bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nontarget effects of pre‐emergent herbicides and a bioherbicide on soil resources, processes, and communities
Authors: Lazarus Brynne E. , Germino Matthew J. , de Graaff Marie‐Anne
Published: April 2024

Community‐type conversions, such as replacement of perennials by exotic annual grasses in semiarid desert communities, are occurring due to plant invasions that often create positive plant–soil feedbacks, which favor invaders and make restoration of native perennials difficult. Exotic annual grass control measures, such as pre‐emergent herbicides, can also alter soil ecosystems directly or indirectly (i.e. via the plant community), yet there are few studies on the topic in natural, non‐cropped landscapes. We asked how spray treatments applied to soil post‐fire with the intention of inhibiting invasive annual grasses (such as Bromus tectorum L.) and releasing existing native perennial grasses affected soil resources, a microbial process, and invertebrates in three climatically varied sagebrush steppe sites. Spray treatments included chemical herbicides (imazapic and rimsulfuron) that strongly affected plant communities and a bioherbicide (Pseudomonas fluorescens strain D7) that did not. Chemical herbicides increased soil mineral nitrogen in proportion to their negative effects on plant cover for 2 years after treatments in all sites and increased soil water and net N mineralization (measured at one site) but did not affect total carbon, nitrogen, or organic matter. Invertebrate responses to herbicides varied by site, and invertebrates increased with chemical herbicides at the highest, wettest site. We show that herbicide treatments can exacerbate pulses of mineral nutrients, which previous studies have shown can weaken ecosystem resistance to invasion. Thus, restoration strategies that increase the likelihood that desired plants can capture mineralized nutrients after herbicide application will likely be more successful.
How do small formal and informal firms in Egypt compare? An analysis of firm characteristics and implications for formalization efforts
Authors: Krafft Caroline , Assaad Ragui , Rahman Khandker Wahedur , Cumanzala Maakwe
Published: April 2024

Formalizing firms can potentially increase the tax base, expand safety and social protections for workers, create good jobs, and promote firm growth. However, the costs and processes of formality may be too challenging for some firms to bear. Thus, informal firms may not be able to survive the transition to formality, and attempts to expand formality through more intensive enforcement may be harmful and counterproductive to job creation and growth. This paper investigates the potential for currently informal firms to formalize in Egypt. The paper compares the characteristics of formal and informal micro and small nonagricultural firms and identifies the extent of similarities and potential for formalization. The analysis finds that, beyond firm size and whether the firm operates in a fixed establishment, the basic and easily observable characteristics of firms are not closely linked to formality. Firm age, productivity, and owner characteristics, such as education, are strongly predictive of formality. The predicted probability of being formal is greater than 50% for only about 26% of informal firms, suggesting most firms are not good candidates for formalization. The paper develops profiles (groups and clusters) of similar firms to identify those with a higher potential for formalization.
In the mind of Narcissus: The mediating role of emotional regulation in the emergence of distorted cognitions
Authors: Vida Dorian , Láng András , Áfra Eszter , Kemény Viktor , Czibor Andrea , Csapó Gyöngyvér , Putz Ádám , Bandi Szabolcs
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Currently narcissism is considered one of the most widespread phenomenon. As a consequence, its different types (grandiose and vulnerable narcissism) have been investigated from several different perspectives. The present research attempts to explore the differences between the two types of narcissism and their links with different cognitive components that are connected to these personality traits. The primary aim of our study is to investigate the possible connections among maladaptive schemas (entitlement, vulnerability, emotional deprivation) and cognitive evaluation systems (self‐esteem, systemizing‐empathizing) and narcissism.

Methods

We applied both correlation and path analyses to explore the hypothesized associations.

Results

The results show that early maladaptive schemas are strongly associated with narcissism and the empathizing system. The different subtypes of narcissism have different connections with self‐esteem.

Conclusion

Our results show that the two types of narcissism have different manifestations and connections with the early maladaptive schemas, Emphatizing Quotient, and self‐esteem. Our empirical results serve as important and empirically supported inputs to counseling and clinical practice.
A New Axial Compressor Test Facility for the Investigation of Aerodynamic Damping Featuring an Electromagnetic Excitation System
Authors: Buchwald Patrick , Müller Fabian F. , Günther Maiken , Vogt Damian M.
Published: April 2024

Aerodynamic damping simulations involving detailed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models are nowadays an integral part of turbomachinery design processes, thanks to advancements made in simulation tools and in computer hardware over the last decades. However, the test cases available in the open literature suitable for the validation and continued development of simulation tools is rather limited. On this background, a new test facility is introduced that allows acquiring relevant and high-quality aerodynamic damping test data on axial compressor rotor test objects in a controlled manner. The test facility is built as a closed loop and thus enables operation at variable pressure levels ranging from near-vacuum to overpressure and with different operating media. Overall damping test data are acquired at controlled synchronous and nonsynchronous vibration conditions. While vibrations of the blades at controlled nonsynchronous vibration conditions can be introduced in the test facility by means of a proprietary electromagnetic excitation system that is acting below the hub line, vibrations at controlled synchronous conditions can be introduced from a set of magnets integrated into the casing. Great care has been spent to create a clean test case without any intruding parts or openings in the test section. In addition, an axial compressor blisk is presented, which acts as test object to show the capabilities of the test facility as well as to allow for detailed investigations of aerodynamic damping. While the first part of the article discusses the setup and the instrumentation of the test facility to excite and measure blade vibration in a nonintrusive way, flow-field measurements and the validation accompanying steady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations are shown in the second part. The third part of the article focuses on aerodynamic damping measurements for seven different modes at three different pressure levels in total. It can be shown that aerodynamic damping is by far the largest contributor to the overall damping.
Characterizing the Unsteady Flow Field in Low-Flow Turbine Operation
Authors: Rim Kim Hye , Stania Lennart , Maroldt Niklas , Oettinger Marcel , Seume Joerg R.
Published: April 2024

Current operational considerations require steam turbines to operate in a more flexible way, with more frequent and faster start-up and an increasing part-load operation. For very low mass flowrates, the interaction of highly separated flow with the high-speed rotor blades causes windage flow. This type of flow is characterized by increased temperature and highly unsteady flow, which forms vortex structures that rotate at a fraction of the rotor speed. If their magnitude is sufficiently high and the frequency is close to the blade eigenfrequency, non-synchronous vibration (NSV) can be induced. In this paper, low-flow turbine operation is investigated using a three-stage turbine rig that features an instrumentation concept focused on capturing aerodynamic and aeroelastic phenomena. Extensive steady probe, unsteady pressure, and tip-timing measurements are utilized. The experimental scope covers a wide range of operating points in terms of rotational speed and mass flowrates. Low-flow regimes are detected by a reversal in torque and increase in temperature. Unsteady measurements during transient operation identified large-scale vortical flow structures rotating along the circumference, so-called rotating instabilities (RIs). The onset, growth, and breakdown regimes of RI are characterized for different low-flow conditions. The quantitative characteristics of RI with regard to nodal diameter and rotational speed are derived by a cross-correlation of multiple unsteady sensors. The blade vibration measurements show a moderate structural response from unsteady aerodynamic excitation, indicating no significant NSV occurring in the present experimental setup. Later in the study, an acoustic excitation system has been applied to trigger a locked-in NSV without interrupting the coherent flow structures. From that, significant blade response has been observed, revealing a high degree of mistuning and damping of the rotor blading.
Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Flame-Retardant Additive Dimethyl Methylphosphonate on Combustion Behaviors of Electrolytes
Authors: Zhou Jie , Zheng Dong
Published: April 2024

Adding flame-retardant additives to electrolytes can significantly enhance the safety of lithium-ion batteries. To clarify the effects of flame-retardant additive dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) on electrolyte flammability under practical battery fire conditions, experimental studies are conducted on an electrolyte pool fire setup. It is observed that the flame of carbonate solvent is blue, while the flames of electrolyte and electrolyte with DMMP addition are yellow, due to the formation of phosphorus-containing particles in the flame. With 30 wt% DMMP addition, the combustion duration, combustion mass ratio, and flame height decrease significantly by 40%. The electrolyte achieves non-flammability when the additive fraction increases to 40%. It is observed that with DMMP addition the charred layer forms on the surface of electrolyte liquid, and slows down the heat and mass transfer between the gas and electrolyte liquid. This is the flame-retardant mechanism of DMMP in the condensed phase. The flame spectrum results show that with LiPF6 and DMMP addition the OH emission intensities are weakened dramatically. This is because LiPF6 and DMMP decompose to the radicals containing phosphorus, which can scavenge the vital radicals (H and OH), and then suppress the combustion chain branching reactions. This is the flame-retardant mechanism of LiPF6 and DMMP in the gas phase.
Interprofessional education: Building social capital among faculty. Are we there yet?
Authors: Van Diggele Christie , Roberts Chris , Bloomfield Jacqueline , Lane Stuart
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Interprofessional education (IPE) is advocated by governments, health professional bodies and universities as key to health professional education and improvement in patient safety. Although many universities have implemented scaffolded IPE curricular models across multiple disciplines, few have reported on faculty perception of this approach. This study sought to explore faculty perception in response to a new IPE curriculum model using the theoretical lens of social capital theory.
Methods: In 2021, 24 key University of Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health (FMH) academics (from nursing, medical imaging, pharmacy, oral health, dentistry, applied science, health science, dietetics, medical science and occupational therapy) involved in the delivery of IPE were invited to participate in individual interviews. Using the conceptual lens of social capital theory, framework analysis was used to categorise themes in the data.
Results: In total, 46% (n = 11) of invited FMH faculty were interviewed. Positive elements to the implementation of the curriculum model included a feeling of connectedness, recognition of a scaffolded approach to IPE integrated in existing coursework and growing interest of early career academics in IPE. However, a number of challenges were revealed, including structural barriers in course design, timetabling, misunderstanding regarding the IPE curricula and inequity in distribution of workload.
Conclusion: Social capital theory provided a useful framework to consider the perceived enablers and barriers to the newly established IPE curriculum. Although the findings indicate that faculty felt positive about implementing the IPE curriculum, a number of barriers were identified, highlighting the need for increased faculty training and broader engagement in development of IPE curricula.
Preliminary Program Evaluation of Pocket PE 3–5™, A User-Friendly Digital Application for Teacher Skills Training and Physical Education Activities for Third- to Fifth-Grade Elementary Students
Authors: Ricci Jeanette , Johnson-Shelton Deborah , Westling Erika
Published: April 2024

Background: In the United States, many classroom teachers also teach physical education (PE). However, there is a dearth of evidence- and standard-based PE programs designed to support classroom teachers to deliver PE effectively in schools. Methods: The purpose of this study was to establish proof-of-concept for the Pocket PE 3–5 digital app in school settings with 10 third- to fifth-grade classroom teachers. We assessed fidelity of program implementation, measured via observations of PE quality. Students used wrist-worn heart rate monitors during Pocket PE 3–5 lessons to measure time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. Program feasibility was primarily assessed through teacher-reported surveys of usability, satisfaction, and acceptability and exit interviews. Results: Mean PE observation scores were 18.6 (SD = 1.5) on a scale of 5 to 20. On average, students spent 56.7% (SD = 13.1%) of class time engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity. Mean survey scores, reported on a 5-point scale, were 4.5 (SD = 0.6) for acceptability, 4.8 (SD = 0.4) for usability, and 4.7 (SD = 0.7) for satisfaction. Teachers liked how easy the app was to use but mentioned some technological challenges. Conclusions: This program evaluation study established the proof-of-concept for the Pocket PE 3–5 elementary school PE program.
Lipid drops in on Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Baek Amy E.
Published: April 2024

Microglial lipid droplet accumulation leads to increased neurotoxicity in an APOE-dependent manner.
Scrutinizing a
Lactococcus lactis
mutant with enhanced capacity for extracellular electron transfer reveals a unique role for a novel type-II NADH dehydrogenase
Authors: Gu Liuyan , Zhao Shuangqing , Tadesse Belay Tilahun , Zhao Ge , Solem Christian
Published: April 2024

Lactococcus lactis,
a lactic acid bacterium used in food fermentations and commonly found in the human gut, is known to possess a fermentative metabolism.
L. lactis
, however, has been demonstrated to transfer metabolically generated electrons to external electron acceptors, a process termed extracellular electron transfer (EET). Here, we investigated an
L. lactis
mutant with an unusually high capacity for EET that was obtained in an adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) experiment. First, we investigated how global gene expression had changed, and found that amino acid metabolism and nucleotide metabolism had been affected significantly. One of the most significantly upregulated genes encoded the NADH dehydrogenase NoxB. We found that this upregulation was due to a mutation in the promoter region of NoxB, which abolished carbon catabolite repression. A unique role of NoxB in EET could be attributed and it was directly verified, for the first time, that NoxB could support respiration in
L. lactis
. NoxB, was shown to be a novel type-II NADH dehydrogenase that is widely distributed among gut microorganisms. This work expands our understanding of EET in Gram-positive electroactive microorganisms and the special significance of a novel type-II NADH dehydrogenase in EET.

IMPORTANCE

Electroactive microorganisms with extracellular electron transfer (EET) ability play important roles in biotechnology and ecosystems. To date, there have been many investigations aiming at elucidating the mechanisms behind EET, and determining the relevance of EET for microorganisms in different niches. However, how EET can be enhanced and harnessed for biotechnological applications has been less explored. Here, we compare the transcriptomes of an EET-enhanced
L. lactis
mutant with its parent and elucidate the underlying reason for its superior performance. We find that one of the most significantly upregulated genes is the gene encoding the NADH dehydrogenase NoxB, and that upregulation is due to a mutation in the catabolite-responsive element that abolishes carbon catabolite repression. We demonstrate that NoxB has a special role in EET, and furthermore show that it supports respiration to oxygen, which has never been done previously. In addition, a search reveals that this novel NoxB-type NADH dehydrogenase is widely distributed among gut microorganisms.
Peptidoglycan fragment release and NOD activation by commensal
Neisseria
species from humans and other animals
Authors: Harris-Jones Tiffany N. , Chan Jia Mun , Hackett Kathleen T. , Weyand Nathan J. , Schaub Ryan E. , Dillard Joseph P.
Published: April 2024

Neisseria gonorrhoeae
, a human restricted pathogen, releases inflammatory peptidoglycan (PG) fragments that contribute to the pathophysiology of pelvic inflammatory disease. The genus
Neisseria
is also home to multiple species of human- or animal-associated
Neisseria
that form part of the normal microbiota. Here we characterized PG release from the human-associated nonpathogenic species
Neisseria lactamica
and
Neisseria mucosa
and animal-associated
Neisseria
from macaques and wild mice. An
N. mucosa
strain and an
N. lactamica
strain were found to release limited amounts of the proinflammatory monomeric PG fragments. However, a single amino acid difference in the PG fragment permease AmpG resulted in increased PG fragment release in a second
N. lactamica
strain examined.
Neisseria
isolated from macaques also showed substantial release of PG monomers. The mouse colonizer
Neisseria musculi
exhibited PG fragment release similar to that seen in
N. gonorrhoeae
with PG monomers being the predominant fragments released. All the human-associated species were able to stimulate NOD1 and NOD2 responses.
N. musculi
was a poor inducer of mouse NOD1, but
ldcA
mutation increased this response. The ability to genetically manipulate
N. musculi
and examine effects of different PG fragments or differing amounts of PG fragments during mouse colonization will lead to a better understanding of the roles of PG in
Neisseria
infections. Overall, we found that only some nonpathogenic
Neisseria
have diminished release of proinflammatory PG fragments, and there are differences even within a species as to types and amounts of PG fragments released.
Structural and functional characterization of the interaction between the influenza A virus RNA polymerase and the CTD of host RNA polymerase II
Authors: Keown Jeremy , Baazaoui Alaa , Šebesta Marek , Štefl Richard , Carrique Loïc , Fodor Ervin , Grimes Jonathan M.
Published: April 2024

Influenza A viruses, causing seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics, rely on interactions with host proteins for their RNA genome transcription and replication. The viral RNA polymerase utilizes host RNA polymerase II (Pol II) and interacts with the serine 5 phosphorylated (pS5) C-terminal domain (CTD) of Pol II to initiate transcription. Our study, using single-particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM), reveals the structure of the 1918 pandemic influenza A virus polymerase bound to a synthetic pS5 CTD peptide composed of four heptad repeats mimicking the 52 heptad repeat mammalian Pol II CTD. The structure shows that the CTD peptide binds at the C-terminal domain of the PA viral polymerase subunit (PA-C) and reveals a previously unobserved position of the 627 domain of the PB2 subunit near the CTD. We identify crucial residues of the CTD peptide that mediate interactions with positively charged cavities on PA-C, explaining the preference of the viral polymerase for pS5 CTD. Functional analysis of mutants targeting the CTD-binding site within PA-C reveals reduced transcriptional function or defects in replication, highlighting the multifunctional role of PA-C in viral RNA synthesis. Our study provides insights into the structural and functional aspects of the influenza virus polymerase-host Pol II interaction and identifies a target for antiviral development.

IMPORTANCE

Understanding the intricate interactions between influenza A viruses and host proteins is crucial for developing targeted antiviral strategies. This study employs advanced imaging techniques to uncover the structural nuances of the 1918 pandemic influenza A virus polymerase bound to a specific host protein, shedding light on the vital process of viral RNA synthesis. The study identifies key amino acid residues in the influenza polymerase involved in binding host polymerase II (Pol II) and highlights their role in both viral transcription and genome replication. These findings not only deepen our understanding of the influenza virus life cycle but also pinpoint a potential target for antiviral development. By elucidating the structural and functional aspects of the influenza virus polymerase-host Pol II interaction, this research provides a foundation for designing interventions to disrupt viral replication and transcription, offering promising avenues for future antiviral therapies.
Lack of physiological evidence for cytochrome filaments functioning as conduits for extracellular electron transfer
Authors: Schwarz Ingrid A. , Alsaqri Baha , Lekbach Yassir , Henry Kathryn , Gorman Sydney , Woodard Trevor , Dion Laura , Real Lauren , Holmes Dawn E. , Smith Jessica A. , Lovley Derek R.
Published: April 2024

Extracellular cytochrome filaments are proposed to serve as conduits for long-range extracellular electron transfer. The primary functional physiological evidence has been the reported inhibition of
Geobacter sulfurreducens
Fe(III) oxide reduction when the gene for the filament-forming cytochrome OmcS is deleted. Here we report that the OmcS-deficient strain from that original report reduces Fe(III) oxide as well as the wild-type, as does a triple mutant in which the genes for the other known filament-forming cytochromes were also deleted. The triple cytochrome mutant displayed filaments with the same 3 nm diameter morphology and conductance as those produced by
Escherichia coli
heterologously expressing the
G. sulfurreducens
PilA pilin gene. Fe(III) oxide reduction was inhibited when the pilin gene in cytochrome-deficient mutants was modified to yield poorly conductive 3 nm diameter filaments. The results are consistent with the concept that 3 nm diameter electrically conductive pili (e-pili) are required for
G. sulfurreducens
long-range extracellular electron transfer. In contrast, rigorous physiological functional evidence is lacking for cytochrome filaments serving as conduits for long-range electron transport.

IMPORTANCE

Unraveling microbial extracellular electron transfer mechanisms has profound implications for environmental processes and advancing biological applications. This study on
Geobacter sulfurreducens
challenges prevailing beliefs on cytochrome filaments as crucial components thought to facilitate long-range electron transport. The discovery of an OmcS-deficient strain’s unexpected effectiveness in Fe(III) oxide reduction prompted a reevaluation of the key conduits for extracellular electron transfer. By exploring the impact of genetic modifications on
G. sulfurreducens
’ performance, this research sheds light on the importance of 3-nm diameter electrically conductive pili in Fe(III) oxide reduction. Reassessing these mechanisms is essential for uncovering the true drivers of extracellular electron transfer in microbial systems, offering insights that could revolutionize applications across diverse fields.
Annotation of 2,507
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
genomes
Authors: Wang Meng , Li Xuan , Liu Xian , Hou Xiaoping , He Yang , Yu Jun-Hong , Hu Shumin , Yin Hua , Xie Bin-Bin
Published: April 2024

Saccharomyces cerevisiae
(baker’s yeast, budding yeast) is one of the most important model organisms for biological research and is a crucial microorganism in industry. Currently, a huge number of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
genome sequences are available at the public domain. However, these genomes are distributed at different websites and a large number of them are released without annotation information. To provide one complete annotated genome data resource, we collected 2,507
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
genome assemblies and re-annotated 2,506 assemblies using a custom annotation pipeline, producing a total of 15,407,164 protein-coding gene models. With a custom pipeline, all these gene sequences were clustered into families. A total of 1,506 single-copy genes were selected as marker genes, which were then used to evaluate the genome completeness and base qualities of all assemblies. Pangenomic analyses were performed based on a selected subset of 847 medium-high-quality genomes. Statistical comparisons revealed a number of gene families showing copy number variations among different organism sources. To the authors’ knowledge, this study represents the largest genome annotation project of
S. cerevisiae
so far, providing rich genomic resources for the future studies of the model organism
S. cerevisiae
and its relatives.

IMPORTANCE

Saccharomyces cerevisiae
(baker’s yeast, budding yeast) is one of the most important model organisms for biological research and is a crucial microorganism in industry. Though a huge number of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
genome sequences are available at the public domain, these genomes are distributed at different websites and most are released without annotation, hindering the efficient reuse of these genome resources. Here, we collected 2,507 genomes for
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, performed genome annotation, and evaluated the genome qualities. All the obtained data have been deposited at public repositories and are freely accessible to the community. This study represents the largest genome annotation project of
S. cerevisiae
so far, providing one complete annotated genome data set for
S. cerevisiae
, an important workhorse for fundamental biology, biotechnology, and industry.
Protective effect of
Enterococcus faecium
against ethanol-induced gastric injury via extracellular vesicles
Authors: Luo Meiying , Sun Junhang , Li Suqian , Wei Limin , Sun Ruiping , Feng Xin , Zhang Huihua , Chen Ting , Xi Qianyun , Zhang Yongliang , Qi Qien
Published: April 2024

Recently,
Enterococcus
has been shown to have gastric protective functions, and the mechanisms by which
Enterococcus
modulates gastric function are still being investigated. Herein, we investigated how
Enterococcus faecium
(Efm) and
E. faecium
-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) (EfmEVs) exert protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric injury by investigating the effect of EfmEVs on gastric mucosal ulcer scoring, histological lesion, mucosal glycoprotein production, acidity, anti-oxidative function, and inflammatory responses in rat. Pretreatment with Efm showed significant reduction of ethanol-induced gastric injury, as evidenced by the lowering of ulcer index, histological lesion, gastric pH, and inflammatory responses and the enhancement of mucosal glycoprotein production and anti-oxidative function. Further functional studies on three bioactive components [inactivated Efm, EfmEVs (EVs), and EV-free supernatants] of the bacterial culture showed that EVs are mostly responsible for the gastroprotective effect. Moreover, EV secretion is beneficial for the gastroprotective effect of Efm. Hence, EVs mediated the protective effect of Efm against ethanol-induced gastric injury by lowering inflammatory responses and enhancing anti-oxidative function and may be a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative strategy to alleviate hyperinflammatory gastrointestinal tract conditions.

IMPORTANCE

This study indicated that
Enterococcus faecium
provided a protective effect against rat gastric injury, which involved improvement of the mucosal glycoprotein production, anti-oxidative function, and inflammatory responses. Furthermore, we confirmed that three bioactive components (inactivated Efm, extracellular vesicles, and EV-free supernatants) of
E. faecium
culture also contributed to the gastroprotective effect. Importantly,
E. faecium
-derived EVs showed an effective impact for the gastroprotective effect.
Approaches for identifying and measuring heteroresistance in azole-susceptible
Candida
isolates
Authors: Gautier Cécile , Maciel Eli I. , Ene Iuliana V.
Published: April 2024

Heteroresistance to antifungal agents poses a significant challenge in the treatment of fungal infections. Currently, the absence of established methods for detecting and measuring heteroresistance impedes progress in understanding this phenomenon in fungal pathogens. In response to this gap, we present a comprehensive set of new and optimized methods designed to detect and quantify azole heteroresistance in
Candida albicans
. Here, we define two primary assays for measuring heteroresistance: population analysis profiling, based on growth on solid medium, and single-cell assays, based on growth in liquid culture. We observe good correlations between the measurements obtained with liquid and solid assays, validating their utility for studying azole heteroresistance. We also highlight that disk diffusion assays could serve as an additional tool for the rapid detection of heteroresistance. These methods collectively provide a versatile toolkit for researchers seeking to assess heteroresistance in
C. albicans
. They also serve as a critical step forward in the characterization of antifungal heteroresistance, providing a framework for investigating this phenomenon in diverse fungal species and in the context of other antifungal agents. Ultimately, these advancements will enhance our ability to effectively measure antifungal drug responses and combat fungal infections.

IMPORTANCE

Heteroresistance involves varying antimicrobial susceptibility within a clonal population. This phenomenon allows the survival of rare resistant subpopulations during drug treatment, significantly complicating the effective management of infections. However, the absence of established detection methods hampers progress in understanding this phenomenon in human fungal pathogens. We propose a comprehensive toolkit to address this gap in the yeast
Candida albicans
, encompassing population analysis profiling, single-cell assays, and disk diffusion assays. By providing robust and correlated measurements through both solid and liquid assays, this work will provide a framework for broader applications across clinically relevant
Candida
species. These methods will enhance our ability to understand this phenomenon and the failure of antifungal therapy.
Genomic analysis of
Salmonella
isolated from canal water in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Toyting Jirachaya , Nuanmuang Narong , Utrarachkij Fuangfa , Supha Neunghatai , Thongpanich Yuwanda , Leekitcharoenphon Pimlapas , Aarestrup Frank M. , Sato Toyotaka , Thapa Jeewan , Nakajima Chie , Suzuki Yasuhiko
Published: April 2024

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses an escalating global public health threat. Canals are essential in Thailand, including the capital city, Bangkok, as agricultural and daily water sources. However, the characteristic and antimicrobial-resistance properties of the bacteria in the urban canals have never been elucidated. This study employed whole genome sequencing to characterize 30 genomes of a causal pathogenic bacteria,
Salmonella enterica,
isolated from Bangkok canal water between 2016 and 2020. The dominant serotype was
Salmonella
Agona. In total, 35 AMR genes and 30 chromosomal-mediated gene mutations were identified, in which 21 strains carried both acquired genes and mutations associated with fluoroquinolone resistance. Virulence factors associated with invasion, adhesion, and survival during infection were detected in all study strains. 75.9% of the study stains were multidrug-resistant and all the strains harbored the necessary virulence factors associated with salmonellosis. One strain carried 20 resistance genes, including
mcr-3.1
, mutations in GyrA, ParC, and ParE, and typhoid toxin-associated genes. Fifteen plasmid replicon types were detected, with Col(pHAD28) being the most common type. Comparative analysis of nine
S
. Agona from Bangkok and 167 from public databases revealed that specific clonal lineages of
S
. Agona might have been circulating between canal water and food sources in Thailand and globally. These findings provide insight into potential pathogens in the aquatic ecosystem and support the inclusion of environmental samples into comprehensive AMR surveillance initiatives as part of a One Health approach. This approach aids in comprehending the rise and dissemination of AMR and devising sustainable intervention strategies.

IMPORTANCE

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and home to a large canal network that serves the city in various ways. The presence of pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant
Salmonella
is alarming and poses a significant public health risk. The present study is the first characterization of the genomic of
Salmonella
strains from Bangkok canal water. Twenty-two of 29 strains (75.9%) were multidrug-resistant
Salmonella
and all the strains carried essential virulence factors for pathogenesis. Various plasmid types were identified in these strains, potentially facilitating the horizontal transfer of AMR genes. Additional investigations indicated a potential circulation of
S
. Agona between canal water and food sources in Thailand. The current study underscores the role of environmental water in an urban city as a reservoir of pathogens and these data obtained can serve as a basis for public health risk assessment and help shape intervention strategies to combat AMR challenges in Thailand.
Magneto-Biological Physics
Authors: Buchachenko A. L.
Published: April 2024

Since the appearance of magneto-biology as an intriguing field of Big Biology, the most significant event, which was happened in it, was the discovery of huge isotope effects, when natural magnesium, calcium and zinc ions in the catalytic sites of enzymes were replaced with nuclear spin magnetic ions 25Mg2+, 43Ca2+, and 67Zn2+ of their stable isotopes. This discovery elucidated physical sense and the origin of numerous magneto-biological effects; it has illuminated all magneto-biology and introduced it as a respectable science. Now the spin concept and radical pair mechanism are generally accepted and overwhelmingly used to interpret experimentally detected magneto-biological effects. In terms of the radical pair mechanism the DNA repair, Hayflick limit and biological longevity under magnetic control are discussed. It is emphasized that magneto-biology is a means to better understand Big Biology itself.
Strength improvement of high organic dredged soil by solidification/oxidization synergistic method
Authors: He Xingxing , Wan Yong , Chen Yijun , Tan Xun , Wang Shiquan , Liu Xiaoli , Xue Qiang
Published: April 2024

Soil organic matter (SOM) has always been one of the critical factors affecting the solidification of dredged soil. This study proposes a solidification/oxidization synergistic method for treating high organic dredged soil (DS). Three solid oxidants, i.e. , sodium persulfate (PS), sodium percarbonate (PC), and potassium ferrate (PF), were added to DS in cooperation with cement, respectively. The results show that all three oxidants showed a good degradation effect on SOM and had the optimal dosage, which increased gradually with cement content (Ac) when used with cement. Under the optimal dosage of oxidant and Ac = 15%, PS and PC can improve the unconfined compression strength (UCS) of cemented DS (CDS) at 60 days of curing to nearly 4 times compared with that without oxidant, while PF can only increase the 60d-UCS to 1.5 times. In addition, the influence mechanism of different oxidants on the UCS of CDS was analyzed based on microscopic tests, proving that the three oxidants can not only degrade the SOM in CDS but also participate in the hydration reaction of cement. It is feasible to use proper amounts of PC and PS in combination with cement to solidify high organic soil.
Observation of $$K^{+} \rightarrow \pi ^{+}\pi ^{0}\pi ^{0}\gamma $$ decay
Authors: Artamonov A. V. , Bychkov V. N. , Donskov S. V. , Filin A. P. , Filippov S. N. , Gorin A. M. , Gushchin E. N. , Inyakin A. V. , Kekelidze G. D. , Khaustov G. V. , Kholodenko S. A. , Khudyakov A. A. , Kolosov V. N. , Kravtsov V. I. , Kudenko Yu. G. , Kulik A. V. , Kurshetsov V. F. , Lishin V. A. , Lysan V. M. , Medynsky M. V. , Obraztsov V. F. , Okhotnikov A. V. , Polyakov V. A. , Polyarush A. Yu. , Romanovsky V. I. , Rykalin V. I. , Sadovsky A. S. , Samoylenko V. D. , Shapkin M. M. , Tiurin I. S. , Uvarov V. A. , Yushchenko O. P. , Zalikhanov B. Zh.
Published: April 2024

The $$K^{+} \rightarrow \pi ^{+}\pi ^{0}\pi ^{0}\gamma $$

K
+

→

π
+

π
0

π
0

γ

decay is observed by the OKA collaboration. About 60 events of the decay observed with signal:noise $$\approx 1$$

≈
1

. The branching ratio obtained by normalization to $$K^{+} \rightarrow \pi ^{+}\pi ^{0}\pi ^{0}$$

K
+

→

π
+

π
0

π
0

is measured to be $$(3.7 \pm 0.9(stat) \pm 0.3(syst))\times 10^{-6}$$

(
3.7
±
0.9

(
s
t
a
t
)

±
0.3

(
s
y
s
t
)

)

×

10

-
6

for $$E_{\gamma }^*>10\,\textrm{MeV}$$

E

γ

∗

>
10

MeV

. The branching ratio, $$\gamma $$
γ
energy spectrum and angular distribution are consistent with ChPT prediction.
Towards higher-order calculations of quarkonia production with $$k_T$$-factorization: P-wave charmonia
Authors: Baranov S. P. , Lipatov A. V. , Prokhorov A. A. , Chen X.
Published: April 2024

Inclusive P-wave charmonia production in hadronic collisions at high energies is discussed in the framework of non-relativistic QCD and $$k_T$$

k
T

-factorization formalism. We present two consistent approaches to merge the usual leading order $$k_T$$

k
T

-factorization calculations with tree-level next-to-leading order off-shell amplitudes. Using these prescriptions, we extracted long-distance matrix elements for $$\chi _c$$

χ
c

mesons from a combined fit to available Tevatron and LHC data. In contrast to previous (leading order) calculations, our fits do not rule out the equalness of the color singlet wave functions of $$\chi _{c1}$$

χ

c
1

and $$\chi _{c2}$$

χ

c
2

states. The extracted values of long-distance matrix elements are employed to analyse the $$\chi _c$$

χ
c

polarization data reported recently by the CMS Collaboration. Our predictions are in a reasonably good agreement with the Tevatron and LHC measurements within the theoretical and experimental uncertainties.
Stability of Cauchy horizon in charged black holes surrounded by quintessential dark energy
Authors: Chen Lu , Tan Jia
Published: April 2024

By investigating the Quasinormal Modes of a massless neutral scalar field, we have explored the influence of dark energy on the strong cosmic censorship (SCC) of charged de Sitter-like black holes. The results indicate that SCC can consistently be violated as long as the black hole approaches extremality. However, as the state parameter $$\sigma = 3\omega _f + 1$$

σ
=
3

ω
f

+
1

of the dark energy increases and approaches zero, the width of SCC violation interval demonstrates an overall decreasing trend, converging towards zero. Specifically, our research has identified a critical state parameter $$\sigma _{\text {crt}}$$

σ
crt

for dark matter. Beyond this critical value, enhancing the state parameter effectively mitigates SCC violations. However, at this critical threshold, the width of the violation interval stabilizes or marginally increase. These findings reveal a nuanced relationship between the asymptotic properties of black holes and the validity of the SCC, offering profound insights into potential mechanisms governing both the occurrence and alleviation of SCC violations.
Tech Highlights - Spring 2024
Authors: Pile Donald , Gallaway Joshua , Schindelholz Mara , McNulty David , Karuppaiah Chock
Published: April 2024

A collection of technology highlights pulled from recent papers published in ECS journals.
Electrolysis in Chloride Molten Salts for Sustainable Critical Metals Production and Recovery
Authors: Holcombe Ben , Sinclair Nicholas , Baker Alexander , Kim Eunjeong , McCall Scott K. , Akolkar Rohan
Published: April 2024

Critical materials, such as rare-earth metals, are essential to numerous applications, including clean energy; however, the present industrial practices for producing rare-earth metals involve environmentally damaging and thus unsustainable chemical and electrochemical processes. An alternative moderate-temperature chloride-based molten salt electrolysis process can address these issues, providing energy efficient and sustainable metal production. While it is being developed presently for rare-earth electrowinning, one can easily envision its broader application to rare-earth electrorefining and the electrolytic production of high-volume metals like Fe and Al. Presently, these high-volume metals industries account for nearly 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, the chloride MSE process presents a huge opportunity for truly achieving sustainability if it is developed further for producing Fe, Al, Ti, Mg, and other commodity metals.
Endothelial knockdown of the tumor suppressor, WWOX, increases inflammation in ventilator-induced lung injury
Authors: Zeng Zhenguo , Abdelwahid Eltyeb , Chen Weiguo , Ascoli Christian , Pham Trinh , Jacobson Jeffrey R. , Dudek Steven M. , Natarajan Viswanathan , Aldaz C. Marcelo , Machado Roberto F. , Singla Sunit
Published: April 2024

Prior tobacco smoke exposure is associated with an increased risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during critical illness. Our laboratory is investigating one of the gene expression changes that occurs in the lung following smoke exposure: WWOX downregulation. Here we describe changes in protein expression associated with WWOX knockdown and its influence on ventilator-induced ARDS in a mouse model.
Mesenchymal stromal cell extracellular vesicles improve lung development in mechanically ventilated preterm lambs
Authors: Albertine Kurt H. , Rebentisch Andrew , Dawson Elaine , Van Boerum Jakob , Major Emily , Štipka Juraj , Foreman Hannah , Headden David , Vordos Zoë , Beck Emily , Wang Zhengming , Yang Haixia , Yu Baifeng , Dahl Mar Janna , Null Donald M. , Bizzotto Davide , Veneroni Chiara , Lavizzari Anna , Dellacà Raffaele L. , Delavogia Eleni , Mitsialis S. Alex , Kourembanas Stella
Published: April 2024

This study focused on potential treatment of preterm infants at risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), for which no effective treatment exists. We tested treatment of mechanically ventilated preterm lambs with human mesenchymal stromal cell extracellular vesicles (MSC-sEVs). The results show improved respiratory gas exchange and parenchymal growth of capillaries and epithelium that are necessary for alveolar formation. Our study provides new mechanistic insight into potential efficacy of MSC-sEVs for preterm infants at risk of developing BPD.
A Novel Deep Learning‐Based Data Analysis Model for Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation and Electrical Consumption Forecasting in the Smart Power Grid
Authors: Mbey Camille Franklin , Yem Souhe Felix Ghislain , Foba Kakeu Vinny Junior , Boum Alexandre Teplaira
Published: April 2024

With the installation of solar panels around the world and the permanent fluctuation of climatic factors, it is, therefore, important to provide the necessary energy in the electrical network in order to satisfy the electrical demand at all times for smart grid applications. This study first presents a comprehensive and comparative review of existing deep learning methods used for smart grid applications such as solar photovoltaic (PV) generation forecasting and power consumption forecasting. In this work, electrical consumption forecasting is long term and will consider smart meter data and socioeconomic and demographic data. Photovoltaic power generation forecasting is short term by considering climatic data such as solar irradiance, temperature, and humidity. Moreover, we have proposed a novel hybrid deep learning method based on multilayer perceptron (MLP), long short‐term memory (LSTM), and genetic algorithm (GA). We then simulated all the deep learning methods on a climate and electricity consumption dataset for the city of Douala. Electrical consumption data are collected from smart meters installed at consumers in Douala. Climate data are collected at the climate management center in the city of Douala. The results obtained show the outperformance of the proposed optimized method based on deep learning in the both electrical consumption and PV power generation forecasting and its superiority compared to basic methods of deep learning such as support vector machine (SVM), MLP, recurrent neural network (RNN), and random forest algorithm (RFA).
Supplementary Table S3 from XTX301, a Tumor-Activated Interleukin-12 Has the Potential to Widen the Therapeutic Index of IL12 Treatment for Solid Tumors as Evidenced by Preclinical Studies
Authors: Patel Ekta , Malkova Natalia V. , Crowe David , Pederzoli-Ribeil Magali , Fantini Damiano , Fanny Manoussa , Madala Hanumantha Rao , Jenkins Kurt A. , Yerov Oleg , Greene Justin , Guzman Wilson , O'Toole Caitlin , Taylor Jacob , O'Donnell Rebekah K. , Johnson Parker , Lanter Bernard B. , Ames Brian , Chen Jia , Vu Sallyann , Wu Hsin-Jung , Cantin Susan , McLaughlin Megan , Hsiao Yu-Shan S. , Tomar Dheeraj S. , Rozenfeld Raphael , Thiruneelakantapillai Lakshmanan , O'Hagan Ronan C. , Nicholson Benjamin , O'Neil Jennifer , Bialucha Carl Uli
Published: April 2024

Supplementary Table S3: IFN-y production EC50 in mouse, human, and cynomolgus primary cells
The ability of mXTX301 to induce IFN- production in mouse splenocytes and XTX301 to induce IFN- production in human and cynomolgus monkey PBMCs was assessed via ELISA. The EC50 was calculated as described in the statistical analysis section.
Supplementary Figure S2 from XTX301, a Tumor-Activated Interleukin-12 Has the Potential to Widen the Therapeutic Index of IL12 Treatment for Solid Tumors as Evidenced by Preclinical Studies
Authors: Patel Ekta , Malkova Natalia V. , Crowe David , Pederzoli-Ribeil Magali , Fantini Damiano , Fanny Manoussa , Madala Hanumantha Rao , Jenkins Kurt A. , Yerov Oleg , Greene Justin , Guzman Wilson , O'Toole Caitlin , Taylor Jacob , O'Donnell Rebekah K. , Johnson Parker , Lanter Bernard B. , Ames Brian , Chen Jia , Vu Sallyann , Wu Hsin-Jung , Cantin Susan , McLaughlin Megan , Hsiao Yu-Shan S. , Tomar Dheeraj S. , Rozenfeld Raphael , Thiruneelakantapillai Lakshmanan , O'Hagan Ronan C. , Nicholson Benjamin , O'Neil Jennifer , Bialucha Carl Uli
Published: April 2024

Supplemental Figure S2: XTX301 demonstrates enhanced activity upon proteolytic cleavage in primary cells. (a) Primary mouse splenocytes were pre-activated with PMA & Ionomycin and then incubated with varying doses of rm IL-12 and murine surrogate test articles for 24 hours, and supernatants were assessed by IFN- ELISA. (b) Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were preactivated with PMA + Ionomycin and incubated with test articles for 4 days and (c) Cynomolgus monkey PBMCs were preactivated with PMA + Ionomycin and incubated with varying doses of rhIL-12 and test articles for 24 hours and evaluated for IFN- production by ELISA.