bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Vaccine-Eligible US Children Under-5 Years Hospitalized for Acute COVID-19 in a National Network
Authors: Zambrano Laura D. , Newhams Margaret M. , Simeone Regina M. , Fleming-Dutra Katherine E. , Halasa Natasha , Wu Michael , Orzel-Lockwood Amber O. , Kamidani Satoshi , Pannaraj Pia S. , Chiotos Kathleen , Cameron Melissa A. , Maddux Aline B. , Schuster Jennifer E. , Crandall Hillary , Kong Michele , Nofziger Ryan A. , Staat Mary A. , Bhumbra Samina S. , Irby Katherine , Boom Julie A. , Sahni Leila C. , Hume Janet R. , Gertz Shira J. , Maamari Mia , Bowens Cindy , Levy Emily R. , Bradford Tamara T. , Walker Tracie C. , Schwartz Stephanie P. , Mack Elizabeth H. , Guzman-Cottrill Judith A. , Hobbs Charlotte V. , Zinter Matt S. , Cvijanovich Natalie Z. , Bline Katherine E. , Hymes Saul R. , Campbell Angela P. , Randolph Adrienne G. ,   for the Overcoming COVID-19 Investigators
Published: December 2023

Background and objectives:

In June 2022, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination was recommended for young children. We examined clinical characteristics and factors associated with vaccination status among vaccine-eligible young children hospitalized for acute COVID-19.

Methods:

We enrolled inpatients 8 months to <5 years of age with acute community-acquired COVID-19 across 28 US pediatric hospitals from September 20, 2022 to May 31, 2023. We assessed demographic and clinical factors, including the highest level of respiratory support, and vaccination status defined as unvaccinated, incomplete, or complete primary series [at least 2 (Moderna) or 3 (Pfizer-BioNTech) mRNA vaccine doses ≥14 days before hospitalization].

Results:

Among 597 children, 174 (29.1%) patients were admitted to the intensive care unit and 75 (12.6%) had a life-threatening illness, including 51 (8.5%) requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. Children with underlying respiratory and neurologic/neuromuscular conditions more frequently received higher respiratory support. Only 4.5% of children hospitalized for COVID-19 (n = 27) had completed their primary COVID-19 vaccination series and 7.0% (n = 42) of children initiated but did not complete their primary series. Among 528 unvaccinated children, nearly half (n = 251) were previously healthy, 3 of them required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for acute COVID-19 and 1 died.

Conclusions:

Most young children hospitalized for acute COVID-19, including most children admitted to the intensive care unit and with life-threatening illness, had not initiated COVID-19 vaccination despite being eligible. Nearly half of these children had no underlying conditions. Of the small percentage of children who initiated a COVID-19 primary series, most had not completed it before hospitalization.
Treatment of Monomorphic Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant: A Multicenter Review
Authors: Mark Catherine , Martin Georgina , Baadjes Bjorn , Geerlinks Ashley V. , Punnett Angela , Lafay-Cousin Lucie
Published: December 2023

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is the most common posttransplant malignancy in children. We reviewed data from 3 Canadian pediatric centers to determine patient characteristics, treatment approaches, and outcomes for children with monomorphic PTLD. There were 55 eligible children diagnosed between January 2001 to December 2021. Forty-eight patients (87.2%) had B-cell PTLD: Burkitt lymphoma (n = 25; 45.4%) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (n = 23; 41.2%), the remainder had natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma (n = 5; 9.1%), Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 1;1.8%), or other (n = 1;1.8%). Thirty-nine (82.1%) patients with B-cell PTLD were treated with rituximab and chemotherapy with or without a reduction in immunosuppression (reduced immune suppression). The chemotherapy used was primarily one of 2 regimens: Mature Lymphoma B-96 protocol in 22 patients (56.4%) and low-dose cyclophosphamide with prednisone in 14 patients (35%). Most patients with T/NK-cell lymphoma were treated with reduced immune suppression + chemotherapy (n = 4; 80%). For all patients with monomorphic PTLD, the projected 3-year event-free survival/3-year overall survival was 62% and 77%, respectively. Of the patients, 100% with T/NK-cell PTLD 100% progressed or relapsed and, subsequently, died of disease. For patients with B-cell PTLD, there was no significant difference in outcome between the two main chemotherapy regimens employed.
RAS Family Gene Mutations, Clinicopathological Features, and Spread Patterns of Inverted Urothelial Papilloma of the Bladder
Authors: Kitahama Keiichiro , Shigematsu Yasuyuki , Amori Gulanbar , Sugawara Emiko , Yonese Junji , Shibahara Junji , Takeuchi Kengo , Inamura Kentaro
Published: December 2023

Inverted urothelial papilloma (IUP) is a benign neoplasm characterized by a downgrowth of the urothelium beneath the surface of morphologically normal urothelial cells; however, the molecular features of IUP and their association with clinicopathological characteristics are unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mutational landscape, clinicopathological features, genotype-phenotype associations, and spread patterns of IUP. We performed targeted next-generation sequencing of 39 consecutive IUP cases, the largest series investigated to date, and identified oncogenic driver mutations in RAS family genes in 34 cases (87%). HRAS mutations were the most prevalent (28 cases), which included Q61R (15 cases), followed by KRAS (5 cases) and NRAS (1 case) mutations. Characteristic mutations observed in urothelial carcinoma, including those in FGFR3, TP53, or the TERT promoter, were absent. HRAS-mutated IUPs were associated with a history of smoking (P = 0.017) and streaming morphology (P < 0.001), corresponding to the trabecular subtype. In contrast, all KRAS-mutated IUPs occurred in never-smoking patients (P = 0.001) and showed cystic changes in morphology (P = 0.005), corresponding to the glandular subtype. RAS Q61R immunohistochemistry visually revealed the neoplastic nature of the overlying cells and distinct spread patterns of IUP cells within the surface, including pseudoinfiltrative spread. No recurrence or carcinoma development was observed in any of the IUP cases during the follow-up period. Thus, we confirmed the importance of RAS pathway activation in IUP pathogenesis, an association between RAS family gene mutations and IUP subtypes, and the spread patterns of IUP cells within the surface.
Health financing in Sudan: key informant interviews in the wake of the 2023 conflict
Authors: Bashir Fatima , Allen Luke N
Published: December 2023

Background

Sudan is a large, landlocked, African country with a population of 46 million. It is considered a ‘least developed’ country, and coverage of essential health services is low. In April 2023 fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The conflict quickly escalated and has claimed 9,000 lives so far, with hundreds of thousands of people internally displaced. It is unclear exactly how the war has impacted Sudan’s already fragile health financing system.

Methods

We conducted one-to-one semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of experienced health financing policymakers and policy advisors working in- or with the Sudanese government. Five senior key informants were recruited using snowball sampling. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, with reference to the WHO national health financing framework and Sparkes and colleagues’ political economy framework.

Findings

Conflict has undoubtedly undermined Sudan’s ability to mobilise, allocate, and distribute financial resources. However, the existing health infrastructure was already so weak, and state funds so meagre, that the challenges posed by fighting were overshadowed by themes around Sudan’s underlying structural issues: out of pocket payments account for over 70% of all health expenditure; the existing national insurance scheme only covers a minority of the population; and there is unclear delineation of responsibilities between purchasers and providers and between the federal and state ministries of health. Major themes emerged around governance, revenue raising, risk pooling, purchasing and service delivery, and external donor funding.

Conclusions

Investment in developing health financing capacity at the state level, implementation planning, blended financing for the national health insurance fund, donor coordination, and community mobilisation to agitate for greater risk pooling were identified as essential steps. Without robust mechanisms to pool risk and diversification of financing sources, it will not be possible to extend financial risk protection or basic health services to large sections of Sudan’s population.
Salt supersaturation as accelerator of influenza A virus inactivation in 1-μl droplets
Authors: Schaub Aline , Luo Beiping , David Shannon C , Glas Irina , Klein Liviana K , Costa Laura , Terrettaz Celine , Bluvshtein Nir , Motos Ghislain , Violaki Kalliopi , Pohl Marie , Hugentobler Walter , Nenes Athanasios , Stertz Silke , Krieger Ulrich K , Peter Thomas , Kohn Tamar
Published: December 2023

Influenza A virus (IAV) spreads through exhaled aerosol particles and larger droplets. Estimating the stability of IAV is challenging and depends on factors such as the respiratory matrix and drying kinetics. Here, we combine kinetic experiments on millimeter-sized saline droplets with a biophysical aerosol model to quantify the impact of NaCl on IAV stability. We show that IAV inactivation is determined by NaCl concentration, which increases during water evaporation and then decreases again when efflorescence occurs. When drying in air with relative humidity RH = 30%, inactivation follows an inverted sigmoidal curve, with inactivation occurring most rapidly when the NaCl concentration exceeds 20 molal immediately prior to efflorescence. Efflorescence reduces the NaCl molality to saturated conditions, resulting in a significantly reduced inactivation rate. We demonstrate that the inactivation rate k depends exponentially on NaCl molality, and after the solution reaches equilibrium, the inactivation proceeds at a first-order rate. Introducing sucrose, an organic co-solute, attenuates IAV inactivation via two mechanisms, firstly by decreasing the NaCl molality during the drying phase, and secondly by a protective effect against the NaCl-induced inactivation. For both pure saline and sucrose-containing droplets, our biophysical model ResAM accurately simulates the inactivation when NaCl molality is used as the only inactivating factor. This study highlights the role of NaCl molality in IAV inactivation and provides a mechanistic basis for the observed inactivation rates.
Annelid methylomes reveal ancestral developmental and ageing-associated epigenetic erosion across Bilateria
Authors: Guynes Kero , Sarre Luke A. , Carrillo-Baltodano Allan M. , Davies Billie E. , Xu Lan , Liang Yan , Martín-Zamora Francisco M. , Hurd Paul J. , de Mendoza Alex , Martín-Durán José M.
Published: December 2023

Background

DNA methylation in the form of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) is the most abundant base modification in animals. However, 5mC levels vary widely across taxa. While vertebrate genomes are hypermethylated, in most invertebrates, 5mC concentrates on constantly and highly transcribed genes (gene body methylation; GbM) and, in some species, on transposable elements (TEs), a pattern known as ‘mosaic’. Yet, the role and developmental dynamics of 5mC and how these explain interspecific differences in DNA methylation patterns remain poorly understood, especially in Spiralia, a large clade of invertebrates comprising nearly half of the animal phyla.

Results

Here, we generate base-resolution methylomes for three species with distinct genomic features and phylogenetic positions in Annelida, a major spiralian phylum. All possible 5mC patterns occur in annelids, from typical invertebrate intermediate levels in a mosaic distribution to hypermethylation and methylation loss. GbM is common to annelids with 5mC, and methylation differences across species are explained by taxon-specific transcriptional dynamics or the presence of intronic TEs. Notably, the link between GbM and transcription decays during development, and there is a gradual and global, age-dependent demethylation in adult stages. Moreover, reducing 5mC levels with cytidine analogues during early development impairs normal embryogenesis and reactivates TEs in the annelidOwenia fusiformis.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that global epigenetic erosion during development and ageing is an ancestral feature of bilateral animals. However, the tight link between transcription and gene body methylation is likely important in early embryonic stages, and 5mC-mediated TE silencing probably emerged convergently across animal lineages.
Lipid peroxidation does not mediate muscle atrophy induced by PSD deficiency
Authors: Eshima Hiroaki , Johnson Jordan M. , Funai Katsuhiko
Published: December 2023

Mechanisms by which disuse promotes skeletal muscle atrophy is not well understood. We previously demonstrated that disuse reduces the abundance of mitochondrial phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in skeletal muscle. Deletion of phosphatidylserine decarboxylase (PSD), an enzyme that generates mitochondrial PE, was sufficient to promote muscle atrophy. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that muscle atrophy induced by PSD deletion is driven by an accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH). Mice with muscle-specific knockout of PSD (PSD-MKO) were crossed with glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4) transgenic mice (GPx4Tg) to suppress the accumulation of LOOH. However, PSD-MKO x GPx4Tg mice and PSD-MKO mice demonstrated equally robust loss of muscle mass. These results suggest that muscle atrophy induced by PSD deficiency is not driven by the accumulation of LOOH.
Ppx1 putative exopolyphosphatase is essential for polyphosphate accumulation inLacticaseibacillus paracasei
Authors: Corrales Daniela , Alcántara Cristina , Zúñiga Manuel , Monedero Vicente
Published: December 2023

The linear polymer polyphosphate (poly-P) is present across all three domains of life and serves diverse physiological functions. The enzyme polyphosphate kinase (Ppk) is responsible for poly-P synthesis, whereas poly-P degradation is carried out by the enzyme exopolyphosphatase (Ppx). In manyLactobacillaceae, the Ppk-encoding gene (ppk) is found clustered together with two genes encoding putative exopolyphosphatases (ppx1andppx2) each having different domain compositions, with the gene orderppx1-ppk-ppx2. However, the specific function of theseppxgenes remains unexplored. An in-frame deletion ofppx1inLacticaseibacillus paracaseiBL23 resulted in bacteria unable to accumulate poly-P, whereas disruption ofppx2had no effect on poly-P synthesis. Expression ofppkwas not altered in the Δppx1strain, and poly-P synthesis in this strain was only restored by expressingppx1intrans. Moreover, no poly-P synthesis was observed whenppkwas expressed from a plasmid in the Δppx1strain. Purified Ppx2 exhibitedin vitroexopolyphosphatase activity, whereas noin vitroenzymatic activity could be demonstrated for Ppx1. This observation corresponds with the absence in Ppx1 of conserved motifs essential for catalysis found in characterized exopolyphosphatases. Furthermore, assays with purified Ppk and Ppx1 evidenced that Ppx1 enhanced Ppk activity. These results demonstrate that Ppx1 is essential for poly-P synthesis inLc. paracaseiand have unveiled, for the first time, an unexpected role of Ppx1 exopolyphosphatase in poly-P synthesis.

Importance

Poly-P is a pivotal molecular player in bacteria, participating in a diverse array of processes ranging from stress resilience to pathogenesis, while also serving as a functional component in probiotic bacteria. The synthesis of poly-P is tightly regulated, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Our study sheds light on the distinctive role played by the two exopolyphosphatases (Ppx) found in theLactobacillaceaebacterial group, of relevance in food and health. This particular group is noteworthy for possessing two Ppx enzymes, supposedly involved in poly-P degradation. Remarkably, our investigation uncovers an unprecedented function of Ppx1 inLacticaseibacillus paracasei, where its absence leads to the total cessation of poly-P synthesis, paralleling the impact observed upon eliminating the poly-P forming enzyme, poly-P kinase. Unlike the anticipated role as a conventional exopolyphosphatase, Ppx1 demonstrates an unexpected function. Our results added a layer of complexity to our understanding of poly-P dynamics in bacteria.
One million years of solitude: the rapid evolution of de novo protein structure and complex
Authors: Chen Jianhai , Li Qingrong , Xia Shengqian , Arsala Deanna , Sosa Dylan , Wang Dong , Long Manyuan
Published: December 2023

Recent studies have established that de novo genes, evolving from non-coding sequences, enhance protein diversity through a stepwise process. However, the pattern and rate of their structural evolution over time remain unclear. Here, we addressed these issues within a short evolutionary timeframe (∼1 million years for 97% of rice de novo genes). We found that de novo genes evolve faster than gene duplicates in the intrinsic disordered regions (IDRs, such as random coils), secondary structural elements (such as α-helix and β-strand), hydrophobicity, and molecular recognition features (MoRFs). Specifically, we observed an 8-14% decay in random coils and IDR lengths per million years per protein, and a 2.3-6.5% increase in structured elements, hydrophobicity, and MoRFs. These patterns of structural evolution align with changes in amino acid composition over time. We also revealed significantly higher positive charges but smaller molecular weights for de novo proteins than duplicates. Tertiary structure predictions demonstrated that most de novo proteins, though not typically well-folded on their own, readily form low-energy and compact complexes with extensive residue contacts and conformational flexibility, suggesting “a faster-binding” scenario in de novo proteins to promote interaction. Our findings illuminate the rapid evolution of protein structure in the early life of de novo proteins in rice genome, originating from noncoding sequences, highlighting their quick transformation into active, complex-forming components within a remarkably short evolutionary timeframe.
Spatial dissection of cellular heterogeneity and functional crosstalk in the tumor microenvironments of gastric cancers
Authors: Lee Sung Hak , Lee Dagyeong , Choi Junyong , Oh Hye Jeong , Ham In-Hye , Ryu Daeun , Lee Seo-Yeong , Han Dong-Jin , Kim Sunmin , Lee Seungho , Hur Hoon , Kim Tae-Min
Published: December 2023

Spatial transcriptomics offers unprecedented challenges in characterizing tumor ecosystems, encompassing tumor cells and their surrounding tumor microenvironments (TME) along with cellular interactions therein. Here, we conducted Visium-based spatial transcriptomics on nine primary gastric cancers (GC) to translate the spatial organization of GC ecosystems into the functional landscape of cellular crosstalk across malignant, stromal and immune cells. We identified three distinct GC subtypes of 3 immunogenic, 3 epithelial and 3 stromal GCs with elevated infiltration of immune, malignant cells and fibroblasts reflecting the heterogeneity of the cell types and their interactions in GC TME. GC spatial architecture was further delineated into 6 regional compartments with varying degree of TME infiltration, among which the fibroblast-enriched TME was associated with the upregulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and immune response in malignant and immune cells, respectively. Cell type-specific transcriptional dynamics representing cellular crosstalk between TME cells were further identified, e.g., the infiltration of malignant and endothelial cells promote the cellular proliferations of TME cells whereas the fibroblasts and immune cells are associated with pro-cancer and anti-cancer immunity, respectively. Ligand-receptor analysis further revealed thatCCL2-expressing fibroblasts promote the pro-cancer signaling of immune cells including JAK-STAT3 signaling and inflammatory response in tumor-infiltration macrophages. TheCCL2+fibroblasts and macrophages with activated JAK-STAT3 signals are co-localized in spatial GC architecture and their co-abundance was associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. Taken together, GC spatial transcriptomes can be regionally and functionally delineated into functional cellular crosstalk involving multiple cell types with potential clinical relevance, particularly the interaction betweenCCL2+fibroblasts and JAK-STAT3+macrophages contributing to cancer-favoring immune contexture in GC TME.
CentIER: accurate centromere identification for plant genomes with sequence specificity information
Authors: Xu Dong , Wen Huaming , Feng Wenle , Zhang Xiaohui , Hui Xingqi , Xu Yun , Chen Fei , Pan Weihua
Published: December 2023

Centromere identification is one of the important problems in genomics, providing a foundation for the studies of centromeres in aspects of composition, functionality, evolution, inheritance, and variation. The existing wet-experiment-based method is costly and time-consuming, while the bioinformatic method can only detect tandem repeats losing non-repetitive sequence regions in the centromere. To address these shortcomings, we introduce a new pipeline, CentIER, for the automatic and accurate identification and annotation of centromere regions by taking advantage of the sequence specificity information. CentIER only requires users to input the genomic sequence, and then it can partition the centromeric region from a chromosome, identify tandem repeat monomers, annotate retrotransposons, and ultimately output visualized results. By referencing the experimentally determined centromere regions, it was discovered that the predictive accuracy of centromere recognition by CentIER exceeded 90%. Following the evaluation of CentIER’s accuracy, it was applied to investigate the sequence and distribution characteristics of centromeric retrotransposons and tandem repeat sequences of different species, providing insights into these traits in monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants.
Mapping adipocyte interactome networks by Halotag-enrichment-mass spectrometry
Authors: Yazaki Junshi , Yamanashi Takashi , Nemoto Shino , Kobayashi Atsuo , Han Yong-Woon , Hasegawa Tomoko , Iwase Akira , Ishikawa Masaki , Konno Ryo , Imami Koshi , Kawashima Yusuke , Seita Jun
Published: December 2023

Mapping protein interaction complexes in their natural statein vivorepresents the holy grail of protein network analysis. Detection of protein interaction stoichiometry has been an important technical challenge, as few studies have focused this, yet this may be solved by artificial intelligence and proteomics. Here, we describe the development of HaloMS, a high-throughput HaloTag-based affinity purification–mass spectrometry assay for protein interaction discovery. The approach enables the rapid capture of newly expressed proteins, eliminating tedious conventional one-by-one assay. As a proof-of-principle, we used HaloMS to evaluate protein complex interactions of 17 regulatory proteins in human adipocytes. The adipocyte interactome network was validated using anin vitropull-down assay and artificial intelligence-based prediction tools. The application of HaloMS to probe adipocyte differentiation facilitated the identification of previously unknown transcription factor–protein complexes, revealing proteome-wide human adipocyte transcription factor networks, and shedding light on how different pathways are integrated.
De-novogenome assembly of four rails (Aves: Rallidae): a resource for comparative genomics
Authors: Gaspar Julien , Trewick Steve A. , Gibb Gillian C.
Published: December 2023

The rails are a phenotypically diverse family of birds that includes around 130 species and displays a wide distribution around the world. Here we present annotated genome assemblies for four rails from Aotearoa New Zealand: two native volant species, pūkekoPorphyrio melanotusand miowekaGallirallus philippensis, and two endemic flightless species takahēPorphyrio hochstetteriand wekaGallirallus australis. The quality checks and comparison with other rallid genomes showed that the new assemblies were of high quality and that the annotations could be trusted. Using the sequence read data, heterozygosity was found to be lowest in the endemic flightless species and this probably reflects their relatively small populations. This study significantly increases the number of available rallid genomes and will enable future genomic studies on the evolution of this family.
Embryo-restricted responses to maternal IL-17A promote neurodevelopmental disorders in mouse offspring
Authors: Andruszewski David , Uhlfelder David C. , Desiato Genni , Regen Tommy , Schelmbauer Carsten , Blanfeld Michaela , Scherer Lena , Radyushkin Konstantin , Pozzi Davide , Waisman Ari , Mufazalov Ilgiz A.
Published: December 2023

Prenatal imprinting to interleukin 17A (IL-17A) triggers behavioral disorders in offspring. However, reported models of maternal immune activation utilizing immunostimulants, lack specificity to elucidate the anatomical compartments of IL-17A’s action and the distinct behavioral disturbances it causes. By combining transgenic IL-17A overexpression with maternal deficiency in its receptor, we established a novel model of prenatal imprinting to maternal IL-17A (acronym: PRIMA-17 model). This model allowed us to study prenatal imprinting established exclusively through embryo-restricted IL-17A responses. We demonstrated IL-17A transfer across the placental barrier and subsequent development of selected behavioral deficits in mouse offspring. More specifically, embryonic responses to IL-17A resulted in communicative impairment in early-life measured by reduced numbers of nest retrieval calls. In adulthood, IL-17A-imprinted offspring displayed an increase in anxiety-like behavior. We advocate our PRIMA-17 model as a useful tool to study neurological deficits in mice.
Gene expression response to temperature acclimation in a model photoheterotrophic marine flavobacterium (Dokdoniasp. MED134)
Authors: Robaina-Estévez Semidán , González José M. , María Cabello Ana , Palacio Antonio S. , Gallagher Ruairí , López-Urrutia Ángel , Alonso-Sáez Laura
Published: December 2023

Temperature stands as one of the key factors influencing the community structure and distribution of marine microorganisms. Yet, the physiological adaptations of marine bacteria to rising temperatures remain underexplored. This study examines the transcriptional response ofDokdoniasp. MED134, a proteorhodopsin-based phototrophic organism within the classFlavobacteriia, to a gradient of temperature acclimation conditions from 10 to 34°C. Light availability during day/night cycles exerted minimal influence on the transcriptional patterns of this strain, with only a few genes mostly related to light sensing, light protecting mechanisms and phototrophy being upregulated during daytime. By contrast, temperature significantly impacted the expression of a large fraction of MED134 genes (>60%), including components of the stress response, cellular translation, DNA replication, and some metabolic pathways such as the anaplerotic carbon fixation and the glyoxylate shunt, suggesting intracellular carbon flow adjustments to temperature. Notably, the expression of some highly expressed TonB transporters, prominent in flavobacteria, was also temperature-sensitive. Our findings provide insights into the transcriptional adjustments ofDokdoniasp. MED134 in response to temperature variations, suggesting potential implications for carbon cycling and organic matter processing in marine environments.
Working principle of agile capabilities for emergency response during cyclones and floods
Authors: John Joshin , Eappen Neetha J.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper investigates how agile capabilities in humanitarian settings work in combination, and its effects on performance outcome. The study was conducted in the frame of reference of response operations during cyclones and floods, which is considered most complex and with the most widespread impact.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey-based method was used to collect empirical data on response operations from 131 field officers who were involved in disaster response during cyclones or floods. A partial least square based structural equation model was used to study the path model of interaction of agile capabilities, and their effect on performance outcomes.

Findings

The results show that integration of agile capabilities is important for enhancing effectiveness of humanitarian response. The results indicated a serial mediation effect involving visibility, responsiveness and flexibility capability on the effectiveness of emergency response.

Research limitations/implications

This research has implications for response units of humanitarian organisations. This includes capacity building for key agile capabilities, integration, supply chain re-configuration and differential positioning of response phase as against preparedness and recovery phases.

Originality/value

This study is unique for the chosen humanitarian setting, which is considered most difficult. The authors demonstrate from empirical evidence the interaction effects of agile capabilities during response phase for cyclones and floods, and their impact. The research insights will help practitioners to configure and position supply chains for better effectiveness during response operations, which have markedly different objectives vis-à-vis other phases or types of humanitarian settings.
Four System Enablers of Large‐System Transformation in Health Care: A Mixed Methods Realist Evaluation
Authors: FRANCIS‐AUTON EMILIE , LONG JANET C. , SARKIES MITCHELL , ROBERTS NATALIE , WESTBROOK JOHANNA , LEVESQUE JEAN‐FREDERIC , WATSON DIANE E. , HARDWICK REBECCA , HIBBERT PETER , POMARE CHIARA , BRAITHWAITE JEFFREY
Published: December 2023

Policy Points

The implementation of large‐scale health care interventions relies on a shared vision, commitment to change, coordination across sites, and a spanning of siloed knowledge.

Enablers of the system should include building an authorizing environment; providing relevant, meaningful, transparent, and timely data; designating and distributing leadership and decision making; and fostering the emergence of a learning culture.

Attention to these four enablers can set up a positive feedback loop to foster positive change that can protect against the loss of key staff, the presence of lone disruptors, and the enervating effects of uncertainty.

Context

Large‐scale transformative initiatives have the potential to improve the quality, efficiency, and safety of health care. However, change is expensive, complex, and difficult to implement and sustain. This paper advances system enablers, which will help to guide large‐scale transformation in health care systems.

Methods

A realist study of the implementation of a value‐based health care program between 2017 and 2021 was undertaken in every public hospital (n = 221) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Four data sources were used to elucidate initial program theories beginning with a set of literature reviews, a program document review, and informal discussions with key stakeholders. Semistructured interviews were then conducted with 56 stakeholders to confirm, refute, or refine the theories. A retroductive analysis produced a series of context‐mechanism‐outcome (CMO) statements. Next, the CMOs were validated with three health care quality expert panels (n = 51). Synthesized data were interrogated to distill the overarching system enablers.

Findings

Forty‐two CMO statements from the eight initial program theory areas were developed, refined, and validated. Four system enablers were identified: (1) build an authorizing environment; (2) provide relevant, authentic, timely, and meaningful data; (3) designate and distribute leadership and decision making; and (4) support the emergence of a learning culture. The system enablers provide a nuanced understanding of large‐system transformation that illustrates when, for whom, and in what circumstances large‐system transformation worked well or worked poorly.

Conclusions

System enablers offer nuanced guidance for the implementation of large‐scale health care interventions. The four enablers may be portable to similar contexts and provide the empirical basis for an implementation model of large‐system value‐based health care initiatives. With concerted application, these findings can pave the way not just for a better understanding of greater or lesser success in intervening in health care settings but ultimately to contribute higher quality, higher value, and safer care.
SLC35A2 expression drives breast cancer progression via ERK pathway activation
Authors: Yang Xiaochen , Tao Yukai , Xu Yan , Cai Weili , Shao Qixiang
Published: December 2023

Alterations in glycosylation are associated with breast tumor formation and progression. Nevertheless, the specific functions and mechanisms of the human major UDP‐galactose transporter‐encoding gene solute carrier family 35 member A2 (SLC35A2) in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) have not been fully determined. Here, we report that SLC35A2 promotes BRCA progression by activating extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK). SLC35A2 expression and prognosis‐predictive significance in pan‐cancer were evaluated using public databases. The upstream non‐coding RNAs (ncRNAs) of SLC35A2 were analyzed, and their expression and regulations were validated in breast tissues and cell lines by a quantitative PCR and dual‐luciferase assays. We used bioinformatic tools to assess the link between SLC35A2 expression and immune infiltration and performed immunohistochemistry for validation. Cell Counting Kit‐8, 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine, transwell, flow cytometer and western blotting were used to assess the proliferation, motility, cell cycle and apoptosis of BRCA cells in vitro. The xenograft models were constructed to assess the effect of SLC35A2 on BRCA tumor growth in vivo. The results indicated that SLC35A2 expression was upregulated and linked to an unfavorable prognosis in BRCA. The most likely upstream ncRNA‐associated pathway of SLC35A2 in BRCA was the AC074117.1/hsa‐let‐7b‐5p axis. SLC35A2 expression had positive correlations with the presence of Th2 cells, regulatory T cells and immune checkpoints. Knockdown of SLC35A2 could reduce BRCA cell proliferation, motility, and cause G2/M arrest and cell apoptosis via ERK signaling. Moreover, ERK activation can rescue the inhibitory effects of knockdown SLC35A2 in BRCA. In conclusion, AC074117.1/hsa‐let‐7b‐5p axis‐mediated high expression of SLC35A2 acts as a tumor promoter in BRCA via ERK signaling, which provides a potential target for BRCA treatment.
“Subjectivities, academic work and mothering practice”: Navigating obscure and unspoken disciplines
Authors: O’Shea Michelle , Duffy Sarah , Gilbert Emilee
Published: December 2023

A robust and important body of scholarship is exploring the multiple and layered complexities of mothering and paid work. In this paper, we theoretically and empirically contribute to this work by exploring how, at the level of the self, women with children understand themselves in relation to their paid work and their mothering. We have examined this focus using a post‐structural feminist lens inspired by Foucauldian ideas related to the subject and technologies of the self. This perspective has focused our attention on the informal practices in an Australian university workplace, where we locate and problematize tensions between industrial and policy provisions designed to support mothers and mother's everyday workplace experiences. Our findings arise from focus groups, in‐depth interviews, and our personal narrative accounts and elucidate how despite well‐established policy supports, formal and informal workplace practices shape and discipline how mothers come to understand themselves and their paid work in the academy. We find that policy provisions for families in the workplace operate to conceal and legitimate gendered workplace practices, contributing to subjectivities formed through doubt, fear, shame, anxiety, isolation, and guilt. More productively, subjectivities were also born through agency, resistance, and revision, albeit wrapped by additional labor, personal, and professional costs.
Investigation on electric properties of 0.57(Bi0.8La0.2)FeO3‐0.43PbTiO3 porous ceramics prepared by burnable plastic sphere method
Authors: Wang Yongchen , Chen Yulin , Jia Fanhao , Chen Jianguo , Jin Dengren , Wang Yan , Cheng Jinrong
Published: December 2023

In this study, 0.57(Bi0.8La0.2)FeO3‐0.43PbTiO3 (BLF‐PT) porous ceramics were fabricated by the burnable plastic sphere method using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as a pore forming agent. X‐ray diffraction results reveal that BLF‐PT porous ceramics mixed with tetragonal and rhombohedral phases display the single perovskite structure, changing little for different porosities. Scanning electron microscope images show that porosity of BLF‐PT ceramics increases with the increase of PMMA content with average grain size of 3.2–3.5 μm. Different from the continuous decrease of dielectric constant εr and remnant polarization Pr, piezoelectric constant d33 of BLF‐PT porous ceramics increases initially but then drops with the increase of porosity that reaches to the maximum of 230 pC/N at porosity of 8.5 vol.%. The abnormal enhancement of piezoelectric property is attributed to the unique three‐dimensional grid porous ceramic skeleton and uniformly distributed grain size. Moreover, acoustic impedance Z of BLF‐PT porous ceramic is 11.2 MRayls at porosity of 24.3 vol.% comparing with that of 17.7 MRayls for bulk ceramics, which reduces by 58%. BLF‐PT porous ceramics at lower porosity with enhanced piezoelectric and acoustic matching performances have a great potential in the fields of underwater acoustic transducers and medical ultrasonic diagnosis.
Improving functional properties of lupin protein by physical modification: high pressure homogenisation
Authors: Lo Billy , Kasapis Stefan , Farahnaky Asgar
Published: December 2023

Aqueous dispersions of commercially produced lupin protein isolate with pH 5 and 9 were treated using high pressure homogenisation (HPH) at 25–200 MPa with one to ten homogenisation cycles. Particle size, zeta potential, solubility, molecular weight and rheological properties were analysed. HPH reduced the particle size for lupin protein at pH 5 from 54 to 5 μm and from 14 to <2 μm at pH 9 at 25–100 MPa. However, at 200 MPa, the particle size had less reduction. HPH did not have any significant impact on the zeta potential where it was maintained at −13 mV for pH 5 and −25 mV for pH 9. After HPH, solubility increased significantly for both pH 5 and 9 lupin protein samples. However, prolonged homogenisation decreased solubility. HPH impacted the viscosity of lupin protein at pH 5 and 9, depending on pressure and homogenisation cycles. The highest viscosity (~10 Pa.s) was achieved at 200 MPa with 10 passes. HPH increased the loss modulus where the viscoelastic properties were improved for both pH 5 and 9 at 200 MPa. The storage modulus profile indicated that HPH improved the gelling properties of lupin protein both at pH 5 and 9 at 200 MPa.
Repurchasing probabilistic goods as incentive sensation process for lonely individuals: The roles of liking and wanting
Authors: Hu Anqi , Yuan Ruizhi , Chen Ruolan , Liu Martin J.
Published: December 2023

Drawing on incentive sensitization theory, our study focuses on loneliness coping as a goal pursuit or hedonic searching process through consumption of probabilistic goods. We propose that loneliness triggers liking (hedonic feelings) and wanting (desired outcomes), which lead to the repurchase intention of probabilistic goods. We adopt an interview study (N = 20) to explore facets of loneliness, clarifying how customers obtain hedonic feelings and desired outcomes from repurchasing. Follow‐up quantitative studies including an experiment (N = 212) and a survey (N = 575) are employed to validate the differences among facets of loneliness and test the hypothesis. The findings show that liking and wanting mediate the effects of psychological loneliness and emotional loneliness on repurchase intention with respect to probabilistic goods. Furthermore, the results also suggest that perceived loss of control strengthens the effects of loneliness on wanting rather than liking.
Almost strong equilibria for time‐inconsistent stopping problems under finite horizon in continuous time
Authors: Zhou Zhou
Published: December 2023

We consider time‐inconsistent stopping problems for a continuous‐time Markov chain under finite time horizon with non‐exponential discounting. We provide an example indicating that strong equilibria may not exist in general. As a result, we propose a notion of equilibrium called almost strong equilibrium (ASE), which is a weak equilibrium and satisfies the condition of strong equilibria except at the boundary points of the associated stopping region. We provide an iteration procedure and show that this procedure leads to an ASE. Moreover, we prove that this ASE is the unique ASE among all regular stopping policies under finite horizon . In contrast, we show that strong equilibria (and thus ASE) exist and may not be unique for the infinite horizon case . Furthermore, we show that the limit of the finite‐horizon ASE as is a weak equilibrium for the infinite‐horizon problem, and may not be a strong equilibrium or ASE.
Revealing the mobile sensing powers of semi‐random and deterministic “drive‐by” vehicle fleets
Authors: Jiang Jincheng , Wang Junjie , Yao Hongming , Zhang Zhenxin , Xu Zhihua
Published: December 2023

The utilization of mobile sensing through the deployment of sensors on third‐party vehicles that pass by an area offers notable benefits in terms of spatiotemporal coverage, precision, timeliness, and cost‐effectiveness for monitoring urban environments. However, the diverse travel behaviors exhibited by different types of vehicle fleets result in varying levels of sensing powers. Drawing inspiration from these phenomena, this study quantifies and compares the travel patterns and sensing powers of bus and taxi fleets. The experimental findings unveiled several noteworthy laws, such as a diminishing rate of increase in sensing power with the stable increasing vehicle number, the high sensing power exhibited by taxis, the comparable spatial coverage between buses, and the relatively low uncertainty associated with buses' sensing power. Furthermore, the impact of travel patterns (i.e., semi‐random behavior of taxis and deterministic behavior of buses) on the powers of mobile sensing was revealed. The aforementioned findings provide valuable insights for the development of efficient mobile sensing schemes and hold significant relevance for the implementation of smart city infrastructure.
Self-Focusing and Self-Phase Modulation of a Focused Femtosecond Laser Beam in Fused Silica at Near-Critical Peak Power
Authors: Kinyaevskiy I. O. , Koribut A. V. , Danilov P. A. , Kudryashov S. I.
Published: December 2023

Self-focusing and self-phase modulation of focused femtosecond laser pulse were studied in bulk fused silica. Depending on pulse energy magnitude, three different regimes were observed in the experiment: (1) linear regime, when the self-focusing effect is insignificant, characterized by linear spectral broadening; (2) transition regime, when the self-focusing effect notably reduces a laser beam spot in a focal plane without considerable nonlinear absorption and beam collapse, characterized by quick increase in spectral broadening due to self-phase modulation; (3) nonlinear regime, filamentation, characterized by near-to- linear spectral broadening due to self-phase modulation. The slope for the linear and nonlinear regimes was the same within the measurement error bars. The numerical simulation, using the ray transfer matrix method, envisioned the self-phase modulation spectral broadening effect in all these regimes.
Capabilities of Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Identifying Multiple Pigments in a Complex Organic Mixture
Authors: Oleynik E. A. , Kozhina E. P. , Bedin S. A. , Naumov A. V.
Published: December 2023

The authors propose a way of identifying the composition of paints by means of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy using signal-amplifying substrates with arrays of vertically standing silver nanowires. A model tempera paint based on egg white with inorganic pigments (red lead, massicot, and emerald green) is used to show that with a reduced concentration of pigment, substrates can greatly improve sensitivity when detecting pigments in lower concentrations up to 0.01 g, compared to signals from the Raman scattering of light on foil. Reinforcing substrates allows the sensitivity of the technique to be improved in order to accurately identify components used individually and in mixtures.
Spray: A Spectrum-efficient and Agile Concurrent Backscatter System
Authors: Wang Shanyue , Yan Yubo , Chen Yujie , Yang Panlong , Li Xiang-Yang
Published: December 2023

Recent works have achieved considerable success in improving the concurrency of backscatter network. However, they do not optimize the balance between throughput and spectrum occupancy, both of which serve as pivotal parameters in concurrent transmissions. Moreover, these works also introduce complex components on tag thereby increasing both power consumption and deployment costs. In this article, we proposeSpray, a tag-lightweight system to achieve high throughput and narrow-band occupancy with low power. The key idea is to incorporate an agile channel allocating and scheduling mechanism into the backscatter network. This approach allows for efficient spectrum utilization and concurrency without the need for energy-intensive components. To optimize throughput in the presence of the challenge of harmonic interference, we introduce a novel algorithm that determines the channels with an optimal combination of central frequencies and bandwidths. Additionally, we propose a fair scheduling strategy to ensure equitable transmission opportunities for all tags. We prototype theSpraytag using commercial off-the-shelf components and implement the excitation and receiver with software-defined radio platform. Our evaluation shows that the system supports 30 parallel tags transmitting in the bandwidth of 600 kHz and the throughput can reach more than 280 kbps.