bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Party Politics of Military Intervention in Australia and Executive Prerogatives: Ideology Meets Strategy and Culture
Authors: Ostermann Falk
Published: August 2024

As an adjusted Westminster-style system with large executive room for maneuver in matters of foreign, security, and defense policies, Australia’s parliament does not have a formal say in sending troops abroad despite the continental nation’s constant military deployments, i.e., alongside its major ally, the United States. Past efforts from Democrats and Greens to push legislation giving parliament ex ante voting rights have been stymied by Labor-Liberal bipartisanism opposing it. However, given increasing political fragmentation and the politicization of military deployments, post-Cold War politics gives testament to dissent on the use of force, decision-making on it, and the reach of oversight between political parties. Linking the Australian case to contemporary scholarship on the party politics of security and defense policy, this article focuses on the party-political component of contestation and explores patterns of dissent and consensus on the use of force, decision-making, and oversight. Using voting, debate, interview data, and taking stock of the most recent parliamentary inquiry into war powers, the article demonstrates Australian parallels with party-political contestation in other countries. However, it also highlights that debate and agency in Australia do only follow those in other Westminster systems to some extent, while Australian parties put an even higher emphasis on decision-making efficiency in an insecure strategic environment.
Transcriptional repression and enhancer decommissioning silence cell cycle genes in postmitotic tissues
Authors: Fogarty Elizabeth A , Buchert Elli M , Ma Yiqin , Nicely Ava B , Buttitta Laura A
Published: August 2024

The mechanisms that maintain a non-cycling status in postmitotic tissues are not well understood. Many cell cycle genes have promoters and enhancers that remain accessible even when cells are terminally differentiated and in a non-cycling state, suggesting their repression must be maintained long term. In contrast, enhancer decommissioning has been observed for rate-limiting cell cycle genes in the Drosophila wing, a tissue where the cells die soon after eclosion, but it has been unclear if this also occurs in other contexts of terminal differentiation. In this study, we show that enhancer decommissioning also occurs at specific, rate-limiting cell cycle genes in the long-lived tissues of the Drosophila eye and brain, and we propose this loss of chromatin accessibility may help maintain a robust postmitotic state. We examined the decommissioned enhancers at specific rate-limiting cell cycle genes and showed that they encode for dynamic temporal and spatial expression patterns that include shared, as well as tissue-specific elements, resulting in broad gene expression with developmentally controlled temporal regulation. We extend our analysis to cell cycle gene expression and chromatin accessibility in the mammalian retina using a published dataset and find that the principles of cell cycle gene regulation identified in terminally differentiating Drosophila tissues are conserved in the differentiating mammalian retina. We propose a robust, non-cycling status is maintained in long-lived postmitotic tissues through a combination of stable repression at most cell cycle genes, alongside enhancer decommissioning at specific rate-limiting cell cycle genes.
The Effect of Axenic Dietary Restriction on the Age-Related Changes in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Wu Ping , Vandemeulebroucke Lieselot , Claeys Myriam , Bert Wim , Braeckman Bart P
Published: August 2024

Axenic dietary restriction (ADR) is highly effective in extending lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans, but its effects on healthspan improvement are less well characterized. Using transmission electron microscopy, morphometric analyses, and functional assays, we found ADR can preserve tissue ultrastructure, including the cuticle, epidermis, and intestinal lumen, and reduce age-associated pathologies like gonad degeneration, uterine tumor clusters, pharyngeal deterioration, and intestinal atrophy. However, there was no notable improvement in behavioral and functional metrics. Our results underscore that lifespan extension through ADR does not inherently translate to broad healthspan improvements.
Sialylated keratan sulfates on MUC5B are Siglec-8 ligands in the human esophagus
Authors: Li T August , Gonzalez-Gil Anabel , Awol Abduselam K , Ackerman Steven J , Orsburn Benjamin C , Schnaar Ronald L
Published: August 2024

Human sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) are expressed on subsets of immune cells. Siglec-8 is an immune inhibitory Siglec on eosinophils and mast cells, which are effectors in allergic disorders including eosinophilic esophagitis. Inhibition occurs when Siglec-8 is crosslinked by multivalent Siglec ligands in target tissues. Previously we discovered a high-affinity Siglec-8 sialoglycan ligand on human airways composed of terminally sialylated keratan sulfate chains carried on a single protein, DMBT1. Here we extend that approach to another allergic inflammatory target tissue, human esophagus. Lectin overlay histochemistry revealed that Siglec-8 ligands are expressed predominantly by esophageal submucosal glands, and are densely packed in submucosal ducts leading to the lumen. Expression is tissue-specific; esophageal glands express Siglec-8 ligand whereas nearby gastric glands do not. Extraction and resolution by gel electrophoresis revealed a single predominant human esophageal Siglec-8 ligand migrating at >2 MDa. Purification by size exclusion and affinity chromatography, followed by proteomic mass spectrometry, revealed the protein carrier to be MUC5B. Whereas all human esophageal submucosal cells express MUC5B, only a portion convert it to Siglec-8 ligand by adding terminally sialylated keratan sulfate chains. We refer to this as MUC5B S8L. Material from the esophageal lumen of live subjects revealed MUC5B S8L species ranging from ~1–4 MDa. We conclude that MUC5B in the human esophagus is a protein canvas on which Siglec-8 binding sialylated keratan sulfate chains are post-translationally added. These data expand understanding of Siglec-8 ligands and may help us understand their roles in allergic immune regulation.
Integrating firearm storage and safety devices into health care
Authors: Cogle Christopher R , Venkatesh Anirudh B , Hall Jaclyn M
Published: August 2024

Millions of US children and adolescents live in homes with loaded firearms, with only half of these homes securing their guns. Firearm-related deaths among youth have doubled over the past decade, making firearms the leading cause of death for children and adolescents in the United States. The recent advisory by the US Surgeon General, identifying firearm violence as a public health crisis, underscores the urgent need for responsible firearm ownership, including safe firearm storage. However, the healthcare community currently lacks durable medical equipment (DME) codes for firearm storage devices, limiting the ability of healthcare providers to support responsible gun ownership. We propose the establishment of DME codes for firearm storage and safety devices, which would facilitate insurance coverage of these vital prevention measures. Durable medical equipment codes would empower physicians and other healthcare providers to integrate anticipatory guidance and lethal means counseling of firearm safety into routine care and support hospital- and community-based efforts to prevent firearm-related injuries and deaths among children and adolescents.
Effect of COVID-19 lockdowns on quality-of-life and health services access by socio-economic status in Australia
Authors: Feng Ying Ru , Li Ian , Kristoffersen Ingebjorg , Armstrong Bruce K , Preen David B
Published: August 2024

This study examined changes in physical and mental health quality-of-life and health services access before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals of lower and higher socio-economic status (SES) in Australia. Difference-in-differences and logistic regression models were undertaken using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey and government data on COVID-19 lockdowns between January 2020 and February 2021. Individuals from higher SES reported larger decreases in mental health quality-of-life scores than those from lower SES after the onset of the pandemic. Those from lower SES reported less disruption with any health services (24.2% vs 30.4%; OR = 0.68; p < 0.001), specifically dental services (8.2% vs 15.4%; OR = 0.51; p < 0.001) and allied health services (5.9% vs 8.5%; OR = 0.60; p < 0.001), compared with those from higher SES. Additional days under lockdown were associated with reduced access to all health services (OR = 1.19). Furthermore, long-term health conditions (higher SES: OR = 1.54) and scores indicative of poorer physical (lower SES: OR = 1.17; higher SES: OR = 1.07) and mental health (lower SES: OR = 1.16; higher SES: OR = 1.12) were associated with increased health services disruption. While individuals from higher SES were more likely than those from lower SES to experience greater relative declines in mental health and increased disruption with health services access, individuals with a greater apparent need for health services, regardless of SES, may have faced inequalities in accessing these services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Understanding user engagement in mobile health applications from a privacy management perspective
Authors: Zheng Han , Zhao Lin , Luo Chen , Fu Shaoxiong , Chen Xiaoyu , Liang Shaobo
Published: August 2024

Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) have surged in popularity for their role in promoting knowledge exchange and providing emotional support among health consumers. However, this enhanced social connectivity via these apps has led to an escalation in privacy breaches, potentially hindering user engagement. Drawing upon the communication privacy management theory, this study proposes a moderated mediation model to link social privacy concerns to user engagement in mHealth apps. An online survey involving 1149 mHealth app users was conducted in China to empirically validate the proposed model. Results indicated that social privacy concerns were negatively related to user engagement in mHealth apps, and perceived privacy of the app partially mediated this relationship. Moreover, perceived control positively moderated the indirect relationship between social privacy concerns and user engagement via perceived privacy. Specifically, the negative impact of social privacy concerns on perceived privacy was mitigated for users who reported higher levels of perceived control, indicating that when users feel more in control of their personal data, they are less affected by concerns over social privacy. Theoretically, this study has the potential to help scholars understand user engagement in mHealth apps from a privacy management perspective. Practically, the results of this study could assist mobile app providers and health professionals in devising evidence-based strategies to enhance social engagement and promote effective and sustainable use of mHealth apps among health consumers.
Identifying barriers and facilitators to physical activity and perceptions of Traditional Indigenous Games among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women: a qualitative study
Authors: Thorne Tiana , Taylor Sean , Canuto Karla , Leicht Anthony S
Published: August 2024

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are key members of the community who have specific roles within their families that may result in lower levels of physical activity (PA) undertaken. Clearly identifying barriers for women to engage with PA, and exploring culturally based activities (i.e. Traditional Indigenous Games), may help to improve long-term health benefits. Subsequently, the aim of this study was to identify the barriers and facilitators for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women engaging in PA, and their interest in participating in Traditional Indigenous Games. Seventeen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (34.3 ± 10.2 years) participated in focus groups. Through thematic analysis, participants experienced a range of common barriers such as lack of time due to family commitments, limited finances, ageing and poor physical and/or mental health. Common facilitators were also identified such as fun, access and improving mental and/or physical health. Importantly, unique themes were identified for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women including barriers (e.g. racism, shame) and facilitators (e.g. culture, interactions with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women) that influenced PA participation. Notably, Traditional Indigenous Games were considered as an appealing PA mode to engage with their culture, experience nostalgia and be around other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. These key findings will guide future PA programs including Traditional Indigenous Games to improve health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, vital members of the community.
‘One morning you would open the paper … and read, Return of Parnell’: rumours, legends and conspiracy narratives about Charles Stewart Parnell’s staged death
Authors: McConnel James
Published: August 2024

This article is the first to reconstruct the contemporary legend that Charles Stewart Parnell staged his own death in 1891, pending his messianic return. Although the British press folklorized it as a pre-modern Irish ‘peasant’ delusion, this article demonstrates that the story was one of several pseudocidal narratives about ‘great men’ shaped by the British ‘cult of Napoleon’. The legend did circulate in Ireland, but among city-dwelling Dubliners, not ‘peasants’. This article argues that for some urban Parnellites it functioned as a mode of political resistance; but for most Irish people, doubt and uncertainty, rather than wholehearted belief, characterized its reception.
Embryo multinucleation: detection, possible origins, and implications for treatment
Authors: Coticchio Giovanni , Lagalla Cristina , Taggi Marilena , Cimadomo Danilo , Rienzi Laura
Published: August 2024

Cell cycle regulation is crucial to assure expansion of a cell population, while preserving genome integrity. This notion is especially relevant to fertilization and early embryo development, a time when the cell cycle transforms from meiotic into mitotic cycles. Zygote-to-embryo transition is acutely error-prone, causing major developmental perturbations, including cleavage delays, tri- and multi-chotomous cleavages, and cell fragmentation. Another such alteration is bi- and multinucleation, consisting of the simultaneous formation of two or more nuclei at interphase. Indeed, multinucleation affects a large proportion of early human embryos, typically at the two-cell stage. Mechanistically, several factors, including spindle dysfunction, failed cleavage, and cell fusion, may generate this cell anomaly. In assisted reproduction treatment, multinucleation is associated with reduced developmental rates and lower implantation rates in Days 2–3 embryo transfers. However, many multinucleated embryos can develop to the blastocyst stage. In blastocyst transfers, the current evidence does not suggest a major impact of a previous history of multinucleation on the odds of euploidy or successful treatment outcomes. Human embryo multinucleation remains a not-fully-understood but developmentally relevant and intriguing phenomenon which requires further research of its generative mechanisms and clinical implications.
Three decades of international cooperation against corruption—looking ahead
Authors: Borlini Leonardo , Peters Anne
Published: August 2024

Corruption, a ubiquitous phenomenon throughout history and societies, has been long criminalized in many countries. However, international cooperation against corruption only gained momentum in the 1990s. Since then, the international legal framework has expanded significantly through conventions like the Organisation on Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Anti-Bribery Convention and the UN Convention against Corruption. Nearly all states have now ratified at least one anticorruption treaty. However, implementation and enforcement of these standards has been uneven across states. Domestic reforms have also lagged in some areas like prevention. Corruption remains widespread, and its socioeconomic costs have not appreciably decreased. This Symposium aims at assessing the outcomes of three decades of international cooperation in combating corruption, while also exploring the future directions of international anticorruption rules and cooperation. Through a positive, critical, and normative legal analysis, complemented by empirical research and behavioral science, it focuses on the dynamic interactions between international anticorruption instruments and municipal law, highlighting understudied problems, both substantive and methodological. After discussing the origins and evolution of international anticorruption law, this introductory article presents the state of the art on the questions tackled by this Symposium and highlights its contribution to existing literature on the topic. In doing so, it brings together various trends emerging from the articles contained in this Symposium and explores avenues for further research and reflection.
Monitoring and compliance mechanisms as a diagnostic and prognostic tool of international anti-corruption cooperation: A data-driven study
Authors: Borlini Leonardo
Published: August 2024

This article focuses on text-as-data analysis to identify and compare the main patterns in the implementation of international anti-corruption rules, as well as compliance with them. It is based on the observation that a comprehensive study of the operation and outcomes of international anti-corruption treaties’ monitoring and compliance mechanisms (MMs) has not yet been attempted. The primary objectives are twofold: first, to obtain structured information in the form of data on compliance with the main anti-corruption treaties by processing the text of the reports these MMs have published since their creation; and, second, to examine the impact of these treaties on state behaviour by elaborating on this newly structured information (i.e., text-as-data). This article offers the first comprehensive review of country performance, combined with a structured legal analysis of outcomes from the perspective of the interaction between international and domestic law. The findings reveal that results in implementation and compliance have been decidedly mixed. Several countries have introduced reforms to implement anti-corruption treaties, facilitate law enforcement, and ease international cooperation to investigate and prosecute corruption offences. However, numerous problems identified with prevention, particularly in European and American countries, suggest that states too often over-rely on the repressive aspects of fighting corruption and undervalue preventive mechanisms, which frequently do not exist or are inadequate. Moreover, the article identifies enduring challenges and signs of regression across different areas of prevention, criminal repression, and international cooperation, which have far-reaching implications for the effectiveness of anti-corruption policies in many jurisdictions. Finally, the data obtained from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development demonstrates considerable disparities in enforcement among the reviewed countries; a few jurisdictions have yet to see a single foreign bribery case prosecuted. Additionallly, they offer new evidence that reasons for poor compliance are highly contextual, with different implications for domestic reforms.
Corruption and foreign investments: Empirical lessons from treaties and arbitration cases
Authors: Kryvoi Yarik
Published: August 2024

As legally binding instruments for the protection of cross-border investments, international investment agreements (IIAs) increasingly include anti-corruption provisions. This article empirically analyzes international investment agreements and the practice of investor–state tribunals related to corruption in foreign investments. It introduces a typology of treaty provisions and discusses their limited practical effectiveness and perverse incentives they create. The article also addresses the broader question of how to deal with corruption-related obligations of investors and states in the context of public international law. It presents and analyzes new empirical data showing that parties to investor–state disputes increasingly allege corruption, and states are responsible for most of such allegations. However, in most cases, tribunals either ignore such allegations or decide that they have not been proven. In the small number of cases where tribunals found allegations proven, they declined jurisdiction or declared the investor’s claim inadmissible. The article makes proposals on how international investment law can become more effective in tackling the supply and demand side of corruption and discusses the relevant obligations of investment tribunals.
Robustness of copula-correction models in causal analysis: Exploiting between-regressor correlation
Authors: Haschka Rouven E
Published: August 2024

Accepted by: Phil Scarf

Causal analysis in management and marketing often faces the challenge of endogeneity, which can result in biased estimates when methods that assume independence between regressors and errors are applied. The joint copula modeling approach proposed by Park and Gupta (Marketing Science, 2012, 31(4), 567–586) provides a practical solution to this issue by modeling the joint distribution of endogenous regressors and errors. This paper proposes a generalisation of their approach with an endogeneity correction that involves the exogenous variables. We first show that the estimator by Park and Gupta requires the strong assumption of independence between the endogenous and the exogenous regressors, and suffers from an omitted variables bias when this assumption is violated. We also quantify this bias. The distinguishing characteristic of the proposed approach is that we use a first-stage auxiliary regression to generate copula correction functions by exploiting the informational content of the exogenous variables in a similar spirit as instrumental-based identification. As this first-stage regression does not generate an additional identification problem, is not more restrictive than the Park and Gupta model. The approach is least-squares-based and thus neither requires numerical optimisation nor the search for starting values. Monte Carlo simulations reveal that the proposed approach performs well in finite samples. We demonstrate the practical applicability by reassessing the empirical example in Park and Gupta using the proposed approach.
Mixed finite elements for the Gross–Pitaevskii eigenvalue problem: a priori error analysis and guaranteed lower energy bound
Authors: Gallistl Dietmar , Hauck Moritz , Liang Yizhou , Peterseim Daniel
Published: August 2024

We establish an a priori error analysis for the lowest-order Raviart–Thomas finite element discretization of the nonlinear Gross-Pitaevskii eigenvalue problem. Optimal convergence rates are obtained for the primal and dual variables as well as for the eigenvalue and energy approximations. In contrast to conforming approaches, which naturally imply upper energy bounds, the proposed mixed discretization provides a guaranteed and asymptotically exact lower bound for the ground state energy. The theoretical results are illustrated by a series of numerical experiments.
Gompf’s Cork and Heegaard Floer Homology
Authors: Dai Irving , Mallick Abhishek , Zemke Ian
Published: August 2024

Gompf showed that for $K$ in a certain family of double-twist knots, the swallow-follow operation makes $1/n$-surgery on $K \# -K$ into a cork boundary. We derive a general Floer-theoretic condition on $K$ under which this is the case. Our formalism allows us to produce many further examples of corks, partially answering a question of Gompf. Unlike Gompf’s method, our proof does not rely on any closed 4-manifold invariants or effective embeddings, and also generalizes to other diffeomorphisms.
Disease-Specific Differences in Pharmacokinetics of Paromomycin and Miltefosine Between Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis and Visceral Leishmaniasis Patients in Eastern Africa
Authors: Chu Wan-Yu , Verrest Luka , Younis Brima M , Musa Ahmed M , Mbui Jane , Mohammed Rezika , Olobo Joseph , Ritmeijer Koert , Monnerat Séverine , Wasunna Monique , Roseboom Ignace C , Solomos Alexandra , Huitema Alwin D R , Alves Fabiana , Dorlo Thomas P C
Published: August 2024

Treatment regimens for post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) are usually extrapolated from those for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), but drug pharmacokinetics (PK) can differ due to disease-specific variations in absorption, distribution, and elimination. This study characterized PK differences in paromomycin and miltefosine between 109 PKDL and 264 VL patients from Eastern Africa. VL patients showed 0.55-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], .41–.74) lower capacity for paromomycin saturable reabsorption in renal tubules, and required a 1.44-fold (95% CI, 1.23–1.71) adjustment when relating renal clearance to creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate. Miltefosine bioavailability in VL patients was lowered by 69% (95% CI, 62%–76%) at treatment start. Comparing PKDL to VL patients on the same regimen, paromomycin plasma exposures were 0.74- to 0.87-fold, while miltefosine exposure until the end of treatment day was 1.4-fold. These pronounced PK differences between PKDL and VL patients in Eastern Africa highlight the challenges of directly extrapolating dosing regimens from one leishmaniasis presentation to another.
Microbiome and Metabolome Restoration After Administration of Fecal Microbiota, Live-jslm (REBYOTA) for Preventing Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection
Authors: Blount Ken F , Papazyan Romeo , Ferdyan Nicky , Srinivasan Karthik , Gonzalez Carlos , Shannon William D , Fuchs Bryan C
Published: August 2024

Background

Microbiota-based treatments are effective in preventing recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection. Fecal microbiota, live-jslm (REBYOTA; RBL, previously RBX2660) was shown to prevent recurrent C difficile infection in a phase 3 clinical trial (PUNCH CD3) based on a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled design.

Methods

Stool samples from participants in PUNCH CD3 who received a single blinded dose of rectally administered RBL or placebo were sequenced to determine microbial community composition and calculate the Microbiome Health Index for postantibiotic dysbiosis. The composition of bile acids (BAs) in the same samples was quantified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Relationships between BA composition and microbiota community structure and correlations with treatment outcomes were assessed.

Results

Before administration, Gammaproteobacteria and Bacilli dominated the microbiota community, and primary BAs were more prevalent than secondary BAs. Clinical success after administration correlated with shifts to predominantly Bacteroidia and Clostridia, a significant increase in Microbiome Health Index for postantibiotic dysbiosis, and a shift from primary to secondary BAs. Several microbiota and BA changes were more extensive in RBL-treated responders as compared with placebo-treated responders, and microbiota changes correlated with BA changes.

Conclusions

Clinical response and RBL administration were associated with significant restoration of microbiota and BA composition.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT03244644 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03244644).
The Physiological and Biochemical Response of Ribbed Mussels to Rising Temperatures: Benefits of Salt Marsh Cordgrass
Authors: Smith A , Erber J , Watson A , Johnson C , Gato W E , George S B
Published: August 2024

Synopsis

Salt marsh ecosystems are heavily reliant on ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) populations to aid in rapid recovery from droughts. The focus of this study was thus to document the effects of rising temperatures on ribbed mussel populations in a Georgia salt marsh. Seven lab and eight field experiments were used to assess the effects of current air temperatures on mussels at two high marsh (HM) sites with short and sparse cordgrass and one mid marsh (MM) site with tall and dense cordgrass. Field results in 2018 and 2019 indicate that ribbed mussels were experiencing extremely high temperatures for prolonged periods of time at the landlocked high marsh (LHM) site. In 2018, the highest temperature (54°C) and longest high temperature events, HTEs (58 days), that is, consecutive days with temperatures ≥40°C, were recorded at this site. When laboratory temperatures were increased from 20 to 36°C, mean heart rates increased by an average of 19 bpm for mussels from both high and MM sites respectively. When field temperatures rose from 20°C in April to 40°C in September 2019, mean heart rates increased by an average of 10 bpm for HM mussels and by 26.3 bpm for MM mussels. Under identical laboratory and field conditions, mean heart rates for mussels from the LHM site with the highest temperatures, increased by <1 bpm and 3.7 bpm respectively. Evidence of the potential role of shade on mussel aggregates was provided by examining whether mussels from the edge of mussel aggregates with little to no cordgrass for shade were more stressed than those living at the center of mussel aggregates. In the absence of shade, mean body temperatures for mussels at the edge of mussel aggregates were up to 8°C higher than for those living in the center underneath a dense tuft of cordgrass. Despite high body temperatures, mean heart rates and Hsp70 gene expression were lower for mussels living at the edges. This agrees with the strategy that during prolong exposure to high temperatures, mussels may reduce their heart rate to conserve energy and enhance survival. Alternatively, heat-stressed mussels at the edges of aggregates may not have the resources to express high levels of Hsp70. Increase in the frequency, intensity, and duration of HTEs may stress the physiological and biochemical function of mussel populations to the limit, dictate mussel aggregate size, and threaten the functionality of SE salt marshes.
A nanoluciferase-encoded bacteriophage illuminates viral infection dynamics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells
Authors: Zborowsky Sophia , Balacheff Quentin , Theodorou Ioanna , Kane Rokhaya , Delattre Raphaëlle , Weitz Joshua S , Tournebize Régis , Debarbieux Laurent
Published: August 2024

Bacteriophages (phages) are increasingly considered for both treatment and early detection of bacterial pathogens given their specificity and rapid infection kinetics. Here, we exploit an engineered phage expressing nanoluciferase to detect signals associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa lysis spanning single cells to populations. Using several P. aeruginosa strains we found that the latent period, burst size, fraction of infected cells, and efficiency of plating inferred from fluorescent light intensity signals were consistent with inferences from conventional population assays. Notably, imaging-based traits were obtained in minutes to hours in contrast to the use of overnight plaques, which opens the possibility to study infection dynamics in spatial and/or temporal contexts where plaque development is infeasible. These findings support the use of engineered phages to study infection kinetics of virus-cell interactions in complex environments and potentially accelerate the determination of viral host range in therapeutically relevant contexts.
Susceptibility of clinical isolates of novel pathogen Stenotrophomonas sepilia to novel benzoquinolizine fluoroquinolone levonadifloxacin
Authors: Chakraborty Surajit , Shekhar Nishant , Singhal Lipika , Rawat Rajneesh Singh , Duseja Ajay , Verma Rahul K , Bansal Kanika , Kour Ivneet , Biswas Sanjay , Rajni Ekadashi , Sahu Suneeta , Patil Prabhu B , Gautam Vikas
Published: August 2024

Background

Stenotrophomonas sepilia, identified in 2021, is part of the Stenotrophomonas maltophilia complex (Smc) and shares high genomic identity with S. maltophilia. Resistance to levofloxacin, the recommended fluoroquinolone for S. maltophilia, is being increasingly reported. Recent studies indicate that levonadifloxacin, a novel benzoquinolizine, may be more effective. This study evaluates the antimicrobial efficacy of levofloxacin and levonadifloxacin against clinical isolates of S. sepilia.

Objectives

To assess the antibacterial effectiveness of levofloxacin and levonadifloxacin against novel pathogen S. sepilia.

Methods

A total of 116 S. maltophilia isolates, identified by MALDI-TOF MS, were collected from five centres across India. S. sepilia was confirmed by PCR using primers targeting a unique genomic sequence (NCBI accession number LXXZ00000000.1). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of levonadifloxacin and levofloxacin were determined by using the microbroth-dilution method and Etest as per CLSI guidelines. The levofloxacin breakpoint was used to interpret MICs of levonadifloxacin.

Results

Among a total of 116 circulating S. maltophilia isolates collected, 46 were identified as S. sepilia, representing a prevalence rate of (∼40%), thus highlighting its significance as an important pathogen within the Smc. Both levofloxacin and levonadifloxacin demonstrated a 98% inhibition rate against the 46 S. sepilia tested. Only one S. sepilia isolate resistant to levofloxacin showed intermediate susceptibility to levonadifloxacin, which consistently had lower MICs.

Conclusions

Levofloxacin and levonadifloxacin show similar susceptibility rates against S. sepilia, with levonadifloxacin exhibiting lower MICs. Further studies are required to establish clinical utility of levonadifloxacin in managing these infections.
Increasing adherence and collecting symptom-specific biometric signals in remote monitoring of heart failure patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mohapatra Sukanya , Issa Mirna , Ivezic Vedrana , Doherty Rose , Marks Stephanie , Lan Esther , Chen Shawn , Rozett Keith , Cullen Lauren , Reynolds Wren , Rocchio Rose , Fonarow Gregg C , Ong Michael K , Speier William F , Arnold Corey W
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Mobile health (mHealth) regimens can improve health through the continuous monitoring of biometric parameters paired with appropriate interventions. However, adherence to monitoring tends to decay over time. Our randomized controlled trial sought to determine: (1) if a mobile app with gamification and financial incentives significantly increases adherence to mHealth monitoring in a population of heart failure patients; and (2) if activity data correlate with disease-specific symptoms.

Materials and Methods

We recruited individuals with heart failure into a prospective 180-day monitoring study with 3 arms. All 3 arms included monitoring with a connected weight scale and an activity tracker. The second arm included an additional mobile app with gamification, and the third arm included the mobile app and a financial incentive awarded based on adherence to mobile monitoring.

Results

We recruited 111 heart failure patients into the study. We found that the arm including the financial incentive led to significantly higher adherence to activity tracker (95% vs 72.2%, P = .01) and weight (87.5% vs 69.4%, P = .002) monitoring compared to the arm that included the monitoring devices alone. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between daily steps and daily symptom severity.

Discussion and Conclusion

Our findings indicate that mobile apps with added engagement features can be useful tools for improving adherence over time and may thus increase the impact of mHealth-driven interventions. Additionally, activity tracker data can provide passive monitoring of disease burden that may be used to predict future events.
Isolation and characterization of bone mesenchymal cell small extracellular vesicles using a novel mouse model
Authors: Monroe David G , Javeed Naureen , Rowsey Jennifer L , Ruan Ming , McCabe Chantal E , Piatkowski Bryan T , Roy Abhishek , Bobbili Madhusudhan R , Grillari Johannes , Khosla Sundeep
Published: August 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of cell–cell communication and are involved in transferring specific biomolecular cargo to recipient cells to regulate their physiological functions. A major challenge in the understanding of EV function in vivo is the difficulty ascertaining the origin of the EV particles. The recent development of the “Snorkel-tag,” which includes EV-membrane-targeted CD81 fused to a series of extra-vesicular protein tags, can be used to mark EVs originating from a specific source for subsequent isolation and characterization. We developed an in vivo mouse model, termed “CAGS-Snorkel,” which expresses the Snorkel-tag under the control of the Cre-lox system, and crossed this mouse with either Prx1-Cre (mesenchymal progenitors) or Ocn-Cre (osteoblasts/osteocytes) and isolated Snorkel-tagged EVs from the mouse bone marrow plasma using a magnetic bead affinity column. miRNA-sequencing was performed on the isolated EVs, and although similar profiles were observed, a few key miRNAs involved in bone metabolism (miR-106b-5p, miRs-19b-3p, and miRs-219a-5p) were enriched in the Ocn-derived relative to the Prx1-derived EV subpopulations. To characterize the effects of these small EVs on a bone cell target, cultured mouse bone marrow stromal cells were treated with Prx1 or Ocn EVs, and mRNA-sequencing was performed. Pathways involved in ossification, bone development, and extracellular matrix interactions were regulated by both EV subpopulations, whereas a few pathways including advanced glycation end-products signaling were uniquely regulated in the Ocn EV subpopulation, underlying important biological effects of specific EV subpopulations within the bone marrow microenvironment. These data demonstrate that EV isolation in vivo using the CAGS-Snorkel mouse model is a useful tool in characterizing the cargo and understanding the biology of tissue-specific EVs. Moreover, while bone mesenchymal cell populations share a common EV secretory profile, we uncover key differences based on the stage of osteoblastic differentiation that may have important biological consequences.
Momentary motivations for digital disconnection: an experience sampling study
Authors: Klingelhoefer Julius , Gilbert Alicia , Meier Adrian
Published: August 2024

A much-discussed solution for undesirable (over-)use of mobile technologies lies in digital disconnection. Reasons for why individuals reduce their digital media use have been assessed mostly cross-sectionally without accounting for various disconnection practices across everyday situations. This study focuses on three motivations to disconnect that can vary between situations: to (a) avoid distractions, (b) improve well-being, and (c) be more present. A 14-day experience sampling study with 230 young adults (Mage = 25.31, SD = 4.50) yielded 7,360 situations of disconnective behavior. Multilevel regression analyses show that motivations to avoid distractions and to be more present were relevant for disconnection on the situational level. However, a person’s average level of these motivations did not predict disconnective behavior. The well-being motivation was not associated with disconnection either between or within participants. Additional analyses explore variations across time and different levels of digital disconnection.
Two sides of the same coin? Transient hybridization in refugia and rapid postglacial ecological divergence ensure the evolutionary persistence of sister Nothofagus
Authors: Premoli Andrea C , Mathiasen Paula , Acosta María C , McCulloch Robert D
Published: August 2024

Glacial periods have been considered as inhospitable environments that consist of treeless vegetation at higher latitudes. The fossil record suggests many species survived the Last Glacial Maximum within refugia, usually at lower latitudes. However, phylogeographic studies have given support to the existence of previously unknown high-latitude refugia that were not detected in the fossil record. Here, we test the hypothesis that cold-tolerant trees of Patagonia survived cold periods in microclimatically favourable locales where hybridization occurred between sister taxa. To study local presence through glacial periods in multiple refugia, we used pollen records and genetic information (isozymes, microsatellites, and combined nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences) of population pairs of Nothofagus antarctica and N. pumilio that belong to the ancient subgenus Nothofagus which can potentially hybridize in nature, along their entire latitudinal range in Patagonia. Studied species share the N. dombeyi type pollen, which was abundant at >20% in the northernmost latitudinal bands (35–43°S), even during the Last Glacial Maximum. Mid- and southern latitudinal records (44–55°S) yielded lower abundances of ~10% that increased after c. 15.0 cal. ka BP. Therefore, fossil pollen evidence suggests a long-lasting local presence of Nothofagus throughout glacial–interglacial cycles but mostly as small populations between 44°S and 51°S. We found species-specific and shared genetic variants, the latter of which attained relatively high frequencies, thus providing evidence of ancestral polymorphisms. Populations of each species were similarly diverse, suggesting survival throughout the latitudinal range. Estimates of coalescent divergence times were broadly synchronous across latitudes, suggesting that regional climates similarly affected populations and species that hybridized through climate cycles, fostering local persistence.
An unusually large genome from an unusually large stonefly: A chromosome-length genome assembly for the giant salmonfly, Pteronarcys californica (Plecoptera: Pteronarcyidae)
Authors: Eichert Anna , Sproul John , Tolman Ethan R , Birrell Jackson , Meek Jared , Heckenhauer Jacqueline , Nelson Charles Riley , Dudchenko Olga , Jeong Jiyun , Weisz David , Aiden Erez Lieberman , Hotaling Scott , Ware Jessica L , Frandsen Paul B
Published: August 2024

Pteronarcys californica (Newport 1848) is commonly referred to as the giant salmonfly and is the largest species of stonefly (Insecta: Plecoptera) in the western United States. Historically, it was widespread and abundant in western rivers, but populations have experienced a substantial decline in the past few decades, becoming locally extirpated in numerous rivers in Utah, Colorado, and Montana. Although previous research has explored the ecological variables conducive to the survivability of populations of the giant salmonfly, a lack of genomic resources hampers exploration of how genetic variation is spread across extant populations. To accelerate research on this imperiled species, we present a de novo chromosomal-length genome assembly of P. californica generated from PacBio HiFi sequencing and Hi-C chromosome conformation capture. Our assembly includes 14 predicted pseudo chromosomes and 98.8% of Insecta universal core orthologs. At 2.40 gigabases, the P. californica assembly is the largest of available stonefly assemblies, highlighting at least a 9.5-fold variation in assembly size across the order. Repetitive elements account for much of the genome size increase in P. californica relative to other stonefly species, with the content of Class I retroelements alone exceeding the entire assembly size of all but two other species studied. We also observed preliminary suborder-specific trends in genome size that merit testing with more robust taxon sampling.
Partisanship, expertise, or connections? A conjoint survey experiment on lobbyist hiring decisions
Authors: Miller David R , McCrain Joshua , Hassell Hans J G , Egerod Benjamin C K
Published: August 2024

Lobbyists are important agents of organized interests. While prior studies have investigated the observed hiring patterns of interest groups, conclusions about the demand for lobbyist characteristics may be confounded by the availability of lobbyists with certain characteristics. To assess the demand for lobbyists with expertise, connections, and who share groups’ preferences, we use a conjoint survey experiment to examine the hiring preferences for lobbyists. We find that organized interests prefer lobbyists with policy-specific expertise and the necessary connections to get access to decision-makers, but find little evidence that connections are more valuable than expertise. We also find that organized interests prefer lobbyists who share their political ideology, but that this preference diminishes when the hiring organization is not aligned ideologically with the party in unified control of government. Overall, our study paints a more nuanced picture of the role of preferences and connections in lobbying than many would expect.
Human-centered design approach to building a transition readiness mHealth intervention for early adolescents
Authors: Carrera Diaz Kenia , Yau Joanna , Iverson Ellen , Cuevas Rachel , Porter Courtney , Morales Luis , Tut Maurice , Santiago Adan , Ghavami Soha , Reich Emily , Sayegh Caitlin S
Published: August 2024

Objective

Mobile health (mHealth) interventions may be an efficacious strategy for promoting health behaviors among pediatric populations, but their success at the implementation stage has proven challenging. The purpose of this article is to provide a blueprint for using human-centered design (HCD) methods to maximize the potential for implementation, by sharing the example of a youth-, family-, and clinician-engaged process of creating an mHealth intervention aimed at promoting healthcare transition readiness.

Method

Following HCD methods in partnership with three advisory councils, we conducted semistructured interviews with 13- to 15-year-old patients and their caregivers in two phases. In Phase 1, participants described challenges during the transition journey, and generated ideas regarding the format, content, and other qualities of the mHealth tool. For Phase 2, early adolescents and caregivers provided iterative feedback on two sequential intervention prototypes. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis in Phase 1 and the rapid assessment process for Phase 2.

Results

We interviewed 11 youth and 8 caregivers. The sample included adolescents with a range of chronic health conditions. In Phase 1, participants supported the idea of developing an autonomy-building tool, delivering transition readiness education via social media style videos. In Phase 2, participants responded positively to the successive prototypes and provided suggestions to make information accessible, relatable, and engaging.

Conclusions

The procedures shared in this article could inform other researchers’ plans to apply HCD in collaboration with implementation partners to develop mHealth interventions. Our future directions include iteratively developing more videos to promote transition readiness and implementing the intervention in clinical care.