Search Results (64)

Quantum information transmission is subject to imperfections in communication processes and systems. These phenomena alter the original content due to decoherence and noise. However, suitable communication architectures incorporating quantum and classical redundancy can selectively remove these errors, boosting destructive interference. In this work, a selection of architectures based on path superposition or indefinite causal order were analyzed under appropriate configurations, alongside traditional methods such as classical redundancy, thus enhancing transmission. For that purpose, we examined a broad family of decoherent channels associated with the qubit chain transmission by passing through tailored arrangements or composite architectures of imperfect channels. The outcomes demonstrated that, when combined with traditional redundancy, these configurations could significantly improve the transmission across a substantial subset of the channels. For quantum key distribution purposes, two alternative bases were considered to encode the information chain. Because a control system must be introduced in the proposed architectures, two strategies for its disposal at the end of the communication process were compared: tracing and measurement. In addition, eavesdropping was also explored under a representative scenario, to quantify its impact on the most promising architecture analyzed. Thus, in terms of transmission quality and security, the analysis revealed significant advantages over direct transmission schemes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite the striking prevalence of pediatric chronic pain (20% of youth), its impact on culturally diverse populations, particularly Asian families, remains underexplored. The existing literature on parent protective behaviors predominantly focuses on Non-Hispanic White (NHW) families, where such behaviors often exacerbate pain outcomes, therefore informing a core treatment target in clinical practice. This study aims to explore the role of parent protective behaviors in relation to global and pain-related distress in Asian families in comparison to NHW counterparts. Methods: A sample of 1415 youth (Asian: n = 236; NHW: n = 1179) aged 8 to 17 completed a survey prior to their evaluation at a tertiary pain clinic. Bivariate correlations and independent-sample t-tests were conducted to assess differences in anxiety, depression, pain-related distress, and parent protective behaviors between groups. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine whether parent protective behaviors moderated the relationship between global distress and pain-related outcomes. Results: Asian youth reported significantly lower pain intensity and pain interference than NHW youth, while Asian parents reported significantly higher protective behaviors. Parent protective behaviors moderated the association between global distress (depression and anxiety) and pain catastrophizing for Asian families only. A three-way interaction (ethnicity x parent protective behaviors, global distress, B = −0.22, p < 0.001; B = −0.18, p < 0.01) revealed that protective behaviors influenced the distress–pain catastrophizing link differently by ethnicity. Conclusions: Differences were observed in the Asian youth’s experience of pain in comparison to their NHW counterparts. This study highlights the importance of considering culturally nuanced approaches in treating pediatric chronic pain, particularly when working with Asian families. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the challenges of balancing work and personal life for healthcare professionals, particularly nurses. In Spain, during the sixth wave of the pandemic, characterized by a high number of infections and increased healthcare pressure, these challenges became even more pronounced. This study examines how perceived stress, sociodemographic characteristics, and work-related factors influence Work–Life Balance among Spanish nurses in this context. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 305 Spanish nurses using the online Work-Life Interaction Questionnaire (SWING) and the Perceived Stress Scale (EP-10). The findings revealed that higher levels of perceived stress were associated with increased work-to-family conflict. This conflict was further intensified among nurses working rotating shifts. In the reverse direction, from life to work, perceived stress was again a significant factor, and having children contributed to increased negative life-to-work interference. On the other hand, certain variables were linked to more positive interactions. Having a paid caregiver was associated with lower positive work-to-family interaction, whereas religious beliefs were related to more positive experiences in this domain. Finally, being a woman and having children were both associated with greater positive life-to-work interaction. This study offers a vital perspective on the complex Work–Life interaction in nursing during crises, highlighting the urgent need for structural policies that alleviate stress and conflict while enhancing well-being by recognizing the protective role of family and spirituality. These findings open new avenues for designing more effective, responsive interventions for healthcare personnel. Full article

Employees have both work and non-work lives, and these domains of investment can interfere with each other. The present investigation (total N = 497) sought to understand the potential role(s) of work-related emotional intelligence (W-EI) in managing these forms of conflict, with samples consisting of full-time military personnel (Study 1), postdoctoral researchers (Study 2), and employees from diverse occupations (Study 3). Higher levels of W-EI were associated with lower levels of family-to-work conflict, but not work-to-family conflict, suggesting an asymmetric form of conflict shielding. Lesser experiences of family-work conflict also provided some explanation for why employees with higher W-EI levels were less prone to counterproductive work behaviors and work-related burnout. In addition, employees with higher W-EI levels were less prone to counterproductive work behaviors even when levels of family-work conflict were relatively high. The results highlight multiple ways in which employees with high W-EI levels manage the family-work interface. Full article

The genus Travassosius Khalil, 1922, the smallest genus in the subfamily Trichostrongylinae (family Trichostrongylidae), primarily infects the only two extant beaver species worldwide and can be lethal in severe infections. However, the mitochondrial genome evolution of Travassosius remains poorly understood, and its phylogenetic placement within Trichostrongylinae is still unresolved. In this study, we applied both morphological techniques (differential interference contrast microscopy) and molecular tools (nuclear ITS2 and mitochondrial genome) to examine T. rufus Khalil, 1922. Specimens were collected from the Sino-Mongolian beaver, a subspecies of the Eurasian beaver native to the Ulungur River Basin in northern Xinjiang, China. This work presents the first complete mitochondrial genome sequence and annotation of T. rufus, and it is also the first mitochondrial genome reported for the genus Travassosius. The mitochondrial genome of T. rufus measures 13,646 bp and contains 36 genes, including 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs) (excluding atp8), 22 transfer RNA genes, and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on amino acid sequences of 12 mitochondrial PCGs strongly supports the distinctiveness of the genus Travassosius. Additionally, T. rufus appears to be closely related to Nematodirus within Trichostrongylinae. This study also addresses the possible consequences of parasitic infection for the Sino-Mongolian beaver and offers a scientific foundation for conserving this endangered subspecies and managing parasitic diseases in its population. Full article

Talent attrition significantly undermines the stable functioning and long-term development of firms in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Turnover intention is an effective predictor of turnover behavior. Understanding the formation mechanism of turnover intention can help companies maintain the stability of their workforce. However, most of the existing research focuses on the impact of individual factors on turnover intention, lacking an in-depth exploration of the combined effects of multiple factors. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of employee turnover intention by considering the interplay of various factors. Through an extensive literature review, thirteen hypotheses related to turnover intention are proposed, and a comprehensive theoretical model is developed. Using questionnaire data collected from the AEC industry, the turnover intention model is validated through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The validated model shows that turnover intention is directly influenced by working hours (β = 0.127), family-supportive leadership behavior (β = −0.211), and work values (β = 0.356). Meanwhile, turnover intention is indirectly affected by job autonomy (β = −0.089), job demands (β = 0.055) and working hours (β = 0.023), with work interference with family as the mediator, and indirectly affected by family stress (β = 0.037), with work–family interference with work as the mediator. It is worth noting that the impact of family-supportive leadership behavior and job autonomy on turnover intention is negative. This study not only enriches the body knowledge of turnover intention, particularly within the AEC industry, but also provides practical implications for organizations to keep the stability of human resource. Full article

With the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in the working environment, employees’ AI awareness, defined as the extent to which they perceive their job could be replaced by AI, may correlate with their feelings, work–family balance, and emotional status. This study explores the mediation mechanism underlying the association between AI awareness and emotional exhaustion, mediated by job insecurity and work interference with family. Using a sample of a total 303 employees (male = 49.8%), this study conducts regressions with the Bootstrap method for mediation mechanism exploration. AI awareness positively predicts emotional exhaustion. AI awareness positively predicts job insecurity, which in turn positively predicts emotional exhaustion. AI awareness positively predicts work interference with family, which in turn positively predicts emotional exhaustion. Job insecurity and work interference with family serially mediate the association between AI awareness and emotional exhaustion. The findings emphasize the importance for company managers to address job security concerns and support work–life balance by positioning AI as a significant workplace stressor that leads to emotional exhaustion. Practical implications include the need for transparent communication, retraining programs, and flexible work policies to mitigate AI-related stress and promote employee well-being. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally transformed workplace dynamics worldwide. Within this context, emerging patterns in job demand and job resources necessitate a thorough examination of how these workplace changes affect work–family interference and employee well-being across diverse occupational categories. The current study investigates the differential impact of job characteristics on job satisfaction and work stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, comparing blue-collar and white-collar occupations in China. Drawing from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) database, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from two time periods, 2015 and 2021, encompassing 10,968 and 8148 valid samples, respectively. Through bootstrapping analysis, we tested the indirect effects of job characteristics on employee well-being, mediated by work–family interference. The results reveal distinct patterns across occupational categories. Blue-collar workers demonstrated increased susceptibility to work-related stress, primarily due to the compounding effects of dual workload demands that intensified their work–family interference. Conversely, white-collar employees maintained a positive relationship between job autonomy and job satisfaction, despite the negative mediating influence of work–family interference. Full article

Banana streak GF virus (BSGFV) is the extremely dangerous monopartite badnavirus (genus, Badnavirus; family, Caulimoviridae) of banana (Musa acuminata AAA Group) that imposes a serious threat to global banana production. The BSGFV causes a devastating pandemic in banana crops, transmitted by deadly insect pest mealybug vectors and replicated through an RNA intermediate. The BSGFV is a reverse-transcribing DNA virus that has a monopartite open circular double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genome with a length of 7325 bp. RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural mechanism that has revolutionized the target gene regulation of various organisms to combat virus infection. The current study aims to locate the potential target binding sites of banana-encoded microRNAs (mac-miRNAs) on the BSGFV-dsDNA-encoded mRNAs based on three algorithms, RNA22, RNAhybrid and TAPIR. Mature banana (2n = 3x = 33) miRNAs (n = 32) were selected and hybridized to the BSGFV genome (MN296502). Among the 32 targeted mature locus-derived mac-miRNAs investigated, two banana mac-miRNA homologs (mac-miR162a and mac-miR172b) were identified as promising naturally occurring biomolecules to have binding affinity at nucleotide positions 5502 and 9 of the BSGFV genome. The in silico banana-genome-encoded mac-miRNA/mbg-miRNA-regulatory network was developed with the BSGFV—ORFs using Circos software (version 0.69-9) to identify potential therapeutic target proteins. Therefore, the current work provides useful biological material and opens a new range of opportunities for generating BSGFV-resistant banana plants through the genetic manipulation of the selected miRNAs. Full article

Microplastics represent a threat due to their ability to enter the food chain, with harmful consequences for living organisms. The riskiness of these particles is also linked to the release of other contaminants, such as heavy metals. Solute Carriers (SLCs) represent eminent examples of first-level targets of heavy metals due to their localization on the cell surface. Putative targets of heavy metals are the organic cation transporters that form a sub-clade of the SLC22 family. Besides the physiological role in the absorption/release of endogenous organic cations, these transporters are crucial in drug disposition and their interaction with xenobiotics. In this work, the human SLC22A4, commonly known as OCTN1, was used as a benchmark to test interactions with heavy metals released by microplastics, exploiting the proteoliposome tool. The potency of metals to interfere with the OCTN1 function has been evaluated by measuring IC50 values calculated in the micromolar range. The molecular mechanism of interaction has been defined using site-directed mutagenesis and computational analyses. Finally, some chemical and physiological thiol-reacting compounds show the capacity to rescue the metal-inhibited OCTN1 function. The conclusions drawn on OCTN1 can be extended to other members of the SLC22 family and orthologous transporters in fish. Full article

Few efficacious treatment options are available for patients with small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), indicating the need to develop novel therapeutic approaches. In this study, we explored kinesin family member 11 (KIF11), a potential therapeutic target in SCLC. An analysis of publicly available data suggested that KIF11 mRNA expression levels are significantly higher in SCLC tissues than in normal lung tissues. When KIF11 was targeted by RNA interference or a small-molecule inhibitor (SB743921) in two SCLC cell lines, Lu-135 and NCI-H69, cell cycle progression was arrested at the G2/M phase with complete growth suppression. Further work suggested that the two cell lines were more significantly affected when both KIF11 and BCL2L1, an anti-apoptotic BCL2 family member, were inhibited. This dual inhibition resulted in markedly decreased cell viability. These findings collectively indicate that SCLC cells are critically dependent on KIF11 activity for survival and/or proliferation, as well as that KIF11 inhibition could be a new strategy for SCLC treatment. Full article

Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) (genus, Potyvirus; family, Potyviridae) is widespread, deleterious, and the most damaging pathogen of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L. and Saccharum spp.) that causes a substantial barrier to producing high sugarcane earnings. Sugarcane mosaic disease (SCMD) is caused by a single or compound infection of SCMV disseminated by several aphid vectors in a non-persistent manner. SCMV has flexuous filamentous particle of 700–750 nm long, which encapsidated in a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA molecule of 9575 nucleotides. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated antiviral innate immunity is an evolutionarily conserved key biological process in eukaryotes and has evolved as an antiviral defense system to interfere with viral genomes for controlling infections in plants. The current study aims to analyze sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L. and Saccharum spp.) locus-derived microRNAs (sof-miRNAs/ssp-miRNAs) with predicted potential for targeting the SCMV +ssRNA-encoded mRNAs, using a predictive approach that involves five algorithms. The ultimate goal of this research is to mobilize the in silico- predicted endogenous sof-miRNAs/ssp-miRNAs to experimentally trigger the catalytic RNAi pathway and generate sugarcane cultivars to evaluate the potential antiviral resistance surveillance ability and capacity for SCMV. Experimentally validated mature sugarcane (S. officinarum, 2n = 8X = 80) and (S. spp., 2n = 100–120) sof-miRNA/ssp-miRNA sequences (n = 28) were downloaded from the miRBase database and aligned with the SCMV genome (KY548506). Among the 28 targeted mature locus-derived sof-miRNAs/ssp-miRNAs evaluated, one sugarcane miRNA homolog, sof-miR159c, was identified to have a predicted miRNA binding site, at nucleotide position 3847 of the SCMV genome targeting CI ORF. To verify the accuracy of the target prediction accuracy and to determine whether the sugarcane sof-miRNA/ssp-miRNA could bind the predicted SCMV mRNA target(s), we constructed an integrated Circos plot. A genome-wide in silico-predicted miRNA-mediated target gene regulatory network was implicated to validate interactions necessary to warrant in vivo analysis. The current work provides valuable computational evidence for the generation of SCMV-resistant sugarcane cultivars. Full article

Postpartum depression (PPD) can interfere with the establishment of affective bonds between infant and mother, which is important for the cognitive, social–emotional, and physical development of the child. Rates of PPD have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, likely due to the added stress and limited support available to new parents. The present study examined whether parenting-related stress, perceived bonding impairments, the quality of observed mother–infant interactions, and salivary oxytocin levels differ between depressed and non-depressed mothers, along with differential impacts of COVID-19 on depressed mothers. Participants included 70 mothers (45 depressed, 25 controls) with infants aged 2–6 months. All data were collected remotely to ease participant burden during the pandemic. Depression was associated with experiences of heightened parenting-related stress and bonding difficulties. These differences were not observed during mother–infant interactions or in salivary oxytocin levels. Differences in COVID-19-related experiences were minimal, though depressed mothers rated slightly higher stress associated with returning to work and financial impacts of the pandemic. Findings highlight the importance of early intervention for PPD to mitigate long-term effects on mothers, children, and families. Additionally, they underscore the need for early intervention to support the developing mother–infant dyad relationship during this crucial time. Full article

MCL-1 is the prosurvival member of the Bcl-2 family. It prevents the induction of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. The molecular mechanisms dictating the host cell viability gain importance in the context of viral infections. The premature apoptosis of infected cells could interrupt the pathogen replication cycle. On the other hand, cell death following the effective assembly of progeny particles may facilitate virus dissemination. Thus, various viruses can interfere with the apoptosis regulation network to their advantage. Research has shown that viral infections affect the intracellular amount of MCL-1 to modify the apoptotic potential of infected cells, fitting it to the “schedule” of the replication cycle. A growing body of evidence suggests that the virus-dependent deregulation of the MCL-1 level may contribute to several virus-driven diseases. In this work, we have described the role of MCL-1 in infections caused by various viruses. We have also presented a list of promising antiviral agents targeting the MCL-1 protein. The discussed results indicate targeted interventions addressing anti-apoptotic MCL1 as a new therapeutic strategy for cancers as well as other diseases. The investigation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in viral infections engaging MCL1 may contribute to a better understanding of the regulation of cell death and survival balance. Full article

Overactivation of microglial cells seems to play a crucial role in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons occurring in Parkinson’s disease. We have previously demonstrated that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) present in astrocytes secretome modulates microglial responses induced by an inflammatory insult. Therefore, astrocyte-derived soluble factors may include relevant molecular players of therapeutic interest in the control of excessive neuroinflammatory responses. However, in vivo, the control of neuroinflammation is more complex as it depends on the interaction between different types of cells other than microglia and astrocytes. Whether neurons may interfere in the astrocyte-microglia crosstalk, affecting the control of microglial reactivity exerted by astrocytes, is unclear. Therefore, the present work aimed to disclose if the control of microglial responses mediated by astrocyte-derived factors, including GDNF, could be affected by the crosstalk with neurons, impacting GDNF’s ability to protect dopaminergic neurons exposed to a pro-inflammatory environment. Also, we aimed to disclose if the protection of dopaminergic neurons by GDNF involves the modulation of microglial cells. Our results show that the neuroprotective effect of GDNF was mediated, at least in part, by a direct action on microglial cells through the GDNF family receptor α-1. However, this protective effect seems to be impaired by other mediators released in response to the neuron-astrocyte crosstalk since neuron-astrocyte secretome, in contrast to astrocytes secretome, was unable to protect dopaminergic neurons from the injury triggered by lipopolysaccharide-activated microglia. Supplementation with exogenous GDNF was needed to afford protection of dopaminergic neurons exposed to the inflammatory environment. In conclusion, our results revealed that dopaminergic protective effects promoted by GDNF involve the control of microglial reactivity. However, endogenous GDNF is insufficient to confer dopaminergic neuron protection against an inflammatory insult. This reinforces the importance of further developing new therapeutic strategies aiming at providing GDNF or enhancing its expression in the brain regions affected by Parkinson’s disease. Full article