bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of microbial communities of soils under contrasting microclimates
Authors: Päll T , Zagal-Venegas E , Pavlicek T , Nevo E , Timmusk S
Published: November 2024

Understanding how microbiomes influence the life cycle and fitness of crops, and how global change drivers disrupt this network, is pivotal for an understanding of the crop as a holobiont, and of how to provide solutions for Nordic agricultural crop resilience under climate change.

Despite decades of use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), there is an intrinsic problem with their applications, as it has become evident that their functionality and performance rely on interactions with the environment and with other microorganisms. The synthetic crop-promoting rhizobacterial community strains are being outcompeted by native communities, or their colonisation and active principles are being reduced to ineffective levels. This is the result of the communities being selected on taxonomic criteria rather than qualitative analysis of the microbiome-associated plant phenotypes. In this context there in an urgent need for an approach studying the microbial community and plant complementarity traits from indigenous communities. Here we report the pattern of bacterial distributions at the Evolution Canyon (EC) in Israel to gain insight into microbiomes exposed to contrasting microclimates at the North Facing Slope (NFS) and South Facing Slope (SFS) sun and shade areas using high-throughput sequencing. While the NFS and SFS shaded areas bacterial distribution didn’t differ, our results show significant differences between the NFS and the SFS sunny areas. The familiesGeodermatophilaceae, Beijerinckiaceae, andPseudonocardiaceaeare dominant in the NFS sun area, and the familiesRubrobacteriaceae, unclassifiedSolirubrobacteralesbacterium 67-14, unclassifiedActinobacteriota, classGaiellalesdominate at the SFS sun area. Likewise, both Shannon and inverse Simpson’s diversity indices are higher at the NFS sun area compared to the NFS shaded area. There was no substantial difference between diversity indices in SFS sun and shaded area.

Our results advance our understanding of the bacterial distributions at what is in effect a natural laboratory of ecosystems that probably evolved 5–7 million years ago. The data are an important step towards using transcriptomics, metabolomic profiles and selective plating for figuring out key strains and the supporter strains that strengthen the ecological functions of the key strains. Collectively, this will enable us to assemble redundant and stable synthetic PGPR communities consisting of key and supporter strains for promoting plant health and stress tolerance under changing climates.
Repeated cigarette smoke exposure attenuates the proliferation rate of primary human lung fibroblastsin vitro
Authors: Cannard EC , Kronseder A , Karrasch S , Kahnert K , Nowak D , Lehmann M , Holz O , Stoleriu MG , Jörres RA
Published: November 2024

Background

Lung fibroblasts are crucial structural cells involved in airway remodelling and tissue maintenance. The study aimed to analyze the effect of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on primary human lung fibroblasts at various stages of proliferation to assess whether an initial exposure could exert a protective effect against subsequent exposures.

Methods

We examined the effect of CSE on fibroblasts isolated from 15 donors who had undergone lung surgery. Fibroblast cultures were exposed to 2% CSE early (day 5-7), late (day 9-11), or at both time points (double). Cell counts and viability tests were performed every 2 days. Changes in proliferation rates were determined immediately at the end of each 2-day exposure as well as 2 days afterwards, until the end of the experiment with a plateau of proliferation. Differences between exposures were analyzed by comparing proliferation rates by ANOVA with adjustedpost-hocanalyses.

Results

Early-, late- and double-CSE exposed cultures showed lower proliferation rates (p<0.05 each) compared to unexposed cultures. The response to late-CSE exposure varied depending on whether an initial CSE exposure had occurred, suggesting a protective effect from the early exposure. Changes observed over the 2-day exposure period and the subsequent 2 days (a total of 4 days) yielded similar results to those recorded during just the 2-day exposure period. Proliferation rates varied among cells from different donors, but responses correlated across different exposure regimens, indicating inherent differences in susceptibility to CSE.

Conclusions

Repeated CSE exposures attenuated the proliferation of primary human lung fibroblasts more strongly than a single exposure, despite the fact that an early CSE exposure appeared to protect against the CSE in repetitively exposed fibroblast cultures. Our results highlight that while significant differences may occur among primary cells from different donors in vitro, responses can remain consistent across various exposure conditions.
University entrepreneurship in Latin America with data from the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Student’s Survey (GUESSS): a literature review
Authors: Jerônimo Soares Ana Maria , de Melo Felipe Luiz Neves Bezerra
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the current state of entrepreneurship research in Latin America based on data from the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Student’s Survey (GUESSS) project, to map its usage in publications in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol was employed for the systematic literature review. A total of 23 empirical studies published from 2015 to 2023 were included. Furthermore, it suggests directions for future research by utilizing the structuring of theories, contexts and methodologies (TCM) identified in the analyzed articles.

Findings

Factors related to individuals, the university environment and the family influence the outcomes; the theory of planned behavior (TPB) was the most commonly employed. Additionally, there is a gap in comparative approaches between countries.

Practical implications

This study identifies a gap in research using GUESSS data specific to Latin America, suggesting the need for further exploration of these data. By integrating the PRISMA protocol with the TCM framework, the study provides structured analyses and syntheses that reduce knowledge fragmentation.

Social implications

This study discusses the factors influencing entrepreneurship among Latin American university students, providing insights for policymakers, managers and educational institutions.

Originality/value

The current state of results in studies using GUESSS data from several Latin American countries is presented.
High performance work practices for innovative work behavior: mediating effect of workplace support and job embeddedness in IT-based service industry
Authors: Gautam Prakash Kumar , Gautam Dhruba Kumar
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of high performance work practices on innovative work behavior with individual and serial mediation effects of workplace support and job embeddedness in emerging service industry related to information technology (IT).

Design/methodology/approach

This research was conducted under an explanatory research design following stratified sampling techniques. Altogether, 465 employees holding different positions in the organizational hierarchy participated in this survey. Confirmatory factor analysis was used for the data’s reliability and validity, and mediation effects were examined following the Preacher and Hayes Process Macro approach.

Findings

The result revealed a significant positive relationship between high performance work practices and employee innovative work behavior. It concludes that partial and complementary serial mediating effects exist on workplace support and job embeddedness in the relationship between high performance work practices and innovative work behavior.

Practical implications

IT-based organizations can use the findings of this study to improve high performance work practices so that they can enhance innovative work behavior. These results become guidelines for creating a supportive work environment and increasing job embeddedness to adopt innovative work behavior, particularly in service industries.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the human resource management literature for strategic orientation in support of the social exchange theory and ability, motivation and opportunity theory and enriches the understanding of the mediating effect on innovative work behavior.
Ethical challenges for same-day delivery contractors
Authors: Chen Chun-Miin (Jimmy) , Chen Xinwei
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the ethical challenges within same-day delivery (SDD) operations in the gig economy, focusing on promoting fairness and justice for independent contractors by applying Rawlsian justice principles.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a philosophical and theoretical methodology, the authors synthesize insights from business ethics, corporate governance and Rawlsian ethical theories. This study critically examines the application of these theories within SDD business models through a comparative analysis of seminal and contemporary ethical discussions. Importantly, the authors reverse the traditional antecedents, decisions and outcomes framework to start with outcomes, offering a novel methodological execution that enhances the study’s approach to ethical research.

Findings

The analysis identifies pronounced ethical deficiencies in treating SDD contractors, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms. The study proposes a series of hypotheses to rectify these issues, including recommendations for enhancing algorithmic transparency, ensuring equitable compensation and fortifying worker protections. These proposed changes advocate for restructuring corporate policies to foster a fairer SDD business environment.

Originality/value

By interweaving Rawlsian ethical principles with practical corporate responsibilities specific to the gig economy, this paper enriches the discourse on business ethics. It introduces a novel framework for analyzing the ethical treatment of gig workers, proposing actionable strategies that bridge theoretical ethics with real-world applications. This approach advances academic understanding and guides industry practices toward more ethical and sustainable models.
Exploring the impact of university-driven supplier development interventions on supplier performance: a case of the garment industry
Authors: Toufighi Seyed Pendar , Vang Jan , Govindan Kannan , Lin Min Zar Ni , Bille Amanda
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of university-driven knowledge transfer initiatives in enhancing the capabilities and performance of local suppliers in the garment industry. By focusing on the impact of UDIs in Myanmar, this research aims to provide empirical evidence on how these initiatives can foster supplier development and performance improvement through targeted capability enhancement strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilizes a combination of surveys and an experimental design to evaluate the impact of university-driven supplier development interventions (UDIs) based on Lean principles in Myanmar’s garment industry. Nine garment suppliers were assessed before and after the UDI program. The research employed partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the direct, indirect and mediating effects of UDIs on supplier performance, focusing on the role of supplier capability enhancement as a mediating factor.

Findings

The study found that the UDI program significantly improved supplier capabilities, which in turn led to enhanced performance. The analysis revealed partial mediation, indicating that while UDIs directly impact supplier performance, their effect is significantly amplified through the enhancement of supplier capabilities. These findings highlight the critical role of targeted capability development in achieving substantial performance improvements among local suppliers.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of university-driven supplier development initiatives in a developing country context. It validates the indirect role of UDIs in boosting supplier performance via capability enhancement, emphasizing the importance of industry-specific and capability-focused development strategies. The findings underscore the value of structured knowledge transfer programs in supporting local suppliers, offering practical insights for policymakers and educational institutions aiming to enhance industrial performance through strategic interventions.
Benevolent leadership and staff’s creative work behavior: the mediating role of an innovative climate and fear of failure
Authors: Nong Thi Xuan , Chan Sheng-Ju , Nguyen Thi Thanh Truc
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Based on integrating social exchange theory and input-mediator-output-input model, the current study proposes a model to explore the relationship between benevolent leadership and creative work behavior of Vietnamese university staffs.

Design/methodology/approach

A printed questionnaire was developed and directly distributed to 503 Vietnamese university staffs from 1st to 27th October in 2023 using the quota sampling method. After removing 61 missing data and outlier cases, a total of 442 valuable cases were used for further investigation. SPSS 22 and SMARTPLS version 3.2.2 was employed for data analysis.

Findings

Our study found the positive relationship between benevolent leadership and creative work behavior through the mediation of innovative climate and fear of failure. The findings also indicated that benevolent leadership fosters an innovative climate and reduces subordinates’ fear of failure, then increases subordinates’ creative work behavior.

Originality/value

The present study explored mechanisms of benevolent leadership effect on creative work behavior of university staff. From that, contributing several practical implications for university leaders and educators in fostering university staff’s creative work behavior. This research contributed to the knowledge domain of leadership and creative work behavior of employees in higher education.
Empowering voices: the role of tertiary education in advancing gender equality through feminine writing in Bangladesh
Authors: Husain Taha , Prima Ruchita Banik , Rahman Naimur , Haque Md Ahsanul , Shindaini Al Jamal Mustafa
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study investigates how tertiary education in Bangladesh can promote gender equality by integrating feminine writing into the academic environment. It examines feminine writing as a vehicle for empowering female students, encouraging critical thinking and challenging societal norms that perpetuate gender inequality.

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows a quantitative research methodology. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 672 students from various educational institutions across Bangladesh. Based on a research framework driven by critical pedagogy theory, the data analysis employed descriptive and inferential statistics to explore relationships among variables.

Findings

The findings indicate that 76.8% of female students engage in personal narratives and 54.9% in feminist essays, showing a significant preference for feminine writing. Female students (70.1%) exhibit greater awareness of gender issues than male students (29.9%). Arts and social sciences students show the highest engagement in gender discussions (52.7%) and are more likely to perceive supportive environments for feminine writing (65.9%). However, students in vocational fields report only 15.5% engagement in gender-related discussions and significantly lower institutional support. These disparities highlight the need for inclusive academic frameworks encouraging broader participation in gender discourse across all disciplines.

Practical implications

The study emphasizes embedding feminine writing and gender perspectives across curricula to foster gender equality in Bangladesh’s higher education sector. To create a more supportive academic environment, policymakers and educational institutions must integrate gender-related content across all disciplines, particularly in science, business, vocational and technical fields.

Originality/value

As one of the first studies to examine the intersection of tertiary education, feminine writing and gender equality in Bangladesh, this research offers new insights into the role of higher education in fostering gender empowerment and critical engagement with societal norms. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of how academic settings can serve as transformative spaces for promoting gender equality and inclusive self-expression.
Green growth or red tape? Unraveling the interconnected effects of stringent environmental regulations and bribery on enterprise growth
Authors: Ullah Naimat , Mazhar Ummad
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Existing research offers mixed findings on the link and does not consider the role of institutional weaknesses, such as corruption, in the effectiveness of these regulations. To address this gap, we analyze the conditional effects of environmental regulations on firm growth across economies with varying perceptions of corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

We study the relationship between environmental regulations and firm performance using World Bank Enterprise Surveys data for manufacturing firms in 142 countries covering the 2007–2017 period.

Findings

Our findings support the “strong” version of the Porter Hypothesis, suggesting that stricter environmental regulations significantly enhance firm growth.

Research limitations/implications

However, when combined with high levels of bribery, these regulations have an adverse effect.

Originality/value

The robustness of these results is confirmed by employing various statistical techniques (e.g. IV-GMM) and alternative model specifications.
Cultivating loyalty: the role of inclusive leadership in fostering organizational commitment through mediating effect of psychological safety and perceived organizational support
Authors: Waseem Muhammad , Khan Khalid , Kiran Rabia , Bint-e-Sohrab Sana , Iqbal Muntaha
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study explores the effect of inclusive leadership (IL) on organizational commitment (OC) in Pakistan’s telecom sector. Psychological safety (PS) and perceived organizational support (POS) are taken as mediators to explore the interplay of the constructs. The study aims to contribute to the existing literature by providing insights into the critical role of inclusive IL impacting OC through PS and POS as mediators.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative methodology and a cross-sectional survey of 289 employees of the telecom sector working in the front office dealing with customer services. Using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, the study tests hypotheses on the critical role of OC in Pakistan’s telecom sector. With the aid of SPSS v27 and AMOS v23 for structural equation model construction and path analysis, a time-lagged data collection method was used to avoid common method bias.

Findings

According to the research paper’s findings, evidence supports the hypotheses, suggesting that IL has a positive direct and indirect impact on OC via PS and POS.

Originality/value

This study adds to the existing body of knowledge on IL, PS, POS and OC. This study also tests the mediating role of PS and POS in Pakistan’s telecom sector’s service domain. This research also provides practical implications for leaders and employees concerning PS and POS in the specific context of Pakistan’s society.
Qualitative exploration of factors influencing the development of entrepreneurship courses in select Indonesian universities with fuzzy logic integration
Authors: Setiawan M. Eval , Suwono Hadi , Alias Siti Hajar , Sulisetijono Sulisetijono , Nur Hadi
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The research purpose had been to investigate the dominant factors that influenced the success of the development of entrepreneurship courses in cultivating entrepreneurial mindsets and entrepreneurial skills into educational frameworks in universities.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study used in-depth interviews with key stakeholders from Indonesian universities, complemented by applying fuzzy logic as a supportive tool to analyse and interpret the complex, often ambiguous data. This method allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the internal and external factors that affected the development and effectiveness of entrepreneurship courses.

Findings

The study found that successful entrepreneurship courses in Indonesian universities rely on a well-structured curriculum, strong institutional support, cultural influences and practical experience. Qualitative interviews revealed that integrating theory with hands-on learning, financial and mentorship support, and fostering a supportive entrepreneurial culture was key to fostering entrepreneurial mindsets.

Research limitations/implications

The findings provide valuable insights into enhancing the university entrepreneurship ecosystem in Indonesia. These findings built for a holistic approach that included curriculum development, practical experience and ecosystem support to cultivate future entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

This study provides a unique qualitative perspective on the development of entrepreneurship courses in Indonesian universities. It utilizes in-depth interviews to uncover the nuanced, contextual factors influencing success. By highlighting the roles of curriculum, institutional support, cultural influences and practical experience, this research offers valuable insights into enhancing entrepreneurial education through a comprehensive, qualitative lens.
Does spiritual leadership foster prosocial knowledge sharing in the workplace? A social dilemma perspective
Authors: Zoghbi-Manrique-de-Lara Pablo , Romero-Domínguez Laura , Agarwal Upasna A.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The current challenges to traditional business practices increasingly involve spirituality. However, existing literature on spiritual leadership (SL) has not been used to date for obtaining a better understanding of why and how knowledge sharing (KS) occurs in organisations, particularly from the perspective of social dilemmas and work compassion. This paper aims to examine whether SL, through fostering experiences of compassion at work, leads followers to share knowledge prosocially in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conceptualise KS action as the result of a social dilemma whereby followers decide to share knowledge rather than selfishly succumb to the temptation to withhold it for short-term gain. The authors hypothesise that SL cultivates experiences of compassion at work, which acts as a mediator that explains how and why SL encourages KS. The authors propose a model that includes a unique higher-order construct of SL assessed using Fry’s 17-item scale. Data were collected from a sample of 384 leaders and their followers from 14 manufacturing and service companies in India and analysed using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results revealed significant relationships between SL, KS and compassion at work. Notably, compassion mediated the relationship between SL and KS. Findings suggest that SL encourages employees to engage KS, cultivating a compassionate work environment. This discourages them from succumbing to the selfish, individualistic or uncooperative temptations to withhold knowledge for short-term benefits.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates a novel relationship between SL and compassion, as well as a relationship between SL and prosocial KS in which compassion at work acts as a mediator.
High‐resolution velocity model building with fault control: Methods and applications
Authors: Xue Hua , Du Min , Jiang Wenbin , Liu Bin , Chen Xi , Yang Li , Li Yan , Zhang Baojin , Zhang Ruwei , Gu Yuan , Yang Yong , He Gaowen , Sun Xiaoming
Published: November 2024

In seismic exploration, particularly within the domain of oil and gas reservoirs, the accurate imaging of complex fault blocks and the identification of structural traps are important. Geological risk factors, including the implementation of structural traps, reservoir delineation, and precise target drilling, require immediate attention in practical exploration. Addressing these factors involves two primary challenges: ensuring imaging accuracy and minimizing structural distortions. This study introduces a high‐resolution velocity modelling technique with fault control, specifically developed to mitigate misties between seismic image and well‐log data and improve the accuracy of seismic depth imaging and well depth correlation. The method offers a targeted solution to the challenges of implementing structural traps, delineating reservoirs and executing precise drilling operations. By incorporating fault control, it accounts for the structural complexity of subsurface media, enabling an accurate inversion of velocity variations across fault blocks. This approach ensures that velocity models, constrained by geological and structural models, exhibit a high degree of consistency. Utilizing fault‐controlled travel time inversion, the method resolves mistier between seismic imaging and well‐log data, guaranteeing the precision of velocity models and imaging. The methodology provides reliable seismic data for target evaluation, effectively reducing exploration risks and improving the accuracy of velocity modelling.
After six decades, a new species of the Andean caddisfly genus Eosericostoma Schmid, 1955 (Trichoptera: Helicophidae) is discovered
Authors: Desidério Gleison R. , Sganga Julieta V. , Libonatti María L. , Jorge Gabrielle , Hamada Neusa
Published: November 2024

The Andean caddisfly genus, Eosericostoma Schmid, 1955, was previously known from two species endemic to Chile and Argentina. In this study, a new species of Eosericostoma was discovered six decades after the last description of a species in the genus. Eosericostoma opposita Desidério, Sganga & Hamada, sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on a single specimen collected close to the Lake Nahuel Huapi, Río Negro Province, in the Valdivian Forest of Argentine Andes. It can be recognised on a combination of abdominal characters, mainly in the tergum X and the inferior appendage. Additionally, a key to identify males of the three species in the genus is provided. Finally, a brief discussion of the biogeography of Eosericostoma is presented.
Quality of life in advanced‐stage, asymptomatic, non‐bulky follicular lymphoma treated with rituximab shows significant improvement compared with watchful‐waiting
Authors: Marzolini Maria A. V. , Qian Wendi , Clifton‐Hadley Laura , Patrick Pip , Warden June , Stevens Lindsey , Pocock Christopher F. E. , Miall Fiona , Cunningham David , Stephens Richard , Walewski Jan , Johnston Amanda , Seymour John F. , Linch David C. , Ardeshna Kirit M.
Published: November 2024

Traditionally, patients with asymptomatic, advanced‐stage follicular lymphoma were managed with a watchful‐waiting approach until disease progression. The ‘Watch and Wait’ Phase‐3 randomised international trial examined whether rituximab could delay the need for treatment and the effect on quality of life (QoL). In this article, we present the long‐term results of the QoL aspect of the trial. Patients were randomised to watchful‐waiting (Arm A), rituximab induction (Arm B) or rituximab induction followed by maintenance (Arm C). We present the QoL outcomes from 180 patients (Arm A), 188 patients (Arm C) and an exploratory analysis of 82 (Arm B) compared to 81 and 84 patients concurrently randomised to arms A and C. Arm C reported greater improvement in emotional well‐being overtime (Month 37, p = 0.0078) and were significantly more likely to feel in control of their situation than watchful‐waiting patients (Month 25, p = 0.0004; Month 37, p = 0.0476). Watchful‐waiting patients were significantly more likely to avoid thinking about their illness, did not find learning about their illness helped them and were more likely to attach unpleasant connotations to clinic visits (Month 7, p = 0.0032; Month 13, p = 0.0015; Month 25, p = 0.0104). These results demonstrate improved QoL scores in the induction and maintenance rituximab arm, indicating that rituximab was not detrimental to QoL and resulted in an improved QoL in some domains.
Comparison of fully versus partially covered metal stents in endoscopic ultrasound‐guided hepaticogastrostomy for malignant biliary obstruction (with video)
Authors: Cho Sung Hyun , Kim Seong Je , Song Tae Jun , Oh Dongwook , Seo Dong‐Wan
Published: November 2024

Background

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS‐HGS) using a fully covered metal stent (FCMS) or partially covered metal stent (PCMS) is performed to manage unresectable malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) following unsuccessful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. This study aimed to compare FCMS and PCMS for EUS‐HGS in patients with MBO.

Methods

We reviewed the EUS database to analyze consecutive patients with MBO who underwent EUS‐HGS between November 2017 and March 2023. We performed a 1:1 matching using propensity score matching based on potential confounding factors. Stent patency, technical success, clinical success, adverse events, reintervention, and overall survival were assessed.

Results

The technical success rate of EUS‐HGS was 92% (123/134). A total of 80 patients with technical success (40 FCMS, 40 PCMS) were selected after propensity score matching. The two groups showed similar rates of clinical success (90% vs. 88%; P = 0.999), early adverse events (15% vs. 20%; P = 0.556), late adverse events (18% vs. 33%; P = 0.121), reintervention (20% vs. 38%; P = 0.084), and median overall survival (4.1 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6–5.5] vs. 3.8 months [95% CI 1.9–5.7]; P = 0.609). During follow‐up, the FCMS group showed higher patency rates (85% vs. 60% at 6 months; 76% vs. 43% at 12 months; P = 0.030).

Conclusions

FCMS and PCMS for EUS‐HGS in patients with unresectable MBO showed similar rates of clinical success, as well as early and late adverse events. However, the FCMS group showed a higher cumulative stent patency rate compared to the PCMS group.
Exosomal miR‐155‐5p Facilitates Lipopolysaccharide Transport and Foam Cell Formation: A Novel Link Between Periodontitis and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Yang Wen‐Wen , Li Qing‐Xiang , Wang Fei , Zhang Xin‐Ran , Zhang Xian‐Li , Wang Meng , Xue Dong , Zhao Ying , Tang Lu
Published: November 2024

Aim

To investigate the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Porphyromonas gingivalis and miR‐155‐5p‐enriched exosomes in the formation of foam cells and the occurrence of carotid atherosclerosis (CAS).

Methods

The CAS tissue samples and plasma from the healthy control group or patients undergoing periodontitis without CAS and with CAS were collected at the Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University. The expression level of miR‐155‐5p was evaluated by immunofluorescent analysis and qRT‐PCR. Oil red O staining and lipid accumulation assays were performed to explore the effects of LPS and miR‐155‐5p on mouse macrophage Raw264.7 and human monocytes THP‐1. The expression levels of lipid‐regulated genes were detected by qRT‐PCR. Dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay and DET1 overexpressed or inhibited Raw264.7 cells were used to verify the target gene of exosomal miR‐155‐5p. ApoE−/− mice were used to confirm the auxo‐action of atherosclerosis from exosomal miR‐155‐5p in vivo, and LAL assay was used to detect the LPS content.

Results

miR‐155‐5p was higher in patients with periodontitis and CAS plasma exosomes than those in patients without CAS. The expression of miR‐155‐5p was significantly increased in CAS tissues compared with Normal tissues, and the expression level of miR‐155‐5p was associated with lipid‐regulated genes in CAS tissues. MiR‐155‐5p‐enriched exosomes accelerated lipid accumulation in macrophage‐like cells and promoted the activity of lipid‐accumulation genes by targeting DET1. In ApoE−/− mice, circulating miR‐155‐5p‐enriched exosomes captured LPS, and the LPS‐laden exosomes conferred plasma access for LPS, triggering the formation of foam cells and the occurrence of CAS.

Conclusion

miR‐155‐5p enriched exosomes capture and escort LPS to the atherosclerotic sites, licensing the formation of foam cells and thus promoting CAS.
Rapid eye movement (REM)‐related obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension: insights from the clinical spectrum of apnea–hypopnea index ratios across REM and non‐REM sleep stages in a Chinese cohort
Authors: Wang Yuxin , Shi Chuan , Luo Jinmei , Huang Rong , Xiao Yi
Published: November 2024

Previous studies have linked sleep‐disordered breathing during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep to hypertension. However, no standardised definition of REM‐related obstructive sleep apnea (REM‐OSA) exists. This study aimed to evaluate whether the ratio of the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) in REM to that in non‐REM (NREM) (REM‐AHI/NREM‐AHI) accurately identifies patients with OSA comorbid with hypertension. We screened 1439 participants and included 790 patients with OSA. REM‐OSA was defined as AHI ≥5 events/h, REM‐AHI/NREM‐AHI ≥2, and REM stage ≥30 min. Differences between REM‐OSA and NREM‐OSA groups, and among quartiles of REM‐AHI/NREM‐AHI, were assessed. The impact of REM‐AHI/NREM‐AHI on hypertension was assessed by logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analysis. Overall, patients with REM‐OSA, as traditionally defined, had a lower hypertension prevalence, lower blood pressure, and milder OSA. Patients with REM‐AHI/NREM‐AHI <2 but a higher total AHI had a higher prevalence of hypertension. The highest REM‐AHI/NREM‐AHI quartile had the mildest OSA and the lowest hypertension prevalence. In subgroups restricted by total AHI or NREM‐AHI, a similar trend existed, suggesting that total AHI appeared more influential on hypertension than the predominance of REM‐AHI. Restricted cubic spline analysis certified a non‐linear relationship between REM‐AHI/NREM‐AHI and total AHI, blood pressure and hypertension prevalence. Our research showed that patients with REM‐OSA defined by REM‐AHI/NREM‐AHI ≥2 are not the subgroup with the highest hypertension prevalence within the entire OSA population. It is important to avoid focusing solely on the REM‐AHI/NREM‐AHI ratio and overlooking the overall severity of OSA, which could lead to missing groups that also have a high prevalence of hypertension.
Effects of acclimation to long‐term shading on photosynthesis in grapevines: roles of non‐structural carbohydrates and stomatal conductance
Authors: Gallo Agustina Eugenia , Christophe Angélique , Poupard Magali , Boulord Romain , Rolland Gaëlle , Prieto Jorge Alejandro , Simonneau Thierry , Pallas Benoît
Published: November 2024

Plant acclimation to varying light environments can enhance productivity. However, limited research exists on how plants re‐acclimate to sunlight after shading, despite the increasing use of transient crop shading techniques to mitigate climate change impacts. This study focused on grapevine, a species highly responsive to shade, to explore the effects of prolonged shading on photosynthetic re‐acclimation of plants upon sun re‐exposure. An experiment was conducted using pot‐grown plants subjected to different shading durations and then transferred to sunlight conditions. Results varied depending on whether leaves developed under sun or shade and on the duration of shading. Under shade, stomatal conductance decreased by up to 50%, while photosynthesis was reduced by 30–60%, with longer shading periods causing a greater decrease. Upon sun re‐exposure of shaded plants, sun‐developed leaves gradually reached 100% of the stomatal conductance of sun‐control plants, but their photosynthesis remained at 70%. Despite reduced photosynthesis, analyses of non‐structural carbohydrate (NSC) contents revealed that carbohydrate pools were maintained in shaded leaves, likely due to reduced carbon demand by plant sinks under shade. The maintenance of NSC limited optimal photosynthetic recovery upon sunlight re‐exposure. In contrast, shade‐developed leaves did not increase photosynthesis upon transfer to sunlight due to irreversible morphological changes. This study provides new insights into the impact of shade acclimation on biochemical, physiological and morphological processes when plants are subjected to changing light environments.
Multiracial Korean Americans negotiating Korean and English
Authors: Harris Samantha Y. , Lee Jerry Won
Published: November 2024

Using the case of multiracial Korean Americans, who are positioned across/between the boundaries of language and race, we explore language choice and use as sites for reimagining intercultural communication. Analyzing in‐depth autobiographical interviews, we ask how cultural difference and sameness are constructed and how understandings of English as a world language shape multilingual interactions. Findings reveal how, despite being familiar with cultural norms of Koreanness, multiracial Korean Americans are still constructed as cultural others by Korean speakers and rely on understandings of English as a world language to resist the metapragmatic frames their interlocutors would inscribe onto them. Use of English became a method for protecting their Korean identity, thus challenging the notion that use of a heritage language is essential for maintaining the ethnic identity. Consequently, we discuss the intersections of multiraciality and multilingualism to refine understandings of race and culture in intercultural communication and the globalization of English.
Mapping the congruence between larval morphology and molecular phylogeny: Convergent adaptations of freshwater shrimps (Decapoda, Caridea)
Authors: Pantaleão João A. F. , Peres Pedro A. , Mantelatto Fernando L.
Published: November 2024

Colonization of freshwater by marine organisms and the evolutionary history of exchanges between salt and freshwater habitats is not only related to osmoregulatory capabilities, but also to optimize reproductive and developmental strategies, as abbreviated rather than extended planktonic development. Composed of more than 270 species, Macrobrachium is the most specious shrimp genus in the Palaemonidae family. It is considered a promising model for reconstructing evolutionary transitions between the two types of life cycle found in caridean shrimps, that is, extended larval development (ELD) and abbreviated larval development (ALD). The objective of this study was to integrate the morphology of the first post‐embryonic stage and molecular data under a phylogenetic framework to elucidate the evolution of life history types (ALD and ELD) and test the hypothesis of convergent evolution at the morphology of the first post‐embryonic stage represented by similar traits in non‐related species. Our results revealed that the classical ALD/ELD categorization combines multiple characters instead of representing a closed set of traits, and certain characters have phylogenetic signal (evolutionary constraints), while others probably reflect evolutionary convergences related to adaptation to freshwater environment.
The Lovász–Cherkassky theorem in infinite graphs
Authors: Joó Attila
Published: November 2024

Infinite generalizations of theorems in finite combinatorics were initiated by Erdős due to his famous Erdős–Menger conjecture (now known as the Aharoni–Berger theorem) that extends Menger's theorem to infinite graphs in a structural way. We prove a generalization of this manner of the classical result about packing edge‐disjoint ‐paths in an ‘inner Eulerian’ setting obtained by Lovász and Cherkassky independently in the '70s.
Researchers and scientific institutions flock to Bluesky
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: November 2024

After recent changes to Elon Musk’s X, a gradual migration in search of the “old Twitter” turns into a stampede
A Simple Data Augmentation for Graph Classification: A Perspective of Equivariance and Invariance
Authors: Sui Yongduo , Wang Shuyao , Sun Jie , Liu Zhiyuan , Cui Qing , Li Longfei , Zhou Jun , Wang Xiang , He Xiangnan
Published: November 2024

In graph classification, the out-of-distribution (OOD) issue is attracting great attention. To address this issue, a prevailing idea is to learn stable features, on the assumption that they are substructures causally determining the label and that their relationship with the label is stable to the distributional uncertainty. In contrast, the complementary parts termed environmental features, fail to determine the label solely and hold varying relationships with the label, thus ascribed to the possible reason for the distribution shift. Existing generalization efforts mainly encourage the model’s insensitivity to environmental features. While the sensitivity to stable features is promising to distinguish the crucial clues from the distributional uncertainty but largely unexplored. A paradigm of simultaneously exploring the sensitivity to stable features and insensitivity to environmental features is until-now lacking to achieve the generalizable graph classification, to the best of our knowledge. In this work, we conjecture that generalizable models should be sensitive to stable features and insensitive to environmental features. To this end, we propose a simple yet effective augmentation strategy for graph classification: Equivariant and Invariant Cross-Data Augmentation (EI-CDA). By employing equivariance, given a pair of input graphs, we first estimate their stable and environmental features via masks. Then, we linearly mix the estimated stable features of two graphs and encourage the model predictions faithfully reflect their mixed semantics. Meanwhile, by using invariance, we swap the estimated environmental features of two graphs and keep the predictions invariant. This simple yet effective strategy endows the models with both sensitivity to stable features and insensitivity to environmental features. Extensive experiments show that EI-CDA significantly improves performance and outperforms leading baselines. Our codes are available at:
https://github.com/yongduosui/EI-GNN
.
A Method for Estimating the State of Charge of Lithium-Ion Batteries Considering Temperature
Authors: Gao Renjing , Zhang Yunfei , Lyu Zhiqiang
Published: November 2024

Ensuring the safe operation of electric vehicles relies heavily on accurately estimating the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery. However, traditional SOC estimation methods often struggle to maintain performance at low temperatures and complex operating conditions. This study proposes a novel temperature-inclusive SOC estimation approach. In this approach, a simplified Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) battery model replaces the Equivalent Circuit Model (ECM), with temperature as the key input variable. Moreover, to enhance the robustness of the model, the training dataset is augmented by introducing noise. Combining the refined battery model with the Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF), the MLP-UKF SOC estimation framework is devised. Performance evaluation, generalizability analysis, and temperature adaptability testing are conducted using independent datasets. The results illustrate that the proposed model rapidly converges with the reference curves at different temperatures and operational conditions, and the average error is less than 3%. Furthermore, compared with the ECM model employing Recursive Least Squares parameter identification (MAE: 0.03228, RMSE: 0.03457), the mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE) of MLP-UKF method are 0.01273 and 0.01430, respectively, showing better performance. The results of the analysis confirm the applicability of the MLP-UKF SOC estimation method for electric vehicle applications, particularly in challenging conditions such as low temperature and complex operations.
Effectiveness of Sustainable Land Management Practices on Soil Loss Reduction in Selected Watersheds From the Upper Source of the River Nile, Ethiopia
Authors: Mengist Wondimagegn , Abebe Gebeyehu , Yohannes Hamere , Berta Aneseyee Abreham , Degefa Sileshi , Tekalign Meron , Soromessa Teshome , Argaw Mekuria , Leta Seyoum , Hussen Ahmed , Elias Eyasu
Published: November 2024

In the highland areas of Ethiopia, farming communities are struggling with severe soil erosion, which is putting significant strain on ecosystems and food production capabilities. Many smallholder farmers in the basin cultivate fragile soils on steep slopes, often without proper management practices, leading to substantial soil loss, ecosystem degradation, and economic setbacks. The study aimed to assess the impact of soil–water conservation (SWC) practices on controlling soil erosion and enhancing soil nutrients in the Abay Basin. Utilizing Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 7 ETM+, and Sentinel 2 sensors available through Google Earth Engine (GEE), the study analyzed historical and recent land use and land cover changes (LULCC). The revised universal soil loss equations (RUSLE) model within the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade‐Offs (InVEST) application was used for the analysis. The findings indicated that the mean soil loss values were 33.2 tons/ha in 2007, 48.6 tons/ha in 2012, 32.1 tons/ha in 2017, and 31.8 tons/ha in 2022. The higher mean soil loss in 2012 was attributed to significant human intervention in the sample watersheds after 2012, which impacted natural ecosystems. The widespread adoption of sustainable land management (SLM) systems was hindered by factors such as the labor‐intensive nature of the technologies, difficulty in identifying the best SWC technologies, and a lack of continuous follow‐up and maintenance for physical SWC technologies. The study emphasized that these challenges were largely due to a lack of commitment and weak community participation during the planning and implementation stages. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance the involvement of residents and nongovernmental organizations in conservation efforts. The study concluded that expanding the scope and scale of local community participation is essential for future SWC interventions.
Exploring Molecular Alterations in Breast Cancer Among Indian Women Using Label‐Free Quantitative Serum Proteomics
Authors: Tomar Anil Kumar , Thapliyal Ayushi , Mathur Sandeep R. , Parshad Rajinder , Suhani  , Yadav Savita
Published: November 2024

The clinical data indicate that diverse parameters characterize breast cancer patients in India, including age at presentation, risk factors, outcomes, and behavior. Alarming incidence and mortality rates emphasize the crucial need for early screening measures to combat breast cancer‐related deaths effectively. Quantitative proteomic approaches prove pivotal in predicting cancer prognosis, analyzing protein expression patterns tied to disease aggressiveness and metastatic potential, and facilitating conversant therapy selection. Thus, this study was envisioned with the goal of identifying protein markers associated with breast cancer in Indian women, which could potentially be developed as diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets in the future. Applying label‐free proteomic quantitation method and statistical analysis, several differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in the serum of breast cancer patients compared to controls, including SBSN, ANG, PCOLCE, and WFDC3 (upregulated), and PFN1, FLNA, and DSG2 (downregulated). The expression of SBSN was also validated by western blotting. Statistical methods were employed to proteomic expression data, which highlighted the ability of DEPs to distinguish between breast cancer and control samples. Conclusively, this study recognizes prospective biomarkers for breast cancer among Indian women and highlights the requisite of in‐depth functional studies to elucidate their precise roles in breast cancer development. We particularly emphasize on SBSN and PFN1, as these proteins were observed to be progressively overexpressed and under expressed, respectively, in breast cancer samples compared to control samples, ranging from early‐stage​ to metastatic cases.