bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of mould growth and outdoor exposure on the efficacy of attractive targeted sugar baits in western kenya
Authors: Yalla Nick , Kosgei Jackline , Mechan Frank , McDermott Daniel P. , Polo Brian , Omondi Seline , Omukunda Elizabeth , Ochomo Eric 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIntroductionAttractive targeted sugar baits (ATSBs) are effective againstAnophelesmosquitoes in semiarid climates with low humidity. High humidity, however, promotes growth of moulds on the surface of ATSBs. The impact of mould on ATSB efficacy against malaria vectors remains unknown. This study explored how mould growth affects the performance of ATSB version 1.2 by comparing mouldy stations from exposed environments to non-mouldy stations from protected settings through laboratory bioassays with the local malaria vector,Anopheles arabiensis.MethodsOne hundred ATSB stations were deployed in Asembo, Rarieda-Subcounty, Siaya County, with six samples (three mouldy from exposed locations and three non-mouldy from protected locations) collected monthly for laboratory bioassays. These were tested alongside three new laboratory-kept ATSBs and two negative controls (water only and 77% sugar solution with water) to assess mosquito feeding and mortality over 48 hours.ResultsThis study found that after 12 months of outdoor exposure, the mouldiest ATSBs from exposed locations showed a non-significant reduction inAnopheles arabiensisfeeding rates compared to the least mouldy ATSBs from protected locations 57.42% (95% CI: 45.64-68.85) vs. 74.40% (95% CI: 64.56-82.50), respectively (P =0.062). Mosquito mortality significantly declined on mouldy ATSBs compared to laboratory controls (95% CI: 92.23-97.48) vs. 98.70% (95% CI: 97.87-99.30) respectively (P = 0.002). In contrast, protected (non-mouldy) ATSBs showed only a slight reduction in mortality compared to controls 95.94% (95% CI: 90.42-97.46) vs. 98.91% (95% CI: 97.67-99.60) respectively (P = 0.009).ConclusionThis study provides evidence that environmental exposure post-deployment slightly reduced the efficacy of ATSBs in controllingAnopheles arabiensis, particularly beyond the recommended 6-month period. Although mould may have contributed to this reduction over 12 months, no significant difference was found between mouldy and non-mouldy ATSBs. However, mould invasion and community concerns highlight the need to replace mouldy stations to maintain effectiveness and safety.
Leukemia-mutated proteins PHF6 and PHIP form a chromatin complex that represses acute myeloid leukemia stemness
Authors: Pawar Aishwarya S. , Somers Patrick , Alex Aleena , George Subin S. , Antony Charles , Verner Roman , White-Brown Sanese K. , Khera Mohit , Mendoza-Figueroa María Saraí , Liu Kathy Fange , Morrissette Jennifer J. D. , Paralkar Vikram R. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractMyeloid leukemias are heterogeneous cancers with diverse mutations, sometimes in genes with unclear roles and unknown functional partners. PHF6 and PHIP are two poorly-understood chromatin-binding proteins recurrently mutated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).PHF6mutations are associated with poorer outcomes, whilePHIPwas recently identified as the most common selective mutation in Black patients in AML. Here, we show that PHF6 is a transcriptional repressor that suppresses a stemness gene network, and that PHF6 missense mutations, classified by current clinical algorithms as variants of unknown significance, produce unstable or non-functional protein. We present multiple lines of evidence converging on a critical mechanistic connection between PHF6 and PHIP. We show that PHIP loss phenocopies PHF6 loss, and that PHF6 requires PHIP to occupy chromatin and exert its downstream transcriptional program. Our work unifies PHF6 and PHIP, two disparate leukemia-mutated proteins, into a common functional complex that suppresses AML stemness.
Single-cell spatial atlas of high-grade serous ovarian cancer unveils MHC class II as a key driver of spatial tumor ecosystems and clinical outcomes
Authors: Perez-Villatoro Fernando , van Wagensveld Lilian , Shabanova Aleksandra , Junquera Ada , Kang Ziqi , Niemiec Iga , Falco Matias M , Anttila Ella , Casado Julia , Marcus Eric , Kahelin Essi , Chamchougia Foteini , Salko Matilda , Shah Saundarya , Russo Salvatore , Chiaro Jacopo , Grönholm Mikaela , Sonke Gabe S. , Van de Vijver Koen K. , Kruitwagen Rutgerus FPM , Avan der Aa Maaike , Virtanen Anni , Cerullo Vincenzo , Vähärautio Anna , Sorger Peter K. , Horlings Hugo M. , Färkkilä Anniina 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex network of interactions between malignant and host cells, yet its orchestration in advanced high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) remains poorly understood. We present a comprehensive single-cell spatial atlas of 280 metastatic HGSCs, integrating high-dimensional imaging, genomics, and transcriptomics. Using 929 single-cell maps, we identify distinct spatial domains associated with phenotypically heterogeneous cellular compositions, and demonstrate that immune cell co-infiltration at the tumor-stroma interface significantly influences clinical outcomes. To uncover the key drivers of the tumor ecosystem, we developed CEFIIRA (Cell Feature Importance Identification by RAndom forest), which identified tumor cell-intrinsic MHC-II expression as a critical predictor of prolonged survival, independent of clinicomolecular profiles. Validation with external datasets confirmed that MHC-II-expressing cancer cells drive immune infiltration and orchestrate spatial tumor-immune interactions. Our atlas offers novel insights into immune surveillance mechanisms across HGSC clinicomolecular groups, paving the way for improved therapeutic strategies and patient stratification.
Integrated Database of Force-Field Parameters, Experimental Measurements and Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Banáš Pavel , Mlýnský Vojtěch , Číž David , Furmánek Radek , Pilat Nestor , Pauw Viktoria , Hachinger Stephan , Šponer Jiří , Martinovič Jan , Otyepka Michal 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTMolecular Dynamic (MD) simulation is a vital theoretical tool for exploring nucleic acids (RNA, DNA), proteins and other (bio)molecular systems, generating vast amounts of data daily. Efficient storage and possible reuse of this data is a persistent challenge. Here, we introduce IDA (Integrated DAtabase of force fields and datasets from experiments and MD simulations), an innovative database scheme for datasets from various types of MD simulations. IDA supports outputs from different MD approaches, i.e., standard MD simulations, importance sampling techniques, simulated annealing, and other enhanced sampling methods including replica-exchange simulations. IDA also houses a collection of molecule-specific force fields (FFs) and experimental datasets. Uploaded MD outputs, FFs, and experimental data are integrated in a standardized format, allowing efficient data mining and extraction of valuable insights from the extensive data generated by diverse MD simulations. With the data and metadata holdings of IDA, and the prospective assignment of persistent identifiers, our work aims to make key steps towards making MD data FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable).
An investigation of the effects of α and β-frequency neural entrainment using tACS on phase-aligned TMS-evoked corticospinal excitability
Authors: Gialopsou Aikaterini , Jackson Stephen R. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractDeep brain stimulation [DBS] is an effective treatment for many brain disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease), has a favourable adverse effect profile, and can be particularly effective for individuals with treatment resistant symptoms. DBS is, however, inaccessible for most individuals, is extremely expensive, and is not considered suitable for children and adolescents. For these reasons, non-invasive alternatives to DBS, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation [TMS], are increasingly being sought to treat brain health conditions. Unfortunately, current TMS approaches exhibit large intra- and inter-subject variability in their efficacy, which limits their use clinically. One likely reason for this is that TMS is invariably delivered without reference to ongoing brain activity (i.e., open loop). We propose that the efficacy of stimulation might be improved, and the variability of its effects reduced, if stimulation could be synchronised with ongoing brain activity. To investigate this, we used transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to induce entrainment of brain activity at two frequencies (α=10 Hz and β=20 Hz), and we delivered single pulse TMS that was temporally aligned with the phase of each tACS oscillation. To investigate the effects of tACS-phase-aligned TMS we measured motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). Our findings confirm that for α-tACS and β-tACS both corticospinal excitability and inter-trial variability varied as a function of tACS phase. Importantly, however, the tACS phase angle that produced maximum TMS-evoked excitability was different for α-tACS and β-tACS; coinciding with the negative peak (trough) for α-tACS and the positive peak (peak) for β-tACS. These findings confirm that aligning non-invasive brain stimulation to ongoing brain activity may increase the efficacy of TMS and reduce the variability of its effects. However, our results illustrate that the optimal phase of the tACS cycle at which to deliver TMS may vary for different tACS frequencies.
Plant electrophysiological reactions to specific environmental conditions
Authors: Wilkening Soren H.P. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPlant cells exhibit as much electrical activity as aninmal cells but the nature of these electrical variations is not always well understood, especially at the organism level. Damaging a plant, transitions from darkness to light and back, mechanical shocks, temperature shocks and pathogen attacks have been shown to elecit changes in plant electrical patterns at the organism level under laboratory conditions, but plant electrical behavior in the wild is comparatively less well studied. Here we show that by using simple extracellular voltage measurements across a number of wild plant species it is possible to identify associations between very specific environmental conditions and patterns of electrical variation on the scale of seconds to hours in the plants exposed to them. This work has potential applications in using plants as environmental sensors.
Differential transcriptional activity of ΔNp63β is encoded by an isoform-specific C-terminus
Authors: McCann Abby A. , Sammons Morgan A. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTp63 is a clinically-relevant transcription factor heavily involved in development and disease. Mutations in the p63 DNA-binding domain lead to severe developmental defects and overexpression of p63 plays a role in the progression of epithelial-associated cancers. Unraveling the specific biochemical mechanisms underlying these phenotypes is made challenging by the presence of multiple p63 isoforms and their shared and unique contributions to development and disease. Here, we explore the function of the p63 isoforms ΔNp63ɑ and ΔNp63β to determine the contribution of C-terminal splice variants on known and unique molecular and biochemical activities. Using RNA-seq and ChIP-seq on isoform-specific cell lines, we show that ΔNp63β regulates both canonical ΔNp63ɑ targets and a unique set of genes with varying biological functions. We demonstrate that the majority of genomic binding sites are shared, however the enhancer-associated histone modification H3K27ac is highly enriched at ΔNp63β binding sites relative to ΔNp63ɑ. An array of ΔNp63β C-terminal mutants demonstrates the importance of isoform-specific C-terminal domains in regulating these unique activities. Our results provide novel insight into differential activities of p63 C-terminal isoforms and suggest future directions for dissecting the functional relevance of these and other transcription factor isoforms in development and disease.
Induced B-Cell Receptor Diversity Predicts PD-1 Blockade Immunotherapy Response
Authors: Che Yonglu , Lee Jinwoo , Abou-Taleb Farah , Rieger Kerri E. , Satpathy Ansuman T. , Chang Anne Lynn S. , Chang Howard Y. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTImmune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-PD-1 antibodies (aPD1) can be effective in treating advanced cancers. However, many patients do not respond and the mechanisms underlying these differences remain incompletely understood. In this study, we profile a cohort of patients with locally-advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinoma undergoing aPD-1 therapy using single-cell RNA sequencing, high-definition spatial transcriptomics in tumors and draining lymph nodes, and spatial immunoreceptor profiling, with long-term clinical follow-up. We find that successful responses to PD-1 inhibition are characterized by an induction of B-cell receptor (BCR) clonal diversity after treatment initiation. These induced BCR clones spatially co-localize with T-cell clones, facilitate their activation, and traffic alongside them between tumor and draining lymph nodes to enhance tumor clearance. Furthermore, we validated aPD1-induced BCR diversity as a predictor of clinical response in a larger cohort of glioblastoma, melanoma, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients, suggesting that this is a generalizable predictor of treatment response across many types of cancers. We discover that pre-treatment tumors harbor a characteristic gene expression signature that portends a higher probability of inducing BCR clonal diversity after aPD-1 therapy, and we develop a machine learning model that predicts PD-1-induced BCR clonal diversity from baseline tumor RNA sequencing. These findings underscore a dynamic role of B cell diversity during immunotherapy, highlighting its importance as a prognostic marker and a potential target for intervention in non-responders.
Secretory trafficking maintains the organelle band for spindle separation during Arabidopsis meiosis
Authors: Piskorz Ewa Weronika , Ma Yingrui , Yi Jun , Cuacos Maria , Kradolfer David , Köhler Claudia , Jiang Hua 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPloidy reduction is a critical aspect of meiosis, essential for the successful development of haploid germline cells. Notably, cellular processes during male meiosis vary between the major groups of flowering plants, with eudicots exhibiting simultaneous cytokinesis without an interkinesis phase, unlike monocots. Recent studies on the Arabidopsisjason(jas) mutant revealed that an organelle band plays a key role in spindle separation during simultaneous cytokinesis, though the mechanism is not fully understood. Here we identify a noveljassuppressor mutant,peleus(pele), which restores haploid pollen production in thejasbackground. PELE encodes a vacuole-localized protein that contributes to spindle separation by balancing the vacuolar pathway and secretory trafficking to the organelle band. JAS, PELE, and the ubiquitin-like protein UBQL coordinate the delivery of proteins and membrane components to the organelle band. Specifically, PELE and UBQL antagonistically fine-tune trafficking to the vacuole, while JAS adjusts the flow of secretory trafficking towards the organelle band. Our findings underscore the critical role of secretory trafficking in maintaining organelle band integrity and in ensuring precise spindle positioning during meiosis II. Our work provides novel insights into the regulation of the organelle band and spindle separation, enhancing our understanding of polyploidy generation in plants.
Is lattice quantum gravity asymptotically safe? Making contact between causal dynamical triangulations and the functional renormalization group
Authors: Ambjørn J. , Gizbert-Studnicki J. , Görlich A. , Németh D. 
Published: December 2024

We compare the effective action of the scale factor obtained from lattice quantum gravity [in the form of causal dynamical triangulations (CDT)] to the corresponding effective action obtained from the simplest functional renormalization group (FRG) calculation. In this way, we can identify the generic infinite four-volume limit of the lattice theory in the so-called de Sitter phase with the Gaussian fixed-point limit or the IR fixed-point limit obtained by FRG. We also show how to identify a putative UV lattice gravity fixed point. Our Monte Carlo simulations of CDT allow for the existence of such a UV fixed point, although the data precision does not yet provide a proof of its existence. The concept of a correlation length relevant for the lattice gravity fixed points is argued to be different from the concept of correlation lengths encountered in field theories in a fixed spacetime background.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Unveiling exogenous gaps enabling a cluster organization’s internationalization process
Authors: Osarenkhoe Aihie , Fjellström Daniella , Komunda Mabel Birungi 
Published: December 2024

PurposeWe examined the internationalization process of business promotion organizations. We focused on the key stages and strategies and how the networks formed during this process can support their partners, particularly SMEs, in facilitating international expansion.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical lens: We combined the experiential learning-commitment interplay of the Uppsala model with a similar mechanism focused on business network relationships. A qualitative methodology: We used it to explore the question and the various forms of embeddedness within networks, offering an in-depth examination, particularly in the challenging natural settings of a cluster organization in geographic information systems (GIS).FindingsWe found that the cluster organization’s internationalization began regionally, forging connections with clusters in the Nordic and Baltic countries and Europe. Over time, the cluster recognized the importance of innovation leadership, leading to the integration of its core competencies with complementary technologies from other global geospatial technology hubs.Research limitations/implicationsThe study fills research gaps by examining global linkages between regional clusters and international partners, focusing on external gaps. We explored how clusters can leverage global innovation systems and networks for matchmaking, capitalization and investment. Moreover, we addressed the need for more research on cross-cluster gaps and barriers to global market interaction. By providing insights into expanding beyond local interactions, the study enhances understanding of how clusters can increase the global reach and competitiveness of firms within them.Originality/valueThe platform established during the internationalization process was crucial, as SMEs within clusters often lack the resources, time and expertise to enter international markets alone. This platform helps SMEs overcome barriers such as size, resources and unfamiliarity with foreign markets.
Optimization design of dead time in the four-switch buck-boost LLC resonant converter
Authors: Wang Dangshu , Liu Mingyao , Zhang Ruchuan , Yang Jiahao , Wang Jing 
Published: December 2024

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to solve the problem of longer dead-time in the rear bridge leg switches and lower efficiency in the Four-Switch Buck-Boost LLC Resonant Converter.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper adopts time-domain analysis to derive the time-domain expression for optimal dead time, analyzing the conditions for achieving soft switching of the transistors. It further explores the relationship between the dead time of the bridge arm switching transistors and the input/output of the converter under different operating conditions. Specifically, the dead time of the upper bridge arm transistors increases with the converter input voltage and decreases with the output current. In contrast, the dead time of the lower bridge arm transistors is independent of the converter output current and decreases with increasing converter input voltage.

Findings
By simulating and constructing a 500 W experimental prototype, experimental results indicate that designing the dead time of the switch according to the optimal dead time proposed in this paper significantly improves efficiency when the converter operates from heavy load to full load. When the transformer takes minimum input, maximum input and intermediate bus voltage inputs respectively, its peak efficiency is increased by 0.6%, 1.7% and 1.1%, respectively, compared to the traditional four-switch Buck–Boost LLC resonant converter.

Originality/value
Experimental validation confirms the correctness of the optimal dead time design and analyzes the impact of different operating conditions of the converter on the dead time. This is of significant importance for the rational design of switch dead times and the enhancement of converter efficiency.
Librarians and paraprofessionals’ digital literacy competencies and digital programs of public libraries in Western Visayas, Philippines
Authors: Ferro Catleya Santiago , Pacardo Melgie Gabasa , Yap Joseph Marmol , Alayon Stephen Biaco 
Published: December 2024

Purpose
This study aims to examine the digital literacy (DL) competencies among librarians and paraprofessionals of public libraries in Western Visayas, Philippines. It also investigated the digital programs implemented, the factors enabling or deterring these programs, DL practices and the availed and needed continuing DL skills development.

Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted the proposed competence areas and competencies for the Digital Literacy Global Framework. A mixed method was used. A total of 10 librarians and 32 paraprofessionals coming from 16 public libraries in the region were surveyed. A follow-up interview was conducted with the five public libraries’ head librarians and library-in-charge.

Findings
Results showed that librarians demonstrated relatively higher levels of DL competencies in all seven areas than paraprofessionals. Librarians and paraprofessionals rated the digital content creation competencies the lowest among the seven areas. Financial constraints, slow internet connection, limited library technology spaces, lack of training and seminars, insufficient digital resources, inadequate librarian and staff and multiple library roles were expressed as limiting factors in implementing digital programs in public libraries. Partnership training is the only DL skills development program availed by the librarians and paraprofessionals. They expressed the need to have library automation and digital content creation workshops.

Originality/value
The study attempts to measure the DL skills of librarians and paraprofessionals of public libraries in Western Visayas, Philippines. Capacity building for librarians and paraprofessionals should focus on the items rated very poor to average.