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Interdisciplinary research networks are increasing, with professionals encouraged to undertake research across disciplines to increase innovation, creativity and knowledge. More recently, this interdisciplinary focus is being mirrored by the establishment of interdisciplinary doctoral research networks. But do these networks work? And if so, how and why? We employ social capital theory to (a) understand the lived experiences of students in interdisciplinary doctoral programmes and (b) build programme design theory to support the development of social capital within such programmes. We present the results of 28 semi-structured interviews conducted with doctoral students from three European Union funded interdisciplinary research training networks to understand how they perceive the enhancers, inhibitors and manifestations of social capital within their networks. Key themes revolve around 'extracting value from the interdisciplinary process', 'motivating students throughout the interdisciplinary programme journey', and 'relating to others both within and external to the programme'. We propose a framework for interdisciplinary programme design.

Background: Vaccine development against Chlamydia, a prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI), is imperative due to its global public health impact. However, significant challenges arise in the production of effective subunit vaccines based on recombinant protein antigens, particularly with membrane proteins like the Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP). Methods: Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) technology is an attractive approach to address these challenges as a method of high-throughput membrane protein and protein complex production coupled with nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs). NLPs provide a supporting scaffold while allowing easy adjuvant addition during formulation. Over the last decade, we have been working toward the production and characterization of MOMP-NLP complexes for vaccine testing. Results: The work presented here highlights the expression and biophysical analyses, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), which confirm the formation and functionality of MOMP-NLP complexes for use in animal studies. Moreover, immunization studies in preclinical models compare the past and present protective efficacy of MOMP-NLP formulations, particularly when co-adjuvanted with CpG and FSL1. Conclusion: Ex vivo assessments further highlight the immunomodulatory effects of MOMP-NLP vaccinations, emphasizing their potential to elicit robust immune responses. However, further research is warranted to optimize vaccine formulations further, validate efficacy against Chlamydia trachomatis, and better understand the underlying mechanisms of immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early onset epilepsies occur in newborns and infants, and to date, genetic aberrations and variants have been identified in approximately one quarter of all patients. With technological sequencing advances and ongoing research, the genetic diagnostic yield for specific seizure disorders and epilepsies is expected to increase. Genetic variants associated with epilepsy include chromosomal abnormalities and rearrangements of various sizes as well as single gene variants. Among these variants, a distinction can be made between germline and somatic, with the latter being increasingly identified in epilepsies with focal cortical malformations in recent years. The identification of the underlying genetic mechanisms of epilepsy syndromes not only revolutionizes the diagnostic schemes but also leads to a better understanding of the diseases and their interrelationships, ultimately providing new opportunities for therapeutic targeting. At the XVI Workshop on Neurobiology of Epilepsy (WONOEP 2022, Talloires, France, July 2022), various etiologies, research models, and mechanisms of genetic early onset epilepsies were presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baited static gear fisheries targeting benthic invertebrates have expanded at a global scale. While improvements have been made in the monitoring and management of these fisheries, reliable survey methods for stock assessments of many key species are lacking. In this study we examine the viability of a baited remote underwater video (BRUV) system for obtaining abundance indices for a data-limited stock (common whelk, Buccinum undatum), and compare this method to catch per unit effort (CPUE) from commercial fishing. BRUVs capable of collecting 15 hours of timelapse footage were deployed on pot strings in two distinct whelk fishing sites, with replication over a spring-neap tidal cycle. Three potential BRUV metrics—the maximum (MaxN) and mean (MeanN) abundance and time of first arrival (T1)—were calculated for each deployment, and significant linear relationships were identified between MaxN, MeanN, and CPUE across sites. Temporal variability in BRUV indices driven by tidal dynamics was minimal, although results suggest high current speeds may reduce abundance estimates, and a potential method for predicting density on the seabed using arrival rates is also demonstrated. BRUVs are a valuable tool in developing stock assessment surveys for static gear fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neutrino-driven wind cooling phase of proto-neutron stars (PNSs) follows successful supernovae. Wind models without magnetic fields or rotation fail to achieve the necessary conditions for production of the third r -process peak, but robustly produce a weak r- process in neutron-rich winds. Using 2D magnetohydrodynamic simulations with magnetar-strength magnetic fields and rotation, we show that the PNS rotation rate significantly affects the thermodynamic conditions of the wind. We show that high-entropy material is quasiperiodically ejected from the closed zone of the PNS magnetosphere with the required thermodynamic conditions to produce heavy elements. We show that maximum entropy S of the material ejected depends systematically on the magnetar spin period P ⋆ and scales as S ∝ P ⋆ − 5 / 6 for sufficiently rapid rotation. We present results from simulations at a constant neutrino luminosity representative of ∼1–2 s after the onset of cooling for P ⋆ ranging from 5–200 ms and a few simulations with evolving neutrino luminosity where we follow the evolution of the magnetar wind until 10–14 s after the onset of cooling. We estimate at magnetar polar magnetic field strength B 0 = 3 × 1015 G and 1015 G that neutron-rich magnetar winds can, respectively, produce at least ∼1–5 × 10−5 M ⊙ and ∼1–4 × 10−7 M ⊙ of material with the required parameters for synthesis of the third r -process peak, within 1–2 s and 10 s, respectively, in that order after the onset of cooling. We show that proton-rich magnetar winds can have favorable conditions for production of p- nuclei, even at a modest B 0 = 5 × 1014 G. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted pathogen in humans worldwide. Since chlamydial infection is largely asymptomatic with the potential for serious complications, a preventative vaccine is likely the most viable long-term answer to this public health threat. Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) utilizes the cellular protein manufacturing machinery decoupled from the requirement for maintaining cellular viability, offering the potential for flexible, rapid, and decentralized production of recombinant protein vaccine antigens. Methods: Here, we use CFPS to produce the full-length putative chlamydial type three secretion system (T3SS) needle-tip protein, CT584, for evaluation as a vaccine antigen in mouse models. High-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) (RIBM, Tsukuba, Japan) imaging and computer simulations confirm that CFPS-produced CT584 retains a native-like structure prior to immunization. Female mice were primed with CT584 adjuvanted with CpG-1826 intranasally (i.n.) or CpG-1826 + Montanide ISA 720 intramuscularly (i.m.), followed four weeks later by an i.m. boost before respiratory challenge with 104 inclusion forming units (IFU) of Chlamydia muridarum. Results: Immunization with CT584 generated robust antibody responses but weak cell-mediated immunity and failed to protect against i.n. challenge as demonstrated by body weight loss, increased lung weights, and the presence of high numbers of IFUs in the lungs. Conclusion: While CT584 was not a protective vaccine candidate, the speed and flexibility with which CFPS can be used to produce other potential chlamydial antigens make it an attractive technique for antigen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with batch and vapor diffusion methods, counter diffusion can generate larger and higher‐quality protein crystals yielding improved diffraction data and higher‐resolution structures. Typically, counter‐diffusion experiments are conducted in elongated chambers, such as glass capillaries, and the crystals are either directly measured in the capillary or extracted and mounted at the X‐ray beamline. Despite the advantages of counter‐diffusion protein crystallization, there are few fixed‐target devices that utilize counter diffusion for crystallization. In this article, different designs of user‐friendly counter‐diffusion chambers are presented which can be used to grow large protein crystals in a 2D polymer microfluidic fixed‐target chip. Methods for rapid chip fabrication using commercially available thin‐film materials such as Mylar, propylene and Kapton are also detailed. Rules of thumb are provided to tune the nucleation and crystal growth to meet users' needs while minimizing sample consumption. These designs provide a reliable approach to forming large crystals and maintaining their hydration for weeks and even months. This allows ample time to grow, select and preserve the best crystal batches before X‐ray beam time. Importantly, the fixed‐target microfluidic chip has a low background scatter and can be directly used at beamlines without any crystal handling, enabling crystal quality to be preserved. The approach is demonstrated with serial diffraction of photoactive yellow protein, yielding 1.32 Å resolution at room temperature. Fabrication of this standard microfluidic chip with commercially available thin films greatly simplifies fabrication and provides enhanced stability under vacuum. These advances will further broaden microfluidic fixed‐target utilization by crystallographers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) is a common developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with poor long-term outcomes. A substantial proportion of patients with IESS have a potentially surgically remediable etiology. Despite this, epilepsy surgery is underutilized in this patient group. Some surgically remediable etiologies, such as focal cortical dysplasia and malformation of cortical development with oligodendroglial hyperplasia in epilepsy (MOGHE), are under-diagnosed in infants and young children. Even when a surgically remediable etiology is recognised, for example, tuberous sclerosis or focal encephalomalacia, epilepsy surgery may be delayed or not considered due to diffuse EEG changes, unclear surgical boundaries, or concerns about operating in this age group. In this review, the authors discuss the common surgically remediable etiologies of IESS, their clinical and EEG features, and the imaging techniques that can aid in their diagnosis. They then describe the surgical approaches used in this patient group, and the beneficial impact that early epilepsy surgery can have on developing brain networks. Epilepsy surgery remains underutilized even when a potentially surgically remediable cause is recognized. Overcoming the barriers that result in under-recognition of surgical candidates and underutilization of epilepsy surgery in IESS will improve long-term seizure and developmental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polymorphic membrane proteins (Pmps) are a family of autotransporters that play an important role in infection, adhesion and immunity in Chlamydia trachomatis. Here we show that the characteristic GGA(I,L,V) and FxxN tetrapeptide repeats fit into a larger repeat sequence, which correspond to the coils of a large beta-helical domain in high quality structure predictions. Analysis of the protein using structure prediction algorithms provided novel insight to the chlamydial Pmp family of proteins. While the tetrapeptide motifs themselves are predicted to play a structural role in folding and close stacking of the beta-helical backbone of the passenger domain, we found many of the interesting features of Pmps are localized to the side loops jutting out from the beta helix including protease cleavage, host cell adhesion, and B-cell epitopes; while T-cell epitopes are predominantly found in the beta-helix itself. This analysis more accurately defines the Pmp family of Chlamydia and may better inform rational vaccine design and functional studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We here in graphical form highlight some of the early phases in the explosion of core-collapse supernovae and the birth of neutron stars. The graphics presented summarizes the results of the almost fifty three-dimensional radiation/hydrodynamic simulations the Princeton group has simulated during the last three years using its state-of-the-art (though still evolving and improving) code Fornax.

Bottom-of-sulcus dysplasia (BOSD) is increasingly recognized as a cause of drug-resistant, surgically-remediable, focal epilepsy, often in seemingly MRI-negative patients. We describe the clinical manifestations, morphological features, localization patterns and genetics of BOSD, with the aims of improving management and understanding pathogenesis. We studied 85 patients with BOSD diagnosed between 2005–2022. Presenting seizure and EEG characteristics, clinical course, genetic findings and treatment response were obtained from medical records. MRI (3 T) and 18F-FDG-PET scans were reviewed systematically for BOSD morphology and metabolism. Histopathological analysis and tissue genetic testing were performed in 64 operated patients. BOSD locations were transposed to common imaging space to study anatomical location, functional network localization and relationship to normal MTOR gene expression. All patients presented with stereotyped focal seizures with rapidly escalating frequency, prompting hospitalization in 48%. Despite 42% patients having seizure remissions, usually with sodium channel blocking medications, most eventually became drug-resistant and underwent surgery (86% seizure-free). Prior developmental delay was uncommon but intellectual, language and executive dysfunction were present in 24%, 48% and 29% when assessed preoperatively, low intellect being associated with greater epilepsy duration. BOSDs were missed on initial MRI in 68%, being ultimately recognized following repeat MRI, 18F-FDG-PET or image postprocessing. MRI features were grey-white junction blurring (100%), cortical thickening (91%), transmantle band (62%), increased cortical T1 signal (46%) and increased subcortical FLAIR signal (26%). BOSD hypometabolism was present on 18F-FDG-PET in 99%. Additional areas of cortical malformation or grey matter heterotopia were present in eight patients. BOSDs predominated in frontal and pericentral cortex and related functional networks, mostly sparing temporal and occipital cortex, and limbic and visual networks. Genetic testing yielded pathogenic mTOR pathway variants in 63% patients, including somatic MTOR variants in 47% operated patients and germline DEPDC5 or NPRL3 variants in 73% patients with familial focal epilepsy. BOSDs tended to occur in regions where the healthy brain normally shows lower MTOR expression, suggesting these regions may be more vulnerable to upregulation of MTOR activity. Consistent with the existing literature, these results highlight (i) clinical features raising suspicion of BOSD; (ii) the role of somatic and germline mTOR pathway variants in patients with sporadic and familial focal epilepsy associated with BOSD; and (iii) the role of 18F-FDG-PET alongside high-field MRI in detecting subtle BOSD. The anatomical and functional distribution of BOSDs likely explain their seizure, EEG and cognitive manifestations and may relate to relative MTOR expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trap fisheries targeting invertebrates are economically important but many of the target species lack stock assessments. One reason for this is the difficulty of estimating density. One important means by which density can be estimated uses the catch rates of baited traps that are spaced at different distances. With declining spacing, the sphere of attraction will increasingly overlap, leading to reductions in catches, allowing for the estimation of the density that is catchable by traps on the seabed. Here we review the analytical methods adopted across a range of studies and find that no consensus on robust methods exists. We propose an analytical method that assumes the trapping area is circular and that the chance of catching an individual declines linearly with distance from the trap. We apply this method to estimate the density and the trapping radius of crabs and gastropods from real and simulated datasets. The method estimated a trapping radius of between 4 and 86 m, and densities that are up to 2.5 times less and 13 times greater than estimates provided in the original sources, illustrating the sensitivity to methodology. In conclusion, we provide and test a standardized method to estimate the density of benthic invertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the general problem of a Parker-type non-relativistic isothermal wind from a rotating and magnetic star. Using the magnetohydrodynamics code athena++ , we construct an array of simulations in the stellar rotation rate Ω* and the isothermal sound speed c T, and calculate the mass, angular momentum, and energy loss rates across this parameter space. We also briefly consider the 3D case, with misaligned magnetic and rotation axes. We discuss applications of our results to the spin-down of normal stars, highly irradiated exoplanets, and to nascent highly magnetic and rapidly rotating neutron stars born in massive star core-collapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapidly rotating magnetars have been associated with gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and superluminous supernovae (SLSNe). Using a suite of two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations at fixed neutrino luminosity and a couple of evolutionary models with evolving neutrino luminosity and magnetar spin period, we show that magnetars are viable central engines for powering GRBs and SLSNe. We also present analytical estimates of the energy outflow rate from the proto-neutron star (PNS) as a function of polar magnetic field strength B 0, PNS angular velocity Ω⋆, PNS radius R ⋆, and mass outflow rate |$\dot{M}$|⁠. We show that rapidly rotating magnetars with spin periods P ⋆ ≲ 4 ms and polar magnetic field strength B 0 ≳ 1015 G can release 1050 to 5 × 1051 erg of energy during the first ∼2 s of the cooling phase. Based on this result, it is plausible that sustained energy injection by magnetars through the relativistic wind phase can power GRBs. We also show that magnetars with moderate field strengths of B 0 ≲ 5 × 1014 G do not release a large fraction of their rotational kinetic energy during the cooling phase and, hence, are not likely to power GRBs. Although we cannot simulate to times greater than ∼3–5 s after a supernova, we can hypothesize that moderate field strength magnetars can brighten the supernova light curves by releasing their rotational kinetic energy via magnetic dipole radiation on time-scales of days to weeks, since these do not expend most of their rotational kinetic energy during the early cooling phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]