Utah State University

This study assessed postmortem proteolysis over 14 d in bovine Masseter (MS), Longissimus thoracis (LT), and Cutaneous trunci (CT) muscles. First, the metabolic, contractile, and connective tissue properties were characterized to establish their intrinsic differences. The MS contained the highest levels of oxidative markers and myosin heavy chain-I (MyHC-I), whereas the CT possessed the greatest glycolytic capacity, MyHC-IIx, and connective tissue proteins (P < 0.05). The LT had intermediate metabolic characteristics, a heterogeneous mixture of MyHC isoforms, and the lowest amount of connective tissue proteins (P < 0.05), confirming the muscles' intrinsic divergence. Proteolytic analysis revealed increased desmin and slow troponin-T (TT-slow) degradation, with a higher 110 kDa band intensity in the MS than in the CT (P < 0.05). In comparison, the CT exhibited greater TT-fast degradation and higher 30 kDa fragment intensity (P < 0.05). The LT demonstrated the greatest overall proteolysis, indicated by increased TT-fast and TT-slow degradation and the highest intensity of the 30 kDa band (P < 0.05). This is likely due to protease activity, as the LT and MS exhibited more calpain-1 autolysis and less calpastatin abundance than the CT (P < 0.05). However, caspase-3 activity was highest in the MS and lowest in the LT. A principal component analysis incorporating proteolytic indicators further demonstrated the distinct proteolytic profiles in the three muscles. Overall, findings suggest that the progression of postmortem proteolysis is muscle-specific and that a single proteolytic indicator does not sufficiently describe proteolysis when comparing muscles differing in contractile and metabolic properties.

We noticed a discrepancy between Élie Cartan and Sigurdur Helgason about the lowest possible dimension in which the simple exceptional Lie group $\textbf{E}_8$ can be realized. This raised the question about the lowest dimensions in which various real forms of the exceptional groups $\textbf{E}_\ell$ can be realized. Cartan claims that $\textbf{E}_6$ can be realized in dimension 16. However Cartan refers to the complex group $\textbf{E}_6$, or its split real form$E_I$. His claim is also valid in the case of the real form denoted by $E_{IV}$. We find however that the real forms $E_{II}$ and $E_{III}$ of $\textbf{E}_6$ can not be realized in dimension 16 à la Cartan. In this paper we realize them in dimension 24 as groups of CR automorphisms of certain CR structures of higher codimension. As a byproduct of these two realizations, we provide a full list of CR structures (M, H, J) and their CR embeddings in an appropriate $\mathbb {C}^N$, which satisfy the following conditions:they have real codimension $k>1$, the real vector distribution H proper for the action of the complex structure J is such that $[H,H]+H=\textrm{T}M$, the local group $G_J$ of CR automorphisms of the structure (M, H, J) is simple, acts transitively on M and has isotropy P being a parabolic subgroup in $G_J$, the local symmetry group G of the vector distribution H on M coincides with the group $G_J$ of CR automorphisms of (M, H, J). Because all the CR structures from our list satisfy the last property we call them accidental. Our CR structures of higher codimension with the exceptional symmetries $E_{II}$ and $E_{III}$ are particular entries in this list.

Background Sleep disturbance is common in older adults at prevalence rates ranging between 30 ‐ 50% in the United States. Insomnia in late life is influenced by a wide array of genetic and lifestyle factors, some of which exhibit sex‐dependent effects. This study examined whether selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to the neurotrophin, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), or its receptors and lifestyle factors, and their interactions were associated with the increased risk for sleep disturbance in older males and females. Method The Cache County Study on Memory and Aging, a longitudinal, population study, enrolled 4,057 cognitively healthy participants [56.7% female; mean (SD) age = 74.78 (6.75) years]. Sleep disturbance (39% endorsed) was determined by self‐report of insomnia. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical activity (sedentary, light, moderate and vigorous) were based on mail‐in questionnaires. The following SNPs were examined as predictors of sleep disturbance in separate logistic regression models for males and females: rs6265 (BDNF Val66Met), rs56164415 (BDNF C270T), rs2289656 (NTRK2 receptor TrkB), and rs2072446 (NGFR p75NTR). Covariates included age, body mass index, education, APOE ε4 status, and depression. Result SNPs for BDNF or its receptors were not associated with sleep disturbance. Males experienced an 18% reduced odds of sleep disturbance with increasing levels of physical activity (OR (95%CI) = 0.83 [0.71; 0.97]; p = .023), whereas greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with an 8% higher odds of reporting sleep disturbance (OR [95%CI] = 1.08 [1.00; 1.18]; p = .047). Among females a trend for an interaction (p = .088) between Val66Met and physical activity indicated those with the minor allele who engaged in sedentary‐to‐light physical activity exhibited a 45% higher risk of sleep disturbance compared to those with the minor allele and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (p = .026). Conclusion Lifestyle factors of physical activities and diet affect the BDNF gene‐insomnia association differently for older males and females. Future studies may further explore interventions affecting BDNF levels (e.g., physical activity) as one potential way to treat insomnia in older adults.

The evaluation of social communication and interaction (SC/I) behaviors is foundational to the autism identification process. However, this type of evaluation is made difficult by the fact that SC/I is a construct in which perceptions and expectations are largely influenced by norms and attitudes of different sociodemographic groups. While there are many factors that influence differences in SC/I behaviors across sociodemographic groups, one factor that may be especially important is the perceived value of these behaviors. The purpose of this study is to investigate which sociodemographic factors influence the perceived importance of SC/I behaviors among caregivers of children and adolescents. Caregivers (n = 398) living in the United States completed the Social Communication and Interaction Perceptions Scale (SCIPS). Linear mixed-effect models were used to investigate the relationship between the perceived importance of SC/I behaviors and seven sociodemographic factors as well as determine if this relationship was moderated by SC/I behavior type (i.e., foundational vs. advanced behaviors). Several different sociodemographic factors (i.e., caregiver race/ethnicity, caregiver gender, household income, child disability status, child age, child gender) were associated with caregiver ratings of the perceived importance of SC/I behaviors. This relation was, in some instances (i.e., caregiver race/ethnicity, caregiver gender, child disability status), moderated by whether the SC/I behaviors were foundational or advanced. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the values of caregivers regarding perceived SC/I importance during the autism identification process.

Karst ecosystems often contain extraordinary biodiversity, but the complex underground aquifers of karst regions present challenges for assessing and conserving stygobiont diversity and investigating their evolutionary history. We examined the karst‐obligate salamanders of the Eurycea neotenes species complex in the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas using population genomics data to address questions about population connectivity and the potential for gene exchange within the underlying aquifer system. The E. neotenes species complex has historically been divided into three nominal species, but their status, and spatial extent of species ranges, have remained uncertain. We discovered evidence of extensive admixture among species within the complex and with adjacent lineages. We observed relatively low levels of differentiation among all sampling localities which supports the hypothesis of recent divergence. Nominal taxonomy, aquifer region and geography each accounted for a modest amount of the overall population genomic variation; however, these predictors were largely confounded and difficult to disentangle. Importantly, current taxonomy of the three nominal species does not reflect the admixture apparent in clustering analyses. Inference of migration events revealed a complex pattern of gene exchange, suggesting that Eurycea salamanders have a dynamic history of dispersal through the aquifer system. These results highlight the need for greater understanding of how stygobiont populations are connected via dispersal and gene exchange through karst aquifers. These results also highlight the applicability of population genomics data as a powerful lever for investigating connectivity among populations in systems where direct detection of dispersal paths is difficult, as in underground, aquatic systems.

Background Interstep variations in step riser height and tread depth within a stairway could negatively impact safe stair negotiation by decreasing step riser height predictability and, consequently, increasing stair users’ fall risk. Unfortunately, interstep variations in riser height and depth are common, particularly in older stairways, but its impact may be lessened by highlighting steps’ edges using a high-contrast stripe on the top front edge of each step. Objective This study aimed to determine (1) if fall-related events are associated with greater interstep riser height and depth variations and (2) if such fall-related events are reduced in the presence of contrast-enhanced step edges compared with a control stairway. Methods Stair users were video recorded on 2 public stairways in a university building. One stairway had black vinyl stripes applied to the step’s edges and black-and-white vertical stripes on the last and top steps’ faces. The stairway with striping was counterbalanced, with the striped stairway than a control, and the control with stripes. Each stair user recorded was coded for whether they experienced a fall-related event. A total of 10,000 samples (observations) of 20 fall-related events were drawn with 0.25 probability from each condition to determine the probability of observing a distribution with the constraints outlined by the hypotheses by a computerized Monte Carlo simulation. Results In total, 11,137 individual stair user observations had 20 fall-related events. The flights that had 14 mm in interstep riser height variation and 38 mm in interstep depth variation were associated with 80% (16/20) of the fall-related events observed. Furthermore, 2 fall-related events were observed for low interstep variation with no striping, and 2 fall-related events were observed during low interstep variation with striping. A total of 20 fall-related events were observed, with 4 occurring on flights of stairs with low interstep variation. For stairs with high variability in step dimensions, 13 of 16 (81%) fall-related events occurred on the control stairway (no striping) compared with 3 of 16 (19%) on the high-contrast striping stairway. The distribution of fall-related events we observed between conditions likely did not occur by chance, with a probability of 0.04. Conclusions These data support the premise that a vision-based strategy (ie, striping) may counteract fall risk associated with interstep riser height and tread depth variation. Possibly, perception and action elicited through the horizontal-vertical illusion (striping) may have a positive impact on the incidence of fall-related events in the presence of high interstep riser height and depth variation. The findings of this study suggest that contrast enhancement (ie, striping) may be a simple and effective way to reduce the risk of falls associated with interstep variation, highlighting the potential for this approach to make a significant impact on fall prevention efforts.

Grazing exclusion has emerged as an effective measure to restore forage production and soil carbon sequestration of degraded grasslands. However, the appropriate duration of grazing exclusion for restoring these ecosystem functions remains largely unclear. To fill this knowledge gap, we monitored aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP), belowground net primary productivity (BNPP), belowground biomass (BGB), soil carbon content, and other relevant soil properties along a grazing exclusion chronosequence spanning 0, 7, 15, 20, and 40 years in a typical steppe of Inner Mongolia, China. Our findings reveal that both ANPP and BNPP reached their maximum after 7 years of grazing exclusion and maintained a high level from 7 to 20 years, but significantly declined after 40 years of grazing exclusion. In contrast, BGB and soil carbon content reached their maximum after 20 years of grazing exclusion. Furthermore, the increase of grazing exclusion duration and the decrease of soil pH increased the density and individual biomass of grasses, rather than forbs, thereby increased community ANPP and BNPP. These findings emphasizes that the restoration of different ecosystem functions may require varying durations of grazing exclusion. Our study provides new information for institutional stakeholders to improve grazing exclusion policy in degraded typical steppe.

This article aims to help Positive Social Science (PSS) researchers develop theories of virtues, whether of single, discrete virtues, or several virtues considered together. We argue that a weak virtue theory assumes a virtue consists of single constructs, whereas a deep virtue theory assumes a virtue is an integrated system of constructs. We briefly review indicators of weak theory in the PSS literature: definitional divergence, valence confusion, and conceptual incommensurability. Drawing from the field of Virtue Ethics, we suggest four essential attributes of a virtue that should guide the development of deep virtue theory. Any virtue is (1) holistic, in that it integrates all aspects of character, including cognition, affect, and behavior; (2) a human good, in that it is an intrinsic aspect of individual well-being and a flourishing community; (3) situationally expressed, such that prudence regulates its enactment across various situations; and (4) characteristic, in that it is a second-nature trait rather than a state. We suggest four principles that account for these attributes. Scholars might use these principles to build deep virtue theory and evaluate existing, empirically based PSS virtue theories. We propose that PSS scholars will create more robust theories, develop more defensible and meaningful measures, and generate more compelling accounts of specific virtues if they draw on these principles.

The advent of digital wildlife cameras has led to a dramatic increase in the use of camera traps for mammalian biodiversity surveys, ecological studies and occupancy analyses. For cryptic mammals such as mice and shrews, whose small sizes pose many challenges for unconstrained digital photography, use of camera traps remains relatively infrequent. Here we use a practical, low-cost small mammal camera platform (the “MouseCam”) that is easy and inexpensive to fabricate and deploy and requires little maintenance beyond camera service. We tested the MouseCam in two applications: a study of small mammal species composition on two transects across a barrier island and a study of small mammal occupancy along a subtle elevation gradient in a mainland forest. The MouseCam was reasonably efficient, with over 78% of all images containing a recognizable small mammal (mouse, vole, rat or shrew). We obtained an accurate estimate of species composition on the island transects, as indicated by comparison with both concurrent and long-term trapping records for the same transects. MouseCams required a smaller expenditure of personnel and transportation resources than would be required for live trapping. They also detected subtle elevation-related differences in species occupancy in the mainland forest for the marsh rice rat, with the species occurring at lower elevations in the forest. This is consistent with the typical occurrence of the marsh rice rat in marshes and wetlands. We also tested devices (barriers, runways) designed to reduce disturbance by mesopredators (e.g., raccoons). Adding an internal barrier to the MouseCam did not reduce use by white-footed mice, whereas adding an external runway did. We believe specialized small mammal camera-based sensors may have wide applicability in field studies of small mammal distribution, abundance and biology.

Using the Global‐scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) and the Global Ultraviolet Imager (GUVI), we examine the impact of sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) on the changes of thermospheric composition during the 2018–2019 and 2020–2021 Arctic SSWs and the 2019 Antarctic SSW. Contributions of planetary waves, gravity waves, and migrating tides are assessed by performing numerical experiments with the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) vertically extended version of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM‐X). The variations in the column integrated O and N2 density ratio (∑O/N2 $\sum O/{N}_{2}$) are generally similar among WACCM‐X, GOLD, and GUVI observations though some differences exist. Following the onset of the Arctic SSWs, ∑O/N2 $\sum O/{N}_{2}$ is reduced by ∼ $\mathit{\sim }$10% at low to mid latitudes. The variations during the 2019 Antarctic SSW are less pronounced, likely due to the event being a minor warming. WACCM‐X simulations, with the Kp index and F10.7 cm solar flux kept at fixed low levels, confirm that the variability of ∑O/N2 $\sum O/{N}_{2}$ at low to mid latitudes is primarily induced by SSWs. The ∑O/N2 $\sum O/{N}_{2}$ changes are associated with the reversals of the mean meridional circulation (MMC) in the lower thermosphere, mainly driven by westward‐traveling planetary waves. The results highlight that planetary wave activity during SSWs can significantly impact the mean state of the thermosphere.

One reason people may avoid potentially useful information is to eliminate anticipated regret. We develop a model of anticipated regret and use it to derive predictions about how the accuracy of information and the ability to mitigate negative states of the world affect the decision to be informed. The model predicts that higher information accuracy and more effective mitigation options reduce information avoidance. We test these predictions using a laboratory experiment with a real-effort task and uncertain payoffs. Subjects choose whether to receive free but imperfect information about the state of the world (the piece-rate for the effort task) before deciding on a costly mitigation investment, doing the real effort task, and then learning their final payoff. We vary both the accuracy of the information and the effectiveness of mitigation in a $2\times 2$ between-subjects experimental design. We find that increasing the accuracy of information increases information acquisition. Increasing mitigation effectiveness only increases informedness slightly, and the results are not significant. Overall, our results are consistent with our model of anticipated regret, but decision-making is noisier than predicted.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a neuroinvasive and neurovirulent orthoflavivirus, can be prevented in humans with the SA 14 -14-2 vaccine, a live-attenuated version derived from the wild-type SA 14 strain. To determine the viral factors responsible for the differences in pathogenicity between SA 14 and SA 14 -14-2, we initially established a reverse genetics system that includes a pair of full-length infectious cDNAs for both strains. Using this cDNA pair, we then systematically exchanged genomic regions between SA 14 and SA 14 -14-2 to generate 20 chimeric viruses and evaluated their replication capability in cell culture and their pathogenic potential in mice. Our findings revealed the following: ( i ) The single envelope (E) protein of SA 14 -14-2, which contains nine mutations (eight in the ectodomain and one in the stem region), is both necessary and sufficient to render SA 14 non-neuroinvasive and non-neurovirulent. ( ii ) Conversely, the E protein of SA 14 alone is necessary for SA 14 -14-2 to become highly neurovirulent, but it is not sufficient to make it highly neuroinvasive. ( iii ) The limited neuroinvasiveness of an SA 14 -14-2 derivative that contains the E gene of SA 14 significantly increases (approaching that of the wild-type strain) when two viral nonstructural proteins are replaced by their counterparts from SA 14 : ( a ) NS1/1’, which has four mutations on the external surface of the core β-ladder domain; and ( b ) NS2A, which has two mutations in the N-terminal region, including two non-transmembrane α-helices. In line with their roles in viral pathogenicity, the E, NS1/1’, and NS2A genes all contribute to the enhanced spread of the virus in cell culture. Collectively, our data reveal for the first time that the E protein of JEV has a dual function: It is the master regulator of viral neurovirulence and also the primary initiator of viral neuroinvasion. After the initial E-mediated neuroinvasion, the NS1/1’ and NS2A proteins act as secondary promoters, further amplifying viral neuroinvasiveness.

Purpose In effortful listening conditions, speech perception and adaptation abilities are constrained by aging and often linked to age-related hearing loss and cognitive decline. Given that older adults are frequent communication partners of individuals with dysarthria, the current study examines cognitive–linguistic and hearing predictors of dysarthric speech perception and adaptation in older listeners. Method Fifty-eight older adult listeners (aged 55–80 years) completed a battery of hearing and cognitive tasks administered via the National Institutes of Health Toolbox. Participants also completed a three-phase familiarization task (pretest, training, and posttest) with one of two speakers with dysarthria. Elastic net regression models of initial intelligibility (pretest) and intelligibility improvement (posttest) were constructed for each speaker with dysarthria to identify important cognitive and hearing predictors. Results Overall, the regression models indicated that intelligibility outcomes were optimized for older listeners with better words-in-noise thresholds, vocabulary knowledge, working memory capacity, and cognitive flexibility. Despite some convergence across models, unique constellations of cognitive–linguistic and hearing parameters and their two-way interactions predicted speech perception and adaptation outcomes for the two speakers with dysarthria, who varied in terms of their severity and perceptual characteristics. Conclusion Here, we add to an extensive body of work in related disciplines by demonstrating age-related declines in speech perception and adaptation to dysarthric speech can be traced back to specific hearing and cognitive–linguistic factors.

Highly fecund invaders and size‐selective suppression efforts often limit the effectiveness of invasive species control programs, as compensatory processes can allow suppressed populations to recover. While population models have long explored how demographic characteristics impact management feasibility, there is a growing need to evaluate how the selectivity of suppression efforts might impact the long‐term feasibility of control. We use a simulation framework that integrates age‐based selectivity to evaluate the effect of increasing the range of ages selected for during harvest‐based invasive species control. We applied this approach to common carp in Utah Lake, the location of one of the world's largest freshwater vertebrate species control programs, to assess how selectivity impacts the level of control effort necessary to achieve management targets. Model simulations suggest that increasing the range of ages effectively targeted by removal gears has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of effort required to reach control targets. We found that increasing selectivity on younger, but mature, age classes allowed the control program to maintain the carp population below the 75% biomass reduction target with only 2.5 times the maximum historic effort level, while further increasing juvenile selectivity conferred minimal benefit. Furthermore, we evaluated historic levels of harvest effort against both previously set management targets and theoretical sustainable harvest targets (MSY). The historic level of suppression effort was less than that required to produce MSY regardless of the selectivity scenario explored, suggesting the control program would be harvesting at a sustainable rate even if it increases the range of ages effectively targeted by removal gears. Synthesis and applications. Controlling highly fecund invasive species becomes much more feasible if managers can identify an approach that targets all adult age classes. Explicitly considering sustainable harvest metrics provides a framework for evaluating a harvest control program's ability to overcome density‐dependent processes and achieve management objectives.

Active revegetation is often necessary to recover native plant communities in disturbed or degraded wetlands. However, active revegetation has been pursued less often in wetlands than other ecosystems and thus, there are few established best practices to guide implementation. Additionally, wetland revegetation is challenging due to dynamic hydrology becoming more extreme and high invasive plant propagule pressure that can limit native plant recruitment and favor invasive plant dominance. In this study, we tested the efficacy of varied revegetation approaches on native plant reassembly and invasion resistance in semi-arid wetlands subject to seasonal hydrologic fluctuations. In a Great Salt Lake wetland in Utah, USA, we introduced two functionally distinct native plant mixes, varied their method of introduction via seeding or planting, and varied their order of introduction over two planting dates. Unfortunately, there were no treatment effects on native or invasive cover, likely due to extreme drought in the first growing season followed by excessive flooding in the second. However, there were compositional shifts from drought-tolerant to flood-tolerant species throughout the study. Community compositional changes underscore the importance of including species with divergent and wide-ranging environmental tolerances in revegetation mixes to enhance native establishment across variable environmental conditions. This bet-hedging approach runs counter to the current focus on precision restoration—the method of prioritizing the “right seed in the right place at the right time”—but may be an effective strategy to combat unpredictable conditions given increasingly extreme site conditions.

Do fathers experience discrimination during pregnancy? YES! In this study, we explore the experience of fathers’ pregnancy discrimination (FPD), or the perceived unfavorable treatment of fathers in the workplace due to their wives expecting a baby. Applying the action regulation model of work–family balance, we examine FPD as a resource barrier that impacts both the father’s perceived work–family balance and the father’s and mother’s turnover. In a sample of 247 expectant fathers across four time periods using a newly developed and validated measure of FPD, we examine the four different action strategies that fathers might use in reaction to the resource barrier of FPD to attain work and family goals. Policy use (engagement strategy) was ineffective, but going the extra mile (changing strategy) was effective in achieving greater perceived work–family balance. For those who used disengagement strategies, the father’s desire for the mother to turnover (sequencing strategy) contributed to the mother’s turnover while the father’s turnover intention (revising strategy) contributed to the father’s turnover as avenues for goal attainment. This research provides an empirical examination of the four action strategies simultaneously invoked in response to a resource barrier (FPD) with implications for perceived balance and actual turnover.