bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution from mixed to fixed handedness in mirror-image flowers: insights from adaptive dynamics
Authors: Saltini Marco , Barrett Spencer C.H. , Deinum Eva E.
Published: July 2023

Mirror-image flowers (enantiostyly) involve a form of sexual asymmetry in which a flower’s style is deflected either to the left or right side, with a pollinating anther orientated in the opposite direction. This curious floral polymorphism, which was known but not studied by Charles Darwin, occurs in at least 11 unrelated angiosperm families and represents a striking example of adaptive convergence in form and function associated with cross-pollination by insects. In several lineages, dimorphic enantiostyly (one stylar orientation per plant, both forms occurring within populations) has evolved from monomorphic enantiostyly, in which all plants can produce both style orientations. We use a modelling approach to investigate the emergence of dimorphic enantiostyly from monomorphic enantiostyly under gradual evolution. We show using adaptive dynamics that depending on the balance between inbreeding depression following geitonogamy, pollination efficiency and plant density, dimorphism can evolve from an ancestral monomorphic population. In general, the newly emergent dimorphic population is stable against invasion of a monomorphic mutant. However, our model predicts that under certain ecological conditions, e.g., a decline of pollinators, dimorphic enantiostyly may revert to a monomorphic state. We demonstrate using population genetics simulations that the observed evolutionary transitions are possible assuming a plausible genetic architecture.
DNA Recognition and Induced Genome Modification by a Hydroxymethyl-γ Tail-Clamp Peptide Nucleic Acid
Authors: Oyaghire Stanley N. , Quijano Elias , Perera J. Dinithi. R. , Mandl Hanna K. , Saltzman W. Mark , Bahal Raman , Glazer Peter M.
Published: July 2023

Peptide nucleic acids (PNA) can target and stimulate recombination reactions in genomic DNA. We have reported that gamma (γ)-PNA oligomers possessing the diethylene glycol γ-substituent show improved efficacy over unmodified PNAs in stimulating recombination-induced gene modification. However, this structural modification poses a challenge because of the inherent racemization risk inO-alkylation of the precursory serine side chain. To circumvent this risk and improve γPNA accessibility, we explore the utility of γPNA oligomers possessing the hydroxymethyl-γ moiety for gene editing applications. We demonstrate that a γPNA oligomer possessing the hydroxymethyl modification, despite weaker preorganization, retains the ability to form a hybrid with the double-stranded DNA target of comparable stability and with higher affinity to that of the diethylene glycol-γPNA. When formulated into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles, the hydroxymethyl-γPNA stimulates higher frequencies (≥ 1.5-fold) of gene modification than the diethylene glycol γPNA in mouse bone marrow cells.
Cholesterol-associated LocusEHBP1Protects against NASH Fibrosis
Authors: Ma Fanglin , Longo Miriam , Huang Xin , Meroni Marica , Prakash Satya , Paolini Erika , Bhattacharya Dipankar , Wang Shuang , Wang Xiaobo , Mughal Shama , Hussain Syed , Anand Sumit , Yurdagul Arif , Rom Oren , Dongiovanni Paola , Friedman Scott , Cai Bishuang
Published: July 2023

Hepatic free cholesterol contributes to fibrosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but how hepatic cholesterol metabolism becomes dysregulated in NASH is not completely understood. We show here that human fibrotic NASH livers have decreasedEHBP1, a novel GWAS locus associated with LDL-cholesterol, and that theEHBP1rs10496099 T>C variant in NASH patients is associated with decreased hepaticEHBP1expression and augmented NASH fibrosis. Congruent with the human data, EHBP1 loss- and gain-of-function increases and decreases NASH fibrosis in mice, respectively. Mechanistic studies reveal that EHBP1 promotes sortilin (SORT1)-mediated PCSK9 secretion, leading to LDLR degradation, decreased LDL uptake, and reduced TAZ, a fibrogenic effector. Moreover, we show that the TNFα/PPARα pathway suppresses EHBP1 in NASH. These data not only provide new mechanistic insight into the role of EHBP1 in cholesterol metabolism and NASH fibrosis by uncovering the interaction between EHBP1 and other cholesterol–related loci, includingSORT1,PCSK9, andLDLR, but also elucidate a novel interplay between inflammation and EHBP1-mediated cholesterol metabolism.

Highlights

Hepatic EHBP1 is reduced in human and mouse fibrotic NASH

EHBP1rs10496099 T>C is associated with decreased hepatic EHBP1 and augmented NASH

EHBP1 reduces LDLR, cholesterol uptake, and TAZ in hepatocytes

EHBP1 promotes sortilin-mediated PCSK9 secretion in hepatocytes

TNFα suppresses EHBP1 expression in hepatocytes
Diversity and modularity of tyrosine-accepting tRNA-like structures
Authors: Sherlock Madeline E. , Langeberg Conner J. , Kieft Jeffrey S.
Published: July 2023

Certain positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses contain elements at their 3’ termini that structurally mimic tRNAs. These tRNA-like structures (TLSs) are classified based on which amino acid is covalently added to the 3’ end by host aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. Recently, a cryoEM reconstruction of a representative tyrosine-accepting tRNA-like structure (TLSTyr) from brome mosaic virus (BMV) revealed a unique mode of recognition of the viral anticodon-mimicking domain by tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. Some viruses in thehordeivirusgenus ofVirgaviridaeare also selectively aminoacylated with tyrosine, yet these TLS RNAs have a different architecture in the 5’ domain that comprises the atypical anticodon loop mimic. Herein, we present bioinformatic and biochemical data supporting a distinct secondary structure for the 5′ domain of thehordeivirusTLSTyrcompared to those inBromoviridae. Despite forming a different secondary structure, the 5′ domain is necessary to achieve robustin vitroaminoacylation. Furthermore, a chimeric RNA containing the 5′ domain from the BMV TLSTyrand the 3′ domain from ahordeivirusTLSTyrare aminoacylated, illustrating modularity in these structured RNA elements. We propose that the structurally distinct 5′ domain of thehordeivirusTLSTyrs performs the same role in mimicking the anticodon loop as its counterpart in the BMV TLSTyr. Finally, these structurally and phylogenetically divergent types of TLSTyrprovide insight into the evolutionary connections between all classes of viral tRNA-like structures.
The Lion’s Share: Implications of carnivore diet on endangered herbivores in Tsavo
Authors: King Eliza , Chakrabarti Stotra , Lala Fredrick , Nyagah Stephen , Waiguchu Grace , Chiyo Patrick I. , Kimaile Joseph , Moller Richard , Omondi Patrick , Morris Aaron , Bump Joseph K.
Published: July 2023

Predation by mammalian carnivores can have cascading, regulatory effects across ecological communities. An understanding of predator diet can therefore provide crucial information regarding their ecology and conservation, as well as their impacts on prey populations. Using scats collected between 2019 and 2023, coupled with estimates of prey abundance from aerial surveys, we characterized lion prey-consumption and preference in Tsavo, Kenya. A lion-specific biomass model applied to prey frequencies in scats revealed that more than 85% of lion diet consisted of large ungulates weighing over 150 kg. While large ungulates were also preferred prey items in terms of their availability, we found a disproportionately high consumption and preference of lions for the endangered hirola and Grevy’s zebra— species that were introduced in Tsavo as part of ex-situ conservation programs. Hirola and Grevy’s zebra populations have historically remained small in Tsavo despite strong recovery efforts, and our results likely indicate a disproportionate impact of lion predation on these small but crucial populations. Preferential predation, coupled with high availability of alternative prey, may trap hirola and Grevy’s zebra within apredator-pit. Our findings have strong implications for understanding lion diet, optimal foraging, and the potential effects predators have on endangered prey species in a landscape of critical conservation importance.
Synovial 1 Sarcoma X Breakpoint Protein Uses a Cryptic Groove to Selectively Recognize H2AK119Ub Nucleosomes
Authors: Tong Zebin , Ai Huasong , Xu Ziyu , He Kezhang , Chu Guo-Chao , Shi Qiang , Deng Zhiheng , Xue Qiaomei , Sun Maoshen , Du Yunxiang , Liang Lujun , Li Jia-Bin , Pan Man , Liu Lei
Published: July 2023

The cancer-specific fusion oncoprotein SS18-SSX1 disturbs chromatin accessibility by hijacking the BAF complex from the promoters and enhancers to the polycomb-repressed chromatin regions. This process relies on the selective recognition of H2AK119Ub nucleosomes by SSX1. However, the mechanism by which SSX1 selective recognition of H2AK119Ub nucleosomes in the absence of ubiquitin (Ub)-binding capacity remains unknown. Here we report the cryo-EM structure of SSX1 bound to H2AK119Ub nucleosomes at 3.1 Å resolution. Combinedin vitrobiochemical and cellular assays revealed that the Ub recognition by SSX1 is unique and depends on a cryptic basic groove formed by H3 and the Ub motif on the H2AK119 site. Moreover, this unorthodox binding mode of SSX1 induces DNA unwrapping at the entry/exit sites. Together, our results describe a unique mode of site-specific ubiquitinated nucleosome recognition that underlies the specific hijacking of the BAF complex to polycomb regions by SS18-SSX1 in synovial sarcoma.
Label-free ghost cytometry for manufacturing of cell therapy products
Authors: Teranishi Kazuki , Wagatsuma Keisuke , Toda Keisuke , Nomaru Hiroko , Yanagihashi Yuichi , Ochiai Hiroshi , Akai Satoru , Mochizuki Emi , Onda Yuuki , Nakagawa Keiji , Sugimoto Keiki , Takahashi Shinya , Yamaguchi Hideto , Ota Sadao
Published: July 2023

Automation and quality control (QC) are critical in manufacturing safe and effective cell and gene therapy products. However, current QC methods, reliant on molecular staining, pose difficulty in in-line testing and can increase manufacturing costs. Here we demonstrate the potential of using label-free ghost cytometry (LF-GC), a machine learning-driven, multidimensional, high-content, and high-throughput flow cytometry approach, in various stages of the cell therapy manufacturing processes. LF-GC accurately quantified cell count and viability of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and identified non-apoptotic live cells and early apoptotic/dead cells in PBMCs, T cells and non-T cells in white blood cells (WBCs), activated T cells and quiescent T cells in PBMCs, and particulate impurities in PBMCs. The data support that LF-GC is a non-destructive label-free cell analytical method that can be used to monitor cell numbers, assess viability, identify specific cell subsets or phenotypic states, and remove impurities during cell therapy manufacturing. Thus, LF-GC holds the potential to enable full automation in the manufacturing of cell therapy products with reduced cost and increased efficiency.
Coherent cortical representations develop after experience via feedforward-recurrent circuit alignment
Authors: Lempel Augusto Abel , Trägenap Sigrid , Tepohl Clara , Kaschube Matthias , Fitzpatrick David
Published: July 2023

Sensory cortical areas guide behavior by transforming stimulus-driven inputs into selective responses representing relevant features. A classic example is the representation of edge orientations in the visual cortex1–4, where layer 4 (L4) neurons co-activated by an orientation provide feedforward inputs to specific functional modules in layer 2/3 (L2/3) that share strong recurrent connections5–7. The aligned state of feedforward-recurrent interactions is critical for amplifying selective cortical responses8–12, but how it develops remains unclear. Using simultaneous electrophysiology and calcium imaging in visually naïve animals we find that coactivity of L4 neurons and L2/3 modular responses elicited by oriented gratings lacks the tight relationship to orientation preference found in experienced animals. One factor that could contribute to the lack of functionally specific coactivity is high variability in naïve L4 neuron responses that decreases significantly following experience. But a computational model of feedforward-recurrent interaction suggests that high variability alone is insufficient to explain the naïve state and provides a biological signature of feedforward-recurrent misalignment that we confirm with whole-cell recordings: dynamic changes in orientation tuning of L2/3 subthreshold responses shortly after stimulus onset. In conclusion, we provide diverse evidence for a realignment of feedforward-recurrent interactions following experience that is critical for building reliable sensory representations with interlaminar temporal coherence.
Real-Time Spatiotemporal Measurement of Extracellular Signaling Molecules Using an Aptamer Switch-Conjugated Hydrogel Matrix
Authors: Park Chan Ho , Thompson Ian A. P. , Newman Sharon S. , Hein Linus A. , Lian Xizhen , Fu Kaiyu , Pan Jing , Eisenstein Michael , Tom Soh H.
Published: July 2023

Cells rely on secreted signaling molecules to coordinate essential biological functions including development, metabolism, and immunity. Unfortunately, such signaling processes remain difficult to measure with sufficient chemical specificity and temporal resolution. To address this need, we have developed an aptamer-conjugated hydrogel matrix that enables continuous fluorescent measurement of specific secreted analytes – in two dimensions, in real-time. As a proof of concept, we performed real-time imaging ofDictyostelium discoideumcells, a well-studied amoeba model wherein inter-cellular communication is performed though cAMP signaling. We engineered a set of aptamer switches that generate a rapid and reversible change in fluorescence in response to cAMP signals. By combining multiple switches with different dynamic ranges, we can measure cAMP concentrations spanning three orders of magnitude in a single experiment. These sensors are embedded within a biocompatible hydrogel on which cells are cultured and their cAMP secretions can be imaged using fluorescent microscopy. Using this aptamer-hydrogel material system, we achieved the first direct measurements of oscillatory cAMP signaling that correlate closely with previous indirect measurements. Using different aptamer switches, this approach could be generalized for measuring other secreted molecules to directly visualize diverse extracellular signaling processes and the biological effects that they trigger in recipient cells.
Novel multifunctional glycan probes to elucidate specificities of diverse glycan recognition systems
Authors: Yu Jin , Decout Alexiane C. , Di Maio Antonio , Chai Wengang , Stehle Thilo , Turnbull W. Bruce , Feizi Ten , Liu Yan
Published: July 2023

Glycan microarrays of sequence-defined glycans are the most widely used approach for high-throughput studies of interactions of glycans with glycan binding proteins. Currently nitrocellulose (NC) coated or N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) functionalized glass slides are the two most commonly used surfaces for immobilizing glycan probes as noncovalent and covalent arrays, respectively. The mode of glycan presentation can have an influence on the microarray readouts and is an important consideration in the glycan recognition knowledgebase. Here we present the development of glycan probes, tagged with a novel type of tri-functional Fmoc-amino-azido (FAA) linker, which can be readily converted into lipid-tagged or amino-terminating glycan probes for generating neoglycolipid (NGL)-based noncovalent arrays as well as covalent arrays. The azido functionality in the FAA glycan probes provides a means to ‘light up’ the glycans via biorthogonal ‘Click’ chemistry so that they become ‘scanner-readable’ on the covalent arrays, which represents an advance in array quality control. Here analyses were carried out with a diverse set of 36 glycan binding proteins (GBPs) to compare the performance of 44 glycans presented in a liposomal formulation as noncovalent arrays on NC coated slides and on two types of NHS slides as covalent arrays. With most of anti-glycan antibodies and plant lectins investigated, there were negligible or subtle differences in the binding detected in different arrays. However, there were some striking differences observed between the covalent and noncovalent arrays. These include binding ofLotus TetragonolobusLectin (LTL) on the covalent but not the noncovalent arrays, and a clear preference observed for glycans on the noncovalent array in the binding of adhesins (VP1 proteins) of two human polyomaviruses JCPyV and BKPyV, and the human immune lectins Siglecs 7 and 9. Subtle yet significant differences in the binding to low affinity glycan ligands were also observed with three bacterial toxins in different arrays. These results revealed interesting insights into the binding behaviour of different GBPs on the noncovalent and covalent arrays and highlight the importance to consider different array platforms in elucidating glycan mediated interactions. The FAA glycan probes can be readily rendered fluorescent via ‘Click’ chemistry in solution, enabling the detection of GBPs at the surface of cells.

Abstract Figure

A new trifunctional linker can present glycans on different array surfaces for analyses of soluble glycan binding proteins or as fluorescent probes for binding by proteins at the surface of cells.
Gene editing of putative cAMP and Ca2+-regulated proteins using an efficient cloning-free CRISPR/Cas9 system inTrypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Chiurillo Miguel A. , Ahmed Milad , González César , Raja Aqsa , Lander Noelia
Published: July 2023

Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, must adapt to a diversity of environmental conditions that it faces during its life cycle. The adaptation to these changes is mediated by signaling pathways that coordinate the cellular responses to the new environmental settings. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) and Calcium (Ca2+) signaling pathways regulate critical cellular processes in this parasite, such as differentiation, osmoregulation, host cell invasion and cell bioenergetics. Although the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology prompted reverse genetics approaches for functional analysis inT. cruzi, it is still necessary to expand the toolbox for genome editing in this parasite, as for example to perform multigene analysis. Here we used an efficient T7RNAP/Cas9 strategy to tag and delete three genes predicted to be involved in cAMP and Ca2+signaling pathways: a putative Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CAMK), Flagellar Member 6 (FLAM6) and Cyclic nucleotide-binding domain/C2 domain-containing protein (CC2CP). We endogenously tagged these three genes and determined the subcellular localization of the tagged proteins. Furthermore, the strategy used to knockout these genes allow us to presume thatTcCC2CPis an essential gene inT. cruziepimastigotes. Our results will open new venues for future research on the role of these proteins inT. cruzi.
Viruses in laboratoryDrosophilaand their impact on host gene expression
Authors: Kuyateh Oumie , Obbard Darren J
Published: July 2023

Drosophila melanogasterhas one of the best characterized antiviral immune responses among invertebrates. However, relatively few easily-transmitted natural virus isolates are available, and so manyDrosophilaexperiments have been performed using artificial infection routes and artificial host-virus combinations. These may not reflect natural infections, especially for subtle phenotypes such as gene expression. Here, to explore the laboratory virus community and to better understand how natural virus infections induce changes in gene expression, we analyse seven publicly availableD. melanogastertranscriptomic sequencing libraries that were originally sequenced for projects unrelated to virus infection. We find ten known viruses—including five that have not been experimentally isolated—but no previously unknown viruses. Our analysis of host gene expression found numerous genes were differentially expressed in flies that were naturally infected with a virus. For example, flies infected with nora virus showed patterns of gene expression consistent with intestinal vacuolization and host attempted repair via the upd3 JAK/STAT pathway. We also found marked sex-differences in virus-induced differential gene expression. Our results show that natural virus infection in laboratoryDrosophiladoes indeed induce detectable changes in gene expression, suggesting that this may form an important background condition for experimental studies in the laboratory.
Targeting human γδ T cells as a potent and safe alternative to pan-T cells bispecific cell engagers
Authors: Boutin Lola , Barjon Clément , Lafrance Laura , Senechal Eric , Bourges Dorothée , Vigne Emmanuelle , Scotet Emmanuel
Published: July 2023

Over the past decade, an increasing number of immunotherapies aiming to improve the ability of the immune system to effectively eradicate tumor cells have been developed. Among them, targeting effector T cell subsets of the immune system with bispecific antibodies, called T Cell Engagers (TCEs), represents an attractive strategy. TCEs are designed to specifically direct cytotoxic T cells towards tumor cells, thereby inducing a strong activation leading to the lysis of tumor cells. New strategies for targeting specific T-cell subsets are currently being explored. In this study, we investigated the activity of different TCEs on both conventional alpha beta (αβ) T cells and unconventional gamma delta (γδ) T cells. We generated TCE molecules based on camelid single-domain antibodies (VHHs) that target the tumor-associated antigen CEACAM5 (CEA), together with particular T-cell receptor chains (TCRs) or a CD3 domain. Thein vitrobiological activity of the TCEs against the colon carcinoma cell line LS174T was measured using fresh and cultured human Vγ9Vδ2 and αβ T cells. We showed that Vγ9Vδ2 T cells display stronger antitumor activityin vitrothan αβ T cells when activated with a CD3xCEA TCE. Furthermore, restricting T cell activation to Vγ9Vδ2 T cells limits the production of pro-tumor factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are often associated with toxicity in patients. Taken together, these results suggest that Vγ9Vδ2γδ T cell-specific TCEs may represent safe, novel, specific, and effective molecules for improving antitumor immunotherapies.
Taxonomy supporting design strategies for reuse of building parts in timber-based construction
Authors: Lisco Margherita , Aulin Radhlinah
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The reuse of timber building parts, when designing new buildings, has become a topic of increasing discussion as a proposed circular solution in support of sustainable development goals. Designers face the difficulty of identifying and applying different design strategies for reuse due to multiple definitions, which are used interchangeably. The purpose of this study is to propose a taxonomy to define the relationships between various concepts and practices that comprise the relevant strategies for reuse, notably design for disassembly (DfD) and design for adaptability (DfA).

Design/methodology/approach

Literature reviews were conducted based on research publications over the previous 12 years and located through the Web of Science and Scopus.

Findings

A taxonomy for the design process grounded on two strategies for reuse is presented: DfD and DfA. Based on previous work, the taxonomy aims to build a vocabulary of definitions in DfD and DfA to support other researchers and practitioners working in the field.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to the design phase of timber-based buildings. It does not take into account the other phases of the construction process, neither other kind of construction methods.

Practical implications

The application of the taxonomy can facilitate communication between different actors and provide a way for building product manufacturers to demonstrate their reuse credentials, enabling them to produce and promote compliant products and thereby support design for reuse strategies.

Social implications

This paper could contribute to a closer collaboration of all stakeholders involved in the building process since the very early phases of the conceptual design.

Originality/value

This paper contributes a comprehensive taxonomy to support the deployment of circular reuse strategies and assist designers and other stakeholders from the earliest of phases in the building’s life cycle. The proposed definition framework provided by the taxonomy resolves the longstanding lack of a supporting vocabulary for reuse and can be used as a reference for researchers and practitioners working with the DfD and DfA.
Cross-border alliances and strategic games
Authors: Tlemsani Issam , Matthews Robin , Mohamed Hashim Mohamed Ashmel
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This empirical research examined the factors and conditions that contribute to the success of international strategic learning alliances. The study aimed to provide organisations with evidence-based insights and recommendations that can help them to create more effective and sustainable partnerships and to leverage collaborative learning to drive innovation and growth. The examination is performed using game theory as a mathematical framework to analyse the interaction of the decision-makers, where one alliance's decision is contingent on the decision made by others in the partnership. There are 20 possible games out of 120 outcomes that can be grouped into four different types; each type has been divided into several categories.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology included secondary and primary data collection using empirical data, the Delphi technique for obtaining qualitative data, a research questionnaire for collecting quantitative data and computer simulation (1,000 cases, network resources and cooperative game theory). The key variables collected and measured when analysing a strategic alliance were identified, grouped and mapped into the developed model.

Findings

Most respondents ranked reputation and mutual benefits in Type 1 games relatively high, averaging 4.1 and 3.85 of a possible 5. That is significantly higher than net transfer benefits, ranked at 0.61. The a priori model demonstrate that Type 1 games are the most used in cooperative games and in-game distribution, 40% of all four types of games. This is also confirmed by the random landscape model, approximately 50%. The results of the empirical data in a combination of payoff characteristics for Type 1 games show that joint and reputation benefits are critical for the success of cooperation.

Practical implications

Research on cross-border learning alliances has several implications. Managerial implications can help managers to understand the challenges and benefits of engaging in these activities. They can use this knowledge to develop strategies to improve the effectiveness of their cross-border learning alliances. Practical implications, the development of game theory and cross-border models can be applied in effective decision-making in a variety of complex contexts. Learning alliances have important policy implications, particularly in trade, investment and innovation. Policymakers must consider the potential benefits and risks of these collaborations and develop policies that encourage and support them while mitigating potential negative impacts.

Originality/value

International learning alliances have become a popular strategy for firms seeking to gain access to new knowledge, capabilities and markets in foreign countries. The originality of this research lies in its ability to contribute to the understanding of the dynamics and outcomes of these complex relationships in a novel and meaningful way.
Blister test to evaluate the multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) - Woven carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy used for repairing pipelines
Authors: Ahmed Payman Sahbah , Kamal Ava Ali , Abdulkader Niveen Jamal , Fadhil Basim Mohammed , Khoshnaw Fuad
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Pipelines are subject to pits, holes and cracks after staying in service for a while, especially in harsh environments. To repair the pipelines, composite materials are used, due to composite materials' low cost, high-corrosion resistance and easy handling. This study aims to investigate the reliability of the blister test for evaluating the bonding strength of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) on woven carbon-reinforced epoxy.

Design/methodology/approach

Flexural, hardness and Izod impact tests were used to evaluate MWCNT effect on the epoxy by adding different amounts, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1 wt. %, of MWCNT, to be compared with pure epoxy.

Findings

The results showed that 0.8 wt.% gives the highest strength. The experimental results of 0.8 wt.% MWCNT reinforced carbon composite was compared with the finite element model under blister test, and the results showed high similarities.

Originality/value

Evaluation of the reliability and the advantages of MWCNT considering the high aspect ratio and high tensile strength, which is more than 15 times compared to steel, MWCNT enhances the strength, stiffness and toughness of epoxy used as a matrix in repairing pipelines, which leads to an increase in the resistance of composite materials against oil internal pressure before delamination.
Robust pose estimation for ship block assembly feature based on large-scale scanning
Authors: Tang Chuyu , Chen Genliang , Wang Hao , Yu Yangfan
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Hull block assembly is a vital task in ship construction. It is necessary to obtain the actual poses of the assembly features to guide further block alignment. Traditional methods use single-point measurement, which is time-consuming and may lead to loss of key information. Thus, large-scale scanning is introduced for data acquisition, and this paper aims to provide a precise and robust method for retrieving poses based on point set registration.

Design/methodology/approach

The main problem of point registration is to find the correct transformation between the model and the scene. In this paper, a vote framework based on a new point pair feature is used to calculate the transformation. First, a special edge indicator for multiplate objects is proposed to determine the edges. Subsequently, pair features with an edge description are noted for every point. Finally, a voting scheme based on agglomerative clustering is implemented to determine the optimal transformation.

Findings

The proposed method not only improves registration efficiency but also maintains high accuracy compared to several commonly used approaches. In particular, for objects composed of plates, the results of pose estimation are more promising because of the compact pair feature. The multiple ship longitudinal localization experiment validates the effectiveness in real scan applications.

Originality/value

The proposed edge description performs a better detection for the edges of multiplate objects. The pair feature incorporating the edge indicator is more discriminative than the original template, resulting in better robustness to outliers, noise and occlusions.
How does emotional intelligence influence self-efficacy among customer service representatives in Pakistan? Mediatory effects of emotional labour
Authors: Khan Mukaram Ali , Butt Rimsha Ashfaq , Nawab Saba , Zubair Syed Sohaib
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study intends to explore the influence of emotional intelligence on employee self-efficacy in Pakistan's telecom industry. Besides, it explores the mediating effect of emotional labor (surface acting and deep acting) between them. This study also tests the relationship between emotional labor (surface acting and deep acting) and self-efficacy in the customer care of Pakistan's telecom division.

Design/methodology/approach

The study leads forward with a positivist approach to obtain data in two different waves as a time lag study from the big five telecom companies operating in Pakistan. The data was collected from 270 employees working in Customer Services in the Telecom sector.

Findings

The results reveal that there exists a positive relationship between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy in customer care employees in Pakistan's telecommunication division sector. Moreover, emotional labor (deep acting) partially mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy, and surface acting could not mediate the relationship among the employees of customer care in Pakistan's telecom division.

Originality/value

Management of emotions at the workplace has been an immensely vital area in managing the performance of employees, especially in customer-centric jobs, where dealing with customers is the prime focus and achieving customer satisfaction is the utmost outcome. There is limited evidence of the relationship between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy specifically in the customer care of the Telecom sector.
Establishment of a new reverse genetics system for respiratory syncytial virus under the control of RNA polymerase II
Authors: Takahashi Tatsuki , Ueno Shiori , Sugiura Yoshiro , Shimizu Kenta , Kamitani Wataru
Published: July 2023

A reverse genetics system for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes acute respiratory illness, is an effective tool for understanding the pathogenicity of RSV. To date, a method dependent on T7 RNA polymerase is commonly used for RSV. Although this method is well established and recombinant RSV is well rescued from transfected cells, the requirement for artificial supply of T7 RNA polymerase limits its application. To overcome this, we established a reverse genetics system dependent on RNA polymerase II, which is more convenient for the recovery of recombinant viruses from various cell lines. First, we identified human cell lines with high transfection efficiency in which RSV can replicate effectively. Two human cell lines, Huh‐7 and 293T, permitted the propagation of recombinant green fluorescent protein–expressing RSV. Our minigenome system revealed that efficient transcription and replication of RSV occurred in both Huh‐7 and 293T cells. We then confirmed that recombinant green fluorescent protein–expressing RSV was rescued in both Huh‐7 and 293T cells. Furthermore, the growth capability of viruses rescued from Huh‐7 and 293T cells was similar to that of recombinant RSV rescued using the conventional method. Thus, we succeeded in establishing a new reverse genetics system for RSV that is dependent on RNA polymerase II.
Utilization of ambient noise seismic interferometry to retrieve P‐wave reflections at Soma coal basin, Western Turkey
Authors: Cankurtaranlar Ali , Demirbağ Emin
Published: July 2023

Following ambient noise seismic interferometry principles, we retrieved virtual zero‐offset vertical seismic profile shot gather using continuous seismic records obtained simultaneously during an active‐source data acquisition study from Soma coal basin, Western Turkey. We treated the data to include pure ambient noise by eliminating earthquakes, surface sweeps and quarry explosions due to mining activities. We have implemented a series of data processing steps, including spectral normalization and filtering to increase the signal‐to‐noise ratio. We produced a zero‐offset virtual shot gather by cross‐correlation and cross‐coherence methods in a coal basin for the first time and we observed the P‐wave first arrivals and reflections from the deepest coal layer (km2). Our results demonstrate that the ambient noise seismic interferometry method can serve as an alternative approach for seismic imaging and monitoring in areas where the use of active seismic sources is limited due to field conditions, provided that there are sufficient and appropriate noise sources at the wellhead.
Pregnancy, parturition and postpartum considerations among patients with vulvar lichen sclerosus: A retrospective cross‐sectional online survey
Authors: Shaffer Alyssa B. , Cigna Sarah T. , Pope Rachel , Krapf Jill M.
Published: July 2023

Objective

Characterise VLS and obstetric considerations among women during pregnancy, parturition and postpartum.

Design

Retrospective cross‐sectional online survey, 2022.

Setting

International, English‐speakers.

Population

Self‐identified individuals aged 18–50 diagnosed with VLS with symptom onset prior to pregnancy.

Methods

Participants recruited from social media support groups and accounts, completed a 47‐question survey including yes/no, multiple answer, and free‐text responses. Data were analysed with frequency, means and the Chi‐square test.

Main outcome measures

VLS symptom severity, mode of delivery, perineal laceration, source and sufficiency of information provided about VLS and obstetrics, anxiety about delivery, and postpartum depression.

Results

Of 204 responses, 134 met inclusion criteria, encompassing 206 pregnancies. Mean respondent age was 35 years (SD 6) and mean age of VLS symptom onset, diagnosis and birth, was 22 (SD 8), 29 (SD 7) and 31 (SD 4) years, respectively. Symptoms decreased in 44% (n = 91) of pregnancies and increased during the postpartum period in 60% (n = 123). In all, 67% (n = 137) of pregnancies resulted in vaginal birth and 33% (n = 69) in caesarean birth. Anxiety for delivery due to VLS symptoms was reported by 50% (n = 103); 31% (n = 63) experienced postpartum depression. Of respondents previously diagnosed with VLS, 60% (n = 69) used topical steroids prior to pregnancy, 40% (n = 45) were treated during pregnancy and 65% (n = 75) postpartum. In all, 94% (n = 116) reported receiving an insufficient amount of information on the topic.

Conclusion

In this online survey, we found reported symptom severity remained unchanged or decreased during pregnancy, but increased postpartum. Use of topical corticosteroids decreased during pregnancy compared with before and after pregnancy. Half of the respondents reported anxiety regarding VLS and delivery.
Multiple interaction networks reveal that Lepidoptera larvae and adults prefer various host plants for diet and pollination
Authors: WANG Xiangping , FU Xiao , SHI Miaomiao , XUE Chunquan , YANG Jiazhi , ZHAO Zhongtao , LI Shijin , TU Tieyao
Published: July 2023

Plant–Lepidoptera interactions are often studied using the pollination or herbivore networks only. Lepidoptera species are involved in two types of plant–insect interactions because they are herbivores as larvae and pollinators as adults. The study of entangled networks is critical, since the interaction of different networks can affect the overall network and community stability. Here, we studied the interaction of plants and Lepidoptera on the Yongxing Island, South China Sea. A plant–lepidopteran pollination network and a plant–lepidopteran herbivore network were built by using data from flower–pollinator and leaf–herbivore interactions. We then combined the two networks into a single network. We measured plant composition similarity within each sub‐network and across sub‐networks for Lepidoptera species. Our findings indicate that the plant–Lepidoptera pollination network and the herbivory network share significant proportions of Lepidoptera but small proportions of plant assemblages. The pollination network had higher nestedness and connectance than the herbivore network. Agrius convolvuli was the most specialized species, while Zizina otis had the highest species strength in the pollination network. Most Lepidoptera species were highly specialized in the herbivore network and their importance positively correlated across the two networks. Furthermore, there was no dietary composition similarity between the two networks for most Lepidoptera species. Our findings highlight the visible structural difference between the pollination and the herbivore networks. Adult Lepidoptera selects different plants for oviposition and feeding, a strategy that may benefit their reproduction and survival by sustaining adequate resources for their two life stages and the diversity of both plants and insects in oceanic island communities.
Parasitic flies alter the dietary preference of grasshoppers
Authors: GUAN Huanhuan , ZHANG Shangyun , YANG Nan , HUANGPU Yifei , LAN Bin , NIKAS Karl J. , WU Xinwei , SUN Shucun
Published: July 2023

Parasitism is known to affect the behavior of host species to enhance parasite dispersal and transmission. However, host behavioral responses to parasitism unrelated to parasite dispersal and transmission have been much less studied. The objective of this study was to determine whether grasshopper hosts infected and uninfected with a parasitic fly (Blaesoxipha sp.) differ in terms of the nutrient content of the diet they consume. We investigated the dietary preferences of two grasshopper species (i.e. Asulconotus chinghaiensis and Chorthippus fallax) in terms of the C/N composition of plant species consumed, and determined whether this affected the egg production of unparasitized and parasitized grasshoppers by flies in a Tibetan alpine meadow. The composition of plants consumed differed significantly between the unparasitized and parasitized grasshoppers. Specifically, the abundance of N‐rich legumes was lower and that of high C/N grasses was higher in the diet of the parasitized compared to the unparasitized grasshoppers. Diet N content was higher and C/N was lower in the diet of unparasitized grasshoppers, and parasitized females produced fewer eggs than their unparasitized conspecifics. Future enquiries are needed to understand the specific mechanisms underlying these dietary differences. The effects of parasites on the fitness–associated behavior of hosts should be studied more broadly to better understand parasite evolution and adaptation.
Computerized nailfold video‐capillaroscopy in type 2 diabetes: A cross‐sectional study on 102 outpatients
Authors: Lisco Giuseppe , Triggiani Vincenzo
Published: July 2023

Background

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic disease that negatively affects vascular health. A careful assessment of chronic complications, including microcirculation, is mandatory. The computerized nailfold video‐capillaroscopy (CNVC) accurately examines the nailfold microvasculature, but its suitability in T2D is currently under investigation.

Aims

To describe nailfold microvasculature in T2D patients regarding the level of glucose control and chronic microvascular and macrovascular complications.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study on 102 consecutive and unselected outpatients with T2D who had undergone CNVC examination. The examination was carried out by using an electronic video‐capillaroscope with 300x magnification. Capillaroscopic appearance and capillary changes were described according to well‐established parameters. Capillaroscopic parameters were compared between patients with poor glucose control (HbA1c ≥7%) and those with better glucose control (HbA1c <7%) and between patients with chronic complications and those without. Chronic complications were deduced from the anamnestic, laboratory, and instrumental data and the five‐item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐5) questionnaire.

Results

Nailfold capillaries in patients with HbA1c ≥7% were thicker (p = .019) and longer (p = .021) than in those with better glucose control. Ectasias (p = .017) and microaneurysms (p = .045) were more frequently observed in patients with HbA1c ≥7.0% than those with HbA1c <7.0%. Patients with ED, compared to those without, had a lower frequency of bizarre‐shaped capillaries (p = .02). Microaneurysms (p = .02) were more frequently described in patients with carotid stenosis (>20%) than those without.

Conclusion

Relevant nailfold microvascular alterations were observed in T2D, most of which were associated with poor glycemic control, ED, and carotid stenosis. Further investigation is needed to recognize the role of CNVC in predicting the onset and evolution of chronic complications and monitoring the effectiveness of antihyperglycemic treatments on microcirculation.
Financial statement similarity
Authors: Brown Stephen V. , Ma Guang , Tucker Jennifer Wu
Published: July 2023

We propose financial statement similarity as a measure of financial reporting comparability. The firm‐pair version of our measure reflects the degree to which two firms report similar relations within their financial statement items; this version can help managers and market participants identify peer firms. The firm‐year version of our measure reflects the degree to which a firm reports financial statement relations that are similar to other members of its industry; this version can help market participants, regulators, and auditors screen firms for further attention. Our measure uses the presence and amounts of almost all financial items reported by a firm. We validate our measure in four sets of analyses to establish concurrent validity and in three sets of analyses to establish predictive validity. In all these tests, we contrast our measure with the comparability measure in De Franco et al. (2011) and a multivariate measure that considers the presence, but not amounts, of financial statement items. Our measure outperforms the alternatives and can be a useful tool for users.
Development and future prospects of the artificial urinary sphincter
Authors: Wang Minghui , Liao Yucheng , Liu Yunlong , Zhou Wei , Yu Hongliu
Published: July 2023

Background

Urinary incontinence is a urinary disorder in which urine leaks out involuntarily. This disorder seriously affects the quality of life of patients. For patients with mild incontinence, conservative treatment and medication may be the ideal treatment modality, but for patients with severe incontinence, an artificial urinary sphincter is currently a better treatment option.

Methods

In order to design an ideal artificial urinary sphincter, this article first searched and collected literature based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses searched strategy by selecting specific subject terms and reviewed the artificial urinary sphincters that are currently in the research stage based on different activation methods.

Results

In response to the deficiencies of the existing artificial urinary sphincter, this article discusses the future optimization of the artificial urinary sphincter from three aspects: individual improvement of the artificial urinary sphincter, engineering design elements, and optimization of the artificial urinary sphincter manufacturing process.

Conclusions

The manufacture of an idealized artificial urinary sphincter capable of meeting clinical needs is of great importance to improve the quality of life of patients. However, this approach is a reasonable option to explore and should not be overestimated until further evidence is available.
Evaluation of parentage testing using single nucleotide polymorphism markers for draft horses in Japan
Authors: Ishige Taichiro , Kikuchi Mio , Kakoi Hironaga , Hirota Kei‐ichi , Ohnuma Aoi , Tozaki Teruaki , Hirosawa Yuko , Tanaka Shoko , Nagata Shun‐ichi
Published: July 2023

We evaluated the utility of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for parentage testing in Breton (BR) and Percheron (PR) horses in Japan using the proposed International Society for Animal Genetics (P‐ISAG) 147 SNP panel and 414 autosomal SNPs. Genomic DNA was extracted from 98 horses of two breeds, BR (n = 47) and PR (n = 51), and sequenced using next‐generation sequencing. The average minor allele frequencies for the P‐ISAG panel for BR and PR were 0.306 and 0.301, respectively. The combined probabilities of exclusion (PEs) given two parents and one offspring: exclude a relationship (PE01) and given one parent and one offspring: exclude their relationship (PE02) were over 0.9999 for both breeds. Using the P‐ISAG panel, no exclusion or doubtful cases were identified in 35 valid parent–offspring pairs, suggesting that the P‐ISAG panel is helpful for parentage verification in both breeds. In contrast, as 0.18% of falsely accepted parentages were observed in the parentage discovery cases, additional markers such as the combination of the P‐ISAG panel and 414 autosomal SNPs (561‐SNP set) presented here should be used to identify valid parent–offspring pairs of horses with unknown parentage relationships.