bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Invasive Buffelgrass, Cenchrus ciliaris, Balances Opportunistic Acquisition of Foliar fungi With Host and Environmental Filtering in Its Introduced Range
Authors: Bowman Elizabeth A. , Hawkes Christine V. , Jones Nathan , Plowes Robert M. , Martins Dino J. , Gilbert Lawrence E.
Published: December 2024

Plants host diverse assemblages of fungi on their foliar tissues, both in internal compartments and on exterior surfaces. When plant distributions shift, they can move with their fungal associates (i.e., co‐introduction) or acquire new associates present in the novel environment (host‐jumping). The fungal communities that plants acquire influence a plant's ability to establish and spread in this new environment. Here, we aimed to assess whether invasive C. ciliaris hosts similar groups of fungi in its native and introduced ranges and to evaluate community overlap of fungi associated with foliar tissue of C. ciliaris and native and non‐native plants within the introduced range. In the introduced range, the majority of OTUs associated with C. ciliaris were not found in its native range, although 3.2% of OTUs were common to both ranges. Of these shared OTU, 77.6% were found on co‐occurring natives and non‐natives in the introduced range, whereas 22.4% were unique to C. ciliaris indicating a possible co‐introduction. Fungal communities within the introduced range contained a higher proportion of generalist symbionts and increased heterogeneity of foliar communities than in its native range. Within the introduced range, host phylogenetic distance explained more variation than native status. Our findings provide evidence that non‐natives acquire fungi opportunistically from their environment, although host and environmental filtering is present suggesting that successful invasive plants may be able to limit the effect of poor symbionts and select for better ones. Future experimental work will be needed to confirm the occurrence of host selection and identify its mechanisms.
Concurrent Fabry disease and IgA nephropathy in a patient with Crohn's disease: A case report
Authors: Choi Heejung , Yim Hyunee , Park Inwhee
Published: December 2024

We present a unique case of concurrent Fabry disease (FD) and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in a 27‐year‐old female with a 10‐year history of Crohn's disease (CD). The patient presented to the nephrology clinic with microscopic haematuria and proteinuria on routine tests. A kidney biopsy revealed mesangial matrix widening, mesangial cell proliferation, and podocyte enlargement with prominent lacy and clear cytoplasm, as observed with haematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated diffuse immunoglobulin A deposits in the mesangium. Electron microscopy identified myelin‐like figures in the cytoplasm of podocytes and electron‐dense deposits in the mesangium, confirming IgAN and suggesting FD. Subsequent testing showed low alpha‐galactosidase A (α‐gal) enzyme activity in the patient's white blood cells, confirming the FD diagnosis. Enzyme replacement therapy was initiated following the diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of the coexistence of FD, IgAN, and CD in a single patient. This case highlights the importance of considering FD in patients with proteinuria, emphasising the need for comprehensive diagnostic evaluations in complex cases.
Vascular plant diversity in Swedish road verges of high conservation value is threatened by the invasive alien herb Lupinus polyphyllus Lindley
Authors: Dániel‐Ferreira Juliana , Lennartsson Tommy , Wissman Jörgen , Knudsen Carola , Eckstein Rolf Lutz
Published: December 2024

Road verges can be important habitats for vascular plant communities and the organisms that, in turn, depend on them. However, the plant diversity in Swedish road verges is threatened by the invasive perennial plant Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of L. polyphyllus on species richness, diversity, and biotic and abiotic characteristics of dissimilar plant communities in road verges. The study was performed in 24 road verges of high nature value (i.e. with high flowering plant diversity) in central Sweden. We selected road verges within two study areas, one dominated by forest (west) and the other by agricultural land (east). In each road verge we established a pair of 1 m2 plots. One plot was dominated by L. polyphyllus while in the other plot L. polyphyllus either had very low occurrences or was completely absent. We investigated whether species richness, effective number of species, and the probability of occurrence of species belonging to three functional groups (based on their competitive ability and affiliation to nutrient rich soil) differed between plots with vs without lupine and if responses varied between the study areas. We found that L. polyphyllus reduced species richness and diversity of plant communities in road verges. However, we found that even though the direction of the effect was similar, the magnitude was strongly dependent on the pre‐existing communities. Community composition differed between the study areas. The study area in the west hosted a lower proportion of competitive species typical for nutrient poor soils compared to the east. We conclude that invasion by L. polyphyllus is a serious threat to vascular plant communities but that the response is context dependent. Communities with high abundance of vulnerable and poor competitive plant species should be prioritised for eradication and control of the invasive.
Home Care Patient's Experiences and Medication Burden Related to High‐Risk Medication Use: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Dumitrescu Irina , Casteels Minne , De Vliegher Kristel , Hubens Charlotte , Dilles Tinne
Published: December 2024

Background

Age, polypharmacy and comorbidity are examples of known factors that increase the risk of adverse drug reactions in patients. The use of high‐risk medication also entails a heightened risk of harm. There is currently no information available on the home care patients' experiences and medication burden experienced due to their high‐risk medication use and how they manage their medication. Further investigation with regard to this combination is necessary. The patient's experiences and medication burden related to high‐risk medication use can be taken into account when drawing up guidelines and standards of care for healthcare professionals.

Objectives

To describe home care patients' experiences and medication burden related to high‐risk medication use, more specifically how patients manage their high‐risk medication use, which professional support they receive and which potential adverse drug reactions they experience.

Design

A cross‐sectional study of home care patients in Belgium, aged 65 years and older who took at least one high‐risk medication.

Results

In our population of 106 home care patients, a median use of 8 medications per patient is reported, of which 2 can be considered high‐risk medication. Metformin, insulin and lormetazepam are the most frequently used high‐risk medications. Home care patients believe their medication is important to them, are able to manage the intake and seem to have a high level of therapy adherence. Most patients do not believe their medication intake implies a certain risk. Most patients are supported by a home care nurse for the preparation of their medication. A mean number of 5 symptoms/potential adverse drug reactions is reported out of the 21 potential adverse drug reactions questioned. The potential adverse drug reaction most frequently attributed to medication use was bleeding.

Conclusions

Practice guidelines with detailed medicine‐specific protocols are needed to enhance (high‐risk) medication‐related care in an overall high‐risk medication policy. Understanding the patient's risk experiences and communicating with the patient is important to ensure safe medication care but also to identify patients at risk for nonadherence and adverse reactions. The patient's experiences with their medication intake provide rich information for healthcare providers and should therefore be included in patient observations. Home care nurses should closely follow up on the home care patient's medication therapy with respect for the patient's autonomy.
On Global and Decay Solution of Viscous Compressible MHD Equations
Authors: Benabidallah Rachid , Ebobisse François , Azouz Mohamed
Published: December 2024

We consider in an infinite horizontal layer, the equations of the viscous compressible magnetohydrodynamic flows subject to the gravitational force. On the upper and lower planes of the layer, we consider homogeneous Dirichlet conditions on the velocity while a large constant vector field is prescribed on the magnetic field. The existence of the global strong solution with small initial data and its asymptotic behavior as time goes to infinity are established.
The social flood pulse and socio‐ecological transformation of the Tonle Sap
Authors: Sithirith Mak , Grundy‐Warr Carl
Published: December 2024

The flood pulse is a hydrological concept of the river‐lake‐floodplain system, demonstrating the varying hydrological regimes between wet and dry seasons, which drive productivity and interaction of living and non‐living organisms in river‐lake‐floodplain systems (RLFS). This paper posits that the flood pulse is a ‘social,’ physical, and hydrological driver of change in the Mekong Basin, particularly for the ‘pulsing heart’ of Tonle Sap Lake (TSL). Although the flood pulse provides a comprehensive knowledge of RLFS, there has been less attention on how the flood pulse contributes to the development of river‐lake society. This paper examines the social aspects of the flood pulse in RLFS and explores how communities adapt to changing hydrological regimes between the wet and dry seasons. It is argued that the physical and social dimensions of the flood pulse should be essential considerations in water governance, environmental and social policy arenas. It concludes that the flood pulse shapes human settlements in TSL into water‐based, water‐land‐based, and land‐based communities, induces vertical and horizontal mobilities of communities between the wet and dry seasons, and influences the organization of productive spaces and non‐spatial activities to sustain livelihoods. Developments such as hydropower are causing ecological and social transformations in TSL.
Predictors of recent mental health service utilization among firearm‐owning US service members with high levels of psychological distress
Authors: Rodriguez Taylor R. , Bandel Shelby L. , Bond Allison E. , Anestis Michael D. , Anestis Joye C.
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Service members with mental health difficulties and access to a firearm are at an increased risk for suicide. Mental healthcare providers are well‐positioned to discuss firearms and create safety plans; however, many service members do not seek treatment. This study aims to identify potential sociodemographic predictors of recent mental healthcare utilization among firearm‐owning service members who report past month distress.

Methods

The sample included 268 US military service members. Participants reported whether they attended at least one behavioral health visit in the 3 months prior to participation.

Results

Females, individuals of a racial background other than Black or White, older individuals, and those who have never been active‐duty were more likely to have attended a session. Additionally, the likelihood of utilization was higher among those who reported past week wish to die and suicidal behaviors in the past year.

Conclusion

While certain service members are less likely to have utilized mental healthcare, findings suggest that those with suicidal ideation and access to a firearm are likely to engage in at least one appointment. As such, providing mental healthcare providers with training and resources for promoting secure firearm storage is an important avenue for suicide prevention.
Information Costs and the Non‐Take‐Up of Social Benefits: A Detailed Exploration of Belgian Social Assistance
Authors: Bolland Manon , Janssens Julie , Goedemé Tim
Published: December 2024

In many European countries, about half of those eligible for means‐tested social benefits, do not receive the benefits to which they are entitled. In the literature, a wide range of factors have been identified that potentially contribute to the non‐take‐up of social benefits. Particular attention has been paid to factors that relate to the claimants themselves, including the experienced or perceived costs associated with claiming benefits and negative attitudes towards claiming benefits. However, the theory on the conditions under which claiming costs matter is still underdeveloped, while the evidence on the relative importance of claiming costs is to a large extent indirect and based on proxy variables. In this paper, we measure individual and household (dis)incentives for taking up social assistance benefits more directly, and evaluate to what extent they are associated with non‐take‐up of social assistance for people at active age in Belgium. To do so, we use a combination of register data and data from the TAKE survey, a new representative survey tailored for studying the determinants of non‐take‐up in Belgium. Combining both sources of information and detailed simulations of eligibility, we show that information costs are much better at predicting non‐receipt of social assistance than process costs and stigma. While attitudes towards the receipt of benefits are of little consequence, optimism about the future seems to matter more, as does the level of material deprivation experienced by the household. We also explore under what conditions information costs matter most. While findings are not very robust, our data suggest that the importance of information costs is mediated by the level optimism about the future and changes in household composition that act as trigger events.
Identification, characterization, and design of plant genome sequences using deep learning
Authors: Wang Zhenye , Yuan Hao , Yan Jianbing , Liu Jianxiao
Published: December 2024

Due to its excellent performance in processing large amounts of data and capturing complex non‐linear relationships, deep learning has been widely applied in many fields of plant biology. Here we first review the application of deep learning in analyzing genome sequences to predict gene expression, chromatin interactions, and epigenetic features (open chromatin, transcription factor binding sites, and methylation sites) in plants. Then, current motif mining and functional component design and synthesis based on generative adversarial networks, large models, and attention mechanisms are elaborated in detail. The progress of protein structure and function prediction, genomic prediction, and large model applications based on deep learning is also discussed. Finally, this work provides prospects for the future development of deep learning in plants with regard to multiple omics data, algorithm optimization, large language models, sequence design, and intelligent breeding.
A favorable natural variation in CCD7 from orchardgrass confers enhanced tiller number
Authors: Xu Xiaoheng , Liang Yueyang , Feng Guangyan , Li Shunfeng , Yang Zhongfu , Nie Gang , Huang Linkai , Zhang Xinquan
Published: December 2024

Tiller number is a crucial determinant that significantly influences the productivity and reproductive capacity of forage. The regeneration potential, biomass production, and seed yield of perennial forage species are highly reliant on the development of tillering. Strigolactones (SLs) are recently discovered carotenoid‐derived phytohormones that play a crucial role in the regulation of tillering in annual crops. However, the modulation of tiller growth in perennial forage by SLs remains insufficiently investigated. In this study, we identified two alleles of the SLs biosynthesis gene, DgCCD7A and DgCCD7D, which encode CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE 7 (CCD7), from two distinct subspecies of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) exhibiting contrasting tillering phenotype and SLs content. The functionality of the DgCCD7A allele derived from high‐tillering phenotypic orchardgrass was found to be diminished compared to that of DgCCD7D from the low‐tillering type in rescuing the increased branching phenotype of CCD7‐defective mutants in Arabidopsis and rice (Oryza sativa). Notably, the introduction of DgCCD7A in rice resulted in an increase in tiller number without significantly compromising grain yield. Moreover, we demonstrated that the L309P variation in DgCCD7A is a rare natural variant exclusively found in orchardgrass. Our findings revealed that DgCCD7A, a rare favorable natural variation of CCD7 in orchardgrass, holds significant potential for breeding application in improving the plant architecture of perennial forage and crops.
Avances del CRISPR/CAS en relación con su aplicación en cáncer colorrectal
Authors: Guzmán-Serrano Carlos Alberto , Gutiérrez Bolívar Sara , Hernández Tejada Carolina , Londoño-Velasco Elizabeth
Published: December 2024

En el mundo, el cáncer colorrectal (CCR) presenta una alta incidencia tanto en hombres como en mujeres, con una mortalidad del 9,4 %. El estudio de diversos genes implicados como el MSH3 y MUTYH, entre otros, al igual que las múltiples vías afectadas que predisponen su aparición, como la vía Wnt/APC/β-catenina, PI3K/AKT, NF-κB y Ras/Raf, no solo han permitido el entendimiento de la fisiopatología para el diagnóstico, pronóstico y tratamiento del CCR, sino que también han concedido el avance en el establecimiento de nuevas técnicas como CRISPR. Utilizando el sistema CRISPR/Cas, se ha logrado reconocer genes que se constituyen en blancos terapéuticos como ZEB1, miR-139-5p y CCAT1, entre otros; además de favorecer la comprensión de la acción de las proteínas CD133, CD166, FUT4 y FUT9 en los procesos de tumorigénesis, quimiorresistencia, invasión y proliferación celular en CCR. Estudios en modelos in vitro e in vivo han demostrado su posible efectividad terapéutica y diagnóstica, pero no hay suficientes ensayos clínicos que demuestren la aplicación de esta herramienta en humanos. Luego, los hallazgos identificados en esta revisión representan un avance importante hacia la aplicación a futuro del CRISPR como terapia génica en CCR en humanos.
Editorial: Desórdenes temporomandibulares, dolor orofacial, bruxismo y apnea del sueño
Authors: Schiemann Patricia , Ruales-Suárez Gerardo , Duarte Orozco Mauricio , Kreiner Marcelo , Paesani Daniel , Delgado-Troncoso Jorge Enrique , Delgado Troncoso Sandra Cecilia
Published: December 2024

El segundo dossier temático que publica Universitas Odontologica en su volumen 42 de 2023 trata acerca de los trastornos temporomandibulares, el dolor orofacial, el bruxismo, y la apnea del sueño. El dossier reúne trabajos que fueron aprobados después de los procesos de evaluación metodológica por los editores y de arbitraje doble ciego por pares expertos. Los expertos internacionales que sirvieron como editores invitados provienen de Argentina, Colombia, España y Uruguay. El dossier incluye seis artículos, de ocho recibidos, en temas como métodos diagnósticos, cambios morfológicos por el uso de aparatos funcionales, bruxismo y posición condilar, alteraciones del sueño y tratamiento del ronquido.
Development of a Highly Conductive Nano-Engineered Geopolymer for Geothermal Applications
Authors: Afridi Muhammad Ali , Wu Yuxing , Khattak Mohammad J. , Karbalaeisaleh Fatemeh
Published: December 2024

Geothermal energy presents a promising opportunity for sustainable and efficient energy production. To maximize the efficiency of geothermal systems, developing advanced materials capable of effectively transferring and withstanding thermal loads is crucial. This study focuses on demonstrating highly conductive nano-engineered geopolymer cement tailored for geothermal applications using prototype laboratory samples. The study included an evaluation of thermal conductivity, shear bond strength, and compressive strength of newly designed geopolymer mixtures as well as the thermal conductivity of large-scale geopolymer samples, with a specific emphasis on their performance in the handling fluid flow for enhanced geothermal systems. The results showed that, compared to the control geopolymer, the developed geopolymer formulations had a lower thermal conductivity performance due to higher air voids in the system. In general, the addition of carbon nanotubes and graphite in geopolymer mixtures reduces the strength and elastic modulus. The thermal conductivity of the large prototype sample cured for 7 days at 49 °C showed better thermal conductivity for the control geopolymer. Conversely, the water flow data reflected better performance for the modified mixtures. Additionally, numerical simulations were developed and validated by the experimental observations for further studies on the effect of geopolymer properties on the performance of geothermal systems.
Data-Driven Depiction of Aging Related Physiological Volume Shrinkage in Brain White Matter: An Image Processing Based Three-Dimensional Micromechanical Model
Authors: Agarwal Mohit , Georgiadis John , Pelegri Assimina A.
Published: December 2024

Aging in the human brain, both in healthy and pathological conditions, leads to significant microstructural alterations, resulting in cognitive decline, with cerebral atrophy being a major contributing factor. This atrophy, characterized by the loss of neurons and glial cells, plays a crucial role in the reduction of brain function. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) provide noninvasive tools to measure brain morphology (volume changes) and regional mechanical properties (tissue stiffness) at the millimeter scale, they are unable to capture cellular-level or micron-scale changes in brain tissue. The challenge is in correlating the mechanical property changes observed at the millimeter scale with the underlying cellular-level micro-architectural alterations. To address this limitation, an ensemble of three-dimensional micromechanical finite element (FE) models was developed, utilizing MRI/MRE data to compute the mechanics of the aging brain with a higher level of detail. Using image processing techniques in Python's NIBABEL library, a mathematical model was constructed to quantify volume fraction (VF) shrinkage in brain white matter (BWM). These models incorporate uniaxial tensile loading and simulate the interactions between axons, myelin, and the glial matrix. Among the three finite element models compared, model type III, which includes both volume fraction changes and shear modulus degeneration, showed a high-order age-related atrophy and brain softening. This approach emphasizes the significant role of computational mechanics in linking macroscopic MRI measurements to cellular-scale changes, enhancing our understanding of brain tissue degeneration.
Ultra-Short-Term Mooring Forces Forecasting for Floating Wind Turbines With Response-Frequency-Informed Deep Learning and On-Site Data
Authors: Kang Yirou , Cheng Zhengshun , Chen Peng , Yang Longzhi , Erfort Gareth , Liu Lei , Hu Zhiqiang
Published: December 2024

Accurate dynamic response forecasting is crucial for the operational monitoring, maintenance, and dynamic control of floating wind turbines (FWT). In this study, an ultra-short-term forecasting model of mooring line tension for a full-size FWT is developed by combining a long short-term memory (LSTM) encoder–decoder network with frequency decomposition (FD), i.e., the LSTM-FD method. After presenting the principles of the LSTM-FD-based ultra-short-term forecasting model, full-scaled measurement data from the Hywind Scotland wind farm are used to validate and demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed model. The result shows that the LSTM-FD method has good consistency between different datasets, and higher accuracy than the LSTM without frequency decomposition. For instance, achieving a 10% enhancement in the accuracy of maximum forecasting for line 1 bridle 1 over a 60-s horizon. More importantly, compared to traditional methods, LSTM-FD improves accuracy by using frequency decomposition to better capture changes in mooring forces of FWT across different frequency ranges. In summary, the proposed method can facilitate more precise and timely maintenance scheduling, reduce operational costs, and enhance the overall safety of FWT operations by mitigating the risk of mooring line failures.
Effect of Blending Ammonia With Natural Gas Hydrocarbons on the Performance of a Heavy-Duty Spark Ignition Engine
Authors: Alvarez Luis F. , Askari Omid , Dumitrescu Cosmin E.
Published: December 2024

Ammonia (NH3) is a promising carbon-free fuel candidate to replace conventional petroleum-based fuels. However, NH3 has low flame speed, low calorific value, narrow flammability limits, and requires high ignition energy. As a result, the use of NH3 in power applications such as internal combustion (IC) engines may require a secondary fuel to promote and sustain the flame as well as hardware engine modifications such as a higher compression ratio (CR) and a high-energy ignition coil. This work investigated the use of a dual-fuel approach involving NH3 and natural gas (NG) components (i.e., methane, propane, and ethane) in a single-cylinder four-stroke heavy-duty compression ignition (CI) engine converted to spark ignition (SI), at an engine speed of 1000 rpm, equivalence ratio of 0.8, and an energy substitution ratio (ESR) of the hydrocarbon fuel up to 0.4. Results showed no penalty on efficiency, as the overall combustion phasing was more optimal as ESR increased. In addition, since all the indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) values were close to each other for different spark timing (ST), it suggests no need for changing the engine control strategy. COVIMEP showed an increase with ESR, suggesting that the addition of NH3 led to more cycle-to-cycle variations, with propane having the highest COVIMEP. This higher cycle-to-cycle variation for propane–ammonia mixtures was probably coming from a competition between its higher reactivity when compared to the other two hydrocarbons and the effect of different fuel properties on the in-cylinder gas motion.
Haptic Interaction Methods for Freehand Contour Generation on a Refreshable Pin Display
Authors: Harnett MacKenzie , Lacy Amanda K. , Yu Pijuan , Friesen Rebecca F.
Published: December 2024

Emerging surface haptic display technology holds promise for enhancing manual interactions such as contour drawing, a task that requires simultaneous generation and sensing for accurate control of the emerging shape. Existing haptic technology enabling tactile drawing is primarily restricted to niche and expensive products for blind accessibility, and the advantages and optimal strategies of engaging with tactile feedback remain unclear. This study compares three tactile interaction methods for contour drawing using a refreshable pin array: input directly on the pin surface with a finger, input on the surface using a stylus, and input on a peripheral screen while the tactile feedback is felt on the pin surface with one’s other hand. A user study investigating contour generation performance using these three different methods found that individual contour properties had greater impacts on drawing accuracy than interaction methods and that accuracy does not always correlate with user perception of performance across methods. Experimental observations highlight several strategies and hand postures users adopted to leverage each interaction method. These results can serve as a guide to developing robust feedback systems for contour drawing on future iterations of surface haptic interface technology.
Repurposing Supply Chains and Process Planning Across Products Using a Similarity Model Based on Supernetworks
Authors: Nwodu Arriana , Jiang Zhengqian , Dulebenets Maxim , Guo Weihong , Wang Hui
Published: December 2024

Manufacturers should repurpose their supply chain quickly in response to a new demand, which reflects a surge in market needs over a certain period of time. The ability to meet this demand depends on the reconfigurability of manufacturing supply chains across products; however, many industries do not have the quantitative tools for evaluating the reconfigurability. Repurposing manufacturing supply chains across industries (e.g., manufacturers from the auto and health industries) poses a unique challenge since existing suppliers should be reutilized to meet the new demand. This paper establishes a methodology that addresses the supply chain repurposing problem by identifying a new supply chain composed of pieces of existing ones to meet the new demand where cross-product reconfiguration is required. First, the supernetwork framework is used to represent the joint information in the manufacturing supply chain, including assembly task planning and manufacturer–supplier assignment. Next, a supernetwork similarity metric is proposed to assess the reconfigurability of existing supply chains across industries when detailed reconfiguration cost data are unavailable. Guided by the similarity metric, a nonlinear integer programming model is developed for joint decision-making in selecting assembly plans and supply chains to create a product in demand, leveraging existing supply chains of other products. The problem is solved by an evolutionary algorithm customized for the supply chain repurposing problem studied herein. The paper concludes with a case study demonstrating how five manufacturing supply chains that produce different products can be repurposed to generate an intubation ventilator system.
The experiences of a student-led special interest group by occupational therapy students at Curtin University
Authors: Nguyen Melissa , Young Anelle , Armstrong Analyce , McBlane Emily , McCann Jessica , Parsons Dave
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Tertiary education courses for health disciplines prepare students for work in a professional environment. However, there is difficulty in covering all content areas due to a saturated curriculum. As a result, in occupational therapy, a gap exists between current course curricula and the knowledge required for a full scope of practice. This gap can be bridged with student-led special interest groups as a form of continuous professional development to provide extra learning opportunities for students. This study aimed to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of a student-led special interest group for occupational therapy students at Curtin University, Australia.
Methods: The study utilised a concurrent triangulation mixed-method design. Pre- and post-session surveys collected data on students’ experiences from three student-led special interest group sessions. A focus group explored themes regarding implementing the special interest group sessions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse demographics, and Mann-Whitney U Tests were conducted on pre- and post-session data sets. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the focus group data.
Results: Students perceived that the student-led special interest group could effectively build their competence and confidence in the specific occupational therapy topics presented. Students perceived the student-led special interest group as an accessible means of continuous professional development and provided suggestions for future implementation.
Conclusion: This study's findings can be used to implement student-led special interest groups in other occupational therapy curricula, provide feedback to guide their implementation, effectively target student participation and encourage further research into the relevance of such groups in other disciplines.
Self-perceived confidence and competence of medical students in treating patients with diverse sexualities and genders
Authors: Mausolf Christine , Beare Elizabeth , Ullah Shahid , Lim David
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Insufficient knowledge among health staff about people with diverse sexualities and genders (DSGs) can hinder access to care. This student-initiated project aimed to ascertain medical students’ self-perceived confidence and competence in treating patients with DSGs, identify student satisfaction with DSG curricular content and identify discrimination and/or biases.
Methods: In 2022, medical students from an Australian medical program were surveyed using an adapted medical student survey instrument used in the United States and Canada.
Results: The response rate of 15% (n = 91) included 70% heterosexual students. Respondents reported more confidence in treating patients with diverse sexualities (68%) compared to patients with diverse genders (41%). They reported greater competence in identifying their own implicit biases and impact on the delivery of DSG care (75%) but were less competent in describing treatment options (17%). Respondents reported having witnessed or experienced DSG discrimination (26%) and heterosexism (38%). Respondents (93%) want increased DSG content in the medical curriculum.
Conclusion: To address gaps in DSG health knowledge among clinicians, further DSG teaching in the medical curriculum may inform better future practice and patient care.
Building gender and sexual diversity into case-based learning
Authors: Uden Luke , Vaughan Vanessa , Wilcox Helen
Published: December 2024

On a background of insufficient inclusion and calls for change, medical schools across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand must work to build LGBTQIA+ health into their curricula. Due to the unique strengths of case-based learning (CBL)—including learning in the context of LGBTQIA+ individuals, providing a safe space to practice skills in inclusive care and reflect on biases and allowing for a focus on the structural and social determinants of health—we propose that CBL is an effective starting point for medical schools looking to maximise growth in students’ knowledge, skills and attitudes. We also discuss current LGBTQIA+ inclusion, strategies to integrate LGBTQIA+ health into the curriculum and CBL and the effects of such curricular interventions.
Autologous DNA mobilization and multiplication expedite natural products discovery from bacteria
Authors: Xie Feng , Zhao Haowen , Liu Jiaqi , Yang Xiaoli , Neuber Markus , Agrawal Amay Ajaykumar , Kaur Amninder , Herrmann Jennifer , Kalinina Olga V. , Wei Xiaoyi , Müller Rolf , Fu Chengzhang
Published: December 2024

The transmission of antibiotic-resistance genes, comprising mobilization and relocation events, orchestrates the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. Inspired by this evolutionarily successful paradigm, we developed ACTIMOT, a CRISPR-Cas9–based approach to unlock the vast chemical diversity concealed within bacterial genomes. ACTIMOT enables the efficient mobilization and relocation of large DNA fragments from the chromosome to replicative plasmids within the same bacterial cell. ACTIMOT circumvents the limitations of traditional molecular cloning methods involving handling and replicating large pieces of genomic DNA. Using ACTIMOT, we mobilized and activated four cryptic biosynthetic gene clusters from
Streptomyces
, leading to the discovery of 39 compounds across four distinct classes. This work highlights the potential of ACTIMOT for accelerating the exploration of biosynthetic pathways and the discovery of natural products.
Addressing interconnect challenges for enhanced computing performance
Authors: Kim Joon-Seok , Kim Joonyun , Yang Dae-Jin , Shim Jaewoo , Hu Luhing , Lee Chang‐Seok , Kim Jeehwan , Kim Sang Won
Published: December 2024

The advancement in semiconductor technology through the integration of more devices on a chip has reached a point where device scaling alone is no longer an efficient way to improve the device performance. One issue lies in the interconnects connecting the transistors, in which the resistivity of metals increases exponentially as their dimensions are scaled down to match those of the transistors. As a result, the total signal processing delay is dominated by the resistance-capacitance (RC) delay from the interconnects rather than the delay from the transistors’ switching speed. This bottleneck has spurred efforts both in academia and industry to explore alternative materials and disruptive device structures. Therefore, we suggest strategies to overcome the RC delay of the interconnects in both material and device aspects.
Sun-like stars produce superflares roughly once per century
Authors: Vasilyev Valeriy , Reinhold Timo , Shapiro Alexander I. , Usoskin Ilya , Krivova Natalie A. , Maehara Hiroyuki , Notsu Yuta , Brun Allan Sacha , Solanki Sami K. , Gizon Laurent
Published: December 2024

Stellar superflares are energetic outbursts of electromagnetic radiation that are similar to solar flares but release more energy, up to 10
36
erg on main-sequence stars. It is unknown whether the Sun can generate superflares and, if so, how often they might occur. We used photometry from the Kepler space observatory to investigate superflares on other stars with Sun-like fundamental parameters. We identified 2889 superflares on 2527 Sun-like stars, out of 56,450 observed. This detection rate indicates that superflares with energies >10
34
erg occur roughly once per century on stars with Sun-like temperature and variability. The resulting stellar superflare frequency-energy distribution is consistent with an extrapolation of the Sun’s flare distribution to higher energies, so we suggest that both are generated by the same physical mechanism.
More flow upstream and less flow downstream: The changing form and function of global rivers
Authors: Feng Dongmei , Gleason Colin J.
Published: December 2024

We mapped daily streamflow from 1984 to 2018 in approximately 2.9 million rivers to assess recent changes to global river systems. We found that river outlets were dominated by significant decreases in flow, whereas headwaters were 1.7 times more likely to have significantly increased flow than decreased. These changes result in a significant upstream shift in streamflow experienced by about 29% of the global land surface. We found the most changes in the smallest steams in our study: increases in erosion potential (approximately 5% increase in stream power), flood frequency (approximately 42% increase in 100-year floods), and likely nutrient dynamics (altered seasonal flow regimes). We revealed these changes using “detail at scale” by mapping millions of individual rivers. Widely adopting this approach could reveal other changes to the hydrosphere.
A neuronal gene that loops the loop
Authors: Czarnecki Kyle S. , Heller Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2024

Noncoding RNA controls the expression of a gene implicated in drug- and stress-induced behaviors
Bringing neural networks to life
Authors: Galloway Katie , Johnstone Christopher
Published: December 2024

A synthetic protein-based winner-take-all neural network controls cell fate decisions
Trump 2.0 could mean big cuts for animal research
Authors: Grimm David
Published: December 2024

Groups targeting animal studies see an opening
Stage-specific pharmacodynamic chloroquine and pyronaridine action on artemisinin ring-stage resistant Kelch C580Y mutation
Plasmodium falciparum
correlates to hemozoin inhibition process
Authors: Sayeed Abeer , Atkinson Revie , Vekilov Peter G. , Rimer Jeffrey D. , Sullivan David J.
Published: December 2024

The antimalarial quinolines pyronaridine and chloroquine both inhibit hemozoin crystallization, predominately produced by
Plasmodium falciparum
intra-erythrocytic trophozoite stage parasites. Pyronaridine extends activity to ring-stage chloroquine-sensitive parasites, in contrast to chloroquine. Here, we investigated chloroquine and pyronaridine hemozoin inhibition type correlated to stage-specific activity on chloroquine-resistant ring-stage artemisinin sensitive and resistant
P. falciparum
CamWT and CamWT-C580Y parasites. Pyronaridine (2.8 μM) is tenfold more potent at beta-hematin nucleation than chloroquine (40 μM). Both pyronaridine and chloroquine (0.2 and 0.7 μM, respectively) had similar sub-μM inhibition of beta-hematin extension.
P. falciparum
CamWT-C580Y parasites produce smaller width hemozoin crystals which extend less than isogenic CamWT hemozoin. Stage-specific pulse dose pyronaridine and chloroquine on CamWT-C580Y or CamWT isogenic parasites observed 3- to 4-fold higher pyronaridine IC
50
s compared to 10- to 15-fold higher chloroquine on most CamWT-C580Y to CamWT stages. These findings collectively show that hemozoin nucleation inhibition widens stage-specific pyronaridine activity on
P. falciparum
drug-resistant parasites.
A conserved cysteine in the DNA-binding domain of MmuPV1 E2 is required for replication
in vivo
Authors: Gonzalez Jessica , Stoll Kennedy , DeSmet Marsha , Androphy Elliot J.
Published: December 2024

The papillomavirus (PV) E2 protein is highly conserved, consisting of an N-terminal transactivation domain linked to a C-terminal DNA binding and dimerization domain (DBD) by a flexible hinge region. The E2 DBD exhibits a helix-turn-helix structure that dimerizes into a beta barrel prior to binding DNA; the first helix, α1, is responsible for recognition of the palindromic E2 binding site. The DNA recognition helix consists of a tract of basic amino acids with a highly conserved central cysteine residue. Previous mutational analysis studies on this conserved cysteine have found that it is not required for viral replication or DNA binding. To investigate the function of this conserved cysteine
in vitro
and
in vivo
, we generated point mutations in MmuPV1 E2 at cysteine 307. We report here that this cysteine in the DNA recognition helix is required for transient viral replication and transactivation of proximal promoters, but C307 point mutants are still capable of enhancing the activation of distant upstream promoters
in vitro
. MmuPV1 genomes with the C307 mutation failed to produce warts when injected into mice, suggesting that the DNA recognition cysteine is required for viral replication
in vivo
.

IMPORTANCE

Papillomaviruses are the etiological agents of cancers of the oropharynx and anogenital tract. Understanding the mechanisms underlying PV pathogenesis is complicated by the strict species tropism displayed by the virus. The research presented here is significant because it links
in vitro
and
in vivo
models investigating the role of a conserved cysteine in the MmuPV1 E2 protein. This work elucidates the molecular mechanisms that regulate PV transcription and DNA replication and how these contribute to disease progression.
Novel replication-competent reporter-expressing Rift Valley fever viruses for molecular studies
Authors: Nogales Aitor , Alonso Celia , Moreno Sandra , Lorenzo Gema , Borrego Belén , Martinez-Sobrido Luis , Brun Alejandro
Published: December 2024

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease that causes severe disease in both domestic and wild ungulates and humans, making it a significant threat to livestock and public health. The RVFV genome consists of three single-stranded, negative-sense RNA segments differing in size: small (S), medium (M), and large (L). Segment S encodes the virus nucleoprotein N and the virulence-associated factor non-structural (NSs) protein in opposite orientations, separated by an intergenic region (IGR). To overcome the current need to use secondary techniques to detect the presence of RVFV in infected cells, we used T7-driven polymerase plasmid-based reverse genetics to generate replication-competent recombinant (r)RVFV expressing Nanoluciferase (Nluc) or Venus fluorescent proteins. These reporter genes were used as valid surrogates to track the presence of RVFV in mammalian and insect cells. Notably, we explored the genome plasticity of RVFV and compared four different strategies by modifying the viral segment S to introduce the reporter gene foreign sequences. The reporter-expressing rRVFV were stable and able to replicate in cultured mammalian and insect cells, although to a lesser extent than the recombinant wild-type (WT) counterpart. Moreover, rRVFV-expressing reporter genes were validated to identify neutralizing antibodies or compounds with antiviral activity.
In vivo
, all mice infected with the reporter-expressing rRVFV displayed an attenuated phenotype, although at different levels. These rRVFV-expressing reporter genes provide a novel approach to better understand the biology and pathogenesis of RVFV and represent an excellent biotechnological tool for developing new therapeutics against RVFV infections.

IMPORTANCE

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne virus and zoonotic agent threat that can be deadly to domestic or wild ungulates, and humans. In this work, we used reverse genetics approaches to explore the genome plasticity of RVFV by generating a set of recombinant (r)RVFV that express fluorescent or luminescent proteins to track viral infection. All the generated reporter-expressing rRVFVs were able to propagate in mammalian or insect cells and a mouse model of infection. Our studies may contribute to advances in research on RVFV and other bunyaviruses and pave the way for the development of novel vaccines and the identification of new antivirals for the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment, respectively, of RVFV infections.
Refined methodology for quantifying
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
virulence using
Galleria mellonella
Authors: Axline Christopher M. R. , Kochan Travis J. , Nozick Sophie , Ward Timothy , Afzal Tania , Niki Issay , Mitra Sumitra D. , VanGosen Ethan , Nelson Julia , Valdes Aliki , Hynes David , Cheng William , Lee Joanne , Prashanth Prarthana , Turner Timothy L. , Pincus Nathan B. , Scheetz Marc H. , Bachta Kelly E. R. , Hauser Alan R.
Published: December 2024

Larvae of
Galleria mellonella
(the greater wax moth) are being increasingly used as a model to study microbial pathogenesis. In this model, bacterial virulence is typically measured by determining the 50% lethal dose (LD
50
) of a bacterial strain or mutant. The use of
G. mellonella
to study
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
pathogenesis, however, is challenging because of the extreme sensitivity of larvae to this bacterium. For some
P. aeruginosa
strains, as few as 1–5 colony-forming units are sufficient to kill
G. mellonella,
which poses challenges for determining LD
50
values. For this reason, some groups have used time-to-death as a measure of
P. aeruginosa
virulence, but methodologies have not been standardized. We provide a detailed protocol for using the time at which 50% of larvae have died (LT
50
) at a particular inoculum as a measure of
P. aeruginosa
virulence. We also describe a quality control metric for enhancing the reproducibility of LT
50
values. This approach provides an accurate and reproducible methodology for using
G. mellonella
larvae to measure and compare the virulence of
P. aeruginosa
strains.

IMPORTANCE

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The invertebrate
Galleria mellonella
is used as a model to determine the virulence of
P. aeruginosa
strains. We provide a protocol and analytical approach for using a time-to-death metric to accurately quantify the virulence of
P. aeruginosa
strains in
G. mellonella
larvae. This methodology, which has several advantages over 50% lethal dose approaches, is a useful resource for the study of
P. aeruginosa
pathogenicity.