bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A synthesis on alien mammals threatened in their native range
Authors: Tedeschi Lisa , Lenzner Bernd , Schertler Anna , Biancolini Dino , Rondinini Carlo , Essl Franz 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTMany alien species are safe in their native ranges; however, some are threatened, posing a challenging conundrum for conservation and invasion science. We focused on alien threatened mammals, examining their distribution, pathways, threats, and conservation strategies. We also reassessed their IUCN Red List category to evaluate the effect of including alien populations in extinction risk assessments. Of 242 alien mammals, we identified 41 aliens that are threatened, classified as critically endangered (19%), endangered (27%), or vulnerable (54%). They were primarily introduced for hunting and exchanged within Asia, with introduced ranges concentrated in eastern Australia. They were subject to multiple threats, most notably biological resource use. Including alien populations in the categorization assessments reduces extinction risk of 22% of the species. We highlighted the conservation value of alien populations for threatened mammals. However, conservation managers and extinction risk assessors shall carefully consider their use, to avoid negative impacts on native biodiversity.
The Role of the Co-Chaperone DNAJB11 in Polycystic Kidney Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Cellular Origin of Cyst Formation
Authors: Busch Tilman , Neubauer Björn , Schmitt Lars , Cascante Isabel , Knoblich Luise , Wegehaupt Oliver , Schöler Felix , Tholen Stefan , Hofherr Alexis , Schell Christoph , Schilling Oliver , Westermann Lukas , Köttgen Anna , Köttgen Michael 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAutosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is caused by mutations inPKD1andPKD2, encoding polycystin-1 (PC1) and polycystin-2 (PC2), which are required for the regulation of the renal tubular diameter. Loss of polycystin function results in cyst formation. Atypical forms of ADPKD are caused by mutations in genes encoding endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident proteins through mechanisms that are not well understood. Here, we investigate the function of DNAJB11, an ER co-chaperone associated with atypical ADPKD. We generated mouse models with constitutive and conditionalDnajb11inactivation andDnajb11-deficient renal epithelial cells to investigate the mechanism underlying autosomal dominant inheritance, the specific cell types driving cyst formation, and molecular mechanisms underlying DNAJB11-dependent polycystic kidney disease. We show that biallelic loss ofDnajb11causes cystic kidney disease and fibrosis, mirroring human disease characteristics. In contrast to classical ADPKD, cysts predominantly originate from proximal tubules. Cyst formation beginsin uteroand the timing ofDnajb11inactivation strongly influences disease severity. Furthermore, we identify impaired PC1 cleavage as a potential mechanism underlying DNAJB11-dependent cyst formation. Proteomic analysis ofDnajb11- andPkd1-deficient cells reveals common and distinct pathways and dysregulated proteins, providing a foundation to better understand phenotypic differences between different forms of ADPKD.
The Interplay Between Nutrition and the Dynamics of the Midgut Microbiome of the MosquitoAedes aegyptiReveals Putative Symbionts
Authors: Salgado João Felipe M. , Premkrishnan Balakrishnan N. V. , Oliveira Elaine L. , Vettath Vineeth Kodengil , Goh Feng Guang , Hou Xinjun , Drautz-Moses Daniela I. , Cai Yu , Schuster Stephan C. , Junqueira Ana Carolina M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBlood meals are crucial for the reproductive cycle ofAedes aegyptiand represent the means by which arboviruses are transmitted to its hematophagy hosts. It also has been postulated that feeding on blood may modulate the mosquito microbiome, but the compositional shifts in microbial diversity and function remain elusive. In this paper, we analyzed the modulation of the midgut microbiome in 60 females ofAedes aegyptithroughout the digestive period, 12, 24, and 48 hours after blood or sugar meals using whole-genome shotgun sequencing. Microbial transstadial transmission between larvae and adults was also assessed. This approach provided a high coverage of the midgut metagenome, allowing microbial taxonomic assignments at the species level and gene-based functional profiling. Females at later hours post-feeding and larvae display low microbiome diversities and little evidence of transstadial transmission. However, a striking proliferation of Enterobacterales was observed during early hours of digestion in blood-fed mosquitoes. The compositional shift was concomitant with a predicted functional change in genes associated with carbohydrate and protein metabolism. The observed shifts in blood-fed females’ midguts are restored to a sugar-fed-like microbial profile after 48h, when blood digestion is completed. Conversely, as in all blood-fed females, a high abundance of the opportunistic human pathogenElizabethkingia anophelis(Flavobacteriales) takes place in this post-digestion stage. This bacterial species has also been described as a symbiont of mosquitoes of the genusAnopheles(Culicidae). This work is the first report of the adaptation of the midgut microbiomeof A. aegyptito a digestive role after a blood meal, at the expense of the proliferation of potential symbionts.Significance statementThe findings in this paper can contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of the mosquito microbiome during digestion and its potential implications for host physiology and metabolism, also informing the future development of sustainable methods for insect-borne diseases control based on microbial components that might influence vectorial capacity and pathogen transmission byA. aegypti.
Characterization of early and late events of adherens junction assembly
Authors: Troyanovsky Regina B. , Indra Indrajyoti , Troyanovsky Sergey M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCadherins are transmembrane adhesion receptors. Cadherin ectodomains form adhesive 2D clusters through cooperativetransandcisinteractions, whereas its intracellular region interacts with specific cytosolic proteins, termed catenins, to anchor the cadherin-catenin complex (CCC) to the actin cytoskeleton. How these two types of interactions are coordinated in the formation of specialized cell-cell adhesions, adherens junctions (AJ), remains unclear. We focus here on the role of the actin-binding domain of α-catenin (αABD) by showing that the interaction of αABD with actin generates actin-bound CCC oligomers (CCC/actin strands) incorporating up to six CCCs. The strands are primarily formed on the actin-rich cell protrusions. Once in cell-cell interface, the strands become involved in cadherin ectodomain clustering. Such combination of the extracellular and intracellular oligomerizations gives rise to the composite oligomers,transCCC/actin clusters. To mature, these clusters then rearrange their actin filaments using several redundant pathways, two of which are characterized here: one depends on the α-catenin-associated protein, vinculin and the second one depends on the unstructured C-terminus of αABD. Thus, AJ assembly proceeds through spontaneous formation oftransCCC/actin clusters and their successive reorganization.
Deterministic and stochastic finite element modeling of reinforced concrete beams without stirrups containing plastic wastes
Authors: Ghannoum Maria , Assaad Joseph , Daaboul Michel , El-Mir Abdulkader 
Published: March 2024

PurposeThe use of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics derived from shredded bottles in concrete is not formalized yet, especially in reinforced members such as beams and columns. The disposal of plastic wastes in concrete is a viable alternative to manage those wastes while minimizing the environmental impacts associated to recycling, carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption.Design/methodology/approachThis paper evaluates the suitability of 2D deterministic and stochastic finite element (FE) modeling to predict the shear strength behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams without stirrups. Different concrete mixtures prepared with 1.5%–4.5% PET additions, by volume, are investigated.FindingsTest results showed that the deterministic and stochastic FE approaches are accurate to assess the maximum load of RC beams at failure and corresponding midspan deflection. However, the crack patterns observed experimentally during the different stages of loading can only be reproduced using the stochastic FE approach. This later method accounts for the concrete heterogeneity due to PET additions, allowing a statistical simulation of the effect of mechanical properties (i.e. compressive strength, tensile strength and Young’s modulus) on the output FE parameters.Originality/valueData presented in this paper can be of interest to civil and structural engineers, aiming to predict the failure mechanisms of RC beams containing plastic wastes, while minimizing the experimental time and resources needed to estimate the variability effect of concrete properties on the performance of such structures.
Global talent management – talents, mobility and global experiences – a systematic literature review
Authors: Sousa Bianca , Ferreira João J.M. , Jayantilal Shital , Dabic Marina 
Published: March 2024

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive framework that identifies thematic clusters and their interconnections within Global Talent Management (GTM), global careers and talent management (TM).Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, this study conducted a co-citation analysis using bibliographic data to unveil the intellectual connections and relationships among thematic articles related to GTM sourced from the Web of Science.FindingsThis review highlights three key research themes: experiences working abroad, TM approaches and the complex nature of GTM as a living system.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of this research is the sample itself. Content analysis based on the co-citation method resulted in some more recent releases being omitted.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of the paper include providing a structured framework for understanding the complexities of GTM.Social implicationsResearch into the academic literature in this area is divided into various clusters, empirically demonstrating how GTM and global mobility are intertwined, revealing the need for us to more thoroughly comprehend the social ramifications of GTM practices and activities and the need to further analyse the influencing social aspects in a GTM strategy, like diversity, increased mobility and virtual reality.Originality/value The analysis revealed the emergence of three distinct thematic groups: (1) global work experiences, (2) TM approaches and (3) GTM.
Evolution of quality assurance in higher education from INQAAHE GGP to ISGs − Are quality assurance agencies in Asia ready to the emerging modules?
Authors: Hou Angela Yung Chi , Tao Christopher Hong-Yi , Zhou Kyle Zi-Wei , Lin Arianna Fang Yu , Su Edward Hung Cheng , Chen Ying 
Published: March 2024

PurposeIn 2022, the International Network for Quality Assurance (QA) Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) published the new guidelines by adding three QA modules in response to the changing higher education landscape. The paper aims to investigate the transformative focus of quality assurance in higher education globally as well as Asian response to three new QA modules according to the INQAAHE ISGs.Design/methodology/approachThe research conducted a quantitative approach for data collection. An on-line survey was conducted to perceive QA practices, perceptions toward new emerging QA modules and challenges encountered. In total, there were 26 responses from 18 territories with 22 QA agencies. A total of 13 out of them have a national qualifications framework in place.FindingsThree are three major findings in the study. First, national policy and criteria and standards in distance education have been developed in the majority of Asian nations. Second, non-signatories of the Tokyo Convention had a higher proportion of having related policies, regulations and criteria in CBHE and distance education. Third, national policies and regulations; and lack of professional staff are two common challenges implementing QA in new types of providers.Originality/valueThe findings are of value for policymakers, QA agencies and universities to advocate the new QA model as a systematic approach in response to changing higher education landscape in the post pandemic era.
Building initial model for seismic inversion based on semi‐supervised learning
Authors: Sun Qianhao , Zong Zhaoyun 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSeismic inversion is an important tool for reservoir characterization. The inversion results are significantly impacted by a reliable initial model. Conventional well interpolation methods are not able to meet the needs of seismic inversion for lateral heterogeneous reservoirs. Inspired by the sequence modelling network and seismic inversion in the Laplace–Fourier domain, we propose an initial model‐building method using semi‐supervised learning strategy. The proposed method considers spatial information to ensure the horizontal continuity of the initial model. Based on the fact that the low‐frequency components of seismic signals in the Laplace–Fourier domain are easier to obtain, we use the forward model in the Laplace–Fourier domain to replace the time‐domain forward model. The proposed workflow was validated using the Marmousi II model. Although the training was carried out on a small number of low‐frequency impedance traces, the proposed workflow was able to build low‐frequency model for the entire Marmousi II model with a correlation of 98%. Field data examples demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. For lateral heterogeneous reservoirs, the proposed method performs better than the well interpolation method. By utilizing the model obtained by the proposed method as the initial low‐frequency model of the conventional inversion method, it is possible to estimate better inversion results. The results of different combinations of training sets demonstrate the stability of the proposed method. This method may still be a viable choice if there is lateral heterogeneity underground but not much well‐logging label data.
Invasive rodent dynamics in a highly connected African harbour
Authors: Langdon Bárbara 
Published: March 2024

AbstractResearch Highlight: Badou et al. (2023). Maritime international trade and bioinvasions: A three‐year long survey of small mammals in Autonomous Port of Cotonou, Benin. Journal of Applied Ecology, https://doi.org/10.1111/1365‐2664.14557. Highly connected points are probably the entry point for many of the introduced species around the world. This is the case of the Port of Cotonou in Africa, where the authors evaluated the population dynamics of small mammals present in the Autonomous Port of Cotonou, in Benin, Africa. Two main zones of the port were assessed: the industrial port, with warehouses, storage rooms, restaurants, garages and open areas, among other uses, and the artisanal port, with rooms where fresh fish and fishing gears are stores, along with the fresh fish market. Using traps, they were able to find that three of the ‘100 most invasive species’ are present at the study area: the house mice (Mus musculus), black rat (Rattus rattus) and Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus). Two native species were also found, Mastomys natalensis and Crocidura olivieri. The authors found clear trends in the species preferences and co‐occurrences. Norwegian rats and house mice prefer industrial‐like environments, so they are mostly found in the industrial port. The Black rats, on the other hand, are present almost exclusively in the artisanal port. They were also able to determine that control efforts should be carefully planned to show long‐term effective results, involving decision makers and stakeholders at every step of the management process.
The story of dividend payment and corporate cash flow in Ghana
Authors: Amoah Benjamin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe thorny issue and contradictory conclusions on dividend payments and firm value are not ending any time soon. The existence of a divergence of findings in the literature suggests the need for further empirical studies on this subject matter. Therefore, this study focuses on how a firm's cash flow influences dividend payments in Ghana. Using data from 2015 to 2020, pooled ordinary least squares and random effects estimation, this study provides evidence of dividend payments in Ghana. The results show that dividend payments are influenced by a firm's net cash flow from operations, free cash flow to equity, firm size, and age. The relevant macroeconomic variables for dividend payments are inflation and gross domestic product growth. Another finding is that the more nonfinancial firms take on the characteristics of financial firms, the less dividends they pay. Managers of listed firms in Ghana should grow the size of their firms; however, this should be done in a manner not to expropriate value to managers as predicted in the Jensen agency problem associated with free cash flow.
Plasma proteomic signature of human longevity
Authors: Liu Xiaojuan , Axelsson Gisli Thor , Newman Anne B. , Psaty Bruce M. , Boudreau Robert M. , Wu Chenkai , Arnold Alice M. , Aspelund Thor , Austin Thomas R. , Gardin Julius M. , Siggeirsdottir Kristin , Tracy Russell P. , Gerszten Robert E. , Launer Lenore J. , Jennings Lori L. , Gudnason Vilmundur , Sanders Jason L. , Odden Michelle C. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe identification of protein targets that exhibit anti‐aging clinical potential could inform interventions to lengthen the human health span. Most previous proteomics research has been focused on chronological age instead of longevity. We leveraged two large population‐based prospective cohorts with long follow‐ups to evaluate the proteomic signature of longevity defined by survival to 90 years of age. Plasma proteomics was measured using a SOMAscan assay in 3067 participants from the Cardiovascular Health Study (discovery cohort) and 4690 participants from the Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility‐Reykjavik Study (replication cohort). Logistic regression identified 211 significant proteins in the CHS cohort using a Bonferroni‐adjusted threshold, of which 168 were available in the replication cohort and 105 were replicated (corrected p value <0.05). The most significant proteins were GDF‐15 and N‐terminal pro‐BNP in both cohorts. A parsimonious protein‐based prediction model was built using 33 proteins selected by LASSO with 10‐fold cross‐validation and validated using 27 available proteins in the validation cohort. This protein model outperformed a basic model using traditional factors (demographics, height, weight, and smoking) by improving the AUC from 0.658 to 0.748 in the discovery cohort and from 0.755 to 0.802 in the validation cohort. We also found that the associations of 169 out of 211 proteins were partially mediated by physical and/or cognitive function. These findings could contribute to the identification of biomarkers and pathways of aging and potential therapeutic targets to delay aging and age‐related diseases.
Radiologic and computed tomography evaluation of the beaks from three bird species
Authors: da Silva Daniel Simões , Rahal Sheila Canevese , da Silva Jeana Pereira , Mamprim Maria Jaqueline , de Camargo Gabriel Corrêa , Cassanego Guilherme Rech , Ichikawa Ricardo Shoiti 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the beaks of three species of birds using radiography and computed tomography (CT). The mean lengths of maxillary and mandibular rostra on radiographs were highest for toco toucan, followed by buff‐necked ibis, and least for red‐legged seriema birds. The height and width of maxillary and mandibular rostra measured on CT had mean values highest for toco toucans, followed by red‐legged seriema, and least for buff‐necked ibis. Except for the proximal region of the maxillary rostrum, the HU values were positive for other regions of the maxillary and mandibular rostra in the buff‐necked ibis and red‐legged seriema and negative in all for the toco toucan.
Local injection of micro‐dose guselkumab for palmoplantar pustulosis after partial failure of systemic ixekizumab treatment
Authors: Zhou Chaojing , Chen Dandan , Diao Ziyue , Wang Yufei , Hou Yiyun , Yin ZhiQiang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe present a palmoplantar pustulosis case partially resistant to systemic IL‐17A inhibitor (ixekizumab) treatment, and then receiving a local injection of 0.1 mL micro‐dose (1 mg) IL‐23 inhibitor (guselkumab) every 4 weeks for four times. The paradoxical lesion disappeared rapidly following local injection and there was no recurrence after 8 weeks of drug withdrawal. This is the first clinical report on the treatment of palmoplantar pustulosis by local injection of micro‐dose guselkumab.
Mitochondrial ferritin alleviates ferroptosis in a kainic acid‐induced mouse epilepsy model by regulating iron homeostasis: Involvement of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2
Authors: Song Yu , Gao Mengjiao , Wei Boyang , Huang Xiaowei , Yang Zeyu , Zou Junjie , Guo Yanwu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundEpilepsy is a widespread and chronic disease of the central nervous system caused by a variety of factors. Mitochondrial ferritin (FtMt) refers to ferritin located within the mitochondria that may protect neurons against oxidative stress by binding excess free iron ions in the cytoplasm. However, the potential role of FtMt in epilepsy remains unclear. We aimed to investigate whether FtMt and its related mechanisms can regulate epilepsy by modulating ferroptosis.MethodsThree weeks after injection of adeno‐associated virus (AAV) in the skull of adult male C57BL/6 mice, kainic acid (KA) was injected into the hippocampus to induce seizures. Primary hippocampal neurons were transfected with siRNA using a glutamate‐mediated epilepsy model. After specific treatments, Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence, EEG recording, transmission electron microscopy, iron staining, silver staining, and Nissl staining were performed.ResultsAt different time points after KA injection, the expression of FtMt protein in the hippocampus of mice showed varying degrees of increase. Knockdown of the FtMt gene by AAV resulted in an increase in intracellular free iron levels and a decrease in the function of iron transport‐related proteins, promoting neuronal ferroptosis and exacerbating epileptic brain activity in the hippocampus of seizure mice. Additionally, increasing the expression level of FtMt protein was achieved by AAV‐mediated upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) gene in the hippocampus of seizure mice.ConclusionsIn epilepsy, Nrf2 modulates ferroptosis by involving the expression of FtMt and may be a potential therapeutic mechanism of neuronal injury after epilepsy. Targeting this relevant process for treatment may be a therapeutic strategy to prevent epilepsy.