bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dehalobacterconverts 2,3-dichloroaniline to aniline via 2-chloroaniline in a methanogenic enrichment culture
Authors: Wang Shuping , Araújo Sofia P. , Lomheim Line , Mack E. Erin , Edwards Elizabeth A. , Passeport Elodie
Published: February 2025

2,3-dichloroaniline (2,3-DCA) has widespread use in chemical manufacturing and remains a persistent groundwater contaminant. To better understand the mechanism and kinetics of its anaerobic biotransformation, we conducted a laboratory kinetic experiment using an anaerobic enrichment culture dominated byDehalobacter. At an initial field-relevant concentration of 40 mg/L, complete and stoichiometric dechlorination of 2,3-DCA to aniline was achieved. The intermediates, 2-chloroaniline (2-CA) and 3-chloroaniline, were transiently formed in a ratio of 8:1. The growth yields ofDehalobacteron 2,3-DCA and 2-CA were 1.2 ± 0.1 × 108and 1.3 ± 0.1 × 10816S rRNA gene copies/μmol chloride, respectively. The maximum specific growth rate for 2,3-DCA, μmax, was 0.18 ± 0.03 day-1with a half-saturation constant, Ks, at 45 ± 16 mg /L. The first-order decay constant forDehalobacterwhen starved of chlorinated electron acceptors was estimated at 0.017 ± 0.001 day-1. Lactate fermentation, acetogenesis from ethanol, syntrophic propionate oxidation, and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis were observed during dechlorination. This work provides insights into the biotransformation pathway of 2,3-DCA to aniline and advances the understanding of microbial interactions during anaerobic dechlorination. These results offer guidance for developing stable dechlorinating microbial ecosystems and key kinetic parameters for predictive modeling of groundwater 2,3-DCA fate and transport.
Abnormal sleep blood pressure patterns are associated with diffusion tensor imaging along perivascular spaces index in cognitively impaired individuals
Authors: Buongiorno Mariateresa , Sánchez-Benavides Gonzalo , Caruana Giovanni , Elias-Mas Andrea , Artero Cristina , Cullell Natalia , Delgado Pilar , Giraldo Darly Milena , Marzal-Espí Clara , Grau-Rivera Oriol , de la Sierra Alejandro , Delgado-Sanchez Ariane , Ray Nicola J. , Krupinski Jerzy
Published: February 2025

Blood pressure (BP) physiologically dips during sleep, and lack of dipping associates with adverse health outcomes and cognitive decline. Vascular pulsatility is the main driver of glymphatic cerebrospinal fluid transport, which removes metabolic waste products from the brain during sleep. We hypothesized that abnormal sleep BP patterns may affect glymphatic system health, and that this relationship may result in lower diffusion tensor imaging along perivascular spaces (DTI-ALPS) indices, a proposed neuroimaging index of glymphatic health. Twenty-one participants with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment underwent 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, DTI-MRI and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarker studies. Eight participants were classified as dippers (≥10%) and 13 as non-dippers (<10%), using sleep/awake systolic BP percentage of change. We found that non-dippers had lower DTI-ALPS even when adjusted by age and clinical stage (p=0.013). Stiffness measures (pulse wave velocity) were negatively correlated to DTI-ALPS (r=-0.5), but the association disappeared when adjusted by age. Positive AD biomarkers were more frequent in individuals who were classified as non-dippers of both systolic and diastolic BP, as compared to systolic and diastolic dippers (p=0.041). Our findings suggest that deviations of the physiological dipping sleep BP pattern may relate to poorer glymphatic function and increased AD pathology.
Cdk1 and PP2A constitute a molecular switch controlling orderly degradation of atypical E2Fs
Authors: Nachum-Raines Sapir , Gamliel Noy , Wasserman Danit , Qassem Nasrin , Sher Inbal , Guez-Haddad Julia , Emanuele Michael J , Chill Jordan H , Tzur Amit
Published: February 2025

Dynamic oscillations in the phosphorylation and ubiquitination of key proliferative regulators are defining features of the eukaryotic cell cycle. Resetting the cell cycle at the mitosis-to-G1 transition requires activation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C), which ensures cell cycle irreversibility by targeting dozens of substrates for degradation, safeguarding genome integrity. However, the overall coupling of substrate phosphorylation with target recognition and degradation by the APC/C remains relatively unexplored. As a paradigm for further defining these rules, we focused on E2F7 and E2F8 – atypical E2F-family proteins that coordinate cell cycle gene expression by restraining the pro-proliferative transcriptional activity of E2F1. Leveraging complementary cell and cell-free systems, we demonstrate that flexible domains in the amino-termini of E2F7 and E2F8 contain APC/C recognition motifs adjacent to critical Thr residues, whose phosphorylation by Cdk1 is rate limiting for degradation. The removal of this phosphorylation by PP2A phosphatase serves as a molecular switch, coupling the degradation of E2F7 and E2F8 to the G1 phase, coinciding with the rise of E2F1. Collectively, these findings highlight a critical role for Cdk1-PP2A signaling in controlling the orderly degradation of APC/C substrates, ensuring precisely timed assembly of the transcriptional infrastructure that coordinates cell cycle commitment and progression.
Molecular mechanisms of recruitment, function and regulation of UPF1 in histone mRNA decay
Authors: de Amorim Alexandrina Machado , Xue Guangpu , Dittmers Theresa , He Wenxia , Lewandowski Sarah , Perez-Borrajero Cecilia , Bethmann Juliane , Mateva Nevena , Krage Clemens , Nandana Vidhyadhar , Hennig Janosch , Urlaub Henning , Marzluff William F. , Chakrabarti Sutapa
Published: February 2025

Animal replication-dependent histone mRNAs end in a conserved stem loop (SL) instead of the canonical poly(A) tail present in all other eukaryotic mRNAs. Degradation of the histone SL at the end of the S-phase is initiated by the stem-loop binding protein SLBP and its interplay with the RNA helicase UPF1 and the exoribonuclease 3’hExo. We report direct interactions between SLBP and UPF1 and show that the unstructured SLBP N-terminus wraps around the UPF1 helicase core, contacting it at multiple sites. Although binding of SLBP to UPF1 impedes unwinding activity, it is critical for efficient histone mRNA decay in cells, as unwinding of the SL facilitates degradation by 3’hExo. Here we show that the UPF1-activator, UPF2, binds 3’hExo, and that UPF2-mediated activation of UPF1 overrides the inhibitory effect of SLBP. Our results highlight the intricate network of UPF1-centric protein-protein and protein/RNA interactions that fine-tunes its unwinding activity and orchestrates timely and efficient degradation of histone mRNA.
Replisomes restrict SMC-mediated DNA-loop extrusionin vivo
Authors: Liao Qin , Brandão Hugo B. , Ren Zhongqing , Wang Xindan
Published: February 2025

Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complexes organize genomes by extruding DNA loops, while replisomes duplicate entire chromosomes. These essential molecular machines must collide frequently in every cell cycle, yet how such collisions are resolvedin vivoremains poorly understood. Taking advantage of the ability to load SMC complexes at defined sites in theBacillus subtilisgenome, we engineered head-on and head-to-tail collisions between SMC complexes and the replisome. Replisome progression was monitored by marker frequency analysis, and SMC translocation was monitored by time-resolved ChIP-seq and Hi-C. We found that SMC complexes do not impede replisome progression. By contrast, replisomes restrict SMC translocation regardless of collision orientations. Combining experimental data with simulations, we determined that SMC complexes are blocked by the replisome and then released from the chromosome. Occasionally, SMC complexes can bypass the replisome and continue translocating. Our findings establish that the replisome is a barrier to SMC-mediated DNA-loop extrusionin vivo, with implications for processes such as chromosome segregation, DNA repair, and gene regulation that require dynamic chromosome organization in all organisms.
Latitudinal phylogenetic and diversity gradients are explained by a tropical-temperate transitional region
Authors: Lerner David , Weir Jason T. , Klein Tamir , Greenbaum Gili
Published: February 2025

The distribution of ecological and evolutionary forces throughout space bring about the patterning of biodiversity. In large geographical areas, this causes the regionalization of biodiversity into structured units known as bioregions. In order to understand how such patterns emerge, a clear delineation of bioregions is required. We use tree species as model taxa in order to analyze the global distribution of biodiversity and understand how latitudinal gradients of biodiversity, specifically the latitudinal phylogenetic and diveristy gradients are formed. By compiling an extensive dataset of tree species distributions and their phylogenetic relationships, we use a data-driven approach to delineate global bioregions of similar evolutionary histories, termed phyloregions. Our analysis reveals the presence of a region between the tropical and temperate regions, coined ‘bridge’ phylore-gion, with a unique evolutionary composition and characteristically weaker association to climatic and environmental parameters. Through simulations, we show that the pres-ence of latitudinal phylogenetic and diversity gradients are much more likely to emerge in the presence of an independent ecological region between tropical and temperate regions, suggesting that its role as a stepping-stone in colonization of species between distinct climatic zones has shaped latitudinal gradients. This study highlights that accurate de-lineation of evolutionary structures of biodiversity can reveal previously cryptic regions with fundamental evolutionary roles in the formation of biodiveristy patterns.

1

Significance Statement

Biodiversity patterns are shaped by geography, forming distinctive units known as bioregions. At global scales there are important gradients in terms of species diversity and phylogenetic relations that are well documented, but the underlying processes that generate them are unclear. We comprised an extensive dataset of tree species distributions and phylogeny, and identified the bioregions from the dataset. We analyzed the diversity and the phylogenetic gradients and identified a previously cryptic bioregion between tropical and temperate zones. Though less climatically distinct, we show through simulations that the presence of this transition zone better explains latitudinal biodiversity patterns. Our findings refine the global dispersal dynamics of species between tropical and temperate regions and highlight the role of this intermediate region in shaping global biodiversity patterns.
Dual origin in the temperature dependence of the coupling parameter for the strange metal state in heavily overdoped cuprate superconductor
Authors: Miyai Yudai , Ideta Shin-ichiro , Arita Masashi , Tanaka Kiyohisa , Oda Migaku , Kurosawa Tohru , Shimada Kenya
Published: February 2025

The real and imaginary parts of the self-energy in the wide energy range have been evaluated from high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) spectra of a heavily overdoped single-layer cuprate superconductor (Bi,Pb)2Sr2CuO6+δ in the normal state. The real part of the self-energy has the zero-point crossing at −0.6 eV, where the lifetime broadening takes maximum and the ARPES spectral intensity is significantly suppressed forming a high-energy anomaly (HEA). The self-energy part responsible for the HEA is almost temperature independent and the coupling parameter is λHEA∼1 at 300 K, indicating strongly correlated nature of the strange metal state. Meanwhile, the self-energy part responsible for the low-energy kink (LEK) near the Fermi level shows significant temperature dependence: it is λLEK∼0.1 at 300 K but enhances steeply below ∼150K up to λLEK∼0.8, leading to the total coupling strength of λtot=λHEA+λLEK=1.8 at 20 K. The temperature-dependent enhancement cannot be explained by the electron-phonon interaction with a fixed magnitude of the Eliashberg function, which suggests an unexplored mechanism that enhances the coupling parameter at lower temperatures. Our results clearly indicate distinct energy scales in the self-energy, providing insight into the strange metal state as well as the temperature-dependent interplay of many-body interactions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Understanding the corrosion evolution of galvanic steel under simulated marine atmospheric environment using real-time EIS measurement
Authors: Shen Lianfeng , Sun Jinhua , Miao Lei , Gu Haiping , Qiao Shuzhen , Wang Lei , Wei Wei
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The application of galvanized steel is widespread across industries due to its protective zinc coating that protects against atmospheric corrosion. However, previous studies have primarily focused on long-term corrosion rates rather than the full-scale corrosion behavior of the zinc. This paper aims to study the full-scale corrosion evolution of galvanic steel under simulated marine atmospheric environment using real-time EIS measurement.

Design/methodology/approach

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) provides an advanced method in monitoring such behavior. Therefore, the EIS method has been used to conduct a comprehensive investigation on the corrosion behavior of galvanic steel in a full-time manner.

Findings

The results indicate that the corrosion process of galvanic steel can be divided into three stages: an initial stage with an increased corrosion rate, a subsequent stage with a reduced corrosion rate, and finally a third stage with the lowest and constant corrosion rate. The evolution of corrosion resistance is closely related to changes in composition and structure of the patina layer. In the initial stage, galvanized steel undergoes the formation of soluble ZnCl2 and needle-like Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O, which promotes the generation and maintenance of an electrolyte layer, consequently leading to an increase in corrosion rate. With prolonged corrosion time, there is a continuous accumulation of Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O within the patina layer, which reduces the content of soluble components and promotes the development of a denser inner layer, thus enhancing corrosion resistance.

Originality/value

This work holds significance in the monitoring of corrosion, understanding the evolution of corrosion and predicting the lifespan of galvanized steel.
Dynamic capabilities of blockchain technology for resilient–sustainable–survival supply chain: empirical evidence from the manufacturing and assembling firms
Authors: Meafa Azz-Eddine , Chaouni Benabdellah Abla , Zekhnini Kamar , Bag Surajit
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Under a rapidly changing and disruptive environment, the need for resilient, sustainable and survival-oriented performances is currently urgent. To deal with these challenges, the reconfigurable capabilities of blockchain technology (BT) can support supply chains (SC) to be resilient and survive during disruptions while maintaining sustainability goals. Through the lens of the dynamic capability view (DCV), this study aims to investigate the impact of adopting the dynamic capabilities of BT to achieve the resilient–sustainable–survival (RSS) paradigm under a disruptive context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows the DCV to develop theoretical hypotheses and adopts structural equation modeling to examine and analyze the impact of BT’s capabilities on the triple aspects of the RSS paradigm. It uses the partial least squares technique to evaluate the weight of the correlations among the constructs, test the dependencies of its relationships and assess the model’s power for predicting the outcome variables.

Findings

Based on the empirical evidence from the manufacturing and assembling SCs, this study provides insights into the interplay of the sensing, seizing and transforming capabilities of BT, and the most needed ones to fit the expectations of the RSS model. It shows that such capabilities can have a significant impact and can be a powerful tool that contributes to the enhancement of the RSS’s aspects in SC networks.

Originality/value

This study represents one of the initial queries to conceptualize the RSS model of the SC within a disruptive context. For researchers, it adds more understanding of the deployment of the DCV in the technology adoption area. For practitioners, it helps identify the capabilities of BT and their potential to fit the expectations for the RSS paradigm.
The effect of deregulation on bank risk-taking in China: a balance sheet capacity perspective
Authors: Fang Yi , Peng Xinman
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The impact of banking deregulation on firms and economic growth is heavily researched, but not the effects on banks’ risk-taking. This study aims to investigate the impact of China’s 2009 banking deregulation on bank risk-taking, particularly from a balance sheet capacity perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a difference-in-differences approach, this study examines how deregulation affects bank risk-taking. A three-stage regression strategy is employed to conduct mechanism analysis.

Findings

The results reveal that deregulated banks exhibit higher levels of risk-taking. Mechanism analysis confirms the bank balance sheet capacity channel: deregulation helps strengthen the net interest margin of deregulated banks, which enhances their balance sheet capacity and subsequently increases their risk appetite. In addition, deregulation improves firms’ access to long-term credit in regions with limited credit availability, especially for smaller firms, thereby expanding the financial sector’s service outreach.

Practical implications

While banking deregulation enhances credit availability for firms and supports the real economy, it also raises banks’ risk-taking, posing challenges to financial stability. Our study highlights the trade-off between supporting the real economy and maintaining financial stability under banking deregulation.

Originality/value

This study fills a gap in research on the effects of banking deregulation on bank risk-taking, highlighting the critical role of balance sheet capacity in this process.
Improvising e-services in Tanzanian public service delivery: model proposal and validation
Authors: Mbano Goodluck Michael , Mwangakala Hilda A. , Shao Deo , Alexopoulos Charalampos , Saxena Stuti
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to propose a model for Tanzanian electronic service (e-service) improvisation via public service delivery formats and empirically validate it such that the determinants [namely, information quality (IQ), service quality (SEQ), net impact, top management support (TMS)] of the user satisfaction and the intention to continue using the e-services have been determined.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative methodology and a survey research method has been adopted with responses solicited from the Information and Communication Technology officers and accountants working at the Ministry of Finance, Bank of Tanzania, etc. based at Dar es Salam and Dodoma.

Findings

IQ, SEQ, system quality and net impact have a positive and significant impact on user satisfaction and intention to continue to use e-services. However, results for TMS were not found to have any bearing on the user satisfaction and intention to continue to use e-services.

Originality/value

With the extant literature primarily hinged on the understanding of the electronic government services from the efficacy perspective, this study contributes to the literature in two ways, namely, proposing a model for e-service improvisation and empirically validating it in the context of Tanzania.
Bridging the health-care gap: understanding continued telemedicine-usage behaviour in emerging economies
Authors: Singh Aarti , Padhy Ramakrushna , Sahu Aditya Kumar , Chaudhuri Atanu
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the role of factors responsible for continued telemedicine usage in emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

A sequential mixed-methods approach was used to analyse the data. This included in-depth interviews with telemedicine users to identify the factors influencing their continued telemedicine usage, followed by quantitative analysis to empirically validate the relationship postulated within the research model.

Findings

The primary findings show that attitude, social influence and satisfaction directly impact users’ continued intention to use telemedicine services. These factors underscore the importance of both individual perceptions and external influences in shaping intention to continue to use telemedicine services.

Practical implications

The results show that factors such as satisfaction, attitude and social influence impact the continued usage of telemedicine services in emerging economies. Specific policy initiatives and awareness programs can be implemented to promote long-term telemedicine usage. In addition, improving apps with user-friendly interfaces, local language options and voice commands, alongside enhanced security measures, would serve to build trust in, and improve accessibility to, telemedicine.

Social implications

The study’s findings can be used to improve health-care services in areas where facilities are inaccessible.

Originality/value

This research explains the intention to continue telemedicine usage through a multi-theoretic perspective that combines technology continuance theory and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology.
The integration of energy storage system in solar power generation: a bibliometric perspective of renewable energy
Authors: Mohd Aripin Norhana , Hussain Suhaidah , Khai Loon Lee , Mahmud Fatimah , Alimin Nur Sofia Nabila
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to review recent advancements in solar energy generation and identify future research trends, with a focus on integrating energy storage systems to enhance the reliability and efficiency of solar power.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involved conducting a review of 313 articles published between 2014 and 2024 in the Scopus database. The research applied bibliometric analysis techniques, which are bibliographic coupling and co-occurrence analysis, to examine recent advancements and future trends in solar energy generation.

Findings

This research highlights recent field contributions through bibliographic coupling, indicating that solar PV is the most environmentally sustainable renewable energy source, with energy storage systems, particularly hydrogen, critical for stability. In addition, co-occurrence analysis on the future research avenue highlights optimizing green hydrogen production and hybrid storage systems while exploring innovative financing models to enhance grid stability and facilitate a sustainable energy transition.

Research limitations/implications

This review recognizes some limitations in bibliometric analysis, such as relying solely on the Scopus database, subjective interpretations of themes and the challenge of distinguishing self-citations from external ones, which can give a misleading impression of a publication’s influence.

Originality/value

This study focuses on exploring how energy storage systems can be integrated with solar energy generation. Although there has been extensive research on renewable energy, this specific intersection has been largely overlooked. By using bibliometric analysis, this study aims to highlight recent developments and future directions in this critical area, ultimately providing valuable insights that can help shape both academic research and practical policy decisions.
The experience of wellbeing practices in project-based organisations
Authors: Kapsali Maria , Prouska Rea , Hajikazemi Sara
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Project-based organisations (PBOs) experience high labour turnover due to wellbeing issues arising from inefficient policies. An in-depth review of previous attributes this to the fact that the experiences and perspectives of project managers are considered neither in organisational policy/practice nor in wellbeing research. This study addresses this gap with two questions: (1) How do project managers experience wellbeing practices in PBOs? (2) What factors enable or restrict the implementation of these practices from their perspective?

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory qualitative study collected interview data from 19 PBO employees in Western Europe across three sectors. Participants assessed the implementation and influencing factors of wellbeing practices in their organisations. Narratives were analysed thematically, followed by sentiment analysis to cross-reference the emotional tone of each theme.

Findings

The findings provided a framework showing the necessary shift in the project managers’ role in PBO wellbeing policy and devolution of voice practices. The results also provided two new conceptual themes specific to wellbeing in PBOs: (1) voice structure and policy and (2) demarcation of the project leader role.

Originality/value

The study introduces a new framework with two new theoretical concepts to improve wellbeing in PBOs. These concepts promote inclusivity of wellbeing concerns via new feedback structures and clarify the project manager’s role in advocating employee voice. The proposed solutions aim to improve knowledge in the research field of wellbeing providing the perspective of the project manager, which currently is lacking from theory.
Environmental reporting and financial performance: the role of board independence
Authors: Sobhan Raihan , Shohan Md. Masud Rana , Uddin Syed Irfan
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the association between environmental reporting (ER) and firm performance and whether board independence plays any role in this relationship in the context of Bangladesh, an emerging economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has used a sample of 289 firm-years derived from the listed manufacturing companies of Bangladesh for the years 2018–2023. To measure ER, content analysis has been performed. Financial performance has been calculated using both accounting-based (ROA, ROE and EPS) and market-based (Tobin’s Q) performance measures. Two-step system generalized method of moments method has been used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The study has found a very low level of ER practice by the sample firms. The regression results show a positive and significant impact of ER on both accounting-based and market-based performance measures. In addition, existence of greater board independence is found to positively affect this relationship between ER and performance.

Practical implications

The findings of the study emphasize the importance of ER in improving performance which will have significant implications for the practitioners. Besides, the importance of greater board independence in enhancing the capability of ER to improve performance will provide valuable insights to the policymakers and regulators.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the role of an effective corporate mechanism, board independence, in improving the relationship between ER and performance in the context of an environmentally sensitive country such as Bangladesh.
Carbon accounting for sustainability management: case study of MICE events
Authors: Zanella Maïa , Ashraf Naeem , Mahmood Zeeshan
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the integration of carbon accounting in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector, focusing on its practical application in sustainability management through case studies of three live events organized by the event company (TEC) (pseudonym), a German event management firm.

Design/methodology/approach

An action research methodology was used, combining participant observation and secondary data analysis. Carbon emissions were calculated using the Myclimate Event Calculator, which provides a comprehensive assessment of event-related emissions.

Findings

The study identifies mobility and accommodation as the dominant sources of carbon emissions in the MICE sector, driven by travel logistics and energy-intensive hotel operations. Catering emissions are variable, with vegetarian menus and minimized food waste showing lower environmental impacts. The findings highlight the critical need for targeted interventions in mobility and accommodation, which collectively account for over 80% of the emissions in many events.

Practical implications

The research offers the practical use of Myclimate calculator in developing actionable insights to enable targeted strategies such as eco-certified accommodations, carpooling and optimized transportation logistics, leading to significant emission reductions and improved sustainability management.

Originality/value

This paper advances sustainability management accounting by demonstrating the practical use of carbon data in event planning, providing granular insights into emission drivers. The focus on small enterprises addresses a significant gap in the literature, demonstrating how resource-constrained organizations can adopt sustainability practices. The paper offers a replicable methodology for assessing event emissions, which enables planners to identify high-impact areas.
Optimal selling time in livestock production
Authors: Torres Carbonell Carlos , Milanesi Gastón Silverio , Tohmé Fernando , Chimeno Patricia , García Fronti Javier Ignacio
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This paper analyzes the application of real options to livestock production. It evaluates the strategic flexibility in determining the optimal selling time for livestock, considering the technological and market risks involved in its production.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a data sample of 300 records collected over the past 15 years, a biophysical-economic model was developed and simulated using an iterative stochastic procedure.

Findings

The alternatives that provide the highest profit growth are identified by quantifying their risk parameters and yielding strategies for enhancing the value of livestock companies.

Originality/value

This research aims to understand how to improve decision-making in companies managing biological assets under conditions of risk and uncertainty, using the case of livestock systems in Argentina as a basis. This case can be easily adapted to similar cases in other countries.
Asthma With Fixed Obstruction Displays a Similar Small Airway Dysfunction to That Observed in Asthma–COPD Overlap
Authors: Shirai Toshihiro , Hirai Keita , Gon Yasuhiro
Published: February 2025

The clinical characteristics of asthma patients with fixed airflow obstruction were compared with those with asthma–COPD overlap. Asthma patients with fixed airflow obstruction had comparable small airway dysfunction to asthma–COPD overlap patients.
Investigation of Fatigue of Glass Fiber–Reinforced Plastic Tubes Under Multiaxial In‐Phase and Out‐Of‐Phase Loading
Authors: Häusler Stephan , Fink Richard , Sander Manuela
Published: February 2025

In order to investigate fatigue in fiber‐reinforced plastics under in‐phase and out‐of‐phase multiaxial loading conditions, tube specimens were designed and tested. Initially, tension–compression and torsional moments were individually applied, followed by their superposition of in‐phase and with a 90° phase shift of the amplitudes. With a special clamping device, an inside illumination was possible and backlight images were taken to investigate the specific damage mechanisms for each scenario. For a better understanding of the layer‐wise stress situation in both scenarios, a classic laminate theory approach was conducted. From a 3D digital image correlation system, the strain fields were analyzed and a significant interlaminar effect in the out‐of‐phase testing was identified. The analysis of the measurements and the dissipated energies revealed a significantly lower fatigue life of the out‐of‐phase tested specimens compared with the in‐phase case, associated with a more severe interlaminar damage development.
Diagnostic Significance of Metagenomic Next‐Generation Sequencing in Immunocompromised Patients With Suspected Pulmonary Infection
Authors: Zheng Xi , Zou Wei , Zou Shumei , Ye Jia , Bao Zhenming , Song Yingfang
Published: February 2025

Immunocompromised hosts are highly vulnerable to lung infections, but the efficacy of traditional diagnosis is unsatisfactory. Metagenomic next‐generation sequencing (mNGS) has high throughput and broad coverage. Its value in different types of immunocompromised patients has yet to be fully explored. Therefore, the study aims to evaluate the value of mNGS in immunocompromised patients. Clinical data from immunocompromised patients with suspected pulmonary infection (PI) (September 2018–2021) were retrospectively analysed. Patients were categorised into PI (87 cases) and non‐pulmonary infection (NPI, 14 cases) groups. The diagnostic performance between mNGS and conventional microbiological tests (CMTs) was compared. Subgroup analyses were also conducted based on whether the patients received organ transplantation, including the comparison of the diagnostic performance of mNGS and culture and the spectrum of characteristics among them. mNGS demonstrated significantly elevated diagnostic sensitivity (p < 0.001) over traditional methods, with a pronounced advantage in identifying mixed PIs (p < 0.05). Among immunocompromised cohorts, mNGS outperformed cultures, showing higher positivity rates in both organ transplant (p < 0.001) and non‐transplant patients (p < 0.001). Mixed infections, predominantly bacterial–fungal, were more prevalent in transplant recipients with reduced lymphocytes and CD4+ T cells. Pathogen profiles differed, with Pneumocystis jirovecii, Cytomegalovirus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa predominating in organ transplant recipients, and P. jirovecii, P. aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pallidum in non‐transplant individuals. mNGS is valuable in diagnosing PI and mixed infections in immunocompromised patients, which may be particularly suitable for identifying mixed infections in patients with organ transplants and low lymphocyte and CD4+ T lymphocyte counts.
The efficacy of anti‐angiogenic drugs in gastric‐type endocervical adenocarcinoma: A retrospective study
Authors: Li Jing , Wang Dian , Duan Qing , Su Ning , Li Xiufang , Qiu Haifeng
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Gastric‐type endocervical adenocarcinoma (GEA) is a rare malignant tumor that is not associated with high‐risk HPV infection, known for its high invasiveness and resistance to current treatments. This study assessed the effectiveness of anti‐angiogenic regimens in real‐world GEA patients.

Methods

Patients with GEA were enrolled between February 2012 and March 2023, and their clinicopathological characteristics were collected from their medical records. The patients were categorized into groups based on whether they received anti‐angiogenic treatments or not. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

A total of 43 GEA patients were enrolled in this study, with 23 cases who received anti‐angiogenic drugs (nine received them as the primary treatment, 12 as first‐line therapy after recurrence/metastasis, and two as second‐line therapy) as the observation group. The other 20 patients who received similar treatments without the anti‐angiogenic regimens serve as the control group. Compared to the control group, the addition of anti‐angiogenic drugs as the primary treatment mildly extended progression‐free survival (PFS) while not being statistically significant (16 months vs 11 months, p = 0.744). The negative results were also observed in 12 patients who started anti‐angiogenic therapy as first‐line therapy after recurrence/metastasis (8.5 months vs 9 months, p = 0.518). As for the overall survival (OS), no benefits were detected in either patients who started the anti‐angiogenic therapy as primary or subsequent treatments (p = 0.499 and 0.450, respectively).

Conclusion

We firstly evaluated the efficacy of anti‐angiogenic drugs in treating patients with GEA. Although with a small sample size, our preliminary results clearly proposed that the anti‐angiogenic therapy failed in suppressing tumors and should not be a preferred choice for GEA. As a much rarer tumor without standard treatments, we herein warned of a pitfall for gynecologic oncologists when facing this malignancy.
Primary chondrosarcoma of the ovary
Authors: Matsuzawa Yukiko , Kurosawa Hiroki , Murakami Kazuhiro , Osakabe Mitsumasa , Watanabe Yoh
Published: February 2025

Ovarian heterologous sarcoma is a rare malignancy. Only three cases of ovarian chondrosarcoma have been reported in the literature, and almost all of these were components of ovarian teratomas. Herein, we report the clinicopathological characteristics of an ovarian chondrosarcoma in a 68‐year‐old woman who had previously undergone total hysterectomy. She had no subjective symptoms, and the tumor was unexpectedly found by further examination of osteoarthritis of the hip joint. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed curious findings of a lobulated high‐intensity component with a leaf‐vein‐like low‐intensity component. Computed tomography revealed irregularly distributed ossification extending to the entire tumor. Preoperative levels of CA125, CA19‐9, carcinoembryonic antigen, α‐fetoprotein, and lactic dehydrogenase were all within normal limits. Macroscopic findings of the surgically resected tumor and pathologic findings revealed no teratoma component in the tumor. Finally, we diagnosed the tumor as a primary chondrosarcoma of the ovary.
The Feasibility of Nurse Employee Assistance Programs in China Among Nurse Administrators: A Qualitative Research
Authors: Tian Lu , Yang Siyu , Suya Li , Wenyan Zhang , Mingfeng Yu , Liu Yu
Published: February 2025

This study aims to explore the feasibility of Nurse Employee Assistance Programs (NEAPs) in China and identify associated factors influencing NEAPs implementation from nurse administrators' perceptions. A qualitative approach was undertaken with 21 participants recruited from 7 tertiary hospitals in China that were conducting trials with NEAPs. Semi‐structured interviews were carried out, recorded, and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes in the data. Two main themes and five sub‐themes were formed. Factors associated with NEAPs implementation were identified as individual level (self‐stigma and confidentiality), organizational level (NEAPs funds, human resources, and venue setting), national level (national policy, NEAPs certification, and the guidelines of NEAPs implementation). NEAPs are important in solving burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral distress among Chinese nurses. NEAPs in China are still at an exploratory level, and some factors have hindered or promoted this innovation of NEAPs. Therefore, nurse administrators should establish a mutual‐help environment and gain support from organizations and nations to foster NEAPs implementation.
Detecting and classifying blue whale calls with wavelet scattering and spectral entropy
Authors: Rademan M. W. , Versfeld D. J. J. , du Preez J. A.
Published: February 2025

Wavelet scattering is a highly effective feature extraction method, prevalent in many other fields. This paper introduces wavelet scattering to the field of passive acoustic monitoring, employed to test its relevance to the field using a manually verified subset of an open access dataset. Additionally, we introduce an adaptive whitening method to increase detection efficacy. This approach is shown to be most performant with a spectral entropy detector enhanced by a novel thresholding technique. We demonstrate that a simple classifier trained with little data and utilizing wavelet scattering features can greatly improve the performance of the proposed spectral entropy detector. The efficacy of our method is demonstrated on Antarctic blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus intermedia) calls.
Salmonella
serotypes in the genomic era: simplified
Salmonella
serotype interpretation from DNA sequence data
Authors: Deng Xiangyu , Li Shaoting , Xu Tongzhou , Zhou Zhemin , Moore Michelle M. , Timme Ruth , Zhao Shaohua , Lane Charlotte , Dinsmore Blake A. , Weill François‑Xavier , Fields Patricia I.
Published: February 2025

In the era of genomic characterization of strains for public health microbiology, whole genome sequencing (WGS)-enabled subtyping of
Salmonella
provides superior discrimination of strains compared to traditional methods such as serotyping. Nonetheless, serotypes are still very useful; they maintain historical continuity and facilitate clear communication. Genetic determination of serotypes from WGS data is now routine. Genetic determination of rarer serotypes can be problematic due to a lack of sequences for rare antigen types and alleles, a lack of understanding of the genetic basis for some antigens, or some inconsistencies in the White-Kauffmann-Le Minor (WKL) Scheme for
Salmonella
serotype designation. Here, we present a simplified interpretation of serotypes to address the shortcomings of genetic methods, which will allow the streamlined integration of serotype determination into the WGS workflow. The simplification represents a consensus perspective among major U.S. public health agencies and serves as a WGS-oriented interpretation of the WKL Scheme. We also present SeqSero2S, a bioinformatics tool for WGS-based serotype prediction using the simplified interpretation.

IMPORTANCE

The utility of
Salmonella
serotyping has evolved from a primary subtyping method, where the need for strain discrimination justified its complexity, to a supplemental subtyping scheme and nomenclature convention, where clarity and simplicity in communication have become important for its continued use. Compared to phenotypic methods like serotyping, whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based subtyping methods excel in recognizing natural populations, which avoids grouping together strains from different genetic backgrounds or splitting genetically related strains into different groups. This simplified interpretation of serotypes addresses a shortcoming of the original scheme by combining some serotypes that are known to be genetically related. Our simplified interpretation of the White-Kauffmann-Le Minor (WKL) Scheme facilitates a complete and smooth transition of serotyping’s role, especially from the public health perspective that has been shaped by the routine use of WGS.
Dose-response Relationship between Leisure-time Physical Activity and Metabolic Syndrome in Short Sleep US Adults: Evidence from a Nationwide Investigation
Authors: You Yanwei , Ding Hao , Tang Meihua , Wang Weizhao , Yan Ning , Min Leizi , Chen Yuquan , Ma Xindong
Published: February 2025

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and short sleep are prevalent health concerns in the United States, yet the relationship between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and MetS among individuals with short sleep duration remains unclear. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 8999 US adults aged 20 years and older in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Short sleep duration was defined as less than 7 hours per night, and MetS was diagnosed based on criteria from the American Endocrine Society and the American Society of Clinical Endocrinology. Weighted regression analyses revealed a significant inverse association between LTPA and MetS, with higher LTPA levels linked to lower MetS [OR (95% CI): 0.990 (0.984, 0.997), p = 0.003]. Participants who achieved the World Health Organization's recommended LTPA levels had a substantially lower MetS compared to those with no LTPA [OR (95% CI): 0.624 (0.527, 0.738), p = 0.001]. Stratified analyses showed that this protective effect varied across demographic subgroups, and a threshold effect was observed at 2000 MET-minutes per week, beyond which further LTPA did not significantly enhance protection against MetS. These findings highlight the importance of regular LTPA is negatively associated with MetS among individuals with inadequate sleep, emphasizing the need for targeted health promotion efforts in this population.
Bioclimatic analysis of cabbage seedpod weevil, Ceutorhyncus obstrictus (Marsham) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and canola, Brassica napus Linnaeus (Brassicaceae) responses to climate
Authors: Weiss Ross M. , Haye Tim , Olfert Owen , Barkley Shelley , Gavloski John , Tansey James , Otani Jennifer , Vankosky Meghan A.
Published: February 2025

The cabbage seedpod weevil (CSW), Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an important pest of brassicaceous crops, including canola ( Brassica napus Linnaeus). CSW consumes seeds of its host from inside the developing pods. It was introduced to North America from Europe and now occurs throughout the United States of America and Canada. Climate is one of the most important factors that determines species distribution and abundance. CLIMEX is a bioclimate model development application. Based on climate inputs, bioclimatic simulation models are tools that predict the potential geographic distribution and abundance of insects and plants. This study updated a previous bioclimatic model for CSW and presents a new model for canola. Validated models were used to conduct bioclimatic analysis of both species, the results of which provide a better understanding of how climate affects spatial distribution and abundance of CSW and the distribution and yield of canola. Application of incremental temperature and moisture scenarios were used to predict the spatial relationship of CSW risk and canola yield. We anticipate that the canola model will be applied to future bioclimatic studies of pests and beneficial insects of canola. Both the CSW and canola model can be used in climate change studies using datasets for predicted future climates.