bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CSR information, environmental awareness and CSR diffusion in SMEs of Angola
Authors: Paiva Inna Choban de Sousa , Sánchez-Hernández M. Isabel , Carvalho Luísa Cagica
Published: June 2023

Purpose

With the increasing awareness of sustainability and its importance around the world, corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Africa also requires attention. Based on the stakeholder theory, this study aims to determine the relationship between CSR information received by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and CSR's diffusion and the mediating role of environmental awareness in Angola as a country representative of the African context.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study analyzes managers' perceptions of 131 SMEs in Angola. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is the method to assess the relationship between CSR information and its diffusion and the mediating role of environmental awareness SMEs in Angola.

Findings

The authors found strong evidence that CSR diffusion, and disclosure as one of CSR's related actions, heavily depends on the information received and managed by the firm. The authors also confirmed that environmental awareness puts pressure on SMEs to increase the SMEs' diffusion efforts.

Practical implications

The study points out the role of managers in promoting a responsible orientation of businesses in Angola for preserving the environment and improving the competitive success of SMEs.

Social implications

The social, economic and legal contexts of Angola are vulnerable. The findings raise concerns about whether governments and regulatory efforts improve the development of the strategies toward social responsibility of African firms and whether these firms also increase the role of SMEs in producing positive outcomes through CSR.

Originality/value

The results of this study contribute to a better understanding of the features of the strategic orientation of SMEs in Angola, necessary to enhance CSR and protect the environment. The conclusions highlight the potential role of managers in promoting a culture of ethics, social innovation and successful competition change in businesses.
Business meetings in the metaverse: stakeholder views evolve
Authors: Besson Maxime , Gauttier Stephanie
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Organizations have started using the metaverse to sell non-fungible tokens, execute engineering processes and conduct business meetings. A condition of creating value by moving business processes to the metaverse is acceptance of this technology. In business-to-business scenarios, internal employees and external partners may have different views on the topic but must agree upon new practices. Understanding common motivations and challenges associated with using the metaverse is crucial to its success.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors interviewed managers from a pharmaceutical company considering conducting meetings with clients in the metaverse. A series of 23 statements on reasons for (non)-use was generated. Twenty-five individuals (13 employees and 12 clients) then ranked these statements against each other, revealing what would drive or hinder their metaverse use. The authors compared these perspectives to identify common issues.

Findings

The authors identified four different views. Views 1 and 2 correspond to internal and external participants, while Views 3 and 4 correspond to external ones only. View 1 is skeptical and underlines the role of peers in acceptance. View 2 is a positive perspective centered on usefulness. View 3 is ambivalent and is centered on efforts required to use the metaverse. View 4 reveals a reversed perspective wherein using the metaverse is a low-effort activity.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a case study probing acceptance of a realistic business use of the metaverse. This paper identifies risks to mitigate and motivations to leverage when proposing metaverse usage in a business-to-business context.
Adsorptive investigation of the anticorrosion properties of natural chrysin on carbon steel in acid–chloride system: combined theoretical and experimental approach
Authors: Emori Wilfred , Okonkwo Paul C. , Louis Hitler , Liu Ling , Agwamba Ernest C. , Unimuke Tomsmith , Okafor Peter , Atowon Atowon D. , Obike Anthony Ikechukwu , Cheng ChunRu
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Owing to the toxicity, biodegradability, and cost of most corrosion inhibitors, research attention is now focused on the development of environmentally benign, biodegradable, cheap, and efficient options. In consideration of these facts, chrysin, a phytocompound of Populus tomentosa (Chinese white poplar) has been isolated and investigated for its anticorrosion abilities on carbon steel in a mixed acid and chloride system. This highlights the main purpose of the study.

Design/methodology/approach

Chrysin was isolated from Populus tomentosa using column chromatography and characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. The investigations are outlined based on theory (Fukui indices, condensed density functional theory and molecular dynamic simulation) and experiments (electrochemical, gravimetry and surface morphology examinations).

Findings

Theoretical evaluations permitted the description of the adsorption characteristics, and molecular interactions and orientations of chrysin on Fe substrate. The interaction energy for protonated and neutral chrysin on Fe (110) were −149.10 kcal/mol and −143.28 kcal/mol, respectively. Moreover, experimental investigations showed that chrysin is a potent mixed-type corrosion inhibitor for steel, whose effectiveness depends on its surrounding temperature and concentration. The optimum inhibition efficiency of 78.7% after 24 h for 1 g/L chrysin at 298 K indicates that the performance of chrysin, as a pure compound, compares favorably with other phytocompounds and plant extracts investigated under similar conditions. However, the inhibition efficiency decreased to 62.5% and 51.8% at 318 K after 48 h and 72 h, respectively.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study relies on the usage of a pure compound in corrosion suppression investigation, thus eliminating the unknown influences obtainable by the presence of multi-phytocompounds in plant extracts, thereby advancing the commercialization of bio-based corrosion inhibitors.
Clinical outcomes of conduction system pacing versus biventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kim Jitae A. , Kim Seulgi E. , Ellenbogen Kenneth A. , Vijayaraman Pugazhendhi , Chelu Mihail G.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Conduction system pacing (CSP) is observed to produce greater improvements in echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters as compared to conventional biventricular pacing (BiVP). However, whether these surrogate endpoints directly translate to improvements in hard clinical outcomes such as death and heart failure hospitalization (HFH) with CSP remains uncertain as studies reporting these outcomes are scarce. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to analyze the existing data to compare the clinical outcomes of CSP versus BiVP.

Methods

A systematic search of the Embase and PubMed database was performed for studies comparing CSP and BiVP for patients indicated to receive a CRT device. The coprimary endpoints were all‐cause mortality and HFH. Other secondary outcomes included change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), change in NYHA class, and increase in NYHA class ≥1. A random‐effects model was chosen a priori to analyze the composite effects given the anticipated heterogeneity of included trials.

Results

Twenty‐one studies (4 randomized and 17 observational) were identified reporting either primary outcome and were included in the meta‐analysis. In total 1960 patients were assigned to CSP and 2367 to BiVP. Median follow‐up time was 10.1 months (ranging 2–33 months). CSP was associated with a significant reduction in all‐cause mortality (odds ratio [OR] 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56–0.83) and HFH (OR 0.52, 95% CI: 0.44–0.63). Mean improvement in LVEF was also greater with CSP (mean difference 4.26, 95% CI: 3.19–5.33). Reduction in NYHA class was significantly greater with CSP (mean difference −0.36, 95% CI: −0.49 to −0.22) and the number of patients with an increase in NYHA class ≥1 was significantly greater with CSP (OR 2.02, 95% CI: 1.70–2.40).

Conclusions

CSP was associated with a significant reduction in all‐cause mortality and HFH when compared to conventional BiVP for CRT. Further large‐scale randomized trials are needed to verify these observations.
Overexpression of LaGRAS enhances phosphorus acquisition via increased root growth of phosphorus‐deficient white lupin
Authors: Aslam Mehtab Muhammad , Fritschi Felix B. , Di Zhang , Wang Guanqun , Li Haoxuan , Lam Hon‐Ming , Waseem Muhammad , Weifeng Xu , Zhang Jianhua
Published: June 2023

The GRAS transcription factors play an indispensable role in plant growth and responses to environmental stresses. The GRAS gene family has extensively been explored in various plant species; however, the comprehensive investigation of GRAS genes in white lupin remains insufficient. In this study, bioinformatics analysis of white lupin genome revealed 51 LaGRAS genes distributed into 10 distinct phylogenetic clades. Gene structure analyses revealed that LaGRAS proteins were considerably conserved among the same subfamilies. Notably, 25 segmental duplications and a single tandem duplication showed that segmental duplication was the major driving force for the expansion of GRAS genes in white lupin. Moreover, LaGRAS genes exhibited preferential expression in young cluster root and mature cluster roots and may play key roles in nutrient acquisition, particularly phosphorus (P). To validate this, RT‐qPCR analysis of white lupin plants grown under +P (normal P) and −P (P deficiency) conditions elucidated significant differences in the transcript level of GRAS genes. Among them, LaGRAS38 and LaGRAS39 were identified as potential candidates with induced expression in MCR under −P. Additionally, white lupin transgenic hairy root overexpressing OE‐LaGRAS38 and OE‐LaGRAS39 showed increased root growth, and P concentration in root and leaf compared to those with empty vector control, suggesting their role in P acquisition. We believe this comprehensive analysis of GRAS members in white lupin is a first step in exploring their role in the regulation of root growth, tissue development, and ultimately improving P use efficiency in legume crops under natural environments.
Comparative evaluation of Duragen® and skim milk extenders to enhance ram semen quality and fertility: A promising alternative in ovine artificial insemination
Authors: El Amiri Bouchra , Ben Moula Anass , El Khelfaoui Nora , Rahim Abdellatif , Gyoker Erzsebet , Horváth András , Szenci Ottó
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Duragen® and skimmed milk (SM) extenders on the quality parameters, bacterial load and fertilization ability of stored ram semen. A total of 50 ejaculates from Sardi rams (n = 5) aged 2.5–3 years, were collected and stored in Duragen® and SM at 15°C. The motilities and velocity parameters generated by the CASA system were then evaluated at 0, 8 and 24 h of storage. Afterward, bacterial loads of sperm extended in Duragen® and SM were determined at 0, 5 and 24 h of incubation. In addition, ewes (n = 100) aged 2 years, have been chosen in the same herd. The selected ewes were then synchronized and inseminated using semen extended in Duragen® and SM and stored for 5 h at 15°C. The results revealed that total and progressive motilities, straight velocity (VSL), straightness (SRT), lateral head displacement (ALH) and beat cross frequency (BCF) were not affected by the extender type after 24 h of storage (p > .05). However, curvilinear velocity (VCL), velocity average path (VAP), linearity (LIN) and wobble (WOB) showed higher values in Duragen® compared with SM extender after 24 h of storage (p < .05). Bacterial loads were observed mainly in sperm stored in SM at 5 h (183 UFC/mL) and at 24 h (357 UFC/mL) of incubation. However, the only case showing a bacterial load in Duragen® is when the storage time attains 24 h (199 UFC/mL). Concerning fertility, sperm diluted in both extenders resulting in high fertility rates which reaches 66% and 73% for Duragen® and SM, respectively, with no statistical difference (p > .05). In summary, Duragen® extender decreased bacterial load in stored semen and maintained high ram sperm quality and fertility. These findings suggest that Duragen® extender could be used as SM alternative in ovine artificial insemination (OAI).
Racialized immigrants becoming part of the city: connecting migration, space and race – commentary to van Liempt
Authors: Sommier Melodine
Published: June 2023

Building on Ilse van Liempt’s (2023) lecture, this commentary addresses the connection and shift between forced displacement and local emplacement by addressing what becoming part of the city means for racialized immigrants. By bringing forward the notion of racialization I hope to contribute to a growing body of literature discussing how malleable and productive the concept of race – albeit erased and relegated to the past – keeps on shaping conversations about and across Europe. Connecting migration, space and race offers a particularly rich context in which to have this discussion because, as all three elements are mutually constructive, addressing them together exposes some of the complexities and nuances of the experience of becoming part of the city for racialized immigrants.
Addressing this topic calls into question my own experience as an immigrant which, as a French white woman living in Finland and working at the University, is shaped by many privileges. It is therefore important to highlight the position of power from which I talk, in part because of the extent to which whiteness permeates much of our conceptual and methodological work as researchers. However, committed we, as individuals, might be to anti-racism, it is important to recognize that we are working within the structures of academia and as such are working within a (discursive) space that has historically been organized through whiteness. Exposing the racial structures at play in Academia is a small but critical step to contest it and work towards change within the academy as well as society.
Migrant agency and embodiment in space – commentary to van Liempt
Authors: Mitchell Katharyne
Published: June 2023

In this reflection, I use van Liempt's analysis of emplacement as a helpful instigation to challenge and nuance three current theoretical debates in migration studies and geography. Focusing on the spaces of embodied migrant agency I counter the legacy of static concepts such as ‘immigrant integration’, refine ideas about the city and public space, and explore the contemporary politics of refusal. In each of these conversations, bringing in ideas of the spatial agency of migrants helps us to contest received ideas and categories and open up new ways of thinking about scale, society, public space, and refusal.
NAC controls cotranslational N-terminal methionine excision in eukaryotes
Authors: Gamerdinger Martin , Jia Min , Schloemer Renate , Rabl Laurenz , Jaskolowski Mateusz , Khakzar Katrin M. , Ulusoy Zeynel , Wallisch Annalena , Jomaa Ahmad , Hunaeus Gundula , Scaiola Alain , Diederichs Kay , Ban Nenad , Deuerling Elke
Published: June 2023

N-terminal methionine excision from newly synthesized proteins, catalyzed cotranslationally by methionine aminopeptidases (METAPs), is an essential and universally conserved process that plays a key role in cell homeostasis and protein biogenesis. However, how METAPs interact with ribosomes and how their cleavage specificity is ensured is unknown. We discovered that in eukaryotes the nascent polypeptide–associated complex (NAC) controls ribosome binding of METAP1. NAC recruits METAP1 using a long, flexible tail and provides a platform for the formation of an active methionine excision complex at the ribosomal tunnel exit. This mode of interaction ensures the efficient excision of methionine from cytosolic proteins, whereas proteins targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum are spared. Our results suggest a broader mechanism for how access of protein biogenesis factors to translating ribosomes is controlled.
Splice variants of mitofusin 2 shape the endoplasmic reticulum and tether it to mitochondria
Authors: Naón Déborah , Hernández-Alvarez María Isabel , Shinjo Satoko , Wieczor Milosz , Ivanova Saska , Martins de Brito Olga , Quintana Albert , Hidalgo Juan , Palacín Manuel , Aparicio Pilar , Castellanos Juan , Lores Luis , Sebastián David , Fernández-Veledo Sonia , Vendrell Joan , Joven Jorge , Orozco Modesto , Zorzano Antonio , Scorrano Luca
Published: June 2023

In eukaryotic cells, different organelles interact at membrane contact sites stabilized by tethers. Mitochondrial mitofusin 2 (MFN2) acts as a membrane tether that interacts with an unknown partner on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In this work, we identified the
MFN2
splice variant ERMIT2 as the ER tethering partner of MFN2. Splicing of
MFN2
produced ERMIT2 and ERMIN2, two ER-specific variants. ERMIN2 regulated ER morphology, whereas ERMIT2 localized at the ER-mitochondria interface and interacted with mitochondrial mitofusins to tether ER and mitochondria. This tethering allowed efficient mitochondrial calcium ion uptake and phospholipid transfer. Expression of ERMIT2 ameliorated the ER stress, inflammation, and fibrosis typical of liver-specific
Mfn2
knockout mice. Thus, ER-specific
MFN2
variants display entirely extramitochondrial MFN2 functions involved in interorganellar tethering and liver metabolic activities.
Conferences confront abortion bans and anti-LGBTQ+ laws
Authors: Heidt Amanda
Published: June 2023

Survey shows few societies are pulling out of affected U.S. states, but many are implementing safety measures
Plasmodium falciparum
CRK4 links early mitotic events to the onset of S-phase during schizogony
Authors: Machado Marta , Klaus Severina , Klaschka Darius , Guizetti Julien , Ganter Markus
Published: June 2023

Plasmodium falciparum
proliferates through schizogony in the clinically relevant blood stage of infection. During schizogony, consecutive rounds of DNA replication and nuclear division give rise to multinucleated stages before cellularization occurs. Although these nuclei reside in a shared cytoplasm, DNA replication and nuclear division occur asynchronously. Here, by mapping the proteomic context of the S-phase-promoting kinase
Pf
CRK4, we show that it has a dual role for nuclear-cycle progression:
Pf
CRK4 orchestrates not only DNA replication, but in parallel also the rearrangement of intranuclear microtubules from hemispindles into early mitotic spindles. Live-cell imaging of a reporter parasite showed that these microtubule rearrangements coincide with the onset of DNA replication. Together, our data render
Pf
CRK4 a key factor for nuclear-cycle progression, linking entry into S-phase with the initiation of mitotic events. In part, such links may compensate for the absence of canonical cell cycle checkpoints in
P. falciparum
.

IMPORTANCE

The human malaria parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
proliferates in erythrocytes through schizogony, forming multinucleated stages before cellularization occurs. In marked contrast to the pattern of proliferation seen in most model organisms,
P. falciparum
nuclei multiply asynchronously despite residing in a shared cytoplasm. This divergent mode of replication is, thus, a good target for therapeutic interventions. To exploit this potential, we investigated a key regulator of the parasite’s unusual cell cycle, the kinase
Pf
CRK4 and found that this kinase regulated not only DNA replication but also in parallel the rearrangement of nuclear microtubules into early mitotic spindles. Since canonical cell cycle checkpoints have not been described in
P. falciparum
parasites, linking entry into S-phase and the initiation of mitotic events via a kinase, may be an alternative means to exert control, which is typically achieved by checkpoints.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Sphingomonas
sp. Strain NIBR02145
Authors: Kim Hyun Young , Park Jin Young , Kim Jin Nam , Yu Jaewoong , Kim Bongsang
Published: June 2023

Sphingomonas
sp. strain NIBR02145 is a putative chemoheterotrophic strain that was isolated from soil in Wando-gun, Republic of Korea. The NIBR02145 genome was sequenced with PacBio next-generation sequencing technology. The 5,010,245-bp circular genome has a GC content of 66.79% and harbors 4,561 coding sequences, 6 rRNAs, and 52 tRNAs.
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Three M. gallisepticum Isolates Similar to the 6/85 Vaccine Strain
Authors: Leigh Spencer A. , Evans Jeff D.
Published: June 2023

Effective control of
Mycoplasma gallisepticum
infection is accomplished through vaccination with live attenuated vaccines. However, virulent
M. gallisepticum
strains with genetic markers consistent with those of vaccine strains were found in infected flocks. We report here the complete genetic sequences of three isolates that are genetically similar to the 6/85 vaccine strain.
Isolation and Annotation of Azira, a CT Cluster Phage That Infects Gordonia rubripertincta
Authors: McGarrah Coen E. E. , Algarin-Martinez Elijah D. , Cavasini Maria E. D. , Correa Victoria , Danielson Don F. , Dean Wynter R. , French Joseph L. , Gaskin Naleena N. , Jain Urvi , Janvier Jeanette , Macumber Breanna M. , Martini Francesca Kristal , Mazzei Sydney G. , Mujica Jennifer M. , Odegaard Oslow , Quaterman Corissa , Rand Taylor M. , Seidensticker Nina S. , Serrano Tyler , Soltys Anna , Ungrey Maxwell D. , Pollenz Richard S.
Published: June 2023

Azira is a CT cluster actinobacteriophage that infects
Gordonia rubripertincta
NRRL B-16540. The genome contains 67 predicted protein coding genes, of which 31 have a putative function. Azira has a lysis cassette encoding two endolysins and three transmembrane proteins. Azira contains four genes predicted to encode enzymes involved in thymine synthesis.
Dissecting the Arginine and Lysine Biosynthetic Pathways and Their Relationship in Haloarchaeon Natrinema gari J7-2 via Endogenous CRISPR-Cas System-Based Genome Editing
Authors: Wu Yi , Zhang Jia , Wang Bingxue , Zhang Yanyan , Li Huai , Liu Yang , Yin Jing , He Dan , Luo Hongyi , Gan Fei , Tang Bing , Tang Xiao-Feng
Published: June 2023

Due to their roles in amino acid metabolism and close evolutionary relationship, arginine and lysine biosynthetic pathways represent interesting models for probing functional specialization of metabolic routes. The current knowledge with respect to arginine and lysine biosynthesis is limited for haloarchaea compared to that for bacteria and hyperthermophilic archaea.
Two Novel Adenovirus Vectors Mediated Differential Antibody Responses via Interferon-α and Natural Killer Cells
Authors: Zou Peng , Zhang Panli , Deng Qitao , Wang Cong , Luo Shengxue , Zhang Ling , Li Chengyao , Li Tingting
Published: June 2023

Novel adenovirus vectors are an important antigen delivery platform for vaccine development. Understanding the immune diversity between different adenoviral vectors is critical to design the proper vaccine against an aim disease.
Deciphering the Origin of DNA Viruses (Replication-Associated Parvo-NS1) That Infect Vertebrates from Invertebrate-Infecting Viruses
Authors: Desingu Perumal Arumugam , Rubeni T. P. , Sundaresan Nagalingam R.
Published: June 2023

DNA replication of DNA viruses is an essential function. This allows DNA replication of viruses to form virus particles.
Supplemental Material: Detrital zircon and apatite U-Pb provenance and drainage evolution of the Newark Basin during progressive rifting and continental breakup along the Eastern North American Margin, USA
Authors: Foster-Baril Zachary S. , Stockli Daniel
Published: June 2023

Item S1: Full detrital zircon U-Pb results. Item S2: Full detrital apatite U-Pb results.
The Accumulation of the REE by Bacterial Fe Oxyhydroxide
Authors: Felitsyn S. , Alfimova N. , Bogomolov E.
Published: June 2023

The current study was focused on Fe oxyhydroxides from the north-western part of the East-European platform. Modern-day Fe oxyhydroxides of bacterial origin demonstrate an enhanced concentration of rare earth elements (up to 1200 ppm), compared to samples without iron bacteria. The 143Nd/144Nd ratio in bacterial Fe oxyhydroxide has the value from 0.511532 to 0.512588 and corresponds to the geochemical signature of the waters, oxyhydroxides precipitated from.
Samples of iron hydroxides from Quaternary and recent continental ore deposits with different Nd and Sr isotope composition were used for the laboratory reduction of Fe3+ up to emergence of magnetite (T ~ 1000°C). 143Nd/144Nd and 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the newly formed mineral phases show insignificant discrepancy with parent iron ore. The persistency of Sm–Nd and Rb–Sr isotope systems in the process of bog iron ore experimental melting permits it’s applying to paleoenvironment reconstructions and archaeometry.
Female athlete health domains: a supplement to the International Olympic Committee consensus statement on methods for recording and reporting epidemiological data on injury and illness in sport
Authors: Moore Isabel S , Crossley Kay M , Bo Kari , Mountjoy Margo , Ackerman Kathryn E , Antero Juliana da Silva , Sundgot Borgen Jorunn , Brown Wendy J , Bolling Caroline S , Clarsen Benjamin , Derman Wayne , Dijkstra Paul , Donaldson Amber , Elliott-Sale Kirsty J , Emery Carolyn A , Haakstad Lene , Junge Astrid , Mkumbuzi Nonhlanhla S , Nimphius Sophia , Palmer Debbie , van Poppel Mireille , Thornton Jane S , Tomás Rita , Zondi Phathokuhle C , Verhagen Evert
Published: June 2023

The IOC made recommendations for recording and reporting epidemiological data on injuries and illness in sports in 2020, but with little, if any, focus on female athletes. Therefore, the aims of this supplement to the IOC consensus statement are to (i) propose a taxonomy for categorisation of female athlete health problems across the lifespan; (ii) make recommendations for data capture to inform consistent recording and reporting of symptoms, injuries, illnesses and other health outcomes in sports injury epidemiology and (iii) make recommendations for specifications when applying the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology-Sport Injury and Illness Surveillance (STROBE-SIIS) to female athlete health data.

In May 2021, five researchers and clinicians with expertise in sports medicine, epidemiology and female athlete health convened to form a consensus working group, which identified key themes. Twenty additional experts were invited and an iterative process involving all authors was then used to extend the IOC consensus statement, to include issues which affect female athletes.

Ten domains of female health for categorising health problems according to biological, life stage or environmental factors that affect females in sport were identified: menstrual and gynaecological health; preconception and assisted reproduction; pregnancy; postpartum; menopause; breast health; pelvic floor health; breast feeding, parenting and caregiving; mental health and sport environments.

This paper extends the IOC consensus statement to include 10 domains of female health, which may affect female athletes across the lifespan, from adolescence through young adulthood, to mid-age and older age. Our recommendations for data capture relating to female athlete population characteristics, and injuries, illnesses and other health consequences, will improve the quality of epidemiological studies, to inform better injury and illness prevention strategies.
Systematic druggable genome-wide Mendelian randomisation identifies therapeutic targets for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Su Wei-Ming , Gu Xiao-Jing , Dou Meng , Duan Qing-Qing , Jiang Zheng , Yin Kang-Fu , Cai Wei-Chen , Cao Bei , Wang Yi , Chen Yong-Ping
Published: June 2023

Background

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia. Currently, there are no effective disease-modifying treatments for AD. Mendelian randomisation (MR) has been widely used to repurpose licensed drugs and discover novel therapeutic targets. Thus, we aimed to identify novel therapeutic targets for AD and analyse their pathophysiological mechanisms and potential side effects.

Methods

A two-sample MR integrating the identified druggable genes was performed to estimate the causal effects of blood and brain druggable expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) on AD. A repeat study was conducted using different blood and brain eQTL data sources to validate the identified genes. Using AD markers with available genome-wide association studies data, we evaluated the causal relationship between established AD markers to explore possible mechanisms. Finally, the potential side effects of the druggable genes for AD treatment were assessed using a phenome-wide MR.

Results

Overall, 5883 unique druggable genes were aggregated; 33 unique potential druggable genes for AD were identified in at least one dataset (brain or blood), and 5 were validated in a different dataset. Among them, three prior druggable genes (epoxide hydrolase 2 (EPHX2),SERPINB1andSIGLEC11) reached significant levels in both blood and brain tissues. EPHX2 may mediate the pathogenesis of AD by affecting the entire hippocampal volume. Further phenome-wide MR analysis revealed no potential side effects of treatments targetingEPHX2,SERPINB1orSIGLEC11.

Conclusions

This study provides genetic evidence supporting the potential therapeutic benefits of targeting the three druggable genes for AD treatment, which will be useful for prioritising AD drug development.
Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) in fjord and glacial habitats: a collaborative study with Uummannap Kangerlua fishers
Authors: Bouchard Caroline , Farnole Patrick , Lynge-Pedersen Kristine , Dahl Parnuna Egede , Christiansen Henrik
Published: June 2023

Arctic cod ( Boreogadus saida) (Lepechin, 1774) is often found in front of glaciers, which is the least studied of the species’ habitats. Uummannap Kangerlua and Sullorsuaq in West Greenland provide a unique opportunity to study Arctic cod in the glacial habitat, as they are among the few places with a directed Arctic cod fishery. Inuit fishers from these fjords regularly catch Arctic cod as fresh bait for the Greenland halibut ( Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) (Walbaum, 1792) longline fishery, the main economic activity in the region. We collaborated with the fishers to learn about Arctic cod through interviews and collection of fish samples. Ten informants provided information on fishing areas, fishing methods, interannual variability in the catches, relationships with temperature and sea ice, and reported a spawning area near Saattut. One of the two samples collected contained only 21% males, which were longer, heavier, older, and had a higher gonadosomatic index than females. This skewed sex ratio may result from size-selective predation or spawning migration. Collaboration with fishers provided important baseline information on Arctic cod in fjord and glacial habitats. Continued efforts could bring a better understanding of key aspects of Arctic cod that are relevant for all Arctic communities located near glacial fjords.
Toward a wild pollinator strategy for Canada: expert-recommended solutions and policy levers
Authors: Nalepa Rachel , Colla Sheila R.
Published: June 2023

Invertebrate pollinators are in trouble: particularly documented are declines among bees and butterflies. Interacting stressors include pesticides, pathogens, habitat loss, nonnative species, and climate change. Many governments have strategies to reduce negative pressures on pollinators, but Canada does not despite widespread public interest in pollinator health. This study serves as a needs assessment for science-based policy solutions for wild pollinator conservation in Canada. We designed a Policy Delphi survey technique to identify solutions that experts deem both desirable and feasible. Our secondary aim was to identify research priorities that would inform the implementation of these solutions. Sixty % of the 83 unique solutions were supported and feasible at a high consensus level (10% were “strongly” supported and “definitely” feasible). General themes included improving the Canadian government's approach in assessing pesticide risk to pollinators, curbing pathogen spillover/spillback between managed and wild pollinators, and reducing the reliance of Canadian agricultural systems on pesticides, among others. We discuss solutions in reference to pollinator conservation policies recommended by the broader scientific community and identify policy levers within the context of Canada's highly decentralized approach to biodiversity conservation/management and a political economy that uses high numbers of managed, mostly nonnative bees for pollination services.
Samarium ion-doped calcium silicate: A promising material for fabrication of light emitting diodes
Authors: Dhanu R. , Kumar M. Madesh , Prakashbabu D. , Gurusiddappa J. , Ravikiran Y. T. , Naveen C. S. , Prasanna G. D.
Published: June 2023

In this work, calcium silicate nanophosphors (CaSiO3) doped with Sm[Formula: see text] ions were prepared at [Formula: see text]C by a simple solution combustion synthesis technique. The particle size, functional groups and morphology of the prepared phosphors were identified by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The monoclinic phase of the nanophosphors was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. The effective excitation of the nanophosphors near the UV region and their yellow emission were confirmed by photoluminescence studies.
Xenotime reveals Caledonian hydrothermal overprint on Neoproterozoic Cu mineralization, East Greenland
Authors: Olierook Hugo K. H. , Crook Kelsey , Sinclair Penelope , Fougerouse Denis , Joseph Cilva , Kirkland Christopher L. , Kennedy Allen , Gao Hao , Evans Noreen J. , McDonald Bradley J. , Quintero Raiza R. , Kumara Anusha Shantha , Cameron Graeme , Walsh Ben , Roberts Malcolm P. , McInnes Brent I. A.
Published: June 2023

Constraining the age of many types of ore deposits remains challenging because of the lack of radiogenic isotopes incorporated into common ore-forming minerals. The timing of pre-Caledonian-hosted Cu mineralization along the entire
c.
1200 km long East Greenland Caledonides remains virtually unknown, hampering our knowledge of ore deposit timing and genesis in a frontier exploration region. Here, automated mineral analysis of a series of nodular, disseminated and vein-hosted Cu- ± Pb-mineralized metasedimentary rocks in central East Greenland reveals detrital zircon and hydrothermal xenotime, both amenable to U–Pb geochronology. Detrital zircon geochronology of a co-deposited quartzite reveals an age distribution highly similar to the Cryogenian (
c.
700 Ma) upper Eleanore Bay Supergroup. Hydrothermal xenotime U–Pb analyses adjacent to nodular and disseminated chalcocite across three proximal samples have variable amounts of common Pb that together yield a well-defined single discordia with a lower concordia intercept of 438 ± 13 Ma (2

σ

). This age is within uncertainty of the onset of Caledonian regional metamorphism and granitoid production and clearly post-dates deposition of the upper Eleanore Bay Supergroup by several hundred million years. Considering a published chalcocite Pb–Pb isochron age of 680 ± 65 Ma, the hydrothermal xenotime U–Pb ages imply that Caledonian-driven fluid activity, sourced from metamorphic reactions or from granitoids, remobilized diagenetic Cu and Pb mineralization. Chalcocite Pb–Pb isotopes show that dissolved and reprecipitated portions are volumetrically minor, radiogenic and Pb-poor, implying that fluids stripped most of the Pb from the system. Thus, it is likely that remobilization was localized on the grain scale, although some Cu and Pb was transported away from diagenetic sites, perhaps into veins. Although Caledonian metamorphism and granitoid emplacement is widespread in central East Greenland, the full extent of their roles in upgrading Cu mineralization remains to be ascertained.

Supplementary material:
Supplementary figures and tables are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6675384

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Caledonian Wilson cycle collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/the-caledonian-wilson-cycle
The Rise of the Chatbots
Authors: Savage Neil
Published: June 2023

How do we keep track of the truth when bots are becoming increasingly skilled liars?
Legal Challenges to Generative AI, Part I
Authors: Samuelson Pamela
Published: June 2023

Questioning the legality of using in-copyright works for training data and producing outputs derived from copyrighted training data.
Opportunity Cost and Missed Chances in Optimizing Cybersecurity
Authors: Shortridge Kelly , Dykstra Josiah
Published: June 2023

The loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen.
So2al-wa-Gwab: A New Arabic Question-Answering Dataset Trained on Answer Extraction Models
Authors: Al-Omari Hani , Duwairi Rehab
Published: June 2023

Question answering (QA) is the task of responding to questions posed by users automatically. A question-answering system is divided into three main components: question analysis, information retrieval, and answer extraction. This paper has focused only on the answer extraction part. In the past couple of years, many QA systems have been developed and become mature and ready for use in different languages. Nevertheless, the advancement of Arabic QA systems still faces different obstacles and a lack of relevant resources and tools for researchers. This paper presents the So2al-wa-Gwab dataset since the publicly available datasets include various faults, such as the use of machine translation to build the data, a short context size, and a small number of question-answer pairings. Thus, this new dataset avoids the aforementioned drawbacks. Furthermore, in this paper, we have trained three deep learning models, namely, Bi-Directional flow network (BiDAF), QA Network (QANet), and BERT model, and tested them on seven different datasets, thus providing a comprehensive comparison between existing Arabic QA datasets. The obtained results emphasize that machine-translated datasets fall back when compared with human-annotated data. Also, the QA task becomes harder as the context, from which to extract the answer, becomes larger.
Cathodic Processes in Uranium Containing Molybdate Melts
Authors: Volkovich V. A. , Smolenski V. V. , Ryzhov A. A. , Kitik M. S. , Chukin A. V. , Osipenko A. G. , Novoselova A. V. , Polovov I. B. , Poglyad S. S.
Published: June 2023

Cathodic processes in Li2MoO4–K2MoO4–MoO3 and K2MoO4–MoO3 melts containing added UO2MoO4 were investigated at 550–800 °C using cyclic voltammetry, cathodic polarization and bulk electrolysis. Cathodic reduction of molybdate melts (not containing uranium) resulted in formation of molybdenum dioxide. Products of the cathodic reactions in the melts containing uranium molybdate predominantly consisted of crystalline uranium oxides (mostly UO2 and U4O9) and MoO2. Minor products formed included other uranium oxides (U3O8, U13O34), mixed uranium-molybdenum oxides (U1.5Mo10O32, Mo2UO8) and molybdates (provisionally attributed to K2U(MoO4)3). Effect of temperature, cathodic current density 0.05–1 A cm−2), excess MoO3 concentration (30–50 mol%) on the composition of the cathodic reaction products were analyzed. Oxygen-to-uranium atomic ratio (oxygen coefficient) for primary uranium oxide phases was determined and varied from 1.963 to 2.161 for UO2±x and from 2.209 to 2.287 for U4O9±y. The effect of the electrolysis regime on the composition of the cathodic product was also considered. Constant-current and constant-potential electrolysis, as well pulsed-current, pulsed-potential and pulsed-reversed-current electrolysis were investigated with varying the parameters of alternating pulses (duration, current density or potential). Chemical and phase composition of the products produced by bulk electrolysis was fully characterized.
Insights into the Interaction of Dacarbazine and Human Serum Albumin from Electrochemical Probing
Authors: Brahmi Mohamed , Bakirhan Nurgul K. , Tahani Abdesselam
Published: June 2023

The interaction between dacarbazine (DAC) and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated under physiological conditions using electrochemical techniques, including cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The CV results demonstrated that the oxidation of DAC on a pyrolytic graphite electrode (PGE) surface was irreversible and controlled by an adsorption-diffusion process. The addition of HSA was found to decrease the peak potential of DAC without altering the electrochemical parameters, which is likely due to the formation of an electro-inactive complex between the drug and protein, as supported by DPV and EIS measurements. Using DPV, the binding constant and stoichiometry of the complex were calculated to be 2.16 × 104 mol−1 l and 1:1, respectively. The temperature effect revealed that DAC binds to HSA through hydrophobic forces. In addition, the PGE electrode was successfully used to determine DAC in from biological samples.
First-Principles Investigation on Multi-Sodium Sulfide and Sodium Sulfide Clusters in Sodium-Sulfide Batteries
Authors: Zhang Panyu , Wu Jianbao , Jiang Xiaoli , Jiang liyuan , Lu Shuhan , Zhao Xinxin , Yin Zhixiang
Published: June 2023

Room temperature sodium-sulfur batteries are expected to be widely used in large energy storage and power batteries due to their high energy density, abundant resources, and low price. However, shuttle effect of polysulfide, low reactivity of the end product, low activity of sodium sulfide, and electrode swelling are the main challenges. In order to improve the low sodium sulfide reaction performance and electrode swelling, the volume swelling of the final product sodium sulfide can be well controlled by using sodium sulfide directly as the cathode, and a special cathode structure was developed to overcome the “inert” problem of Na2S. Nevertheless, the structure, relative stability and electronic properties of (Na2S)n clusters are still uncertain so far, which is a necessary prerequisite for optimizing their properties and understanding their partitioning processes. In this paper, theoretical calculations of (Na2S)n clusters were performed to investigate the catalytic decomposition of sodium sulfide by mono-atomic catalysts, giving the energy distribution of sodium ions diffusing over FeN4 and FeN2. Together, these calculations confirm the high coordination design of mono-atomic Fe–N–C catalysts with high sulfur affinity and catalytic activity. Our work is an important step toward understanding (Na2S)n clusters and improving the performance of Na–S cells.
Gas volume corrections in intensive care unit: needed or pointless?
Authors: D'Albo Rosanna , Romitti Federica , Camporota Luigi , Moerer Onnen , Busana Mattia , Gattinoni Luciano
Published: June 2023

Gas volume conditions are often ignored or unknown in the clinical practice. However, they could have relevance for the calculation of some key variables in ICU setting. This study shows that gas volume corrections are mostly relevant when assessing CO2 clearance, both in mechanical ventilation and during extracorporeal support, whereas irrelevant for oxygenation assessment of patients. Knowing when the appropriate corrections are needed allows to better understand patients’ clinical conditions and to tailor the treatment.
Endothelial-derived extracellular vesicles associated with electronic cigarette use impair cerebral microvascular cell function
Authors: Cardenas Hannah L. , Evanoff Nicholas G. , Fandl Hannah K. , Berry Auburn R. , Wegerson Kendra N. , Ostrander Emily I. , Greiner Jared J. , Dufresne Sheena R. , Kotlyar Michael , Dengel Donald R. , DeSouza Christopher A. , Garcia Vinicius P.
Published: June 2023

In the present study, we determined the effect of circulating endothelial cell-derived microvesicles (EMVs) isolated from e-cigarette users on human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMECs) nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET)-1 production and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) release. EMVs from e-cigarette users reduced brain microvascular endothelial cell NO production, enhanced ET-1 production, and impaired endothelial t-PA release. EMVs are a potential mediating factor in the increased risk of stroke associated with e-cigarette use.
Phase Equilibrium and Crystallization Process of the Ternary System KCl-(NH2)2CO-H2O at Different Temperatures
Authors: Chen Liqiong , Li Tianxiang , Shi Lianjun , Wang Shihan , Meng Zeyu , Zhang Jie , Zhu Jing
Published: June 2023

The phase equilibriums of the ternary system KCl-(NH2)2CO-H2O at 303.15 K, 323.15 K, 333.15 K, and 343.15 K were studied using the isothermal dissolution equilibrium method, in which the composition of equilibrium solid phase was determined by Schreinemaker’s wet residue method and X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. It was found that the ternary system is a simple cosaturated system, without the formation of neither double salt nor solid solution. Wilson and NRTL models were employed to correlate in the solubility data of the system at experimental temperatures. The maximum values of RAD and RMSD of the Wilson model were 2.18 × 10−2 and 0.83 and those of the NRTL model were 1.69 × 10−2 and 0.40, respectively. The two models were utilized to forecast solubility data at various temperatures, and the obtained outcomes were in line with the literature data. Based on the experimental solubility data at 343.15 K, the cooling crystallization process of the system was monitored online by focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) and particle video microscope (PVM). The crystal products were characterized by XRD, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The results showed that the precipitation of (NH2)2CO occurred during the crystallization process, and this was followed by KCl. KCl was formed on the surface of (NH2)2CO crystal. The crystal was a simple mixture containing KCl and (NH2)2CO.
Adsorption Thermodynamics, Modeling, and Kinetics Studies for the Removal of Lead Ions Using ZnO Nanorods
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Published: June 2023

In the present investigation, zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO-NR) were synthesized via the hydrothermal method using ZnCl2 as a zinc ion precursor in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. Synthesized ZnO-NR was featured using advanced techniques including XRD, PL, SEM, and UV-visible spectroscopy. The role of these assynthesized ZnO-NR was evaluated for the sequestration of lead ions in batch mode. The elimination of lead ions was achieved at pH 6-7 using a 0.06 g adsorbent dose, 25 min contact time, 25 mg/L initial lead ion concentration, 323 K temperature, and 200 rpm agitation speed. A thermodynamic study revealed the endothermic nature of lead ion sequestration onto ZnO-NR. The lead ion sequestration followed kinetic (pseudo-second-order) and isotherm (Langmuir) models. The lead ions were eliminated up to 142 mg/g at the optimum level of affecting variables. The ZnO-NR might be a potential adsorbent for lead ion removal from industrial effluents.