bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Definitive aetiology of unexplained syncope after cardiovascular autonomic tests in a tertiary syncope unit
Authors: Torabi Parisa , Hamrefors Viktor , Sutton Richard , Brignole Michele , Fedorowski Artur
Published: August 2023

Aims

Syncope is a common condition with many possible causes, ranging from benign to life-threatening aetiologies. Establishing a diagnosis can be difficult, and specialized syncope units, using cardiovascular autonomic tests (CATs), including a head-up tilt test, can increase the diagnostic yield. However, up to one-fifth of examined patients have inconclusive CAT results. The aim of the present study was to investigate the predictive value of history, and clinical findings for unexplained syncope after CAT and characterize the group with negative results.

Methods and results

Consecutive syncope patients [n = 2663, 61% women, median age 52 (32–69) years] were evaluated and CAT explained aetiology of syncope in 79% of cases, whereas 21% remained unexplained. Predictors of negative CAT were older age at first syncope (+8% higher odds per 10-year increment, P = 0.042), higher supine heart rate (HR; +12% per 10 b.p.m.; P = 0.003), absence of prodromes (+48%; P < 0.001), hypertension (+45%; P = 0.003), diabetes (+82%; P < 0.001), heart failure (+98%; P = 0.014), and coronary artery disease (+51%; P = 0.027). Compared with vasovagal syncope, patients with negative CAT were older, reported more often the absence of prodromes, and had a higher burden of cardiovascular comorbidities.

Conclusion

A cardiovascular autonomic test established the cause of syncope in 79% of patients evaluated in a syncope unit. Syncope without prodromes and cardiovascular comorbidities were significant predictors of failure to reveal an aetiology from assessment by CAT. These are known risk factors for cardiac syncope and patients with inconclusive CAT warrant further investigation.
Legionella relative abundance in shower hose biofilms is associated with specific microbiome members
Authors: Cavallaro Alessio , Rhoads William J , Sylvestre Émile , Marti Thierry , Walser Jean-Claude , Hammes Frederik
Published: August 2023

Legionella are natural inhabitants of building plumbing biofilms, where interactions with other microorganisms influence their survival, proliferation, and death. Here, we investigated the associations of Legionella with bacterial and eukaryotic microbiomes in biofilm samples extracted from 85 shower hoses of a multiunit residential building. Legionella spp. relative abundance in the biofilms ranged between 0–7.8%, of which only 0–0.46% was L. pneumophila. Our data suggest that some microbiome members were associated with high (e.g. Chthonomonas, Vrihiamoeba) or low (e.g. Aquabacterium, Vannella) Legionella relative abundance. The correlations of the different Legionella variants (30 Zero-Radius OTUs detected) showed distinct patterns, suggesting separate ecological niches occupied by different Legionella species. This study provides insights into the ecology of Legionella with respect to: (i) the colonization of a high number of real shower hoses biofilm samples; (ii) the ecological meaning of associations between Legionella and co-occurring bacterial/eukaryotic organisms; (iii) critical points and future directions of microbial-interaction-based-ecological-investigations.
Brain Connectivity Correlates of Cognitive Dispersion in a Healthy Middle-Aged Population: Influence of Subjective Cognitive Complaints
Authors: Mulet-Pons Lídia , Solé-Padullés Cristina , Cabello-Toscano María , Abellaneda-Pérez Kilian , Perellón-Alfonso Ruben , Cattaneo Gabriele , Solana Sánchez Javier , Alviarez-Schulze Vanessa , Bargalló Nuria , Tormos-Muñoz Josep Mª , Pascual-Leone Alvaro , Bartrés-Faz David , Vaqué-Alcázar Lídia
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Cognitive dispersion, representing intraindividual fluctuations in cognitive performance, is associated with cognitive decline in advanced age. We sought to elucidate sociodemographic, neuropsychological, and brain connectivity correlates of cognitive dispersion in middle age, and further consider potential influences of the severity of subjective cognitive complaints (SCC).

Methods

Five hundred and twenty healthy volunteers from the Barcelona Brain Health Initiative (aged 40–66 years; 49.6% females, 453 with magnetic resonance imaging acquisitions) were included and stratified into high and low SCC groups. Two analysis steps were undertaken: (1) for the whole sample and (2) by groups. Generalized linear models and analysis of covariance were implemented to study associations between cognitive dispersion and performance (episodic memory, speed of processing, and executive function), white matter integrity, and resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) of the default mode network (DMN) and dorsal attentional networks (DAN).

Results

Across-domain dispersion was negatively related to cognitive performance, rs-FC within the DMN, and between the DMN and the DAN, but not to white matter integrity. The rs-FC values were not explained by cognitive performance. When considering groups, the above findings were significant only for those with high SCC.

Discussion

In healthy middle-aged individuals, high cognitive dispersion was related to poorer cognition and DMN dysregulation, being these associations stronger among subjects with high SCC. The present results reinforce the interest in considering dispersion measures within neuropsychological evaluations, as they may be more sensitive to incipient age-related cognitive and functional brain changes than traditional measures of performance.
Cumulative Stress Exposure and Cognitive Function Among Older Adults: The Moderating Role of a Healthy Lifestyle
Authors: D’Amico Danielle , Alter Udi , Fiocco Alexandra J
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Although chronic stress is a risk factor for poor age-related cognitive health, there is limited research that has examined how cumulative stress across the lifespan affects cognitive aging. There may also be resilience factors that minimize the effects of cumulative stress on cognitive health. Engaging in a healthy lifestyle is protective against cognitive decline and may therefore interact with cumulative stress to buffer the stress–cognition relationship. The objective of the current study was to examine the moderating role of a healthy lifestyle, comprised of physical activity, social engagement, and sleep quality, in the relationship between cumulative stress exposure (CSE) and baseline and change in cognitive performance (global cognition, episodic memory, executive function) over 9 years among 1,297 older adults in the Midlife in the United States cohort (Mage = 69.0 ± 6.4, 57.8% female).

Methods

CSE and healthy lifestyle behaviors were indexed using self-reported questionnaires at baseline, and cognitive function was assessed using a battery of standardized neuropsychological tests at baseline and follow-up.

Results

Controlling for age, sex, education, race, marital status, employment status, hypertension, diabetes, and depression, higher CSE was associated with poorer baseline performance and slower decline over time in global cognition and executive function, but not episodic memory. A healthy lifestyle did not significantly moderate the relationship between cumulative stress and cognitive function. Exploratory analyses showed a significant cumulative stress–cognition relationship among females only.

Discussion

This study lends support for a lifespan model of cognitive aging and suggests that the cognitive health consequences of stress extend beyond immediate timescales.
The Care Gap in Later Life Across European Countries
Authors: Wu Huijing , Margolis Rachel , Sheftel Mara Getz , Verdery Ashton M
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Do adults without kin experience a care gap where they need help with activities of daily living but get no help from any source? We examine the prevalence of the care gap across Europe, and test whether those without partners or children substitute for their lack of close kin with help from broader networks, or whether they disproportionately experience care gaps.

Methods

Using data from the Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, we estimate the care gap in 28 European countries and Israel, how it varies, and who provides help for respondents with different family structures.

Results

The care gap is substantial, with 6.1% of all respondents ages 50 and above reporting a gap. It is highest in Western and Eastern Europe and lowest in Southern Europe and Israel. Respondents without partners or children are significantly more likely to have care gaps than those with close kin. However, respondents without close kin draw more often on more diverse networks of friends and relatives and use nursing home care.

Discussion

Our study introduces the concept of the care gap and shows that although it is most common among unpartnered adults without children it is also quite common for those with immediate family. A broader network partially but not completely substitutes for care gaps among those without immediate family. Our results offer new insights into the demand for public care services in countries with diverse welfare states.
Daily Caregiving Appraisals, Future Self-Views, and Physical Activity Goals Among Adult-Daughter Dementia Caregivers
Authors: Turner Shelbie G , Hooker Karen , Chandler Kelly D , Settersten Richard A , Stawski Robert S
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Caregiving dynamics may shape caregivers’ views on their own aging in ways that affect their (de)motivation to improve their current and future health and well-being. In this study, we investigated within-person associations of daily positive and negative caregiving appraisals, future self-views (physical functioning, cognitive, and overall health domains), and physical activity goal pursuit among adult-daughter dementia caregivers.

Methods

Data came from 33 middle-aged caregivers (M = 55.03) who participated in a 30-day microlongitudinal study of caregiving (N of occasions = 855). We used multilevel modeling to analyze within-person associations.

Results

Daily positive caregiving appraisals were not associated with daily future self-views. However, on days when caregivers reported higher negative caregiving appraisals, they thought more negatively about their future older selves in all domains. In turn, on days when caregivers thought more negatively about their future older selves in all domains, they reported lower physical activity goal pursuit. Future self-views in all domains mediated the association between negative caregiving appraisals and physical activity goal pursuit. Future self-views did not mediate the association between positive caregiving appraisals and physical activity goal pursuit. However, cognitive future self-views moderated the association between positive caregiving appraisals and physical activity goal pursuit.

Discussion

Results suggest that one pathway through which subjective caregiving experiences, especially negative caregiving appraisals, affect caregivers’ physical activity goal pursuit is through future self-views. Thus, this study offers a deeper theoretical understanding of caregivers’ self-regulatory health behavior and new empirical information on how caregiving might affect life-span developmental motivation.
De novo assembly of a chromosome-level reference genome for the California Scrub-Jay, Aphelocoma californica
Authors: DeRaad Devon A , Escalona Merly , Benham Phred M , Marimuthu Mohan P A , Sahasrabudhe Ruta M , Nguyen Oanh , Chumchim Noravit , Beraut Eric , Fairbairn Colin W , Seligmann William , Bowie Rauri C K , Cicero Carla , McCormack John E , Wayne Robert K
Published: August 2023

We announce the assembly of the first de novo reference genome for the California Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica). The genus Aphelocoma comprises four currently recognized species including many locally adapted populations across Mesoamerica and North America. Intensive study of Aphelocoma has revealed novel insights into the evolutionary mechanisms driving diversification in natural systems. Additional insights into the evolutionary history of this group will require continued development of high-quality, publicly available genomic resources. We extracted high molecular weight genomic DNA from a female California Scrub-Jay from northern California and generated PacBio HiFi long-read data and Omni-C chromatin conformation capture data. We used these data to generate a de novo partially phased diploid genome assembly, consisting of two pseudo-haplotypes, and scaffolded them using inferred physical proximity information from the Omni-C data. The more complete pseudo-haplotype assembly (arbitrarily designated “Haplotype 1”) is 1.35 Gb in total length, highly contiguous (contig N50 = 11.53 Mb), and highly complete (BUSCO completeness score = 97%), with comparable scaffold sizes to chromosome-level avian reference genomes (scaffold N50 = 66.14 Mb). Our California Scrub-Jay assembly is highly syntenic with the New Caledonian Crow reference genome despite ~10 million years of divergence, highlighting the temporal stability of the avian genome. This high-quality reference genome represents a leap forward in publicly available genomic resources for Aphelocoma, and the family Corvidae more broadly. Future work using Aphelocoma as a model for understanding the evolutionary forces generating and maintaining biodiversity across phylogenetic scales can now benefit from a highly contiguous, in-group reference genome.
Galactic outflow emission line profiles: evidence for dusty, radiatively driven ionized winds in Mrk 462
Authors: Flury Sophia R , Moran Edward C , Eleazer Miriam
Published: August 2023

Over the past half century, gas outflows and winds have been observed as asymmetric emission lines in a wide range of astrophysical contexts, including galaxies and early-type stars. While P Cygni lines are modeled and understood with physically motivated profiles under the Sobolev approximation, asymmetric nebular lines are not. Previous studies of galactic outflows using nebular emission lines have made physically unjustified assumptions about the shape of the line profile. These approaches limit assessment of outflow properties and do not connect observations to the underlying physics. The physical complexity of galactic outflows requires a more robust approach. In response to this need, we present a novel profile for modeling nebular emission lines which is generalized yet physically motivated and provides insight into the underlying mechanisms of galactic outflows. To demonstrate the usefulness of this profile, we fit it to the asymmetric nebular lines observed in the nuclear region of Mrk 462, a starburst-active galactic nucleus composite galaxy. From analysis of the best-fitting profile, we conclude that the observed profile arises from a dusty radiation-pressure-driven outflow with a terminal velocity of $750\rm ~km \, s^{-1}$. This outflow, while weak by some standards, is still sufficiently strong to regulate star formation and black hole growth in the host galaxy by removing gas from the inner few kiloparsecs. Outflows like the one we observe and characterize in Mrk 462 are crucial to our understanding of episodic gas-fueled activity in galactic nuclei, which undoubtedly plays a pivotal role in galaxy evolution.
Consistent clustering and lensing of SDSS-III BOSS galaxies with an extended abundance matching formalism
Authors: Contreras Sergio , Chaves-Montero Jonás , Angulo Raul E
Published: August 2023

Several analyses have shown that Λ cold dark matter-based models cannot jointly describe the clustering (GC) and galaxy–galaxy lensing (GGL) of galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey-III (SDSS-III) Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS), which is commonly known as the ‘lensing-is-low problem’. In this work, we show that an extension of Subhalo Abundance Matching, dubbed SHAMe, successfully solves this problem. First, we show that this model accurately reproduces the GC and GGL of a mock galaxy sample in the TNG300 hydrodynamic simulation with properties analogous to those of BOSS galaxies. Then, we switch our attention to observed BOSS galaxies at z = 0.31−0.43, and we attempt to reproduce their GC and GGL by evaluating SHAMe on two different simulations: one adopting best-fitting cosmological parameters from Planck and the other from weak gravitational lensing surveys (Low S8), where the amplitude of matter fluctuations is lower for the latter. We find excellent agreement between SHAMe predictions and observations for both cosmologies, indicating that the lensing-is-low problem originates from approximations in previous theoretical descriptions of the data. The main difference between SHAMe results in these cosmologies is the level of galaxy assembly bias, which is approximately 20 per cent and 10 per cent for Planck and Low S8, respectively. These results highlight the dangers of employing oversimplified models to analyse current large-scale structure data sets, and the need for realistic yet flexible descriptions of the galaxy–halo connection.
Absence of mitochondrial SLC25A51 enhances PARP1-dependent DNA repair by increasing nuclear NAD+ levels
Authors: Güldenpfennig Anka , Hopp Ann-Katrin , Muskalla Lukas , Manetsch Patrick , Raith Fabio , Hellweg Lars , Dördelmann Cyril , Leslie Pedrioli Deena M , Johnsson Kai , Superti-Furga Giulio , Hottiger Michael O
Published: August 2023

Though the effect of the recently identified mitochondrial NAD+ transporter SLC25A51 on glucose metabolism has been described, its contribution to other NAD+-dependent processes throughout the cell such as ADP-ribosylation remains elusive. Here, we report that absence of SLC25A51 leads to increased NAD+ concentration not only in the cytoplasm and but also in the nucleus. The increase is not associated with upregulation of the salvage pathway, implying an accumulation of constitutively synthesized NAD+ in the cytoplasm and nucleus. This results in an increase of PARP1-mediated nuclear ADP-ribosylation, as well as faster repair of DNA lesions induced by different single-strand DNA damaging agents. Lastly, absence of SLC25A51 reduces both MMS/Olaparib induced PARP1 chromatin retention and the sensitivity of different breast cancer cells to PARP1 inhibition. Together these results provide evidence that SLC25A51 might be a novel target to improve PARP1 inhibitor based therapies by changing subcellular NAD+ redistribution.
Structures and implications of the C962R protein of African swine fever virus
Authors: Shao Zhiwei , Su Shichen , Yang Jie , Zhang Weizhen , Gao Yanqing , Zhao Xin , Zhang Yixi , Shao Qiyuan , Cao Chulei , Li Huili , Liu Hehua , Zhang Jinru , Lin Jinzhong , Ma Jinbiao , Gan Jianhua
Published: August 2023

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is highly contagious and can cause lethal disease in pigs. Although it has been extensively studied in the past, no vaccine or other useful treatment against ASFV is available. The genome of ASFV encodes more than 170 proteins, but the structures and functions for the majority of the proteins remain elusive, which hindered our understanding on the life cycle of ASFV and the development of ASFV-specific inhibitors. Here, we report the structural and biochemical studies of the highly conserved C962R protein of ASFV, showing that C962R is a multidomain protein. The N-terminal AEP domain is responsible for the DNA polymerization activity, whereas the DNA unwinding activity is catalyzed by the central SF3 helicase domain. The middle PriCT2 and D5_N domains and the C-terminal Tail domain all contribute to the DNA unwinding activity of C962R. C962R preferentially works on forked DNA, and likely functions in Base-excision repair (BER) or other repair pathway in ASFV. Although it is not essential for the replication of ASFV, C962R can serve as a model and provide mechanistic insight into the replicative primase proteins from many other species, such as nitratiruptor phage NrS-1, vaccinia virus (VACV) and other viruses.
m6A-Atlas v2.0: updated resources for unraveling the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) epitranscriptome among multiple species
Authors: Liang Zhanmin , Ye Haokai , Ma Jiongming , Wei Zhen , Wang Yue , Zhang Yuxin , Huang Daiyun , Song Bowen , Meng Jia , Rigden Daniel J , Chen Kunqi
Published: August 2023

N 6-Methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most abundant internal chemical modifications on eukaryote mRNA and is involved in numerous essential molecular functions and biological processes. To facilitate the study of this important post-transcriptional modification, we present here m6A-Atlas v2.0, an updated version of m6A-Atlas. It was expanded to include a total of 797 091 reliable m6A sites from 13 high-resolution technologies and two single-cell m6A profiles. Additionally, three methods (exomePeaks2, MACS2 and TRESS) were used to identify >16 million m6A enrichment peaks from 2712 MeRIP-seq experiments covering 651 conditions in 42 species. Quality control results of MeRIP-seq samples were also provided to help users to select reliable peaks. We also estimated the condition-specific quantitative m6A profiles (i.e. differential methylation) under 172 experimental conditions for 19 species. Further, to provide insights into potential functional circuitry, the m6A epitranscriptomics were annotated with various genomic features, interactions with RNA-binding proteins and microRNA, potentially linked splicing events and single nucleotide polymorphisms. The collected m6A sites and their functional annotations can be freely queried and downloaded via a user-friendly graphical interface at: http://rnamd.org/m6a.
A review of current therapeutics targeting the mitochondrial protease ClpP in diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27-altered
Authors: Jackson Evangeline R , Persson Mika L , Fish Cameron J , Findlay Izac J , Mueller Sabine , Nazarian Javad , Hulleman Esther , van der Lugt Jasper , Duchatel Ryan J , Dun Matthew D
Published: August 2023

Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) are devastating pediatric brain tumors recognized as the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. DMGs are high-grade gliomas (HGGs) diagnosed along the brain’s midline. Euchromatin is the hallmark feature of DMG, caused by global hypomethylation of H3K27 either through point mutations in histone H3 genes (H3K27M), or by overexpression of the enhancer of zeste homolog inhibitory protein. In a clinical trial for adults with progressive HGGs, a 22-year-old patient with a thalamic DMG, H3 K27-altered, showed a remarkable clinical and radiological response to dordaviprone (ONC201). This response in an H3 K27-altered HGG patient, coupled with the lack of response of patients harboring wildtype-H3 tumors, has increased the clinical interest in dordaviprone for the treatment of DMG. Additional reports of clinical benefit have emerged, but research defining mechanisms of action (MOA) fall behind dordaviprone’s clinical use, with biomarkers of response unresolved. Here, we summarize dordaviprone’s safety, interrogate its preclinical MOA identifying the mitochondrial protease “ClpP” as a biomarker of response, and discuss other ClpP agonists, expanding the arsenal of potential weapons in the fight against DMG. Finally, we discuss combination strategies including ClpP agonists, and their immunomodulatory effects suggestive of a role for the tumor microenvironment in DMG patient response.
pH-Weighted amine chemical exchange saturation transfer echo planar imaging visualizes infiltrating glioblastoma cells
Authors: Patel Kunal S , Yao Jingwen , Cho Nicholas S , Sanvito Francesco , Tessema Kaleab , Alvarado Alvaro , Dudley Lindsey , Rodriguez Fausto , Everson Richard , Cloughesy Timothy F , Salamon Noriko , Liau Linda M , Kornblum Harley I , Ellingson Benjamin M
Published: August 2023

Background

Given the invasive nature of glioblastoma, tumor cells exist beyond the contrast-enhancing (CE) region targeted during treatment. However, areas of non-enhancing (NE) tumors are difficult to visualize and delineate from edematous tissue. Amine chemical exchange saturation transfer echo planar imaging (CEST-EPI) is a pH-sensitive molecular magnetic resonance imaging technique that was evaluated in its ability to identify infiltrating NE tumors and prognosticate survival.

Methods

In this prospective study, CEST-EPI was obtained in 30 patients and areas with elevated CEST contrast (“CEST+” based on the asymmetry in magnetization transfer ratio: MTRasym at 3 ppm) within NE regions were quantitated. Median MTRasym at 3 ppm and volume of CEST + NE regions were correlated with progression-free survival (PFS). In 20 samples from 14 patients, image-guided biopsies of these areas were obtained to correlate MTRasym at 3 ppm to tumor and non-tumor cell burden using immunohistochemistry.

Results

In 15 newly diagnosed and 15 recurrent glioblastoma, higher median MTRasym at 3ppm within CEST + NE regions (P = .007; P = .0326) and higher volumes of CEST + NE tumor (P = .020; P < .001) were associated with decreased PFS. CE recurrence occurred in areas of preoperative CEST + NE regions in 95.4% of patients. MTRasym at 3 ppm was correlated with presence of tumor, cell density, %Ki-67 positivity, and %CD31 positivity (P = .001; P < .001; P < .001; P = .001).

Conclusions

pH-weighted amine CEST-EPI allows for visualization of NE tumor, likely through surrounding acidification of the tumor microenvironment. The magnitude and volume of CEST + NE tumor correlates with tumor cell density, degree of proliferating or “active” tumor, and PFS.
On Enjoying What There Is
Authors: Haapala Arto
Published: August 2023

This chapter discusses issues of everyday aesthetics, the aesthetic relevance of objects and situations that are present in the here and now, and the potential that everyday objects have on human well-being. There are different views as to what should be counted within the field of everyday aesthetics, but in this chapter the emphasis is on the everydayness itself. There is an element of pleasure in the unchanging nature of our familiar surroundings; the stability of our everyday environment gives us comfort and makes it possible to act and take care of our daily routines without having to worry they would be broken or disturbed. Becoming more aware of the silent aesthetic pleasures of the everyday not only widens the scope of philosophical aesthetics, but it also—and more importantly—broadens the spectrum of aesthetically relevant matters for common people. This has a significant impact on human well-being and mental health, too. Being more aware of the aesthetic potential of things at hand, rather than constantly looking for something new, creates possibilities to promote one’s mental health without special experiences or new possessions. One does not have to be an art lover to be aesthetically sensitive because the common phenomena of our daily existence have aesthetic potential in them. Realizing this fact opens ways to foster one’s mental well-being. In addition, in times of the immediate threats of climate change and the loss of biodiversity, the humble ecologically sustainable pleasures provided by the everyday will become more and more prominent.
Unleashing Therapeutic Gain by Deploying Social Aesthetic Values in Co-Producing Healthcare Decisions
Authors: van Staden Werdie
Published: August 2023

This chapter argues that therapeutic gains may be unleashed by deploying social aesthetic values in co-producing health-care decisions. To this end, values-based practice (VBP) creates a decision-making process for becoming aware and recognizing aesthetic values. This may unleash therapeutic gains by generating an appreciation of the beauty, ugliness, and tastefulness in a patient’s past and current situation, and conjointly pursuing the therapeutic creation of beauty. The conceptual scope of social aesthetic actions that underpin and derive from aesthetic values are clarified first. So clarified, VBP decision-making may deploy both shared and divergent aesthetic values deliberately. The agenda of this is threefold: (i) co-producing a shared aesthetic appreciation of the patient’s situation; (ii) co-producing decisions with social aesthetic qualities of choice; and (iii) co-producing decisions to bring about desirable aesthetic qualities in the patient’s life. Extending this agenda, co-producing decisions in terms of social aesthetic values may mobilize therapeutic mediators, specifically awareness, communication, interpersonal sharing, story-making, trust, alliance, and hope. So mediated, therapeutic gains that may be unleashed are: (i) that aesthetic values in the patient’s life is given recognition; (ii) understanding the aesthetics in one’s situation, and imagining creatively the beauty worthwhile pursuing; (iii) implementing insightful decisions by which to take action and create desirable beauty in future; (iv) becoming an agent in recognizing, understanding, and taking action in creating beauty in one’s life; and (v) being inspired by beauty and the pursuit of it, by which one may be liberated from restriction from and opposition to such beauty.
Queer Visibility and Shared Authenticity
Authors: Monypenny Juniper , Hardy Spencer
Published: August 2023

This chapter explores the need for conceptualizing radical approaches to self-disclosure on the part of creative arts therapists working within the LGBTQIA+ community. A literature review explores current practices and theories on self-disclosure from the creative arts therapies literature and related psychotherapeutic disciplines. We address the historical precedents that define self-disclosure as destructive to the therapeutic relationship and question the current contemporary positions against therapist self-disclosure that uphold these historical views within the creative arts therapies. Through autoethnography, we share personal and professional representations of how we experience therapist self-disclosure in our respective lives and work, with a particular focus on therapeutic spaces for queer-identified youth. Broadening the definition of therapist self-disclosure to recognize that it is ever-present, we propose a framework of shared authenticity as a form of therapist self-disclosure that holds space for marginalized service users, embraces intersectionality, reduces harm, and offers the opportunity for meaningful alliance-building. We name freedom of authenticity and queer visibility as potent political acts for both service providers and service users, and moreover, as vital tools for queer liberation.
Unapologetically Me
Authors: Hardy Spencer
Published: August 2023

This study investigated the impact of a one-day music therapy and arts-based community workshop with seven transgender identified youth, ages 13–16, in the United States. Anti-oppressive practices, self-empowerment, community empowerment, and equitable resilience practices were utilized within a mixed-methods approach. Data on four variables identified as markers for resilience in transgender youth: (i) perceptions of gender identity, (ii) self-esteem, (iii) positive coping, and (iv) sense of community were collected through visual analogue scale (VAS) measures, thematic content analysis of semi-structured interviews, content analysis of music and art, and my observations as a researcher and music therapist. Triangulation of results showed meaningful changes in all areas. Additionally, quantitative measures resulted in statistically significant changes in participants’ positive coping. These findings demonstrate that anti-oppressive community-based music therapy and creative arts can have a positive impact on the resilience of transgender adolescents.
Party Polarization
Authors: Kang Michael S.
Published: August 2023

Party polarization and hyperpartisanship dominate modern American politics. Scholars traditionally have pointed, at least within election law, to gerrymandering and closed primaries as likely contributors to polarization and hyperpartisanship. In this chapter, I point out that those elements of election law likely have less impact than suspected and instead discuss how campaign finance may be both a greater cause and symptom of hyperpartisanship. This chapter argues that individual campaign contributors, increasingly important today and motivated by intense ideological and partisan interests, have been energized by hyperpartisanship and in turn influence the major parties and their leadership toward even greater polarization and partisanship. What’s more, hyperpartisanship and polarization on the issue of campaign finance policy now stalemates meaningful efforts between the major parties regarding campaign finance reform.
Generative Buddhahood
Authors: McMullen Matthew D.
Published: August 2023

One of the characteristics of soteriological discourse in Japanese Buddhism is a tendency toward the universality of Buddhahood. The assertation that even plants and trees become buddhas is a radical example of this discourse. The notion of enlightened plants and trees is frequently discussed in terms of sentience and whether vegetation has the capacity to be liberated from the suffering of our world. This chapter explores a theory devised in the Tendai esoteric school. Combining the cosmogony of buddha lands from the Vimalakīrti Sūtra with the salvific power of mantra, this theory concludes that plants and trees, and by extension all sentient beings as well as insentient objects, are conditioned to become buddhas by the genesis of a given buddha land.
Berberine bridge enzyme–like oxidases of cellodextrins and mixed-linked β-glucans control seed coat formation
Authors: Costantini Sara , Benedetti Manuel , Pontiggia Daniela , Giovannoni Moira , Cervone Felice , Mattei Benedetta , De Lorenzo Giulia
Published: August 2023

Plants have evolved various resistance mechanisms to cope with biotic stresses that threaten their survival. The BBE23 member (At5g44360/BBE23) of the Arabidopsis berberine bridge enzyme–like (BBE-l) protein family (Arabidopsis thaliana) has been characterized in this paper in parallel with the closely related and previously described CELLOX (At4g20860/BBE22). In addition to cellodextrins, both enzymes, renamed here as CELLODEXTRIN OXIDASE 2 and 1 (CELLOX2 and CELLOX1), respectively, oxidize the mixed-linked β-1→3/β-1→4-glucans (MLGs), recently described as capable of activating plant immunity, reinforcing the view that the BBE-l family includes members that are devoted to the control of the homeostasis of potential cell wall–derived damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). The 2 putatively paralogous genes display different expression profiles. Unlike CELLOX1, CELLOX2 is not expressed in seedlings or adult plants and is not involved in immunity against Botrytis cinerea. Both are instead expressed in a concerted manner in the seed coat during development. Whereas CELLOX2 is expressed mainly during the heart stage, CELLOX1 is expressed at the immediately later stage, when the expression of CELLOX2 decreases. Analysis of seeds of cellox1 and cellox2 knockout mutants shows alterations in the coat structure: the columella area is smaller in cellox1, radial cell walls are thicker in both cellox1 and cellox2, and the mucilage halo is reduced in cellox2. However, the coat monosaccharide composition is not significantly altered, suggesting an alteration of the organization of the cell wall, thus reinforcing the notion that the architecture of the cell wall in specific organs is determined not only by the dynamics of the synthesis/degradation of the main polysaccharides but also by its enzymatic oxidation.
Mental health of police leaders: Differences and predictions of job demands and resources
Authors: Krause Amelie , Schleicher Katja , Dohnke Birte
Published: August 2023

Using the Job Demands-Resources model, we examined the differences between 365 police leaders and a matched follower sample (n = 365) in job demands, resources, and mental health as well as the prediction of demands and resources on two mental health outcomes. Leaders experienced a greater level of job satisfaction than followers but had also more quantitative demands and work privacy conflicts. Resources were also higher in leaders, except for autonomy over breaks and holidays which was scored lower. Work privacy conflicts and possibilities of development were shown by regression analyses to predict exhaustion and job satisfaction. Similarly, quantitative demands predicted exhaustion whereas predictability of work, autonomy over breaks and holidays, quality of leadership and recognition led to job satisfaction. The study provides valuable information for the promotion of mental health among leaders in the police.
Federalism and Confidence in Australian Governments During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Biddle Nicholas , Gray Matthew , McAllister Ian
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic was the most severe global health crisis for a century. Most advanced democracies introduced restrictions on social interaction to reduce community infection. This article examines how public confidence in Australia’s federal system of government was affected by these restrictions. We use a longitudinal dataset collected nationally between 2020 and 2022 to evaluate how public confidence in both federal and state governments varied with the level of government-imposed COVID-19 restrictions. The results show that confidence in both levels of government surged in the initial stages of the pandemic and remained high for the first year, gradually declining thereafter. Variations in the level of restrictions had a significant longitudinal association with confidence, with a negative relationship with confidence in state governments and a positive relationship with confidence in the federal government. The public clearly distinguished between the responsibilities of the different levels of government in managing the health crisis.
Direct gamma dose rate measurement and assessment of excess lifetime cancer risk
Authors: Küçükönder Erdal , Gümbür Serdar , Söğüt Ömer , Doğru Mahmut
Published: August 2023

In this study, in some neighborhoods in Kahramanmaraş province of Turkey, indoors and outdoors direct gamma dose rate measurements have been done. All of the gamma dose rate measurements have been made at ground level and at the height of 1 m from the ground. The median values of the gamma dose rates on the ground and 1 m above the ground indoors are 70.34 ± 7.74 and 49.53 ± 5.39 nGy h−1, respectively. Outdoor measurements have been carried out on both soil and asphalt floors. The average values of gamma dose rate on the ground and at a height of 1 m outdoors (soil floor) are 68.16 ± 7.49 and 53.50 ± 5.88 nGy h−1, respectively. The mean values of gamma dose rate on the ground and 1 m above the ground outdoors (asphalt floor) are 61.63 ± 6.77 and 48.69 ± 5.35 nGy h−1, respectively. Indoor and outdoor average gamma dose rates are below the mean world. In addition, using the measured gamma dose rate values, annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) for adults have been calculated. The total AEDE and ELCR (on soil floors and indoors at 1 m above ground level) are 0.31 ± 0.03 mSv y−1 and 1.08 ± 0.10 × 10−3, respectively. The total AEDE and ELCR (on asphalt floors and indoors at 1 m above ground level) are 0.30 ± 0.03 mSv y−1 and 1.06 ± 0.10 × 10−3, respectively. The AEDE and ELCR for adults living in the neighborhoods within the scope of the study in Kahramanmaraş city center within 1 y are lower than the average world.
What Makes a Citizen? Contemporary Immigration and the Boundaries of Citizenry
Authors: Adem Muna , Ambriz Denise
Published: August 2023

How do native-born Americans evaluate citizenship claims made by immigrant groups? Prior research identifies three broad patterns: respondents (1) make judgments based on immigrants’ willingness to adhere to national norms and civic values, (2) rely on ethnoracial cues, and (3) rely on economic cues. Using a conjoint survey experiment, this is the first study to examine how these patterns hold across two distinct dimensions of citizenship—legal membership (being considered a citizen of the state) and cultural membership (being perceived as a fellow American). The results reveal that legal status and age of arrival are powerful determinants for attitudes toward legal membership. By contrast, ethnoracial boundaries have a more significant impact on cultural membership, even after accounting for key predictors, such as legal status and English proficiency. Moreover, we show that evaluations of citizenship claims differ for White and non-White Americans in meaningful ways. Compared to White respondents, Black and Latino respondents express higher levels of ingroup preference for legal membership, and Latinos are significantly more likely to use an inclusive definition of cultural membership. In tandem, these results highlight the importance of measuring citizenship as a multidimensional concept and the limitations of focusing on the dominant group to understand immigration attitudes in contemporary diverse societies.
Reversible inhibition of the basal ganglia prolongs repetitive vocalization but only weakly affects sequencing at branch points in songbirds
Authors: Fujimoto Hisataka , Hasegawa Taku
Published: August 2023

Although vocal signals, including languages and songbird syllables, are composed of a finite number of acoustic elements, diverse vocal sequences are composed of a combination of these elements, which are linked together by syntactic rules. However, the neural basis of syntactic vocalization generation remains poorly understood. Here, we report that inhibition using tetrodotoxin (TTX) and manipulations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors within the basal ganglia Area X or lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior neostriatum (LMAN) alter and prolong repetitive vocalization in Bengalese finches (Lonchura striata var. domestica). These results suggest that repetitive vocalizations are modulated by the basal ganglia and not solely by higher motor cortical neurons. These data highlight the importance of neural circuits, including the basal ganglia, in the production of stereotyped repetitive vocalizations and demonstrate that dynamic disturbances within the basal ganglia circuitry can differentially affect the repetitive temporal features of songs.
Sensitive and Visual Detection of Brassica Yellows Virus Using Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification-Coupled CRISPR-Cas12 Assay
Authors: Xu Tengzhi , Yang Xiaolan , Feng Xia , Luo Hao , Luo Chun , Jia Meng-Ao , Lei Lei
Published: August 2023

Brassica yellows virus (BrYV) is an economically important virus on cruciferous species. In this study, a one-pot reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay coupled with the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas12a system was developed for the detection of BrYV. The limit of detection of this method reached 32.8 copies of the BrYV ORF5, which is 100-fold more sensitive than the RT-LAMP method. Moreover, there was no cross-reactivity with other rapeseed-infecting RNA viruses or poleroviruses. We dried the CRISPR/Cas12a reagent in a trehalose and pullulan mixture to retain its efficacy at the RT-LAMP temperature of 63°C in order to allow portable BrYV detection in a water bath. The entire process can be performed in about 1 h, and a positive result can be rapidly and conveniently detected using a handheld UV lamp. In the field, the RT-LAMP-CRISPR/Cas12a assay was accurate and had higher sensitivity than RT-LAMP and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction assays. The novel RT-LAMP-CRISPR/Cas12a assay allows convenient, portable, rapid, low-cost, highly sensitive, and specific detection of BrYV and has great potential for on-site monitoring of BrYV.
Influenza Vaccination Among Pregnant People Before and During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
Authors: Irving Stephanie A. , Crane Bradley , Weintraub Eric , Kauffman Tia L. , Brooks Neon , Patel Suchita A. , Razzaghi Hilda , Belongia Edward A. , Daley Matthew F. , Getahun Darios , Glenn Sungching C. , Hambidge Simon J. , Jackson Lisa A. , Kharbanda Elyse , Klein Nicola P. , Zerbo Ousseny , Naleway Allison L.
Published: August 2023

There are limited data on influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant people in the United States during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Within the Vaccine Safety Datalink, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to examine influenza vaccination coverage during the 2016–2017 through the 2021–2022 influenza seasons among pregnant people aged 18–49 years. Using influenza vaccines administered through March each season, we assessed crude coverage by demographic and clinical characteristics. Annual influenza vaccination coverage increased from the 2016–2017 season (63.0%) to a high of 71.0% in the 2019–2020 season. After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it decreased to a low of 56.4% (2021–2022). In each of the six seasons, coverage was lowest among pregnant people aged 18–24 years and among non-Hispanic Black pregnant people. The 2021–2022 season had the lowest coverage across all age and race and ethnicity groups. The recent decreases highlight the need for continued efforts to improve coverage among pregnant people.
Determinants of Sickness Absence Duration After Mild COVID-19 in a Prospective Cohort of Canadian Healthcare Workers
Authors: Adisesh Anil , Durand-Moreau Quentin , Labrèche France , Ruzycki Shannon , Zadunayski Tanis , Cherry Nicola
Published: August 2023

Objective

The aim of the study is to identify modifiable factors associated with sickness absence duration after a COVID-19 infection.

Methods

Participants in a prospective cohort of 4964 Canadian healthcare workers were asked how many working days they had missed after a positive COVID-19 test. Only completed episodes with absence ≤31 working day and no hospital admission were included. Cox regression estimated the contribution of administrative guidelines, vaccinations, work factors, personal characteristics, and symptom severity.

Results

A total of 1520 episodes of COVID-19 were reported by 1454 participants. Days off work reduced as the pandemic progressed and were fewer with increasing numbers of vaccines received. Time-off was longer with greater symptom severity and shorter where there was a provision for callback with clinical necessity.

Conclusions

Vaccination, an important modifiable factor, related to shorter sickness absence. Provision to recall workers at time of clinical need reduced absence duration.
Physical Activity, Occupational Stress, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Law Enforcement Officers
Authors: Poirier Sébastien , Gendron Philippe , Houle Julie , Trudeau François
Published: August 2023

Objective

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the interrelationship between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), occupational stress, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in law enforcement officers (LEOs).

Methods

A total of 229 LEOs completed a survey assessing their LTPA level, occupational stress, and CVD risk factors.

Results

After adjusting for age and sex, physically inactive LEOs are more likely to have one or more CVD risk factors. While high occupational stress was associated with greater odds of CVD risk factors in physically inactive LEOs, stress was not significantly associated with the prevalence of CVD risk factors in active LEOs.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that occupational stress is associated with the prevalence of CVD risk factors in LEOs. Nevertheless, LTPA might have the potential to mitigate the impact of occupational stress on CVD risk factors.