bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermoregulation of understory birds in lowland Amazonia
Authors: Jirinec Vitek
Published: May 2024

Understanding the capacity for thermoregulation is critical for predicting organismal vulnerability to climate change, especially in lowland tropical rainforests, where warming conditions combine with high humidity and limited elevational or latitudinal refugia. Here, I focused on nine species of ground‐foraging insectivorous birds in the genus Myrmoderus, Myrmornis, Hylopezus, Myrmothera, Formicarius and Sclerurus – sensitive forest specialists characterized by recently documented population declines in both disturbed and undisturbed forests. Using high‐resolution data from loggers deployed on birds and their environment, I examined whether and how birds used thermoregulation and whether ambient water provided cooling opportunities. Variation in the rate of temperature change over the diel cycle suggested that all species employed behavioral and physiological thermoregulation, but some patterns differed by species' phylogenetic relatedness. All species warmed hours before their environment at sunrise, then experienced lower temperature increases at midday relative to the ambient thermal flux. These morning warming periods peaked around sunrise for all but Sclerurus rufigularis and constituted the diel temperature change maxima for five of the nine species. Six species exhibited pronounced oscillations in temperature change consistent with regular bathing around sunset, possibly for thermoregulatory or other purposes. This oscillation was the most prominent feature in the diel thermal flux for all three Sclerurus species and, to a lesser extent, for Myrmoderus ferrugineus, Myrmornis torquata and Myrmothera campanisona. Local rainfall reduced ambient temperatures, and birds experienced stronger cooling in the wet season and with higher rainfall intensity. However, rain‐induced cooling events were markedly absent in all three Sclerurus spp. These results highlight the fundamental role of water in avian thermoregulation and suggest that terrestrial insectivores attempt to maintain thermal homeostasis throughout the diel cycle. The observed thermoregulatory behaviors highlight a potentially critical aspect of their vulnerability – thermal regimes are profoundly altered by forest disturbance, climate change, and their combination.
Characterization of rice (Oryza sativa L.) landraces from Majuli and surrounding riverine ecologies in Assam: Assessment of morphogenetic variability and submergence tolerance
Authors: Mudhale Abhijeet , Sar Puranjoy , Kumar Jitendra , Bhowmick Prolay Kumar , Banerjee Amrita , Chakraborty Koushik , Basak Nabaneeta , Patra Bhaskar Chandra , Bisht Dipak Singh , Iquebal Mir Asif , Priyamedha  , Vinod K. K. , S Gopala Krishnan , Kumar Gaurav , Mandal Nimai Prasad , Roy Somnath
Published: May 2024

Rice landraces from the fragile riverine ecosystems surrounding Majuli islands in Assam are pivotal for local livelihoods, as well as for their potential in developing flood tolerant varieties. We characterized 87 landraces from Majuli, Dhemaji, and North Lakhimpur districts in Assam by assessing 36 agro‐morphological traits, submergence tolerance, and microsatellite diversity. Multivariate analyses revealed that grain and leaf characteristics, plant height, and tillering are important traits differentiating the cultivar types. Sixty‐six SSR markers generated 271 alleles with an average of 4.1 alleles per marker with population structuring in two clusters having an allele frequency divergence of 0.124. The Bao or deep‐water landraces displayed the highest phenotypic and genetic diversity, with potential genetic links to the aus and wild species. Sali (winter rice) and bora (sticky rice) landraces were predominantly indica type. Nearly 47% of the germplasm exhibited tolerance to two‐week submergence at seedling stage. Surveying SUB1A and SNORKEL genes revealed the presence of SUB1A‐1 and SNORKEL genes in 64% and 57% of the tolerant accessions, respectively. This study highlights the untapped potential of rice landraces in a fragile ecological region, providing insights into their agronomical traits, submergence tolerance, and genetic diversity. The findings lay the foundation for improved germplasm management and developing flood‐resilient rice varieties, crucial for sustainable agriculture in riverine ecosystems.
Important but ignored: Research progress on crab foraging behaviour and its implications for aquaculture
Authors: Liu Dapeng , Zhu Boshan , Liu Xiaoshou , Wang Fang
Published: May 2024

Crab fisheries play a crucial role in global fishery economics, but they heavily rely on wild catches. With the decline and exploratory limits of wild populations, expanding the scale and production of aquaculture becomes vital for the sustainability of crab fisheries. The development of crab aquaculture encounters significant dietary challenges, stemming from suboptimal formulated feeds and inefficient feeding management. Leveraging insights from crab foraging behaviours offers a promising solution to these issues; however, progress is hindered by a lack of comprehensive behavioural data and the underappreciation of these insights in aquaculture. To bridge this gap, we systematically examine the progress in studies of crab foraging behaviour, analysing the influences of predators, prey, and environmental characteristics, and discuss possibilities for future research and development in the field by combining these findings with the demands of aquaculture. This review identifies a discrepancy in research focus, with inadequate emphasis on the major cultured species and their behavioural responses to factors limiting aquaculture productivity, aiming to enhance our comprehension of crab foraging behaviour and facilitate growth in the crab industry.
Intentions to use mental health and suicide prevention resources among individuals with symptoms of the suicide crisis syndrome and/or suicidal ideation
Authors: Rogers Megan L. , Richards Jenelle A. , Peterkin Devon , Park Ji Yoon , Astudillo‐García Claudia I. , Barzilay Shira , Blum Yarden , Chistopolskaya Ksenia , Dudeck Manuela , Enikolopov Sergey , Husain M. Ishrat , Jiménez Alberto , Yilmaz Fatma Kantas , Kuśmirek Oskar , Lee Ming‐Been , Menon Vikas , Peper‐Nascimento Jefté , Pilecka Barbara , Streb Judith , Ünübol Başak , Valvassori Samira S. , Contreras Maria Valeria , Wu Chia‐Yi , You Sungeun , Galynker Igor
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The suicide crisis syndrome (SCS) has demonstrated efficacy in predicting suicide attempts, showing potential utility in detecting at‐risk individuals who may not be willing to disclose suicidal ideation (SI). The present international study examined differences in intentions to utilize mental health and suicide prevention resources among community‐based adults with varying suicide risk (i.e., presence/absence of SCS and/or SI).

Methods

A sample of 16,934 community‐based adults from 13 countries completed measures about the SCS and SI. Mental health and suicide prevention resources were provided to all participants, who indicated their intentions to use these resources.

Results

Individuals with SCS (55.7%) were just as likely as those with SI alone (54.0%), and more likely than those with no suicide‐related symptoms (45.7%), to report willingness to utilize mental health resources. Those with SI (both with and without SCS) were more likely to seek suicide prevention resources (52.6% and 50.5%, respectively) than those without SI (41.7% and 41.8%); however, when examining endorsements for personal use, those with SCS (21.6%) were more likely to use resources than individuals not at risk (15.1%).

Conclusions

These findings provide insight into individuals' willingness to use resources across configurations of explicitly disclosed (SI) and indirect (SCS) suicide risk.
The effect of tire inflation pressure and tillage systems on soil properties, growth and yield of maize and soybean in a silty clay loam soil
Authors: Shaheb Md Rayhan , Misiewicz Paula A. , Godwin Richard J. , Dickin Edward , White David R. , Grift Tony E.
Published: May 2024

Soil compaction causes adverse effects on soil structure and the performance of crops. There is significant literature supporting the hypothesis that reducing tire inflation pressure can help to minimize compaction, but there is no data on the potential benefits of high flexion tires operating at reduced tire pressures in Midwestern United States agriculture. Hence, a field‐scale study was established in Illinois to determine the potential benefits of high flexion tires at low tire pressure (LTP) in comparison with those operated at standard tire inflation pressure (STP) on soil condition, crop growth and yield of maize and soybean for three tillage systems; deep tillage (450 mm), shallow tillage (100 mm) and no‐till. Two adjacent experiments were established in typical maize/soybean and soybean/maize rotations, respectively. The experiment used a 2 × 3 factorial design with five completely randomized blocks. The results showed that the use of LTP tires resulted in lower soil penetrometer resistance for three tillage systems in 2017 and 2018 in the maize field and 2018 in the soybean field. This improved plant establishment and the number of plants per hectare of maize in both 2016 (*p ≤ .05) and 2018 (**p ≤ .01) and plant establishment (***p ≤ .001) and the number of plants per hectare (***p ≤ .001) of soybean in 2018. The penetrometer resistance was higher in the no‐till plots compared to deep and shallow tillage plots in maize and was higher in the deep tillage plots compared to the shallow tillage in the soybean field. The use of LTP tires resulted in an increased grain yield of maize by 4.31% (15.02 Mg ha−1) and 2.70% (14.76 Mg ha−1) in 2017 (**p ≤ .01) and 2018 (*p ≤ .05), respectively, and soybean by 3.70% (4.25 Mg ha−1) in 2018 (*p ≤ .05). The depth of tillage had a significant effect on soybean and maize yields in 2017 (***p ≤ .001) and 2018 (***p ≤ .001), respectively, with higher yields of both soybean and maize in the deep and shallow tillage compared to no‐till plots. The study concludes that the use of the LTP systems can be a potential means of addressing soil compaction and maintaining soil porosity while increasing crop productivity in silty clay loam soils in Central Illinois.
Molecular incompatibility between pig CD200 and human CD200 receptor in in vitro xenogeneic immune responses
Authors: Kim Bomin , Yan Ji‐Jing , Kang Tae Kyeom , Lee Wook‐Bin , Jeong Jong Cheol , Yang Jaeseok
Published: May 2024

Overexpression of human CD200 (hCD200) in porcine endothelial cells (PECs) has been reported to suppress xenogeneic immune responses of human macrophages against porcine endothelial cells. The current study aimed to address whether the above‐mentioned beneficial effect of hCD200 is mediated by overcoming the molecular incompatibility between porcine CD200 (pCD200) and hCD200 receptor or simply by increasing the expression levels of CD200 without any molecular incompatibility across the two species. We overexpressed hCD200 or pCD200 using lentiviral vectors with V5 marker in porcine endothelial cells and compared their suppressive activity against U937‐derived human macrophage‐like cells (hMCs) and primary macrophages. In xenogeneic coculture of porcine endothelial cells and human macrophage‐like cells or macrophages, hCD200‐porcine endothelial cells suppressed phagocytosis and cytotoxicity of human macrophages to a greater extent than pCD200‐porcine endothelial cells. Secretion of tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 from human macrophages and expression of M1 phenotypes (inducible nitric oxide synthase, dectin‐1, and CD86) were also suppressed by hCD200 to a greater extent than pCD200. Furthermore, in signal transduction downstream of CD200 receptor, hCD200 induced Dok2 phosphorylation and suppressed IκB phosphorylation to a greater extent than pCD200. The above data supported the possibility of a significant molecular incompatibility between pCD200 and human CD200 receptor, suggesting that the beneficial effects of hCD200 overexpression in porcine endothelial cells could be mediated by overcoming the molecular incompatibility across the species barrier rather than by simple overexpression effects of CD200.
Análisis de los componentes ambientales, sociales y económicos de la vivienda bioconstruida en Tlaxco, Tlaxcala
Authors: Pérez Magaña Andrés , Vázquez Ruiz Nancy , Méndez Cadena María Esther , Martínez Corona Beatriz , Pacheco Santos Crisóforo
Published: May 2024

Está ocurriendo una sustitución generalizada de los materiales para construcción de vivienda, los materiales naturales y locales son sustituidos por los de origen industrial. Esta mudanza produce la desvalorización de la arquitectura vernácula y la industrialización inmobiliaria con la consecuente contaminación ambiental. El objetivo es analizar la percepción respecto a aspectos ambientales, sociales y económicos que propietarios de viviendas bioconstruidas en Tlaxco, Tlaxcala, México tienen para valorar su vínculo con el ecodesarrollo. Mediante el estudio de caso, complementado con las técnicas de revisión documental, observación, fotografía y entrevista semi-estructurada se recabó información del fenómeno. Los resultados indican que los habitantes de la vivienda bioconstruida tienen una ideología ecologista y un estilo de vida que orienta la construcción de sus edificaciones para ser amigables con el medio ambiente, así como aspectos sociales y económicos que se relacionan con los ejes centrales de la teoría del ecodesarrollo.
Los sistemas urbanos de drenaje sostenibles como alternativa holística para la conservación de los humedales urbanos de Neiva, Huila
Authors: Rodríguez Vivas David Ernesto , Esteban Peña Natalia
Published: May 2024

El estudio relaciona los escenarios de desarrollo y la integración de tecnologías de sistemas urbanos de drenaje sostenibles (SUDS) en los humedales de la ciudad de Neiva, Huila, desde una perspectiva integral y homogénea. Se realiza un análisis desde el punto de vista ambiental, social y económico de la implementación de SUDS para la conservación y protección de humedales urbanos de la ciudad. Partiendo desde el concepto de holismo ecológico, se identifican las tecnologías SUDS que mejor se ajustan a las características de los humedales urbanos locales y los beneficios o perjuicios que se pueden generar. Este análisis cualitativo describe las características de cada humedal y se evalúan y seleccionan los SUDS mediante matriz multicriterio, para finalmente ser relacionados entre sí por sus ventajas y desventajas a nivel ambiental y socioeconómico. El estudio se realiza mediante la revisión de fuentes de información primaria y secundaria enfocadas en el estudio integral y homogéneo de los factores que intervienen en el desarrollo de la ciudad frente a los ecosistemas locales, conceptualizando y definiendo los SUDS seleccionados, como alternativas sostenibles que garanticen la conservación de los humedales urbanos, a la vez que impulsen a la ciudad a ser más resiliente ante los efectos de calentamiento global y cambio climático.
Unsteady Aerodynamic Forcing Due to Distortion in a Boundary Layer Ingesting Fan
Authors: Mårtensson Hans , Billson Mattias
Published: May 2024

Boundary Layer Ingestion (BLI) is a concept with the potential to reduce energy consumption needed for aircraft propulsion. For the fan this results in a need to work well in an environment of increased continuous distortion. The objective of this study is to increase the understanding of unsteady aerodynamic forces due to total pressure distortion in a BLI fan. This is done by using computational fluid dynamics to analyze a fan design intended for a BLI installation. Results include low subsonic to transonic operating speeds and distortion in a wide range of wave numbers. The forcing exhibits a significant dependency on the aeroacoustic cut-on/cut-off condition. This is in particular true at part speed where the normalized unsteady force rises sharply before dropping suddenly as the corrected speed or engine order increases. Unsteady pressure in the blade passage is observed to exhibit the same increase in level followed by a sudden drop once the cut-on limit is passed and undamped pressure waves propagating out from the blade row appear. The unsteady forces on the first three modes exhibit different sensitivities to the distortion wavelength but all are affected by the acoustic condition. By comparing results for the reference fan to a similar fan design with a higher blade count the cascade properties of the blade row are found to dominate the interaction. A result of this is that a higher blade count fan may be less affected by the distortion, and be less prone to propagate noise due to low engine order distortion.
Quantum steering from phase measurements with limited resources
Authors: Bizzarri Gabriele , Gianani Ilaria , Manrique Mylenne , Berardi Vincenzo , Bruni Fabio , Capellini Giovanni , Barbieri Marco
Published: May 2024

Quantum steering captures the ability of one party, Alice, to control through quantum correlations the state at a distant location, Bob, with superior ability than allowed by a local hidden state model. Verifying the presence of quantum steering has implications for the operation of quantum communication with limited trust, and its connection to the metrological power of the quantum state has been recently proved. This link is established by means of the violation of a Cramér–Rao bound holding for non-steerable states: its direct assessment would then require operation in the asymptotic regime of a large number of repetitions. Here, we build on previous work to account explicitly for the use of a limited number of resources and put this modified approach to test in a quantum optics experiment. The imperfections in the apparatus demand an adaptation of the original test in the multiparameter setting. Our results provide guidelines to apply such a metrological approach to the validation of quantum channels.
Piezoelectric and elastic properties of Al0.60Sc0.40N thin films deposited on patterned metal electrodes
Authors: Liffredo Marco , Xu Nan , Stettler Silvan , Peretti Federico , Villanueva Luis Guillermo
Published: May 2024

Sc-doped aluminum nitride (AlScN) allows for piezoelectric devices with large electromechanical coupling and the benefits increase with larger Sc doping in the film. However, with a larger Sc concentration, the process window narrows, and it is necessary to fine-tune the deposition parameters to achieve a good film. In this paper, we investigate depositions of highly doped AlScN (40% Sc) on unpatterned and patterned metal layers, to show how it is possible to maintain a good film quality on a metal electrode. We find how high-temperature deposition of the metal improves the AlScN film quality, how the gas mixture allows to reduce defects, and how film quality changes with thickness. We show that extreme care must be taken in the apparently trivial step of photoresist cleaning. Finally, we extract the mechanical, electrical, and piezoelectric properties of our optimized layer from a batch of fabricated resonators, obtaining a 5× improvement of piezoelectric coupling compared to undoped AlN and a 1.5× improvement from 32% doped AlScN.
Spinning and corkscrewing of oceanic macroplankton revealed through in situ imaging
Authors: Sutherland Kelly R. , Damian-Serrano Alejandro , Du Clos Kevin T. , Gemmell Brad J. , Colin Sean P. , Costello John H.
Published: May 2024

Helical motion is prevalent in nature and has been shown to confer stability and efficiency in microorganisms. However, the mechanics of helical locomotion in larger organisms (>1 centimeter) remain unknown. In the open ocean, we observed the chain forming salp,
Iasis cylindrica
, swimming in helices. Three-dimensional imaging showed that helicity derives from torque production by zooids oriented at an oblique orientation relative to the chain axis. Colonies can spin both clockwise and counterclockwise and longer chains (>10 zooids) transition from spinning around a linear axis to a helical swimming path. Propulsive jets are non-interacting and directed at a small angle relative to the axis of motion, thus maximizing thrust while minimizing destructive interactions. Our integrated approach reveals the biomechanical advantages of distributed propulsion and macroscale helical movement.
Signatures of speech and song: “Universal” links despite cultural diversity
Authors: Sammler Daniela
Published: May 2024

Equitable collaboration between culturally diverse scientists reveals that acoustic fingerprints of human speech and song share parallel relationships across the globe.
Bandgap-universal passivation enables stable perovskite solar cells with low photovoltage loss
Authors: Lin Yen-Hung , Vikram  , Yang Fengning , Cao Xue-Li , Dasgupta Akash , Oliver Robert D. J. , Ulatowski Aleksander M. , McCarthy Melissa M. , Shen Xinyi , Yuan Qimu , Christoforo M. Greyson , Yeung Fion Sze Yan , Johnston Michael B. , Noel Nakita K. , Herz Laura M. , Islam M. Saiful , Snaith Henry J.
Published: May 2024

The efficiency and longevity of metal-halide perovskite solar cells are typically dictated by nonradiative defect-mediated charge recombination. In this work, we demonstrate a vapor-based amino-silane passivation that reduces photovoltage deficits to around 100 millivolts (>90% of the thermodynamic limit) in perovskite solar cells of bandgaps between 1.6 and 1.8 electron volts, which is crucial for tandem applications. A primary-, secondary-, or tertiary-amino–silane alone negatively or barely affected perovskite crystallinity and charge transport, but amino-silanes that incorporate primary and secondary amines yield up to a 60-fold increase in photoluminescence quantum yield and preserve long-range conduction. Amino-silane–treated devices retained 95% power conversion efficiency for more than 1500 hours under full-spectrum sunlight at 85°C and open-circuit conditions in ambient air with a relative humidity of 50 to 60%.
The inflamed brain
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: May 2024

Autoimmune conditions underlie some cases of psychosis. Scientists are expanding their search for patients, who often benefit from treatment
Nonsensical results plague online social science tool
Authors: O’Grady Cathleen
Published: May 2024

Data quality suffers in some MTurk studies—but participant screening and other safeguards can help
The genomic and phylogenetic analysis of
Marseillevirus cajuinensis
raises questions about the evolution of Marseilleviridae lineages and their taxonomical organization
Authors: de Azevedo Bruna Luiza , Queiroz Victória Fulgêncio , de Aquino Isabella Luiza Martins , Machado Talita Bastos , de Assis Felipe Lopes , Reis Erik , Araújo Júnior João Pessoa , Ullmann Leila Sabrina , Colson Philippe , Greub Gilbert , Aylward Frank , Rodrigues Rodrigo Araújo Lima , Abrahão Jônatas Santos
Published: May 2024

Marseilleviruses (MsV) are a group of viruses that compose the Marseilleviridae family within the Nucleocytoviricota phylum. They have been found in different samples, mainly in freshwater. MsV are classically organized into five phylogenetic lineages (A/B/C/D/E), but the current taxonomy does not fully represent all the diversity of the MsV lineages. Here, we describe a novel strain isolated from a Brazilian saltwater sample named Marseillevirus cajuinensis. Based on genomics and phylogenetic analyses, M. cajuinensis exhibits a 380,653-bp genome that encodes 515 open reading frames. Additionally, M. cajuinensis encodes a transfer RNA, a feature that is rarely described for Marseilleviridae. Phylogeny suggests that
M. cajuinensis
forms a divergent branch within the MsV lineage A. Furthermore, our analysis suggests that the common ancestor for the five classical lineages of MsV diversified into three major groups. The organization of MsV into three main groups is reinforced by a comprehensive analysis of clusters of orthologous groups, sequence identities, and evolutionary distances considering several MsV isolates. Taken together, our results highlight the importance of discovering new viruses to expand the knowledge about known viruses that belong to the same lineages or families. This work proposes a new perspective on the
Marseilleviridae
lineages organization that could be helpful to a future update in the taxonomy of the Marseilleviridae family.

IMPORTANCE

Marseilleviridae is a family of viruses whose members were mostly isolated from freshwater samples. In this work, we describe the first
Marseillevirus
isolated from saltwater samples, which we called
Marseillevirus cajuinensis
. Most of
M. cajuinensis
genomic features are comparable to other Marseilleviridae members, such as its high number of unknown proteins. On the other hand,
M. cajuinensis
encodes a transfer RNA, which is a gene category involved in protein translation that is rarely described in this viral family. Additionally, our phylogenetic analyses suggested the existence of, at least, three major Marseilleviridae groups. These observations provide a new perspective on Marseilleviridae lineages organization, which will be valuable in future updates to the taxonomy of the family since the current official classification does not capture all the Marseilleviridae known diversity.
Seven years of microbial community metagenomes from temperate soils affected by an ongoing coal seam fire
Authors: Barnett Samuel E. , Shade Ashley
Published: May 2024

We examined the dynamics of soil microbiomes under heat press disturbance from an underground coal mine fire in Centralia, PA. Here, we present metagenomic sequencing and assembly data from soil microbiomes across seven consecutive years at repeatedly sampled fire-affected sites along with unaffected reference sites.
Integrated Hfq-interacting RNAome and transcriptomic analysis reveals complex regulatory networks of nitrogen fixation in root-associated
Pseudomonas stutzeri
A1501
Authors: Lv Fanyang , Zhan Yuhua , Feng Haichao , Sun Wenyue , Yin Changyan , Han Yueyue , Shao Yahui , Xue Wei , Jiang Shanshan , Ma Yiyuan , Hu Haonan , Wei Jinfeng , Yan Yongliang , Lin Min
Published: May 2024

The RNA chaperone Hfq acts as a global regulator of numerous biological processes, such as carbon/nitrogen metabolism and environmental adaptation in plant-associated diazotrophs; however, its target RNAs and the mechanisms underlying nitrogen fixation remain largely unknown. Here, we used enhanced UV cross-linking immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput sequencing to identify hundreds of Hfq-binding RNAs probably involved in nitrogen fixation, carbon substrate utilization, biofilm formation, and other functions. Collectively, these processes endow strain A1501 with the requisite capabilities to thrive in the highly competitive rhizosphere. Our findings revealed a previously uncharted landscape of Hfq target genes. Notable among these is
nifM
, encoding an isomerase necessary for nitrogenase reductase solubility;
amtB
, encoding an ammonium transporter;
oprB
, encoding a carbohydrate porin; and
cheZ
, encoding a chemotaxis protein. Furthermore, we identified more than 100 genes of unknown function, which expands the potential direct regulatory targets of Hfq in diazotrophs. Our data showed that Hfq directly interacts with the mRNA of regulatory proteins (RsmA, AlgU, and NifA), regulatory ncRNA RsmY, and other potential targets, thus revealing the mechanistic links in nitrogen fixation and other metabolic pathways.

IMPORTANCE

Numerous experimental approaches often face challenges in distinguishing between direct and indirect effects of Hfq-mediated regulation. New technologies based on high-throughput sequencing are increasingly providing insight into the global regulation of Hfq in gene expression. Here, enhanced UV cross-linking immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput sequencing was employed to identify the Hfq-binding sites and potential targets in the root-associated
Pseudomonas stutzeri
A1501 and identify hundreds of novel Hfq-binding RNAs that are predicted to be involved in metabolism, environmental adaptation, and nitrogen fixation. In particular, we have shown Hfq interactions with various regulatory proteins’ mRNA and their potential targets at the posttranscriptional level. This study not only enhances our understanding of Hfq regulation but, importantly, also provides a framework for addressing integrated regulatory network underlying root-associated nitrogen fixation.
Gardnerella
diversity and ecology in pregnancy and preterm birth
Authors: Berman Hanna L. , Goltsman Daniela S. Aliaga , Anderson Megan , Relman David A. , Callahan Benjamin J.
Published: May 2024

The vaginal microbiome has been linked to negative health outcomes including preterm birth. Specific taxa, including
Gardnerella
spp., have been identified as risk factors for these conditions. Historically, microbiome analysis methods have treated all
Gardnerella
spp. as one species, but the broad diversity of
Gardnerella
has become more apparent. We explore the diversity of
Gardnerella
clades and genomic species in the vaginal microbiome of pregnant women and their associations with microbiome composition and preterm birth. Relative abundance of
Gardnerella
clades and genomic species and other taxa was quantified in shotgun metagenomic sequencing data from three distinct cohorts of pregnant women. We also assessed the diversity and abundance of
Gardnerella
variants in 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing data from seven previously conducted studies in differing populations. Individual microbiomes often contained multiple
Gardnerella
variants, and the number of clades was associated with increased microbial load, or the ratio of non-human reads to human reads. Taxon co-occurrence patterns were largely consistent across
Gardnerella
clades and among cohorts. Some variants previously described as rare were prevalent in other cohorts, highlighting the importance of surveying a diverse set of populations to fully capture the diversity of
Gardnerella
. The diversity of
Gardnerella
both across populations and within individual vaginal microbiomes has long been unappreciated, as has been the intra-species diversity of many other members of the vaginal microbiome. The broad genomic diversity of
Gardnerella
has led to its reclassification as multiple species; here we demonstrate the diversity of
Gardnerella
found within and between vaginal microbiomes.

IMPORTANCE

The present study shows that single microbiomes can contain all currently known species of
Gardnerella
and that multiple similar species can exist within the same environment. Furthermore, surveys of demographically distinct populations suggest that some species appear more commonly in certain populations. Further studies in broad and diverse populations will be necessary to fully understand the ecological roles of each
Gardnerella
sp., how they can co-exist, and their distinct impacts on microbial communities, preterm birth, and other health outcomes.
Origin of the Site U1504 alkaline basalts in the South China Sea continental margin: Insights on deep mantle diversity and subduction dynamics under continental arcs
Authors: Sun Liheng , Zhang Yunying , Sun Zhen , Miao Xiuquan , Li Ruilong , Zhang Wanfeng
Published: May 2024

Alkaline basalts produced in continental arcs should contain information different from the arc tholeiite-calc-alkaline-series magmas, and their origin could provide unique constraints on deep mantle composition and material cycling. However, due to their sparse occurrence, alkaline basalts in continental arcs have not been studied thoroughly, which hinders our understanding of the mantle diversity and subduction dynamics under continental arcs. In this study, we present new 40Ar/39Ar ages, major and trace elements, and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic data for the International Ocean Discovery Program Site U1504 alkaline basalts in the continental arc developed on the South China Block (SCB). These alkaline basalts were generated at ca. 121 Ma and display typical oceanic-island basalt geochemical characteristics. Their relatively high εNd(t) (3.5–3.7) and low (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.7034–0.7040) and La/Nb (0.5–1.0) values suggest that they were mainly derived from an asthenosphere mantle source. Compared to alkaline basalts in the SCB inland, U1504 alkaline basalts exhibit lower K2O/Na2O, Zr/Sm, Zr/Y, εNd(t), and εHf(t) values, indicating the addition of minor sub-continental lithospheric mantle. The enrichment of Nb, Ta, light rare earth elements, and slight depletion of Zr, Hf, and Ti, as well as elevated Fe/Mn and Sm/Yb and low CaO, indicate that their mantle lithology was mainly garnet pyroxenite. Based upon these findings and previous studies, the garnet pyroxenite was probably formed by the interaction of upwelling asthenosphere with slab edges in the scenario of break-off of the Paleo-Pacific Plate, and such interaction diversified the mantle chemistry beneath continental arcs. In conjunction with other reported alkaline basalt data, it is proposed that the enriched asthenosphere mantle beneath the SCB had formed sequentially from inland to coastal since the late Mesozoic, and this may be related to lateral and vertical flow in the deep asthenosphere controlled by the break-off of subducted plates.
Supplemental Material: Early Mississippian global δ13C excursion is not a diagenetic artifact
Authors: Braun Matthew G. , Saltzman Matthew R. , al. et
Published: May 2024

Table S1, geochemical data, and File S1, background on stratigraphic sections and geochemical methods.  
Supplemental Material: Anti-phase variation of long eccentricity and precipitation in inland Asia during the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum
Authors: ZHANG Zhongbao , Nie Junsheng , et al.
Published: May 2024

Table S1: Detrital apatite fission track (ATF) data from the QN section. Table S2: Detrital apatite (U-Th)/He data from the QN section. Table S3: Carbonate U-Pb data from the QN section. Table S4: Detrital zircon U-Pb data from the QN section. Table S5: Magnetostratigraphy data from the QN section. Table S6: The time series environmental magnetic records from the QN section. Table S7: The Earth Orbital Parameters for simulation. Supplemental Text S1: Lithology and depositional environment of the QN section and Supplementary Figures S1-S14. Supplemental Text S2: U-Pb zircon dating methods at CEREGE (2022-2023).
Extended anterolateral thigh flap reconstruction of a recurrent pelvic chondrosarcoma excision defect with exposed bowel
Authors: Ganesan Karthick , Balijepalli Krishna Chaitanya , Saha Shivangi , Singhal Maneesh
Published: May 2024

The pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap has proven to be a reliable and versatile technique for the reconstruction of complex abdominal wall defects. Its robust vascular supply, large skin paddle and potential for a two-team approach make it an excellent choice for such challenging reconstructions. This case report emphasises the effectiveness of the pedicled ALT flap in managing complex abdominal wall defects, providing both functional restoration and satisfactory aesthetic results. However, careful patient selection and meticulous surgical planning remain paramount to ensure optimal outcomes.
Long-term healthcare utilisation, costs and quality of life after invasive group BStreptococcusdisease: a cohort study in five low-income and middle-income countries
Authors: Seedat Farah , Procter Simon R , Dangor Ziyaad , Leahy Shannon , Santhanam Sridhar , John Hima B , Bassat Quique , Aerts Celine , Abubakar Amina , Nasambu Carophine , Libster Romina , Yanotti Clara Sánchez , Paul Proma , Chanda Jaya , Gonçalves Bronner P , Horváth-Puhó Erzsébet , Lawn Joy E ,   the GBS Long-Term Outcomes LMIC Collaborative Group, Jit Mark
Published: May 2024

Introduction

There are no published data on the long-term impact of invasive group BStreptococcusdisease (iGBS) on economic costs or health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in low-income and middle-income countries. We assessed the impact of iGBS on healthcare utilisation, costs and HRQoL in Argentina, India, Kenya, Mozambique and South Africa.

Methods

Inpatient and outpatient visits, out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare payments in the 12 months before study enrolment, and health-state utility of children and caregivers (using the EuroQol 5-Dimensions-3-Level) were collected from iGBS survivors and an unexposed cohort matched on site, age at recruitment and sex. We used logistic or Poisson regression for analysing healthcare utilisation and zero-inflated gamma regression models for family and health system costs. For HRQoL, we used a zero-inflated beta model of disutility pooled data.

Results

161 iGBS-exposed and 439 unexposed children and young adults (age 1–20) were included in the analysis. Compared with unexposed participants, iGBS was associated with increased odds of any healthcare utilisation in India (adjusted OR 11.2, 95% CI 2.9 to 43.1) and Mozambique (6.8, 95% CI 2.2 to 21.1) and more frequent healthcare visits (adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) for India 1.7 (95% CI 1.4 to 2.2) and for Mozambique 6.0 (95% CI 3.2 to 11.2)). iGBS was also associated with more frequent days in inpatient care in India (adjusted IRR 4.0 (95% CI 2.3 to 6.8) and Kenya 6.4 (95% CI 2.9 to 14.3)). OOP payments were higher in the iGBS cohort in India (adjusted mean: Int$682.22 (95% CI Int$364.28 to Int$1000.16) vs Int$133.95 (95% CI Int$72.83 to Int$195.06)) and Argentina (Int$244.86 (95% CI Int$47.38 to Int$442.33) vs Int$52.38 (95% CI Int$−1.39 to Int$106.1)). For all remaining sites, differences were in the same direction but not statistically significant for almost all outcomes. Health-state disutility was higher in iGBS survivors (0.08, 0.04–0.13 vs 0.06, 0.02–0.10).

Conclusion

The iGBS health and economic burden may persist for years after acute disease. Larger studies are needed for more robust estimates to inform the cost-effectiveness of iGBS prevention.
Improving the impact of clinical documentation through patient-driven co-design: experiences with cancer pathology reports
Authors: Austin Elizabeth J , Lee Jenney R , Ko Cynthia W , Kilgore Mark R , Parker Elizabeth U , Bergstedt Brandelyn , Mitchell Anita I , Javid Sara H , Gore John L
Published: May 2024

Objective

With the unprecedented rise of patient access to clinical documentation through electronic health records, there is a need for health systems to understand best practices for redesigning clinical documentation to support patient needs. This study used an experience-based co-design approach to inform the redesign of cancer pathology reports to improve their patient-centeredness and impact on patient engagement.

Materials and methods

Multiple methods for data collection and stakeholder engagement were used, including Delphi prioritisation with breast and colorectal cancer experts (n=78) and focus groups with patients with cancer (n=23) in the Seattle area. Iterative rounds of consensus generation and reflection were used to elicit themes and design recommendations for the development of patient-centred pathology reports on cancer care.

Results

Although each cancer type had nuanced elements to consider, common design requirements emerged around two key themes: (1) clinical documentation language should be framed in a way that informs and engages patients, and (2) clinical documentation format should be leveraged to enhance readability and information flow. Study activities illuminated detailed recommendations to improve the patient-centeredness of pathology reports based on patients’ and clinicians’ lived experience.

Discussion

The design requirements that emerged from this study provide a framework that can guide the rapid development of patient-centred pathology reports for all cancer types. Even further, health systems can replicate these methods to guide experience-based co-design of clinical documentation for contexts beyond cancer care.

Conclusion

This work offers practice-based learnings that can more effectively guide health systems in their clinical documentation redesign efforts.
Educational attainment, severity and short-term prognosis of intracerebral haemorrhage
Authors: Yechoor Nirupama , Rist Pamela , Ganbold Alena , Kourkoulis Christina , Mora Samantha , Mayerhofer Ernst , Parodi Livia , Rosenfeld Lindsay , Anderson Christopher D , Rosand Jonathan
Published: May 2024

Background

Educational attainment is a critical social determinant of health that impacts the risk and severity of incident ischaemic stroke, but less is known of its impact on intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). The objective of this study is to determine whether educational attainment is associated with ICH severity and short-term prognosis.

Methods

Subjects were enrolled in a prospectively ascertained cohort with primary ICH from 1994 to 2020 at Massachusetts General Hospital. Educational attainment, medical history of ICH risk factors, ICH volume and ICH score were obtained on admission. The primary outcomes were ICH volume and the ICH score.

Results

Of 2539 eligible patients eligible, the median age of the sample was 74 (IQR 64–82) and 2159 (85%) had high school-only education. 1655 (65%) presented with an ICH volume less than or equal to 30 mL and 1744 (69%) presented with an ICH score less than 3. In multivariable logistic regression analyses controlling for age, income, employment history and prestroke diagnoses of hypertension and coronary artery disease, patients with high school-only education were more likely to have an ICH volume greater than 30 mL compared with college diplomates (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.08) and more likely to have an ICH score of 3 or greater compared with college diplomates (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.77 to 3.19).

Discussion

Prestroke educational attainment is independently associated with ICH severity and short-term prognosis, with lower educational attainment associated with larger ICH volumes and higher ICH scores. Future studies should examine how educational attainment impacts exposure to traditional clinical risk factors.
Population-based assessment of prevalence and causes of visual impairment in the state of Telangana, India: a cross-sectional study using the Rapid Assessment of Visual Impairment (RAVI) methodology
Authors: Marmamula Srinivas , Khanna Rohit C , Kunkunu Eswararao , Rao Gullapalli N
Published: May 2024

Objective

To assess the prevalence and causes of visual impairment (VI) among a rural population aged 40 years and older in the state of Telangana in India.

Design

Population-based cross-sectional study.

Setting

Districts of Adilabad and Mahbubnagar in south Indian state of Telangana, India.

Participants

A sample of 6150 people was selected using cluster random sampling methodology. A team comprising a trained vision technician and a field worker visited the households and conducted the eye examination. Presenting, pinhole and aided visual acuity were assessed. Anterior segment was examined using a torchlight. Lens was examined using distant direct ophthalmoscopy in a semidark room. In all, 5881 (95.6%) participants were examined from 123 study clusters. Among those examined, 2723 (46.3%) were men, 4824 (82%) had no education, 2974 (50.6%) were from Adilabad district and 1694 (28.8%) of them were using spectacles at the time of eye examination.

Primary outcome measure

VI was defined as presenting visual acuity <6/18 in the better eye and it included moderate VI (<6/18 to 6/60) and blindness (<6/60).

Results

The age-adjusted and gender-adjusted prevalence of VI was 15.0% (95% CI 14.1% to 15.9%). On applying binary logistic regression analysis, VI was associated with older age groups. The odds of having VI were higher among women (OR 1.2; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.4). Having any education (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.3 to 0.6) and current use of glasses (OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.1 to 0.2) were protective. VI was also higher in Mahbubnagar (OR 1.0 to 1.5) district. Cataract (54.7%) was the leading cause of VI followed by uncorrected refractive errors (38.6%).

Conclusions

VI continues to remain a challenge in rural Telangana. As over 90% of the VI is avoidable, massive eye care programmes are required to address the burden of VI in Telangana.
Effectiveness of the HuCare Quality Improvement Strategy on health-related quality of life in patients with cancer: study protocol of a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial (HuCare2 study)
Authors: Caminiti Caterina , Iezzi Elisa , Passalacqua Rodolfo
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Our group previously demonstrated the feasibility of the HuCare Quality Improvement Strategy (HQIS), aimed at integrating into practice six psychosocial interventions recommended by international guidelines. This trial will assess whether the introduction of the strategy in oncology wards improves patient’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods and analysis

Multicentre, incomplete stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial, conducted in three clusters of five centres each, in three equally spaced time epochs. The study also includes an initial epoch when none of the centres are exposed to the intervention, and a final epoch when all centres will have implemented the strategy. The intervention is applied at a cluster level, and assessed at an individual level with cross-sectional model. A total of 720 patients who received a cancer diagnosis in the previous 2 months and about to start medical treatment will be enrolled. The primary aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of the HQIS versus standard care in terms of improvement of at least one of two domains (emotional and social functions) of HRQoL using the EORTC QLQ-C30 (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 items) questionnaire, at baseline and at 3 months. This outcome was chosen because patients with cancer generally exhibit low HRQoL, particularly at certain stages of care, and because it allows to assess the strategy’s impact as perceived by patients themselves. The HQIS comprises three phases: (1) clinician training—to improve communication-relational skills and instruct on the project; (2) centre support—four on-site visits by experts of the project team, aimed to boost motivation, help with context analysis and identification of solutions; (3) implementation of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) recommendations at the centre.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics committee review approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of Parma. Results will be disseminated at conferences, and in peer-reviewed and professional journals intended for policymakers and managers.

Trial registration number

NCT03008993; Pre-results.