bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Organizational Engagement: One State's Experience With Invigorating Affiliate Membership and Building a Sustainable Fundraising Model
Authors: Narbey Lauren , Ingalls Rebecca , Cline Alice , McGahey Emily C. , Shafton Amanda , Amsley‐Camp Kim 
Published: March 2024

AbstractOver the last 6 years, the Pennsylvania Affiliate of the American College of Nurse‐Midwives has worked to meet the needs of its diverse membership and increase the capacity of the affiliate board by taking a series of strategic steps. This article details the key components of this journey, which has culminated in a successful annual conference with over $118,000 in net revenue to help meet affiliate goals, including pursuing midwifery modernization legislation for Pennsylvania and an increase in our affiliate membership by almost 100 individuals. The annual conference, Midwifery Forward, which completed its fifth year in 2023, has also given our community of midwives a yearly reason to gather and reconnect, celebrate accomplishments, welcome new graduates, and make plans for the year ahead. The goal of this article is to share the specifics of our strategic planning, so that other affiliates and organizations may benefit as they develop strategic plans in the larger effort to increase membership and engagement and generate sustainable income for their midwifery organizations.
The mediating role of psychological flexibility in the relationship between psychotic symptom severity and depression in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia
Authors: Yıldız Erman , Yıldırım Özlem 
Published: March 2024

Accessible SummaryWhat is known about the subject?

Psychotic symptoms and depression are common problems in people diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Psychological flexibility is a skill that facilitates coping with difficulties.

There is limited research on the role of psychological flexibility in the relationship between psychotic symptoms and depression in people diagnosed with schizophrenia.

What does the article add to existing knowledge?

This article investigates the role of psychological flexibility in the link between psychotic symptom severity and depression in people diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The article shows that psychological flexibility partially mediates the relationship between psychotic symptom severity and depression.

The article suggests that interventions aimed at improving psychological flexibility may be beneficial in reducing depressive symptoms in people diagnosed with schizophrenia.

What are the implications for practice?

Mental health nurses should consider psychotic symptom severity and psychological flexibility when assessing and intervening for depressive symptoms in people diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Mental health nurses should receive training to improve psychological flexibility and pass this skill on to their patients.

Mental health nurses should continue to research the effectiveness and outcomes of interventions aimed at improving psychological flexibility.

AbstractIntroductionPsychological flexibility may help people diagnosed with schizophrenia (PWS) cope with their psychotic symptoms and reduce their depressive symptoms, but the mechanism of this effect is unclear.AimTo investigate whether psychological flexibility mediates the relationship between psychotic symptom severity and depression in PWS.MethodA cross‐sectional study was conducted, in which a total of 111 PWS were assessed with DSM‐5 Clinician‐Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity, Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 25 and PROCESS macro.ResultsSignificant correlations were found between psychotic symptoms, depression and psychological flexibility. Psychological flexibility partially mediated the relationship between psychotic symptom severity and depression.DiscussionPsychological flexibility could weaken the impact of psychotic symptom severity on depression in PWS. Higher psychotic symptoms were associated with lower psychological flexibility and higher depression.Implications for PracticeInterventions to improve psychological flexibility may prevent depressive symptoms in PWS. Psychiatric nurses can use psychological flexibility as a goal for evaluation and intervention.
Prior knowledge‐infused neural network for efficient performance assessment of structures through few‐shot incremental learning
Authors: Chen Shi‐Zhi , Feng De‐Cheng , Taciroglu Ertugrul 
Published: March 2024

AbstractStructural seismic safety assessment is a critical task in maintaining the resilience of existing civil and infrastructures. This task commonly requires accurate predictions of structural responses under stochastic intensive ground accelerations via time‐costly numerical simulations. While numerous studies have attempted to use machine learning (ML) techniques as surrogate models to alleviate this computing burden, a large number of numerical simulations are still required for training ML models. Therefore, this study proposes a prior knowledge‐infused neural network (PKNN) for achieving efficient structural seismic response predictions and seismic safety assessment at a low computation cost. In this approach, first, the prior knowledge inherently within a theoretical dynamic model of a structure is infused into a neural network. Then, by utilizing the few‐shot incremental learning technique, this network would be further fine‐tuned by only a few numerical simulations. The resulting PKNN would be able to accurately predict the seismic response of a structure and facilitate seismic safety assessment. In this study, the PKNN's accuracy and computational efficiency are validated on a typical frame structure. The results revealed that the proposed PKNN could be used for accurately predicting the structural seismic responses and assessing the structural safety under a low computational cost.
Learning to govern: A typology of ministerial learning styles
Authors: Boswell John , Smith Jessica C. , Devine Daniel , Corbett Jack 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA quirk of the Westminster system is that Ministers invariably have to “learn on the job”. Yet “learning” has been surprisingly understudied in work on executive government in Britain especially. In this paper, we offer a systematic account of Ministerial learning based on a comprehensive analysis of the Ministers Reflect archive—the largest dataset of research interviews with former Westminster ministers ever assembled. We identify six distinct learning styles—incremental, risk‐averse, managerial, creative, instrumental and instinctive—and assess the implications for how Ministers adjust to the challenges of high political office. We conclude by showing what an appreciation for this variety of Ministerial learning styles can offer the study and practice of executive government in Britain and beyond.
Deflation by Expenditure Components: A Harmless Adjustment?
Authors: Amendola Nicola , Mancini Giulia , Redaelli Silvia , Vecchi Giovanni 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe investigate the effect that seemingly minor features of the implementation of cost‐of‐living adjustments have on the distribution of household expenditures, by developing an analytical framework that is consistent with standard consumer theory, and mindful of data limitations faced by practitioners. The main result is at odds with common sense: even when multiple price indices are available (e.g., a food Consumer Price Index and a non‐food one), it turns out that using a single price index (e.g., the total Consumer Price Index), to adjust the consumption aggregate is recommended. The practice of adjusting subcomponents of consumption separately (food with a food index and nonfood with a nonfood index) can lead to a systematic bias in the welfare measure, and consequently in poverty and inequality measures. Using Iran's 2019 Household Expenditures and Income Survey, we find that the bias manifests as a systematic underestimation of urban poverty and overestimation of rural poverty.
The hidden biotic face of microbialite morphogenesis – a case study from Laguna de Los Cisnes, southernmost Patagonia (Chile)
Authors: Pollier Clément G. L. , Guerrero Alejandro N. , Rabassa Jorge , Ariztegui Daniel 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTMicrobialites provide geological evidence into Earth's early ecosystems, recording long‐standing interactions between co‐evolving life and the environment. Yet, after more than 100 years of research, the complex interplay between environmental and biological forces involved in microbialite growth is still debated. Laguna de Los Cisnes, located in Chilean Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia, provides a unique opportunity to study these interactions. This lake, which became ice‐free around 10 000 years ago, features carbonate microbialites developed by algal–microbial communities. Macroscopically, the organo‐sedimentary deposits exhibit a consistent primary crater‐like architecture, showcasing macrostructural variations such as dish‐shaped, hemispherical, columnar and lenticular morphologies. This study explores the environmental and biological factors shaping microbialite macrostructure by analysing the distribution of dominant morphotypes across the basin. Concurrently, it examines the internal mesostructure and microstructure of microbialites in association with prevailing algal–microbial communities. The incremental development of these communities contributes to the distinct crater‐like morphology observed in microbialites from Laguna de Los Cisnes. The mineral encrustation of the green alga Percursaria percursa emerges as a primary driver of lithification, evidenced by the preservation of microfossils within the microstructure of the microbialites. Simultaneously, physical environmental factors, including waves, Langmuir cells and accommodation space influence the location of the algal–microbial carbonate factory, determining the spatial distribution and temporal succession of different crater architecture variants. Laguna de Los Cisnes, hosting well‐preserved subfossil outcrops and living microbialites, serves as a remarkable living laboratory for understanding microbialite morphogenesis. This study contributes to a novel model that captures the fundamental role of algal–microbial communities in determining the primary macrostructural architecture of microbialites before environmental factors come into play, merely reshaping this architecture into different morphotypes.
Inhibiting IL11RA to mitigate hepatic metastasis in skin cutaneous melanoma: Comprehensive insights from in vitro and in vivo investigations
Authors: Zhang Zhen‐Guo , Zhu Hong‐Mei , Hua Huai‐Kang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the role of Interleukin‐11 receptor alpha (IL11RA) in skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) metastasis to the liver.MethodsHuman SKCM cell lines (A375, A375‐MA2, SK‐MEL‐28, RPMI‐7951) and primary dermal fibroblasts (HDFa) were utilized to assess IL11RA expression. IL11RA siRNA was transfected into RPMI‐7951 and A375‐MA2 cells for Wound healing and Transwell invasion assays. Il11ra knockout (KO) mice and wild‐type (WT) mice were injected with B16‐F10 cells into the spleen to evaluate hepatic melanoma metastasis. Correlation between IL11RA and MMP family genes was explored using online databases, including LinkedOmics, TIMER (Tumor Immune Estimation Resource), and GEPIA (Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis). RT‐qPCR and Western blotting were performed for expression analysis of Mmp2 and Mmp9 in liver tissues of mice. The impact of IL11RA on the STAT3 pathway was investigated in vitro and in vivo.ResultsElevated expression of IL11RA was observed in SKCM cell lines compared to normal cells. IL11RA downregulation significantly inhibited migratory and invasive capabilities of A375‐MA2 and RPMI‐7951 in vitro. Il11ra gene knockout in mice demonstrated a substantial reduction in hepatic melanoma metastasis. Correlation analyses revealed associations between IL11RA and MMP2/MMP8. Il11ra gene knockout significantly decreased Mmp2 expression while increasing Mmp8 in liver tissues. IL11RA correlated positively with STAT3, and its inhibition led to a suppressed STAT3 pathway in SKCM cells and mouse liver tissue.ConclusionIL11RA plays a crucial role in SKCM metastasis, affecting migratory and invasive abilities. Targeting IL11RA may offer a promising avenue for therapeutic interventions in cutaneous melanoma progression.
Close contacts of xenograft recipients: Ethical considerations due to risk of xenozoonosis
Authors: Hurst Daniel J. , Padilla Luz , Rodger Daniel , Schiff Tamar , Cooper David K. C. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWith decades of pre‐clinical studies culminating in the recent clinical application of xenotransplantation, it would appear timely to provide recommendations for operationalizing oversight of xenotransplantation clinical trials. Ethical issues with clinical xenotransplantation have been described for decades, largely centering on animal welfare, the risks posed to the recipient, and public health risks posed by potential spread of xenozoonosis. Much less attention has been given to considerations relating to potentially elevated risks faced by those who may care for or otherwise have close contact with xenograft recipients. This paper examines the ethical and logistical issues raised by the potential exposure to xenozoonotic disease faced by close contacts of xenotransplant recipients—defined herein as including but not limited to caregivers, household contacts, and sexual partners—which warrants special attention given their increased risk of exposure to infection compared to the general public. We discuss implications of assent or consent by these close contacts to potentially undergo, along with the recipient, procedures for infection screening and possible quarantine. We then propose several options and recommendations for operationalizing oversight of xenotransplantation clinical trials that could account for and address close contacts’ education on and agency regarding the risk of xenozoonosis.
Development of a genetic system for
Haloferax gibbonsii
LR2-5, model host for haloarchaeal viruses
Authors: Tittes Colin , Nijland Jeroen , Schoentag Anna M. C. , Hackl Thomas , Di Cianni Nadia , Marchfelder Anita , Quax Tessa E. F. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Archaeal viruses are among the most enigmatic members of the virosphere, and their diverse morphologies raise many questions about their infection mechanisms. The study of molecular mechanisms underlying virus-host interactions hinges upon robust model organisms with a system for gene expression and deletion. Currently, there are only a limited number of archaea that have associated viruses and have a well-developed genetic system. Here, we report the development of a genetic system for the euryarchaeon
Haloferax gibbonsii
LR2-5. This strain can be infected by multiple viruses and is a model for the study of virus-host interactions. We created a
Hfx. gibbonsii
LR2-5 ∆
pyrE
strain, resulting in uracil auxotrophy, which could be used as a selection marker. An expression plasmid carrying a
pyrE
gene from the well-established
Haloferax volcanii
system was tested for functionality. Expression of a GFP-MinD fusion under a tryptophan inducible promoter was fully functional and showed similar cellular localization as in
Hfx. volcanii
. Thus, the plasmids of the
Hfx. volcanii
system can be used directly for the
Hfx. gibbonsii
LR2-5 genetic system, facilitating the transfer of tools between the two. Finally, we tested for the functionality of gene deletions by knocking out two genes of the archaeal motility structure, the archaellum. These deletion mutants were as expected non-motile and the phenotype of one deletion could be rescued by the expression of the deleted archaellum gene from a plasmid. Thus, we developed a functional genetic toolbox for the euryarchaeal virus host
Hfx. gibbonsii
LR2-5, which will propel future studies on archaeal viruses.

IMPORTANCE

Species from all domains of life are infected by viruses. In some environments, viruses outnumber their microbial hosts by a factor of 10, and viruses are the most important predators of microorganisms. While much has been discovered about the infection mechanisms of bacterial and eukaryotic viruses, archaeal viruses remain understudied. Good model systems are needed to study their virus-host interactions in detail. The salt-loving archaeon
Haloferax gibbonsii
LR2-5 has been shown to be infected by a variety of different viruses and, thus, is an excellent model to study archaeal viruses. By establishing a genetic system, we have significantly expanded the toolbox for this model organism, which will fuel our understanding of infection strategies of the underexplored archaeal viruses.
Plasmodium falciparum
selectively degrades α-spectrin of infected erythrocytes after invasion
Authors: Zheng Kexin , Li Qilong , Jiang Ning , Zhang Yanxin , Zheng Yuxin , Zhang Yiwei , Feng Ying , Chen Ran , Sang Xiaoyu , Chen Qijun 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Remodeling the erythrocyte membrane and skeleton by the malarial parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
is closely associated with intraerythrocytic development. However, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. In this study, we present evidence that erythrocytic α-spectrin, but not β-spectrin, was dynamically ubiquitinated and progressively degraded during the intraerythrocytic development of
P. falciparum,
from the ring to the schizont stage. We further observed an upregulated expression of
P. falciparum
phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PfPI3K) in the infected red blood cells during the intraerythrocytic development of the parasite. The data indicated that PfPI3K phosphorylated and activated erythrocytic ubiquitin-protein ligase, leading to increased α-spectrin ubiquitination and degradation during
P. falciparum
development. We further revealed that inhibition of the activity of PfPI3K impaired
P. falciparum
development
in vitro
and
Plasmodium berghei
infectivity in mice. These findings collectively unveil an important mechanism of PfPI3K-ubiquitin-mediated degradation of α-spectrin during the intraerythrocytic development of
Plasmodium
species. Proteins in the PfPI3K regulatory pathway are novel targets for effective treatment of severe malaria.

IMPORTANCE

Plasmodium falciparum
is the causative agent of severe malaria that causes millions of deaths globally. The parasite invades human red blood cells and induces a cascade of alterations in erythrocytes for development and proliferation. Remodeling the host erythrocytic cytoskeleton is a necessary process during parasitization, but its regulatory mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we observed that erythrocytic α-spectrin is selectively degraded after
P. falciparum
invasion, while β-spectrin remained intact. We found that the α-spectrin chain was profoundly ubiquitinated by E3 ubiquitin ligase and degraded by the 26S proteasome. E3 ubiquitin ligase activity was regulated by
P. falciparum
phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PfPI3K) signaling. Additionally, blocking the PfPI3K-ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in
P. falciparum
-infected red blood cells reduced parasite proliferation and infectivity. This study deepens our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of host and malarial parasite interactions and paves the way for the exploration of novel antimalarial drugs.
Advanced genetic techniques in fungal pathogen research
Authors: Ross Robbi L. , Santiago-Tirado Felipe H. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Although fungi have been important model organisms for solving genetic, molecular, and ecological problems, recently, they are also becoming an important source of infectious disease. Despite their high medical burden, fungal pathogens are understudied, and relative to other pathogenic microbes, less is known about how their gene functions contribute to disease. This is due, in part, to a lack of powerful genetic tools to study these organisms. In turn, this has resulted in inappropriate treatments and diagnostics and poor disease management. There are a variety of reasons genetic studies were challenging in pathogenic fungi, but in recent years, most of them have been overcome or advances have been made to circumvent these barriers. In this minireview, we highlight how recent advances in genetic studies in fungal pathogens have resulted in the discovery of important biology and potential new antifungals and have created the tools to comprehensively study these important pathogens.
A method to correct for local alterations in DNA copy number that bias functional genomics assays applied to antibiotic-treated bacteria
Authors: Sullivan Geraldine J. , Barquist Lars , Cain Amy K. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Functional genomics techniques, such as transposon insertion sequencing and RNA-sequencing, are key to studying relative differences in bacterial mutant fitness or gene expression under selective conditions. However, certain stress conditions, mutations, or antibiotics can directly interfere with DNA synthesis, resulting in systematic changes in local DNA copy numbers along the chromosome. This can lead to artifacts in sequencing-based functional genomics data when comparing antibiotic treatment to an unstressed control. Further, relative differences in gene-wise read counts may result from alterations in chromosomal replication dynamics, rather than selection or direct gene regulation. We term this artifact “chromosomal location bias” and implement a principled statistical approach to correct it by calculating local normalization factors along the chromosome. These normalization factors are then directly incorporated into statistical analyses using standard RNA-sequencing analysis methods without modifying the read counts themselves, preserving important information about the mean-variance relationship in the data. We illustrate the utility of this approach by generating and analyzing a ciprofloxacin-treated transposon insertion sequencing data set in
Escherichia coli
as a case study. We show that ciprofloxacin treatment generates chromosomal location bias in the resulting data, and we further demonstrate that failing to correct for this bias leads to false predictions of mutant drug sensitivity as measured by minimum inhibitory concentrations. We have developed an R package and user-friendly graphical Shiny application, ChromoCorrect, that detects and corrects for chromosomal bias in read count data, enabling the application of functional genomics technologies to the study of antibiotic stress.

IMPORTANCE
Altered gene dosage due to changes in DNA replication has been observed under a variety of stresses with a variety of experimental techniques. However, the implications of changes in gene dosage for sequencing-based functional genomics assays are rarely considered. We present a statistically principled approach to correcting for the effect of changes in gene dosage, enabling testing for differences in the fitness effects or regulation of individual genes in the presence of confounding differences in DNA copy number. We show that failing to correct for these effects can lead to incorrect predictions of resistance phenotype when applying functional genomics assays to investigate antibiotic stress, and we provide a user-friendly application to detect and correct for changes in DNA copy number.