bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Student nurse retention. Lived experience of mature female students on a UK Bachelor of Nursing (Adult) programme: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Simpson Owena , Bennett Clare L. , Whitcombe Steven W.
Published: February 2024

Aims

To explore the lived experiences of mature female students undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing (Adult) programme in the UK, to gain insight into the challenges and barriers faced by students and investigate the factors that support students who have considered leaving, to stay and continue with their studies.

Background

There is a global shortage of nurses and challenges exist in ensuring that enough nurses are available to provide care in the complex and rapidly changing care environments. Initiatives introduced to increase the number of Registered Nurses (RN), include increasing the number of students enrolled on pre‐registration nursing programmes. However, the success of this intervention is contingent on the number of students who go on to complete their course.

Design

This qualitative study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), which provided a methodological framework and analytical approach to enable an exploration of participants' individual and shared lived experiences.

Methods

Eight female, mature students at the end of their second year of a Bachelor of Nursing (Adult) programme at a Higher Education Institution in South Wales participated in semi‐structured, face‐to‐face interviews, which were analysed idiographically before group‐level analysis was undertaken.

Findings

The analysis revealed three superordinate themes: ‘Ambition to become a Registered Nurse’; ‘Jugging Roles’ and ‘Particular Support Needs for a Particular Student’.

Conclusion

Each student had a unique history, their past and present social and psychological experiences were multifaceted and complex. These differences resulted in varying degrees of resilience and motivations to continue their studies. These findings are important for ensuring that services develop and provide effective support to maximize retention and, ultimately, increase the number of students entering the RN workforce.

Patient of Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.

Impact Statement

This research expands on current literature regarding the needs of mature female students, a growing student nurse demographic. Every student had a dynamic set of circumstances and demonstrated that the identification of ‘at‐risk’ students, purely based on demographics or information on a Curriculum Vitae, is problematic and potentially futile. This knowledge could be used to tailor University support systems and inform curriculum development and support systems for maximizing student retention. These findings are important for ensuring that services continue to develop and provide effective support to maximize retention and completion and, ultimately, increase the number of students entering the Nursing and Midwifery Council register.
Livin is protective in UVB‐induced skin photodamage by regulating keratinocyte activation and inflammatory responses
Authors: Wang Kaijie , You Xiaolan , Qu Zhenri , Che Delu , Cao Xianwei
Published: February 2024

UVB radiation can lead to skin photodamage, which might arise from keratinocyte (KC) activation. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) assumes an essential function in the context of UVB‐triggered skin photodamage. Initiating the NF‐κB cascade leads to the release of inflammatory factors from KCs. Livin can modulate both KC activation and function, yet it remains uncertain whether and how Livin regulates KC activation induced by UVB. To explore the involvement of Livin in UVB‐triggered skin photodamage and its impact on skin damage through NF‐κB activation. Immunofluorescence staining was used to analyse the expression of Livin in individuals with skin photodamage and in mice treated with UVB radiation. KC‐specific Livin knockout (LivinΔKC) mice and HaCaT cells with Livin knockdown were employed to examine the function of Livin in regulating KC activation induced by UVB radiation. Additionally, the impact of Livin on the NF‐κB cascade during KC activation was confirmed via western blot analysis. In patients with skin photodamage, UVB‐treated mice and HaCaT cells, Livin expression was reduced in KCs. LivinΔKC mice displayed heightened sensitivity to UVB radiation, resulting in more pronounced skin damage and inflammatory responses compared to the control Livinfl/fl mice. Following UVB exposure, both LivinΔKC mice and Livin‐knockdown HaCaT cells released elevated levels of cytokines compared to their respective controls. Moreover, the UVB‐induced activation of NF‐κB in HaCaT cells was significantly enhanced following Livin knockdown. Our findings propose that Livin within KCs could contribute to reducing UVB‐induced skin photodamage by regulating the NF‐κB pathway.
Towards an empathic hidden curriculum in medical school: A roadmap
Authors: Howick Jeremy , Slavin Daniel , Carr Sue , Miall Fiona , Ohri Chandra , Ennion Steve , Gay Simon
Published: February 2024

The “hidden curriculum” in medical school includes a stressful work environment, un‐empathic role models, and prioritisation of biomedical knowledge. It can provoke anxiety and cause medical students to adapt by becoming cynical, distanced and less empathic. Lower empathy, in turn, has been shown to harm patients as well as practitioners. Fortunately, evidence‐based interventions can counteract the empathy dampening effects of the hidden curriculum. These include early exposure to real patients, providing students with real‐world experiences, training role models, assessing empathy training, increasing the focus on the biopsychosocial model of disease, and enhanced wellbeing education. Here, we provide an overview of these interventions. Taken together, they can bring about an “empathic hidden curriculum” which can reverse the decline in medical student empathy.
Paleoproterozoic ultrahigh‐temperature mafic granulites with a high‐pressure prograde path from the Alxa Block: Implications on the tectonic evolution of the Khondalite Belt, North China Craton
Authors: Zou Lei , Guo Jing‐Hui , Zhang Li‐Fei , Huang Guang‐Yu , Jiao Shu‐Juan , Tian Zhong‐Hua , Wang Da , Liu Ping‐Hua
Published: February 2024

Ultrahigh‐temperature (UHT) granulites, a prominent feature of Paleoproterozoic orogenic belts, preserve a record of geodynamic processes during the Precambrian (Archean–Paleoproterozoic). Quantitative pressure–temperature–time (P–T–t) paths of these UHT granulites can constrain the tectonic processes and metamorphic evolution in such a tectonic regime. Here, UHT mafic granulites with a high‐pressure (HP) prograde path are first reported in the Diebusige Complex in the Alxa Block, western part of the Khondalite Belt (KB), North China Craton (NCC). The detailed petrographic studies show that two mafic granulite samples preserve corona textures around relict garnet or garnet pseudomorphs (completely replaced by plagioclase), and a third mafic granulite sample has a relatively simple mineralogy with a granoblastic‐polygonal texture. These mafic granulites have similar peak (Tmax) assemblages of clinopyroxene + orthopyroxene + plagioclase + ilmenite ± garnet ± amphibole ± quartz + melt. Phase equilibrium modelling and Ti‐in‐amphibole and rare earth element (REE)‐based thermometries all constrain similar peak conditions of ~880–950°C/~8.5–10 kbar implying an ~100°C/kbar apparent geothermal gradient for these mafic granulites. Based on the corona textures or pseudomorphs of garnet and mineral assemblages, we identified a Pmax (~14 kbar) prograde stage before the Tmax stage. Thus, a clockwise P–T path with heating and decompression followed by near‐isobaric cooling (IBC) is recorded from these UHT mafic granulites. In addition, zircon and apatite SHRIMP or LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating yields an age interval of ~1.81–1.7 Ga, which is interpreted as representing the cooling time from ~900–800°C to ~575°C at the middle‐upper crustal levels (<25 km deep) for these mafic granulites, with an ~1.5–2.5°C/Myr cooling rate. The new P–T–t path of these rocks includes high‐pressure prograde, UHT peak, and slow cooling retrograde processes, which implicates a post‐collisional tectonic setting for UHT metamorphism in the KB and the processes of collision, exhumation, and cooling of the KB.
Clinical bleeding diathesis, laboratory haemostatic aberrations and survival in dogs infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum: 180 cases (2005‐2019)
Authors: Thomsen A. S. , Petersen M. P. , Willesen J. L. , Bach M. B. T. , Kieler I. N. , Kristensen A. T. , Koch J. , Nielsen L. N.
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Bleeding diathesis is a complication in dogs infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum. This retrospective study investigated clinical and laboratory haemostatic differences in A. vasorum‐positive dogs with and without signs of bleeding and impact of bleeding on survival.

Materials and Methods

Demographics, type of clinical bleeding, haematocrit and a range of haemostatic tests, including thromboelastography and derived velocity curves were retrospectively registered from A. vasorum‐positive dogs. All parameters were compared between dogs with and without signs of bleeding using univariable analyses. Binomial and multinomial regression models were applied to examine specific indicators in the bleeding dogs. P‐values were false discovery rate adjusted, and adjusted P<0.05 was considered significant.

Results

One hundred and eighty dogs entered the study, including 65 dogs (36.1%) presenting with bleeding diathesis. Different types of cutaneous and mucosal bleeding were the most common clinical findings. Twenty dogs presented with neurological signs associated with intracranial and intra‐spinal bleeding. One hundred and thirty‐seven dogs had haematological and/or haemostatic laboratory analyses performed. Haematocrit, platelet count, thromboelastographic angle, maximum amplitude, global clot strength, maximum rate of thrombin generation and total thrombin generation were decreased, while prothrombin time was prolonged in bleeding dogs. Survival rate of bleeding dogs was lower at hospital discharge (76.9%) and 1 month after diagnosis (66.0%) than in dogs without signs of bleeding (94.8% and 90.1% at discharge and at 1 month, respectively).

Clinical Significance

Several haemostatic aberrations were detected in A. vasorum‐positive dogs with bleeding diathesis. Bleeding was identified as an important negative prognostic indicator in A. vasorum‐positive dogs.
Cutaneous Serratia marcescens infection in two dogs
Authors: Park J. , Yoon J. S.
Published: February 2024

We describe two canine cases of cutaneous infection caused by Serratia marcescens. A 2‐year‐old castrated male mixed dog (Case 1) presented with multiple ulcerations on the dorsal trunk, which were observed 4 days after shampooing. A 4‐year‐old male wolf shepherd mix dog (Case 2) presented with ulceration and purulent discharge on the nasal bridge. Cytological examination of both cases revealed pyogranulomatous inflammatory cells with rod‐like infectious agents identified as S. marcescens in aerobic bacterial culture. Both patients were treated with oral antibiotics and topical chlorhexidine. Case 1 received enrofloxacin 10 mg/kg once daily for 1 week, followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole 15 mg/kg twice daily for 3 weeks. Case 2 received doxycycline 10 mg/kg twice daily for 4 weeks. No skin lesions were detected 2 weeks after the initial administration. The antibiotics were discontinued after a total 4 weeks of administration, and the skin lesions did not reappear.
Structural integrity of a submersible sea cage exposed to extreme oceanographic conditions
Authors: López Jesús , Hurtado Carlos Felipe , Toledo Jean Pierre , Suazo Gonzalo , Zamora Víctor , Queirolo Dante , Gutiérrez Alfonso
Published: February 2024

This study focuses on the structural integrity analyses of a submersible cage with dimensions of 20 m in diameter and 10 m depth under extreme oceanographic conditions, including current speed of 0.5 and 1 m/s, combined with waves ranging from 2 to 5 m in height and a period of 7 s. Employing a dynamic simulation model based on finite elements, The study examines the stresses in the cage's pipes, as well as the tension in the bridle lines and mooring lines. Results indicate that submerging the cage leads to a reduction in peak tensions, with mooring lines experiencing a decrease of up to 32% and bridle lines experiencing a decrease of up to 59%. Furthermore, the stresses in the pipes exhibit a significant decline of up to 71.4%. These findings demonstrate that the submersible cage, when submerged, significantly reduces peak stresses, thereby decreasing the risk of structural loss or damage when the system is submerged.
Attracting and developing STEMM talent toward excellence and innovation
Authors: Stoeger Heidrun , Luo Linlin , Ziegler Albert
Published: February 2024

This article provides an overview of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical sciences (STEMM) talent development from first exposure to a STEMM domain to achieving eminence and innovation. To this end, a resource‐oriented model of STEMM talent development is proposed as a framework. It includes a three‐stage phase model based on Bloom (1985), with the main focus on interest development in the first stage, skill acquisition toward expertise and excellence in the second stage, and style formation toward eminence and innovation in the final stage. A literature review shows that from an educational perspective, each phase is mainly characterized by the focus that Bloom postulated. However, it is important that all three stages (i.e., interest development, skill acquisition, and style formation) occur in a stage‐typical manner. To explain how these primary objectives of STEMM development can be supported through STEMM talent education, Ziegler and Stoeger's (2011) educational and learning capital framework is used in the proposed resource‐based model. A literature review shows that consistent provisioning of the resources specified in the model is necessary for individuals to complete a learning pathway to STEMM eminence and innovation.
In situ short‐term responses of Amazonian understory plants to elevated CO2
Authors: Damasceno Amanda Rayane , Garcia Sabrina , Aleixo Izabela Fonseca , Menezes Juliane Cristina Gomes , Pereira Iokanam Sales , De Kauwe Martin G. , Ferrer Vanessa Rodrigues , Fleischer Katrin , Grams Thorsten E. E. , Guedes Alacimar V. , Hartley Iain Paul , Kruijt Bart , Lugli Laynara Figueiredo , Martins Nathielly Pires , Norby Richard J. , Pires‐Santos Julyane Stephanie , Portela Bruno Takeshi Tanaka , Rammig Anja , de Oliveira Leonardo Ramos , Santana Flávia Delgado , Santos Yago Rodrigues , de Souza Crisvaldo Cássio Silva , Ushida Gabriela , Lapola David Montenegro , Quesada Carlos Alberto Nobre , Domingues Tomas Ferreira
Published: February 2024

The response of plants to increasing atmospheric CO2 depends on the ecological context where the plants are found. Several experiments with elevated CO2 (eCO2) have been done worldwide, but the Amazonian forest understory has been neglected. As the central Amazon is limited by light and phosphorus, understanding how understory responds to eCO2 is important for foreseeing how the forest will function in the future. In the understory of a natural forest in the Central Amazon, we installed four open‐top chambers as control replicates and another four under eCO2 (+250 ppm above ambient levels). Under eCO2, we observed increases in carbon assimilation rate (67%), maximum electron transport rate (19%), quantum yield (56%), and water use efficiency (78%). We also detected an increase in leaf area (51%) and stem diameter increment (65%). Central Amazon understory responded positively to eCO2 by increasing their ability to capture and use light and the extra primary productivity was allocated to supporting more leaf and conducting tissues. The increment in leaf area while maintaining transpiration rates suggests that the understory will increase its contribution to evapotranspiration. Therefore, this forest might be less resistant in the future to extreme drought, as no reduction in transpiration rates were detected.
Regulation of metal homoeostasis by two F‐group bZIP transcription factors bZIP48 and bZIP50 in rice
Authors: Qing Tao , Xie Tian‐Ci , Zhu Qiao‐Yun , Lu Hai‐Ping , Liu Jian‐Xiang
Published: February 2024

Zinc (Zn) deficiency not only impairs plant growth and development but also has negative effects on human health. Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) is a staple food for over half of the global population, yet the regulation of Zn deficiency response in rice remains largely unknown. In this study, we provide evidence that two F‐group bZIP transcription factors, OsbZIP48/50, play a crucial role in Zn deficiency response. Mutations in OsbZIP48/50 result in impaired growth and reduced Zn/Fe/Cu content under Zn deficiency conditions. The N‐terminus of OsbZIP48/OsbZIP50 contains two Zn sensor motifs (ZSMs), deletion or mutation of these ZSMs leads to increased nuclear localization. Both OsbZIP48 and OsbZIP50 exhibit transcriptional activation activity, and the upregulation of 1117 genes involved in metal uptake and other processes by Zn deficiency is diminished in the OsbZIP48/50 double mutant. Both OsbZIP48 and OsbZIP50 bind to the promoter of OsZIP10 and activate the ZDRE cis‐element. Amino acid substitution mutation of the ZSM domain of OsbZIP48 in OsbZIP50 mutant background increases the content of Zn/Fe/Cu in brown rice seeds and leaves. Therefore, this study demonstrates that OsbZIP48/50 play a crucial role in regulating metal homoeostasis and identifies their downstream genes involved in the Zn deficiency response in rice.
Efficient border biosecurity inspection leverages superspreading to reduce biological invasion risk
Authors: Trouvé Raphaël , Robinson Andrew P.
Published: February 2024

Biological invasions are a growing threat to biodiversity, food security, and economies. Rising pressure from increased global trade requires improving border inspection efficiency. Here, we depart from the conventional consignment‐by‐consignment approach advocated in current inspection standards. Instead, we suggest a broader perspective: evaluating border inspection regimes based on their ability to reduce propagule pressure across entire pathways. Additionally, we demonstrate that most biosecurity pathways exhibit superspreading behavior, that is, consignments from the same pathway have varying infestation rates and contain rare right‐tail events (also called overdispersion). We show that greater overdispersion leads to more pronounced diminishing returns, with consequences on the optimal allocation of sampling effort. We leverage these two insights to develop a simple and efficient border inspection regime that can significantly reduce propagule pressure compared to current standards. Our analysis revealed that consignment size is a key driver of biosecurity risk and that sampling proportional to the square root of consignment size is near optimal. In testing, our framework reduced propagule pressure by 31 to 38% compared to current standards. We also identified opportunities to further improve inspection efficiency by considering additional pathway characteristics (i.e., overdispersion parameters, zero inflation, relative risk, sampling cost, detectability) and developed solutions for these more complex scenarios. We anticipate our result will mitigate biological invasion risk with significant implications for biodiversity conservation, food security, and economies worldwide.
Alternative policy narratives of the future of climate change: Analyzing Finland's energy and climate strategy and news reports
Authors: Parkkinen Marjukka , Vikström Suvi
Published: February 2024

In this article, we examine the ways in which the futures of climate change and the climate change policy process are constructed as narratives—both explicitly and implicitly—in two different yet interconnected contexts that shape public climate discourse and debate: foresight‐based political decision‐making and journalism. The featured case is the National Energy and Climate Strategy of Finland for 2030. We employ and expand the Narrative Policy Framework to better understand the co‐existent, implicit narratives of the future in the contexts of policy and media. We construct two co‐existing yet contradictory underlying narratives of the future of climate change and climate policy. Our approach reveals that the prevailing master narrative of a desirable future is challenged by a co‐existing counter narrative where policies in the energy and climate strategy prioritize shorter‐term policy interests over climate change. Building on these findings, we argue that, in climate policy communication, communicators convey futures through narratives—both explicitly, as descriptions of what is perceived, hoped, and anticipated to happen, and implicitly, as the sum of the parts included and excluded.
Clinical efficacy of CO2 fractional laser in treating post‐burn hypertrophic scars in children: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Yuan , Wei Wenlong , Li Xiaojian
Published: February 2024

Objective

To evaluate and explore the efficacy of CO2 fractional laser in treating post‐burn hypertrophic scars in children through Meta‐analysis.

Methods

English databases (PubMed, Web of Science and The National Library of Medicine), as well as Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Data) were searched. RevMan 5.3 software was used to data analysis.

Results

A total of 10 pieces of literature were included, involving 413 children. Meta‐analysis showed that: (1) The average Vancouver Scar Scale after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery [weight mean difference (WMD) = −3.56, 95% confidence interval (CI):−4.53,−2.58, p < 0.001]; (2) After CO2 fractional laser, pigmentation [WMD = −0.74, 95% CI:−1.10,−0.38, p < 0.001], pliability [WMD = −0.92, 95% CI:−1.20,−0.65, p < 0.001], vascularity [WMD = −0.77, 95% CI:−1.09,−0.46, p < 0.001], height [WMD = −0.57, 95% CI:−0.95,−0.19, p < 0.001] were improved compared with those before surgery. (3) The average Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) after surgery was significantly lower than that before surgery [WMD = −3.94, 95% CI:−5.69,−2.22, p < 0.001]. (4) Both Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS)‐Observer [WMD = −3.98, 95% CI:−8.44,0.47, p < 0.001] and POSAS‐Patient [WMD = −4.98, 95% CI:−8.09,−1.87, p < 0.001] were significantly lower than those before surgery. (5) Erythema and vesicles were the most common complications after CO2 fractional laser therapy, with an incidence of 4.09%.

Conclusion

CO2 fractional laser is beneficial to the recovery of hypertrophic scar after burn in children, and can effectively improve the scar symptoms and signs in children, with desirable clinical efficacy.
Xenotransplantation literature update March 2023–November 2023
Authors: Kamberi Shani , Meier Raphael P. H.
Published: February 2024

We present an updated report highlighting significant developments in the field of xenotransplantation since March 2023. The past six months have witnessed significant strides in the field and the emergence of novel research that is expected to facilitate the journey towards clinical trials. We are reviewing here the most pertinent findings from March 2023 to November 2023.
A New Method for Assessing Total Cardiovascular Stiffness—Preliminary Data
Authors: Oliver Maggie , Kumar Senthil , Petroski Gregory F. , Manring Noah
Published: February 2024

This paper demonstrates a new method for assessing total cardiovascular stiffness using the following five hemodynamic parameters gathered during a routine echocardiogram: (1) left ventricular stroke volume, (2) left ventricular ejection period, (3) heart rate, (4) systolic blood pressure, and (5) diastolic blood pressure. This study uses eight volunteer patients undergoing a routine echocardiogram at the University of Missouri Hospitals. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) data was taken immediately after the echocardiogram and compared to the cardiovascular stiffness result obtained from the echocardiogram data. The R2 value for this comparison was 0.8499 which shows a good correlation. We hypothesize that our new method for assessing total cardiovascular stiffness may be considered equivalent to that of the PWV method.
Linear Moments-Based Monte Carlo Simulation for Reliability Analysis With Unknown Probability Distributions
Authors: Zhang Long-Wen , Zhao Yan-Gang
Published: February 2024

Within the realm of structural reliability analysis, the uncertainties tied to resistance and loads are conventionally embodied as random variables possessing established cumulative distribution functions (CDFs). Nevertheless, real-world scenarios often involve cases where the CDFs of random variables are unknown, necessitating the probabilistic traits of these variables solely through statistical moments. In this study, for the purpose of integrating random variables characterized by an unknown CDF into the framework of Monte Carlo simulation (MCS), a linear moments (L-moments)-based method is proposed. The random variables marked by an unknown CDF are rendered as a straightforward function of a standard normal random variable, and the formulation of this function is determined by utilizing the L-moments, which are typically attainable from the statistical data of the random variables. By employing the proposed approach, the generation of random numbers associated with variables with unknown CDFs becomes a straightforward process, utilizing those derived from a standard normal random variable constructed by using Box-Muller transform. A selection of illustrative examples is presented, in which the efficacy of the technique is scrutinized. This examination reveals that despite its simplicity, the method demonstrates a level of precision that qualifies it for incorporating random variables characterized by unspecified CDFs within the framework of MCS for purposes of structural reliability analysis.
Modeling the Thermal-Compression Flip-Chip Process by Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Huang Yue , Li Shang-Shu , Gao Yan-Pei , Zhu Hai-Bin , He Gao-Yin , Xie Xiao-Hui , Lin Chun
Published: February 2024

For the first time, finite element analysis (FEA) is applied to the thermal-compression flip-chip process in micro-electronics. By adding the bump height nonuniformity and the morphology variance, a common basal line is established. Although the experiment confirms the rate dependence of indium, an approximation is made to derive the material properties in FEA. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of deformation between the FEA model and the reality is around 1% when predicting the misaligned flip-chip specimen. Besides, the modeled bump characteristic with misalignment coincides with the cross-sectional scanning electron microscope (SEM) picture. The model could be served as a powerful tool to guide the manufacturing process.
Deep Learning Methods for Diagnosing Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Kaur Gurmanik , Busi Ram Babu , Talam Satyanarayana , Marlapalli Krishna
Published: February 2024

One of the prevalent, life-threatening disorders that has been on the rise in recent years is thyroid nodule. A frequent diagnostic technique for locating and identifying thyroid nodules is ultrasound imaging. However, it takes time and presents difficulties for the specialists to evaluate all of the slide images. Automated, reliable, and objective methods are required for accurately evaluating ultrasound images. Recent developments in deep learning have completely changed several facets of image analysis and computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) techniques that deal with the issue of identifying thyroid nodules. We reviewed the literature on the potential, constraints, and present deep learning applications for thyroid cancer detection and discussed the study's goals. We provided an overview of latest developments in the deep learning techniques for thyroid cancer diagnosis and addressed some of the difficulties and practical issues that can restrict the development of deep learning and its incorporation into healthcare setting.
Evaluation by Liquid Crystal Thermography of Transient Surface Temperature Distribution in Radiant Floor Cooling Applications and Assessment of Analytical and Numerical Models
Authors: Bizzarri Marco , Conti Paolo , Glicksman Leon R. , Schito Eva , Testi Daniele
Published: February 2024

The purpose of our study is to evaluate the surface temperature distribution on a radiant floor, particularly focusing on space cooling operations, to assess the presence of nonuniformities. In fact, knowing the temperature difference between the average superficial temperature and the coldest spot can be a useful indication for condensation prevention. Primarily, we performed an experimental campaign in test rooms using temperature sensors and liquid crystal thermography. This allowed us to evaluate the floor temperature distribution both on a local scale, influenced by the discontinuous presence of buried water pipes, and on a macroscale, influenced by internal use, objects, and boundary conditions of the surrounding space. Then, the experimental temperature field on the radiant floor surface has been compared with analytical and numerical models in steady-state and transient phases, respectively. The results indicate limited superficial temperature variations that become more significant at larger tube spacings and under transient conditions. In particular, the numerical transient analysis showed that shortly after a step change in the pipe's temperature boundary condition, a larger variation is locally observable on the floor, which then decays to the new steady-state conditions, presenting more uniformity. However, local effects are generally overshadowed by macro-effects, especially for practical scenarios where many objects, furnishings, and different boundary conditions are present. Finally, as a conservative guideline for the cooling system control, we recommend maintaining the average superficial floor temperature at least 1 °C above the dew point, to account for the described nonuniformities.
Selling Gender Through Kids’ Sport Team Merchandise: A Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis
Authors: Sveinson Katherine , Macaulay Charles D.T.
Published: February 2024

Scholars studying team-licensed fan apparel have begun to surface the meanings communicated through fan clothing, particularly focusing on its gendered nature. This study extends upon this previous research by examining children’s sport fan apparel via a social semiotics theoretical framework. The authors collected 377 items from 14 teams in seven major leagues in the United States. Merging a feminist lens with multimodal critical discourse analysis methodology, they uncovered how discourses and meanings in the marketing of these materials communicate organizational practices and structures. The study determined that the marketing presented discourses of gender segregation and (false) gender neutrality, as well as discourses of good parenting that legitimized the consumption of merchandise as a reflection of parenting ideologies. Organizations must address internal gendered practices to produce marketing materials and artifacts supporting gender equity and inclusivity.
When Sport Fandom Meets Motherhood: A Qualitative Exploration of Women’s Experiences
Authors: Toffoletti Kim , Sveinson Katherine
Published: February 2024

Existing literature provides nascent insights into structural arrangements that shape mothers’ experiences of being a sport fan, yet we know little about the social meaning sport fandom holds for mothers. This exploratory study draws on qualitative interviews with 41 mothers from Australia and North America to examine their understandings of sport fandom in the context of their everyday lives and contemporary ideologies about mothering. Findings suggest that sport fandom presents an opportunity for mothers to redefine and transform both fan and mothering practices, thereby challenging popular orthodoxies that fandom becomes less important to women after having children. By foregrounding mothers’ efforts to stay engaged with their fandom, we extend research on the experiences of women sport fans and offer alternatives to normative constructs of fandom.
Ultrafast Umklapp-assisted electron-phonon cooling in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene
Authors: Mehew Jake Dudley , Merino Rafael Luque , Ishizuka Hiroaki , Block Alexander , Mérida Jaime Díez , Carlón Andrés Díez , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Levitov Leonid S. , Efetov Dmitri K. , Tielrooij Klaas-Jan
Published: February 2024

Understanding electron-phonon interactions is fundamentally important and has crucial implications for device applications. However, in twisted bilayer graphene near the magic angle, this understanding is currently lacking. Here, we study electron-phonon coupling using time- and frequency-resolved photovoltage measurements as direct and complementary probes of phonon-mediated hot-electron cooling. We find a remarkable speedup in cooling of twisted bilayer graphene near the magic angle: The cooling time is a few picoseconds from room temperature down to 5 kelvin, whereas in pristine bilayer graphene, cooling to phonons becomes much slower for lower temperatures. Our experimental and theoretical analysis indicates that this ultrafast cooling is a combined effect of superlattice formation with low-energy moiré phonons, spatially compressed electronic Wannier orbitals, and a reduced superlattice Brillouin zone. This enables efficient electron-phonon Umklapp scattering that overcomes electron-phonon momentum mismatch. These results establish twist angle as an effective way to control energy relaxation and electronic heat flow.
CDCA7-associated global aberrant DNA hypomethylation translates to localized, tissue-specific transcriptional responses
Authors: Vukic Maja , Chouaref Jihed , Della Chiara Veronica , Dogan Serkan , Ratner Fallon , Hogenboom Jenna Z. M. , Epp Trevor A. , Chawengsaksophak Kallayanee , Vonk Kelly K. D. , Breukel Cor , Ariyurek Yavuz , San Leon Granado David , Kloet Susan L. , Daxinger Lucia
Published: February 2024

Disruption of cell division cycle associated 7 (CDCA7) has been linked to aberrant DNA hypomethylation, but the impact of DNA methylation loss on transcription has not been investigated. Here, we show that CDCA7 is critical for maintaining global DNA methylation levels across multiple tissues in vivo. A pathogenic
Cdca7
missense variant leads to the formation of large, aberrantly hypomethylated domains overlapping with the B genomic compartment but without affecting the deposition of H3K9 trimethylation (H3K9me3). CDCA7-associated aberrant DNA hypomethylation translated to localized, tissue-specific transcriptional dysregulation that affected large gene clusters. In the brain, we identify CDCA7 as a transcriptional repressor and epigenetic regulator of clustered
protocadherin
isoform choice. Increased
protocadherin
isoform expression frequency is accompanied by DNA methylation loss, gain of H3K4 trimethylation (H3K4me3), and increased binding of the transcriptional regulator CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF). Overall, our in vivo work identifies a key role for CDCA7 in safeguarding tissue-specific expression of gene clusters via the DNA methylation pathway.
Wearable bioadhesive ultrasound shear wave elastography
Authors: Liu Hsiao-Chuan , Zeng Yushun , Gong Chen , Chen Xiaoyu , Kijanka Piotr , Zhang Junhang , Genyk Yuri , Tchelepi Hisham , Wang Chonghe , Zhou Qifa , Zhao Xuanhe
Published: February 2024

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a critical medical condition defined as the rapid development of hepatic dysfunction. Conventional ultrasound elastography cannot continuously monitor liver stiffness over the course of rapidly changing diseases for early detection due to the requirement of a handheld probe. In this study, we introduce wearable bioadhesive ultrasound elastography (BAUS-E), which can generate acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) to induce shear waves for the continuous monitoring of modulus changes. BAUS-E contains 128 channels with a compact design with only 24 mm in the azimuth direction for comfortable wearability. We further used BAUS-E to continuously monitor the stiffness of in vivo rat livers with ALF induced byd-galactosamine over 48 hours, and the stiffness change was observed within the first 6 hours. BAUS-E holds promise for clinical applications, particularly in patients after organ transplantation or postoperative care in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Quantitative microbial risk assessment for ingestion of antibiotic resistance genes from private wells contaminated by human and livestock fecal sources
Authors: Burch Tucker R. , Stokdyk Joel P. , Durso Lisa M. , Borchardt Mark A.
Published: February 2024

Antibiotic resistance is a global public health challenge with well-known environmental dimensions, but quantitative analyses of the roles played by various natural environments in transmission of antibiotic resistance are lacking, particularly for drinking water. This study assesses risk of ingestion for several antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and the class 1 integron gene (
intI1
) in drinking water from private wells in a rural area of northeast Wisconsin, United States. Results allow comparison of drinking water as an exposure route for antibiotic resistance relative to other routes like food and recreational water. They also enable a comparison of the importance of human versus livestock fecal sources in the study area. Our study demonstrates the previously unrecognized importance of untreated rural drinking water as an exposure route for antibiotic resistance and identifies bovine fecal material as an important exposure factor in the study setting.
Vaginal community state types (CSTs) alter environmental cues and production of the
Staphylococcus aureus
toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1)
Authors: Maduta Carla S. , McCormick John K. , Dufresne Karine
Published: February 2024

Menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS) is a rare but life-threatening disease associated with the use of high-absorbency tampons. The production of the
Staphylococcus aureus
toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) superantigen is involved in nearly all cases of mTSS and is tightly controlled by regulators responding to the environment. In the prototypic mTSS strain
S. aureus
MN8, the major repressor of TSST-1 is the carbon catabolite protein A (CcpA), which responds to glucose concentrations in the vaginal tract. Healthy vaginal
Lactobacillus
species also depend on glucose for both growth and acidification of the vaginal environment through lactic acid production. We hypothesized that interactions between the vaginal microbiota [herein referred to as community state types (CSTs)] and
S. aureus
MN8 depend on environmental cues and that these interactions subsequently affect TSST-1 production. Using
S. aureus
MN8 Δ
ccpA
growing in various glucose concentrations, we demonstrate that the supernatants from different CSTs grown in vaginally defined medium (VDM) could significantly decrease
tst
expression. When co-culturing CST species with MN8 ∆
ccpA
, we show that
Lactobacillus jensenii
completely inhibits TSST-1 production in conditions mimicking healthy menstruation or mTSS. Finally, we show that growing
S. aureus
in “unhealthy” or “transitional” CST supernatants results in higher interleukin 2 (IL-2) production from T cells. These findings suggest that dysbiotic CSTs may encourage TSST-1 production in the vaginal tract and further indicate that the CSTs are likely important for the protection from mTSS.

IMPORTANCE

In this study, we investigate the impact of the vaginal microbiota against
Staphylococcus aureus
in conditions mimicking the vaginal environment at various stages of the menstrual cycle. We demonstrate that
Lactobacillus jensenii
can inhibit toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) production, suggesting the potential for probiotic activity in treating and preventing menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS). On the other side of the spectrum, “unhealthy” or “transient” bacteria such as
Gardnerella vaginalis
and
Lactobacillus iners
support more TSST-1 production by
S. aureus
, suggesting that community state types are important in the development of mTSS. This study sets forward a model for examining contact-independent interactions between pathogenic bacteria and the vaginal microbiota. It also demonstrates the necessity of replicating the environment when studying one as dynamic as the vagina.
Kidney organoids reveal redundancy in viral entry pathways during ACE2-dependent SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Vanslambrouck Jessica M. , Neil Jessica A. , Rudraraju Rajeev , Mah Sophia , Tan Ker Sin , Groenewegen Ella , Forbes Thomas A. , Karavendzas Katerina , Elliott David A. , Porrello Enzo R. , Subbarao Kanta , Little Melissa H.
Published: February 2024

With a high incidence of acute kidney injury among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, considerable attention has been focussed on whether SARS-CoV-2 specifically targets kidney cells to directly impact renal function, or whether renal damage is primarily an indirect outcome. To date, several studies have utilized kidney organoids to understand the pathogenesis of COVID-19, revealing the ability for SARS-CoV-2 to predominantly infect cells of the proximal tubule (PT), with reduced infectivity following administration of soluble ACE2. However, the immaturity of standard human kidney organoids represents a significant hurdle, leaving the preferred SARS-CoV-2 processing pathway, existence of alternate viral receptors, and the effect of common hypertensive medications on the expression of ACE2 in the context of SARS-CoV-2 exposure incompletely understood. Utilizing a novel kidney organoid model with enhanced PT maturity, genetic- and drug-mediated inhibition of viral entry and processing factors confirmed the requirement for ACE2 for SARS-CoV-2 entry but showed that the virus can utilize dual viral spike protein processing pathways downstream of ACE2 receptor binding. These include TMPRSS- and CTSL/CTSB-mediated non-endosomal and endocytic pathways, with TMPRSS10 likely playing a more significant role in the non-endosomal pathway in renal cells than TMPRSS2. Finally, treatment with the antihypertensive ACE inhibitor, lisinopril, showed negligible impact on receptor expression or susceptibility of renal cells to infection. This study represents the first in-depth characterization of viral entry in stem cell-derived human kidney organoids with enhanced PTs, providing deeper insight into the renal implications of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

IMPORTANCE

Utilizing a human iPSC-derived kidney organoid model with improved proximal tubule (PT) maturity, we identified the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 entry in renal cells, confirming ACE2 as the sole receptor and revealing redundancy in downstream cell surface TMPRSS- and endocytic Cathepsin-mediated pathways. In addition, these data address the implications of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the setting of the commonly prescribed ACE-inhibitor, lisinopril, confirming its negligible impact on infection of kidney cells. Taken together, these results provide valuable insight into the mechanism of viral infection in the human kidney.
Visualization of immune pathways that enhance the neutralizing antibody response to vaccines after primary immunization
Authors: Verma Anita , De Pascalis Roberto , Mocca Christopher P. , Li Xiaohong , Burns Drusilla L.
Published: February 2024

We examined the relationship between the association of a vaccine antigen with immune cells in secondary lymphoid organs shortly after immunization and the resulting neutralizing antibody response induced by that antigen using three antigenic forms of anthrax protective antigen (PA) that induce qualitatively different antibody responses. The three PA forms used were wild-type PA, which binds to anthrax toxin receptors and elicits a robust antibody response that includes both neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibodies; a receptor-binding-deficient (RBD) mutant form of PA, which does not bind cellular receptors and elicits only barely detectable antibody responses; and an engineered chimeric form of PA, which binds cholera toxin receptors and elicits a robust total antibody response but a poor neutralizing antibody response. We found that both wild-type PA and the PA chimera associated with immune cells in secondary lymphoid organs after immunization, but the RBD mutant PA exhibited minimal association, revealing a relationship between antigen binding to toxin receptors on immune cells after immunization and subsequent antibody responses. A portion of wild-type PA that bound to immune cells was cell surface-associated and maintained its native conformation. Much lower amounts of conformationally intact PA chimera were associated with immune cells after immunization, correlating with the lower neutralizing antibody response elicited by the PA chimera. Thus, binding of an antigen to receptors on immune cells in secondary lymphoid organs after immunization and maintenance of conformational integrity of the cell-associated antigen help dictate the magnitude of the resulting neutralizing antibody response, but not necessarily the total antibody response.

IMPORTANCE

Many vaccines protect by the induction of antibodies that neutralize the action of the pathogen. Here, we followed the fate of three antigenic forms of a vaccine antigen in secondary lymphoid organs after immunization to investigate events leading to a robust neutralizing antibody response. We found that the magnitude of the neutralizing antibody response, but not the total antibody response, correlates with the levels of conformationally intact antigen associated with immune cells in secondary lymphoid organs after primary immunization. We believe that these results provide important insights into the genesis of neutralizing antibody responses induced by vaccine antigens and may have implications for vaccine design.
Complete genome sequence of
Fusobacterium vincentii
strain TDC100 isolated from an apical periodontitis lesion
Authors: Yonezawa Hideo , Kokubu Eitoyo , Kikuchi Yuichiro , Ishihara Kazuyuki
Published: February 2024

This study reports the complete genome sequence of
Fusobacterium vincentii
strain TDC100. The complete circular chromosome of strain TDC100 was obtained and assembled using a combination of short- and long-read sequencing.
Draft genome of
Staphylococcus capitis
O112, isolated from the cheek swab of a healthy female
Authors: Jablonska Sandra , Kula Alex , Putonti Catherine
Published: February 2024

Staphylococcus capitis
is a Gram-positive bacterium that is part of the normal human flora, found in multiple anatomical sites. Here, we present the 2.5-Mbp draft genome of
S. capitis
O112, isolated from a cheek swab collected from a healthy female.