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We develop a novel application of machine learning and apply it to the interview transcripts from the American Voices Project (N = 1,396), using discourse atom topic modeling to explore social class variation in the centrality of family in adults' lives. We take a two-phase approach, first analyzing transcripts at the person level and then at the line level. Our findings suggest that family, as represented by talk, is more central in the lives of those without a college degree than among the college educated. However, the degree of institutional overlap between family and other key institutions -- health, work, religion, and criminal justice -- does not vary by education. We interpret these findings in the context of debates about the deinstitutionalization of family in the contemporary United States. This demonstrates the value of a new method for analyzing qualitative interview data at scale. We address ways to expand the use of this method to shed light on educational disparities.

Ensuring healthy and sustainable food systems in increasing social, economic, and ecological change is a key global priority to protect human and environmental health. Seafood is an essential component of these food systems and a critical source of nutrients, especially in coastal communities. However, despite rapid transformations in aquatic food systems, and our urgent need to understand them, there is a dearth of data connecting harvested food production to actualized food consumption. Many analyses suggest institutional, legal, or technological innovations to improve food systems, but few have analyzed the pathways through which people already gain access to nutritious food. Here, using a random forest model and cluster analysis of a nationally representative data set from Kiribati, we operationalize access theory to trace the flows of consumptive benefit in a fisheries-based food system. We demonstrate that the market access mechanism is the key mechanism mediating seafood access in Kiribati, but importantly, the highest seafood consumption households showed lower market access, pointing to the importance of non-market acquisition (e.g., home production and gifting). We reveal six distinct household strategies that employ different sets of access mechanisms to ensure high levels of local seafood consumption in different contexts. We demonstrate the impacts of these strategies on the composition of household seafoods consumed, stressing the need to support these existing successful strategies. Finally, we point to key policy and management insights (e.g., improved infrastructure, shifts in species management) that may be more effective in reinforcing these existing pathways than commonly proposed food system interventions.

Abstract Common Reed Phragmites australis, globally one of the mostly widely distributed wetland plants, is important for biodiversity and for humans. However, like most wetland plant communities, reedbed has rarely been mapped at large geographical scales, restricting the information available to study reed’s range dynamics or inform its management. Using Sentinel-2 data and machine learning, we aimed to produce the first published remotely-sensed reedbed map of Britain; however, accuracy as assessed by field validation was relatively low (AUC = 0.671), with many false positives (commission error of 93.4%). A similar workflow carried out in Google Earth Engine, using nearly an order of magnitude more images, gave a lower commission error but a disproportionately higher omission error. Using the known commission and omission error, we estimate that in 2015–2017 ~ 7800 ha of Britain was reedbed. Our study highlights the enduring barriers to accurate land cover classification at large spatial scales. Even with a ‘big data’ approach, reflectance error and ecological factors such as confusion land cover types and geographical variation in temporal reflectance function will probably continue to limit the size of area for which land cover can be classified accurately, therefore limiting the utility of remote sensing for ecologists.

Abstract Detecting chemical signals is important for identifying food sources and avoiding harmful agents. Like many animals, C. elegans use olfaction to chemotax towards their main food source, bacteria. However, little is known about the bacterial compounds governing C. elegans attraction to bacteria and the physiological importance of these compounds to bacteria. Here, we address these questions by investigating the function of a small RNA, P11, in the pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, that was previously shown to mediate learned pathogen avoidance. We discovered that this RNA also affects the attraction of untrained C. elegans to P. aeruginosa and does so by controlling production of ammonia, a volatile odorant produced during nitrogen assimilation. We describe the complex regulation of P. aeruginosa nitrogen assimilation, which is mediated by a partner-switching mechanism involving environmental nitrates, sensor proteins, and P11. In addition to mediating C. elegans attraction, we demonstrate that nitrogen assimilation mutants perturb bacterial fitness and pathogenesis during C. elegans infection by P. aeruginosa. These studies define ammonia as a major mediator of trans-kingdom signaling, implicate nitrogen assimilation as important for both bacteria and host organisms, and highlight how a bacterial metabolic pathway can either benefit or harm a host in different contexts.

Abstract Aluminum hydroxide polymorphs are of widespread importance yet their kinetics of nucleation and growth remain beyond the reach of current models. Here we attempt to unveil the reaction processes underlying the polymorphs formation at high chemical potential. We examine their formation in-situ from supersaturated alkaline sodium aluminate solutions using deuteration and time-resolved neutron pair distribution function analyses, which indicate the formation of individual Al(OD)3 layers as an intermediate particle phase. These layers ultimately stack to form gibbsite- or bayerite-like layered heterostructures. Ex-situ characterization of the recovered precipitates using 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Raman, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy, suggests the presence of additional intermediate states, an amorphous compound bearing both tetrahededrally- and penta-coordinated Al3+. These observations reveal the complex pathways to form Al(OD)3 monolayers via either transient pentacoordinate species or amorphous-to-ordered transitions. The subsequent crystallization of admixed gibbsite/bayerite is followed by an Al(OD)3 monolayer attachment process.

I. Introduction and a Brief History of Crypto Regulation In May 2022, the total market value of the TerraLuna crypto asset (1) ecosystem fell from an estimated fifty billion dollars [...]

Lavandula angustifolia Mill., lavender, is an aromatic plant in the Lamiaceae family. Lavender is an important economic plant that is cultivated throughout the world. Previous studies have shown that the primary pollinators of lavender in Europe and North Africa are bee species, specifically Bombus spp. However, similar studies have not been previously performed in North America. The current study, on cultivated population lavender (grown from seed) in Utah (USA), found a diverse community of bees visiting lavender over a 4-week sequential and successive blooming period. The observed and identified bees were distinguished across 8 genera and 12 species, of which 3 were species not native to North America. The most observed bees were Apis mellifera (88.3%), Bombus fervidus (4.2%), and B. huntii (3.7%). To investigate seed production and viability, lavender plants were either caged off and their access withheld from pollinators, or selectively granted access to various pollinators, to determine (1) if lavender is capable of self-pollination, (2) if pollination increases both the seed production rates and seed viability of lavender, and (3) which bee species are the most efficient pollinators of lavender. The findings from this study demonstrate the ecological interactions between pollinators both native and non-native to North America on lavender, a plant native to the Mediterranean region.

Purpose: To compare the biomechanical properties of quadriceps tendon (QT) graft stitch methods using 3 different suture systems for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Methods: A total of 48 QTs were harvested from cadaveric knee specimens (age: 73 ± 7 years; range, 66-86 years). Samples were randomly divided into 3 groups where different suture needle systems were used to create 2 stitch methods: whipstitch (WS) and locking stitch (LS). Surgeons performed each technique to 5 stitches, each 0.5 cm apart. Stitching time was recorded. Samples were preconditioned and then underwent cyclic loading, followed by load to failure. Stiffness (N/mm), ultimate failure load (N), peak-to-peak displacement (mm), elongation (mm), and failure displacement (mm) were recorded. Results: WS and LS were equivalent across stiffness, ultimate load, and peak-to-peak displacement within groups 2 and 3. In group 1, the LS was stiffer than the WS, but the WS achieved a higher ultimate load. For all groups, the LS achieved lower elongation and failure displacement than the WS, with significant differences in groups 1 and 2. Within each stitching method, equivalence was determined for total elongation and ultimate failure load for all 3 suture system groups. For WS samples, group 1 all failed from suture breakage, and both groups 2 and 3 had instances of failure from suture pull-through. All LS samples failed from suture breakage. Conclusions: Both LS and WS provide adequate mechanical properties in each of the 3 suture systems. Differences in performance do exist; however, each method shows equivalent total elongation and ultimate failure load for all 3 suture systems. LS may be preferred over WS due to lower mean elongation and failure displacement. Clinical Relevance: There is an increased use of QT grafts in for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. However, there have been a limited number of studies comparing various stitching methods and optimizing techniques for QT graft fixation. This study may provide important information to surgeons about which suture techniques have better biomechanical profiles.

ABSTRACT The genus Pseudomonas is a prolific source of specialized metabolites with significant biological activities, including siderophores, antibiotics, and plant hormones. These molecules play pivotal roles in environmental interactions, influencing pathogenicity, inhibiting microorganisms, responding to nutrient limitation and abiotic challenges, and regulating plant growth. These properties mean that pseudomonads are suitable candidates as biological control agents against plant pathogens. Multiple transposon-based screens have identified a Pseudomonas biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) associated with potent antibacterial and antifungal activities, which produces 7-hydroxytropolone (7-HT). In this study, we show that this BGC also makes 3,7-dihydroxytropolone (3,7-dHT), which has strong antimicrobial activity toward Streptomyces scabies, a potato pathogen. Through metabolomics and reporter assays, we unveil the involvement of cluster-situated genes in generating phenylacetyl-coenzyme A, a key precursor for tropolone biosynthesis via the phenylacetic acid catabolon. The clustering of these phenylacetic acid genes within tropolone BGCs is unusual in other Gram-negative bacteria. Our findings support the interception of phenylacetic acid catabolism via an enoyl-CoA dehydratase encoded in the BGC, as well as highlighting an essential role for a conserved thioesterase in biosynthesis. Biochemical assays were used to show that this thioesterase functions after a dehydrogenation–epoxidation step catalyzed by a flavoprotein. We use this information to identify diverse uncharacterized BGCs that encode proteins with homology to flavoproteins and thioesterases involved in tropolone biosynthesis. This study provides insights into tropolone biosynthesis in Pseudomonas, laying the foundation for further investigations into the ecological role of tropolone production.IMPORTANCEPseudomonas bacteria produce various potent chemicals that influence interactions in nature, such as metal-binding molecules, antibiotics, or plant hormones. This ability to synthesize bioactive molecules means that Pseudomonas bacteria may be useful as biological control agents to protect plants from agricultural pathogens, as well as a source of antibiotic candidates. We have identified a plant-associated Pseudomonas strain that can produce 3,7-dihydroxytropolone, which has broad biological activity and can inhibit the growth of Streptomyces scabies, a bacterium that causes potato scab. Following the identification of this molecule, we used a combination of genetic, chemical, and biochemical experiments to identify key steps in the production of tropolones in Pseudomonas species. Understanding this biosynthetic process led to the discovery of an array of diverse pathways that we predict will produce new tropolone-like molecules. This work should also help us shed light on the natural function of antibiotics in nature.

Abstract The rapid development and deployment of vaccines following the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been estimated to have saved millions of lives. Despite their immense success, there remains a need for next-generation vaccination approaches for SARS-CoV-2 and future emerging coronaviruses and other respiratory viruses. Here we utilized a Newcastle Disease virus (NDV) vectored vaccine expressing the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in a pre-fusion stabilized chimeric conformation (NDV-PFS). When delivered intranasally, NDV-PFS protected both Syrian hamsters and K18 mice against Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Additionally, intranasal vaccination induced robust, durable protection that was extended to 6 months post-vaccination. Overall, our data provide evidence that NDV-vectored vaccines represent a viable next-generation mucosal vaccination approach.

Abstract Background Soft tissue sarcomas (STS), have significant inter- and intra-tumoral heterogeneity, with poor response to standard neoadjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Achieving a favorable pathologic response (FPR ≥ 95%) from RT is associated with improved patient outcome. Genomic adjusted radiation dose (GARD), a radiation-specific metric that quantifies the expected RT treatment effect as a function of tumor dose and genomics, proposed that STS is significantly underdosed. STS have significant radiomic heterogeneity, where radiomic habitats can delineate regions of intra-tumoral hypoxia and radioresistance. We designed a novel clinical trial, Habitat Escalated Adaptive Therapy (HEAT), utilizing radiomic habitats to identify areas of radioresistance within the tumor and targeting them with GARD-optimized doses, to improve FPR in high-grade STS. Methods Phase 2 non-randomized single-arm clinical trial includes non-metastatic, resectable high-grade STS patients. Pre-treatment multiparametric MRIs (mpMRI) delineate three distinct intra-tumoral habitats based on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) sequences. GARD estimates that simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) doses of 70 and 60 Gy in 25 fractions to the highest and intermediate radioresistant habitats, while the remaining volume receives standard 50 Gy, would lead to a > 3 fold FPR increase to 24%. Pre-treatment CT guided biopsies of each habitat along with clip placement will be performed for pathologic evaluation, future genomic studies, and response assessment. An mpMRI taken between weeks two and three of treatment will be used for biological plan adaptation to account for tumor response, in addition to an mpMRI after the completion of radiotherapy in addition to pathologic response, toxicity, radiomic response, disease control, and survival will be evaluated as secondary endpoints. Furthermore, liquid biopsy will be performed with mpMRI for future ancillary studies. Discussion This is the first clinical trial to test a novel genomic-based RT dose optimization (GARD) and to utilize radiomic habitats to identify and target radioresistance regions, as a strategy to improve the outcome of RT-treated STS patients. Its success could usher in a new phase in radiation oncology, integrating genomic and radiomic insights into clinical practice and trial designs, and may reveal new radiomic and genomic biomarkers, refining personalized treatment strategies for STS. Trial registration NCT05301283. Trial status The trial started recruitment on March 17, 2022.

Abstract DNA is a danger signal sensed by cGAS to engage signaling through STING to activate innate immune functions. The best-studied downstream responses to STING activation include expression of type I interferon and inflammatory genes, but STING also activates other pathways, including apoptosis. Here, we report that STING-dependent induction of apoptosis in macrophages occurs through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway and is mediated via IRF3 but acts independently of gene transcription. By intersecting four mass spectrometry datasets, we identify SAM68 as crucial for the induction of apoptosis downstream of STING activation. SAM68 is essential for the full activation of apoptosis. Still, it is not required for STING-mediated activation of IFN expression or activation of NF-κB. Mechanistic studies reveal that protein trafficking is required and involves SAM68 recruitment to STING upon activation, with the two proteins associating at the Golgi or a post-Golgi compartment. Collectively, our work identifies SAM68 as a STING-interacting protein enabling induction of apoptosis through this DNA-activated innate immune pathway.