bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IVISc-L: A quick and simplein vivoassay to study the regulation of gene expression
Authors: Som Saubhik , Vishalakshi Gopalapura J , Manjunath Lekha E , Manna Debraj , Vasu Kirtana , Singh Anumeha , Eswarappa Sandeep M
Published: December 2024

Several methods are available to study the regulation of gene expression at cellular and molecular levels. Adaptation of these methodsin vivois cumbersome and often requires animal sacrifice. Here, we report an assay (IVISc-L,In VivoImaging of Subcutaneous Luminescence) to study gene regulationin vivo. This assay involves subcutaneous injection of a plasmid DNA encoding firefly luciferase, whose expression is under the regulatory mechanism to be investigated. We could infer its regulated expression by detecting the subcutaneous luminescence using anin vivoimaging system. Using this assay, we have demonstrated the regulation of gene expression mediated by a promoter, micro-RNAs, stop codon readthrough, and rare codons. This minimally invasive assay does not require animal sacrifice or any tissue extraction. The entire assay can be completed within 24 hours. Therefore, this assay will be useful in investigating the mechanisms of gene expression regulation, and screening molecules that can alter gene expressionin vivo.
Analysis of Epidemiology and Drug Resistance Patterns of ESKAPE and Non-ESKAPE pathogens at Nigde Hospital in Turkey: A Retrospective Study (2022–2024)
Authors: Salim Mohammed A. , Budak Diler Songül , Köklü Ramazan , Polat Fikriye , Hajhamed Nooh Mohamed , Özturk Ali
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study, aimed at determining the epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of infectious diseases caused by ESKAPE and non-ESKAPE microorganisms in patients hospitalized at the Nigde Ömer Halisdemir University Training and Research Hospital in Nigde, Turkey, is a crucial step in understanding and combating the global public health problem posed by the ESKAPE pathogens.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted at a primary tertiary care teaching reference hospital in Nigde. The study included patients admitted to the hospital between June 2022 and June 2024. The hospital information system offered clinical and demographic data for the patients. Furthermore, the hospital’s microbiology lab acquired information on bacterial isolates and antibiotic resistance.

Results

This study included 13378 bacterial isolates, predominantly gram-negative bacteria, particularly those from the Enterobacterales group. Among these isolates, 9798 (73.2%) were identified as ESKAPE pathogens, and 3580 (26.8%) were identified as non-ESKAPE bacteria. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) accounted for the highest proportion of infections (34.47%), followed by the pediatric unit (22.6%). The most common infections were caused byEscherichia coli(4747 isolates, 35.5%),K. pneumoniae(1921 isolates, 19.6 %), andAcinetobacter baumannii(1049 isolates, 10.7 %). Furthermore, the analysis revealed that approximately 50.86% of the ESKAPE isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR). XDR was predominantly detected inAcinetobacter baumannii(72.4%), whereas MDR was predominantly detected inEnterococcus faecium(76.9%). In contrast, Non MDR was predominantly detected across non-ESKAPE pathogens inStaphylococcus hemolyticus(96.1%),Staphylococcus epidermidis(86.5%), andStaphylococcus hominis(84.5%). Demographic data from the study highlighted significant age group disparities in individuals infected by the ESKAPE and the non-ESKAPE bacteria, with a more substantial proportion of older and children individuals represented in the research sample.

Conclusions

This study underscores the significant threat posed by multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens in reference hospital settings, emphasizing the urgent need for effective surveillance and control measures.
A dual readout embryonic zebrafish xenograft model of rhabdomyosarcoma to assess clinically relevant multi-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Wragg Joseph W. , Gray Emma L. , Monteiro Rui , Morris Jo R. , Beggs Andrew D. , Müller Ferenc , Gatz Susanne A.
Published: December 2024

Background

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly aggressive soft tissue sarcoma, affecting children and adolescents, with poor prognosis in some patient groups. Better therapeutic regimens and preclinical models to test them in are needed. Multi-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (MRTKIs) are licensed for adult indications and explored in the clinic in sarcoma patients. The MRTKI Regorafenib is currently assessed in the relapse setting in patients with RMS (NCT04625907). Reliable biomarkers of response for MRTKIs are lacking. MRTKIs act not only against the cancer cell, but also the supporting stroma, particularly the vasculature. The embryonic zebrafish is translucent and allows assessment of this interaction with high-throughputin vivoimaging.

Methods

A new preclinical embryo zebrafish xenograft model was developed using Tg(flk1:GFP) (blood vessel reporter) transgenic zebrafish embryos inoculated in the yolk with fluorescently labelled cells from 7 different RMS cell lines (fusion-positive (FP): Rh4, Rh30, Rh41, RMS-01, fusion-negative (FN): RD, JR1, SMS-CTR), and patient-derived cells IC-pPDX-104 at 50 hours post-fertilization and incubated at 34°C for up to 70 hours. Xenografts and vessel beds were imaged and analysed using custom FIJI pipelines. MRTKIs regorafenib and infigratinib were used at a concentration of 0.1uM added to the fish water 4 hours post cell inoculation. Pro-angiogenic growth factors VEFG-A, FGF-2 and PDGF-BB were measured in conditioned media of each cell line.

Results

All 7 RMS cell lines and the patient-derived cells engrafted with tumour burden assessment by fluorescent imaging and direct cell counting indicating adequate growth and high cell viability during the observation period. RMS tumours induced neo-vascularisation towards the tumour and increased density of proximal vessel beds. MRTKI treatment revealed a greater tumour-intrinsic sensitivity of FP cells, but identified a significant blockade of neo-vascularisation across all RMS lines, with regorafenib response correlated with secretion of VEGF-A.

Conclusion

We have developed an embryonic zebrafish xenograft model of RMS, which allows assessment of tumour growth, vascularisation initiation and therapeutic responses to clinically relevant MRTKIs. The identification of VEGF-A secretion as potential biomarker for Regorafenib response and the separation of therapeutic effects on tumour growth and neovascularisation suggests additional value of our model for response prediction to MRTKIs.
pipemake: A pipeline creation tool using Snakemake for reproducible analysis of biological datasets
Authors: Webb Andrew E. , Wolf Scott W. , Traniello Ian M. , Kocher Sarah D.
Published: December 2024

The exponential growth in biological data generation has created an urgent need for efficient, reproducible computational analysis workflows. Here, we present pipemake, a computational platform designed to streamline the development and implementation of efficient and reproducible Snakemake workflows. pipemake creates modular pipelines that can be seamlessly integrated or removed from the platform without requiring reconfiguration of the core system, enabling flexible adaptation of workflows to different analytical needs across diverse fields. To demonstrate the platform’s capabilities, we created and implemented pipelines to reanalyze two distinct biological datasets. First, we recreated a population genomics analysis of the socially flexible halictid bee,Lasioglossum albipes, using pipemake-generated workflows forde novogenome annotation, processing of variant data, dimensionality reduction, and a genome-wide association study (GWAS). We then used pipemake to analyze behavioral tracking data from the common eastern bumble bee,Bombus impatiens. In both cases, pipemake workflows produced results consistent with published findings while substantially reducing hands-on analysis time. Overall, pipemake’s modular design allows researchers to easily modify existing pipelines or develop new ones without software development expertise. Beyond streamlining workflow creation, pipemake leverages the full Snakemake ecosystem to enable parallel processing, automated error recovery, and comprehensive analysis documentation. These features make pipemake an efficient and accessible solution for analyzing complex biological datasets. pipemake is freely available as a conda package or direct download athttps://github.com/kocherlab/pipemake
dGAMLSS: An exact, distributed algorithm to fit Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape for privacy-preserving population reference charts
Authors: Hu Fengling , Tong Jiayi , Gardner Margaret ,   Lifespan Brain Chart Consortium, Chen Andrew A. , Bethlehem Richard A.I. , Seidlitz Jakob , Li Hongzhe , Alexander-Bloch Aaron , Chen Yong , Shinohara Russell T.
Published: December 2024

There is growing interest in estimating population reference ranges across age and sex to better identify atypical clinically-relevant measurements throughout the lifespan. For this task, the World Health Organization recommends using Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS) which can model non-linear growth trajectories under complex distributions that address the heterogeneity in human populations.

Fitting GAMLSS models requires large, generalizable sample sizes, especially for accurate estimation of extreme quantiles, but obtaining such multi-site data can be challenging due to privacy concerns and practical considerations. In settings where patient data cannot be shared, privacy-preserving distributed algorithms for federated learning can be used, but no such algorithm exists for GAMLSS.

We propose distributed GAMLSS (dGAMLSS), a distributed algorithm which can fit GAMLSS models across multiple sites without sharing patient-level data. We demonstrate the effectiveness of dGAMLSS in constructing population reference charts across clinical, genomics, and neuroimaging settings.
Precise and scalable metagenomic profiling with sample-tailored minimizer libraries
Authors: Nyström-Persson Johan , Bapatdhar Nishad , Ghosh Samik
Published: December 2024

Reference-based metagenomic profiling requires large genome libraries to maximize detection and minimize false positives. However, as libraries grow, classification accuracy suffers, particularly in k-mer-based tools, as the growing overlap in genomic regions among organisms results in more high-level taxonomic assignments, blunting precision. To address this, we propose sample-tailored minimizer libraries, which improve on the minimizer-LCA (lowest common ancestor) classification algorithm from the widely used Kraken 2. In this method, an initial filtering step using a large library removes non-resemblance genomes, followed by a refined classification step using a dynamically built smaller minimizer library. This 2-step classification method shows significant performance improvements compared to the state of the art. We develop a new computational tool called Slacken, a distributed and highly scalable platform based on Apache Spark, to implement the 2-step classification method, which improves speed while keeping the cost per sample comparable to Kraken 2. Specifically, in the CAMI2 “strain madness” samples, the fraction of reads classified at species level increased by 3.5x, while forin silicosamples it increased by 2.2x. The 2-step method achieves the sensitivity of large genomic libraries and the specificity of smaller ones, unlocking the true potential of large reference libraries for metagenomic read profiling.
Molecular mechanisms of dynamics-mediated effects of pathogenic missense mutations on Menin protein function
Authors: Zhang Qian , Wang Hao , Chen Xiaohui , Li Wenjian , Peng Jin , Zhang Manjie , Sun Bin
Published: December 2024

Understanding how disease-causing missense mutations (DCMMs) affect protein function is fundamental. The traditional structure-function paradigm for proteins has evolved into a structure-dynamics-function model, as dynamics is increasingly recognized as a key regulator of protein function. Consequently, it is essential to incorporate dynamics into the once heavily emphasized structure-function framework to explain the effects of DCMMs. Although research in this area is emerging, evidence supporting a definitive role of dynamics in mediating DCMM effects on protein function remains limited. In this study, we used Menin-a mutation-prone scaffold protein involved in various pathologies-as a model system to explore how DCMMs affect Menin's function. By performing molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on 24 clinically confirmed DCMMs, we showed that DCMMs do not necessarily destabilize protein stability. Instead, they induce similar dynamic changes in the protein. The consequences of DCMMs on Menin's function were further assessed through umbrella sampling of the Menin-JunD protein-protein interaction (PPI). We found that DCMMs attenuate this interaction and disrupt a highly conserved JunD dissociation pathway in wild-type (WT) Menin. The underlying mechanism was revealed through allosteric analysis, which showed that, despite being located far from the JunD binding site, DCMMs uniformly disturbed the coupling between residue E179 and the binding pocket. Additionally, forced maintenance of E197-pocket coupling restored the impaired Menin-JunD PPI in DCMMs. Together, these data demonstrate that DCMMs alter Menin's function through dynamics, with allostery playing a crucial role. This study further supports the incorporation of dynamics into the traditional "structure-function" diagram to better explain the effects of DCMMs.
Systematic Benchmarking of High-Throughput Subcellular Spatial Transcriptomics Platforms
Authors: Ren Pengfei , Zhang Rui , Wang Yunfeng , Zhang Peng , Luo Ce , Wang Suyan , Li Xiaohong , Zhang Zongxu , Zhao Yanping , He Yufeng , Zhang Haorui , Li Yufeng , Gao Zhidong , Zhang Xiuping , Zhao Yahui , Liu Zhihua , Meng Yuanguang , Zhang Zhe , Zeng Zexian
Published: December 2024

Recent advancements in spatial transcriptomics technologies have significantly enhanced resolution and throughput, underscoring an urgent need for systematic benchmarking. To address this, we collected clinical samples from three cancer types – colon adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and ovarian cancer – and generated serial tissue sections for systematic evaluation. Using these uniformly processed samples, we generated spatial transcriptomics data across five high-throughput platforms with subcellular resolution: Stereo-seq v1.3, Visium HD FFPE, Visium HD FF, CosMx 6K, and Xenium 5K. To establish ground truth datasets, we profiled proteins from adjacent tissue sections corresponding to all five platforms using CODEX and performed single-cell RNA sequencing on the same samples. Leveraging manual cell segmentation and detailed annotations, we systematically assessed each platform’s performance across key metrics, including capture sensitivity, specificity, diffusion control, cell segmentation, cell annotation, spatial clustering, and transcript-protein alignment with adjacent CODEX. The uniformly generated, processed, and annotated multi-omics dataset is valuable for advancing computational method development and biological discoveries. The dataset is accessible via SPATCH, a user-friendly web server for visualization and download (http://spatch.pku-genomics.org/).
Overexpression of Xanthophyll Cycle Genes Leads to Faster NPQ Acclimation in the C4 MonocotSetaria viridis
Authors: Stone William D. , Acosta-Gamboa Lucia , Kang Xiaojun , Zhang Feng , Owens Lauren , Li Li , Thielen Peter M. , Jander Georg , Gore Michael A. , Lawton Thomas J.
Published: December 2024

Slow relaxation and induction of Non-Photochemical Quenching (NPQ) limits plant productivity under fluctuating light in C3 plants but it is unknown if this trait extends to C4 plants. Three genes have been implicated in determining NPQ induction and relaxation rates under intermittent leaf shading;VDEandZEPinterconvert the xanthophyll pigments violaxanthin and zeaxanthin, and PsbS regulates the overall level of NPQ. Here we report the overexpression of theArabidopsis thaliana VDE, ZEP, andPsbSin the NADP-Malic Enzyme C4 monocotSetaria viridis. We demonstrate these transgenic plants have faster NPQ induction and relaxation under fluctuating light but observe no impact on Photosystem II photochemistry yield. Under illumination, faster NPQ induction resulted in higher transient NPQ levels and a lower overall chlorophyll fluorescence yield. Together this introduces the potential for lower productivity due to over-quenching of chlorophyll during light fluctuation. Although we observed faster NPQ acclimation rates in our transgenic lines, hyperspectral imaging and pigment analysis suggest that there is little photosynthetic advantage to increasing NPQ acclimation over wildtype due to naturally fast C4 acclimation rates. These results indicate that further work is necessary in evaluating the role of NPQ acclimation in C4 growth dynamics towards the goal of improving crop productivity.
Selective ion binding and uptake shape the microenvironment of biomolecular condensates
Authors: Smokers Iris B. A. , Lavagna Enrico , Freire Rafael V. M. , Paloni Matteo , Voets Ilja K. , Barducci Alessandro , White Paul B. , Khajehpour Mazdak , Spruijt Evan
Published: December 2024

Biomolecular condensates modulate various ion-dependent cellular processes and can regulate subcellular ion distributions by selective uptake of ions. However, the molecular grammar governing condensate-ion interactions is poorly understood. Here, we use NMR spectroscopy of ions and model condensate components to quantify and spatially resolve selective ion binding to condensates and show that these interactions follow the law of matching water affinities, resulting in strong binding between proteins and chaotropic anions, and between nucleic acids and kosmotropic cations. Ion uptake into condensates directly follows binding affinities, resulting in selective uptake of strong-binding ions, but exclusion of weak-binding ions. Ion binding further shapes the condensate microenvironment by altering the composition, viscosity and interface potential. Such changes can have profound effects on biochemical processes taking place inside condensates, as we show for RNA duplex formation. Our findings provide a new perspective on the role of condensate-ion interactions in cellular bio- and electrochemistry and may aid design of condensate-targeting therapeutics.
Isopeptor: a tool for detecting intramolecular isopeptide bonds in protein structures
Authors: Costa Francesco , Barringer Rob , Riziotis Ioannis , Andreeva Antonina , Bateman Alex
Published: December 2024

Motivation

Intramolecular isopeptide bonds contribute to the structural stability of proteins, and have primarily been identified in domains of bacterial fibrillar adhesins and pili. At present, there is no systematic method available to detect them in newly determined molecular structures. This can result in mis-annotations and incorrect modelling.

Results

Here, we present Isopeptor, a computational tool designed to predict the presence of intramolecular isopeptide bonds in experimentally determined structures. Isopeptor utilizes structure-guided template matching via the Jess software, combined with a logistic regression classifier that incorporates Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) and relative solvent accessible area (rASA) as key features. The tool demonstrates a recall of 1.0 and a precision of 0.95 when tested on a Protein Data Bank (PDB) subset of domains known to contain intramolecular isopeptide bonds that have been deposited with incorrectly modelled geometries. Isopeptor’s python-based implementation supports integration into bioinformatics workflows, enabling early detection and prediction of isopeptide bonds during protein structure modelling.

Availability and implementation

Isopeptor is implemented in python and can be accessed via the command line, through a python API or via a Google Colaboratory implementation (https://colab.research.google.com/github/FranceCosta/Isopeptor_development/blob/main/notebooks/Isopeptide_finder.ipynb). Source code is hosted on GitHub (https://github.com/FranceCosta/isopeptor) and can be installed via the python package installation manager PIP.
Comprehensive profiling of small RNAs and their changes and linkages to mRNAs in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
Authors: Nersisyan Stepan , Loher Phillipe , Nazeraj Iliza , Shao Zhiping , Fullard John F. , Voloudakis Georgios , Girdhar Kiran , Roussos Panos , Rigoutsos Isidore
Published: December 2024

We investigated small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) from the prefrontal cortex of 93 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia (SCZ) or bipolar disorder (BD) and 77 controls. We uncovered recurring complex sncRNA profiles, with 98% of all sncRNAs being accounted for by miRNA isoforms (60.6%), tRNA-derived fragments (17.8%), rRNA-derived fragments (11.4%), and Y RNA-derived fragments (8.3%). In SCZ, 15% of all sncRNAs exhibit statistically significant changes in their abundance. In BD, the fold changes (FCs) are highly correlated with those in SCZ but less acute. Non-templated nucleotide additions to the 3′-ends of many miRNA isoforms determine their FC independently of miRNA identity or genomic locus of origin. In both SCZ and BD, disease- and age-associated sncRNAs and mRNAs reveal accelerated aging. Co-expression modules between sncRNAs and mRNAs align with the polarities of SCZ changes and implicate sncRNAs in critical processes, including synaptic signaling, neurogenesis, memory, behavior, and cognition.
CorrAdjust unveils biologically relevant transcriptomic correlations by efficiently eliminating hidden confounders
Authors: Nersisyan Stepan , Loher Phillipe , Rigoutsos Isidore
Published: December 2024

Correcting for confounding variables is often overlooked when computing RNA-RNA correlations, even though it can profoundly affect results. We introduce CorrAdjust, a method for identifying and correcting such hidden confounders. CorrAdjust selects a subset of principal components to residualize from expression data by maximizing the enrichment of “reference pairs” among highly correlated RNA-RNA pairs. Unlike traditional machine learning metrics, this novel enrichment-based metric is specifically designed to evaluate correlation data and provides valuable RNA-level interpretability. CorrAdjust outperforms current state-of-the-art methods when evaluated on 25,063 human RNA-seq datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas, the Genotype-Tissue Expression project, and the Geuvadis collection. In particular, CorrAdjust excels at integrating small RNA and mRNA sequencing data, significantly enhancing the enrichment of experimentally validated miRNA targets among negatively correlated miRNA-mRNA pairs. CorrAdjust, with accompanying documentation and tutorials, is available through GitHub athttps://tju-cmc-org.github.io/CorrAdjust.
Transient dopamine response on medium spiny neuron subtypes in switching approach-avoidance outcomes against action bias-A framework for exploration in action selection
Authors: Anisetty Nitin , Manchanda Rohit
Published: December 2024

An ensemble of direct and indirect pathway medium spiny neurons (dMSN and iMSN), compete via their neural activity to drive the decision to approach or avoid an object, respectively. Dopamine acting as a reward prediction error (RPE) signal causes experience-dependent synaptic changes in dMSN and iMSN, thereby shifting the dominance of neural activity to approach or avoidance signaling. These changes create bias in the striatal neuronal ensemble and restrict the choice to approach or avoidance in further iterations. However, organisms often exhibit behaviour where they choose undesirable actions in anticipation of future reward or avoid desirable actions in anticipation of future risk. These against-bias decisions or exploratory decisions are not accounted for by the existing neuronal framework. To bridge this gap, we postulate that transient ‘motivational’ dopamine released from dopaminergic axons locally at sub-second timescales can cause temporary switch in dominance of neural activity between dMSN and iMSN leading to such adaptive decisions. By accounting for bias towards approach or avoidance or neither through synaptic weightages and accounting for differential affinity of DA to D1R and D2R, changes in dMSN and iMSN excitability at different levels of motivational dopamine was analyzed. Furthermore, the spiking activity of striatal neuronal ensemble comprising of dMSN projecting directly and iMSN projecting indirectly onto the output nuclei of basal ganglia i.e. SNr neurons was simulated. This led to promising findings that demonstrate how SNr neuronal activity can generate outcomes that work against the synaptic bias towards approach or avoidance.

Graphical Abstract
Linking technological relatedness to firm innovation: the moderating roles of environmental dynamism, competitiveness and enterprise life cycle
Authors: Sai Fu , Zhu Guilong , Qin Zitao , Zheng Lixun
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Grounded in inter-firm collaboration contexts, this study examines the influence of technological relatedness – encompassing technological similarity and complementarity – on the innovation performance of manufacturing enterprises in emerging economies, with a focus on how environmental dynamism, competitiveness and firm life cycle stages moderate these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors empirically tested the hypotheses based on the data of Chinese listed manufacturing companies from 2006 to 2021.

Findings

Both technological similarity and complementarity positively impact innovation performance. Environmental dynamism enhances the positive effects of technological similarity, while environmental competitiveness amplifies the advantages of technological complementarity. The innovation benefits brought by technological relatedness differ across life cycle stages, with technological similarity preferred at the introduction phase and complementarity preferred at the growth and mature stages.

Originality/value

This study enriches the research on the driving factors of innovation performance from the perspective of technological relatedness. The authors extend the boundaries of technological relatedness research by systematically examining the moderating roles of environmental dynamism, competitiveness and the enterprise life cycle. The findings provide valuable insights for managers in manufacturing enterprises on how to formulate effective partner selection strategies that align with external environmental changes and the stages of enterprise development.
Critical points in the views of G7’s country leaders on national agendas for SDGs and SFDRR
Authors: Sari Bektas , Sen Gulhan
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Disasters are catastrophic events that result in loss of life, injury and significant disruptions to everyday life. Unsustainable poverty, crises and migration policies worsen them. This study aimed to evaluate the critical perspectives of G7’s country leaders regarding their national agendas in 2022, focusing on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR).

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized document analysis, one of the qualitative research methods. Using purposive sampling, we analyzed 20,215 words of X (Twitter) data from G7’s country leaders between January 1 and December 31, 2022, with a thematic approach using MAXQDA qualitative software. MAXQDA applied Code Cloud, Code Matrix Browser, Word Frequencies and MaxMaps Code Models tests. Results are presented based on codes, categories and themes identified during analysis.

Findings

The G7’s country leaders emphasized peace, justice and strong institutions as their SDGs priority. However, it was observed that developed nations often overlooked critical issues such as hunger, quality education and inequality in their agendas in 2022. Based on SFDRR, the leaders addressed crisis response and recovery topics, but it is crucial to note that there is a need for a shift towards proactive measures in their disaster policies. The study also noted limited coverage of migration issues affecting many countries globally. There is an urgent need to address hunger, provide quality education and reduce inequality worldwide.

Research limitations/implications

This study has several limitations: Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi did not have an X (Twitter) account in 2022, and the data only reflect the situation in 2022. Also, simply analyzing statements does not necessarily indicate what these countries support and promote in practice. However, this study could be enhanced by including analyses of funding allocations for projects that target various SDGs and SFDRR objectives. Lastly, this study focused on the strategic policy statements made by representatives of different countries. It does not include tactical and operational disaster management processes, which is a limitation because it is difficult to provide a broader perspective.

Practical implications

Developed countries’ approaches to disaster and development policies are essential for disaster risk reduction strategies. Future analyses of funding allocations for projects targeting various SDGs and SFDRR objectives can lead to practical implications.

Originality/value

The authors present a critical viewpoint on the SDGs and SFDRR perspectives of G7’s country leaders. As developed countries possess significant resources and capabilities, they should set a positive example in the global implementation of disaster policies. Consequently, their annual official statements are a valuable guide for disaster policymakers and practitioners.
Understanding esports player preferences: which self-definitional needs drive their satisfaction?
Authors: Wang Weisha , Liu Wentong , Hang Haiming , Chen Zhifeng
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Esports is emerging as a global sensation, yet its distinctive nature complicates our understanding of players' motivations. This study leverages self-hierarchy and self-determination theories to examine the motivations that define players at individual, relational, and community levels, seeking to identify which motivations are most valued.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method approach was employed, focusing on Honor of Kings esports players in China to explore the answers to the research questions. First, semi-structured interviews were conducted to uncover self-definitional motivations at various levels. Second, a quantitative study was conducted with 607 regular Honor of Kings players to empirically examine the effects of the identified motivations on satisfaction.

Findings

The qualitative and quantitative data results reveal that self-efficacy and self-worth at the individual level, recognition and emotional attachment from close others at the relational-self level, and cocreation and belongingness at the collective level positively influence game satisfaction. More importantly, self-definitional motivations at the relational level are valued the most. Additionally, identification with a game character moderates the effects of self-definitional motivation at the collective level and emotional attachment at the relational-self level.

Originality/value

This research delves into players' motivations for engaging with Honor of Kings, anchored in self-hierarchy and self-determination theories. It uncovers that motivations rooted in different aspects of self-identity have distinct associations with players’ satisfaction level. This suggests a vital strategy for game designers and operators to adopt: to enhance player satisfaction, they should specifically address and emphasize the aspects of self-identity that matter most to their audience.
The missing link: knowledge hiding behavior and project performance
Authors: Nauman Shazia , Tahir Muhammad Zain , Ali Fouzia Hadi , Sumbal Muhammad Saleem Ullah Khan
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study examines how project leaders’ knowledge hiding influences project performance via project employee creativity, employing the conservation of resources theory. Further, we investigate how mastery motivational climate (MMC) moderates the project employee creativity and project performance relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing purposive sampling design, two-wave data (N = 245) was collected with a gap of three weeks from employees working in R&D departments in private software development project-based organizations located in Lahore, Pakistan.

Findings

Results suggest that leaders’ knowledge hiding does impede project employee creativity and negatively influence project performance. In addition, MMC was found to accentuate the relationship between project employee creativity and project performance.

Practical implications

This study offers notable insights into the knowledge hiding literature from a top-down perspective within the project management domain relating to IT projects. This study’s findings pose implications for practitioners and project-based organizations who are interested in counteracting the adverse effects of knowledge hiding on project performance.

Originality/value

This study proposes a novel approach to job design by considering resource scarcity caused by a leader’s knowledge hiding as a job demand, along with the achievement goal perspective driven by a mastery or goal orientation. To understand these two perspectives, we rely on the conservation of resources (COR) theory to describe how a leader’s knowledge hiding affects project performance through project employee creativity, moderated by mastery motivational climate.
The Wayqecha Amazon Cloud Curtain Ecosystem Experiment: A new experimental method to manipulate fog water inputs in terrestrial systems
Authors: Metcalfe Daniel B. , Galiano Cabrera Darcy F. , Alvarez Mayorga Luis Miguel , Cruz Roxana Sacatuma , Alvarez Daniela Corrales , Otazu Blanca Rosa Espinoza , Huaraca Huasco Walter , Chambi Jimmy R. , Ezquerra Maria E. , Puma Vilca Beisit L. , Mulligan Mark , Vadeboncoeur Matthew A. , Asbjornsen Heidi , Bittencourt Paulo R. L. , Horwath Aline B. , Bartholomew David C.
Published: December 2024

Fog makes a significant contribution to the hydrology of a wide range of important terrestrial ecosystems. The amount and frequency of fog immersion are affected by rapid ongoing anthropogenic changes but the impacts of these changes remain relatively poorly understood compared with changes in rainfall.

Here, we present the design and performance of a novel experiment to actively manipulate low lying fog abundance in an old‐growth tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF) in Peru—the Wayqecha Amazon Cloud Curtain Ecosystem Experiment (WACCEE). The treatment consists of a 30 m high, 40 m wide mesh curtain suspended between two towers and extending down to the ground, and two supplementary curtains orientated diagonally inwards from the top of each tower and secured to the ground upslope. The curtains divert and intercept airborne water droplets in fog moving upslope, thereby depriving a ~420 m2 patch of forest immediately behind the curtains of this water source. We monitored inside the treatment and a nearby unmodified control plot various metrics of water availability (air humidity, vapour pressure deficit, leaf wetness and soil moisture) and other potentially confounding variables (radiation, air and soil temperature) above and below the forest canopy.

The treatment caused a strong reduction in both air humidity and leaf wetness, and an increase in vapour pressure deficit, above the canopy compared to the control plot. This effect was most pronounced during the nighttime (20:00–05:00). Below‐canopy shifts within the treatment were more subtle: relative humidity at 2 m height above the ground was significantly suppressed during the daytime, while soil moisture was apparently elevated. The treatment caused a small but significant increase in air temperature above the canopy but a decrease in temperature in and near the soil, while mixed effects were observed at 2 m height above the ground. Above‐canopy radiation was slightly elevated on the treatment relative to the control, particularly during the dry season.

Further application of the method in other systems where fog plays a major role in ecosystem processes could improve our understanding of the ecological impacts of this important but understudied climate driver.
CPX‐351 +/− gemtuzumab ozogamicin as induction therapy for adult patients with newly diagnosed, favourable‐intermediate risk, FLT3‐ITD negative, AML: A pilot study
Authors: Ganzel Chezi , Frisch Avraham , Wolach Ofir , Moshe Yakir , Krayem Baher , Dor Neta , Broide Etti , Benayoun Emmanuel , Rowe Jacob M. , Ofran Yishai
Published: December 2024

This pilot study evaluated CPX‐351 in adults with newly diagnosed, favourable‐intermediate risk, FLT3‐ITD‐negative AML. Twenty patients received CPX‐351 for induction, with six also receiving gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO). The complete response rate was 95%, with 42% achieving flow‐based minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity post‐induction. The 18‐month leukaemia‐free and overall survival estimates were 80% and 95% respectively. Adding GO appeared safe without prolonged cytopenias. Subclinical cardiotoxicity was observed in 25% of patients. The study demonstrated CPX‐351's feasibility, with response and MRD‐negativity rates comparable to standard ‘7 + 3’ induction.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Improved Neovascularisation Following Limb Ischaemia—The Role of ROS Mitigation
Authors: Lin You‐Cheng , Shih Jhih‐Yuan , Lin Yu‐Wen , Niu Ko‐Chi , Hong Chon‐Seng , Chen Zhih‐Cherng , Pan Shin‐Chen , Chang Tzu‐Yen , Kan Wei‐Chih , Chang Wei‐Ting
Published: December 2024

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy has emerged as a potential treatment, shown to enhance blood flow and angiogenesis. However, specific effects and mechanisms of HBO on limb ischaemia responding to a hypoxic environment remain largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of HBO in the treatment of limb ischaemia. Following limb ischaemia surgery, we evaluated the angiogenic capacity in wild‐type C57BL/6J mice subjected to HBO treatment (100% oxygen at 3 ATA for 1 h/day for five consecutive days) compared to untreated controls. Notably, through laser Doppler perfusion imaging and CD31 staining mice receiving HBO postlimb ischaemia surgery exhibited significantly enhanced angiogenic capability and reduced ROS expression compared to nontreated counterparts. Additionally, in vitro experiments were conducted to investigate whether HBO could mitigate endothelial cell dysfunction and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production triggered by oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD). HBO treatment rescued the impaired proliferation, migration and tube formation of endothelial cells following OGD. Mechanistically, HBO upregulated the expression of proangiogenic proteins, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), haem oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1) and nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2). Collectively, HBO treatment shows promise in augmenting the endogenous angiogenic potential and suppressing ROS levels in limb ischaemia.
Determine if they can decide—Rethinking adolescent decision‐making ability in the trial and medical context
Authors: Biliangady Naqsha
Published: December 2024

Adolescence is a time of rapid change—physical appearance, behaviors, intellectual interests, and social choices. Often, however, it is branded as a time of bad choices and regrets. Neuroscience explains that these changes and behaviors (both positive and seemingly negative) are due to rapid and asynchronous changes in the brain, that drive all choices made by adolescents. Two areas of adolescent decision‐making are addressed in this paper—the choice to seek gender affirming care (GAC) and trial decision‐making when an adolescent is tried as an adult. For the choice to seek gender affirming care, the paper proposes a system for assessing the adolescent's decision‐making ability, instead of a total ban on access to GAC, and for trial decisions, the paper proposes a system of mandatory trial competence assessment of all adolescents who are being tried as adults. For both sections, the paper uses the current Indiana statutes.
Infrared thermography and 3D pavement surface unevenness measurement algorithm for damage assessment of concrete bridge decks
Authors: Yamashita Mikiko , Kawanishi Koichi , Hashizume Kenji , Chun Pang‐jo
Published: December 2024

Deterioration of the concrete deck surface, including disintegration and delamination between the deck slab and pavement, presents significant challenges in bridge maintenance due to its hidden nature and the risk it poses to the deck's durability as damage progresses. Early detection is critical for preventing issues such as pothole formation and ensuring long‐term durability. However, traditional methods require core sampling, which often delays detection until damage is extensive. This study proposes a nondestructive approach combining infrared thermography (IRT) and laser‐based surface profiling to improve early detection of subsurface damage. IRT captures temperature variations on the pavement surface, detecting horizontal voids and moisture, while laser profiling refines the detection of deeper, progressive damage. By integrating these two methods, the technique offers a comprehensive assessment that single‐method approaches cannot provide. Field validation demonstrates that this method enables precise evaluation of bridge deck conditions, contributing to safer and more efficient bridge maintenance.
Environmental Control of Queuosine Levels in Streptococcus mutanstRNAs
Authors: Jaroch Marshall , Savage Kathryn , Kuipers Paul , Bacusmo Jo Marie , Hu Jennifer , Sun Jingjing , Dedon Peter C. , Rice Kelly C. , de Crécy‐Lagard Valérie
Published: December 2024

Queuosine (Q) is a modification of the wobble base in tRNAs that decode NA(C/U) codons. It is ubiquitous in bacteria, including many pathogens. Streptococcus mutans is an early colonizer of dental plaque biofilm and a key player in dental caries. Using a combination of genetic and physiological approaches, the predicted Q synthesis and salvage pathways were validated in this organism. These experiments confirmed that S. mutans can synthesize Q de novo through similar pathways found in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. However, S. mutans has a distinct salvage pathway compared to these model organisms, as it uses a transporter belonging to the energy coupling factor (ECF) family controlled by a preQ1‐dependent riboswitch. Furthermore, Q levels in this oral pathogen depended heavily on the media composition, suggesting that micronutrients can affect Q‐mediated translation efficiency.
Predicting Alternaria blight severity in radish: A comprehensive analysis of meteorological influence and time series modelling
Authors: Loona Diksha , Singh Ranbir , Chittaragi Amoghavarsha , Patil Balanagouda , Ramesh Gutha Venkata
Published: December 2024

Alternaria leaf blight (ALB), caused by Alternaria brassicicola, poses a significant threat to radish cultivation, particularly in the agroclimatic conditions of Jammu and Kashmir, India. This study investigates the epidemiology of ALB during 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 growing seasons, focusing on the impact of meteorological factors on disease progression. Disease severity was monitored across various radish‐growing regions, revealing considerable spatial and temporal variability. The analysis identified maximum temperature (Tmax) as the most critical factor influencing percent disease index (PDI), with a strong positive correlation observed in both seasons, particularly in 2020/2021. Conversely, maximum relative humidity (Max RH) showed a negative correlation with PDI, suggesting complex interactions between temperature and humidity in disease dynamics. Principal component analysis further highlighted the distinct weather patterns between the two seasons, highlighting the role of environmental variability in disease progression. The study employed an advanced time series model, seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA), to forecast disease progression based on historical PDI data and corresponding weather parameters. The SARIMA model, by incorporating seasonal components, was found to be the best fit for predicting disease outbreaks. The findings of this study highlight the importance of integrating meteorological data into disease forecasting models to provide early warnings and guide timely interventions. By enhancing the understanding of ALB epidemiology, this research offers valuable insights for the development of sustainable disease management strategies in radish cultivation, reducing reliance on chemical fungicides and mitigating yield losses.
Housing temperature influences exercise‐induced glucose regulation and expression of exerkines in mice
Authors: Rao Zhijian , Geng Xue , Huang Peng , Wei Qiangman , Liu Shijie , Qu Chaoyi , Zhao Jiexiu
Published: December 2024

The impact of housing temperature on exercise‐induced metabolic adaptations is not well understood, despite extensive research on the benefits of exercise for metabolic health. The aim of this study was to elucidate how housing temperatures influence the molecular responses and metabolic benefits of exercise in mice. Male C57BL/6N mice were housed at either room temperature (RT, 21°C) or in a thermoneutral environment (TN, 29°C) and subjected to either a 6‐week or acute exercise regimen. The results demonstrated that chronic exercise in TN conditions significantly improved glucose tolerance, whereas no such improvement was observed in RT conditions. Exercise reduced adipocyte size in inguinal and epididymal white adipose tissue in RT conditions, but no significant exercise‐induced browning of inguinal white adipose tissue was detected at either housing temperature. Additionally, housing temperature predominantly influenced key metabolic proteins in skeletal muscle, with exercise and temperature exhibiting interactive effects on glycogen synthase, Glut4 and Pgc‐1α. Moreover, the regulation of exerkines, including Fgf21, fetuin‐A, irisin, Gdf15, spexin and apelin, was temperature dependent after both long‐term and acute exercise. Notably, expression of Metrnl was consistently upregulated in skeletal muscle after long‐term exercise in both RT and TN environments, but was downregulated after acute exercise. These findings highlight that environmental temperature critically modulates the metabolic benefits of exercise and the expression of exerkines. The results of this study suggest that conventional RT conditions might obscure the full metabolic effects of exercise. We recommend the use of TN conditions in future research to reduce confounding factors and provide a more accurate assessment of the metabolic benefits of exercise.