bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intraspecific microbiome dynamics across the life cycle of the milkweed bugOncopeltus fasciatus
Authors: Larner Will , Thölke da Silva Grego Nádia , Panfilio Kristen A.
Published: October 2024

The microbiome is an important part of the complete nutritional and genomic profile of insects. The species-rich insect order Hemiptera (aphids, cicadas, true bugs) is highly diverse for mode of microbiome acquisition, with the conundrum that species in the seed-feeding subfamily Lygaeinae have lost obvious anatomy for housing bacteria, either in bacteriocytes or midgut crypts. Here we characterize the microbiome of the milkweed bugOncopeltus fasciatusas a tractable lygaeinid, using16S rRNAsequencing. We assess how bacterial taxa vary between the sexes and across life history stages in a controlled environment, focusing on maternal-to-embryo transmission and distinguishing egg-stage constituents that are superficial or internal (transovarially transmitted). Among a core microbiome of 28 genera, the egg stage shows the greatest diversity, with a particular expansion of the family Comamonadaceae. We also analyze inter-individual variability in nymphs and adults and validate structured, stage-specific detection of seed material. Comparative analysis identifies Rhizobium as a notable microbiome constituent in seed-feeding Hemiptera, which we had previously shown to lack nitrogen metabolism components in the genome. Overall, we provide a nuanced assessment of bacterial abundance dynamics between individuals and across the life cycle and discuss the implications for acquisition and potential relevance as nutritional endosymbionts. This will underpin comparative investigations in seed-feeding bugs and future work inO. fasciatuson tissue-specific and diet-specific microbiome profiles, including in natural populations.
Imagery priming of binocular rivalry is not a reliable metric of individual differences in the subjective vividness of visualisations
Authors: Bouyer Loren N. , Schwarzkopf Dietrich S. , Saurels Blake W. , Arnold Derek H.
Published: October 2024

Most people can imagine images that they experience within their mind’s eye. However, there are marked individual differences, with some people reporting that they are unable to construct mental images at all (aphantasics), and others who report having imagined experiences that are as realistic as seeing (hyper-phantasics). The vividness of imagined images is most often measured via subjective self-report. Chang and Pearson (2018), however, have suggested that a binocular rivalry (BR) protocol can be used as anobjectivemeasure. They found that pre-imagining a moving input could enhance performance on anobjectiveprobe detection task when probes were embedded in imagery consistent inputs, as opposed to imagery inconsistent inputs. To date, nobody has assessed if this type ofobjectiveimagery priming can be used to predict the vividness of different people’s visualisations. Here, we report that imagery priming ofobjectivesensitivity to probes within static BR inputsdoes notcorrelate with the typical ratings people use to describe the vividness of their visualisations (a between participants effect). However,objectivepriming of sensitivity to probes embedded in BR inputs was greater on trials when participants reported that their pre-imagined experience had been relatively vivid (a within participants effect). Overall, our data suggest that while imagery can prime objective sensitivity to probes during BR, there is currently no strong evidence that this effect can be used as an objective method of predicting the subjective vividness of different people’s visualisations.

Highlights

➢

There are marked individual differences in the subjective intensity of visual imagery

➢

Most measures of the subjective intensity of visual imagery are subjective

➢

A binocular rivalry probe-detection protocol has been suggested as an objective measure

➢

The authors find that there is only a very small predictive relationship between outcomes in a binocular rivalry task and participant’s reported imagery strength

➢

We still lack an objective measure that reliably predicts the subjective intensity of visual imagery
Rare diseases load through the study of a regional population
Authors: Michel Élisa , Moreau Claudia , Gagnon Laurence , Leblanc Josianne , Tardif Jessica , Girard Lysanne , Mathieu Jean , Gagnon Cynthia , Desmeules Mathieu , Brisson Jean-Denis , Bouchard Luigi , Girard Simon L.
Published: October 2024

Rare genetic diseases impact many people worldwide and are challenging to diagnose. In this study, we introduce a novel regional population cohort approach to identify pathogenic variants that occur more frequently within specific populations and are of clinical interest. We utilized a cohort from Quebec, including the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, which is known for its founder effect and higher frequency of certain pathogenic variants. By analyzing both the frequency of these variants and their origin through shared identical-by-descent segments, we validated 38 variants previously reported as being more common due to the founder effect. Additionally, we identified 42 unreported founder variants in Quebec or the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, some with carrier rates estimates as high as 1/22. We also observed a greater deleterious mutational load for the studied variants in individuals from the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean compared to other urban Quebec regions. These findings were brought to the clinic where 12 pathogenic variants were detected in patients, including 3 that are responsible for very severe diseases and could be considered for inclusion in a carrier test for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean population. This study highlights the potential underestimation of rare disease prevalence and presents a population-based approach that could aid clinicians in their diagnostic efforts and patients’ management.
Impact of a Clinical Orientation Programme as perceived by new entrant international medical graduate resident doctors partaking in the programme: Results from an NHS district hospital survey
Authors: Quadery Syed Rehan , John Thomas , Winn Simon
Published: October 2024

Background

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) constitute 40% of the NHS resident doctor workforce. However, there is no documented clinical orientation programme (COP) facilitating their transition into the workplace. We developed and implemented a structured COP to support new entrant IMGs.

Method

Survey data was collected from new entrant IMGs in medicine who completed the COP between December 2017 and December 2019. In addition, formal feedback was collected from supervising registrars during the COP period. Data was analysed, and a framework was developed to assess impact using realist evaluation.

Results

97% (31of 32) of IMGs completed the survey. Results revealed 84% were satisfied with the programme, 81% felt confident they were prepared to begin clinical posts at completion of the programme, and 90% would recommend this programme. In addition, the overall comments from the IMGs were positive and supportive of the COP. Moreover, feedback from supervising registrars was complementary. It was seen that 87% of IMGs remained Trust employees with a mean tenure of 13 months. Of those eligible, 90% completed their annual appraisal.

Conclusion

This report confirms that Trust in this COP results in a high degree of satisfaction, workforce retention and performance of new entrant IMGs. Larger scale implementation is recommended.
Molecular dynamics of the matrisome across sea anemone life history
Authors: Bergheim B. Gideon , Cole Alison G. , Rettel Mandy , Stein Frank , Redl Stefan , Hess Michael W. , Ikmi Aissam , Özbek Suat
Published: October 2024

The evolutionary expansion of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules has been crucial for the establishment of cell adhesion and the transition from unicellular to multicellular life. Members of the pre-bilaterian phylum cnidaria offer an exceptionally rich perspective into the metazoan core adhesome and its original function in developmental and morphogenetic processes. Here, we present the ensemble of ECM proteins and associated factors for the starlet sea anemoneNematostella vectensisbased onin silicoprediction and quantitative proteomic analysis of decellularized mesoglea from different life stages. The integration of the matrisome with single cell transcriptome atlases reveals thatNematostella’scomplex ECM is predominantly produced by gastrodermal cells, confirming the homology of the cnidarian inner cell layer with bilaterian mesoderm. The transition from larva to polyp is characterized by an upregulation of metalloproteases and basement membrane components including all members of an unusually diversified SVEP1/Polydom family, suggesting massive epithelial remodeling. The enrichment of Wnt/PCP pathway factors during this process further indicates directed cell rearrangements as a key contributor to the polyp’s morphogenesis. Mesoglea maturation in adult polyps involves wound response proteins suggesting similar molecular patterns in growth and regeneration. Our study identifies conserved matrisomal networks that coordinate transitions inNematostella’slife history.
Stratified analysis identifies HIF-2αas a therapeutic target for highly immune-infiltrated melanomas
Authors: Huang Amy Y. , Burke Kelly P. , Porter Ryan , Meiger Lynn , Fatouros Peter , Yang Jiekun , Robitschek Emily , Vokes Natalie , Ricker Cora , Rosado Valeria , Tarantino Giuseppe , Chen Jiajia , Aprati Tyler J. , Glettig Marc C. , He Yiwen , Wang Cassia , Fu Doris , Ho Li-Lun , Galani Kyriakitsa , Freeman Gordon J. , Buchbinder Elizabeth I. , Hodi F. Stephen , Kellis Manolis , Boland Genevieve M. , Sharpe Arlene H. , Liu David
Published: October 2024

While immune-checkpoint blockade (ICB) has revolutionized treatment of metastatic melanoma over the last decade, the identification of broadly applicable robust biomarkers has been challenging, driven in large part by the heterogeneity of ICB regimens and patient and tumor characteristics. To disentangle these features, we performed a standardized meta-analysis of eight cohorts of patients treated with anti-PD-1 (n=290), anti-CTLA-4 (n=175), and combination anti-PD-1/anti-CTLA-4 (n=51) with RNA sequencing of pre-treatment tumor and clinical annotations. Stratifying by immune-high vs -low tumors, we found that surprisingly, high immune infiltrate was a biomarker for response to combination ICB, but not anti-PD-1 alone. Additionally, hypoxia-related signatures were associated with non-response to anti-PD-1, but only amongst immune infiltrate-high melanomas. In a cohort of scRNA-seq of patients with metastatic melanoma, hypoxia also correlated with immunosuppression and changes in tumor-stromal communication in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Clinically actionable targets of hypoxia signaling were also uniquely expressed across different cell types. We focused on one such target, HIF-2α, which was specifically upregulated in endothelial cells and fibroblasts but not in immune cells or tumor cells. HIF-2αinhibition, in combination with anti-PD-1, enhanced tumor growth control in pre-clinical models, but only in a more immune-infiltrated melanoma model. Our work demonstrates how careful stratification by clinical and molecular characteristics can be leveraged to derive meaningful biological insights and lead to the rational discovery of novel clinical targets for combination therapy.
Tethered exosomes containing MT1-MMP contribute to extracellular matrix degradation during breast cancer progression
Authors: Palmulli Roberta , Jackson Hannah K. , Edgar James R.
Published: October 2024

For cancer cells to escape from the primary tumor and metastasize, they must degrade and navigate through the extracellular matrix (ECM). The transmembrane protease MT1-MMP plays a key role in localized matrix degradation, and its overexpression promotes cancer invasion. In this study, we demonstrate that MT1- MMP is trafficked to the intraluminal vesicles of multivesicular endosomes, and subsequently released from cells on exosomes, a subtype of extracellular vesicle that can be retained to the surface of the originating cell by the anti-viral restriction factor, tetherin. While tetherin overexpression is linked to increased cell migration and invasion in various cancers, its role in these processes remains unclear. Our findings reveal that expression of tetherin by breast cancer cells promotes the retention of MT1-MMP-positive exosomes at their cell surface, while tetherin loss enhances exosome escape and impairs ECM degradation. Thus, tethered exosomes promote the retention of MT1-MMP at the surface of cells, aiding the degradation of the ECM and promoting cancer cell invasion.
Quantification of the effect of hemodynamic occlusion in two-photon imaging
Authors: Yogesh Baba , Heindorf Matthias , Jordan Rebecca , Keller Georg B.
Published: October 2024

The last few years have seen an explosion in the number of tools available to measure neuronal activity using fluorescence imaging (Chen et al., 2013; Feng et al., 2019; Jing et al., 2019; Sun et al., 2018; Wan et al., 2021). When performed in vivo, these measurements are invariably contaminated by hemodynamic occlusion artifacts. In widefield calcium imaging, this problem is well recognized. For two-photon imaging, however, the effects of hemodynamic occlusion have only been sparsely characterized. Here we perform a quantification of hemodynamic occlusion effects using measurements of fluorescence changes observed with GFP expression using both widefield and two-photon imaging. We find that in many instances the magnitude of signal changes attributable to hemodynamic occlusion is comparable to that observed with activity sensors. Moreover, we find that hemodynamic occlusion effects were spatially heterogeneous, both over cortical regions and across cortical depth, and exhibited a complex relationship with behavior. Thus, hemodynamic occlusion is an important caveat to consider when analyzing and interpreting not just widefield but also two-photon imaging data.
Distinct roles of brain network flexibility in motor learning across age
Authors: Uehara Kazumasa , Hagihara Makoto , Kitajo Keiichi
Published: October 2024

Motor learning is a lifelong process, from infancy through old age. Acquiring new motor skills through repetitive practice requires adjusting motor output in response to sensory input and integrating them to facilitate learning. For this to occur, the central nervous system must flexibly predict and adapt to the dynamic interplay between sensory inputs and motor outputs. Although overall brain function changes with age, it remains unclear how neural flexibility evolves and influences motor learning ability with aging. To address this, we designed a motor learning paradigm involving both younger and older adults and quantitatively assessed neural flexibility from the perspective of functional brain networks, leveraging multichannel electroencephalography (EEG) in humans. Here we found age-related differences in motor learning properties, brain network flexibility, and their neural relationships. In younger adults, motor learning retention was associated with brain network flexibility during the preparatory period of the task. However, this association was not observed in older adults. Together, our findings establish that brain network flexibility plays a crucial role in acquiring and maintaining new motor skills in younger adults, but this relationship becomes less effective with age.
The structure of the Tad pilus alignment complex reveals a periplasmic conduit for pilus extension
Authors: Evans Sasha L. , Peretiazhko Iryna , Karnani Sahil Y. , Marmont Lindsey S. , Wheeler James H. R. , Tseng Boo Shan , Durham William M. , Whitney John C. , Bergeron Julien R. C.
Published: October 2024

The Tad (Tightadherence) pilus is a bacterial appendage implicated in bacterial virulence, cell-cell aggregation, and biofilm formation. Despite its homology to the well-characterised Type IV pilus, the structure and assembly mechanism of the Tad pilus are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the role of the protein RcpC fromPseudomonas aeruginosa. Our analyses reveal that RcpC forms a dodecameric periplasmic complex, anchored to the inner membrane by a transmembrane helix, and interacting with the outer membrane secretin RcpA. We use single-particle Cryo-EM to elucidate the structure of this RcpC dodecamer, and cell-based assays to demonstrate that the RcpC-RcpA complex is essential for Tad-mediated cell-cell aggregation. Collectively, these data demonstrate that RcpC forms the Tad pilus alignment complex, which provides a conduit across the periplasm for the Tad pilus filament to access the extracellular milieu. Our experimental data and structure-based models allow us to propose a mechanism for Tad plus assembly.
Retrograde transport of neurotrophin receptor TrkB-FL induced by excitotoxicity regulates Golgi stability and is a target for stroke neuroprotection
Authors: Esteban-Ortega Gema María , Díaz-Guerra Margarita
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Excitotoxicity, aberrant function of survival pathways dependent on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and disruption of the Golgi complex are shared pathological hallmarks of relevant chronic and acute neurological diseases, including stroke. However, precise interdependence among these mechanisms is not completely defined, a knowledge essential to develop neuroprotective strategies. For ischemic stroke, a leading cause of death, disability and dementia, promising results have been obtained by interfering excitotoxicity, major mechanism of neuronal death in the penumbra area surrounding the infarct. We are exploring neuroprotection by promotion of survival cascades dependent on BDNF binding to full-length tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB-FL) receptor, which become aberrant after excitotoxicity induction. We have previously developed a blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeable neuroprotective peptide (MTFL457) containing a TrkB-FL sequence which efficiently prevents receptor processing induced by excitotoxicity and preserves BDNF-dependent pathways in a model of ischemia, where it efficiently decreases infarct size and improves neurological outcome after stroke. In this work, using cellular and animal models, we demonstrate that excitotoxicity-induced TrkB-FL downregulation is secondary to receptor endocytosis, receptor interaction with endosomal protein hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (Hrs), retrograde transport to the Golgi and disruption of this organelle. Interestingly, peptide MTFL457efficiently interferes TrkB-FL/Hrs interaction and receptor trafficking, processes required for excitotoxic Golgi fragmentation and TrkB-FL cleavage, demonstrating a central role for TrkB-FL in the control of Golgi stability. These results also suggest the potential of peptide MTFL457to preserve function of this organelle and of critical neuronal survival pathways in stroke and, probably, other neurodegenerative diseases associated to excitotoxicity.
Motor Equivalence in Motor Awareness
Authors: Fasola J , Betka S , Faivre N , Blanke O , Kannape OA
Published: October 2024

Motor awareness (MA) describes the level of conscious access we have to the details of our movements and as such is critical to the feeling of control we maintain over our actions (sense of agency). Although our movements rely on specific sensorimotor transformations as well as distinct reference frames for the active body part, or effector, numerous studies report spatiotemporal thresholds of MA that are comparable across different effectors and tasks as well as supramodal. However, this has not been tested directly and there is currently no direct empirical support for effector-independent MA nor a description of a potentially shared underlying mechanisms. We therefore designed a goal-directed reaching paradigm that participants performed once with their upper-limbs, using a joystick, and once with their full body, by leaning and thereby displacing their center-of-mass. We assessed both MA and corrective movements for sensorimotor mismatches by providing either veridical feedback or introducing random spatial deviations. We hypothesized that changes in motor compensation and awareness, across effectors, with and without a concurrent cognitive load, would follow the same pattern of behavior if they relied on a shared underlying mechanism. Our results lend support for such an effector-independent mechanism, as we observed that MA was comparable across effectors: i) in un-deviated control trials with and without cognitive load, ii) in converging trials where the direction of the deviation corresponded to the direction of the target location, and iii) based on strongly correlated psychometric MA thresholds across effectors. At the same time, data from diverging trials, where the direction of the deviation opposed the direction of the target location, indicate that in case of conflicting information and increased kinematic task demands MA draws on effector-specific sensorimotor information, corresponding to performance differences between hand and full body movements observed in baseline blind-reaching versus visually guided reaching. Overall, our findings provide a direct link between low-level sensorimotor transformations and abstract motor representations and their role in MA, consolidating a gap in conceptual frameworks of the sense of agency.
Ninjurin-1 mediated plasma membrane rupture is a two-step process requiring cell swelling
Authors: Hartenian Ella , Bernard Elliott M. , Ammirati Giulia , Monnier Sylvain , Leloup Hubert B. , Agustoni Magalie , Bissegger Lukas , Santos José Carlos , Mari Stefania , Sieben Christian , Petrilli Virginie , Müller Daniel , Broz Petr
Published: October 2024

Plasma membrane rupture (PMR) and the release of cytosolic content are hallmarks of necrotic cell death. The plasma membrane protein ninjurin-1 (NINJ1) actively promotes cell lysis by polymerizing into membrane embedded filaments that induce the formation of large plasma membrane lesions. Yet the signals controlling NINJ1 polymerization and the opening of membrane lesions remain unknown. Here we combine cell biology and biophysical measurements to characterize the steps preceding NINJ1-induced PMR in cells undergoing ferroptosis. Our results show that NINJ1 lesions form through a 2-step mechanism requiring oligomerization, which is triggered by signal 1, and subsequent lesion opening driven by signal 2, which we determine to be cell swelling without a concomitant increase in intracellular pressure. The close homologue NINJ2 polymerizes with similar kinetics to NINJ1 but fails to form lesions during cell swelling, further highlighting that oligomerization and PMR are distinct events. Chimeras between NINJ1 and NINJ2 show that the unstructured N-terminal region of NINJ1 controls lesion opening in response to cell swelling. In summary, our data establish a new 2-step model for NINJ1-driven necrosis in which initial oligomerization causes the formation of NINJ1 filaments that serve as ‘weak links’ in the plasma membrane and can break once cell swelling causes a rise in membrane tension and mechanical stress.
Ephrin-mediated dendrite-dendrite repulsion regulates compartment-specific targeting of dendrites in the central nervous system
Authors: Deng Xiaobing , Zhu Sijun
Published: October 2024

Neurons often forms synaptic contacts at specific subcellular domains to differentially regulate the activity of target neurons. However, how dendrites are targeted to specific subcellular domains of axons is rarely studied. Here we useDrosophilamushroom body out neurons (MBONs) and local dopaminergic neurons (DANs) as a model system to study how dendrites and axons are targeted to specific subcellular domains (compartments) of mushroom body axonal lobes to form synaptic contacts. We found that Ephrin-mediated dendrite-dendrite repulsion between neighboring compartments restricts the projection of MBON dendrites to their specific compartments and prevents the formation of ectopic synaptic connections with DAN axons in neighboring compartments. Meanwhile, DAN neurons in a subset of compartments may also depend on their partner MBONs for projecting their axons to a specific compartment and cover the same territory as their partner MBON dendrites. Our work reveals that compartment-specific targeting of MBON dendrites and DAN axons is regulated in part by a combination of dendrite-dendrite repulsion between neighboring compartments and dendrite-axon interactions within the same compartment.
Effects of mutant and non-mutant strains ofBacillus subtilisto produceogirifromCitrullus vulgarisseeds on their microbial diversity and physicochemical properties
Authors: Babatuyi Catherine Y. , Oyetayo Victor O , Akinyosoye Felix A
Published: October 2024

The desire for safe and natural seasoning is increasing as a result of side effects associated with artificial seasonings.Ogiri, one of such natural seasonings is a fermented product with different substrates in Africa, especially West Africa. IsolatedBacillus subtilisstrains from fermentedCitrullus vulgariswere exposed to different Ultraviolet (UV) irradiations and Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) at varying intervals of time to obtain mutant strains. Eight (8) mutant strains ofB. subtilisthat produced high D-ribose metabolites were used for controlled starter-fermentation ofC. vulgarisfor 5 days to produceogiri. The non-mutant (NMS00) and the market (RTE00) served as control samples. Microbial ecology (load and occurrence) and colour characteristics of the samples were determined. The pH increased with the fermentation period from 4.08 ± 0.01 to 9.86 ± 0.01, while the total titratable acidity fluctuated with the fermentation days. The microbial count increased from 1.0 × 103cfu/g to 5.2 × 104cfu/g.B. subtiliswas mainly isolated fromogirisamples fermented with mutant strains, while other microorganisms were isolated from samples NMS00 and RTE00. Sample fermented with a mutant strain ofB. subtilisexposed to inoculating chamber UV light for 90 sec (MIC67) was closer to sample RTE00 in colour measurements. Some of theogiriproduced from mutant strains ofB. subtilishad improved colour characteristics and were not characterized by spoilage or pathogenic microorganisms associated with the market sample. Therefore, could be incorporated into food systems.

Importance

Genetic modification ofBacillus subtilisstrains for the fermentation ofCitrullus vulgarisseeds to produce a food condiment (ogiri), which modified and controlled the kind of microbial load, occurrence and isolations during the fermentation. This prevented pathogenic microorganisms’ proliferation that usually characterized traditional way of its production. The behavioural coordination of pH and the total titratable acidity during fermentation reflected on the availability of the microbial metabolism to improve the fermentation rate. Furthermore, it was revealed that the colour measurements of some samples fermented with mutant strains ofBacillus subtilis, which is usually used to determine food acceptance were improved and better than the control samples.

Introducing a natural seasoning to serve as functional food in combating the side effects of consumption of artificial seasoning linked to harmful effects that has become a global cause of health issues, which necessitated this research, aside serving as a low-cost protein substitute.
Identification of a large cohort of Enterobacter jumbo phages with broad host ranges across pathogenic Gammaproteobacteria
Authors: Kanhirun Natasha , Blanc Alisha , Aindow Ann , You Millie , Antani Jyot D , Ghatbale Pooja , Leonard Jesse , Garcia Andrew G. , Nghiem Kristin , Whiteson Katrine , Schooley Robert , Turner Paul , Pogliano Joe , Guemes Ana G. Cobian , Pride David T
Published: October 2024

ESKAPE pathogens cause most hospital-acquired infections globally and often carry antibiotic resistance. Many of them have been the target of bacteriophage therapies. Enterobacter is an ESKAPE pathogen but is less frequently a target for phage therapy due to a relative lack of available phages. We isolated eight jumbo phages with genomes ranging from 223 to 366 kbp targeting Enterobacter spp. and found that they belonged to separate phage clades. Six of them formed nucleus-like structures confirmed by DAPI-staining, and were phylogenetically related to Chimalliviridae. Two jumbo phages did not form nucleus-like structures and did not cluster with Chimalliviridae. Although these jumbo phages were found on Enterobacter, many were closely related to phages with non-Enterobacter hosts. To test whether these phages may have had expanded host ranges, we examined 14 pathogenic Gammaproteobacteria and found that these phages were capable of creating plaques on 8 of them. These species included Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, Serratia marcescens, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Providencia spp., Citrobacter spp., and Cronobacter sakazakii. We verified that there was phage amplification in these microbes rather than lysis from without by performing qPCR to confirm DNA replication in each species. Phages typically have narrow host ranges, a benefit for microbiome-sparing compared to antibiotics. However, the broad host ranges of these Gammaproteobacteria jumbo phages suggests that not all phages have the same risk/benefit ratios. While this broad range could aid their development as antibiotic alternatives, further study is needed to assess potential microbiome disruption.
Catastrophic emission of charges from near-extremal Nariai black holes
Authors: Chen Chiang-Mei , Huang Chun-Chih , Kim Sang Pyo , Wei Chun-Yu
Published: October 2024

Using both the in-out formalism and the monodromy method, we study the emission of charges from near-extremal charged Nariai black holes with the black hole event and cosmological horizons close to each other, whose near-horizon geometry is dS2×S2. The emission becomes catastrophic for a charge with energy greater than its chemical potential, whose leading exponential factor increases inversely proportional to the separation of two horizons. This effect may prevent near-extremal Nariai black holes with large charges that evaporate dominantly through the charge emission from evolving to black holes with a naked singularity, in analog to near-extremal RN-dS black holes that have the Breitenlohner-Friedman bound, below which they become stable against Hawking radiation and Schwinger effect of charge emission. The near-extremal Nariai black holes with small charges, which are close to near-extremal Schwarzschild-de Sitter black holes, emit dominantly charge-neutral particles and evolve to black holes with increasing charge to mass ratio. We illuminate the origin of the catastrophic emission in the phase-integral formulation and monodromy method by comparing near-extremal charged Nariai black holes with near-extremal Reissner-Nordtröm-dS black holes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Holographic QCD running coupling for light quarks in strong magnetic field
Authors: Aref’eva Irina Ya. , Hajilou Ali , Nikolaev Alexander , Slepov Pavel
Published: October 2024

We study the influence of magnetic field on the running coupling constant using a bottom-up holographic model. We use the boundary condition that ensures the agreement with lattice calculations of string tension between quarks at zero chemical potential. The location of the 1st order phase transitions in (μ,T)-plane does not depend on the dilaton boundary conditions. We observe that the running coupling α decreases with increasing magnetic field for the fixed values of chemical potential and temperature. At the 1st order phase transitions, the functions α undergo jumps depending on temperature, chemical potential, and magnetic field.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Identifying barriers of financial app usage and their impact on negative emotions, customer ratings and recommendation intention: a text-mining based approach
Authors: Das Sneha , Ray Arghya
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Limited studies in the mobile payment segment have attempted at understanding the factors that resist customers from using financial apps or mobile payment services (MPSs). This study aims at identifying the barriers from online customer reviews and examine how these barriers affect customers’ negative emotions (anger, fear, sadness), customer ratings and recommendation intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study, divided into three phases, has adopted a text-mining based mixed-method approach on 14,043 reviews present in Google PlayStore or App Store pages about financial apps used in India.

Findings

Phase 1 identified barriers like, “bad user experience”, “UPI failure”, “trust issues”, “transaction delays” from the reviews. Phase 2 found that “bad user experience” and “UPI failure” trigger both “anger” and “sadness”. “Transaction delays” and “money lost in transaction” stimulate “fear”. From the IRT stance, in Phase 3 this study has found that barriers like, “transaction error”, “UPI failure” (usage), “bad user experience” (image) and “trust issues” (tradition) have a significant negative impact on both customer ratings and recommendation intention.

Originality/value

The current study contributes to the existing literature on MPSs by identifying barriers from user generated content. Additionally, this study has also examined the impact of the barriers on customers’ negative emotions and recommendation intention.
The effects of service quality on relationship quality and loyalty in business-to-business electrical and electronics industry
Authors: Tangchua Pornpana , Vanichchinchai Assadej
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the relationships between service quality, relationship quality (i.e. satisfaction, trust and commitment) and loyalty in the business-to-business (B2B) context.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was developed from a comprehensive literature review. It was verified by experts and statistical techniques. The data were collected from senior purchasing officers in 232 electrical and electronics companies in Thailand. Path analysis of structural equation modeling was used to analyze the hypothesized model.

Findings

It was found that service quality has a significant positive direct effect on satisfaction, trust and commitment. Commitment significantly affects loyalty, while service quality, satisfaction and trust do not.

Originality/value

This is one of the first examples of empirical research to examine the links between service quality, components of relationship quality and loyalty in the B2B electrical and electronics context.
Continuity in public transport provision during the Covid-19 pandemic – responding to organisational and health challenges facing workers
Authors: Cullen Anne Marie , McQuaid Ronald , Hail Yvonne , Kinahan Mary , D'Alonzo Luca , Leva Maria Chiara
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper explores and analyses the major challenges faced by both customer-facing and office-based public transport employees during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic and the responses of their employers to their concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus groups were carried out, involving 39 employees and directors representing a wide range of professionals working in the transport sector in three European countries, Poland, Ireland and the UK. Data were analysed through thematic analysis and the emerging issues explored.

Findings

Major employee challenges included: access to resources for safe working; worker mental health and well-being; and the effects of changing working practices, particularly flexible working, on their wider household circumstances and work–life balance (especially combining childcare responsibilities with work). First, physical health safety measures (such as PPE) were put in place for all workers, although sometimes with delays. Second, concerning practical support for mental health and well-being at work, the findings highlight that their employers’ practical support was considered limited by some customer-facing participants. In contrast, participants working from home were offered considerably greater employer support for their well-being, including increased and regular communication regarding work and non-work-related topics to tackle isolation and lack of social interactions. Third, work–life balance, and especially childcare were significant issues for those working from home. To improve organisational resilience, employer support for workers needs to better reflect employees’ job role, work setting and location, as well as their household demands such as childcare.

Practical implications

The lessons learned from this study contribute to future employer responses and practices and their organisational resilience, both in times of major crises and also for improving mental-health and childcare support in normal times.

Originality/value

The study considers the role of employee perspectives on organisational resilience and service continuity in public transport during a crisis and in three countries. Importantly, the data were gathered contemporaneously during the early stages of the pandemic, and so are not influenced by retrospective rationalisation or uncertain recollections.
Multi-criteria decision-making model for sustainability functions integrated Industry 4.0 technologies within small and medium enterprises in emerging countries
Authors: Santos André de Mendonça , Sant'Anna Ângelo Márcio de Oliveira , Barbosa Ava Santana , Becker Adriano Machado , Ayala Néstor Fabián
Published: October 2024

Purpose

In the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) era, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face significant pressure to make their manufacturing operations more sustainable. However, SMEs often lack the knowledge and information needed to leverage I4.0 technologies for achieving sustainability. This paper aims to develop a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model to prioritize sustainability functions supported by I4.0 technologies in SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The fuzzy-DEMATEL method was developed to classify sustainability functions based on their prominence and influence, categorizing them into cause-and-effect groups. Experts in I4.0 technologies, sustainability and SMEs from Brazil were consulted during the data collection phase. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to validate the results obtained through the DEMATEL method.

Findings

The results indicate that the most prominent and influential sustainability functions include organizing production processes, employee skill development and simplifying production planning and control. Therefore, investing in I4.0 technologies to support these functions can enable SMEs to amplify the impact of their sustainability initiatives and improve operational efficiency. The authors also observed that improving quality monitoring is the primary function within the effect group.

Practical implications

This paper serves as a roadmap for SME managers seeking to enhance the effectiveness of their sustainability practices using I4.0 technologies, thereby maximizing impact while minimizing the complexity of implementation.

Originality/value

This study ranks key sustainability functions as actions and practices that SMEs can implement using I4.0 technologies to achieve sustainability. It also identifies the most prominent and influential functions managers should prioritize when investing in I4.0 technologies.
Value-in-context: co-creation across different context levels in the service ecosystem
Authors: Wieczerzycki Marcin , Ratajczak-Mrozek Milena , Hauke-Lopes Aleksandra , Colurcio Maria
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to provide in-depth insight into how value is co-created on different levels of context (i.e. dyads, triads and networks) within a service ecosystem, and thus examine the impact of indirect service-for-service exchanges on the value co-creation process, the interdependencies between different levels of context and the roles in the value co-creation process that the actors play depending on the context level.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the theoretical framework of service-dominant logic, the authors carry out a case study analysis of a service ecosystem built around a digital platform where independent confectioneries sell customised cakes to customers.

Findings

This paper provides evidence for the importance of a wider context extending beyond producer–customer dyad as well as indirect service-for-service exchanges in the process of value co-creation. This paper also conceptualises trans-contextual exchanges, that is, exchanges occurring between different context levels of the service ecosystem. The analysis also allowed us to establish that the same actors simultaneously play different roles in the service ecosystem, depending on the level of context.

Research limitations/implications

This study highlights the importance of indirect service-for-service exchanges and trans-contextual exchanges. Constituting discreet avenues of value co-creation, often obscured from a single actor of a service ecosystem, these two types of exchanges are nonetheless crucial to understanding the full scope of the ecosystem’s interconnectedness, the varying roles of its actors, as well as supporting the scaling up process of the service ecosystem.

Originality/value

Althogh there are studies examining value co-creation within wider contexts or ecosystems from the service-dominant logic perspective, usually little attention is paid to the indirect service-for-service exchanges and the interplay between different levels of context.
Corporate governance and capital market development in the GCC: a comparative literature review
Authors: Elhabib Mohamed A. Ateia
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This review provides a detailed analysis of corporate governance practices across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, focusing on board characteristics, executive remuneration, capital markets and the integration of ethical and sustainable practices. It evaluates how these governance frameworks influence market performance, investor confidence and corporate sustainability within the region.

Design/methodology/approach

The study synthesizes findings from 15 recent research studies, examining corporate governance mechanisms, board composition, executive compensation policies and their impact on market capitalization. The data were collected from major academic databases, including Google Scholar, Springer, Web of Science and Scopus.

Findings

The analysis exhibits both similarities and differences in corporate governance frameworks across GCC countries. Important findings include a universal mandate for the separation of chief executive officer (CEO) and chairman roles, varied board composition requirements and differing executive remuneration and transparency policies. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) lead in market capitalization, reflecting advanced governance practices, though disparities exist among GCC countries. The review also notes the increasing alignment of corporate governance with corporate social responsibility (CSR) principles, especially in sustainability reporting and ethical practices, highlighting a growing commitment to long-term value creation.

Originality/value

This review uniquely synthesizes recent research on GCC corporate governance, offering insights on board structures, executive pay and market dynamics with a focus on ethical and sustainable practices. It provides valuable perspectives for stakeholders, policymakers and academics interested in enhancing governance frameworks in the region while contributing to the global discourse on aligning corporate governance with sustainability standards.
Third parties’ reactions to the illegitimate tasks of coworkers
Authors: Wu Lijun , Ye Maolin , Liu Doudou , Chen Yushuai
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Previous studies have mainly focused on the negative impact of illegitimate tasks on recipients but ignored its impact on observers. Drawing on deservingness theory, this research developed a moderated serial mediation model to examine the underlying mechanism in the relationship between observed illegitimate tasks and observers’ helping behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

This research tested the model using a sample of 218 employees in China through a two-wave field study. A path analysis was conducted with the bootstrapping procedure to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

The results showed that the effect of observing illegitimate tasks was contingent upon the degree of the observer’s interpersonal liking towards the recipient. Specifically, when the observer had a high level of interpersonal liking for a coworker, the observer may perceive that the coworker was undeserving of being assigned illegitimate tasks, which increased sympathetic emotion and the sequent helping behaviour.

Originality/value

This study shifted the perspective of the illegitimate task literature from the recipient to the third parties. Additionally, it provided a finer-grained understanding of the mechanism between observed workplace disrespectful treatment and the observer’s helping behaviour.
Adaptive and predictive approaches to mitigate the impact of milk seasonality on composition, processing technologies and quality of milk powders
Authors: Hamed Ahmed M , Galli Bruno , Hogan Sean A , Abdel‐Hamid Mahmoud , Romeih Ehab
Published: October 2024

The diverse composition of milk throughout the year can potentially impact subsequent processing in the dairy industry and the quality of the final products. This fluctuation in milk composition is influenced by direct and indirect factors like seasonal variability. Milk powders are produced through a complex process and are intended for various end uses and require consistency of composition along with desirable physical and functional properties. This review aims to report technical challenges and limitations related to the functional and quality characteristics of milk powder and highlight recent approaches used to mitigate seasonally related differences in milk composition.
Quantifying the strength of firearms comparisons based on error rate studies
Authors: Aggadi Nada , Zeller Kimberley , Busey Tom
Published: October 2024

Forensic firearms and tool mark examiners compare bullets and cartridge cases to assess whether they originate from the same source or different sources. To communicate their observations, they rely on predefined conclusion scales ranging from Identification to Elimination. However, these terms have not been calibrated against the actual strength of the evidence except indirectly through error rate studies. The present research reanalyzes the findings of firearms and cartridge case comparisons from error rate studies to generate a quantitative measure of the strength of the evidence for each comparison. We use an ordered probit model to summarize the distribution of responses of examiners and aggregate the data for all comparisons to produce a set of likelihood ratios. The likelihood ratios can be as low as less than 10, which does not seem to justify the current articulation scale that may imply a strength of evidence of 10,000 or greater. This suggests that examiners are using language that overstates the strength of the evidence by several orders of magnitude.