bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PerturBase: a comprehensive database for single-cell perturbation data analysis and visualization
Authors: Wei Zhiting , Si Duanmiao , Duan Bin , Gao Yicheng , Yu Qian , Guo Ling , Liu Qi
Published: February 2024

Single-cell perturbation sequencing techniques (scPerturbation), represented by single cell genetic perturbation sequencing (e.g., Perturb-seq) and single cell chemical perturbation sequencing (e.g., sci-Plex), result from the integration of single-cell toolkits with conventional bulk screening methods. These innovative sequencing techniques empower researchers to dissect perturbation functions and mechanisms in complex biological systems at an unprecedented resolution. Despite these advancements, a notable gap exists in the availability of a dedicated database for exploring and querying scPerturbation data. To address this gap and facilitate seamless data sharing for researchers, we present PerturBase—the first and most comprehensive database designed for the analysis and visualization of scPerturbation data (http://www.perturbase.cn/). PerturBase consolidates 122 datasets from 46 publicly accessible research studies, covering 115 single-modal and 7 multi-modal datasets that include 24254 genetic and 230 chemical perturbations from about 6 million cells. The database provides insights through various software-analyzed results, encompassing quality control, denoising, differential expression gene analysis, perturbation function analysis, and correlation characterization between perturbations. All datasets and in-depth analyses are presented in user-friendly, easy-to-browse pages and can be visualized through intuitive tables and various image formats. In summary, PerturBase stands as a pioneering high-content database, intended for searching, visualizing, and analyzing scPerturbation datasets, contributing to an enhanced understanding of perturbation functions and mechanisms.

Graphical abstract
Realizing the Potential of Social Determinants Data: A Scoping Review of Approaches for Screening, Linkage, Extraction, Analysis and Interventions
Authors: Li Chenyu , Mowery Danielle L. , Ma Xiaomeng , Yang Rui , Vurgun Ugurcan , Hwang Sy , Donnelly Hayoung Kim , Bandhey Harsh , Akhtar Zohaib , Senathirajah Yalini , Sadhu Eugene Mathew , Getzen Emily , Freda Philip J , Long Qi , Becich Michael J.
Published: February 2024

Background

Social determinants of health (SDoH) like socioeconomics and neighborhoods strongly influence outcomes, yet standardized SDoH data is lacking in electronic health records (EHR), limiting research and care quality.

Methods

We searched PubMed using keywords “SDOH” and “EHR”, underwent title/abstract and full-text screening. Included records were analyzed under five domains: 1) SDoH screening and assessment approaches, 2) SDoH data collection and documentation, 3) Use of natural language processing (NLP) for extracting SDoH, 4) SDoH data and health outcomes, and 5) SDoH-driven interventions.

Results

We identified 685 articles, of which 324 underwent full review. Key findings include tailored screening instruments implemented across settings, census and claims data linkage providing contextual SDoH profiles, rule-based and neural network systems extracting SDoH from notes using NLP, connections found between SDoH data and healthcare utilization/chronic disease control, and integrated care management programs executed. However, considerable variability persists across data sources, tools, and outcomes.

Discussion

Despite progress identifying patient social needs, further development of standards, predictive models, and coordinated interventions is critical to fulfill the potential of SDoH-EHR integration. Additional database searches could strengthen this scoping review. Ultimately widespread capture, analysis, and translation of multidimensional SDoH data into clinical care is essential for promoting health equity.
Investigating the apical notch, apical dominance and meristem re-emergence inMarchantia polymorpha
Authors: Marron Alan O.
Published: February 2024

Meristems are the growth centres of plants. Across all plant groups, the phytohormone auxin controls meristem maintenance and mediates regeneration of new meristems if existing ones are damaged. The Marchantia gemma is an experimentally tractable system featuring two meristematic regions (apical notches). I used laser ablation to precisely manipulate the apical notches, finding that the first apical cell layer is indispensable for meristem maintenance. Within this, a contiguous quorum of cells is required for meristem maintenance, depending on the other apical notch’s integrity. Apical notches remodel in response to damage, demonstrating that the apical cell layer acts as a communicating population rather than containing one master-controller Apical Cell and subordinate subapical cells. I show communication between notches and regenerating meristems, with heterogeneity across the gemma tissue for carrying this communication signal. The apical dominance signal represses cell division and requires both sources and sinks, features of auxin-mediated communication. I present a model of Marchantia meristem organization, involving intra-, inter- and extra-meristem communication. This provides a framework for further study of meristem communication, formation and maintenance in Marchantia and a better understanding of plant meristems as a whole.

Significance Statement

Meristems are important as the growth centres of plants. Understanding how meristems function and regenerate, and how existing meristems repress the emergence of new growth centres (apical dominance) is central to understanding how plants develop. Meristems in the model plant Marchantia display regenerative and dominance behaviour typical of plant meristems. Using laser ablation microscopy, I show that meristematic cells act a population and find evidence for communication within and between meristems, including during regeneration. Only certain regions of the plant transmit these signals, and normal meristem dynamics requires tissues acting as signal sources and sinks; features characteristic of the hormone auxin. I present a model for Marchantia meristem organization and regeneration, providing a framework for the study of meristems generally.
Deriving the cone fundamentals: a subspace intersection method
Authors: Wandell Brian A. , Goossens Thomas , Brainard David H.
Published: February 2024

Two ideas, proposed by Thomas Young and James Clerk Maxwell, form the foundations of color science: (1) Three types of retinal receptors encode light under daytime conditions, and (2) color matching experiments establish the critical spectral properties of this encoding. Experimental quantification of these ideas are used in international color standards. But, for many years the field did not reach consensus on the spectral properties of the biological substrate of color matching: the sensitivity of thein situ cones(cone fundamentals). By combining auxiliary data (thresholds, inert pigment analyses), complex calculations, and color matching from genetically analyzed dichromats, the human cone fundamentals have now been standardized.

Here we describe a new computational method to estimate the cone fundamentals using only color matching from dichromatic observers. We show that it is not necessary to include data from trichromatic observers in the analysis or to know the primary lights used in the matching experiments. Remarkably, it is even possible to estimate the fundamentals by combining data from experiments using different, unknown primaries. We then suggest how the new method may be applied to color management in modern image systems.
Ca2+-sensor ALG-2 engages ESCRTs to enhance lysosomal membrane resilience to osmotic stress
Authors: Chen Wei , Motsinger Madeline M. , Li Jiaqian , Bohannon Kevin P. , Hanson Phyllis I.
Published: February 2024

Lysosomes are central players in cellular catabolism, signaling, and metabolic regulation. Cellular and environmental stresses that damage lysosomal membranes can compromise their function and release toxic content into the cytoplasm. Here, we examine how cells respond to osmotic stress within lysosomes. Using sensitive assays of lysosomal leakage and rupture, we examine acute effects of the cathepsin C-metabolized osmotic disruptant glycyl-L-phenylalanine 2-naphthylamide (GPN). Our findings reveal that widely used concentrations of GPN rupture only a small fraction of lysosomes, but surprisingly trigger Ca2+release from nearly all. Chelating cytoplasmic Ca2+using BAPTA makes lysosomes more likely to rupture under GPN-induced stress, suggesting that Ca2+plays a role in protecting or rapidly repairing lysosomal membranes. Mechanistically, we establish that GPN causes the Ca2+-sensitive protein Apoptosis Linked Gene-2 (ALG-2) and interacting ESCRT proteins to redistribute onto lysosomes, improving their resistance to membrane stress created by GPN as well as the lysosomotropic drug chlorpromazine. Furthermore, we show that activating the cation channel TRPML1, with or without blocking the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+pump, creates local Ca2+signals that protect lysosomes from rupture by recruiting ALG-2 and ESCRTs without any membrane damage. These findings reveal that Ca2+, through ALG-2, helps bring ESCRTs to lysosomes to enhance their resilience and maintain organelle integrity in the face of osmotic stress.

SIGNIFICANCE

As the degradative hub of the cell, lysosomes are full of toxic content that can spill into the cytoplasm. There has been much recent interest in how cells sense and repair lysosomal membrane damage using ESCRTs and cholesterol to rapidly fix “nanoscale damage”. Here, we extend understanding of how ESCRTs contribute by uncovering a preventative role of the ESCRT machinery. We show that ESCRTs, when recruited by the Ca2+-sensor ALG-2, play a critical role in stabilizing the lysosomal membrane against osmotically-induced rupture. This finding suggests that cells have mechanisms not just for repairing but also for actively protecting lysosomes from stress-induced membrane damage.
Activation loop phosphorylation and cGMP saturation of PKG regulate egress of malaria parasites
Authors: Koussis Konstantinos , Haase Silvia , Withers-Martinez Chrislaine , Flynn Helen R. , Kunzelmann Simone , Christodoulou Evangelos , Ibrahim Fairouz , Skehel Mark , Baker David A. , Blackman Michael J.
Published: February 2024

The cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) is the sole cGMP sensor in malaria parasites, acting as an essential signalling hub to govern key developmental processes throughout the parasite life cycle. Despite the importance of PKG in the clinically relevant asexual blood stages, many aspects of malarial PKG regulation, including the importance of phosphorylation, remain poorly understood. Here we use genetic and biochemical approaches to show that reduced cGMP binding to cyclic nucleotide binding domain B does not affectin vitrokinase activity but prevents parasite egress. Similarly, we show that phosphorylation of a key threonine residue (T695) in the activation loop is dispensable for kinase activityin vitrobut is essential forin vivoPKG function, with loss of T695 phosphorylation leading to aberrant phosphorylation events across the parasite proteome and changes to the substrate specificity of PKG. Our findings indicate thatPlasmodiumPKG is uniquely regulated to transduce signals crucial for malaria parasite development.
SMCHD1 activates the expression of genes required for the expansion of human myoblasts
Authors: Wong Matthew Man-Kin , Gardner Ed , Megeney Lynn A. , Emerson Charles P. , Gabellini Davide , Dilworth F. Jeffrey
Published: February 2024

SMCHD1 is an epigenetic regulatory protein known to modulate the targeted repression of large chromatin domains. Diminished SMCHD1 function in muscle fibers causes Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD2) through derepression of theD4Z4chromatin domain, an event which permits the aberrant expression of the disease-causing geneDUX4. Given that SMCHD1 plays a broader role in establishing the cellular epigenome, we examined whether loss of SMCHD1 function might affect muscle homeostasis through additional mechanisms. Here we show that acute depletion of SMCHD1 results in a DUX4-independent defect in myoblast proliferation. Genomic and transcriptomic experiments determined that SMCHD1 associates with enhancers of genes controlling cell cycle to activate their expression. Amongst these cell cycle regulatory genes, we identified LAP2 as a key target of SMCHD1 required for the expansion of myoblasts, where the ectopic expression of LAP2 rescues the proliferation defect of SMCHD1-depleted cells. Thus, the epigenetic regulator SMCHD1 can play the role of a transcriptional co-activator for maintaining the expression of genes required for muscle progenitor expansion. This DUX4-independent role for SMCHD1 in myoblasts suggests that the pathology of FSHD2 may be a consequence of defective muscle regeneration in addition to the muscle wasting caused by spurious DUX4 expression.

Chromatin modifier SMCHD1 regulates the proliferation of human myoblasts

SMCHD1 binds to enhancers of cell cycle regulatory genes to activate their expression

Lap2 is an SMCHD1 direct target gene that regulates the expansion of human myoblasts.
A neutral process of genome reduction in marine bacterioplankton
Authors: Wang Xiaojun , Xie Mei , Ho Kaitlyn Elizabeth Yee Kei , Sun Ying , Chu Xiao , Zhang Shuangfei , Ringel Victoria , Wang Hui , Zhang Xiao-Hua , Shao Zongze , Zhao Yanlin , Brinkhoff Thorsten , Petersen Jörn , Wagner-Döbler Irene , Luo Haiwei
Published: February 2024

Marine bacterioplankton communities are dominated by cells equipped with small genomes. Streamlining selection has been accepted as the main force driving their genome reduction. Here, we report that a neutral evolutionary mechanism governs genome reduction in the Roseobacter group that represents 5-20% of the bacterioplankton cells in coastal waters. Using representative strains that fall into three genome size groups (2-3, 3-4, and 4-5 Mbp), we measured their genomic mutation rates (μ) through long-term mutation accumulation experiments followed by genome sequencing the resulting 437 mutant lines. We further calculated their effective population sizes (Ne) based on μ and the neutral genetic diversity of the studied species, the latter estimated based on multiple genome sequences of natural isolates collected from global oceans with their population structure considered. A surprising finding is thatNescales positively with genome size, which is the opposite of the expectation from the streamlining selection theory. As the strength of random genetic drift is the inverse ofNe, this result instead suggests drift as the primary driver of genome reduction. Additionally, we report a negative scaling between μ and genome size, which is the first experimental evidence for the long-lasting hypothesis that mutation rate increases play a part in marine bacterial genome reduction. As μ scales inversely withNe, genetic drift appears to be the ultimate cause of genome reduction in these Roseobacters. Our finding discounts, but is insufficient to reject, the streamlining theory because streamlining process is expected to be more effective in oligotrophic open ocean waters.
Pathogen genomics and One Health: a scoping review of current practices in zoonotic disease research
Authors: Catalano Stefano , Battelli Francesca , Traore Zoumana I , Raghwani Jayna , Faust Christina L , Standley Claire J
Published: February 2024

Whole-genome sequencing has revolutionised the field of infectious disease surveillance, enabling near real-time detection of pathogens and tracking how infections may spread. We performed a scoping review of studies that have applied genomic epidemiology to zoonotic disease transmission across One Health domains (human, animal, and environment). We identified 114 records published between 2005 and 2022 which reported original multi-domain genomic data of zoonotic pathogens integrated into phylogenetic models. Most studies investigated bacterial pathogens, highlighting key knowledge gaps for other zoonotic agents, particularly arboviruses. Sampling and sequencing efforts vastly varied across domains: the median number and range of pathogen genomes analysed were highest for humans (23; 1-29,586) and lowest for the environment domain (13; 1-956). Infectious disease genomics was leveraged to track zoonotic disease outbreaks and cross-domain transmission, to enhance pathogen surveillance, and to disentangle evolutionary dynamics driving lineage diversification and virulence. Our study informs effective study design for future genomic applications to multi-domain and cross-species transmission of zoonoses, with the potential to identify key infection sources and inform interventions for local and global health security.
DNA damage remodels the MITF interactome to increase melanoma genomic instability
Authors: Binet Romuald , Lambert Jean-Philippe , Tomkova Marketa , Tischfield Samuel , Baggiolini Arianna , Picaud Sarah , Sarkar Sovan , Louphrasitthiphol Pakavarin , Dias Diogo , Carreira Suzanne , Humphrey Timothy C. , Fillipakopoulos Panagis , White Richard , Goding Colin R.
Published: February 2024

Since genome instability can drive cancer initiation and progression, cells have evolved highly effective and ubiquitous DNA damage response (DDR) programs. However, some cells (for example, in skin) are normally exposed to high levels of DNA-damaging agents. Whether such high-risk cells possess lineage-specific mechanisms that tailor DNA repair to the tissue remains largely unknown. Using melanoma as a model, we show here that the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor MITF, a lineage addition oncogene that coordinates many aspects of melanocyte and melanoma biology, plays a nontranscriptional role in shaping the DDR. On exposure to DNA-damaging agents, MITF is phosphorylated at S325, and its interactome is dramatically remodeled; most transcription cofactors dissociate, and instead MITF interacts with the MRE11–RAD50–NBS1 (MRN) complex. Consequently, cells with high MITF levels accumulate stalled replication forks and display defects in homologous recombination-mediated repair associated with impaired MRN recruitment to DNA damage. In agreement with this, high MITF levels are associated with increased single-nucleotide and copy number variant burdens in melanoma. Significantly, the SUMOylation-defective MITF-E318K melanoma predisposition mutation recapitulates the effects of DNA-PKcs-phosphorylated MITF. Our data suggest that a nontranscriptional function of a lineage-restricted transcription factor contributes to a tissue-specialized modulation of the DDR that can impact cancer initiation.
Fermionic matter-wave quantum optics with cold-atom impurity models
Authors: Windt Bennet , Bello Miguel , Demler Eugene , Cirac J. Ignacio
Published: February 2024

Motivated by recent cold-atom realizations of matter-wave waveguide QED, we study simple fermionic impurity models and discuss fermionic analogs of several paradigmatic phenomena in quantum optics, including formation of nontrivial bound states, (matter-wave) emission dynamics, and collective dissipation. For a single impurity, we highlight interesting ground-state features, focusing in particular on real-space signatures of an emergent length scale associated with an impurity screening cloud. We also present non-Markovian many-body effects in the quench dynamics of single- and multiple-impurity systems, including fractional decay around the Fermi level and multiexcitation population trapping due to bound states in the continuum.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
QGSJET-III model of high energy hadronic interactions: The formalism
Authors: Ostapchenko Sergey
Published: February 2024

The physics content of the QGSJET-III Monte Carlo generator of high energy hadronic collisions is described. In particular, a phenomenological implementation of higher twist corrections to hard parton scattering processes is discussed in some detail. Additionally addressed is the treatment of the so-called “color fluctuation” effects related to a decomposition of hadron wave functions into a number of Fock states characterized by different spatial sizes and different parton densities. Selected model results regarding the energy dependence of the total, elastic, and diffractive proton-proton cross sections are presented.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Singlets in gauge theories with fundamental matter
Authors: Bennett Ed , Hsiao Ho , Lee Jong-Wan , Lucini Biagio , Maas Axel , Piai Maurizio , Zierler Fabian
Published: February 2024

We provide the first determination of the mass of the lightest flavor-singlet pseudoscalar and scalar bound states (mesons) in the Sp(4) Yang-Mills theory coupled to two flavors of fundamental fermions, using lattice methods. This theory has applications both to composite Higgs and strongly interacting dark matter scenarios. We find the singlets to have masses comparable to those of the light flavored states, which might have important implications for phenomenological models. We focus on regions of parameter space corresponding to a moderately heavy mass regime for the fermions. We compare the spectra we computed to existing and new results for SU(2) and SU(3) theories, uncovering an intriguing degree of commonality. As a by-product, in order to perform the aforementioned measurements, we implemented and tested, in the context of symplectic lattice gauge theories, several strategies for the treatment of disconnected-diagram contributions to two-point correlation functions. These technical advances set the stage for future studies of the singlet sector in broader portions of parameter space of this and other lattice theories with a symplectic gauge group.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Relativistic spin dynamics for vector mesons
Authors: Sheng Xin-Li , Oliva Lucia , Liang Zuo-Tang , Wang Qun , Wang Xin-Nian
Published: February 2024

We propose a relativistic theory for spin density matrices of vector mesons based on Kadanoff-Baym equations in the closed-time-path formalism. The theory puts the calculation of spin observables such as the spin density matrix element ρ00 for vector mesons on a solid ground. Within the theory we formulate ρ00 for ϕ mesons into a factorization form in separation of momentum and spacetime variables. We argue that the main contribution to ρ00 at lower energies should be from the ϕ fields that can polarize the strange quark and antiquark in the same way as electromagnetic fields. The key observation is that there is correlation inside the ϕ meson wave function between the ϕ field that polarizes the strange quark and that polarizes the strange antiquark. This is reflected by the fact that the contributions to ρ00 are all in squares of fields that are nonvanishing even if the fields may strongly fluctuate in spacetime. The fluctuation of strong force fields can be extracted from ρ00 of unflavored vector mesons as links to fundamental properties of quantum chromodynamics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Leading-order gravitational radiation to all spin orders
Authors: Aoude Rafael , Haddad Kays , Heissenberg Carlo , Helset Andreas
Published: February 2024

Starting with on-shell amplitudes compatible with the scattering of Kerr black holes up to Compton-amplitude contact terms, we produce the gravitational waveform and memory effect including spin at their leading post-Minkowskian orders to all orders in the spins of both scattering objects. For the memory effect, we present results at next-to-leading order as well, finding a closed form for all spin orders when the spins are anti-aligned and equal in magnitude. Considering instead generically oriented spins, we produce the next-to-leading-order memory to sixth order in spin. Compton-amplitude contact terms up to sixth order in spin are included throughout our analysis.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Unitarity, real-intermediate states, and fixed-order approach to resonant dark matter annihilation
Authors: Maták Peter
Published: February 2024

We study the role of perturbative unitarity in the resonant annihilation of two dark matter particles into the standard model bath. Systematically including all kinematically allowed holomorphic cuts of the corresponding forward-scattering diagram, cancellation of the singularities occurs, resulting in a fixed-order correction to the narrow-width approximation for the annihilation cross section. Unlike the standard approach based on including the finite width of the mediator, no double counting of intermediate states occurs.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Kleinian black holes
Authors: Easson Damien A. , Pezzelle Max W.
Published: February 2024

We prove there is a unique vacuum solution in split-signature spacetimes with Kleinian SO(2,1) spherical symmetry. We extend our analysis to accommodate a positive or negative cosmological constant and we prove the Kleinian spherically symmetric solutions to Einstein’s equation are locally isomorphic to the split-signature analogs of Schwarzschild–(anti)-de Sitter or Nariai spacetimes. Our analysis provides a Kleinian extension of Birkhoff’s theorem to metrics with split signature. Axisymmetric vacuum solutions are also considered, including (2,2) signature formulations of the Kerr and Taub-Newman-Unti-Tamburino metrics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Graviton detection and the quantization of gravity
Authors: Carney Daniel , Domcke Valerie , Rodd Nicholas L.
Published: February 2024

We revisit a question asked by Dyson: “Is a graviton detectable?” We demonstrate that in both Dyson’s original sense and in a more modern measurement-theoretic sense, it is possible to construct a detector sensitive to single gravitons, and in fact a variety of existing and near-term gravitational wave detectors can achieve this. However, while such a signal would be consistent with the quantization of the gravitational field, we draw on results from quantum optics to show how the same signal could just as well be explained via classical gravitational waves. We outline the kind of measurements that would be needed to demonstrate quantization of gravitational radiation and explain why these are substantially more difficult than simply counting graviton clicks or observing gravitational noise in an interferometer, and likely impossible to perform in practice.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Role of the National Archives of South Africa in promoting human rights
Authors: Netshakhuma Nkholedzeni Sidney
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role played by the National Archives of South Africa in human rights promotion and protection. The study examined the challenges that archivists encounter when undertaking archival functions, such as acquisition, appraisal and access provision, that contribute to forming documentary archives crucial for human rights promotion and protection.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of literature dealing with acquisition, appraisal and access was used in this research. It was supplemented with interviews.

Findings

This paper provides recommendations of benefits in the field of archives management with a focus on the areas of acquisition, appraisal and access. The transformational discourse in the jurisdiction of archives management challenges archival institutions to be active players in selecting historical and cultural archives’ significance that is significant in human rights protections. However, despite judicial requirements that recommend the importance of archives, there is evidence that archival functions such as appraisal, acquisition and access are not being fully used, resulting in national archives institutions that are subject to irregularities that contribute to an unbalanced archives collection.

Research limitations/implications

The paper was limited only to the National Archives of South Africa.

Practical implications

The paper makes practical implications concerning the acquisition, appraisal and providing access to human rights records.

Social implications

Sufficient funding resource allocation ought to be provided to advance human rights promotion.

Originality/value

This paper offers informed recommendations to address the challenges of acquisition, appraisal and access provision of archive materials. The availability of archives materials reinforces the community by aiding to protect legal rights and prevent human rights violations. It was, thus, necessary to establish whether the National Archives of South Africa is actively building the archives collections that are important for human rights promotion and protection.
Winner-takes-all or competitive coexistence? Research on the co-opetition relationships between platform owners and complementors
Authors: Pei Lijuan
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the coopetition relationships between platform owners and complementors in complementary product markets. Drawing on the coopetition theory, the authors examined the evolutionary trends of the coopetition relationships between platform owners and complementors and explore the main influence factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used Lotka–Volterra model to analyze the coopetition relationship between platform owners and complementors, including the evolutionary trends as well as the results. Considering the feasibility of sample data collection, simulation is used to verify the effects of different factors on the evolution of coopetition relationships.

Findings

The results show that there are four possible results of the competition in the complementary products market. That comprises “winner-take-all for platform owners,” “winner-take-all for complementors,” “stable competitive coexistence” and “unstable competitive coexistence,” where “stable competitive coexistence” is the optimal evolutionary state. Moreover, the results of competitive evolution are determined by innovation subjects’ interaction parameters. However, the natural growth rate, the initial market benefits of the two innovators and the overall benefits of the complementary product markets influence the time to reach a steady state.

Originality/value

The study provides new insights into the entry of platform owners into complementary markets, and the findings highlight the fact that in complementary product markets, platform owners and complementors should seek “competitive coexistence” rather than “winner-takes-all.” Moreover, the authors also enrich the coopetition theory by revealing the core factors that influence the evolution of coopetition relationships, which further enhance the analysis of the evolutionary process of coopetition relationships.
Optimizing IRE targeting using multi-electrode structure and biomedical multi-output generator
Authors: López-Alonso Borja , Briz Pablo , Sarnago Hector , Burdio José M. , Lucia Oscar
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to study the feasibility of proposed method to focus the electroporation ablation by mean of multi-output multi-electrode system.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method has been developed based on a previously designed electroporation system, which has the capabilities to modify the electric field distribution in real time, and to estimate the impedance distribution. Taking into consideration the features of the system and biological tissues, the problem has been addressed in three phases: modeling, control system design and simulation testing. In the first phase, a finite element analysis model has been proposed to reproduce the electric field distribution within the hepatic tissue, based on the characteristics of the electroporation system. Then, a control strategy has been proposed with the goal of ensuring complete ablation while minimizing the affected volume of healthy tissue. Finally, to check the feasibility of the proposal, several representative cases have been simulated, and the results have been compared with those obtained by a traditional system.

Findings

The proposed method achieves the proposed goal, as part of a complex electroporation system designed to improve the targeting, effectiveness and control of electroporation treatments and serve to demonstrate the feasibility of developing new electroporation systems capable of adapting to changes in the preplanning of the treatment in real-time.

Originality/value

The work presents a thorough study of control method to multi-output multi-electrode electroporation system by mean of a rigorous numerical simulation.
Game evolution analysis of BIM application willingness of prefabricated construction parties
Authors: Zhang Chi , He Kun , Zhang Wenjie , Jin Ting , Ao Yibin
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To further promote application of BIM technology in construction of prefabricated buildings, influencing factors and evolution laws of willingness to apply BIM technology are explored from the perspective of willingness of participants.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a tripartite game model involving the design firm, component manufacturer and construction firm is constructed and a system dynamics method is used to explore the influencing factors and game evolution path of three parties' application of BIM technology, from three perspectives, cost, benefit and risk.

Findings

The government should formulate measures for promoting the application of BIM according to different BIM application willingness of the parties. When pursuing deeper BIM application, the design firm should pay attention to reducing the speculative benefits of the component manufacturer and the construction firm. The design firm and the component manufacturer should pay attention to balancing the cost and benefit of the design firm while enhancing collaborative efforts. When the component manufacturer and the construction firm cooperate closely, it is necessary to pay attention to balanced distribution of interests of both parties and lower the risk of BIM application.

Originality/value

This study fills a research gap by comprehensively investigating the influencing factors and game evolution paths of willingness of the three parties to apply BIM technology to prefabricated buildings. The research helps to effectively improve the building quality and construction efficiency, and is expected to contribute to the sustainability of built environment in the context of circular economy in China.
Community resilience in Bondo community, Southern Malawi: balancing energy, water and biodiversity
Authors: Mwale Vincent Dodoma , To Long Seng , Gogoda Chrispin , Ngonda Tiyamike , Nkhoma Richard
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the intricate relationships between a community energy system, water resources and biodiversity conservation, with a specific focus on augmenting community energy resilience in Bondo. The primary objective is to gain an in-depth understanding of how community members perceive and experience the challenges related to balancing the often-conflicting demands of energy, water and biodiversity conservation within this context.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a qualitative approach to unravel the multifaceted dynamics of community energy systems, water resources and biodiversity conservation in Bondo. Data were collected through focus groups and direct observations, enabling a nuanced exploration of community perspectives and lived experiences. The subsequent analysis of this qualitative data follows established thematic analysis procedures.

Findings

The study's findings shed light on the formidable barriers that impede rural communities in Malawi from accessing electricity effectively. Even in communities fortunate enough to have electricity connections, the lack of knowledge regarding productive electricity use results in community energy systems operating at significantly reduced load factors. Furthermore, the intricate challenge of managing a biodiversity hotspot persists, exacerbated by the densely populated peripheral communities' continued reliance on forest, land and water resources. These activities, in turn, contribute to ecosystem degradation.

Originality/value

In a context where government-led management of forest reserves and game reserves has not yielded the expected results due to a multitude of factors, there arises a compelling need for innovative approaches. One such innovation involves fostering partnerships between the government and experienced trusts as lead organisations, providing a fresh perspective on addressing the complex interplay between community energy systems, water resources and biodiversity conservation. This novel approach opens doors to explore alternative pathways for achieving the delicate balance between human energy needs and the preservation of vital ecosystems.
Raising pre-service English language teachers’ awareness of sustainable development goals through literary texts
Authors: Arikan Arda , Zorba Mehmet Galip
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the outcome of an online project to inform preservice English language teachers regarding the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research method was used to understand participants’ overall knowledge. In total, 30 preservice teachers were selected from a larger pool after considering their grade point averages, sex, university affiliations and geographical backgrounds to ensure a balanced distribution and diversity. Qualitative data were collected through written productions, video recordings and a postproject survey.

Findings

Findings revealed that preservice teachers deepened their understanding of SDGs and adopted a positive attitude toward SDGs while increasing their pedagogical awareness and knowledge of teaching English in response to SDGs. They also regarded literary texts as a valuable resource for teaching SDGs.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that literary works are valuable for educating preservice teachers on integrating SDGs. A detailed overview of the project and its outcomes can guide practitioners and teacher educators in integrating SDGs into their education programs and English language teaching.
Towards an institutional understanding of risk-based management controls: evidence from a developing market
Authors: Metwally Abdelmoneim Bahyeldin Mohamed , Diab Ahmed
Published: February 2024

Purpose

In developing countries, how risk management technologies influence management accounting and control (MAC) practices is under-researched. By drawing on insights from institutional studies, this study aims to examine the multiple institutional pressures surrounding an entity and influencing its risk-based management control (RBC) system – that is, how RBC appears in an emerging market attributed to institutional multiplicity.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used qualitative case study research methods to collect empirical evidence from a privately owned Egyptian insurance company.

Findings

The authors observed that in the transformation to risk-based controls, especially in socio-political settings such as Egypt, changes in MAC systems were consistent with the shifts in the institutional context. Along with changes in the institutional environment, the case company sought to configure its MAC system to be more risk-based to achieve its strategic goals effectively and maintain its sustainability.

Originality/value

This research provides a fuller view of risk-based management controls based on the social, professional and political perspectives central to the examined institutional environment. Moreover, unlike early studies that reported resistance to RBC, this case reveals the institutional dynamics contributing to the successful implementation of RBC in an emerging market.
Examining food insecurity in a regional New Zealand emergency department: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Richling Stephanie , Hammer David , Tan Eunicia
Published: February 2024

Objective

To determine the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) among patients in a regional New Zealand ED, factors associated with FI and feasibility of an ED‐based FI screening programme with voluntary social work (SW) follow up.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study of patients presenting to the Whangarei Hospital ED, using the validated two‐item Hunger Vital Sign screening tool to assess for FI. Participants were offered SW follow up to discuss community food resources.

Results

Of the 300 participants who completed the questionnaire, 111 (37.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 32.0–43.0) were food insecure. Factors associated with FI include Māori ethnicity (odds ratio [OR] 2.12 [95% CI 1.19–3.80], P = 0.011), household crowding (OR 1.19 [95% CI 1.02–1.39], P = 0.024) and lower socioeconomic status (OR 1.13 [95% CI 1.00–1.27], P = 0.048). There was no statistically significant association between FI and number of comorbidities or the primary reason for ED attendance. Of participants who were food insecure, only half reported being aware of (n = 56/111, 50.5%) or had used (n = 60/111, 54.1%) food resources. Participants who were food insecure were more likely to have utilised resources, either currently or in the past (OR 8.50 [95% CI 4.46–16.18], P < 0.001). Forty (13.3%) participants requested SW follow up and of those, most (n = 31/40, 77.5%) were successfully contacted. FI was associated with interest in SW follow up (OR 16.95 [95% CI 5.81–49.42], P < 0.001). At follow up, the majority (n = 24/31, 77.4%) of participants requested further information regarding food resources.

Conclusion

FI was prevalent among patients in a regional NZ ED. An ED‐based FI screening programme with voluntary SW follow up was feasible and acceptable to ED patients.
LC‐ICP‐MS analysis of inositol phosphate isomers in soil offers improved sensitivity and fine‐scale mapping of inositol phosphate distribution
Authors: Carroll Joseph J. , Sprigg Colleen , Chilvers Graham , Delso Ignacio , Barker Megan , Cox Filipa , Johnson David , Brearley Charles A.
Published: February 2024

Organic forms of phosphorus (P) prevail in soils and their quantification is vital to better understand global biogeochemical cycles. P speciation in soil is commonly assessed by 31P NMR spectroscopy of sodium hydroxide‐EDTA (NaOH‐EDTA) extracts.

A liquid chromatography‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LC‐ICP‐MS) method that employs NaOH‐EDTA is described.

Comparison with 31P NMR shows that LC‐ICP‐MS is up to three orders of magnitude more sensitive. It allows measurement in samples as small as 1 mg. We reveal variation of inositol phosphate distribution in Swedish boreal forest soil and identify myo‐ and scyllo‐inositol hexakisphosphates and other isomers including scyllo‐inositol pentakisphosphate.

Speciation of the major inositol phosphates was not altered by long‐term nitrogen fertilization.
Are my wife's recovery activities related to my subsequent recovery activities at work?
Authors: Yun Mansik , Beehr Terry
Published: February 2024

We proposed a model where a male employee's wife's engagement in recovery activities results in the husband's own enactment of recovery activities while in the workplace, via emotional contagion, based on the COR theory and broaden‐and‐build theory of positive emotions. We expected wives may experience positive emotions after engaging in social interactions, which has a contagion effect on husbands' positive emotions. Further, husbands were expected to leverage their positive emotions to engage in future recovery activities (better lunch nap and meal quality while at work). Lastly, we examined whether power imbalance in the married couple has a moderating effect on emotional contagion processes. To test our model, we used an experience‐sampling method in which 110 dyads completed daily diary questionnaires for 8 consecutive days (N = 768, after removing 112 invalid observations). As expected, wives' social interactions are linked to husbands' positive emotions via wives' positive emotions. Further, husbands' positive emotions predict the quality of two workplace recovery activities (lunch naps and meals). Finally, power imbalance moderates the association between wives' (donors) emotions and husbands' (recipients) emotions such that the crossover of emotions is stronger when wives (donors) have relatively more power than when they have less.
Quantification of SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load in patients using time‐to‐results in antigen lateral flow tests
Authors: Braunstein Elsa W. , Vail Eric , Ho David D. , Liu Lihong , Mohri Hiroshi , Gayhart Matthew , Braunstein Glenn D.
Published: February 2024

Based upon clinical observations and recent reports, we anticipated there would be an inverse dose–response relationship between the severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) viral load and the time‐to‐positivity after application of the nasal swab sample in two popular home coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) antigen tests, BinaxNOW COVID‐19 Antigen Self‐Test and Flowflex COVID‐19 Antigen Home Test, both of which are sensitive to the nucleocapsid protein (NP). The relationship among the concentration of NP, WA1, and Omicron XBB.1.5 viral strains and the time‐to‐positive result by visual assessment in the tests was examined. The correlation between reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold (Ct) values and time‐to‐positivity in clinical samples (training set) also was determined. Strong inverse correlations were obtained between the concentration of the NP, WA1, XBB.1.5, Ct values for dilutions of both WA1 and XBB.1.5, as well as Ct values from the clinical samples and time‐to‐positivity in both antigen tests. The correlation between the actual and predicted Ct values interpolated from the training set was high with both tests in a second set of clinical samples. These results, together with those of other investigations with similar tests, suggest that the time‐to‐positive visual result in most, if not all, lateral flow COVID‐19 antigen tests can be utilized to estimate SARS‐CoV‐2 viral concentrations.
Setting up a state‐of‐the‐art laboratory in resource limited settings: A case study of the biomedical science research and training centre in Northeast Nigeria
Authors: Isah Murtala Bindawa , Muhammad Zaid , Lawan Mohammed Musa , Alkhamis Abdulrahman Idris , Goni Baba Waru , Oakley Sebastian Scott , Marshall Karen , Hartig Renée , Raouf Issa Sabi‐Abdoul , Yoshimatsu Takeshi , Chagas André Maia , Maina Mahmoud Bukar
Published: February 2024

African science has substantial potential, yet it grapples with significant challenges. Here we describe the establishment of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) in Yobe State, Northeast Nigeria, as a case study of a hub fostering on‐continent research and describe strategies to overcome current barriers. We detail the steps taken to establish BioRTC, emphasising the critical importance of stakeholder engagement, community involvement, resource optimisation and collaborations. With its state‐of‐the‐art facilities and commitment to training African scientists, BioRTC is poised to significantly advance neuroscience research and training in the region. Although we are in the early stages of our journey, our model, emphasizing open access and inclusivity, offers a replicable blueprint for neuroscience research development in similar resource‐limited settings, promising to enrich the global neuroscience community. We invite the support and collaboration of those who share our vision and believe in our potential.