bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the dynamic impacts of climate change adaptation and clean energy innovations on economic growth in OECD countries
Authors: Agan Busra
Published: February 2024

This paper examines whether accelerating climate change adaptation and clean energy innovations is an effective way to promote sustainable development and mitigate environmental risks. Based on this, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the potential effect of climate change adaptation and clean energy innovations with casual factors of social, political, human development, environmental, and climatic determinants as drivers of economic growth in 38 Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) countries from 1990 to 2020. Employing the system‐generalized method of moments (GMM) method, this study shows that causal factors of social, political, educational, and environmental development have a positive effect on the economic growth process. Additionally, the interaction between climate change adaptation and temperature has a constant positive impact on economic growth. The findings highlight that policymakers should thoroughly evaluate the potential impacts of the climate change adaptation process and clean energy innovations in all aspects and implement measures and approaches that promote sustainable development, increase the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies, and address the challenges posed by climate change.
N‐glycolylneuraminic acid in red meat and processed meat is a health concern: A review on the formation, health risk, and reduction
Authors: Liang Meilian , Wu Jianping , Li Hongying , Zhu Qiujin
Published: February 2024

One of the most consistent epidemiological associations between diet and human disease risk is the impact of consuming red meat and processed meat products. In recent years, the health concerns surrounding red meat and processed meat have gained worldwide attention. The fact that humans have lost the ability to synthesize N‐glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) makes red meat and processed meat products the most important source of exogenous Neu5Gc for humans. As our research of Neu5Gc has increased, it has been discovered that Neu5Gc in red meat and processed meat is a key factor in many major diseases. Given the objective evidence of the harmful risk caused by Neu5Gc in red meat and processed meat to human health, there is a need for heightened attention in the field of food. This updated review has several Neu5Gc aspects given including biosynthetic pathway of Neu5Gc and its accumulation in the human body, the distribution of Neu5Gc in food, the methods for detecting Neu5Gc, and most importantly, a systematic review of the existing methods for reducing the content of Neu5Gc in red meat and processed meat. It also provides some insights into the current status and future directions in this area.
A perspective current and past modes of inhalation therapy
Authors: Canto Mangana José , Schilder Kelsey Aguirre , Bretones‐Pedrinaci José Ignacio , Blesa Ana Rosa Márquez , de Medina Fermín Sánchez , Martínez‐Augustin Olga , Daddaoua Abdelali
Published: February 2024

Inhalation is the preferred route of delivery for anti‐asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) drugs. The use of this route has demonstrated efficacy in these and other conditions, it offers rapid onset of action, and is associated with minimal systemic exposure, thereby reducing the risk of adverse effects. Therefore, the current brief covers an interesting collection of inhaler action modes, shedding light on their molecular mechanisms and clinical applications for anti‐asthma, COPD and antibacterial inhalation therapy. Hence, not only enriches our understanding of inhalation therapy molecular intricacies but also provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape in clinical and antibacterial inhalation therapy. In doing so, it underscores the pivotal role of microbiology and biotechnology in advancing therapeutic approaches that harness the power of inhalation.
A framework to study and predict functional trait syndromes using phylogenetic and environmental data
Authors: Sanchez‐Martinez Pablo , Ackerly David D. , Martínez‐Vilalta Jordi , Mencuccini Maurizio , Dexter Kyle G. , Dawson Todd E.
Published: February 2024

Traits do not evolve in isolation but often as part of integrated trait syndromes, yet the relative contributions of environmental effects and evolutionary history on traits and their correlations are not easily resolved.

In the present study, we develop a methodological framework to elucidate eco‐evolutionary patterns in functional trait syndromes. We do so by separating the amount of variance and covariance related to phylogenetic heritage and environmental variables (environmental phylogenetic conservatism), only phylogenetic heritage (non‐attributed phylogenetic conservatism) and only to environmental variables (evolutionarily labile environmental effects). Variance–covariance structures of trait syndromes are displayed as networks. We then use this framework to guide a newly derived imputation method based on machine learning models that predict trait values for unsampled taxa, considering environmental and phylogenetic information as well as trait covariation. TrEvol is presented as an R package providing a unified set of methodologies to study and predict multivariate trait patterns and improve our capacity to impute trait values.

To illustrate its use, we leverage both simulated data and species‐level traits related to hydraulics and the leaf economics spectrum, in relation to an aridity index, demonstrating that most trait correlations can be attributed to environmental phylogenetic conservatism.

This conceptual framework can be employed to examine issues ranging from the evolution of trait adaptation at different phylogenetic depths to intraspecific trait variation.
Envisioning action‐oriented and justice‐driven climate change education: Insights from youth climate justice activists
Authors: Trott Carlie D.
Published: February 2024

Through in‐depth interviews, this study explored US youth climate justice activists' views and experiences of climate change education (CCE) and their recommendations for alternative educational approaches to advance climate justice. Youth activists (N = 16; ages 15 to 17) viewed education as critical to spurring societal transformation, however, most described narrowly focused (e.g., depoliticized; science‐centric) or inadequate (e.g., sparse, absent) school‐based CCE. Youths' recommendations emphasized the need for justice‐driven and action‐oriented CCE for all ages to equip all learners with the knowledge and skills to actively contribute to urgently needed, justice‐minded, systems‐level change. Findings have implications for curricular and policy change that enable education for climate justice action.
Convergent niche shifts of endangered parrots (genus Amazona) during successful establishment in urban southern California
Authors: Ramirez Brenda R. , Freeland Rowdy J. , Muhlheim Allison , Zellmer Amanda J. , DeRaad Devon A. , Kirsch Eliza J. , Mutchler Marquette J. , Secor Maeve B. , Reckling Kelsey R. , Schedl Margaret E. , Durham Brooke , Tsai Whitney L. E. , Terrill Ryan S. , Sannapareddy Siddharth , Sivakumar Ashwin H. , Garrett Kimball L. , McCormack John E.
Published: February 2024

Aim

Introduced species offer insight on whether and how organisms can shift their ecological niches during translocation. The genus Amazona offers a clear test case, where sister species Red‐crowned (A. viridigenalis) and Lilac‐crowned Parrots (A. finschi) have established breeding populations in southern California following introduction via the pet trade from Mexico where they do not coexist. After establishment in the 1980s, introduced population sizes have increased, with mixed species flocks found throughout urban Los Angeles. Here, we investigate the differences between the environmental conditions of the native and introduced ranges of these now co‐occurring species.

Location

Southern California and Mexico.

Methods

Using environmental data on climate and habitat from their native and introduced ranges, we tested whether Red‐crowned and Lilac‐crowned Parrots have divergent realized niches between their native ranges, and whether each species has significantly shifted its realized niche to inhabit urban southern California. We also analysed data from Texas and Florida introductions of Red‐crowned Parrots for comparative analysis.

Results

There are significant differences in the native‐range niches of both parrot species, but a convergence into a novel, shared environmental niche into urban southern California, characterized by colder temperatures, less tree cover and lower rainfall. Texas and Florida Red‐crowned Parrots also show evidence for niche shifts with varying levels of niche conservatism through the establishment of somewhat different realized niches.

Main Conclusions

Despite significant niche shifts, introduced parrots are thriving, suggesting a broad fundamental niche and an ability to exploit urban resources. Unique niche shifts in different U.S. introductions indicate that Amazona parrots can adapt to diverse environmental conditions, with cities offering a resource niche and the timing of introduction playing a crucial role. Cities can potentially serve as refugia for threatened parrot species, but the risk of hybridization between species emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring and genetic investigations.
Sustainable affordances of information systems for cultural tourism: An organisational aesthetics perspective
Authors: Du Wenyu (Derek) , Ghorbani Majid , Ni Zebo , Pan Shan L.
Published: February 2024

Although information systems (IS) are increasingly used to provide sustainable solutions for tourism, our understanding of the social mechanisms whereby IS contribute to a sustainable visitor economy is limited. This paper fills the gap by investigating how organisations enact the affordances of IS in preserving intangible cultural heritage (ICH) to contribute to a sustainable visitor economy. Using an organisational aesthetics perspective, we explore the mechanisms through an in‐depth case study of an ICH‐based company in Jingdezhen, a famous historical porcelain city in China. Through the effective use of IS tools, the case organisation has successfully transformed from a ceramic manufacturing plant to a popular tourist attraction. Our study unveils six sustainable affordances of IS in three dimensions, wherein ICH aesthetics act as direct stimuli, knowledge tools and experiences. Affordances emerge from the processes of both creating and managing aesthetics. By enacting these affordances, the case organisation builds a more profound engagement with online audiences, attracts more ICH visitors and transfers ICH knowledge to potential inheritors of the tradition, creating a sustainable visitor economy. Our findings, summarised into a sustainable affordances model, contribute to the IS for sustainable tourism literature by shedding light on the black box of the social mechanisms of IS‐enabled ICH preservation. The sustainable affordances model can also help ICH‐based organisations reflect on how to build a sustainable visitor economy using IS.
The lived experiences of patients with severe obesity during hospital admissions in Norway: A phenomenological hermeneutic study
Authors: Robstad Nastasja , Fegran Liv
Published: February 2024

Aim

To explore the lived experiences of patients with severe obesity during hospital admissions.

Design

Qualitative study design.

Methods

Semi‐structured individual interviews with 14 participants with severe obesity from Norway were conducted between May and October 2021. A qualitative phenomenological hermeneutical approach inspired by Paul Riceour was used to analyse the data.

Results

The following three themes were identified through the analysis of the lived experiences of patients with severe obesity during hospital admissions: blaming my weight, being prejudged and feeling different. The participants shared various emotional experiences of encounters with healthcare professionals at hospitals. They struggled to be recognized and welcomed like everyone else and found it difficult to be judged by someone who did not know them. The various experiences resulted in a vicious circle, ultimately leading to a fear of future hospitalization.

Conclusion

Being a patient with obesity in a hospital setting can present various challenges, leading to feelings of shame and guilt. Experiences of stigma may not necessarily be related to the overall hospital context but rather to encounters with healthcare professionals who may be unfamiliar with the patient's history, which can lead to stigmatizing behaviours.

Impact

Understanding how patients with severe obesity experience their hospital admissions and the importance of familiarizing themselves with the individual patients to avoid stigmatizing behaviours is important for healthcare professionals caring for obese patients.

Reporting Method

Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Impact Statement

Patients with obesity often encounter stigmatization and negative attitudes from healthcare professionals, particularly in primary care settings.

Patients with severe obesity experienced various challenging encounters with healthcare professionals during hospital admissions, resulting in a vicious circle, ultimately leading to a fear of future hospitalization.

It is crucial for healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with obesity to acquaint themselves with individual patients to prevent stigmatizing behaviours.
Generating, Grading, and Ghosting: How Organizing Experts Shapes Expertise
Authors: Monteiro Pedro
Published: February 2024

Experts increasingly refine their expertise into specialties as they labour in and around organizations. Yet, previous research assumes that experts are organized in the workplace in ways that passively accommodate or mirror pre‐existing specialties and focuses on organizational structures that codify the content of experts’ knowledge as an encroachment. Drawing on a qualitative field study in an aeronautical organization's engineering unit, this paper examines the organizational structures that chart the area of experts’ knowledge, i.e., their specialties. The findings show that organizational structures are generative, defining the contours of existing expertise and catalysing the formation of new ones (generating). However, organizational structures also encode criteria that implicitly rank some forms of expertise over others, thereby reinforcing status hierarchies (grading), and misalignment across organizational structures renders some forms of expertise invisible (ghosting). By showing the active role of organizational structures in shaping expertise rather than simply housing it, this paper contributes to our understanding of expertise development as well as status dynamics and access to resources among experts. Further, the paper reveals how misalignments across multiple organizational structures may impact the management of knowledge and human capital.
Phytoplasma: A plant pathogen that cannot be ignored in agricultural production—Research progress and outlook
Authors: Wang Ruotong , Bai Bixin , Li Danyang , Wang Jingke , Huang Weijie , Wu Yunfeng , Zhao Lei
Published: February 2024

Phytoplasmas are phloem‐restricted plant‐pathogenic bacteria transmitted by insects. They cause diseases in a wide range of host plants, resulting in significant economic and ecological losses worldwide. Research on phytoplasmas has a long history, with significant progress being made in the past 30 years. Notably, with the rapid development of phytoplasma research, scientists have identified the primary agents involved in phytoplasma transmission, established classification and detection systems for phytoplasmas, and 243 genomes have been sequenced and assembled completely or to draft quality. Multiple possible phytoplasma effectors have been investigated, elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which phytoplasmas manipulate their hosts. This review summarizes recent advances in phytoplasma research, including identification techniques, host range studies, whole‐ or draft‐genome sequencing, effector pathogenesis and disease control methods. Additionally, future research directions in the field of phytoplasma research are discussed.
Barley powdery mildew control in Western Australia and beyond
Authors: Ellwood Simon R. , Lopez‐Ruiz Francisco J. , Tan Kar‐Chun
Published: February 2024

Australia is one of the largest barley exporters in the world, with Western Australia accounting for some 40% of national production. The crop is predominantly grown in the south and south‐west of the state in winter and spring, where temperate conditions and higher rainfall levels are more suited to barley than northern and eastern regions. Between 2007 and 2013, prolonged outbreaks of barley powdery mildew (BPM) occurred. This was brought about by a combination of the extensive use of susceptible cultivars and an over‐reliance on a small number of single mode‐of‐action demethylation inhibitor fungicides, which select for mutations in the C14α‐demethylase (Cyp51A) gene. This review highlights the steps taken to reduce losses to BPM, breeding efforts to introduce resistance into cultivars and the success of pre‐breeding research to find new and durable resistance genes. We also draw comparisons with powdery mildew in Australian wheat, where similar factors are leading to substantial outbreaks.
Vertical cephalometric characteristics in different populations with Turner syndrome as compared to non‐syndromic populations: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Bierley Kara , Antonarakis Gregory S.
Published: February 2024

Aims

The present aim was to evaluate vertical cephalometric characteristics in populations with Turner syndrome (TS) using meta‐analysis methodology.

Methods

Six electronic databases were queried, up to August 2023, to identify studies comparing the vertical cephalometric characteristics in populations with TS, compared to female control groups. Data were extracted from eligible studies and random‐effects meta‐analysis was employed. Subgroup meta‐analyses for age and karyotype were also attempted. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified version of the AXIS tool.

Results

From the initial 195 studies identified, 17 were included in the quantitative synthesis, resulting in a sample of 417 patients with TS, originating from 10 different countries. Risk of bias was overall questionable. Mandibular ramus height was found to be smaller in females with TS, along with a reduction in posterior facial height, a larger anterior‐posterior facial height ratio, and an increase in the mandibular plane angle. Subgroup meta‐analyses showed that females with the monosomy X karyotype had vertical cephalometric characteristics which deviated more from the norm than those with other karyotypes.

Conclusion

The vertical lateral cephalometric characteristics of females with TS differ significantly from those of non‐syndromic females, with the largest and most consistent deviation being seen in the monosomy X karyotype. Females with TS show less craniofacial posterior vertical development, with an evident reduction in mandibular ramus height leading to the cephalometric characteristics observed.
Localization of four class I glutaredoxins in the cytosol and the secretory pathway and characterization of their biochemical diversification
Authors: Schlößer Michelle , Moseler Anna , Bodnar Yana , Homagk Maria , Wagner Stephan , Pedroletti Luca , Gellert Manuela , Ugalde José M. , Lillig Christopher H. , Meyer Andreas J.
Published: February 2024

Class I glutaredoxins (GRXs) are catalytically active oxidoreductases and considered key proteins mediating reversible glutathionylation and deglutathionylation of protein thiols during development and stress responses. To narrow in on putative target proteins, it is mandatory to know the subcellular localization of the respective GRXs and to understand their catalytic activities and putative redundancy between isoforms in the same compartment. We show that in Arabidopsis thaliana, GRXC1 and GRXC2 are cytosolic proteins with GRXC1 being attached to membranes through myristoylation. GRXC3 and GRXC4 are identified as type II membrane proteins along the early secretory pathway with their enzymatic function on the luminal side. Unexpectedly, neither single nor double mutants lacking both GRXs isoforms in the cytosol or the ER show phenotypes that differ from wild‐type controls. Analysis of electrostatic surface potentials and clustering of GRXs based on their electrostatic interaction with roGFP2 mirrors the phylogenetic classification of class I GRXs, which clearly separates the cytosolic GRXC1 and GRXC2 from the luminal GRXC3 and GRXC4. Comparison of all four studied GRXs for their oxidoreductase function highlights biochemical diversification with GRXC3 and GRXC4 being better catalysts than GRXC1 and GRXC2 for the reduction of bis(2‐hydroxyethyl) disulfide. With oxidized roGFP2 as an alternative substrate, GRXC1 and GRXC2 catalyze the reduction faster than GRXC3 and GRXC4, which suggests that catalytic efficiency of GRXs in reductive reactions depends on the respective substrate. Vice versa, GRXC3 and GRXC4 are faster than GRXC1 and GRXC2 in catalyzing the oxidation of pre‐reduced roGFP2 in the reverse reaction.
Analysis of the Gap in Economic Informality between Africa and the Advanced and Emerging Countries
Authors: Bodjongo Mathieu Juliot Mpabe , Kamdem Wilfried Briand
Published: February 2024

This paper analyzes the factors that account for economic informality disparities between African countries and advanced and emerging economies. The study encompasses a survey of 84 nations, comprising 44 African countries, during the span of 1995-2015. The econometric outcomes, acquired from Krӧger and Hartmann's (2021) decomposition model, indicate that, on average, the level of informality in African country's economy is greater than that of advanced and emerging countries (OECD+). An increase in the standard of living of the population, an improvement in the control of corruption and the strengthening of financial development could enable African countries to reduce the explained gap. However, fiscal freedom, technological infrastructure, trade liberalization and political stability increase the explained gap. Furthermore, human capital and technological infrastructure reduce the total gap.
Theory cracks old data: Rovibrational energy levels of
ortho
H
2
–CO derived from experiment
Authors: Stachowiak Marcin , Grabowska Ewelina , Wang Xiao-Gang , Carrington Tucker , Szalewicz Krzysztof , Jankowski Piotr
Published: February 2024

Measurements of rovibrational spectra of clusters provide physical insight only if spectral lines can be assigned to pairs of quantum states, and further insight is obtained if one can deduce the quantitative energy-level pattern. Both steps can be so difficult that some measured spectra remain unassigned, one example is
ortho
H
2
–CO. To extend the scope of spectroscopic insights, we propose to use theoretical information in interpretation of spectra. We first performed high accuracy, full-dimensional calculations of the
ortho
H
2
–CO spectrum, at the highest practically achievable levels of electronic structure theory and quantum nuclear dynamics. Then, an iterative, theory-guided method developed here allowed us to fully interpret the spectrum of
ortho
H
2
–CO, extending the range of van der Waals clusters for which spectroscopy can provide physical insights.
Soil warming increases the number of growing bacterial taxa but not their growth rates
Authors: Metze Dennis , Schnecker Jörg , de Carlan Coline Le Noir , Bhattarai Biplabi , Verbruggen Erik , Ostonen Ivika , Janssens Ivan A. , Sigurdsson Bjarni D. , Hausmann Bela , Kaiser Christina , Richter Andreas
Published: February 2024

Soil microorganisms control the fate of soil organic carbon. Warming may accelerate their activities putting large carbon stocks at risk of decomposition. Existing knowledge about microbial responses to warming is based on community-level measurements, leaving the underlying mechanisms unexplored and hindering predictions. In a long-term soil warming experiment in a Subarctic grassland, we investigated how active populations of bacteria and archaea responded to elevated soil temperatures (+6°C) and the influence of plant roots, by measuring taxon-specific growth rates using quantitative stable isotope probing and
18
O water vapor equilibration. Contrary to prior assumptions, increased community growth was associated with a greater number of active bacterial taxa rather than generally faster-growing populations. We also found that root presence enhanced bacterial growth at ambient temperatures but not at elevated temperatures, indicating a shift in plant-microbe interactions. Our results, thus, reveal a mechanism of how soil bacteria respond to warming that cannot be inferred from community-level measurements.
UV-A radiation increases biomass yield by enhancing energy flow and carbon assimilation in the edible cyanobacterium
Nostoc sphaeroides
Authors: Chen Zhen , Yuan Zu-Wen , Luo Wei-Xin , Wu Xun , Pan Jin-Long , Yin Yong-Qi , Shao Hai-Chen , Xu Kui , Li Wei-Zhi , Hu Yuan-Liang , Wang Zhe , Gao Kun-Shan , Chen Xiong-Wen
Published: February 2024

Ultraviolet (UV) A radiation (315–400 nm) is the predominant component of solar UV radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface. However, the underlying mechanisms of the positive effects of UV-A on photosynthetic organisms have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of UV-A radiation on the growth, photosynthetic ability, and metabolome of the edible cyanobacterium
Nostoc sphaeroides
. Exposures to 5–15 W m
−2
(15–46 µmol photons m
−2
s
−1
) UV-A and 4.35 W m
−2
(20 μmol photons m
−2
s
−1
) visible light for 16 days significantly increased the growth rate and biomass production of
N. sphaeroides
cells by 18%–30% and 15%–56%, respectively, compared to the non-UV-A-acclimated cells. Additionally, the UV-A-acclimated cells exhibited a 1.8-fold increase in the cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) pool with an increase in photosynthetic capacity (58%), photosynthetic efficiency (24%),
Q

A

re-oxidation, photosystem I abundance, and cyclic electron flow (87%), which further led to an increase in light-induced NADPH generation (31%) and ATP content (83%). Moreover, the UV-A-acclimated cells showed a 2.3-fold increase in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity, indicating an increase in their carbon-fixing capacity. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry-based metabolomics further revealed that UV-A radiation upregulated the energy-storing carbon metabolism, as evidenced by the enhanced accumulation of sugars, fatty acids, and citrate in the UV-A-acclimated cells. Therefore, our results demonstrate that UV-A radiation enhances energy flow and carbon assimilation in the cyanobacterium
N. sphaeroides
.

IMPORTANCE

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exerts harmful effects on photo-autotrophs; however, several studies demonstrated the positive effects of UV radiation, especially UV-A radiation (315–400 nm), on primary productivity. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms associated with the promotive effects of UV-A radiation on primary productivity can facilitate the application of UV-A for CO
2
sequestration and lead to the advancement of photobiological sciences. In this study, we used the cyanobacterium
Nostoc sphaeroides
, which has an over 1,700-year history of human use as food and medicine, to explore its photosynthetic acclimation response to UV-A radiation. As per our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that UV-A radiation increases the biomass yield of
N. sphaeroides
by enhancing energy flow and carbon assimilation. Our findings provide novel insights into UV-A-mediated photosynthetic acclimation and provide a scientific basis for the application of UV-A radiation for optimizing light absorption capacity and enhancing CO
2
sequestration in the frame of a future CO
2
neutral, circular, and sustainable bioeconomy.
The O-glycan is essential for the induction of protective antibodies against lethal infection by flagella A-bearing
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Choi Myeongjin , Shridhar Surekha , Fox Heather , Luo Kun , Amin Mohammed N. , Tennant Sharon M. , Simon Raphael , Cross Alan S.
Published: February 2024

To address the problem of increased antimicrobial resistance, we developed a glycoconjugate vaccine comprised of O-polysaccharides (OPS) of the four most prevalent serotypes of
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(KP) linked to recombinant flagellin types A and B (rFlaA and rFlaB) of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(PA). Flagellin is the major subunit of the flagellar filament. Flagella A and B, essential virulence factors for PA, are glycosylated with different glycans. We previously reported that while both rFlaA and rFlaB were highly immunogenic, only the rFlaB antisera reduced PA motility and protected mice from lethal PA infection in a mouse model of thermal injury. Since recombinant flagellin is not glycosylated, we examined the possibility that the glycan on native FlaA (nFlaA) might be critical to functional immune responses. We compared the ability of nFlaA to that of native, deglycosylated FlaA (dnFlaA) to induce functionally active antisera. O glycan was removed from nFlaA with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid. Despite the similar high-titered anti-FlaA antibody levels elicited by nFlaA, rFlaA, and dnFlaA, only the nFlaA antisera inhibited PA motility and protected mice following lethal intraperitoneal bacterial challenge. Both the protective efficacy and carrier protein function of nFlaA were retained when conjugated to KP O1 OPS. We conclude that unlike the case with FlaB O glycan, the FlaA glycan is an important epitope for the induction of functionally active anti-FlaA antibodies.
Archaeal actins and the origin of a multi-functional cytoskeleton
Authors: Charles-Orszag Arthur , Petek-Seoane Natalie A. , Mullins R. Dyche
Published: February 2024

Actin and actin-like proteins form filamentous polymers that carry out important cellular functions in all domains of life. In this review, we sketch a map of the function and regulation of actin-like proteins across bacteria, archaea, and eukarya, marking some of the
terra incognita
that remain in this landscape. We focus particular attention on archaea because mapping the structure and function of cytoskeletal systems across this domain promises to help us understand the evolutionary relationship between the (mostly) mono-functional actin-like filaments found in bacteria and the multi-functional actin cytoskeletons that characterize eukaryotic cells.
Supplemental Material: New geochemical and geochronological insights on forearc magmatism across the Sanak-Baranof belt, southern Alaska: A tale of two belts
Authors: Wackett Adrian A. , al. et , Smith Diane R.
Published: February 2024

All materials along with the raw data and associated R code for reproducing statistical analyses and figures .
Unusual cause of severe transvalvular eccentric jet AR: early structure valve deterioration of Trifecta valves by flail leaflet undergoing valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Chatlaong Thirath , Kosum Paisit , Tumkosit Monravee , Limjareon Thitima
Published: February 2024

The Trifecta tissue valve (Abbott, Illinois, USA) is an externally mounted bovine pericardial aortic valve (AV) prosthesis with adequate haemodynamic performance and better early results than another option. However, concerns have been raised about its durability. Recently, reports have emerged about an increased incidence of early structural valve failure after Trifecta implantation, where leaflet tear(s) with dehiscence along the stent post was the primary mode of early failure. In this article, we present the case of a patient in her 70s, 7 years after AV replacement with a Trifecta valve, who developed progressive dyspnoea. Physical examination revealed signs of chronic severe aortic regurgitation (AR). The initial transthoracic echocardiogram showed severe transvalvular AR, but the aetiology could not be determined. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) revealed a flail non-coronary cusp of the Trifecta bioprosthetic valve without vegetation. After discussion, we concluded that our patient was suitable for valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV TAVR).
Critical deterioration of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia during pregnancy
Authors: Vernon-Elliot Jake , Prasad Jyotika Devi , Bonney Asha
Published: February 2024

Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) is a rare, idiopathic interstitial lung disease characterised by the accumulation of eosinophils in the pulmonary interstitia and alveoli. Patients with CEP respond well to systemic corticosteroid therapy and infrequently progress to end-stage lung disease. We report a case of a woman in her 40s with previously stable, steroid-responsive CEP who experienced a critical deterioration of her CEP at 25 weeks of gestation during her third pregnancy. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit due to respiratory failure requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Follow-up investigation revealed advanced fibrotic lung disease requiring long-term oxygen therapy and referral for double lung transplantation. While CEP infrequently advances to permanent parenchymal damage, this case demonstrates the potential for severe exacerbations in the setting of pregnancy and highlights pregnancy as a potential risk factor for disease progression, reinforcing the need for further research to define optimal monitoring and treatment strategies.
HBV integrations reshaping genomic structures promote hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Qian Zhaoyang , Liang Junbo , Huang Rong , Song Wei , Ying Jianming , Bi Xinyu , Zhao Jianjun , Shi Zhenyu , Liu Wenjie , Liu Jianmei , Li Zhiyu , Zhou Jianguo , Huang Zhen , Zhang Yefan , Zhao Dongbing , Wu Jianxiong , Wang Liming , Chen Xiao , Mao Rui , Zhou Yanchi , Guo Lei , Hu Hanjie , Ge Dazhuang , Li Xingchen , Luo Zhiwen , Yao Jinjie , Li Tengyan , Chen Qichen , Wang Bingzhi , Wei Zhewen , Chen Kun , Qu Chunfeng , Cai Jianqiang , Jiao Yuchen , Bao Li , Zhao Hong
Published: February 2024

Objective

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), mostly characterised by HBV integrations, is prevalent worldwide. Previous HBV studies mainly focused on a few hotspot integrations. However, the oncogenic role of the other HBV integrations remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate HBV integration-induced tumourigenesis further.

Design

Here, we illuminated the genomic structures encompassing HBV integrations in 124 HCCs across ages using whole genome sequencing and Nanopore long reads. We classified a repertoire of integration patterns featured by complex genomic rearrangement. We also conducted a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-based gain-of-function genetic screen in mouse hepatocytes. We individually activated each candidate gene in the mouse model to uncover HBV integration-mediated oncogenic aberration that elicits tumourigenesis in mice.

Results

These HBV-mediated rearrangements are significantly enriched in a bridge-fusion-bridge pattern and interchromosomal translocations, and frequently led to a wide range of aberrations including driver copy number variations in chr 4q, 5p (
TERT
), 6q, 8p, 16q, 9p (
CDKN2A/B
), 17p (
TP53
) and 13q (
RB1
), and particularly, ultra-early amplifications in chr8q. Integrated HBV frequently contains complex structures correlated with the translocation distance. Paired breakpoints within each integration event usually exhibit different microhomology, likely mediated by different DNA repair mechanisms. HBV-mediated rearrangements significantly correlated with young age, higher HBV DNA level and
TP53
mutations but were less prevalent in the patients subjected to prior antiviral therapies. Finally, we recapitulated the
TONSL
and
TMEM65
amplification in chr8q led by HBV integration using CRISPR/Cas9 editing and demonstrated their tumourigenic potentials.

Conclusion

HBV integrations extensively reshape genomic structures and promote hepatocarcinogenesis (graphical abstract), which may occur early in a patient’s life.
Readability of cerebrovascular diseases online educational material from major cerebrovascular organizations
Authors: Gajjar Avi A , Patel Shray , Patel Shrey V , Goyal Aditya , Sioutas Georgios S , Gamel Katherine L , Salem Mohamed M , Srinivasan Visish M , Jankowitz Brian T , Burkhardt Jan Karl
Published: February 2024

Introduction

The internet is an essential resource for patients and their loved ones to understand their medical conditions, and professional medical organizations have taken great strides to develop educational material targeting patients. The average American reads at a seventh to eighth grade reading level, hence it is important to understand the readability of this medical information to ensure patients comprehend what is being presented.

Methods

In January 2023, online patient education material was downloaded from major cerebrovascular healthcare organizations and assessed using eight assessments, including Bormuth Cloze Mean, Bormuth Grade Placement, Coleman–Liau (grade levels), Coleman–Liau (predictive cloze scores), Flesch Reading Ease (FRE), and Fry.

Results

A total of 32 files were extracted from six organizations and analyzed across 15 readability measures. None of the organizations met the federal government guidelines for grade-level readability. This held constant across all measured tests. Two organizations had above a postgraduate level. The FRE graphs do not identify any organizations with material below a ninth grade reading level, while the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) have a postgraduate readability level. The Fry graphs show similar results, with AANS/CNS Cerebrovascular Section, Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery (SNIS), SIR, and AANS having college-level readability. The lowest readability across all measures is only at an early seventh grade reading level.

Conclusions

Current health literacy content for cerebrovascular patients is far above the recommended readability level. We provide straightforward suggestions for how major professional organizations should improve their informational material on cerebrovascular diseases to improve patient understanding.
Subcostal TAP block: one or two sequential injections? A cadaveric study
Authors: Schaefer Augustin , Grousson Sébastien , Bessede Thomas , Benhamou Dan , Ruscio Laura
Published: February 2024

Background and objectives

The subcostal transversus abdominis plane block (scTAPB) provides analgesia to the anterior abdominal wall but analgesic spread following a single injection remains modest and variable. The oblique scTAPB, which is performed with a continuous injection during needle progression into the TAP along the oblique subcostal line, may extend the block to the whole anterior abdominal wall but needle progression by hydrodissection may be difficult, explaining why this block is not widely used. This study investigated if two sequential scTAPB injections (2scTAPI) may reach more nerves than a single scTAPB (1scTAPI).

Methods

After institutional approval and under ultrasound guidance, a single injection of 20 mL of blue dye was performed in 16 cadaveric subjects into the TAP along the costal margin and lateral to the semilunaris line (1scTAPI). On the opposite side, a 20 mL of green solution was split into two injections (2scTAPI), using one injection medial and one lateral to the semilunaris line. Dye spread was assessed via gross anatomical dissection using an indirect method to quantify the involvement of the anterior cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves with each technique. A nerve was considered stained if the dye was observed in the TAP, reaching the costal margin aligned with the bony extremity of its corresponding rib.

Results

According to the spread to the costal margin, the estimated median number of consecutive nerves reached by dye after 2scTAPI was 5 (IQR 5–6) vs 3 (IQR 3–4) for 1scTAPI (p=0.00001). Spread after 2scTAPI suggested coverage of nerves originating from T8 to T12 in 85% of the subjects, and from T7 to T12 in 5 out of 17 cases. Spread following the 1scTAPI suggested coverage of nerves from T9 to T11 in most cases.

Conclusions

In a cadaveric model, a larger spread at the costal margin was obtained after 2scTAPI, suggesting a greater coverage of anterior branches of abdominal wall nerves compared with 1scTAPI. Clinical studies are needed to confirm these results.
Seismic performance assessment of post-tensioned CLT shear wall buildings with buckling-restrained axial fuses
Authors: Zhu Huanru , Bezabeh Matiyas A. , Iqbal Asif , Popovski Marjan , Chen Zhiyong
Published: February 2024

Post-tensioned cross-laminated timber (PT-CLT) walls have been demonstrated to be a low-damage seismic force-resisting system (SFRS) due to their self-centering capability. However, there is still a need to examine the seismic performance of such SFRS in high-seismic risk zones. This study evaluates the seismic performance of 6-, 9-, and 12-storey PT-CLT shear wall buildings in Vancouver, Canada, equipped with buckling-restrained axial fuses. The prototype buildings were designed using the displacement-based design method, and the assessment considered the most recent seismic hazard model provided in the 2020 National Building Code of Canada. To conduct nonlinear response history analysis (NLRHA) and incremental dynamic analysis (IDA), numerical models were developed in OpenSeesPy and calibrated based on component- and system-level experimental tests. The NLRHA and IDA results demonstrate that all the studied buildings have adequate collapse margin ratios, with less than a 10% chance of collapsing at the maximum considered earthquakes.
Assessing the relative threats from Canadian volcanoes
Authors: Kelman Melanie C. , Wilson Alexander M.
Published: February 2024

We assessed 28 Canadian volcanoes in terms of their relative threats to people, aviation, and infrastructure. The methodology we used was developed by the United States Geological Survey for the 2005 National Volcano Early Warning System. Each volcano is scored on multiple hazard and exposure factors, producing an overall threat score. The scored volcanoes are assigned to five threat categories, ranging from Very Low to Very High. We developed a knowledge uncertainty score to provide additional information about assessed threat levels; this does not affect the threat scoring. Two Canadian volcanoes are in the Very High threat category (Mt. Garibaldi and Mt. Meager). Three Canadian volcanoes are in the High threat category (Mt. Cayley, Mt. Price, and Mt. Edziza) and one volcano is in the Moderate threat category (Mt. Silverthrone). We compare the ranked Canadian volcanoes to volcanoes in the USA and assess current levels of monitoring against internationally recognized monitoring strategies. We find that even one of the best-studied volcanoes in Canada (Mt. Meager) falls significantly short of the recommended monitoring level and is currently monitored at a level commensurate with a Very Low threat edifice. All other Canadian volcanoes are unmonitored (apart from falling within a regional seismic network). This threat ranking has been used to prioritize hazard and risk assessment targets and to help select monitoring activities that will most effectively address the undermonitoring of Canadian volcanoes.
Framed parabolic sheaves on a trinion
Authors: Biswas Indranil , Hurtubise Jacques
Published: February 2024

We consider for structure groups [Formula: see text] a densely defined toric structure on the moduli space of framed parabolic sheaves on a three-punctured sphere, which degenerates to an actual toric structure. In combination with previous degeneration results, these extend to similar moduli for arbitrary Riemann surfaces.
Implosion, contraction and Moore–Tachikawa
Authors: Dancer Andrew , Kirwan Frances , Martens Johan
Published: February 2024

We give a survey of the implosion construction, extending some of its aspects relating to hypertoric geometry from type [Formula: see text] to a general reductive group, and interpret it in the context of the Moore–Tachikawa category. We use these ideas to discuss how the contraction construction in symplectic geometry can be generalized to the hyperkähler or complex symplectic situation.
Machine learning nuclear orbital-free density functional based on Thomas–Fermi approach
Authors: Chen Y. Y. , Wu X. H.
Published: February 2024

Orbital-free density functional theory (DFT) is much more efficient than the orbital-dependent Kohn–Sham DFT due to the avoidance of the auxiliary one-body orbitals. The machine learning approach has been applied to build nuclear orbital-free DFT recently [Wu et al., Phys. Rev. C 105 (2022) L031303] and achieved more precise descriptions for nuclei than existing orbital-free DFTs. Here, improved machine learning nuclear orbital-free density functional is built by including the Thomas–Fermi approach as a basement. Performances of the functional are compared in detail with the ones based on the pure machine learning approach. It is found that with the Thomas–Fermi functional included, the machine-learning-based functional can achieve better performance in directly predicting the kinetic energies and in providing the ground-state properties by the self-consistent procedures.
Discrete search stability for a hidden target on M-intervals with a known probabilistic distributed effort
Authors: El-Hadidy Mohamed Abd Allah
Published: February 2024

We consider a discrete search problem to detect a hidden target on one of the [Formula: see text]-intersected real lines at the origin. The target position is a vector of independent random variables with a known multivariate probability distribution that is symmetric around the origin. From the available information about the probability of the target, we can consider one bounded interval as a search space on each line. To maximize the detection probability, we divide each interval into a number of small subintervals. Some subintervals have low target probabilities; thus, we delete them and distribute their probabilities among the searched subintervals. The problem has a discrete version where each line contains a set of independent search subintervals. The search effort is bounded by a normal distribution. More than obtaining the maximum detection probability, we also need to get the minimum search effort to detect the target. After studying the stability of the minimum search effort, we present an illustrative example to show the effectiveness of our model.
Enhancement of heat transfer due to nonlinear radiative Burgers nanofluid with triple diffusion and heat source effects
Authors: Hejazi Hala A. , Khan Sami Ullah , Ijaz Khan M. , Khan Ilyas
Published: February 2024

This investigation predicts the assessment of mass and heat transfer due to Burgers nanofluid. The investigation is further supported by triple diffusion flow. Variable thermal conductivity is accounted to endorse the thermal flow. In the heat equation, the extension is suggested by utilizing the external heat source and nonlinear radiated phenomenon. Computations for modeled problems are achieved by the shooting method. The fundamental role of parameters governing flow is noticed which is physically attributed. It is observed that the heat transfer rate is enhanced due to the modified Dufour number. The solutal concentration declined for the regular Lewis number. Furthermore, the nanoparticles concentration reduces due to the nano-Lewis number. The depicted results convey novel applications in chemical processes, cooling control systems, refrigeration, solar energy, extrusion processes, etc.