bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elongation factor P controls ribosomal frameshift of aSalmonellaantimicrobial resistance gene
Authors: Baek Seungwoo , Cho Yong-Joon , Choi Eunna , Choi Soomin , Lee Eun-Jin
Published: September 2024

Ribosomes translate mRNAs by matching every 3-nucleotide sequence in mRNA, producing the corresponding proteins. As the amino acid sequence directly dictates the activity of the protein, frameshifts often lead to unexpected effects. Here, ribosome profiling reveals that the intracellular pathogenSalmonellaTyphimurium suppresses frameshift in theugtLantimicrobial resistance gene during translation. This suppression of frameshift is mediated by a ribosome pause occurring in a newly-identified overlapping gene, serving as a non-slip bump. Given that the pause site contains a poly-proline motif and can be resolved by elongation factor P, the removal of the ribosome pause by substituting the motif induces ribosome slippage inugtL, resulting in UgtL frameshifted protein production. This rendersSalmonellasensitive to antimicrobial peptides but, in turn, protects the MgtC virulence factor from the FtsH-mediated proteolysis, indicating that elongation factor P-dependent ribosome pause is required for controlling both full antimicrobial resistance and mouse virulence. These findings reveal a new regulatory mechanism in which ribosome pause controls the production of two different protein isoforms by suppressing ribosome slippage-mediated frameshift.
Effects of parental care on skin microbial community composition in poison frogs
Authors: Fischer Marie-Therese , Xue Katherine S. , Costello Elizabeth K. , Dvorak Mai , Raboisson Gaëlle , Robaczewska Anna , Caty Stephanie N. , Relman David A. , O’Connell Lauren A.
Published: September 2024

Parent-offspring interactions constitute the first contact of many newborns with their environment, priming community assembly of microbes through priority effects. Early exposure to microbes can have lasting influences on the assembly and functionality of the host’s microbiota, leaving a life-long imprint on host health and disease. Studies of the role played by parental care in microbial acquisition have primarily focused on humans and hosts with agricultural relevance. Anuran vertebrates offer the opportunity to examine microbial community composition across life stages as a function of parental investment. In this study, we investigate vertical transmission of microbiota during parental care in a poison frog (FamilyDendrobatidae), where fathers transport their offspring piggyback-style from terrestrial clutches to aquatic nurseries. We found that substantial bacterial colonization of the embryo begins after hatching from the vitelline envelope, emphasizing its potential role as microbial barrier during early development. Using a laboratory cross-foster experiment, we demonstrated that poison frogs performing tadpole transport serve as a source of skin microbes for tadpoles on their back. To study how transport impacts the microbial skin communities of tadpoles in an ecologically relevant setting, we sampled frogs and tadpoles of sympatric species that do or do not exhibit tadpole transport in their natural habitat. We found more diverse microbial communities associated with tadpoles of transporting species compared to a non-transporting frog. However, we detected no difference in the degree of similarity between adult and tadpole skin microbiotas, based on whether the frog species exhibits transporting behavior or not. Using a field experiment, we confirmed that tadpole transport can result in the persistent colonization of tadpoles by isolated microbial taxa associated with the caregiver’s skin, albeit often at low prevalence. This is the first study to describe vertical transmission of skin microbes in anuran amphibians, showing that offspring transport may serve as a mechanism for transmission of parental skin microbes. Overall, these findings provide a foundation for further research on how vertical transmission in this order impacts host-associated microbiota and physiology.
Electrophoresis-Correlative Ion Mobility Deepens Single-cell Proteomics in Capillary Electrophoresis Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Shen Bowen , Zhou Fei , Nemes Peter
Published: September 2024

Detection of trace-sensitive signals is a current challenge is single-cell mass spectrometry (MS) proteomics. Separation prior to detection improves the fidelity and depth of proteome identification and quantification. We recently recognized capillary electrophoresis (CE) electrospray ionization (ESI) for ordering peptides into mass-to-charge (m/z)-dependent series, introducing electrophoresis-correlative (Eco) data-independent acquisition. Here, we demonstrate that these correlations based on electrophoretic mobility (µef) in the liquid phase are transferred into the gas phase, essentially temporally ordering the peptide ions into charge-dependent ion mobility (IM, 1/K0) trends (ρ > 0.97). Rather than sampling the entire IM region broadly, we pursued these predictable correlations to schedule narrower frames. Compared to classical ddaPASEF, Eco-framing significantly enhanced the resolution of IM on a trapped ion mobility mass spectrometer (timsTOF PRO). This approach returned ∼50% more proteins from HeLa proteome digests approximating to one-to-two cells, identifying ∼962 proteins from ∼200 pg in <20 min of effective electrophoresis, without match-between-runs. As a proof of principle, we deployed Eco-ddaPASEF on 1,157 proteins by analyzing <4% of the total proteome in single, yolk-laden embryonic stem cells (∼80-µm) that were isolated from the animal cap of the South African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis). Quantitative profiling of 9 different blastomeres revealed detectable differences among these cells, which are normally fated to form the ectoderm but retain pluripotentiality. Eco-framing effectively deepens the proteome sensitivity in IMS using ddaPASEF, raising the possibility of a proteome-driven classification of embryonic cell differentiation.
A high-throughput, microplate reader-based method to monitorin vitroHIV latency reversal in the absence of flow cytometry
Authors: Nkwelle Chantal Emade , Stephens Unique , Liang Kimberly , Cassel Joel , Salvino Joseph M. , Montaner Luis J. , Ndip Roland N. , Esemu Seraphine N. , Ntie-Kang Fidele , Tietjen Ian
Published: September 2024

J-Lat cells are derivatives of the Jurkat CD4+ T cell line that contain a non-infectious, inducible HIV provirus with a GFP tag. While these cells have substantially advanced our understanding of HIV latency, their use by many laboratories in low and middle-income countries is restricted by limited access to flow cytometry. To overcome this barrier, we describe a modified J-Lat assay using a standard microplate reader that detects HIV-GFP expression following treatment with latency-reversing agents (LRAs). We show that HIV reactivation by control LRAs like prostratin and romidepsin is readily detected with dose dependence and with significant correlation and sensitivity to standard flow cytometry. For example, 10 µM prostratin induced a 20.1 ± 3.3-fold increase in GFP fluorescence in the microplate reader assay, which corresponded to 64.2 ± 5.0% GFP-positive cells detected by flow cytometery. Similarly, 0.3 µM prostratin induced a 1.7 ± 1.2-fold increase compared to 8.7 ± 5.7% GFP-positive cells detected. Using this method, we screen 79 epigenetic modifiers and identify molibresib, quisinostat, and CUDC-101 as novel LRAs. This microplate reader-based method offers accessibility to researchers in resource-limited regions to work with J-Lat cells and more actively participate in global HIV cure research efforts.

Highlights

J-Lat T-cell lines are important to HIV cure research but require flow cytometry

We describe a method to work with J-Lat cells using a standard microplate reader

This assay can detect control LRAs similar to flow cytometry and discover new LRAs

This assay allows low-resourced laboratories to contribute to HIV cure research
Vesicle docking and fusion pore modulation by the neuronal calcium sensor Synaptotagmin-1
Authors: Tsemperouli Maria , Kumar Cheppali Sudheer , Rivera Molina Felix , Chetrit David , Landajuela Ane , Toomre Derek , Karatekin Erdem
Published: September 2024

Synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1) is a major calcium sensor for rapid neurotransmitter release in neurons and hormone release in many neuroendocrine cells. It possesses two tandem cytosolic C2 domains that bind calcium, negatively charged phospholipids, and the neuronal SNARE complex. Calcium binding to Syt1 triggers exocytosis, but how this occurs is not well understood. Syt1 has additional roles in docking dense core vesicles (DCV) and synaptic vesicles (SV) to the plasma membrane (PM) and in regulating fusion pore dynamics. Thus, Syt1 perturbations could affect release through vesicle docking, fusion triggering, fusion pore regulation, or a combination of these. Here, using a human neuroendocrine cell line, we show that neutralization of highly conserved polybasic patches in either C2 domain of Syt1 impairs both DCV docking and efficient release of serotonin from DCVs. Interestingly, the same mutations resulted in larger fusion pores and faster release of serotonin during individual fusion events. Thus, Syt1’s roles in vesicle docking, fusion triggering, and fusion pore control may be functionally related.
Transport properties of interface-type analog memristors
Authors: Vegesna Sahitya V. , Rayapati Venkata Rao , Schmidt Heidemarie
Published: September 2024

Interface-type, analog memristors have quite a reputation for real-time applications in edge sensorics, edge computing, and neuromorphic computing. The -type conducting BiFeO3 (BFO) is such an interface-type, analog memristor, which is also nonlinear and can therefore not only store, but also process data in the same memristor cell without data transfer between the data-storage unit and the data-processing unit. Here we present a physical memristor model, which describes the hysteretic current-voltage curves of the BFO memristor in the small and large current-voltage range. Extracted internal state variables are reconfigured by the ion drift in the two write branches and are determining the electron transport in the two read branches. Simulation of electronic circuits with the BFO interface-type, analog memristors was not possible so far because previous physical memristor models have not captured the full range of internal state variables. We show quantitative agreement between modeled and experimental current-voltage curves exemplarily of three different BFO memristors in the small and large current-voltage ranges. Extracted dynamic and static internal state variables in the two full write branches and in the two full read branches, respectively, can be used for simulating electronic circuits with BFO memristors, e.g., in edge sensorics, edge computing, and neuromorphic computing.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Authentic Majorana versus singlet Dirac neutrino contributions to
μ+μ+→ℓ+ℓ+

(ℓ=e,τ)
transitions
Authors: Gutiérrez Santiago Jorge Luis , Portillo-Sánchez Diego , Hernández-Tomé G. , Rendón Javier
Published: September 2024

We revisited the computation of the cross section for the μ+μ+→ℓ+ℓ+ (ℓ+=τ+,e+) transitions in the presence of new heavy Majorana neutrinos. We focus on scenarios where the masses of the new states are around some few TeV, the so-called low-scale seesaw models. Our analysis is set in a simple model with only two new heavy Majorana neutrinos considering the current limits on the heavy-light mixings. Our results illustrate the difference between the genuine effects of two nondegenerate heavy Majorana states and the degenerate case where they form a Dirac singlet field.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Geometric Formulation of Generalized Root-
TT¯
Deformations
Authors: Babaei-Aghbolagh H. , He Song , Morone Tommaso , Ouyang Hao , Tateo Roberto
Published: September 2024

We develop a generic geometric formalism that incorporates both TT¯-like and root-TT¯-like deformations in arbitrary dimensions. This framework applies to a wide family of stress-energy tensor perturbations and encompasses various well-known field theories. Building upon the recently proposed correspondence between Ricci-based gravity and TT¯-like deformations, we further extend this duality to include root-TT¯-like perturbations. This refinement extends the potential applications of our approach and contributes to a deeper exploration of the interplay between stress tensor perturbations and gravitational dynamics. Among the various original outcomes detailed in this Letter, we have also obtained a deformation of the flat Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity action.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Measuring Trotter error and its application to precision-guaranteed Hamiltonian simulations
Authors: Ikeda Tatsuhiko N. , Kono Hideki , Fujii Keisuke
Published: September 2024

Trotterization is the most common and convenient approximation method for Hamiltonian simulations on digital quantum computers, but estimating its error accurately is computationally difficult for large quantum systems. Here, we develop a method for measuring the Trotter error without ancillary qubits on quantum circuits by combining the mth- and nth-order (m<n) Trotterizations rather than consulting with mathematical error bounds. Using this method, we make Trotterization precision guaranteed, developing an algorithm named Trotter(m,n), in which the Trotter error at each time step is within an error tolerance ε preset for our purpose. Trotter(m,n) is applicable to both time-independent and -dependent Hamiltonians, and it adaptively chooses almost the largest step size δt, which keeps quantum circuits shallowest, within the error tolerance. Benchmarking it in a quantum spin chain, we find the adaptively chosen δt to be about 10 times larger than that inferred from known upper bounds of Trotter errors.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Magnetic control of Weyl nodes and wave packets in three-dimensional warped semimetals
Authors: Focassio Bruno , Schleder Gabriel R. , Fazzio Adalberto , Capaz Rodrigo B. , Lopes Pedro V. , Ferreira Jaime , Enderlein Carsten , Neto Marcello B. Silva
Published: September 2024

We investigate the topological phase transitions driven by band warping, λ, and a transverse magnetic field, B, for three-dimensional Weyl semimetals. First, we use the Chern number as a mathematical tool to derive the topological λ×B phase diagram. Next, we associate each of the topological sectors to a given angular momentum state of a rotating wave packet. Then we show how the position of the Weyl nodes can be manipulated by a transverse external magnetic field that ultimately quenches the wave packet rotation, first partially and then completely, thus resulting in a sequence of field-induced topological phase transitions. Finally, we calculate the current-induced magnetization and the anomalous Hall conductivity of a prototypical warped Weyl material. Both observables reflect the topological transitions associated with the wave packet rotation and can help to identify the elusive 3D quantum anomalous Hall effect in three-dimensional, warped Weyl materials.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Learning opportunity as a critical attribute to attract employees in the context of startups: a text-mining approach
Authors: Seo Jaekyo , Leach Raymond , Lee Suhyung
Published: September 2024

Purpose

While founder characteristics have been studied extensively as a factor in attracting employees, organizational attributes of startups have received little attention. To fill the void, this study aims to examine organizational attributes of startups to attract employees.

Design/methodology/approach

This research collected 8,817 online employer reviews of 117 startups from Glassdoor.com. This research conducted two studies. In Study 1, a topic modeling approach was applied to identify startup attributes to attract employees having actual employer experience and to examine the importance and relationship of the attributes, drawing the person–organization fit theory. Study 2 used logistic regression analysis to explore the effect of identified attributes on employer attractiveness based on the signaling theory.

Findings

Study 1 found six attributes: high-quality coworkers, entrepreneurial culture, development, company outlook, physical office and stereotypical startup perks. This study also found high-quality coworkers, entrepreneurial culture and development are not only related to each other but also more critical attributes than other attributes. The core value of the three attributes can be conceptualized as “learning opportunity.” Study 2 found that employees attracted to “learning opportunity” are more likely to recommend their employers than instrumental attributes, including physical office and stereotypical startup perks.

Originality/value

This research elaborates on employer attributes to attract employees in the context of startup based on the real voices of employees having actual employer experience. Furthermore, this research extends the understanding of employer attributes contributing to employer attractiveness by combining qualitative review data with quantitative rating data.
SigBERT: vibration-based steel frame structural damage detection through fine-tuning BERT
Authors: Honarjoo Ahmad , Darvishan Ehsan , Rezazadeh Hassan , Kosarieh Amir Homayoon
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This article introduces SigBERT, a novel approach that fine-tunes bidirectional encoder representations from transformers (BERT) for the purpose of distinguishing between intact and impaired structures by analyzing vibration signals. Structural health monitoring (SHM) systems are crucial for identifying and locating damage in civil engineering structures. The proposed method aims to improve upon existing methods in terms of cost-effectiveness, accuracy and operational reliability.

Design/methodology/approach

SigBERT employs a fine-tuning process on the BERT model, leveraging its capabilities to effectively analyze time-series data from vibration signals to detect structural damage. This study compares SigBERT's performance with baseline models to demonstrate its superior accuracy and efficiency.

Findings

The experimental results, obtained through the Qatar University grandstand simulator, show that SigBERT outperforms existing models in terms of damage detection accuracy. The method is capable of handling environmental fluctuations and offers high reliability for non-destructive monitoring of structural health. The study mentions the quantifiable results of the study, such as achieving a 99% accuracy rate and an F-1 score of 0.99, to underline the effectiveness of the proposed model.

Originality/value

SigBERT presents a significant advancement in SHM by integrating deep learning with a robust transformer model. The method offers improved performance in both computational efficiency and diagnostic accuracy, making it suitable for real-world operational environments.
High-performance foot trajectory tracking control of hydraulic legged robots based on fixed-time disturbance observers
Authors: Niu Shanshuai , Wang Junzheng , Zhao Jiangbo
Published: September 2024

Purpose

There are various uncertain and nonlinear problems in hydraulic legged robot systems, including parameter uncertainty, unmodeled dynamics and external disturbances. This study aims to eliminate uncertainties and improve the foot trajectory tracking control performance of hydraulic legged robots, a high-performance foot trajectory tracking control method based on fixed-time disturbance observers for hydraulic legged robots is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the robot leg mechanical system model and hydraulic system model of the hydraulic legged robot are established. Subsequently, two fixed-time disturbance observers are designed to address the unmatched lumped uncertainty and match lumped uncertainty in the system. Finally, the lumped uncertainties are compensated in the controller design, and the designed motion controller also achieves fixed-time stability.

Findings

Through simulation and experiments, it can be found that the proposed tracking control method based on fixed-time observers has better tracking control performance. The effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method have been verified.

Originality/value

Both the disturbance observers and the controller achieve fixed-time stability, effectively improving the performance of foot trajectory tracking control for hydraulic legged robots.
Understanding the challenges of entrepreneurship in emerging economies: a grey systems-based study with entrepreneurs in Brazil
Authors: Abreu Wilhelm K.K. , Sigahi Tiago F.A.C. , Rampasso Izabela Simon , Moraes Gustavo Hermínio Salati Marcondes de , Ávila Lucas Veiga , Serafim Milena Pavan , Anholon Rosley
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This research aims to understand the primary challenges encountered by entrepreneurs operating in emerging economies, where entrepreneurship plays a vital role. The study places a particular emphasis on entrepreneurs in Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology involved the analysis of data obtained from interviews, using both content analysis and Grey Relational Analysis techniques.

Findings

The analysis revealed several prominent difficulties that entrepreneurs face in these domains. These challenges encompassed issues such as grappling with intricate taxation systems and the associated tax burden, navigating government bureaucracy, securing access to essential financing and initial investments, contending with the absence of supportive government programs and addressing the dynamic nature of market conditions. The findings on the most critical barriers reveal potential pathways for entrepreneurs, policymakers and universities to act in developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in emerging economies.

Originality/value

The insights garnered from this research have the potential to inform the formulation of robust public policies aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in emerging countries. Furthermore, these findings can serve as a valuable resource for planning initiatives designed to train engineers to become successful entrepreneurs.
Phenotyping of the nickel metal crop Bornmuellera emarginata for establishing breeding selection criteria
Authors: Ly Serigne N. , Echevarria Guillaume , Ouvrard Stéphanie , van der Ent Antony , Aarts Mark G. M.
Published: September 2024

Nickel is a crucial metal widely used in various industrial applications, such as lithium‐ion batteries and stainless‐steel production. The increasing demand for nickel and resource depletion challenges highlight the need for sustainable extraction methods. Agromining employs hyperaccumulator plants to extract nickel from soils that are either contaminated or naturally enriched in nickel. Bornmuellera emarginata is a nickel hyperaccumulator originating from Greece and a promising candidate for nickel agromining. This study aimed to identify suitable genotypes for a successful “domestication” breeding program, focusing on phenotypic traits. Seeds from 35 plants across six wild populations were cultivated under controlled conditions for 7 months to complete a full life cycle. In this period, growth parameters (e.g., plant height (PH), leaf size, and biomass) were determined. Geographically proximate populations displayed greater phenotypic similarity than those from distant locations. Substantial morphological variations, including PH (40–126 cm) and leaf length (6–13 cm), were observed. Nickel concentrations in plants ranged from 290 to 6250 mg kg−1 dry weight, resulting in nickel yields of 10–145 mg/plant. The notable phenotypic differences among genotypes provide a valuable biological resource for initiating a breeding program to enhance overall nickel yield in B. emarginata agromining crops. Selection and breeding efforts should prioritize genotypes with high biomass production and nickel concentrations. This research lays the foundation for targeted breeding to optimize the potential of B. emarginata in nickel agromining.
Diabetes mellitus in stable chronic heart failure and the combination with humoral activation, their association, and prediction of 2‐year adverse outcomes. Data from the FARNHL registry
Authors: Labr Karel , Spinar Jindrich , Parenica Jiri , Spinarova Lenka , Krejci Jan , Malek Filip , Ostadal Petr , Ludka Ondrej , Jarkovsky Jiri , Benesova Klara , Labrova Ruzena , Spinarova Monika
Published: September 2024

Background/Aim

The study aims to describe the role of diabetes in patients with heart failure.

Methods

In all, 1052 chronic heart failure patients were included in the FARmacology and NeuroHumoral Activation (FAR NHL) multicenter prospective registry. They had ejection fraction below 50% and were on stable medication for at least 1 month.

Results

More than one‐third (38.9%) of the patients had diabetes mellitus (DM). Diabetic patients (N = 409) were older (median 67 vs. 64, p < 0.001), had higher body mass index (BMI) (30 vs. 28 kg/m2, p < 0.001), much more frequently had ischemic heart disease (71 vs. 47%, p < 0.001), hypertension (80 vs. 67%, p < 0.001), dyslipidemia (89 vs. 69%, p < 0.001), worse renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] median 63 vs. 73 mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.001), and higher N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) (median 681 vs. 463 pg/mL, p = 0.003). All‐cause death, left ventricle assist device implantation, and orthotopic heart transplantation were set as the combined primary end point, which was present in 15.5% (163 patients) within the 2‐year follow‐up. In the 2‐year follow‐up, 81.0% of patients with diabetes survived without a primary end point, while 85.4% of the patients without diabetes survived, the difference being on the verge of statistical significance (p = 0.089). DM is a statistically significant predictor of NT‐proBNP value in univariate analysis, but it is not an independent predictor in a multivariate analysis. When the NT‐proBNP level was high, the presence of DM did not influence the prognosis.

Conclusion

The combination of diabetes and NT‐proBNP levels may better stratify the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.

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Do grids demobilize? How street networks, social networks, and political networks intersect
Authors: Nathan Noah L.
Published: September 2024

Amid rapid urbanization in the developing world, there is growing interest in the effects of urban context on political behavior. An underexplored element of urban context is the built environment itself—the physical architecture and design of urban space—which can structure how residents interact both with each other and with the state. Drawing on street network data and an original survey from urban Ghana, I suggest that more gridded, orderly neighborhoods reduce the social interactions residents have with neighbors, lower embeddedness in political problem‐solving networks, and depress electoral turnout. Rather than making residents more legible to state officials, gridded streets make the local state and political realm less legible to residents by reducing opportunities to forge politically valuable social ties in a context of clientelist politics. The paper demonstrates that greater focus is needed on built environments to understand the social structures undergirding grassroots urban politics.
Vegetation dynamics following three decades of trophic rewilding in the mesic grasslands of Oostvaardersplassen
Authors: Ejrnæs Ditte Dalsgaard , Olivier Bernard , Bakker Elisabeth Suzanna , Cornelissen Perry , Ejrnæs Rasmus , Smit Christian , Svenning Jens‐Christian
Published: September 2024

Aim

There is increasing interest in open‐ended restoration with the focus on restoring natural processes rather than static compositional goals. Here, we investigated vegetation dynamics in response to three decades of trophic rewilding with large herbivores in a recent anthropogenic, fertile 55‐km2 landscape on reclaimed marine sediments. This site provides important insights into plant community assembly in rewilded, young ecosystems.

Location

Oostvaardersplassen, the Netherlands.

Methods

Using field surveys and vegetation data spanning two decades, we investigate vegetation dynamics of the mesic grasslands in Oostvaardersplassen, a pioneer trophic rewilding site in the Netherlands. To identify the effects of grazing and other ecological processes, we include comparisons to an adjacent ungrazed control site and to the dark diversity, that is, missing species expected to be present given the environment and geography.

Results

The impact of large herbivores has led to a more open and homogenous vegetation with higher plant species richness in the mesic grasslands of Oostvaardersplassen compared to the ungrazed control. Compared to species in the dark diversity, the species present are more common in the region, more stress‐tolerant, and less competitive, in line with joint effects of grazing and immigrational lag.

Conclusions

The changes in vegetation composition and structure show that rewilding with large herbivores promotes the prevalence of stress‐tolerant and low‐statured plant species, which are in decline in the broader landscape while reducing the dominance of otherwise widespread, competition‐adapted species. The absence of numerous rare species suggests that dispersal limitation poses an important constraint for the diversity build‐up in anthropogenically isolated natural areas, necessitating active species introductions to mitigate this issue in the short to medium term.
Efficacy and safety of antidepressants for pain in older adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Narayan Sujita W. , Naganathan Vasi , Vizza Lisa , Underwood Martin , Ivers Rowena , McLachlan Andrew J. , Zhou Linyi , Singh Ramnik , Tao Shunyu , Xi Xiao , Abdel Shaheed Christina
Published: September 2024

Aims

In many countries, pain is the most common indication for use of antidepressants in older adults. We reviewed the evidence from randomized controlled trials on the efficacy and safety of antidepressants, compared to all alternatives for pain in older adults (aged ≥65 years).

Methods

Trials published from inception to 1 February 2024, were retrieved from 13 databases. Two independent reviewers extracted data on study and participant characteristics, primary efficacy (pain scores, converted to 0–100 scale) and harms. Estimates for efficacy were pooled using a random effects model and reported as difference in means and 95% CI. Quality of included trials was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.

Results

Fifteen studies (n = 1369 participants) met the inclusion criteria. The most frequently studied antidepressants were duloxetine and amitriptyline (6/15 studies each). Pain related to knee osteoarthritis was the most studied (6/15 studies). For knee osteoarthritis, antidepressants did not provide a statistically significant effect for the immediate term (0–2 weeks), (−5.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −11.5 to 0.3), but duloxetine provided a statistically significant, albeit a very small effect in the intermediate term, (≥6 weeks and <12 months), (−9.1, 95% CI: −11.8 to −6.4). Almost half (7/15) of the studies reported increased withdrawal of participants in the antidepressant treatment group vs. the comparator group due to adverse events.

Conclusions

For most chronic painful conditions, the benefits and harms of antidepressant medicines are unclear. This evidence is predominantly from trials with sample sizes of <100, have disclosed industry ties and classified as having unclear or high risk of bias.
Robot‐assisted nephroureterectomy: surgical and mid‐term oncological outcomes in over 1100 patients (ROBUUST 2.0 collaborative group)
Authors: Ditonno Francesco , Franco Antonio , Wu Zhenjie , Wang Linhui , Abdollah Firas , Simone Giuseppe , Correa Andres F. , Ferro Matteo , Perdonà Sisto , Amparore Daniele , Bhanvadia Raj , Brönimann Stephan , Puri Dhruv , Mendiola Dinno F. , Ben‐David Reuben , Moon Sol C. , Yong Courtney , Moghaddam Farshad S. , Ghoreifi Alireza , Bologna Eugenio , Licari Leslie Claire , Finati Marco , Tuderti Gabriele , Helstrom Emma , Tozzi Marco , Tufano Antonio , Rais‐Bahrami Soroush , Sundaram Chandru P. , Mehrazin Reza , Gonzalgo Mark L. , Derweesh Ithaar H. , Porpiglia Francesco , Singla Nirmish , Margulis Vitaly , Antonelli Alessandro , Djaladat Hooman , Autorino Riccardo
Published: September 2024

Objective

To analyse surgical, functional, and mid‐term oncological outcomes of robot‐assisted nephroureterectomy (RANU) in a contemporary large multi‐institutional setting.

Patients and Methods

Data were retrieved from the ROBotic surgery for Upper tract Urothelial cancer STtudy (ROBUUST) 2.0 database, an international, multicentre registry encompassing data of patients with upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma undergoing curative surgery between 2015 and 2022. The analysis included all consecutive patients undergoing RANU except those with missing data in predictors. Detailed surgical, pathological, and postoperative functional data were recorded and analysed. Oncological time‐to‐event outcomes were: recurrence‐free survival (RFS), metastasis‐free survival (MFS), cancer‐specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method, with a 3‐year cut‐off. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was built to evaluate predictors of each oncological outcome.

Results

A total of 1118 patients underwent RANU during the study period. The postoperative complications rate was 14.1%; the positive surgical margin rate was 4.7%. A postoperative median (interquartile range) estimated glomerular filtration rate decrease of −13.1 (−27.5 to 0) mL/min/1.73 m2 from baseline was observed. The 3‐year RFS was 59% and the 3‐year MFS was 76%, with a 3‐year OS and CSS of 76% and 88%, respectively. Significant predictors of worse oncological outcomes were bladder‐cuff excision, high‐grade tumour, pathological T stage ≥3, and nodal involvement.

Conclusions

The present study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the increasing adoption of RANU. The procedure consistently offers low surgical morbidity and can provide favourable mid‐term oncological outcomes, mirroring those of open NU, even in non‐organ‐confined disease.
Non‐verbal effecting – animal research sheds light on human emotion communication
Authors: Schirmer Annett , Croy Ilona , Liebal Katja , Schweinberger Stefan R.
Published: September 2024

Cracking the non‐verbal “code” of human emotions has been a chief interest of generations of scientists. Yet, despite much effort, a dictionary that clearly maps non‐verbal behaviours onto meaning remains elusive. We suggest this is due to an over‐reliance on language‐related concepts and an under‐appreciation of the evolutionary context in which a given non‐verbal behaviour emerged. Indeed, work in other species emphasizes non‐verbal effects (e.g. affiliation) rather than meaning (e.g. happiness) and differentiates between signals, for which communication benefits both sender and receiver, and cues, for which communication does not benefit senders. Against this backdrop, we develop a “non‐verbal effecting” perspective for human research. This perspective extends the typical focus on facial expressions to a broadcasting of multisensory signals and cues that emerge from both social and non‐social emotions. Moreover, it emphasizes the consequences or effects that signals and cues have for individuals and their social interactions. We believe that re‐directing our attention from verbal emotion labels to non‐verbal effects is a necessary step to comprehend scientifically how humans share what they feel.
Surviving global change: a review of the impacts of drought and dewatering on freshwater mussels
Authors: Cushway Kiara C. , Geist Juergen , Schwalb Astrid N.
Published: September 2024

The increase in the frequency and intensity of droughts and heatwaves caused by climate change poses a major threat to biodiversity. In aquatic systems, sedentary species such as freshwater mussels are generally considered more vulnerable to changes in habitat conditions than mobile species such as fish. As mussels provide important ecosystem services, understanding the impacts of drought on freshwater mussels is of particular importance for the management of overall functioning of aquatic ecosystems. We used a comprehensive literature search to provide a systematic overview of direct and indirect effects of drought on freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida) and an evaluation of mitigation strategies. We found that drought studies were concentrated mostly in the USA, with a focus on the Unionidae family. Topics ranged from the physiological effects of high temperatures, emersion, and hypoxia/anoxia to behavioural and reproductive consequences of drought and the implications for biotic interactions and ecosystem services. Studies spanned all levels of biological organization, from individual responses to population‐ and community‐level impacts and ecosystem‐wide effects. We identified several knowledge gaps, including a paucity of trait‐based evaluation of drought consequences, limited understanding of thermal and desiccation tolerance at the species level, and the synergistic effects of multiple drought stressors on mussels. Although we found many studies provided suggestions concerning management of populations, habitat conditions, and anthropogenic water use, a systematic approach and testing of recommended mitigation strategies is largely lacking, creating challenges for managers aiming to conserve freshwater mussel communities and populations in light of climate change.
Hyperbranched Poly‐l‐Lysine Modified Titanium Surface With Enhanced Osseointegration, Bacteriostasis, and Anti‐Inflammatory Properties for Implant Application: An Experimental In Vivo Study
Authors: Jiang Qifeng , Qin Xiaoru , Wang Zhaolong , Chen Chaozhen , Dai Wei , Wang Zhikang , Miao Xiaoyan , Jiang Zhiwei , Zhang Yanmin , Gao Changyou , Xi Yue , Yang Guoli
Published: September 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to explore multiple effects of hyperbranched poly‐l‐lysine (HBPL) titanium (Ti) surfaces on osseointegration, bacteriostasis, and anti‐inflammation across three different animal models.

Methods

Ti surfaces were covalently modified with HBPL, with uncoated surfaces as controls. Characterization included scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface chemistry and elemental analysis (EDX). Ti and Ti‐HBPL implants were placed in conventional canine edentulous sites, post‐operative infection canine edentulous sites, and diabetic rat tibias. Implants from canine edentulous models were analyzed using micro‐CT and histomorphometry to assess osseointegration at 8 weeks. Post‐operative infection beagles were used to evaluate antibacterial efficacy through clinical parameters and bacterial cultures at 1 week. In diabetic rats, micro‐CT and histomorphometry were performed at 8 weeks.

Results

HBPL was uniformly grafted on Ti‐HBPL surfaces. Ti‐HBPL surfaces showed higher bone volume/total volume (BV/TV, p < 0.001), bone‐implant contact (BIC%, p < 0.001), and trabecular number (Tb.N, p < 0.01) in beagles. Besides, it displayed higher BIC% (p < 0.001) and bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO%, p < 0.01) in hard tissue sections. In an infected model, Ti‐HBPL surfaces exhibited lower bleeding on probing (BOP, p < 0.001), and plaque index (DI, p < 0.01), with reduced bacterial colony formation (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. In diabetic rats, Ti‐HBPL surfaces showed an increase in BV/TV (p < 0.01) and Tb.N (p < 0.001), downregulated TNF‐α and IL‐1β (p < 0.01), and upregulated IL‐10 (p < 0.01) and osteocalcin (OCN) expression (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

HBPL‐Ti surfaces demonstrated enhanced osseointegration, bacteriostasis, and anti‐inflammatory effects in vivo.
STP‐CNN: Selection of transfer parameters in convolutional neural networks
Authors: Mallouk Otmane , Joudar Nour‐Eddine , Ettaouil Mohamed
Published: September 2024

Nowadays, transfer learning has shown promising results in many applications. However, most deep transfer learning methods such as parameter sharing and fine‐tuning are still suffering from the lack of parameters transmission strategy. In this paper, we propose a new optimization model for parameter‐based transfer learning in convolutional neural networks named STP‐CNN. Indeed, we propose a Lasso transfer model supported by a regularization term that controls transferability. Moreover, we opt for the proximal gradient descent method to solve the proposed model. The suggested technique allows, under certain conditions, to control exactly which parameters, in each convolutional layer of the source network, which will be used directly or adjusted in the target network. Several experiments prove the performance of our model in locating the transferable parameters as well as improving the data classification.
Marriage as a hustle: The evolution of property law and the arrival of same‐sex marriage in Cuba
Authors: Adler Libby
Published: September 2024

This paper tells the coinciding stories of same‐sex marriage's arrival in Cuba and the evolution of Cuban property law. It argues that greater privatization in the Cuban system, including access to real estate ownership and small‐scale entrepreneurship, contributed to (did not solely determine) the advent of same‐sex marriage even though it was, practically speaking, wholly unnecessary to the goal of equalizing same‐sex couples with regard to property rights. Same‐sex marriage nonetheless scaled the priority list for advancing the interests of gays and lesbians in Cubans due, at least in part, to the discursive entwinement of marriage and property allocation including the “common sense” assumption that marriage is a regime of material benefits access to which determines whether gays and lesbians are being treated equally.
Does it cost to be politically connected? An examination of the grabbing hand hypothesis using corporate taxes
Authors: Arifin Taufiq , Kabir Rezaul
Published: September 2024

Extant studies on political connections document both benefits and costs for firms. In this study, we investigate whether politically connected firms pay higher taxes than their non‐connected counterparts and thus facilitate politicians to receive political benefits. Using the presidential election in Indonesia as an exogenous event, and analysing a sample of Indonesian listed firms over the period 2007–2016, we show that politicians extract resources from firms to realise their political objectives, for example, increasing tax revenues and gaining votes. We also find that politicians pursue more rent‐seeking among firms with transactional political connections. In return for over‐payment of corporate taxes, these connected firms enjoy lower cost of borrowing and higher firm value after the election year. These results are robust to the use of different regression techniques (i.e., pooled ordinary least square and probit) and tests (i.e., endogeneity, parallel trend assumption and placebo), and support the grabbing hand hypothesis of political connections. Our study contributes to the scarce literature showing that politically connected firms help politicians by providing higher tax revenues and experience a lower cost of debt and higher firm value in exchange for providing this favour to politicians.
A Novel Content and Usability Analysis of UK Professional Regulator Information About Raising a Concern by Members of the Public
Authors: Ryan‐Blackwell Gemma , Wallace Louise M. , Ribenfors Francesca
Published: September 2024

Background

Health and social care regulators ensure that professionals have the correct qualifications and experience to practice in their profession. Globally, there are over 130 regulators of nursing alone and 13 health and social care statutory regulators in the United Kingdom. The public are the largest source of concerns to regulators about the registrants' fitness to practise (FtP).

Aim

This study aimed to examine the amount, type and content of the information available from UK regulators and evaluate the usability of the process for members of the public considering raising a concern with a regulator about a registrant's fitness to practise (FtP) and the experience of those who had recently raised a concern.

Methods

The websites of the UK's 13 statutory health and social care regulators were searched between November 2021 and February 2022 for information about the process of raising a concern. Webpages and public‐facing documentation were downloaded, and qualitative content analysis was conducted. The usability of regulator websites and the concerns referral form were assessed by 11 people using an adapted ‘system usability scale’. Seven interviews, a focus group (n = 5) and a survey (n = 62) of people who had raised a concern were used to explore their experiences to validate our findings and recommendations.

Results

Themes were identified related to format and layout, the process and support to raise a concern, with wide variation found between regulators. Focus groups, interviews and surveys validated these findings.

Discussion and Conclusion

Information and the ease of finding this information are fundamental in promoting public confidence and trust in regulator purpose and process. When raising a concern, it is important that information is honest, clear and accurate and available in a range of different formats so that it suits the diverse needs of members of the public. Improvements in these processes could support regulators to better achieve their primary purpose of protecting the public.

Public Contribution

The public were consulted on our findings using two focus groups, seven interviews and 62 survey respondents.

Our project advisory group of people with lived experience of involvement in FtP discussed the findings and contributed to the recommendations.

Trial Registration

N/A.
Comparing the activity and interactions of the antifungal protein PeAfpA with conventional fungicides and food preservatives against mycotoxigenic fungi
Authors: Hernández‐García Laura , Molinos Xabier , Manzanares Paloma , Marcos Jose F. , Martínez‐Culebras Pedro V.
Published: September 2024

Prevention of fungal contamination and the occurrence of mycotoxins in food and feeds requires the development of new antifungal approaches. The antifungal proteins (AFPs) produced by some fungi provide great potential for the control of contaminating fungi. In the present study, the antifungal activity of the protein PeAfpA from Penicillium expansum was compared with fungicides used in post‐harvest control (imazalil and thiabendazole) and food preservatives (calcium propionate, sodium, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and natamycin), against 23 fungal species belonging to the genera Penicillium, Fusarium, Byssochlamys, Aspergillus and Alternaria. In general, PeAfpA had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) followed by natamycin, the fungicides, and the chemical preservatives. PeAfpA was able to completely inhibit the growth of all tested fungi at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 8 μg mL−1. In addition, we assessed the effects of PeAfpA in combination with imazalil, thiabendazole, natamycin, or potassium sorbate against four representative fungal species. Our results provide evidence for partial synergistic and additive effects between the protein PeAfpA and the other compounds tested. This study concludes that PeAfpA, alone or in combination with fungicides or food preservatives, has a great potential to prevent fungal contamination and reduce the required dosage of fungicides or chemical preservatives used in food conservation.