bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FAZ assembly in bloodstream formTrypanosoma bruceirequires kinesin KIN-E
Authors: Albisetti Anna C. , Douglas Robert L. , Welch Matthew D.
Published: December 2022

Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African sleeping sickness, uses its flagellum for movement, cell division, and signaling. The flagellum is anchored to the cell body membraneviathe flagellar attachment zone (FAZ), a complex of proteins, filaments, and microtubules that spans two membranes with elements on both flagellum and cell body sides. How FAZ components are carried into place to form this complex is poorly understood. Here, we show that the trypanosome-specific kinesin KIN-E is required for building the FAZ in bloodstream-form parasites. KIN-E is localized along the flagellum with a concentration at its distal tip. Depletion of KIN-E by RNAi rapidly inhibits flagellum attachment and leads to cell death. A detailed analysis reveals that KIN-E depletion phenotypes include failure in cytokinesis completion, kinetoplast DNA mis-segregation, and transport vesicle accumulation. Together with previously published results in procyclic form parasites, these data suggest KIN-E plays a critical role in FAZ assembly inT. brucei.
Strong non-ideality effects at low protein concentrations: considerations for elongated proteins
Authors: Yarawsky Alexander E. , Dinu Vlad , Harding Stephen E. , Herr Andrew B.
Published: December 2022

A recent investigation was aimed at obtaining structural information on a highly extended protein via SEC-MALS-SAXS. Significantly broadened elution peaks were observed, reminiscent of a phenomenon known as viscous fingering. This phenomenon is usually observed above 50 mg/mL for proteins like bovine serum albumin (BSA). Interestingly, the highly extended protein (Brpt5.5) showed viscous fingering at concentrations lower than 5 mg/mL. The current study explores this and other non-ideal behavior, emphasizing the presence of these effects at relatively lower concentrations for extended proteins. BSA, Brpt5.5, and a truncated form of Brpt5.5 referred to as Brpt1.5 are studied systematically using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), and viscosity. The viscous fingering effect is quantified using two approaches and is found to correlate well with the intrinsic viscosity of the proteins – Brpt5.5 exhibits the most severe effect and is the most extended protein tested in the study. By AUC, the hydrodynamic non-ideality was measured for each protein via global analysis of a concentration series. Compared to BSA, both Brpt1.5 and Brpt5.5 showed significant non-ideality that could be easily visualized at concentrations at or below 5 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL, respectively. A variety of relationships were examined for their ability to differentiate the proteins by shape using information from AUC and/or viscosity. Furthermore, these relationships were also tested in the context of hydrodynamic modeling. The importance of considering non-ideality when investigating the structure of extended macromolecules is discussed.
A central helical fulcrum in eIF2B coordinates allosteric regulation of Integrated Stress Response signaling
Authors: Lawrence Rosalie E , Shoemaker Sophie , Deal Aniliese , Sangwan Smriti , Anand Aditya , Wang Lan , Marqusee Susan , Walter Peter
Published: December 2022

The Integrated Stress Response (ISR) enables cells to survive a variety of acute stresses, but chronic activation of the ISR underlies age-related diseases. ISR signaling down-regulates translation and activates expression of stress-responsive factors that promote return to homeostasis, and is initiated by inhibition of the decameric guanine nucleotide exchange factor eIF2B. Conformational and assembly transitions regulate eIF2B activity, but the allosteric mechanisms controlling these dynamic transitions are unknown. Using hydrogen deuterium exchange-mass spectrometry and cryo-EM, we identified a single alpha-helix whose orientation allosterically controls eIF2B conformation and assembly. Biochemical and signaling assays show that this “Switch-Helix” controls eIF2B activity and signaling in cells. In sum, the Switch-Helix acts as a fulcrum of eIF2B conformational regulation and is a highly conserved actuator of ISR signal transduction. This work uncovers a novel allosteric mechanism and unlocks new therapeutic possibilities for ISR-linked diseases.
Best: A Tool for Characterizing Sequencing Errors
Authors: Liu Daniel , Belyaeva Anastasiya , Shafin Kishwar , Chang Pi-Chuan , Carroll Andrew , Cook Daniel E.
Published: December 2022

Platform-dependent sequencing errors must be understood to develop accurate sequencing technologies. We propose a new tool,best(Bam Error Stats Tool), for efficiently quantifying and summarizing error types in sequenced reads.bestingests reads aligned to a high-quality reference assembly and produces per-read metrics, summary statistics, and stratified metrics across genomic intervals. We show thatbestis 16 times faster than a prior method. In addition to being useful to support development that improves the accuracy of sequencing platforms, best can also be applied to evaluate and improve other experimental factors such as library preparation and error correction methods.

Availability and implementation

bestis an open-source command-line utility available on Github (github.com/google/best) under an MIT license.

Contact

danielecook@google.com
Lipid Nanoparticle Composition Drives mRNA Delivery to the Placenta
Authors: Young Rachel E. , Nelson Katherine M. , Hofbauer Samuel I. , Vijayakumar Tara , Alameh Mohamad-Gabriel , Weissman Drew , Papachristou Charalampos , Gleghorn Jason P. , Riley Rachel S.
Published: December 2022

Ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have gained attention as mRNA delivery platforms for vaccination against COVID-19 and for protein replacement therapies. LNPs enhance mRNA stability, circulation time, cellular uptake, and preferential delivery to specific tissues compared to mRNA with no carrier platform. However, LNPs have yet to be developed for safe and effective mRNA delivery to the placenta as a method to treat placental dysfunction. Here, we develop LNPs that enable high levels of mRNA delivery to trophoblastsin vitroand to the placentain vivowith no toxicity. We conducted a Design of Experiments to explore how LNP composition, including the type and molar ratio of each lipid component, drives trophoblast and placental delivery. Our data revealed that a specific combination of ionizable lipid and phospholipid in the LNP design yields high transfection efficiencyin vitro. Further, we present one LNP platform that exhibits highest delivery of placental growth factor mRNA to the placenta in pregnant mice, which demonstrates induced protein synthesis and secretion of a therapeutic protein. Lastly, our high-performing LNPs have no toxicity to both the pregnant mice and fetuses. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of LNPs as a platform for mRNA delivery to the placenta. Our top LNPs may provide a therapeutic platform to treat diseases that originate from placental dysfunction during pregnancy.
Structural Basis of Prostaglandin Efflux by MRP4
Authors: Pourmal Sergei , Green Evan , Bajaj Ruchika , Chemmama Ilan E. , Knudsen Giselle M. , Gupta Meghna , Sali Andrej , Cheng Yifan , Craik Charles S. , Kroetz Deanna L. , Stroud Robert M.
Published: December 2022

MRP4 is unique among the C family of ATP-binding cassette transporters for its role in translocating prostanoids, an important group of signaling molecules derived from unsaturated fatty acids. Using a reconstituted system, we report that a pair of prostaglandins (PGs) and the sulfonated-sterol DHEA-S preferentially enhance the ATPase activity of MRP4 over other previously proposed physiological substrates such as cyclic nucleotides or leukotrienes. We determined the cryo-EM structures of nanodisc embedded bovine MRP4 in (i) a nucleotide- and substrate-free state, (ii) in complex with PGE1, (iii) PGE2, and (iv) DHEA-S, and (v) a catalytically dead mutant E1202Q bound to ATP-Mg2+. The substrate-bound structures suggest unique features of the MRP4 binding site that distinguish its specificity for prostanoids from that of the related leukotriene transporter MRP1. The ATP-bound structure is in an outward-occluded conformation, revealing a novel state in the proposed alternate-access mechanism of MRP transport. Our study provides insights into the endogenous function of this versatile efflux transporter.
Behavioral assessment of Zwicker tone percepts in rodents
Authors: Schilling Achim , Tziridis Konstantin , Schulze Holger , Krauss Patrick
Published: December 2022

The Zwicker tone illusion can serve as an interesting model for acute tinnitus, an auditory phantom percept still not fully understood. Recent mechanistic models suggest that the underlying neural mechanisms of both percepts are similar. However, to date it is not clear if animals do perceive the Zwicker tone at all, as up to now no behavioral paradigms are available to objectively assess the presence of this phantom percept.

Here we introduce, for the first time, a modified version of the gap pre-pulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex (GPIAS) paradigm - usually used to assess the presence of a tinnitus percept in animals - to test if it is possible to induce a Zwicker tone percept in our rodent model, the Mongolian gerbil. Furthermore, we developed a new aversive conditioning shuttle box learning paradigm and compare the two approaches.

We found a significant increase in the GPIAS effect when presenting a notched noise compared to flat white noise gap pre-pulse inhibition, indicating that the animals actually perceived a Zwicker tone. However, in the aversive conditioning learning paradigm, no clear effect could be observed in the discrimination performance of the tested animals. When investigating the CR+ responses, an effect of a possible Zwicker tone percept can be seen, i.e. animals show identical behavior as if a pure tone was presented, but the paradigm needs to be further improved.
Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaf extract efficiently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infectionin vitro
Authors: Tran Hoai Thi Thu , Gigl Michael , Dawid Corinna , Lamy Evelyn
Published: December 2022

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a health risk concern to humans, despite a significant increase in vaccination rates, an effective prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection is being sought worldwide. Herbal medicines have been used for years and played a tremendous role in several epidemics of respiratory viral infections. Thus, they are considered as a promising platform to combat SARS-CoV-2. Previously, we reported that common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaf extract and its high molecular weight compounds strongly suppressedin vitrolung cell infection by SARS-CoV-2 Spike D614 and Delta variant pseudotyped lentivirus. We now here demonstrate thatT. officinaleextract protects against the most prominent Omicron variant using hACE2-TMPRSS2 overexpressing A549 cells asin vitromodel system. Notably, compared to the original D614, and the Delta variant, we could confirm a higher efficacy. Short-term interval treatment of only 30 min was then sufficient to block the infection by 80% at 10 mg/mL extract. Further subfractionation of the extract identified compounds larger than 50 kDa as effective ACE2-Spike binding inhibitors. In summary, the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 virus to the highly transmissible Omicron variant did not lead to resistance, but rather increased sensitivity to the preventive effect of the extract.
Global analysis of the yeast knock-out phenome
Authors: Turco Gina , Chang Christie , Wang Rebecca Y. , Kim Griffin , Stoops Emily , Richardson Brianna , Sochat Vanessa , Rust Jennifer , Oughtred Rose , Thayer Nathaniel , Kang Fan , Livstone Michael S. , Heinicke Sven , Schroeder Mark , Dolinski Kara J. , Botstein David , Baryshnikova Anastasia
Published: December 2022

Genome-wide phenotypic screens in the budding yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaehave produced the largest, richest and most systematic phenotypic description of any organism. Such an achievement was enabled by the development of highly scalable phenotypic assays and construction of the yeast knock-out (YKO) collection, comprising ~5,000 isogenic strains each deleted for exactly one open reading frame. Systematic screening of the YKO collection led to ~500 publications describing ~14,500 phenotypes capturing nearly every aspect of yeast biology. Yet, integrative analyses of this rich data source have been virtually impossible due to the lack of a central repository and consistent meta-data annotations. Here, we describe the aggregation, harmonization and analysis of all published phenotypic screens of the YKO collection, which we refer to as the Yeast Phenome (www.yeastphenome.org). To demonstrate the power of data integration and illustrate how much it facilitates the generation of testable hypotheses, we present three discoveries uniquely enabled by Yeast Phenome. First, we use the variation in the number of phenotypes per gene to identify tryptophan homeostasis as a central point of vulnerability to a wide range of chemical compounds, including FDA-approved drugs. Second, using phenotypic profiles as a tool for predicting gene function, we identify and validate the role ofYHR045Was a novel regulator of ergosterol biosynthesis and DNA damage response, andYGL117Was a new member of the aromatic amino acid biosynthesis pathway. Finally, we describe a surprising exponential relationship between phenotypic similarity and intergenic distance in both yeast and human genomes. This relationship, which stretches as far as 380 kb in yeast and 100 Mb in humans, suggests that gene positions are optimized for function to a much greater extent than appreciated previously. Overall, we show that Yeast Phenome enables systematic enquiries into the nature of gene-gene and gene-phenotype relationships and is an important new resource for systems biology.
Speciation on a complex landscape; phylogeny and demography of Mexican Goodeid fish
Authors: Yusuf Leeban H. , Lemus Yolitzi Saldívar , Thorpe Peter , Garcia Constantino Macías , Ritchie Michael G.
Published: December 2022

Understanding the phylogeographic history of a group and identifying the factors contributing to speciation is an important challenge in evolutionary biology. Vicariance has clearly played a major role in diversification across diverse groups of organisms, but how this interacts with intrinsic biological features such as changes in reproductive system or sexual selection is less well understood. TheGoodeinaeare a Mexican endemic group of live-bearing fish. Here, we develop genomic resources for species within theGoodeinaeand use phylogenomic approaches to characterise their evolutionary history. We sequenced, assembled and annotated the genomes of four newGoodeinaegenomes, includingA. toweri, the only matrotrophic live-bearing fish without a trophotaenia in the group. We produced a phylogeny of theGoodeinaeand estimate timings of species divergence. We determined the extent and timing of introgression between the species to assess if this may have occurred during an early radiation, or in more recent episodes of secondary contact. We also analyse patterns in the changes of effective population size for the species and examine the time course of expansion and decline. We used branch-site models to detect genome-wide positive selection acrossGoodeinae, and we specifically ask if this differs inA. toweri, where reversal of placental viviparity has recently occurred. We find that Goodeinae diverged rapidly, with reductions in effective population size after each split. Contrary to expectations, we find evidence of gene flow between geographically isolated species, suggesting vicariant speciation was supplemented by limited post-speciation gene flow, potentially as a result of river piracy. Genes under positive selection in the group are likely to be associated with the switch to live-bearing. Overall, our studies suggest that both volcanism driven vicariance and changes in reproductive mode influenced radiation in the Goodeinae.
Air-Liquid-Interface Reorganizes Membrane Lipid and Enhance Recruitment of Slc26a3 to Lipid-Rich Domains in Human Colon
Authors: Tse Ming , Rong Yan , Zhang Zixin , Lin Ruxian , Sarker Rafiq , Donowitz Mark , Singh Varsha
Published: December 2022

Background and Aims

Cholesterol-rich membrane domains, also called lipid rafts (LR), are specialized membrane domains that provide a platform for intracellular signal transduction. Membrane proteins often cluster in LR that further aggregate into larger platform-like structures that are enriched in ceramide and are called ceramide-rich platforms (CRPs). The role of CRPs in the regulation of intestinal epithelial functions remains unknown. Down Regulated in Adenoma (DRA) is an intestinal Cl-/HCO3-antiporter which is enriched in LR. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms involved in the regulation of DRA activity.

Methods

Air liquid interface (ALI) was created by removing apical media for a specified number of days from 12-14 days post confluency Caco-2/BBe cells or confluent colonoid monolayer grown as submerged cultures. Confocal imaging was used to examine the dimensions of membrane microdomains that contain DRA.

Results

DRA expression and activity were enhanced by culturing Caco-2/BBe cells and human colonoids using an ALI culture method. ALI causes an increase in acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) activity, an enzyme responsible for enhancing ceramide content in the plasma membrane. ALI cultures expressed a larger number of DRA-containing platforms with dimensions >2 μm compared to cells grown as submerged cultures. ASMase inhibitor, desipramine disrupted CRPs and reduced the ALI-induced increase in DRA expression in the apical membrane. Exposing normal human colonoid monolayers to ALI increased the ASMase activity and enhanced differentiation of colonoids along with enhancing basal and forskolin-stimulated DRA activity.

Conclusions

ALI increases DRA activity and expression by increasing ASMase activity and platform formation in Caco-2/BBe cells and by enhancing the differentiation of normal human colonoids.

Synopsis

Air-liquid interface (ALI) enhances total and brush border DRA expression and activity in Caco-2/BBe cells and human colonoids by causing differentiation of enterocytes and acid sphingomyelinase-dependent enhanced retention of DRA in ceramide-rich platform-like structures at the plasma membrane.
Glyco-engineered pentameric SARS-CoV-2 IgMs show superior activities compared to IgG1 orthologues
Authors: Kallolimath Somanath , Palt Roman , Föderl-Höbenreich Esther , Sun Lin , Chen Qiang , Pruckner Florian , Eidenberger Lukas , Strasser Richard , Zatloukal Kurt , Steinkellner Herta
Published: December 2022

Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is the largest antibody isotype with unique features like extensive glycosylation and oligomerization. Major hurdles in characterizing its properties are difficulties in the production of well-defined multimers. Here we report the expression of two SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies in glycoengineered plants. Isotype switch from IgG1 to IgM resulted in the production of pentameric IgMs, comprising of correctly assembled 21 human protein subunits. All four recombinant monoclonal antibodies carried a highly reproducible human-type N-glycosylation profile, with a single dominant N-glycan species at each glycosite. Both pentameric IgMs exhibited increased antigen binding and virus neutralization potency, up to 390-fold, compared to the parental IgG1. Collectively, the results may impact on the future design of vaccines, diagnostics and antibody-based therapies and emphasize the versatile use of plants for the expression of highly complex human proteins with targeted posttranslational modifications.
Robotically-induced auditory-verbal hallucinations: combining self-monitoring and strong perceptual priors
Authors: Orepic Pavo , Bernasconi Fosco , Faggella Melissa , Faivre Nathan , Blanke Olaf
Published: December 2022

Inducing hallucinations under controlled experimental conditions in non-hallucinating individuals represents a novel research avenue oriented towards understanding complex hallucinatory phenomena, avoiding confounds observed in patients. Auditory-verbal hallucinations (AVH) are one of the most common and distressing psychotic symptoms, whose etiology remains largely unknown. Two prominent accounts portray AVH either as a deficit in auditory-verbal self-monitoring, or as a result of overly strong perceptual priors. In order to test both theoretical models and evaluate their potential integration, we developed a robotic procedure able to induce self-monitoring perturbations (consisting of sensorimotor conflicts between poking movements and corresponding tactile feedback) and a perceptual prior associated with otherness sensations (i.e., feeling the presence of a non-existing another person). Here, in two independent studies, we show that this robotic procedure led to AVH-like phenomena in healthy individuals, which was further associated with delusional ideation. Specifically, a condition with stronger sensorimotor conflicts induced more AVH-like sensations (self-monitoring), while, in the otherness-related experimental condition, there were more AVH-like sensations when participants were detecting other-voice stimuli, compared to detecting self-voice stimuli (strong-priors). By demonstrating an experimental procedure able to induce AVH-like sensations in non-hallucinating individuals, we shed new light on AVH phenomenology, thereby integrating self-monitoring and strong-priors accounts.
Structure-guided stabilization improves the ability of the HIV-1 gp41 hydrophobic pocket to elicit neutralizing antibodies
Authors: Bruun Theodora U. J. , Tang Shaogeng , Erwin Graham , Deis Lindsay , Fernandez Daniel , Kim Peter S.
Published: December 2022

The hydrophobic pocket found in the N-heptad repeat (NHR) region of HIV-1 gp41 is a highly conserved epitope that is the target of various HIV-1 neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. Although the high conservation of the pocket makes it an attractive vaccine candidate, it has been challenging to elicit potent anti-NHR antibodies via immunization. Here, we solved a high-resolution structure of the NHR mimetic IQN17, and, consistent with previous ligand-bound gp41 pocket structures, we observed remarkable conformational plasticity of the pocket. The high malleability of this pocket led us to test whether we could improve the immunogenicity of the gp41 pocket by stabilizing its conformation. We show that the addition of five amino acids at the C-terminus of IQN17, to generate IQN22, introduces a stabilizing salt bridge at the base of the peptide that rigidifies the pocket. Mice immunized with IQN22 elicited higher avidity antibodies against the gp41 pocket and a more potent, albeit still weak, neutralizing response against HIV-1 compared to IQN17. Stabilized epitope-focused immunogens could serve as the basis for future HIV-1 fusion-inhibiting vaccines.
Sleep spindles and slow waves are physiological markers for age-related changes in gray matter in brain regions supporting problem-solving skills
Authors: Toor Balmeet , van den Berg Nicholas , Ray Laura B. , Fogel Stuart M.
Published: December 2022

As we age, the added benefit of sleep for memory consolidation is lost. One of the hallmark age-related changes in sleep is the reduction of sleep spindles and slow waves. Gray matter neurodegeneration is related to both age-related changes in sleep and age-related changes in memory, including memory for problem-solving skills. Here, we investigated whether spindles and slow waves might serve as biological markers for neurodegeneration of gray matter and for the related memory consolidation deficits in older adults. Forty healthy young adults (20–35 yr) and 30 healthy older adults (60–85 yr) were assigned to either nap or wake conditions. Participants were trained on the Tower of Hanoi in the morning, followed by either a 90-min nap opportunity or period of wakefulness, and were retested afterward. We found that age-related changes in sleep spindles and slow waves were differentially related to gray matter intensity in young and older adults in brain regions that support sleep-dependent memory consolidation for problem-solving skills. Specifically, we found that spindles were related to gray matter in neocortical areas (e.g., somatosensory and parietal cortex), and slow waves were related to gray matter in the anterior cingulate, hippocampus, and caudate, all areas known to support problem-solving skills. These results suggest that both sleep spindles and slow waves may serve as biological markers of age-related neurodegeneration of gray matter and the associated reduced benefit of sleep for memory consolidation in older adults.
The beam transport system for the Small Quantum Systems instrument at the European XFEL: optical layout and first commissioning results
Authors: Mazza Tommaso , Baumann Thomas M. , Boll Rebecca , De Fanis Alberto , Grychtol Patrik , Ilchen Markus , Montaño Jacobo , Music Valerija , Ovcharenko Yevheniy , Rennhack Nils , Rivas Daniel E. , Rörig Aljoscha , Schmidt Philipp , Usenko Sergey , Ziołkowski Pawel , La Civita Daniele , Vannoni Maurizio , Sinn Harald , Keitel Barbara , Plönjes Elke , Jastrow Ulf Fini , Sorokin Andrey , Tiedtke Kai , Mann Klaus , Schäfer Bernd , Breckwoldt Niels , Son Sang-Kil , Meyer Michael
Published: December 2022

The Small Quantum Systems instrument is one of the six operating instruments of the European XFEL, dedicated to the atomic, molecular and cluster physics communities. The instrument started its user operation at the end of 2018 after a commissioning phase. The design and characterization of the beam transport system are described here. The X-ray optical components of the beamline are detailed, and the beamline performances, transmission and focusing capabilities are reported. It is shown that the X-ray beam can be effectively focused as predicted by ray-tracing simulations. The impact of non-ideal X-ray source conditions on the focusing performances is discussed.
Crystal structure of bis(mesityl)(pyrrol-1-yl)borane
Authors: Sahin Onur , Wallis John D.
Published: December 2022

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C22H26BN, the B atom acts to reduce the delocalization of the nitrogen lone-pair electron density into the pyrrole ring, so that the two N—C bonds increase in length to 1.4005 (14) and 1.3981 (14) Å. The N—B bond length is 1.4425 (15) Å, which is longer than a typical N—B bond because the nitrogen lone pair is not fully available to participate in the bond.
Crystal structures of polymerized lithium chloride and dimethyl sulfoxide in the form of {2LiCl·3DMSO}
n
and {LiCl·DMSO}
n
Authors: Valdez Nichole R. , Herman David J. , Nemer Martin B. , Rodriguez Mark A. , Allcorn Eric
Published: December 2022

Two novel LiCl·DMSO polymer structures were created by combining dry LiCl salt with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), namely, catena-poly[[chloridolithium(I)]-μ-(dimethyl sulfoxide)-κ2
O:O-[chloridolithium(I)]-di-μ-(dimethyl sulfoxide)-κ4
O:O], [Li2Cl2(C2H6OS)3]
n
, and catena-poly[lithium(I)-μ-chlorido-μ-(dimethyl sulfoxide)-κ2
O:O], [LiCl(C2H6OS)]
n
. The initial synthesized phase had very small block-shaped crystals (<0.08 mm) with monoclinic symmetry and a 2 LiCl: 3 DMSO ratio. As the solution evaporated, a second phase formed with a plate-shaped crystal morphology. After about 20 minutes, large (>0.20 mm) octahedron-shaped crystals formed. The plate crystals and the octahedron crystals are the same tetragonal structure with a 1 LiCl: 1 DMSO ratio. These structures are reported and compared to other known LiCl·solvent compounds.
Rethinking organizational performance management: a complexity theory perspective
Authors: Pavlov Andrey , Micheli Pietro
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Traditional approaches to organizational performance management that emphasize objectivity, control and predictability are rapidly losing relevance in an environment characterized by increasing levels of complexity and dynamism. This paper draws on complexity theory to suggest a new paradigm for managing performance in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the common features of complex systems and the corresponding concept of emergence to revisit key themes in organizational performance management and propose a set of implications for research and practice.

Findings

Understanding organizations as complex systems and performance as an emergent property of such systems leads to a set of new research questions, the adoption of alternative methods and the formulation of novel propositions. It also has various implications for both academic research and managerial practice, from moving away from the traditional notion of organizational alignment to adopting a more explicit stakeholder-based view in the design and use of measurement systems.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the great potential of complexity theory for addressing contemporary issues in the field of organizational performance management and charting the landscape for its future development.
Cryptoassets – a new frontier for money laundering and terrorist financing: legal changes to address the increasing AML risk
Authors: Byttebier Koen , Adamos Konstantinos
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to provide an overview of the regulatory framework for AML supervision of cryptoassets.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of current legislative framework in the EU is presented in this paper.

Findings

A comprehensive framework is required to ensure that the AML risk posed by cryptoassets is mitigated.

Originality/value

This is an original article written for presentation at the Economic Crime Symposium in Cambridge (Jesus College).
The operational performance of fashion companies in the context of the coronavirus pandemic: static and dynamic analyses
Authors: Huang He , Huang Jing , Zhong Yanfeng
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study clarifies the operational performance of fashion companies during the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, improvement strategies have been provided in the post-pandemic era.

Design/methodology/approach

The static and dynamic perspectives were combined to comprehensively analyze the operational performance of fashion companies before, during and after the COVID-19 outbreak. A comparative analysis among five representative countries was conducted to achieve global conclusions. Additionally, data envelopment analysis (DEA) theory and various DEA models were employed for the analysis.

Findings

The fashion industry has not achieved overall effectiveness. American companies have the best operational performance, followed by European and Chinese companies. In contrast, the impact of the pandemic on American companies was severe, whereas Chinese and European companies showed operational resilience. In addition, the pandemic had a devastating influence on the global fashion industry. This resulted in a decline in total factor productivity, and the main reason was technological regress. Furthermore, labor redundancy is a critical issue for the fashion industry in the post-pandemic era, even if it shows a decrease because of the pandemic.

Originality/value

The existing theory on the fashion industry during the pandemic was improved by expanding the time and geographical dimensions and integrating the advantages of various DEA models. Scientific improvement strategies were presented in the post-pandemic era with application value.
Recent progress on bumpless Cu/SiO2 hybrid bonding for 3D heterogeneous integration
Authors: Li Ge , Kang Qiushi , Niu Fanfan , Wang Chenxi
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Bumpless Cu/SiO2 hybrid bonding, which this paper aims to, is a key technology of three-dimensional (3D) high-density integration to promote the integrated circuits industry’s continuous development, which achieves the stacks of chips vertically connected via through-silicon via. Surface-activated bonding (SAB) and thermal-compression bonding (TCB) are used, but both have some shortcomings. The SAB method is overdemanding in the bonding environment, and the TCB method requires a high temperature to remove copper oxide from surfaces, which increases the thermal budget and grossly damages the fine-pitch device.

Design/methodology/approach

In this review, methods to prevent and remove copper oxidation in the whole bonding process for a lower bonding temperature, such as wet treatment, plasma surface activation, nanotwinned copper and the metal passivation layer, are investigated.

Findings

The cooperative bonding method combining wet treatment and plasma activation shows outstanding technological superiority without the high cost and additional necessity of copper passivation in manufacture. Cu/SiO2 hybrid bonding has great potential to effectively enhance the integration density in future 3D packaging for artificial intelligence, the internet of things and other high-density chips.

Originality/value

To achieve heterogeneous bonding at a lower temperature, the SAB method, chemical treatment and the plasma-assisted bonding method (based on TCB) are used, and surface-enhanced measurements such as nanotwinned copper and the metal passivation layer are also applied to prevent surface copper oxide.
Physical and biogenic complexity mediates ecosystem functions in urban sessile marine communities
Authors: Mayer‐Pinto Mariana , Bugnot Ana B. , Johnston Emma L. , Potts Jaimie , Airoldi Laura , Glasby Tim M. , Strain Elisabeth M. A. , Scanes Peter , Ushiama Shinjiro , Dafforn Katherine A.
Published: December 2022

The influence of habitat complexity on biodiversity is a central theme in ecology, with many studies reporting positive relationships. Reconciliation approaches in urbanised areas, such as eco‐engineering, have increasingly focused on ‘re‐building’ the complexity of degraded and/or homogenised habitats to support biodiversity. Yet, the effects of increasing complexity and biodiversity on ecological functions are rarely measured.

We assessed how increasing the physical and/or biogenic complexity of habitats affects the net primary productivity (NPP) and gross primary productivity (GPP), community respiration and nutrient cycling (specifically dissolved inorganic phosphorus and nitrogen) of intertidal sessile marine communities at three sites. We manipulated physical complexity using two types of settlement tiles: ‘complex’, with crevices and ridges, and ‘flat’. We increased biogenic complexity on half the replicates of each tile type by seeding with oysters.

Increased physical and biogenic complexity resulted in greater sessile species richness at all sites. Although many variables assessed varied with sites and time of measurements, overall, GPP and NPP were greater on flat tiles than on complex ones. These patterns were not explained by differences in the total surface area of tiles.

Daily flux rates of dissolved inorganic phosphorus had a significant positive relationship with biogenic complexity. There were no effects of biogenic or physical complexity on the net fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen.

Effects of habitat complexity on the productivity and nutrient cycling of marine sessile communities were largely unrelated to diversity measures, such as richness or abundance of key taxa and functional groups.

Synthesis and applications. Eco‐engineering practices that manipulate habitat complexity might benefit from explicit functional targets that also consider associated ecosystem services, as we found that under some conditions there is a trade‐off between biodiversity and functional targets. Our results suggest that increasing habitat complexity has a positive effect on sessile species richness, but not necessarily on productivity (GPP and NPP). The species pool available as well as light availability is likely to mediate effects of complexity on assemblages, so local environment needs to be a key consideration when designing interventions.
The relationship between psychopathology, occupational balance, and quality of life among people with schizophrenia
Authors: Ercan Doğu Selma , Örsel Sibel
Published: December 2022

Objective

There is an increased risk of occupational imbalance and poor quality of life (QoL) if one has schizophrenia. Although evidence suggests a relationship between psychopathology and QoL, the association of occupational balance (OB) with QoL in schizophrenia is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations among psychopathology, occupational balance, and QoL in schizophrenia.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study carried out in a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC). Ninety‐five individuals aged 18 years or older with the diagnosis of schizophrenia participated in the study. All participants completed a sociodemographic form, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale in Schizophrenia (CDSS), Occupational Balance Questionnaire‐11 Turkish Version (OBQ11‐T), and the World Health Organisation Quality of Life Assessment Instrument (WHOQOL‐100‐TR). Relationships among clinical and depressive symptoms, OB, and QoL variables were examined through correlation analysis, and then multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the variables that have influences on QOL.

Results

The study participants had low OB scores and the lowest mean in the WHOQOL‐social relationships subscale. WHOQOL‐overall QoL score demonstrated a moderate negative correlation with the PANSS‐total score and PANSS‐general psychopathology subscale score (r = −0.422, r = −0.463, P < 0.001) and a mild negative correlation with the CDSS‐total score (r = −0.390, P < 0.001). OBQ11‐T total score showed a moderate positive correlation with the WHOQOL‐overall score (r = 0.549; P < 0.001). Findings from the multiple linear regression analysis revealed that OBQ11‐T (β = −0.467, P = 0.000) and PANSS‐general psychopathology (β = −0.221, P = 0.045) were significant predictors of the overall QoL, explaining 48% of the variance in the overall QoL (adjusted R2 = .43, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study findings showed that OB and general psychopathology are determinants that should be considered in improving the QoL in individuals with schizophrenia. Thereby, addressing the symptoms of general psychopathology and occupational factors to improve the QoL may be achieved with the incorporation of occupation‐based programmes to routine treatment. However, further research is required.
Physiological stage drives fungal community dynamics and diversity in Leptospermum scoparium (mānuka) flowers
Authors: Larrouy Justine L. , Dhami Manpreet K. , Jones Eirian E. , Ridgway Hayley J.
Published: December 2022

Flowers are an important niche for microbes, and microbes in turn influence plant fitness. As flower morphology and biology change rapidly over time, dynamic niches for microbes are formed and lost. Floral physiology at each life stage can therefore influence arrival, persistence and loss of microbial species; however, this remains little understood despite its potential consequences for host reproductive success. Through internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) community profiling, we characterized the effect of transitioning through five floral stages of mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium), from immature bud to spent flower, and subsequent allocation to seed, on the flower‐inhabiting fungal community. We found nectar‐consuming yeasts from Aureobasidium and Vishniacozyma genera and functionally diverse filamentous fungi from the Cladosporium genus dominated the anthosphere. The candidate core microbiota persisted across this dynamic niche despite high microbial turnover, as observed in shifts in community composition and diversity as flowers matured and senesced. The results demonstrated that floral stages are strong drivers of anthosphere fungal community assembly and dynamics. This study represents the first detailed exploration of fungi through floral development, building on fundamental knowledge in microbial ecology of healthy flowers.
Haemodynamic and respiratory perioperative outcomes for open versus robot‐assisted radical cystectomy: A double‐blinded, randomised trial
Authors: Vejlgaard Maja , Maibom Sophia L. , Joensen Ulla N. , Kehlet Henrik , Bundgaard‐Nielsen Morten , Aasvang Eske K. , Røder Andreas
Published: December 2022

Background

The clinical impact of prolonged steep Trendelenburg position and CO2 pneumoperitoneum during robot‐assisted radical cystectomy (RC) on intraoperative conditions and immediate postoperative recovery remains to be assessed. The current study investigates intraoperative and immediate postoperative outcomes for open RC (ORC) versus robot‐assisted RC with intracorporal urinary diversion (iRARC) in a blinded randomised trial. We hypothesised that ORC would result in a faster haemodynamic and respiratory post‐anaesthesia care unit (PACU) recovery compared to iRARC.

Methods

This study is a predefined sub‐analysis of a single‐centre, double‐blinded, randomised feasibility study. Fifty bladder cancer patients were randomly assigned to ORC (n = 25) or iRARC (n = 25). Patients, PACU staff, and ward personnel were blinded to the surgical technique. Both randomisation arms followed the same anaesthesiologic procedure, fluid treatment plan, and PACU care. The primary outcome was immediate postoperative recovery using a standardised PACU Discharge Criteria (PACU‐DC) score. Secondary outcomes included respiration‐ and arterial O2 saturation scores as well as perioperative interventions and recordings.

Results

All patients underwent the allocated treatment. The total PACU‐DC score was highest 6 h postoperatively with no difference in the total score between randomisation arms (p = 0.80). Both the ORC and iRARC groups maintained a mean respiration‐ and arterial O2 saturation score below 1 (out of 3) throughout PACU stay. The iRARC patients had significantly, but clinically acceptable, higher maximum airway pressure and arterial blood pressure, as well as lower minimum pH levels. The ORC group received significantly more opioids after extubation but marginally less analgesics in the PACU, compared to the iRARC group.

Conclusions

A prolonged Trendelenburg position and CO2 pneumoperitoneum was well‐tolerated during iRARC, and immediate postoperative recovery was similar for ORC and iRARC patients.
Examining the representation of locally threatened species in North American zoos
Authors: Kerr K. C. R. , Sauve D. , Winton S. A. , Thorne T. J. , Chabot A. A.
Published: December 2022

A perceived dissonance exists between the stated conservation mission of modern zoos and the composition of species in their care. A bias toward charismatic taxa over threatened ones has been demonstrated in several studies. However, these prior examinations have principally relied on species threat status derived from global lists, and threat status reported for species on national and subnational lists often differ from global assessments. It has been suggested that some globally non‐threatened species maintained in zoos might fulfill local conservation priorities. In this study, we compare local threat status and zoo population size for native bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species in North American zoos to assess the representation of locally threatened taxa. We found that native locally threatened species were kept in North American zoos slightly less than would be expected by chance; however, of the species that were represented in zoos, those that were threatened in more of the subnational regions where they occurred averaged larger populations within zoos. This suggests that the direct contribution from zoo animals to the conservation of locally threatened species is relatively limited with respect to taxonomic coverage, but this contribution may be underestimated by strictly counting the threatened species kept in zoos.
The effects of sugammadex vs. neostigmine on postoperative respiratory complications and advanced healthcare utilisation: a multicentre retrospective cohort study
Authors: Suleiman A. , Munoz‐Acuna R. , Azimaraghi O. , Houle T. T. , Chen G. , Rupp S. , Witt A. S. , Azizi B. A. , Ahrens E. , Shay D. , Wongtangman K. , Wachtendorf L. J. , Tartler T. M. , Eikermann M. , Schaefer M. S.
Published: December 2022

Reversing neuromuscular blockade with sugammadex can eliminate residual paralysis, which has been associated with postoperative respiratory complications. There are equivocal data on whether sugammadex reduces these when compared with neostigmine. We investigated the association of the choice of reversal drug with postoperative respiratory complications and advanced healthcare utilisation. We included adult patients who underwent surgery and received general anaesthesia with sugammadex or neostigmine reversal at two academic healthcare networks between January 2016 and June 2021. The primary outcome was postoperative respiratory complications, defined as post‐extubation oxygen saturation < 90%, respiratory failure requiring non‐invasive ventilation, or tracheal re‐intubation within 7 days. Our main secondary outcome was advanced healthcare utilisation, a composite outcome including: 7‐day unplanned intensive care unit admission; 30‐day hospital readmission; or non‐home discharge. In total, 5746 (6.9%) of 83,250 included patients experienced postoperative respiratory complications. This was not associated with the reversal drug (adjusted OR (95%CI) 1.01 (0.94–1.08); p = 0.76). After excluding patients admitted from skilled nursing facilities, 8372 (10.5%) patients required advanced healthcare utilisation, which was not associated with the choice of reversal (adjusted OR (95%CI) 0.95 (0.89–1.01); p = 0.11). Equivalence testing supported an equivalent effect size of sugammadex and neostigmine on both outcomes, and neostigmine was non‐inferior to sugammadex with regard to postoperative respiratory complications or advanced healthcare utilisation. Finally, there was no association between the reversal drug and major adverse cardiovascular events (adjusted OR 1.07 (0.94–1.21); p = 0.32). Compared with neostigmine, reversal of neuromuscular blockade with sugammadex was not associated with a reduction in postoperative respiratory complications or post‐procedural advanced healthcare utilisation.