bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utility of gut-brain electrophysiological coupling in predicting L-Dopa induced dyskinesia in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Houde Sanket , Kaur Mansimran , Tiwari Hari Prakash , Priyanka B Nandini , BP Rathore , Balasubramani Pragathi P.
Published: December 2024

In this study, we focus on Levodopa induced dyskinesia (LID) condition in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and investigate the mechanistic role of gut-brain coupling in explaining the dyskinesia severity. Earlier studies have provided evidences for abnormal dynamics in the cortico-basal ganglia loops and also in the gut functioning, for explaining LID. However to our knowledge, assessing gut-brain coupling isn’t a standard practice for development of the treatment strategy in LID patients for understanding the odds of dyskinesia onset and progression. In this study, we use scalable data acquisition technologies such as electroencephalography (EEG) and electrogastrography (EGG) for investigating the gut-brain coupling, and for the first time assess its utility to inform about dyskinesia severity in PD patients. We collected data from N=67 subjects (healthy = 26) in middle to old age adulthood and acquire their gut-brain coupling data during various cognitive engagement tasks, using simultaneous EEG and EGG recording setup. Some of our results include that gut-brain coupling can predict the severity of dyskinesia in PD during interoception, especially in hyperventilating and eyes closed resting state paradigms. Second, specific frequencies of gut coupling activity are more sensitive to explaining motor complications. Third, the gut activity differentially couples with different brain regions to explain the symptom severity. The most salient features of our model were the normogastric gut coupling with the temporo-occipital brain region, normogastric gut coupling with the frontal region, and the tachygastric gut coupling with the centro-parietal region. Furthermore of translational significance, the latter two features also significantly interacted with cardiac measures, and the model was able to predict sensitive heart rate variability levels for reducing the symptom severity. Altogether, our study paves way for utitlizing gut-brain coupling as a clinical measure for strategizing interventions in PD.
Chimeric aggregative multicellularity in absence of kin discrimination
Authors: Weltzer Michael L. , Govaerts Jack , Wall Daniel
Published: December 2024

Aggregative multicellularity is a cooperative strategy employed by some microorganisms. Unlike clonal expansion within protected environments during multicellular eukaryotic development, an aggregation strategy introduces the potential for genetic conflicts and exploitation by cheaters, threatening the stability of the social system.Myxococcus xanthus, a soil-dwelling bacterium, employs aggregative multicellularity to form multicellular fruiting bodies that produce spores in response to starvation. Studies of natural fruiting bodies show that this process is restricted to close kin or clonemates. Here, we investigate the mechanisms underlying kin recognition during development inM. xanthus. By co-culturing two distantly relatedM. xanthusstrains under vegetative and starvation conditions, we observed that the strains segregate in both contexts. During vegetative growth, one strain antagonized the other using the type VI secretion system (T6SS). T6SS-mediated antagonism was also observed during development, resulting in monoclonal fruiting bodies when WT strains were mixed. In contrast, mixtures of T6SS knockout strains formed chimeric fruiting bodies, that produced viable spores from both strains. These findings suggest that T6SS is the primary mechanism of kin discrimination in distantly relatedM. xanthusstrains, and its use ensures the development of monoclonal fruiting bodies and social integrity.
Usutu virus African 3.1 lineage, Portugal, 2021-2023
Authors: Queirós João , Silva Tatiana , Fontoura-Gonçalves Catarina , Magalhães Inês , Moraga Alberto , Contreras Marinela , Almeida Tereza , Lopes Ana M. , Abrantes Joana , da Silva Luís P. , Rodrigues Marisa , Costa João Basso , de Mello Gonçalo , Gonçalves David , Alves Paulo Célio , Höfle Ursula
Published: December 2024

Background

Usutu virus (Orthoflavivirus usutuense, USUV), a neurotropic arthropod-borne RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae, is a zoonotic virus that has spread throughout the European continent over the last three decades, since its emergence in Italy in 1996. However, no cases of USUV have been reported in Portugal so far.

Material and methods

In the scope of an active surveillance program forOrthoflavivirus, we collected growing feather samples from 249 red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) hunted in southern Portugal during the 2021-2023 hunting seasons. Samples positive for USUV were subjected to whole genome sequencing and strain characterization.

Results

Two partridges tested positive for USUV. Phylogenetic analyses of whole and partial genomes assigned the USUV strains to the African 3 lineage, specifically the African 3.1 sub-lineage.

Conclusions

Our study confirms, for the first time, the circulation of USUV in wild birds in Portugal. Active surveillance of hunted partridges proved to be a useful, accessible, and cost-effective method for USUV monitoring, further supporting their value as effective sentinels forOrthoflavivirussurveillance. Given the ongoing circulation of USUV and the increasing risk of its spillover to other domestic and wild animals, and humans, additional efforts are needed to improve virus surveillance in Portugal from a One Health perspective.
Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell line ERCi003-A derived from a patient with maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 10 caused by a heterozygousINSmutation
Authors: Bastrich Asya , Antonov Daniil , Podzhilkova Aleksandra , Petrova Darya A. , Pylina Svetlana V. , Laptev Dmitriy N. , Sechko Elena A. , Kuznetsov Sergey N. , Vetchinkina Ekaterina A. , Mokrysheva Natalia G.
Published: December 2024

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 10 (MODY10) is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, characterized by islet cell dysfunction, impaired insulin synthesis and secretion. MODY10 is relatively rare, and is caused by a mutation of the 11p15.5 site on chromosome 11 encoding insulin. We obtained iPSCs (ERCi003-A line) from dermal fibroblasts derived from a patient with MODY10 carrying a previously undescribed pathogenic heterozygous mutation in theINSgene (c.93C>G, p.C31W) into iPSCs using transfection with self-replicating RNA vector. iPSCs proliferate in dense monolayer cell colonies, have a normal karyotype (46,XY), express pluripotency markers (OCT4, SOX2, TRA-1-60). The functional pluripotency of iPSCs was confirmed by their ability to form embryoid bodies and differentiate into the three germ layers (ecto-, endo-, and mesoderm). Sanger sequencing of iPSCs confirmed the presence of pathogenic heterozygous mutation in theINSgene. This cell line could be useful to thoroughly modeling of MODY10 to improve clinical understanding of the disease.
Membrane wetting by biomolecular condensates is facilitated by mobile tethers
Authors: GrandPre Trevor , Pyo Andrew G. T. , Wingreen Ned. S.
Published: December 2024

Biomolecular condensates frequently rely on membrane interactions for localization, recruitment, and chemical substrates. These interactions are often mediated by membrane- anchored tethers, a feature overlooked by traditional wetting models. Using a surface free-energy framework that couples surface tension with tether density, we solve for the contact angle and tether density in a spherical cap geometry, generalizing the Young-Dupré equation. While the contact angle retains its force-balance form, the tether density depends nontrivially on the form and strength of tether-condensate interactions. We solve for this dependence within a simple interaction model, and find a wetting phase diagram with a transition from non-wetting to partial to complete wetting over a biologically realistic parameter range. This work provides a quantitative framework for characterizing condensate-membrane interactions, uncovering potential mechanisms by which membranes mediate cellular organization and function.
Single-Cell full-length Isoform Sequencing Unveils Transcriptional Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorder During Cerebral Cortex Development
Authors: Xu Xiaoyi , Wang Jun , Hu Kunhua , Su Dan , Huang Qingpei , Fan Xiaotang , Fan Xiaoying
Published: December 2024

Regulation of RNA splicing is pivotal in neural development, with established gene isoform expression patterns (1, 2). However, the specific roles of isoform diversity across cell types in both healthy and diseased brains warrant further investigation. Here, we employed a combination of metabolic RNA labeling using 4-thiouridine (4sU) and long-read sequencing based single-cell full-length transcriptome sequencing to capture newly synthesized transcripts within the developing mouse cortices. This approach allowed us to identify predetermined cell states supported by new RNAs and the driving isoforms of transcription factors that regulate the development of deep-and upper-layer neurons. Through detailed single-cell isoform expression analysis, we discovered novel cell type-specific isoforms and uncovered isoform switch events that modulate neuron differentiation. Additionally, we investigated isoform regulation associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) during embryonic development of BTBRT+Itpr3tf(BTBR) mice. Notably, our findings indicate a premature emergence of cortical projection neurons (CPNs) with an immature identity in ASD-affected cortices. These CPNs exhibit the highest degree of differential transcript usage (DTU), significantly overlapping with their cell type markers and being enriched in RNA splicing processes. Exon inclusion was significantly enriched in ASD and the related RNA binding proteins (RBPs) were extracted, nearly 60% of which have been reported as ASD risk genes. Lastly, we revealed a reduction in isoform diversity in ASD, potentially linked to H3K27ac dysregulation in the associated genes. Collectively, our study marks a substantial advancement in understanding the molecular basis of cortical development and function, paving the way for future studies on neurodevelopmental disorders.
Bridging molecular to cellular scales for models of membrane receptor signaling
Authors: Peterson Kelvin J. , Slepchenko Boris M. , Loew Leslie M.
Published: December 2024

Biochemical interactions at membranes are the starting points for cell signaling networks. But bimolecular reaction kinetics are difficult to experimentally measure on 2-dimensional membranes and are usually measured in volumetricin vitroassays. Membrane tethering produces confinement and steric effects that will significantly impact binding rates in ways that are not readily estimated from volumetric measurements. Also, there are situations when 2D reactions do not conform to simple kinetics. Here we show how highly coarse-grained molecular simulations using the SpringSaLaD software can be used to estimate membrane-tethered rate constants from experimentally determined volumetric kinetics. The approach is validated using an analytical solution for dimerization of binding sites anchored via stiff linkers. This approach can provide 2-dimensional bimolecular rate constants to parameterize cell-scale models of receptor-mediated signaling. We explore how factors such as molecular reach, steric effects, disordered domains, local concentration and diffusion affect the kinetics of binding. We find that for reaction-limited cases, the key determinant in converting 3D to 2D rate constant is the distance of the binding sites from the membrane. On the other hand, the mass action rate law may no longer be obeyed for diffusion-limited reaction on surfaces; the simulations reveal when this situation pertains. We then apply our approach to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mediated activation of the membrane-bound small GTPase Ras. The analysis reveals how prior binding of Ras to the allosteric site of SOS, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) that is recruited to EGFR, significantly accelerates its catalytic activity.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

In cell signaling, the activation of a surface receptor leads to a cascade of intracellular biochemical events. Many of these occur near the inner plasma membrane surface. However, accurate rate parameters for these initial steps in models of signaling are rarely available because membrane-tethered reaction kinetics are difficult to experimentally measure. Here, we use a highly coarse-grained molecular simulator to model the kinetics of reactions between binding sites that are tethered to a membrane. We can fit these simulation outputs to 2-dimensional rate laws to obtain rate constants that can be used to build complex models of cell signaling. These rate constants can also be compared to understand the key biophysical features controlling the kinetics of bimolecular membrane reactions.
Deep mutationally scanned (DMS) CHIKV E3/E2 virus library maps viral amino acid preferences and predicts viral escape mutants of neutralizing CHIKV antibodies
Authors: Stumpf Megan M. , Brunetti Tonya , Davenport Bennett J. , McCarthy Mary K. , Morrison Thomas E.
Published: December 2024

As outbreaks of chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a mosquito-borne alphavirus, continue to present public health challenges, additional research is needed to generate protective and safe vaccines and effective therapeutics. Prior research has established a role for antibodies in mediating protection against CHIKV infection, and the early appearance of CHIKV-specific IgG or IgG neutralizing antibodies protects against progression to chronic CHIKV disease in humans. However, the importance of epitope specificity for these protective antibodies and how skewed responses contribute to development of acute and chronic CHIKV-associated joint disease remains poorly understood. Here, we describe the deep mutational scanning of one of the dominant targets of neutralizing antibodies during CHIKV infection, the E3/E2 (also known as p62) glycoprotein complex, to simultaneously test thousands of p62 mutants against selective pressures of interest in a high throughput manner. Characterization of the virus library revealed achievement of high diversity while also selecting out non-functional virus variants. Furthermore, this study provides evidence that this virus library system can comprehensively map sites critical for the neutralization function of antibodies of both known and unknown p62 domain specificities.

IMPORTANCE

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus and re-emerging pathogen of global health concern that causes fever and debilitating acute and chronic joint pain. Prior studies established a critical role for antibodies in protection against CHIKV infection, however, the importance of different antibody epitopes engaged on the virus for these functions is poorly understood. Here, we describe the generation of a high-throughput, functional virus library capable of simultaneously identifying critical neutralization sites for multiple antibodies. We find that, through generation of the virus library, the plasticity of the viral glycoproteins tested varied by subdomains. Additionally, our study revealed new sites in the major CHIKV surface glycoprotein important for neutralization by previously proposed therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. Overall, this study describes a new tool that can be used to better understand antibody responses associated with distinct CHIKV infection outcomes and could contribute to the development of efficacious vaccines and antibody-based therapeutics.
Characterization ofSalmonella typhifrom Shallow Well Water in Sogomo, Eldoret, Kenya and its Antimicrobial Sensitivity toMoringa oleiferaSeed Extract
Authors: Joy Cheronoh , Rono Salinah , Emily Jelimo , Ramadhan Luvandale , Francis Kalule
Published: December 2024

Salmonella typhiis a gram negative, rod-shaped bacterium that cause typhoid fever disease, a significant cause of human mortality especially in the developing countries. This illness occurs after ingestion ofSalmonella typhibacteria in contaminated water or food. This study aimed to isolate and identifySalmonella typhifrom shallow well waters and assess its sensitivity toMoringa oleiferaseed extract. Twelve wells were sampled randomly, and samples collected. 10mls of each sample were measured and put in twelve different sterile test tubes. Dilutions were done serially by diluting 1 ml of each sample in tubes having 9mls of distilled water. This was labelled 10-1 dilution. Further dilutions were done to dilution factor of 10-3. Inoculation was done inSalmonella Shigellaagar (SSA) and incubation done at 35 C for 24 hours. Re-inoculation was done in SSA by streaking to obtain pure isolates. These pure isolates were confirmed by biochemical tests (catalase, methyl red and Triple Sugar Iron tests). Anti-microbial sensitivity test was performed usingMoringa oleiferaseed extract and ofloxacin and norfloxacin drugs of antibiotic disc were used as positive and negative controls respectively. Poor method of human waste disposal, condition of sewage systems and inaccurate water treatment methods associate to well water contamination bySalmonella typhiand thus transmission. Results showed that 3 out of 12 water samples tested positive forSalmonella typhi. This gave a rate of 25% contamination of shallow wells in Sogomo by this bacterium. The bacterium was sensitive toMoringa oleiferaseed extract, with sensitivity increasing with higher extract concentrations. The results of the measurements of zones of inhibition were represented using graphs. The study highlights the need for public health education among the residents of Sogomo on proper sewage management, waste disposal and water treatment to prevent contamination.
An Atlas of Cellular Archetypes
Authors: Crowley George , Alon Uri , Quake Stephen R.
Published: December 2024

Single cell RNA sequencing allows effective characterization of cell types and cell states. Cell types can be reliably identified as defined clusters via marker gene expression and differential expression analysis. However, once a cell type is identified, current analysis methods provide little information about the potential variety of functions within the cell type. Here, we apply a principled computational approach to understand the functional heterogeneity within a given cell type. It has been hypothesized that cells in competitive environments will conform to Pareto task optimality theory by organizing in low-dimensional polytopes in gene expression space, and that specialist phenotypes identified via Pareto Task Inference Analysis would be reproducible and general. We used the Tabula Sapiens atlas of single-cell RNA sequencing across cell types and tissues in the human body to test this hypothesis and discovered that most cell types are well-fit by this theory. Furthermore, we derived specialist phenotypes from this method, which were used to identify archetypes of cellular function that represent essential biological tasks. We compared the specialist phenotypes from common cell types shared across tissues and found consistent results. These phenotypes are derived from an unbiased approach and do not incorporate ideas from existing biological models or theories, and yet in many cases they recapitulate our understanding of the functions of major cell types. Taken together, these results suggest a principled approach to annotating the continuum of functions within each cell type.
Hyperballistic intercellular signaling through growth assisted positive feedback
Authors: Wang Meidi , González Louis , Saha Soutick , Josić Krešimir , Mugler Andrew , Bennett Matthew R.
Published: December 2024

Intercellular signaling in bacteria is often mediated by small molecules secreted by cells. These small molecules disperse via diffusion which limits the speed and spatial extent of information transfer in spatially extended systems. Theory shows that a secondary signal and feedback circuits can speed up the flow of information and allow it to travel further. Here, we construct and test several synthetic circuits inEscherichia colito determine to what extent a secondary signal and feedback can improve signal propagation in bacterial systems. We find that positive feedback-regulated secondary signals propagate further and faster than diffusion-limited signals. Additionally, the speed at which the signal propagates can accelerate in time, provided the density of the cells within the system increases. These findings provide the foundation for creating fast, long-range signal propagation circuits in spatially extended bacterial systems.
Parametrically controlled chiral interface for superconducting quantum devices
Authors: Cao Xi , Irfan Abdullah , Mollenhauer Michael , Singirikonda Kaushik , Pfaff Wolfgang
Published: December 2024

Nonreciprocal microwave routing plays a crucial role in measuring quantum circuits, and allows for realizing cascaded quantum systems for generating and stabilizing entanglement between noninteracting qubits. The most commonly used tools for implementing directionality are ferrite-based circulators. These devices are versatile, but suffer from excess loss, a large footprint, and fixed directionality. For utilizing nonreciprocity in scalable quantum circuits it is desirable to develop efficient integration of low-loss and controllable directional elements. Here, we report the design and experimental realization of a minimal controllable directional interface that can be directly coupled to superconducting qubits. In the device presented, nonreciprocity is realized through a combination of interference and phase-controlled parametric pumping. We have achieved a maximum directionality of around 30 dB, and the performance of the device is predicted quantitatively from independent calibration measurements. Using the excellent agreement of model and experiment, we predict that the circuit will be useable as a chiral qubit interface with inefficiencies at the 1% level or below. Our work offers a promising route for realizing high-fidelity signal routing and entanglement generation in all-to-all connected microwave quantum networks, and provides a path for isolator-free qubit readout schemes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quantum optimization with linear Ising penalty functions for customer data science
Authors: Mirkarimi Puya , Shukla Ishaan , Hoyle David C. , Williams Ross , Chancellor Nicholas
Published: December 2024

Constrained combinatorial optimization problems, which are ubiquitous in industry, can be solved by quantum algorithms such as quantum annealing (QA) and the quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA). In these quantum algorithms, constraints are typically implemented with quadratic penalty functions. This penalty method can introduce large energy scales and make interaction graphs much more dense. These effects can result in worse performance of quantum optimization, particularly on near-term devices that have sparse hardware graphs and other physical limitations. In this work, we consider linear Ising penalty functions, which are applied with local fields in the Ising model, as an alternative method for implementing constraints that makes more efficient use of physical resources. We study the behavior of the penalty method in the context of quantum optimization for customer data science problems. Our theoretical analysis and numerical simulations of QA and the QAOA indicate that this penalty method can lead to better performance in quantum optimization than the quadratic method. However, the linear Ising penalty method is not suitable for all problems as it cannot always exactly implement the desired constraint. In cases where the linear method is not successful in implementing all constraints, we propose that schemes involving both quadratic and linear Ising penalties can be effective.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Synthesis of microbunching rotation for generating isolated attosecond soft x-ray free-electron laser pulses
Authors: Sun Hao , Wang Xiaofan , Zeng Li , Zhang Weiqing
Published: December 2024

Attosecond x-ray pulses play a crucial role in the study of ultrafast phenomena involving inner and valence electrons. Especially isolated attosecond pulses with high photon energy and high peak power are of great significance in single-shot imaging in the soft x-ray region, life sciences, and attosecond pump-probe experiments. In modern accelerators, laser manipulation of electrons can be used to tailor the ultrafast properties of free-electron laser pulses. In this paper, we propose a novel laser manipulation technique that makes use of two many-cycle, obliquely incident laser beams with mutual delays to synthesize microbunching rotation on the scale of infrared laser wavelengths within the electron bunch. This synthesis microbunching rotation ultimately leads to an enhanced current contrast ratio between the main peak and the surrounding satellite peaks within the bunch. By properly accounting for the longitudinal space-charge fields within the undulator, a tapered undulator can further suppress the side peaks in the radiation pulse and enable the selection of an isolated, hundred-attosecond, GW-level soft x-ray pulse.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Decoupled sound and amplitude modes in trapped dipolar supersolids
Authors: Hertkorn J. , Stürmer P. , Mukherjee K. , Ng K. S. H. , Uerlings P. , Hellstern F. , Lavoine L. , Reimann S. M. , Pfau T. , Klemt R.
Published: December 2024

We theoretically investigate elementary excitations of dipolar quantum gases across the superfluid to supersolid phase transition in a toroidal trap. We show how decoupled first sound, second sound, and Higgs modes emerge by following their origin from superfluid modes across the transition. The structure of these excitations reveals the interplay between crystal and superfluid oscillations. Our results unify previous notions of coupled Goldstone and Higgs modes in harmonic traps, allowing us to establish a correspondence between excitations of trapped and infinitely extended supersolids. We propose protocols for selectively probing these sound and amplitude modes, accessible to state-of-the-art experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Semi-Dirac Fermions in a Topological Metal
Authors: Shao Yinming , Moon Seongphill , Rudenko A. N. , Wang Jie , Herzog-Arbeitman Jonah , Ozerov Mykhaylo , Graf David , Sun Zhiyuan , Queiroz Raquel , Lee Seng Huat , Zhu Yanglin , Mao Zhiqiang , Katsnelson M. I. , Bernevig B. Andrei , Smirnov Dmitry , Millis Andrew J. , Basov D. N.
Published: December 2024

Topological semimetals with massless Dirac and Weyl fermions represent the forefront of quantum materials research. In two dimensions, a peculiar class of fermions that are massless in one direction and massive in the perpendicular direction was predicted 16 years ago. These highly exotic quasiparticles—the semi-Dirac fermions—ignited intense theoretical and experimental interest but remain undetected. Using magneto-optical spectroscopy, we demonstrate the defining feature of semi-Dirac fermions—B2/3 scaling of Landau levels—in a prototypical nodal-line metal ZrSiS. In topological metals, including ZrSiS, nodal lines extend the band degeneracies from isolated points to lines, loops, or even chains in the momentum space. With calculations and theoretical modeling, we pinpoint the observed semi-Dirac spectrum to the crossing points of nodal lines in ZrSiS. Crossing nodal lines exhibit a continuum absorption spectrum but with singularities that scale as B2/3 at the crossing. Our work sheds light on the hidden quasiparticles emerging from the intricate topology of crossing nodal lines and highlights the potential to explore quantum geometry with linear optical responses.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 1,3,3,4,4,5,5-heptafluoro-2-(3-[(2,3,3,4,4,5,5-heptafluorocyclopenten-1-yl)oxy]-2-{[(2,3,3,4,4,5,5-heptafluorocyclopenten-1-yl)oxy]methyl}-2-methylpropoxy)cyclopentene
Authors: Peloquin Andrew J. , Balaich Gary J. , Jennings Abby R.
Published: December 2024

In the title compound, C20H9F21O3, a central sp
3-hybridized carbon atom is decorated with three heptafluoro-2-methyloxy(cyclopent-1-ene) arms and a methyl group. The primary packing is determined by C—F...F—C interactions, forming [001] chains, which are consolidated via weaker C—F...F—C and C—H...F—C contacts. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was conducted to aid in the visualization of these various influences on the packing: this revealed that the largest contribution to the surface contacts arises from F...F interactions (53.5%), followed by F...H/H...F (34.5%) and F...C/C...F (7.1%).
Librarians’ perceptions and use of open access resources for economic sustainability in selected university libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria
Authors: Adeyemi Ismail Olatunji , Adeleke Quareebat Ayomide , Abdullahi Shamsudeen Aweda , Abdulazeez Robiat Gambari , Abdulazeez Monsuru Damilare , Abdulazeez Abubakar Folorunsho
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Open access (OA) resources are free to access and help in research and teaching/learning, allowing libraries to manage resources more sustainably and effectively. Hence, this study aims to examine use of OA resources for economic sustainability among librarians in selected university libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts descriptive survey research design. Using total enumeration sampling technique, a sample of 46 professional librarians were drawn from the selected universities. Questionnaire was used for data collection, and descriptive statistics was used for data analysis.

Findings

The findings show that most of the librarians had high level of awareness about OA resources. Results demonstrate that majority of the librarians used PubMed Central bi-weekly. Findings show that the librarians used OA resources to support academic research, enhance library’s collection without additional cost and facilitate information access for users with limited financial resources. Results indicate that most of the librarians perceived that OA resources impact library’s operational cost and goal of economic sustainability.

Practical implications

This study highlights the need for targeted training and resource development to enhance the effective use of OA resources. Meanwhile, the consistent usage of OA resources suggests the importance of the resources to librarians, aligning with previous studies on frequent use of established OA repositories.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence on the relevance and impact of OA resources use on economic sustainability, demonstrating the importance of OA resources in knowledge dissemination and fostering innovation.
The interpretation of China’s economic
modernization from the broad Marxist political economy
Authors: Xiang Guocheng , Liu Jingjing , Yang Yuxuan
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The modernization of China’s economy is an integral part of
Chinese-style modernization. According to the principle of unifying
theoretical, historical and practical logic, theoretically explaining the
modernization of China’s economy is both a political necessity and a
higher scientific requirement.

Design/methodology/approach

Following this evolutionary line – from modes of production to the
general economic development mechanism and then to patterns of economic
operation and development – this paper employs the principal
contradiction analysis method to offer an interpretation of China’s
economic modernization from the broad Marxist political economy
perspective.

Findings

In economic terms, “get organized” primarily refers to the
development and mutual promotion of team-based and market-based division of
labor organizations, as discussed by Karl Marx. “Get
organized” (specifically the development of team-based division of
labor organizations) acts as the engine of China’s economic
modernization and serves as the historical logical starting point. Division
of labor is the theoretical logical starting point for interpreting
China’s economic modernization. The two of them are congruent,
achieving the unity of theoretical and historical logic at the starting
point. The development and mutual promotion of these “two types of
division of labor” inherently generate the general mechanism of
economic development first comprehensively discussed by Marx and Friedrich
Engels, which involves the division of labor development and market
expansion accumulating cyclically and reinforcing each other. This mechanism
drives both the high-speed and high-quality development of China’s
economic modernization.

Originality/value

The broad Marxist political economy paradigm facilitates explaining
China’s economic modernization theoretically, historically and
practically with unified logic. “Get organized” serves as both
the engine and the realization mechanism of this modernization, with the
Communist Party of China (CPC) consistently being the core force of this
organizational effort.
Solution of fractional Sturm–Liouville problems by generalized polynomials
Authors: Sadiq Shazia , Rehman Mujeeb ur
Published: December 2024

Purpose

In this article, we present the numerical solution of fractional Sturm-Liouville problems by using generalized shifted Chebyshev polynomials.

Design/methodology/approach

We combine right Caputo and left Riemann–Liouville fractional differential operators for the construction of fractional Sturm–Liouville operators. The proposed algorithm is developed using operational integration matrices of generalized shifted Chebyshev polynomials. We introduce a new bound on the coefficients of the shifted. Chebyshev polynomials subsequently employed to establish an upper bound for error in the approximation of a function by shifted Chebyshev polynomials.

Findings

We have solved fractional initial value problems, terminal value problems and Sturm–Liouville problems by plotting graphs and comparing the results. We have presented the comparison of approximated solutions with existing results and exact numerical solutions. The presented numerical problems with satisfactory results show the applicability of the proposed method to produce an approximate solution with accuracy.

Originality/value

The presented method has been applied to a specific class of fractional differential equations, which involve fractional derivatives of a function with respect to some other function. Keeping this in mind, we have modified the classical Chebyshev polynomials so that they involve the same function with respect to which fractional differentiation is performed. This modification is of great help to analyze the newly introduced polynomials from analytical and numerical point of view. We have compared our numerical results with some other numerical methods in the literature and obtained better results.
Life cycle assessment applied to facility management of exposed steel frames – case study
Authors: Matos Raquel , Rodrigues Hugo , Costa Aníbal Guimarães , Rodrigues Maria Fernanda , Lavy Sarel , Dixit Manish
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Facility management (FM) plays an important role in the attainment of a sustainable built environment during the building operational stage since it is responsible for decisions that influence materials’ durability, waste, cost reduction and energy efficiency. However, the integration of the life cycle assessment (LCA) approach in FM presents some difficulties in obtaining complete inventories for building components, tracking material flows and defining system boundaries. This paper aims to establish the environmental impact comparison between maintenance actions and replacement interventions performed during the life cycle of a steel frame from a building facade.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the effects of different repair/maintenance actions and end-of-life scenarios were analysed using two tools: an LCA building information modelling-based tool and an LCA open-source tool.

Findings

The results showed that repairing and maintaining the steel structure is essential for the safety and preservation of the steel structure. However, steel maintenance and repair practices that involve fewer environmental impacts need to be explored.

Social implications

It also emphasises the crucial role of facility managers in promoting sustainability and supporting informed decision-making throughout the building’s life cycle, thereby aiding in the pursuit of sustainable development and the goal of decarbonisation by 2050.

Originality/value

This study reveals that maintenance processes in building management have a greater environmental impact compared to material replacement activities, especially concerning the steel structure within the case study building, as assessed using two LCA software tools. The findings provide valuable insights into the environmental impacts of maintenance and replacement phases and underscore the need for further investigation into more sustainable maintenance practices within facility management. Additionally, the study raises public awareness and engagement in environmental responsibility, contributing positively to the achievement of a sustainable built environment.
Even climate change is not fair: the impact of climate change on economic outcomes
Authors: Tawiah Vincent , Alessa Noha
Published: December 2024

Purpose

From generation to generation, the poor and less developed have always borne the negative consequences of the extravagant lifestyles of the rich. The climate seems to perpetuate this injustice by punishing the good people with the consequences of the irresponsible acts of the wealthy. Therefore, this paper aims to establish the relationship between climate risk and carbon emissions. Then, this paper investigates the economic consequences of climate risk in both developed and developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses robust econometrics, including fixed effect and the two-step system generalised method of moments, on a large sample of 175 countries from 2008 to 2019.

Findings

Unsurprisingly, this paper found that climate risks are negatively associated with carbon emissions, indicating that countries with lower emissions are more exposed to frequent and severe climate-related disasters than those with higher emissions. Additionally, this paper discovered that climate risk has a negative impact on economic development, which is more pronounced in developing countries. The results are robust to alternative measurement and econometric modelling, including the system-generalized method of moments.

Originality/value

These findings suggest that developing countries, the least contributors to climate change, unfairly suffer from the environmentally irresponsible actions of high-emitting developed countries.
Implementation and impact of makerspaces in Indian academic libraries: a study of select three academic libraries of North India
Authors: Sharma Kailash Chand , Shrivastava Rishabh
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the current state of makerspaces in Indian academic libraries. The history of makerspace and its introduction in academic libraries have been elaborated and analysed. Makerspaces of three different academic libraries in Northern India have been compared in the study.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was collected using a well-structured interview schedule as well as complemented from the website of the institutions in the study. Field visits to the makerspaces were also conducted for understanding how users are working in makerspaces and the different benefits they gained from such working environments. The different tools and facilities provided by the makerspaces were also analysed and it was found that a versatile group of users can easily collaborate with the help of such interactive and lively environment.

Findings

It was found that tools like 3D printers enhanced the benefits and enriched creativity amongst non-tech savvy users too, by giving them a chance of using such tools. Interaction between different groups of people belonging to different fields and having varied experiences and expertise was also reported to be an important aspect of makerspaces. These places also were found to support the “Do it Yourself” culture among youngsters using the libraries. The study concludes that makerspaces are innovative ways in which libraries can encourage more and more users towards the libraries.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first studies on makerspaces in academic libraries in context of a growing economy like India. Makerspaces can be significantly useful for proper space management and utilisation of resources for academic libraries.
Personality expression is shaped by the early experienced social context in predatory mites
Authors: Chiara Violette
Published: December 2024

Research Highlights: Schausberger, P., & Nguyen, T. H. (2024). Early social isolation disrupts adult personality expression in group‐living mites. Journal of Animal Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365‐2656.14169. Personality traits in animals have been of great interest in the last decades. The number of studies demonstrating the existence of personality in a wide range of taxa is growing rapidly. Although the effect of early experience on later average values of behavioural traits is well documented, very few articles demonstrate the effects of those factors on personality expression itself. One factor in particular received very little, if not no, attention: social isolation. Although social isolation is known to have major impacts on later animal behaviour, it is still unknown whether it may favour or inhibit personality expression. In a recent study, Schausberger and Nguyen (2024) demonstrated that early‐life social isolation had strong effects on adults of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis. They show for the first time that early social isolation decreased the expression of personality in the activity of adults when tested in a social context. Interestingly, they observed the opposite effect when the same mites were tested alone: previously isolated mites were highly repeatable but group‐reared mites were not. Finally, they also show an indirect effect of early social isolation through mating: mating with a male who experienced social isolation increased the behavioural repeatability of females. This study not only reinforces the established understanding of personality but also paves the way for future research in the field.
Collaboration strategies for bridging health, behavioral health, and social services in California's Medi‐Cal Whole Person Care Pilot Program
Authors: Chuang Emmeline , Ross Rachel , Safaeinili Nadia , Haley Leigh Ann , O'Masta Brenna , Pourat Nadereh
Published: December 2024

Objective

To identify collaboration strategies used to integrate health, behavioral health, and social services for Medicaid members in California's Medi‐Cal Whole Person Care Pilot program (WPC).

Data Sources and Study Setting

WPC was a social care intervention implemented to identify and address eligible members' health, behavioral health, and social needs. Data included semi‐structured key informant interviews conducted in 2018–2019 (n = 221) and 2021 (n = 167); pilot‐level surveys; whole‐network surveys of 507 organizations in all 25 pilots participating in WPC; and documents submitted by pilots to the state. Pilots served a total of 247,887 unique members between 2017 and 2021, the majority of whom were non‐white (72%) and over half of whom experienced homelessness.

Study Design/Data Collection

Data were collected as part of the statewide evaluation of WPC. We analyzed qualitative data to examine strategies used by pilots to integrate care, network data to identify pilots that improved cross‐sector collaboration (i.e., strengthened density or multiplexity of cross‐sector ties) following WPC implementation, and comparative case analysis to identify strategies that differentiated pilots that improved collaboration from those that did not.

Principal Findings

Pilots used multiple strategies to facilitate the integration of care. Network analyses identified 10 pilots that significantly improved either density or multiplexity of cross‐sector ties, and one pilot with high cross‐sector collaboration prior to WPC. Compared to pilots that did not improve cross‐sector collaboration, these pilots meaningfully engaged partners in program design and implementation, used braided funds, and leveraged WPC to support broader systems change. These pilots also reported fewer challenges in developing and managing contractual relationships and ensuring meaningful use of data‐sharing infrastructure by frontline staff responsible for care coordination.

Conclusions

Data sharing is necessary but not sufficient for systems alignment. Collaboration strategies focused on addressing financial barriers to integration and strengthening normative and interpersonal integration are also needed.
Business strategy and CEO pay duration
Authors: Gu Zhenjiang , Ding Rong , Ding Wenhong , Yu Yangxin
Published: December 2024

In this study, we investigate the effect of firm's business strategy on an important feature of chief executive officer (CEO) incentive compensation – the pay duration. Drawing on archival data collected from a large sample of US listed firms, we find that firms following a prospector strategy grant longer‐duration compensation to their CEOs than firms following a defender strategy. We further show that this effect of business strategy on pay duration is more pronounced for firms with higher information asymmetry and firms managed by CEOs with higher revealed ability. Our results are robust to alternative business strategy measures, an entropy balancing approach, alternative fixed‐effects models and an alternative pay duration measure that excludes performance‐vesting grants. Overall, the findings are consistent with prospector firms using longer pay duration to extend managers' investment horizon and to retain managerial talent.
The influence of corpus luteum and first‐wave dominant follicle location on conception rate after artificial insemination in Holstein cattle
Authors: Ho Thomas Chia‐Tang , Kubo Tomoaki , Aoki Akiko , Ichikawa Yuki , Uruma Hideyuki , Kawamoto Yuka , Tamura Yoji , Kojima Shusuke , Matsuo Mami , Koyama Keisuke
Published: December 2024

The influence of post‐ovulatory corpus luteum (CL) and first‐wave dominant follicle (1DF) location on pregnancy establishment in cattle remains controversial. This study aimed to reveal the relationship between CL and 1DF positioning, pregnancy outcomes, and blood steroid hormone levels following artificial insemination (AI) in Holstein cattle. Data from heifers (n = 163) and cows (n = 69) with optimally timed AI, defined as ovulation within 24 h post‐AI, were analyzed to determine associations between CL (left/right ovary) and 1DF (ipsilateral/contralateral to CL) locations and conception rates. Plasma progesterone (P4) and estradiol‐17β (E2) concentrations were measured five days post‐insemination. In heifers, neither CL (p = 0.24) nor 1DF location (p = 0.44) affected conception rates. Cows with left‐sided CL tended to have higher conception rates than those with right‐sided CL (p = 0.08). Relative 1DF location did not affect conception in cows. The location of CL and 1DF did not affect plasma P4 and E2 concentrations or the ratio of plasma E2 to P4 in heifers or cows. These findings suggest a trend towards improved conception rates in cows with CL located on the left ovary post‐AI, regardless of 1DF location. The mechanism should not be associated with systemic ovarian hormones.