bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity in hereditary axonal neuropathy: Analyzing 53 Brazilian children
Authors: Figueiredo Fernanda Barbosa , Tomaselli Pedro José , Hallak Jaime , Mattiello‐Sverzut Ana Cláudia , Covaleski Anna Paula Paranhos Miranda , Sobreira Cláudia Ferreira da Rosa , de Paula Gouvêa Silmara , Marques Wilson
Published: February 2024

Background and Aims

The genetic epidemiology of inherited neuropathies in children remains largely unknown. In this study, we specifically investigated the genetic profile of a Brazilian cohort of pediatric patients with pure or complex axonal neuropathies, a crucial knowledge in the near future for establishing treatment priorities and perspectives for this group of patients.

Methods

Fifty‐three pediatric patients who were assessed prior to reaching the age of 20, and who had clinical diagnoses of axonal hereditary neuropathy or presented with axonal neuropathy as the primary clinical feature, were included in the study. The recruitment of these cases took place from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020.

The diagnosis was based on clinical and electrophysiological data. A molecular assessment was made using target‐gene panel or whole‐exome sequencing. Subsequently, segregation analysis was performed on available family members, and all candidate variants found were confirmed through Sanger.

Results

A molecular diagnosis was reached in 68% of the patients (n = 36/53), considering only pathogenic and probably pathogenic variants. Variants in MFN2 (n = 15) and GJB1 (n = 3) accounted for half of the genetically confirmed patients (50%; n = 18/36). The other 18 genetically diagnosed patients had variants in several less common genes.

Interpretation

Apart from MFN2 and GJB1 genes, universally recognized as a frequent cause of axonal neuropathies in most studied population, our Brazilian cohort of children with axonal neuropathies showed an important genetic heterogeneity, probably reflecting the multi ethnicity of the Brazilian population. Diagnostic, counseling, and future interventions should consider this characteristic.
Determining the effects of Candida utilis‐fermented pea starch vs. unfermented pea starch, alone or in whole diets, on palatability and glycemic response in dogs and cats
Authors: Curso‐Almeida Priscila , Subramaniam Marina , Gallagher Alyssa , Adolphe Jennifer A. , Drew Murray D. , Loewen Matthew E. , Weber Lynn P.
Published: February 2024

Current research suggests yeast fermentation has the potential to improve palatability of pea‐based diets for both cats and dogs. However, to be useful, fermentation should not compromise other healthy attributes of peas such as a low glycemic response. Fermentation of uncooked pea starch with Candida utilis (ATCC 9950) appeared to increase crude protein, crude fiber content, inorganic compounds (phosphorus and iron) and phenols. Whole diets were designed with fermented and unfermented pea starch to assess palatability, food intake, and glycemic responses in unacclimated, mixed sex Beagle dogs and mixed breed cats (n = 8 and n = 7, respectively). For palatability testing, a control diet was formulated with 30% corn starch as well as test diets with 30% inclusion of fermented or unfermented pea starch (all lab‐made), then compared to a commercial diet containing pea starch (Legacy/Horizon). Fermentation had little effect on rapidly digestible starch either in uncooked starch form or when incorporated into whole diets, but did decrease resistant starch by 15% and increase slowly digestible starch by 20%. Palatability tests using either two choices or four choices at a time revealed a significant preference for the fermented pea starch diet (p < 0.01) in both species. For the glycemic responses, a total of four different pea products were included: unfermented pea starch, fermented pea starch, and 30% inclusion of unfermented and fermented pea starch in whole formulated diets. There were no significant changes in glycemic responses with the fermented pea diet compared to the unfermented diet, demonstrating that healthful low glycemic properties of pea starch were retained after C. utilis fermentation. Overall, C. utilis‐fermentation technique was successfully adapted to pea starch where it resulted in increased palatability and food intake in dogs and cats, with potential to positively contribute to overall health benefits for both species.
Schrödinger's turn: An interactional examination of willingness to communicate and talk in codependent and competitive group talk
Authors: Ducker Nathan Thomas
Published: February 2024

Language learners are often required to negotiate classroom participation in pair and group work; therefore, willingness to communicate (WTC) could be a key determiner of second language (L2) success. Classroom WTC is volatile and influenced by interlocutor‐related variables, such as reciprocal identities, group membership and atmosphere, and peer support; however, these antecedents are often studied from a psychological or ecological standpoint, in which learners’ cognitive and affective reactions to environmental factors are examined. These examinations rarely measure talk itself; however, it has been suggested that a key WTC factor is conversational behaviors. Talk and WTC arise in a communicative space negotiated between all interlocutors; therefore, this article positions conversational maneuvers, such as turn‐taking and floor sharing, as key determiners of WTC. Idiodynamic data from 16 English‐as‐a‐foreign‐language (EFL) classroom conversations showed that (a) dependent on learner reactions, conversational floortime could manifest codependent and competitive facets, (b) EFL learners’ WTC and participation was highly dependent on experienced English users’ facilitating maneuvers, and (c) more voluble EFL students took better advantage of the affordances their experienced counterparts provided than taciturn students. Given the ultimate goal of out‐of‐class WTC and L2 contact, the findings have important implications for training EFL learners in communicative maneuvers to control conversational floortime.
Defecatory disorders are a common cause of chronic constipation in Parkinson disease
Authors: Ramu Shivabalan Kathavarayan , Oblizajek Nicholas R. , Savica Rodolfo , Chunawala Zainali S. , Deb Brototo , Bharucha Adil E.
Published: February 2024

Background and Aims

Up to 50% of patients with Parkinson disease have constipation (PD‐C), but the prevalence of defecatory disorders caused by rectoanal dyscoordination in PD‐C is unknown. We aimed to compare anorectal function of patients with PD‐C versus idiopathic chronic constipation (CC).

Methods

Anorectal pressures, rectal sensation, and rectal balloon expulsion time (BET) were measured with high‐resolution anorectal manometry (HR‐ARM) in patients with PD‐C and control patients with CC, matched for age and sex.

Results

We identified 97 patients with PD‐C and 173 control patients. Eighty‐six patients with PD‐C (89%) had early PD, and 39 (40%) had a defecatory disorder, manifest by a prolonged rectal balloon expulsion time (37 patients) or a lower rectoanal pressure difference during evacuation (2 patients). PD‐C patients with a prolonged BET had a greater anal resting pressure (p = 0.02), a lower rectal pressure increment (p = 0.005), greater anal pressure (p = 0.047), and a lower rectoanal pressure difference during evacuation (p < 0.001). Rectal sensory thresholds were greater in patients with abnormal BET.

In the multivariate model comparing CC and PD‐C (AUROC = 0.76), PD‐C was associated with a lower anal squeeze increment (odds ratio [OR] for PD‐C, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.91–0.95]), longer squeeze duration (OR, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.03–1.08]), lower rectal pressure increment (OR per 10 mm Hg, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.66–0.79]), and negative rectoanal gradient during evacuation (OR per 10 mm Hg, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.08–1.26]).

Conclusions

Compared with CC, PD‐C was characterized by impaired squeeze pressure, longer squeeze duration, lower increase in rectal pressure, and a more negative rectoanal gradient during evacuation.
In situ seasonal patterns of root auxin concentrations and meristem length in an arctic sedge
Authors: Blume‐Werry Gesche , Semenchuk Philipp , Ljung Karin , Milbau Ann , Novak Ondrej , Olofsson Johan , Brunoni Federica
Published: February 2024

Seasonal dynamics of root growth play an important role in large‐scale ecosystem processes; they are largely governed by growth regulatory compounds and influenced by environmental conditions. Yet, our knowledge about physiological drivers of root growth is mostly limited to laboratory‐based studies on model plant species.

We sampled root tips of Eriophorum vaginatum and analyzed their auxin concentrations and meristem lengths biweekly over a growing season in situ in a subarctic peatland, both in surface soil and at the permafrost thawfront.

Auxin concentrations were almost five times higher in surface than in thawfront soils and increased over the season, especially at the thawfront. Surprisingly, meristem length showed an opposite pattern and was almost double in thawfront compared with surface soils. Meristem length increased from peak to late season in the surface soils but decreased at the thawfront.

Our study of in situ seasonal dynamics in root physiological parameters illustrates the potential for physiological methods to be applied in ecological studies and emphasizes the importance of in situ measurements. The strong effect of root location and the unexpected opposite patterns of meristem length and auxin concentrations likely show that auxin actively governs root growth to ensure a high potential for nutrient uptake at the thawfront.
Reconsidering the role of nasolabial angle in premolar extraction decision‐making: A case‐series study
Authors: Mattos Claudia Trindade , de Almeida Natália Valli , Silveira Giordani Santos , Motta Alexandre Trindade , Mota‐Júnior Sergio Luiz , Mucha José Nelson
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of changes in upper incisor inclination and position on the alteration of the nasolabial angle (NLA) in a series of cases involving the extraction of four first premolars.

Materials and Methods

The study included 41 patients who underwent orthodontic treatment with premolar extractions. The patients were divided into two groups based on their pretreatment NLA values: Group 1 (NLA ≤ 100°) and Group 2 (NLA > 100°). Measurements of NLA, U1.NA and U1‐NA were obtained before and after treatment and U1‐Ls pretreatment measure was registered. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the differences in NLA, U1.NA and U1‐NA between the two groups and to evaluate the influence of these variables added to U1‐Ls (T1) on NLA changes.

Results

The results showed that Group 1 exhibited significant changes in NLA, while Group 2 did not. However, both groups showed significant changes in U1.NA and U1‐NA. In Group 1, 80% of the individuals presented an increase in NLA and 20% no changes. In Group 2, 10% presented a decrease, 57% no changes and 33% an increase in NLA values. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the group factor had a statistically significant influence on NLA variation. Additionally, in Group 2, a negative correlation was observed between changes in U1.NA and NLA.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that individuals with higher pretreatment NLA values tend to maintain their NLA values even after the correction of upper incisor inclination.
DHR‐PA—Democracy and human rights in public administration in Africa
Authors: Onyango Gedion
Published: February 2024

While public administration research has traditionally paid profound attention to democratic values in government‐citizen relations, public institutions are still wrestling with entrenching human rights norms today. This article's Democracy and Human Rights in Public Administration (DHR‐PA) perspective offers a view that a human rights‐anchored reforms agenda may assist with setting the much‐needed tone for realizing democratic norms in African administrative contexts where society is still dealing with extreme forms of human rights abuses. It operationalizes institutional nuances and qualities of democratic and human rights values using Afrobarometer's Round 9 dataset for Namibia, Kenya, and Nigeria. Results show that human rights proclivities of African public administration remain subtle and nebulous despite more targeted DHR‐PA reforms and the creation of institutions like human rights commissions and administrative justice agencies. Overall, for democracy to work, African public administration must acquire and entrench human rights norms and values in its engagements with citizens.

Related Articles

Kahn‐Nisser, Sara. 2018. “Constructive Criticism: Shaming, Incentives, and Human Rights Reforms.” Politics & Policy 46(1): 58–83. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12240.

Zavala de Alba, Luis Eduardo. 2012. “Toward an International Implementation of Public Policies in Human Rights: A Necessary Step in Every Democratization Process for Advancements in Economic and Social Rights.” Politics & Policy 40(5): 783–801. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2012.00385.x.

Nchofoung, Tii, Simplice Asongu, Vanessa Tchamyou, and Ofeh Edoh. 2022. “Gender, Political Inclusion, and Democracy in Africa: Some Empirical Evidence.” Politics & Policy 51(1): 137–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12505.
Electoral cycles and public spending during the pandemic
Authors: Lokshin Michael , Rodriguez‐Ferrari Aylén , Torre Iván
Published: February 2024

This paper uses a newly assembled dataset on various types of social protection spending in 154 countries during the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 to analyze the effect of the electoral cycle on the size and composition of the social protection stimulus budget. The analysis shows that the longer the time since the last election in a country—and thus the sooner the next election date—the larger the share of the social protection pandemic budget allocated to social assistance and income protection, and the lower the share allocated to job retention schemes. The electoral cycle appears to have impacted the size of social assistance spending only in countries with high political competition.
Late‐Holocene counterpoint deposition in the Lower Rhine River
Authors: Boterman Lisa , Candel Jasper , Makaske Bart , Wallinga Jakob
Published: February 2024

Channel deposits from meandering rivers have proven to be far more complex than the well‐known lithofacies model consisting of coarse‐grained channel, gravelly channel‐lag and fine‐grained overbank deposits. Sharp bends in rivers are subject to different hydraulic processes than bends with lower curvatures, enabling erosion of inner banks and deposition of fine‐grained sediments in the outer bend, resulting in downstream migration of river bends. This phenomenon is known as counterpoint deposition, forming counterpoint bars. This research investigates whether scroll bars associated with a sharp bend in the Lower Rhine River, The Netherlands, are such a counterpoint‐bar deposit. A counterpoint bar is expected based on: (i) the surface morphology of the scroll bar; (ii) the confinement of the river course by an ice‐pushed ridge resulting in a sharp bend; and (iii) the archaeological context of successive Roman settlements atop the ice‐pushed ridge, potentially moving downstream with the migrating river bend. This hypothesis is tested through detailed borehole descriptions combined with optically stimulated luminescence dating, the latter being a novel approach to identifying counterpoint deposits. The deposits consist of clays and sandy clays with fine sand laminations, and sporadic larger sand bodies. Further upstream these deposits grade into channel deposits dominated by coarser sands with gravels. These lithologies are explained using earlier proposed mechanisms for counterpoint formation; substrata match those described in previously studied counterpoint deposits and their point bar counterparts. Optically stimulated luminescence dates indicate that the Lower Rhine River bend migrated downstream, confirming counterpoint deposition. A migration rate of 1.93 m/year was established through weighted linear regression. This study demonstrates the potential of optically stimulated luminescence dating to investigate counterpoint bar presence. The identified counterpoint bars and associated bend migration provide insight into meandering river dynamics that is crucial for river management and in aiding river restoration and rewilding initiatives.
Comparisons between eyebags, droopy eyelids, and eyebrow positioning identified by photo‐numeric scales or identified by written descriptive scales: Insights from the Singapore/Malaysia cross‐sectional genetics epidemiology study (SMCGES) cohort
Authors: Ng Jun Yan , Chew Fook Tim
Published: February 2024

Background

We evaluate skin sagging phenotypes (eyebags, droopy eyelids, low eyebrow positioning) using written descriptive scales and photo‐numeric scales. We also study how anti‐ageing interventions and digital screen time influence skin sagging.

Aim

We compare the two phenotype assessment methods with each other.

Method

Skin sagging and personal lifestyle data obtained from 2885 ethnic Chinese young adults from the Singapore/Malaysia cross‐sectional genetics epidemiology study (SMCGES) cohort were collated and compared.

Results

Significant correlations (p‐value < 0.001) between written descriptive scales and photo‐numeric scales were observed for eyebags (0.25) and eyebrow positioning (0.08). Significant correlations (p‐value < 0.001) were observed after combining both scales for eyebags (0.38), droopy eyelids (0.30), and eyebrow positioning (0.30). Anti‐ageing interventions are associated with delayed progression of eyebags from 18–45 years old, droopy eyelids from 31–45 years old, and eyebrow positioning from 35–40 years old. Significantly lower (p‐value < 0.02) eyebrow positioning is associated with both <1 and 1–3 h of screen time stratified by age.

Conclusion

Written descriptive scales provide comparable results to photo‐numeric scales. However, validating and adapting photo‐numeric scales for different populations identifies phenotypes better. Anti‐ageing interventions are beneficial at different age ranges. Screen time is associated with skin sagging in young (18–30 years old) participants.
Premigratory experiences with Civil War violence and social trust
Authors: Okundaye Gabriela , Ishiyama John
Published: February 2024

Do experiences with civil war violence affect an individual's level of social trust? The literature on this topic suggests that being a victim of violence or being involved in violence has a profound effect on an individual's political behavior in the new host country. However, what has not been explored is how experiences with civil war and violence impact levels of social trust among immigrants. Building on prior research on premigratory experience and literature on experience with violence, we intend to determine if the premigratory experiences with violence in an immigrant's country of origin affect whether social trust is increased or decreased in an immigrant's country of residence. We investigate this question using the National Latino and Asian American Study. We find that immigrants who had experienced civil war as unarmed civilians and were persecuted due to their political beliefs were less likely to acculturate to the host country. Participation in combat also tended to reduce acculturation but did not affect social trust.
Haemolytic transfusion reactions caused by non‐ABO red cell antibodies reported to the Norwegian Haemovigilance System 2004–2020
Authors: Espinosa Aurora , Steinsvåg Christine Torsvik , Flesland Øystein
Published: February 2024

Background and Objectives

The aim of this study was to analyse the reports received in the Norwegian Haemovigilance System from 2004 to 2020 on acute and delayed haemolytic transfusion reactions caused by non‐ABO red cell antibodies.

Materials and Methods

Antibody specificity, clinical symptoms and outcomes were included when available.

Results

After transfusion of 3.7 million red cell concentrates, reports on 78 cases of haemolytic transfusion reactions caused by non‐ABO red cell antibodies were received, corresponding to an incidence of 1 in 47,000 transfused red cell concentrates. There were 30 acute and 48 delayed haemolytic transfusion reactions. A total of 113 red cell antibodies were found: 82 alloantibodies, 6 autoantibodies and 25 cases where the antibody specificity could not be determined. Two fatalities occurred: one caused by anti‐Wra and one caused by an unidentified red cell antibody. The most frequently reported antibody specificities were those in the Rh and Kidd blood group systems, representing 24% and 14%, respectively, of all the antibodies identified. In six cases, errors occurred, leading to the issuing of blood units without the required phenotype match.

Conclusions

Despite the possible underreporting, the low number of serious haemolytic transfusion reactions reflects an adequate pre‐transfusion practice by the Norwegian blood banks.
Vagotomy blunts cardiorespiratory responses to vagal afferent stimulation via pre‐ and postsynaptic effects in the nucleus tractus solitarii
Authors: Hofmann Gabrielle C. , Gama de Barcellos Filho Procopio , Khodadadi Fateme , Ostrowski Daniela , Kline David D. , Hasser Eileen M.
Published: February 2024

Viscerosensory information travels to the brain via vagal afferents, where it is first integrated within the brainstem nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS), a critical contributor to cardiorespiratory function and site of neuroplasticity. We have shown that decreasing input to the nTS via unilateral vagus nerve transection (vagotomy) induces morphological changes in nTS glia and reduces sighs during hypoxia. The mechanisms behind post‐vagotomy changes are not well understood. We hypothesized that chronic vagotomy alters cardiorespiratory responses to vagal afferent stimulation via blunted nTS neuronal activity. Male Sprague–Dawley rats (6 weeks old) underwent right cervical vagotomy caudal to the nodose ganglion, or sham surgery. After 1 week, rats were anaesthetized, ventilated and instrumented to measure mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and splanchnic sympathetic and phrenic nerve activity (SSNA and PhrNA, respectively). Vagal afferent stimulation (2–50 Hz) decreased cardiorespiratory parameters and increased neuronal Ca2+ measured by in vivo photometry and in vitro slice imaging of nTS GCaMP8m. Vagotomy attenuated both these reflex and neuronal Ca2+ responses compared to shams. Vagotomy also reduced presynaptic Ca2+ responses to stimulation (Cal‐520 imaging) in the nTS slice. The decrease in HR, SSNA and PhrNA due to nTS nanoinjection of exogenous glutamate also was tempered following vagotomy. This effect was not restored by blocking excitatory amino acid transporters. However, the blunted responses were mimicked by NMDA, not AMPA, nanoinjection and were associated with reduced NR1 subunits in the nTS. Altogether, these results demonstrate that vagotomy induces multiple changes within the nTS tripartite synapse that influence cardiorespiratory reflex responses to afferent stimulation.

image

Key points

Multiple mechanisms within the nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS) contribute to functional changes following vagal nerve transection.

Vagotomy results in reduced cardiorespiratory reflex responses to vagal afferent stimulation and nTS glutamate nanoinjection.

Blunted responses occur via reduced presynaptic Ca2+ activation and attenuated NMDA receptor expression and function, leading to a reduction in nTS neuronal activation.

These results provide insight into the control of autonomic and respiratory function, as well as the plasticity that can occur in response to nerve damage and cardiorespiratory disease.
Nonsmooth Reduced Interface Models and Their Use in Co-Simulation of Mechanical Systems
Authors: Raoofian Ali , Dai Xu , Kövecses József
Published: February 2024

In a co-simulation setup, the entire system is decomposed into a collection of individual subsystems that are interfaced together, with each subsystem being modeled and integrated separately according to its own requirements. To maintain the interconnectivity and consolidation of the primary system, these subsystems must communicate with each other through the interface and transfer certain information at the end points of a defined time interval termed macro time step. Inside the macro time step, the evolution of the interface variables has to be approximated as information about them will only be available again at the end of the step. In real-time simulations, the size of the macro time step and the accuracy of the approximated interface variables are critical factors; if the interface variables are approximated accurately, the size of the macro time step can be kept large enough to provide interactive rates without loss of accuracy and stability. This work focuses on systems where unilateral contact interactions are important and proposes reduced interface model concepts for such nonsmooth systems. The use of the proposed reduced interface model (RIM) is demonstrated in co-simulation to provide model-based approximation of the interface variables. The advantages of the proposed method are demonstrated through two representative case studies.
Analysis of Thermomechanical Stress of High-Temperature Ignition Surface Caused by Drop–Wall Interaction at Engine Conditions
Authors: Ahamed Sheikh , Kong Song-Charng
Published: February 2024

Drop–wall interaction is a complex phenomenon encountered in diverse industrial applications. An important example is fuel droplets impinging on a high-temperature ignition plug in a direct-injection compression-ignition engine. The ignition plug, comprised of heat-resistant materials, will experience thermal shock due to abrupt temperature changes. The ensuing temperature fluctuation in the solid wall induces thermal stress, and if this stress surpasses the material's strength in that mode, failure can occur. Therefore, it is imperative to analyze the temperature dynamics on the high-temperature surface to enhance material durability. This study focuses on drop–wall interactions in the engine environment. Utilizing the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method, this research simulates fuel droplet impingement on an ignition plug with various materials to characterize heat transfer, thermal penetration, and temperature distributions in the heated wall. The investigation also delves into the behavior of ceramic material, specifically silicon nitride, assessing its thermomechanical stress and durability based on the stress–number of cycles (S-N) curve. Thermal stress is computed by considering temperature gradients and material properties, while mechanical stress is evaluated based on the bending momentum and momentum flux induced by the spray. A parametric study explores diverse materials such as tungsten carbide, iron, stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum. Results indicate that thermal stress outweighs bending and spray-induced stress. Moreover, the analysis reveals that silicon nitride exhibits the lowest thermal stress distribution and superior durability, potentially capable of operating for infinite cycles under engine-relevant conditions.
Directional distribution of the pseudo intensity vector in anisotropic late reverberation
Authors: Meyer-Kahlen Nils , Schlecht Sebastian J.
Published: February 2024

The pseudo intensity vector (PIV) is often used to analyze the directional properties of spatial room impulse responses. In the early part of the response, it is capable of estimating the directions of individual reflections. However, thus far, its behaviour in the late field is unclear. Specifically, it is unknown whether anisotropy, i.e., a direction-dependent energy distribution, is captured by the directional estimates. In this study, a closed-form expression of the directional distribution of the pressure-normalized pseudo intensity vector contingent on a general stochastical model of anisotropic fields was analytically derived. This paper shows that the probability density function of this PIV is a multivariate Cauchy distribution, which does indeed depend on the energy distribution of the field, yet the directional distribution has very limited degrees of freedom. The derived distribution is compared to the results of Monte Carlo simulations and fields captured with a microphone array in a real room. These results facilitate better understanding of the behaviour of parametric spatial room impulse response methods and may enable improved directional estimators for anisotropic fields.
Platform motion estimation in multi-band synthetic aperture sonar with coupled variational autoencoders
Authors: Xenaki Angeliki , Pailhas Yan , Monti Alessandro
Published: February 2024

Coherent processing in synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) requires platform motion estimation and compensation with sub-wavelength accuracy for high-resolution imaging. Micronavigation, i.e., through-the-sensor platform motion estimation, is essential when positioning information from navigational instruments is absent or inadequately accurate. A machine learning method based on variational Bayesian inference has been proposed for unsupervised data-driven micronavigation. Herein, the multiple-input multiple-output arrangement of a multi-band SAS system is exploited and combined with a hierarchical variational inference scheme, which self-supervises the learning of platform motion and results in improved micronavigation accuracy.
Volunteerism During COVID-19: Sport Management Students’ Career Interests Against Public Health Risks
Authors: Chung Kyu-soo , Willet Jennifer , Green B. Christine , Shin Nari
Published: February 2024

Employing the theory of planned behavior, this study aimed to identify how sport management students’ intentions to volunteer for a sporting event were affected by their COVID-19 preventive health factors and social consciousness. From eight U.S. universities, 415 sport management students responded to a self-administered online survey. Collected data were analyzed via hierarchical regression modeling. While the students’ health literacy and susceptibility affected their intentions positively, their social consciousness played a crucial role in producing low intentions to volunteer for a sporting event. Sport management educators should include more hands-on activities in the curriculum and collaborate with local sport agencies to provide diverse experiential learning opportunities while students comply with the health guidelines.
Active microbial population dynamics and life strategies drive the enhanced carbon use efficiency in high-organic matter soils
Authors: Xu Qicheng , Li Ling , Guo Junjie , Guo Hanyue , Liu Manqiang , Guo Shiwei , Kuzyakov Yakov , Ling Ning , Shen Qirong
Published: February 2024

Microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) is a critical parameter that controls carbon storage in soil, but many uncertainties remain concerning adaptations of microbial communities to long-term fertilization that impact CUE. Based on H
2
18
O quantitative stable isotope probing coupled with metagenomic sequencing, we disentangled the roles of active microbial population dynamics and life strategies for CUE in soils after a long-term (35 years) mineral or organic fertilization. We found that the soils rich in organic matter supported high microbial CUE, indicating a more efficient microbial biomass formation and a greater carbon sequestration potential. Organic fertilizers supported active microbial communities characterized by high diversity and a relative increase in net growth rate, as well as an anabolic-biased carbon cycling, which likely explains the observed enhanced CUE. Overall, these results highlight the role of population dynamics and life strategies in understanding and predicting microbial CUE and sequestration in soil.

IMPORTANCE

Microbial CUE is a major determinant of global soil organic carbon storage. Understanding the microbial processes underlying CUE can help to maintain soil sustainable productivity and mitigate climate change. Our findings indicated that active microbial communities, adapted to long-term organic fertilization, exhibited a relative increase in net growth rate and a preference for anabolic carbon cycling when compared to those subjected to chemical fertilization. These shifts in population dynamics and life strategies led the active microbes to allocate more carbon to biomass production rather than cellular respiration. Consequently, the more fertile soils may harbor a greater microbially mediated carbon sequestration potential. This finding is of great importance for manipulating microorganisms to increase soil C sequestration.
Coding complete genome of a strain of ovine herpesvirus-2 associated with a clinical case of malignant catarrhal fever in a domestic lamb
Authors: Herndon David R. , Herndon Maria K. , Cunha Cristina W.
Published: February 2024

Ovine herpesvirus-2 causes sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever, a fatal disease of ruminants and pigs. The virus is carried by sheep, and infection is typically subclinical. Here, we report the coding complete genome sequence of a strain of OvHV-2 obtained from a clinically affected domestic lamb.
Draft genomes of meropenem-resistant
Pseudomonads
from the cloacae of turtles in Lake Opinicon, Canada
Authors: Ibrahim Asalia , Bradford Lauren , Bulté Grégory , Wong Alex
Published: February 2024

We report the draft genome sequences of seven meropenem-resistant bacterial isolates from the cloacae of painted and musk turtles at Lake Opinicon, Canada. This study improves our understanding of the spread of meropenem-resistant bacteria in the wild.
Metagenome-assembled genome sequences of two cyanobacterial cultures from Homa Bay County, Kenya
Authors: Brown Katelyn M. , Ward Christopher S. , Bullerjahn George S.
Published: February 2024

Metagenome-assembled genomes were generated for two xenic cyanobacterial strains collected from aquatic sources in Kenya and sequenced by NovaSeq S4. Here, we report the classification and genome statistics of
Microcystis panniformis
WG22 and
Limnospira fusiformis
LS22.
De novo
genome assembly of a probiotic
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus
ISO20, isolated from raw milk in South Africa
Authors: Makete Goitsemang , Mamphogoro Tshifhiwa Paris
Published: February 2024

Lactic acid bacteria are known to exhibit probiotic properties through various mechanisms including production of antimicrobial substances and bile salts tolerance. Here, we report a draft genome sequence of
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus
ISO20, a lactic acid bacterium isolated from raw goat’s milk to provide genomic insight into its strategies as probiotic strain.
The role of the
C. albicans
transcriptional repressor
NRG1
during filamentation and disseminated candidiasis is strain dependent
Authors: Wakade Rohan S. , Wellington Melanie , Krysan Damian J.
Published: February 2024

Candida albicans
is one of the most common causes of superficial and invasive fungal diseases in humans. Its ability to cause disease is closely linked to its ability to undergo a morphological transition from budding yeast to filamentous forms (hyphae and pseudohyphae). The extent to which
C. albicans
strains isolated from patients undergo filamentation varies significantly. In addition, the filamentation phenotypes of mutants involving transcription factors that positively regulate hyphal morphogenesis can also vary from strain to strain. Here, we characterized the virulence,
in vitro
and
in vivo
filamentation, and
in vitro
and
in vivo
hypha-associated gene expression profiles for four poorly filamenting
C. albicans
isolates and their corresponding deletion mutants of the repressor of filamentation
NRG1
. The two most virulent strains, 57055 and 78048, show robust
in vivo
filamentation but are predominately yeast phase under
in vitro
hypha induction; the two low-virulence strains (94015 and 78042) do not undergo filamentation well under either condition.
In vitro
, deletion of
NRG1
increases hyphae formation in the SC5314 derivative SN250, but only pseudohyphae are formed in the clinical isolates. Deletion of
NRG1
modestly increased the virulence of 78042, which was accompanied by increased expression of hypha-associated genes without an increase in filamentation. Strikingly, deletion of
NRG1
in 78048 reduced filamentation
in vivo
, expression of candidalysin (
ECE1
), and virulence without dramatically altering establishment of infection. Thus, the function of the conserved repressor
NRG1
in
C. albicans
shows strain-based heterogeneity during infection.

IMPORTANCE

Clinical isolates of the human fungal pathogen
Candida albicans
show significant variation in their ability to undergo
in vitro
filamentation and in the function of well-characterized transcriptional regulators of filamentation. Here, we show that Nrg1, a key repressor of filamentation and filament specific gene expression in standard reference strains, has strain-dependent functions, particularly during infection. Most strikingly, loss of
NRG1
function can reduce filamentation, hypha-specific gene expression such as the toxin candidalysin, and virulence in some strains. Our data emphasize that the functions of seemingly fundamental and well-conserved transcriptional regulators such as Nrg1 are contextual with respect to both environment and genetic backgrounds.
A CRISPR interference system for engineering biological nitrogen fixation
Authors: Russell Steven J. , Garcia Amanda K. , Kaçar Betül
Published: February 2024

A grand challenge for the next century is in facing a changing climate through bioengineering solutions. Biological nitrogen fixation, the globally consequential, nitrogenase-catalyzed reduction of atmospheric nitrogen to bioavailable ammonia, is a vital area of focus. Nitrogen fixation engineering relies upon extensive understanding of underlying genetics in microbial models, including the broadly utilized gammaproteobacterium,
Azotobacter vinelandii
(
A. vinelandii
). Here, we report the first CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system for targeted gene silencing in
A. vinelandii
that integrates genomically via site-specific transposon insertion. We demonstrate that CRISPRi can repress transcription of an essential nitrogen fixation gene by ~60%. Further, we show that nitrogenase genes are suitably expressed from the transposon insertion site, indicating that CRISPRi and engineered nitrogen fixation genes can be co-integrated for combinatorial studies of gene expression and engineering. Our established CRISPRi system fills an important gap for engineering microbial nitrogen fixation for desired purposes.

IMPORTANCE

All life on Earth requires nitrogen to survive. About 78% of the atmosphere alone is nitrogen, yet humans cannot use it directly. Instead, we obtain the nitrogen we need for our survival through the food we eat. For more than 100 years, a substantial portion of agricultural productivity has relied on industrial methods for nitrogen fertilizer synthesis, which consumes significant amounts of nonrenewable energy resources and exacerbates environmental degradation and human-induced climate change. Promising alternatives to these industrial methods rely on engineering the only biological pathway for generating bioaccessible nitrogen: microbial nitrogen fixation. Bioengineering strategies require an extensive understanding of underlying genetics in nitrogen-fixing microbes, but genetic tools for this critical goal remain lacking. The CRISPRi gene silencing system that we report, developed in the broadly utilized nitrogen-fixing bacterial model,
Azotobacter vinelandii
, is an important step toward elucidating the complexity of nitrogen fixation genetics and enabling their manipulation.
Temporal dynamics of gut microbiomes in non-industrialized urban Amazonia
Authors: Schaan Ana Paula , Vidal Amanda , Zhang An-Ni , Poyet Mathilde , Alm Eric J. , Groussin Mathieu , Ribeiro-dos-Santos Ândrea
Published: February 2024

Increasing levels of industrialization have been associated with changes in gut microbiome structure and loss of features thought to be crucial for maintaining gut ecological balance. The stability of gut microbial communities over time within individuals seems to be largely affected by these changes but has been overlooked among transitioning populations from low- to middle-income countries. Here, we used metagenomic sequencing to characterize the temporal dynamics in gut microbiomes of 24 individuals living an urban non-industrialized lifestyle in the Brazilian Amazon. We further contextualized our data with 165 matching longitudinal samples from an urban industrialized and a rural non-industrialized population. We show that gut microbiome composition and diversity have greater variability over time among non-industrialized individuals when compared to industrialized counterparts and that taxa may present diverse temporal dynamics across human populations. Enterotype classifications show that community types are generally stable over time despite shifts in microbiome structure. Furthermore, by tracking genomes over time, we show that levels of bacterial population replacements are more frequent among Amazonian individuals and that non-synonymous variants accumulate in genes associated with degradation of host dietary polysaccharides. Taken together, our results suggest that the stability of gut microbiomes is influenced by levels of industrialization and that tracking microbial population dynamics is important to understand how the microbiome will adapt to these transitions.

IMPORTANCE

The transition from a rural or non-industrialized lifestyle to urbanization and industrialization has been linked to changes in the structure and function of the human gut microbiome. Understanding how the gut microbiomes changes over time is crucial to define healthy states and to grasp how the gut microbiome interacts with the host environment. Here, we investigate the temporal dynamics of gut microbiomes from an urban and non-industrialized population in the Amazon, as well as metagenomic data sets from urban United States and rural Tanzania. We showed that healthy non-industrialized microbiomes experience greater compositional shifts over time compared to industrialized individuals. Furthermore, bacterial strain populations are more frequently replaced in non-industrialized microbiomes, and most non-synonymous mutations accumulate in genes associated with the degradation of host dietary components. This indicates that microbiome stability is affected by transitions to industrialization, and that strain tracking can elucidate the ecological dynamics behind such transitions.
Characterization, taxonomic classification, and genomic analysis of two newly isolated bacteriophages with potential to infect
Escherichia coli
Authors: Nazir Amina , Li Lulu , Li Fei , Tong Yigang , Liu Yuqing , Chen Yibao
Published: February 2024

Escherichia coli
is a pathogenic bacterium that is widely distributed and can lead to serious illnesses in both humans and animals. As there is rising incidence of multidrug resistance among these bacteria, it has become imperative to discover alternative therapies beyond antibiotics to effectively treat such infections. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy has the potential to treat infections caused by
E. coli
, as phages contain enzymes that can cause lysis or destruction of bacterial cells. Simultaneously, the easy accessibility and cost-effectiveness of next-generation sequencing technologies have led to the accumulation of a vast amount of phage sequence data. Here, phages IME177 and IME267 were isolated from sewage water of a hospital in China. Modern phylogenetic approaches and key findings from the genomic analysis revealed that phages IME177 and IME267 are classified as members of the
Kayfunavirus
genus,
Autographiviridae
family, and a newly proposed
Suseptimavirus
genus under subfamily
Gordonclarkvirinae
, respectively. Further, the Kuravirus genus reshaped into three different genera:
Kuravirus
,
Nieuwekanaalvirus
, and
Suspeptimavirus
, which are classified together under a higher taxonomic rank (subfamily) named
Gordonclarkvirinae
. No genes related to virulence were detected in the genomes of the phages IME177 and IME267. Both phages exhibited a high degree of resilience to a wide range of conditions, including pH, temperature, exposure to chloroform, and UV radiation. Phages IME177 and IME267 are promising biological agents that can infect
E. coli
, making them suitable candidates for use in phage therapies.

IMPORTANCE

Biological and taxonomic characterization of phages is essential for facilitating the development of effective strategies for phage therapy and disease control.
Escherichia coli
phages are incredibly diverse, and their isolation and classification help us understand the scope and nature of this diversity. By identifying new phages and grouping them into families, we can better understand the genetic and structural variations between phages and how they affect their infectivity and interactions with bacteria. Overall, the isolation and classification of
E. coli
phages have broad implications for both basic and applied research, clinical practice, and public health.
A comparative analysis of soil physicochemical properties and microbial community structure among four shelterbelt species in the northeast China plain
Authors: Yang Jia , Ding Dang , Zhang Xiuru , Gu Huiyan
Published: February 2024

Conducting studies that focus on the alterations occurring in the soil microbiome within protection forests in the northeast plain is of utmost importance in evaluating the ecological rehabilitation of agricultural lands in the Mollisols region. Nevertheless, the presence of geographic factors contributes to substantial disparities in the microbiomes, and thus, addressing this aspect of influence becomes pivotal in ensuring the credibility of the collected data. Consequently, the objective is to compare the variations in soil physicochemical properties and microbial community structure within the understory of diverse shelterbelt species. In this study, we analyzed the understory soils of
Juglans mandshurica
(Jm),
Fraxinus mandschurica
(Fm),
Acer mono
(Am), and
Betula platyphylla
(Bp) from the same locality. We employed high-throughput sequencing technology and soil physicochemical data to investigate the impact of these different tree species on soil microbial communities, chemical properties, and enzyme activities in Mollisols areas. Significant variations in soil nutrients and enzyme activities were observed among tree species, with soil organic matter content ranging from 49.1 to 67.7 g/kg and cellulase content ranging from 5.3 to 524.0 μg/d/g. The impact of tree species on microbial diversities was found to be more pronounced in the bacterial community (Adnoism: R = 0.605) compared to the fungal community (Adnoism:
R
= 0.433). The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis revealed a total of 5 (Jm), 3 (Bp), and 6 (Am) bacterial biomarkers, as well as 2 (Jm), 6 (Fm), 4 (Bp), and 1 (Am) fungal biomarker at the genus level (LDA3). The presence of various tree species was observed to significantly alter the relative abundance of specific microbial community structures, specifically in Gammaproteobacteria, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota. Furthermore, environmental factors, such as pH, total potassium, and available phosphorus were important factors influencing changes in bacterial communities. We propose that Fm be utilized as the primary tree species for establishing farmland protection forests in the northeastern region, owing to its superior impact on enhancing soil quality.

IMPORTANCE

The focal point of this study lies in the implementation of a controlled experiment conducted under field conditions. In this experiment, we deliberately selected four shelterbelts within the same field, characterized by identical planting density, and planting year. This deliberate selection effectively mitigated the potential impact of extraneous factors on the three microbiomes, thereby enhancing the reliability and validity of our findings.