bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution, Prevalence, and Antibiotic Resistance of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria on Hainan Island
Authors: Xu Xinru , Huang Jingjing , Wang Hongkun , Xiang Tianchen , Liu Jun , Zheng Li
Published: June 2024

Background

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) represent a diverse group of environmental mycobacteria, with certain species implicated in infections affecting multiple tissues, including the lungs. The incidence of NTM-related diseases has been on the rise globally, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to systematically investigate the ecological distribution, molecular identification, and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of NTM isolates in Hainan Island, furnishing a scientific basis for local control and prevention strategies. Methods: From 2015 to 2018, 158 suspected NTM samples were collected across 14 cities on Hainan Island. Following standardized sample processing and DNA extraction, molecular identification was conducted through PCR amplification of the rpoB and hsp65 genes, and sequencing, with species confirmation via GenBank database comparison. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to elucidate interspecies relationships and drug susceptibility testing was carried out for five antibiotics on M. abscessus isolates. Results: 118 NTM isolates were successfully identified, encompassing 24 distinct species. M. abscessus and M. intracellulare, accounting for 23.73% and 22.03% respectively, were the most prevalent. Phylogenetic analysis revealed clusters indicative of pathogenic and potentially pathogenic traits among different NTM species, with M. abscessus and M. fortuitum clustering as rapidly growing, pathogenic mycobacteria. Drug sensitivity testing indicated universal resistance of M. abscessus to doxycycline, yet high sensitivity to amikacin (71.4%) and linezolid (50.0%). Additionally, non-NTM species such as Nocardia thailandica, and Tsukamurella paurometabola were detected, suggesting potential misdiagnosis in clinical settings. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive dataset on the ecological distribution, molecular characterization, and antibiotic resistance of NTM in Hainan Island, highlighting the dominance of M. abscessus and M. intracellulare in local NTM infections.
NCOA4 initiates ferritinophagy by binding GATE16 using two highly avid short linear interaction motifs
Authors: Lee April , Davis Joseph H.
Published: June 2024

Cells carefully regulate cytosolic iron, which is a vital enzymatic cofactor, yet is toxic in excess. In mammalian cells, surplus iron is sequestered in ferritin cages that, in iron limiting conditions, are degraded through the selective autophagy pathway ferritinophagy to liberate free iron. Prior work identified the ferritinophagy receptor protein NCOA4, which links ferritin and LC3/GABARAP-family member GATE16, effectively tethering ferritin to the autophagic machinery. Here, we elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying this interaction, discovering two short linear motifs in NCOA4 that each bind GATE16 with weak affinity. These binding motifs are highly avid and, in concert, support high-affinity NCOA4•GATE16 complex formation. We further find the minimal NCOA4383-522fragment bearing these motifs is sufficient for ferritinophagy and that both motifs are necessary for this activity. This work suggests a general mechanism wherein selective autophagy receptors can distinguish between the inactive soluble pools of LC3/GABARAPs and the active membrane-conjugated forms that drive autophagy. Finally, we find that iron decreases NCOA4383-522’s affinity for GATE16, providing a plausible mechanism for iron-dependent regulation of ferritinophagy.
Metastasis-initiating osteosarcoma subpopulations establish paracrine interactions with both lung and tumor cells to create a metastatic niche
Authors: Reinecke James B. , Saraf Amanda , Hinckley John , Gross Amy C. , Pommellette Helene Le , Garcia Leyre Jimenez , Cam Maren , Cannon Matthew V. , Vatelle Sophia , Gryder Berkley E. , Dries Ruben , Roberts Ryan D.
Published: June 2024

Osteosarcoma is an aggressive and deadly bone tumor, primarily afflicting children, adolescents, and young adults. Poor outcomes for osteosarcoma patients are intricately linked with the development of lung metastasis. While lung metastasis is responsible for nearly all deaths caused by osteosarcoma, identification of biologically defined, metastasis-targeting therapies remains elusive because the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern metastatic colonization of circulating tumor cells to the lung remains poorly understood. While thousands of tumor cells are released into circulation each day, very few can colonize the lung. Herein, using a combination of a novel organotypic metastasisin vitromodel, single-cell RNA sequencing, human xenograft, and murine immunocompetent osteosarcoma models, we find that metastasis is initiated by a subpopulation of hypo-proliferative cells with the unique capacity to sustain production of metastasis promoting cytokines such as IL6 and CXCL8 in response to lung-epithelial derived IL1α. Critically, genomic and pharmacologic disruption of IL1 signaling in osteosarcoma cells significantly reduces metastatic progression. Collectively, our study supports that tumor-stromal interactions are important for metastasis, and suggests that metastatic competency is driven, in part, by the tumor cell’s ability to respond to the metastatic niche. Our findings support that disruption of tumor-stromal signaling is a promising therapeutic approach to disrupt metastasis progression.
Age-associated increased stiffness of the ovarian microenvironment impairs follicle development and oocyte quality and rapidly alters follicle gene expression
Authors: Pietroforte Sara , Plough Makenzie , Amargant Farners
Published: June 2024

In humans, aging triggers cellular and tissue deterioration, and the female reproductive system is the first to show signs of decline. Reproductive aging is associated with decreased ovarian reserve, decreased quality of the remaining oocytes, and decreased production of the ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone. With aging, both mouse and human ovaries become pro-fibrotic and stiff. However, whether stiffness directly impairs ovarian function, folliculogenesis, and oocyte quality is unknown. To answer this question, we cultured mouse follicles in alginate gels that mimicked the stiffness of reproductively young and old ovaries. Follicles cultured in stiff hydrogels exhibited decreased survival and growth, decreased granulosa cell viability and estradiol synthesis, and decreased oocyte quality. We also observed a reduction in the number of granulosa cell-oocyte transzonal projections. RNA sequencing revealed early changes in the follicle transcriptome in response to stiffness. Follicles cultured in a stiff environment had lower expression of genes related to follicle development and greater expression of genes related to inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling than follicles cultured in a soft environment. Altogether, our findings suggest that ovarian stiffness directly modulates folliculogenesis and contributes to the progressive decline in oocyte quantity and quality observed in women of advanced maternal age.
Regional dynamics in the evapotranspiration components, crop coefficients and water productivity in vineyards in the Barossa Valley
Authors: Phogat V. , Collins C.
Published: June 2024

Estimation of water balance components, water stress and crop coefficients at different spatial scale are crucial for understanding regional dynamics in irrigation requirement and crop water use. We estimated these parameters for irrigated vineyards over 3 consecutive seasons (2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21) at 48 locations in the Barossa region, South Australia. We used FAO-56 dual crop coefficient approach by integrating relevant data for soil, crop, and climate parameters from the study sites. Numerous statistical error estimates, and efficiency parameters were estimated to compare and verify the predictions by FAO-56 approach. Results show a huge variability in the irrigation, water balance parameters, crop and water stress coefficients, and water productivity parameters. For instance, a coefficient of variation ranging from 20 to 97% was observed in daily and seasonal actual ET (ETcact) across different sites and seasons. Average actual transpiration (Tpact) and evaporation (Es) account for around 65 and 35% of theETcact, respectively, showing the potential to save water lost to the environment from the soil surface. Estimated actual single crop coefficient (Kcact) across all sites varied from 0.35 to 0.59, 0.16-0.62 and 0.18-0.68 during the budburst to flowering (BB-FL), flowering to veraison (FL-V), and veraison to harvest (V-H) stages of crop growth, respectively. Similarly, actual basal crop coefficients (Kcbact) for grapevine reveal immense site-specific variability questioning the adoption of uniform coefficients at subregional and regional levels. Results further demonstrate that water stress (Ks) gradually increased reaching its peak from late November to early December, with variations across the region ranging from 23 to 64%. A comparison of water productivities in relation toETcactandTpactexhibit almost 61% higher values for the latter across all the sites and subregions. Dry biomass productivity shows huge potential for renewal energy generation. Variations in the components of ET and crop coefficients are consistent with the characteristic variation in soil, topography, and microclimates. This study suggests that locally estimatedKcactandKcbactwill contribute to the efficient use of limited freshwater resources for sustainable wine grape production.
Adaptation-induced oscillatory phototaxis and emergence of ordered density bands in the microswimmerChlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Wang Zhao , Tsang Alan C. H.
Published: June 2024

Biological microswimmers exhibit versatile taxis behaviors and switch between multiple behavioral states to navigate the environment and search for physiologically favorable regions. Here, we report a striking oscillatory phototaxis observed inChlamydomonas reinhardtii, where cells swim back-and-forth under a constant, unidirectional light stimulus due to alternation between positive and negative phototaxis. This oscillatory phototaxis at the individual cellular level further leads to the emergence of a highly ordered, propagating band structure formed by high densityChlamydomonascells collectively. We experimentally verify a unified phototaxis mechanism that couples light detection, light adaptation, flagella dynamics and cell reorientation, showing that transition between phototaxis modes is achieved by switching of flagella waveforms and modulation of flagella phase difference. Oscillatory phototaxis emerges as a semi-stable state in an overlapping light intensity regime for positive and negative phototaxis, where adaptation shifts the light intensity thresholds over times. This adaptation mechanism over multiple time scales enables phototactic microswimmers to effectively expand the survival range of light intensity and provide collective photoprotection for the colonies through the formation of dynamic band structures with high density.
Genome-wide association analysis of flowering date in a collection of cultivated olive tree
Authors: Aqbouch Laila , Abou-Saaid Omar , Sarah Gautier , Zunino Lison , Segura Vincent , Mournet Pierre , Bonal Florelle , Zaher Hayat , Bakkali Ahmed El , Cubry Philippe , Costes Evelyne , Khadari Bouchaib
Published: June 2024

1.

Flowering date in perennial fruit trees is an important trait for fruit production. Depending on the winter and spring temperatures, flowering of olive may be advanced, delayed, or even suppressed. Deciphering the genetic control of flowering date is thus key to help selecting cultivars better adapted to the current climate context. Here, we investigated the genetic determinism of full flowering date stage in cultivated olive based on capture sequencing data of 318 genotypes from the worldwide olive germplasm bank of Marrakech, Morocco. The genetic structure of this collection was organized in three clusters that were broadly attributed to eastern, central, and western Mediterranean regions, based on the presumed origin of genotypes. Flowering dates, collected over seven years, were used to estimate the genotypic best linear unbiased predictors, which were then analyzed in a genome-wide association study. Loci with small effects were significantly associated with the studied trait, by either a single- or a multi-locus approach. The three most robust loci were located on chromosomes 01 and 04, and on a scaffold, and explained 7.1%, 6.2%, and 6.5 % of the trait variance, respectively. A significantly higher accuracy in the best linear unbiased predictors of flowering date prediction was reported with Ridge-compared to LASSO-based genomic prediction model. Along with genomic association results, this suggests a complex polygenic determinism of flowering date, as seen in many other fruit perennials. These results and the screening of associated regions for candidate genes open perspectives for further studies and breeding programs targeting flowering date.
Simultaneous assessment of human genome and methylome data in a single experiment using limited deamination of methylated cytosine
Authors: Yan Bo , Wang Duan , Ettwiller Laurence
Published: June 2024

Multiomics require concerted recording of independent information, ideally from a single experiment. In this study, we introduce RIMS-seq2, a high-throughput technique to simultaneously sequence genomes and overlay methylation information while requiring only a small modification of the experimental protocol for high-throughput DNA sequencing to include a controlled deamination step. Importantly, the rate of deamination of 5-methylcytosine is negligible and thus does not interfere with standard DNA sequencing and data processing. Thus, RIMS-seq2 libraries from whole- or targeted-genome sequencing show the same germline variation calling accuracy and sensitivity compared with standard DNA-seq. Additionally, regional methylation levels provide an accurate map of the human methylome.
Absolute rate coefficient measurements of the reactions of vibrationally cold
HD+
and
H3+
ions with neutral C atoms
Authors: Grussie Florian , Berger Lukas , Grieser Manfred , Kálosi Ábel , Müll Damian , Novotný Oldřich , Znotins Aigars , Dayou Fabrice , Urbain Xavier , Kreckel Holger
Published: June 2024

Ion-neutral reactions are driving the formation of small molecules in the gas phase of interstellar clouds, where hydrogen molecules and their ions are by far the most important collision partners for any species in the astrochemical network. Here we present absolute rate coefficient measurements for the reactions HD++C→CH+/CD++D/H and H3++C→CH+/CH2++H2/H obtained using a recently commissioned ion-neutral collision setup at the Cryogenic Storage Ring. Our measurements with vibrationally cold ions result in significantly higher rate coefficients when compared with previous studies using internally excited ions, bringing them in better agreement with classical capture theories. Moreover, we have performed detailed quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) calculations for the HD++C reaction, using new potential energy surfaces. Our experimental results and the QCT calculations show very good agreement for the absolute cross section of the reactions, as well as for the isotope effect. These results have great potential relevance for the chemistry of the interstellar medium and the onset of organic chemistry in space.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Natural-linewidth measurements of the
3C
and
3D
soft-x-ray transitions in Ni xix
Authors: Shah Chintan , Kühn Steffen , Bernitt Sonja , Steinbrügge René , Togawa Moto , Berger Lukas , Buck Jens , Hoesch Moritz , Seltmann Jörn , Kozlov Mikhail G. , Porsev Sergey G. , Gu Ming Feng , Porter F. Scott , Pfeifer Thomas , Leutenegger Maurice A. , Cheung Charles , Safronova Marianna S. , Crespo López-Urrutia José R.
Published: June 2024

We used the monochromatic soft-x-ray beamline P04 at the synchrotron-radiation facility PETRA III to resonantly excite the strongest 2p−3d transitions in neonlike Ni ions, [2p6]J=0→[(2p5)1/23d3/2]J=1 and [2p6]J=0→[(2p5)3/23d5/2]J=1, respectively dubbed 3C and 3D, achieving a resolving power of 15 000 and signal-to-background ratio of 30. We obtain their natural linewidths, with an accuracy of better than 10%, as well as the oscillator-strength ratio f(3C)/f(3D)=2.51(11) from analysis of the resonant fluorescence spectra. These results agree with those of previous experiments, earlier predictions, and our own advanced calculations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Supernovae and superbursts triggered by dark matter clumps
Authors: Raj Nirmal
Published: June 2024

Cosmologies in which dark matter clumps strongly on small scales are unfavorable to terrestrial detectors that are as yet unexposed to the clumps. I show that subhectometer clumps could trigger thermonuclear runaways by scattering on nuclei in white dwarf cores (carbon and oxygen) and neutron star oceans (carbon), setting off type-Ia-like supernovae and x-ray superbursts, respectively. I consider two scenarios: “dark clusters” that are essentially microhalos and “long-range dark nuggets,” essentially macroscopic composites, with long-range Yukawa baryonic interactions that source the energy for igniting explosions. I constrain dark clusters, weighing between the Planck mass and asteroid masses, and long-range dark nuggets over a wider mass range spanning 40 orders of magnitude. These limits greatly complement searches proposed by myself and co-workers [] for scattering interactions of dark clumps in neutron stars, cosmic rays, and prehistoric minerals.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Two regimes of dilute turbulent settling suspensions under shear
Authors: Langham Jake , Hogg Andrew J.
Published: June 2024

When turbulent flow is laden with negatively buoyant particles, their mean distribution in the direction of gravity can induce stable density gradients that penalize turbulent fluctuations. This effect is studied numerically for shear-driven flow with dilute noninertial sediment. The turbulent dynamics and sediment transport depend critically on particle settling velocity vs, splitting into two regimes: homogeneous weakly stratified turbulence and flow with developed turbulence atop an intermittent boundary layer. At intermediate vs, neither state can be sustained and the flow laminarizes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Simplicity of mean-field theories in neural quantum states
Authors: Trigueros Fabian Ballar , Mendes-Santos Tiago , Heyl Markus
Published: June 2024

The utilization of artificial neural networks to represent quantum many-body wave functions has garnered significant attention, with enormous recent progress for both ground states and nonequilibrium dynamics. However, quantifying state complexity within this neural quantum states framework remains elusive. In this study, we address this key open question from a complementary point of view: Which states are simple to represent with neural quantum states? Concretely, we show on a general level that ground states of mean-field theories with permutation symmetry require only a limited number of independent neural network parameters. We analytically establish that, in the thermodynamic limit, convergence to the ground state of the fully connected transverse-field Ising model (TFIM), the mean-field Ising model, can be achieved with just one single parameter. Expanding our analysis, we explore the behavior of the one-parameter ansatz under breaking of the permutation symmetry. For that purpose, we consider the TFIM with tunable long-range interactions, characterized by an interaction exponent α. We show analytically that the one-parameter ansatz for the neural quantum state still accurately captures the ground state for a whole range of values for 0≤α≤1, implying a mean-field description of the model in this regime.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quantum-circuit refrigeration of a superconducting microwave resonator well below a single quantum
Authors: Viitanen Arto , Mörstedt Timm , Teixeira Wallace S. , Tiiri Maaria , Räbinä Jukka , Silveri Matti , Möttönen Mikko
Published: June 2024

We experimentally demonstrate a recently proposed single-junction quantum-circuit refrigerator (QCR) as an tunable low-temperature environment for a superconducting 4.7 GHz resonator. With the help of a transmon qubit, we measure the populations of the different resonator Fock states, thus providing reliable access to the temperature of the engineered electromagnetic environment and its effect on the resonator. We demonstrate coherent and thermal resonator states and that the on-demand dissipation provided by the QCR can drive these to a small fraction of a photon on average, even if starting above 1 K. We observe that the QCR can be operated either with a dc bias voltage or a gigahertz rf drive, or a combination of these. The bandwidth of the rf drive is not limited by the circuit itself and consequently, we show that 2.9 GHz continuous and 10 ns pulsed drives lead to identical desired refrigeration of the resonator. These observations answer to the shortcomings of previous works where the Fock states were not resolvable and the QCR exhibited slow charging dynamics. Thus, this work introduces a versatile tool to study open quantum systems, quantum thermodynamics, and to quickly reset superconducting qubits.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quantum Master Equations: Tips and Tricks for Quantum Optics, Quantum Computing, and Beyond
Authors: Campaioli Francesco , Cole Jared H. , Hapuarachchi Harini
Published: June 2024

Quantum master equations are an invaluable tool to model the dynamics of a plethora of microscopic systems, ranging from quantum optics and quantum information processing to energy and charge transport, electronic and nuclear spin resonance, photochemistry, and more. This tutorial offers a concise and pedagogical introduction to quantum master equations, accessible to a broad, cross-disciplinary audience. The reader is guided through the basics of quantum dynamics with hands-on examples that increase in complexity. The tutorial covers essential methods such as the use of the Lindblad master equation, Redfield relaxation, and Floquet theory, as well as techniques such as Suzuki-Trotter expansion and numerical approaches for sparse solvers. These methods are illustrated with code snippets implemented in and other languages, which can be used as a starting point for generalization and more sophisticated implementations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Whether ChatGPT adoption inspires higher education students’ digital entrepreneurial intention? An integrated model of the SCCT and the TPB
Authors: Duong Cong Doanh , Nguyen Thanh Hieu , Chu Tuan Vu , Pham Thanh Van , Do Ngoc Diep
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to integrate the Social Cognitive Career Theory with the Theory of Planned Behavior to unravel the intricate dynamics of how engaging with ChatGPT affects individuals’ digital entrepreneurial intention, underlying the serial mediation mechanism of the cognitive and reasoned career process.

Design/methodology/approach

This research use a cross-sectional design, drawing on a sample of 604 higher education students from six universities in Vietnam. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the formulated hypotheses after assessing the reliability and validity of scales through Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that ChatGPT adoption significantly increases perceived AI competencies, entrepreneurial opportunity recognition and digital entrepreneurial self-efficacy. Digital entrepreneurial self-efficacy was found to have a positive impact on attitudes toward digital entrepreneurship, which, in turn, fosters digital entrepreneurial intention. ChatGPT adoption thus poses serial indirect impacts on digital entrepreneurial intention through the sequential pathways of enhanced digital entrepreneurial self-efficacy and positive attitudes.

Practical implications

This study’s findings provide valuable recommendations for entrepreneurs, higher education institutions and policymakers.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by integrating two prominent theoretical frameworks to elucidate how ChatGPT adoption impacts digital entrepreneurial intentions. The serial mediation model expands that understanding of the complex cognitive and reasoned processes involved, providing a novel perspective on the role of AI in entrepreneurship.
Consumer reactions to packaging-free product dispensers: a variety of buyers' profiles to consider
Authors: Louis Didier , Durif Fabien , Lombart Cindy , Untilov Olga , Charton-Vachet Florence
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study investigates consumer reactions to dispensers offering solid packaging-free products (e.g. pasta, lentils, cereals) integrated in a delimitated area in a grocery store. More specifically, the research examines the impacts of the overall appeal of packaging-free solid food product dispensers and their perceived ease of use on consumers' intention to use these dispensers and purchase packaging-free products. Moreover, using a set of variables, different buyer profiles are highlighted.

Design/methodology/approach

The field study for this research was conducted in a delimitated area (i.e. a shop within a shop) dedicated to solid packaging-free products (e.g. pasta, lentils, cereals) in a university cooperative store in the province of Quebec, Canada. A total of 456 buyers and consumers of packaging-free products from this store took part in the field study and completed our survey.

Findings

This study shows packaging-free dispensers' overall appeal and perceived ease of use to be determinants of consumers' intention to use these dispensers and purchase packaging-free products. The Rebus (response-based procedure for detecting unit segments) method highlights the need to consider three buyer profiles (enthusiastic, pragmatic, and sceptical) with different reactions to the specific dispensers used by retailers for packaging-free products.

Originality/value

This study focuses on buyers' reactions to packaging-free dispensers in stores, during the purchase process, whereas previous ones highlighted the drivers of and barriers to consumer adoption of packaging-free products (before the purchasing process starts). It also points to the need to fine-tune the segmentation of consumers of packaging-free products, which must be based not only on consumers' previous experience or familiarity with these products but also on the integration of their drivers and barriers.
The relationship between digital financial inclusion, gender inequality, and economic growth: dynamics from financial development
Authors: Le Quoc Dinh
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This article employs a panel vector autoregression (PVAR) model to examine the relationship between digital financial inclusion (DFI), economic growth (EG), and gender equality (GE) across different levels of financial development.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the current financial development dynamics, this study applies the PVAR method to two groups of countries: the first group represents the high financial development group, and the second group represents the low financial development group, during the period from 2015 to 2021.

Findings

The findings from impulse response functions reveal that digital financial inclusion fosters economic growth in nations with advanced financial systems, while simultaneously mitigating gender inequality. Conversely, in countries with less developed financial infrastructures, digital financial inclusion stimulates economic growth but exacerbates gender disparities. Moreover, the variance decomposition analysis indicates that the linkage between economic growth, digital financial inclusion, and gender inequality is more intertwined in countries with limited financial development than in those with well-established financial systems.

Originality/value

Effective deployment of new technologies relies heavily on technological infrastructure. This policy focuses on constructing and developing information technology infrastructure to create favorable conditions for the implementation of new DFI technologies. This study also emphasizes promoting equitable education and training by ensuring that both women and men have equal opportunities to access quality education and training. This may involve investing in early childhood education, providing access to primary education, and offering scholarships to women in technology, science, and engineering fields.
Fair play in family firms: examining the perceived justice of performance management systems
Authors: Vajda Éva , Wieszt Attila , Anand Amitabh
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study examines the intricate relationship between family influence and perceived justice in performance management systems within family firms. Recognizing the unique dynamics that family ownership brings to human resource practices, the research aims to delineate how family presence affects both the process and the perception of fairness in performance evaluations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a conceptual framework, the research adopts a dual-method approach, combining a comprehensive literature review with theoretical modeling. The study synthesizes existing research and theoretical insights to explore the effects of family influence on the perceived fairness of performance management practices.

Findings

The findings reveal that family influence profoundly shapes fairness perceptions in performance management, impacting family and non-family employees. It affects systems' design, implementation and reception, with mechanisms including resource distribution and criteria alignment. Specifically, family influence molds fairness perceptions within the performance management process, enhancing organizational performance and fostering trust in family businesses, thus supporting sustainable growth.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the family business and human resource management literature by providing a nuanced understanding of how family dynamics influence perceptions of justice in performance management. It underscores the dual role of family influence in enhancing and complicating fairness perceptions, thus offering a balanced view that can inform academic research and practical HR management in family firms.
Prison officers’ experiences of key-working with women living in a psychologically informed planned environment (PIPE)
Authors: Till Georgia , Shah-Beckley Iduna , Harvey Joel , Kells Maisie
Published: June 2024

Purpose

A key aspect of psychologically informed planned environments (PIPEs), are the attachment theory-informed relationships between residents and staff (Bainbridge, 2017). The key-work provision of one-to-one support from officers to residents is one of the main ways through which relationships are formed. The purpose of this paper is to explore prison officers’ experiences of the key-work role within a PIPE in a women’s Prison in England.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews explored ten prison officers’ experiences. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Five main themes were identified; “Professional support”, “Negotiating Professional Boundaries”, “A Successful Relationship”, “Rupture and Repair” and “Growth for Everyone”. These themes reflected the framework around keywork; what support officers need to cope with the emotional demands of the role, and how to manage challenging situations and build meaningful key-work relationships.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the lack of focus on diversity, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on officer experience and applicability to other PIPE services. Future research could address some of these limitations.

Practical implications

Practical implications highlight the need for consistent supervision, greater consideration of officers’ transition to the role and trauma-informed training.

Originality/value

The research provides an unprecedented account of prison officers’ experiences of the key-work role, adding to the limited literature within PIPEs in the women’s estate. The supportive nature of the key-work relationship was perceived by officers to contribute towards people’s sentence progression and officers’ personal and professional development.
Functional diversity loss and taxonomic delays of European freshwater fish and North American breeding birds
Authors: Kuczynski Lucie , Bastidas Urrutia Ana Maria , Hillebrand Helmut
Published: June 2024

Biodiversity is temporally dynamic, reflecting historical environmental conditions and influencing ecosystem stability. Colonisation and extinction dynamics frequently exhibit asynchronous patterns, resulting in net imbalances and thus to long‐lasting richness trends. If these trends are not functionally random, functional net imbalances between colonisations and extinctions (fNICE) are likely to emerge.

Using community time series data of European freshwater fish and North American breeding birds, we investigated how fNICE differs from its taxonomic equivalent (tNICE), to provide a comprehensive picture of biodiversity dynamics.

Our findings reveal that taxonomic and functional delays are a prevalent feature, challenging the assumption of an immediate response to environmental changes. Taxonomic delays manifest as extinction debts and colonisation credits, while functional delays indicate a shift in the balance between functional gains and losses over time. Moreover, we found that taxonomic and functional imbalances are not always directly correlated, although some specific patterns were found consistently for fish and birds.

Early colonisations outpaced functional gains, indicating that although new species arrived earlier than the extinction of other species, the acquisition of new functional traits lagged. Although this may temporarily stabilise communities, as functional redundancy can mitigate loss of function via local extinctions, excessive redundancy can compromise biodiversity's capacity to respond to environmental variations, thereby undermining long‐term resilience.

In conclusion, understanding the intricate temporal dynamics of biodiversity responses is paramount for effective conservation practices. While short‐term observations may suggest an equilibrium between diversity and the environmental conditions, our results underscore the importance of considering long‐term dynamics and the interplay between species traits and changing environments. The metrics tNICE and fNICE are valuable tools for quantifying these temporal dynamics and unravelling their consequences for ecosystem stability. Incorporating these insights into conservation strategies can aid in proactively preserving biodiversity and safeguarding the integrity of ecosystems.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Rare case of multiple self‐inflicted gunshot wounds to the chest in Poland
Authors: Wrocławski Adrian , Karnecki Karol , Kaliszan Michał , Gos Tomasz
Published: June 2024

Multiple gunshot suicides are relatively rare and present significant challenges for investigators and forensic pathologists. In such cases, assessing the possibility of more than one shot being fired can be crucial in distinguishing homicide from suicide. We present a rare case of multiple self‐inflicted gunshot wounds to the chest with severe injury to the heart and left lung. Both the sudden, unexpected death of the man, the unknown source of the firearm, and the number and nature of the injuries sustained seemed quite unusual. The investigation revealed that the wounds were self‐inflicted at close range, and the interval between successive shots (estimated by witnesses at up to 2 min) suggests that even multiple gunshot wounds perforating the heart and lungs may not necessarily cause immediate incapacitation. Forensic investigations in such cases should be multi‐faceted and include full autopsy and ballistics expertise, as well as witness testimony and medical history.
Artificial water point use by large African mammals in a small enclosed savannah‐woodland reserve: Insights from an 8‐year study
Authors: Nieman Willem A. , Leslie Alison J.
Published: June 2024

Maintaining water availability is crucial for sustaining wildlife populations in African savannah ecosystems, especially in semi‐arid regions where natural surface water sources are limited. The establishment of Artificial Water Points (AWPs) has become a common management strategy in protected areas to mitigate the effects of water scarcity. This study investigated the spatio‐temporal patterns of mammal visitation to AWPs in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi, over an eight‐year period using motion‐triggered camera traps. The study documented a total of 34 medium‐ to large‐sized mammal species, with warthog, waterbuck, impala and yellow baboon being the most frequently captured. Temporal analysis reveals diurnal visitation patterns, with peak activity during mid‐day hours, and seasonal variations, with most species exhibiting increased visitation during the hot‐dry season. Spatial analysis identifies preferences for AWPs proximate to perennial rivers and tourist infrastructure, emphasising the role of habitat features and human presence in AWP utilisation. Management implications include the need for tailored strategies addressing species‐specific behaviours and habitat conditions, alongside ongoing monitoring efforts to ensure the sustainability of wildlife populations and ecological integrity. Despite the inherent limitations of camera trap methodology, this study provides valuable insights into AWP management strategies essential for conserving biodiversity in semi‐arid environments.
Editorial: Mucosal healing with steroids: Once upon a time in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Barreiro‐de Acosta Manuel , Rodríguez‐Lago Iago
Published: June 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Fukuda et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18013 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18111
Christian anthropology‐based contributions to the ethics of socially assistive robots in care for older adults
Authors: Gastmans Chris , Sinibaldi Edoardo , Lerner Richard , Yáñez Miguel , Kovács László , Palazzani Laura , Pegoraro Renzo , Vandemeulebroucke Tijs
Published: June 2024

Our society, in general, and health care, in particular, faces notable challenges due to the emergence of innovative digital technologies. The use of socially assistive robots in aged care is a particular digital application that provokes ethical reflection. The answers we give to the ethical questions associated with socially assistive robots are framed by ontological and anthropological considerations of what constitutes human beings and how the meaning of being human relates to how these robots are conceived. Religious beliefs and secular worldviews, each of which may participate fully in pluralist societies, have an important responsibility in this foundational debate, as anthropological theories can be inspired by religious and secular viewpoints. This article identifies seven anthropological considerations grounded in the synthesis of biblical scriptures, Roman Catholic documents, and recent research literature. We highlight the inspirational quality of these anthropological considerations when dealing with ethical issues regarding the development and use of socially assistive robots in aged care. With this contribution, we aim to foster a global and inclusive dialogue on digitalization in aged care that deeply challenges our basic understanding of what constitutes a human being and how this notion relates to machine artefacts.
Comprehensive genomic profiling from C‐CAT database unveiled over 80% presence of oncogenic drivers in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma including BRAF, RAS family, NF1, and FGFR1
Authors: Saito Yuki , Kage Hidenori , Kobayashi Kenya , Kamogashira Teru , Fukuoka Osamu , Yamamura Koji , Yamashita Satoshi , Tanabe Masahiko , Oda Katsutoshi , Kondo Kenji
Published: June 2024

Objective

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is considered a very aggressive carcinoma and has been difficult to treat with therapeutic strategies. This study examines the landscape of genomic alteration in ATC, including the BRAF V600E mutation, and its clinical implications.

Design, Patients and Mesurement

A retrospective observational study was conducted using collected at the Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C‐CAT) in Japan, utilizing comprehensive genomic profiling data from 102 ATC cases. Additionally, AACR‐GENIE data from 267 cases were analysed for validation. Statistical methods, including the conditional Kendall tau statistic and χ2 tests, were employed for survival analysis and gene mutation comparisons.

Results

Among 102 ATCs, BRAF, RAS, and other driver mutations were found in 83 cases (81.2%). The prevalence of BRAF V600E mutations was as high as 60%. Co‐mutation analysis identified different genomic profiles in the BRAF, RAS, and wild‐type groups. Despite the diverse molecular backgrounds, no significant differences in clinical variables and overall survival were observed. The analysis considering left‐side amputation suggested that RAS mutations had a poorer prognosis. In the BRAF/RAS wild‐type group, FGFR1 and NF1 were identified as driver mutations, with an accumulation of copy number variations and less TERT promoter mutations. This molecular subgrouping was also supported by the AACR‐GENIE data.

Conclusions

Comprehensive genomic analysis of ATC in Japan revealed distinct molecular subgroups, highlighting the importance of BRAF V600E mutations, particularly V600E, as potential therapeutic targets and suggest the relevance of tailor‐made therapeutic strategies based on genomic profiling.
Angle‐based minimally invasive glaucoma surgery in normal tension glaucoma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Oo Hnin Hnin , Hong Ashley Shuen Ying , Lim Sheng Yang , Ang Bryan Chin Hou
Published: June 2024

Background

This systematic review and meta‐analysis quantitatively examines the efficacy of angle‐based minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) in normal tension glaucoma (NTG).

Methods

A literature search was performed on Medline, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL and Cochrane Library from inception until 20 December 2022. Pilot, cohort, observational studies and randomised controlled trials including at least 5 subjects undergoing angle‐based MIGS (trabecular‐bypass devices, excisional trabeculotomy, goniotomy and ab‐interno canaloplasty) for NTG, with or without cataract surgery, were included. Meta‐analysis of continuous outcome using the meta routine in R version 2022.12.0+353 was performed to determine mean intraocular pressure (IOP) and anti‐glaucoma medication (AGM) reduction post‐operatively.

Results

Of the 846 studies initially identified, 15 studies with a pooled total of 367 eyes which underwent combined phacoemulsification and angle‐based MIGS were included for final meta‐analysis. Outcomes of the iStent were reported in 5 studies, iStent inject in 7 studies, Hydrus Microstent in 1 study, Kahook Dual Blade in 3 studies, and Trabectome in 2 studies. There was significant reduction in both IOP and AGM post‐operatively at 6 months (2.44 mmHg, 95%CI: 1.83–3.06; 1.21 AGM, 95%CI: 0.99–1.44), 12 months (2.28 mmHg, 95%CI: 1.71–2.84; 1.18 AGM, 95%CI: 0.90–1.47), 24 months (2.10 mmHg, 95%CI: 1.51–2.68; 1.26 AGM, 95%CI: 0.85–1.68) and 36 months (2.43 mmHg, 95%CI: 1.71–3.15, 0.87 AGM, 95%CI: 0.21–1.53) (all p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis on combined phacoemulsification‐iStent inject surgery demonstrated a reduction in both IOP (2.31 mmHg, 95%CI: 1.07–3.56, p < 0.001) and AGM (1.07 AGM, 95%CI: 0.86–1.29, p < 0.001) at 12 months post‐operatively.

Conclusions

Angle‐based MIGS combined with phacoemulsification effectively reduces IOP and AGM in NTG eyes for up to 36 months after surgery.
Bi‐allelic variants in MYH3 cause recessively‐inherited arthrogryposis
Authors: Morali Burcin , Miranda Valancy , Raelson John , Grimard Guy , Glavas Peter , Audibert François , Dumont Nicolas A. , Barone Julia , Bamshad Michael , Lemyre Emmanuelle , Campeau Philippe M.
Published: June 2024

Arthrogryposis is a clinical feature defined by congenital joint contractures in two or more different body areas which occurs in between 1/3000 and 1/5000 live births. Variants in multiple genes have been associated with distal arthrogryposis syndromes. Heterozygous variants in MYH3 have been identified to cause the dominantly‐inherited distal arthrogryposis conditions, Freeman–Sheldon syndrome, Sheldon–Hall syndrome, and multiple pterygium syndrome. In contrast, MYH3 variants underlie both dominantly and recessively inherited Contractures, Pterygia, and Spondylocarpotarsal Fusion syndromes (CPSFS) which are characterized by extensive bony abnormalities in addition to congenital contractures. Here we report two affected sibs with distal arthrogryposis born to unaffected, distantly related parents. Sequencing revealed that both sibs were homozygous for two ultra‐rare MYH3 variants, c.3445G>A (p.Glu1149Lys) and c.4760T>C (p.Leu1587Pro). Sequencing and deletion/duplication analysis of 169 other arthrogryposis genes yielded no other compelling candidate variants. This is the first report of biallelic variants in MYH3 being implicated in a distal arthrogryposis phenotype without the additional features of CPSFS. Thus, akin to CPSFS, both dominant and recessively inherited distal arthrogryposis can be caused by variants in MYH3.
Beyond ExaBricks: GPU Volume Path Tracing of AMR Data
Authors: Zellmann Stefan , Wu Qi , Sahistan Alper , Ma Kwan‐Liu , Wald Ingo
Published: June 2024

Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) is becoming a prevalent data representation for HPC, and thus also for scientific visualization. AMR data is usually cell centric (which imposes numerous challenges), complex, and generally hard to render. Recent work on GPU‐accelerated AMR rendering has made much progress towards real‐time volume and isosurface rendering of such data, but so far this work has focused exclusively on ray marching, with simple lighting models and without scattering events or global illumination. True high‐quality rendering requires a modified approach that is able to trace arbitrary incoherent paths; but this may not be a perfect fit for the types of data structures recently developed for ray marching. In this paper, we describe a novel approach to high‐quality path tracing of complex AMR data, with a specific focus on analyzing and comparing different data structures and algorithms to achieve this goal.
From Delays to Densities: Exploring Data Uncertainty through Speech, Text, and Visualization
Authors: Stokes Chase , Sanker Chelsea , Cogley Bridget , Setlur Vidya
Published: June 2024

Understanding and communicating data uncertainty is crucial for making informed decisions in sectors like finance and healthcare. Previous work has explored how to express uncertainty in various modes. For example, uncertainty can be expressed visually with quantile dot plots or linguistically with hedge words and prosody. Our research aims to systematically explore how variations within each mode contribute to communicating uncertainty to the user; this allows us to better understand each mode's affordances and limitations. We completed an exploration of the uncertainty design space based on pilot studies and ran two crowdsourced experiments examining how speech, text, and visualization modes and variants within them impact decision‐making with uncertain data. Visualization and text were most effective for rational decision‐making, though text resulted in lower confidence. Speech garnered the highest trust despite sometimes leading to risky decisions. Results from these studies indicate meaningful trade‐offs among modes of information and encourage exploration of multimodal data representations.