bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
52 The bag is not always bad: Implementing a two-step method for urine testing on the inpatient paediatric units
Authors: Rossos Andrea , Bal Chandandeep , Kirolos Nardin , Paluck Felicia , Gamulka Beth
Published: October 2024

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common source of infection in children. Best practice for diagnosis includes interpreting a urinalysis (UA) and urine culture. Urine cultures obtained through bladder catheterization are invasive and time consuming. A two-step approach with noninvasive UA screen, followed by urine culture if positive has previously demonstrated a reduction in unnecessary catheterizations and urine cultures in children 6-24 months with suspected UTIs. Pre-intervention, there was inconsistent use of screening point-of-care urinalysis prior to bladder catheterization for culture.

Objectives

To decrease the number of bladder catheterizations in children 6-24 months with a negative screen on Point of Care Test (POCT) urinalysis by 25% over 1 year on paediatrics wards at a paediatric tertiary care centre. Outcome measures: 1. Proportion of bladder catheterizations with negative or no UA screen prior 2. Proportion of UA completed as POCT rather than lab sample Process measures: 1. Number of urinary catheterizations performed for UTI screen 2. Number of times pathway is followed Balancing measure: 1. Missed UTIs

Design/Methods

Baseline data was collected from the paediatric inpatient units at a tertiary paediatric hospital from April 2020 – April 2021. A two-step pathway for collecting urine samples was adopted, including POCT UA screen on a bag sample, followed by bladder catheterization for culture if positive. The pathway was implemented using the Model for Improvement and multiple PDSA cycles. Intervention focused on education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and process standardization.

Results

Baseline data demonstrated a high rate of urinary catheter cultures despite a negative UA or no UA prior (69%). After pathway implementation, this rate decreased to 23%, with a reduction in initial UA collected by catheter from 14% to 5% (figure 1). The number of POCT UA performed has increased from a median of 64% pre-intervention to 80% post-intervention, resulting in fewer samples processed in the lab (figure 2).

Conclusion

Variability in practice for specimen choice for collection and investigation contributed to unnecessary catheterizations. Process standardization successfully improved patient-centered care and efficiency. Next steps include broadening pathway inclusion criteria to the 3–6-month age group.

Potential competing interests

This work was partially supported by the UMC (Utilization Management Committee) Resource Stewardship Grant. The authors declare no additional sources of funding or conflicts of interest.
58 A hospital paediatrics education curriculum: Quality improvement for inpatient paediatric learner education on CTU
Authors: Laguë Sabine , Remington Mia
Published: October 2024

Background

Paediatric learners experience the bulk of their inpatient medicine on the wards. While bedside teaching is invaluable, ward learning can be impacted by seasonal exposure, clinical homogeneity, and volume. Locally our learners requested more formal ward teaching to encourage dialogue around common topics perhaps not encountered on rotation. We queried whether having a database of interactive guideline-based educational experiences would minimize barriers (eg. time, resources) to providing formal inpatient learner education.

Objectives

We sought to enhance general paediatrics ward teaching by developing a curriculum of guideline-based interactive educational content on common inpatient paediatric topics.

Design/Methods

This study was conducted at a Canadian tertiary care paediatric hospital with a range of learners (MSI3, MSI4, paediatric residents (R1-R4)) over 12 months. 1) Needs Assessment: We surveyed residents, hospitalist fellows, and CTU physicians regarding a) perceived need for a curriculum, b) content (top 5 CPS guidelines and top 5 non-CPS topics), c) teaching modality, d) need for handouts, and e) curriculum structure. 2) Curriculum generation: Curriculum was developed according to needs assessment results. 3) Quality improvement: Learners were surveyed after each session with four Likert scale questions (5=strongly agree) regarding teaching quality, clinical translatability, enhanced knowledge/understanding, and improved clinical confidence.

Results

1) Needs assessment: Needs assessment (N=25) unanimously supported a structured curriculum. Eleven CPS statements and twelve non-CPS guideline-based topics were identified for content. Three preferred teaching formats were highlighted, and handouts were important to 88% of respondents. The curriculum was favoured to be 50-75% standardized. 2) Curriculum generation: We developed a curriculum of 13 topics with different delivery modalities (e.g. case-based powerpoints, whiteboard talks, Jeopardy, simulation). All were guideline-based, interactive, and had fill-in-the-blank learner handouts. The curriculum was standardized with 4/6 CTU teaching sessions per block being derived from the curriculum bank, and the remainder being at educator discretion (e.g. curriculum bank, interesting case). 3) Quality improvement: Likert scales (5=strongly agree) were positive from all learners (MSI3-R4; N=52), with scores of 4.9+/-0.2 for teaching quality, translatability to practice, and improved understanding, and 4.8+/-0.3 for improved clinical confidence.

Conclusion

Here we present an interactive and guideline-based paediatric inpatient learner education curriculum whose development, from content to delivery modality, was directed by community needs. We are now seeking funding to prepare for national distribution (e.g. peer-review, licensure), and intend to publish on platform where the curriculum would be downloadable for use by all educators (i.e. senior residents, staff).
Loosely Trapped Surface for Slowly Rotating Black Hole
Authors: Izumi Keisuke , Shiromizu Tetsuya , Yoshida Daisuke , Tomikawa Yoshimune , Yoshino Hirotaka
Published: October 2024

We construct the marginal loosely trapped surface (marginal LTS) for the Kerr spacetime with a small Kerr parameter perturbatively, where the LTS condition is saturated. An LTS is a surface that specifies the strong gravity region, which is a generalization of the photon sphere in the Schwarzschild spacetime. It turns out that there are an infinite number of marginal LTSs. At the leading order of the small Kerr parameter, all of the marginal LTSs have the same area. However, one can see that the maximal marginal LTS among them is uniquely determined at the higher order.
Nanomaterials based on hollow gold nanospheres for cancer therapy
Authors: Li You , Wang Jing , Li Ying , Luo Ziqiang , Peng Tao , Zou Tao
Published: October 2024

Gold nanoparticles have recently been exploited as versatile nanocarriers in diagnostic and therapeutic drug delivery for cancer nanomedicine, owing to their biocompatibility, low biotoxicity, surface modifiability and plasma optical properties. A variety of gold nanoparticles have emerged for drug delivery, mainly including gold nanorods, gold nanocages, gold nanostars, gold solid nanospheres and hollow gold nanospheres (HGNs). Among these, HGNs have widely been studied for their higher photothermal conversion efficiency, wider spectral absorption range and stronger surface-enhanced Raman scattering compared with solid gold nanospheres. Therefore, nowadays, researchers prefer to use HGNs to other metal nanocarriers, which can not only play the role of controlled-release drugs but also act as photothermal agents for tumor therapy and diagnosis, due to their properties of surface modification. Combined with the Au–S bond on the surface of HGNs, the targeted preparation is loaded to achieve precise drug delivery. With the assistance of the photothermal characteristics of HGNs themselves, the efficacy of loaded drugs in HGNs is enhanced. In addition, HGNs also have vital values in the field of bioimaging, which serve as photothermal imaging agents and Raman scattering-guided preparations due to their surface-enhanced Raman scattering properties to assist researchers in achieving the purpose of tumor diagnosis. In this review, we summarize the synthesis methods of HGNs and the recent application of HGNs-based nanomaterials in the field of cancer diagnosis and therapy. In addition, the issues to be addressed were pointed out for a bright prospect of HGNs-based nanomaterials.
Effect of supplementation to offspring during early gestation and the growing phase with different sources of fatty acids on learning and memory ability of postweaning lambs
Authors: Whalin Megan , Roque-Jiménez José A , Oviedo-Ojeda Mario F , Lee-Rangel Héctor A , Relling Alejandro E
Published: October 2024

The objective of the current experiment was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with different dietary fatty acid profiles on the dam during the first third of gestation and on the offspring during growth on the offspring’s cognitive behavior. Seventy-nine postweaning lambs were blocked by body weight and sex using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The first factor (maternal supplementation; MS) was supplementation to the ewes in the first third of gestation with 1.61% Ca salts of palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) or Ca salts enriched with eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) to early pregnant ewes. The second factor (offspring supplementation; OS) was to supplement the offspring during their growing phase with diets that contained 1.48% of PFAD or Ca salts of PFAD or EPA and DHA. Ewes were housed in groups, 3 ewes per pen and 12 pens per treatment, with different treatments until day 50 of gestation. From day 51 of gestation until weaning, all the animals (ewes and lambs) were housed in a common pen. After weaning, lambs were housed in group pens (5 pens per treatment, 3 to 5 per pen). The lambs ran maze tests on weeks 5 and 7 after weaning to evaluate cognitive ability. The maze contained 2 trap zones and had the pen conspecific lambs at the end of the maze. The measurements were the times to solve the traps and the total time to complete the maze. Data were analyzed using a mixed procedure considering the 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. There was an MS × OS × time interaction for the time to complete the maze (P = 0.02). Lambs receiving a different type of fatty acid supplementation during gestation than postweaning took less time to complete the maze on the second relative to the first day compared with the lambs fed the same type of fatty acids during gestation and growing. In conclusion, combining different fatty acids during different life stages may improve lambs’ cognitive abilities.
Identification and Characterization of Bipolaris secalis and B. setariae Associated with Brown Stripe Disease on Saccharum officinarum in Yunnan, China
Authors: Li Jie , Wang Xiao-Yan , Zhang Rong-Yue , Shan Hong-Li , Li Yin-Hu , Wang Chang-Mi , Huang Ying-Kun
Published: October 2024

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is the most important sugar crop that belongs to the Poaceae family and is mainly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Brown stripe disease is a common and serious foliar fungal disease of sugarcane and has become a serious threat to sugarcane production in China. Yunnan Province is the second-largest sugar base in China. From 2022 to 2023, brown stripe-like symptoms from different sugarcane variety were observed in Yunnan. Thirty-nine Bipolaris-like isolates were obtained from symptomatic leaves of different sugarcane varieties and characterized by means of morphological identification combined with multilocus phylogeny comprising internal transcribed spacer rDNA (ITS), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and the translation elongation factor-1α (TEF-1α) gene sequence date. The analysis provided strong support for the delineation and identification of two Bipolaris species associated with sugarcane brown stripe, including Bipolaris secalis and B. setariae. Pathogenicity text in potted sugarcane plants confirmed that these two Bipolaris species can cause brown stripe of sugarcane, thus fulfilling Koch’s postulates. This study confirmed that B. secalis and B. setariae were the pathogens of brown stripe in Yunnan Province. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first to report B. secalis as causal agents of brown stripe of sugarcane. Collectively, this finding provides a basis for sugarcane brown stripe disease accurate diagnosis and would be helpful to the development of effective management strategies.
Genome resource announcement for emerging pathogen Bipolaris gigantea, isolated from Microstegium vimineum
Authors: Adhikari Ashish , Fulton James C. , Lane Brett , Brawner Jeremy T. , Rollins Jeffery , Harmon Philip F. , Goss Erica M.
Published: October 2024

Bipolaris gigantea is a pathogen of the invasive grass Microstegium vimineum and an emerging pathogen of other hosts such as hemp and barley, causing characteristic eyespot foliar lesions. The fungus is characterized by long pale hyaline conidia measuring about 300 to 350 μm. Previously, this pathogen was classified in the Drechslera genus, and recently reassigned as Bipolaris based on molecular identification. Here, we generated a high-quality draft genome sequence of B. gigantea isolate BGF using long and short read DNA sequencing. The assembled genome, 30.23 Mb in size with a BUSCO completeness score of 98.4%, exhibited synteny with the common grass pathogen B. sorokiniana isolate 10943. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) analyses revealed high sequence identity with B. gigantea isolates from Cannabis sativa fields in Kentucky. This research provides a genomic resource that will contribute to future studies to understand the host range evolution and pathogenicity of this novel pathogen.
Identifying Factors for Predicting Postoperative Segmental Motor Paralysis in Patients Undergoing Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery
Authors: Onuma Hiroaki , Hirai Takashi , Sakai Kenichiro , Hashimoto Motonori , Inose Hiroyuki , Yamada Kentaro , Matsukura Yu , Morishita Shingo , Egawa Satoru , Hashimoto Jun , Sakaeda Kentaro , Tamura Satoshi , Torigoe Ichiro , Tomori Masaki , Sakaki Kyohei , Kobayashi Yutaka , Otani Kazuyuki , Kusano Kazuo , Miyake Norihiko , Yamada Tsuyoshi , Ushio Shuta , Shindo Shigeo , Arai Yoshiyasu , Okawa Atsushi , Yoshii Toshitaka
Published: October 2024

Study Design.

Retrospective cohort study.

Objective.

To investigate the incidence of and risk factors for segmental motor paralysis after anterior cervical spine surgery.

Summary of Background Data.

Segmental motor paralysis is a potential complication following both anterior and posterior cervical decompression procedures; however, previous studies investigating risk factors for segmental motor paralysis after anterior cervical spine surgery were limited by small sample sizes. Consequently, the exact pathogenesis and risk factors for this complication remain poorly understood, highlighting the need for larger-scale investigations focused exclusively on anterior cervical spine surgeries.

Materials and Methods.

We retrospectively reviewed the clinico-demographic and operative factors and postoperative outcomes of 1428 patients undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery at three spine centers in Japan. Postoperative segmental motor paralysis was defined as deterioration of upper extremity muscle strength by ≥1 grade; recovery was defined as a return to preoperative muscle strength levels. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors.

Results.

Ninety-nine patients (6.9%) developed segmental motor paralysis, mostly involving the C5 segment (81.8%), the incidence being highest in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and those undergoing anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion or hybrid fusion (discectomy + corpectomy). Older age, male sex, higher body mass index, OPLL, and cervical corpectomy were independent risk factors for paralysis, with these patients having significantly worse clinical outcomes at 1 year postoperatively. Most patients (74/99, 79.6%) regained preoperative muscle strength levels at a final follow-up.

Conclusion.

This study identified important clinico-demographic and operative risk factors for segmental motor paralysis after anterior cervical spine surgery. Patients undergoing corpectomy, with or without OPLL, were found to be at particularly high risk. While most patients recover well, worse outcomes with segmental motor paralysis highlight the importance of preventing this complication, particularly for OPLL patients and corpectomy procedures.

Level of Evidence.

Level III.
A Case of Nonsmoker Pulmonary Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis With Multiple Pulmonary Nodules Disappeared and Appeared
Authors: Ueno Midori , Oku Haruka , Todoroki Yo , Murakami Yu , Hayashida Yoshiko , Yamasaki Kei , Yatera Kazuhiro , Katafuchi Eisuke , Shimajiri Shohei , Aoki Takatoshi
Published: October 2024

We present a non-smoker woman in her 40s with PLCH who presented with atypical imaging findings of multiple pulmonary noncavitary nodules without air cysts with repeated waxing and waning.
Invasive Pulmonary Infection of Malassezia Species in a Patient With Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Yamada Aya , Nishimoto Yuko , Taiji Ryosuke , Kameda Arisa , Fujimoto Kosuke , Koyama Fumikazu , Nishihara Yuji , Kasahara Kei , Takeda Maiko , Okada Fumi , Watanabe Akira , Marugami Nagaaki , Tanaka Toshihiro
Published: October 2024

Malassezia species are lipophilic yeasts recognized for causing skin manifestations, such as pityriasis versicolor. In addition, Malassezia can lead to invasive infection, mostly intravascular catheter-associated sepsis-related lipid-containing total parenteral nutrition in neonates and immunocompromised hosts. We experienced a case of invasive pulmonary Malassezia infection in a patient with refractory ulcerative colitis undergoing immunosuppressive treatment without lipid-containing total parenteral nutrition. Computed tomography (CT) images showed multiple lung nodules with CT halo signs. Finally, he underwent a partial right middle lobectomy and was diagnosed with invasive pulmonary malasseziosis through a genetic analysis. Multiple lung nodules on CT images may be found in invasive pulmonary malasseziosis in immunosuppressed patients with a central venous catheter.
Neighborhood Disadvantage Predicts Delay in Care in Bilateral Breast Reduction
Authors: Zeyl Victoria G. , Rivera Perla Krissia M. , Mehrzad Raman , Lim Rachel , Slate-Romano John J. , Liu Paul Y. , Kwan Daniel K.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The Area Deprivation Index (ADI) is a validated quantifiable measure of neighborhood disadvantage and social determinants of health (SDoH). Higher percentiles in ADI correlate with the most disadvantaged neighborhoods: lower income, lower education, and less access to transportation. Using ADI, we aimed to investigate the impact of SDoH on bilateral breast reduction (BBR) complication rates.

Methods

A retrospective study of BBR patients from 2015 to 2021 was conducted. Patient addresses were matched to ADI percentiles and grouped into most (top 80% ADI) and least disadvantaged. Multivariable regressions were used to compare postoperative treatment between groups and adjust for confounders.

Results

In total, 568 patients were analyzed and 47% were high ADI. Time-to-event analysis revealed a 155% (β = 2.55; CI, 1.87–3.48; P < 0.001) increase in time to presentation for treatment of wound-related complications among higher-deprivation patients compared to their lower-deprivation counterparts. This difference in time to presentation equated to approximately 3 days overall when comparing higher to lower deprivation patients; however, this difference between the groups increased to 12 days when comparing those who experienced wound-related complications beyond day 30.

Conclusions

High deprivation was associated with increased delays to treatment after complications. More research is needed to determine the factors that impact postoperative courses among high ADI patients.
Expanding Human Breg for Cellular Therapy in Transplantation: Time for Translation
Authors: McNee Adam , Kannan Ananya , Jull Patrick , Shankar Sushma
Published: October 2024

Regulatory B cells (Breg) are instrumental in protecting allografts in transplantation. Breg signatures are identified in operationally tolerant human kidney transplant recipients and can predict organ survival and acute rejection. Animal models of transplantation and autoimmunity support the use of Breg as an adoptive cellular therapy. Detailed mechanistic studies have identified multiple signaling pathways utilized by Breg in their induction, expansion, and downstream function. These preclinical studies provide the guiding principles, which will inform protocols by which to expand this crucial immunoregulatory population before clinical use. There is an urgent need for novel therapies to improve long-term transplant outcomes and to minimize immunosuppression-related morbidity including life-threatening infection and cancer. Systematic evaluation of the signals, which drive Breg expansion, will be key to transforming the as of yet unharnessed potential of this potent immunoregulatory cell. In this review, we explore the potential avenues of translating Breg subsets from cell culture at the laboratory bench to cell therapy at the patient’s bedside. We will discuss the standardization of Breg phenotypes to aid in precursor population selection and quality control of a Breg-cell therapy product. We will evaluate avenues by which to optimize protocols to drive human Breg expansion to levels sufficient for cellular therapy. Finally, we will examine the steps required in process development including scalable culture systems and quality control measures to deliver a viable Breg-cell therapy product for administration to a transplant recipient.
Why the Fermi paradox may not be well explained by Wong and Bartlett’s theory of civilization collapse. A Comment on: 'Asymptotic burnout and homeostatic awakening: a possible solution to the Fermi paradox?' (2022) by Wong and Bartlett
Authors: Jackson Chris J. , Criado-Perez Christian
Published: October 2024

Wong and Bartlett explain the Fermi paradox by arguing that neither human nor extra-terrestrial civilizations can escape the time window singularity which, they claim, results from the way in which social characteristics of civilizations follow super-linear growth curves of cities. We question if data at the city level necessarily can lead to conclusions at the civilization level. More specifically, we suggest ways in which learnings from research, foresight, diversity and effective future government might act outside of their model to regulate super-linear growth curves of civilizations, and thus substantively increase the likelihood of civilizations progressing towards higher levels of the Kardashev scale. Moreover, we believe their claimed history of the collapse of terrestrial societies used to evidence their model is difficult to justify. Overall, we cast reasonable doubt on the ability of their proposed model to satisfactorily explain the Fermi paradox.
Flavobacterium capsici sp. nov., isolated from the rhizospheric soils of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)
Authors: Cho Dong Hyun , Peng Yuxin , Humaira Zalfa , Park Yu Lim , Kim Hyun Jung , Jeong Rae-Dong , Kim Cha Young , Lee Jiyoung
Published: October 2024

Two separate bacterial strains, PMTSA4T and PMR2A8, were isolated from the rhizospheric soils of bell pepper plants grown in a plant nursery. These strains are Gram-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped and grow in aerobic conditions. They exhibit a positive reaction for catalase activity but negative results for oxidase activity. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strains PMTSA4T and PMR2A8 are closely related to Flavobacterium piscinae ICH-30T (95.6%, respectively), Flavobacterium ahnfeltiae 10Alg 130T (95.5%) and Flavobacterium maris KMM 9535T (95.3%), aligning them within the genus Flavobacterium. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values and average nucleotide identities (ANIs) of the whole-genome sequences for the two strains and related Flavobacterium species were significantly below the established thresholds for prokaryotic species delineation (<70% for dDDH and <95% for ANI). The observed values were as follows: Flavobacterium aquatile LMG 4008T (dDDH: 19.8% and ANI: 75.5%), F. piscinae ICH-30T (dDDH: 18.6% and ANI: 73.3%) and F. stagni WWJ 16T (dDDH: 18.5% and ANI: 72.0%). The strains have genome sizes of 3 068 185 bp and 3 068 330 bp, with a G+C content of 32.5 mol%. In phenotypic characterization, the new strains grew at 10–35 °C and tolerated up to 4% NaCl at pH 5–9 (optimum pH 8). The predominant cellular fatty acids were observed to be iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH and iso-C15:0 3-OH. Menaquinone-6 was the predominant quinone. Considering the results from phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and genomic analyses, it is proposed that the strains PMTSA4T and PMR2A8 represent a novel species within the genus Flavobacterium.
Cell type-specific driver lines targeting theDrosophilacentral complex and their use to investigate neuropeptide expression and sleep regulation
Authors: Wolff Tanya , Eddison Mark , Chen Nan , Nern Aljoscha , Sundaramurthi Preeti , Sitaraman Divya , Rubin Gerald M
Published: October 2024

The central complex (CX) plays a key role in many higher-order functions of the insect brain including navigation and activity regulation. Genetic tools for manipulating individual cell types, and knowledge of what neurotransmitters and neuromodulators they express, will be required to gain mechanistic understanding of how these functions are implemented. We generated and characterized split-GAL4 driver lines that express in individual or small subsets of about half of CX cell types. We surveyed neuropeptide and neuropeptide receptor expression in the central brain using fluorescentin situhybridization. About half of the neuropeptides we examined were expressed in only a few cells, while the rest were expressed in dozens to hundreds of cells. Neuropeptide receptors were expressed more broadly and at lower levels. Using our GAL4 drivers to mark individual cell types, we found that 51 of the 85 CX cell types we examined expressed at least one neuropeptide and 21 expressed multiple neuropeptides. Surprisingly, all co-expressed a small neurotransmitter. Finally, we used our driver lines to identify CX cell types whose activation a)ects sleep, and identified other central brain cell types that link the circadian clock to the CX. The well-characterized genetic tools and information on neuropeptide and neurotransmitter expression we provide should enhance studies of the CX.
Wag31, a membrane tether, is crucial for lipid homeostasis in mycobacteria
Authors: Kapoor Yogita , Khurana Himani , Dutta Debatri , Chakraborty Arnab , Priya Anshu , Singh Archana , Kamat Siddhesh S. , Dhar Neeraj , Pucadyil Thomas J. , Nandicoori Vinay Kumar
Published: October 2024

The mycobacterial cytoskeletal protein Wag31 is necessary for maintaining cell shape and directing cellular growth and elongation. Wag31 has a characteristic N-terminal DivIVA-domain and a C-terminal coiled-coil domain. While the role of Wag31 in polar elongation is known, there is limited mechanistic insight on how it orchestrates growth and elongation. In this report, we delineate roles of the N- and C-terminal domains of Wag31 using genetics, state-of-the-art multi-omics, biochemical, and imaging approaches. We show that Wag31 predominantly interacts with several membrane-associated proteins involved in lipid metabolism, cell wall synthesis and division. Native levels of Wag31 are critical for the maintenance and distribution of membrane lipids. Both depletion and overexpression of Wag31 perturbs lipid homeostasis, leading to the formation of intracellular lipid inclusions (ILIs). Protein-lipid crosslinking and imaging studies reveal that purified Wag31 can bind and effectively tether Cardiolipin (CL)-containing liposomes. We further show that the tethering activity lies in the DivIVA-domain containing N-terminal of Wag31 while the C-terminal mediates protein-protein interactions of Wag31. Despite retaining its ability to interact with partner proteins, the DivIVA domain-deleted Wag31 mutant shows defects in liposome tetheringin vitroand non-polar localization of CLin vivo, which eventually causes lethality. Our study suggests that membrane tethering ‘licenses’ Wag31 to form scaffolds that help orchestrate protein-lipid and protein-protein interactions necessary for mycobacterial growth and survival.
Generation and analysis of a mouse multitissue genome annotation atlas
Authors: Adams Matthew , Vollmers Christopher
Published: October 2024

Generating an accurate and complete genome annotation for an organism is complex because the cells within each tissue can express a unique set of transcript isoforms from a unique set of genes. A comprehensive genome annotation should contain information on what tissues express what transcript isoforms at what level. This tissue-level isoform information can then inform a wide range of research questions as well as experiment designs. Long-read sequencing technology combined with advanced full-length cDNA library preparation methods has now achieved throughput and accuracy where generating these types of annotations is achievable. Here, we show this by generating a genome annotation of the mouse (Mus musculus). We used the nanopore-based R2C2 long-read sequencing method to generate 64 million highly accurate full-length cDNA consensus reads—averaging 5.4 million reads per tissue for a dozen tissues. Using the Mandalorion tool, we processed these reads to generate the Tissue-level Atlas of Mouse Isoforms which is available as a trackhub for the UCSC Genome Browser and contains at least one full-length isoform for the vast majority of expressed genes in each tissue.
Constraints for scalars and pseudoscalars from
(g−2)l
and existing
e+e−
colliders
Authors: Pustyntsev Aleksandr , Vanderhaeghen Marc
Published: October 2024

Scalars and pseudoscalars with masses in the MeV–GeV range are of interest in different extensions of the Standard Model. Such particles are often associated with dark matter, the strong CP problem, and the (g−2)μ anomaly. In this work we investigate limits for masses of such particles and their couplings to photons and leptons which can be derived from present and currently operating e+e− collider experiments and recent (g−2)l measurements. Our work expands upon previous studies in several ways, demonstrating that the interplay of both couplings is a decisive factor in these type of analyses.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Scant evidence for thawing quintessence
Authors: Wolf William J. , García-García Carlos , Bartlett Deaglan J. , Ferreira Pedro G.
Published: October 2024

New constraints on the expansion rate of the Universe seem to favor evolving dark energy in the form of thawing quintessence models, i.e., models for which a canonical, minimally coupled scalar field has, at late times, begun to evolve away from potential energy domination. We scrutinize the evidence for thawing quintessence by exploring what it predicts for the equation of state. We show that, in terms of the usual Chevalier-Polarski-Linder parameters, (w0, wa), thawing quintessence is, in fact, only marginally consistent with a compilation of the current data. Despite this, we embrace the possibility that thawing quintessence is dark energy and find constraints on the microphysics of this scenario. We do so in terms of the effective mass m2 and energy scale V0 of the scalar field potential. We are particularly careful to enforce uninformative, flat priors on these parameters so as to minimize their effect on the final posteriors. While the current data favors a large and negative value of m2, when we compare these models to the standard ΛCDM model we find that there is scant evidence for thawing quintessence.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Generalized Langevin dynamics for single beads in linear elastic networks
Authors: Shinkai Soya , Onami Shuichi , Miyaguchi Tomoshige
Published: October 2024

We derive generalized Langevin equations (GLEs) for single beads in linear elastic networks. In particular, the derivations of the GLEs are conducted without employing normal modes, resulting in two distinct representations in terms of resistance and mobility kernels. The fluctuation-dissipation relations are also confirmed for both GLEs. Subsequently, we demonstrate that these two representations are interconnected via Laplace transforms. Furthermore, another GLE is derived by utilizing a projection operator method, and it is shown that the equation obtained through the projection scheme is consistent with the GLE with the resistance kernel. As simple examples, the general theory is applied to the Rouse model and the ring polymer, where the GLEs with the resistance and mobility kernels are explicitly derived for arbitrary positions of the tagged bead in these models. Finally, the GLE with the mobility kernel is also derived for the elastic network with hydrodynamic interactions under the pre-averaging approximation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Luttinger liquid tensor network: Sine versus tangent dispersion of massless Dirac fermions
Authors: Zakharov V. A. , Polla S. , Donís Vela A. , Emonts P. , Pacholski M. J. , Tworzydło J. , Beenakker C. W. J.
Published: October 2024

To apply the powerful many-body techniques of tensor networks to massless Dirac fermions, one wants to discretize the p·σ Hamiltonian and construct a matrix-product-operator (MPO) representation. We compare two alternative discretization schemes, one with a sine dispersion, the other with a tangent dispersion, applied to a one-dimensional Luttinger liquid with Hubbard interaction. Both types of lattice fermions allow for an exact MPO representation of low bond dimension, so they are efficiently computable, but only the tangent dispersion gives a power law decay of the propagator in agreement with the continuum limit: The sine dispersion is gapped by the interactions, evidenced by an exponentially decaying propagator. Our construction of a tensor network with an unpaired Dirac cone works around the fermion-doubling obstruction by exploiting the fact that the Hamiltonian of tangent fermions permits a generalized eigenproblem.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Electronic Band Structure of a Superconducting Nickelate Probed by the Seebeck Coefficient in the Disordered Limit
Authors: Grissonnanche G. , Pan G. A. , LaBollita H. , Segedin D. Ferenc , Song Q. , Paik H. , Brooks C. M. , Beauchesne-Blanchet E. , Santana González J. L. , Botana A. S. , Mundy J. A. , Ramshaw B. J.
Published: October 2024

Superconducting nickelates are a new family of strongly correlated electron materials with a phase diagram closely resembling that of superconducting cuprates. While analogy with the cuprates is natural, very little is known about the metallic state of the nickelates, making these comparisons difficult. We probe the electronic dispersion of thin-film superconducting five-layer (n=5) and metallic three-layer (n=3) nickelates by measuring the Seebeck coefficient S. We find a temperature-independent and negative S/T for both n=5 and n=3 nickelates. These results are in stark contrast to the strongly temperature-dependent S/T measured at similar electron filling in the cuprate La1.36Nd0.4Sr0.24CuO4. The electronic structure calculated from density-functional theory can reproduce the temperature dependence, sign, and amplitude of S/T in the nickelates using Boltzmann transport theory. This demonstrates that the electronic structure obtained from first-principles calculations provides a reliable description of the fermiology of superconducting nickelates and suggests that, despite indications of strong electronic correlations, there are well-defined quasiparticles in the metallic state. Finally, we explain the differences in the Seebeck coefficient between nickelates and cuprates as originating in strong dissimilarities in impurity concentrations. Our study demonstrates that the high elastic scattering limit of the Seebeck coefficient reflects only the underlying band structure of a metal, analogous to the high magnetic field limit of the Hall coefficient. This opens a new avenue for Seebeck measurements to probe the electronic band structures of relatively disordered quantum materials.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The role of apprenticeship in skills development of construction artisans to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8: stakeholders’ unexplored approach
Authors: Ebekozien Andrew , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis , Samsurijan Mohamad Shaharudin , Thwala Wellington Didibhuku , Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Hafez
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Studies show that apprenticeships can enhance skills development and economic growth. There is a paucity of academic literature concerning apprenticeship’s role in developing Nigerian construction artisans’ skills, especially regarding achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Thus, this study aims to appraise the role of apprenticeship in developing construction artisans’ skills and suggest measures to improve skills development for artisans’ on-the-job training mechanisms to achieve Goal 8.

Design/methodology/approach

Given the unexplored nature of the problem, the study utilised face-to-face data collection via a qualitative research approach. It covered two major cities in Nigeria and achieved saturation at the 29th chosen interviewee. Also, the study adopted a thematic method to analyse the data from selected construction artisans, construction firm management staffers and consultant experts in skills matters.

Findings

Enhancing skills development, replacing the ageing workforce through practical broad-based skills training, bridging skills gaps, enhancing work-integrated learning and economic upliftment emerged as apprenticeship’s role in developing artisans’ skills in the Nigerian built environment if well implemented. Apprenticeship to develop skills in the built environment is not without hindrances. The perceived 34 barriers were re-clustered into employee, employer and government-related. Findings show that achieving Goal 8 may be threatened if these hindrances are not mitigated. They suggest improving skills development for artisans’ on-the-job training mechanisms to achieve Goal 8.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates that apprenticeship’s role in developing construction artisans’ skills should be all-inclusive. Also, the three stakeholders must do more concerning training programmes to improve artisans’ skills development to achieve Goal 8.
Beyond influence: unraveling the complex tapestry of digital influencer dynamics in hyperconnected cultures
Authors: Gammarano Igor de Jesus Lobato Pompeu , Dholakia Nikhilesh , Arruda Filho Emílio José Montero , Dholakia Ruby Roy
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to the intricate relationship between digital influencers (DIs) and their followers, aiming to develop a comprehensive framework that explains how influence works in the digital world. It focuses on understanding the cultural aspects that shape these relationships in today’s global and digital marketplace.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a holistic methodology, intertwining historical, cultural and theoretical insights to decode the DI phenomenon. Applying a Grounded Theory approach, this paper coded articles into categories, developed abstract concepts and refined them through cycles of literature collection and analysis that allowed identifing gaps in the Influencer Marketing field. This comprehensive review and inductive analysis of globalization, mediated communication and digital interactions aim to unravel the intricacies of digital and virtual influence. This paper’s theoretical development advances propositions that dissect the facets influencing digital adoption, usage, interest and value perception, leading to a detailed model of digital influence grounded in both theory and real-world examples.

Findings

This research uncovers the significant impact DIs have, driven by global connections and the way we communicate in the digital age. Historical context situates DIs within the broader narrative of mediated persuasive communication. A preliminary typology of DIs and influence contexts forms the foundation for further exploration.

Research limitations/implications

This study enhances the discussion around DIs by considering the influence of technology and culture together. It draws from the thoughts of leading thinkers on how technology connects us, providing a strong foundation for future studies.

Practical implications

As digital influence and the surrounding technology continue to change, it’s important to think critically about these trends. This research offers valuable insights for businesses looking to navigate the digital landscape effectively, helping them make better strategic decisions about their online presence.

Originality/value

This study breaks new ground by offering a detailed categorization of DIs and proposing a fresh way to understand their role. It links important ideas from the past about persuasion through media to the current state of digital influence, offering insights into how digital trends might affect communication strategies.
Housing and social sustainability in Uganda; case of Pagirinya Refugee Settlement in Adjumani district
Authors: Elong Samuel , Mukwaya Paul Isolo , Aboda Caroline
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to respond to the need for “socially sustainable settlements for all” and the need for successful integration within the settlements through building strong social constructs among the settlers.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed methods were used in this study. A sample size of 332 households in Pagirinya Refugee Settlement was used. The settlement is divided into six blocks, each block is subdivided into clusters. Each cluster comprises of 100 households. Due to variations in the number of households in each settlement block, the authors used a proportional sampling approach to determine the number of respondent households in each settlement block. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions. Chi-square and an interdependent multivariate statistical analysis were performed to establish the relationship between housing and social sustainability.

Findings

The study finds a significant relationship between housing and social sustainability when considered jointly on the variables of roofs of buildings and how often the refugee respondents meet with neighbours (p = 0.018) and when considered jointly on the variables of the width of access roads and how knowledgeable the refugee respondents are about their neighbours (p = 0.018). The study also finds a significant relationship between housing and social sustainability when considered jointly on the variables of the number of direct access roads to the households and the number of friends of the refugee respondents (p = 0.019).

Originality/value

With limited literature, this is a novel approach. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous studies focused on the specifics of a building and analysed its relationship with the social dynamics, especially in settlement studies.
Exploring memorable experiences in luxury hotels
Authors: Murray Jessica C. , Harrington Robert J. , Chathoth Prakash K. , Khan M. Sajid
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore memory-dominant logic (MDL) in the luxury hotel context to assess the flow of management experience decisions to memorable experiences, which lead to guest outcomes. While research into memorable experiences has gained traction, the theoretical underpinnings of what makes an experience memorable in a luxury hotel setting are not well documented.

Design/methodology/approach

A grounded theory, qualitative methodology was used to assess MDL value transformation. Inductive methods included conducting in-depth interviews with hotel managers and analyzing social media reviews for each hotel. Guest reviews served as an indicator of memory outcomes and the counterpoint to the managerial interviews, supporting or refuting interview findings.

Findings

Key dimensions emerged, emphasizing the importance of managerial inputs to experience design, service experience attributes and memorable experience creation, demonstrating a sequence of memory-based value creation and outcomes such as positive word of mouth/electronic word of mouth (WOM/eWOM). Sentiment analysis identified attributes that appear to be a “must-have” to avoid dissatisfaction, as well as areas at risk for negative memories. Dimensions were developed into a framework using themes derived from MDL value transformation, management and consumer inputs that influence memorable experience outcomes in this context.

Research limitations/implications

The study supported the MDL theoretical framework by illustrating the flow from managerial inputs to the service experience, to elements of experience co-creation, and through to the guests’ WOM/eWOM and experience memories. The findings highlighted the symbiotic relationship between firm culture and service experience design, providing guidance for managerial practice going forward.

Originality/value

This paper uncovers major themes and dimensions identified by guests and managers as necessary in creating memorable experiences in a luxury setting and develops a framework that serves as a foundation for further study, including anteceding factors and their impact on hedonic consumption across experience domains.