bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving gay, bisexual and transgender inclusion in blood and plasma donation policies and programmes in Canada: A qualitative study
Authors: Wright Isaac , Gahagan Jacqueline 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesAn increasing number of blood operators around the world, including those in Canada, have removed time‐based deferral periods for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and replaced them with sexual behaviour‐based questions for all donors. While this marks a significant shift in screening approach, what remains unclear is how members of two‐spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (2S/LGBTQ+) communities view blood operators' initiatives to be more inclusive. As such, this study was conducted to assess the awareness of donor screening changes and other initiatives among members of 2S/LGBTQ+ communities and to explore their recommendations for blood operators' work with these communities.Materials and MethodsSemi‐structured qualitative interviews (n = 15) were conducted with 2S/LGBTQ+ people across Canada. Data were analysed using open inductive coding methods.ResultsReported here are the key results on recommendations for blood operators. Three themes were identified from the data: (1) the need for increased communications with 2S/LGBTQ+ communities surrounding changes to donor policies and guidelines; (2) the need for trans‐inclusive policy and procedures; and (3) the need for culturally responsive and equity‐informed staff training at donor centres.ConclusionResults suggest that blood operators should consider 2S/LGTBQ+ communities when developing blood and plasma donation policies, screening procedures and staff training. Increased consultation with these communities is desired, and further research specific to the experiences of transgender blood donors is needed.
Motor unit discharge rate modulation during isometric contractions to failure is intensity‐ and modality‐dependent
Authors: Valenčič Tamara , Ansdell Paul , Brownstein Callum G. , Spillane Padraig M. , Holobar Aleš , Škarabot Jakob 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe physiological mechanisms determining the progressive decline in the maximal muscle torque production capacity during isometric contractions to task failure are known to depend on task demands. Task‐specificity of the associated adjustments in motor unit discharge rate (MUDR), however, remains unclear. This study examined MUDR adjustments during different submaximal isometric knee extension tasks to failure. Participants performed a sustained and an intermittent task at 20% and 50% of maximal voluntary torque (MVT), respectively (Experiment 1). High‐density surface EMG signals were recorded from vastus lateralis (VL) and medialis (VM) and decomposed into individual MU discharge timings, with the identified MUs tracked from recruitment to task failure. MUDR was quantified and normalised to intervals of 10% of contraction time (CT). MUDR of both muscles exhibited distinct modulation patterns in each task. During the 20% MVT sustained task, MUDR decreased until ∼50% CT, after which it gradually returned to baseline. Conversely, during the 50% MVT intermittent task, MUDR remained stable until ∼40–50% CT, after which it started to continually increase until task failure. To explore the effect of contraction intensity on the observed patterns, VL and VM MUDR was quantified during sustained contractions at 30% and 50% MVT (Experiment 2). During the 30% MVT sustained task, MUDR remained stable until ∼80–90% CT in both muscles, after which it continually increased until task failure. During the 50% MVT sustained task the increase in MUDR occurred earlier, after ∼70–80% CT. Our results suggest that adjustments in MUDR during submaximal isometric contractions to failure are contraction modality‐ and intensity‐dependent.
imageKey points
During prolonged muscle contractions a constant motor output can be maintained by recruitment of additional motor units and adjustments in their discharge rate.
Whilst contraction‐induced decrements in neuromuscular function are known to depend on task demands, task‐specificity of motor unit discharge behaviour adjustments is still unclear.
In this study, we tracked and compared discharge activity of several concurrently active motor units in the vastii muscles during different submaximal isometric knee extension tasks to failure, including intermittent vs. sustained contraction modalities performed in the same intensity domain (Experiment 1), and two sustained contractions performed at different intensities (Experiment 2).
During each task, motor units modulated their discharge rate in a distinct, biphasic manner, with the modulation pattern depending on contraction intensity and modality.
These results provide insight into motoneuronal adjustments during contraction tasks posing different demands on the neuromuscular system.
Rapid Investigation of Blisk Mistuning Via Piezoelectric-Induced Stiffness Perturbations
Authors: Kelley Christopher R. , Kauffman Jeffrey L. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Manufacturing tolerances and engine wear produce slight variations in the nominally identical blades of a bladed disk, or blisk. In theory, the vibrational energy of a tuned blisk is evenly distributed among the identical blades. Mistuning arises when blades are not exactly identical, producing vibration localization at one or more blades that can lead to premature failure via high-cycle fatigue. Blisk designers must consider how expected manufacturing variations and potential engine wear affect blade vibration and lifetime. However, a single experimental blisk can only capture a single mistuned configuration, making experimental assessment of mistuning both cost- and time-prohibitive. This paper investigates piezoelectric-induced stiffness perturbations as a potential approach that enables rapid testing of a wide range of mistuned configurations in a lab environment. Integrating piezoelectric material onto the blisk produces a continuous range of effective blade stiffness values. Piezoelectric stiffness perturbations alter the relative stiffnesses of all blades, changing the mistuned configuration. Simulations of a lumped blisk model characterize piezoelectric mistuning to motivate use in experimental preliminary testing of blisks. Optimization of the piezoelectric stiffness perturbation enables testing of desired mistuned amplitude distributions. Finally, benchtop testing of an academic blisk validates the ability of piezoelectric stiffness perturbations to change the mistuned configuration without any mechanical adjustments. Overall, piezoelectric mistuning enables rapid investigation of a theoretically infinite number of mistuned configurations with only one experimental blisk.
Self-Reported Physical Activity and Mental Health Among Asylum Seekers in a Refugee Camp
Authors: Filippou Konstantinia , Knappe Florian , Hatzigeorgiadis Antonis , Morres Ioannis D. , Tzormpatzakis Emmanouil , Havas Elsa , Pühse Uwe , Theodorakis Yannis , Gerber Markus 
Published: April 2024

Background: Global forced displacement has been rising steeply since 2015 as a result of wars and human rights abuses. Forcibly displaced people are often exposed to physical and mental strain, which can cause traumatic experiences and poor mental health. Physical activity has been linked with better mental health, although such evidence is scarce among those populations. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships of self-reported physical activity and fitness with mental health indices among people residing in a refugee camp in Greece as asylum seekers. Methods: Participants were 151 individuals (76 women, 75 men; mean age 28.90 y) displaced from their homes for an average of 32.03 months. Among them, 67% were from Afghanistan and countries from southwest Asia, and 33% from sub-Saharan African countries. Participants completed self-report measures assessing physical activity, fitness, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and well-being. Results: High prevalence of mental health disorder symptoms and poor well-being were identified, with women and Asians showing poorer mental health. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety were related to perceived fitness, but not to self-reported physical activity. Regression analysis showed that perceived fitness (β: 0.34; 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.52) and low-intensity physical activity (β: 0.24; 95% CI, 0.001 to 0.009) significantly positively predicted well-being, showing small to medium effect. Conclusions: The findings provide useful insights regarding the link between physical activity and well-being; nevertheless, further research examining objectively measured physical activity is warranted to complement these data and further explore the associations between physical activity and mental health.
Phenotypic and genomic characterization of
Methanothermobacter wolfeii
strain BSEL, a CO
2
-capturing archaeon with minimal nutrient requirements
Authors: Ale Enriquez Fuad , Ahring Birgitte K. 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

A new variant of
Methanothermobacter wolfeii
was isolated from an anaerobic digester using enrichment cultivation in anaerobic conditions. The new isolate was taxonomically identified via 16S rRNA gene sequencing and tagged as
M. wolfeii
BSEL. The whole genome of the new variant was sequenced and
de novo
assembled. Genomic variations between the BSEL strain and the type strain were discovered, suggesting evolutionary adaptations of the BSEL strain that conferred advantages while growing under a low concentration of nutrients.
M. wolfeii
BSEL displayed the highest specific growth rate ever reported for the
wolfeii
species (0.27 ± 0.03 h
−1
) using carbon dioxide (CO
2
) as unique carbon source and hydrogen (H
2
) as electron donor.
M. wolfeii
BSEL grew at this rate in an environment with ammonium (NH
4
+
) as sole nitrogen source. The minerals content required to cultivate the BSEL strain was relatively low and resembled the ionic background of tap water without mineral supplements. Optimum growth rate for the new isolate was observed at 64°C and pH 8.3. In this work, it was shown that wastewater from a wastewater treatment facility can be used as a low-cost alternative medium to cultivate
M. wolfeii
BSEL. Continuous gas fermentation fed with a synthetic biogas mimic along with H
2
in a bubble column bioreactor using
M. wolfeii
BSEL as biocatalyst resulted in a CO
2
conversion efficiency of 97% and a final methane (CH
4
) titer of 98.5%
v
, demonstrating the ability of the new strain for upgrading biogas to renewable natural gas.

IMPORTANCE

As a methanogenic archaeon,
Methanothermobacter wolfeii
uses CO
2
as electron acceptor, producing CH
4
as final product. The metabolism of
M. wolfeii
can be harnessed to capture CO
2
from industrial emissions, besides producing a drop-in renewable biofuel to substitute fossil natural gas. If used as biocatalyst in new-generation CO
2
sequestration processes,
M. wolfeii
has the potential to accelerate the decarbonization of the energy generation sector, which is the biggest contributor of CO
2
emissions worldwide. Nonetheless, the development of CO
2
sequestration archaeal-based biotechnology is still limited by an uncertainty in the requirements to cultivate methanogenic archaea and the unknown longevity of archaeal cultures. In this study, we report the adaptation, isolation, and phenotypic characterization of a novel variant of
M. wolfeii
, which is capable of maximum growth with minimal nutrients input. Our findings demonstrate the potential of this variant for the production of renewable natural gas, paving the way for the development of more efficient and sustainable CO
2
sequestration processes.
Virological, innate, and adaptive immune profiles shaped by variation in route and age of host in murine cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Coplen Christopher P. , Jergovic Mladen , Terner Elana L. , Bradshaw Christine M. , Uhrlaub Jennifer L. , Nikolich Janko Ž. 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) is a ubiquitous facultative pathogen, which establishes a characteristic latent and reactivating lifelong infection in immunocompetent hosts. Murine CMV (mCMV) infection is widely used as an experimental model of hCMV infection, employed to investigate the causal nature and extent of CMV’s contribution to inflammatory, immunological, and health disturbances in humans. Therefore, mimicking natural human infection in mice would be advantageous to hCMV research. To assess the role of route and age at infection in modeling hCMV in mice, we infected prepubescent and young sexually mature C57BL/6 (B6) mice intranasally (i.n., a likely physiological route in humans) and intraperitoneally (i.p., a frequently used experimental route, possibly akin to transplant-mediated infection). In our hands, both routes led to comparable early viral loads and tissue spreads. However, they yielded differential profiles of innate and adaptive systemic immune activation. Specifically, the younger, prepubescent mice exhibited the strongest natural killer cell activation in the blood in response to i.p. infection. Further, the i.p. infected animals (particularly those infected at 12 weeks) exhibited larger anti-mCMV IgG and greater expansion of circulating CD8
+
T cells specific for both acute (non-inflationary) and latent phase (inflationary) mCMV epitopes. By contrast, tissue immune responses were comparable between i.n. and i.p. groups. Our results illustrate a distinction in the bloodborne immune response profiles across infection routes and ages and are discussed in light of physiological parameters of interaction between CMV, immunity, inflammation, and health over the lifespan.

IMPORTANCE
The majority of experiments modeling human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) infection in mice have been carried out using intraperitoneal infection in sexually mature adult mice, which stands in contrast to the large number of humans being infected with human CMV at a young age, most likely via bodily fluids through the nasopharyngeal/oral route. This study examined the impact of the choice of age and route of infection in modeling CMV infection in mice. By comparing young, prepubescent to older sexually mature counterparts, infected either via the intranasal or intraperitoneal route, we discovered substantial differences in deployment and response intensity of different arms of the immune system in systemic control of the virus; tissue responses, by contrast, appeared similar between ages and infection routes.
Draft genome sequence of
Acerihabitans
sp. strain TG2
T
, isolated from an Arctic tundra soil sample
Authors: Shcherbakova V. A. , Zakharyuk A. G. , Trubitsyn V. E. 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Acerihabitans
sp. type strain TG2
T
(VKM B-3773
T
) is a gram-negative, anaerobic psychrophilic bacterium that was isolated from a tundra soil sample selected by the Bykovsky Peninsula (Russia). This report describes the generation and annotation of the 5.3 Mb draft genome sequence of
Acerihabitans
sp. strain TG2
T
.
Secondary metabolite profiling of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates reveals rare genomic traits
Authors: Neve Rachel L. , Giedraitis Emily , Akbari Madeline S. , Cohen Shirli , Phelan Vanessa V. 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a ubiquitous Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen with remarkable phylogenetic and phenotypic variabilities. In this work, we applied classical molecular networking analysis to secondary metabolite profiling data from seven
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
strains, including five clinical isolates from the lung secretions of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). We provide three vignettes illustrating how secondary metabolite profiling aids in the identification of rare genomics traits in
P. aeruginosa
. First, we describe the identification of a previously unreported class of acyl putrescines produced by isolate mFLRO1. Secondary analysis of publicly available metabolomics data revealed that acyl putrescines are produced by <5% of
P. aeruginosa
strains. Second, we show that isolate SH3A does not produce di-rhamnolipids. Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomics revealed that SH3A cannot produce di-rhamnolipids because its genome belongs to clade 5 of the
P. aeruginosa
phylogenetic tree. Previous phylogenetic analysis of thousands of
P. aeruginosa
strains concluded that <1% of publicly available genome sequences contribute to this clade. Last, we show that isolate SH1B does not produce the phenazine pyocyanin or rhamnolipids because it has a one-base insertion frameshift mutation (678insC) in the gene
rhlR
, which disrupts
rhl
-driven quorum sensing. Secondary analysis of the tens of thousands of publicly available genomes in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and the
Pseudomonas
Genome Database revealed that this mutation was present in only four
P. aeruginosa
genomes. Taken together, this study highlights that secondary metabolite profiling combined with genomic analysis can identify rare genetic traits of
P. aeruginosa
isolates.

IMPORTANCE

Secondary metabolite profiling of five
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates from cystic fibrosis sputum captured three traits present in <1%–5% of publicly available data, pointing to how our current library of
P. aeruginosa
strains may not represent the diversity within this species or the genetic variance that occurs in the CF lung.
Asynchronous Holocene lake evolution in arid mid-latitude Asia is driven by glacial meltwater and variations in Westerlies and the East Asian summer monsoon
Authors: Li Guoqiang , Wang Xiaoyan , Yang He , Jin Ming , Qin Caixin , Wang Yixuan , Jonell Tara N. , Pan Long , Chen Chunzhu , Zhao Wenwei , Zhang Xiaojian , Madsen David B. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms driving hydrological change in arid Central Asia over a range of time scales is crucial for making predictions for future changes in fragile desert-lake ecosystems. As of yet, the drivers of hydrological changes in lake systems of arid Central Asia over the Holocene remain largely unexplored. Aibi Lake, fed by rivers originating from the glaciated Tianshan Mountains and terminating in the arid Junggar Basin of northwestern China, presents a perfect natural laboratory to explore lake evolution in context to Holocene climate evolution in arid Central Asia. Here, a single-grain K-feldspar dating method was used to effectively date 20 paleolake shorelines with poorly bleached sediment to constrain lake level evolution over the past 18 k.y. Results indicate that Aibi Lake experienced a rapid increase in water levels, reaching a peak of ~36 m during the early to mid-Holocene period (10–7 ka). Subsequently, the lake level may have shown a general decline during the middle Holocene (7–4 ka), with the lake reaching a low level of less than 10 m at ca. 4 ka. In the late Holocene, lake levels fluctuated by 10–30 m above modern levels during 4–1 ka, with generally low levels of &lt;9 m after 1 ka. The evolution of Aibi Lake underlines a clear out-of-phase relationship between Central Asian lake evolution and Westerlies precipitation changes, where Holocene lake changes were instead more directly controlled by the flux of glacial meltwater from the Tianshan Mountains, driven by change in Northern Hemisphere summer insolation. Glacier meltwater, in combination with variable delivery of Westerlies and East Asian summer monsoon precipitation, are responsible for asynchronous lake evolution trends across Central to East Asia.
Moderate magnitude clockwise rotation of the Yunlong Basin: Implications for synchronous Eocene rotation of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Xu Wanlong , Zhang Dawen , Yan Maodu , Zhang Weilin , Zhang Zhenbei , Xu Zunbo , Zhang Yuwei , Song Chunhui , Fang Xiaomin 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The clockwise rotation and southeastward extrusion of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau have played important roles in accommodating the uplift and deformation of the plateau. Numerous paleomagnetic studies have suggested post–late Eocene clockwise rotation of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau along the eastern Himalaya syntaxis, whereas few researchers have addressed the specific Eocene deformation, leading to ambiguous interpretations of the tectonic evolution in the region. Herein, we conducted a paleomagnetic study of the Yunlong Formation in the Yunlong Basin, which is Late Cretaceous to early Paleocene in age. In total, 386 oriented samples were collected. Rock magnetic, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analyses revealed detrital carriers, such as hematite and some magnetite. In thermal demagnetization processes, 332 characteristic remanent magnetizations were isolated, which yielded positive reversals and tilt tests, providing a site-mean direction of declination (Ds) = 56.0° ± 2.6°, inclination (Is) = 34.3° ± 3.8°, α95 = 2.7°, k = 91.0, and N = 31 after tilt correction. Magnetostratigraphic analysis was performed, and a depositional age of 79–61 Ma for the section was obtained, which is consistent with the previous paleontological and detrital zircon ages. Compared with the Eurasia reference pole of the period, the data revealed a 45.2° ± 5.1° clockwise rotation of the Yunlong area since 79–61 Ma. The integrated regional paleomagnetic results suggest the occurrence of ~20° of clockwise rotation of the Lanping-Simao terrane during the Eocene, which is similar (in terms of magnitude and time of occurrence) to that of the Gonjo Basin in the eastern Qiangtang terrane. Integrated with other lines of geologic evidence, we propose a new deformation model in which the entire southeastern Tibetan Plateau experienced ~20° of rigid clockwise rotation during the Eocene, followed by subsequent oroclinal bending.
Social history and glaucoma progression: the effect of body mass index, tobacco and alcohol consumption on the rates of structural change in patients with glaucoma
Authors: Youssif Asmaa A , Onyekaba Ndidi-Amaka , Naithani Rizul , Abdelazeem Khaled , Fathalla Ahmed M , Abdel‐Rhaman Mohamed S , Jammal Alessandro A , Medeiros Felipe A 
Published: April 2024

Background/aimsAlthough obesity, tobacco and alcohol consumption were linked to the progression of numerous chronic diseases, an association of these social history aspects with glaucoma progression is not yet determined. This study aims to investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) and history of tobacco and alcohol use on the rates of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) change over time in glaucoma patients.Methods2839 eyes of 1584 patients with glaucoma from the Duke Ophthalmic Registry were included. Patients had at least two spectral-domain optical coherency tomography (SD-OCT) tests over a minimum 6-month follow-up. Self-reported history of alcohol and tobacco consumption was extracted from electronic health records and mean BMI was calculated. Univariable and multivariable linear mixed models were used to determine the effect of each parameter on RNFL change over time.ResultsMean follow-up time was 4.7±2.1 years, with 5.1±2.2 SD-OCT tests per eye. 43% and 54% of eyes had tobacco or alcohol consumption history, respectively, and 34% were classified as obese. Higher BMI had a protective effect on glaucoma progression (0.014 µm/year slower per each 1 kg/m2higher; p=0.011). Tobacco and alcohol consumption were not significantly associated with RNFL change rates (p=0.473 and p=0.471, respectively). Underweight subjects presented significantly faster rates of structural loss (−0.768 µm/year; p=0.002) compared with normal weight.ConclusionsIn a large clinical population with glaucoma, habits of tobacco and alcohol consumption showed no significant effect on the rates of RNFL change. Higher BMI was significantly associated with slower rates of RNFL loss.