bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antisense DNA acaricide targeting pre-rRNA of two-spotted spider miteTetranychus urticaeas efficacy-enhancing agent of fungusMetarhizium robertsii
Authors: Gavrilova Daria , Grizanova Ekaterina , Novikov Ilia , Laikova Ekaterina , Zenkova Alexandra , Oberemok Vladimir , Dubovskiy Ivan 
Published: October 2024

AbstractTwo-spotted spider miteTetranychus urticaeKoch (Acari: Tetranychidae) is one of the most dangerous pests in the world and one of the most pesticide-resistant species ever. Complex biological preparations are of great interest for the acaricide market because they do not poison ecosystems and do not bioaccumulate in food products, simultaneously, pests more slowly develop resistance to complex preparations. In this study we applied complex bioformulation composed of 11-mer antisense oligonucleotide (oligonucleotide acaricide or DNA acaricide) Tur-3 and fungusMetarhizium robertsiiforT. urticaecontrol. We discovered that joint contact application of DNA acaricide and fungusM. robertsiisignificantly attenuates reproduction rate of the mite. Our results indicate that DNA acaricide Tur-3 and fungusM. robertsiiact synergistically and lead to a significant 7-times elevated mortality rate and 5-times reduced fecundity of the mite. Oligonucleotide acaricide Tur-3 causes 2,5-fold re-duction of expression of the target pre-rRNA ofT. urticaeand suppresses the activity of key players of detoxifying enzymes of its defense system (phenoloxidase, esterase, glutathione-S-transferase), on average, by 2-3 times. Oligonucleotide acaricide Tur-3 interferes with protein biosynthesis causing decrease in production of defense system enzymes of the pest. Obviously, attenuation of defense system enhances fungal infection or/and fungus produces a variety of enzymes that degrade and destroy the integument structure of the pest, aiding the penetration of oligonucleotide acaricide Tur-3. This research article is the first evidence of successful application of oligonucleotide acaricide together with fungusM. robertsiifor efficientT. urticaecontrol. Combined application of oligonucleotide acaricides based on conservative antisense sequences of rDNA of pests and fungi is a potent and selective approach for eco-friendly plant protection.
A Surface-based deep learning approach for cortical shape analysis
Authors: Im Yanghee , Zhao Yuji , Gutman Boris A. , Thomopoulos Sophia I. , Haddad Elizabeth , Zhu Alyssa H. , Jahanshad Neda , Thompson Paul M. , Ching Christopher R. K. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTAdvances in deep learning hold promise for predicting clinical factors from human brain images. In this study, we applied a spherical harmonics-based convolutional neural network approach (SPHARM-Net) to MRI-derived brain shape metrics to predict age, sex, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis. MRI-derived brain features included vertex-wise cortical curvature, convexity, thickness, and surface area. SPHARM-Net performs convolutions using the spherical harmonic transforms, eliminating the need to explicitly define neighborhood size, and achieving rotational equivariance. Sex classification and age regression were carried out in a large sample of healthy adults (UK Biobank; N=32,979), and AD classification performance was tested in a large, publicly available sample (ADNI; N=1,213). SPHARM-Net showed strong performance for sex classification (accuracy=0.91; balanced accuracy= 0.91; AUC=0.97), and age regression (average absolute error=2.97 years; R-squared=0.77; Pearson’s coefficient=0.9). AD classification also performed well (accuracy=0.86; balanced accuracy=0.83; AUC=0.9). Our experiments demonstrate promising preliminary performance using the SPHARM-Net for two widely studied benchmarking tasks and for AD classification. Future work will include comparisons of shape-based methods and extending these analysis to more challenging tasks such as mood disorder classification.
Exploiting the inherent promiscuity of the acyl transferase of the stambomycin polyketide synthase for the mutasynthesis of analogues
Authors: Su Li , Souaibou Yaouba , Hôtel Laurence , Jacob Christophe , Grün Peter , Shi Yan-Ni , Chateau Alicia , Pinel Sophie , Bode Helge B. , Aigle Bertrand , Weissman Kira J. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe polyketide specialized metabolites of bacteria are attractive targets for generating analogues, with the goal of improving their pharmaceutical properties. Here, we aimed to produce C-26 derivatives of the giant anti-cancer stambomycin macrolides using a mutasynthesis approach, as this position has been shown previously to directly impact bioactivity. For this, we leveraged the intrinsically broad specificity of the acyl transferase domain (AT12) of the modular polyketide synthase (PKS), which is responsible for the alkyl branching functionality at this position. Feeding of a panel of synthetic and commercially available dicarboxylic acid ‘mutasynthons’ to an engineered strain ofStreptomyces ambofaciens(Sa) deficient in synthesis of the native α-carboxyacyl-CoA extender units, resulted in six new series of stambomycin derivatives as judged by LC-HRMS and NMR. Notably, the highest product yields were observed for substrates which were only poorly accepted when AT12was transplanted into a different PKS module, suggesting a critical role for domain context in the overall functioning of PKS proteins. We also demonstrate the superiority of this mutasynthesis approach − both in terms of absolute titers and yields relative to the parental compounds − in comparison to the alternative precursor-directed strategy in which monoacid building blocks are supplied to the wild type strain. We further identify a malonyl-CoA synthetase, MatB_Sa, with specificity distinct from previously identified promiscuous enzymes, making it a useful addition to a mutasynthesis toolbox for generating atypical, CoA activated extender units. Finally, we show that two of the obtained (deoxy)-butyl-stambomycins exhibit antibacterial and antiproliferative activities similar to the parental stambomycins, while an unexpected butyl-demethyl congener is less potent. Overall, this works confirms the interest of biosynthetic pathways which combine a dedicated route to extender unit synthesis and a broad specificity AT domain for producing bioactive derivatives of fully-elaborated complex polyketides.
Targeted therapy of oncomicrobeF. nucleatumwith bioengineered probiotic expressing guided antimicrobial peptide (gAMP)
Authors: Choudhury Ankan , Scano Colin , Barton Allison , Kearney Christopher M. , Greathouse K. Leigh 
Published: October 2024

AbstractColorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, withFusobacterium nucleatum(F. nucleatum) identified as a key contributor to its progression. This study explores a novel targeted therapy using bioengineered probiotics expressing guided antimicrobial peptides (gAMPs) to selectively inhibitF. nucleatum. We engineeredLactococcus lactisMG1363 to express gAMPs derived from Ovispirin and Cathelin-related peptide SCF, linked to a Statherin-derived guide peptide (YQPVPE) that binds specifically to theF. nucleatummembrane porin FomA.Our results demonstrate that the Statherin-derived guide peptide enhances the binding affinity toF. nucleatum, significantly increasing the preferential attachment compared to control peptides. In vitro assays revealed that both unguided and guided AMPs effectively inhibited biofilm formation inF. nucleatum, with gAMPs showing reduced toxicity against non-target bacteria (Bacteroides fragilisandEscherichia coli). The gAMPs were also more effective in modulating growth kinetics, exhibiting selective toxicity towardsF. nucleatumat lower concentrations.Co-culture experiments in a simulated human gut microbiome demonstrated that the gAMP probiotic maintained microbial diversity while effectively reducingF. nucleatumabundance. Quantitative PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed that gAMP treatment preserved the richness of the microbiota, contrasting with significant dysbiosis observed in control samples.These findings support the potential of engineered probiotics as a targeted therapeutic approach to combatF. nucleatum-associated CRC. By leveraging the specificity of Statherin-derived peptides, this strategy not only addresses the pathogenicity ofF. nucleatumbut also mitigates the adverse effects of traditional antimicrobial therapies on beneficial gut microbiota. Future studies will explore the clinical applicability of this approach in CRC management and its impact on overall gut health.
Scientific reasoning driven by influential data: resuscitatedfstat!
Authors: Spiess Andrej-Nikolai , Rödiger Stefan , Schaks Matthias , Burdukiewicz Michał , Tellinghuisen Joel 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIn biomedical literature, one of the most widely employed statistical procedures to analyze and visualize the association between two variables is linear regression. Data points that exert influence on the fit and its parameters are routinely, but not as often as required, identified by established influence measures and their corresponding cut-off values. In this work, we are specifically concerned with the presence of influential data points that directly impact hypothesis testing of linear regressions, which none of the established measures describe. Interestingly, the highly overlooked influence measuredfstatand its derived leave-one-outp-value exists exactly for this purpose, unmentioned in the majority of statistical text books as well as absent from all available statistical software packages. Its application for identifying these data points seems pivotal, as scientific reasoning in publications is almost exclusively based on thep-value of the fit, commonly adhering to the α = 0.05 threshold to state significance or not. With this metric, we found for 29 of 100 digitizable papers published inScience, NatureandPNASin 2016, a time when the “reproducibility crisis” was a growing concern, that stated significances (or their absence) are based on the presence of a single influential data point.
Crystal structure of nickel orthovanadate (Ni3V2O8) at 299 (3) K and 1323 (8) K: an X-ray diffraction study
Authors: Aziz Fiza , Paszkowicz Wojciech , Minikayev Roman , Martin Christine , Kozlowski Miroslaw , Teisseyre Henryk 
Published: October 2024

Nickel orthovanadate is a promising material with potential applications in energy storage and photocatalytic devices. The crystal structure of Ni3V2O8 at 299 (3) K and 1323 (8) K was studied using X-ray powder diffraction. The sample was a single-phase orthorhombic kagome-staircase-Ni3(VO4)2-type structure (space group Cmca) at both temperatures. The phase purity and morphology was studied using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The refined unit-cell parameters at 299 (3) K are a = 5.93384 (4) Å, b = 11.38318 (7) Å and c = 8.23818 (5) Å, and at 1323 (8) K are a = 6.02077 (7) Å, b = 11.48838 (7) Å and c = 8.32611 (9) Å. The obtained results indicate thermal expansion anisotropy, with a largest expansivity along a. Variations in Ni—O and V—O bonds with temperature are observed. The variation in the Ni—O bond is about one order higher in magnitude than that of the V—O bond, signifying the high rigidity of V—O bonds. The unit-cell size variations with rising effective ionic volume of the divalent A ion in the A
3
B
2O8 family [A = Ni, Mg, Zn, Co, Mn (experimental data) and also A = Cu, Cd (theoretical data), B = V or As] are analyzed. Based on experimental and theoretical data, trends within the family are observed and the unit-cell size for reported solid solution of nickel (87%) and copper (13%) mixture in (Ni1–x
Cu
x
)3V2O8 are predicted. Predictions are also provided for some hypothetical A
3
B
2O8 ternary compound and solid solutions.
Entrepreneurial alertness and new firm performance: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Montiel-Campos Hector 
Published: October 2024

Purpose
Supported by the literature on dynamic capabilities, this study aims to propose a moderated mediation model to examine how entrepreneurial alertness advances new firm performance by identifying strategic flexibility as a pivotal mediator and absorptive capacity as a crucial contingency.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper collects data from 137 new firms regarding activities that were considered essential during the COVID-19 contingency in Mexico. The hypotheses are tested using hierarchical multiple regression analysis, complemented with the bootstrapping approach to confirm the indirect and conditional effects of entrepreneurial alertness on firm performance through strategic flexibility.

Findings
The results yielded general support for the study hypotheses, suggesting that entrepreneurs’ alertness facilitates the firms’ ability to respond to changes in their context, namely, strategic flexibility; strategic flexibility enables firms make useful changes, leading to better performance; entrepreneurial alertness indirectly affects new firm performance through strategic flexibility; absorptive capacity has a positive moderating impact on the entrepreneurial alertness-strategic flexibility relationship; and the positive influence of entrepreneurial alertness on strategic flexibility and ultimately new firm performance was increased in high rather than in low absorptive capacity.

Practical implications
This study highlights that entrepreneurs’ cognitive mechanisms shape the behaviour of their firms through strategic decisions. This paper studies the influence of entrepreneurs’ alertness on strategic flexibility, examines the interplay between entrepreneurial alertness and environmental conditions via absorptive capacity and proposes a moderated mediation model to understand the effect of entrepreneurs’ alertness on strategic flexibility and new firm performance.

Originality/value
The study investigates the influence of assertive message framing and individual value orientations on the reactance process in the context of environmentally friendly mobility. It finds individual value orientations to be a significant factor in the reactance process, further extending the psychological reactance theory. Moreover, it revalidates reactance as a construct consisting of anger and negative cognition.
Does telemedicine hold the key for reproductive health care? A quantitative examination of women's intentions toward use and accurate information disclosure
Authors: Fox Grace , Lynn Theo , van der Werff Lisa , Kennedy Jennifer 
Published: October 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate women's perceptions of telemedicine for reproductive health care services, focusing on how perceived benefits and privacy risks influence their intentions to adopt telemedicine and their willingness to disclose personal health information.Study Setting and DesignA cross‐sectional survey was conducted. The study applied the privacy calculus theory to the context of telemedicine for reproductive health, using adapted, validated variables to develop the survey. Outcome variables included intentions to adopt telemedicine and willingness to disclose accurate personal health information.Data Sources and Analytic SampleData were collected in May and June 2023 using Qualtrics online panel services, targeting women across the United States who had not used telemedicine for reproductive health. The sample comprised 847 women aged 18 and older. Structural equation modeling was employed using AMOS v28.0 to test the hypothesized relationships between perceived benefits, perceived risks, and adoption intentions. The analysis controlled for age, household income, political affiliation, religious views, and prior births.Principal FindingsPerceived benefits were positively related to intention to adopt telemedicine for reproductive care (β: 0.600, p < 0.001), and willingness to disclose accurate personal health information (β: 0.453, p < 0.001). Unexpectedly, perceived privacy risks were positively related to adoption intentions (β: 0.128, p < 0.001), but negatively related to willingness to disclose (β: −0.282, p < 0.001). Intentions to adopt were positively associated with willingness to disclose (β: 0.089, p < 0.05). Lastly, older women and women located in states with abortion restrictions expressed lower intentions to adopt. The model explained 40.2% of variance in intention to adopt and 38.3% of variance in willingness to disclose.ConclusionsThe study demonstrates the importance of perceived benefits and privacy risks in driving telemedicine adoption and disclosure intentions among women in the reproductive health context. These findings suggest the need for targeted strategies to address privacy concerns and support telemedicine adoption, particularly in restrictive regulatory environments.
The synergy of renewable energy consumption, green technology, and environmental quality: Designing sustainable development goals policies
Authors: Caglar Abdullah Emre , Daştan Muhammet , Ahmed Zahoor , Mert Mehmet , Avci Salih Bortecine 
Published: October 2024

AbstractGreen technology (GT) and the utilization of renewable energy (RE) are widely acknowledged as a catalyst for energy efficiency, economic growth, and a tool for combating environmental degradation. Although various studies have examined the ecological repercussions of these two improvements, they have primarily used traditional pollution indicators (namely, carbon emissions and ecological footprint) and ignored nations with the highest cleaner energy adoption. To bridge this gap, the present research seeks to analyze the relationship between GT, RE consumption, economic growth, trade, and load capacity factor in the top‐10 renewable economies. In addition to environmental pollution indicators, the study utilizes the load capacity factor as a novel proxy for environmental quality and investigates the load capacity curve hypothesis using the Cross‐sectional‐autoregressive distributed lag model from 1990 to 2021. According to the empirical findings, all explanatory variables have a significant long‐term effect on the load capacity. More precisely, GT and RE consumption contribute to the sustainability of the ecosystem, while trade increases the ecological deficit. Furthermore, the findings do not support the validity of the load capacity curve hypothesis, implying that the environmental restorative benefits of economic well‐being may not manifest in the latter stages of economic growth. Given these findings, policymakers in the top‐10 renewable economies should seize the environmental prospects offered by GT and RE and update trade and growth policies in a way that promotes biocapacity while simultaneously reducing the ecological footprint to reach the long‐term sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 7 and 13.
Opportunities and challenges in the implementation of the Community Environment Conservation Fund: Implications for conservation of endangered tree species
Authors: Alex Moruleng , John Ilukor , Bernard Bashaasha 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa), one of the indigenous tree species in sub‐Saharan Africa, is facing extinction because of its hardwood, which provides the best fuel wood, and its charcoal is the best amongst all tree species in Uganda. To conserve these trees in Northern Uganda, the Community Environment Conservation Fund was implemented to help communities harness its benefits, such as carbon sequestration, microenvironment regulation and income generation through the sale of shea nuts and shea butter. As a result, there was a need to understand the opportunities and challenges in the implementation of the Community Environment Conservation Fund. Qualitative methods like the key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used and a participatory process mapping tool called the Process Net‐Map was applied to identify the actors involved and assess their level of influence in the implementation process, eliciting the opportunities and challenges faced. The research findings showed multiple opportunities in the conservation efforts, including enhanced adoption of community‐conservation by‐laws, positive mindset change towards shea tree and environmental conservation, improved credit access, diversification of income‐generating alternatives and asset creation. However, some challenges existed during the implementation phase, including moral hazard, strategic defaulting, free riding and limited financial resources. Each of these challenges significantly impacted the effectiveness and sustainability of the fund, enlightening the need for adaptive strategies. Some strategies identified were enhancing training, especially regarding fund management and enterprise selection; increasing the startup funds to at least UGX 3,000,000 ($790) per group; incorporating the declining balance approach; and lengthening the gestation period to at least 6 months. By addressing these challenges, more resilient and sustainable conservation efforts can be made, safeguarding the invaluable shea trees for future generations.
Beyond the mix: Advancements in simultaneous detection and quantification of human, dog, and cat DNA
Authors: Bae Hyeon‐Jin , Jeong Kyu‐Sik , Kim Jung‐Eun , Hwang Eun‐Mi , Yoo Seong Yeon 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAnimal‐related crimes have increased with an increase in the number of pets worldwide, underscoring the importance of animal‐related biological evidence at crime scenes. Evidence obtained in cases involving dogs and cats often includes a mixture of human and animal DNA. In this study, we developed a method using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) to simultaneously identify and quantitatively detect human, dog, and cat DNA in mixed samples. HLA‐DRA was chosen as a human‐specific marker, OR6D7 as a dog‐specific marker, and FLAI‐K as a cat‐specific marker. The species specificity of each target was confirmed using 14 control DNA samples from 11 mammals and 3 birds. Sensitivity tests determined the limit of detection to be 0.0008 ng/μL for human DNA and 0.00061 ng/μL for dog and cat DNA. In the mixture test, each DNA sample was independently and accurately detected in samples containing trace amounts of all three types of DNA. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of applying ddPCR to forensic case samples from dog‐ and cat‐related incidents. We have presented a reliable method for the accurate identification and quantification of human, dog, and cat DNA simultaneously, offering possibilities for advancements in forensic DNA analysis and related fields.
Imagining alternative climate futures in higher education
Authors: Magrane Eric 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAcross the globe, interdisciplinary and creative approaches to climate change education are crucial at all levels, particularly in higher education. In this article, I draw from insights working with a class at New Mexico State University in the United States. The aim was to examine approaches to understanding, communicating, and representing climate change. Each student was asked to compose a narrative in which they imagined the year 2100 as a time when we have adequately mitigated and/or adapted to the climate crisis. The assignment set the tone for collective action and foregrounded the importance of story and imagination in building just and sustainable futures. The class complemented a public climate change speaker series and, as a second assignment, students suggested which speakers to invite to shape the series in the future. The two assignments opened new spaces to empower, learn with and from, and build connections between university students and academic staff to shape climate discourse and action in communities. Reflecting on what was learned, sharing an example of a climate futures assignment, and presenting views on a collaborative approach to climate change education all add, I hope, to the literature on imagining futures, empowerment, and authentic learning in climate change education.