bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Winners and losers of reef flattening: an assessment of coral reef fish species and traits
Authors: Kochan David P. , Mitchell Matthew D. , Zuercher Rachel , Harborne Alastair R.
Published: September 2023

Anthropogenic stressors are causing widespread coral mortality, leading to loss of coral cover and decreased structural complexity that threatens reef biodiversity, functioning, and ecosystem services. Reef fishes are intimately linked to coral reef complexity, but we lack a generic understanding of which species are particularly affected by reef flattening and what traits make them susceptible. We used extensive species‐ and trait‐based analyses to build a framework for western Atlantic fish association with both structural complexity and coral cover to better understand the implications of reef degradation. These analyses also highlighted the relative importance of live coral versus the structure it provides to reef fishes, which currently remains unclear. We modeled how 25 biophysical and anthropogenic factors correlated with the densities of 109 fish species across 3292 Floridian reef sites. The importance of a metric of structural complexity and coral cover to the abundance of each species was then isolated. Species with positive associations were categorized as likely future ‘losers' and negative associations as ‘winners'. We predicted that 53% of species will be losers on low‐relief reefs, while only 11% were losers with decreased coral cover. We found morphological, behavioral, and ecological traits, not phylogeny, mediate species' responses to reef degradation and that the loss of structure seemed more critical than the loss of coral cover. Eight traits explained 79.7% of the variation in species' associations with relief and six traits explained 27.8% of associations with coral cover. Smaller, streamlined, habitat and trophic generalists are more likely winners on flattened reefs and large‐bodied predators, among other taxa, are likely losers of reef flattening. Identifying these important traits provides insight into mechanisms that may link fish and complex habitats, which allows us to better predict assemblage‐wide responses to future reef flattening.
Flowers of ruderal species are numerous but small, short and low‐rewarding
Authors: Genty Léa , Kazakou Elena , Metay Aurélie , Baude Mathilde , Gardarin Antoine , Michelot‐Antalik Alice , Leroy Ambroise , Sotillo Armel , Crouzet Juliette , Barkaoui Karim
Published: September 2023

Weed species are ecological models that recently received considerable attention due to their particular strategies linked to their ruderal‐competitive traits. They are known to have the potential to provide additional floral resources for insects in flower‐poor agroecosystems. However, their floral traits are much more scarcely studied than those of plants found in other habitats, such as grasslands. The aim of this study was to describe the floral phenotype of weeds and to determine to what extent their floral traits match their ecological strategies as described based on leaf traits. We cultivated 19 forb weeds from perennial agroecosystems, previously identified in Mediterranean fields, in a greenhouse for seven months and collected data on 12 floral and five leaf traits. We tested whether these traits covaried and exhibited an ecological strategy at the phenotype scale. We found that in matters of flower production, weed species face a tradeoff: either numerous small, low‐stature flowers with small quantities of pollen and nectar, or few, large, higher‐held flowers with more pollen and nectar. The floral traits were found to reflect Grime's CSR strategies: the weed species producing fewer but costlier flowers belonged to C‐strategy species, whereas those producing more but less costly flowers belonged to species dominated by an R strategy. These findings indicate that the potential of weeds as floral resources for insects is related to their ecological strategies, which are known to be affected by agricultural practices that filter species composition. This implies that, as for the provision of other ecosystem services, weed communities can be managed to select species with floral traits matching the requirements of flower‐visiting insects like pollinators or parasitoid wasps.
Is truth inconsistent?
Authors: Greenough Patrick
Published: September 2023

A popular and enduring approach to the liar paradox takes the concept of truth to be inconsistent. Very roughly, truth is an inconsistent concept if the central principles of this concept (taken together) entail a contradiction, where one of these central principles is Tarski's T‐schema for truth: a sentence S is true if and only if p, (where S says that p). This article targets a version of Inconsistentism which: retains classical logic and bivalence; takes the truth‐predicate “is true” to pick out a property (and determine a non‐empty extension relative to a given world); and holds that liar sentences exhibit a certain kind of indeterminacy in truth‐value. Call such a view Modest Inconsistentism since it is somewhat more conservative in its outlook than various other forms of Inconsistentism. Such a modest view has its attractions: we retain the thesis that the liar sentence is meaningful; we get to respect the claims that there are truths and that there is a property of truth; we get to keep classical logic and bivalence; and, prima facie, no strengthened liar paradox is in the offing. The main aim in this paper is to show that Modest Inconsistentism, despite its initial attractions, is in deep trouble—because it does, after all, give rise to a strengthened liar paradox. We shall also see that there are related kinds of theory which are also subject to the same worry.
A pole new world: Maneuvering masculinity and sexuality among men who pole dance
Authors: Cuccolo Kelly , Haltom Trenton M.
Published: September 2023

Research on cisgender men's experiences in feminized or women‐dominated sports, physical activities, and leisure time has revealed strategies men use to circumvent or maneuver stigmas to minimize negative perceptions. Pole dancing is an under‐researched activity uniquely positioned to understand dynamics of gender and sexuality. In this research dialogue, we present preliminary results from 13 semi‐structured interviews with U.S. men who pole dance to understand how they navigate masculinity and sexuality in pole dancing. First, we find men very strategically disclose their pole dancing to others in the context of the activity's connections to women, gay men, and sex work. Second, we note how men who “pole” often rely on gender essentialist tropes that reinforce the assumption of natural, biological differences between men and women in attempt to legitimize their participation. Third, men who pole are aware of the potential “creepiness” of their presence in pole dance spaces and use this as an opportunity for reflection. Exploring how men rationalize their participation in pole dance is useful to understand the gender and sexual dynamics of men's presence in women‐dominated spaces and broader contemporary masculinities.
Proceedings of the AABB blood center executive summit
Authors: France Christopher , Marks Peter , Jones Jefferson , Sher Graham , Bult Jan M. , Winters Jeffrey L. , Mills Barbeau J. , Carden Bob , Mendelsohn Stone Leah
Published: September 2023

AABB hosted the Blood Center Executive Summit on 20 October 2019 during the AABB Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. The session was sponsored by the Commonwealth Transfusion Foundation, a nonprofit, private foundation whose mission is to inspire and champion research and education that optimizes clinical outcomes in transfusion medicine and ensures a safe and sustainable blood supply for the United States. The Summit focused on the intersection of blood centers and plasma centers. Presenters and attendees explored existing and needed data, regulatory requirements, risks and benefits of different donor models, and future direction of the plasma community and blood centers. The Summit also identified priority issues that warrant further investigation and provide opportunities to drive progress. Introductory remarks provided context for the Summit presentations. Debra BenAvram, FASAE, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, AABB (Bethesda, Maryland), noted that during the past year, she and other AABB staff have had many discussions with blood center executives on key issues and challenges. In these talks, many executives requested that AABB provide programming specifically for this member segment. The Summit is a direct result of those requests, and the AABB supports a fruitful discussion as well as important and actionable next steps. Kevin Belanger, DHS, MS, MT(ASCP)SBB, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Shepeard Community Blood Center (Evans, Georgia), observed that he and his colleagues have seen a decrease in the donor base and, at the same time, an increase in plasma centers. He also noted that the resulting discussions about competition and donor compensation have been muted. The Summit provides a forum for a broad, open discussion that can be the start of something important. As chair of the Summit planning committee, he thanked both panelists and audience members for participating. Bob Carden, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Transfusion Foundation (Richmond, Virginia), who moderated the Summit, joined BenAvram and Belanger in welcoming participants to the day's presentations. He emphasized the need for data and noted that one outcome of the day would be a list of potential research projects that could be pursued and considered for funding.
Factors influencing resilience among breast cancer survivors: Implications for evidence‐based practice
Authors: Kim Myeongshin , Sok Sohyune
Published: September 2023

Background

Breast cancer survivors are increasing in South Korea, and resilience has become very important in their life.

Aims

This study aimed to examine the relationships among anxiety, depression, family support, problem‐focused coping, emotion‐focused coping, self‐efficacy, and resilience, and the factors influencing the resilience of breast cancer survivors.

Methods

A cross‐sectional descriptive design was employed. Participants were 153 breast cancer survivors after completion of treatment who were 5 years or less after diagnosis in South Korea. Measures were the general characteristics list, Korean version of Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale, Korean version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, family support scale, Korean version of Ways of Coping Checklist, and Self‐Efficacy Scale.

Results

The strongest predictor that influenced resilience was depression (β = −0.32), followed by family support (β = 0.23) and problem‐focused coping (β = 0.15). Resilience levels in breast cancer survivors after completion of treatment were relatively low.

Linking Evidence to Action

Interventions using problem‐focused coping, including family members, could increase resilience, thus, moving away from focusing solely on the perspectives of cancer survivors when developing and implementing support interventions. Nurses should pay attention to influencing factors to help improve the resilience of breast cancer survivors during the extended survivorship phase.
Musiceren is topsport
Authors: De Cuyper Bert , Baert Griet , Verjans Linde
Published: September 2023

Anno 2021 vind je nog maar weinig topsporters die zich niet laten omringen door een team van experten zoals coaches, (para)medici, voedingsdeskundigen en sportpsychologen. In de muziekwereld echter blijft dit in grote mate een rariteit, ook al vertonen beroepsmuzikanten zeer sterke gelijkenissen met professionele sporters. Ook zij staan in een stressgevoelig beroep dat naast talent vooral hard werken en discipline vraagt. Mentaal sterk zijn – in denken, voelen en doen – is voor beroepsmuzikanten even belangrijk als voor topsporters. Met Musiceren is topsport reikt Bert De Cuyper essentiële denkkaders aan uit de (sport)psychologie die muzikanten op alle niveaus kunnen helpen om hun zelfkennis te vergroten en hun zelfsturing te versterken. Deze handvatten bestrijken het hele alfabet, van a tot z, van angst tot zelfvertrouwen. Podiumvrees, mentale veerkracht, perfectionisme, overtraining, het ontwikkelen en bewaken van de stress-herstelbalans, ... het komt allemaal aan bod. Rijk gestoffeerd met levendige details uit biografieën van topmusici en persoonlijke getuigenissen van jonge en ervaren beroepsmuzikanten over de diverse genres heen (klassiek, jazz, musical, pop) is dit boek een must voor eenieder die zich muzikaal op of naast het podium begeeft en die beter wil leren omgaan met het prestatieaspect in het (beroeps)leven.
Homotopy of manifolds stabilized by projective spaces
Authors: Huang Ruizhi , Theriault Stephen
Published: September 2023

We study the homotopy of the connected sum of a manifold with a projective space, viewed as a typical way to stabilize manifolds. In particular, we show a loop homotopy decomposition of a manifold after stabilization by a projective space, and provide concrete examples. To do this, we trace the effect in homotopy theory of surgery on certain product manifolds by showing a loop homotopy decomposition after localization away from the order of the image of the classical ‐homomorphism.
A Comparative Study of the Entanglement Models Toward Simulating Hyperelastic Behaviors
Authors: Zhu Lingrui , Zhan Lin , Xiao Rui
Published: September 2023

Accurately predicting the hyperelastic response of soft materials under complex loading conditions has been a long-standing challenge. Previous developments have shown that incorporating the entanglement effect can significantly improve the model performance. In this work, we compare the performances of different entanglement models in simulating the stress responses through either fitting uniaxial data alone or uniaxial and equi-biaxial data simultaneously. Results show that the entanglement models do not exhibit satisfactory predictive ability with parameters calibrated through uniaxial data. This disadvantage can be overcome through a newly proposed Biot chain model, which inherently incorporates the entanglement effect through a new chain stretch determination that considers the contribution of all surrounding chains. As multiple pairs of experimental data are used to calibrate the model parameter, the Davidson–Goulbourne model provides the best performance. It is also demonstrated that the entanglement effect varies with the deformation mode and plays a more critical role in biaxial deformation than that in the uniaxial deformation. This study can provide a better understanding of entanglement models, including their capabilities and limitations, so as to facilitate the development of more accurate and reliable predictive models for various applications.
Modeling and characterizing urban infrasonic and low-frequency noise in the Las Vegas, NV region
Authors: Wynn Nora R. , Dannemann Dugick Fransiska K.
Published: September 2023

Empirical models of ambient infrasound noise are valuable tools for assessing the detection capabilities of infrasound networks on local to global scales. Models that characterize noise in unpopulated, quiet environments are well established, and there is a detailed understanding of the sources that contribute to rural noise profiles. However, there is a research gap for infrasound and low-frequency noise in urban environments, based on the assumption that high noise levels generated by human activity will render signals of interest, such as earthquakes and explosions, undetectable. In this study, 11 infrasound sensors deployed across Las Vegas, NV, USA from 2019 to 2021 are used to create a long-term noise profile for infrasound and low-frequency noise in the city. The resulting empirical model is used to determine whether this network deployed in an urban area is capable of recording signals of interest or if noise from anthropogenic activity dominates detections to a prohibitive degree. The Las Vegas model presented here has noise levels that sit within the bounds of established global noise models, and the network records multiple signals of interest during the study period, indicating that this and similar urban networks are more capable of reliably detecting signals of interest than previously thought.
Shigella
induces epigenetic reprogramming of zebrafish neutrophils
Authors: Gomes Margarida C. , Brokatzky Dominik , Bielecka Magdalena K. , Wardle Fiona C. , Mostowy Serge
Published: September 2023

Trained immunity is a long-term memory of innate immune cells, generating an improved response upon reinfection.
Shigella
is an important human pathogen and inflammatory paradigm for which there is no effective vaccine. Using zebrafish larvae, we demonstrate that after
Shigella
training, neutrophils are more efficient at bacterial clearance. We observe that
Shigella
-induced protection is nonspecific and has differences with training by BCG and β-glucan. Analysis of histone ChIP-seq on trained neutrophils revealed that
Shigella
training deposits the active H3K4me3 mark on promoter regions of 1612 genes, dramatically changing the epigenetic landscape of neutrophils toward enhanced microbial recognition and mitochondrial ROS production. Last, we demonstrate that mitochondrial ROS plays a key role in enhanced antimicrobial activity of trained neutrophils. It is envisioned that signals and mechanisms we discover here can be used in other vertebrates, including humans, to suggest new therapeutic strategies involving neutrophils to control bacterial infection.
Visual opsin gene expression evolution in the adaptive radiation of cichlid fishes of Lake Tanganyika
Authors: Ricci Virginie , Ronco Fabrizia , Boileau Nicolas , Salzburger Walter
Published: September 2023

Tuning the visual sensory system to the ambient light is essential for survival in many animal species. This is often achieved through duplication, functional diversification, and/or differential expression of visual opsin genes. Here, we examined 753 new retinal transcriptomes from 112 species of cichlid fishes from Lake Tanganyika to unravel adaptive changes in gene expression at the macro-evolutionary and ecosystem level of one of the largest vertebrate adaptive radiations. We found that, across the radiation, all seven cone opsins—but not the rhodopsin—rank among the most differentially expressed genes in the retina, together with other vision-, circadian rhythm–, and hemoglobin-related genes. We propose two visual palettes characteristic of very shallow- and deep-water living species, respectively, and show that visual system adaptations along two major ecological axes, macro-habitat and diet, occur primarily via gene expression variation in a subset of cone opsin genes.
Loss of attachment promotes proline accumulation and excretion in cancer cells
Authors: Pilley Steven E. , Hennequart Marc , Vandekeere Anke , Blagih Julianna , Legrave Nathalie M. , Fendt Sarah-Maria , Vousden Karen H. , Labuschagne Christiaan F.
Published: September 2023

Previous studies have revealed a role for proline metabolism in supporting cancer development and metastasis. In this study, we show that many cancer cells respond to loss of attachment by accumulating and secreting proline. Detached cells display reduced proliferation accompanied by a general decrease in overall protein production and de novo amino acid synthesis compared to attached cells. However, proline synthesis was maintained under detached conditions. Furthermore, while overall proline incorporation into proteins was lower in detached cells compared to other amino acids, there was an increased production of the proline-rich protein collagen. The increased excretion of proline from detached cells was also shown to be used by macrophages, an abundant and important component of the tumor microenvironment. Our study suggests that detachment induced accumulation and secretion of proline may contribute to tumor progression by supporting increased production of extracellular matrix and providing proline to surrounding stromal cells.
Deglacial volcanism and reoxygenation in the aftermath of the Sturtian Snowball Earth
Authors: Li Menghan , Xu Yilun , Sun Lilin , Chen Jiubin , Zhang Ke , Li Dandan , Farquhar James , Zhang Xiaolin , Sun Ruoyu , Macdonald Francis A. , Grasby Stephen E. , Fu Yong , Shen Yanan
Published: September 2023

The Cryogenian Sturtian and Marinoan Snowball Earth glaciations bracket a nonglacial interval during which Demosponge and green-algal biomarkers first appear. To understand the relationships between environmental perturbations and early animal evolution, we measured sulfur and mercury isotopes from the Datangpo Formation from South China. Hg enrichment with positive Δ
199
Hg excursion suggests enhanced volcanism, potentially due to depressurization of terrestrial magma chambers during deglaciation. A thick stratigraphic interval of negative Δ
33
S
py
indicates that the nonglacial interlude was characterized by low but rising sulfate levels. Model results reveal a mechanism to produce the Δ
33
S anomalies down to −0.284‰ through Rayleigh distillation. We propose that extreme temperatures and anoxia contributed to the apparent delay in green algal production in the aftermath of the Sturtian glaciation and the subsequent reoxygenation of the iron-rich and sulfate-depleted ocean paved the way for evolution of animals.
Establishment of paternal methylation imprint at theH19/Igf2imprinting control region
Authors: Liao Ji , Song Sangmin , Gusscott Samuel , Fu Zhen , VanderKolk Ivan , Busscher Brianna M. , Lau Kin H. , Brind’Amour Julie , Szabó Piroska E.
Published: September 2023

The insulator model explains the workings of theH19andIgf2imprinted domain in the soma, where insulation of theIgf2promoter from its enhancers occurs by CTCF in the maternally inherited unmethylated chromosome but not the paternally inherited methylated allele. The molecular mechanism that targets paternal methylation imprint establishment to the imprinting control region (ICR) in the male germline is unknown. We tested the function of prospermatogonia-specific broad low-level transcription in this process using mouse genetics. Paternal imprint establishment was abnormal when transcription was stopped at the entry point to the ICR. The germline epimutation persisted into the paternal allele of the soma, resulting in reducedIgf2in fetal organs and reduced fetal growth, consistent with the insulator model and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2)’s role as fetal growth factor. These results collectively support the role of broad low-level transcription through theH19/Igf2ICR in the establishment of its paternal methylation imprint in the male germ line, with implications for Silver-Russell syndrome.
Lignin conversion to β-ketoadipic acid by
Pseudomonas putida
via metabolic engineering and bioprocess development
Authors: Werner Allison Z. , Cordell William T. , Lahive Ciaran W. , Klein Bruno C. , Singer Christine A. , Tan Eric C. D. , Ingraham Morgan A. , Ramirez Kelsey J. , Kim Dong Hyun , Pedersen Jacob Nedergaard , Johnson Christopher W. , Pfleger Brian F. , Beckham Gregg T. , Salvachúa Davinia
Published: September 2023

Bioconversion of a heterogeneous mixture of lignin-related aromatic compounds (LRCs) to a single product via microbial biocatalysts is a promising approach to valorize lignin. Here,
Pseudomonas putida
KT2440 was engineered to convert mixed p-coumaroyl– and coniferyl-type LRCs to β-ketoadipic acid, a precursor for performance-advantaged polymers. Expression of enzymes mediating aromatic
O
-demethylation, hydroxylation, and ring-opening steps was tuned, and a global regulator was deleted. β-ketoadipate titers of 44.5 and 25 grams per liter and productivities of 1.15 and 0.66 grams per liter per hour were achieved from model LRCs and corn stover-derived LRCs, respectively, the latter representing an overall yield of 0.10 grams per gram corn stover-derived lignin. Technoeconomic analysis of the bioprocess and downstream processing predicted a β-ketoadipate minimum selling price of $2.01 per kilogram, which is cost competitive with fossil carbon-derived adipic acid ($1.10 to 1.80 per kilogram). Overall, this work achieved bioproduction metrics with economic relevance for conversion of lignin-derived streams into a performance-advantaged bioproduct.
Calprotectin is a contributor to and potential therapeutic target for vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Amaya-Garrido Ana , Brunet Manon , Buffin-Meyer Bénédicte , Piedrafita Alexis , Grzesiak Lucile , Agbegbo Ezechiel , Del Bello Arnaud , Ferrandiz Inés , Ardeleanu Serban , Bermudez-Lopez Marcelino , Fedou Camille , Camus Mylène , Burlet-Schiltz Odile , Massines Jean , Buléon Marie , Feuillet Guylène , Alves Melinda , Neau Eric , Casemayou Audrey , Breuil Benjamin , Saulnier-Blache Jean-Sébastien , Denis Colette , Voelkl Jakob , Glorieux Griet , Hobson Sam , Arefin Samsul , Rahman Awahan , Kublickiene Karolina , Stenvinkel Peter , Bascands Jean-Loup , Faguer Stanislas , Valdivielso José M. , Schanstra Joost P. , Klein Julie
Published: September 2023

Vascular calcification is an important risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is also a complex process involving osteochondrogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and abnormal deposition of minerals in the vascular wall. In an observational, multicenter European study, including 112 patients with CKD from Spain and 171 patients on dialysis from France, we used serum proteome analysis and further validation by ELISA to identify calprotectin, a circulating damage-associated molecular pattern protein, as being independently associated with CV outcome and mortality. This was confirmed in an additional cohort of 170 patients with CKD from Sweden, where increased serum calprotectin concentrations correlated with increased vascular calcification. In primary human VSMCs and mouse aortic rings, calprotectin exacerbated calcification. Treatment with paquinimod, a calprotectin inhibitor, as well as pharmacological inhibition of the receptor for advanced glycation end products and Toll-like receptor 4 inhibited the procalcifying effect of calprotectin. Paquinimod also ameliorated calcification induced by the sera of uremic patients in primary human VSMCs. Treatment with paquinimod prevented vascular calcification in mice with chronic renal failure induced by subtotal nephrectomy and in aged apolipoprotein E–deficient mice as well. These observations identified calprotectin as a key contributor of vascular calcification, and increased circulating calprotectin was strongly and independently associated with calcification, CV outcome, and mortality in patients with CKD. Inhibition of calprotectin might therefore be a promising strategy to prevent vascular calcification in patients with CKD.
The
in vitro
effect of new combinations of carbapenem–β-lactamase inhibitors for
Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Fröberg Gabrielle , Ahmed Ayan , Chryssanthou Erja , Davies Forsman Lina
Published: September 2023

As new treatment alternatives for
Mycobacterium abscessus
complex (MABC) are urgently needed, we determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for novel carbapenem combinations, including imipenem-relebactam and tebipenem-avibactam against 98 MABC isolates by broth microdilution. The MIC50 was reduced from 16 to 8 mg/L by adding relebactam to imipenem, while the addition of avibactam to tebipenem showed a more pronounced reduction from 256 to 16 mg/L, representing a promising non-toxic, oral treatment option for further exploration.
Effective gene silencing using type I–E CRISPR system in the multiploid, radiation-resistant bacterium
Deinococcus radiodurans
Authors: Misra Chitra S. , Pandey Neha , Appukuttan Deepti , Rath Devashish
Published: September 2023

The extremely radiation-resistant bacterium,
Deinococcus radiodurans
, is a microbe of importance, both, for studying stress tolerance mechanisms and as a chassis for industrial biotechnology. However, the molecular tools available for use in this organism continue to be limiting, with its multiploid genome presenting an additional challenge. In view of this, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas tools provide a large repertoire of applications for gene manipulation. We show the utility of the type I-E Cascade system for knocking down gene expression in this organism. A single-vector system was designed for the expression of the Cascade components as well as the crRNA. The type I-E Cascade system was better tolerated than the type II-A dCas9 system in
D. radiodurans
. An assayable acid phosphatase gene,
phoN
integrated into the genome of this organism could be knocked down to 10% of its activity using the Cascade system. Cascade-based knockdown of
ssb
, a gene important for radiation resistance resulted in poor recovery post-irradiation. Targeting the Radiation and Desiccation Response Motif (RDRM), upstream of the
ssb
, prevented de-repression of its expression upon radiation exposure. In addition to this, multi-locus targeting was demonstrated on the deinococcal genome, by knocking down both
phoN
and
ssb
expression simultaneously. The programmable CRISPR interference tool developed in this study will facilitate the study of essential genes, hypothetical genes, and
cis
-elements involved in radiation response as well as enable metabolic engineering in this organism. Further, the tool can be extended for implementing high-throughput approaches in such studies.

IMPORTANCE

Deinococcus radiodurans
is a microbe that exhibits a very high degree of radiation resistance. In addition, it is also identified as an organism of industrial importance. We report the development of a gene-knockdown system in this organism by engineering a type I-E clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cascade system. We used this system to silence an assayable acid phosphatase gene,
phoN
to 10% of its activity. The study further shows the application of the Cascade system to target an essential gene
ssb
, that caused poor recovery from radiation. We demonstrate the utility of CRISPR-Cascade to study the role of a regulatory
cis
-element in radiation response as well as for multi-gene silencing. This easy-to-implement CRISPR interference system would provide an effective tool for better understanding of complex phenomena such as radiation response in
D. radiodurans
and may also enhance the potential of this microbe for industrial application.
Supplemental Material: Formation of lower arc crust by magmatic underplating revealed by high-precision geochronology
Authors: Stirling Jack E. , al. et
Published: September 2023

Methods, results, references, Tables S1–S2, and Figures S1–S18. 
Association between diseases of despair and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease among insured adults in the USA: a retrospective cohort study from 2017 to 2021
Authors: Nudy Matthew , Galper Kathleen , George Daniel R , Williams Brent A , Kraschnewski Jennifer L , Sinoway Lawrence , Brignone Emily
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To assess associations between diseases of despair (DoD) and incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) among insured adults in the USA.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Highmark insurance claims data in the USA from 2017 to 2021.

Participants

Adults with at least 10 months of continuous insurance enrolment, no record of ASCVD in the 2016 baseline year and no missing data on study variables.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Cox proportional hazard regression was used to calculate crude and adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess risk of ASCVD (composite of ischaemic cardiomyopathy, non-fatal ischaemic stroke, peripheral arterial disease or non-fatal acute myocardial infarction) by baseline DoD overall, and by the component conditions comprising DoD (alcohol-related disorders, substance-related disorders, suicidality) individually and in combination.

Results

The DoD-exposed group had an age-adjusted rate of 20.5 ASCVD events per 1000 person-years, compared with 11.7 among the unexposed. In adjusted models, overall DoD was associated with increased risk of incident ASCVD (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.36 to 1.47). Individually and in combination, component conditions of DoD were associated with higher risk for ASCVD relative to no DoD. Substance-related disorders were associated with 50% higher risk of incident ASCVD (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.41 to 1.59), alcohol-related disorders and suicidality/intentional self-harm were associated with 33% and 30% higher risk, respectively (HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.41; HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.52). Co-occurring DoD components conferred higher risk still. The highest risk combination was substance-related disorders+suicidality (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.82).

Conclusions

Among this cohort of insured adults, documented DoD was associated with increased ASCVD risk. Further research to understand and address cardiovascular disease prevention in those with DoD could reduce costs, morbidity and mortality. Further examination of overlapping structural factors that may be contributing to concurrent rises in ASCVD and DoD in the USA is needed.
Study protocol for IMPRoVE: a multicentre prospective observational cohort study of the incidence, impact and mechanisms of perioperative right ventricular dysfunction in non-cardiac surgery
Authors: Keast Thomas , McErlane James , Kearns Rachel , McKinlay Sonya , Raju Indran , Watson Malcolm , Robertson Keith E , Berry Colin , Greenlaw Nicola , Ackland Gareth , McCall Philip , Shelley Benjamin
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Perioperative myocardial injury evidenced by elevated cardiac biomarkers (both natriuretic peptides and troponin) is common after major non-cardiac surgery. However, it is unclear if the rise in cardiac biomarkers represents global or more localised cardiac injury. We have previously shown isolated right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in patients following lung resection surgery, with no change in left ventricular (LV) function. Given that perioperative RV dysfunction (RVD) can manifest insidiously, we hypothesise there may be a substantial burden of covert yet clinically important perioperative RVD in other major non-cardiac surgical groups. The Incidence, impact and Mechanisms of Perioperative Right VEntricular dysfunction (IMPRoVE) study has been designed to address this knowledge gap.

Methods and analysis

A multicentre prospective observational cohort study across four centres in the West of Scotland and London. One hundred and seventy-five patients will be recruited from five surgical specialties: thoracic, upper gastrointestinal, vascular, colorectal and orthopaedic surgery (35 patients from each group). All patients will undergo preoperative and postoperative (day 2–4) echocardiography, with contemporaneous cardiac biomarker testing. Ten patients from each surgical specialty (50 patients in total) will undergo T1-cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging preoperatively and postoperatively. The coprimary outcomes are the incidence of perioperative RVD (diagnosed by RV speckle tracking echocardiography) and the effect that RVD has on days alive and at home at 30 days postoperatively. Secondary outcomes include LV dysfunction and clinical outcomes informed by Standardised Endpoints in Perioperative Medicine consensus definitions. T1 CMR will be used to investigate for imaging correlates of myocardial inflammation as a possible mechanism driving perioperative RVD.

Ethics and dissemination

Approval was gained from Oxford C Research Ethics Committee (REC reference 22/SC/0442). Findings will be disseminated by various methods including social media, international presentations and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT05827315.
Iatrogenic air embolism: influence of air bubble size on cerebral infarctions in an experimental in vivo and numerical simulation model
Authors: Schaefer Tabea C , Greive Svenja , Bierwisch Claas , Mohseni-Mofidi Shoya , Heiland Sabine , Kramer Martin , Möhlenbruch Markus A , Bendszus Martin , Vollherbst Dominik F
Published: September 2023

Background

Cerebral infarctions resulting from iatrogenic air embolism (AE), mainly caused by small air bubbles, are a well-known and often overlooked event in endovascular interventions. Despite their significance, the underlying pathophysiology remains largely unclear.

Methods

In 24 rats, AEs were induced using a microcatheter, positioned in the carotid artery via femoral access. Rats were divided into two study groups, based on the size of the bubbles (85 and 120 µm) and two sub-groups, differing in air volume (0.39 and 0.64 µl). Ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed 1.5 hours after intervention. MRI findings including the number, single volume and total volume of the infarctions were assessed. A software-based numerical simulation was performed to qualitatively assess the microvascular pathomechanisms.

Results

In the study groups 22 of 24 rats (92%) revealed cerebral infarctions. The number of infarctions per rat was higher for the smaller bubbles, for the lower (medians: 5 vs 3; p=0.049) and higher air volume sub-groups (medians: 6 vs 4; p=0.012). Correspondingly, total infarction volume was higher for the smaller bubbles (1.67 vs 0.5 mm³; p=0.042). Simulations confirmed the results of the experiments and suggested that fusion of microbubbles to larger bubbles is the underlying pathomechanism of vascular occlusions.

Conclusion

In iatrogenic AE, the size of the bubbles can have a major impact on the number and total volume of cerebral infarctions. These findings can help to better understand the pathophysiology of this frequent, often underestimated adverse event in endovascular interventions.
Identifying early life stages of Great Lakes fishes using a metabarcoding approach
Authors: Gallage Kavishka S. , Van Nynatten Alexander , Lujan Nathan K. , Lovejoy Nathan R. , Mandrak Nicholas E.
Published: September 2023

Detection of early life stages of fishes is important for understanding life history patterns and critical spawning habitats. When feasible, identifying early life stages of fishes using morphology requires taxonomic expertise and can be challenging, time consuming, and imprecise. In this study, we used DNA metabarcoding to identify egg and larval batch samples from two sites in the species-rich East Sydenham River, Ontario, Canada. We used a two-step PCR metabarcoding approach to amplify a highly variable region of the mitochondrial COI gene from 1075 mixed species batch samples. Amplicon libraries were sequenced with Illumina Mi-seq and the sequencing reads were filtered and assembled using the software package mothur. Barcodes were then classified using a reference library comprised of Great Lakes fishes and potential invaders. In total, 34 species, including three at-risk species and three invasive species, were detected at the two sampling sites. This study shows the potential utility of metabarcoding for detection and identification of early life stage Great Lake fishes.
Characterizing Some Types of Uninorms on Bounded Lattices
Authors: Wen Huayan , Wu Xinxing , Çaylı Gül Deniz
Published: September 2023

Uninorms, as important generalizations of triangular norms and conorms, let the identity [Formula: see text] exist anywhere on a bounded lattice. In this paper, we focus on new characterizations of uninorms allowed to act on more general bounded lattices. In particular, we present several necessary and sufficient conditions to verify the construction approaches introduced by (Çaylı and Karaçal, Kybernetika 53 (2017) 394–417) and (Çaylı, Fuzzy Sets Syst. 395 (2020) 107–129), yielding a uninorm on bounded lattices.
On the Robustness of the Sign of Nonadditivity Index in a Choquet Integral Model
Authors: Kaldjob Paul Alain Kaldjob , Mayag Brice , Bouyssou Denis
Published: September 2023

In the context of Multiple Criteria Decision Making, this paper studies the robustness of the sign of nonadditivity index for subset of criteria in a Choquet integral model. In the case where the set of alternatives is discrete, the use of the nonadditivity index proposed in the literature often leads to interpretations which are not always robust. Indeed, the sign of this nonadditivity index can depend on the arbitrary choice of a numerical representation in the set of all numerical representations compatible with the ordinal preferential information given by the Decision Maker. We characterize the ordinal preferential information for which the problem appears. We also propose a linear program allowing to test the non robustness of the sign of nonadditivity index for subset of criteria.
Modeling Control and Forecasting Nonlinear Systems Based on Grey Signal Theory
Authors: Chen Z. Y. , Wang Ruei-Yuan , Meng Yahui , Chen Timothy
Published: September 2023

Based on this article, a fuzzy NN (neural network) based on the EBA (evolved bat algorithm) was developed to devise adaptive control with gray signal prediction to provide asymptomatic stability and increased driving comfort. The method is used to assess plant nonlinearity and to perform structural tracking of the signal. The set of Gray’s differential equations is applied to Gray’s model (GM) (n, h), which has been an active system model. In the model, n is the order of the Gray’s differential equation and h is the number of variables considered. In this paper, a GM(2.1) has been utilised to achieve advanced nonlinear motion of a system, allowing the controller to demonstrate the efficiency and stability of the whole system in a Lyapunov-like expression. The controller design standard for a MEW (mechanical elastic wheel) is presented, creating a realistic framework in mathematical for practical engineering applications.
Robust Topology Optimization of Coated Structures with Surface Layer Thickness Uncertainty Considered
Authors: Li Ran , Hu Jingyu , Liu Shutian
Published: September 2023

The rapid development of additive manufacturing has made coated structures an innovative configuration with high design flexibility. However, poor forming accuracy and surface roughness during manufacturing will cause uncertainty in surface layer thickness, which results in structure performance deviation and failure to achieve the expected goals. This paper proposes a robust topology optimization method for coated structures considering the surface layer thickness uncertainty to obtain high-quality designs that can resist disturbance by uncertainties. First, an erosion-based approach is used to establish the model of the coated structure surface layer. Second, modeling the surface layer thickness uncertainty applies a random field whose dimensionality of the random fields is reduced by the Expansion Optimal Linear Estimation (EOLE) method. Then, minimizing the weighted sum of the mean and standard deviation of structural compliance is taken as the optimization objective, and robust topology optimization considering uncertainty is established. Finally, estimate the stochastic response by the perturbation technique, then the sensitivity of the objective function with respect to the design variables is derived. Numerical examples show that the structural design obtained with the proposed method has a stronger resistance to uncertainty than the deterministic topology optimization method, proving the method’s effectiveness in this paper.
Electrochemical Determination of Acetaminophen Using a Hydrophilic Single-Walled Carbon Nanohorn Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Weng Yu-Ching , Yang Ting-Yu , Su Chi-Jung , Liu The-Wang
Published: September 2023

A simple and novel electrochemical sensor based on a hydrophilic single-walled carbon nanohorn (SWCNH) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was designed for the determination of acetaminophen (APAP). The hydrophilic SWCNH/GCE was characterized using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This proposed sensor exhibits remarkable performance for the electrocatalytic detection of APAP. The hydrophilic SWCNH/GCE shows a good differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) response at APAP concentration from 100 to 1000 μM with sensitivity and a detection limit of 2.63 μAμM−1cm−2 and 1 μM. Regarding the reaction mechanism, the hydrophilic SWCNH/GCE could easily electro-catalyze APAP oxidation to form N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone-imine (NAPQI). Then NAPQI is rapidly degraded to p-benzoquinone in solutions of 0.1 M Na2SO4 and 0.05 M H2SO4 at pH 1.
Highly Efficient Photodegradation of RHB-MO-MB Mixture Dye Wastewater by WO3/Fe3O4/Diatomite under Different Condition
Authors: Jia Xinyu , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Zhong Jie , Xiong Chunyu , Zhu Haitao , Ding Yi , Jin Zhen , Guo Wanmi , Chen Jing , Li Jie , Chen Shaohua
Published: September 2023

In this study, the composite photocatalyst WO3/Fe3O4/Diatomite was developed by solvent thermal method to remove composite dyes from wastewater. The structure and properties of the photocatalyst were characterized and analyzed. Under the effect of Fe3O4, WO3was found to be enhanced in the direction of (101) and (200) and loaded on the surface of diatomite (DT). The results of UV–vis analysis imply that the Fe3O4and diatomite can significantly improve the photocatalytic efficiency. The magnetic hysteresis loop shows that the WO3/Fe3O4/DT composites can be recycled by a magnet, indicating the good recyclability of the composite photocatalyst. The WO3/Fe3O4/DT composite showed a good photocatalytic effect in both acidic and alkaline conditions for RHB-MO-MB mixture dye, which exhibits broad application prospects. The results of the free radical analysis indicate that ·O2−and ·OH were the main active species. The mechanism of photocatalytic removal of dyes was investigated based on radical trapping experiments and energy band structure analysis. It was proved by three photocatalytic cycle experiments that the morphology of the WO3/Fe3O4/DT composites remains unchanged, and the photocatalytic activity is maintained during recycled operations. This work provides a new idea for dye removal from wastewater using photocatalysts.
The proteasome regulates body weight and systemic nutrient metabolism during fasting
Authors: Langer Henning Tim , Taylor Samuel R. , Ahmed Mujmmail , Perrier Tiffany , Ahmed Tanvir , Goncalves Marcus D.
Published: September 2023

Bortezomib treatment prevents tissue and body weight loss during fasting. The loss of proteasome activity with bortezomib exacerbates fasting-induced ketogenesis. During fasting, bortezomib increases AMPK and PI3K/AKT signaling in the liver, which promotes protein synthesis.
Voluntary activation does not differ when using two different methods to determine transcranial magnetic stimulator output
Authors: Bruce Christina D. , Magnuson Justine R. , McNeil Chris J.
Published: September 2023

When using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to determine voluntary activation (VA) of the elbow flexors, we hypothesized that a stimulator output designed to limit antagonist muscle activity would evoke submaximal agonist superimposed twitch amplitudes, thus underestimating VA. Contrary to our hypothesis, VA was not greater with an output based on maximal superimposed twitch amplitude. Nevertheless, our findings advance methodological practices by simplifying the equipment and minimizing the time required to determine VA using TMS.