bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silicon Valley Goes Green: The Origin of California’s Climate Regime
Authors: Jaeger Andrew
Published: November 2022

California presents a puzzle for scholars of US climate politics. In the early 2000s, it passed the country’s strongest climate laws despite the presence of the very factors that ostensibly explain their failure at the federal level: a fragmented system of government with multiple veto points, an active interest group landscape, and a major fossil fuel industry. Moreover, this was achieved under a Republican governorship in a state defined by automobile dependence. Scholars in political science and economics explain California’s exceptional policy emergence by reference to unique “focusing events” in the state, the leadership of elected officials, and the support of a broad advocacy coalition in Sacramento. This article presents an alternative explanation grounded in Gramscian political sociology. It marshals new evidence to argue that the political mobilization of Silicon Valley was the crucial factor in the emergence of California’s climate regime. Silicon Valley’s economic power, extraordinary potential to serve as the engine of a high-tech “green” capitalism, and its lead position in a new business-environmental bloc allowed it to overcome the resistance of the fossil fuel industry and to present climate policy as a winning economic strategy. This suggests that a credible plan for spurring growth, supported by significant fractions of capital, is necessary for achieving comprehensive climate policy.
XVIAmerican Literature: The Twentieth Century
Authors: Gifford James , Foltz Mary , Kidder Orion Ussner , Peppard Anna , Rudder Adam , Parker Lindsay
Published: November 2022

This chapter has eight sections: 1. Poetry; 2. Fiction 1900–1945; 3. Fiction since 1945; 4. Drama; 5. Comics; 6. African American Writing; 7. Native Writing; 8. Latino/a, Asian American, and General Ethnic Writing. Section 1 is by James Gifford; section 2 will resume next year; section 3 is by Mary Foltz; section 4 will resume next year; section 5(a) is by Orion Kidder; section 5(b) is by Anna Peppard; section 6 is by Adam Rudder; section 7 is by James Gifford and Lindsay Parker; section 8 will resume next year.
Role of FoERG3 in Ergosterol Biosynthesis by Fusarium oxysporum and the Associated Regulation by Bacillus subtilis HSY21
Authors: Han Songyang , Sheng Boxiang , Zhu Dan , Chen Jiaxin , Cai Hongsheng , Zhang Shuzhen , Guo Changhong
Published: November 2022

Ergosterol is an important component of the fungal cell membrane and represents an effective target of chemical pesticides. However, the current understanding of ergosterol biosynthesis in the soybean root rot pathogen Fusarium oxysporum remains limited. In addition, the regular use of fungicides that inhibit ergosterol synthesis will seriously harm the ecological environment and human health. Bacillus subtilis is gradually replacing chemical control as a safe and effective biological agent; to investigate its effect on ergosterol synthesis of F. oxysporum, we verified the biological function of the FoERG3 gene of F. oxysporum by constructing knockout mutants. The results showed that knocking out FoERG3 blocked ergosterol biosynthesis, restricted mycelial growth, and increased the sensitivity to external stressors (NaCl, D-sorbitol, Congo Red, and H2O2). The increased permeability of the cell membrane promoted increased extracellular K+ levels and decreased mitochondrial cytochrome C contents. Treatment with suspension of B. subtilis HSY21 cells resulted in similar damage as observed when treating FoERG3-knockout F. oxysporum cells with ergosterol, which was characterised by deformity and swelling of the mycelium surface; increased membrane permeability; decreased pathogenicity to soybeans; and significantly decreased activities of cellulase, β-glucosidase, amylase, and pectin-methyl galactosylase. Notably, deleting FoERG3 resulted in a significant lag in the defense-response time of soybeans. Our results suggest that FoERG3 strongly influences the virulence of F. oxysporum and may be used as a potential antimicrobial target by B. subtilis HSY21 to inhibit ergosterol synthesis, which supports the use of B. subtilis as a biological control agent for protecting against F. oxysporum infection.
Changes in ambulatory blood pressure during the transition to retirement
Authors: Karelius Saana , Vahtera Jussi , Suorsa Kristin , Heinonen Olli J. , Pentti Jaana , Niiranen Teemu J. , Stenholm Sari
Published: November 2022

Objectives:

Retirement is a major life event characterized by removal of work-related stressors and changes in health behaviours. The association between retirement and changes in blood pressure (BP), and particularly in ambulatory BP, has been scarcely studied. We aimed to examine changes in ambulatory BP during retirement transition.

Methods:

Two hundred and fifty ageing workers (mean age 63.2 years, 84% women) from the Finnish Retirement and Aging study participated in annual office BP measurements and 114 (mean age 63.1, 90% women) of them underwent annual ambulatory BP measurements before and after retirement. On average, the participants provided data on ambulatory BP at 2.7 (range 2–4) measurements. We used generalized linear models to examine BP changes at retirement.

Results:

Most marked changes in BP during the follow-up were observed for asleep SBP, which decreased before retirement, increased during retirement transition and plateaued after retirement (before retirement vs. retirement transition P = 0.07 and after retirement vs. retirement transition P = 0.02). Awake SBP and 24-h SBP declined with most apparent decrease before retirement (before retirement vs. retirement transition P = 0.07 and P = 0.07). Awake DBP and 24-h DBP showed relatively consistent decline throughout the follow-up with no differences between the time periods. SBP and DBP dipping reduced before and during retirement transition, but not after retirement. Among shift workers, asleep BP increased and BP dipping decreased more than in regular day workers.

Conclusion:

Retirement was found to associate with beneficial changes in awake BP but unfavourable changes in asleep BP, especially in shift workers.
Large Cervicofacial Vascular Anomaly, a Difficult Case
Authors: Gallagher Liam , Pandrangi Vivek , MacArthur Carol J.
Published: November 2022

We present the case of a young girl followed for an extensive bilateral vascular malformation of the face, neck, upper chest wall with a presumptive clinical diagnosis of Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma versus congenital hemangioma. A biopsy done at age 2 months was read as possible congenital hemangioma given negative Glut-1, Lyve-1, D2-40; positive CD31, CD34, WT-1. At age 5, she underwent adenotonsillectomy for OSA and repeat neck skin biopsy. VanSeq testing for somatic mutation was read as a GNAQ mutation, 14% variant allele fraction, c.627A>C, p.GIn209His, chr9:80409487T>G (GRCh37). Three weeks postoperative, she developed a retropharyngeal phlegmonous infection and partial right sided cavernous sinus thrombosis. She recovered after treatment with intravenous antibiotics and 3 months subcutaneous anticoagulation with Enoxaparin. Discussions have been held with the patient’s family about treatment with a GNAQ or MEK inhibitor to stabilize her vascular tumor.
Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurse practitioners' professional quality of life
Authors: Vastani Noushin , Malcom Amelia
Published: November 2022

Background:

The COVID-19 global pandemic has put health care professionals under immense pressure and hindered their ability to provide quality services.

Purpose:

This study aimed to examine the professional quality of life (ProQOL) among Georgia nurse practitioners during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Methodology:

The ProQOL survey was distributed to nurse practitioners in Georgia by the professional organization's listserv. Multiple analysis of variance (ANOVA) analyses were performed to assess differences between employment settings, geographic location, and other relevant demographic qualifiers and levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress.

Results:

Hundred nurse practitioners (NPs) (n = 100) responded to the survey. Ninety-one percent were female and ages 25–35 years. Male NPs showed higher rates of compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress.

Conclusions:

A ProQOL survey demonstrated increased burnout and secondary traumatic stress among frontline practitioners in Georgia due to increased workloads, feelings of inadequacy, fear of being infected by the virus, and prolonged exposure to deaths.

Implications:

Ensuring effective communication, team collaboration, emotional, adequate staffing, and psychological support can help reduce compassion fatigue among NPs.
Lower urinary tract function in patients with fracture in thoracolumbal junction: an observational study
Authors: Podbregar Ana , Vidmar Gaj , Moharić Metka
Published: November 2022

A fracture in the thoracolumbal junction may cause complete or incomplete damage to the spinal cord, conus medullaris or cauda equina and result in an isolated or mixed lesion of the upper and lower motor neurons causing leg weakness and urinary/bowel/sexual dysfunction. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we aimed to describe electrodiagnostic and urodynamic findings after thoracolumbal fractures and determine potential discriminating factors. We identified 74 cases (mean age 42 years, range 16–79 years, 55 men) admitted to our institution between 2008 and 2018 for Th12, L1 or L2 vertebral fractures, and retrieved from their medical records available demographic, clinical, electrodiagnostic and urodynamic data. The most common electrodiagnostic findings in the lower limbs (n = 40) were moderate-to-severe L3–S1 (35%) and L5–S1 (40%) lesions. As to the external anal sphincter (n = 33), the most frequent findings were an incomplete cauda equina (39%) or conus medullaris (15%) lesion, followed by the combined upper and lower motor neuron lesion (12%). Only the fracture level (with peripheral damage) was statistically significantly associated with electromyography findings. Detrusor overactivity or underactivity was each present in 37 (50%) cases. Those with Th12 versus L1–L2 fractures had higher odds of exhibiting detrusor overactivity; men had higher odds of using clean intermittent catheterization for bladder emptying than women. In summary, detrusor overactivity is common after fractures at the thoracolumbal junction and urodynamic findings are essential for proper diagnosis and selection of therapeutic approach. Combining urodynamic and electrodiagnostic studies is especially valuable in the presence of L1 fracture and lower urinary tract symptoms.
Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion Competence and Confidence in Medical/Surgical Nurses
Authors: Jacobs Lisa
Published: November 2022

The objective of this study was to implement an evidence-based practice project to improve peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion confidence and competence and to improve first-attempt success. The researcher used a blended online learning module and live simulation to increase PIVC insertion confidence and competence. Internal application of a blended curriculum model improved the first-attempt PIVC insertion success of nurses. A validated confidence assessment was completed by participants (n = 38) preintervention, immediately postintervention, and 30 days postintervention. A Mann-Whitney U test determined that nurses' confidence was significantly higher immediately following the intervention compared with preintervention (P = .003), and the increase was sustained 30 days after the intervention (P < .001). While placing a PIVC in simulation, the observer measured competence using a validated tool verifying 28 steps required, with a 76% success rate for all 28 steps. Nurses' self-reported first-attempt PIVC success increased significantly from the preintervention survey to the 30-day postintervention survey (P = .00004).
Advances in Lung Cancer Treatment
Authors: Vrtis Mary C.
Published: November 2022

The number of potentially curative treatments for advanced, metastatic lung cancer has increased dramatically following the Cancer Moonshot investments that started in 2016. Many of these treatments target the effects of cancer-causing genetic variants, known as driver mutations. Immunotherapy treatments that release the full power of the patient's own immune system produce amazing results. Advances in radiation therapy yield markedly better results with fewer treatments, reducing the need for surgical intervention. Emphasis on cancer prevention, earlier identification through cancer screenings, and highly effective treatments that can precisely target the characteristics of a patient's specific tumor have had a significant impact on outcomes. The field of oncology is changing dramatically, and agencies that recognize this phenomenon and respond will have the competitive edge. We are no longer just getting patients ready to accept hospice; we need to also focus on getting patients ready for long-term survival with the highest possible quality of life. Understanding the basics about cancer treatment options today is a core competency for home health clinicians and managers. There is an emerging need for home health nurses, therapists, and social workers with advanced education and certification in oncology who can anticipate, identify, and clearly communicate potential disease and treatment-related concerns to other members of the healthcare team. Teaching patients how to maintain functional status, manage symptoms, and to prevent avoidable complications promotes a high quality of life as well as long-term survival.
What Constitutes Patient-Centered Care in Home Care? A Descriptive Study of Home Health Nurses' Attitudes, Knowledge, and Skills
Authors: Narayan Mary Curry
Published: November 2022

In their seminal paper outlining the proposed Future of Home Care, Landers et al. (2016) stated that “patient-centered care” (PCC) is one of the “pillars” of home care. They then asked the question, what is PCC in home care and how is it measured? A qualitative descriptive study explored the answer to this question. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 home health nurses to identify how they incorporated patient-centered and culture-sensitive care (CSC) into their assessment and care planning practices. The data were categorized into attitudes, knowledge, and skills (including relationship-building, assessment, and care planning skills) associated with patient-centered/culture-sensitive care. The home health nurses had developed multiple strategies for delivering PCC, despite a lack of education in how to provide this care. They primarily learned their techniques through their caring for patients as unique, highly valued persons and their ability to form warm caring relationships with their patients. Together they painted a portrait of the attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed for PCC and CSC. PCC and CSC are mutually reinforcing concepts essential to the high-quality, equitable care needed to mitigate healthcare disparities prevalent in home healthcare. A teaching resource for incorporating PCC/CSC into home health clinician practice was derived from the data.
Recognizing and Acting on Mentation Concerns Caregivers are key partners in addressing depression, dementia, and delirium in older adults.
Authors: Mack Laurin , Zonsius Mary C. , Newman Michelle , Emery-Tiburcio Erin E.
Published: November 2022

This article is the fourth in a series, Supporting Family Caregivers in the 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System, published in collaboration with the AARP Public Policy Institute as part of the ongoing Supporting Family Caregivers: No Longer Home Alone series. The 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) is an evidence-based framework for assessing and acting on critical issues in the care of older adults across settings and transitions of care. Engaging the health care team, including older adults and their family caregivers, with the 4Ms framework can help to ensure that every older adult gets the best care possible, is not harmed by health care, and is satisfied with the care they receive.

The articles in this series present considerations for implementing the 4Ms framework in the inpatient hospital setting and incorporating family caregivers in doing so. Resources for both nurses and family caregivers, including a series of accompanying videos developed by AARP and the Rush Center for Excellence in Aging and funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation, are also provided. Nurses should read the articles first, so they understand how best to help family caregivers. Then they can refer caregivers to the informational tear sheet—Information for Family Caregivers—and instructional videos, encouraging them to ask questions. For additional information, see Resources for Nurses. Cite this article as: Mack, L., et al. Recognizing and Acting on Mentation Concerns. Am J Nurs 2022; 122(5): 50-55
Brief Report: Sex Differences in the Association Between Cerebrovascular Function and Cognitive Health in People Living With HIV in Urban China
Authors: Chow Felicia C. , Zhao Fang , He Yun , Song Xiaojing , Zhang Jiangxia , Ao Donghui , Wu Yuchen , Hou Bo , Sorond Farzaneh A. , Ances Beau M. , Letendre Scott , Heaton Robert K. , Shi Chuan , Feng Feng , Zhu Yicheng , Wang Huanling , Li Taisheng
Published: November 2022

Background:

Cardiometabolic and cerebrovascular disease are strong independent contributors to cognitive impairment in people living with HIV. Data suggest that cardiovascular risk may play a greater role in cognitive health in women than in men with HIV.

Methods:

We performed a cross-sectional study of 104 participants with virologically suppressed HIV from 2 clinics in urban China. Participants underwent neuropsychological testing from which we calculated T scores globally and in 5 cognitive domains. We assessed cerebral vasoreactivity of the middle cerebral arteries in response to breath holding. We constructed linear regression models to determine associations between cerebrovascular and cognitive function overall and stratified by sex.

Results:

Women were younger than men (48 versus 51 years, P = 0.053), had fewer years of education (9 years versus 12 years, P = 0.004), and fewer cardiometabolic risk factors (0 versus 1 factor, P = 0.008). In a model with all participants, cerebrovascular function was significantly associated with global cognition (2.74 higher T score per 1-point higher cerebral vasoreactivity [SE 1.30], P = 0.037). Cerebrovascular function remained significantly associated with global cognition among women (4.15 higher T score [SE 1.78], P = 0.028) but not men (1.70 higher T score [SE 1.74], P = 0.33). The relationships between cerebrovascular function and specific cognitive domains followed a similar pattern, with significant associations present among women but not men.

Conclusions:

Women with well-controlled HIV may be more vulnerable to the effect of cerebrovascular injury on cognitive health than men. Studies evaluating strategies to protect against cognitive impairment in people living with HIV should include adequate representation of women and stratification of analyses by sex.
Sarcopenia in Immune-Mediated Rheumatic Diseases—Review
Authors: Santo Rafaela Cavalheiro do Espírito , Baker Joshua F. , Santos Leonardo Peterson dos , Silva Mariana Marchezan Menezes da , Xavier Ricardo Machado
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by decreased muscle strength and muscle mass, which can impact physical function. Sarcopenia develops as a consequence of age-related decline (primary sarcopenia) and has a major impact on physical, social, and emotional well-being. In addition, patients with rheumatic diseases may suffer from sarcopenia independently of aging (secondary sarcopenia). Exercise, pharmacological treatments, and nutritional supplementation are some of the strategies used for the management of sarcopenia in the general population. The aim of this review is to summarize the evidence around the prevalence and impact of sarcopenia in patients with rheumatic diseases.

Conclusions

From our review, we can state that sarcopenia is a common and prevalent condition among the rheumatic diseases. Furthermore, the impacts of sarcopenia are not well-appreciated, and the implementation of treatment strategies has not been widespread. Strategies such as exercise and some pharmacological treatments are effective in improving physical and functional impairment related to these conditions.

Future Research Directions in the Field

New pharmacological treatments are being actively studied and may contribute in the future to the management of sarcopenia.
Effect of tranexamic acid on endothelial von Willebrand factor/ADAMTS-13 response to in vitro shock conditions
Authors: Diebel Lawrence N. , Liberati David M.
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

Traumatic/hemorrhagic shock, sepsis and other inflammatory processes lead to endothelial activation and a loss of the endothelial glycocalyx. von Willebrand factor (vWF) is an acute phase reactant that is released from endothelial cells and megakaryocytes. Stimulated but not basal vWF leads to significant formation of ultralarge multimers (ultralarge vWF [ULvWF]) and risk for thrombotic complications. Ultralarge vWF is cleaved by a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type motif 13 (ADAMTS 13); alterations in ULvWF/ADAMTS 13 ratio may contribute to trauma-induced coagulopathy. Salutary effects of tranexamic acid (TXA) on trauma-induced coagulopathy have been described. These effects appear apart from antifibrinolytic actions of TXA and include protection of the endothelial glycocalyx. Ultralarge vWF is in part anchored to the glycocalyx layer of the endothelium. Tranexamic acid protected the endothelial glycocalyx layer from degradation using a microfluidic model of the microcirculation subjected to hypoxia-reoxygenation and catecholamine excess. We hypothesized that TXA administration following shock conditions would impact the vWF-ADAMTS-13 axis by protecting the glycocalyx from degradation. This was studied in a endothelial microfluidic flow study.

METHODS

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were established under flow conditions and subjected to biomimetic shock. Tranexamic acid was added after 90 minutes of perfusion. von Willebrand factor antigen and ADAMTS-13 activity were measured. Western blot analysis was performed for vWF characterization from perfusion media.

RESULTS

Shock conditions increased vWF antigen and decreased ADAMTS 13 activity. Tranexamic acid ameliorated shock induced cleavage in the ADAMTS 13-vWF axis with a reduction of the thrombogenic ULvWF.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest another mechanism whereby administration of TXA early following traumatic/hemorrhagic shock mitigates microvascular perfusion abnormalities and subsequent organ failure. The resultant effects on platelet adhesion and aggregation require further study.
The Effect of Nursing Discharge Planning Program to Prevent Recurrent Falls, Readmission, and Length of Hospital Stay in the Aged Patients
Authors: Dadgari Ali , Rahmani Parvaneh , Mirrezaie Seyed Mohammad
Published: November 2022

Background and Purpose:

One of the interventions that can be effective in preventing recurrence and readmission due to falls is the use of nursing discharge planning program. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nursing discharge planning program in preventing recurrent falls and readmission in the elderly referred to the trauma center.

Methods:

The study was a parallel randomized controlled trial. The data were collected from hospital electronic data, patients' self-report, and injury severity scale. In this study, participants (n = 169) were divided into 2 groups using an Excel-generated random sequence. In the experimental group, a discharge planning program was applied. Individualized training with a booklet for the patient and his primary caregiver was conducted for 4 sessions; each session lasted 30 to 60 minutes. The participants were followed for 6 months.

Results:

The mean and standard deviation of the participants' age were 76 ± 10 years. Prior to implementation of the program, the participants in the control and intervention groups did not differ significantly in age, independence, cognitive status, and severity of the injury. Postimplementation of discharge planning program, a significant decrease in falls (P < .049), hospitalization readmission (P < .014), length of hospital stay (P < .018), and severity of injury (P < .00) were observed in the intervention group compared with the control group.

Discussion and Conclusions:

Participants in the discharge planning program experienced lower severity of injury in the subsequent episode of falls. In addition, subjects' readmission and hospital stay were shorter in the experimental group. Discharge planning program is recommended to be implemented in other age-related distributions.
Parasitism shapes selection by drastically reducing host fitness and increasing host fitness variation
Authors: Hasik Adam Z. , Siepielski Adam M.
Published: November 2022

Determining the effects of parasites on host reproduction is key to understanding how parasites affect the underpinnings of selection on hosts. Although infection is expected to be costly, reducing mean fitness, infection could also increase variation in fitness costs among hosts, both of which determine the potential for selection on hosts. To test these ideas, we used a phylogenetically informed meta-analysis of 118 studies to examine how changes in the mean and variance in the outcome of reproduction differed between parasitized and non-parasitized hosts. We found that parasites had severe negative effects on mean fitness, with parasitized hosts suffering reductions in fecundity, viability and mating success. Parasite infection also increased variance in reproduction, particularly fecundity and offspring viability. Surprisingly, parasites had similar effects on viability when either the male or female was parasitized. These results not only provide the first synthetic, comparative, and quantitative summary of the strong deleterious effects of parasites on host reproductive fitness, but also reveal a consistent role for parasites in shaping the opportunity for selection.
A continuous statistical-geometric framework for normative and impaired gaits
Authors: Swaminathan Krithika , Tolkova Irina , Baker Lauren , Arumukhom Revi Dheepak , Awad Louis N. , Walsh Conor J. , Mahadevan L.
Published: November 2022

A quantitative analysis of human gait patterns in space–time provides an opportunity to observe variability within and across individuals of varying motor capabilities. Impaired gait significantly affects independence and quality of life, and thus a large part of clinical research is dedicated to improving gait through rehabilitative therapies. Evaluation of these paradigms relies on understanding the characteristic differences in the kinematics and underlying biomechanics of impaired and unimpaired locomotion, which has motivated quantitative measurement and analysis of the gait cycle. Previous analysis has largely been limited to a statistical comparison of manually selected pointwise metrics identified through expert knowledge. Here, we use a recent statistical-geometric framework, elastic functional data analysis (FDA), to decompose kinematic data into continuous ‘amplitude’ (spatial) and ‘phase’ (temporal) components, which can then be integrated with established dimensionality reduction techniques. We demonstrate the utility of elastic FDA through two unsupervised applications to post-stroke gait datasets. First, we distinguish between unimpaired, paretic and non-paretic gait presentations. Then, we use FDA to reveal robust, interpretable groups of differential response to exosuit assistance. The proposed methods aim to benefit clinical practice for post-stroke gait rehabilitation, and more broadly, to automate the quantitative analysis of motion.
Role of particle local curvature in cellular wrapping
Authors: Khosravanizadeh Amir , Sens Pierre , Mohammad-Rafiee Farshid
Published: November 2022

Cellular uptake through membranes plays an important role in adsorbing nutrients and fighting infection and can be used for nanomedicine developments. Endocytosis is one of the pathways of cellular uptake which associate with elastic deformation of the membrane wrapping around the foreign particle. The deformability of the membrane is strongly regulated by the presence of a cortical cytoskeleton placed underneath the membrane. It is shown that shape and orientation of the particles influence on their internalization. Here, we study the role of particle local curvature in cellular uptake by investigating the wrapping of an elastic membrane around a long cylindrical object with an elliptical cross-section. The membrane itself is adhered to a substrate mimicking the cytoskeleton. Membrane wrapping proceeds differently whether the initial contact occurs at the target’s highly curved part (vertical) or along its long side (horizontal). We obtain a wrapping phase diagram as a function of the membrane-cytoskeleton and the membrane-target adhesion energy, which includes three distinct regimes (unwrapped, partially wrapped and fully wrapped), separated by two phase transitions. We also provide analytical expressions for the boundaries between the different regimes which confirm that the transitions strongly depend on the orientation and aspect ratio of the nanowire.
Mechanics of diffusion-mediated budding and implications for virus replication and infection
Authors: Bacca Mattia
Published: November 2022

Budding allows virus replication and macromolecular secretion in cells through the formation of a membrane protrusion (bud) that evolves into an envelope. The largest energetic barrier to bud formation is membrane deflection and is trespassed primarily thanks to nucleocapsid-membrane adhesion. Transmembrane proteins (TPs), which later form the virus ligands, are the main promotors of adhesion and can accommodate membrane bending thanks to an induced spontaneous curvature. Adhesive TPs must diffuse across the membrane from remote regions to gather on the bud surface, thus, diffusivity controls the kinetics. This paper proposes a simple model to describe diffusion-mediated budding unravelling important size limitations and size-dependent kinetics. The predicted optimal virion radius, giving the fastest budding, is validated against experiments for coronavirus, HIV, flu and hepatitis. Assuming exponential replication of virions and hereditary size, the model can predict the size distribution of a virus population. This is verified against experiments for SARS-CoV-2. All the above comparisons rely on the premise that budding poses the tightest size constraint. This is true in most cases, as demonstrated in this paper, where the proposed model is extended to describe virus infection via receptor- and clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and via membrane fusion.
Bidirectional crosstalk between epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity and IFN
γ
-induced PD-L1 expression promotes tumour progression
Authors: Burger Gerhard A. , Nesenberend Daphne N. , Lems Carlijn M. , Hille Sander C. , Beltman Joost B.
Published: November 2022

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and immunoevasion through upregulation of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) are important drivers of cancer progression. While EMT has been proposed to facilitate PD-L1-mediated immunosuppression, molecular mechanisms of their interaction remain obscure. Here, we provide insight into these mechanisms by proposing a mathematical model that describes the crosstalk between EMT and interferon gamma (IFN
γ
)-induced PD-L1 expression. Our model shows that via interaction with microRNA-200 (miR-200), the multi-stability of the EMT regulatory circuit is mirrored in PD-L1 levels, which are further amplified by IFN
γ
stimulation. This IFN
γ
-mediated effect is most prominent for cells in a fully mesenchymal state and less strong for those in an epithelial or partially mesenchymal state. In addition, bidirectional crosstalk between miR-200 and PD-L1 implies that IFN
γ
stimulation allows cells to undergo EMT for lower amounts of inducing signal, and the presence of IFN
γ
accelerates EMT and decelerates mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET). Overall, our model agrees with published findings and provides insight into possible mechanisms behind EMT-mediated immune evasion, and primary, adaptive, or acquired resistance to immunotherapy. Our model can be used as a starting point to explore additional crosstalk mechanisms, as an improved understanding of these mechanisms is indispensable for developing better diagnostic and therapeutic options for cancer patients.
Larval fish counteract ram and suction to capture evasive prey
Authors: Chang Irvin , Hartline Daniel K. , Lenz Petra H. , Takagi Daisuke
Published: November 2022

A simple hydrodynamic model of predator–prey interactions between larval clownfish and copepod prey is used to elucidate how larval fish capture highly evasive copepods. Fish larvae are considered to be suction feeders; however, video observations revealed that successful captures by clownfish larvae were preceded by rapidly accelerating lunges (ram), while the role of suction to draw prey into the fish's mouth was less clear. Simulations were made of the fish's strike, varying strengths of ram and suction to characterize optimal strategies for copepod capture given known evasive capabilities. Our results suggest that, contrary to expectations, suction feeding is dominant only in older larvae, whereas ram feeding is the dominant mode for early larvae. Despite the relatively weak suction produced by smaller larvae, it still plays a crucial role in prey capture through hydrodynamic stealth. Escape-triggering water deformations from the strike can be cancelled through controlled suction. Experimental data obtained from larval clownfish agree with model results, suggesting that the primary role of suction in early larvae is providing hydrodynamic stealth rather than capture.
Density functional theory study of Mobius boron-carbon-nitride as potential CH
4
, H
2
S, NH
3
, COCl
2
and CH
3
OH gas sensor
Authors: Ahmed Mohammad Tanvir , Islam Shariful , Ahmed Farid
Published: November 2022

The interesting properties of Mobius structure and boron-carbon-nitride (BCN) inspired this research to study different characteristics of Mobius BCN (MBCN) nanoribbon. The structural stability and vibrational, electrical and optical properties are analysed using the density functional theory. The gas-sensing ability of the modelled MBCN structure was also studied for methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, phosgene and methanol gases. The negative adsorption energy and alteration of electronic bandgap verified that MBCN is very sensitive toward the selected gases. The complex structures showed a high absorption coefficient with strong chemical potential and 7 ps–0.3 ms recovery time. The negative change in entropy signifies that all the complex structures were thermodynamically stable. Among the selected gases, the MBCN showed the strongest interaction with methanol gas.
Waking inactivity as a welfare indicator in laboratory mice: investigating postures, facial expressions and depression-like states
Authors: MacLellan Aileen , Nazal Basma , Young Lauren , Mason Georgia
Published: November 2022

Animal welfare assessment relies on valid and practical indicators of affect. In mice, the most widely used research vertebrates, lying still with eyes open, inactive-but-awake (IBA) in the home cage, has potential to be one such indicator. IBA is elevated in barren, conventional housing compared with well-resourced, enriched housing, and predicts immobility in Forced Swim Tests, a common measure of ‘helplessness’ in depression research. In Experiment 1, using females from three strains (C57BL/6, Balb/c and DBA/2), we first replicated past findings, confirming higher levels of IBA in conventional cages and a positive relationship between IBA and helplessness. We then extended this research to three other signs of depression: changes in weight and sleep, and reduced hippocampal volume. Here, IBA positively covaried with body mass index, with sleep in DBA/2s and conventionally housed BALB/cs, and negatively covaried with hippocampal volume in conventionally housed C57BL/6s. In Experiment 2, we sought to refine the phenotype of IBA to improve its accuracy as a welfare indicator. Here, scoring IBA performed in hunched postures appeared to improve its accuracy as an indicator in Balb/c mice. Additional research is now needed to further refine the phenotype of IBA and to confirm whether it reflects states consistent with depression, or instead other underlying poor welfare conditions.
Complementary symmetric Hall plates with a hole and four outer extended contacts
Authors: Ausserlechner Udo
Published: November 2022

The electrical properties of Hall plates are described by the resistance matrix. Its even part corresponds to a resistor network, its odd part reflects the Hall output voltage. For singly connected and symmetric Hall plates closed formulae of the resistance matrix are known. There are also relations between complementary geometries, where contacts and insulating boundaries are swapped. This work gives the resistance matrix and relations between complementary geometries for Hall plates with one hole. The contacts may have arbitrary sizes, yet the plates must have two perpendicular axes of mirror symmetry, and the magnetic field has to be small.
Eco-evolutionary dynamics of bimatrix games
Authors: Shu Longmei , Fu Feng
Published: November 2022

Feedbacks between strategies and the environment are common in social-ecological, evolutionary ecological and even psychological-economic systems. Using common resources is always a dilemma for community members, like the tragedy of the commons. Here, we consider replicator dynamics with feedback-evolving games, where the pay-offs switch between two different matrices. Although each pay-off matrix on its own represents an environment where cooperators and defectors cannot coexist stably, we show that it is possible to design appropriate switching control laws and achieve persistent oscillations of strategy abundance. This result should help guide the widespread problem of population state control in microbial experiments and other social problems with eco-evolutionary feedback loops.
First experimental evidence for active farming in ambrosia beetles and strong heredity of garden microbiomes
Authors: Diehl Janina M. C. , Kowallik Vienna , Keller Alexander , Biedermann Peter H. W.
Published: November 2022

Fungal cultivation is a defining feature for advanced agriculture in fungus-farming ants and termites. In a third supposedly fungus-farming group, wood-colonizing ambrosia beetles, an experimental proof for the effectiveness of beetle activity for selective promotion of their food fungi over others is lacking and farming has only been assumed based on observations of social and hygienic behaviours. Here, we experimentally removed mothers and their offspring from young nests of the fruit-tree pinhole borer,Xyleborinus saxesenii. By amplicon sequencing of bacterial and fungal communities of nests with and without beetles we could show that beetles are indeed able to actively shift symbiont communities. Although being consumed, theRaffaeleafood fungi were more abundant when beetles were present while a weed fungus (Chaetomiumsp.) as well as overall bacterial diversity were reduced in comparison to nests without beetles. Core symbiont communities were generally of low diversity and there were strong signs for vertical transmission not only for the cultivars, but also for secondary symbionts. Our findings verify the existence of active farming, even though the exact mechanisms underlying the selective promotion and/or suppression of symbionts need further investigation.
Stricker Learning Span criterion validity: a remote self-administered multi-device compatible digital word list memory measure shows similar ability to differentiate amyloid and tau PET-defined biomarker groups as in-person Auditory Verbal Learning Test
Authors: Stricker Nikki H. , Stricker John L. , Frank Ryan D. , Fan Winnie Z. , Christianson Teresa J. , Patel Jay S. , Karstens Aimee J. , Kremers Walter K. , Machulda Mary M. , Fields Julie A. , Graff-Radford Jonathan , Jack Clifford R. , Knopman David S. , Mielke Michelle M. , Petersen Ronald C.
Published: November 2022

Objective

The Stricker Learning Span (SLS) is a computer-adaptive digital word list memory test specifically designed for remote assessment and self-administration on a web-based multi-device platform (Mayo Test Drive). We aimed to establish criterion validity of the SLS by comparing its ability to differentiate biomarker-defined groups to the person-administered Rey’s Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT).

Participants and Methods

Participants (N=353; mean age=71, SD=11; 93% cognitively unimpaired [CU]) completed the AVLT during an in-person visit, the SLS remotely (within 3 months) and had brain amyloid and tau PET scans available (within 3 years). Overlapping groups were formed for 1) those on the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continuum (amyloid PET positive, A+, n=125) or not (A-, n=228), and those with biological AD (amyloid and tau PET positive, A+T+, n=55) vs no evidence of AD pathology (A-T-, n=195). Analyses were repeated among CU participants only.

Results

The SLS and AVLT showed similar ability to differentiate biomarker-defined groups when comparing AUROCs (p’s>.05). In logistic regression models, SLS contributed significantly to predicting biomarker group beyond age, education and sex, including when limited to CU participants. Medium (A- vs A+) to large (A-T- vs A+T+) unadjusted effect sizes were observed for both SLS and AVLT. Learning and delay variables were similar in terms of ability to separate biomarker groups.

Conclusions

Remotely administered SLS performed similarly to in-person-administered AVLT in its ability to separate biomarker-defined groups, providing evidence of criterion validity. Results suggest the SLS may be sensitive to detecting subtle objective cognitive decline in preclinical AD.
ClinVar and HGMD genomic variant classification accuracy has improved over time, as measured by implied disease burden
Authors: Sharo Andrew G. , Zou Yangyun , Adhikari Aashish N. , Brenner Steven E.
Published: November 2022

Curated databases of genetic variants assist clinicians and researchers in interpreting genetic testing results. Yet these databases contain variants misclassified as pathogenic, which do not result in pathogenic phenotypes. Using archives of ClinVar and HGMD, we investigated how variant misclassification has changed over six years across different ancestry groups. We considered inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) screened in newborns as a model system because these disorders are often highly penetrant with neonatal phenotypes. We used samples from the 1000 Genomes Project (1KGP) to identify individuals with genotypes that were classified by the databases as pathogenic. Due to the rarity of IEMs, nearly all such classified pathogenic genotypes indicate likely variant misclassification in ClinVar or HGMD. While the false positive rate of both ClinVar and HGMD have improved over time, HGMD variants currently would imply two orders of magnitude more affected individuals in 1KGP than ClinVar variants. We observed that African ancestry individuals have a significantly increased chance of being incorrectly indicated to be affected by a screened IEM when HGMD variants are used. However, this bias affecting genomes of African ancestry was no longer significant once common variants were removed in accordance with recent variant interpretation guidelines. We discovered that ClinVar variants classified as Pathogenic or Likely Pathogenic are reclassified 11-fold more often than DM or DM? variants in HGMD, which has likely resulted in ClinVar’s lower false positive rate. Considering misclassified variants that have since been reclassified, we found that variant interpretation guidelines and allele frequency databases comprised of genetically diverse samples are important factors in reclassification. Finally, we find that ClinVar variants common in European and South Asian individuals were more likely to be reclassified to a lower confidence category, perhaps due to an increased chance of these variants being classified by multiple submitters.
A quantitative tool for seizure severity: diagnostic and therapeutic applications
Authors: Pattnaik Akash R. , Ghosn Nina J. , Ong Ian Z. , Revell Andrew Y. , Ojemann William K.S. , Scheid Brittany H. , Bernabei John M. , Conrad Erin , Sinha Saurabh R. , Davis Kathryn A. , Sinha Nishant , Litt Brian
Published: November 2022

Objective

More than one-third of the people with focal epilepsy do not achieve seizure freedom with medication, neuromodulation, or neurosurgery therapies. Palliative care with the goal of reducing epilepsy burden is an alternative for these patients. Minimizing severe seizures is essential for reducing morbidity. Existing seizure severity scales are qualitative and rely on patient reports, limiting our ability to rigorously track and intervene to curb severe seizures. The goal of this study is to develop and validate a quantitative metric for seizure severity.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed preictal and ictal intracranial-EEG (iEEG) recordings from 54 people with drug-resistant epilepsy undergoing pre-surgical evaluation. We developed a new metric that objectively combines seizure duration, spread, and semiology to quantify seizure severity. We calculated preictal iEEG network features and fit a linear mixed-effects model to quantify patient-specific associations between preictal networks and seizure severity.

Results

We evaluated 256 seizures from 54 patients using the quantitative seizure severity score. Seizure severity was consistent with clinical seizure type. Medication taper strategy was associated with seizure severity (p = 0.018, 97.5% confidence interval = [-1.242, -0.116]) and lower pre-surgical seizure severity was associated with better post-surgical seizure outcome (U = 465,p= 0.042). A linear mixed-effects model with preictal network features as regressors and seizure severity as response revealed a group-level positive trend. In 12 out of 14 patients with multiple types of seizures, more severe seizures were preceded by more abnormal preictal networks.

Significance

We present a quantitative metric for seizure severity that correlates with clinical and electrographic features. We found that the seizure severity score was associated with abnormal preictal networks. We propose this measure to holistically capture patient condition and guide incremental changes in therapy to improve patient outcome over time.