bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-omic QTL mapping in early developmental tissues reveals phenotypic and temporal complexity of regulatory variants underlying GWAS loci
Authors: Arthur Timothy D. , Nguyen Jennifer P. , D’Antonio-Chronowska Agnieszka , Jaureguy Jeffrey , Silva Nayara , Henson Benjamin ,   iPSCORE Consortium, Panopoulos Athanasia D. , Belmonte Juan Carlos Izpisua , D’Antonio Matteo , McVicker Graham , Frazer Kelly A.
Published: April 2024

Most GWAS loci are presumed to affect gene regulation, however, only ∼43% colocalize with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). To address this colocalization gap, we identify eQTLs, chromatin accessibility QTLs (caQTLs), and histone acetylation QTLs (haQTLs) using molecular samples from three early developmental (EDev) tissues. Through colocalization, we annotate 586 GWAS loci for 17 traits by QTL complexity, QTL phenotype, and QTL temporal specificity. We show that GWAS loci are highly enriched for colocalization with complex QTL modules that affect multiple elements (genes and/or peaks). We also demonstrate that caQTLs and haQTLs capture regulatory variations not associated with eQTLs and explain ∼49% of the functionally annotated GWAS loci. Additionally, we show that EDev-unique QTLs are strongly depleted for colocalizing with GWAS loci. By conducting one of the largest multi-omic QTL studies to date, we demonstrate that many GWAS loci exhibit phenotypic complexity and therefore, are missed by traditional eQTL analyses.
The DNA Methyltransferase DMAP1 is Required for Tissue Maintenance and Planarian Regeneration
Authors: Rojas Salvador , Barghouth Paul G. , Karabinis Peter , Oviedo Néstor J.
Published: April 2024

The precise regulation of transcription is required for embryonic development, adult tissue turnover, and regeneration. Epigenetic modifications play a crucial role in orchestrating and regulating the transcription of genes. These modifications are important in the transition of pluripotent stem cells and their progeny. Methylation, a key epigenetic modification, influences gene expression through changes in histone tails and direct DNA methylation. Work in different organisms has shown that the DNA methyltransferase-1-associated protein (DMAP1) may associate with other molecules to repress transcription through DNA methylation. Thus, DMAP1 is a versatile protein implicated in a myriad of events, including pluripotency maintenance, DNA damage repair, and tumor suppression. While DMAP1 has been extensively studiedin vitro, its complex regulation in the context of the adult organism remains unclear. To gain insights into the possible roles of DMAP1 at the organismal level, we used planarian flatworms that possess remarkable regenerative capabilities driven by pluripotent stem cells called neoblast. Our findings demonstrate the evolutionary conservation of DMAP1 in the planarianSchmidtea mediterranea. Functional disruption of DMAP1 through RNA interference revealed its critical role in tissue maintenance, neoblast differentiation, and regeneration inS. mediterranea. Moreover, our analysis unveiled a novel function for DMAP1 in regulating cell death in response to DNA damage and influencing the expression of axial polarity markers. Our findings provide a simplified paradigm for studying DMAP1’s epigenetic regulation in adult tissues.

Highlights

Epigenetic regulation through DMAP1 is evolutionarily conserved inSchmidtea mediterraneaand is crucial for tissue maintenance and regeneration.

Neoblast differentiation into epithelial, muscle, digestive, and neural fate requires DMAP1.

DMAP1 regulates DNA stability and cell death during adult cell turnover.

DMAP1 regulates the spatial expression of axial polarity markers inS. mediterranea.
Disruption of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 pUL21 Phosphorylation Impairs Secondary Envelopment of Cytoplasmic Nucleocapsids
Authors: Finnen Renée L. , Muradov Jamil H. , Le Sage Valerie , Banfield Bruce W.
Published: April 2024

The multifunctional tegument protein pUL21 of HSV-2 is phosphorylated in infected cells. We have identified two residues in the unstructured linker region of pUL21, serine 251 and serine 253, as sites of phosphorylation. Both phosphorylation sites are absent in HSV-1 pUL21, which likely explains why phosphorylated pUL21 was not detected in cells infected with HSV-1. Cells infected with HSV-2 strain 186 viruses deficient in pUL21 phosphorylation exhibited reductions in both cell-cell spread of virus infection and virus replication. Defects in secondary envelopment of cytoplasmic nucleocapsids were also observed in cells infected with viruses deficient in pUL21 phosphorylation as well as in cells infected with multiple strains of HSV-2 and HSV-1 deleted for pUL21. These results confirm a role for HSV pUL21 in the secondary envelopment of cytoplasmic nucleocapsids and indicate that phosphorylation of HSV-2 pUL21 is required for this activity. Phosphorylation of pUL21 was not detected in cells infected with HSV-2 strain 186 mutants lacking the viral serine/threonine kinase pUL13, indicating a requirement for pUL13 in pUL21 phosphorylation.

Importance

It is well known that post-translational modification of proteins by phosphorylation can regulate protein function. Here, we determined that phosphorylation of the multifunctional HSV-2 tegument protein pUL21 requires the viral serine/threonine kinase pUL13. Additionally, we identified serine residues within HSV-2 pUL21 that can be phosphorylated. Phenotypic analysis of mutant HSV-2 strains with deficiencies in pUL21 phosphorylation revealed reductions in both cell-cell spread of virus infection and virus replication. Deficiencies in pUL21 phosphorylation also compromised secondary envelopment of cytoplasmic nucleocapsids, a critical final step in the maturation of all herpes virions. Unlike HSV-2 pUL21, phosphorylation of HSV-1 pUL21 was not detected. This fundamental difference between HSV-2 and HSV-1 may underlie our previous observations that the requirements for pUL21 differ between HSV species.
Myogenic Anti-Nucleolin Aptamer iSN04 Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Differentiation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Miyoshi Mana , Shimosato Takeshi , Takaya Tomohide
Published: April 2024

De-differentiation and subsequent increased proliferation and inflammation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is one of the mechanisms of atherogenesis. Maintaining VSMCs in a contractile differentiated state is therefore a promising therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis. We have reported the 18-base myogenetic oligodeoxynucleotide, iSN04, which serves as an anti-nucleolin aptamer and promotes skeletal and myocardial differentiation. The present study investigated the effect of iSN04 on VSMCs because nucleolin has been reported to contribute to VSMC de-differentiation under pathophysiological conditions. Nucleolin was localized in the nucleoplasm and nucleoli of both rat and human VSMCs. iSN04 without carrier was spontaneously incorporated into VSMCs, indicating that iSN04 would serve as an anti-nucleolin aptamer. iSN04 treatment decreased the ratio of EdU+proliferating VSMCs and increased the expression of α-smooth muscle actin, a contractile marker of VSMCs. iSN04 also suppressed angiogenesis of mouse aortic rings ex vivo, which is a model of pathological angiogenesis involved in plaque formation, growth, and rupture. These results demonstrate that antagonizing nucleolin with iSN04 preserves VSMC differentiation, providing a nucleic acid drug candidate for the treatment of vascular disease.
Quantitative intra-Golgi transport and organization data suggest the stable compartment nature of the Golgi
Authors: Tie Hieng Chiong , Wang Haiyun , Mahajan Divyanshu , Sun Xiuping , Chen Bing , Lu Lei
Published: April 2024

How the intra-Golgi secretory transport works remains a mystery. The cisternal progression and the stable compartment models have been proposed and are under debate. Classic cisternal progression model posits that both the intra-Golgi transport and Golgi exit of secretory cargos should occur at a constant velocity dictated by the cisternal progression; furthermore, COPI-mediated intra-Golgi retrograde transport is essential for maintaining the Golgi organization. Leveraging our recently developed Golgi imaging tools in nocodazole-induced Golgi ministacks, we found that the intra-Golgi transport velocity of a secretory cargo decreases during their transition from the cis to the trans-side of the Golgi, and different cargos exhibit distinct velocities even within the same cisternae. We observed a vast variation in the Golgi residence times of different cargos. Remarkably, truncation of the luminal domain causes the Golgi residence time of Tac — a standard transmembrane secretory cargo without intra-Golgi recycling signals — to extend from 16 minutes to a notable 3.4 hours. Additionally, when COPI-mediated intra-Golgi retrograde transport was inhibited by brefeldin A, we found that nocodazole-induced Golgi can remain stacked for over 30 - 60 minutes. Therefore, our findings challenge the classical cisternal progression model and suggest the stable compartment nature of the Golgi.
Ancestral aneuploidy and stable chromosomal duplication resulting in differential genome structure and gene expression control in trypanosomatid parasites
Authors: Reis-Cunha João L. , Pimenta-Carvalho Samuel A. , Almeida Laila V. , Coqueiro-dos-Santos Anderson , Marques Catarina A. , Black Jennifer A. , Damasceno Jeziel , McCulloch Richard , Bartholomeu Daniella C. , Jeffares Daniel C.
Published: April 2024

Aneuploidy is widely observed in both unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes, usually associated with adaptation to stress conditions. Chromosomal duplication stability is a tradeoff between the fitness cost of having unbalanced gene copies and the potential fitness gained from increased dosage of specific advantageous genes. Trypanosomatids, a family of protozoans that include species that cause neglected tropical diseases, are a relevant group to study aneuploidies. Their life cycle has several stressors that could select for different patterns of chromosomal duplications and/or losses, and their nearly universal use of polycistronic transcription increases their reliance on gene expansion/contraction, as well as post-transcriptional control as mechanisms for gene expression regulation. By evaluating the data from 866 isolates covering seven trypanosomatid genera, we have revealed that aneuploidy tolerance is an ancestral characteristic of trypanosomatids but has a reduced occurrence in a specific monophyletic clade that has undergone large genomic reorganization and chromosomal fusions. We have also identified an ancient chromosomal duplication that was maintained across these parasite's speciation, named collectively as the trypanosomatid ancestral supernumerary chromosome (TASC). TASC has most genes in the same coding strand, is expressed as a disomic chromosome (even having four copies), and has increased potential for functional variation, but it purges highly deleterious mutations more efficiently than other chromosomes. The evidence of stringent control over gene expression in this chromosome suggests that these parasites have adapted to mitigate the fitness cost associated with this ancient chromosomal duplication.
Revisiting models that enhance
B+→K+νν¯
in light of the new Belle II measurement
Authors: He Xiao-Gang , Ma Xiao-Dong , Valencia German
Published: April 2024

Belle II recently reported the new measurement B(B+→K+νν¯)=(2.3±0.7)×10−5 [I. Adachi (Belle-II Collaboration), ] which is two times larger than their previous result (although consistent within errors) and about 2.7σ higher than the SM prediction. We reexamine new physics scenarios we discussed previously, which can enhance this rate to determine if they can accommodate the higher value reported in the new measurement. We use consistency with existing bounds on B→K*νν¯, b→sℓ+ℓ−, B→D(*)ℓν¯, and Bs mixing to limit possible explanations for the excess. For the case of lepton flavor violating neutrino couplings, we find that only two leptoquarks remain viable requiring a large C9′ττ=−C10′ττ. For models with different types of light dark matter particle pairs (scalar, fermion, or vector), the preliminary q2 distribution from Belle II, which shows that the excess appears mostly for bins with 3≤q2≤7  GeV2 [I. Adachi (Belle-II Collaboration), ], implies only the vector current operators with scalar or vector dark matter particles with masses in the hundreds of MeV can match the anomaly.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Nonspreading relativistic electron wavepacket in a strong laser field
Authors: Campos Andre G. , Hatsagortsyan Karen Z. , Keitel Christoph H.
Published: April 2024

A solution of the Dirac equation in a strong laser field presenting a nonspreading wave packet of the electron is derived. It consists of a generalization of the self-accelerating free electron wavepacket [I. Kaminer , ] to the case with the background of a strong laser field. Built upon the notion of nonspreading for an extended relativistic wavepacket, the concept of Born rigidity for accelerated motion in relativity is the key ingredient of the solution. At its core, the solution comes from the connection between the self-accelerated free electron wavepacket and the eigenstate of a Dirac electron in a constant and homogeneous gravitational field via the equivalence principle. The solution is an essential step towards the realization of the laser-driven relativistic collider [S. Meuren , ], where the large spreading of a common Gaussian wavepacket during the excursion in a strong laser field strongly limits the expectable yields.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Broken unitary picture of dynamics in quantum many-body scars
Authors: Rozon Pierre-Gabriel , Agarwal Kartiek
Published: April 2024

Quantum many-body scars (QMBSs) are a novel paradigm for the violation of the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis—Hamiltonians of these systems exhibit mid-spectrum eigenstates that are equidistant in energy and which possess low entanglement and evade thermalization for long times. We present a novel approach to understanding the anomalous dynamical behavior in these systems. Specifically, we postulate that QMBS Hamiltonians H can generically be partitioned into a set of terms Oa which do not commute over the entire Hilbert space, but commute to all orders within the subspace of scar states. All states in the scar subspace thus evolve according to a “broken unitary” Us(t)=∏ae−iOat, where H=∑aOa, which provides a simple interpretation of the anomalous dynamical features exhibited by quantum scars; they evolve in time according to a simpler unitary operator allowing for revivals. It is found that the observed dynamical decoupling is often a direct consequence of simple local conditions, which when satisfied lead to recurring aspects of QMBSs, including equidistant eigenvalues, many-body revivals, and sub-volume-law entanglement entropy. Two classes of scar models emerge in this picture—those with a finite set of Oa, as pertaining of, for instance, scars in the AKLT model, and those with an extensive set of such operators, such as eta pairing scar states in the Hubbard model. Besides discussing how many well-known scar models fit into the above picture, we show how the broken unitary formalism captures many known scar construction methods, known in the literature and generalizes others such as quasiparticles matrix product state (MPS) based methods, and the Shiraishi-Mori approach.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Upper-branch thermal Hall effect in quantum paramagnets
Authors: Ma Bowen , Wang Z. D. , Chen Gang V.
Published: April 2024

Inspired by the persistent thermal Hall effects at finite temperatures in various quantum paramagnets, we explore the origin of the thermal Hall effects from the perspective of the upper branch parts by invoking dispersive and twisted crystal field excitations. It is shown that the upper branches of the local energy levels could hybridize and form dispersive bands. The observation is that, upon time-reversal symmetry breaking by the magnetic fields, these upper branch bands could acquire a Berry curvature distribution and contribute to the thermal Hall effect even in the paramagnetic regime. As a proof of principle, we consider the setting on kagomé lattice with one ground-state singlet and an excited doublet, and show this is indeed possible. We expect this effect to be universal and that it has no strong connection with the underlying lattice. Although the thermal Hall signal can be contributed from other sources such as phonons and their scattering in the actual materials, we discuss the application to the relevant quantum materials.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Single-shot measurement of photonic topological invariant
Authors: Roberts Nathan , Baardink Guido , Souslov Anton , Mosley Peter J.
Published: April 2024

Topological design enables robustness to be engineered into a system. However, a general challenge remains to experimentally characterize topological properties. In this work, we demonstrate a technique for directly observing a winding-number invariant using a single measurement. By propagating light with a sufficiently broad spectrum along a topological photonic crystal fiber, we calculate the winding number invariant from the output intensity pattern. We quantify the capabilities of this single-shot method, which works even for surprisingly narrow and asymmetric spectral distributions. We demonstrate our approach using topological fiber, but our method is generalizable to other platforms. Our method is experimentally straightforward: we use only a broadband input excitation and a single output to measure the topological invariant.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Nanostructure and dynamics of N-truncated copper amyloid-β peptides from advanced X-ray absorption fine structure
Authors: Ekanayake Ruwini S. K. , Streltsov Victor A. , Best Stephen P. , Chantler Christopher T.
Published: April 2024

An X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) electrochemical cell was used to collect high-quality XAS measurements of N-truncated Cu:amyloid-β (Cu:Aβ) samples under near-physiological conditions. N-truncated Cu:Aβ peptide complexes contribute to oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's patients' brains. However, the redox properties of copper in different Aβ peptide sequences are inconsistent. Therefore, the geometry of binding sites for the copper binding in Aβ4–8/12/16 was determined using novel advanced extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis. This enables these peptides to perform redox cycles in a manner that might produce toxicity in human brains. Fluorescence XAS measurements were corrected for systematic errors including defective-pixel data, monochromator glitches and dispersion of pixel spectra. Experimental uncertainties at each data point were measured explicitly from the point-wise variance of corrected pixel measurements. The copper-binding environments of Aβ4–8/12/16 were precisely determined by fitting XAS measurements with propagated experimental uncertainties, advanced analysis and hypothesis testing, providing a mechanism to pursue many similarly complex questions in bioscience. The low-temperature XAS measurements here determine that CuII is bound to the first amino acids in the high-affinity amino-terminal copper and nickel (ATCUN) binding motif with an oxygen in a tetragonal pyramid geometry in the Aβ4–8/12/16 peptides. Room-temperature XAS electrochemical-cell measurements observe metal reduction in the Aβ4–16 peptide. Robust investigations of XAS provide structural details of CuII binding with a very different bis-His motif and a water oxygen in a quasi-tetrahedral geometry. Oxidized XAS measurements of Aβ4–12/16 imply that both CuII and CuIII are accommodated in an ATCUN-like binding site. Hypotheses for these CuI, CuII and CuIII geometries were proven and disproven using the novel data and statistical analysis including F tests. Structural parameters were determined with an accuracy some tenfold better than literature claims of past work. A new protocol was also developed using EXAFS data analysis for monitoring radiation damage. This gives a template for advanced analysis of complex biosystems.
Exploring access-based consumption in last-mile logistics: a customer foresight study
Authors: Komonen Pauli
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Due to e-commerce growth, technological advancements and environmental concerns, developing a more nuanced service portfolio has become a critical issue for last-mile logistics service providers. Concurrently, consumers are adopting new modes of consumption. This paper aims to investigate the potential for last-mile logistics service providers to act as intermediaries in access-based consumption and to revitalise their service offerings through product-service systems – a pioneering strategy not executed in the market yet.

Design/methodology/approach

This strategic customer foresight study uses a quantitative survey of 1,000 respondents and an online focus group comprising 10 early adopter consumers to investigate emerging last-mile service models. Potential service concepts were identified through the survey, and two distinct concepts were subsequently selected for evaluation and co-development within the focus group. The research was conducted in partnership with an SME logistics company in Finland.

Findings

The consumers expressed selective interest in access-based consumption related to the proposed offering of essential household goods. Young adults and consumers in early middle age living in the city centre emerged as the most potential user groups. Economic reasons and short-term needs were the primary motivations for adopting access-based consumption.

Practical implications

The study showed that engaging consumers in a customer foresight process is viable for SMEs innovating their offerings and demonstrates how the process works in practice.

Originality/value

Documented cases of customer integration into foresight processes are rare in earlier research, and this paper extends the knowledge base through a multidisciplinary examination of future consumer behaviour in the last-mile logistics domain. The paper also expands the limited literature on the role of logistics in access-based consumption.
Perceptions of the freezing response of male and female rape victims, and the moderating role of rape myth beliefs
Authors: Ostermann Judith Christiane , Watson Steven James
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether indicating victims of sexual attacks actively resisted their attacker or froze during their assault affected perceptions of victim blame, perpetrator blame and seriousness of the crime. We also tested whether victim and perpetrator gender or participants’ rape myth endorsement moderated the outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was a cross-sectional, vignette survey study with a 2 × 2 between-participants experimental design. Participants read a mock police report describing an alleged rape with a female or male victim who either resisted or froze, while perpetrator gender was adjusted heteronormatively.

Findings

Freezing and male victims were blamed more than resisting and female victims. Perpetrators were blamed more when the victim resisted, but male and female perpetrators were blamed equally. Seriousness of the crime was higher for male perpetrators and when the victim resisted. Female, but not male, rape myth acceptance moderated the relationship between victim behaviour and outcome variables.

Originality/value

This study highlights the influence of expectations about victim behaviour on perceptions of rape victims and the pervasive influence of rape myths when evaluating female rape victims. The data is drawn from the German border region of the Netherlands, which is an especially valuable population given the evolving legal definitions of rape in both countries.
Role of financial openness in Ghana’s financial sector development episode
Authors: Eduboah Eric Justice
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to reexamine the relationship between financial openness and financial development in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applied maximum likelihood estimation and autoregressive distributed lag approach and tested Granger causality using quarterly data from 1990:1 to 2020:4.

Findings

This study revealed a long-run equilibrium relationship between financial openness and development, indicating that financial openness is a critical factor in Ghana’s financial development. Therefore, the study recommends with caution that policies aimed at promoting financial openness could be an effective way to encourage sustainable financial development in Ghana, as financial openness alone may not bring the desired outcome.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence of the link between financial openness and financial sector development in Ghana. Future research could delve deeper into the mechanisms through which financial openness affects financial development, exploring potential channels and transmission mechanisms.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that policymakers, particularly the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana, should prioritize policies aimed at promoting financial openness. This includes continued efforts toward financial liberalization and creating an environment conducive to domestic and international financial transactions. Moreover, policies aimed at increasing trade openness, boosting real GDP and maintaining moderate real interest rates are essential for fostering financial sector development.

Social implications

Enhancing financial sector development can have significant implications for society, including increased access to financial services, improved economic opportunities and enhanced overall economic stability. By promoting financial openness and development, policymakers would contribute to poverty reduction, job creation and overall socio-economic development. The study bridges the gap between theory and practice by providing empirical evidence supporting the theoretical proposition that financial openness stimulates financial sector development.

Originality/value

This study fills a crucial gap in the literature on the effects of financial openness on Ghana’s financial sector development. It focuses on Ghana, which liberalized its financial sector in 1988 as part of the overall economic reforms in 1983, and this justifies the starting point of this paper in 1990, as there are no adequate data before 1990. The study uses principal component analysis to construct an index that measures financial development. The study considers the recent financial crises in Ghana in 2017 and underscores the importance of understanding the link between financial openness and financial development, which becomes useful for policymakers and researchers studying financial system development in sub-Saharan Africa which includes Ghana.
Trends, progress and future directions of nanomaterial based sensors: a bibliometric overview
Authors: Babu Thomas Nibu , P. Kumar Lekshmi , James Jiya , A. George Nibu
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Nanosensors have a wide range of applications because of their high sensitivity, selectivity and specificity. In the past decade, extensive and pervasive research related to nanosensors has led to significant progress in diverse fields, such as biomedicine, environmental monitoring and industrial process control. This led to better and more efficient detection and monitoring of physical and chemical properties at better resolution, opening new horizons in the development of novel technologies and applications for improved human health, environment protection, enhanced industrial processes, etc.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors discuss the application of citation network analysis in the field of nanosensor research and development. Cluster analysis was carried out using papers published in the field of nanomaterial-based sensor research, and an in-depth analysis was carried out to identify significant clusters. The purpose of this study is to provide researchers to identify a pathway to the emerging areas in the field of nanosensor research. The authors have illustrated the knowledge base, knowledge domain and knowledge progression of nanosensor research using the citation analysis based on 3,636 Science Citation Index papers published during the period 2011 to 2021.

Findings

Among these papers, the bibliographic study identified 809 significant research publications, 11 clusters, 556 research sector keywords, 1,296 main authors, 139 referenced authors, 63 nations, 206 organizations and 42 journals. The authors have identified single quantum dot (QD)-based nanosensor for biological applications, carbon dot-based nanosensors, self-powered triboelectric nanogenerator-based nanosensor and genetically encoded nanosensor as the significant research hotspots that came to the fore in recent years. The future trend in nanosensor research might focus on the development of efficient and cost-effective designs for the detection of numerous environmental pollutants and biological molecules using mesostructured materials and QDs. It is also possible to optimize the detection methods using theoretical models, and generalized gradient approximation has great scope in sensor development.

Research limitations/implications

The future trend in nanosensor research might focus on the development of efficient and cost-effective designs for the detection of numerous environmental pollutants and biological molecules using mesostructured materials and QDs. It is also possible to optimize the detection methods using theoretical models, and generalized gradient approximation has great scope in sensor development.

Originality/value

This is a novel bibliometric analysis in the area of “nanomaterial based sensor,” which is carried out in CiteSpace software.
Nintendo’s new normal?
Authors: King Skyler , Allred Anthony
Published: April 2024

Research methodology

This case was written with publicly available information about Nintendo.

Case overview/synopsis

In the 1980s and 1990s, Nintendo dominated the video game industry with a market share of 90%. In 2020, Nintendo’s market share dropped to nearly 31%. This case examines a 40-year history of Nintendo, including its core strategy of video game and video game console development and its growth strategy using its intellectual property. Throughout its history, Nintendo has faced and continues to face stiff competition from Sony, Microsoft and new emerging technologies like virtual reality video games. Nintendo has the challenge of competing in a rapidly changing industry with changing customer preferences where it once had a dominant market share. Can Nintendo continue competing, relying on its core competency of developing new video games and consoles? Or moving forward, should it further define itself more broadly by continuing to leverage its intellectual property in the entertainment industry?

Complexity academic level

This case is suitable for undergraduate courses in marketing, marketing management and business strategy, or where an instructor focuses on strategic decision-making. This case will provide valuable in-class discussions on the importance of defining what a business should do and how it should grow. Additionally, this case will be useful for courses that include advanced discussions on tradeoffs between focusing on core competencies and growth by expanding into other opportunities that are not necessarily part of a business’s core strategy. A portion of this case was tested in an undergraduate marketing strategy and marketing principles course. The case created an excellent environment for critical thinking and analysis.
Teams need to be healthy, too: toward a definition and model of healthy teams
Authors: Traylor Allison , Dinh Julie , LeNoble Chelsea , Paoletti Jensine , Shuffler Marissa , Wiper Donald , Salas Eduardo
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Teams across a wide range of contexts must look beyond task performance to consider the affective, cognitive and behavioral health of their members. Despite much interest in team health in practice, consideration of team health has remained scant from a research perspective. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues by advancing a definition and model of team health.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review relevant literature on team stress, processes and emergent states to propose a definition and model of team health.

Findings

The authors advance a definition of team health, or the holistic, dynamic compilation of states that emerge and interact as a team resource to buffer stress. Further, the authors argue that team health improves outcomes at both the individual and team level by improving team members’ well-being and enhancing team effectiveness, respectively. In addition, the authors propose a framework integrating the job demands-resources model with the input-mediator-output-input model of teamwork to illustrate the behavioral drivers that promote team health, which buffers teams stress to maintain members’ well-being and team effectiveness.

Originality/value

This work answers calls from multidisciplinary industries for work that considers team health, providing implications for future research in this area.
Proposal of Helicobacter higonensis sp. nov. isolated from a human clinical specimen, and emended description of Helicobacter valdiviensis Collado, 2014
Authors: Tomida Junko , Miyoshi‐Akiyama Tohru , Kutsuna Ryo , Tsutsuki Hiroyasu , Sawa Tomohiro , Cnockaert Margo , Vandamme Peter , Kawamura Yoshiaki
Published: April 2024

We have previously isolated a gram‐negative microaerophilic strain, PAGU2000T from a patient presenting with a fever in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. The present study aimed to comprehensively analyze the taxonomy of the isolated strain using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the strain was a member of enterohepatic Helicobacter. The strain PAGU2000T shared a 97.5% 16S rRNA gene nucleotide identity with Helicobacter valdiviensis, and this taxonomic position was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of the GyrA amino acid sequences. The proposed strain PAGU2000T has a 1.482 Mbp chromosome with a DNA G + C content of 31.3 mol% and encodes 1520 predicted coding sequences. The average nucleotide identity between the strain PAGU2000T and type strain of H. valdiviensis was 70.3%, which was lower than the recommended threshold of 95% for species delineation. The strain PAGU2000T was a motile, non‐spore‐forming, and spiral‐shaped bacterium, exhibiting catalase and oxidase activities but not urease and nitrate reduction. This study demonstrates that the isolate represents a novel species within enterohepatic Helicobacter, for which the name Helicobacter higonensis is proposed (type strain: PAGU2000T = GTC 16811T = LMG 33095T). In this study, we describe the phenotypic and morphological features of this strain and propose an emended description of some biochemical traits of H. valdiviensis.
The Collapse of the Green Wall
Authors: Grant Wyn
Published: April 2024

The Conservative Party has usually done well in rural areas, but its ‘green wall’ is now under threat from Labour more than the Liberal Democrats. Farmers did not support Brexit any more than the general population, and in income terms they are currently doing well, but fear for the future. In addition, food security issues are more complex than they are portrayed, as are the relations with the devolved governments. In Scotland, the government there is much more popular among Scottish farmers whilst the government in Wales is doing much worse among farming communities.
Prophylactic ureteric catheterisation during complex gynaecological surgery: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gurumurthy Mahalakshmi , McGee Alice E. , Saraswat Lucky
Published: April 2024

Background

There is a lack of robust evidence to recommend the use of perioperative ureteric catheterisation or stenting in complex gynaecological surgery.

Objectives

To evaluate the evidence on the benefits and risks of perioperative ureteric catheterisation or stenting in complex gynaecological surgery.

Search strategy

A literature search was performed in CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, Embase and MEDLINE, from 1946 to January 2024, using a combination of keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terminology.

Selection criteria

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were included.

Data collection and analysis

Meta‐analysis of the RCTs and observational studies were performed separately. Cochrane RevMan 6.5.1 was used to undertake meta‐analysis. Risk ratios with 95% CIs were calculated for the outcome measures.

Main results

Ten studies were included: three RCTs and seven observational studies, comprising 8661 patients. The three RCTs, comprising a total of 3277 patients, showed no difference in the risk of immediate complications in the form of ureteric injury between the ureteric stent and the control groups (RR 0.9, 95% CI 0.49–1.65). The observational studies included 5384 patients. Four studies that explored the ureteric injury as an outcome did not show any difference between the two groups (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.27–2.16). One case–control study with 862 participants found that the rate of ureteric injury was higher in the non‐stented group, although this was observed in only three patients. The risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) was increased in the stent group, although not with statistical significance (RR 1.84, 95% CI 0.47–7.17). There was no significant difference in the risk of ureteric fistulae (RR 1.91, 95% CI 0.62–5.83), although the number of studies was limited.

Conclusions

Prophylactic ureteric catheterisation or stenting for complex gynaecological surgery is not associated with a lower risk of ureteric injury.
Valuing public transit: The L‐train shutdown
Authors: Brolinson Becka
Published: April 2024

In this article, I quantify the value of access to public transit in New York using the surprise, hurricane‐related announcement of the temporary shutdown of an important piece of transportation infrastructure: the L‐train connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan. My approach allows me to measure changes in housing sales prices by using a change in public transit infrastructure, that is, (a) temporary, and (b) not an outcome of city transit planning, but rather an unexpected consequence of a natural disaster. I find that the L‐train's shutdown announcement caused a temporary decrease in sales prices for affected housing units of 6.4%. This estimate suggests a monthly capitalization rate of public transit access of around $863 for housing units where the L‐train is the nearest subway stop, demonstrating that households in NYC ascribe a high value to transit access. Using these estimates, the benefits of the repair outweigh the costs, with the benefit‐to‐cost ratio of the repairs ranging from 2.76 to 2.78.
Adaptive platform trials rather than randomised controlled trials for paediatric sepsis
Authors: Long Elliot , Davidson Andrew , Lee Katherine J , Babl Franz E , George Shane
Published: April 2024

Adaptive platform trials (APTs) offer a promising alternative to traditional randomised controlled trials for evaluating treatments for paediatric sepsis. Randomised controlled trials, despite being the gold standard for establishing causality between interventions and outcomes, make many assumptions about disease prevalence, severity and intervention effects, which are often incorrect. As a result, the evidence for most treatments for paediatric sepsis are based on low‐quality evidence. APTs use accrued data rather than assumptions to power trial adaptations. They can assess multiple treatments simultaneously with shared research infrastructure. As such, APTs offer a more efficient, flexible and more effective way to identify optimal treatments. The proposed Paediatric Adaptive Sepsis Platform Trial, leveraging the Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative network's infrastructure, will evaluate resuscitation fluids, vasoactive medications, corticosteroids and antimicrobials. This trial has the potential to substantially impact clinical practice and reduce global sepsis mortality in children.
Wildflowers and compost amendment can improve infiltration in soils impacted by construction
Authors: Alshraah Shaddy H. , Kranz Christina N. , McLaughlin Richard A. , Heitman Joshua L.
Published: April 2024

Vegetation is an important component of stormwater control measures, as vegetation can reduce erosion and runoff. While grass is typically used in stormwater control measures, wildflowers can be planted to reduce maintenance and improve pollinator habitat. Previous studies have established that tillage followed by establishment of a vigorous vegetation stand can increase infiltration relative to compacted soils. Compost can also improve soil physical properties and fertility. The goal of this study was to evaluate potential improvements in infiltration using tillage together with compost and either grass or wildflowers. Wildflowers or grass were planted on tilled soil with or without compost at three sites in North Carolina. Bulk density, infiltration rate, root mass density, and penetration resistance were measured every 6 months over a 30‐month period. A subset of plots received wheel traffic from a mower. Compost application reduced bulk density compared to tillage alone. Compost improved infiltration at two sites (46%–50%). Wildflowers improved infiltration at all sites (30%–43%) compared to grass. Few differences were observed in root mass and penetration resistance. Mower traffic reduced soil improvements more in grassed plots than wildflower plots due to higher mowing frequency. Results suggest compost and/or wildflowers together with tillage (at establishment) provide viable options to improve soil conditions and infiltration rate in construction impacted soils.
The association between sodium glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors vs dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors and renal outcomes in people discharged from hospital with type 2 diabetes: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Ziser Kate E. D. , Wood Stephen , Tan George S. Q. , Morton Jedidiah I. , Shaw Jonathan E. , Bell J. Simon , Ilomaki Jenni
Published: April 2024

Background

We investigated the association between post‐hospital discharge use of sodium glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2is) compared to dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors (DPP‐4is) and the incidence of hospitalization for acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using linked hospital and prescription data. Our cohort included people aged ≥30 years with type 2 diabetes discharged from a hospital in Victoria, Australia, from December 2013 to June 2018. We compared new users of SGLT‐2is with new users of DPP‐4is following discharge. People were followed from first dispensing of a SGLT‐2i or DPP‐4i to a subsequent hospital admission for ARF or CKD. We used competing risk models with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to estimate subhazard ratios.

Results

In total, 9620 people initiated SGLT‐2is and 9962 initiated DPP‐4is. The incidence rate of ARF was 12.3 per 1000 person‐years (median years of follow‐up [interquartile range [IQR] 1.4 [0.7–2.2]) among SGLT‐2i initiators and 18.9 per 1000 person‐years (median years of follow‐up [IQR] 1.7 [0.8–2.6]) among DPP‐4i initiators (adjusted subhazard ratio with IPTW 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.70–0.86). The incidence rate of CKD was 6.0 per 1000 person‐years (median years of follow‐up [IQR] 1.4 [0.7–2.2]) among SGLT‐2i initiators and 8.9 per 1000 person‐years (median years of follow‐up [IQR] 1.7 [0.8–2.6]) among DPP‐4i initiators (adjusted subhazard ratio with IPTW 0.83; 95% CI 0.73–0.94).

Conclusions

Real‐world data support using SGLT‐2is over DPP‐4is for preventing acute and chronic renal events in people with type 2 diabetes.

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Mitochondria‐associated membranes contribution to exercise‐mediated alleviation of hepatic insulin resistance: Contrasting high‐intensity interval training with moderate‐intensity continuous training in a high‐fat diet mouse model
Authors: Li Xi , Yang Jun Yang , Hu Wen Zhi , Ruan YuXin , Chen Hong Ying , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Zhe , Ding Zhe Shu
Published: April 2024

Objective

Mitochondria‐associated membranes (MAMs) serve pivotal functions in hepatic insulin resistance (IR). Our aim was to explore the potential role of MAMs in mitigating hepatic IR through exercise and to compare the effects of different intensities of exercise on hepatic MAMs formation in high‐fat diet (HFD) mice.

Methods

Male C57BL/6J mice were fed an HFD and randomly assigned to undergo supervised high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) or moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT). IR was evaluated using the serum triglyceride/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL‐C), glucose tolerance test (GTT), and insulin tolerance test (ITT). Hepatic steatosis was observed using hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) and oil red O staining. The phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (PI3K‐AKT‐GSK3β) signaling pathway was assessed to determine hepatic IR. MAMs were evaluated through immunofluorescence (colocalization of voltage‐dependent anion‐selective channel 1 [VDAC1] and inositol 1,4,5‐triphosphate receptor [IP3R]).

Results

After 8 weeks on an HFD, there was notable inhibition of the hepatic PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling pathway, accompanied by a marked reduction in hepatic IP3R‐VDAC1 colocalization levels. Both 8‐week HIIT and MICT significantly enhanced the hepatic PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling and colocalization levels of IP3R‐VDAC1 in HFD mice, with MICT exhibiting a stronger effect on hepatic MAMs formation. Furthermore, the colocalization of hepatic IP3R‐VDAC1 positively correlated with the expression levels of phosphorylation of protein kinase B (p‐AKT) and phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (p‐GSK3β), while displaying a negative correlation with serum triglyceride/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

Conclusion

The reduction in hepatic MAMs formation induced by HFD correlates with the development of hepatic IR. Both HIIT and MICT effectively bolster hepatic MAMs formation in HFD mice, with MICT demonstrating superior efficacy. Thus, MAMs might wield a pivotal role in exercise‐induced alleviation of hepatic IR.

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Traditional and emerging strategies using hepatocytes for pancreatic regenerative medicine
Authors: Liu Shuang , Zhang YuYing , Luo YunFei , Liu JianPing
Published: April 2024

Although pancreas and islet cell transplantation are the only ways to prevent the late complications of insulin‐dependent diabetes, a shortage of donors is a major obstacle to tissue and organ transplantation. Stem cell therapy is an effective treatment for diabetes and other pancreatic‐related diseases, which can be achieved by inducing their differentiation into insulin‐secreting cells. The liver is considered an ideal source of pancreatic cells due to its similar developmental origin and strong regenerative ability as the pancreas. This article reviews the traditional and emerging strategies using hepatocytes for pancreatic regenerative medicine and evaluates their advantages and challenges. Gene reprogramming and chemical reprogramming technologies are traditional strategies with potential to improve the efficiency and specificity of cell reprogramming and promote the transformation of hepatocytes into islet cells. At the same time, organoid technology, as an emerging strategy, has received extensive attention. Biomaterials provide a three‐dimensional culture microenvironment for cells, which helps improve cell survival and differentiation efficiency. In addition, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 gene editing technology has brought new opportunities and challenges to the development of organoid technology.

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