bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In‐vivo repeatability of three intra‐oral spectrophotometers
Authors: Hampé‐Kautz Vincent , Roman Tatiana , Schwob Thibault , Cournault Bérangère , Etienne Olivier 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe objective was to assess the repeatability of three spectrophotometers, based on the CIELCh factors and shadeguide reference measurements.Materials and MethodsColor analysis was performed using three devices: Rayplicker, Easyshade 4, and Easyshade V. Five repeated measures were performed by the same operator, on the right central maxillary incisor of 30 patients. The CIELCh factors were retrieved and the intra‐class correlation was calculated. The Vita Classical and Vita 3D Master shadeguides were used to evaluate the respective Fleiss' Kappa factors.ResultsRayplicker and Easyshade V demonstrated strong intra‐class correlation based on the CIELCh factors: 0.98, 0.99, and 0.91 for Rayplicker, and 0.95, 0.99, and 0.93 for Easyshade V, for the L*, C*, and h* parameters, respectively. Regarding the repeatability of the shadeguide data, while Easyshade 4 had the best repeatability when using the Vita Classical as a reference, Rayplicker and Easyshade V showed better repeatability when using the Vita 3D Master.ConclusionThese findings suggest that both Rayplicker and Easyshade V are reliable devices for measuring CIELCh parameters. In terms of shadeguide references, the reliability of spectrophotometers is generally lower compared to the CIELCh measurements.Clinical SignificanceGiven their good repeatability, both the Rayplicker and the Easyshade V spectrophotometers are reliable tools for prosthetic dental practices.
Electric and gasoline vehicle total cost of ownership across US cities
Authors: Woody Maxwell , Adderly Shawn A. , Bohra Rushabh , Keoleian Gregory A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractVehicle electrification can significantly decarbonize the transportation sector. Widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) depends on their cost relative to conventional alternatives. Here we compare the total cost of ownership (TCO) of gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicles. First, we review previous TCO studies, showing that the components (e.g., purchase price, financing, taxes, fees, insurance, refueling, maintenance, repair, and home charging equipment for EVs), parameters (e.g., vehicle miles traveled, discount rate, and lifetime), and methods differ greatly. Then, we develop a comprehensive TCO model comparing across five vehicle classes, three powertrains, and three EV ranges. Using 14 cities in the United States and multiple charging scenarios, we investigate TCO variability based on location and use pattern. We include adjustments for local gasoline prices, electricity rate plans, home charging access, and the impact of local temperatures and drive cycles on fuel economy, among other factors. We show that for a 300‐mile range midsize electric SUV, TCO varies by $52,000, or nearly 40%, across locations. Home charging access reduces the lifetime cost by approximately $10,000 on average, and up to $26,000. EVs are more competitive in cities with high gasoline prices, low electricity prices, moderate climates, and direct purchase incentives, and for users with home charging access, time‐of‐use electricity pricing, and high annual mileage. In general, we find that small and low‐range EVs are less expensive than gasoline vehicles. Larger, long‐range EVs are currently more expensive than their gasoline counterparts. And midsize EVs can reach cost parity in some cities if incentives are applied.
Umbilical arterial lactate levels after normal vaginal and elective cesarean delivery: The role of a longer active second stage most significant in high levels after vaginal delivery
Authors: Mönkkönen Arttu , Rajala Katri , Backman Heli , Keski‐Nisula Leea 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAimTo evaluate umbilical arterial lactate concentrations after spontaneous vaginal delivery and after elective Cesarean delivery, and to study the simultaneous effects of maternal and obstetric variables in high lactate levels in vaginally delivered healthy term singletons.MethodsThe birth register study included information about the umbilical artery lactate values and clinical perinatal data from 7723 women and their singleton newborns (7301 spontaneous vaginal and 422 elective cesareans) from Kuopio University Hospital, Finland. High lactate levels were evaluated more extensively among healthy term neonates (N = 6541), to evaluate high levels after normal vaginal labors.ResultsThe mean lactate level was significantly lower after elective cesarean compared to vaginal delivery (2.42 [0.94] vs. 3.56 [1.62] mmol/l; p < 0.0001). Consequently, the 90th percentile limit values were 3.60 and 5.80 mmol/L. Among healthy term newborns born vaginally, higher lactate values (≥5.80 mmol/L) were independently associated with a longer duration of the active second stage of labor (ORs 1.91–10.97) and duration of ruptured fetal membranes (ORs 1.36–2.46), higher gestational age at birth (ORs 1.41–1.86), null parity (OR 2.17), maternal infection (OR 1.81) and short maternal stature (OR 1.45). We report 90th/95th limits for umbilical arterial lactate values in relation to the various durations of labors for term newborns who are delivered by the vaginal route.ConclusionsEven though the high umbilical lactate levels may indicate serious birth asphyxia, levels after vaginal birth reflect the physiological stress and subclinical transient asphyxia frequently seen in normal vaginal deliveries.
The transcription factor Ofi1 is critical for white‐opaque switching in natural MTLa/α isolates of Candida albicans
Authors: Cui Hao , Yang Dandan , Gong Shengwei , Zhang Yaling , Dong Bin , Su Chang , Yang Lianjuan , Lu Yang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCandida albicans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen, is able to switch between two distinct cell types: white and opaque. While white‐to‐opaque switching is typically repressed by the a1/α2 heterodimer in MTLa/α cells, it was recently reported that switching can also occur in some natural MTLa/α strains under certain environmental conditions. However, the regulatory program governing white‐opaque switching in MTLa/α cells is not fully understood. Here, we collected 90 clinical isolates of C. albicans, 16 of which possess the ability to form opaque colonies. Among the known regulators implicated in white‐opaque switching, only OFI1 exhibited significantly higher expression in these 16 strains compared to the reference strain SC5314. Importantly, ectopic expression of OFI1 in both clinical isolates and laboratory strains promoted switching frequency even in the absence of N‐acetylglucosamine and high CO2, the optimal condition for white‐to‐opaque switching in MTLa/α strains. Deleting OFI1 resulted in a reduction in opaque‐formation frequency and the stability of the opaque cell in MTLa/α cells. Ofi1 binds to the promoters of WOR1 and WOR3 to induce their expression, which facilitates white‐to‐opaque switching. Ofi1 is conserved across the CTG species. Altogether, our study reported the identification of a transcription factor Ofi1 as the critical regulator that promotes white‐to‐opaque switching in natural MTLa/α isolates of C. albicans.
Plant‐derived monoterpene S‐linalool and β‐ocimene generated by CsLIS and CsOCS‐SCZ are key chemical cues for attracting parasitoid wasps for suppressing Ectropis obliqua infestation in Camellia sinensis L
Authors: Liu Guanhua , Wang Qian , Chen Hui , Wang Yuxi , Zhou Xiaogui , Bao Demeng , Wang Nuo , Sun Juan , Huang Fuyin , Yang Mei , Zhang Han , Yan Peng , Li Xin , Shi Jiang , Fu Jianyu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractInsect‐induced plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may function as either direct defence molecules to deter insects or indirect defence signals to attract the natural enemies of the invading insects. Tea (Camellia sinensis L.), an important leaf‐based beverage crop, is mainly infested by Ectropis obliqua which causes the most serious damage. Here, we report a mechanistic investigation of tea plant‐derived VOCs in an indirect defence mechanism against E. obliqua. Parasitoid wasp Parapanteles hyposidrae, a natural enemy of E. obliqua, showed strong electrophysiological response and selection behaviour towards S‐linalool and β‐ocimene, two monoterpenes with elevated emission from E. obliqua‐damaged tea plants. Larvae frass of E. obliqua, which also released S‐linalool and β‐ocimene, was found to attract both mated female or male Pa. hyposidrae according to gas chromatography‐electroantennogram detection and Y‐tube olfactometer assays. In a field setting, both S‐linalool and β‐ocimene were effective in recruiting both female and male Pa. hyposidrae wasps. To understand the molecular mechanism of monoterpenes‐mediated indirect defence in tea plants, two novel monoterpene synthase genes, CsLIS and CsOCS‐SCZ, involved in the biosynthesis of S‐linalool or β‐ocimene, respectively, were identified and biochemically characterised. When the expression of these two genes in tea plants was inhibited by antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, both volatile emission and attraction of wasps were reduced. Furthermore, gene expression analysis suggested that the expression of CsLIS and CsOCS‐SCZ is regulated by the jasmonic acid signalling pathway in the tea plant.
Pass‐through of shocks into different U.S. prices
Authors: Yilmazkuday Hakan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis article estimates the pass‐through of different shocks into different U.S. prices that are important for policy makers. The investigation is based on a structural vector autoregression model, where quarterly data are used. The empirical results depict oil price pass‐through, exchange rate pass‐through, import‐price pass‐through, and producer price pass‐through into import prices, producer prices, and consumer prices for the U.S. economy. Policy implications suggest that achieving and sustaining consumer price stability highly depend on monitoring the developments in oil prices, followed by import prices and producer prices.
Texts and contexts: Linguistic landscapes, graffiti, film, and literature in L2 classes
Authors: Wagner Susanne M. , Hoecherl‐Alden Gisela 
Published: January 2024

AbstractGiven that societies across the globe are increasingly multicultural and multilingual, the notion of communicative competence grounded in constricting definitions of national cultures and languages reflects neither our instructional realities nor the sociolinguistic reality of the languages and cultures we teach. To foster students’ development of second language (L2) competence grounded in an awareness of the symbolic construction of language and culture as well as “tolerance for ambiguity” (Kramsch, 2006), students must create with L2, rather than just reproduce what they have learned. After briefly outlining changing conceptions of language competency, this paper first describes how public uses of language and images through signs and graffiti make up a given place's linguistic landscape (LL), defines an evolving concept, and illustrates how it can be effectively used in L2 instruction. Then it highlights how a variety of LL‐based activities help language learners become cognizant of their own sociolinguistic contexts and provides concrete examples from intermediate to advanced‐level classes in two distinctly different German programs. The different approaches encourage students to combine LL‐based activities with visual, literary, and film analysis to develop symbolic competencies that prepare them to negotiate unpredictable and diverse cultural norms.
Epidemiological, anatomoclinical, and therapeutic profile of obstetric fistula in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: About 1267 patients
Authors: Paluku Justin Lussy , Sikakulya Franck Katembo , Furaha Cathy Mufungizi , Kamabu Eugénie Mukekulu , Aksanti Barthelemy Kasi , Tsongo Zacharie Kibendelwa , Wembonyama Stanis Okitotsho , Mpoy Charles Wembonyama , Juakali Jeannot Sihalikyolo 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveOur aim is to describe the epidemiological, anatomoclinical and therapeutic profile of obstetric fistula (OF) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).MethodologyThis was a descriptive retrospective study that collected 1416 obstetric fistulas in 1267 patients in seven provinces of the DRC, treated between January 2017 and December 2022. The variables studied were epidemiological, anatomoclinical and therapeutic.ResultsThe mean age of patients at the time of surgical repair was 33.2 years (range: 15 and 77 years) and 32.8% of patients were aged between 20 and 29 years. The mean age of the fistula at repair was 10 years (range: 3.5 months and 56 years). At the time of fistula, 61.7% of patients had delivered vaginally and 28.7% by caesarean section and 8.2% of patients had a haemostasis hysterectomy. Labour lasted at least 3 days in 47.3% of these patients for the fistula birth. Deliveries took place either at home (27.4%) or in a health facility (72.6%); 83.6% of newborns resulting from these births had died. Taken as a whole, urogenital fistulas are more common than genito‐digestive fistulas. Urethro‐vaginal (26.2%) and vesico‐uterine (24.7%) anatomoclinical entities were predominant among urogenital fistulas. A total of 1416 fistulas were surgically repaired in 1267 patients. These repairs were successful for 1226 (86.6%) fistulas. The main surgical route used was transvaginal (68.8%).ConclusionIn the DRC, obstetric fistula is common in young adult women. It often results from vaginal delivery, after prolonged labour. Fistula births often result in the death of newborns. Uro‐genital obstetric fistulas are the most frequent with predominance of urethro‐vaginal and vesico‐uterine anatomoclinical entities. Fistulas remain untreated for a long time. Mostly done transvaginally, surgical repair gives a good result.
The influence of supportive work environment on work‐related stress and conflict management style among emergency care nurses: A descriptive correlational study
Authors: Farghaly Abdelaliem Sally Mohammed , Abdallah Haitham Mokhtar Mohamed , Abdelgawad Mohamed Ezzelregal , El‐Sayed Ahmed Abdelwahab Ibrahim 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundStress and conflict in emergency departments are inevitable but can be managed. A supportive work environment is key to helping emergency care providers, especially nurses, constructively manage work‐related stress and conflict.AimThe aim of this study was to assess the influence of supportive work environments on work‐related stress and conflict management style among emergency care nurses.MethodsA descriptive correlational research design was utilized. Data were collected from 221 staff nurses recruited from two university hospital emergency departments in Alexandria, Egypt. Three instruments were used: (1) perceived organizational support scale, (2) nurses' occupational stressors scale, and (3) conflict management style inventory.ResultsThere was a highly significant correlation between supportive work environments and work‐related stress (p = .000) and a significant correlation between supportive work environments and conflict management style (p = .026). Supportive work environments had a significant inverse negative relationship with work‐related stress experienced by nurses (p = .001) and accounted for 51% of variance in work‐related stress. Meanwhile, supportive work environments had a significant positive relationship with conflict management styles of nurses (p = .026). Work‐related stress had a significant relationship with nurses' conflict management style (p = .000) and accounted for 45% of the variance in conflict management style.Linking Evidence to ActionThe style of conflict management modeled by staff within emergency departments can positively or negatively influence the work environment and level of work‐related stress. There is a necessity to cultivate a supportive culture for nurses in emergency departments to develop skills for constructive conflict management styles to reduce work‐related stress.
Regional spread of an atypical ESBL-producing
Escherichia coli
ST131H89 clone among different human and environmental reservoirs in Western Switzerland
Authors: Martischang Romain , Seth-Smith Helena , Verschuuren Tess D. , Héquet Delphine , Gaïa Nadia , François Patrice , Fluit Ad C. , Kluytmans Jan A. J. W. , Seiffert Salome N. , Tacconelli Evelina , Cherkaoui Abdessalam , Harbarth Stephan , Egli Adrian , Kohler Philipp 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

We describe the inter-regional spread of a novel ESBL-producing
Escherichia coli
subclone (ST131H89) in long-term care facility residents, general population, and environmental water sources in Western Switzerland between 2017 and 2020. The study highlights the importance of molecular surveillance for tracking emerging antibiotic-resistant pathogens in healthcare and community settings.
The catabolic specialization of the marine bacterium
Polaribacter
sp. Q13 to red algal β1,3/1,4-mixed-linkage xylan
Authors: Zhao Fang , Yu Chun-Mei , Sun Hai-Ning , Xu Ting-Ting , Sun Zhong-Zhi , Qin Qi-Long , Wang Ning , Chen Xiu-Lan , Yu Yang , Zhang Yu-Zhong 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Catabolism of algal polysaccharides by marine bacteria is a significant process of marine carbon cycling. β1,3/1,4
-
Mixed-linkage xylan (MLX) is a class of xylan in the ocean, widely present in the cell walls of red algae. However, the catabolic mechanism of MLX by marine bacteria remains elusive. Recently, we found that a marine Bacteroidetes strain,
Polaribacter
sp. Q13, is a specialist in degrading MLX, which secretes a novel MLX-specific xylanase. Here, the catabolic specialization of strain Q13 to MLX was studied by multiomics and biochemical analyses. Strain Q13 catabolizes MLX with a canonical starch utilization system (Sus), which is encoded by a single xylan utilization locus, XUL-Q13. In this system, the cell surface glycan-binding protein SGBP-B captures MLX specifically, contributing to the catabolic specificity. The xylanolytic enzyme system of strain Q13 is unique, and the enzymatic cascade dedicates the stepwise hydrolysis of the β1,3- and β1,4-linkages in MLX in the extracellular, periplasmic, and cytoplasmic spaces. Bioinformatics analysis and growth observation suggest that other marine Bacteroidetes strains harboring homologous MLX utilization loci also preferentially utilize MLX. These results reveal the catabolic specialization of MLX degradation by marine Bacteroidetes, leading to a better understanding of the degradation and recycling of MLX driven by marine bacteria.

IMPORTANCE
Red algae contribute substantially to the primary production in marine ecosystems. The catabolism of red algal polysaccharides by marine bacteria is important for marine carbon cycling. Mixed-linkage β1,3/1,4-xylan (MLX, distinct from hetero-β1,4-xylans from terrestrial plants) is an abundant red algal polysaccharide, whose mechanism of catabolism by marine bacteria, however, remains largely unknown. This study reveals the catabolism of MLX by marine Bacteroidetes, promoting our understanding of the degradation and utilization of algal polysaccharides by marine bacteria. This study also sets a foundation for the biomass conversion of MLX.
Macrophages inhibit extracellular hyphal growth of
A. fumigatus
through Rac2 GTPase signaling
Authors: Tanner Christopher D. , Rosowski Emily E. 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Macrophages act as a first line of defense against pathogens. Against
Aspergillus fumigatus
, a fungus with pathogenic potential in immunocompromised patients, macrophages can phagocytose fungal spores and inhibit spore germination to prevent the development of tissue-invasive hyphae. However, the cellular pathways that macrophages use to accomplish these tasks and any roles macrophages have later in infection against invasive forms of fungi are still not fully known. Rac-family Rho GTPases are signaling hubs for multiple cellular functions in leukocytes, including cell migration, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and transcriptional activation. We therefore aimed to further characterize the function of macrophages against
A. fumigatus
in an
in vivo
vertebrate infection model by live imaging of the macrophage behavior in
A. fumigatus
-infected
rac2
mutant zebrafish larvae. While Rac2-deficient zebrafish larvae are susceptible to
A. fumigatus
infection, Rac2 deficiency does not impair macrophage migration to the infection site, interaction with and phagocytosis of spores, spore trafficking to acidified compartments, or spore killing. However, we reveal a role for Rac2 in macrophage-mediated inhibition of spore germination and control of invasive hyphae. Re-expression of Rac2 under a macrophage-specific promoter rescues the survival of
A. fumigatus
-infected
rac2
mutant larvae through increased control of germination and hyphal growth. Altogether, we describe a new role for macrophages against extracellular hyphal growth of
A. fumigatus
and report that the function of the Rac2 Rho GTPase in macrophages is required for this function.
Implications of the 375W mutation for HIV-1 tropism and vaccine development
Authors: Verdejo-Torres Odette , Vargas-Pavia Tania , Fatima Syeda , Clapham Paul R. , Duenas-Decamp Maria J. 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT
Understanding how different amino acids affect the HIV-1 envelope (Env) trimer will greatly help the design and development of vaccines that induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). A tryptophan residue at position 375 that opens the CD4 binding site without modifying the trimer apex was identified using our saturation mutagenesis strategy. 375W was introduced into a large panel of 27 transmitted/founder, acute stage, chronic infection, and AIDS macrophage-tropic and non-macrophage-tropic primary envelopes from different clades (A, B, C, D, and G) as well as complex and circulating recombinants. We evaluated soluble CD4 and monoclonal antibody neutralization of WT and mutant Envs together with macrophage infection. The 375W substitution increased sensitivity to soluble CD4 in all 27 Envs and macrophage infection in many Envs including an X4 variant. Importantly, 375W did not impair or abrogate neutralization by potent bnAbs. Variants that were already highly macrophage tropic were compromised for macrophage tropism, indicating that other structural factors are involved. Of note, we observed a macrophage-tropic (clade G) and intermediate macrophage-tropic (clades C and D) primary Envs from the blood and not from the central nervous system (CNS), indicating that such variants could be released from the brain or evolve outside the CNS. Our data also indicate that “intermediate” macrophage-tropic variants should belong to a new class of HIV-1 tropism. These Envs infected macrophages more efficiently than non-macrophage-tropic variants without reaching the high levels of macrophage-tropic brain variants. In summary, we show that 375W is ideal for inclusion into HIV-1 vaccines, increasing Env binding to CD4 for widely diverse Envs from different clades and disease stages.

IMPORTANCE
Substitutions exposing the CD4 binding site (CD4bs) on HIV-1 trimers but still occluding non-neutralizing, immunogenic epitopes are desirable to develop HIV-1 vaccines. If such substitutions induce similar structural changes in trimers across diverse clades, they could be exploited for the development of multi-clade envelope (Env) vaccines. We show that the 375W substitution increases CD4 affinity for envelopes of all clades, circulating recombinant forms, and complex Envs tested, independent of disease stage. Clade B and C Envs with an exposed CD4bs were described for macrophage-tropic strains from the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we show that intermediate (clades C and D) and macrophage-tropic (clade G) envelopes can be detected outside the CNS. Vaccines targeting the CD4bs will be particularly effective against such strains and CNS disease.