bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the nexus between code of business ethics, human resource supply chain management and corporate culture: evidence from MENA countries
Authors: AL-Shboul Moh'd Anwer
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the relationships between human resource supply chain management (HRSCM), corporate culture (CC) and the code of business ethics (CBE) in the MENA region.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the author adopted a quantitative approach through an online Google Form survey for the data-gathering process. All questionnaires were distributed to the manufacturing and service firms that are listed in the Chambers of the Industries of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Egypt in the MENA region using a simple random sampling method. About 567 usable and valid responses were retrieved out of 2,077 for analysis, representing a 27.3% response rate. The sample unit for analysis included all middle- and senior-level managers and employees within manufacturing and service firms. The conceptual model was tested using a hypothesis-testing deductive approach. The findings are based on covariance-based analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) using PLS-SEM software. The author performed convergent validity and discriminant validity tests, and bootstrapping was also applied.

Findings

The empirical results display a significant and positive association between HRSCM and the CBE. The CC and the CBE tend to be positively and significantly related. Therefore, HRSCM can play a key role in boosting and applying the CBE in firms. For achieving the firm purposes, more attention to the HR personnel should be paid to implement the CBE. The high importance of the CBE becomes necessary for both the department and the firm.

Practical implications

Such results can provide insightful information for HR personnel, managers and leaders to encourage them to develop and maintain an effective corporate code of conduct within their organizations.

Originality/value

This paper tries to explore the linkages between HRSCM, CC and CBE in the Middle East region due to the lack of research available that analyzes the relationship between them. Not only that, but it also offers great implications for Middle Eastern businesses.
The impact of the China’s Belt and Road Initiative on innovation, knowledge transfer and information diffusion: opportunities, challenges, and criticism
Authors: Uctu Ramazan , Şahbaz Ahmet
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, hereafter) has reenergized the Silk Road concept, with most literature focusing on the political and economic effects of the BRI. While certain aspects of the Digital Silk Road (DSR), digital component of BRI, have been researched, much less focus has been placed on the technological development, tech transfer and information diffusion aspects of the BRI. The aim of this study is to investigate the opportunities, issues and critiques that have arisen as a result of the Belt and Road Initiative’s implications on innovation, knowledge transfer and dissemination.

Design/methodology/approach

Research in its nature is descriptive. Literature reviews are a significant part of the development of a field. Therefore, secondary sources were considered.

Findings

The literature and the study have highlighted several opportunities, problems and criticism that decision-makers and the relevant agencies and institutions should take into account when deciding how to move forward with BRI and its digital component DSR.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the research literature on BRI and its subset DSR’s impacts on innovation, knowledge transfer and information diffusion. In fact, the DSR’s primary aim is to strengthen international cooperation in the digital economy. Furthermore, digital platforms now play a significant role in global trade, emphasizing the necessity of DSR.
The predictive robustness of organizational and technological enablers towards blockchain technology adoption and financial performance
Authors: Abdelwahed Nadia A. Abdelmegeed , Al Doghan Mohammed A. , Saraih Ummi Naiemah , Soomro Bahadur Ali
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Blockchain technology has brought about significant transformation among organizations worldwide. This study aimed to explore the effects of organizational and technological factors on blockchain technology adoption (BTA) and financial performance (FP) in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a co-relational study which used the cross-sectional data. We gathered the data from the managers of Pakistan’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which functioned their industries with blockchain technology. We applied convenience sampling to identify the respondents. Finally, we based this study’s findings on 274 valid cases.

Findings

We used structural equation modeling (SEM) in this study, to exert a positive and significant impact on organizational factors such as organizational innovativeness (OI), organizational learning capability (OLC), top management support (TMS) and organizational work climate (OWC) on BTA. In addition, the technological factors, such as complexity (CTY), technology readiness (TR), compatibility (CBTY) and technology capability (TC), have a positive and significant effect on BTA. Finally, this study’s findings show that BTA positively and significantly impacts FP.

Practical implications

This study’s findings will help policymakers and planners to design policies to adopt other blockchain technologies to improve SMEs’ operations. Moreover, this study’s findings will inspire policymakers and planners to actively seek new ideas, knowledge and skills through acquiring new knowledge to assist with their IT-related decisions.

Originality/value

This study empirically confirms the role of organizational and technology factors toward BTA and FP among Pakistan's SME managers.
Autonomous vehicles and consumer acceptance: a bibliometric analysis perspective
Authors: Bakti I Gede Mahatma Yuda , Sumaedi Sik , Yarmen Medi , Pandin Marlina , Yaman Aris , Jati Rahmi Kartika , Hidayat Mauludin
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Recently, autonomous vehicles (AV) acceptance has been studied intensively. This paper aims to map and analyze the bibliometric characteristics of AV acceptance literature. Furthermore, this research aims to identify research gaps and propose future research opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

The bibliometric analysis was performed. Scopus database was used as the source of the literature. This study selected and analyzed 297 AV acceptance papers. The performance and science mapping analysis were performed.

Findings

The developed countries tended to dominate the topic. The publication outlet tended to be in transportation or technology journals. There were four research themes in existing literature. Technology acceptance model (TAM) and UTAUT2 tended to be used for explaining AV acceptance. AV acceptance studies tended to use two types of psychological concepts for understanding AV acceptance, namely risk related concepts and functional utilitarian benefit related concepts. In the context of research design, quantitative approach tended to be used. Self-driving feature was the most exploited feature of AV in the existing literature. Three research gaps were mapped and future research opportunities were proposed.

Practical implications

This paper provided a comprehensive information that allowed scientists to develop future research on AV acceptance.

Originality/value

There is lack of paper that discussed the bibliometric characteristics of AV acceptance literature. This paper fulfilled the gap.
Against book enclosures: Moving towards more diverse, humane and accessible book publishing
Authors: Batterbury Simon P. J. , Pia Andrea E. , Wielander Gerda , Loubere Nicholas
Published: February 2024

Matthew Gandy's Commentary in Area (2023) criticised the decision of the national funder UKRI to mandate that all books resulting from the research that it funds must be published open access (OA) from 2024. This raises many issues of importance to geographers. We argue that scholars in the discipline need to fight for affordable and ethically produced OA books, not ‘legacy’ modes of publishing. In particular, books produced by scholar‐led OA presses will not harm the reputation of departments or individual scholars, and they also have the potential to reduce significant financial barriers to accessing books across the globe. A more powerful critique must be to challenge the continued ‘enclosure’ of books, and the denial of OA by academic publishers and university presses.
The Mozart effect in chronic myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Stentoft Jesper
Published: February 2024

Clinical research has not been able to establish whether the differences between first‐ and second‐generation BCR‐ABL 1 kinase inhibitors are clinically relevant with regard to outcome. In the study by Alcazer et al., a relevant difference seems to emerge—paradoxically in the absence of the drugs—as demonstrated by differences in the relapse kinetics after cessation of therapy.

Commentary on: Alcazer et al. Kinetics of molecular recurrence after tyrosine kinase inhibitor cessation in chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukaemia patients. Br J Haematol 2024;204:1536‐1539.
Influence of lamina propria invasion extension on T1 high‐grade non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer in patients undergoing BCG or radical cystectomy
Authors: Contieri Roberto , Tan Wei Shen , Grajales Valentina , Hensley Patrick J. , Martini Alberto , Bree Kelly , Myers Amanda , Nogueras‐Gonzalez Graciela , Navai Neema , Dinney Colin P. , Guo Charles , Kamat Ashish M.
Published: February 2024

Objective

To evaluate the prognostic value of T1 substaging in patients treated with bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) or immediate radical cystectomy (iRC).

Materials and Methods

We performed an institutional review board‐approved retrospective study analysing non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients with pT1 disease treated with either BCG or iRC between 2000 and 2020. Lamina propria (LP) invasion characteristics were extracted from the pathology report. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate overall survival (OS), cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and metastasis‐free survival (MFS). Multivariable Cox models were used to determine the association between progression‐free survival (PFS) and characteristics in the BCG cohort. A logistic regression model explored the relationship between T1 substaging and upstaging to >pT2 at iRC.

Results

A total of 411 T1 high‐grade patients were identified. LP invasion characteristics were as follows: not specified: 115 (28%); focal/superficial (F/S): 147 (35.8%); and extensive/multifocal (E/M): 149 (36.2%). Overall, 303 patients (73.7%) received BCG, and 108 patients (26.3%) underwent iRC. The median (interquartile range) follow‐up was 53 (32–96) months. Patients with E/M LP invasion were significantly more likely to undergo iRC (34% vs. 19%; P = 0.003). Patients with E/M LP invasion showed poorer MFS and CSS compared to those with F/S LP invasion when treated with BCG but not when treated with iRC. Among BCG‐treated patients, progression occurred in 41 patients and E/M LP invasion was independently associated with progression after BCG (hazard ratio 5.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2–13.1; P < 0.001). T1 substaging was not associated with upstaging at RC (odds ratio 3.15, 95% CI 0.82–12.12; P = 0.095).

Conclusions

Extensive/multifocal LP invasion was associated with poor PFS, MFS and CSS in patients treated with BCG. T1 substaging provides valuable prognostic information and should be reported in pathology reports.
Airport take‐off and landing optimization through genetic algorithms
Authors: Guedan‐Pecker Fernando , Ramirez‐Atencia Cristian
Published: February 2024

This research addresses the crucial issue of pollution from aircraft operations, focusing on optimizing both gate allocation and runway scheduling simultaneously, a novel approach not previously explored. The study presents an innovative genetic algorithm‐based method for minimizing pollution from fuel combustion during aircraft take‐off and landing at airports. This algorithm uniquely integrates the optimization of both landing gates and take‐off/landing runways, considering the correlation between engine operation time and pollutant levels. The approach employs advanced constraint handling techniques to manage the intricate time and resource limitations inherent in airport operations. Additionally, the study conducts a thorough sensitivity analysis of the model, with a particular emphasis on the mutation factor and the type of penalty function, to fine‐tune the optimization process. This dual‐focus optimization strategy represents a significant advancement in reducing environmental impact in the aviation sector, establishing a new standard for comprehensive and efficient airport operation management.
METTL3 inhibitor STM2457 impairs tumor progression and enhances sensitivity to anlotinib in OSCC
Authors: Liu Lianlian , Zhao Tingting , Zheng Siyi , Tang Dongxiao , Han Hui , Yang Chunlong , Zheng Xin , Wang Juan , Ma Jieyi , Wei Wei , Wang Zhaoyu , He Shuqi , He Qianting
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To investigate the inhibitory effects of STM2457, which is a novel METTL3 (m6A writer) inhibitor, both as a monotherapy and in combination with anlotinib, in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) both in vitro and in vivo.

Materials and Methods

The efficacy of STM2457 or STM2457 plus anlotinib was evaluated using two OSCC cell lines by CCK8, transwell, colony formation, would‐healing, sphere formation, cell cycle, apoptosis assays, and nude mice tumor xenograft techniques. The molecular mechanism study was carried out by western blotting, qRT‐PCR, MeRIP‐qPCR, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry.

Results

STM2457 combined with anlotinib enhanced inhibition of cellular survival/proliferation and promotion of apoptosis in vitro. Moreover, this combinatorial approach exerted a notable reduction in stemness properties and EMT (epithelial‐mesenchymal transition) features of OSCC cells. Remarkably, in vivo studies validated the efficacy of the combination treatment. Mechanistically, our investigations revealed that the combined action of STM2457 and anlotinib exerted downregulatory effects on EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) expression in OSCC cells.

Conclusions

The combination of STM2457 and anlotinib targeting EGFR exerted a multiple anti‐tumor effect. In near future, anlotinib combined with STM2457 may provide a novel insight for the treatment of OSCC.
Mite allergen sensitization patterns in Turkish children: Age‐related changes and molecular correlations
Authors: Tuten Dal Sevda , Sahiner Umit Murat , Soyer Ozge , Sekerel Bulent Enis
Published: February 2024

Background

Mites are ubiquitous aeroallergens found worldwide. Elucidating individual mite allergen sensitization patterns provides critical insights for managing allergic diseases. This study aimed to investigate molecular allergen (MA) sensitization patterns across different age groups and explore cluster relationships among mite‐sensitized children.

Methods

We analyzed 76 children who exhibited sensitization to at least one of the 17 distinct mite MAs through microarray testing.

Results

Dermatophagoides farinae exhibited a slightly higher prevalence of sensitization compared with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Der p 1/2 and Der f 1/2 demonstrated an almost 40% sensitization rate, while Der p 10/Blo t 10, Der p 20, Der p 23, and Gly d 2/Lep d 2 displayed an approximately 20% sensitization rate. Sensitization levels and ratios increased significantly with age for Der p 23 but showed numerical rises for other MAs, except for Der p 10/Blo t 10. The presence of various types of atopic diseases had only a minimal impact on sensitization profiles. Strong correlations emerged between Der f 2 and Der p 2, Der p 10 and Blo t 10, Der p 21 and Blo t 5, as well as Gly d 2 and Lep d 2. Hierarchical cluster analysis substantiated these relationships. Der p 10 and its homolog Blo t 10‐sensitive patients (15/76) were mostly seen as mono sensitization(12/15). Ten patients exhibited monosensitization to Der p 20, suggesting a possible association with scabies infection.

Conclusion

In children, mite sensitization diversity and levels increased with age. The presence of significant correlations/cluster relationships among these sensitizations underscores homologies among specific MAs.
Heat stress reduced survival but sped up development in Heliconius erato butterflies
Authors: Huang Yuqian , McPherson Josie , Jiggins Chris D. , Montejo‐Kovacevich Gabriela
Published: February 2024

Anthropogenic climate change is thought to present a significant threat to biodiversity, in particular to tropical ectotherms, and the effects of long‐term developmental heat stress on this group have received relatively little research attention. Here, we studied the effects of experimentally raising developmental temperatures on a tropical butterfly. We measured survival, development time, adult body mass and wing size of Heliconius erato demophoon (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) across three temperature treatments. Egg survival was lower in the hotter treatments, with 84%, 73% and 49% of eggs hatching in the 20–30°C (fluctuating temperature with 12 h at 20°C followed by 12 h at 30°C), 23–33°C and 26–36°C treatments, respectively. Larval survival was three times lower in the 26–36°C treatment (8%) compared with the 20–30°C treatment (26%), and we did not detect differences in pupal survival across treatments due to high mortality in earlier stages. Under a moderately increased temperature at 23–33°C, larvae developed faster and adults had a higher body mass and wing loading, but this was not seen in the hottest treatment (26–36°C). Females were also heavier than males in the 23–33°C treatment, but there was no associated increase in wing size. This may suggest a different developmental response to moderately elevated temperatures between the sexes. In summary, high developmental temperatures are particularly lethal for eggs and less so for larvae and also affect adult morphology. This highlights the importance of understanding the effects of temperature variation across ontogeny in tropical ectotherms.
Pregnancy‐associated mortality due to cardiovascular disease: Impact of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Authors: Lee Rachel , Brandt Justin S. , Joseph K. S. , Ananth Cande V.
Published: February 2024

Background

Reported rates of maternal mortality in the United States have been staggeringly high and increasing, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a chief contributor to such deaths. However, the impact of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) on the short‐term risk of cardiovascular death is not well understood.

Objectives

To evaluate the association between HDP (chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia, and superimposed preeclampsia) and pregnancy‐associated mortality rates (PMR) from all causes, CVD‐related causes both at delivery and within 1 year following delivery.

Methods

We used the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2010–2018) to examine PMRs for females 15–54 years old. International Classification of Disease 9 and 10 diagnosis codes were used to identify pregnancy‐associated deaths due to HDP and CVD. Discrete‐time Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for mortality at delivery (0 days) and at <30, <60, <90, <180, and <365 days after delivery in relation to HDP.

Results

Of 33,417,736 hospital deliveries, the rate of HDP was 11.0% (n = 3,688,967), and the PMR from CVD was 6.4 per 100,000 delivery hospitalisations (n = 2141). Compared with normotensive patients, HRs for CVD‐related PMRs increased with HDP severity, reaching over 58‐fold for eclampsia patients. HRs were higher for stroke‐related (1.2 to 170.9) than heart disease (HD)‐related (0.99 to 39.8) mortality across all HDPs. Except for gestational hypertension, the increased risks of CVD mortality were evident at delivery and persisted 1 year postpartum for all HDPs.

Conclusions

HDPs are strong risk factors for pregnancy‐associated mortality due to CVD at delivery and within 1 year postpartum; the risks are stronger for stroke than HD‐related PMR. While absolute PMRs are low, this study supports the importance of extending postpartum care beyond the traditional 42‐day postpartum visit for people whose pregnancies are complicated by hypertension.
Are all hamstring injuries equal? A retrospective analysis of time to return to full training following BAMIC type ‘c’ and T‐junction injuries in professional men's rugby union
Authors: Kerin Fearghal , O'Flanagan Stuart , Coyle Joe , Curley Darragh , Farrell Garreth , Persson Ulrik McCarthy , De Vito Giuseppe , Delahunt Eamonn
Published: February 2024

We aimed to determine whether the anatomical location (intramuscular tendon or T‐Junction) of hamstring muscle injuries in professional men's rugby union associates with a prolonged time to return to full training and a higher rate of re‐injury/subsequent injury. We reviewed the medical records of an Irish professional rugby union club to identify hamstring muscle injuries incurred across five seasons. Clinicians and players were not blinded to MRI results at the time of rehabilitation. A blinded musculoskeletal radiologist re‐classified all included injuries (n = 91) according to the British Athletics Muscle Injury Classification framework. Players who sustained an injury with intramuscular tendon involvement required a longer time to return to full training compared to players who sustained an injury without intramuscular tendon involvement (78 days vs. 24 days). Players who sustained a biceps femoris injury with T‐junction involvement did not require a longer time to return to full training compared to players who sustained a biceps femoris injury without T‐junction involvement (29 days vs. 27 days). Injuries with either intramuscular tendon or T‐junction involvement were not associated with an increased rate of re‐injury/subsequent injury to the same limb (intramuscular tendon involvement – odds ratio = 0.96, T‐junction involvement − odds ratio = 1.03). When a hamstring muscle injury involves the intramuscular tendon, the injured player and stakeholders should be made aware that a longer time to return to full training is likely required. T‐junction involvement does not alter the expected clinical course of biceps femoris injuries.
Effects of Assistance Media on Active Learning and Creative Thinking in Online Learning
Authors: Midun Hendrikus , Bule Oswaldus , Nardi Mikael
Published: February 2024

Online learning is the best learning strategy during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it has obstacles for students who are still learning to adapt to internet technology. This research aims to determine the effect of using online learning strategies on students' active learning and creative thinking. The subjects of this study were 52 students of the Indonesian Language Education Study Program at the Indonesian Catholic University of Saint Paul. They are taught using the Moodle application. The experimental class was taught using media assistance in the form of WhatsApp, while the control class was not taught. Data collection uses tests and observation sheets. Data analysis used ANOVA with the help of SPSS version 27. The results showed that 1) there were significant differences in student learning activities in online learning with media assistance and students without media assistance; 2) there is no significant difference in creative thinking between students who are taught using media and students who are not given media assistance. Based on the results, findings and conclusions, suggestions will be explained for implementing future learning and further research. Especially the creation of an online learning environment for students who are still adapting to advances in internet technology.
Evening but not morning aerobic training improves sympathetic activity and baroreflex sensitivity in elderly patients with treated hypertension
Authors: Brito Leandro C. , Azevêdo Luan M. , Amaro‐Vicente Graziela , Costa Luis R. , da Silva Junior Natan D. , Halliwill John R. , Rondon Maria U. P. B. , Forjaz Cláudia L. M.
Published: February 2024

The blood pressure‐lowering effect of aerobic training is preceded by improving cardiovascular autonomic control. We previously demonstrated that aerobic training conducted in the evening (ET) induces a greater decrease in blood pressure than morning training (MT). To study whether the greater blood pressure decrease after ET occurs through better cardiovascular autonomic regulation, this study aimed to compare MT versus ET on muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in treated patients with hypertension. Elderly patients treated for hypertension were randomly allocated into MT (n = 12, 07.00–10.00 h) or ET (n = 11, 17.00–20.00 h) groups. Both groups trained for 10 weeks, 3 times/week, cycling for 45 min at moderate intensity. Beat‐to‐beat blood pressure (finger photoplethysmography), heart rate (electrocardiography) and MSNA (microneurography) were assessed at the initial and final phases of the study at baseline and during sequential bolus infusions of sodium nitroprusside and phenylephrine (modified‐Oxford technique) to evaluate cardiac and sympathetic BRS. Mean blood pressure decreased significantly after ET but not after MT (−9 ± 11 vs. −1 ± 8 mmHg, P = 0.042). MSNA decreased significantly only after ET with no change after MT (−12 ± 5 vs. −3 ± 7 bursts/100 heart beats, P = 0.013). Sympathetic BRS improved after ET but not after MT (−0.8 ± 0.7 vs. 0.0 ± 0.8 bursts/100 heart beats/mmHg, P = 0.052). Cardiac BRS improved similarly in both groups (ET: +1.7 ± 1.8 vs. MT: +1.4 ± 1.9 ms/mmHg, Pphase ≤ 0.001). In elderly patients treated for hypertension, only ET decreased mean blood pressure and MSNA and improved sympathetic BRS. These findings revealed that the sympathetic nervous system has a key role in ET's superiority to MT in blood pressure‐lowering effect.

image

Key points

Reducing muscle nerve sympathetic activity and increasing sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity plays a key role in promoting the greater blood pressure reduction observed with evening training.

These findings indicated that simply changing the timing of exercise training may offer additional benefits beyond antihypertensive medications, such as protection against sympathetic overdrive and loss of baroreflex sensitivity, independent markers of mortality.

Our new findings also suggest new avenues of investigation, such as the possibility that evening aerobic training may be beneficial in other clinical conditions with sympathetic overdrive, such as congestive heart failure and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Design of an Environmental Barrier Coating Bond Strength Test Coupon
Authors: Salem Jonathan A. , Mital Subodh K. , Harder Bryan J. , Thompson Aaron C.
Published: February 2024

The bond strength of an environmental barrier coating (EBC) to a substrate such as a silicon carbide fiber/silicon carbide matrix (SiC/SiC) ceramic matrix composite (CMC) is a function of coating application parameters, matrix surface roughness, and environmental exposure, which results in the formation of a thermally grown oxide layer (TGO) layer. Current estimates of the EBC bond strength to a substrate are made assuming that the applied force divided by pull tab area is a representative metric. Although this is an expedient method for rapid strength estimates, the process of bonding the EBC to a pull-tab creates thermo-elastic residual stresses that are superimposed with the applied tensile load. Minimization of these stresses via test specimen design should give the most realistic estimate of EBC bond strength. We examine the residual stresses imposed on the EBC by cooling of an adhesive layer bonded to various metal and ceramic tabs. The results are extended to examine the stress distribution in a TGO layer formed on a Plasma Spray-Physical Vapor Deposited (PS-PVD) Yb2Si2O7 (ytterbium disilicate) EBC. An EBC/substrate coupon that overhangs a titanium or Kovar® pull tab is recommended in order to minimize thermal stresses, avoid edge effects, and provide an acreage strength measurement. The test method is sensitive to changes in substrate surface finish and oxidation time.
Structural and magnetic properties of Ni cluster embedded (111)NiO layers grown on (0001)GaN films
Authors: Arora Simran , Yadav Shivesh , Kaur Amandeep , Sahu Bhabani Prasad , Hussain Zainab , Dhar Subhabrata
Published: February 2024

(111) NiO epitaxial layers embedded with crystallographically oriented Ni-clusters are grown on c-GaN/Sapphire templates using the pulsed laser deposition technique. Structural and magnetic properties of the films are examined by a variety of techniques including high-resolution x-ray diffraction, precession-electron diffraction, and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry. It has been found that Ni-clusters are formed in the NiO matrix only at sufficiently low oxygen pressures during the growth. The study further reveals that the orientation, shape, size, density, and magnetic properties of these clusters depend strongly on the growth temperature (TG). Although most of the Ni-clusters are found to be obtained crystallographically aligned with the NiO matrix with Ni(111) ∥NiO(111), clusters with other orientations also exist, especially in samples grown at lower temperatures. The average size and density of the clusters increase with TG. The proportion of the Ni(111) ∥ NiO(111)-oriented clusters also improves as TG is increased. All cluster embedded films show ferromagnetic behavior even at room temperature. Easy-axis is found to be oriented in the layer plane in samples grown at relatively lower temperatures. However, it turns perpendicular to the layer plane for samples grown at sufficiently high temperatures. This reversal of easy-axis has been attributed to the size dependent competition between the shape and magnetoelastic and the surface anisotropies of the clusters. This composite material thus has great potential to serve as a spin-injector and spin-storage medium in GaN-based spintronics of the future.
Investigating sound-field reproduction methods as perceived by bilateral hearing aid users and normal-hearing listeners
Authors: Fernandez Janani , McCormack Leo , Hyvärinen Petteri , Kressner Abigail Anne
Published: February 2024

A perceptual study was conducted to investigate the perceived accuracy of two sound-field reproduction approaches when experienced by hearing-impaired (HI) and normal-hearing (NH) listeners. The methods under test were traditional signal-independent Ambisonics reproduction and a parametric signal-dependent alternative, which were both rendered at different Ambisonic orders. The experiment was repeated in two different rooms: (1) an anechoic chamber, where the audio was delivered over an array of 44 loudspeakers; (2) an acoustically-treated listening room with a comparable setup, which may be more easily constructed within clinical settings. Ten bilateral hearing aid users, with mild to moderate symmetric hearing loss, wearing their devices, and 15 NH listeners were asked to rate the methods based upon their perceived similarity to simulated reference conditions. In the majority of cases, the results indicate that the parametric reproduction method was rated as being more similar to the reference conditions than the signal-independent alternative. This trend is evident for both groups, although the variation in responses was notably wider for the HI group. Furthermore, generally similar trends were observed between the two listening environments for the parametric method. The signal-independent approach was instead rated as being more similar to the reference in the listening room.
In Science Journals
Authors: Lopez Bianca , Yeston Jake S. , Szuromi Phil , Vignieri Sacha , Funk Michael A. , Smith Keith T. , Isles Hannah M. , Ray L. Bryan , Alderton Gemma , Osborne Ian S. , Nusinovich Yevgeniya , Simonti Corinne , Kelly Priscilla N. , Smith H. Jesse , Ferrarelli Leslie K. , Norton Melissa L.
Published: February 2024

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
In Other Journals
Authors: Lopez Bianca , Suleymanov Yury , Nusinovich Yevgeniya , Hurtley Stella M. , Ross Sarah H. , Szuromi Phil , Lavine Marc S.
Published: February 2024

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
Activation of gp130 signaling in T cells drives T
H
17-mediated multi-organ autoimmunity
Authors: Baumgartner Francis , Bamopoulos Stefanos A. , Faletti Laura , Hsiao Hsiang-Jung , Holz Maximilian , Gonzalez-Menendez Irene , Boldo Llorenç , Horne Arik , Gosavi Sanket , Özerdem Ceren , Singh Nikita , Liebig Sven , Ramamoorthy Senthilkumar , Lehmann Malte , Demel Uta , Kühl Anja A. , Wartewig Tim , Ruland Jürgen , Wunderlich Frank T. , Schick Markus , Walther Wolfgang , Rose-John Stefan , Haas Simon , Quintanilla-Martinez Leticia , Feske Stefan , Ehl Stephan , Glauben Rainer , Keller Ulrich
Published: February 2024

The IL-6–gp130–STAT3 signaling axis is a major regulator of inflammation. Activating mutations in the gene encoding gp130 and germline gain-of-function mutations in STAT3 (STAT3
GOF
) are associated with multi-organ autoimmunity, severe morbidity, and adverse prognosis. To dissect crucial cellular subsets and disease biology involved in activated gp130 signaling, the gp130-JAK-STAT3 axis was constitutively activated using a transgene,
L-gp130
, specifically targeted to T cells. Activating gp130 signaling in T cells in vivo resulted in fatal, early onset, multi-organ autoimmunity in mice that resembled human STAT3
GOF
disease. Female mice had more rapid disease progression than male mice. On a cellular level, gp130 signaling induced the activation and effector cell differentiation of T cells, promoted the expansion of T helper type 17 (T
H
17) cells, and impaired the activity of regulatory T cells. Transcriptomic profiling of CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells from these mice revealed commonly dysregulated genes and a gene signature that, when applied to human transcriptomic data, improved the segregation of patients with transcriptionally diverse STAT3
GOF
mutations from healthy controls. The findings demonstrate that increased gp130-STAT3 signaling leads to T
H
17-driven autoimmunity that phenotypically resembles human STAT3
GOF
disease.
Designer high-density lipoprotein particles enhance endothelial barrier function and suppress inflammation
Authors: Lin Yueh-Chien , Swendeman Steven , Moreira Irina S. , Ghosh Avishek , Kuo Andrew , Rosário-Ferreira Nícia , Guo Shihui , Culbertson Alan , Levesque Michel V. , Cartier Andreane , Seno Takahiro , Schmaier Alec , Galvani Sylvain , Inoue Asuka , Parikh Samir M. , FitzGerald Garret A. , Zurakowski David , Liao Maofu , Flaumenhaft Robert , Gümüş Zeynep H. , Hla Timothy
Published: February 2024

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) nanoparticles promote endothelial cell (EC) function and suppress inflammation, but their utility in treating EC dysfunction has not been fully explored. Here, we describe a fusion protein named ApoA1-ApoM (A1M) consisting of apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), the principal structural protein of HDL that forms lipid nanoparticles, and ApoM, a chaperone for the bioactive lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). A1M forms HDL-like particles, binds to S1P, and is signaling competent. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the S1P-bound ApoM moiety in A1M efficiently activated EC surface receptors. Treatment of human umbilical vein ECs with A1M-S1P stimulated barrier function either alone or cooperatively with other barrier-enhancing molecules, including the stable prostacyclin analog iloprost, and suppressed cytokine-induced inflammation. A1M-S1P injection into mice during sterile inflammation suppressed neutrophil influx and inflammatory mediator secretion. Moreover, systemic A1M administration led to a sustained increase in circulating HDL-bound S1P and suppressed inflammation in a murine model of LPS-induced endotoxemia. We propose that A1M administration may enhance vascular endothelial barrier function, suppress cytokine storm, and promote resilience of the vascular endothelium.
Identifying and mathematically modeling the time-course of extracellular metabolic markers associated with resistance to ceftolozane/tazobactam in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Tait Jessica R. , Anderson Dovile , Nation Roger L. , Creek Darren J. , Landersdorfer Cornelia B.
Published: February 2024

Extracellular bacterial metabolites have potential as markers of bacterial growth and resistance emergence but have not been evaluated in dynamic
in vitro
studies. We investigated the dynamic metabolomic footprint of a multidrug-resistant hypermutable
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolate exposed to ceftolozane/tazobactam as continuous infusion (4.5 g/day, 9 g/day) in a hollow-fiber infection model over 7–9 days in biological replicates (
n
= 5). Bacterial samples were collected at 0, 7, 23, 47, 71, 95, 143, 167, 191, and 215 h, the supernatant quenched, and extracellular metabolites extracted. Metabolites were analyzed via untargeted metabolomics, including hierarchical clustering and correlation with quantified total and resistant bacterial populations. The time-courses of five (of 1,921 detected) metabolites from enriched pathways were mathematically modeled. Absorbed
L
-arginine and secreted
L
-ornithine were highly correlated with the total bacterial population (r −0.79 and 0.82, respectively,
P
<0.0001). Ribose-5-phosphate, sedoheptulose-7-phosphate, and trehalose-6-phosphate correlated with the resistant subpopulation (0.64, 0.64, and 0.67, respectively,
P
<0.0001) and were likely secreted due to resistant growth overcoming oxidative and osmotic stress induced by ceftolozane/tazobactam. Using pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic-based transduction models, these metabolites were successfully modeled based on the total or resistant bacterial populations. The models well described the abundance of each metabolite across the differing time-course profiles of biological replicates, based on bacterial killing and, importantly, resistant regrowth. These proof-of-concept studies suggest that further exploration is warranted to determine the generalizability of these findings. The metabolites modeled here are not exclusive to bacteria. Future studies may use this approach to identify bacteria-specific metabolites correlating with resistance, which would ultimately be extremely useful for clinical translation.
Metagenomic exploration of the rhizosphere soil microbial community and their significance in facilitating the development of wild-simulated ginseng
Authors: Huang Jiaquan , Wu Yaxin , Gao Qiandi , Li Xiaojie , Zeng Yunyan , Guo Yipeng , Zhang Heqian , Qin Zhiwei
Published: February 2024

Panax ginseng,
a prized medicinal herb, has faced increasingly challenging field production due to soil degradation and fungal diseases in Northeast China. Wild-simulated cultivation has prevailed because of its sustainable soil management and low disease incidence. Despite the recognized benefits of rhizosphere microorganisms in ginseng cultivation, their genomic and functional diversity remain largely unexplored. In this work, we utilized shotgun metagenomic analysis to reveal that Pseudomonadota, Actinomycetota, and Acidobacteriota were dominant in the ginseng rhizobiome and recovered 14 reliable metagenome-assembled genomes. Functional analysis indicated an enrichment of denitrification-associated genes, potentially contributing to the observed decline in soil fertility, while genes associated with aromatic carbon degradation may be linked to allelochemical degradation. Further analysis demonstrated enrichment of Actinomycetota in 9-year-old wild-simulated ginseng (WSG), suggesting the need for targeted isolation of Actinomycetota bacteria. Among these, at least three different actinomycete strains were found to play a crucial role in fungal disease resistance, with
Streptomyces
spp. WY144 standing out for its production of actinomycin natural products active against the pathogenic fungus
Ilyonectria robusta
. These findings not only enhance our understanding of the rhizobiome of WSG but also present promising avenues for combating detrimental fungal pathogens, underscoring the importance of ginseng in both medicinal and agricultural contexts.

IMPORTANCE

Wild-simulated ginseng, growing naturally without human interference, is influenced by its soil microbiome. Using shotgun metagenomics, we analyzed the rhizospheric soil microbiome of 7- and 9-year-old wild-simulated ginseng. The study aimed to reveal its composition and functions, exploring the microbiome’s key roles in ginseng growth. Enrichment analysis identified Streptomycetes in ginseng soil, with three strains inhibiting plant pathogenic fungi. Notably, one strain produced actinomycins, suppressing the ginseng pathogenic fungus
Ilyonectria robusta
. This research accelerates microbiome application in wild-simulated ginseng cultivation, offering insights into pathogen protection and supporting microbiome utilization in agriculture.
Identification of
Clostridioides difficile
mutants with increased daptomycin resistance
Authors: Zbylicki Brianne R. , Murphy Claire E. , Petsche Jennifer A. , Müh Ute , Dobrila Horia A. , Ho Theresa D. , Daum Mikaela N. , Pannullo Anthony G. , Weiss David S. , Ellermeier Craig D.
Published: February 2024

Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic used to treat infections caused by some Gram-positive bacteria. Daptomycin disrupts synthesis of the peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall by inserting into the cytoplasmic membrane and binding multiple forms of the undecaprenyl carrier lipid required for PG synthesis. Membrane insertion requires phosphatidylglycerol, so studies of daptomycin can provide insight into assembly and maintenance of the cytoplasmic membrane. Here, we studied the effects of daptomycin on
Clostridioides difficile
, the leading cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea. We observed that growth of
C. difficile
strain R20291 in the presence of sub-MIC levels of daptomycin resulted in a chaining phenotype, minicell formation, and lysis—phenotypes broadly consistent with perturbation of membranes and PG synthesis. We also selected for and characterized eight mutants with elevated daptomycin resistance. The mutations in these mutants were mapped to four genes:
cdsA
(
cdr20291_2041
),
ftsH2
(
cdr20291_3396
),
esrR
(
cdr20291_1187
), and
draS
(
cdr20291_2456
). Of these four genes, only
draS
has been characterized previously. Follow-up studies indicate these mutations confer daptomycin resistance by two general mechanisms: reducing the amount of phosphatidylglycerol in the cytoplasmic membrane (
cdsA
) or altering the regulation of membrane processes (
ftsH2
,
esrR
, and
draS
). Thus, the mutants described here provide insights into phospholipid synthesis and identify signal transduction systems involved in cell envelope biogenesis and stress response in
C. difficile
.

IMPORTANCE

C. difficile
is the leading cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea and is a threat to public health due to the risk of recurrent infections. Understanding biosynthesis of the atypical cell envelope of
C. difficile
may provide insight into novel drug targets to selectively inhibit
C. difficile
. Here, we identified mutations that increased daptomycin resistance and allowed us to better understand phospholipid synthesis, cell envelope biogenesis, and stress response in
C. difficile
.
Draft genome sequences of 13 putatively novel
Haemophilus
species and strains assembled from human saliva
Authors: Saito Daniel , Saito Cristiane Pereira Borges , Cannavan Fabiana de Souza , Tsai Siu Mui
Published: February 2024

We present the draft metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of 13
Haemophilus
representatives from human saliva. MAGs were reconstructed by a streamlined pre-assembly mapping approach performed against 9 clinically relevant reference genomes. Overall, genomes belonging to 2 potentially novel
Haemophilus
species and 11 strains were recovered, as determined by genome-wide ANI analysis.
A novel extraction-free dual HiFi-LAMP assay for detection of methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Zhao Xiuli , Zeng Yi , Yan Beibei , Liu Yanping , Qian Yueqin , Zhu Aiping , Zhao Yongjuan , Zhang Xiaoling , Zhang Chiyu , Wan Zhenzhou
Published: February 2024

Staphylococcus aureus
(
S. aureus
) is a leading cause of bacteremia and blood stream infections. Methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) that first appeared in 1961 often caused hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and community-acquired infections (CAIs) and was associated with high mortality rate. Accurate and rapid point-of-care testing (POCT) of MRSA is crucial for clinical management and treatment of MRSA infections, as well as the prevention and control of HAIs and CAIs. Here, we reported a novel extraction-free dual HiFi-LAMP assay for discriminative detection of methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
and MRSA. The dual HiFi-LAMP assay can detect 30 copies/reaction of
nuc
and
mecA
genes with detection limits of 147 and 158 copies per 25 µL reaction, respectively. A retrospective clinical evaluation with 107 clinical
S. aureus
isolates showed both sensitivity and specificity of 100%. A prospective clinical evaluation with 35 clinical samples revealed a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 92.3%. The dual HiFi-LAMP assay can detect almost all
S. aureus
samples (141/142; 99.3%) within 20 min, implying that the entire HiFi-LAMP assay (including sample process) can be completed within 40 min, extremely significantly shorter than 3–5 days by the traditional clinical microbial culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing. The novel extraction-free dual HiFi-LAMP assay can be used as a robust POCT tool to promote precise diagnosis and treatment of MRSA infections in hospitals and to facilitate surveillance of MRSA at hospital and community settings.

IMPORTANCE

Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) was associated with high mortality rate and listed as a “priority pathogen” by the World Health Organization. Accurate and rapid point-of-care testing (POCT) of MRSA is critically required for clinical management and treatment of MRSA infections. Some previous LAMP-based POCT assays for MRSA might be questionable due to their low specificity and the lack of appropriate evaluation directly using clinical samples. Furthermore, they are relatively tedious and time-consuming because they require DNA extraction and lack multiplex detection capacity. Here, we reported a novel extraction-free dual HiFi-LAMP assay for discriminative detection of MRSA and methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
. The assay has high specificity and sensitivity and can be completed within 40 min. Clinical evaluation with real clinical samples and clinical isolates showed excellent performance with 100% specificity and 92.3%–100% sensitivity. The novel extraction-free assay may be a robust POCT tool to promote precise diagnosis of MRSA infections and facilitate surveillance of MRSA at hospital and community settings.