bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pleiotrophin deletion prevents high-fat diet-induced cognitive impairment, glial responses, and alterations of the perineuronal nets in the hippocampus
Authors: Cañeque-Rufo Héctor , Fontán-Baselga Teresa , Galán-Llario Milagros , Zuccaro Agata , Sánchez-Alonso María Gracia , Gramage Esther , del Pilar Ramos-Álvarez María , Herradón Gonzalo
Published: September 2024

Obesity and metabolic disorders, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS) facilitate the development of neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline. Persistent neuroinflammation plays an important role in this process. Pleiotrophin (PTN) is a cytokine that regulates energy metabolism and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced neuroinflammation, suggesting that PTN could play an important role in the connection between obesity and brain alterations, including cognitive decline. To test this hypothesis, we used an HFD-induced obesity model inPtngenetically deficient mice (Ptn−/−). First, we confirmed thatPtndeletion prevents HFD-induced obesity. Our findings demonstrate that feeding wild-type (Ptn+/+) mice with HFD for 6 months results in short- and long-term memory loss in the novel object recognition task. Surprisingly, we did not observe any sign of cognitive impairment inPtn−/−mice fed with HFD. In addition, we observed that HFD induced microglial responses, astrocyte depletion, and perineuronal nets (PNNs) alterations inPtn+/+mice, while these effects of HFD were mostly prevented inPtn−/−mice. These results show a crucial role of PTN in metabolic responses and brain alterations induced by HFD and suggest the PTN signalling pathway as a promising therapeutic target for brain disorders associated with MetS.
The fate of pyruvate dictates cell growth by modulating cellular redox potential
Authors: Toshniwal Ashish G. , Lam Geanette , Bott Alex J. , Cluntun Ahmad A. , Skabelund Rachel , Nam Hyuck-Jin , Wisidagama Dona R. , Thummel Carl S. , Rutter Jared
Published: September 2024

Pyruvate occupies a central node in carbohydrate metabolism such that how it is produced and consumed can optimize a cell for energy production or biosynthetic capacity. This has been primarily studied in proliferating cells, but observations from the post-mitoticDrosophilafat body led us to hypothesize that pyruvate fate might dictate the rapid cell growth observed in this organ during development. Indeed, we demonstrate that augmented mitochondrial pyruvate import prevented cell growth in fat body cellsin vivoas well as in cultured mammalian hepatocytes and human hepatocyte-derived cellsin vitro. This effect on cell size was caused by an increase in the NADH/NAD+ratio, which rewired metabolism toward gluconeogenesis and suppressed the biomass-supporting glycolytic pathway. Amino acid synthesis was decreased, and the resulting loss of protein synthesis prevented cell growth. Surprisingly, this all occurred in the face of activated pro-growth signaling pathways, including mTORC1, Myc, and PI3K/Akt. These observations highlight the evolutionarily conserved role of pyruvate metabolism in setting the balance between energy extraction and biomass production in specialized post-mitotic cells.
Protein Language Models: Is Scaling Necessary?
Authors: Fournier Quentin , Vernon Robert M. , van der Sloot Almer , Schulz Benjamin , Chandar Sarath , Langmead Christopher James
Published: September 2024

Public protein sequence databases contain samples from the fitness landscape explored by nature. Protein language models (pLMs) pre-trained on these sequences aim to capture this landscape for tasks like property prediction and protein design. Following the same trend as in natural language processing, pLMs have continuously been scaled up. However, the premise that scale leads to better performance assumes that source databases provide accurate representation of the underlying fitness landscape, which is likely false. By developing an efficient codebase, designing a modern architecture, and addressing data quality concerns such as sample bias, we introduce AMPLIFY, a best-in-class pLM that is orders of magnitude less expensive to train and deploy than previous models. Furthermore, to support the scientific community and democratize the training of pLMs, we have open-sourced AMPLIFY’s pre-training codebase, data, and model checkpoints.
Plasticity in the pectoral fin skeleton is induced by altered foraging regime in a South American cichlid
Authors: Gilbert Michelle , Kwiatkowski Alexandria J. , Woodburn Ciara M. , Piggott Sofia N. , Haridy Yara , Aiello Brett R. , Craig Albertson R. , Stewart Thomas A.
Published: September 2024

The fins of fishes are remarkably diverse, and this variation is tied to the ecology and locomotor mode of a species. While numerous genetic factors are known to pattern fins in development, it is unclear how developmental plasticity shapes the fin skeleton. Here, we analyze the cichlidSatanoperca daemon, raised under three distinct feeding regimes, and show that plasticity is pervasive across the pectoral fin skeleton with foraging mode impacting patterning of both the endoskeleton and dermal skeleton. Radials and fin rays were µCT scanned and analyzed using a combination of linear measures and geometric morphometrics. Anteroposterior patterning of both radials and fin rays are affected by feeding regime. Notably,S. daemonpectoral fin rays show distinct patterns of fin ray branching between treatments, suggesting altered fin stiffness. We argue that the observed changes in the fin likely reflect developmental plasticity resultant from altered swimming behaviors when fishes are challenged to forage in different ways. These data show how non-genetic mechanisms can shape both the endoskeleton and dermal skeleton of fins, and that foraging mode can induce plastic changes in skeletal elements that do not directly interface with food items.
Mpemba effects in nonequilibrium open quantum systems
Authors: Wang Xuanhua , Wang Jin
Published: September 2024

The Mpemba effect was originally referred to as the faster icing of a higher-temperature system than a lower-temperature system, and was later generalized to anomalous decays of both classical and quantum observables to equilibrium states. Mpemba effect is mostly considered in classical systems and during cooling processes toward equilibrium states. We investigate the emergence of the effect in nonequilibrium quantum systems where the system has no asymptotic equilibrium state to approach. Instead, the system is put in contact with two different baths, and only a nonequilibrium state exists, sustained by constant energy injection from the surrounding thermal baths. First, we show that the nonequilibrium conditions can dramatically enlarge the parameter regimes where the MPE emerges. Second, we demonstrate that the anomalous MPEs and inverse MPEs emerge in the evolution of quantum correlations in the two-site fermionic system and that nonequilibrium conditions can expedite or delay the MPEs. Third, we show that the nonequilibrium-induced quantum coherence can have considerable contributions to the emergence of the MPE which the conventional Lindbladian dynamics fails to capture.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Floquet engineering of binding in doped and photo-doped Mott insulators
Authors: Sarkar Madhumita , Lenarčič Zala , Golež Denis
Published: September 2024

We investigate the emergence of bound states in chemically and photo-doped Mott insulators, mediated by spin and η-pairing fluctuations within both 2-leg ladder and 2D systems. To effectively describe the photo and chemically doped state on the same footings, we employ the Schrieffer-Wolff transformation, resulting in a generalized t−J model. Our results demonstrate that the binding energies and localization length in the chemically and photo-doped regimes are comparable, with η-pairing fluctuations not playing a crucial role. Furthermore, we show that manipulating the binding is possible through external periodic driving, a technique known as Floquet engineering, leading to significantly enhanced binding energies. We also roughly estimate the lifetime of photo-doped states under periodic driving conditions based on the Fermi golden rule. Lastly, we propose experimental protocols for realizing Hubbard excitons in cold-atom experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of sulfamethoxazolium methylsulfate monohydrate
Authors: Moroni Aldana B. , Bottoso Tiago , Lionello Diego F. , Vega Daniel R. , Kaufman Teodoro S. , Calvo Natalia L.
Published: September 2024

The molecular salt sulfamethoxazolium {or 4-[(5-methyl-1,2-oxazol-3-yl)sulfamoyl]anilinium methyl sulfate monohydrate}, C10H12N3O3S+·CH3O4S−·H2O, was prepared by the reaction of sulfamethoxazole and H2SO4 in methanol and crystallized from methanol–ether–water. Protonation takes place at the nitrogen atom of the primary amino group. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds (water and methylsulfate anion) and intermolecular N—H...N interactions involving the sulfonamide and isoxazole nitrogen atoms, link the components into a tri-dimensional network, additional cohesion being provided by face-to-face π–π interactions between the phenyl rings of adjacent molecules. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was used to verify the contributions of the different intermolecular interactions, showing that the three most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H...O (54.1%), H...H (29.2%) and H...N (5.0%) interactions.
A risk based approach to the principal–agent problem
Authors: Djehiche Boualem , Helgesson Peter
Published: September 2024

Purpose

We aim to generalize the continuous-time principal–agent problem to incorporate time-inconsistent utility functions, such as those of mean-variance type, which are prevalent in risk management and finance.

Design/methodology/approach

We use recent advancements of the Pontryagin maximum principle for forward-backward stochastic differential equations (FBSDEs) to develop a method for characterizing optimal contracts in such models. This approach addresses the challenges posed by the non-applicability of the classical Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation due to time inconsistency.

Findings

We provide a framework for deriving optimal contracts in the principal–agent problem under hidden action, specifically tailored for time-inconsistent utilities. This is illustrated through a fully solved example in the linear-quadratic setting, demonstrating the practical applicability of the method.

Originality/value

The work contributes to the existing literature by presenting a novel mathematical approach to a class of continuous time principal–agent problems, particularly under hidden action with time-inconsistent utilities, a scenario not previously addressed. The results offer potential insights for both theoretical development and practical applications in finance and economics.
Exploring the critical attributes of robot chef restaurants and their impact on customer perceived value: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Gong Jinhong , Guan Xinhua , Huan Tzung-Cheng
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the key attributes of robot chef restaurants and their influencing factors from the perspective of customers and analyzes how these key attributes affect customer perceived value.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods research design was used in this study. Using 473 online reviews and ratings (Study 1), the research summarized customers’ evaluations on three types of attributes (environment, service and food) and identified the key attributes along with their influencing factors. Subsequently, through field questionnaires (Study 2) involving 269 actual customers, structural equation modeling was used to analyze how the identified key attributes and their influencing factors impact customer perceived value.

Findings

This study reveals that customers in robot chef restaurants prioritize food attributes, particularly valuing food authenticity alongside food quality. In contrast to traditional restaurants, customers’ evaluations of food attributes in robot chef restaurants are significantly influenced by the competence of robot chefs. Notably, customers’ negative attitudes toward robots diminish the positive effects on both food quality and food authenticity.

Practical implications

To enhance customer perceived value, robot chef restaurants should concentrate on food attributes. They can achieve this by fostering a high-quality, authentic food experience through the elevation of robot chefs’ competence and by providing customer education.

Originality/value

This study expands research on the customer experience in robotic restaurants by proposing an integrated model determining factors that affect the perceived customer value.
Cognitive diversity and team viability: the mediating role of transactive memory and moderating of technology integration
Authors: Arce-López Paola S. , Ruiz-Moreno Antonia , Cabeza-Pullés Dainelis
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study advances research on cognitive diversity from the perspective of public employees by studying the effect of cognitive diversity on team viability, the mediating effect of transactive memory systems (TMS) and the moderating effect of technology integration.

Design/methodology/approach

We used SmartPLS to analyze a unique data set from 193 public employees. The information was collected through an online questionnaire administered by the LimeSurvey Professional platform. In addition to analyzing the data through partial least squares structural equation modeling with higher-order latent variables, we analyzed mediating and moderating effects.

Findings

The results show that TMS act as partial mediators between cognitive diversity and team viability. Although technology integration (for both external diffusion and internal integration) moderates this relationship to mitigate negative effects, technological infrastructure does not.

Originality/value

This study expands previous research on TMS and technology integration. Our findings support the significance of TMS and technology integration in a context of cognitive diversity, identify ways to develop good management behavior and assess the results of these practices for team viability. We recommend that public managers in contexts of cognitive diversity work to create effective workplace environments. Training programs can foster TMS capabilities and support implementation of technology integration to improve team viability and results for public service delivery to citizens.
An empirical analysis of stock market participation: from an Islamic perspective
Authors: Parvin S.M. Riha , Panakaje Niyaz , Sheikh Niha , P. Mahammad Thauseef , Irfana Shakira , Kulal Abhinandan , V. Musla , Shahid Mahammad , N.M. Abdul Basith , Nihal Mohammad
Published: September 2024

Purpose

In the verge of assessing Muslims’ participation in stock market, present study delved into evaluating the influence of Islamic religiosity (IR) on Muslim investor’s financial engagement factors with respect to stock market (i.e. financial literacy [FL], Islamic financial literacy [IFL], behavioural factors [BF], Shariah compliance [SC], technology adoption [TA] and institutional support [IS]), stock market participation (SMP) and financial well-being (FWB). Further, this study aims to examine the mediating role of IFL, TA and SMP and moderating role of IS.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a mixed-methods approach, a structured survey questionnaire was administered and responses have been collected from 319 Muslim investors from South India using stratified random sampling. Further, data was analysed using SPSS 20.0 and AMOS 20.0 by implementing one-way ANOVA, measurement model and structural equation model to assess the differences, mediating and moderating roles.

Findings

In this study, it is discovered that IR significantly impacts Muslim investor’s financial engagement factors, SMP and FWB. Further, it is explored that IFL accelerates the impact of FL and SC on SMP. The results also demonstrated the intervening role of TA in enhancing SMP through BF and the mediating role of SMP among Muslim investors with strong IR to attain and enjoy FWB. Interestingly, our study also argued that when the IS is more, the effect of IR on SMP is high.

Research limitations/implications

Geographical boundaries are restricted to India, where the study proposes future studies in Islamic countries to better understand the religious belief system of the investors, as SC may vary in different countries.

Practical implications

In accordance with the results, it is recommended that the regulatory bodies and institutions intervene, support and incorporate IFL and also provide user-friendly Tec platforms to monitor and filter stocks and financial products for SC.

Social implications

The present study intends to tackle the misconception of Islamic values with respect to participating in the stock market and recommends to undertake policy and regulatory framework to ensure the inclusive development of this community.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no studies so far have pondered on the mediating role of SMP in enhancing the effectiveness of IR on their FWB. Further, this study collectively examines the influence of IR on various financial engagement factors affecting SMP leading to FWB.
Do we pay based on our past travel experience? A moderated mediation model of tourists’ willingness to pay
Authors: Hoang Le Nguyen , Tung Le Thanh
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to test the first and second-stage moderating effects of tourists’ past travel experiences on the relationships between national responses, destination trust and tourists’ willingness to pay in the post-pandemic recovery era.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model was tested with a sample of 398 tourists in Vietnam. The path analysis was applied to investigate the mediating and moderating effects.

Findings

The findings emphasise the mediating effect of destination trust in the relationships between national responses and tourists’ willingness to pay. With the moderating effect of past travel experience, all the first-stage indirect effects are significant, but the second-stage indirect effects are significant only at a high level of past travel experience.

Originality/value

This study provides theoretical implications for solving the puzzle about the paradox of trust in the government’s responses in the post-pandemic era. Practical implications for destination marketing organisations in the post-pandemic recovery era are then discussed.
Institutional work aimed at increasing employment orientation in mental health services
Authors: Skogstad Line Fossum
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The importance of employment in recovery from mental health illness has led to broad recognition of the integration of employment-oriented support into mental health treatment. However, there is variation in the extent to which an employment orientation permeates healthcare services. This article explores how managers and advisors in health and welfare services in Norway function as “change agents”, who work to increase an employment orientation in mental health services.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical material consists of 20 interviews with change agents in health and welfare organisations. They work to implement a model – individual placement and support – to integrate an employment orientation in healthcare services. The findings are analysed using the framework of “institutional work” to elucidate the strategies used by change agents.

Findings

The findings underscore a consensus on the health advantages of employment and that employment-oriented support belongs in mental health treatment. However, this concept requires further cultivation within healthcare services, with individual actors playing a key role as change agents. Depending on the stage of the various organisations in the change process and the actors’ positions within the institutional context, the actors engaged in both creative and maintenance institutional work.

Practical implications

The article´s findings are significant for how health organisations can work to achieve desired changes.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the literature on collaboration and implementation of employment-oriented practices in healthcare by directing attention to the dynamics of organisational change processes and the efforts of individual actors to promote change.
European football club market value and sporting performance: the moderating effect of player transfers, fans engagement and coaching changes
Authors: Hamdi Khalfaoui , Mohamed Amine Nabli , Hassan Guenichi
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This paper investigates the relationship between sporting performance and the market value of European football clubs, with a particular focus on the moderating effect of player transfers, fan engagement and coaching changes.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a Cross-Sectional Augmented Auto Regressive Distributed Lagged Model (CS-ARDL), we analyze a decade of data (2013–2023) from fourteen prominent clubs across ten European leagues.

Findings

Our findings confirm a strong positive correlation between sporting performance and market value in European football clubs. Furthermore, the research reveals that strategic player transfers and high fan engagement significantly amplify the positive impact of on-field success on a club's valuation. Interestingly, coaching changes do not exhibit a significant moderating effect on this relationship.

Research limitations/implications

These findings carry significant economic implications for the football industry, underscoring sporting success as not only a driver of economic growth and social development but also a vital source of funding for clubs seeking to further invest in talent, infrastructure and fan engagement initiatives.

Originality/value

This study makes a novel contribution to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of the intricate relationship between sporting performance, market value and the moderating roles of player transfers, fan engagement and coaching changes within the European football landscape. Moreover, the research offers unique insights into investor behavior and the factors influencing investment decisions, enriching our understanding of the complex dynamics driving the football market.
Water security and sustainability issues in Ghana’s Pra River Basin: an introduction – projected usefulness of artificial intelligence
Authors: Nti Emmanuel Kwame , Kranjac-Berisavljevic Gordana , Doke Dzigbodi Adzo
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to determine whether the dominant integrated water resources management (IWRM) paradigm within which the Pra River Basin is managed holds the key to address the current water security and sustainability issues in Southwestern Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a literature review developed based on water security and sustainability studies as well as normative scenarios from the broad scenario planning methodology. The study builds on Wæver’s Theory of Securitization and the Utilitarian theory to protect water bodies through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Findings

Insights on introducing innovative environmental sustainability technology are presented and propose the Pra-integrated smart water security management decision-making system that uses visual inspections, noise sensors, the potential of hydrogen (pH) probe sensor, real-time collection of hydrological data (streamflow) and wireless transmission of the data in real-time at the basin level. This serves as a robust tool for managing the basin’s sustainable development ecosystem by using AI to protect water bodies against illegal mining.

Originality/value

The proposed innovative environmental technology which is the first of its kind is meant to gain a better understanding of pollution incidents and respond quickly to them by integrating AI and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies with traditional IWRM practices. This addresses water security in the Pra Basin, supports policy development and innovation, strengthens the goal of the government to protect water resources against pollution and contributes to the African Water Vision and the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6.
Experimental analysis of the bond-slip characteristics between CFRP and natural stone masonry units
Authors: Mohamed Djeffal , Abdelghani Merdas , Taha Hocine Douara
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Although the reinforcement of concrete and brick masonry with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) has been extensively researched, its application and impact on natural stone, especially in historic preservation, have received less attention. This study aims to examine the bond-slip characteristics of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) with two types of natural stone masonry, aiming to enhance their effectiveness in reinforcing historic structures. The stones studied include one from the Chouf-Lekdad region (A) and another from a historic structure in Sétif City (B). Both stones were strengthened using CFRP and carbon fiber fabric (CFF) through near-surface mount (NSM) and external bonding (EBR) techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

The interaction was assessed during the pull-out test by analyzing the stress transfer mechanisms, adhesion and deformation. This study also examines the effects of the following parameters on the bond between CFRP and stone: type of stone (A and B), type of reinforcement (plat CFRP and CFF), various notch shapes and sizes (bp, tp and Lb), and reinforcement techniques (NSM and EBR).

Findings

This study demonstrated the practicality and effectiveness of enhancing natural stone masonry of old buildings by integrating NSM and EBR techniques with CFRP. With a bond length of 30 mm, the pull-out force correlates with the strength of the stone. This indicates the importance of stone strength in obtaining better adhesion. The CFF–resin interface is more cohesive than the CFRP plate–resin interface because the resin penetrates the flexible CFF strip, ensuring better adhesion. In contrast, the CFRP plate interface is rigid and smooth. The results suggest that natural stone–CFRP adhesion is more effective than CFRP bonded to concrete and brick masonry due to the stone's strong resistance.

Originality/value

This experimental investigation provides new study into the bond-slip behavior of CFRP-reinforced natural stone masonry, filling the gap in existing research. The findings offer useful direction for creating FRP strengthening solutions that are specifically adapted to the properties of natural stone used in historic constructions. This study helps to improve preservation procedures by guiding the selection of reinforcing techniques, such as NSM versus EBR, and finding ideal bond lengths. This work's novelty stems from its ability to improve the structural integrity of culturally significant buildings while preserving their historical authenticity.
Embracing plant–plant interactions—Rethinking predictions of species range shifts
Authors: Sanczuk Pieter , Landuyt Dries , De Lombaerde Emiel , Lenoir Jonathan , Lorer Eline , Luoto Miska , Van Meerbeek Koenraad , Zellweger Florian , De Frenne Pieter
Published: September 2024

Interactions among plants are changing across the globe resulting from a multitude of changes in the environment. Obtaining accurate predictions of plant species' range dynamics requires us to account for plant–plant interactions, but this remains challenging using the existing species distribution modelling (SDM) techniques.

Advanced SDM techniques facilitate the integration of plant species interactions based on species‐to‐species associations. However, for uncharted environmental conditions in which the formerly derived species' correlations potentially no longer hold, a more process‐based alternative is expected to become increasingly relevant.

We first review the most common SDM techniques that integrate plant–plant interactions and then present the concept for a novel map product: a spatial plant–plant interaction index (PII) depicting the link between a focal species’ performance and the trait signature of the interacting vegetation. The latest developments in remote sensing and the increasing availability of vegetation plot data facilitate PII mapping based on vegetation trait–environment relationships.

Synthesis: PII mapping holds the potential to advance next‐generation biogeographical analyses as it can serve as a pivotal missing covariate layer necessary for the integration of plant–plant interactions into SDM applications. This data product adds flexibility to the ecologists’ toolbox to analyse species range shifts and the formation of novel communities as a response to multiple environmental changes.
Projected near‐future flooding and warming increase graminoid biomass in a high‐latitude coastal wetland
Authors: Petit Bon Matteo , Leffler A. Joshua , Kelsey Katharine C. , Williams Tyler J. , Beard Karen H.
Published: September 2024

With rapid climate warming, some coastal high‐latitude ecosystems are experiencing more frequent tidal floods. Yet little is known about tundra plant‐community responses to flooding, and whether Arctic warming may modulate such responses.

In a 2‐year, full‐factorial field experiment in coastal tundra wetlands of the Yukon‐Kuskokwim (Y‐K) Delta (western Alaska), we simulated periodic tidal flood events at two severities under both ambient and warmed summer conditions and measured above‐ground plant‐community responses. Low‐severity flooding represented overbank flooding 1 day per month, which is consistent with projections in the next 5 years. High‐severity flooding represented a more impactful flooding regime (three consecutive days per month) that is projected to occur in the next 10 years. Our warming treatment (+1°C) also represented a change projected in the next 10 years.

Regardless of temperature, high‐severity flooding increased graminoid biomass by >45%, in turn increasing live plant‐community biomass by >18%. Low‐severity flooding had similar, though weaker, effects. Flooding had overall negative effects on both forb and shrub biomass, though shrub responses were weaker. Only during the second summer, warming increased graminoid biomass by 20% and tended to increase shrub biomass, regardless of flooding. Concurrently, warming enhanced standing‐dead graminoid biomass by 20%, while high‐severity flooding decreased it by 15%. Therefore, wet tundra that was both flooded and warmed had the greatest proportion of graminoids and total live biomass, but standing‐dead biomass comparable to that of unmanipulated wet tundra.

Synthesis. While our manipulations simulated flooding and warming regimes expected in the wetlands of the Y‐K Delta over the same, near‐future (5‐to‐10 years) time frame, flooding had stronger effects than warming. What is striking is the rate at which graminoid increases occurred, becoming apparent after only two monthly flood events in the first experimental year. Flooding‐induced decreases in standing‐dead biomass suggests that the incorporation of dead plant material into the litter layer might be facilitated by tidal floods. These rapid increases in plant biomass and potentially biomass turnover, especially of graminoids, which are characterized by high‐quality litter, may have major implications for carbon and nutrient cycling of more frequently flooded coastal ecosystems in a warmer Arctic.
Determining the sequence of intersecting lines formed by laser printer toner and seal ink based on confocal Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Shuo , Yang Yaqi , Zhang Yi , Li Bing
Published: September 2024

In the field of questioned document examination, determining the sequence of intersecting lines is still a technical challenge. This study aims to validate whether confocal Raman spectroscopy can determine the sequence of intersecting lines created by laser prints toner and seal ink through empirical research. The study collected 110 varieties of seal ink and 1074 test pages from 66 models of laser printers available in the Chinese market. Based on the Raman spectral characteristics of the seal ink and the microscopic morphology of the toner, 13 types of seal ink and three types of laser printers were selected for further analysis, producing 78 representative samples of intersecting lines. Confocal Raman spectroscopy was applied to the examination of these samples using a point‐scanning mode for enhanced accuracy and efficiency. The experimental results demonstrate that confocal Raman spectroscopy can non‐destructively and quickly examine the sequence of intersecting lines produced by laser printer toner and seal ink. Variations in toner forms result in differing levels of difficulty in resolving intersection problems, with the sequence of intersecting lines from toner‐dense laser printers being the easiest to ascertain. In contrast, those from printers with porous and dispersed toner present a more significant challenge in examination. This study can be corroborated with other methods proposed, and more significantly, it lays the groundwork for addressing intersection problems related to other printing or writing instruments.
Degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics by wastewater bacteria engineered via conjugation
Authors: Yip Aaron , McArthur Owen D. , Ho Kalista C. , Aucoin Marc G. , Ingalls Brian P.
Published: September 2024

Wastewater treatment plants are one of the major pathways for microplastics to enter the environment. In general, microplastics are contaminants of global concern that pose risks to ecosystems and human health. Here, we present a proof‐of‐concept for reduction of microplastic pollution emitted from wastewater treatment plants: delivery of recombinant DNA to bacteria in wastewater to enable degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Using a broad‐host‐range conjugative plasmid, we enabled various bacterial species from a municipal wastewater sample to express FAST‐PETase, which was released into the extracellular environment. We found that FAST‐PETase purified from some transconjugant isolates could degrade about 40% of a 0.25 mm thick commercial PET film within 4 days at 50°C. We then demonstrated partial degradation of a post‐consumer PET product over 5–7 days by exposure to conditioned media from isolates. These results have broad implications for addressing the global plastic pollution problem by enabling environmental bacteria to degrade PET.
Demystifying the challenging diagnosis of post‐radiation nasopharyngeal necrosis on multimodality imaging
Authors: Li Kwok Yan , Kwok Hoi Ming , Cheuk Wah , Ma Ka Fai Johnny
Published: September 2024

Post‐radiation nasopharyngeal necrosis (PRNN) is a rare but life‐threatening condition that often poses a diagnostic challenge in imaging studies owing to its overlapping features with recurrent nasopharyngeal tumours. We herein describe the characteristic imaging appearance of PRNN on post‐contrast T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)‐PET/CT which may provide insights into its pathological findings.
Trends in visits, imaging, and diagnosis for emergency department abdominal pain presentations in the United States, 2007–2019
Authors: Wu Rachel R. , Adjei‐Poku Michael N. , Kelz Rachel R. , Peck Gregory L. , Hwang Ula , Cappola Anne R. , Friedman Ari B.
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Abdominal pain is the most common reason for visit (RFV) to the emergency department (ED) for adults, yet no standardized diagnostic pathway exists for abdominal pain. Optimal management is age‐specific; symptoms, diagnoses, and prognoses differ between young and old adults. Availability and knowledge of the effectiveness of various imaging modalities have also changed over time. We compared diagnostic imaging rates for younger versus older adults to identify practice patterns of abdominal imaging across age groups over time.

Methods

We analyzed weighted, nationally representative data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 2007–2019 for adult ED visits with a primary RFV of abdominal pain. We included 23,364 sampled visits, representing 123 million visits.

Results

From 2007 to 2019, total visits increased for ages 18–45 (p < 0.001), 46–64 (p < 0.001), and 65+ (p = 0.032). The percentage of visits with primary RFV of abdominal pain increased from 9.4% to 11.6% for ages 18–45, 7.8%–9.0% for ages 46–64, and 6.0%–6.5% for 65+. Computed tomography (CT) scan rates increased over time from 26.2% of all patients receiving a CT scan to 42.6%. Relative percentage change in abdominal CT scans was greatest for older adults, with a 30.3% increase, compared to 24.0% for middle‐aged adults and 15.0% for young adults. Test positivity, defined as receiving an emergency general surgical diagnosis after CT or ultrasound, increased from 17.2% in 2007 to 22.9% in 2019 (p < 0.01). Of the older adults with abdominal pain in 2019, 13% received an X‐ray only, which is neither sensitive nor specific for acute pathology in older adults.

Conclusions

Despite more abdominal pain ED visits and increased imaging rates per visit, test positivity continues to rise. Our findings do not support claims that CT and ultrasound are being used less appropriately over time, but demonstrate widespread use of X‐rays, which are potentially ineffective for abdominal pain.
Effect of nicotine mouth spray on urges to vape: A randomized, placebo‐controlled, pharmacodynamic clinical trial in exclusive e‐cigarette users
Authors: Danielsson Tobias , Bennet Hedvig , McColgan Bryan , Wang Jianfeng
Published: September 2024

Aims

To determine whether nicotine mouth spray provides rapid and prolonged relief of urges to vape and measure the steady‐state plasma nicotine levels during vaping and ad libitum mouth spray usage in e‐cigarette users.

Design

Randomized, parallel group, double‐blind trial.

Setting

Single site at Hammersmith Medicines Research Ltd (HMR), London, UK.

Participants

216 (25.9% females, average age 27.6 ± 7.63 [standard deviation, SD]) exclusive vapers who used their e‐cigarette within 30 minutes of waking up and had vaped about 2 years on average.

Interventions

Two sprays of 1 mg nicotine mouth spray (Nicorette QuickMist Freshmint, n = 109), or placebo (identical in appearance and presentation, n = 107).

Measurements

Urge to vape was rated on a 100 mm visual analogue scale before and repeatedly for 2 hours after administration. The primary outcome measured average change from baseline in urges to vape ratings during the first hour.

Findings

Nicotine mouth spray achieved statistically significantly greater reductions in urges to vape than placebo from the first assessment point at 30 seconds to 1 hour, when the estimated mean treatment difference was 11.90 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.86–16.95, P < 0.001). The integrated urge to vape over 11 hours ad libitum usage showed a statistically significant benefit compared with placebo (2.00 [0.88 SD] vs 2.51 [0.84 SD], P < 0.001). Mean steady‐state plasma nicotine concentrations were lower after nicotine mouth spray usage compared with vaping (6.22 [4.70 SD] ng/ml vs 9.91 [7.59 SD] ng/ml, respectively). Adverse events were more commonly reported in the nicotine mouth spray group and were mostly mild.

Conclusions

Among regular e‐cigarette users, nicotine mouth spray provided statistically significant and fast relief of urges to vape one hour after dosing. Nicotine mouth spray showed statistically significant reductions in urges to vape as soon as 30 seconds and up to 2 hours after dosing compared with placebo, and nicotine mouth spray was well‐tolerated and safe.
Effects of hypothermia and hypoxia on cytochrome P450‐mediated drug metabolism in neonatal Göttingen minipigs
Authors: Stroe Marina‐Stefania , De Clerck Laura , Dhaenens Maarten , Dennis Rachel Siân , Deforce Dieter , Carpentier Sebastien , Annaert Pieter , Leys Karen , Smits Anne , Allegaert Karel , Van Ginneken Chris , Van Cruchten Steven
Published: September 2024

Asphyxiated neonates often undergo therapeutic hypothermia (TH) to reduce morbidity and mortality. As perinatal asphyxia and TH impact neonatal physiology, this could also influence enzyme functionality. Therefore, this study aimed to unravel the impact of age, hypothermia and hypoxia on porcine hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene expression, protein abundance and activity. Hepatic CYP expression, protein abundance and activity were assessed in naive adult and neonatal Göttingen minipigs, alongside those from an (non‐survival) in vivo study, where four conditions—control (C), therapeutic hypothermia (TH), hypoxia (H), hypoxia and TH (H + TH)—were examined. Naive neonatal Göttingen minipigs exhibited 75% lower general CYP activity and different gene expression patterns than adults. In vitro hypothermia (33°C) decreased general CYP activity in adult liver microsomes by 36%. Gene expression was not different between TH and C while hypoxia up‐regulated several genes (i.e., CYP3A29 [expression ratio; ER = 5.1472] and CYP2C33 [ER = 3.2292] in the H group and CYP2C33 [ER = 2.4914] and CYP2C42 [ER = 4.0197] in the H + TH group). The medical treatment and the interventions over 24 h, along with hypoxia and TH, affected the protein abundance. These data on CYP expression, abundance and activity in young animals can be valuable in building physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic models for neonatal drug dose predictions.
Central bank communication: Inflation target transparency with fiscal policy
Authors: Ferré Montserrat , Macaya Òscar , Manzano Carolina
Published: September 2024

This article examines the impact of opacity in announcing the central bank's inflation target on macroeconomic volatility and welfare, considering the interaction between an independent central bank and a fiscal authority. Our findings suggest that a key factor influencing the effects of central bank transparency is the relative importance placed by the central bank, compared to the government, on output stabilization versus inflation stabilization. Specifically, when output stabilization is relatively more important for the central bank than for the government, full opacity may benefit the central bank, but not necessarily society as a whole.
Primary cutaneous cribriform tumor: A case report and literature review
Authors: Jiang Doukou , Tian Yongzhen , Tian Jiabin , Liu Hui , Guan Yang
Published: September 2024

In the updated 5th edition of the WHO Classification of Skin Tumors, primary cutaneous cribriform carcinoma has been renamed cribriform tumor. This entity is a rare sweat gland neoplasm with undetermined malignant potential, with only 46 cases reported to date. Herein, we present a case of a 30‐year‐old female with a solitary nodule in the left thigh subcutaneous tissue. Histopathological examination revealed a well‐defined dermal nodule composed of monomorphic, deeply staining cells arranged in solid nests, tubular, and cribriform patterns, with no recurrence or distant metastasis observed during a 1‐year follow‐up. Summarizing all 47 cases, they exhibited consistent, reproducible histological morphology and similar immunohistochemistry. Although the tumor nests lacked myoepithelial cells peripherally, all cleanly excised cases showed no recurrence or distant metastasis, suggesting a benign biological behavior. We argue against overtreatment.
Environmental heterogeneity, rather than stability, explains spider assemblage differences between ecosystems
Authors: Suárez Daniel , Arribas Paula , Srivathsan Amrita , Meier Rudolf , Emerson Brent C.
Published: September 2024

The open ecosystem (e.g. grasslands, prairies, shrublands) tends to be ecologically less stable than closed one (i.e. forests) and encompassess higher spatial heterogeneity in terms of environmental diversity. Such differences are expected to differentially constrain the diversity and structure of the communities that inhabit each of them, but identifying the specific processes driving contrasting biodiversity patterns between open and closed systems is challenging. In order to understand how environmental variability might structure spider assemblages, both between and within open and closed ecosystems, we implement a high throughput multiplex barcode sequencing approach to generate a dataset for 8585 specimens representing 168 species, across the open ecosystem within the Canary Islands. Combining these with spider sequences from the closed ecosystem within the same islands, we show that spider communities in the open ecosystem show higher species richness, higher beta diversity, and higher proportions of rare species but proportionately lower numbers of endemic species than communities in the closed ecosystem. We furthermore assess if environmental heterogeneity and habitat stability are the major drivers of such differences by assessing spatial genetic structuring and the influence of bioclimatic variables. Our results point to environmental heterogeneity rather than stability as a major driver of spatial patterns between open and closed ecosystems.
Crisis Management in Saudi Arabian Universities: Evaluating Plans, Challenges and Obstacles Through a Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Aldighrir Wafa Mohammed
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the crisis management plans in Saudi Arabian universities by identifying key challenges and obstacles. A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 473 faculty members. The participants completed a survey that included the university campus's existing crisis management plans, educational leaders' challenges in implementing effective crisis management, and a socio‐demographic checklist. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that there are three critical areas that need attention: comprehensive crisis plans, designated crisis management teams, and regular drills and exercises. The model yielded a χ2 value of 236.18 with 84 degrees of freedom (df), resulting in a statistically significant outcome (p < 0.001). Among the key challenges and obstacles affecting crisis management performance in educational centres, as identified by faculty members, ensuring effective coordination and communication between different departments and stakeholders within the university, conducting regular evaluations and drills to test the crisis management plan's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement, and coping with emerging or evolving threats that require constant updates and adaptations to the crisis management plan need more attention, with factor load values of 0.92, 0.90 and 0.84, respectively. The findings indicated that, although universities had well‐documented crisis management plans and designated teams, significant gaps remained in their implementation, coordination and regular evaluation. The study underscored the importance of establishing robust communication frameworks, improving coordination among departments and stakeholders, and ensuring continual updates to crisis management plans. Finally, the study contributes to the literature by providing insights into the current state of crisis management in Saudi Arabian universities and offering practical recommendations for enhancing preparedness and resilience in the face of crises.
How to focus soil research when contributing to environmental agricultural regulations aimed at sustainable development
Authors: Bouma Johan , Scrope Tom
Published: September 2024

Current environmental regulations for agriculture in the Netherlands and England focus on the application of certain selected management measures as an empirical basis for providing subsidies. Farmers like this simple, straightforward approach. The link with sustainable development is, however, not defined and this can become problematic when procedures may be challenged in future. A procedure focusing on the measurement of ecosystem services in line with selected UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can provide this link, but whether or not this more complicated procedure will be attractive for farmers is still unclear. The soil science community would be well advised to discuss their future role in developing scientifically sound operational procedures that would be acceptable to both farmers and policy makers and would be aimed at contributing to the sustainable development of society at large.