bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tracking Persistent Symptoms in Scotland (TraPSS): A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study of COVID-19 Recovery After Mild Acute Infection
Authors: Sculthorpe Nicholas F , Mclaughlin Marie , Cerexhe Luke , Macdonald Eilidh , Dello Iacono Antonio , Sanal-Hayes Nilihan EM , Ingram Joanne , Meach Rachel , Carless David , Ormerod Jane , Hayes Lawrence D 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundCOVID-19 disease results in disparate responses between individuals and has led to the emergence of Long-COVID, characterized by persistent and cyclical symptomology. To understand the complexity of Long-COVID, the importance of symptom surveillance and prospective longitudinal studies is evident.MethodsA 9-month longitudinal prospective cohort study was conducted within Scotland (n=287), using a mobile app to determine the proportion of recovered individuals, those with persistent symptoms, common symptoms, and associations with gender and age.Results3.1% of participants experienced symptoms at month 9, meeting the criteria for Long-COVID, as defined by the NICE terminology. Fatigue, cough, and muscle pain were the most common symptoms at baseline, with fatigue persisting the longest, while symptoms like cough improved rapidly. Older age increased the likelihood of reporting pain and cognitive impairment. Female gender increased the likelihood of headaches and post-exertional malaise (PEM), and increased recovery time from fatigue and PEM.ConclusionsThe majority of people fully recover from acute COVID-19, albeit often slowly. Age and gender play a role in symptom burden and recovery rates, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to Long-COVID management. Further analysis is required to determine the characteristics of the individuals still reporting ongoing symptoms months after initial infection to identify risk factors and potential predictors for the development of Long-COVID.
Nuclear RNAi Modulates Influenza A Virus Infectivity By Downregulating Type-I Interferon Response
Authors: Huang Hsiang-Chi , Nowak Iwona , Lobo Vivian , Besavilla Danica F. , Schön Karin , Westholm Jakub O. , Fernandez Carola , Patel Angana A.H. , Wiel Clotilde , Sayin Volkan I. , Anastasakis Dimitrios G. , Angeletti Davide , Sarshad Aishe A. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTThe role of Argonaute (AGO) proteins and the RNA interference (RNAi) machinery in mammalian antiviral response has been debated. Therefore, we set out to investigate how mammalian RNAi impacts influenza A virus (IAV) infection. We reveal that IAV infection triggers nuclear accumulation of AGO2, which is directly facilitated by p53 activation. Mechanistically, we show that IAV induces nuclear AGO2 targeting of TRIM71, a proposed AGO2 E3 ligase, and type-I interferon-pathway genes for silencing. Accordingly,Tp53-/-mice do not accumulate nuclear AGO2 and demonstrate decreased susceptibility to IAV infection. Hence, the RNAi machinery is highjacked by the virus to evade the immune system and support viral replication. Furthermore, the FDA approved drug arsenic trioxide, which prevents p53 tetramerization and nuclear translocation, increases interferon response and decreases viral replicationin vitroand in a mouse modelin vivo. Our data indicates that targeting the AGO2:p53-mediated silencing of innate immunity may offer a promising strategy to mitigate viral infections.
Temporal Microbiome Changes in Axolotl Limb Regeneration: Stage-Specific Restructuring of Bacterial and Fungal Communities with aFlavobacteriumBloom During Blastema Proliferation
Authors: Altın Hanne , Delice Büşra , Yıldırım Berna , Demircan Turan , Yıldırım Süleyman 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTThe intricate relationship between regeneration and microbiota has recently gained attention, spanning diverse model organisms. Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is a critically endangered salamander species and a model organism for regenerative and developmental biology. Despite its significance, a noticeable gap exists in understanding the interplay between axolotl regeneration and its microbiome. Here, we analyze in depth bacterial 16S rRNA amplicon dataset that we reported before as data resource and profile fungal community by sequencing ITS amplicons at the critical stages of limb regeneration (0-1-4-7-30-60 days post amputation, “dpa”). Results reveal a decline in richness and evenness in the course of limb regeneration, with bacterial community richness recovering beyond 30 dpa unlike fungi community. Beta diversity analysis reveals precise restructuring of the bacterial community along the three phases of limb regeneration, contrasting with less congruent changes in the fungal community. Temporal dynamics of the bacterial community highlight prevalent anaerobic bacteria in initiation phase andFlavobacteriumbloom in the early phase correlating with limb blastema proliferation. Predicted functional analysis mirrors these shifts, emphasizing a transition from amino acid metabolism to lipid metabolism control. Fungal communities shift fromBlastomycotatoAscomycotadominance in the late regeneration stage. Our findings provide ecologically relevant insights into stage specific role of microbiome contributions to axolotl limb regeneration.
Microbial community structure is affected by phage-resistance associated increases in host density
Authors: Castledine Meaghan , Padfield Daniel , Lewis Rai , Buckling Angus 
Published: March 2024

AbstractLytic bacteriophages (‘phages’) can limit bacterial densities and shape community structure, either directly through lysis or indirectly through costs to resistance. However, phages have also been reported to have no, and in some cases even positive, effects on host densities. Here, we investigate the mechanisms behind an increase in host density inVariovoraxsp. populations following a fixation of resistance that was maintained after phage extinction. Our results demonstrate that the density increase was a genetic trait coinciding with resistance emergence. Growth curves showed that phage resistance shifted population growth curves such that density was higher in the death-phase. This density-increasing effect of resistance had important implications for community structure with phage resistantVariovoraxdecreasing the density of a conspecific. That resistance to lytic phage can increase host densities has implications for wider ecology and phage therapy where lytic phages are presumed to have negative effects on their hosts.
RPA and Rad27 limit templated and inverted insertions at DNA breaks
Authors: Yu Yang , Wang Xin , Fox Jordan , Li Qian , Yu Yang , Hastings P.J. , Chen Kaifu , Ira Grzegorz 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTFormation of templated insertions at DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is very common in cancer cells. The mechanisms and enzymes regulating these events are largely unknown. Here, we investigated templated insertions in yeast at DSBs using amplicon sequencing across a repaired locus. We document very short (most ∼5-34 bp), templated inverted duplications at DSBs. They are generated through a foldback mechanism that utilizes microhomologies adjacent to the DSB. Enzymatic requirements suggest a hybrid mechanism wherein one end requires Polδ-mediated synthesis while the other end is captured by nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). This process is exacerbated in mutants with low levels or mutated RPA (rtt105Δ;rfa1-t33) or extensive resection mutant (sgs1Δexo1Δ). Templated insertions from various distant genomic locations also increase in these mutants as well as inrad27Δ and originate from fragile regions of the genome. Among complex insertions, common events are insertions of two sequences, originating from the same locus and with inverted orientation. We propose that these inversions are also formed by microhomology-mediated template switching. Taken together, we propose that a shortage of RPA typical in cancer cells is one possible factor stimulating the formation of templated insertions.
Unicellular cyanobacteria rely on sodium energetics to fix N2
Authors: Tang Si , Cheng Xueyu , Liu Yaqing , Liu Lu , Liu Dai , Yan Qi , Zhu Jianming , Zhou Jin , Hammerschmidt Katrin , Cai Zhonghua 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDiazotrophic cyanobacteria can thrive in combined nitrogen (N)-limited environments due to their ability to fix nitrogen gas (N2) from the atmosphere. Despite this, they occur in low abundance in N-limited coastal waters, which represents an ecological paradox1–3. One hypothesis is that this is partly due to elevated salinity (> 10 g/L NaCl), which inhibits cyanobacterial N2fixation2,3. Here we show that N2fixation in a unicellular coastal cyanobacterium is not inhibited but rather exclusively dependent on sodium (Na+) ions. In N-deficient environments, both N2fixation and population growth were significantly inhibited at low NaCl concentrations (< 4 g/L). Additional experiments indicated that sodium energetics, rather than proton energetics, is necessary for N2fixation, as Na+deficiency resulted in insufficient ATP supply for N2fixation. We show that this is due to the non-functioning Na+-coupled ATP synthase, which we found to be likely coupled to anaerobic rather than aerobic respiration. Sequence alignment analysis of the ion-coupling site of the ATP synthase revealed a high prevalence of Na+energetics in cyanobacteria, with all unicellular N2fixers capable of Na+energetics. This suggests a critical role for sodium energetics in cyanobacteria. It also raises the possibility that sodium energetics is not as rare as thought, but that we may have underestimated the prevalence and importance of sodium energetics in other organisms. Finally, the low abundance of diazotrophic unicellular cyanobacteria in coastal waters may be due to insufficient NaCl levels to support N2-fixation during periods of growth-supporting high temperatures. This provides another perspective on the regulation of the oceanic N cycle that needs to be considered in times of global climate change. Changes in current patterns could lead to an overlap of periods optimal for N2fixation and population growth, likely resulting in dense cyanobacterial blooms.
Influence of blend ratio of cotton and Arecanut fibers on yarn properties
Authors: Sunny Georgy , Palani Rajan T. 
Published: March 2024

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to optimize the blending ratio of Arecanut and cotton fibers to create yarn with the best quality for various applications, particularly home furnishings. The study aims to determine the effect of different blend ratios on the physical and mechanical properties of the yarn.Design/methodology/approachThe study involves blending Arecanut and cotton fibers in various ratios (90:10, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 10:90) at two different yarn counts (10/1 and 5/1). Various physical and mechanical properties of the blended yarn are analyzed, including unevenness, coefficient of mass variation (cvm%), imperfection, hairiness, breaking strength, elongation, tenacity and breaking work.FindingsThe research findings suggest that the blend ratio of 10:90 (10% cotton and 90% Arecanut fiber) produced the best results in terms of physical and mechanical properties for both yarn counts. This blend ratio resulted in reduced unevenness, cvm% and imperfection, while also exhibiting good mechanical properties such as breaking strength, elongation, tenacity and breaking work. The blend with a higher concentration of cotton generally showed better properties due to the coarseness of Arecanut fiber. As the goal of the study was to determine the best blend ratio that included the most Arecanut fiber based on its physical and mechanical properties, which is suitable for home furnishing applications, 75:25 Areca cotton blend ratio of yarn count 5/1 proved to be the best.Research limitations/implicationsThe study acknowledges that Arecanut fiber must be blended with other commercially used fibers like cotton due to its coarseness. While the study provides insights into optimizing blend ratios for home furnishings and packaging, further research may be needed to make the material suitable for clothing applications.Practical implicationsThe research has practical implications for industries interested in utilizing Arecanut and cotton blends for various applications, such as home furnishings and packaging materials. It suggests that specific blend ratios can result in yarn with desirable properties for these purposes.Social implicationsThe study mentions that the increased use of Arecanut fibers can benefit the growers of Arecanut, potentially providing economic opportunities for communities engaged in Arecanut farming.Originality/valueThe research explores the utilization of Arecanut fibers, an underutilized resource, in combination with cotton to create sustainable yarn. It assesses various blend ratios and their impact on yarn properties, contributing to the understanding of eco-friendly textile materials.
Small firm auditing using the analytical procedures (APs) in a politically challenging context
Authors: Abu Alia Muiz , Abdeljawad Islam , Rashid Mamunur , Frehat Renad Anwar 
Published: March 2024

Purpose
This study aims to explore the use, effectiveness, motives and obstacles of analytical procedures (APs) used by auditors in Palestine, a context characterised by a pool of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), a limited skill set, poor quality of data, political uncertainty and a community-based business culture.

Design/methodology/approach
The study considers the audit market in Palestine using a sequential mixed-methods approach combining a questionnaire survey and a series of in-depth interviews. A total of 129 Big-4 and non-Big-4 auditors were surveyed.

Findings
The use of APs is driven by the auditor size (Big-4 vs non-Big-4) and the client size (large vs SMEs). Even though the use of APs has increased over the past decade, audit objectives, know-how, and personal, family and social connections among auditors and clients influence the quality of the audit process.

Practical implications
Small firms take advantage of the lack of audit governance in Palestine. Our findings suggest that the regulators should help bridge the knowledge-sharing programmes between the small and large audit firms to help improve audit quality.

Originality/value
Studies on audit quality, particularly using APs, in the context of politically unstable cases such as Palestine are limited. The study has implications for the use of APs in the case of SMEs to prepare for the technological revolution that will modernise audit procedures and quality soon.
Maximizing the role of undergraduate teaching assistants (UTAs) to match signature pedagogies in leadership education
Authors: Hastings Lindsay , Sunderman Hannah , Knopik Nick 
Published: March 2024

PurposeThe purpose of the current application paper is to integrate previous literature with recent results from practitioners on effective practices for utilizing small groups in the leadership classroom.Design/methodology/approachWe use these integrated findings to innovate practice on maximizing the role of undergraduate teaching assistants (UTAs) by matching their tasks to signature pedagogies in leadership education.FindingsThe integrated findings revealed three practice themes: (1) match UTAs to pedagogical approach, (2) create small groups by design and (3) providing training and reflection practice for UTAs.Originality/valueIn sum, leadership education can and should challenge historical practices in higher education whereby UTAs are used purely for grading and course logistics management.
A three-stage solution approach with a repeated-negotiation mechanism for the decentralized resource-constrained multi-project scheduling problem
Authors: Mao Hongri , Yuan Jianbo 
Published: March 2024

PurposeThis study develops a model and algorithm to solve the decentralized resource-constrained multi-project scheduling problem (DRCMPSP) and provides a suitable priority rule (PR) for coordinating global resource conflicts among multiple projects.Design/methodology/approachThis study addresses the DRCMPSP, which respects the information privacy requirements of project agents; that is, there is no single manager centrally in charge of generating multi-project scheduling. Accordingly, a three-stage model was proposed for the decentralized management of multiple projects. To solve this model, a three-stage solution approach with a repeated negotiation mechanism was proposed.FindingsThe experimental results obtained using the Multi-Project Scheduling Problem LIBrary confirm that our approach outperforms existing methods, regardless of the average utilization factor (AUF). Comparative analysis revealed that delaying activities in the lower project makespan produces a lower average project delay. Furthermore, the new PR LMS performed better in problem subsets with AUF < 1 and large-scale subsets with AUF > 1.Originality/valueA solution approach with a repeated-negotiation mechanism suitable for the DRCMPSP and a new PR for coordinating global resource allocation are proposed.
Outsourcing or not? OEM's entry decision considering brand spillover effect
Authors: Ke Hua , Zhou Yaqin 
Published: March 2024

PurposeIn this paper, the authors study the entry and outsourcing strategies of manufacturer while considering the brand spillover effect resulting from outsourcing. The supply chain comprises two manufacturers: one being the entrant with a strong brand, and the other as the incumbent with a weak brand. The entrant decides whether and how to enter the market.Design/methodology/approachStackelberg game is applied to study the optimal strategies for the manufacturers. This paper conducts a comparative analysis on four situations, yielding conclusions and managerial insights.FindingsThe results show that, for the entrant, there is no need to worry about the brand spillover effect in the outsourcing process, which is very interesting and counterintuitive. To get further, the authors find the reason: The spillover effect causes the entrant’s equilibrium retail price to grow faster than the wholesale price. They also prove that a stronger brand effect empowers the entrant to challenge industry barriers, while the impact of the brand spillover effect is the opposite. For the incumbent who acts as the weak party in this issue, it is demonstrated that the optimal choice is to continue selling when facing the encroachment and outsourcing call from the entrant.Originality/valueDiffering from previous studies, the authors notice the brand spillover effect caused by outsourcing when studying company’s entry strategy. They further divide the brand effect into two parts, one of which does not exhibit a spillover.
Estimation of cutting forces in CNC slot-milling of low-cost clay reinforced syntactic metal foams by artificial neural network modeling
Authors: Bolat Çağın , Özdoğan Nuri , Çoban Sarp , Ergene Berkay , Akgün İsmail Cem , Gökşenli Ali 
Published: March 2024

PurposeThis study aims to elucidate the machining properties of low-cost expanded clay-reinforced syntactic foams by using different neural network models for the first time in the literature. The main goal of this endeavor is to create a casting machining-neural network modeling flow-line for real-time foam manufacturing in the industry.Design/methodology/approachSamples were manufactured via an industry-based die-casting technology. For the slot milling tests performed with different cutting speeds, depth of cut and lubrication conditions, a 3-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machine was used and the force data were collected through a digital dynamometer. These signals were used as input parameters in neural network modelings.FindingsAmong the algorithms, the scaled-conjugated-gradient (SCG) methodology was the weakest average results, whereas the Levenberg–Marquard (LM) approach was highly successful in foreseeing the cutting forces. As for the input variables, an increase in the depth of cut entailed the cutting forces, and this circumstance was more obvious at the higher cutting speeds.Research limitations/implicationsThe effect of milling parameters on the cutting forces of low-cost clay-filled metallic syntactics was examined, and the correct detection of these impacts is considerably prominent in this paper. On the other side, tool life and wear analyses can be studied in future investigations.Practical implicationsIt was indicated that the milling forces of the clay-added AA7075 syntactic foams, depending on the cutting parameters, can be anticipated through artificial neural network modeling.Social implicationsIt is hoped that analyzing the influence of the cutting parameters using neural network models on the slot milling forces of metallic syntactic foams (MSFs) will be notably useful for research and development (R&D) researchers and design engineers.Originality/valueThis work is the first investigation that focuses on the estimation of slot milling forces of the expanded clay-added AA7075 syntactic foams by using different artificial neural network modeling approaches.
Two‐stage soil core sampler to collect a less‐compressed core from forested areas
Authors: Watanabe Mirai , Koshikawa Masami K. , Takamatsu Takejiro , Takahashi Akiko , Nishikiori Tatsuhiro , Morita Daichi , Watanabe Keiji , Hayashi Seiji 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA two‐stage sampler was designed to investigate the vertical distribution of heavy metals and trace elements that contaminate forest soils through atmospheric deposition. The hand‐corer consisted of two L‐shaped aluminum angles that were driven separately into the soil to reduce friction between the corer wall and the soil. This allowed for soil cores to be collected with less compression than with traditional corers. The corer is easily made, inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to carry. The degree of compression of soil cores collected at a depth of 20 cm from various montane forests in Japan was usually less than 10% (collected core length >18 cm); although, more compression occurred in soil with a higher air content. The degree of compression of soil cores collected from urban forests was lower than that in montane forests. When the two‐stage sampler was compared with a tube‐type sampler in a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) forest, the compression degree of a soil core collected with the two‐stage sampler was a quarter that of the tube‐type sampler. The collection of less‐compressed soil cores will allow for reconstruction of a more accurate linear depth distribution of contaminants. To demonstrate this, we investigated the vertical distribution of Pb, Sb, and radioactive 137Cs in soil cores collected from conifer plantations on Mount Tsukuba, Japan, in April 2011. The migration centers of anthropogenic Pb, Sb, and 137Cs were positioned at 7.9, 7.5, and 3.3 cm from the ground surface, respectively. These distances probably reflect differences in the history of atmospheric pollution.