bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exposed, scaffolded and connected – Foster carers' experiences of dyadic developmental psychotherapy: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Murphy Amy , Melia Yvonne , Srejic Gabija 
Published: February 2025

AbstractObjectiveResearch is required to better understand the experience and effectiveness of dyadic developmental psychotherapy (DDP), a promising intervention developed to meet the complex needs of developmental trauma‐experienced children in substitute care. DDP is a systemic intervention, within which the child's carer plays a significant role. Given their significant role and the lack of existing research, this study aimed to explore how foster carers experience DDP.DesignA qualitative design using semi‐structured interviews with 10 foster carers was implemented.MethodInterviews conducted via Microsoft Teams and telephone were recorded, transcribed and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.ResultsFour group experiential themes and 11 subthemes were formed; ‘from disbelief to clarity’, ‘scaffolded and safe’, ‘attuned and connected’ and "It's worth it". From initial confusion and disappointment, came clarity of self‐understanding and a more attuned, connected attachment relationship. DDP was experienced as both fulfilling and demanding.ConclusionsThough the need to explore DDP's effectiveness remains, this study suggests foster carers experience DDP as a demanding yet worthwhile intervention. Implications for practice, especially an increased need for relational safety and carer support are explored, as well as avenues for future research.
The Blockchain Treasury Governance Dilemma
Authors: Allen Darcy W. E. , Berg Chris , Lane Aaron M. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBlockchain treasuries are pools of cryptocurrency earmarked for funding goods and services within a blockchain ecosystem, such as protocol upgrades. Blockchain participants, such as users and developers, face a trust problem in ensuring that the treasury is robust to opportunism, such as theft or misappropriation of the assets. Treasury governance structures, such as committees or stakeholder voting, seek to create trust in treasury functions. In this paper, we use new comparative economics to examine how treasury governance mechanisms minimize the costs of dictatorship and disorder, thereby bolstering trust. We interpret case studies of innovative treasury governance within this Institutional Possibilities Frontier (IPF) framework, showing that the costs shift throughout the lifecycle of a blockchain community, and those costs are often revealed or learned through governance crises. These changes lead ecosystem participants to choose and innovate on treasury governance.
The Educational Differentiation of African Birth Timing
Authors: Frye Margaret , Lopus Sara 
Published: February 2025

AbstractAs educational access has expanded across Africa, birth timing has remained quite stable. Using data representing 51 birth years and 34 countries, we show that these modest aggregate changes mask more dramatic changes within educational groups. Over time, educational attainment has become an increasingly salient predictor of birth timing, as highly educated women have delayed first births and lengthened subsequent birth intervals more. The educational differentiation of birth timing also varies across contextual factors (educational access and family planning effort). In recent cohorts, women of all educational levels have experienced earlier first births in higher education contexts, suggesting that entry into motherhood is influenced by relative position within one's peer group. Aggregating across educational levels, however, women experience later first births in higher education contexts, driven by the greater share of highly educated women. For women at all levels of educational attainment, first birth timing is responsive to family planning context; in aggregate, women in countries with high family planning investments become mothers one year later than those in countries with lower family planning efforts. Notably, highly educated women lengthen their second birth intervals more when education and family planning are widely available, suggesting further potential for public investments to enable women to achieve their reproductive preferences.
Distinguishing Underlying, Inferred, and Expressed Preferences, Attitudes, and Beliefs: An Absence of (Mental) Flatness?
Authors: Brown Gordon D. A. , Walasek Lukasz 
Published: February 2025

AbstractPeople's choices of food and drink, the attitudes they express, and the beliefs that they state are influenced by their political and other identities. At the same time, people's everyday choices depend on the context of available options in ways that are difficult to explain in terms of the choosers’ preferences and beliefs. Such phenomena provoke various questions. Do partisans or conspiracy theorists really believe what they are saying? Given the systematic inconsistency of their choices, in what sense do consumers prefer the items they purchase? More generally, how “flat” is the mind—do we come to decision‐making and choice with pre‐existing preferences, attitudes, and beliefs, or are our explanations for our behavior mere post‐hoc narratives? Here, we argue that several apparently disparate difficulties are rooted in a failure to separate psychologically different types of preferences, attitudes, and beliefs. We distinguish between underlying, inferred, and expressed preferences. These preferences may be expressed in different coordinate spaces and hence support different types of explanatory generalizations. Choices that appear inconsistent according to one type of preference can appear consistent according to another, and whether we can say that a person “really” prefers something depends on which type of preference we mean. We extend the tripartite classification to the case of attitudes and beliefs, and suggest that attributions of attitudes and beliefs may also be ambiguous. We conclude that not all of the mental states and representations that govern our behavior are context‐dependent and constructed, although many are.
Donors in the COVID‐19 era: How did donor characteristics change in Japan?
Authors: Odajima T. , Tsuno N. H. , Okubo R. , Makino S. , Miyagi T. , Ikuta K. , Muroi K. , Kino S. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe COVID‐19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to the blood service in Japan. Stay‐at‐home policies in schools, organizations and companies made it challenging to access potential blood donors, leading to a substantial decline in blood donation rates. This study aimed to examine the profile of blood donors during the pandemic and compare it with that in the pre‐pandemic period.Materials and MethodsBlood donors who contributed to the Japanese Red Cross Blood Services between April 2018 and March 2021 were evaluated based on age, gender, occupation, donation site, height, body weight (BW) and donation status (first‐time [FT] or repeat). Factors influencing the return of FT donors who contributed before and during the pandemic were also explored.ResultsDuring the initial phase of the pandemic, a significant decrease in blood donations was observed, particularly in Tokyo. Despite intermittent drops, the required blood volume was ultimately collected. Donations by both female and male repeat donors increased, although the number of male repeat donors decreased, with only female repeat donors experiencing an absolute increase. Before the pandemic, younger age, 200‐mL donation, higher body mass index and fixed donation sites were significantly associated with FT donor returns. During the pandemic, higher age (for males) and 400‐mL donation (for females) emerged as significant factors. With changes in donor profiles during the pandemic, there was a noticeable shift in the characteristics of FT donors who returned for a subsequent donation within the following year, particularly in terms of age and blood donation volume.ConclusionDespite the challenges, the required blood volume was successfully collected, thanks to increased donations from repeat blood donors. Recruiting and retaining committed donors is essential for maintaining sustainable blood services, especially during crisis situations.
Sucrose and malic acid in the tobacco plant induce
hrp
regulon in a phytopathogen
Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum
Authors: Cao Yuzhu , Tsuzuki Masayuki , Kiba Akinori , Hikichi Yasufumi , Zhang Yong , Ohnishi Kouhei 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Genes encoding a type III secretion system in
Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum
are regulated by HrpB as an
hrp
regulon and induced only in plants. This study aimed to identify the plant signals that induce the
hrp
regulon and confirm the signal recognition mechanism. Signaling molecules that induce
hrpB
expression were screened using resting cells of the
hrpB-lacZ
reporter strain. Only the soluble fraction of smashed tobacco seedlings induced
hrpB
expression. The heated soluble fraction retained its
hrpB
-inducing activity, indicating that the signaling molecules were not proteins. When the soluble fraction was fractionated into acidic, neutral, and basic components, both the acidic and neutral fractions induced
hrpB
expression. As neutral compounds, sucrose, glucose, and fructose have been found to induce
hrpB
expression. Sucrose-induced
hrpB
expression was greatly reduced in the
prhA
mutant, indicating that the TonB-dependent receptor PrhA perceives sugars. Among the organic acids found in the acidic fractions, malic acid most efficiently induced
hrpB
expression, which was reduced by the mutation of a hybrid histidine kinase gene of a two-component system,
rsc1598
, indicating that Rsc1598 may sense malic acid. We demonstrated direct binding of Rsc1598 to malic acid using isothermal titration calorimetry.

IMPORTANCE

Similar to other Gram-negative plant pathogens, the type III secretion system (T3SS) is the most important virulence factor in
Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum
. The genes for the T3SS are regulated as an
hrp
regulon, activated only when the pathogen encounters the plants, indicating that the pathogen must sense plant signals. For the first time, we identified two signaling compounds, sucrose and malic acid, that are abundantly found in tobacco roots. The
hrp
operon was induced even in non-host plants, possibly because sucrose and malic acid are common in plants. We also found that
R. pseudosolanacearum
membrane proteins received sucrose and malic acid independently. As a next step, antagonists of signaling molecules can be screened.
Single-cell transcriptomics reveals a compartmentalized antiviral interferon response in the nasal epithelium of mice
Authors: Wang Xuefei , Dong Meng , Wu Xinchao , Schnepf Daniel , Thiel Julia , Sun Wenfei , Wolfrum Christian , Li Sisi , Jin Wenfei , Staeheli Peter , Ye Liang 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Type III interferons (IFNs) primarily act on epithelial cells and protect against virus infection of the mucosa, whereas type I IFNs act more systemically. To date, it has been unknown which epithelial subtypes in the upper airways, the primary site for initial infection for most respiratory viruses, primarily rely on type III IFN or type I IFNs for antiviral protection. To address this question, we performed a single-cell transcriptomics analysis of the epithelial IFN-mediated response focusing on the upper airways of mice. This work identified nine distinct cell types derived from the olfactory epithelium and thirteen distinct cell types from the respiratory epithelium. Interestingly, type I IFNs induced a stronger antiviral transcriptional response than type III IFN in respiratory epithelial cells, whereas in olfactory epithelial cells, including sustentacular (SUS) and Bowman’s gland cells (BGC), type III IFN was more dominant compared to type I IFN. SUS and BGC, which provide structural support and maintain the integrity of olfactory sensory neurons, were highly susceptible to infection with a mouse-adapted variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 MA20) but were protected against infection if the animals were prophylactically treated with type III IFN. These findings demonstrate a high degree of cell type heterogeneity in terms of interferon-mediated antiviral responses and reveal a potent role for type III IFNs in protecting the olfactory epithelium.

IMPORTANCE
SARS-CoV-2 infects SUS and BGC in the olfactory epithelium, causing an impairment of structural support and integrity of olfactory sensory neurons that can result in severe olfactory dysfunctions. We observed an unexpected compartmentalization of the IFN-mediated transcriptional response within the airway epithelium, and we found that olfactory epithelial cells preferentially respond to type III IFN, which resulted in robust antiviral protection of SUS and BGC. Given the proximity of the olfactory epithelium to the central nervous system, we hypothesize that evolution favored a type III IFN-biased antiviral immune response in this tissue to limit inflammatory responses in the brain. Cell type-specific antiviral responses in the upper airways, triggered by the different types of IFNs, should be investigated in more detail and carefully taken into consideration during the development of IFN-based antivirals for clinical use.
Gut microbiome metagenomic sequences of honey bees (
Apis mellifera
) exposed to crops
Authors: Tran L. , Lansing L. , Cunningham M. , Ho J. , Deckers T. , Newman T. , Wu L. , Gregoris A. S. , Zorz J. , Muntz L. , Lee K. , Trépanier-Leroux D. , Conflitti I. M. , Pepinelli M. , Walsh E. M. , Morfin N. , Powell J. E. , Moran N. , Hoover S. E. , Pernal S. F. , Currie R. W. , Giovenazzo P. , Guzman-Novoa E. , Jabbari H. , Foster L. J. , Zayed A. , Ortega Polo R. , Guarna M. M. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

The gut microbiome of the European honey bee (
Apis mellifera
) is vital to its health, yet large-scale studies are scarce. We present metagenomic sequencing data from 180 samples collected near and far from eight crops across Canada over 2 years. These data sets will help address various biological and environmental questions.
Role of sortase-assembled Ebp pili in
Enterococcus faecalis
adhesion to iron oxides and its impact on extracellular electron transfer
Authors: Ho Foo Kiong , Lam Ling Ning , Matysik Artur , Watts Thomas Dean , Wong Jun Jie , Chong Kelvin Kian Long , Choo Pei Yi , Tolar Joe , Low Pui Man , Chua Zhi Sheng , Paxman Jason J. , Heras Begoña , Marsili Enrico , Ajo-Franklin Caroline M. , Kline Kimberly A. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Enterococcus faecalis
sortase-assembled endocarditis and biofilm-associated pili (Ebp) are virulence factors implicated in enterococcal biofilm-associated infections and gastrointestinal colonization. We previously showed that
E. faecalis
biofilm metabolism is influenced by extracellular electron transfer (EET) under iron-rich conditions, raising the question of whether Ebp pili also play a role in EET. Here, we report a novel role of Ebp pili in
E. faecalis
adhesion to the iron oxides magnetite, goethite, and hematite, where the EbpA tip adhesin contributes to this interaction. Adhesion by Ebp pili is conditionally important for EET to iron oxides, as pilus mutants are attenuated in EET under non-static growth conditions. In alignment with the established role of EET in redox homeostasis, we find that EET to ferricyanide supports
E. faecalis
anaerobic growth on glycerol. Furthermore, in an antibiotic-treated mouse gastrointestinal colonization model, we show that
E. faecalis
mutants deficient in EET poorly colonize the intestinal niche. Taken together, our findings suggest that Ebp pili can influence
E. faecalis
metabolic fitness by promoting EET to iron oxides, raising new questions about how Ebp pili shape
E. faecalis
interactions with environmental ecosystems. Additionally, the important role of EET in
E. faecalis
colonization of the dysbiotic gastrointestinal environment highlights the need for further inquiry into how EET contributes to
E. faecalis
microbial pathogenesis.

IMPORTANCE

In this study, we explored the interplay between extracellular electron transfer (EET) and an
Enterococcus faecalis
biofilm factor, the endocarditis and biofilm-associated pili (Ebp). We demonstrate that Ebp pili have a novel role in adhesion to iron oxides, which consequently promotes EET to iron oxides under non-static conditions. Along with our findings that
E. faecalis
EET can be coupled to anaerobic cell growth, our results point to a potential ecological role of Ebp pili in natural environments, outside of its established function in adhesion to host ligands. We provide the first evidence of the contribution of EET to
E. faecalis
colonization of the antibiotic-treated murine intestinal niche, which adds to the limited experimental evidence linking EET and microbial pathogenesis, as well as highlights the need for further studies of EET in bacterial pathogens.
‘The right advice’: a qualitative study examining enablers and barriers to recreational running and beliefs about knee health following knee surgery
Authors: Alexander James L N , Ezzat Allison M , Culvenor Adam G , De Oliveira Silva Danilo , Haberfield Melissa , Esculier Jean-François , Barton Christian J 
Published: February 2025

ObjectivesTo examine the experiences, knowledge and beliefs of recreational runners with a history of knee surgery regarding (i) enablers and barriers to running participation, (ii) the association of running and knee joint health, and (iii) perceived benefits and motivations for running.Methods17 runners (≥3 times/week, ≥10 km/week) with a history of knee surgery (7±7 years post-surgery, 9 women, age 36±8 years) participated in one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Trustworthiness was built by following established qualitative research guidelines and by participant validation of findings in the final analysis stages.ResultsWe identified 9 themes (5 subthemes) for aim (i); 3 themes (10 subthemes) for aim (ii); and 2 themes (4 subthemes) for aim (iii). Positive health professional support including education, exercise rehabilitation and a tailored return-to-run plan enabled participants to return to running following surgery. Effective load management either independently or with coach assistance, and consistent strength training were considered key to maintaining participation. Barriers to running following surgery included unhelpful health professional encounters, persistent knee symptoms and muscle weakness, new running-related injuries, anxiety and fear about reinjury, and difficulty finding time. Participants had varying beliefs about running and knee joint health, although most believed that running benefited long-term knee health. Improved mental health and social connection were the most common motivators to run.ConclusionOur qualitative findings may inform strategies to support adults to commence, or return to, and maintain running participation following knee surgery.
Novel approach for women’s self-management of rectal emptying difficulty
Authors: Eustice Sharon , Endacott Ruth , Kent Bridie 
Published: February 2025

AimTo pragmatically investigate rectal emptying difficulty in women to identify if managing their symptoms with an innovative device is more effective and satisfactory than their usual care.BackgroundRectal emptying difficulty has a mostly unknown influence on women and frequently a hidden issue. Self-management alternatives are underappreciated. Despite the magnitude of the problem and its influence on women’s lives and healthcare, non-surgical alternatives have received little attention.MethodsThis cohort study of 35 female participants, recruited via secondary care outpatient clinics, used composite questionnaires before and after an 8-week intervention using the device. The questionnaire comprised of a quality of life instrument (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Vaginal Symptoms and obstructed defaecation syndrome questionnaires), bowel diary recordings and participant feedback on using the device.FindingsThe device helped participants reduce the need to use their fingers (z= −2.844; p≤0.004) and offered participants improved lifestyle. There was significant reduction in difficulties to evacuate (p≤0.004), digitation to evacuate (p≤0.018), the feeling of incomplete evacuation (p≤0.002), straining to evacuate (p≤0.008) and lifestyle alteration (p≤0.046). The sense of incomplete emptying before and after using the device was significant (z= −2.646; p≤0.008), and feeling of being blocked improved (z= −3.317; p≤0.001). Stool consistency did not change. Medication to evacuate, returning to the toilet to evacuate and time needed showed no difference. Twenty-four participants (68.5%) completed the Patient Global Impression of Improvement question postintervention. Overall, 16 participants (66.7%) reported that the device was better than not using it. The results have clinical value, suggesting the device can assist women enhance their quality of life and improve physical symptoms associated with rectal emptying difficulties.ConclusionsMost women with rectal emptying difficulty in this study found the device effective when compared with their usual care. Furthermore, it offers an additional conservative measure option within healthcare provision.
Associations between caregivers’ health behaviours and overweight/obesity among children aged 2–6 years in Beijing, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ji Wenjing , Du Juan , Li Xueling , Hu Yan , Liang Aimin , Xu Xiwei 
Published: February 2025

Objective
To investigate the correlation between caregivers’ health-related behaviours and the prevalence of overweight/obesity among children aged 2–6 years in Beijing city in China.

Design
Cross-sectional study.

Setting
Two kindergartens and two community health service centres in Beijing city, China.

Participants
A total of 1967 children aged 2–6 years were included.

Primary and secondary outcome measures
Children’s height and weight were measured and body mass index was computed. The caregivers’ exercise health behaviours and dietary health behaviours were assessed using a questionnaire, encompassing the frequency of exercise and the duration of each exercise session, as well as the frequency of consumption of desserts, late-night snacks, and fast food, regular eating habits, and the proportion of meat and vegetables consumed daily. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify relationships between caregivers’ health-related behaviours and overweight/obesity in children.

Results
Having caregivers who exercised ≥3 times/week (OR 0.643, 95% CI 0.417 to 0.990) was a protective factor against childhood overweight/obesity compared with having caregivers who exercised <1 time/week; caregivers’ frequent encouragement of children’s participation in physical activity was also a protective factor (OR 0.513, 95% CI 0.352 to 0.749). Additionally, children whose caregivers consumed sweets 2–3 times/week (OR 1.535, 95% CI 1.133 to 2.081) or ≥4 times/week (OR 1.916, 95% CI 1.258 to 2.918), as well as children whose caregivers consumed fast food ≥4 times/week (OR 2.298, 95% CI 1.349 to 3.914), were more likely to be overweight and obesity than children whose caregivers consumed these foods ≤1 time/week. Furthermore, caregivers’ irregular eating habits were positively associated with the occurrence of overweight and obesity in children (OR 1.485, 95% CI 1.056 to 2.089).

Conclusion
Caregivers’ health-related behaviours were significantly associated with overweight/obesity among children in China. Substantial measures should be implemented to address caregivers’ health-related behaviours to prevent and control childhood overweight/obesity.