bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Songbird annual productivity declines with increasing soil lead contamination around nests
Authors: Thompson III Frank R , Bonnot Thomas W , Brasso Rebecka L , Roach Melissa C , Hixson Kathy , Mosby David E 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Songbirds incidentally ingest soil contaminated with lead and several species in the Southeast Missouri Lead Mining District have a negative relationship between soil lead concentration and reproduction. We used an individual-based model (IBM) to simulate nesting processes throughout the breeding season to estimate annual productivity for 5 songbirds in relation to soil-lead concentration. We modeled daily nest survival and number fledged in relation to soil lead and incorporated these relationships into the IBM using a Bayesian approach that fully captured parameter uncertainty and process variation. The proportion of the posterior distribution for the effect of soil lead on daily nest survival was mostly negative for Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Eastern Towhee), Passerina cyanea (Indigo Bunting), Cardinalis cardinalis (Northern Cardinal), Sialia sialis (Eastern Bluebird; f = 0.972, 0.990, 0.741, 0.581, respectively), and slightly positive for Spizella pusilla (Field Sparrow; f = 0.680). The proportion of the posterior distribution for the effect of soil lead on the number fledged from successful nests was mostly negative for S. pusilla, P. erythrophthalmus, and C. cardinalis (f = 0.867, 0.585, 0.508, respectively) and positive for P. cyanea and S. sialis (f = 0.773, 0.744). Simulated annual productivity decreased by 0.04–1.47 young/female/year among species across the range of soil lead concentrations, with the greatest declines for P. erythrophthalmus and P. cyanea. The probability of fledging one or more young changed from 51% to 15% for P. erythrophthalmus, 57% to 23% for P. cyanea, 60% to 48% for C. cardinalis, 94% to 84% for S. sialis, and 57% to 64% for S. pusilla as soil-lead concentration around a nest increased from 20 to 4,000 ppm. Most nest failures were the result of predation; therefore, we suggest lead may have affected birds’ behavior at the nest, or affected nest site quality, which resulted in higher nest predation.
Threat of shock increases distractor susceptibility during the short-term maintenance of visual information
Authors: Casalvera Abigail , Goodwin Madeline , Lynch Kevin G , Teferi Marta , Patel Milan , Grillon Christian , Ernst Monique , Balderston Nicholas L 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Elevated arousal in anxiety is thought to affect attention control. To test this, we designed a visual short-term memory (VSTM) task to examine distractor suppression during periods of threat and no-threat. We hypothesized that threat would impair performance when subjects had to filter out large numbers of distractors. The VSTM task required subjects to attend to one array of squares while ignoring a separate array. The number of target and distractor squares varied systematically, with high (four squares) and low (two squares) target and distractor conditions. This study comprised two separate experiments. Experiment 1 used startle responses and white noise as to directly measure threat-induced anxiety. Experiment 2 used BOLD to measure brain responses. For Experiment 1, subjects showed significantly larger startle responses during threat compared to safe period, supporting the validity of the threat manipulation. For Experiment 2, we found that accuracy was affected by threat, such that the distractor load negatively impacted accuracy only in the threat condition. We also found threat-related differences in parietal cortex activity. Overall, these findings suggest that threat affects distractor susceptibility, impairing filtering of distracting information. This effect is possibly mediated by hyperarousal of parietal cortex during threat.
Assessing financialization under international financial subordination: a mixed-methods study of Brazilian and Turkish non-financial corporations
Authors: Kaltenbrunner Annina , Karaçimen Elif , Rabinovich Joel 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
This article investigates the changing financial behaviour of Brazilian and Turkish non-financial corporations (NFCs) in the context of international financial subordination. Recent empirical evidence shows that emerging capitalist economies’ (ECEs) NFCs have increased their holdings of very short-term financial assets (mainly cash), whilst borrowing heavily from (international) financial markets and banks. Drawing on an extensive mixed-method study, we show that, instead of being paradoxical or driven by speculative carry trade operations, the ‘wasteful’ combination of holding very liquid and lower yielding assets while borrowing at higher costs (largely denominated in foreign currency) can be contextualized in the subordinate integration of ECEs firms into the global economy. Whereas cash holdings protect against macroeconomic uncertainty, ECEs firm borrowing is largely determined by international market conditions in the context of structural financing constraints. Moreover, our results show the dualistic and heterogenous nature of ECEs firm financial behaviour, which mirrors the polarity observed in those economies’ productive structure and structural balance of payments constraints: only firms with secure access to foreign exchange—either through exports or active internationalization—have the collateral to interact with global—dollar dominated—financial markets. Finally, our article points to the important, yet contradictory, role of the state in ECEs firm financial behaviour. In instances where foreign exchange generating activities in the private sector are not given, the state assumes a crucial role in enabling firms’ engagement with global financial markets; yet it is that same engagement, which—in the context of international financial subordination—creates acute macroeconomic vulnerabilities which at times force the state to restrict those same operations.
Regulation of hepatic xenosensor function by HNF4alpha
Authors: Kotulkar Manasi , Paine-Cabrera Diego , Robarts Dakota R , Apte Udayan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Nuclear receptors such as constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα), and transcription factors with nuclear receptor type activity such as aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) function as xenobiotic sensors. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4α) is a highly conserved orphan nuclear receptor essential for liver function. We tested the hypothesis that HNF4α is essential for the function of these 4 major xenosensors. Wild-type (WT) and hepatocyte-specific Hnf4a null (HNF4α-KO) mice were treated with the mouse-specific activators of AhR (TCDD, 30 µg/kg), CAR (TCPOBOP, 2.5 µg/g), PXR, (PCN, 100 µg/g), and PPARα (WY-14643, 1 mg/kg). Blood and liver tissue samples were collected to study receptor activation. TCDD (AhR agonist) treatment did not affect the liver-to-body weight ratio (LW/BW) in either WT or HNF4α-KO mice. Further, TCDD activated AhR in both WT and HNF4α-KO mice, confirmed by increase in expression of AhR target genes. TCPOBOP (CAR agonist) significantly increased the LW/BW ratio and CAR target gene expression in WT mice, but not in HNF4α-KO mice. PCN (a mouse PXR agonist) significantly increased LW/BW ratio in both WT and HNF4α-KO mice however, failed to induce PXR target genes in HNF4α-KO mice. The treatment of WY-14643 (PPARα agonist) increased LW/BW ratio and PPARα target gene expression in WT mice but not in HNF4α-KO mice. Together, these data indicate that the function of CAR, PXR, and PPARα but not of AhR was disrupted in HNF4α-KO mice. These results demonstrate that HNF4α function is critical for the activation of hepatic xenosensors, which are critical for toxicological responses.
Phenotypic and Genetic Diversity of Xanthomonads Isolated from Pepper (Capsicum spp.) in Taiwan from 1989 to 2019
Authors: Parajuli Apekshya , Subedi Aastha , Timilsina Sujan , Minsavage Gerald V. , Kenyon Lawrence , Chen Jaw-Rong , Goss Erica M. , Paret Mathews L. , Jones Jeffrey B. 
Published: May 2024

Bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas spp. is an economically important disease of pepper causing significant yield losses in Taiwan. Monitoring the pathogen population on a continuous basis is necessary for developing disease management strategies. We analyzed a collection of xanthomonad strains isolated from pepper in Taiwan between 1989 and 2019. Among the sequenced genomes, 65 were identified as Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, and 10 were X. perforans. Thirty-five X. euvesicatoria and 10 X. perforans strains were copper tolerant, whereas only four X. euvesicatoria and none of the X. perforans strains were tolerant to streptomycin. Nine X. euvesicatoria strains were amylolytic, which is considered an unusual characteristic for X. euvesicatoria. Bayesian analysis of the population structure based on core gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms clustered the strains into five clusters for X. euvesicatoria and three clusters for X. perforans. One X. perforans cluster, designated as TP-2019, appears to be a novel genetic cluster based on core genes, accessory gene content, and effector profile. This knowledge of pathogen diversity with whole genomic information will be useful in future comparative studies and in improving breeding programs to develop disease-resistant cultivars and other disease management options.
METTL3's role in cervical cancer development through m6A modification
Authors: Liu Yuqiu , Li Changzhong , Deng Qianqian , Ren Xingye , Wang Hongqing 
Published: May 2024

AbstractN6‐methylated adenosine (m6A) is a crucial RNA modification in eukaryotes, particularly in cancer. However, its role in cervical cancer (CC) is unclear. We aimed to elucidate the part of m6A in CC by analyzing methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3) expression, identifying downstream targets, and exploring the underlying mechanism. We assessed METTL3 expression in CC using western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and immunohistochemistry. In vitro and in vivo experiments examined METTL3's role in CC. We employed RNA sequencing, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, qPCR, and RNA immunoprecipitation qPCR to explore METTL3's mechanism in CC. METTL3 expression was upregulated in CC, promoting cell proliferation and metastasis. METTL3 knockdown inhibited human cervical cancer by inactivating AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. METTL3‐mediated m6A modification was observed in CC cells, targeting phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A). METTL3 catalyzed m6A modification on PDE3A mRNA through YTH domain family protein 3 (YTHDF3). Our study indicated the mechanism of m6A modification in CC and suggested the METTL3/YTHDF3/PDE3A axis as a potential clinical target for CC treatment.
Tolerance for Ambiguity: Correlations With Medical and Physical Therapy Student Traits and Experiences Within the Learning Environment
Authors: Dudley-Javoroski Shauna , Cooper Christopher S. , Jackson J. Brooks , Zorn Alithea , Carter Knute D. , Shields Richard K. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Health care professions trainees and clinicians who perceive ambiguous situations as sources of threat (low tolerance for ambiguity [TFA]) experience greater risk for mental health disorders and professional burnout. Physical therapists likely encounter substantial ambiguity because of the biopsychosocial nature of their main therapeutic strategies. The purpose of this study was to identify student traits and experiences within the learning environment that differentiate students with high and low TFA for medicine and physical therapy (PT), and to identify areas of interprofessional overlap and distinction.

Method
Graduation Questionnaire survey data from graduating PT (n = 2,727) and medical students (n = 33,159) from the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 academic years were sorted according to student TFA score, and respondents in the highest and lowest TFA quartiles were retained for analysis. Difference-in-differences analysis was used to reduce the number of potential explanatory factors to a parimonious subset that was put into linear regression models. Inferential statistics were applied to all significant factors identified from the linear regression models.

Results
For both professions, higher TFA was generally associated with more positive ratings of the learning environment (student–faculty interactions, faculty professionalism, satisfaction with career choice), lower experiences of exhaustion and disengagement (the 2 axes of academic burnout), and higher scores for the empathy domain of perspective taking. Uniquely for medical students, low TFA was associated with lower empathy scores and a lower degree of interest in working with underserved individuals.

Conclusions
Findings suggest that for both professions, high TFA corresponded with better ratings of the educational experience and with traits that are advantageous for patient-centered practice and occupational resilience. Interventions to cultivate TFA among health care trainees may be an important way to meet the growing demand for humanistic health care professionals who are prepared to meet society’s complex needs.
Pediatric Resident and Program Director Views on Climate Change and Health Curricula: A Multi-Institution Study
Authors: Cogen Jonathan D. , Perkins Alexandra , Mockler Blair , Barton Krysta S. , Schwartz Alan , Boos Markus , Radhakrishnan Anjana , Rai Pragya , Tandon Pooja , Philipsborn Rebecca , Grow H. Mollie ,   on behalf of the APPD LEARN Climate Change Study Group
Published: May 2024

AbstractPurposeThe American Academy of Pediatrics emphasized in a 2007 policy statement the importance of educating trainees on the impacts of climate change on children’s health, yet few studies have evaluated trainee knowledge and attitudes about climate change–related health effects in children. This multi-institution study assessed pediatric resident and program director (1) knowledge/attitudes on climate change and health, (2) perspectives on the importance of incorporating climate and health content into pediatric graduate medical education, and (3) preferred topics/activities to include in climate and health curricula.MethodThis mixed-methods study employed an anonymous cross-sectional survey of pediatric residents and residency program directors from Association of Pediatric Program Directors (APPD) Longitudinal Educational Assessment Research Network (LEARN)–affiliated programs. Multivariable regression models and factor analyses were used to examine associations among resident demographics and resident knowledge, attitudes, and interest in a climate change curriculum. A conventional content analysis was conducted for the open-ended responses.ResultsEighteen programs participated in the study with all program directors (100% response rate) and 663 residents (average response rate per program, 53%; overall response rate, 42%) completing respective surveys. Of the program directors, only 3 (17%) felt very or moderately knowledgeable about the association between climate change and health impacts. The majority of residents (n=423, 64%) agreed/strongly agreed that physicians should discuss global warming/climate change and its health effects with patients/families, while only 138 residents (21%) agreed/strongly agreed that they were comfortable talking with patients and families about these issues. Most residents (n=498, 76%) and program directors (n=15, 83%) agreed/strongly agreed that a climate change curriculum should be incorporated into their pediatrics training program.ConclusionsPediatric residents and program directors support curricula that prepare future pediatricians to address the impact of climate change on children’s health; however, few programs currently offer specific training, despite identified needs.
Funding Learning Health System Research: Challenges and Strategies
Authors: Harrison Michael I. , Borsky Amanda E. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose
A growing number of health systems are establishing learning health system (LHS) programs, where research focuses on rapidly improving the health system’s internal operations and performance. The authors examine funding challenges facing such initiatives and identify strategies for managing tensions between reliance on external research funding and directly contributing to improvement and learning within the researchers’ own system.

Method
Qualitative case studies of LHS research programs in 5 health systems were performed via 38 semistructured interviews (October 2019–April 2021) with 35 diverse respondents. Inductive and deductive rapid qualitative analysis supported interview, system-level, and cross-system summaries and analysis.

Results
External funding awards to LHS researchers facilitated some internal improvement and learning, scientific advancements, and the reputation of researchers and their systems, but reliance on external funding also challenged researchers’ responsiveness to concerns of system leaders, managers, practitioners, and system needs. Gaps between external funding requirements and internally focused projects arose in objectives, practical applicability, audiences, timetables, routines, skill sets, and researchers’ careers. To contribute more directly to system improvement, LHS researchers needed to collaborate with clinicians and other nonresearchers and pivot between long research studies and shorter, dynamic improvement, evaluation, and data analysis projects. With support from system executives, LHS program leaders employed several strategies to enhance researchers’ internal contributions. They aligned funded-research topics with long-term system needs, obtained internal funding for implementing and sustaining practice change, and diversified funding sources.

Conclusions
To foster LHS research contributions to internal system learning and improvement, LHS program leaders need to manage tensions between concentrating on externally funded research and fulfilling their mission of providing research-based services to their own system. Health system executives can support LHS programs by setting clear goals for them; appropriately staffing, budgeting, and incentivizing LHS researchers; and developing supportive, system-wide teamwork, skill development programs, and data infrastructures.
Clinician-Spoken Plain Language in Health Care Encounters: A Qualitative Analysis to Assess Measurable Elements
Authors: Yen Renata W. , Hagedorn Robert , Durand Marie-Anne , Leyenaar JoAnna K. , O’Malley A. James , Saunders Catherine H. , Isaacs Talia , Elwyn Glyn 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Good communication and use of plain language in health care encounters improve outcomes, including emotional health, symptom resolution, and functional status. Yet there is limited research on how to measure and report spoken plain language, which is the use of familiar, clear language. The authors aimed to describe key, measurable elements of spoken plain language that can be assessed and reported back to clinicians for self-reflection.

Method
The authors conducted secondary analysis of transcripts from recorded encounters between breast cancer surgeons and patients with early-stage breast cancer. Two coders used a hybrid qualitative analysis with a framework based on U.S. Federal Plain Language Guidelines. To develop major themes, they examined (1) alignment with the Guidelines and (2) code frequencies within and across transcripts. They also noted minor themes.

Results
From 74 transcripts featuring 13 surgeons, the authors identified 2 major themes representing measurable elements of spoken plain language: (1) clinicians had a propensity to use both explained and unexplained medical terms, and (2) clinicians delivered information using either short turns (one unit of someone speaking) with 1 topic or long turns with multiple topics. There were 3 minor themes that were not indicative of whether or not clinicians used spoken plain language. First, clinicians regularly used absolute risk communication techniques. Second, question-asking techniques varied and included open-ended, close-ended, and comprehension checks. Third, some clinicians used imagery to describe complex topics.

Conclusions
Clinicians’ propensity to use medical terms with and without explanation and parse encounters into shorter or longer turns are measurable elements of spoken plain language. These findings will support further research on the development of a tool that can be used in medical education and other settings. This tool could provide direct and specific feedback to improve the plain language practices of clinicians in training and beyond.
Reliable Long-Term Serial Evaluation of Cochlear Function Using Pulsed Distortion-Product Otoacoustic Emissions: Analyzing Levels and Pressure Time Courses
Authors: Bader Katharina , Dalhoff Ernst , Dierkes Linda , Braun Lore Helene , Gummer Anthony W. , Zelle Dennis 
Published: May 2024

Objectives:To date, there is no international standard on how to use distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) in serial measurements to accurately detect changes in the function of the cochlear amplifier due, for example, to ototoxic therapies, occupational noise, or the development of regenerative therapies. The use of clinically established standard DPOAE protocols for serial monitoring programs appears to be hampered by multiple factors, including probe placement and calibration effects, signal-processing complexities associated with multiple sites of emission generation as well as suboptimal selection of stimulus parameters.Design:Pulsed DPOAEs were measured seven times within 3 months forf2= 1 to 14 kHz andL2= 25 to 80 dB SPL in 20 ears of 10 healthy participants with normal hearing (mean age = 32.1 ± 9.7 years).L1values were computed from individual optimal-path parameters derived from the corresponding individual DPOAE level map in the first test session. Three different DPOAE metrics for evaluating the functional state of the cochlear amplifier were investigated with respect to their test-retest reliability: (1) the interference-free, nonlinear-distortion component level (LOD), (2) the time course of the DPOAE-envelope levels,LDP(t), and (3) the squared, zero-lag correlation coefficient ( ) between the time courses of the DPOAE-envelope pressures,pDP(t), measured in two sessions. The latter two metrics include the two main DPOAE components and their state of interference.Results:Collated over all sessions and frequencies, the median absolute difference forLODwas 1.93 dB and forLDP(t) was 2.52 dB; the median of was 0.988. For the low (f2= 1 to 3 kHz), mid (f2= 4 to 9 kHz), and high (f2= 10 to 14 kHz) frequency ranges, the test-retest reliability ofLODincreased with increasing signal to noise ratio (SNR).Conclusions:On the basis of the knowledge gained from this study on the test-retest reliability of pulsed DPOAE signals and the current literature, we propose a DPOAE protocol for future serial monitoring applications that takes into account the following factors: (1) separation of DPOAE components, (2) use of individually optimal stimulus parameters, (3) SNR of at least 15 dB, (4) accurate pressure calibration, (5) consideration of frequency- and level-dependent test-retest reliabilities and corresponding reference ranges, and (6) stimulus levelsL2that are as low as possible with sufficient SNR to capture the nonlinear functional state of the cochlear amplifier operating at its highest gain.