bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beyond infantilization and adultification: The binary representations of child migrants in the United States and how they harm young migrants
Authors: Diaz‐Strong Daysi Ximena , Padilla‐Rodríguez Ivόn , Torres Stephanie
Published: October 2024

The arrival of migrant children at the US–Mexico border has prompted vigorous debates about how to handle their admission and manage their access to resources. Portrayals of child migrants often draw on dominant conventional notions of childhood, creating binary representations that simultaneously infantilize and adultify them. This binary representation either strips children of their agency or criminalizes their actions and denies them protection. This paper exposes the inadequacies of the infantilization and adultification binary to represent and understand the experiences of child migrants, particularly youth who immigrate as teenagers, through a transdisciplinary approach. Integrating original historical analysis via archival research with contemporary social scientific analysis from qualitative research, this paper examines the longstanding binary representations of migrant children and their harmful impacts. The historical analysis shows that infantilization and adultification have defined the US response to child migrants since the mid‐1960s. Making connections to the present, through the stories of two unaccompanied teenage arrivals, we show how the binary is experienced and how Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) reflects and reinforces the binary. The paper also highlights how young people, who do not fit neatly into the binary, come to subjectively feel adult, elucidating the need for an alternative narrative that embraces child migrants' agency and advocates for support and protection for all youth.
A Rose by Another Name? Odor Misnaming is Associated with Linguistic Properties
Authors: Hörberg Thomas , Kurfalı Murathan , Larsson Maria , J. Laukka Erika , Herman Pawel , Olofsson Jonas K.
Published: October 2024

Naming common odors is a surprisingly difficult task: Odors are frequently misnamed. Little is known about the linguistic properties of odor misnamings. We test whether odor misnamings of old adults carry information about olfactory perception and its connection to lexical‐semantic processing. We analyze the olfactory–semantic content of odor source naming failures in a large sample of older adults in Sweden (n = 2479; age 58–100 years). We investigate whether linguistic factors and semantic proximity to the target odor name predict how odors are misnamed, and how these factors relate to overall odor identification performance. We also explore the primary semantic dimensions along which misnamings are distributed. We find that odor misnamings consist of surprisingly many vague and unspecific terms, such as category names (e.g., fruit) or abstract or evaluative terms (e.g., sweet). Odor misnamings are often strongly associated with the correct name, capturing properties such as its category or other abstract features. People are also biased toward misnaming odors with high‐frequency terms that are associated with olfaction or gustation. Linguistic properties of odor misnamings and their semantic proximity to the target odor name predict odor identification performance, suggesting that linguistic processing facilitates odor identification. Further, odor misnamings constitute an olfactory–semantic space that is similar to the olfactory vocabulary of English. This space is primarily differentiated along pleasantness, edibility, and concreteness dimensions. Odor naming failures thus contain plenty of information about semantic odor knowledge.
Dietary Restriction, Socioeconomic Factors, Access to Kidney Transplantation, and Waitlist Mortality
Authors: Johnston Emily A. , Hong Jingyao , Nalatwad Akanksha , Li Yiting , Kim Byoungjun , Long Jane J. , Ali Nicole M. , Krawczuk Barbara , Mathur Aarti , Orandi Babak J. , Chodosh Joshua , Segev Dorry L. , McAdams‐DeMarco Mara A.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Dietary restrictions for patients with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) are burdensome. Kidney transplantation (KT) candidates who lack neighborhood resources and are burdened by dietary restrictions may have decreased access to KT.

Methods

In our two‐center prospective cohort study (2014–2023), 2471 ESKD patients who were evaluated for KT (candidates) reported their perceived burden of dietary restrictions (not at all, somewhat/moderately, or extremely bothered). Neighborhood‐level socioeconomic factors were derived from residential ZIP codes. We quantified the association of perceived burden of the dietary restrictions with a chance of listing using Cox models and risk of waitlist mortality using competing risks models. Then we tested whether these associations differed by neighborhood‐level socioeconomic factors.

Results

At evaluation, 18% of KT candidates felt extremely bothered by dietary restrictions. Those who felt extremely bothered were less likely to be listed for KT (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64–0.87); this association did not differ by neighborhood‐level socioeconomic factors. Overall, the burden of dietary restrictions was not associated with waitlist mortality (p = 0.62). However, among candidates living in high food insecurity neighborhoods, those who felt extremely bothered had higher waitlist mortality (adjusted subhazard ratio [aSHR] = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.14–3.75, p[interaction] = 0.02). The association between dietary burden and waitlist mortality did not differ by neighborhood‐level healthy food access.

Conclusion

The perceived burden of dietary restrictions is associated with a lower chance of listing for KT, and higher waitlist mortality only among candidates residing in neighborhoods with high food insecurity. Transplant centers should identify vulnerable patients and support them with nutrition education and access to food assistance programs.
Effect of salt concentration on osmotic potential in drying soils—Measurement and models
Authors: Bosse Jannis , Durner Wolfgang , Peters Andre
Published: October 2024

The water potential in drying soils, comprising both matric potential and osmotic potential components, can be measured using the dew point method (DPM). By combining DPM data with retention curve data acquired from techniques such as the suction plate method or the simplified evaporation method (SEM), it becomes possible to determine the soil water retention curve across the entire moisture spectrum. However, as the latter methods only determine the matric potential, the osmotic potential component in DPM data must either be negligible or known so that osmotic and matric potential components can be separated. This study aims to critically analyse common approaches for calculating the osmotic potential. To achieve this, we measured the water retention properties of a silt loam, a sandy loam and a sand across the entire moisture range by combining SEM and DPM. By using almost salt‐free soil material, we characterized reference water retention curves with negligible osmotic potential components. The impact of salt on water potential was analysed by conditioning soils with MgCl2 solutions of different concentrations, drying them, and measuring the water potential at different water contents using the DPM. The resulting water potentials were compared to the reference potentials and differences were interpreted as the osmotic potential component. The DPM‐measured water potentials in drying soils can be significantly affected by osmotic potential, especially at higher matric potentials (low suctions). Two models accounting for ideal and one model accounting for non‐ideal electrolyte behaviour were used to compare osmotic potential predictions with measurements. At low to medium salt concentrations, all models performed fairly well. At high concentrations, only the model accounting for non‐ideal behaviour predicted the osmotic potential satisfactorily, whereas at very high concentrations, all models underestimated the impact of osmotic potential on water potential. This suggests that the surface properties of the soil matrix, such as the specific surface area and surface charges, may lead to a decrease in osmotic potential beyond what is expected in pure solutions.
Exploring Organisational Agility's Impact on Nurses' Green Work Behaviour: The Mediating Role of Climate Activism
Authors: El‐Sayed Ahmed Abdelwahab Ibrahim , Alsenany Samira Ahmed , Abdelaliem Sally Mohammed Farghaly , Asal Maha Gamal Ramadan
Published: October 2024

Aims

To examine the relationship between organisational agility and nurses' green work behaviour and to assess how climate activism mediates this relationship. Understanding this relationship is crucial for promoting sustainable practices in healthcare.

Design

A cross‐sectional research design was employed. This approach was chosen to examine how organisational agility and climate activism simultaneously influence green work behaviour in the present context, providing a snapshot of their synergistic interactions.

Methods

This study was conducted in 2024 at eight hospitals in Egypt, with a total of 781 nurses conveniently selected for participation. Data were collected using validated instruments: the Agility Survey, Employee Green Behaviour Scale and Environmental Action Scale. Correlation and path analyses were utilised to test the study hypotheses.

Results

Nurses reported moderate levels of organisational agility, climate activism and green work behaviour. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between organisational agility, climate activism and green work behaviour. Organisational agility and climate activism emerged as significant predictors of green work behaviour, with climate activism acting as a partial mediator between organisational agility and green work behaviour.

Conclusion

This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on fostering sustainable nursing practices as results indicate that agile organisations, which embrace flexibility and nurse‐led climate initiatives, are better positioned to promote sustainable behaviour.

Implications for Nursing Profession

Practical strategies include selecting nurses with high climate literacy, designing agile working strategies and promoting eco‐conscious behaviours. Nurse leaders should develop policies that integrate climate initiatives into everyday practice to enhance green work behaviour.

Impact

The healthcare sector faces increasing environmental challenges, making it crucial to foster green work behaviour. Our study addresses a gap in the literature by revealing that organisational agility and climate activism are essential drivers of green behaviour among nurses, offering actionable insights for greening healthcare practices.

Reporting Method

This study was reported in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE).

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Planetary Health in Nursing: A Scoping Review
Authors: Vandenberg Shannon , Strus Jacqueline/Jack Avanthay , Chircop Andrea , Egert Amanda , Savard Julie
Published: October 2024

Aim

To map the extent of the use of the term ‘planetary health’ in peer‐reviewed nursing literature.

Design

Scoping Review.

Data Sources

CINAHL, ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Premium, MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses and Web of Science were searched in January and February 2024 for English and French‐language publications. A follow‐up search was conducted on 10 June 2024 to determine if additional literature was published.

Review Methods

A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley methodology for scoping reviews. To be included the article had to explicitly use the term ‘planetary health’ and ‘nursing’ or ‘nurses’.

Results

Sixty‐eight articles met the criteria for the scoping review and were included in this review, with the majority published between 2017 and 2024. Predominant literature included discussion papers, commentaries and editorials. A lack of original research is apparent. Most of the publications were calls to action for nurses to advance planetary health in nursing education, practice, research and advocacy work.

Conclusions

Literature confirms that planetary health is a recent and an important topic in nursing, and nurses have a well‐documented role to play in planetary health, given the numerous calls to action in nursing leadership, education, practice and research. There is a need to publish the essential work nurses are doing in planetary health in various nursing domains.

Impact

This scoping review revealed a clear and urgent call to action for nurses to address planetary health. Given this finding, nurses have a responsibility to advocate for a planetary health approach in the profession and take action to contribute to planetary health through education, research, practice and advocacy.

No Patient or Public Contribution

Not applicable, as no patients or public were involved.
Nonthermal Atmospheric Plasma Promotes Bonding Between Adhesive Monomers and Zirconia
Authors: Chen Xiaolan , Yu Chengcheng , Hua Lei , Liu Qi
Published: October 2024

Objective

To investigate whether nonthermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) can promote bonding between commonly used adhesive monomers and zirconia.

Materials and Methods

The zirconia surface and monomers (HEMA, BisGMA, TEGDMA, and MDP) were treated with different NTAP approaches (10 w, 30 s), and the surface characteristics and chemical structures between the zirconia surface and monomers were verified by the contact angle, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR/FT‐IR) spectroscopy, and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Scotchbond Universal adhesive with two different resin cements, RelyX Ultimate and RelyX Unicem 2, was applied, followed by NTAP‐aided clinical procedures, and then microtensile bond strength test (μTBS) and failure mode evaluation were tested for preliminary mechanical properties assessment. One‐way ANOVA was employed for the statistical analysis.

Results

The contact angle analysis, SEM, and ATR‐FTIR confirmed that NTAP can promote the polymerization of BisGMA, TEGDMA, and MDP on the zirconia surface, while XPS confirmed that NTAP can induce a chemical reaction between MDP and zirconia.

Conclusions

Nonthermal atmospheric plasma can increase the affinity between selected monomers and zirconia and promote the chemical bonding strength between phosphate monomers and zirconia; besides, it can enhance the bonding strength of two different adhesive systems.

Clinical Significance

The mechanism of how NTAP improved common adhesive monomers interacting with zirconia surfaces was revealed in this study. NTAP, as a relatively high energy‐boosting method, could not only improve the surface affinity of zirconia and chemical bonding in‐between monomers and zirconia but also enhance the polymerization of different monomers onto zirconia, resulting in improved bonding properties. Thus, further exploration of versatile bonding materials and/or onto different dental substrates could take this into account.
Temporal and spatial use of a freshwater lake by upstream and downstream migrating adult Atlantic salmon Salmo salar
Authors: Cotter Deirdre , Ling E. Nigel , Egan Fintan , Dillane Mary , Maoiléidigh Niall Ó. , Moore Andy
Published: October 2024

Atlantic salmon Salmo salar typically enter fresh water several months prior to spawning and just as pools can provide areas of refuge in river systems, lakes may also provide important refuge habitat during the spawning migration. Using acoustic telemetry we examined the spatial and temporal movements of wild and a ranched strain of Atlantic salmon in a freshwater lake where the main spawning areas were located upstream of the lake. Over the study period (2011–2014), returning adult wild salmon spent an average of 228 days in fresh water and 90% of that time in the lake. On entering the lake, most wild salmon moved quickly to the northern part of the lake, close to the main inflow, spending an average 76% of the time in this location. The average number of days wild fish were absent from the lake during the main spawning period varied between years, ranging from 10 to 26 days for females and 32 to 35 days for males. Seventy four per cent (17/23) of salmon spawners returned to the lake and two salmon subsequently died in the lake post‐spawning. Atypically, two salmon were resident in the lake for the whole period in 2013/14. During the study, wild salmon were detected at depths within the top 5 m for 73% of the time. Median depths post‐spawning were greater than in the pre‐spawning period, when salmon were found to spend extensive periods at depths in excess of 10 m. In July 2013, when the lake was stratified, thermal regulation behaviour was observed in wild salmon, whereby salmon moved to cooler deeper water when water temperatures at 1 m exceeded 20°C. In contrast to wild salmon, the majority of ranch salmon returned to the traps downstream of the lake prior to the spawning period, which would be expected as they were released as smolts below the freshwater lake. Ranch fish spent an average 80% of the time in the vicinity of receivers in the south of the lake and an average 98% of the time within the top 5 m. However, two ranch females were resident in the lake until the following spring and one ranch female moved upstream into the river during the spawning period. Clearly, in this catchment the lake provides an important habitat for migrating adult salmon. In the context of climate change, where thermal and hydrological regimes in rivers are expected to change in response to changes in air temperature and precipitation patterns, the availability of deep lakes that stratify in the summer and cool water refuges in river systems is likely to play a key role in the sustenance and conservation of salmonid species. Information about the migration patterns of Atlantic salmon in undisturbed freshwater systems may also assist in resolving issues associated with fish passage in impacted rivers and inform management decisions.
Ultrasonographic placental edematous changes as predictive markers of unplanned preterm birth in post‐Fontan pregnancies: A single‐center observational study
Authors: Watanabe Tomoyuki , Shimada Eriko , Yoshizawa Saeko , Kakogawa Jun
Published: October 2024

Aim

Fontan surgery is a palliative procedure commonly performed for functional single‐ventricle heart diseases. Fontan circulation is characterized by elevated central venous pressure and low cardiac output. It causes placental hypoxia, which could lead to poor obstetric outcomes. During post‐Fontan pregnancies, ultrasonography may detect abnormal appearance of the placenta. We have focused on higher incidences of unexpected onset of labor when this ultrasonographic finding is present. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether this finding could be an indicator of premature delivery before pre‐scheduled dates in post‐Fontan pregnancies.

Methods

During post‐Fontan pregnancies, the placenta exhibits a mosaic pattern with areas of low and high echogenicity and unusually thick on ultrasonography. We refer to these changes as “ultrasonographic placental edematous changes.” We retrospectively analyzed clinical charts and ultrasonograms for post‐Fontan pregnancies between 2015 and 2022.

Results

Fifteen patients were included in this study. Ultrasonographic placental edematous changes in the placenta during pregnancy were detected in eight cases (53%). Six (75%) of these patients experienced unexpected premature labor. Two patients underwent vaginal delivery because of sudden onset of labor. Four patients underwent emergency cesarean sections. Two patients underwent planned preterm cesarean sections. In the seven pregnancies without placental edematous changes, all deliveries occurred on the pre‐scheduled dates determined based on the maternal heart condition.

Conclusions

Pregnancies with ultrasonographic placental edematous changes have a higher risk of unexpected preterm delivery than those without these changes. Ultrasonographic placental edematous changes may serve as predictive markers for unplanned preterm births in post‐Fontan pregnancies.
The Principle of Righteousness and the Chosŏn–Ming and ROK–ROC Security Commitments*
Authors: Shao Lei , Su Yi‐hao
Published: October 2024

This study addresses the question of why some decision‐makers and political elites in Chosŏn and the Republic of Korea (ROK) remained committed to the Ming Dynasty and the Republic of China (ROC) when the latter had declined in power. Based on the social psychological literature on righteousness, we explore this relationship through the lens of spontaneous and binding mechanisms. The former refers to voluntary help after reciprocity has been internalized as a duty, and the latter suggests that although individuals are reluctant to help, the fear of violating righteousness motivates continued commitment. Using the most‐different case design, this study finds supporting evidence from both the Chosŏn and the ROK periods. Specifically, Chosŏn loyalist officials insisted on aiding the weakened Ming and dethroned the rationalist King, Gwanghaegun. Moreover, those Korean elites who lived through the Korean Independence Movement and the Korean War emphasized diplomatic ties with the ROC even after the ROC lost its UN seat in 1971. By integrating social psychology and constructivism literature, the findings illuminate how the norms of righteousness shape decision‐makers' foreign policy and alliance commitment preferences.
The Effect of Malaria on Responses to Unrelated Vaccines in Animals and Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zirimenya Ludoviko , Natukunda Agnes , Nassuuna Jacent , Kabagenyi Joyce , Nkurunungi Gyaviira , Elliott Alison M. , Webb Emily L.
Published: October 2024

Vaccine efficacy varies globally, often showing reduced immune responses in low‐ and middle‐income countries, possibly due to the immunomodulatory effects of parasitic infections like malaria. This systematic review evaluates the impact of malaria on immune responses to unrelated vaccines in humans and animals. We systematically searched five databases—MEDLINE, Web of Science, Global Health, Scopus and Embase—up to 5th December 2023. Eligible studies compared immune responses to WHO‐approved vaccines between malaria‐infected and uninfected groups, or between antimalarial‐treated and untreated groups. Meta‐analysis was performed using random‐effects models with standardised mean differences (SMDs) as summary statistics. The study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022298053). Twenty‐four articles (17 human, 7 animal) met the inclusion criteria, with 13 human articles contributing data for the meta‐analysis. Significant heterogeneity was observed. Vaccine responses were higher in malaria uninfected individuals (SMD 0.34, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.60, I2 = 87.15%) with weaker differences between antimalarial‐treated and untreated groups (SMD 0.07, 95% CI −0.01 to 0.16, I2 = 85.01%). The overall SMD for malaria uninfected/treated vs. infected/untreated was 0.15, 95% CI 0.05–0.26, I2 = 90.91. Narrative analysis suggested malaria's adverse impact on vaccine responses in animals. Malaria infection may impair vaccines responses; with preventive treatment of malaria partially reversing these effects, highlighting the need for targeted public health interventions.
Increasing Social and Spatial Inequalities in Parental Co‐Residence
Authors: Hochstenbach Cody , Howard Amber , Arundel Rowan
Published: October 2024

Across countries, mounting housing pressures contribute to a growing number of young adults living in the parental home. Patterns at the micro‐level and cross‐nationally are well charted, but less is known about intra‐country differences. Drawing on the case of the Netherlands, we use full‐population register data to examine co‐residence patterns of 25–34‐year‐olds for the 2005–2020 period. Through descriptive, GIS and multivariate analyses, we explain patterns in co‐residence according to income, across space and over time. Results reveal substantial spatial differences in patterns of co‐residence and rates of growth, with the strongest increases in the largest cities and directly adjacent regions. Patterns are most pronounced and intensified for low‐income young adults, who increasingly struggle to realise residential independence in and around economic pull regions and high‐priced urban areas. These findings point to increasing socio‐spatial inequalities in co‐residence, contributing to literature on the interaction between class and space.
Cell wall remodeling confers plant architecture with distinct wall structure in Nelumbo nucifera
Authors: Hu Huizhen , Zhang Ran , Zhao Yongjing , Yang Jie , Zhao Hanqian , Zhao Lin , Wang Li , Cheng Zhipeng , Zhao Wanyue , Wang Bo , Larkin Robert M. , Chen Longqing
Published: October 2024

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) is a perennial aquatic horticultural plant with diverse architectures. Distinct plant architecture (PA) has certain attractive and practical qualities, but its genetic morphogenesis in lotus remains elusive. In this study, we employ genome‐wide association analysis (GWAS) for the seven traits of petiole length (PLL), leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), peduncle length (PLF), flower diameter (FD), petal length (PeL), and petal width (PeW) in 301 lotus accessions. A total of 90 loci are identified to associate with these traits across 4 years of trials. Meanwhile, we perform RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) to analyze the differential expression of the gene (DEG) transcripts between large and small PA (LPA and SPA) of lotus stems (peduncles and petioles). As a result, eight key candidate genes are identified that are all primarily involved in plant cell wall remodeling significantly associated with PA traits by integrating the results of DEGs and GWAS. To verify this result, we compare the cell wall compositions and structures of LPA versus SPA in representative lotus germplasms. Intriguingly, compared with the SPA lotus, the LPA varieties have higher content of cellulose and hemicellulose, but less filling substrates of pectin and lignin. Additionally, we verified longer cellulose chains and higher cellulose crystallinity with less interference in LPA varieties. Taken together, our study illustrates how plant cell wall remodeling affects PA in lotus, shedding light on the genetic architecture of this significant ornamental trait and offering a priceless genetic resource for future genomic‐enabled breeding.
Public health emergencies and international trade in the context of global value chains: Evidence from COVID‐19 in China
Authors: Lu Bo , Bao Xiaohua , Wang Cai
Published: October 2024

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the frequency of public health emergencies (PHE), which pose a substantial threat to the global supply and demand equilibrium as well as the stability of the global value chains (GVC). The article takes the example of the COVID‐19 pandemic and utilises China's foreign trade monthly data spanning from 2018 to 2021 for an empirical analysis of how COVID‐19 affected China's import and export trade, as well as its participation in GVC collaborations. The findings are as follows: (1) The proliferation of COVID‐19 significantly and negatively impacted China's export trade, while its impact on China's import trade was insignificant. (2) The impact of the COVID‐19 on processing trade exports was more pronounced compared to general trade exports, highlighting the detrimental effect of the pandemic on GVC collaboration. (3) The adverse influence of the COVID‐19 on China's foreign trade and GVC cooperation primarily stemmed from its impact on international effective demand. (4) The pandemic exerted a more substantial negative effect on processing trade involving supplied materials with low production value added compared to processing trade involving imported materials with high value added. And it had a greater adverse impact on low‐tech products as opposed to high‐tech products, indicating that industries with higher value‐added and high‐tech products exhibited greater resilience in the face of trade disruptions by COVID‐19.
Subgroups of bounded rank in hyperbolic 3‐manifold groups
Authors: Biringer Ian
Published: October 2024

We prove a finiteness theorem for subgroups of bounded rank in hyperbolic 3‐manifold groups. As a consequence, we show that every bounded rank covering tower of closed hyperbolic 3‐manifolds is a tower of finite covers associated to a fibration over a 1‐orbifold.
Dynamic Behavior of Rectangular Tanks With Limited Freeboard Under Seismic Loads: Experimental, Analytical, and Machine Learning Investigations
Authors: Khosravi Shayan , Amirsardari Sina , Goudarzi Mohammad Ali
Published: October 2024

One of the most common types of fluid storage tanks are rectangular concrete tanks placed on the ground. Ensuring the seismic performance of these tanks is crucial as, besides damage and losses during a crisis, they can lead to other crises such as fires or toxic material leaks. One pivotal factor influencing the seismic behavior of these tanks is the height of the freeboard. A comprehensive understanding of how freeboard height impacts the impulsive and convective masses is essential for the effective design and dynamic analysis of rectangular tanks. While numerous numerical and experimental studies have explored this field, the influence of various filling levels, fluid properties, and tank geometries under seismic loading conditions requires further investigation. In this study, an experimental model placed on a shaking table and a numerical model developed in ansys software were subjected to various earthquake records. The effects under seismic loading were assessed across different fill levels, tank geometries, and freeboard heights. In contrast to previous studies, the new results revealed a nonlinear relationship between freeboard height and variations in impulsive and convective masses. Finally, the proposed machine learning model accurately developed this nonlinear relationship, which can be utilized to improve current design practices for rectangular tanks in seismic-prone areas.
Role of adhesion in the mechanics of pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes EGDe as a function of the pH of growth
Authors: Eskhan Asma , Abu-Lail Nehal I.
Published: October 2024

Atomic force microscopy was utilized to estimate the adhesion strengths to silicon nitride as well as the cellular elasticities of pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes EGDe cells cultured in media adjusted to five different pH conditions of growth (5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) under water with 0.0027 fixed ionic strength. Particularly, the role of adhesion on the bacterial elastic properties was investigated. The nonadhesive Hertz model of contact mechanics was used to extract Young's moduli of elasticity of bacterial cells from the approach force-indentation data. Additionally, the adhesive models of contact mechanics: Johnson–Kendall–Roberts (JKR) and Derjaguin–Muller–Toporov (DMT) were used to estimate Young's moduli of elasticity of bacterial cells from the retraction force-indentation data. Our results indicated that adhesion to silicon nitride was the highest for cells cultured at a pH of 7. Similarly, bacterial cells cultured at pH 7 were characterized by the highest Young's moduli of elasticities compared to the lower or higher pH conditions of growth. Young's moduli of elasticities estimated from the Hertz model were stiffer than those estimated using JKR or DMT models. As the adhesion between bacterial cells and indenters increased, the difference between the Hertz model and JKR or DMT models estimates of Young's moduli of elasticity increased as well. Contradicting the current norm of using the Hertz model to quantify bacterial elasticity in the literature, our results highlight the extreme importance of utilizing contact mechanics models with adhesion components in them such as the JKR and DMT models to estimate bacterial elasticity.
Metal availability shapes early life microbial ecology and community succession
Authors: Soto Ocaña Joshua , Friedman Elliot S. , Keenan Orlaith , Bayard Nile U. , Ford Eileen , Tanes Ceylan , Munneke Matthew J. , Beavers William N. , Skaar Eric P. , Bittinger Kyle , Zemel Babette S. , Wu Gary D. , Zackular Joseph P.
Published: October 2024

The gut microbiota plays a critical role in human health and disease. Microbial community assembly and succession early in life are influenced by numerous factors. In turn, assembly of this microbial community is known to influence the host, including immune system development, and has been linked to outcomes later in life. To date, the role of host-mediated nutritional immunity and metal availability in shaping microbial community assembly and succession early in life has not been explored in depth. Using a human infant cohort, we show that the metal-chelating protein calprotectin is highly abundant in infants. Taxa previously shown to be successful early colonizers of the infant gut, such as
Enterococcus
,
Enterobacteriaceae,
and
Bacteroides,
are highly resistant to experimental metal starvation in culture.
Lactobacillus
, meanwhile, is highly susceptible to metal restriction, pointing to a possible mechanism by which host-mediated metal limitation shapes the fitness of early colonizing taxa in the infant gut. We further demonstrate that formula-fed infants harbor markedly higher levels of metals in their gastrointestinal tract compared to breastfed infants. Formula-fed infants with high levels of metals harbor distinct microbial communities compared to breastfed infants, with higher levels of
Enterococcus
,
Enterobacter,
and
Klebsiella
, taxa which show increased resistance to the toxic effects of high metal concentrations. These data highlight a new paradigm in microbial community assembly and suggest an unappreciated role for nutritional immunity and dietary metals in shaping the earliest colonization events of the microbiota.

IMPORTANCE

Early life represents a critical window for microbial colonization of the human gastrointestinal tract. Surprisingly, we still know little about the rules that govern the successful colonization of infants and the factors that shape the success of early life microbial colonizers. In this study, we report that metal availability is an important factor in the assembly and succession of the early life microbiota. We show that the host-derived metal-chelating protein, calprotectin, is highly abundant in infants and successful early life colonizers can overcome metal restriction. We further demonstrate that feeding modality (breastmilk vs formula) markedly impacts metal levels in the gut, potentially influencing microbial community succession. Our work suggests that metals, a previously unexplored aspect of early life ecology, may play a critical role in shaping the early events of microbiota assembly in infants.
Hepatitis B virus entry, assembly, and egress
Authors: Chuang Yu-Chen , Ou J. -H. James
Published: October 2024

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important human pathogen that chronically infects approximately 250 million people in the world, resulting in ~1 million deaths annually. This virus is a hepatotropic virus and can cause severe liver diseases including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The entry of HBV into hepatocytes is initiated by the interaction of its envelope proteins with its receptors. This is followed by the delivery of the viral nucleocapsid to the nucleus for the release of its genomic DNA and the transcription of viral RNAs. The assembly of the viral capsid particles may then take place in the nucleus or the cytoplasm and may involve cellular membranes. This is followed by the egress of the virus from infected cells. In recent years, significant research progresses had been made toward understanding the entry, the assembly, and the egress of HBV particles. In this review, we discuss the molecular pathways of these processes and compare them with those used by hepatitis delta virus and hepatitis C virus , two other hepatotropic viruses that are also enveloped. The understanding of these processes will help us to understand how HBV replicates and causes diseases, which will help to improve the treatments for HBV patients.
A whole-cell pertussis vaccine engineered to elicit reduced reactogenicity protects baboons against pertussis challenge
Authors: Kapil Parul , Wang Yihui , Gregg Kelsey , Zimmerman Lindsey , Molano Damaris , Maldonado Villeda Jonatan , Sebo Peter , Merkel Tod J.
Published: October 2024

Whole-cell pertussis (wP) vaccines introduced in the 1940s led to a dramatic reduction of pertussis incidence and are still widely used in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) worldwide. The reactogenicity of wP vaccines resulted in reduced public acceptance, which drove the development and introduction of acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines in high-income countries in the 1990s. Increased incidence of pertussis disease has been observed in high-income countries following the introduction of aP vaccines despite near universal rates of pediatric vaccination. These increases are attributed to the reduced protection against colonization, carriage, and transmission as well as reduced duration of immunity conferred by aP vaccines relative to the wP vaccines they replaced. A reduced reactogenicity whole-cell pertussis (RRwP) vaccine was recently developed with the goal of achieving the same protection as conferred by wP vaccination but with an improved safety profile, which may benefit countries in which wP vaccines are still in routine use. In this study, we tested the RRwP vaccine in a baboon model of pertussis infection. We found that the RRwP vaccine induced comparable cellular and humoral immune responses and comparable protection following challenge relative to the wP vaccine, while significantly reducing injection-site reactogenicity.

IMPORTANCE

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended in 2015 that countries administering wP vaccines in their national vaccine programs should continue to do so, and that switching to aP vaccines for primary infant immunization should only be considered if periodic booster vaccinations and/or maternal immunization could be assured and sustained in their national immunization schedules (WHO, Vaccine 34:1423–1425, 2016,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.10.136
). Due to the considerably higher cost of aP vaccines and the larger number of doses required, most LMICs continue to use wP vaccines. The development and introduction of a wP vaccine that induces fewer adverse events without sacrificing protection would significantly benefit countries in which wP vaccines are still in routine use. The results of this study indicate this desirable goal may be achievable.
Bone allograft impregnated with tobramycin and vancomycin delivers antibiotics in high concentrations for prophylaxis against bacteria commonly associated with prosthetic joint infections
Authors: Berglund Björn , Wezenberg Daphne , Nilsson Maud , Söderquist Bo , Nilsson Lennart E. , Schilcher Jörg
Published: October 2024

Local delivery of antibiotics as prophylaxis for prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) is frequently used during total hip replacement surgery. Morselized bone allograft impregnated with vancomycin and tobramycin (
TobraVanc
) could provide effective prophylaxis against bacteria commonly associated with PJIs. In this study, the concentrations of antibiotics released by bone allograft impregnated with
TobraVanc
were determined by using an
in vitro
bioassay system entailing measuring inhibition zone diameters caused by antibiotic-impregnated bone chips cast in agar against standard curves. The concentrations were determined in samples of
TobraVanc
-impregnated bone graft taken before and after the application of the bone graft in the patients undergoing acetabular revision surgery. Antibiotic-impregnated bone grafts, sampled prior to application in the patient, delivered antibiotics in the concentration ranges of 730–9,800 mg/L for tobramycin and 1,300–11,000 mg/L for vancomycin. Samples taken after application in the patient released lower concentrations of tobramycin (490–1,900 mg/L;
P
< 0.01) and vancomycin (3,000–5,100 mg/L;
P
< 0.05); however, these concentrations remained well above the tobramycin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for investigated, highly tobramycin-resistant
Staphylococcus epidermidis
strains (MICs > 256 mg/L). At the tested concentrations, bone graft material mixed with
TobraVanc
delivered antibiotics in potent concentrations above the MICs for bacteria causing PJIs. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy and risk of
TobraVanc
-impregnated bone graft as a prophylactic agent for patients undergoing hip replacement surgery.

IMPORTANCE

Antibiotic prophylaxis is the cornerstone of successful joint replacement surgery, reducing the risk for the dreaded complication of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) to roughly 0.5%–2% in standard total hip replacement (THR). In addition to systemic antibiotics, antibiotics added locally have the potential to reduce the PJI risk even further, because of the high concentrations that can be achieved in the joint with limited risk for systemic toxicity. The results in the current study show that bone chips impregnated with a combination of tobramycin and vancomycin (
TobraVanc
) release antibiotics in concentrations that are potent against common bacteria causing PJIs. Especially in high-risk patients, our results support the prophylactic use of
TobraVanc
in hip replacement surgery requiring the use of a bone graft. A clinical study testing the efficacy of
TobraVanc
-impregnated bone graft in reducing the incidence of PJI in hip replacement surgery is currently ongoing (EudraCT: 2021-001708-14).
Quantifying Pleistocene loess provenance in midcontinental North America using a mixing model: Implications for glacial lobe evolution along the southern Laurentide ice sheet
Authors: Dendy Sarah N. , Guenthner William R. , Grimley David A. , Conroy Jessica L.
Published: October 2024

Quaternary glaciations have significantly impacted the midcontinental North American landscape, leaving behind a proglacial sediment record of glacial lake deposits, glacio-fluvial sand and gravel, and windblown loess. This paper aims to expand upon a previous study using detrital zircon provenance analysis to investigate midcontinental North American loess provenance in relation to the glacial history of the southern Laurentide ice sheet during the middle to late Pleistocene. The study incorporates previously published detrital zircon data from last glacial tills (representing the Huron-Erie Lobe, Lake Michigan Lobe, Green Bay Lobe, Superior Lobe, Des Moines Lobe, and James Lobe), middle to late Pleistocene loess from several sites along the Illinois and Mississippi River valleys, and suspended sediment load inputs from the Missouri River and Arkansas River. A statistical mixing model (DzMix version 2.2) was used to estimate the relative proportions of glacial and nonglacial sources to Wisconsin Episode, Illinois Episode, and pre–Illinois Episode age loess. We show that mixing models that include the modern suspended sediment loads of the Missouri and Arkansas Rivers significantly improve (up to 23% increase in cross-correlation value) the source characterization of Wisconsin Episode (last glacial) and Illinois Episode (penultimate glacial) loess deposits within the Mississippi River drainage basin. These river sources are dominant inputs for certain loess sites (as much as 51%), but their relative contributions are not static across time and space, which has implications for temporal and spatial differences in relative sediment source estimates and glacial and fluvial sediment transport evolution. Specifically, differences in relative sediment proportion estimates among Wisconsin, Illinois, and pre–Illinois Episode loess support previous evidence for the persistence of a Quebec-Labrador ice dome source through multiple glacial cycles, even with the inclusion of river sources in updated mixing models. Illinois and pre–Illinois Episode loess in the southern portion of our study area received ~20% detrital zircon input from sources similar to the present-day Missouri and Arkansas Rivers, suggesting that these river systems were contributing a significant amount of detritus to the lower Mississippi River valley region during the middle Pleistocene.
Nationwide burden of sudden cardiac death among patients with a psychiatric disorder
Authors: Mujkanovic Jasmin , Warming Peder Emil , Kessing Lars Vedel , Køber Lars Valeur , Winkel Bo Gregers , Lynge T H , Tfelt-Hansen Jacob
Published: October 2024

Background

Patients with psychiatric disorders have increased all-cause mortality compared with the general population. Previous research has shown that there is a fourfold increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) among the young.

Objective

To investigate the incidence of SCD in patients with psychiatric disorders aged 18–90 years in the Danish population by systematically reviewing all deaths in 1 year.

Methods

We examined all deaths in Denmark among residents aged 18–90 years in 2010 by reviewing death certificates and autopsy reports. All deaths were categorised as non-SCD or SCD based on the available information. Psychiatric disorder was defined according to International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision criteria or by redemption of a prescription for psychotropic medication within 1 year.

Results

Of 4.3 million residents in 2010, we observed 45 703 deaths, of which 6002 were due to SCD. Overall, the incidence rate ratio of SCD was 1.79–6.45 times higher among patients with psychiatric disorders than in the general population and was age dependent (p<0.001 across all age groups). When adjusting for age, sex and comorbidities, psychiatric disorders were independently associated with SCD, with a HR of 2.31 (2.19 to 2.43, p<0.001), and HR was highest among patients with schizophrenic disorders, with a HR of 4.51 (3.95 to 5.16, p <0.001). Furthermore, 18-year-old patients with a psychiatric disorder had an expected 10-year excess loss of life. Patients aged 18–40 with a psychiatric disorder had 13% of excess life years lost caused by SCD.

Conclusion

In this study, the rate of SCD in patients with psychiatric disorders is higher across all age groups than in the general population. Having a psychiatric disorder is independently associated with SCD. Patients with schizophrenic disease had the highest rates of SCD. Life expectancy for an 18-year old with a psychiatric disorder is estimated to be 10 years shorter in comparison with those without this disorder.