bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Between deep comradeship and nationalism: The social dynamics of solidarity on the battlefield
Authors: Malešević Siniša 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis article explores the social mechanisms that facilitate the transformation of micro‐level bonds into coherent nationalist narratives of solidarity. The aim is to explain the paradox: while the armed forces are highly nationalist institutions, most ordinary combatants detest nationalist rhetoric on the battlefield. Drawing on the interviews with the combatants who fought in the 1991–1995 wars in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina together with the analysis of the mass media reports, I examine how deep bonds of micro‐solidarity forged in the violent experiences are transformed into coherent nationalist discourses. I explore how social ties generated in the protracted face‐to‐face interactions can be enveloped by the specific social organisations and then ‘translated’ into nationalist ideologies that project deep comradeship as ‘national solidarities’. I aim to show that the direct war experience does not automatically generate strong bonds of national solidarity. Instead, nationalism is always a product of protracted coercive‐organisational, ideological and micro‐interactional work.
Nursing in the Capitalocene: An anarchistic approach to governmentality and pastoral care
Authors: Oppedisano Jaclyn , Dillard‐Wright Jess 
Published: October 2024

AbstractDuring the COVIDicine, many nurses awoke to the ways that the Healthcare‐Industrial Complex (HIC) dictates the care we are able to provide. Using the Foucauldian concepts of pastoral power and governmentality, we explore the ways that nurses participate in upholding power structures within the HIC and reproducing them in our work, contributing to a carceral culture based on hierarchy and power dynamics. We also explore the ways nurses are both agentic in this system and subject to it, reluctant to make waves and lose our place within a system that can offer nurses safety and security in, and most importantly, a paycheck. This paper articulates a prefigurative anarchist approach to nursing praxis. Through the writing of Emma Goldman, we locate a historically founded philosophical basis for practical tactics that nurses can use to actualise this praxis. Both individually and as a collective, nurses can assert their own ethic and power through direct action, micro‐insurgency and solidarity to build the world we know can be. Our only limitation is our imagination.
The Residual Activity of Fatty Acyl‐CoA Reductase Underlies Thermo‐Sensitive Genic Male Sterility in Rice
Authors: Wang Yi‐Chen , Liu Xing‐Lu , Zhang Zheng , Zhou Lei , Zhang Yan‐Fei , Zhu Ben‐Shun , Yang Yan‐Ming , Zhong Xiang , Su Zhen‐Xin , Ma Pei‐Yang , Huang Xue‐Hui , Yang Zhong‐Nan , Zhu Jun 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTPhotoperiod/thermo‐sensitive genic male sterility (P/TGMS) is critical for rice two‐line hybrid system. Previous studies showed that slow development of pollen is a general mechanism for sterility‐to‐fertility conversion of TGMS in Arabidopsis. However, whether this mechanism still exists in rice is unknown. Here, we identified a novel rice TGMS line, ostms16, which exhibits abnormal pollen exine under high temperature and fertility restoration under low temperature. In mutant, a single base mutation of OsTMS16, a fatty acyl‐CoA reductase (FAR), reduced its enzyme activity, leading to defective pollen wall. Under high temperature, the mOsTMS16M549I couldn't provide sufficient protection for the microspores. Under low temperature, the enzyme activity of mOsTMS16M549I is closer to that of OsTMS16, so that the imperfect exine could still protect microspore development. These results indicated whether the residual enzyme activity in mutant could meet the requirement in different temperature is a determinant factor for fertility conversion of P/TGMS lines. Additionally, we previously found that res2, the mutant of a polygalacturonase for tetrad pectin wall degradation, restored multiple TGMS lines in Arabidopsis. In this study, we proved that the osres2 in rice restored the fertility of ostms16, indicating the slow development is also suitable for the fertility restoration in rice.
Topical Timolol for Treatment of Spider Angiomas in Children: A Case Series
Authors: Caussade Marie‐Chantal , Stockton Hogrogian Griffin , Yan Albert C. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTWe report five cases of spider angiomas in children treated topically with timolol 0.5% (ophthalmic solution or gel‐forming solution), for 6 months. Parents and patients were advised to apply one drop twice daily. Four of them showed either partial (2) or complete response (2) and only one patient had no clinical change. No adverse effects were reported. This pilot case series shows that topical timolol may prove useful as a noninvasive, available and well‐tolerated treatment option for spider angiomas in children who seek a treatment alternative to pulsed dye laser.
Chan Buddhism on the Non‐duality of Practice and Realization
Authors: Bender Jacob 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis paper introduces readers to the philosophical problems related to Chan Buddhist meditation practices. By looking at the Platform Sutra's teachings of “non‐abiding” (wuzhu) and the Hongzhou Chan Buddhist's teachings of being “without seeking” (wuqiu), I illustrate how a major problem that the Chan Buddhists were attempting to deal with was of the dualism between practice and realization. To properly understand the Chan Buddhist attitude towards meditation, we need to see them as critical of a means/ends dualism operating in human experience. Contrary to interpretations by recent scholars that believe the Hongzhou Chan Buddhists abandon meditation practices, the Hongzhou approach to meditation is to be “without seeking” or the freedom from a means/ends dualism structuring how we perceive the world.
Whitham modulation theory and the classification of solutions to the Riemann problem of the Fokas–Lenells equation
Authors: Wu Zhi‐Jia , Tian Shou‐Fu 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIn this work, we explore the Riemann problem of the Fokas–Lenells (FL) equation given initial data in the form of a step discontinuity by employing the Whitham modulation theory. The periodic wave solutions of the FL equation are characterized by elliptic functions along with the Whitham modulation equations. Moreover, we find that the signs for the velocities of the periodic wave solutions remain unchanged during propagation. Thus, when analyzing the propagation behavior of solutions, it is necessary to separately consider the clockwise (negative velocity) and counterclockwise (positive velocity) cases. In this regard, we present the classification of the solutions to the Riemann problem of the FL equation in both clockwise and counterclockwise cases for the first time.
Minor prion substrains overcome transmission barriers
Authors: Steadman Benjamin S. , Bian Jifeng , Shikiya Ronald A. , Bartz Jason C. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Mammalian prion diseases are infectious neurodegenerative diseases caused by the self-templating form of the prion protein PrP
Sc
. Much evidence supports the hypothesis that prions exist as a mixture of a dominant strain and minor prion strains. While it is known that prions can infect new species, the relative contribution of the dominant prion strain and minor strains in crossing the species barrier is unknown. We previously identified minor prion strains from a biologically cloned drowsy (DY) strain of hamster-adapted transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME). Here we show that these minor prion strains have increased infection efficiency to rabbit kidney epithelial cells that express hamster PrP
C
compared to the dominant strain DY TME. Using protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA), we found that the dominant strain DY TME failed to convert mouse PrP
C
to PrP
Sc
, even after several serial passages. In contrast, the minor prion strains isolated from biologically cloned DY TME robustly converted mouse PrP
C
to PrP
Sc
in the first round of PMCA. This observation indicates that minor prion strains from the mutant spectra contribute to crossing the species barrier. Additionally, we found that the PMCA conversion efficiency for the minor prion strains tested was significantly different from each other and from the short-incubation period prion strain HY TME. This suggests that minor strain diversity may be greater than previously anticipated. These observations further expand our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the species barrier effect and has implications for assessing the zoonotic potential of prions.

IMPORTANCE
Prions from cattle with bovine spongiform encephalopathy have transmitted to humans, whereas scrapie from sheep and goats likely has not, suggesting that some prions can cross species barriers more easily than others. Prions are composed of a dominant strain and minor strains, and the contribution of each population to adapt to new replicative environments is unknown. Recently, minor prion strains were isolated from the biologically cloned prion strain DY TME, and these minor prion strains differed in properties from the dominant prion strain, DY TME. Here we found that these minor prion strains also differed in conversion efficiency and host range compared to the dominant strain DY TME. These novel findings provide evidence that minor prion strains contribute to interspecies transmission, underscoring the significance of minor strain components in important biological processes.
Cryptococcus neoformans
infections: aspartyl protease potential to improve outcome in susceptible hosts
Authors: Vernel-Pauillac Frédérique , Laurent-Winter Christine , Fiette Laurence , Janbon Guilhem , Aimanianda Vishukumar , Dromer Françoise 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Though a confined or a broad population is exposed respectively to endemic or pandemic infections, in the same environment, some individuals resist the development of infections. The attributed reason is the inheritance of a set of immune system genes that can efficiently deal with the pathogens. In this study, we show how outbred mice differentially respond to
Cryptococcus neoformans,
a fungal pathogen, and the mechanism through which the surviving mice mount a protective immune defense. We identified that those mice developing antibodies specifically against Pep1p, an aspartic protease secreted by
C. neoformans
, had significantly improved survival. Vaccination (either prophylactic or therapeutic) with a recombinant Pep1p significantly increased the survival of the mice by decreasing the fungal load and stimulating a protective immune response. Passive immunization of
C. neoformans-
infected mice with monoclonal antibodies developed against Pep1p also improves the survival of the mice by increasing phagocytosis of
C. neoformans
and decreasing the multiplication of this fungus. Together, these data demonstrate the prophylactic and therapeutic potentials of the
C. neoformans
antigenic protein Pep1p or Pep1p-specific antibodies against this fungal infection. Also, this study suggests that the immunological interaction and thereby the responses developed against a pathogen guide the hosts to behave differentially against microbial pathogenicity.

IMPORTANCE

Vaccination and immunotherapies against fungal pathogens still remain a challenge. Here, we show using an
in vivo
model based on outbred mice that development of antibodies against Pep1p, an antigenic protein of the fungal pathogen
Cryptococcus neoformans
, confers resistance to this fungal infection. In support of this observation, prophylactic or therapeutic immunization of the mice with recombinant Pep1p could improve their survival when infected with a lethal dose of
C. neoformans
. Moreover, passive therapy with monoclonal anti-Pep1p antibodies also enhanced survival of the mice from
C. neoformans
infection. The associated antifungal mechanisms were mounting of a protective immune response and the development of fungal specific antibodies that decrease the fungal burden due to an increase in their phagocytosis and/or inhibit the fungal multiplication. Together, our study demonstrates (a) the mode of host–fungal interaction and the immune response developed thereby play a crucial role in developing resistance against
C. neoformans
; (b) Pep1p, an aspartic protease as well as an antigenic protein secreted by
C. neoformans
, can be exploited for vaccination (both prophylactic and therapeutic) or immunotherapy to improve the host defense during this fungal infection.
Identification and characterization of linear B-cell epitopes on African swine fever virus H171R protein
Authors: Xin Cheng , Chen Zhuting , Zhou Jingming , Chen Yumei , Liu Yankai , Liu Hongliang , Liang Chao , Zhu Xifang , Qi Yanhua , Zhang Gaiping , Wang Aiping 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly contagious and often fatal pathogen that poses a significant threat to the swine industry worldwide. The H171R protein, a structural component of ASFV, plays crucial roles in viral assembly, host cell entry, and modulation of the host immune response. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the linear B-cell epitopes on the H171R protein to facilitate the development of diagnostic tools and subunit vaccines against ASFV. A combined approach involving bioinformatics analysis and experimental techniques was employed. The recombinant H171R protein was expressed and purified, and specific monoclonal antibodies were generated through immunization and hybridoma technology. Systematic epitope mapping using overlapping peptide fragments and alanine-scanning mutagenesis revealed four minimal linear epitopes:
84
HPLLPYQQSSDEQP
97
,
93
SDEQPMMPYQQPPG
106
,
111
PYEQIYHKKHASQQ
124
, and
129
LNDYYQHILALGDED
143
. The identified epitopes exhibited strong immunogenicity, as demonstrated by their reactivity with ASFV-positive swine sera. Critical amino acid residues within each epitope were identified through mutational analysis. Structural modeling and visualization of the H171R protein provided insights into the spatial distribution and accessibility of the epitope regions. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the H171R protein’s antigenic properties and lay the foundation for developing effective diagnostic assays and subunit vaccines against African swine fever.

IMPORTANCE
African swine fever virus (ASFV) poses a severe threat to the global swine industry. This study characterizes linear B-cell epitopes on the crucial ASFV H171R protein, facilitating the development of improved diagnostics and subunit vaccines. Four immunogenic epitopes were identified, offering valuable information for designing sensitive diagnostic assays and potential subunit vaccine candidates. By advancing the understanding of H171R’s antigenic landscape, this research contributes to controlling ASFV’s devastating impacts, safeguarding the swine industry, and ensuring food security.
Effects of space allowance on behaviour during lairage, stress physiology, skin lesion scores, and meat quality of market pigs transported in an actively ventilated vehicle in the winter
Authors: Pasquale Vanessa , Faucitano Luigi , Devillers Nicolas , Conte Sabine , Bergeron Renée 
Published: October 2024

A total of 1488 pigs were transported to slaughter using a mechanically ventilated vehicle in the winter in Canada. On each of six journeys, a sub-sample of 78 pigs were randomly assigned to two space allowances (0.46 or 0.53 m2/pig), distributed across six compartments, in two positions (near-front and near-rear) and three deck levels (top, middle, and bottom). Compartment ambient conditions (e.g., T °C and RH %) were monitored during transport, and pig behaviour was recorded during lairage. Blood lactate, hematocrit, creatine kinase (CK) concentrations, and meat quality in the longissimus (LM), semimembranosus (SM), and adductor (AD) muscles were assessed on a total of 108 pigs. Pigs transported at 0.53 m2/pig had greater blood hematocrit levels ( P = 0.05), but lower blood CK concentrations at slaughter ( P = 0.01). The top deck was colder during all transport events ( P < 0.001), and pigs transported in this location stood less in lairage compared to those transported on the bottom deck ( P = 0.05). Pigs from the top deck showed lower lightness (L*) values in the LM and SM muscles ( P = 0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Overall, animal location had a greater impact than space allowance on animal welfare and meat quality of pigs.
Investigating new aspects of Bocharova–Bronnikov–Melnikov–Bekenstein spacetime: ionized thin accretion disk model
Authors: Turimov Bobur , Davlataliev Akbar , Usmanov Yusuf , Karshiboev Shavkat , Tadjimuratov Pulat 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAccretion processes near black hole candidates are associated with the high-energy emission of radiation from relativistic particles and outflows. It is widely believed that the magnetic field plays a crucial role in explaining these high-energy processes near these astrophysical sources. In this work, we analyze thin accretion disks in the Bocharova–Bronnikov–Melnikov–Bekenstein (BBMB) spacetime framework using the Novikov–Thorne model. Our study examines the thermal and optical characteristics of these disks, including their emission rate and luminosity in the specified spacetime. Later, we extend the Novikov–Thorne model to ionized thin accretion disk. We propose that the black hole is embedded in an asymptotically uniform magnetic field. We investigate the dynamics of charged particles near a weakly magnetized black hole. Our findings show that, in the presence of a magnetic field, the radius of the marginally stable circular orbit (MSCO) for a charged particle is close to the black hole’s horizon. The orbital velocity of the charged particle, as measured by a local observer, has been computed in the presence of the external magnetic field. We also present an analytical expression for the four-acceleration of the charged particle orbiting around black holes. Finally, we determine the intensity of the radiation emitted by the accelerating relativistic charged particle orbiting the magnetized black hole.
Genetic Evidence for the Causal Relationship Between Gut Microbiota and Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Bidirectional, Two‐Sample Mendelian Randomisation Study
Authors: Zhang Yun , Zhao Lingyun , Jia Yifan , Zhang Xin , Han Yueying , Lu Ping , Yuan Huijuan 
Published: October 2024

Aims: According to the gut–kidney axis theory, gut microbiota (GM) has bidirectional crosstalk with the development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, empirical results have been inconsistent, and the causal associations remain unclear. This study was aimed at exploring the causal relationship between GM and DKD as well as the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UACR).Materials and Methods: Two‐sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis was performed with inverse‐variance weighting as the primary method, together with four additional modes (MR–Egger regression, simple mode, weighted mode, and weighted median). We utilised summary‐level genome‐wide association study statistics from public databases for this MR analysis. Genetic associations with DKD were downloaded from the IEU Open GWAS project or CKDGen consortium, and associations with GM (196 taxa from five levels) were downloaded from the MiBioGen repository.Results: In forward MR analysis, we identified 13 taxa associated with DKD, most of which were duplicated in Type 2 diabetes with renal complications but not in Type 1 diabetes. We observed a causal association between genetic signature contributing to the relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae UCG003 and that for both DKD and GFR. Similarly, host genetic signature defining the abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG014 was found to be simultaneously associated with DKD and UACR. In reverse MR analysis, the abundance of 14 other GM taxa was affected by DKD, including the phylum Proteobacteria, which remained significant after false discovery rate correction. Sensitivity analyses revealed no evidence of outliers, heterogeneity, or horizontal pleiotropy.Conclusion: Our findings provide compelling causal genetic evidence for the bidirectional crosstalk between specific GM taxa and DKD development, contributing valuable insights for a comprehensive understanding of the pathological mechanisms of DKD and highlighting the possibility of prevention and management of DKD by targeting GM.
Predicting Sepsis‐Related Mortality: Pitt Bacteremia Score is Superior to the Charlson Comorbidity Index
Authors: Durmaz Şenay Öztürk , Sümer Coşkun Ayşenur 
Published: October 2024

Aim: To assess the role of Pitt bacteremia score (PBS) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) in predicting mortality among patients with intensive care unit (ICU)–acquired Gram‐negative bacterial sepsis and to investigate other factors associated with mortality.Methods: This retrospective study was carried out between January 2018 and January 2023. Patients diagnosed with ICU‐acquired sepsis caused by Gram‐negative bacteria were included in the study. Demographics, laboratory data, blood culture results, management, length of ICU stay, mortality, and other clinical data were recorded. PBS and CCI score were calculated based on data collected at time of blood withdrawal. The primary endpoint was mortality in ICU.Results: Among the 425 patients included in the study, mortality was observed in 268 (63%). Age and sex were distributed similarly in the mortality and survival groups. CCI score with a cutoff value of > 5.5 (AUC = 0.611) and PBS with a cutoff value of > 2.5 (AUC = 0.904) were able to significantly predict mortality. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that mortality was independently associated with having any comorbidity, congestive heart failure, low platelet count, high lactate, high (> 2.5) PBS, and carbapenem resistance (p = 0.001).Conclusion: PBS was more successful than CCI in predicting mortality in patients with ICU‐acquired sepsis caused by Gram‐negative bacteria. In addition to higher PBS, having any comorbidity (and additionally, congestive heart failure), lower platelet, higher lactate, and carbapenem resistance were risk factors for mortality.