation showed an AUC of 0.928 (0.727–0.988) (P<0.001). Compared with the AUC of the previously proposed qualitative method (AUC=0.764, 0.673–0.839), that of the CJA was greater (P=0.011). The cut-off value identified to predict vagus NO was greater than or equal to 100°. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed an AUC of 0.909 (0.837–0.956) for the CJA to predict cervical NO (P<0.001), with a cut-off value less than 38.5°.

Conclusions:

A CJA greater than or equal to 100° predicted a vagus NO and a CJA less than 100° predicted a non-vagus NO. Moreover, a CJA less than 38.5 was associated with an increased likelihood of cervical NO.
Global variations in pubertal growth spurts in adolescents living with perinatal HIV
Authors: Crichton Siobhan , Jesson Julie , Aké-Assi Marie-Hélène , Belfrage Eric , Davies Mary-Ann , Pinto Jorge , Teasdale Chloe , Van Lam Nguyen , Vreeman Rachel , Paul Mary , Williams Paige , Yotebieng Marcel , Leroy Valériane , Goodall Ruth
Published: May 2023

Objective:

To describe pubertal growth spurts among adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV (ALWPHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Design:

Observational data collected from 1994–2015 in the CIPHER global cohort collaboration.

Methods:

ALWPHIV who initiated ART age <10 years with ≥4 height measurements age ≥8 were included. Super Imposition by Translation And Rotation (SITAR) models, with parameters representing timing and intensity of the growth spurt, were used to describe growth, separately by sex. Associations between region, ART regimen, age, height-for-age (HAZ), and BMI-for-age z-scores (BMIz) at ART initiation (baseline) and age 10 years and SITAR parameters were explored.

Results:

4,723 ALWPHIV were included: 51% from East and Southern Africa (excluding Botswana and South Africa), 17% Botswana and South Africa, 6% West and Central Africa, 11% Europe and North America, 11% Asia-Pacific, and 4% Central, South America, and Caribbean. Growth spurts were later and least intense in sub-Saharan regions. In females, older baseline age and lower BMIz at baseline were associated with later and more intense growth spurts; lower HAZ was associated with later growth spurts. In males, older baseline age and lower HAZ were associated with later and less intense growth spurts; however, associations between baseline HAZ and timing varied by age. Lower HAZ and BMIz at 10 years were associated with later and less intense growth spurts in both sexes.

Conclusions:

ALWPHIV who started ART at older ages or already stunted were more likely to have delayed pubertal growth spurts. Longer-term follow-up is important to understand the impact of delayed growth.
The dynamic response of quorum sensing to density is robust to signal supplementation and individual signal synthase knockouts
Authors: Rattray Jennifer B. , Kramer Patrick J. , Gurney James , Thomas Stephen , Brown Sam P.
Published: May 2023

Quorum sensing (QS) is a widespread mechanism of environment sensing and behavioural coordination in bacteria. At its core, QS is based on the production, sensing and response to small signalling molecules. Previous work withPseudomonas aeruginosashows that QS can be used to achievequantitativeresolution and deliver a dosed response to the bacteria’s density environment, implying a sophisticated mechanism of control. To shed light on how the mechanistic signal components contribute to graded responses to density, we assess the impact of genetic (AHL signal synthase deletion) and/or signal supplementation (exogenous AHL addition) perturbations onlasBreaction-norms to changes in density. Our approach condenses data from 2000 timeseries (over 74 000 individual observations) into a comprehensive view of QS-controlled gene expression across variation in genetic, environmental and signal determinants oflasBexpression. We first confirm that deleting either (∆lasI, ∆rhlI) or both (∆lasIrhlI) AHL signal synthase gene attenuates QS response to density. In the∆rhlIbackground we show persistent yet attenuated density-dependentlasBexpression due to native 3-oxo-C12-HSL signalling. We then test if density-independentquantities of AHL signal (3-oxo-C12-HSL, C4-HSL) added to the WT either flatten or increase responsiveness to density and find that the WT response is robust to all tested concentrations of signal, alone or in combination. We then move to progressively supplementing the genetic knockouts and find that cognate signal supplementation of a single AHL signal (∆lasI+3-oxo-C12-HSL, ∆rhlI+C4HSL) is sufficient to restore the ability to respond in a density-dependent manner to increasing density. We also find that dual signal supplementation of the double AHL synthase knockout restores the ability to produce a graded response to increasing density, despite adding a density-independentamount of signal. Only the addition of high concentrations of both AHLs and PQS can force maximallasBexpression and ablate responsiveness to density. Our results show that density-dependent control oflasBexpression is robust to multiple combinations of QS gene deletion and density-independent signal supplementation. Our work develops a modular approach to query the robustness and mechanistic bases of the central environmentalsensingphenotype of quorum sensing.
Pan-transcriptome reveals a large accessory genome contribution to gene expression variation in yeast
Authors: Caudal E. , Loegler Victor , Dutreux F. , Vakirlis N. , Teyssonnière E. , Caradec C. , Friedrich A. , Hou J. , Schacherer J.
Published: May 2023

Gene expression is an essential step in the translation of genotypes into phenotypes. However, little is known about the transcriptome architecture and the underlying genetic effects at a species-level. Here, we generated and analyzed the pan-transcriptome of ∼1,000 yeast natural isolates across 4,977 core and 1,468 accessory genes. We found that the accessory genome is an underappreciated driver of the transcriptome divergence. Global gene expression patterns combined with population structure show that the heritable expression variation mainly lies within subpopulation-specific signatures, for which the accessory genes are overrepresented. Genome-wide association analyses consistently highlight that the accessory genes are associated with proportionally more variants with larger effect sizes, illustrating the critical role of the accessory genome on the transcriptional landscape within and between populations.
Learning context shapes bimanual control strategy and generalization of novel dynamics
Authors: Orschiedt Jonathan , Franklin David W.
Published: May 2023

Bimanual movements are fundamental components of everyday actions, yet the underlying mechanisms coordinating adaptation of the two hands remains unclear. Although previous studies highlighted the contextual effect of kinematics of both arms on internal model formation, we do not know how the sensorimotor control system associates the learned memory with the experienced states in bimanual movements. More specifically, can, and if so, how, does the sensorimotor control system combine multiple states from different effectors to create and adapt a motor memory? Here, we tested motor memory formation in two groups with a novel paradigm requiring the encoding of the kinematics of the right hand to produce the appropriate predictive force on the left hand. While one group was provided with training movements in which this association was evident, the other group was trained on conditions in which this association was ambiguous. After adaptation, we tested the encoding of the learned motor memory by measuring the generalization to new movement combinations. While both groups adapted to the novel dynamics, the evident group showed a weighted encoding of the learned motor memory based on movements of the other (right) hand, whereas the ambiguous group exhibited mainly same (left) hand encoding in bimanual trials. Despite these differences, both groups demonstrated partial generalization to unimanual movements of the left hand. Our results show that motor memories can be encoded depending on the motion of other limbs, but that the training conditions strongly shape the encoding of the motor memory formation and determine the generalization to novel contexts.

Author summary

Using cutlery, buttoning up a shirt or cooking a meal requires precise coordination between two hands. These daily activities seem effortless, as they are based on well-adapted motor memories covering a wide space of experienced states. We demonstrate that the sensorimotor control system creates a motor memory of one limb using the experienced states of the other limb. Presentation of evident or ambiguous information about this relation between the two limbs shaped the bimanual control by changing the extent to which kinematic information of each arm which was used to control subsequent movements. Importantly, bimanual motor memories are only partially transferred to unimanual actions, likely engaging different neural processes. This has strong implications for rehabilitation techniques that employ bimanual training.
Specific patterns of neural activity in the hippocampus after massed or distributed spatial training
Authors: Centofante Eleonora , Fralleoni Luca , Lupascu Carmen A. , Migliore Michele , Rinaldi Arianna , Mele Andrea
Published: May 2023

Training with long inter-session intervals, termeddistributed training, has long been known to be superior to training with short intervals, termedmassed training. In the present study we compared c-Fos expression after massed and distributed training protocols in the Morris water maze to outline possible differences in the learning-induced pattern of neural activation in the dorsalCA1 in the two training conditions.

The results demonstrate that training and time lags between learning opportunities had an impact on the pattern of neuronal activity in the dorsalCA1. Mice trained with the distributed protocol showed sustained neuronal activity in the postero-septal component of the dorsalCA1. In parallel, in trained mice we found more active cells that tended to constitute spatially restricted clusters, whose degree increased with the increase in the time lags between learning trials. Moreover, activated cell assemblies demonstrated increased stability in their spatial organization after distributed as compared to massed training or control condition. Finally, using a machine learning algorithm we found that differences in the number of c-Fos positive cells and their location in the dorsalCA1 could be predictive of the training protocol used. These results suggest that the topographic organization and the spatial location of learning activated cell assemblies might be critical to promote the increased stability of the memory trace induced by distributed training.
Heavy Metal Pollution From a Major Earthquake and Tsunami in Chile Is Associated With Geographic Divergence of Clinical Isolates of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusin Latin America
Authors: Martínez Jose RW , Alcalde-Rico Manuel , Jara-Videla Estefanía , Rios Rafael , Moustafa Ahmed M. , Hanson Blake , Rivas Lina , Carvajal Lina P. , Rincon Sandra , Diaz Lorena , Reyes Jinnethe , Quesille-Villalobos Ana , Riquelme-Neira Roberto , Undurraga Eduardo A. , Olivares-Pacheco Jorge , García Patricia , Araos Rafael , Planet Paul J. , Arias César A. , Munita Jose M.
Published: May 2023

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a priority pathogen listed by the World Health Organization. The global spread of MRSA is characterized by successive waves of epidemic clones that predominate in specific geographical regions. The acquisition of genes encoding resistance to heavy-metals is thought to be a key feature in the divergence and geographical spread of MRSA. Increasing evidence suggests that extreme natural events, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, could release heavy-metals into the environment. However, the impact of environmental exposition to heavy-metals on the divergence and spread of MRSA clones has been insufficiently explored. We assess the association between a major earthquake and tsunami in an industrialized port in southern Chile and MRSA clone divergence in Latin America. We performed a phylogenomic reconstruction of 113 MRSA clinical isolates from seven Latin American healthcare centers, including 25 isolates collected in a geographic area affected by an earthquake and tsunami that led to high levels of heavy-metal environmental contamination. We found a divergence event strongly associated with the presence of a plasmid harboring heavy-metal resistance genes in the isolates obtained in the area where the earthquake and tsunami occurred. Moreover, clinical isolates carrying this plasmid showed increased tolerance to mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. We also observed a physiological burden in the plasmid-carrying isolates in absence of heavy-metals. Our results are the first evidence that suggests that heavy-metal contamination, in the aftermath of an environmental disaster, appears to be a key evolutionary event for the spread and dissemination of MRSA in Latin America.
Assessing changes in incubation period, serial interval, and generation time of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Xiangyanyu , Wu Yanpeng , Kummer Allisandra G. , Zhao Yuchen , Hu Zexin , Wang Yan , Liu Hengcong , Ajelli Marco , Yu Hongjie
Published: May 2023

Background

After the first COVID-19 wave caused by the ancestral lineage, the pandemic has been fueled from the continuous emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Understanding key time-to-event periods for each emerging variant of concern is critical as it can provide insights into the future trajectory of the virus and help inform outbreak preparedness and response planning. Here, we aim to examine how the incubation period, serial interval, and generation time have changed from the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 lineage to different variants of concern.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis that synthesized the estimates of incubation period, serial interval, and generation time (both realized and intrinsic) for the ancestral lineage, Alpha, Beta, and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2.

Results

Our study included 274 records obtained from 147 household studies, contact tracing studies or studies where epidemiological links were known. With each emerging variant, we found a progressive shortening of each of the analyzed key time-to-event periods. Specifically, we found that Omicron had the shortest pooled estimates for the incubation period (3.63 days, 95%CI: 3.25-4.02 days), serial interval (3.19 days, 95%CI: 2.95-3.43 days), and realized generation time (2.96 days, 95%CI: 2.54-3.38 days) whereas the ancestral lineage had the highest pooled estimates for each of them. We also observed shorter pooled estimates for the serial interval compared to the incubation period across the virus lineages. We found considerable heterogeneities (I2> 80%) when pooling the estimates across different virus lineages, indicating potential unmeasured confounding from population factors (e.g., social behavior, deployed interventions).

Conclusion

Our study supports the importance of conducting contact tracing and epidemiological investigations to monitor changes in SARS-CoV-2 transmission patterns. Our findings highlight a progressive shortening of the incubation period, serial interval, and generation time, which can lead to epidemics that spread faster, with larger peak incidence, and harder to control. We also consistently found a shorter serial interval than incubation period, suggesting that a key feature of SARS-CoV-2 is the potential for pre-symptomatic transmission. These observations are instrumental to plan for future COVID-19 waves.
Business model innovation in the food sector: towards a dimensional framework for analyzing the value proposition of digital platforms for food information services
Authors: Felicetti Alberto Michele , Volpentesta Antonio Palmiro , Linzalone Roberto , Schiuma Giovanni , Ammirato Salvatore
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Digital platforms for the provision of food information-based services (FISs) represent a consolidated business with increasing revenue streams for entrepreneurs. Such platforms have transformed and clarified the nature of uncertainty and ambiguity inherent in the traditional food sector entrepreneurial processes. Anyway, a clear understanding of the value of digital platforms for FISs is not yet consolidated in the literature. With this paper, the authors try to fill this gap through a critical literature review of scientific research that combines knowledge on food consumer's behavior and user's knowledge behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors carried out a critical literature review of scientific research combining knowledge of food consumer's and food information user's behavior. This allowed the identification of the main value components of FISs.

Findings

The authors propose a multidimensional framework for modelling the value proposition of digital platforms for FISs. Three main value dimensions have been identified: relevance, credibility, and accessibility. These dimensions concur with the consumer's perceived value of consumers in terms of benefits increase and cost reduction.

Research limitations/implications

The research was intended to shed light on aspects characterizing consumers' perception of food information value. The authors put in evidence that the informational perspective of food communication is under-investigated. This study attempts to provide a holistic overview of the dimensions impacting on consumers' perception of the value of information for food consumers, opening new research perspectives.

Practical implications

The framework represents a tool for positioning food information offerings on the market, with the objective to analyze the value proposition of FISs according to a consumer perspective and to understand gaps of current offering of FISs. Moreover, it may support the design of a new generation of digital platform for food information provision, which would respond to consumers' expectations and information needs, highlighting emerging business opportunities for digital entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

Few research works provide a characterization of value proposition of digital platforms providing food information to consumers. In particular, to date, literature lacks of a holistic overview of the dimensions influencing consumer's perception of the information value of food communications.
The impact of anti-COVID-19 restrictions and transitory unemployment insurance policies on unemployment in Russia
Authors: Kotyrlo Elena
Published: May 2023

Purpose

During the COVID-19 pandemic, transitory unemployment insurance (UI) policies substantially increased unemployment benefits (UBs) and the number of eligible groups in Russia. The procedure for registering as unemployed was moved to an online platform. The present paper aims to distinguish the effect of anti-COVID-19 restrictions on unemployment from that of the transitory unemployment insurance policies.

Design/methodology/approach

Using 553,627 approved claims for unemployment benefits from the Russian Public Employment Service (PES) administrative records (June 2019–December 2020), monthly data on the number of individuals registered as unemployed are aggregated in a pseudo panel. A double-difference approach is employed to identify the effects of the social interaction intensity and teleworkability (TW) of the latest occupation on unemployment. The first is associated with a direct effect of anti-COVID-19 restrictions and the latter with the simplified application procedure.

Findings

The face-to-face (F2F) intensity of the latest occupation did not lead to any increase in the number of unemployed persons as could be expected in response to anti-COVID-19 restrictions. Job TW had two opposite effects on unemployment: it decreased individuals' risk of job loss and increased their likelihood of claiming unemployment benefits. Surprisingly, however, in line with the typical response of the Russian labour market to downturns, the latter dominated. The largest response was found among men and individuals with primary education.

Originality/value

This study is the first to attempt to distinguish the effect of anti-COVID-19 restrictions from that of the transitory UI policies on unemployment in Russia.
Paradoxical leadership and employee creativity: knowledge sharing and hiding as mediators
Authors: Devi N. Chitra
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the mediating role played by the contradictory behaviour of knowledge sharing and knowledge hiding in the relationship between paradoxical leadership and employee creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted with 276 employees working in information technology firms in India. “To assess the relationship between the constructs, single and parallel mediation analysis of structural equation modelling (SEM) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) have been performed”.

Findings

This study found that paradoxical leadership is significantly associated with employee creativity. Besides, it has also been found that knowledge sharing has emerged as a mediator that explains the relationship between paradoxical leadership and creativity, while knowledge hiding has not been a mediator to explain the relationship between paradoxical leadership and creativity among employees. According to the study, it was found that discouraging knowledge-hiding behaviour can increase employee knowledge sharing, which in turn fosters employee creativity.

Research limitations/implications

Research has examined the relationship between paradoxical leadership and employee creativity in this paradigm, as well as the roles of knowledge sharing and knowledge hiding as mediators.

Practical implications

The results of this study will help top management to create strategies for enhancing the relationship between a leader and their subordinates by using effective knowledge management strategies that foster employee creativity. Employee creativity would be facilitated effectively by the paradoxical leader who regulates knowledge-hiding behaviour among employees and promotes knowledge-sharing behaviour.

Originality/value

This study addresses the gap in prior research by investigating the role of paradoxical leadership in managing the contradictory behaviours of knowledge sharing and hiding and their impact on employee creativity. As the motivation for knowledge sharing and hiding are inherently distinct, leaders with paradoxical qualities foster a culture of openness and trust to encourage knowledge-sharing while discouraging knowledge-hiding behaviour. By controlling knowledge-hiding behavior empowers employees to make meaningful contributions to the organization’s success through effective collaboration and teamwork, allowing for a more innovative and creative workplace. Because preventing knowledge-hiding behaviour is a means to promote knowledge sharing and ultimately foster creativity in an organisation. Overall, this paper offers unique insights into the intricate dynamics of knowledge management and provides valuable recommendations for leaders managing employees exhibiting contradictory behaviours in the workplace.