bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental selection and advective transport shape the distribution of two cyst-forming Acantharia clades in the Canadian Arctic
Authors: Thaler Mary , Labarre Aurélie , Lovejoy Connie 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Anthropogenic induced climate perturbations are seen in changes in oceanic circulation patterns, and Arctic water masses defined by salinity are vulnerable to change. Biogeography of marine microbial eukaryotes is expected to be impacted by changes in local environmental conditions and advective processes, but tracking the extent of plankton distribution requires understanding routes for both active and passive tracers. To identify such tracers, we focused on samples collected in the western (Canada Basin) and eastern (Nares Strait); extremes of the Canadian High Arctic that are connected by an east flowing current north of Canada. Sequencing of the V4 region of 18S rRNA revealed that Acantharia, a taxonomically and functionally diverse group of large planktonic protists, were particularly common. Arctic acantharians in our study were dominated by two clades belonging to cyst-forming groups. The distribution of one clade suggested successful advective transport from the Pacific sourced water in the Beaufort Gyre to southern Nares Strait, with cells transported along the northern shelf of the Canadian Arctic. A second clade appeared to be a resident taxon of the Canada Basin whose distribution correlated to local environmental conditions, and detection in deeper samples would be consistent with swarmer formation enabling reestablishment the following year.
N-terminal domain homologs of the orange carotenoid protein increase quenching of cyanobacterial phycobilisomes
Authors: Sheppard Damien , Espinoza-Corral Roberto , Lechno-Yossef Sigal , Sutter Markus , Arcidiacono Amanda , Cignoni Edoardo , Cupellini Lorenzo , Mennucci Benedetta , Kerfeld Cheryl A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Stress exerted by excess captured light energy in cyanobacteria is prevented by the photoprotective activity of the orange carotenoid protein (OCP). Under high light, the OCP converts from an orange, inactive form (OCPO) into the red form (OCPR) that binds to and quenches the phycobilisome (PBS). Structurally, the OCP consists of two domains: the N-terminal effector domain and a C-terminal regulatory domain. Structural analysis of the OCP-PBS complex showed that the N-terminal domains of an OCP dimer interact with the PBS core. These N-terminal OCP domains have single domain protein paralogs known as Helical Carotenoid Proteins (HCPs). Using phycobilisome quenching assays, we show that the HCP4 and HCP5 homologs efficiently quench PBS fluorescence in vitro, surpassing the quenching ability of the OCP. This is consistent with computational quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics results. Interestingly, when using a maximum quenching concentration of OCP with phycobilisomes, HCP5 addition further increases phycobilisome quenching. Our results provide mechanistic insight into the quenching capacity and roles of HCP4 and HCP5 in cyanobacteria, suggesting that they are more than simply functionally redundant to the OCP.
Personalized outcomes in neuropathic pain: a clinical relevance and assay sensitivity analysis from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Saab Karim , Gada Umang , Culakova Eva , Burnette Brian , Jorgensen Carla , Shah Dhaval , Morrow Gary , Mustian Karen , Sohn Michael B , Edwards Robert R , Freeman Roy , Langford Dale J , McDermott Michael P , Gewandter Jennifer S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Objective
To explore the clinical relevance and assay sensitivity of using personalized outcomes using data from a randomized clinical trial (RCT) in people with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

Design
This study is a secondary analysis that leveraged data from a RCT of transcutaneous electrical stimulation for CIPN to test whether personalized outcomes could minimize potential floor effects and increase the assay sensitivity of pain clinical trials (ie, ability to detect a true treatment effect).

Setting
Participants were recruited for a RCT from community oncology clinics in the United States.

Participants
Adults with CIPN (N = 72) who reported on average ≥4 intensity (measured via a 7-day baseline diary) for at least 1 of the following pain qualities: hot/burning pain, sharp/shooting pain, and/or cramping.

Methods
Personalized outcomes were defined based on participants’ unique presentation of pain qualities at baseline, measured via 0-10 numeric rating scales (NRS), or ranking of the distress caused by the pain qualities. Analysis of covariance models estimated the treatment effect as measured by personalized and non-personalized outcomes.

Results
The adjusted mean difference between groups was higher using personalized outcomes (ie, 1.21-1.25 NRS points) compared to a non-personalized outcome (ie, 0.97 NRS points), although the standardized effect sizes were similar between outcomes (0.49-0.54).

Conclusions
These results suggest that personalized pain quality outcomes could minimize floor effects, while providing similar assay sensitivity to non-personalized pain quality outcomes. Personalized outcomes better reflect an individual’s unique experience, inherently providing more clinically relevant estimates of treatment effects. Personalized outcomes may be advantageous, particularly for clinical trials in populations with high inter-individual variability in pain qualities.
The utility of wastewater surveillance for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 prevalence
Authors: Mills Cathal , Chadeau-Hyam Marc , Elliott Paul , Donnelly Christl A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Public health authorities have increasingly used wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) to monitor community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other agents. In this study, we evaluate the utility of WBE during the COVID-19 pandemic in England for estimating SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. We use wastewater data from the Environmental Monitoring for Health Protection program and prevalence data from the REal-time Assessment of Community Transmission-1 study. Across the pandemic, we describe how wastewater-based modeling can achieve representative SARS-CoV-2 prevalence estimates in fine and coarse spatial resolutions for relatively short-time horizons (of up to 1 month), and thus assist in filling temporal gaps in surveillance. We infer a temporally evolving relationship between wastewater and prevalence which may limit the utility of WBE for estimating SARS-CoV-2 prevalence over longer time horizons without a concurrent prevalence survey. Exploring further our finding of time-varying, population-level fecal shedding, we characterize WBE for SARS-CoV-2 prevalence as (i) vaccination coverage dependent and (ii) variant- specific. Our research suggests that these factors are important considerations in future uses of WBE by public health authorities in infectious disease outbreaks. We further demonstrate that WBE can improve both the cost efficiency and accuracy of community prevalence surveys which on their own may have incomplete geographic coverage and/or small sample sizes. Therefore, in England, for the objective of high spatial resolution prevalence monitoring, strategic use of SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentration data nationally could have enhanced, but not replaced, community prevalence survey programs.
Expressions of uncertainty in online science communication hinder information diffusion
Authors: Stavrova Olga , Kleinberg Bennett , Evans Anthony M , Ivanović Milena 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Despite the importance of transparent communication of uncertainty surrounding scientific findings, there are concerns that communicating uncertainty might damage the public perception and dissemination of science. Yet, a lack of empirical research on the potential impact of uncertainty communication on the diffusion of scientific findings poses challenges in assessing such claims. We studied the effect of uncertainty in a field study and a controlled experiment. In Study 1, a natural language processing analysis of over 2 million social media (Twitter/X) messages about scientific findings revealed that more uncertain messages were shared less often. Study 2 replicated this pattern using an experimental design where participants were presented with large-language-model (LLM)-generated high- and low-uncertainty messages. These results underscore the role of uncertainty in the dissemination of scientific findings and inform the ongoing debates regarding the benefits and the risks of uncertainty in science communication.
Addressing the Challenges of Rural Local Governments: Perceptions of State Assistance
Authors: Helpap David J 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Like their urban counterparts, rural local governments’ relationships with their states have become varied and complex, particularly as rural America has become increasingly prominent in state and national politics, and the challenges facing rural communities have increased. However, a focus on this subset of local governments has been limited in scholarship on American federalism. Using survey data of rural local governments in Wisconsin, this article examines the degree to which rural governments perceive state assistance as helpful in addressing community challenges. Results indicate significant support for additional state assistance but also concerns about current levels of state financial support and state-imposed revenue limitations. Rural local governments with greater expenditures, worse financial conditions, lower levels of existing state aid, a more agriculture-dependent economy, and an older population are more likely to perceive additional state assistance as beneficial. Overall, these results provide additional clarity on rural local governments’ perceptions of—and interactions with—their states.
Mandatory Notice of Layoff, Job Search, and Efficiency
Authors: Cederlöf Jonas , Fredriksson Peter , Nekoei Arash , Seim David 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
In all OECD countries, mandatory notice (MN) policies require firms to inform workers in advance of a layoff. In our theoretical framework, MN helps workers avoid unemployment and find better jobs by encouraging them to search for a new job while still employed, thereby increasing future production. The magnitude of this production gain depends on the relative effectiveness of search while employed versus unemployed. But on-the-job search and diminished work incentives reduce current production. If future gains outweigh current production losses, longer advance notice improves production efficiency. If not, Coasian bargaining predicts that firms offer a larger severance instead of longer notice. With bargaining, the sole efficiency loss of MN is due to delayed separations of unproductive job matches. We test these predictions using novel Swedish administrative data on layoff notifications. Workers eligible for extended MN receive longer notice and larger severance, resulting in less exposure to nonemployment spells and higher-paying jobs. These favorable labor market outcomes are solely due to longer notice; in contrast, larger severance delays job finding and has no impact on wages. We also show that advance notice replaces job search while unemployed with more effective search while employed. On the production side, we document a productivity drop among notified workers and estimate a production loss due to delayed separations. Using our estimates of production gains and losses to evaluate the overall production efficiency, we conclude that the gains of MN seem to outweigh the losses.
Enforced hematopoietic cell E-selectin/L-selectin ligand expression enhances bone marrow stromal cells homing and amelioration of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury via induction of prostaglandin E2
Authors: Yi Lian , Qu Yewei , Zhang Qi , Shi Shanshan , Li Fangqin , Qu Changda , Tang Yushi , Wen Shirong , Pan Yujun 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Ischemic stroke (IS) is a significant and potentially life-threatening disease with limited treatment options, often resulting in severe disability. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) transplantation has exhibited promising neuroprotection following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI). However, the effectiveness is hindered by their low homing rate when administered through the vein. In this study, we aimed to enhance the homing ability of BMSCs through lentivirus transfection to express fucosyltransferase 7. This glycosylation engineered CD44 on BMSCs to express hematopoietic cell E-selectin/L-selectin ligand (HCELL), which is the most potent E-selectin ligand. Following enforced HCELL expression, the transplantation of BMSCs was then evaluated in a middle cerebral artery occlusion model. Results showed that HCELL+BMSCs significantly ameliorated neurological deficits and reduced the volume of cerebral infarction. Furthermore, the transplantation led to a decrease in apoptosis by upregulating BCL-2 and downregulating BAX, also reduced the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the ischemic brain tissue. Notably, enforced HCELL expression facilitated the migration of BMSCs toward cerebral ischemic lesions and their subsequent transendothelial migration through the upregulation of PTGS-2, increased production of PGE2 and activation of VLA-4. In summary, our study demonstrates that transplantation of HCELL+BMSCs effectively alleviates CIRI, and that enforced HCELL expression enhances the homing of BMSCs to cerebral ischemic lesions and their transendothelial migration via PTGS-2/PGE2/VLA-4. These findings indicate that enforced expression of HCELL on BMSCs could serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
Catheter-related Internal Jugular Vein Thrombosis in Neonates and Long-term Consequences: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Xiong Ling , Tan Yanzhe , Yang Xue , Wang Hezhi , Ding Mengwei , Sessler Daniel I. , Zhong John , Zhu Lirong , Tang Linlin , Xu Ying 
Published: October 2024

Background:
The incidence of central venous catheter–related thrombosis and the long-term effects of thrombosis on catheterized veins in neonates are unknown. The authors therefore determined the incidence of central venous thrombosis, identified associated risk factors, and evaluated outcomes at 6 months.

Methods:
The study enrolled neonates aged less than 28 days scheduled for major intestinal or cardiac surgery who were expected to require central venous catheters for at least 48 h. Catheter size, insertion method, and puncture site were determined by the attending anesthesiologist. The duration of catheterization was also determined by clinical need. Central venous thrombi were diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasound imaging within 48 h after catheter removal; results were not shared with clinicians. Ultrasound examinations were repeated 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge.

Results:
The study enrolled 188 neonates during a period of 2 yr. The median duration of catheter insertion was 12 days. A total of 128 (68%) of the neonates had central venous thrombi at the catheter site, all of which were asymptomatic. Among patients with thrombi, 29 (23%) had complete vessel occlusion and 5 (4%) had venous stenosis at 6 months after discharge. Thrombi therefore spontaneously resolved by 6 months in 73% of the neonates. Central venous catheter to vein diameter ratio, duration of catheterization, and catheter dysfunction were independent risk factors for vessel thrombus. Complete vessel occlusion was most common in patients whose thrombus occupied more than 58% of the vessel at the initial assessment.

Conclusions:
Covert central venous thrombosis is frequent in neonates who have central venous catheters, and complications are most common in patients who have large intravascular thrombi. Neonates with large intravascular thrombi should be followed and considered for anticoagulation.
Initial Development of the Nurse Perception of Infant Condition (NPIC) Scale
Authors: Fortney Christine A. , Helsabeck Nathan P. , Thomsen Kayla , Lin Chyongchiou J. , Baughcum Amy E. , Gerhardt Cynthia A. 
Published: October 2024

Background:
More than 350,000 U.S. infants are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) annually and likely experience discomfort. Although nurse perceptions of infant symptoms, suffering, and quality of life (QOL) are valuable, the availability of standardized assessment tools to measure these concepts are limited.

Purpose:
To provide preliminary evidence of the internal structure, reliability, and validity of the Nurse Perception of Infant Condition (NPIC) scale.

Methods:
Infants were enrolled from a Level IV NICU in the U.S. Midwest. Nurses reported on their perceptions of the infant symptom experience and their expectations for infant survival. Weekly behavioral observations of infants were obtained before and after standard delivery of care to obtain a comfort score.

Results:
237 nurses who cared for 73 infants completed 569 surveys over 28 months. All NPIC items were significantly correlated with each other (P < .001). Factor analysis revealed strong evidence of a 2-factor structure (survival and suffering subscales). Both subscales demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency. Together the 2 factors explained 82% of the variability in the scale responses. Limited validity evidence was found.

Implications for Practice and Research:
Evidence was found to support the internal structure and reliability of the NPIC scale. However, further item development and refinement is needed to increase the utility NPIC scale in clinical and research settings. The development of improved assessments of the infant NICU experience is warranted. Nurse perceptions of infant suffering or poor QOL may have implications for their expectations for infant survival and possibly care delivery.
Frailty Status, Not Just Age, is Associated With Postoperative Opioid Consumption: A Retrospective, Population-based Analysis
Authors: Latack Kyle R. , Howard Ryan , Bicket Mark C. , Cooley Samantha , Gunaseelan Vidhya , Englesbe Michael , Waljee Jennifer 
Published: October 2024

Objective:
To assess the relationship between postoperative opioid consumption and frailty status.

Background:
Physiologic reserve can be assessed through both chronologic age as well as measures of frailty. Although prior studies suggest that older individuals may require less opioid following surgery, chronologic age, and frailty do not always align, and little is known regarding postoperative opioid consumption patterns by frailty.

Methods:
We conducted a retrospective analysis of opioid-naïve adult patients undergoing common general, vascular, and gynecologic procedures across a statewide quality improvement program from November 6, 2017 to February 28, 2021. Our primary outcome was postoperative patient-reported opioid consumption within 30 days of surgery in oral morphine equivalents (OME). Our primary exposure was frailty status defined by the modified frailty index (mFi-5) criteria. Other covariates included patient demographic and clinical attributes, procedural factors, discharge opioid prescription size, and postoperative complications. Linear regression was performed to assess the association of frailty status and opioid consumption, stratified by age.

Results:
In this cohort of 34,854 patients, 10,596 had an mFi-5 score of ≤1 and 3,635 had a score of >1. A score of >1 was associated with increased patient-reported opioid consumption (OMEs 3.3 greater; 95% CI = 1.5–5.1). This held true for individuals over 65 (OMEs 2.7 greater; 95% CI = 0.2–5.1). Frailty status, regardless of score, was negatively associated with an opioid prescription at discharge.

Conclusions:
Frailty status is associated with increased opioid consumption after common operations. Future prescribing guidelines and outcomes analyses should consider this marker when reviewing opioid consumption data and related adverse outcomes.
Validating the Fluctuating Mental Status Evaluation in Neurocritically Ill Patients With Acute Stroke
Authors: Reznik Michael E. , Margolis Seth A. , Andrews Nicholas , Basso Colin , Mintz Noa , Varga Sean , Snitz Beth E. , Girard Timothy D. , Shutter Lori A. , Ely E. Wesley , Jones Richard N. 
Published: October 2024

OBJECTIVES:
Neurocritically ill patients are at high risk for developing delirium, which can worsen the long-term outcomes of this vulnerable population. However, existing delirium assessment tools do not account for neurologic deficits that often interfere with conventional testing and are therefore unreliable in neurocritically ill patients. We aimed to determine the accuracy and predictive validity of the Fluctuating Mental Status Evaluation (FMSE), a novel delirium screening tool developed specifically for neurocritically ill patients.

DESIGN:
Prospective validation study.

SETTING:
Neurocritical care unit at an academic medical center.

PATIENTS:
One hundred thirty-nine neurocritically ill stroke patients (mean age, 63.9 [sd, 15.9], median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 11 [interquartile range, 2–17]).

INTERVENTIONS:
None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:
Expert raters performed daily Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition-based delirium assessments, while paired FMSE assessments were performed by trained clinicians. We analyzed 717 total noncomatose days of paired assessments, of which 52% (n = 373) were rated by experts as days with delirium; 53% of subjects were delirious during one or more days. Compared with expert ratings, the overall accuracy of the FMSE was high (area under the curve [AUC], 0.85; 95% CI, 0.82–0.87). FMSE scores greater than or equal to 1 had 86% sensitivity and 74% specificity on a per-assessment basis, while scores greater than or equal to 2 had 70% sensitivity and 88% specificity. Accuracy remained high in patients with aphasia (FMSE ≥ 1: 82% sensitivity, 64% specificity; FMSE ≥ 2: 64% sensitivity, 84% specificity) and those with decreased arousal (FMSE ≥ 1: 87% sensitivity, 77% specificity; FMSE ≥ 2: 71% sensitivity, 90% specificity). Positive FMSE assessments also had excellent accuracy when predicting functional outcomes at discharge (AUC, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.79–0.93]) and 3 months (AUC, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.78–0.92]).

CONCLUSIONS:
In this validation study, we found that the FMSE was an accurate delirium screening tool in neurocritically ill stroke patients. FMSE scores greater than or equal to 1 indicate “possible” delirium and should be used when prioritizing sensitivity, whereas scores greater than or equal to 2 indicate “probable” delirium and should be used when prioritizing specificity.