bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychometric Evaluation of the Complexity of Care in the Home Care Setting Instrument (COMID) in Italian Language
Authors: Levati Sara , Bonetti Loris , Prandi Cesarina , Bianchi Monica
Published: August 2024

Aim

To test the psychometric properties of the complexity assessment instrument for home nursing practice (COMID) Italian version.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Internal consistency was determined using Cronbach's alpha, whilst the two‐way mixed effects, absolute agreement, single measure intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 3.1) was calculated to evaluate the inter‐rater reliability both on individual factors and the overall score. Registered Nurses enrolled at the MSc in Nursing at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland and homecare nurses working for several home care institutions were involved in the data collection process following ad hoc training on the use of the COMID assessment instrument.

Results

A total of 220 questionnaires were completed by 36 nurses. Cronbach's alpha was 0.764, in line with the original study. The inter‐rater reliability ranged from good (factor 6 ICC = 0.85) to excellent (factors 1–5 ICC > 91), with the ICC assessed on the total score of the COMID also excellent (ICC = 0.95).

Conclusion

The COMID Italian version is a valid and reliable instrument for homecare nurses to assess complex situations according to the tests performed on a sample of older people receiving home care in Southern Switzerland.

Implications for Practice

The use of such an instrument will enable the identification of the most relevant areas of complexity to be discussed by the nursing and multidisciplinary team to plan and deliver personalised caring interventions.
Fungicidal activity and molecular docking of glycerol‐derived triazole compounds for controlling coffee leaf rust
Authors: da Cruz Tatiane Paulino , da Rocha Matheus Ricardo , da Silva Sophia Machado Ferreira , Moraes Willian Bucker , Moraes Simone de Paiva Caetano Bucker , Gazolla Poliana Aparecida Rodrigues , de Oliveira Mariana Belizário , de Queiroz Vagner Tebaldi , Teixeira Róbson Ricardo , de Oliveira Osmair Vital , Resende Juliana Alves , Costa Adilson Vidal , de Jesus Junior Waldir Cintra
Published: August 2024

Coffee leaf rust (CLR), caused by Hemileia vastatrix, poses a significant threat to global coffee production, resulting in substantial economic losses. This study explores the effectiveness of triazole derivatives synthesized from glycerol in controlling CLR in conilon coffee (Coffea canephora). In vitro assays evaluated the inhibitory effect of triazole derivatives (4a–4q) at concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 ppm on H. vastatrix urediniospore germination, followed by greenhouse experiments to assess their preventive and curative potential. Preventive and curative sprayings of the four most efficient triazoles were conducted on seedlings inoculated with H. vastatrix at concentrations ranging from 0 to 400 ppm, evaluating severity, sporulation, incubation and latent periods. Triazole derivatives 4b, 4d, 4f and 4o effectively suppressed H. vastatrix urediniospore germination, achieving reductions between 9.9% and 78.8%. In greenhouse trials, these compounds demonstrated preventive efficacy by prolonging incubation and latent periods, reducing sporulation and mitigating rust severity, with triazole 4f exhibiting the highest efficiency. Furthermore, the derivatives showed effectiveness in curative treatments, particularly triazole 4f. Physiological analyses indicated no significant alterations in coffee plant metabolism, suggesting the safety of these compounds for agricultural use. Molecular docking studies elucidated their mechanism of action, suggesting their potential as antifungal agents by interacting with the HvCYP51 enzyme involved in ergosterol biosynthesis. Overall, the study underscores the promising efficacy of glycerol‐derived triazole derivatives in managing CLR, providing sustainable solutions for disease control in agriculture.
Identification of host gene regulation and resistance pathway dynamics at diverse infection stages of Rhizoctonia solaniAG3‐TB
Authors: Li Xinchun , Li Yan , Liu He , Liu Dongyang , Xu Chuantao , Yan Min , Zhang Chongjin , Zhang Chong , Xia Zihao , An Mengnan , Wu Yuanhua
Published: August 2024

Rhizoctonia solani is a fungal pathogen that causes significant losses in agricultural production. Because of its rapid transmission and broad host range, the exploration of genes involved in defense responses to the infection of R. solani has become an important task. Here, we performed a time‐course RNA‐Seq experiment to explore crucial genes or pathways involved in host responses to R. solani AG3‐TB infection at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours post inoculation (hpi). GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that most DEGs were enriched in the basal metabolism pathways, including carbohydrate metabolic processes and the biosynthesis of amino acids. Moreover, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were up‐regulated, and transcription factors (TFs) such as WRKY, AP2, and MYB were increased significantly compared to the control (0 hpi). Silencing of WRKY70 and catalase‐3 exhibited elevated susceptibility to the fungal infection. To summarize, the TFs WRKY70 and WRKY75, genes involved in jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), and brassinosteroids (BR) signaling pathways, and defense‐related enzymes may play crucial roles in the host responses to R. solani AG3‐TB infection.
Rice encrusting with small‐seeded native species for reintroduction in agroecosystems: a case study in Lindernia procumbens
Authors: Corli Anna , Mondoni Andrea , Porro Francesco , Rossi Graziano , Vaglia Valentina , Orengo Micol , Pedrini Simone , Orsenigo Simone
Published: August 2024

Seed coating is commonly applied in agricultural seed industry to alleviate biotic and edaphic barriers and improve seed germination, seedling emergence and establishment. Recently, this seed enhancement technology has been tested and applied to seeds of native species for ecological restoration and conservation. This work presents a novel application of seed coating for the reintroduction of species with dust‐like seeds that render direct seeding and cultivation unfeasible. Here we have used seed coating on Lindernia procumbens (Krocker) Philcox (Linderniaceae), a threatened annual species of paddy fields. Lindernia procumbens seeds were encrusted to the surface of rice seeds that acted as carrier to spread the species along rice sowing. We first tested how two selected concentrations of binder affected L. procumbens germination, then we investigated sowing depth (i.e. surface level—light, and buried—darkness) effect. Rice encrusting is a feasible and valuable tool for preserving threatened species with tiny seeds, since binder did not limit L. procumbens germination. Light increased L. procumbens seedlings emergence compared to buried conditions. Although L. procumbens emergence was limited in a paddy field trial, we promoted the formation of a soil seed bank for the species. As such, this should not discourage the possibility to reintroduce rare species with tiny seeds in agroecosystems. This pioneering technique can be extended to ecological restoration, where there is an urgent need for new seed‐based approaches and seed‐coating technologies to improve seedling establishment and restoration efficacy.
Unveiling the synergy: How natural resources, energy prices and financial development drive the energy transition in N‐11 countries
Authors: Zhou Aiping , Zhang Xiao , Li Weichen , Zafar Muhammad Wasif
Published: August 2024

The energy transition (ET) is one of the major components of achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7. Based on the growing recognition of the need for sustainable energy, this study aims to investigate the influence of natural resource rent, energy prices (EPs), financial development (FD), trade and economic growth on the ET from 1990 to 2021 in N‐11 countries. The study employed the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares techniques for the panel data analysis. These test findings revealed that natural resources rent, EPs, trade and economic growth are positively and significantly associated with ET. It indicates that these factors' are essential in promoting the shift towards renewable and sustainable energy sources. Whereas FD has a negative relationship with the ET, which underscores the need for targeted interventions and policy measures to address the challenges faced by financial systems. Moreover, the Pairwise Dumitrescu Hurlin panel causality test results declared the bidirectional association between natural resources and FD, economic growth and EPs and trade with all other variables. The study's outcomes suggest policy implications to promote and accelerate the ET process towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Critical Rural Theory: A Decade of Influence on Rural Education Research☆
Authors: Pfrenger Wendy
Published: August 2024

Rural education researchers have long been interested in the impact of increasing urbanization, with its attendant shifts in policy, culture, and capital mobility, on rural people and communities, but their findings have existed largely to the side of “mainstream” research examining urban and suburban populations. With the publication in 2011 of Critical Rural Theory: Structure, Space, Culture, scholars acquired a new theoretical tool for inquiring into processes of place‐making, identity formation, curricular design, and policy implementation. This article establishes key elements of the theory as they have been applied in both K‐12 and higher education research, giving attention to current gaps in the literature as well as future directions for theoretical elaboration. Essential areas of focus include critical rural theory's applications in K‐12 curricula and policy studies as well as research on community capitals, college transitions, and intersectional identity in higher education contexts.
Tweet like Trump: Political branding and Twitter usage among congressional candidates in 2020 and 2022
Authors: Horan Jennifer , Brubaker Jennifer , King Aaron , Meinhold Stephen
Published: August 2024

Objective

We examine how congressional candidates use social media such as Twitter (X) to promote a political brand and connect with voters during campaigns.

Methods

Using a mixed‐method, interdisciplinary approach, we first conduct a brand analysis using 22 candidates from 11 open‐seat races in 2020. We develop and test several hypotheses using our races from 2020 and the subsequent contests in these districts in 2022, as well as the universe of tweets from all congressional candidates from the 2020 and 2022 general election campaigns (n = 789,411).

Results

We find the three prominent themes present in our brand analysis—the adoption of gender roles, the mimicking of Trump, and expressions of populism—persist when we examine the Twitter posts from congressional candidates in 2020 and 2022. Male and female candidates behave differently on Twitter as do Republicans and Democrats. Most Republican candidates, regardless of gender, mimic the Trump brand rife with populist themes.

Conclusion

We integrate research from political science and communication studies to gain a better understanding of how congressional candidates present their political brand to voters. We raise new questions scholars from the social sciences must consider while studying these phenomena in a fast‐evolving political and social media landscape.
Supervenient fixity and agential possibilities
Authors: Sekatskaya Maria , Gebharter Alexander
Published: August 2024

One of the central problems within the free will debate lies in the apparent incompatibility of an agent's ability to do otherwise and determinism. Recently, compatibilist libertarianism was proposed as an actualist position intended to finally reconcile both. In this article, we argue that in order to maintain consistency, this position must be understood as a variant of classical compatibilism rather than a version of libertarianism. Though this seems to be an undesired consequence for proponents of compatibilist libertarianism, we think that it is not that bad. We show that recent objections to this position can be avoided by embracing its compatibilist nature and argue that a modified version of compatibilist libertarianism might very well be as close to an actualist account of free will in a deterministic world as one can hope for.
Detecting serologically difficult ABO blood groups using single‐molecule real‐time sequencing technology
Authors: Wang Zhe , Chu Yushuang , Xiao Yanlin , Bian Maohong
Published: August 2024

Background and Objectives

Recently, third‐generation long‐read sequencing technology has been increasingly applied to the detection of various blood group systems. Because of its long read length and use of single‐molecule sequencing, it is capable of obtaining the sequences of blood group genes in their entirety as well as of distinguishing haplotypes. Therefore, here, we collected ABO blood group samples that were difficult to classify serologically and analysed the sequences of the coding regions of the ABO genes as well as the sequences upstream and downstream of the coding regions.

Materials and Methods

Samples with ABO antigen typing and reverse serum typing discrepancies were screened in a total of 21 patients. All samples were subjected to serological testing and preliminary ABO genotyping (polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers [PCR‐SSP]), followed by single‐molecule real‐time (SMRT) sequencing to obtain complete ABO gene sequences. PCR sequence‐based typing (PCR‐SBT) was performed to validate the results.

Results

Of the 21 samples, 15 had common ABO types, and 6 had rare ABO subtypes. One new allele, ABO*B.NEW (c.861C>T), and one allelic base recombination event was identified. Forty‐two haplotype sequences were obtained via SMRT sequencing with intronic single‐nucleotide variants (SNVs) specific to the ABO allele, and all of the exon region sequences were consistent with the PCR‐SBT results.

Conclusion

SMRT sequencing is capable of accurately obtaining complete ABO gene sequences, distinguishing haplotypes and identifying allelic recombination.
Multiple layers of diversity govern the cell type specificity of GABAergic input received by mouse subicular pyramidal neurons
Authors: Borjas Nancy Castro , Anstötz Max , Maccaferri Gianmaria
Published: August 2024

The subiculum is a key region of the brain involved in the initiation of pathological activity in temporal lobe epilepsy, and local GABAergic inhibition is essential to prevent subicular‐originated epileptiform discharges. Subicular pyramidal cells may be easily distinguished into two classes based on their different firing patterns. Here, we have compared the strength of the GABAa receptor‐mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents received by regular‐ vs. burst‐firing subicular neurons and their dynamic modulation by the activation of μ opioid receptors. We have taken advantage of the sequential re‐patching of the same cell to initially classify pyramidal neurons according to their firing patters, and then to measure GABAergic events triggered by the optogenetic stimulation of parvalbumin‐ and somatostatin‐expressing interneurons. Activation of parvalbumin‐expressing cells generated larger responses in postsynaptic burst‐firing neurons whereas the opposite was observed for currents evoked by the stimulation of somatostatin‐expressing interneurons. In all cases, events depended critically on ω‐agatoxin IVA‐ but not on ω‐conotoxin GVIA‐sensitive calcium channels. Optogenetic GABAergic input originating from both parvalbumin‐ and somatostatin‐expressing cells was reduced in amplitude following the exposure to a μ opioid receptor agonist. The kinetics of this pharmacological sensitivity was different in regular‐ vs. burst‐firing neurons, but only when responses were evoked by the activation of parvalbumin‐expressing neurons, whereas no differences were observed when somatostatin‐expressing cells were stimulated. In conclusion, our results show that a high degree of complexity regulates the organizing principles of subicular GABAergic inhibition, with the interaction of pre‐ and postsynaptic diversity at multiple levels.

image

Key points

Optogenetic stimulation of parvalbumin‐ and somatostatin‐expressing interneurons (PVs and SOMs) triggers inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in both regular‐ and burst‐firing (RFs and BFs) subicular pyramidal cells.

The amplitude of optogenetically evoked IPSCs from PVs (PV‐opto IPSCs) is larger in BFs whereas IPSCs generated by the light activation of SOMs (SOM‐opto IPSCs) are larger in RFs.

Both PV‐ and SOM‐opto IPSCs critically depend on ω‐agatoxin IVA‐sensitive P/Q type voltage‐gated calcium channels, whereas no major effects are observed following exposure to ω‐conotoxin GVIA, suggesting no significant involvement of N‐type channels.

The amplitude of both PV‐ and SOM‐opto IPSCs is reduced by the probable pharmacological activation of presynaptic μ opioid receptors, with a faster kinetics of the effect observed in PV‐opto IPSCs from RFs vs. BFs, but not in SOM‐opto IPSCs.

These results help us understand the complex interactions between different layers of diversity regulating GABAergic input onto subicular microcircuits.
Reconstrucción histórica de las políticas públicas apícolas en Chile (1968-2022): transitando entre un Estado protagonista, el retiro estatal y la articulación público privada
Authors: Calderón-Seguel Matías , Muñoz Ariel , Esper Elías , Sánchez Alexandre , Bravo Javier , Yáñez Karen , Zapata-Hernández Germán , Gajardo-Rojas Martina , Prieto Manuel , Marchant Santiago Carla , Urquiza Anahi
Published: August 2024

La apicultura, tanto a nivel mundial como en Chile, es una actividad de gran importancia para la economía campesina, el resguardo de la flora melífera y la seguridad alimentaria mediante los servicios de polinización. Por ello, organismos internacionales y Estados la consideran una actividad estratégica para el desarrollo rural, y en concordancia, políticas recientes formuladas en Chile han suscrito parte de estas perspectivas. Por su parte, actualmente existen múltiples amenazas que afectan a las abejas melíferas y otros polinizadores, las cuales se expresan diferenciadamente en los países. En consecuencia, estudiar las políticas apícolas es de máxima relevancia. En este artículo, mediante análisis de archivos y fuentes bibliográficas, se efectúa una reconstrucción histórica de las políticas apícolas impulsadas en Chile entre 1968-2022. Se identificaron cuatro etapas de acuerdo con los diseños institucionales, orientaciones temáticas y escalas de aplicación. Se concluye planteando los principales desafíos detectados para el estudio de estas políticas en el país.
Use of whistles for acoustic classification of delphinids (odontoceti: Delphinidae) in the Western South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Machado Raphael Barbosa , Amorim Thiago O. S. , de Castro Franciele , Andriolo Artur
Published: August 2024

This study focuses on the acoustic classification of delphinid species at the southern continental slope of Brazil. Recordings were collected between 2013 and 2015 using towed arrays and were processed using a classifier to identify the species in the recordings. Using Raven Pro 1.6 software (Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY), we analyzed whistles for species identification. The random forest algorithm in R facilitates classification analysis based on acoustic parameters, including low, high, delta, center, beginning, and ending frequencies, and duration. Evaluation metrics, such as correct and incorrect classification percentages, global accuracy, balanced accuracy, and p-values, were employed. Receiver operating characteristic curves and area-under-the-curve (AUC) values demonstrated well-fitting models (AUC ≥ 0.7) for species definition. Duration and delta frequency emerged as crucial parameters for classification, as indicated by the decrease in mean accuracy. Multivariate dispersion plots visualized the proximity between acoustic and visual match data and exclusively acoustic encounter (EAE) data. The EAE results classified as Delphinus delphis (n = 6), Stenella frontalis (n = 3), and Stenella longirostris (n = 2) provide valuable insights into the presence of these species between approximately 23° and 34° S in Brazil. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of acousting classification in discriminating delphinids through whistle parameters.
Laser-induced ultrasound in multiple thin layers—An analytical solution
Authors: Segerlund Manne , Löfqvist Torbjörn
Published: August 2024

Laser-induced ultrasound is based on the thermo-elastic conversion of absorbed short light pulses to pressure pulses. In the work presented here, laser-induced ultrasound in a planar structure of interconnected layers with variations in optical, thermal, and mechanical properties is studied. Layered structures can be used for generating wideband ultrasonic pulses specific to a chosen application. An analytical time-domain solution is derived for the resulting pressure transmitted from the layered structure. The solution is derived for an arbitrary number of layers with an arbitrary optical absorption profile. Free space Green's functions with image sources are used to derive the solution. A solution employing the Beer–Lambert law is also proposed. The simplification with reflections only at the boundaries is in agreement with previous published results. The spectral properties of the generated pulse are derived, where the effects of optical absorption coefficients and layer thicknesses are shown. The analytical solution is compared to one-dimensional (1D) simulations and a three-dimensional (3D) simulation, realised as a two-dimensional (2D) axially symmetric case, using the matlab toolbox k-Wave. The 3D simulation on-axis pressure agrees well with the 1D analytical solution when the diameter of the laser beam is larger by approximately 1 order of magnitude than the thickness of the planar layered structure.
Return to Baseball Following an Anterior Shoulder Dislocation in a High School Baseball Pitcher: A Level 3 Case Report
Authors: Milliet Maegan M. , Meyer Courtney M. , Dunham Katey , Winkelmann Zachary K.
Published: August 2024

A 17-year-old right-handed high school pitcher sustained a first-time anterior shoulder dislocation. The patient’s imaging revealed a small Hill–Sachs lesion; however, the clinical team’s decision was to manage it nonoperatively. In this case, the patient underwent 7 weeks of rehabilitation, which included general upper extremity strengthening exercises, a modified interval throwing program, and a pitching progression adapted specifically for the patient. After rehabilitation, the patient returned to live pitching with improvements in his pitching statistics. The uniqueness of this case is that it is a less common intervention approach posttreatment.
Stroboscopic Goggles Impair Postural Control in Those With and Without Chronic Ankle Instability: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Uzlasir Serkan , Mohess Josh , Lee Hyunwook , Rooney Shay , Wikstrom Erik A.
Published: August 2024

Clinical Scenario: Ankle sprains are highly common and can lead to chronic ankle instability (CAI). Individuals with CAI have a variety of sensorimotor impairments including poor postural control and altered sensory organization strategies. Visual occlusion modalities, if worn during neuromuscular control exercises, may facilitate greater postural control gains and a more appropriate sensory organization strategy. However, a cumulative review of the ability of visual occlusion modalities (e.g., stroboscopic goggles) to impair postural control and thus demonstrate the potential to facilitate greater postural gains has not yet been completed. Clinical Question: Does stroboscopic vision impair postural control in those with and without CAI, and if so, is the impairment comparable between the groups? Summary of Key Findings: Regardless of how postural control was assessed, stroboscopic vision impaired postural control relative to an eyes open (i.e., no goggles) condition. All studies demonstrated that those with and without CAI were impacted equally. Stroboscopic vision resulted in postural control impairments comparable to an eyes closed in some but not all studies. Clinical Bottom Line: Stroboscopic vision impairs postural control in both those with CAI and uninjured controls. Strength of Recommendation: There is moderate-quality evidence (Grade B) that stroboscopic vision impairs postural control in those with CAI and uninjured controls.
The Prevalence of Hypohydration in School-Sponsored Athletes Across and Within Practice Sessions
Authors: Yee Grant G. , Nolte Tiffanie M. , Bouchard Tyler Z. , Meyer Courtney M. , McDermott Brendon P. , Richards Zachery T. , Rosehart Stephanie A. , Yeargin Susan W.
Published: August 2024

Hydration status monitoring through weight charts can help active individuals maintain optimal fluid balance and prevent health/performance impairments. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of athletes above an acute hypohydration threshold (within practices), a chronic hypohydration threshold (across practices), and the prevalence of athletes below the acute hypohydration threshold and above the chronic hypohydration threshold simultaneously (e.g., undetected chronic hypohydration). Second, involvement of baseline hydration verification (BV; with/without), sex, and competition level (high school, college/university) with acute hypohydration, chronic hypohydration, and undetected chronic hypohydration were also examined. Undetected chronic hypohydration was prevalent across sexes (6.4 ± 16.7% males; 1.4 ± 5.8% females) and competition levels (6.5 ± 16.4% high school; 5.4 ± 15.6% college/university). No significant differences existed across BV status for average acute hypohydration (with BV = 0.8; without BV = 0.8) or chronic hypohydation (with BV = 0.7; without BV = 0.8). All three calculations, absolute body mass loss, acute hypohydration, and chronic hypohydration, should be utilized to determine the prevalence of hypohydration, and they should also be used to assist athletic trainers while making clinical decisions regarding appropriate rehydration interventions.
Coral Sr/Ca-SST reconstruction from Fiji extending to ~1370 CE reveals insights into the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation
Authors: D’Olivo Juan P. , Zinke Jens , Goyal Rishav , England Matthew H. , Purich Ariaan , Corrège Thierry , Zorita Eduardo , Scholz Denis , Weber Michael , Carriquiry José D.
Published: August 2024

The southwestern tropical Pacific is a key center for the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO), which regulates global climate. This study introduces a groundbreaking 627-year coral Sr/Ca sea surface temperature reconstruction from Fiji, representing the IPO’s southwestern pole. Merging this record with other Fiji and central tropical Pacific records, we reconstruct the SST gradient between the southwestern and central Pacific (SWCP), providing a reliable proxy for IPO variability from 1370 to 1997. This reconstruction reveals distinct centennial-scale temperature trends and insights into Pacific-wide climate impacts and teleconnections. Notably, the 20th century conditions, marked by simultaneous basin-scale warming and weak tropical Pacific zonal-meridional gradients, deviate from trends observed during the past six centuries. Combined with model simulations, our findings reveal that a weak SWCP gradient most markedly affects IPO-related rainfall patterns in the equatorial Pacific. Persistent synchronous western and central Pacific warming rates could lead to further drying climate across the Coral Sea region, adversely affecting Pacific Island nations.
Chip-scale high-performance photonic microwave oscillator
Authors: He Yang , Cheng Long , Wang Heming , Zhang Yu , Meade Roy , Vahala Kerry , Zhang Mian , Li Jiang
Published: August 2024

Optical frequency division based on bulk or fiber optics provides unprecedented spectral purity for microwave oscillators. To extend the applications of this approach, the challenges are to develop miniaturized oscillators without trading off phase noise performance. Here, we report a chip-scale high-performance photonic microwave oscillator based on integrated electro-optical frequency division. Dual distributed-feedback lasers are co-self-injection locked to a single silicon nitride spiral resonator to provide a record-high-stability, fully on-chip optical reference. An integrated electro-optical frequency comb based on a thin-film lithium niobate phase modulator chip is leveraged to perform optical-to-microwave frequency division. The resulting integrated photonic microwave oscillator achieves a record-low phase noise for chip-scale oscillators. The results represent a major advance in high-performance, integrated photonic microwave oscillators for applications including signal processing, radar, timing, and coherent communications.
Van der Waals phase transition investigation toward high-voltage layered cathodes
Authors: Gao Ang , Shen Shijie , Shang Tongtong , Shi Yuansheng , Zhang Huanhuan , Lin Weiguang , Wang Shiyu , Lin Ting , Ji Pengxiang , Wang Yichi , Chen Yujie , Yu Botao , Lu Xia , Zhong Wenwu , Zhang Qinghua , Gu Lin
Published: August 2024

High-voltage phase transition constitutes the major barrier to accessing high energy density in layered cathodes. However, questions remain regarding the origin of phase transition, because the interlayer weak bonding features cannot get an accurate description by experiments. Here, we determined van der Waals (vdW) interaction (vdWi) in Li

x

CoO
2
via visualizing its electron density, elucidating the origin of O3─O1 phase transition. The charge around oxygen is distorted by the increasing Co─O covalency. The charge distortion causes the difference of vdW gap between O3 and O1 phases, verified by a gap corrected vdW equation. In a high charging state, excessive covalency breaks the vdW gap balance, driving the O3 phase toward a stable O1 one. This interpretation of vdWi-dominated phase transition can be applied to other layered materials, as shown by a map regarding degree of covalence. Last, we introduce the cationic potential to provide a solution for designing high-voltage layered cathodes.
Curving expectations: The minimal impact of structural curvature in biological puncture mechanics
Authors: Zhang Bingyang , Baskota Bishal , Chabain Jules J. , Anderson Philip S. L.
Published: August 2024

Living organisms have evolved various biological puncture tools, such as fangs, stingers, and claws, for prey capture, defense, and other critical biological functions. These tools exhibit diverse morphologies, including a wide range of structural curvatures, from straight cactus spines to crescent-shaped talons found in raptors. While the influence of such curvature on the strength of the tool has been explored, its biomechanical role in puncture performance remains untested. Here, we investigate the effect of curvature on puncture mechanics by integrating experiments with finite element simulations. Our findings reveal that within a wide biologically relevant range, structural curvature has a minimal impact on key metrics of damage initiation or the energies required for deep penetration in isotropic and homogeneous target materials. This unexpected result improves our understanding of the biomechanical pressures driving the morphological diversity of curved puncture tools and provides fundamental insights into the crucial roles of curvature in the biomechanical functions of living puncture systems.
Mechanical ventilation guided by driving pressure optimizes local pulmonary biomechanics in an ovine model
Authors: Lagier David , Zeng Congli , Kaczka David W. , Zhu Min , Grogg Kira , Gerard Sarah E. , Reinhardt Joseph M. , Ribeiro Gabriel C. Motta , Rashid Azman , Winkler Tilo , Vidal Melo Marcos F.
Published: August 2024

Mechanical ventilation exposes the lung to injurious stresses and strains that can negatively affect clinical outcomes in acute respiratory distress syndrome or cause pulmonary complications after general anesthesia. Excess global lung strain, estimated as increased respiratory system driving pressure, is associated with mortality related to mechanical ventilation. The role of small-dimension biomechanical factors underlying this association and their spatial heterogeneity within the lung are currently unknown. Using four-dimensional computed tomography with a voxel resolution of 2.4 cubic millimeters and a multiresolution convolutional neural network for whole-lung image segmentation, we dynamically measured voxel-wise lung inflation and tidal parenchymal strains. Healthy or injured ovine lungs were evaluated as the mechanical ventilation positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was titrated from 20 to 2 centimeters of water. The PEEP of minimal driving pressure (PEEP
DP
) optimized local lung biomechanics. We observed a greater rate of change in nonaerated lung mass with respect to PEEP below PEEP
DP
compared with PEEP values above this threshold. PEEP
DP
similarly characterized a breaking point in the relationships between PEEP and SD of local tidal parenchymal strain, the 95th percentile of local strains, and the magnitude of tidal overdistension. These findings advance the understanding of lung collapse, tidal overdistension, and strain heterogeneity as local triggers of ventilator-induced lung injury in large-animal lungs similar to those of humans and could inform the clinical management of mechanical ventilation to improve local lung biomechanics.
Vaginitis and risk of sexually transmitted infections: results of a multi-center U.S. clinical study using STI nucleic acid amplification testing
Authors: Schwebke Jane R. , Nyirjesy Paul , Dsouza Melissa , Getman Damon
Published: August 2024

Significant increases in rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by
Trichomonas vaginalis
(TV),
Chlamydia trachomatis
(CT),
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
(NG), and
Mycoplasma genitalium
(MG) are occurring in the United States. We present results of a U.S. study examining the intersection of STIs and vaginitis. Among 1,051 women with diagnoses for the presence or absence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and/or symptomatic vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), 195 (18.5%) had one or more STIs, including 101 (9.6%) with TV, 24 (2.3%) with CT, 9 (0.8%) with NG, and 93 (8.8%) with MG. STI prevalence in BV-positive women was 26.3% (136/518), significantly higher than STI prevalence of 12.5% (59/474) in BV-negative women (
P
< 0.0002). Unlike infections with CT or NG, solo infections of MG or TV were each significantly associated with a diagnosis of BV-positive/VVC-negative (OR 3.0751; 95% CI 1.5797–5.9858,
P
= 0.0113, and OR 2.873; 95% CI 1.5687–5.2619,
P
= 0.0017, respectively) and with mixed infections containing MG and TV (OR 3.4886; 95% CI 1.8901–6.439,
P
= 0.0042, and OR 3.1858; 95% CI 1.809–5.6103,
P
= 0.0014, respectively). TV and MG infection rates were higher in all Nugent score (NS) categories than CT and NG infection rates; however, both STIs had similar comparative prevalence ratios to CT in NS 6–10 vs NS 0–5 (CT: 3.06% vs 1.4%, 2.2-fold; MG: 10.7% vs 6.1%, 1.8-fold; TV: 14.5% vs 7.0%, 2.1-fold). NG prevalence was relatively invariant by the NS category. These results highlight the complexity of associations of STIs with two major causes of vaginitis and underscore the importance of STI testing in women seeking care for abnormal vaginal discharge and inflammation.

IMPORTANCE

This study reports high rates for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in women seeking care for symptoms of vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis, revealing highly complex associations of STIs with two of the major causes of vaginal dysbiosis. These results underscore the importance of STI testing in women seeking care for abnormal vaginal discharge and inflammation.
Whole-genome sequencing of
Helicobacter pylori
isolates from Native American gastric biopsy specimens
Authors: Celona Kimberly , Williamson Charles H. D. , Dholakia Rishi , Sahl Jason W. , Monroy Fernando P. , Settles Erik W.
Published: August 2024

Helicobacter pylori
infection has been linked to gastrointestinal diseases including gastric cancer. High rates of
H. pylori
infection and gastric cancer have been reported in indigenous populations within the United States. We report whole-genome sequencing of three
H
.
pylori
isolates originating from Native American patients presenting with gastric disease.
Requirement of a Wnt5A–microbiota axis in the maintenance of gut B-cell repertoire and protection from infection
Authors: Sengupta Soham , Sen Malini
Published: August 2024

We investigated the influence of a Wnt5A–gut microbiota axis on gut B-cell repertoire and protection from infection, having previously demonstrated that Wnt5A in association with gut commensals helps shape gut T-cell repertoire. Accordingly, Wnt5A heterozygous mice, which express less than wild-type level of Wnt5A, and their isolated Peyer’s patches (PPs) were studied in comparison with the wild-type counterparts. The percentages of IgM- and IgA-expressing B cells were quite similar in the PP of both sets of mice. However, the PP of the Wnt5A heterozygous mice harbored significantly higher than wild-type levels of microbiota-bound B cell-secreted IgA, indicating the prevalence of a microbial population therein, which is significantly altered from that of wild-type. Additionally, the percentage of PP IgG1-expressing B cells was appreciably depressed in the Wnt5A heterozygous mice in comparison to wild-type. Wnt5A heterozygous mice, furthermore, exhibited notably higher than the wild-type levels of morbidity and mortality following infection with
Salmonella typhimurium
, a common gut pathogen. Differences in morbidity/mortality correlated with considerable disparity between the PP–B-cell repertoires of the
Salmonella
-infected Wnt5A heterozygous and wild-type mice, in which the percentage of IgG1-expressing B1b cells in the PP of heterozygous mice remains significantly low as compared to wild-type. Overall, these results suggest that a gut Wnt5A–microbiota axis is intrinsically associated with the maintenance of gut B-cell repertoire and protection from infection.

IMPORTANCE

Although it is well accepted that B cells and microbiota are required for protection from infection and preservation of gut health, a lot remains unknown about how the optimum B-cell repertoire and microbiota are maintained in the gut. The importance of this study lies in the fact that it unveils a potential role of a growth factor termed Wnt5A in the safeguarding of the gut B-cell population and microbiota, thereby protecting the gut from the deleterious effect of infections by common pathogens. Documentation of the involvement of a Wnt5A–microbiota axis in the shaping of a protective gut B-cell repertoire, furthermore, opens up new avenues of investigations for understanding gut disorders related to microbial dysbiosis and B-cell homeostasis that, till date, are considered incurable.
The chlamydial transcriptional regulator Euo is a key switch in cell form developmental progression but is not involved in the committed step to the formation of the infectious form
Authors: Appa Cody R. , Grieshaber Nicole A. , Yang Hong , Omsland Anders , McCormick Sean , Chiarelli Travis J. , Grieshaber Scott S.
Published: August 2024

Bacteria in the genus
Chlamydia
are a significant health burden worldwide. They infect a wide range of vertebrate animals, including humans and domesticated animals. In humans,
C. psittaci
can cause zoonotic pneumonia, while
C. pneumoniae
causes a variety of respiratory infections. Infections with
C. trachomatis
cause ocular or genital infections. All chlamydial species are obligate intracellular bacteria that replicate exclusively inside of eukaryotic host cells. Chlamydial infections are dependent on a complex infection cycle that depends on transitions between specific cell forms. This cycle consists of cell forms specialized for host cell invasion, the elementary body (EB), and a form specialized for intracellular replication, the reticulate body (RB). In addition to the EB and RB, there is a transitionary cell form that mediates the transformation between the RB and the EB, the intermediate body (IB). In this study, we ectopically expressed the regulatory protein Euo and showed that high levels of expression resulted in reversible arrest of the development cycle. The arrested chlamydial cells were trapped phenotypically at an early IB stage of the cycle. These cells had exited the cell cycle but had not shifted gene expression from RB like to IB/EB like. This arrested state was dependent on continued expression of Euo. When ectopic expression was reversed, Euo levels dropped in the arrested cells which led to the repression of native Euo expression and the resumption of the developmental cycle. Our data are consistent with a model where Euo expression levels impact IB maturation to the infectious EB but not the production of the IB form.

IMPORTANCE

Bacterial species in the Chlamydiales order infect a variety of vertebrate animals and are a global health concern. They cause various diseases in humans, including genital and respiratory infections. The bacteria are obligate intracellular parasites that rely on a complex infectious cycle involving multiple cell forms. All species share the same life cycle, transitioning through different states to form the infectious elementary body (EB) to spread infections to new hosts. The Euo gene, encoding a DNA-binding protein, is involved in regulating this cycle. This study showed that ectopic expression of Euo halted the cycle at an early stage. This arrest depended on continued Euo expression. When Euo expression was reversed, the developmental cycle resumed. Additionally, this study suggests that high levels of Euo expression affect the formation of the infectious EB but not the production of the cell form committed to EB formation.
In vivo
fitness of
sul
gene-dependent sulfonamide-resistant
Escherichia coli
in the mammalian gut
Authors: Jiang Han , Dong Yuzhi , Jiao Xue , Tang Biao , Feng Tao , Li Ping , Fang Jiehong
Published: August 2024

The widespread sulfonamide resistance genes
sul1
,
sul2
, and
sul3
in food and gut bacteria have attracted considerable attention. In this study, we assessed the
in vivo
fitness of
sul
gene-dependent sulfonamide-resistant
Escherichia coli
, using a murine model. High fitness costs were incurred for
sul1
and
sul3
gene-dependent
E. coli
strains
in vivo
. A fitness advantage was found in three of the eight mice after intragastric administration of
sul2
gene-dependent
E. coli
strains. We isolated three compensatory mutant strains (CMSs) independently from three mice that outcompeted the parent strain P2
in vivo
. Whole-genome sequencing revealed seven identical single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutations in the three CMSs compared with strain P2, an additional SNP mutation in strain S2-2, and two additional SNP mutations in strain S2-3. Furthermore, tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomic analysis revealed abundant differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the CMSs compared with P2. Of these, seven key fitness-related DEPs distributed in two-component systems, galactose and tryptophan metabolism pathways, were verified using parallel reaction monitoring analysis. The DEPs in the CMSs influenced bacterial motility, environmental stress tolerance, colonization ability, carbohydrate utilization, cell morphology maintenance, and chemotaxis to restore fitness costs and adapt to the mammalian gut environment.

IMPORTANCE

Sulfonamides are traditional synthetic antimicrobial agents used in clinical and veterinary medical settings. Their long-term excessive overuse has resulted in widespread microbial resistance, limiting their application for medical interventions. Resistance to sulfonamides is primarily conferred by the alternative genes
sul1
,
sul2
, and
sul3
encoding dihydropteroate synthase in bacteria. Studying the potential fitness cost of these
sul
genes is crucial for understanding the evolution and transmission of sulfonamide-resistant bacteria.
In vitro
studies have been conducted on the fitness cost of
sul
genes in bacteria. In this study, we provide critical insights into bacterial adaptation and transmission using an
in vivo
approach.
Management of febrile convulsion in home settings: a qualitative study of multiple caregiver practices in the Cape Coast Metropolis in Ghana
Authors: Owusu Bernard Afriyie
Published: August 2024

Background

Febrile convulsion (FC) among children is a common emergency concern received in hospitals and clinics. However, in Ghana, FC is commonly perceived as a non-hospital disease and usually managed at home. There is limited research on the home management of FC. This study, therefore, explored the home management of FC.

Methods

The study design was a descriptive and interpretive phenomenology. Data sources were triangulated among 42 participants across 5 communities within 2 km distance from regional hospitals in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Participants were purposively selected and interviewed face to face in their homes and treatment centres using semistructured interview guides. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed with QSR NVivo V.14.

Results

Three themes were identified from the inductive analysis. These themes were treatment, prevention and case referral. Subthemes on treatment were tepid sponging with lukewarm water, the use of herbal medicine and spiritual approaches. FC was referred to as ‘asram suro’. The ‘asram’ literally means the moon, and ‘suro’ connotes the skies, indicating possibly that the condition emanates from a god of the moon. Caregivers prevented FC through behavioural approaches, herbal medicine, and mystical approaches including making scarification and tying amulets and beads particularly on the child’s face and wrists respectively. FC cases were referred for clinical attention after home care resulted in undesirable treatment outcomes. A conceptual framework depicting the decision-making and practices towards FC management is presented.

Conclusion

FC is commonly managed at home independent of orthodox care availability. Caregivers employed herbal and ad hoc treatment regimens, usually unwarranted, visually frightening and spiritual approaches which were not the best home management approaches. These findings call for the need to educate caregivers about the best home management of FC.