bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous Measurement of Gross Oxygen Evolution and Underlying Photosynthetic Redox Reactions: A Case Study Using Cyanobacteria
Authors: Liran Oded
Published: October 2024

In phytoplankton, the intricate balance between respiration and photosynthesis is co-regulated to ensure efficient energy management and adaptation to varying environmental conditions. In cyanobacteria, both processes occur on the same membrane, sharing electron transport carriers within the same cellular compartment. By studying the interaction between photosynthesis and respiration, we can better understand how cyanobacteria balance their energetic budget for survival. In this study, we present an integrated approach that combines tracking gas exchange between cyanobacteria and their environment with analysing the redox kinetics of the underlying photosynthetic electron transport chain. This combined system allows for real-time, simultaneous acquisition of respiration and photosynthesis data. For example, it enabled us to show that the electron transport rate generated by photosystem II, translated toin-vivooxygen concentration, equals the actual concentration of oxygen produced by water splitting plus the amount of oxygen respired. We further demonstrate that our system can accurately assess light respiration in wild-type strains of cyanobacteria, which amounts to 1/10 of their photosynthetic activity under optimal growth conditions. This level of accuracy was previously achievable only with specific cyanobacteria mutants. We envision applying this system in monitoring programs to elaborate on the role of photosynthetic light reactions within the broader context of primary productivity and to understand its dynamics in response to fluctuations in external environmental conditions.
Elevated NAD+drives Sir2A-mediated GCβ deacetylation and OES localization forPlasmodiumookinete gliding and mosquito infection
Authors: Shi Yang , Wan Lin , Jiao Mengmeng , Zhong Chuan-qi , Cui Huiting , Yuan Jing
Published: October 2024

cGMP signal-activated ookinete gliding is essential for mosquito midgut infection ofPlasmodiumin malaria transmission. During ookinete development, cGMP synthesizer GCβ polarizes to a unique localization <ookinete extrados site= (OES) until ookinete maturation and activates cGMP signaling for initiating parasite motility. However, the mechanism underlying GCβ translocation from cytosol to OES remains elusive. Here, we used protein proximity labeling to search the GCβ-interacting proteins in ookinetes of the rodent malaria parasiteP. yoelii, and found the top hit Sir2A, a NAD+-dependent sirtuin family deacetylase. Sir2A interacts with GCβ throughout ookinete development. In mature ookinetes, Sir2A co-localizes with GCβ at OES in a mutually dependent manner. Parasites lacking Sir2A lose GCβ localization at OES, ookinete gliding, and mosquito infection, phenocopying GCβ deficiency. GCβ is acetylated at gametocytes but is deacetylated by Sir2A for OES localization at mature ookinetes. We further demonstrated that the level of NAD+, an essential co-substrate for sirtuin, increases during the ookinete development. The NAD+at its maximal level until ookinete maturation promotes Sir2A-catalyzed GCβ deacetylation, ensuring GCβ localization at OES. This study highlights the spatiotemporal coordination of cytosolic NAD+level and NAD+-dependent Sir2A in regulating GCβ deacetylation and dynamic localization forPlasmodiumookinete gliding.
Molecular characterization of the permanent outer-inner membrane contact site of the mitochondrial genome segregation complex in trypanosomes
Authors: Stettler Philip , Schimanski Bernd , Aeschlimann Salome , Schneider André
Published: October 2024

The parasitic protozoanTrypanosoma bruceihas a single unit mitochondrial genome linked to the basal body of the flagellum via the tripartite attachment complex (TAC). The TAC is crucial for mitochondrial genome segregation during cytokinesis. At the core of the TAC, the outer membrane protein TAC60 binds to the inner membrane protein p166, forming a permanent contact site between the two membranes. Although contact sites between mitochondrial membranes are common and serve various functions, their molecular architecture remains largely unknown. This study elucidates the interaction interface of the TAC60-p166 contact site. Usingin silico,in vitro, and mutationalin vivoanalyses, we identified minimal binding segments between TAC60 and p166. The p166 binding site in TAC60 consists of a short kinked α-helix that interacts with the C-terminal α- helix of p166. Despite the presence of conserved charged residues in either protein, electrostatic interactions are not necessary for contact site formation. Instead, the TAC60-p166 interaction is driven by the hydrophobic effect, as converting conserved hydrophobic residues in either protein to hydrophilic amino acids disrupts the contact site.

Author summary

Mitochondria are surrounded by two membranes and essential for nearly all eukaryotes. Contact sites between the two membranes are important for mitochondrial function. However, most contact sites are dynamic making their molecular architecture challenging to study. The tripartite attachment complex (TAC) of parasitic protozoanTrypanosoma bruceiconnects its compact mitochondrial genome with the basal body of the flagellum. This couples the segregation of the replicated mitochondrial genome to the old and new basal body. The TAC contains permanent contact sites formed by outer membrane protein TAC60 and the intermembrane space-exposed C-terminus of p166 of the inner membrane. We have used it as a model for a prototypical contact site. AlphaFold predictions and in vitro binding assays identified a small region in the intermembrane space region of TAC60 that binds p166 forming contact sites. In vivo expression of various TAC60 and/or p166 mutants followed by immunoprecipitations demonstrates that contact site formation is driven by the hydrophobic effect and independent of the conserved charged amino acids present at the TAC60-p166 interface. The TAC is unique to Kinetoplastids, understanding the molecular architecture of the TAC60-p166 contact site could therefore inform the development of drugs that disrupt this critical interaction.
Evolution of the non-visual and visual opsin gene repertoire in ray-finned fishes
Authors: Policarpo Maxime , Fogg Lily G , Cortesi Fabio , Salzburger Walter
Published: October 2024

Photoreception, the detection of light for image formation (vision) as well as for non image forming purposes (circadian regulation, DNA repair), is critical to the survival of most animals. In vertebrates, photoreception is mediated by opsin proteins, which are classified, according to their function, into visual and non visual opsins. Here, we provide the most comprehensive study to date on the evolution of the opsin gene family in the largest class of vertebrate, fishes, with a particular focus on the understudied non visual opsins. Based on an in depth analysis of 535 high quality genomes, we document great variation in gene numbers in the different opsin gene subfamilies across ray finned fishes and show that visual opsins are more prone to duplications and losses than non visual opsins. We provide compelling evidence that visual and non visual opsins coevolve in ray finned fishes, both in terms of copy numbers and selective pressures acting on their coding sequences, probably in response to the different photic environments they inhabit. Species that live in dim light or all in the dark (such as in caves or the deep sea) convergently reduced their visual and non visual opsin gene repertoires, while polar species feature accelerated evolution in both. Fishes that rely on electroreception show a reduction in the number of visual and non visual opsin genes and accelerated evolution of the remaining genes. We further found that genes of the phototransduction cascade coevolve with opsins. Finally, that non visual opsins are mainly expressed in testes and ovaries (next to the eyes) supports a function in gamete biology.
Microgravity and low muon radiation affect viral pathogenesis and physiology inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Villena-Giménez Ana , Castiglioni Victoria G. , Legarda Esmeralda G. , Muñoz-Sánchez Juan C. , González Rubén , Elena Santiago F.
Published: October 2024

Spaceflight exposes organisms to unprecedented environmental stresses, including microgravity and reduced muon radiation. These conditions are known to impact immune functions, potentially influencing the severity of viral infections. This study investigates the effects of microgravity and below-background radiation (i.e., reduced muon radiation flux) on Orsay virus infections inCaenorhabditis elegans. We assessedC. elegansfitness-related and developmental traits under a fully factorial combination of standard or microgravity with standard or below-background radiation conditions. Our findings reveal that microgravity and below-background radiation affect fecundity, with significant negative impacts on reproductive success and developmental abnormalities in infected animals. Additionally, the interaction between these environmental factors and viral infection led to complex effects on viral accumulation, which were increased under below-background radiation but reduced in microgravity. These results provide new insights into the interplay between abiotic stresses and viral infections in space, emphasizing the need for further research on the long-term impacts of spaceflight on immune function and pathogen-host interactions.
Epitranscriptomic rRNA fingerprinting reveals tissue-of-origin and tumor-specific signatures
Authors: Milenkovic Ivan , Cruciani Sonia , Llovera Laia , Lucas Morghan C , Medina Rebeca , Pauli Cornelius , Heid Daniel , Muley Thomas , Schneider Marc A. , Klotz Laura V. , Allgäuer Michael , Lattuca Ruben , LaFontaine Denis LJ , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Novoa Eva Maria
Published: October 2024

Mammalian ribosomal RNA (rRNA) molecules are highly abundant RNAs, decorated with over 220 rRNA modifications. Previous works have shown that some rRNA modification types can be dynamically regulated; however, how and when the mammalian rRNA modification landscape is remodeled remains largely unexplored. Here, we employ direct RNA nanopore sequencing to chart the human and mouse rRNA epitranscriptome across tissues, developmental stages, cell types and disease. Our analyses reveal multiple rRNA sites that are differentially modified in a tissue- and/or developmental stage-specific manner, including previously unannotated modified sites. We demonstrate that rRNA modification patterns can be used for tissue and cell type identification, which we hereby term ‘epitranscriptomic fingerprinting’. We then explore rRNA modification patterns in normal-tumor matched samples from lung cancer patients, finding that epitranscriptomic fingerprinting accurately classifies clinical samples into normal and tumor groups from only 250 reads per sample, demonstrating the potential of rRNA modifications as diagnostic biomarkers.
Interpersonal Synchronization in Mother-Child Dyads: Neural and Motor Coupling as a Mechanism for Motor Learning and Development in Preschoolers
Authors: Nagy Péter , Béres Luca , Tóth Brigitta , Winkler István , Barthel Betty , Háden Gábor P.
Published: October 2024

Interpersonal movement synchrony (IMS) and brain-to-brain coupling play a crucial role in social behavior across species. In humans, IMS is often studied in structured tasks that require specific body movements, while spontaneous, unstructured movements have received less attention. In this study, we investigated both structured and spontaneous motor coordination in mother-child dyads. We recorded upper-body kinematics and dual-EEG from mothers and their preschool children during motor tasks and spontaneous face-to-face interactions. Our findings show that mother-child dyads synchronize their movements and neural activity, particularly in gamma band oscillations. This motor and neural synchrony evolves across task repetitions, with a strong correlation between motor and neural measures. Further, we observed that only motor synchronization was significantly related to the child’s motor development stage, as assessed by the Movement Assessment Battery for Children. These results suggest that gamma band brain-to-brain coupling reflects joint motor coordination and mutual adaptation shaped by structured tasks and spontaneous interpersonal interactions.
Decision Confidence and Outcome Variability Optimally Regulate Separate Aspects of Hyperparameter Setting
Authors: Desender Kobe , Verguts Tom
Published: October 2024

Reinforcement learning models describe how agents learn about the world (value learning), and how they interact with their environment based on the learned information (decision policy). As in any optimization problem, it is important to set the process hyperparameters, a process which also is thought to be learned (meta-learning). Here, we test a key prediction of meta-learning frameworks, namely that there exist one or more meta-signals that govern hyperparameter setting. Specifically, we test whether decision confidence, in a context of varying outcome variability, informs hyperparameter setting. Participants performed a 2-armed bandit task with confidence ratings. Model comparison shows that confidence and outcome variability are differentially involved in hyperparameter setting. A high level of confidence in the previous choice decreased hyperparameter setting of decision noise on the current trial: when a trial was made with low confidence, the choice on the next trial tended to be more explorative (i.e. high decision noise). Outcome variability influenced another hyperparameter, the learning rate for positive prediction errors (thus affecting value learning). Both strategies are rational approaches that maximize earnings at different temporal loci: the modulation by confidence causes more frequent exploration early after a change point, the modulation by outcome variability is advantageous late after a change point. Finally, we show that (reported) confidence in value-based choices reflects the action value of the chosen option (irrespective of the unchosen value). In sum, decision confidence and outcome variability reflect distinct signals that optimally guide the setting of hyperparameters in decision policy and value learning, respectively.
Microbiome stability is linked to coral thermotolerance
Authors: Baquiran Jake Ivan P. , Quijano John Bennedick , van Oppen Madeleine J.H. , Cabaitan Patrick C. , Harrison Peter L. , Conaco Cecilia
Published: October 2024

Corals associate with a diverse community of prokaryotic symbionts that provide nutrition, antioxidants, and other protective compounds to their host. However, the influence of microbes on coral thermotolerance remains understudied. Here, we examined the prokaryotic microbial communities associated with colonies ofAcroporacf.tenuisthat exhibit high or low thermotolerance upon exposure to 33°C (heated) relative to 29°C (control). Using 16S rRNA sequencing, we show that the microbial community structure of allA.cf.tenuiscolonies were similar at control temperature. Thermotolerant colonies, however, had relatively greater abundance ofEndozoicomonas, Arcobacter,BifidobacteriumandLactobacillus. At elevated temperature, only thermosensitive colonies showed a distinct shift in their microbiome, with an increase in Flavobacteriales, Rhodobacteraceae, andVibrio,accompanying a marked bleaching response. Functional prediction indicated that prokaryotic communities associated with thermotolerant corals were enriched for genes related to metabolism, while microbiomes of thermosensitive colonies were enriched for cell motility and antibiotic compound synthesis. These differences may contribute to the variable performance of thermotolerant and thermosensitive corals under thermal stress. Identification of microbial taxa correlated with thermotolerance provides insights into beneficial bacterial groups that could be used for microbiome engineering to support reef health in a changing climate.
Examining Relationships between Functional and Structural Brain Network Architecture, Age, and Attention Skills in Early Childhood
Authors: Rokos Leanne , Bray Signe L , Neudorf Josh , Samson Alexandria D , Shen Kelly , McIntosh Anthony R
Published: October 2024

Early childhood is a critical period showing experience-dependent changes in brain structure and function. The complex link between the structural connectivity (SC) and functional connectivity (FC) of the brain is of particular interest, however, its relationship with both age and attention in early childhood is not well understood. In this study, children between the ages of 4 and 7, and at a one-year follow-up visit, underwent neuroimaging (diffusion-weighted and passive-viewing functional magnetic resonance imaging) and assessments for selective, sustained, and executive attention. We examined regional graph theory metrics and SC-FC coupling of the structural and functional networks. Partial least squares (PLS) was used to investigate longitudinal brain measure changes and cross-sectional associations with age and attention. We observed longitudinal changes in functional graph theory metrics and age-related decreases in SC modularity. Region-wise graph theory analyses revealed variable brain-behaviour relationships across the brain, highlighting regions where structural topology is linked to age and attentional performance. Furthermore, we identified SC as a dominant predictor of age when compared to FC and SC-FC coupling. The findings emphasise how early childhood is a dynamic period where cognitive functioning is intricately and predominantly linked to structural network features.
Reliable sensory processing of superficial cortical interneurons is modulated by behavioral state
Authors: Sweeney Carolyn G. , Thomas Maryse E. , Vattino Lucas G. , Smith Kasey E. , Takesian Anne E.
Published: October 2024

The GABAergic interneurons within cortical layer 1 (L1) integrate sensory and top-down inputs to modulate network activity and induce the plasticity underlying learning. However, little is known about how sensory inputs drive L1 interneuron activity. We used two-photon calcium imaging to measure the sound-evoked responses of two L1 interneuron populations expressing VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) or NDNF (neuron-derived neurotrophic factor) in mouse auditory cortex. We find that L1 interneurons respond to both simple and complex sounds with high trial-to-trial variability. However, these interneurons respond reliably to just a narrow range of stimuli, reflecting selectivity to spectrotemporal sound features. This response reliability is modulated by behavioral state and predicted by the activity of neighboring interneurons. Our data reveal that L1 interneurons exhibit sensory tuning and identify the modulation of response reliability as a potential mechanism by which L1 relays state-dependent cues to shape sensory representations.
Sequencing RNA from old, dried specimens reveals past viromes and properties of long-surviving RNA
Authors: Keene Alexandra H. , Stenglein Mark D.
Published: October 2024

Recovery of virus sequences from old samples provides an opportunity to study virus evolution and reconstruct historic virus-host interactions. Studies of old virus sequences have mainly relied on DNA or on RNA from fixed or frozen samples. The millions of specimens in natural history museums represent a potential treasure trove of old virus sequences, but it is not clear how well RNA survives in old samples. We experimentally assessed the stability of RNA in insects stored dry at room temperature over 72 weeks. Although RNA molecules grew fragmented, RNA yields remained surprisingly constant. RT-qPCR of host and virus RNA showed minimal differences between dried and frozen specimens. To assess RNA survival in much older samples we acquiredDrosophilaspecimens from North American entomological collections. We recovered sequences from known and novel viruses including several coding complete virus genomes from a fly collected in 1908. We found that the virome ofD. melanogasterhas changed little over the past century. Galbut virus, the most prevalent virus infection in contemporaryD. melanogaster, was also the most common in historic samples. Finally, we investigated the genomic and physical features of surviving RNA. RNA that survived was fragmented, chemically damaged, and preferentially double stranded or contained in ribonucleoprotein complexes. This showed that RNA - especially certain types of RNA – can survive in biological specimens over extended periods in the absence of fixation or freezing and confirms the utility of dried specimens to provide a clearer understanding of virus evolution.
Cell-type specific projection patterns promote balanced activity in cortical microcircuits
Authors: Kurth Anno C. , Albers Jasper , Diesmann Markus , van Albada Sacha J.
Published: October 2024

Brain structure provides the stage on which activity unfolds. Models linking connectivity to dynamics have relied on probabilistic estimates of connectivity derived from paired electrophysiological recordings or single-neuron morphologies obtained by light microscopy (LM) studies. Only recently have electron microscopy (EM) data sets been processed and made available for volumes of cortex on the cubic millimeter scale, thereby exposing the actual connectivity of neurons. Here, we construct a population-based, layer-resolved connectivity map from EM data, taking into account the spatial scale of local cortical connectivity. We compare the obtained connectivity with a map based on an established LM data set. Simulating spiking neural networks constrained by the derived microcircuit architectures shows that both models allow for biologically plausible ongoing activity when synaptic currents caused by neurons outside the network model are adjusted for every population independently. However, differentially varying the external current onto excitatory and inhibitory populations uncovers that only the EM-based model robustly shows plausible dynamics. Our work confirms the long-standing hypothesis that a preference of excitatory neurons for inhibitory targets, not present in the LM-based model, promotes balanced activity in the cortical microcircuit.
Single-Sequence, Structure Free Allosteric Residue Prediction with Protein Language Models
Authors: Kannan Gokul R. , Hie Brian L. , Kim Peter S.
Published: October 2024

Large language models trained on protein amino acid sequences have shown the ability to learn general coevolutionary relationships at scale, which in turn contain useful structural and functional information. Here we show that attention maps, matrices of learned pairwise relationships between residues, also include information about allostery. This enables prediction of allosteric relationships with no task-specific training, requiring only a single input sequence and no structural information. Attention maps outperform state-of-the-art structure-based and sequence coevolution-based allosteric residue prediction models on a well-curated benchmark set of 24 allosteric proteins. For K-Ras, an allosterically regulated GTPase, attention maps correlate best with allosteric residues influencing binding identified in deep mutational scanning data. For the beta-2 adrenergic receptor, an allosterically regulated GPCR, attention maps correlate best when compared to experimental alanine-scanning mutational data identifying allosteric relationships influencing signaling. These results enable allosteric relationship prediction in a single-sequence, structure-free manner.
Aquifer microbial communities are highly variable in response to thermal arsenic mobilization
Authors: Chen Molly , Grégoire Daniel S. , St-Germain Pascale , Berdugo-Clavijo Carolina , Hug Laura A.
Published: October 2024

Thermal recovery technologies forin-situbitumen extraction can result in the heating of surrounding aquifers, potentially mobilizing arsenic naturally present in the sediments to the groundwater. The relative toxicity of dissolved arsenic is related to its speciation, with As(V) being less toxic than As(III). Microorganisms have various mechanisms of arsenic resistance, including efflux and methylation. Microorganisms may also perform reduction/oxidation of As(V)/As(III) as part of their detoxification and/or metabolic pathways. We characterized the microbial communities along two aquifer transects associated with thermally mobilized arsenic near Northeastern Alberta oil sands deposits. 16S rRNA amplicons and metagenomic sequencing data of biomass from filtered groundwater indicated major changes in the dominant taxa between wells, especially those currently experiencing elevated arsenic concentrations. Annotation of arsenic-related genes indicated that efflux pumps (arsB, acr3), intracellular reduction (arsC) and methylation (arsM) genes were widespread amongst community members but comparatively few organisms encoded genes for arsenic respiratory reductases (arrA) and oxidases (arxA, aioA). While this indicates that microbes have the capacity to exacerbate arsenic toxicity by increasing the relative concentration of As(III), some populations of iron oxidizing and sulfate reducing bacteria (including novelGallionellaand Thermodesulfovibrionia populations) show potential for indirect bioremediation through formation of insoluble iron/sulfide minerals which adsorb or coprecipitate arsenic. An unusually high proportional abundance of a single Paceibacteria population that lacked arsenic resistance genes was identified in one high-arsenic well, and we discuss hypotheses for its ability to persist. Overall, this study describes how aquifer microbial communities respond to thermal and arsenic plumes, and predicts potential contributions of microbes to arsenic biogeochemical cycling under this disturbance.
High-Throughput Optimization of Paper-Based Cell-Free Biosensors
Authors: Garcia David C. , Davies John P. , Davidson Charles E. , Phillips Daniel A. , Miklos Aleksandr E. , Lux Matthew W.
Published: October 2024

Cell-free expression systems maintain core cellular processes without intact cells and offer attractive properties as point-of-need biosensors. The ability to lyophilize, store, and use on-demand make these sensors usable in the field, and the lack of membranes means that there are no analyte transport issues and that new sensors can be deployed by simply adding a different DNA molecule. The lack of membranes also means that sensor designs and reaction optimizations can be screened in high throughput. While shelf stability has been demonstrated in specific cases using additives, these approaches are not universal to the myriad cell-free expression methods and formats. Here, we present new high-throughput screening methods to optimize cell-free expression formulations when embedded into paper for use as sensors. Our method leverages acoustic liquid handling to dispense reactions onto 384-well paper ticket formats and machine vision to quantify reaction performance from a colorimetric reporter enzyme. The throughput enabled shifts the bottleneck from experimental execution to selecting the experiments to execute; we therefore implement design-of-experiments to optimize the information gained from each design-build-test-learn cycle. We used these approaches to first optimize the performance of a low-cost cell-free expression formulation that was initially non-functional when embedded in paper, then further optimize it for tolerance to exposure to heat. With only 2 rounds of experimentation lasting 4 days total for each goal, the result are an energy mixture with 8% of the materials cost of a commonly used version and a formulation of excipients that maintain 60% of activity after 6 hours of storage at 50 °C and. Finally, we showcase the use of the cost-optimized formulation in a 3D-printed paperfluidic device where it outperforms the standard formulation at much lower cost.
The Social Determinants of Depression among Adolescents in Low and Middle Income Countries: A Scoping Review Protocol
Authors: Alemu Isayas Wubshet , Abbott Pamela , Engdawork Kibur , Gebremariam Semere , Kanazayire Clementine
Published: October 2024

Adolescence is a critical and stressful period characterized by rapid biological, psychological, and social changes. Early signs of depression often emerge during early adolescence. Apart from biological and psychological factors, the interplay among different social factors in the family, school, and neighborhood plays a significant role in determining depression among adolescents. Although depression is highly prevalent in low and middle-income countries, there is a shortage of comprehensive scoping reviews that examine the social factors and their relationships. The purpose of this review is to gain an understanding of the social determinants of adolescent depression in family, school, and neighborhood settings. This protocol will adhere to Arksey and O'Malley's framework for conducting scoping reviews, meticulously detailing each stage of the process. Firstly, we will use predetermined keywords to systematically search across eight electronic resources. Two reviewers will then carefully assess the titles and abstracts of retrieved studies. Only those deemed pertinent will proceed to full-text screening. Studies will be selected according to established inclusion and exclusion criteria. The review team will conduct the data extraction procedure on its own. Finally, the included studies will undergo thorough qualitative and quantitative analyses. The results will be presented at conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. Keywords: adolescent depression; social determinants, low and middle income countries, risk factors, protective factors
Psychosocial factors contributing to a syndemic of substance use and HIV risk among Floridian transgender women
Authors: Sullivan Daniell , Clarke Rachel , Wilson Hannah , Dévieux Jessy , Cyrus Elena
Published: October 2024

Background

Transgender women are at heightened risk of HIV and substance misuse due to systemic discrimination and structural healthcare barriers at the macro, meso, and micro levels. Floridian Transgender Women (FTW) face unique challenges in an environment with limited resources and inconsistent epidemiological data. Syndemic theory, which examines how co-occurring conditions like HIV and substance use disorders (SUD) are driven by large-scale factors, has not been fully explored in FTW.

Objective

This study aimed to identify psychosocial factors contributing to substance use and HIV risk from a syndemic perspective among FTW.

Methods

From May 2021 to November 2023, over 500 at-risk FTW were recruited from community partner agencies in Miami-Dade and Orlando counties for a larger prospective study. Univariate analysis identified psychosocial factors, while bivariate analysis explored their contributions to the syndemic of substance misuse and HIV risk.

Results

Out of 160 participants screened, 55.6% were ineligible, leaving 89 enrolled. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 63, with 25% identifying as people of color. Mental illness was reported by 62.9%, with depression and anxiety being the most common diagnoses. However, only 29.2% had accessed mental health care in the past year. Despite high rates of substance use—48.8% reported drug use during sex, 46.1% likely had an SUD, and 25.8% reported hazardous drinking—68.9% perceived their quality of life as high. Drug use during sex was significantly associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) (p=.01) and perceived quality of life (p=.003).

Conclusion

FTW face significant challenges, including discrimination, mental illness, trauma, and IPV, which increase the risk of substance use, particularly marijuana and alcohol. Despite these challenges, many maintain a high perceived quality of life. The syndemic interaction calls for comprehensive interventions addressing financial, mental health, and accessibility barriers. Further research into socio-political stressors that exacerbate substance use and high-risk behaviors is recommended.
A composite socioeconomic deprivation index fromAll of Ussurvey data: associations with health outcomes and disparities
Authors: Gupta Sonali , Lam Vincent , Jordan I. King , Mariño-Ramírez Leonardo
Published: October 2024

Socioeconomic deprivation – defined as a lack of social, economic and material resources – is associated with poor health outcomes and health disparities between population groups. TheAll of UsResearch Program is a longitudinal cohort study of diverse participants from the United States, with demographic and social determinants of health data gleaned from participant surveys and health outcome data derived from electronic health records. We developed a composite index of socioeconomic deprivation (iSDI) using a cohort of 202,919All of Usparticipants – based on education, employment, health insurance, housing, and income data – and we associated iSDI with health outcomes and disparities. iSDI is significantly associated with 970 out of 1,755 (55.3%) health conditions modeled here, with 661 positive and 309 negative associations. Mental disorders and circulatory diseases show the highest proportion of positive associations with iSDI, whereas neoplasms and congenital anomalies show the highest proportion of negative associations. Black (0.55) and Hispanic (0.52)All of Usparticipants show higher average iSDI values compared to White (0.29) and Asian (0.24) participants; although the majority of iSDI variation is found within (76.8%) rather than between (23.2%) groups. iSDI mediates 213 out of 399 (53.5%) Black health disparity conditions and 173 out of 297 (58.2%) Hispanic health disparity conditions. The composite socioeconomic deprivation index (iSDI) developed here is associated with a wide variety of health outcomes and disparities in theAll of Uscohort, and we make participant iSDI values available on the Researcher Workbench to support future studies on social determinants of health.
Narratives for positive nature futures in Europe
Authors: D’Alessio Alessandra , Fornarini Claudia , Fernandez Nestor , Namasivayam Anandi Sarita , Visconti Piero , Dertien Jeremy , Hällfors Maria , Jung Martin , Moreira Francisco , O’Connor Louise , Osti Matea , Quintero-Uribe Laura C. , Viti Martina Marei , Pereira Henrique M. , Verburg Peter H. , Rondinini Carlo
Published: October 2024

The Nature Futures Framework (NFF) is a novel tool for the development of positive scenarios centred on the relationship of nature and people, emphasising biodiversity as part of the solution to environmental challenges across various spatial and temporal scales, explicitly addressing a plurality of values for nature.

In this work, we describe the process that has led to the formulation of continental-scale positive narratives for conservation in Europe based on the NFF and its value perspectives (Nature for Nature; Nature for Society; Nature as Culture), through a stakeholder group elicitation. We focused on 6 topics in the narratives: Nature Protection and Restoration; Forestry; Freshwater Ecosystems; Urban Systems; Agriculture, and Energy. We analyse differences and similarities among the narratives across these topics.

We develop three novel Nature Futures narratives for Europe with contrasting perspectives and priorities for the six topics. Within the EU socioeconomic trends and policy framework, common solutions that simultaneously tackle biodiversity conservation and instrumental and cultural Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP) provision emerged.

This set of narratives may integrate preferences concerning EU-level conservation targets and plausible socio-ecological development pathways, supporting the modelling of positive scenarios for nature that can be crucial in guiding policy decisions towards recovery of nature.
Temperate alley‐cropping agroforestry improves pest control potential by promoting spider abundance and functional diversity
Authors: Matevski Dragan , Sagolla Viktoria , Beule Lukas , Schuldt Andreas
Published: October 2024

Intensive agricultural land use negatively impacts biodiversity, including arthropod predator diversity and their pest control potential. Alley‐cropping agroforestry systems (integration of tree rows into arable land) are increasingly considered an economically viable alternative for more sustainable and biodiversity‐friendly agriculture. However, their effectiveness in promoting generalist predator diversity and pest control, especially as a function of space (distance from tree rows) and time (across the growing season) remains poorly understood.

We assessed how spider abundance, taxonomic and functional diversity (as proxies of pest control potential) respond to temperate alley‐cropping agroforestry systems as compared to open croplands. Additionally, we analysed whether spiders with different habitat preferences (eurytopic, forest and open‐habitat specialists) show distinct responses. Lastly, we analysed whether the influence of agroforestry changes with decreasing tree proximity and across the growing season.

Tree row proximity generally benefited the abundance, as well as taxonomic and functional diversity of the overall spider communities. Alley‐cropping promoted the abundance and taxonomic diversity of forest specialists and eurytopic spiders, without negatively affecting open‐habitat specialists. The positive effect of alley cropping was strongest within tree rows and their immediate vicinity, but was still detectable at considerably farther distances. These patterns were temporally dynamic with spider abundance and taxonomic diversity being highest within tree rows in early spring and spiders spilling over to adjacent crop rows in subsequent periods.

Synthesis and applications: Overall, our findings highlight that the inclusion of tree rows benefited spiders across the entirety of the 48 m crop rows, independent of crop type. Since the peak in spider abundance and taxonomic diversity in crop rows coincided with crop pest arrival, alley‐cropping agroforestry is expected to benefit agricultural production through increased pest control potential. Alley‐cropping agroforestry may therefore be an important management strategy to develop more sustainable agricultural systems benefiting farmers and biodiversity alike.
Chitosan coatings containing thyme essential oil enhance the quality of snakehead (Channa striata) during chilled storage verified by metabolomics approaches
Authors: Liu Yi , Geng Chenhan , Zeng Huiduan , Kai Yi , Lu Yuyun
Published: October 2024

In the present study, we investigated the preservative effects of chitosan (CS) coatings, with and without thyme essential oil (TEO), combined with vacuum impregnation (VI) on maintaining the quality of snakehead fillets during chilled storage. The results showed that the VI treatment significantly inhibited drip loss, discoloration, microbial proliferation, and the accumulation of biogenic amines (BAs) in the sneakhead fillets. Compared to the control, the fillets treated with VI of 1% (w/w) CS and 1.5% (w/w) TEO (i.e., CSTEO) showed significant reductions in both psychrophiles and mesophiles, with a 2.66 log CFU/g decrease in total viable count (TVC) on day 3 and a 1.89 log CFU/g decline in TVC on day 9, respectively. In addition, the content of histamine and putrescine in the CSTEO groups was maintained at ∼1.14 and 3.23 mg/kg during the 12‐day chilled storage, respectively. A total of 100 chemical compounds were tentatively identified using untargeted metabolomics approaches. The multivariate analysis further revealed that the combination of VI and CSTEO maintained fish quality mainly through preventing lipid oxidation and protein degradation. Overall, the VI‐CSTEO treatment effectively maintained the fish quality during storage at 4°C, with minimum microbial proliferation and accumulation of BAs.

Practical Application

The preservative effect of chitosan coatings containing thyme essential oil combined with vacuum impregnation on snakehead quality during the 12‐day chilled storage was verified, and the underlying mechanisms were deciphered through integrated metabolomics approaches. Our study could provide a promising strategy for the preservation of aquatic products.
The Value Relevance of a Firm's Carbon Risk Profile
Authors: Millar Ingrid , Clarkson Peter , Herbohn Kathleen
Published: October 2024

The aim of this paper is to provide insights into the capital market's role in incentivizing firms to engage meaningfully in the transition to a net zero carbon emissions economy. We investigate whether capital markets negatively value a broader concept of carbon risk exposure in addition to its historic carbon footprint and offset assessed penalties by considering carbon mitigation activities undertaken by the firm. We develop a conceptual framework of a firm's ‘carbon risk profile’ from the literature comprising: (a) carbon risk exposure (current emissions and broader risk notions of fossil fuel dependency and carbon visibility); and (b) carbon mitigation activities (realized emissions reductions and anticipatory proactive activities). We confirm and operationalize this framework using interviews with managers and environmental, social, and governance analysts. Based on a sample of 310 firm‐year observations for ASX200 firms from 2014–2020 in high‐carbon sectors, our results suggest material valuation penalties for the broader carbon risk exposure concept. Further, we find that capital markets attach value to a firm's intangible capability to proactively mitigate its carbon risk exposure. Building on these results, to further mobilize capital markets in the push towards net zero emissions, policymakers and regulators may wish to undertake initiatives to increase carbon‐related disclosures on both risks and mitigation activities.
Abolishing structural domination: US Reconstruction and the double bind of emancipation
Authors: Gorup Michael
Published: October 2024

What does it take to abolish structural domination? If domination is structural, then it can only be eliminated by the transformation or abolition of structures. For this to happen, agents advantaged by existing structures will often have to be brought under a form of power that lays beyond their control. Defeating domination therefore seems to require the embrace of dominating power. I call this dilemma the double bind of emancipation. To illustrate, I turn to debates regarding land confiscation during the Reconstruction era in the United States (1865–1877). Confiscation was intended to destroy the material bases of planter power and guarantee formerly enslaved people economic independence. But it would also entail subjecting planters to uncontrolled power. To address the double bind, I argue emancipation must be guided by a social theory of domination. Emancipation from structural domination requires identifying and eliminating the conditions that reproduce domination over time.
Exploring the impact of sexual positions on ejaculation: Insights from a survey study by the Andrology Working Group of the Society of Urological Surgery in Turkey
Authors: Gül Murat , Şahin Ali , Doğan Çağrı , Çeker Gökhan , Altıntaş Emre , Deliktaş Hasan , Demir Murat , Yavuz Aldülmecit , Altunkol Adem , Değer Doğan , Kaynar Mehmet , Duran Berkan , Toprak Tuncay , Bahçeci Tuncer , Gül Ümit
Published: October 2024

Background

Sexual position is one of the several aspects that affects ejaculation control, which is essential for sexual pleasure. Still little is known, nevertheless, about the connection between sexual positions and ejaculation duration.

Objective

To investigate the impact of various sexual positions on the duration of ejaculation and gain a deeper understanding of the elements that influence the ability to control ejaculation.

Method

An online survey was carried out on a sample of 1904 heterosexual men between the ages of 18–65 years. Premature ejaculation (PE) diagnostic tool was used to define PE. Demographic, behavioral, and physiological traits that are linked to PE and non‐PE groups were collected. The participants listed their preferred sexual positions and the ones they changed to during ejaculating. Also, analyses were performed between male/female active or deep/shallow thrust positions and PE status.

Results

Although there were no appreciable variations in age or circumcision between PE and non‐PE groups, the age of first sexual experience was associated with PE status. Groups also varied in the number of weekly ejaculations, the duration of the favored ejaculations, and the characteristics of the erection. The most preferred sexual posture was the doggy style regardless of the group. When the non‐PE group felt to ejaculate, they preferred to change the position significantly more than the PE group (74% vs 67.2%; p < 0.05). However, when participants felt ejaculate, non‐PE participants tended to switch to shallow thrusting positions significantly more than PE participants, who preferred deeper positions (27.1% vs. 18%; p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study underlines the relevance of considering sexual positions in controlling PE. Modifying positions during sexual intercourse may offer a non‐pharmacological therapeutic alternative for improving ejaculation control. Future studies in this field might help to create tailored PE treatment strategies.
Gender, SSE and French public policies for ageing at home
Authors: Dussuet Annie , Gasté Louise
Published: October 2024

In France as in other countries, there is a consensual preference by public authorities, old people and their families to stay at home as long as possible. This means the necessity of care work carried out informally by relatives, or formally by professionals. Women are the main providers of care, formal or informal, and social and solidarity economy (SSE) organizations are widely involved in public policies for ageing at home. This raises questions about the role played by the associations, in the promotion of gender equality. The paper presents French context and our analytical framework about formalization of care: first, the ongoing professionalization of employees in oldest home care associations yet facing recurring funding difficulties; second, the emergence of new ‘peripheral’ associative services to ‘help family caregivers’, that tinker specific regulations to consider the specificities of care work. Then, using some results of two field surveys, we show how home‐based care associations had to define the boundaries between more and less ‘essential’ work, paid and unpaid care, and how this division between material and relational tasks, associated with ‘new innovative’ working frameworks, hybrid between voluntary work and salaried employment, risk to deny the reality of work in caring, and through that, gender equality.