bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reconceptualizing beta diversity: a hypervolume geometric approach
Authors: Song Chuliang , Lu Muyang , Bennett Joseph R. , Gilbert Benjamin , Fortin Marie-Josée , Gonzalez Andrew 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBeta diversity—the variation among community compositions in a region—is a fundamental measure of biodiversity. Despite a diverse set of measures to quantify beta diversity, most measures have posited that beta diversity is maximized when each community has a single distinct species. However, this assumption overlooks the ecological significance of species interactions and non-additivity in ecological systems, where the function and behaviour of species depend on other species in a community. Here, we introduce a geometric approach to measure beta diversity as the hypervolume of the geometric embedding of a metacommunity. This approach explicitly accounts for non-additivity and captures the idea that introducing a unique, species-rich community composition to a metacommunity increases beta diversity. We show that our hypervolume measure is closely linked to and naturally extends previous information- and variation-based measures while providing a unifying geometric framework for widely adopted extensions of beta diversity. Applying our geometric measures to empirical data, we address two long-standing questions in beta diversity research—the latitudinal pattern of beta diversity and the effect of sampling effort—and present novel ecological insights that were previously obscured by the limitations of traditional approaches. In sum, our geometric approach reconceptualizes beta diversity, offering an alternative and complementary perspective to previous measures, with immediate applicability to existing data.
Proteomic analysis defines the interactome of telomerase in the protozoan parasite,Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Davis Justin A. , Reyes Andres V. , Nitika  , Saha Arpita , Wolfgeher Donald J. , Xu Shou-Ling , Truman Andrew W. , Li Bibo , Chakrabarti Kausik 
Published: November 2022

AbstractTelomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme responsible for maintaining the telomeric end of the chromosome. The telomerase enzyme requires two main components to function: the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and the telomerase RNA (TR), which provides the template for telomeric DNA synthesis. TR is a long noncoding RNA, which forms the basis of a large structural scaffold upon which many accessory proteins can bind and form the complete telomerase holoenzyme. These accessory protein interactions are required for telomerase activity and regulation inside cells. The interacting partners of TERT have been well studied in yeast, human, andTetrahymenamodels, but not in lower eukaryotes, including clinically relevant human parasites. Here, using the protozoan parasite,Trypanosoma brucei(T. brucei) as a model, we have identified the interactome ofT. bruceiTERT (TbTERT) using a mass spectrometry-based approach. We identified previously known and unknown interacting factors ofTbTERT, highlighting unique features ofT. bruceitelomerase biology. These unique interactions withTbTERT, suggest mechanistic differences in telomere maintenance betweenT. bruceiand other eukaryotes.
Cholecystokinin exerts a major control on corticostriatal synapse and motor behavior
Authors: Guillaume Chloé , Sáez María , Castellano Blandine , Parnet Patricia , Reig Ramon , Paillé Vincent 
Published: November 2022

AbstractCholecystokinin (CCK) is a neuropeptide detected and produced at high concentrations in the brain. To date it was mainly used as a neuronal marker of neuronal subtypes and its role as a neuromodulator was poorly known. However, few studies showed that it could be an essential neuromodulator in various brain structures, playing a role on synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation. In order to better understand the processes by which CCK impacts plasticity, we focus our attention on the striatum, a nucleus involved in procedural learning and motor behavior, with a rich expression of CCK receptor type 2 (CCK2R). By usingin-vivoandex-vivoelectrophysiological approaches, we show that CCK is involved in the corticostriatal synaptic transmission and has a key role in its plasticity. Usingin-vivooptopatch-clamp of identified MSNs, we observe a decrease of corticostriatal synaptic transmission after an injection of CCK2R antagonist, leading to a reduction of evoked excitatory post synaptic potential recorded on both MSNs populations (direct and indirect pathways). In addition, we evaluate the impact of CCK2R antagonist on corticostriatal synaptic plasticity using Spike Timing Dependent Plasticity (STDP) protocols on MSNs of acute rat brain slices. Results demonstrate that the CCK2R antagonist is able to reverse the corticostriatal synaptic plasticity (i.e. LTP protocol leads to LTD). Finally, we evaluate the effect of CCK2R antagonist on the motor behavior of juvenile rats challenged with different locomotor tests and show a sex-dependent impairment of motor behavior. Overall, our results demonstrate that CCK and its receptor CCK2R are essential for inputs processing encoding in the corticostriatal network with consequences on motor activity.Significant statementCholecystokinin (CCK) is considered to be one of the most abundant neuropeptides in the brain but its role as a neuromodulator is not well understood. In our study we investigate its role on the corticostriatal transmission which is a well characterized synapse highly involved in motor and cognitive functions. Here, we show that CCK2R is crucial for the corticostriatal synaptic transmission and plasticity. Indeed, CCK binding on CCK2R is essential for LTP induction by STDP. Finally, we demonstrate that the blockage of CCK2R affects corticostriatal synaptic transmission and motor ability in male rats.
Antimicrobial resistance gene lack in tick-borne pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Papp Márton , Tóth Adrienn Gréta , Valcz Gábor , Makrai László , Nagy Sára Ágnes , Farkas Róbert , Solymosi Norbert 
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACTTick-borne infections, including those of bacterial origin, are significant public health issues. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is one of the most pressing health challenges of our time, is driven by specific genetic determinants, primarily by the antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) of bacteria. In our work, we investigated the occurrence of ARGs in the genomes of tick-borne bacterial species that can cause human infections. For this purpose, we processed short/long reads of 1550 bacterial isolates of the generaAnaplasma(n=20),Bartonella(n=131),Borrelia(n=311),Coxiella(n=73),Ehrlichia(n=13),Francisella(n=959) andRickettsia(n=43) generated by second/third generation sequencing that have been freely accessible at the NCBI SRA repository. FromFrancisella tularensis, 98.9% of the samples contained the FTU-1 gene, and 16.3% contained additional ARGs. Only 2.2% of isolates from other genera (Bartonella: 2,Coxiella: 8,Ehrlichia: 1,Rickettsia: 2) contained any ARG. We found that the odds of ARG occurrence inCoxiellasamples were significantly higher in isolates related to farm animals than from other sources. Our results describe a lack in ARGs in these bacteria and suggest that antibiotic susceptibility testing might be considered before the treatment of tick-borne infections in farm animals.
CommonNNClustering—A Python package for generic common-nearest-neighbour clustering
Authors: Kapp-Joswig Jan-Oliver , Keller Bettina G. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractDensity-based clustering procedures are widely used in a variety of data science applications. Their advantage lies in the capability to find arbitrarily shaped and sized clusters and robustness against outliers. In particular, they proved effective in the analysis of Molecular Dynamics simulations, where they serve to identify relevant, low energetic molecular conformations. As such, they can provide a convenient basis for the construction of kinetic (coreset) Markov-state models. Here we present the opensource Python project CommonNNClustering, which provides an easy-to-use and efficient re-implementation of the commonnearest-neighbour (CommonNN) method. The package provides functionalities for hierarchical clustering and an evaluation of the results. We put our emphasis on a generic API design to keep the implementation flexible and open for customisation.
A Dystroglycan–Laminin–Integrin axis controls cell basal geometry remodeling in the developingDrosophilaretina
Authors: Walther Rhian F. , Lancaster Courtney , Burden Jemima J. , Pichaud Franck 
Published: November 2022

SUMMARYCell shape remodeling is a principal driver of epithelial tissue morphogenesis. While progress continues to be made in our understanding of the pathways that control the apical (top) geometry of epithelial cells, we know comparatively little about those that control cell basal (bottom) geometry. To examine this issue, we used the fly ommatidium, which is the basic visual unit of the compound eye. The ommatidium is shaped as a hexagonal prism, and generating this three-dimensional structure requires ommatidial cells to adopt specific apical and basal polygonal geometries. Using this model system, we find that generating cell type-specific basal geometries starts with patterning of the basement membrane, whereby Laminin accumulates at discrete locations across the basal surface of the retina. We show that the Dystroglycan surface receptor promotes this localized Laminin accumulation. Moreover, our results reveal that localized accumulation of Laminin–Dystroglycan induces polarization of Integrin adhesion in ommatidial cells. This underpins cell basal geometry remodeling by anchoring the basal surface of cells to the basement membrane at specific, discrete locations. Altogether, our work shows that patterning of a basement membrane by generating discrete Laminin domains, can direct Integrin adhesion. In the retina, this pathway generates specific basal polygonal geometries to organize a complex multicellular structure in three-dimensions.
Kinetic and thermodynamic allostery in the Ras protein family
Authors: Manley Leigh J. , Lin Milo M. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAllostery, the tranfer of information between distant parts of a macromolecule, is a fundamental feature of protein function and regulation. However, allosteric mechanisms are usually not explained by protein structure, requiring information on correlated fluctuations uniquely accessible to molecular simulation. Existing work to extract allosteric pathways from molecular dynamics simulations has focused on thermodynamic correlations. Here we show how kinetic correlations (i.e. dynamical activity) encode complementary information essential to explain observed variations in allosteric regulation. We performed atomistic simulations, totalling 0.5 milliseconds, on H, K, and NRas isoforms in the apo, GTP, and GDP-bound states of Ras protein, with and without complexing to its downstream effector, Raf. We show that differences in experimentally measured intrinsic and Raf-dependent catalytic speed amongst the three isoforms can be explained by dynamical activity and entropy, respectively. We show that Switch I and Switch II are the primary components of thermodynamic and kinetic allosteric networks, consistent with the key roles of these two motifs. These communication networks are altered by the hydrolysis of the substrate gamma phosphate, leading to increased entropy in HRas loops involved in substrate release. We find that the putative allosteric region is not coupled in KRas, but is coupled to the hydrolysis arm switch II in NRas and HRas, and that the mechanism in the latter two isoforms are thermodynamic and kinetic, respectively. Binding of Raf-RBD further activates thermodynamic allostery in HRas and KRas but has limited effect on NRas. These results indicate that kinetic and thermodynamic correlations are both needed to explain protein function and allostery. These two distinct channels of allosteric regulation, and their combinatorial variability, may explain how subtle mutational differences can lead to diverse regulatory profiles among enzymatic proteins.
The psychometric properties of the Iranian version of Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Jenabi Ensiyeh , Rabiei Niloofar , Seyedi Mahdieh , Rezaei Mohammad , Soltanian Ali Reza , Bashirian Saeid , Salehi Amir Mohammad 
Published: November 2022

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the psychometric properties of the social communication questionnaire (SCQ) in Iran by identifying children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who had Persian-speaking parents.

Design/methodology/approach
A case–control study was performed from June to August 2021 in Hamadan, Iran. The case group consisted of children who were examined by clinicians who used a coding scheme based on the DSM-V criteria for ASD by a psychiatrist. The control group consisted of non-ASD children who were asked to participate in the study. This study conducted the reliability, content and face validity to evaluate the psychometric properties of the tool. In the first step, Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin and Bartlett’s test were used to determine sampling adequacy and appropriateness of correlation matrix. In the second step, the exploratory factor analysis approach was used. The method of extracting the factors is done by using the varimax rotation method and selecting the number of factors using an eigenvalue and scree plot. Statistical analysis was performed using Software Package for Social Sciences 21 with the statistical significance set at level less than 0.05.

Findings
The quantitative content validity analysis revealed that the mean of content validity ratio and content validity index were 0.92 and 0.91, respectively. Mean score ± standard deviation in the two groups of ASD and control were 14.23 ± 3.84 and 7.83 ± 4.80, respectively. With cut-off point >12.5, sensitivity, specificity and misclassification error values were 73.33%, 80.0% and 23%, respectively.

Research limitations/implications
The results showed that the internal consistency of the SCQ is desirable. Also, the internal consistency of its five subscales was obtained between 0.700 and 0.87. The findings showed that SCQ questionnaire is highly reliable in reciprocal social interaction (Factor 1) and the total score, while other factors were relatively reliable.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper on psychometric properties of SCQ in ASD children in Iran.
The role of blockchain technology in the process of decision-making in human resource management: a review and future research agenda
Authors: Ramachandran Rukma , Babu Vimal , Murugesan Vijaya Prabhagar 
Published: November 2022

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the extensive literature on blockchain technology (BT) and human resource management (HRM) in enterprises and set the future scope of research in the adoption of BT in HRM.Design/methodology/approachA framework-based review of the literature (Callahan, 2014; Paul and Criado, 2020) is adopted for the present study. The 6 W-Framework developed by Callahan (2014) is used for the development of a conceptual framework on BT and HRM and could address HRM issues through the applications of BT.FindingsThis study focused on the major HR issues, i.e., regulation, staffing and development, and change management. These issues were categorized into sub-categories. The major implementation of BT in HRM is highlighted. The study developed a framework to aid HR professionals in implementing blockchain in the decision-making process of HRM.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study is limited to the bias on the part of employers in providing feedback and data feeding. Blockchain being at its infancy stage did not allow much of pieces of literary works to be introduced.Practical implicationsImplementation of ledger technology in managerial functions will reduce the time, money and effort required by potential recruiters and HR professionals. Using this technology, the time and cost required to verify and sort the right potential can be reduced.Originality/valueThe present work offers benefits to HR professionals and practitioners by expediting the process of effective decision-making of HRM employing BT.
The role of compensation in shaping employee’s behaviour: a mediation study through job satisfaction during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Aman-Ullah Attia , Aziz Azelin , Ibrahim Hadziroh , Mehmood Waqas , Aman-Ullah Attiqa 
Published: November 2022

PurposeThis research aimed to study the impact of compensation on employee retention and turnover intentions among healthcare employees. The study also tested the mediation role of job satisfaction in the relationship.Design/methodology/approachIn the present study, self-administrated questionnaires were distributed among 600 doctors working in public hospitals of Pakistan, following stratified sampling. The data analysis was conducted through SPSS and smart-PLS.FindingsResults of the present study supported all the hypotheses (H1–H7), such as the significant relationship of compensation with employee retention and turnover intentions. Results further confirmed the mediation effect of job satisfaction between compensation and employee retention as well as compensation and turnover intentions.Practical implicationsThis study is useful for policymakers and organizational managers since the study provides guidelines on employee retention and high turnover intentions and how these factors are influenced by improved compensation.Originality/valueThis study sheds light on the relationship of compensation together with employee retention and turnover intentions through the mediating role of job satisfaction in healthcare context, which was overlooked in the existing literature.
Oral pregabalin is effective as preemptive analgesia in abdominal hysterectomy—A randomized controlled trial
Authors: da Silva Fabrício Gomes , Podestá Márcia Helena Miranda Cardoso , Silva Thayná Coelho , de Barros Carlos Marcelo , de Carvalho Breno Fialho Vitarelli , dos Reis Tiago Marques , Espósito Milena Carla , Marrafon Danielle Aparecida Ferreira de Oliveira , Nogueira Denismar Alves , Diwan Sudhir , Ceron Carla Speroni , Torres Larissa Helena 
Published: November 2022

AbstractPostoperative pain is one of the main negative symptoms resulting from surgery and the use of new methods to control this symptom is of ever‐increasing relevance. Opioid‐sparing strategies, such as multimodal analgesia, are trends in this scenario. Pregabalin is a well‐established treatment for neuropathic pain; however, it is still controversial in the surgical context for postoperative analgesia. This study investigated the effect of pregabalin on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. It is a prospective, randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. Female patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy were randomised to use pregabalin (group P1), 300 mg orally 2 h before surgery, or identical placebo pills (group P0). The main outcome includes the postoperative pain index by visual analogue scale (VAS) and McGill's pain questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include opioid consumption and the presence of adverse effects. A value of p < 0.05 was used to reject type I error. Fifty‐five patients were randomised amongst the groups. Patients in group P1 had lower pain rates by VAS scale, both at rest and in active motion, than group P0. In McGill's questionnaire, patients from group P1 also had lower pain rates (12 × 28.5). There was approximately twice as much opioid consumption amongst patients in group P0. Regarding side effects, there was a difference between the two groups only for dizziness, being more incident in group P1. This study suggests that pregabalin is an important adjuvant drug in treating postoperative pain in patients with abdominal hysterectomy.
Shrinking the United Kingdom: Rebranding the Realm after the Secession of the Irish Free State
Authors: Torrance David 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a century old, but while the secession of (much of) Ireland in the early 1920s has received substantial historical attention, its impact on the UK has been largely ignored. This article considers how the ‘official mind’ approached the issue of nomenclature before and after 6 December 1922, the point at which the Irish Free State (later the Republic of Ireland) came into existence. Through analysis of archival documents and public discourse, it is shown that discussion initially focussed on the King's style and titles before being extended to how the UK Parliament at Westminster was described. The influence of the Free State in these discussions is considered, as is the primary legislation which finally altered the royal and parliamentary titles in 1927.
Gaia, psyche and deep ecology
Authors: Fellows Andrew 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThis article identifies a remarkable degree of consilience between aspects of classical Jungian theory, dual‐aspect monism, Earth System science and deep ecology, despite their mostly independent formulation. The resulting synergy offers a radically different and urgently needed worldview based on respectful relationship with, rather than hubristic domination of, the other‐than‐human world. This metanoia, rooted in psychology, science and metaphysics, informs practical change without being conventionally political or moralistic.Circumscribing the Pauli‐Jung conjecture to our inner and outer worlds – the human psyche and this planet respectively – reveals qualitative correlations between their dynamics, structure and pathologies. In particular, the comparable roles of ego in the psyche and of humankind in the Earth System link our modern monotheism of consciousness, that Jung decried, with the advent of the Anthropocene epoch. This connection is explored over time by applying Jung's stages of life developmental theory, with its crucial mid‐life enantiodromia, to our civilization. It contrasts our heroic development to date with future adaptation through what I call frugal individuation, and attributes our persistent failure to address dangers such as the climate emergency to a combination of inertia, nostalgia and hubris. Finally, parallels are drawn between Jungian individuation and the philosophy of the long‐range deep ecology movement.
Psyche within the matrix of the natural world: weaving the inner and outer
Authors: Holifield Barbara 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThis paper explores a way of relating to self, others, and the land rooted in embodied affectivity. It explores the way in which our emotions are an inherent part of the natural world and why attention to them matters regarding the environmental crisis. Recognizing the parallel between the prevailing attitudes of Western culture towards the Earth and towards our bodies, the paper offers an alternative paradigm through a poem by a Diné woman. The poem expresses how the Diné culture honours the Earth by seeking to cultivate the beauty and wisdom intrinsic to it within the body, mind, and spirit of the individual. Interwoven in the essay are images that express the land’s power and its uncanny ability to resonate with emotional states. This resonance can help us come to know and work with those states that, on the one hand, threaten to overwhelm us, while at the same time, potentially infusing us with the wisdom of their terrible and astonishing beauty. Drawing from affective neuroscience’s emphasis on the primacy and embodied basis of emotion, the paper discusses how interoceptive awareness enhances emotional discernment as well as consciousness of one’s way of inhabiting and responding to the Earth, including the threatening forces of climate change.