bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic Plasticity During Organofluorine Degradation Revealed by Adaptive Evolution
Authors: O'Connor Madeline R. , Thoma Calvin J. , Dodge Anthony G. , Wackett Lawrence P. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTA major factor limiting the biodegradation of organofluorine compounds has been highlighted as fluoride anion toxicity produced by defluorinating enzymes. Here, two highly active defluorinases with different activities were constitutively expressed in Pseudomonas putida ATCC 12633 to examine adaption to fluoride stress. Each strain was grown on α‐fluorophenylacetic acid as the sole carbon source via defluorination to mandelic acid, and each showed immediate fluoride release and delayed growth. Adaptive evolution was performed for each recombinant strain by serial transfer. Both strains adapted to show a much shorter lag and a higher growth yield. The observed adaptation occurred rapidly and reproducibly, within 50 generations each time. After adaption, growth with 50–70 mM α‐fluorophenylacetic acid was significantly faster with more fluoride release than a preadapted culture due to larger cell populations. Genomic sequencing of both pre‐ and postadapted strain pairs revealed decreases in the defluorinase gene content. With both defluorinases, adaption produced a 56%–57% decrease in the plasmid copy number. Additionally, during adaption of the strain expressing the faster defluorinase, two plasmids were present: the original and a derivative in which the defluorinase gene was deleted. An examination of the enzyme rates in the pathway suggested that the defluorinase rate was concurrently optimised for pathway flux and minimising fluoride toxicity. The rapid alteration of plasmid copy number and mutation was consistent with other studies on microbial responses to stresses such as antibiotics. The data presented here support the idea that fluoride stress is significant during the biodegradation of organofluorine compounds and suggest engineered strains will be under strong selective pressure to decrease fluoride stress.
Proteome profiling of cerebrospinal fluid using machine learning shows a unique protein signature associated with APOE4 genotype
Authors: Shvetcov Artur , Thomson Shannon , Cho Ann‐Na , Wilkins Heather M. , Reed Joanne H. , Swerdlow Russell H. , Brown David A. ,   the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Finney Caitlin A. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractProteome changes associated with APOE4 variant carriage that are independent of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and diagnosis are unknown. This study investigated APOE4 proteome changes in people with AD, mild cognitive impairment, and no impairment. Clinical, APOE genotype, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteome and AD biomarker data was sourced from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. Proteome profiling was done using supervised machine learning. We found an APOE4‐specific proteome signature that was independent of cognitive diagnosis and AD pathological biomarkers, and increased the risk of progression to cognitive impairment. Proteins were enriched in brain regions including the caudate and cortex and cells including endothelial cells, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. Enriched peripheral immune cells included T cells, macrophages, and B cells. APOE4 carriers have a unique CSF proteome signature associated with a strong brain and peripheral immune and inflammatory phenotype that likely underlies APOE4 carriers' vulnerability to cognitive decline and AD as they age.
Scientific research on white potteries from the Nanzuo site in Qingyang, Gansu province
Authors: Wu Hanjun , Han Jianye , Zhang Xiaoning , Cui Jianfeng , Chen Guoke 
Published: December 2024

AbstractLocated in Qingyang, Gansu province, China, the Nanzuo site on the Loess Plateau is a large‐scale, high‐ranking central settlement of the late Yangshao period with capital city characteristics. We used a thermal dilatometer, energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (EDXRF), optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectrometer to analyse the firing temperature, composition, microstructure and phase composition of the white potteries in the Nanzuo site. The results indicate that kaolin, china stone and local fusible white clay are the raw materials of the body. The surface coatings of white potteries are formed from shells. The main constituents that make up the internal surface coating are aragonite and calcite, which are derived from the prismatic and nacreous layers of shells. The external surface coating is composed of CaCO3 nanoparticles that arrange themselves as aragonite tablets within the nacreous layer. This exceptional pottery‐making technique is exclusive to Nanzuo and has not been reported at any other site in the world. This technique is significant for researchers to deepen our understanding of pottery‐making technology history in China.
State Capacity and Administrative Burdens on Citizens: Time for Export Controls and Transparency
Authors: Robson Jennifer 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis article examines the relationships between state infrastructural capacity, administrative burdens, and incentives facing political actors. Three recent case studies of federal capacity‐building projects with limited success to date point to the roles of bureaucratic proceduralism, risk aversion, and internal administrative burdens imposed in the name of accountability. A path forward requires greater transparency by public servants and commitment by political elites to act as stewards of state capacity, ending the practice of exporting internally generated burdens outward to program users. In addition, political elites must shoulder more responsibility as active agents in the accountability process and providing political capital for risk‐taking and innovation in systems renewal and service delivery. Voters may not provide immediate rewards for this action, but citizens' trust in the institutions of the state will benefit over the longer‐term.
The Pigeons Coming Home to Roost: The Continuing Perils of Contracting Out in Canada
Authors: Migone Andrea , Howlett Michael 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis article explores the growing trend of contracting‐out public services in Canada, highlighting its increasing impact on government activities as governments have expanded outsourcing from traditional goods like office supplies to complex infrastructure management and professional services. Recent cases, including federal government spending on consulting and high‐profile failures of Public Private Partnership (P3) projects, underscore the need for critical reassessment. Two major areas—professional services and large‐scale infrastructure management through P3s—are analyzed to understand the challenges and consequences of contracting out. The discussion highlights issues including inefficiencies, governance challenges, and risks associated with outsourcing, emphasizing the blurred lines and complications often existing between public, private, and non‐profit sectors in service delivery. The article calls for reforms to enhance accountability, transparency, and efficiency, while also reconsidering the role of private and non‐profit actors in public service delivery if sustainable effective outcomes are to be achieved.
Can Public Sector Service Delivery Be Improved?
Authors: Heintzman Ralph , Marson D. Brian 
Published: December 2024

AbstractNational surveys have documented a major decline in Canadians' satisfaction with public sector service delivery since 2020. Service satisfaction levels for federal services are back to levels not seen for two decades. Potential reasons for the recent declines in public sector service delivery performance are examined, as well as lessons from public organizations which have maintained high levels of service satisfaction in recent years despite the challenges. The article suggests the building blocks of a more robust approach and proposes a citizen‐centred, results‐based model for public sector service delivery in Canada, using service satisfaction as the primary results measure. Regular, measurable improvement in service satisfaction should be both the objective and the criterion of high performance in public sector service delivery and will require a sustained, multi‐channel approach to service improvement planning and implementation based on measurement of, and focus on, key drivers of service satisfaction.
Improving Interactions: Public Sector Reform and Parliamentary Committees
Authors: Nater John L. , Brock Kathy L. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractA well‐functioning policy process requires a responsible public service that supports the government and implements its decisions, and a representative legislature that holds the executive to account for policy decisions and actions. Reform of either the public sector or Parliament alone is insufficient to ensure that the relationship between the two bodies works to the benefit of Canadians as intended. This article explores that relationship using committees as a focal point given their centrality to the operation of the policy system. It begins with a discussion of the role of the two bodies in the policy process and criteria for assessing any potential reforms, followed by a brief discussion of recent attempts at reform and their positive and negative lessons. We conclude by identifying three key reform options for the public sector and parliament to improve their interaction in this vital, yet often overlooked, part of the policy process.
Conclusion to “Re‐Setting the Public Service of Canada”: Resonances, Sustaining Reform, and Fostering Collaborative Research
Authors: Lindquist Evert A. , Shepherd Robert P. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis article considers the implications of the contributions to the special issue on “Re‐Setting the Public Service of Canada.” It first reflects on the reform directions proposed by contributors, the extent to which they resonate, and identifies overarching themes. It then considers the complexity of furthering and sustaining reform in large public‐sector systems, arguing that monitoring progress and motivating public servants will challenge governments and central agencies, especially during times of turbulence and disruption, and that the responsibility for monitoring progress should be more fully shared with Parliament and external observers. This will require investments to improve external reporting and support more systematic, applied and collaborative research from universities and think tanks with public servants, which would lead to fostering a new culture of public sector oversight and a larger community of applied researchers addressing public service issues.
School‐Based Fluoride Mouth‐Rinse Programs and Dental Caries Treatment Expenditure: An Ecological Study of the NDB Open Data Japan
Authors: Tadokoro Daisuke , Honda Kazue , Kusama Taro , Takeuchi Kenji , Osaka Ken , Aida Jun 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe prevalence of dental caries is high in Japan, leading to a huge burden of overall expenditure on dental caries treatment for the population. School‐based fluoride mouth‐rinse (S‐FMR) has been implemented as a public health intervention. However, its cost‐effectiveness remains unclear, where universal health insurance covers a broad range of dental treatments at relatively low cost. The aim of the study was to determine whether S‐FMR is associated with lower dental caries treatment expenditure in Japan, where the universal health insurance system widely covers dental treatments. In addition, the cost‐benefit of S‐FMR was estimated.MethodsThis ecological study examined the association between S‐FMR coverage and dental caries treatment expenditure in all 47 prefectures of Japan. Data were obtained from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan open data (NDB Open Data Japan), national survey data on the prevalence of S‐FMR, and other census data for each prefecture. The outcome variable was the average annual treatment expenditure of for children aged 5–14 per child. The explanatory variable was the S‐FMR coverage of children per prefecture, divided into quartiles: (Q1) 0.0%–0.48%, (Q2) 0.54%–6.9%, (Q3) 7.2%–25.0% and (Q4) 26.9%–80.4%. Linear regression analysis was performed with adjustment for the number of dental clinics per 100 000 individuals, per capita prefectural income, and percentage of the population aged between 5 and 14 years.ResultsThe dental caries treatment expenditure was lower in prefectures with higher S‐FMR coverage: (Q1) 2378 JPY, (Q2) 2215 JPY, (Q3) 2217 JPY and (Q4) 2065 JPY. Linear regression analysis showed that, compared to the prefectures with the lowest S‐FMR coverage, the prefectures with the highest coverage exhibited significantly lower per person dental caries treatment expenditure by 186.0 (95% CI = 96.6, 275.4) JPY. When annual cost of S‐FMR per person was lower, 200 JPY, S‐FMR would save 0.9 billion JPY if all prefectures change from Q1 to Q4 (approximately 8.2 million USD).ConclusionsAlthough public healthcare insurance in Japan covers most dental treatments at a relatively low cost, the current findings suggest that S‐FMR could still be a cost‐effective public health intervention.
Clinical Insights Into Default Mode Network Abnormalities in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Unraveling Axonal Injury Through Functional, Structural, and Molecular Analyses
Authors: Ru Dewen , Zhang Jun , Wei Lichao , Zhang Zengyu , Wang Yue , Zhou Fengyuan , Wu Gang , Yuan Qiang , Du Zhuoying , Wang Ersong , Hu Jin 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundMild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) frequently results in persistent cognitive, emotional, and functional impairments, closely linked to disruptions in the default mode network (DMN). Understanding the mechanisms driving these network abnormalities is critical for advancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.MethodsThis study adopted a multimodal approach, combining functional connectivity (FC) analysis, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and gene expression profiling to investigate DMN disruptions in mTBI. A primary focus was placed on the middle cingulate cortex (MCC), a region consistently identified with increased connectivity. We explored the structural and molecular changes underlying this phenomenon. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was utilized to assess the diagnostic potential of DTI‐derived metrics, while white matter tractography was employed to explore structural connectivity between the MCC and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).ResultsOur findings revealed significant disruptions in DMN connectivity, with the MCC prominently involved in mTBI pathology. DTI analyses identified pronounced axonal injury in the MCC, characterized by decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and axial diffusivity (AD), alongside increased isotropy (ISO), indicating compromised white matter integrity and diffuse axonal injury. Gene expression profiling revealed the upregulation of pathways related to synaptic transmission, ion channel regulation, and axonal injury response. ROC analysis demonstrated that ISO serves as a particularly effective biomarker for mTBI, showing high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.871). White matter tractography further confirmed strong structural connectivity between the MCC and the DLPFC, identifying potential therapeutic targets for neuromodulation.ConclusionThis study provides robust evidence that diffuse axonal injury plays a pivotal role in DMN abnormalities observed in mTBI. The integration of FC, DTI, and gene expression profiling offers a comprehensive framework for understanding mTBI's impact on brain networks. Our findings also highlight the DLPFC as a promising target for therapeutic interventions aimed at addressing cognitive and emotional deficits associated with mTBI.
Brain‐Derived Exosomal miR‐9‐5p Induces Ferroptosis in Traumatic Brain Injury‐Induced Acute Lung Injury by Targeting Scd1
Authors: Zhang Yi , Sun Chang , Wang Bailun , Gu Angran , Zhou Ziyi , Gu Changping 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAimsThis study aimed to explore the role and underlying mechanisms of brain‐derived exosomes in traumatic brain injury‐induced acute lung injury (TBI‐induced ALI), with a particular focus on the potential regulation of ferroptosis through miRNAs and Scd1.MethodsTo elucidate TBI‐induced ALI, we used a TBI mouse model. Exosomes were isolated from the brains of these mice and characterized using TEM and NTA. LC–MS analysis revealed an increase in the level of ferroptosis in the lung tissues of mice with TBI. Subsequent miRNA and mRNA sequencing revealed the upregulation of miR‐9‐5p and the downregulation of Scd1 in the pulmonary tissues of these mice. Ferroptosis was assessed by quantifying the levels of ROS, MDA, and Fe2+ and the expression of proteins associated with ferroptosis.ResultsTBI led to the release of exosomes enriched with miR‐9‐5p, which targeted Scd1 in lung tissue, thereby promoting ferroptosis. Treatment with antagomir 9‐5p reduced the level of ALI in TBI mice, indicating that exosomal miR‐9‐5p plays a significant role in TBI‐induced ALI.ConclusionThis study revealed that brain‐derived exosomal miR‐9‐5p mediates ferroptosis in TBI‐induced ALI by targeting Scd1. These findings may provide new insights into the complex interplay between TBI and ALI and highlight the potential of miR‐9‐5p as a target for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
The JNK Signaling Pathway Regulates Seizures Through ENT1 in Pilocarpine‐Induced Epilepsy Rat Model
Authors: Liu Shun , Luo Zhong , Li Fangjing , Zhang Lijia , Xie Mingxiang , Yang Juan , Xu Zucai 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe study investigates whether the expression and function of ENT1 can be regulated by inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway, thereby altering the levels of extracellular adenosine and glutamate in neurons, and subsequently affecting the progression of epilepsy.MethodsThe adult male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: EP + SP600125 group, EP + DMSO group, EP group, and normal control group. The expression levels of ENT1, p‐JNK, and JNK in the hippocampus of rats from each experimental group were detected using Western blotting technology. The expression and localization of ENT1 and p‐JNK in the CA1, CA3, and DG areas of the hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence staining. Microdialysis combined with liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentrations of adenosine and glutamate in the extracellular fluid of hippocampus in each experimental group.ResultsThis study showed that the JNK‐specific inhibitor SP600125 could reduce ENT1 expression and seizure intensity in experimental rats. Statistical analysis confirmed that adenosine and glutamate levels in the extracellular fluid of the hippocampus increased significantly after seizures in rats, and the JNK‐specific inhibitor SP600125 could increase adenosine levels in the extracellular fluid but decrease glutamate levels.SignificanceThe JNK‐specific inhibitor SP600125 can specifically inhibit the JNK signaling pathway and reduce the expression of ENT1 transporter. The mechanism is related to the transport of adenosine from the extracellular space to the intracellular space by ENT1 during epileptic states. Inhibition of ENT1 can increase the concentration of adenosine in the extracellular fluid of the hippocampus. The increase in adenosine concentration stopped glutamate from being released and reduced the amount of glutamate in the outside of the cell.
Motivating conservation action in the Upper Midwest: Source attention, information seeking and sharing, and farmers' land management decisions
Authors: Wald Dara M. , Diaz‐Manrique Miguel , Witzling Laura , Comito Jaqueline 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAdoption of on‐farm conservation strategies, such as edge‐of‐field practices, has the potential to reduce nutrient runoff, promote greater biodiversity, and improve water quality. To date, adoption rates among farmers are extremely low. Communication with farmers has been identified as a vital strategy to encourage the voluntary adoption of these practices and policies that promote on‐farm conservation. Yet little is known about which information sources shape farmers' concerns about conservation practices, perceptions of the risks and benefits of conservation practices, and ultimately, adoption behaviors. Using the Social Amplification of Risk Framework, the Risk Information Seeking and Processing Model, and a cross‐sectional survey, we examined farmers' concerns about nitrate loss and water quality, perceptions of the risks and benefits of conservation practices, attention to messages and information sources, and communication behaviors. We received N = 474 completed surveys. Attention to agricultural associations was associated with decreased concern about nitrates and diminished perceptions of the benefits of edge‐of‐field practices. Farmers paying greater attention to non‐agricultural and social media sources were more likely to share and seek information. Attention to interpersonal sources was associated with greater adoption behaviors. This work highlights the importance of farmers' social networks, exposure to multiple information sources, and the need to identify new strategies for engagement and direct communication with hard‐to‐reach audiences. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of this work for conservation communication and land management practices to promote environmental health.
To mix, or not to mix?: Mitogenomic insights for risk assessment of an interpopulation translocations of the critically endangered European mink
Authors: Skorupski Jakub , Seebass Christian , Festl Wolfgang , Kiseleva Natalia , Śmietana Przemysław , Marinov Mihai 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis study provides a comprehensive, population‐scale analysis of the mitogenome of the critically endangered European mink, Mustela lutreola, involving 52 individuals from Russia, Germany (conservation breeding stock), Romania, and France‐Spain. Significant mitogenomic diversity was identified within the previously presumed genetically homogenous French‐Spanish population, challenging concerns of inbreeding. Despite having lower nucleotide diversity (π = 0.00024) than the German (π = 0.00055) and Russian (π = 0.00048) populations, the French‐Spanish group exhibited impressive haplotype diversity (h = 0.9810) compared to Russian (h = 0.8727) and German (h = 0.7826) populations. Considering genetic diversity and uniqueness, the French‐Spanish population ranked highest in conservation importance, second only to the combined assessment of all other populations. The extensive population structuring identified two distinct haplogroups—the Central‐Eastern European and the Aquitaine‐Navarre—suggesting reconsideration of their conservation status. These findings guide tailored conservation strategies, emphasizing the need for careful interpopulation translocations to protect genetic diversity and prevent outbreeding depression. A decision algorithm for these translocations has been proposed.