bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Depicting the genetic and metabolic panorama of chemical diversity in the tea plant
Authors: Qiu Haiji , Zhang Xiaoliang , Zhang Youjun , Jiang Xiaohui , Ren Yujia , Gao Dawei , Zhu Xiang , Usadel Björn , Fernie Alisdair R. , Wen Weiwei 
Published: December 2023

SummaryAs a frequently consumed beverage worldwide, tea is rich in naturally important bioactive metabolites. Combining genetic, metabolomic and biochemical methodologies, here, we present a comprehensive study to dissect the chemical diversity in tea plant. A total of 2837 metabolites were identified at high‐resolution with 1098 of them being structurally annotated and 63 of them were structurally identified. Metabolite‐based genome‐wide association mapping identified 6199 and 7823 metabolic quantitative trait loci (mQTL) for 971 and 1254 compounds in young leaves (YL) and the third leaves (TL), respectively. The major mQTL (i.e., P < 1.05 × 10−5, and phenotypic variation explained (PVE) > 25%) were further interrogated. Through extensive annotation of the tea metabolome as well as network‐based analysis, this study broadens the understanding of tea metabolism and lays a solid foundation for revealing the natural variations in the chemical composition of the tea plant. Interestingly, we found that galloylations, rather than hydroxylations or glycosylations, were the largest class of conversions within the tea metabolome. The prevalence of galloylations in tea is unusual, as hydroxylations and glycosylations are typically the most prominent conversions of plant specialized metabolism. The biosynthetic pathway of flavonoids, which are one of the most featured metabolites in tea plant, was further refined with the identified metabolites. And we demonstrated the further mining and interpretation of our GWAS results by verifying two identified mQTL (including functional candidate genes CsUGTa, CsUGTb, and CsCCoAOMT) and completing the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway of the tea plant.
Public perceptions of pollsters in the United States: Experimental evidence
Authors: Johnson Timothy P. , Silber Henning , Darling Jill E. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjective:Anecdotal evidence suggests that the term “pollster” has, in recent years, become stigmatized in the United States. We explore this and a subsequent question as to whether negative perceptions of pollsters affect people's perceived trustworthiness of survey findings.Methods:Survey experiments were administered to national probability‐based samples after the 2016 and 2020 elections.Results:In each study, pollsters obtained significantly more negative ratings when compared to “survey researchers” and “public opinion researchers,” suggesting that the general public views pollsters, who are more likely to be viewed as partisan, as being less honest/ethical. In line with social identity theory, interaction models revealed that those rating pollster critic Donald Trump most favorably had the most negative ratings of pollsters and public opinion researchers, compared to survey researchers. Yet, the vignette experiment showed that negative perceptions of pollsters did not affect the perceived trustworthiness of survey result reports.Conclusions:We conclude that while there appears to be a stigmatization of pollsters, those negative perceptions do not translate into less trust in the findings of public opinion.
Acute inflammation elicits decreased blood pressure but similar arterial stiffness in young African American adults
Authors: Eagan Lauren E. , Mascone Sara E. , Chesney Catalina A. , Ranadive Sushant M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAfrican Americans (AA) have a higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) as compared to their White (W) counterparts. CVD is characterized by increased blood pressure (BP), arterial stiffness and systemic inflammation. An acute inflammatory stimulus may explain physiological manifestations responsible for amplified CVD in AA that are not apparent at rest. The purpose of this study was to evaluate central and peripheral BP, central and local arterial stiffness, and indices of pulse wave morphology in young healthy AA and W participants in response to acute inflammation. Concentrations of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and measures of central and peripheral BP, central arterial stiffness (carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV)), local carotid arterial stiffness (β‐stiffness, elastic modulus (Ep)), and indices of pulse wave morphology were assessed in 28 participants (21 ± 2 years, AA: n = 11) at baseline (BL), 24 h and 48 h post‐inflammation. Changes in IL‐6 concentrations (ΔIL‐6) were significantly greater at 24 h as compared to 48 h post‐inflammation (0.652 ± 0.644 vs. −0.146 ± 0.532 pg/μl, P ≤ 0.0001). Among AA participants, central and peripheral diastolic BP were significantly decreased at 24 h post‐inflammation as compared to BL (aortic diastolic BP: −4 ± 4 mmHg, P = 0.016; brachial diastolic BP: −4 ± 4 mmHg, P = 0.014). AA participants also experienced a significant decrease in central and peripheral mean arterial BP at 48 h post‐inflammation as compared to BL (aortic mean arterial pressure: −4 ± 4 mmHg, P = 0.009; brachial mean arterial pressure: −4 ± 4 mmHg, P = 0.012). Despite haemodynamic changes, there were no differences in central or local carotid arterial stiffness or indices of pulse wave morphology.
A Wind Farm Power Maximization Method Based on Multi-Strategy Improved Sparrow Search Algorithm
Authors: Bo Gu , Man Dandan , Meng Zhong , Hongtao Zhang , Hu Hao 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
For large-scale constructed wind farms, reducing wake loss and improving the overall output power are the main objectives for their optimal operation. Therefore, a wind farm power maximization method based on a multi-strategy improved sparrow search algorithm (MS-ISSA) is proposed in this paper. Integrating the wake propagation mechanism of wind turbines and the characteristics of the classic Jensen wake model, the Jensen–Gaussian wake model and wake superposition model were constructed to accurately calculate the wind farm wake distribution. The constructed Jensen–Gaussian wake model and wake superposition model can accurately describe the non-uniform distribution characteristics of wake velocity. The Sin chaotic model, Cauchy distribution, and hyperparameter adaptive adjustment strategy were used to improve the sparrow search algorithm (SSA), and the optimization ability, convergence speed, and stability of the SSA were improved. Accordingly, considering the maximum output power of the wind farm as the optimization target and axial induction factor as the optimization variable, a coordinated optimization model for wind turbines based on MS-ISSA was proposed to realize the coordinated optimal operation of wind turbines with reduced wake loss. Considering the Danish Horns Rev wind farm as the research object, the results of optimization using particle swarm optimization algorithm, whale optimization algorithm, basic sparrow search algorithm, and MS-ISSA were calculated and analyzed. The calculation results revealed that under different incoming wind conditions, the MS-ISSA exhibited better optimization results than the other optimization algorithms.
Differential inhibition of intra- and inter-molecular protease cleavages by antiviral compounds
Authors: Doherty Jennifer S. , Kirkegaard Karla 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Enteroviruses encode two protease active sites, in the 2A and 3C coding regions. While they target many host proteins, they first need to be excised from the viral polyprotein in which they are embedded. Polyprotein cleavage can occur either intra-molecularly (in
cis
) or inter-molecularly (in
trans
). Previous work suggested that antivirals targeting intra-molecular cleavages could generate inhibitory precursors that can suppress the outgrowth of drug-resistant variants. Therefore, we wanted to evaluate enteroviral cleavage patterns to identify such obligate intra-molecular cleavages as a method of drug target selection. Using translation extracts, we show that
cis
cleavage of the 2A protease N-terminal junction is conserved across three enterovirus clades, while the mechanism for the N-terminal junction of 3C varies, with enterovirus D68 3C cleavage occurring in
cis
and poliovirus 3C cleavage occurring in
trans
. Antiviral agents targeting proteases are generally identified via their ability to block the cleavage of artificial peptide substrates. Here, we show that antivirals identified for their ability to block inter-molecular cleavage can sometimes block intra-molecular cleavage of the protease from its polyprotein but with widely varying efficacy. Additionally, we demonstrate that for three enteroviral species, genomes defective in 2A protease activity suppress the growth of wild-type virus in mixed populations, supporting the hypothesis that preventing intra-molecular cleavage at the VP1·2A junction can create dominantly inhibitory precursors. These data argue that, to reduce the likelihood of drug resistance, protease-targeted antivirals should be evaluated for their ability to block intra-molecular polyprotein cleavages in addition to inter-molecular cleavage of other substrates.

IMPORTANCE
Most protease-targeted antiviral development evaluates the ability of small molecules to inhibit the cleavage of artificial substrates. However, before they can cleave any other substrates, viral proteases need to cleave themselves out of the viral polyprotein in which they have been translated. This can occur either intra- or inter-molecularly. Whether this process occurs intra- or inter-molecularly has implications for the potential for precursors to accumulate and for the effectiveness of antiviral drugs. We argue that evaluating candidate antivirals for their ability to block these cleavages is vital to drug development because the buildup of uncleaved precursors can be inhibitory to the virus and potentially suppress the selection of drug-resistant variants.
Lipopeptides as rhizosphere public goods for microbial cooperation
Authors: Rigolet Augustin , Argüelles Arias Anthony , Anckaert Adrien , Quinton Loïc , Rigali Sébastien , Tellatin Deborah , Burguet Pierre , Ongena Marc 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) are key bioactive secondary metabolites produced by some plant beneficial rhizobacteria such as
Pseudomonas
and
Bacillus
. They exhibit antimicrobial properties, promote induced systemic resistance in plants, and support key developmental traits, including motility, biofilm formation, and root colonization. However, our knowledge about the fate of lipopeptides once released in the environment and especially upon contact with neighboring rhizobacteria remains limited. Here, we investigated the enzymatic degradation of
Bacillus
and
Pseudomonas
cyclic lipopeptides by
Streptomyces
. We observed that
Streptomyces venezuelae
is able to degrade the three lipopeptides surfactin, iturin, and fengycin upon interaction with
Bacillus velezensis in vitro
and
in planta
according to specific mechanisms.
S. venezuelae
was also able to degrade the structurally diverse sessilin-, tolaasin-, orfamide-, xantholisin-, and putisolvin-type lipopeptides produced by
Pseudomonas,
indicating that this trait is likely engaged in the interaction with various competitors. Furthermore, the degradation of CLPs is associated with the release of free amino and fatty acids used by
Streptomyces
to sustain growth. Additionally, we hypothesize that lipopeptide-producing rhizobacteria and their biocontrol potential are impacted by the degradation of their lipopeptides as observed with the polarized motility of
B. velezensis
, avoiding the confrontation zone with
Streptomyces
and the loss of antifungal properties of degraded iturin.

IMPORTANCE

Here, we provide new insights into the possible fate of cyclic lipopeptides as prominent specialized metabolites from beneficial bacilli and pseudomonads once released in the soil. Our data illustrate how the
B. velezensis
lipopeptidome may be enzymatically remodeled by
Streptomyces
as important members of the soil bacterial community. The enzymatic arsenal of
S. venezuelae
enables an unsuspected extensive degradation of these compounds, allowing the bacterium to feed on these exogenous products via a mechanism going beyond linearization, which was previously reported as a detoxification strategy. As soils are carbon-rich and nitrogen-poor environments, we propose a new role for cyclic lipopeptides in interspecies interactions, which is to fuel the nitrogen metabolism of a part of the rhizosphere microbial community.
Streptomyces
and other actinomycetes, producing numerous peptidases and displaying several traits of beneficial bacteria, should be at the front line to directly benefit from these metabolites as “public goods” for microbial cooperation.
Impact of improper sample handling on Cobas CT/NG testing platform with dual swab sample collection kit for detecting
Chlamydia trachomatis
and
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Navarathna Dhammika H. , Sayers Kelle B. , Murray Derek C. 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT
In the realm of molecular diagnostics, accurate and reliable test results are imperative for effective clinical decision-making. This study delves into the effects of non-compliant sample collection practices on the Cobas CT/NG testing platform. Deviating from the manufacturer’s recommendation of single swab collection, our laboratory received dual swabs during sample collection. Subsequently, we embarked on an investigation to ascertain the cause behind a noticeable rise in invalid results, which were found to be exacerbated by improper sample handling practices, accounting for a significant 30% of cases. Through a comprehensive comparative analysis, we found that the use of dual swabs in testing contributed to a substantial increase in both invalid and false-negative results when compared to properly collected samples submitted with a single swab. This study underscores the importance of adhering to recommended protocols for sample collection to ensure accurate and reliable molecular diagnostic outcomes.

IMPORTANCE
The importance of this observation lies in its potential to directly impact testing outcomes and patient care. By identifying improper sample handling as a contributing factor to a substantial number of invalid results, we emphasize the need for meticulous adherence to recommended protocols during sample collection. Laboratories that overlook or are unaware of such deviations may inadvertently compromise the reliability and efficacy of their diagnostic processes, leading to misdiagnoses, delayed treatment, and patient dissatisfaction.
Structural Algebraic Quantum Field Theory: Particles with Structure
Authors: Alhaidari A. D. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Conventional quantum field theory is a method for studying structureless elementary particles. Non-elementary particles, on the other hand, are those with internal structure or particles that are made up of elementary constituents like the nucleons, which contain quarks and gluons. We introduce a structure-inclusive algebraic formulation of quantum field theory that could handle such particles and in which orthogonal polynomials play a central role. For simplicity, we consider non-elementary scalar particles in 3 + 1 Minkowski space-time and, in an appendix, we treat spinors having structure but in 1 + 1 space-time. We show how scattering calculations are done in this theory for an illustrative example with nonlinear coupling. The aim of this short exposé is to motivate further studies and research using this approach.
TNFRSF19 within the 13q12.12 Risk Locus Functions as a Lung Cancer Suppressor by Binding Wnt3a to Inhibit Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling
Authors: Zuo Xianglin , Wang Xuchun , Ma Tingzheng , Chen Shuhan , Cao Pingping , Cheng He , Yang Nan , Han Xiao , Gao Wei , Liu Xiaoyu , Sun Yujie 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Cancer risk loci provide special clues for uncovering pathogenesis of cancers. The TNFRSF19 gene located within the 13q12.12 lung cancer risk locus encodes TNF receptor superfamily member 19 (TNFRSF19) protein and has been proved to be a key target gene of a lung tissue–specific tumor suppressive enhancer, but its functional role in lung cancer pathogenesis remains to be elucidated. Here we showed that the TNFRSF19 gene could protect human bronchial epithelial Beas-2B cells from pulmonary carcinogen nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK)-induced malignant transformation. Knockout of the TNFRSF19 significantly increased NNK-induced colony formation rate on soft agar. Moreover, TNFRSF19 expression was significantly reduced in lung cancer tissues and cell lines. Restoration of TNFRSF19 expression in A549 lung cancer cell line dramatically suppressed the tumor formation in xenograft mouse model. Interestingly, the TNFRSF19 protein that is an orphan membrane receptor could compete with LRP6 to bind Wnt3a, thereby inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway that is required for NNK-induced malignant transformation as indicated by protein pulldown, site mutation, and fluorescence energy resonance transfer experiments. Knockout of the TNFRSF19 enhanced LRP6–Wnt3a interaction, promoting β-catenin nucleus translocation and the downstream target gene expression, and thus sensitized the cells to NNK carcinogen. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the TNFRSF19 inhibited lung cancer carcinogenesis by competing with LRP6 to combine with Wnt3a to inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Implications:
These findings revealed a novel anti-lung cancer mechanism, highlighting the special significance of TNFRSF19 gene within the 13q12.12 risk locus in lung cancer pathogenesis.
Defending Women Journalists in the Philippines from Threats and Intimidations
Authors: Gomez Abigail C. 
Published: December 2023

Despite the studies on defending journalism and coming up with various practices to protect journalists, still, the Philippines ranked as the third worst country in impunity versus journalists in the 2016 Global Impunity Index released by the Committee to Protect Journalists. In 2017, 2018, and 2019, it ranked fifth in the same impunity index. Then, the country ranked 7th and was still consistently part of the Top 10 rankings for the past three years, 2020, 2021, and 2022. This shows that the number of threats against journalists remains significant. This study deals with quantitative approaches to determine the threats and intimidations that selected women journalists face and provide course of actions which media companies may use to at least lower the ranking of the country in the impunity index.
Results reveal that the most common threats and intimidations received by the women journalists in line of doing their duty are: blackmailing from sources, threats of physical violence, and public humiliation/ threats to humiliate (even in online platforms). Likewise, women journalists prove that they experience forms of harassments like receiving offers of sexual favors from their sources and employers in exchange of promotion and information privileges. To address these issues, corrective, preventive, and developmental actions are proposed to be implemented in respective media companies. Among these actions, the formation of a gender and development unit, ethics investigation committee, and local cybercrime division in the company are evaluated as the most acceptable and feasible actions for the women journalists. It is imperative that these recommendations be taken seriously and implemented to ensure a safer environment for women journalists in the Philippines and to safeguard the freedom and integrity of journalism in the country.
Perceived Stress and Anxiety Levels of Teachers Toward an Intervention Program
Authors: Dominado Noel L. , Atienza Yves Ivan Manabat 
Published: December 2023

This study evaluated teachers' perceived stress and anxiety levels. This study put into open and addressed the gap among the perceived stress and anxiety levels of the participants of the study as an input to an intervention program for the 39 teaching personnel of one of the leading university extension campuses in the province of Pampanga for the academic year 2021-2022. The study has 2 phases: the quantitative and the qualitative phase. This study was assessed through a 5-point type-Likert questionnaire, which is the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) (1983) PROMIS Health Organization (PHO), and PROMIS Cooperative (2012). The Sequential Explanatory Approach was used in this study. In the quantitative data analysis of the results, the mean, frequency, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation were used. Outliers were then identified and used as variables in the qualitative process. For the qualitative part, interview transcriptions were included, and transcribed data were extracted and labeled to units of meaning through key point coding. Codings with similarities were grouped into concepts that were analyzed to form themes. There were 10 teachers as participants to collect qualitative data, an open-ended interview was used. Findings revealed that the participants’ perceived stress contributed to low self-esteem and life irritations. Also, it revealed that participants encountered worry, nervousness, and tension; all of these symptoms brought about by anxiety. This study also revealed that there is no relationship between the demographic profiles of the respondents and their perception of stress and anxiety. Due to the positive result of the research, and the lack of stress and anxiety management programs in the institution, this study recommended a program that was formulated and then validated by the expert to provide reasonable practices and approaches to the stress and anxiety of the participants.
Mapping whole brain effects of infrared neural stimulation with positron emission tomography
Authors: Meneghetti Marcello , Gudmundsen Frederik , Jessen Naja S. , Sui Kunyang , Baun Christina , Palner Mikael , Markos Christos 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The combination of neuroimaging and targeted neuromodulation is a crucial tool to gain a deeper understanding of neural networks at a circuit level. Infrared neurostimulation (INS) is a promising optical modality that allows to evoke neuronal activity with high spatial resolution without need for the introduction of exogenous substances in the brain. Here, we report the use of whole-brain functional [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging during INS in the dorsal striatum, performed using a multifunctional soft neural probe. We demonstrate the possibility to identify multi-circuit connection patterns in both cortical and subcortical brain regions within a single scan. By using a bolus plus infusion FDG-PET scanning protocol, we were able to observe the metabolic rate evolution in these regions during the experiments and correlate its variation with the onset of the INS stimulus. Due to the focality of INS and the large amount of viable molecular targets for positron emission tomography (PET), this novel approach to simultaneous imaging and stimulation is highly versatile. This pilot study can pave the way to further understand the brain connectivity on a global scale.