bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accelerometer‐measured sleep behaviour and parent–child sleep guideline adherence and sleep quality in Czech families with children aged 3–8 years: the FAMIly Physical Activity, Sedentary behaviour and Sleep (FAMIPASS) study
Authors: Voráčová Jaroslava , Sigmund Erik , Vorlíček Michal , Dygrýn Jan , Sigmundová Dagmar 
Published: May 2024

SummaryAssessing parent–child relationship in sleep behaviours is important for facilitating changes in the sleep guideline compliance in preschool age children. The aim of this study was to examine accelerometer‐measured sleep quantity and quality in families with children aged 3–8 years and investigate the parents’ influence on the child's sleep. The data were obtained from the Czech cross‐sectional FAMIly Physical Activity, Sedentary behaviour and Sleep (FAMIPASS) study, with a final sample of 374 families. Families were recruited through the enrolment of their children in kindergartens/primary schools between March 2022 and May 2023. The sleep time window and total sleep time were assessed using a wrist‐worn ActiGraph accelerometer. Participants wore this device continuously for 24 h/day over a period of 7 consecutive days. Demographic data and potential correlates were obtained via questionnaires completed by parents. Statistical analyses were completed using logistic regression and independent‐samples Mann–Whitney U test. In all, 65.5% of children (60% boys, 70.9% girls) and 58.3% of parents (52.4% fathers, 64.3% mothers) achieved the recommended sleep duration. Greater sleep quantity and duration in good‐quality sleep were significantly higher in girls/mothers, compared to boys/fathers. Preschoolers were more likely to comply with sleep guidelines if their mother (but not father) met the sleep recommendation and their mothers did not have a higher education level. Adhering to sleep guidelines in children was also associated with children's female gender, absence of screen device in the bedroom, and being more active. Given the high concurrence in mother–child sleep quantity, it is important to promote healthy sleep behaviours in the whole family.
The conundrum of turtle and tortoise basking: A critical review
Authors: Chessman B. C. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBehaviours designated as basking span a broad array of ectothermic and endothermic animals. Understanding the role that basking plays in thermal biology is important because maintaining body temperatures within certain limits is essential to survival, growth and reproduction, and may affect responses to climate change. In the case of turtles and tortoises, behaviours designated as basking may occur out of water, at the surface of a water body or deep in a water body, during the day or at night, and with or without exposure to solar radiation or another heat source. On the available evidence, the primary function of most nominal chelonian basking is thermoregulatory warming, which provides numerous benefits including expediting gonadal recrudescence, enhancing foraging, feeding, digestion and growth, and amelioration of infectious disease and endoparasitism. Substantial evidence supports conditioning of the skin and shell as a common additional function of chelonian basking. Other functions of nominal chelonian basking with some supporting evidence for particular species and environments are thermoregulatory cooling, leech removal, vitamin D synthesis and osmotic control. Nominal chelonian basking may sometimes be undertaken for resting or avoiding aggression, but supporting evidence is scant. The only uniting feature of all chelonian behaviours designated as basking is quiescence, but not all quiescent chelonian behaviours are labelled as basking. Consequently, the general meaning of chelonian basking is indeterminate. Avoiding ambiguity requires the provision of explicit criteria by which basking can be distinguished from other quiescent behaviours, and the attachment of qualifiers that specify the applicable time of day, medium and environmental exposure.
A multi‐agent reinforcement learning model for maintenance optimization of interdependent highway pavement networks
Authors: Yao L. , Leng Z. , Jiang J. , Ni F. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPavement segments are functionally interdependent under traffic equilibrium, leading to interdependent maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) decisions for different segments, but it has not received significant attention in the pavement management community yet. This study developed a maintenance optimization model for interdependent pavement networks based on the simultaneous network optimization (SNO) framework and a multi‐agent reinforcement learning algorithm. The established model was demonstrated on a highway pavement network in the real‐world, compared to a previously built two‐stage bottom‐up (TSBU) model. The results showed that, compared to TSBU, SNO produced a 3.0% reduction in total costs and an average pavement performance improvement of up to 17.5%. It prefers concentrated M&R schedules and tends to take more frequent preventive maintenance to reduce costly rehabilitation. The results of this research are anticipated to provide practitioners with quantitative estimates of the possible impact of ignoring segment interdependencies in M&R planning.
Variation of terpene alkaloids in Daphniphyllum macropodum across plants and tissues
Authors: Eljounaidi Kaouthar , Radzikowska Barbara A. , Whitehead Caragh B. , Taylor Danielle J. , Conde Susana , Davis William , Dowle Adam A. , Langer Swen , James Sally , Unsworth William P. , Ezer Daphne , Larson Tony R. , Lichman Benjamin R. 
Published: May 2024

Summary

Daphniphyllum macropodum produces alkaloids that are structurally complex with polycyclic, stereochemically rich carbon skeletons. Understanding how these compounds are formed by the plant may enable exploration of their biological function and bioactivities.

We employed multiple metabolomics techniques, including a workflow to annotate compounds in the absence of standards, to compare alkaloid content across plants and tissues.

Different alkaloid structural types were found to have distinct distributions between genotypes, between tissues and within tissues. Alkaloid structural types also showed different isotope labelling enrichments that matched their biosynthetic relationships.

The work suggests that mevalonate derived 30‐carbon alkaloids are formed in the phloem region before their conversion to 22‐carbon alkaloids which accumulate in the epidermis. This sets the stage for further investigation into the biosynthetic pathway.
The nucleotide‐binding domain of NRC‐dependent disease resistance proteins is sufficient to activate downstream helper NLR oligomerization and immune signaling
Authors: Contreras Mauricio P. , Pai Hsuan , Thompson Rebecca , Marchal Clemence , Claeys Jules , Adachi Hiroaki , Kamoun Sophien 
Published: May 2024

Summary

Nucleotide‐binding domain and leucine‐rich repeat (NLR) proteins with pathogen sensor activities have evolved to initiate immune signaling by activating helper NLRs. However, the mechanisms underpinning helper NLR activation by sensor NLRs remain poorly understood. Although coiled coil (CC) type sensor NLRs such as the Potato virus X disease resistance protein Rx have been shown to activate the oligomerization of their downstream helpers NRC2, NRC3 and NRC4, the domains involved in sensor–helper signaling are not known.

Here, we used Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana to show that the nucleotide‐binding (NB) domain within the NB‐ARC of Rx is necessary and sufficient for oligomerization and immune signaling of downstream helper NLRs. In addition, the NB domains of the disease resistance proteins Gpa2 (cyst nematode resistance), Rpi‐amr1, Rpi‐amr3 (oomycete resistance) and Sw‐5b (virus resistance) are also sufficient to activate their respective downstream NRC helpers.

Using transient expression in the lettuce (Lactuca sativa), we show that Rx (both as full length or as NB domain truncation) and its helper NRC2 form a minimal functional unit that can be transferred from solanaceous plants (lamiids) to Campanulid species.

Our results challenge the prevailing paradigm that NLR proteins exclusively signal via their N‐terminal domains and reveal a signaling activity for the NB domain of NRC‐dependent sensor NLRs. We propose a model in which helper NLRs can perceive the status of the NB domain of their upstream sensors.
Impact of a mindfulness‐based intervention on neurobehavioral functioning and its association with large‐scale brain networks in preterm young adolescents
Authors: Siffredi Vanessa , Liverani Maria Chiara , Fernandez Natalia , Freitas Lorena G. A. , Borradori Tolsa Cristina , Van De Ville Dimitri , Hüppi Petra Susan , Ha‐Vinh Leuchter Russia 
Published: May 2024

AimAdolescents born very preterm (VPT; <32 weeks of gestation) face an elevated risk of executive, behavioral, and socioemotional difficulties. Evidence suggests beneficial effects of mindfulness‐based intervention (MBI) on these abilities. This study seeks to investigate the association between the effects of MBI on executive, behavioral, and socioemotional functioning and reliable changes in large‐scale brain networks dynamics during rest in VPT young adolescents who completed an 8‐week MBI program.MethodsNeurobehavioral assessments and resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging were performed before and after MBI in 32 VPT young adolescents. Neurobehavioral abilities in VPT participants were compared with full‐term controls. In the VPT group, dynamic functional connectivity was extracted by using the innovation‐driven coactivation patterns framework. The reliable change index was used to quantify change after MBI. A multivariate data‐driven approach was used to explore associations between MBI‐related changes on neurobehavioral measures and temporal brain dynamics.ResultsCompared with term‐born controls, VPT adolescents showed reduced executive and socioemotional functioning before MBI. After MBI, a significant improvement was observed for all measures that were previously reduced in the VPT group. The increase in executive functioning, only, was associated with reliable changes in the duration of activation of large‐scale brain networks, including frontolimbic, amygdala‐hippocampus, dorsolateral prefrontal, and visual networks.ConclusionThe improvement in executive functioning after an MBI was associated with reliable changes in large‐scale brain network dynamics during rest. These changes encompassed frontolimbic, amygdala‐hippocampus, dorsolateral prefrontal, and visual networks that are related to different executive processes including self‐regulation, attentional control, and attentional awareness of relevant sensory stimuli.
Biotin labeling allows for post‐transfusion functional assessment of stored human platelets in mice
Authors: Bailey S. Lawrence , Bochenek Martin , Chauhan Aastha , Miller Brandon , Stolla Moritz 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundPlatelet radiolabeling with radioisotopes is currently used for human platelet recovery and survival studies. Biotinylation enables ex vivo post‐transfusion platelet function testing. Whether platelet biotinylation itself affects platelet function is controversial.Study Design and MethodsPlatelet concentrates from healthy humans were stored for 6 days. Samples were obtained at 1 or 2 and 6 days, and platelets were labeled following a radiolabeling protocol using saline instead of radioactive indium‐111 (sham radiolabeling [sham‐RL]). Alternatively, a newly developed biotinylation protocol, a washing protocol, or an unmanipulated control sample were used. Platelet function was assessed by flow cytometry after stimulation with platelet agonists and labeling of platelets with platelet activation markers. To test whether platelets can be activated after transfusion, labeled platelets were transfused into nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency mice, and samples were obtained 1 h after transfusion.ResultsThe activation profile of biotinylated platelets was comparable to sham‐RL platelets before transfusion except for significantly less α‐degranulation and more phosphatidyl serine exposure on storage day 1/2. There was no significant difference between sham‐RL and biotinylated platelets on storage day 6. Sham‐RL and biotinylated platelets were significantly less activatable than washed and unmanipulated control platelets. After transfusion, the activation profile of biotinylated platelets was largely indistinguishable from unmanipulated ones.DiscussionThe decrease in activation level in biotinylated platelets we and others observed appears mainly due to the physical manipulation during the labeling process. In conclusion, biotinylated platelets allow for post‐transfusion function assessment, a major advantage over radiolabeling.
Improving Output Power of a Torsional-Flutter Harvester in Stochastic Thunderstorms by Duffing—Van Der Pol Restoring Torque
Authors: Caracoglia Luca 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Wind energy harvesters are usually designed to operate in the low wind speed range. They rely on smaller swept areas, as a complement to larger horizontal-axis wind turbines. A torsional-flutter-based apparatus is investigated herein to extract wind energy. A nonlinear hybrid restoring toque mechanism, installed at equally spaced supports, is used to produce energy through limit-cycle vibration. Energy conversion and storage from the wind flow are enabled by eddy currents. The apparatus is used during thunderstorm outflows to explore its efficiency in nonideal wind conditions. The thunderstorm flow model accounts for both nonstationary turbulence and slowly varying mean wind speed, replicating thunderstorm's intensification and decay stages. This paper evolves from a recent study to examine stochastic stability. More specifically, the output power is derived as a random process that is found numerically. Various thunderstorm features and variable apparatus configurations are evaluated. Numerical investigations confirm the detrimental effect of nonideal, thunderstorms on harvester performance with, on average, an adverse increment of operational speed (about +30%). Besides nonlinear damping, the “benign” flutter-prone effect is controlled by the square value of the flapping angle. Since flapping amplitudes are moderate at sustained flutter, activation of the apparatus is delayed and exacerbated by the nonstationary outflow and aeroelastic load features. Finally, efficiency is carefully investigated by quantification of output power and “quality factor.”
Increased resistance against tellurite is conferred by a mutation in the promoter region of uncommon tellurite resistance gene
tehB
in the
ter
-negative Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
O157:H7
Authors: Matsumoto Yuko , Lee Kenichi , Akasaka Ryuya , Honjo Hayato , Koizumi Mitsumasa , Sato Toshio , Kubomura Akiko , Ishijima Nozomi , Akeda Yukihiro , Ohnishi Makoto , Iyoda Sunao 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Resistance to potassium tellurite (PT) is an important indicator in isolating Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) O157:H7 and other major STEC serogroups. Common resistance determinant genes are encoded in the
ter
gene cluster. We found an O157:H7 isolate that does not harbor
ter
but is resistant to PT. One nonsynonymous mutation was found in another PT resistance gene,
tehA
, through whole-genome sequence analyses. To elucidate the contribution of this mutation to PT resistance, complementation of
tehA
and the related gene
tehB
in isogenic strains and quantitative RT‒PCR were performed. The results indicated that the point mutation not only changed an amino acid of
tehA
, but also was positioned on a putative internal promoter of
tehB
and increased PT resistance by elevating
tehB
mRNA expression. Meanwhile, the amino acid change in
tehA
had negligible impact on the PT resistance. Comprehensive screening revealed that 2.3% of O157:H7 isolates in Japan did not harbor the
ter
gene cluster, but the same mutation in
tehA
was not found. These results suggested that PT resistance in
E. coli
can be enhanced through one mutational event even in
ter
-negative strains.

IMPORTANCE

Selective agents are important for isolating Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) because the undesirable growth of microflora should be inhibited. Potassium tellurite (PT) is a common selective agent for major STEC serotypes. In this study, we found a novel variant of PT resistance genes,
tehAB
, in STEC O157:H7. Molecular experiments clearly showed that one point mutation in a predicted internal promoter region of
tehB
upregulated the expression of the gene and consequently led to increased resistance to PT. Because
tehAB
genes are ubiquitous across
E. coli
, these results provide universal insight into PT resistance in this species.
The whole genome sequence of Polish vaccine strain
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG Moreau
Authors: Krysztopa-Grzybowska Katarzyna , Lach Jakub , Polak Maciej , Strapagiel Dominik , Dziadek Jaroslaw , Olszewski Marcin , Zasada Aleksandra A. , Darlińska Aniela , Lutyńska Anna , Augustynowicz-Kopeć Ewa 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Currently, tuberculosis immunoprophylaxis is based solely on Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination, and some of the new potential tuberculosis vaccines are based on the BCG genome. Therefore, it is reasonable to analyze the genomes of individual BCG substrains. The aim of this study was the genetic characterization of the BCG-Moreau Polish (PL) strain used for the production of the BCG vaccine in Poland since 1955. Sequencing of different BCG lots showed that the strain was stable over a period of 59 years. As a result of comparison, BCG-Moreau PL with BCG-Moreau Rio de Janeiro (RDJ) 143 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 32 insertion/deletion mutations (INDELs) were identified. However, the verification of these mutations showed that the most significant were accumulated in the BCG-Moreau RDJ genome. The mutations unique to the Polish strain genome are 1 SNP and 2 INDEL. The strategy of combining short-read sequencing with long-read sequencing is currently the most optimal approach for sequencing bacterial genomes. With this approach, the only available genomic sequence of BCG-Moreau PL was obtained. This sequence will primarily be a reference point in the genetic control of the stability of the vaccine strain in the future. The results enrich knowledge about the microevolution and attenuation of the BCG vaccine substrains.

IMPORTANCE
The whole genome sequence obtained is the only genomic sequence of the strain that has been used for vaccine production in Poland since 1955. Sequencing of different BCG lots showed that the strain was stable over a period of 59 years. The comprehensive genomic analysis performed not only enriches knowledge about the microevolution and attenuation of the BCG vaccine substrains but also enables the utilization of identified markers as a reference point in the genetic control and identity tests of the stability of the vaccine strain in the future.
Millennial-scale climate cycles modulated by Milankovitch forcing in the middle Cambrian (ca. 500 Ma) Marjum Formation, Utah, USA
Authors: Pas Damien , Elrick Maya , Da Silva Anne-Christine , Hinnov Linda , Jamart Valentin , Thaureau Marion , Arts Michiel 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMiddle Cambrian offshore deposits of the Marjum Formation, Utah, USA, are characterized by four scales of superimposed cyclicity defined by varying fine siliciclastic versus limestone abundances; these include limestone-marl couplets (rhythmites; 5–10 cm), which are bundled into parasequences (1–2 m) and small-scale (5–10 m) and large-scale (20–40 m) sequences. Time series analysis of SiO2 and lithologic rank stratigraphic series reveal cycles consistent with Milankovitch periods corresponding to Cambrian orbital eccentricity (20 m, 405 k.y.; 6 m, 110 k.y.), obliquity (1.8 m, 30 k.y.), climatic precession (1.15 m, 18 k.y.), and half-precession (0.64 m, 7 k.y.). Astronomical calibration of the lithologic rank series indicates that the main sub-Milankovitch cycle at 0.065 m represents ~1 k.y. and corresponds to the basic rhythmite couplet. All scales of cyclicity are interpreted as the result of wet versus dry monsoonal climate oscillations controlling the abundance of fine siliciclastic sediment influx to the basin. A plausible millennial-scale climate driver is solar activity. These results describe one of the oldest known geological candidates for solar-influenced climate change modulated by Milankovitch forcing.
Prospective economic evaluation of an electronic discharge communication tool: analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sevick Laura K , Santana Maria-Jose , Ghali William A , Clement Fiona 
Published: May 2024

ObjectiveTo complete an economic evaluation within a randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing the use of an electronic discharge communication tool (eDCT) compared with usual care.SettingPatients being discharged from a single tertiary care centre’s internal medicine Medical Teaching Units.ParticipantsBetween January 2012 and December 2013, 1399 patients were randomised to a discharge mechanism. Forty-five patients were excluded from the economic evaluation as they did not have data for the index hospitalisation cost; 1354 patients contributed to the economic evaluation.InterventioneDCT generated at discharge containing structured content on reason for admission, details of the hospital stay, treatments received and follow-up care required. The control group was discharged via traditional dictation methods.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary economic outcome was the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Secondary outcomes included the cost per death avoided and the cost per readmission avoided.ResultsThe average transcription cost was $C22.28 per patient, whereas the estimated cost of the eDCT was $C13.33 per patient. The cost per QALY gained was $C239 933 in the eDCT arm compared with usual care due to the very small gains in effectiveness and approximately $C800difference in resource utilisation costs. The bootstrap analyses resulted in eDCT being more effective and more costly in 29.2% of samples, less costly and more effective in 29.2% of samples, less effective and more costly in 23.9% of samples and finally, less costly and less effective in 17.7% of samples.ConclusionsThe eDCT reduced per patient costs of the generation of discharge summaries. The bootstrap estimates demonstrate considerable uncertainty supporting the finding of neutrality reported in the clinical component of the RCT. The immediate transcription cost savings and previously documented provider and patient satisfaction may increase the impetus for organisations to invest in such systems, provided they have a foundation of eHealth infrastructure and readiness.Trial registration numberNCT01402609.