bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural basis for a nucleoporin exportin complex between RanBP2, SUMO1-RanGAP1, the E2 Ubc9, Crm1 and the Ran GTPase
Authors: Baytshtok Vladimir , DiMattia Michael A. , Lima Christopher D.
Published: October 2024

The human nucleoporin RanBP2/Nup358 interacts with SUMO1-modified RanGAP1 and the SUMO E2 Ubc9 at the nuclear pore complex (NPC) to promote export and disassembly of exportin Crm1/Ran(GTP)/cargo complexes. In mitosis, RanBP2/SUMO1-RanGAP1/Ubc9 remains intact after NPC disassembly and is recruited to kinetochores and mitotic spindles by Crm1 where it contributes to mitotic progression. Interestingly, RanBP2 binds SUMO1-RanGAP1/Ubc9 via motifs that also catalyze SUMO E3 ligase activity. Here, we resolve cryo-EM structures of a RanBP2 C-terminal fragment in complex with Crm1, SUMO1-RanGAP1/Ubc9, and two molecules of Ran(GTP). These structures reveal several unanticipated interactions with Crm1 including a nuclear export signal (NES) for RanGAP1, the deletion of which mislocalizes RanGAP1 and the Ran GTPase in cells. Our structural and biochemical results support models in which RanBP2 E3 ligase activity is dependent on Crm1, the RanGAP1 NES and Ran GTPase cycling.
Improving diffusion-based protein backbone generation with global-geometry-aware latent encoding
Authors: Zhang Yuyang , Liu Yuhang , Ma Zinnia , Li Min , Xu Chunfu , Gong Haipeng
Published: October 2024

Recent breakthroughs in diffusion-based generative models have promptedde novoprotein design, notably in generating diverse and realistic structures. Nevertheless, while existing models either excel at unconditional generation or employ residue-wise conditioning for topological control, explorations on a holistic, top-down approach to control the overall topological arrangements is still limited. In response, we introduce TopoDiff, a diffusion-based framework augmented by a structure encoder and a latent sampler. Our model can unsupervisedly learn a compact latent representation of protein global geometry, while simultaneously integrating a diffusion module to leverage this information for controlled structure generation. In benchmark against existing models, TopoDiff demonstrates comparable performance on established metrics and exhibits an improved coverage over the fold modes of natural proteins. Moreover, our method enables versatile control at the global-geometry level for structural generation, under the assistance of which we derived a number of novel folds of mainly-beta proteins with comprehensive experimental validation.
Uncovering large effect loci and epistasis for lifespan in standing genetic variation in the fruit flyDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: van den Heuvel Joost , Zandveld Jelle , Vrieling Klaas , Pannebakker Bart A. , Kammenga Jan , Zwaan Bas J.
Published: October 2024

Lifespan is a heritable trait with a polygenic architecture. Experimental evolution in combination with re-sequencing has often been used to identify candidate loci for lifespan inDrosophila melanogaster. Previous experiments showed thatDrosophilapopulations experimentally evolved to increase late-life reproduction showed a correlated responses in development time, body size, but also lifespan. Subsequent whole genome sequencing allowed for the identification of candidate loci that correlated to lifespan differentiation. However, it remains difficult to assess whether candidate loci affect lifespan and to what extent such loci pleiotropically underpin multiple traits. Furthermore, recent studies indicate that lifespan effects of loci are often context dependent, but genotype-by-genotype interactions remain understudied. Therefore, here, we report on a study where we genotyped 3210 individuals for 32 candidate loci that emerged from our evolve and re-sequence experiment and tested, (1) whether these loci significantly affected lifespan, (2) the effect size of each locus, and, (3) how these loci mutually interact, i.e. determine the level of epistasis in moulding lifespan. Of the 32 loci, six showed significant main effect associations, of which three loci showed effects of 6.6 days difference in lifespan or larger, while the overall average lifespan was 41.7 days. Eight additional significant pairwise interactions between loci were found, of which four (single) main effects and one three-way interaction was significant. Lastly, we found that alleles that increased lifespan did not necessarily have higher frequencies in populations that showed increased lifespan, indicating that lifespan itself had not been the major target of selection. Our study indicates that individual genotyping following an evolve and re-sequencing study is essential to understand the mechanistic basis of polygenetic adaptation.
Differentiating the mechanism of antibacterial activities of nano and ionic copper by usingEscherichia colias a model microorganism
Authors: Jose Gregor P. , Santra Subhankar , Saha Saurav Kumar , Mandal Swadhin K , Sengupta Tapas K.
Published: October 2024

In this study, the effect of polymer stabilized copper nanoparticles and ionic copper on the growth, nucleic acid pool, reactive oxygen species generation, cell surface lipopolysaccharide, outer membrane protein profile and cell surface morphology ofEscherichia coliwere investigated. Copper nanoparticles exhibited a superior bactericidal activity associated with increased nucleic acid degradation, reactive oxygen species generation and change in the outer membrane protein profile compared to ionic copper in a concentration dependent manner. Although, there was no change in the outer membrane lipopolysaccharide profile, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis of nano- and ionic copper treatedEscherichia colicells revealed that more amounts of copper nanoparticles were transported inside the cells compared to the ionic counterpart up to 500 μM concentrations. Interestingly, copper nanoparticles at 1000 μM concentration could induce membrane pit formation whereas ionic copper failed to exhibit such property under the same experimental conditions. Based on these observations it can be concluded that both nano- and ionic copper exert their antibacterial action through the generation of reactive oxygen species, degradation of cellular nucleic acids and alteration of membrane protein profile, but with a significant difference in the effective concentration range due to the differential cellular transport.
Neural dynamics for working memory and evidence integration during olfactory navigation inDrosophila
Authors: Kathman Nicholas D. , Lanz Aaron J. , Freed Jacob D. , Nagel Katherine I.
Published: October 2024

To navigate towards an unknown food source, animals must accumulate evidence about the location of a goal and store this information in working memory. Here we identify a population of local neurons in the fan-shaped body ofDrosophilathat exhibits both evidence integration and working memory dynamics. Imaging from these neurons during virtual odor-guided navigation reveals a bump of activity that is activated by odor, but can outlast the odor stimulus by several seconds. Persistent bump activity is associated with persistent movement in the direction adopted during odor, arguing that these neurons represent a directional working memory. When the fly navigates a virtual odor plume, bump activity slowly ramps up with successive odor encounters, indicating that it integrates odor information over time. We do not observe these dynamics in a set of neighboring local neurons, although both populations show slow modulation correlated with engagement in the task. Silencing the first population impairs the integration of odor encounters and the persistence of upwind heading. Our work identifies a small group of genetically-identified neurons that integrate and store stochastic sensory evidence to support navigation in complex natural environments.
Object permanence in domestic cats (Felis catus) using violation-of-expectancy by owner and stranger
Authors: Forman Jemma , Rowe Jordan S. , Leavens David A.
Published: October 2024

Object permanence, the understanding that objects continue to exist while out of sight, has been extensively researched in human infants and animals. Cats have been shown to reach Stage 5 object permanence by passing successive visible displacement tests, but their understanding of Stage 6 object permanence is less clear. We tested 18 domestic cats on their understanding of Stage 4 (single visible displacement; SVD) and Stage 6 (invisible displacement; IVD) of object permanence in their home environment. Additionally, we investigated how person familiarity may influence study engagement. In SVD tests, the box manipulator (owner or researcher) hid a toy in one of two cardboard boxes for the cat to find. In IVD tests, we implemented a violation-of-expectancy procedure in which the box manipulator showed a toy re-appearing out of either a) the same box it was hidden in (consistent trials) or b) the box it was not hidden in (violation trials). Approximately half of the cats (56%) did not find the hidden toy in SVD trials, with 42% of these cats not attempting to find the toy, despite previous research demonstrating that cats can retrieve hidden objects in successive SVD tests. No predictors significantly influenced whether cats found the toy, or which box was checked first (toy or empty box). In IVD trials, we unexpectedly found that cats were more likely to play with and had longer gaze durations towards the toy and display more toy box-directed behaviours in consistent trials than violation trials. Similarly, we found that cats were more likely to display toy and empty box- directed behaviours in trials where the researcher acted as the box manipulator. Other factors such as breed, outdoor access, cat sex and the first person to act as the box manipulator also influenced toy-directed behaviours. We discuss the complexity of person familiarity in research contexts and highlight some methodological challenges in studying cat cognition.
Differential Speed and Accuracy Trade-off in Working Memory Retrieval and Bilateral Precuneus between Older Men and Women
Authors: Esiaka Darlingtina K. , Strothkamp Stephanie , Banafsheh Aghayeeabianeh , Broster Lucas , Powell David K , Jicha Gregory , Jiang Yang
Published: October 2024

Background

Despite various hypotheses, including differences in longevity, hormones, genetics, and neuroanatomy, the reasons for the higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in older women compared to men remain unclear. Emerging evidence suggests that the precuneus, a key region of the default mode network, is linked to internally focused processes like memory retrieval. This study examined sex differences in the relationship between precuneus volumes and working memory retrieval speed in cognitively normal older adults, hypothesizing that disparities in precuneus size and function contribute to reduced working memory performance in older women.

Method

A cohort of participants (N=45; 25 women; Mage=77) from the University of Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center completed the Bluegrass Working Memory Task while undergoing 3T Siemens magnetic resonance imaging scans.

Result

Applying Spearman correlation analyses, the results revealed correlations between working memory accuracy and volumes in the left (r=-.43, p<.01) and right (r=-.36, p<.05) precuneus across all subjects. Sex difference analysis indicated a tendency for the accuracy of the memory task to correlate more frequently with the left precuneus in women (r= 0.54; p < 0.05) than in men. Similarly, volumes in the left precuneus displayed a significant negative correlation with reaction time in response to memory target (r= -0.426; p < 0.05) and memory distractor (r= -0.549; p < 0.01) in women. There is a sex difference in accuracy and speed trade-off. While men were faster in reaction time, women were better in the accuracy of the memory task. Particularly noteworthy was the consistent association in women, where neurocognitive measures (Trail A, r= -.50, p<.01; Trail B, r= -.06, p<.01) reliably correlated with volumes in the left precuneus—a relationship not observed in men.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that the left precuneus volume is associated with processing speed and accuracy of working memory performance, especially in women. Given that the left precuneus plays a key role in supporting various aspects of cognition, including memory retrieval, our findings point to the potential of reaction time serving as a surrogate marker for fMRI in predicting cognitive decline, particularly when considering sex differences.
Biologically Realistic Computational Primitives of Neocortex Implemented on Neuromorphic Hardware Improve Vision Transformer Performance
Authors: Iqbal Asim , Mahmood Hassan , Stuart Greg J. , Fishell Gord , Honnuraiah Suraj
Published: October 2024

Understanding the computational principles of the brain and replicating them on neuromorphic hardware and modern deep learning architectures is crucial for advancing neuro-inspired AI (NeuroAI). Here, we develop an experimentally-constrained biophysical network model of neocortical circuit motifs, focusing on layers 2-3 of the primary visual cortex (V1). We investigate the role of four major cortical interneuron classes in a competitive-cooperative computational primitive and validate these circuit motifs implemented soft winner-take-all (sWTA) computation for gain modulation, signal restoration, and context-dependent multistability. Using a novel parameter mapping technique, we configured IBM’s TrueNorth (TN) chip to implement sWTA computations, mirroring biological neural dynamics. Retrospectively, we observed a strong correspondence between the biophysical model and the TN hardware parameters, particularly in the roles of four key inhibitory neuron classes: Parvalbumin (feedforward inhibition), Somatostatin (feedback inhibition), VIP (disinhibition), and LAMP5 (gain normalization). Moreover, the sparse coupling of this sWTA motif was also able to simulate a two-state neural state machine on the TN chip, replicating working memory dynamics essential for cognitive tasks. Additionally, integrating the sWTA computation as a preprocessing layer in the Vision Transformer (ViT) enhanced its performance on the MNIST digit classification task, demonstrating improved generalization to previously unseen data and suggesting a mechanism akin to zero-shot learning. Our approach provides a framework for translating brain-inspired computations to neuromorphic hardware, with potential applications on platforms like Intel’s Loihi2 and IBM’s Northpole. By integrating biophysically accurate models with neuromorphic hardware and advanced machine learning techniques, we offer a comprehensive roadmap for embedding neural computation into NeuroAI systems.
Loss of killifish cGAS/STING function attenuates cellular senescence and age-related signatures but does not extend organismal life span
Authors: Ballhysa Eugen , Ripa Roberto , Hochhard Nadine , Nguyen Tin Tin Manh , Brazell Jennifer , Ferreri Baptiste , Hoffmann Elena , Steiner Joachim , Antebi Adam
Published: October 2024

The cGAS/STING pathway is a central innate immune signaling pathway whose chronic activation has been implicated in numerous age-related pathologies, yet its impact on life span itself is unknown. Here we engineered knockouts of this pathway in the killifishNothobranchius furzeri, and assessed physiology and aging.In vitro, loss of killifish cGAS or STING mitigated DNA damage-induced senescence in cultured fibroblasts.In vivo, cGAS knockout unexpectedly led to low-grade inflammation. It also attenuated changes in gene expression in response to DNA damage in young animals, and age-related changes in the old, suggesting dampening of senescence and aging. Necroscopy indicated that tissue pathology appeared milder overall in both mutants, though some tissues showed enhanced sterile macrophage infiltration. Despite an attenuated aging signature, however, longevity was not significantly different from wild type. Our findings reveal a potential tradeoff, where inhibiting the cGAS/STING pathway alleviates age-related signatures, but increases sterile inflammation, offsetting beneficial effects on lifespan.
Peripheral blood cytokines as markers of longitudinal recovery in white matter microstructure following inpatient treatment for opioid use disorders
Authors: Butelman Eduardo R , Huang Yuefeng , King Sarah G. , Gaudreault Pierre-Olivier , Ceceli Ahmet , Kronberg Greg , Cathomas Flurin , Roussos Panos , Russo Scott J. , Goldstein Rita Z. , Alia-Klein Nelly
Published: October 2024

Background

Heroin and other opioid use disorders (HUD and OUD) cause massive public health morbidity and mortality. Although standard-of-care medication assisted treatment (MAT) exists, little is known about potential predictors of change during recovery. Recovery can include normalization of the brain’s white matter (WM) microstructure, which is sensitive to cytokine and immune signaling. Here we aimed to determine whether blood-based cytokine/immune markers can predict WM microstructure recovery following medication-assisted treatment.

Methods

Inpatient Individuals with HUD (iHUD; n=21) and healthy controls (HC; n=24) underwent magnetic resonance scans with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and provided ratings of drug cue-induced craving, arousal and valence twice, earlier in treatment and ≈14 weeks of inpatient MAT (with methadone or buprenorphine) thereafter. At this second session (MRI2), they also provided a peripheral blood sample for multiplex relative quantification of serum cytokine/immune proteins (with a proximity extension assay, Olink). We explored the correlation of a multi-target cytokine biomarker score (based on principal component analysis of 19 proteins that differed significantly between iHUD and HC) with change in whole-brain DTI (ΔDTI; MRI2 - MRI1) metrics (fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and axial diffusivity) across the 14 weeks of MAT.

Results

The cytokine biomarker score, obtained at the MRI2 stage, was correlated with ΔDTI metrics in frontal, fronto-parietal, and cortico-limbic WM tracts (e.g., including the genu of the corpus callosum, anterior corona radiata, and others). In a follow-up analysis, specific cytokines represented in the multi-target biomarker score, such as the interleukin oncostatin M (OSM), colony stimulating factor (CSF21), and the chemokine CCL7 were correlated with similar ΔDTI metrics in iHUD, but not in HC. Levels of other specific cytokines (i.e., CCL19 and CCL2) were negatively correlated with change in cue-induced craving or arousal. Thus, lower levels of the aforementioned cytokines were correlated with an increase in cue-induced craving or arousal across the two stages (MRI2 - MRI1).

Conclusions

Studied as a multi-target biomarker score, or as individual targets, peripheral serum cytokines are highly accessible biomarkers of WM microstructure recovery in iHUD undergoing inpatient MAT.
Burnout and sleep problems among nurses working in a tertiary hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: Kanak Manoj Panthi , Pant Smriti
Published: October 2024

Burnout is defined as sustained response to chronic work-related stresses and is often measured in dimensions of emotional exhaustion, disengagement and feeling of low personal accomplishment. Burnout and sleep problems has been closely associated among healthcare providers, confirmed in many observational studies. However, there was a dearth in information regarding burnout and sleep problems among nurses from Nepal, hence this study was conducted. This was a cross-sectional study in which quantitative method was applied. Data was collected from 246 nurses working in the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital using simple random sampling method through self-administered questionnaire between March and April, 2022. Structured questions for personal and work-related characteristics were used while Oldenburg Burnout Inventory and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to assess burnout and sleep problems, respectively. More than three out of four nurses (78.5%) were found to have burnout, with 88.3% disengaged and 83.0% exhausted. Likewise, almost half of the nurses (40.2%) were found to have a poor sleep quality. Using multivariate logistics regression analysis, factors like position of the nurse (AOR = 6.0, 95% CI; 1.9-18.8) and, slight problem (AOR = 6.6, 95% CI; 3.0-14.7) and somewhat to a big problem (AOR = 6.3, 95% CI; 1.9-20.9) of daytime dysfunction were found to be significantly associated with burnout. Similarly, age, work experience and beds-to-nurses ratio of the department was found to be significantly associated to burnout among the nurses using independent sample t-test. These results indicate the necessity to reduce work stress and manage sleep problems of the nurses prioritizing the nursing staffs occupying junior position. Similarly, establishment of interventions like psychological help desk and support groups for the nurses could be beneficial to mitigate the effects of burnout and sleep problems among nurses.
Multicomponent Thiolactone-Based Ionizable Lipid Screening Platform for an Efficient and Tunable mRNA Delivery to the Lungs
Authors: Peña Álvaro , Heredero Juan , Blandín Beatriz , Mata Elena , Miguel Diego De , Toro Alfonso , Alejo Teresa , Casabona Diego , López Alexandre , Gallego-Lleyda Ana , Pérez-Herrán Esther , Martínez-Oliván Juan , Giménez-Warren Javier
Published: October 2024

Ionizable lipids are an essential component of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for an efficient mRNA delivery. However, optimizing their chemical structures for high protein expression, efficient endosomal escape, and selective organ targeting remains challenging due to complex structure-activity relationships and multistep synthesis. In this study, we introduce a rapid, high-throughput platform for screening ionizable lipids using a two-step, scalable synthesis involving a one-pot 3-component click-like reaction. This method, herein known as the STAAR approach, standing for Sequential Thiolactone Amine Acrylate Reaction, allowed for the combinatorial synthesis and in vivo screening of 91 novel lipids, followed by a structure-activity study. This led to the development of CP-LC-0729, an ionizable lipid that significantly surpasses the benchmark in protein expression while showing no in vivo toxicity. Additionally, the STAAR lipid platform was further validated by incorporating a one-step strategy to yield a permanently cationic lipid which was tested following a fifth-lipid formulation strategy. The in vivo results showed a highly selective lung delivery with a 32-fold increase in protein expression, outperforming current endogenous targeting strategies. All these findings underscore the potential of lipid CP-LC-0729 and the STAAR lipid platform in advancing the efficiency and specificity of mRNA delivery systems, while also advancing the development of new ionizable lipids.
assessPool: a flexible pipeline for population genomic analyses of pooled sequencing data
Authors: Freel Evan B , Conklin Emily E , Kraft Derek W , Whitney Jonathan L , Knapp Ingrid SS , Forsman Zac H , Toonen Robert J
Published: October 2024

Despite the dramatic decrease in high-throughput sequencing costs over time, sequencing the ideal number of individuals for population genetic inference remains prohibitively expensive. When research questions require only population-level resolution, pooling individual samples before sequencing (pool-seq) can substantially reduce costs while still providing allele frequencies of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). However, analyzing pooled data is comparatively difficult and less standardized than individual-based analyses. Although several programs have been developed to handle pool-seq data, most require extensive formatting or programming skills to operate. Here we introduce assessPool, an open-source R and Bash pipeline for pool- seq analyses with a focus on population structure. AssessPool accepts a Variant-Call Format (VCF) file and a FASTA-formatted reference, providing a straightforward transition from commonly used pipelines such as Stacks or dDocent. AssessPool handles varying numbers of pools and utilizes PoPoolation2 to generate locus-by-locus pairwiseFSTvalues and associated Fisher T-test values as measures of population structure. Starting with a VCF file containing all identified SNPs, assessPool facilitates several key functionalities for population genetic analyses: i) filtering SNPs based on adjustable criteria with parameter suggestions for pool-seq data, ii) organizing data structures for analysis based on input pools, iii) creating customizable run scripts for FSTcalculations using PoPoolation2 and/or the {poolfstat} R package, for all pairwise comparisons, iv) calculating locus-specificFSTvalues using PoPoolation2 and/or {poolfstat}, v) importingFSToutput into a format compatible with R, vi) producing population genomic summary statistics, and vii) generating interactive plots to visualize and explore data. A pooled dataset generated from wild populations is used here to showcase the features of the assessPool pipeline for population genomic analyses.
Amylin receptor subunit interactions are modulated by agonists and determine signaling
Authors: Gostynska Sandra E. , Karim Jordan A. , Ford Bailee E. , Gordon Peyton H. , Babin Katie M. , Inoue Asuka , Lambert Nevin A. , Pioszak Augen A.
Published: October 2024

Three amylin receptors (AMYRs) mediate the metabolic actions of the peptide hormone amylin and are drug targets for diabetes and obesity. AMY1R, AMY2R, and AMY3R are heterodimers consisting of the G protein-coupled calcitonin receptor (CTR) paired with a RAMP1, -2, or -3 accessory subunit, respectively, which increases amylin potency. Little is known about AMYR subunit interactions and their role in signaling. Here, we show that the AMYRs have distinct basal subunit equilibriums that are modulated by peptide agonists and determine the cAMP signaling phenotype. Using a novel biochemical assay that resolves the AMYR heterodimers and free subunits, we found that the AMY1/2R subunit equilibriums favored free CTR and RAMP1/2, and rat amylin and αCGRP agonists promoted subunit association. A stronger CTR-RAMP3 transmembrane domain interface yielded a more stable AMY3R, and human and salmon calcitonin agonists promoted AMY3R dissociation. Similar changes in subunit association-dissociation were observed in live cell membranes, and G protein coupling and cAMP signaling assays showed how these altered signaling. Our findings reveal regulation of heteromeric GPCR signaling through subunit interaction dynamics.
Performance of Oak Ridge National Laboratory spallation neutron source proton power upgrade cavities and cryomodule production
Authors: Dhakal P. , Daly E. F. , Davis K. , Drury M. , Fischer J. , Forehand D. , Grabowski A. , Huque N. , Kent J. , Macha K. , McCaughan M. , McEwen E. A. , Mitchell A. , Owen P. , Stirbet M. , Wilson K. M. , Zhao L. , Howell M. , Kim S. , Mammosser J. D.
Published: October 2024

The Proton Power Upgrade initiative at Oak Ridge National Lab’s Spallation Neutron Source aims to greatly boost the capability of proton beam power. This upgrade involves the integration of seven additional cryomodules, each housing four six-cell high-beta (β=0.81) superconducting radio frequency cavities. These cavities, manufactured and processed by Research Instruments in Germany, underwent meticulous treatment, including electropolishing as the bulk and final vital step. Upon delivery to Jefferson Lab, a total of 28 cavities for seven cryomodules, along with an additional four cavities for a spare cryomodule, underwent thorough vertical qualification tests, meeting the required specifications. Following cavity tanking and subsequent rf testing, the assembly of eight cryomodules was successfully executed, with all 32 cavities demonstrating compliance with acceptance criteria. The transportation of the cryomodule to SNS for high-power testing in the tunnel yielded exceptional results. Notably, the performance surpassed specifications, in terms of quality factor and accelerating gradient.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Unveiling the past, present and future of workplace spirituality research: a systematic literature review of 15 years
Authors: Nayyar Reema , Yadav Pratyush , Baral Rupashree , Raina Mahima , Jena Lalatendu Kesari
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the emergence of workplace spirituality (WPS) in Indian organisations through a systematic literature review by unwrapping the past, present and future state of WPS research in the Indian context. The data was covered for 15 years (2008–2023) and spread across 116 studies screened from Scopus, Web of Science and EBSCO.

Design/methodology/approach

Theory-context-characteristics-methods (TCCM) framework analysis and topic modelling (bidirectional encoder representations from transformers [BERT] analysis) techniques were adopted for a systematic exploration of theoretical underpinnings, contextual relevance, characteristic features and methodological rigour within the domain of WPS and analysis of the literature’s emerging trends and thematic patterns, respectively.

Findings

Using the TCCM framework, this study analysed the dominant theories applied in WPS literature within the Indian context, including social exchange theory and self-determination theory. In addition, this review highlights the key industries, variables and methodologies that have been the focus of prior research. Using BERT, this study clustered the textual data and identified three thematic patterns in the literature. By analysing past and current studies, this study identified potential gaps that future research could address, as guided by the TCCM framework.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the initial literature reviews focused on country-level studies adopting two techniques to bring more rigour: TCCM and BERT analysis.
Enhancing unmanned vehicle navigation safety: real-time visual mapping with CNNs with optimized Bezier trajectory smoothing
Authors: Mavi Tanish , Priya Dev , Grih Dhwaj Singh Rampal , Singh Ankit , Singh Digvijay , Upadhyay Priyanka , Singh Ravinder , Katyal Akshay
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a real-time pothole detection system to improve mapping, localization and path planning, reducing vehicle instability and accident risks. Efficient mapping, accurate localization and optimal path planning stand as prerequisites to realizing accident-free navigation. Despite their significance, existing literature often overlooks the real-time detection of potholes, which poses a considerable risk, particularly during nighttime operations. Potholes contribute to vehicle imbalance, trajectory tracking errors, abrupt braking, wheel skidding, jerking and steering overshoot, all of which can lead to accidents.

Design/methodology/approach

Unmanned vehicles constitute a critical domain within robotics research, necessitating reliable autonomous navigation for their optimal functioning. This research paper addresses the gap in current methodologies by leveraging a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based approach to detect potholes, facilitating the generation of an efficient environmental map. Furthermore, a hybrid solution is proposed, integrating an improved Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm with modified Bezier techniques, complementing the CNN approach for accident-free and time-efficient unmanned vehicle navigation. The conventional Bezier technique is enhanced by incorporating new control points near sharp turns, mitigating rapid trajectory convergence and ensuring collision-free paths.

Findings

The hybrid solution, combining CNN with path smoothing techniques, is rigorously tested in various real-time scenarios. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed technique achieves a 100% reduction in collisions in favorable conditions, a 4.5% decrease in path length, a 100% reduction in sharp turns and a significant 23.31% reduction in total time lag compared to state-of-the-art techniques such as conventional ACO, ACO+ Bezier and ACO+ midpoint Bezier, Improved ACO, hybrid ACO+ A*.

Originality/value

The proposed technique provides a proficient solution in the field of unmanned vehicles for accident-free time efficient navigation in an unstructured environment.
Chemistry of scented nectar in the black lily Fritillaria camschatcensis (Liliaceae)
Authors: Li Junnan , Inui Yoko , Mochizuki Ko , Takeda Kazuya , Sakai Shoko , Kawakita Atsushi
Published: October 2024

Volatile compounds in floral nectar may affect plant–pollinator relationships; however, the understanding of the distribution and functions of scented floral nectar is still relatively limited. In this study, we examined the volatile constituents of the scented floral nectar of the black lily Fritillaria camschatcensis and their potential to attract flower‐visiting flies. In Japan, F. camschatcensis comprises two varieties, var. camschatcensis (lowland) and var. keisukei (alpine). The flowers of both varieties secrete large amounts of nectar that is fed on by visiting flies. We investigated the sugar concentration of the nectar using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and studied its volatile chemical composition using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. We conducted a bioassay using a synthetic mixture of nectar volatiles of the lowland variety to test whether flies are attracted to volatile compounds in the nectar scent. HPLC analysis showed that glucose and fructose occur in the nectar of the alpine variety, whereas the lowland variety nectar contained glucose but lacked fructose. Nectar volatile compounds differed substantially between the two varieties; the volatiles of the lowland variety consisted primarily of four aliphatic acids, whereas acetophenone was the main volatile compound in the alpine variety. The bioassay showed that a mixture of three aliphatic acids detected as volatiles of the lowland variety nectar attracts flies, including those that visit the alpine variety flowers such as Calliphoridae. These results suggest that the volatiles of the scented nectar serve as attractants for flower visitors and may have an important role in the pollination of F. camschatcensis.
On Institutions and Economic Policy: A Response to Michael Jacobs
Authors: Kelly Gavin
Published: October 2024

In his article ‘After neoliberalism: economic theory and policy in the polycrisis’ in this journal, Michael Jacobs sets out the importance of institutional context to politics and policy making. This article concurs with this emphasis and explores the importance of specific existing institutions such as the Low Pay Commission and Office for Budget Responsibility in our system of economic governance. It considers the case for institutional ‘deepening’ and reform as well as some potential misconceptions about the role of organisations like these in contemporary politics. Looking to the years ahead, it argues that the terrain on which politics is likely to be contested will involve a larger role for the state and continued debate about the appropriate role of institutions.
Positioning comfort measures in antenatal counselling for periviable infants
Authors: Carroll Katherine , Thorvilson Megan , Collura Christopher
Published: October 2024

Caring for the extremely premature infant born in the grey zone of viability is the most difficult area of neonatal medicine. Little research has been done on antenatal communication between neonatologists and parents anticipating the birth of a periviable infant. This article analyses 25 antenatal consultations between neonatologists and parents in one Midwestern hospital in the United States of America. It explores how neonatologists position comfort care as one of two predominant care trajectories for extremely premature infants born into the grey zone of viability. We found comfort care featured minimally in and was often marginalised by neonatologists’ language. The two dominant discourses contributing to this were acute medicine’s life‐saving capacity and a limited temporal window marked by gestational age where comfort measures were deemed appropriate. Antenatal consultations framed by shared decision‐making could be approached as a form of care characterised by a relational openness and responsiveness to parents’ views on care. This asks neonatologists to enter antenatal consultations for periviability without knowing ahead of time which care trajectory will necessarily call one’s attention or the particular response one should take, thus highlighting the skills of reflexivity in addition to an attentiveness and openness towards those receiving care.
Leadership in a continuous crisis
Authors: Hällgren Markus , Buchanan David A.
Published: October 2024

Research has focused on episodic crises (e.g., fire extinguished), with regard to causality, management, and recovery. But some crises (e.g., illegal migration) are continuous, with no clear conclusion, and the nature and timing of the recovery phase are indeterminate. To explore the challenges facing leaders in a continuous crisis, we turn to ‘extreme fiction’ – a radically imaginative narrative of possible accidents, crises and disasters. The television series The Walking Dead is an example of a continuous crisis. This is also a novel crisis, which means that crisis management routines, protocols, and standard operating procedures may not apply, and the value of past experience may be limited. Our analysis offers a novel perspective on the nature of the crisis leadership role, by showing how a continuous crisis generates three paradoxical leadership agendas: managing the crisis (which includes unmanageable elements), managing conflict (while initiating and participating in conflict), and managing values (which may have to be temporarily abandoned). Our findings also demonstrate how contextual properties shape the leadership role in a continuous crisis.
Locked up and awaiting trial: Testing the criminogenic and punitive effects of spending a week or more in pretrial detention
Authors: DeMichele Matthew , Silver Ian A. , Labrecque Ryan M.
Published: October 2024

Research summary

This study provides a rigorous assessment of the public safety benefits of pretrial detention by estimating the criminogenic and punitive effects of spending at least 1 week in pretrial detention across three jail systems in two states. We use a doubly robust difference‐in‐differences design to show that pretrial detention increases the odds for someone to miss a court appearance or be arrested by roughly 50% and increases the odds of convictions by 36%. This evidence was support by a series of supplemental analyses demonstrating that spending more than 1 day and spending more than 3 days in pretrial detention increased the odds of negative pretrial outcomes compared to someone who was booked and released from jail. The findings of this study provide evidence that pretrial detention can be counterproductive to public safety in that it leads to increased likelihood that individuals will miss court and be arrested for new crimes.

Policy implications

Jails are a unique criminal justice contact point because they hold individuals at different stages of case processing, including individuals awaiting trial, and those serving shorter sentences or waiting to be transferred to prison. Pretrial release is arguably one of the most consequential decisions in case processing for an individual. Combining our findings with the punitive and collateral effects of time spent in pretrial detention signals a need for policies to identify effective methods of release that maximize liberty, safety, and equity and minimize the criminogenic effects of pretrial detention. Jails are inhabited with pretrial detainees, detention makes outcomes worse for these detainees, and detention does not deliver on public safety as intended. We argue that a more limited and targeted use of pretrial detention is needed and more research attention on alternatives to pretrial detention.
Policy coordination and development in a VUCA world
Authors: Mintrom Michael , O'Connor Ruby
Published: October 2024

A growing bandwagon of commentators declare our collective existence is subject to volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. Welcome to the ‘VUCA world’. Since populations typically turn to governments for support when crises strike, there is merit in policy scholars paying close attention to the ‘VUCA world’ narrative. This article assesses the implications of the VUCA narrative for policy professionals charged with conducting policy coordination and development. If volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity are becoming more commonplace, what aspects of coordination and development work should change? We indicate how policy professionals might harness new technologies and integrate them with long‐term planning tools to help governments anticipate and reduce the consequences of crisis events. A lot of the technology now at our fingertips can be usefully deployed to assist with improved policy coordination and development to rapidly and effectively respond to VUCA‐like challenges. Further, more ‘stewardship’ capability in and around government must be built to enable exploration of future scenarios so societies can stand ready to address anticipated eventualities. We conclude that the VUCA narrative can promote salutary improvements in the practice of policy coordination and development.
System‐quake proof ‘systemic resilience governance’: Six measures for readiness
Authors: Bouckaert Geert , Galego Diego
Published: October 2024

Public administration has witnessed an avalanche of crises spanning financial, economic, health, environmental and governmental domains in the past two decades. Consequently, governments responded with volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) management strategies. Utilising these approaches to new types of systemic crisis which turned into systemic breakdowns, as system‐quakes, did not work sufficiently. This article presents the TODO framework—turbulent environments, oscillating knowledge quality, domino falling types of interdependence and opposing ‘solutions’—for understanding these contemporary systemic crisis patterns. Additionally, we propose six institutional reforms aiming at enhancing readiness, including (1) establishing a New Weberian State (NWS) to foster ‘systemic resilience governance’, (2) shifting sequential to simultaneous thinking, (3) embracing a Whole of Government (WoG)/Whole of Society (WoS) approach, (4) ensuring Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation, (5) fostering institutional alignment and (6) promoting collaborative organisational leadership. These reforms aim to create a governance structure characterised by resilience and systemic responsiveness.
Discerning personhood through lena‐dena: Disability professionals, ethics, and communication
Authors: Vaidya Shruti , Friedner Michele
Published: October 2024

This article looks at practices of discernment in disability spaces in India by analyzing (hierarchical) relational contexts in which disability professionals and disabled people in India interact. We argue that discernment, which we explore through lena‐dena (giving and taking), allows us to analyze the ethical stakes of processes of communication, interpreting, and facilitation. Vaidya analyzes how special educators make broad discernments about intellectually disabled people by interpreting their unconventional and nonlinguistic communicative cues. In contrast, Friedner examines how speech and language therapists that work with deaf children make narrow discernments regarding what counts as language and perform the labor of training deaf children to communicate in the normatively correct way—that is, using speech. While disability professionals produce specific kinds of personhood for disabled people through their practices of discernment, they also end up discerning themselves in the process as professionals with difficult yet rewarding jobs. We conclude by discussing a program for individuals with intellectual disabilities where both authors conducted ethnographic research wherein disability professionals discerned disabled people as having social needs and desires on par with nondisabled people and created enabling environments, scaffolded activities, and facilitated conversations to produce and enable complex personhood for them.
Navigating economic policy uncertainty: The role of digital transformation in export product switching
Authors: Xu Xiaohui , Dong Ruizhen
Published: October 2024

This study explores two key objectives: examining the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on export product switching and assessing the role of digital transformation in moderating this relationship. Analyzing data from Chinese A‐share listed enterprises between 2007 and 2016, we find that heightened EPU significantly accelerates export product switching, leading firms to reduce both the scope (number of products exported) and quantity of their exports. Digital transformation plays a crucial role in mitigating the adverse effects of EPU by enhancing information‐processing capabilities and reducing information asymmetry. This strategic shift encourages firms to focus on core products while reducing non‐core product exports. The moderating effect of digital transformation is particularly significant in state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) and firms with weak internal corporate governance. These findings underscore the critical role of digital transformation in helping firms navigate uncertain economic environments, offering valuable insights for policymakers and business leaders aiming to enhance export performance through digital innovation.
Initiated Breastfeeding and Physiological Patterns in Newborn Infants When Reunited With Mother After Separation Due to Elective Cesarean Birth
Authors: Ayala Ana , Erlandsson Kerstin , Christensson Kyllike , Christensson Eva , Cavada Gabriel , Velandia Marianne
Published: October 2024

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two caregiving models on full‐term healthy infants' wakefulness, rooting and sucking reflexes, initiation of breastfeeding, and physiological parameters when reunited with their mothers after a mother–infant separation of 130 min after elective cesarean birth.

Methods

Ninety‐five mother–infant pairs participated in a randomized controlled trial, in which full‐term healthy infants were allocated to be either dressed in their mothers' arms (n = 56) or skin‐to‐skin with their mother (n = 39) when reunited with the mother within 130 min after cesarean birth. Data were collected by the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) to assess the infants' wakefulness and prebreastfeeding behaviors. Physiological parameters were assessed at 15 min intervals, from 130 to 205 min after birth. Time to first breastfeed was measured in minutes from the reunion with the mother.

Results

The primary finding was that physiologic parameters did not differ but time for initiation of breastfeeding after the reunion with the mother was significantly faster in the skin‐to‐skin group compared to the infants in the mothers' arms group (p = 0.005). Over the full study period, a more relaxed state and drowsy were found in the skin‐to‐skin group compared to the infants in the mothers' arms group.

Conclusion

Healthy full‐term infants born by elective cesarean, who were cared for by their mothers when reunited within 130 min of separation and cared for by their fathers during the mother–infant separation, initiated breastfeeding successfully and showed stable physiological patterns.