West Virginia University

Well-being has been shown to improve with age, but underlying mechanisms are unclear. We tested a conceptual model that posited that age-related increases in present time orientation foster greater dispositional mindfulness and savoring the moment, and that these psychological processes are pathways that link older age to better well-being. U.S. adults (N = 797, M age = 45.57 years, SD = 15.07, range: 20–88) completed an online, self-report survey of their present time perspective, dispositional mindfulness, savoring the moment, and hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Using structural equation modeling, our conceptual model was a good fit to the data. Older age was associated with greater present time orientation, which was associated with both greater mindfulness and savoring the moment, and ultimately related to greater eudaimonic and hedonic well-being. Mindfulness and savoring interventions may be beneficial for promoting present moment orientation, and subsequently, better well-being. However, longitudinal studies are needed to establish temporal associations.

Soil microbial communities play crucial roles in nutrient cycling and can help retain nitrogen in agricultural soils. Quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) is a useful method for investigating taxon-specific microbial growth and utilization of specific nutrients, such as nitrogen (N). Typically, qSIP is performed in a highly controlled lab setting, so the field relevance of lab qSIP studies remains unknown. We conducted and compared tandem lab and field qSIP to quantify the assimilation of ¹⁵ N by maize-associated soil prokaryotic communities at two agricultural sites. Here, we show that field qSIP with ¹⁵ N can be used to measure taxon-specific microbial N assimilation. Relative ¹⁵ N assimilation rates were generally lower in the field, and the magnitude of this difference varied by site. Rates differed by method (lab vs field) for 19% of the top N assimilating genera. The field and lab measures were more comparable when relative assimilation rates were weighted by relative abundance to estimate the proportion of N assimilated by each genus with only ~10% of taxa differing by method. Of those that differed, the taxa consistently higher in the lab were inclined to have opportunistic lifestyle strategies, whereas those higher in the field had niches reliant on plant roots or in-tact soil structure (biofilms, mycelia). This study demonstrates that ¹⁵ N-qSIP can be successfully performed using field-incubated soils to identify microbial allies in N retention and highlights the strengths and limitations of field and lab qSIP approaches. IMPORTANCE Soil microbes are responsible for critical biogeochemical processes in natural and agricultural ecosystems. Despite their importance, the functional traits of most soil organisms remain woefully under-characterized, limiting our ability to understand how microbial populations influence the transformation of elements such as nitrogen (N) in soil. Quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) is a powerful tool to measure the traits of individual taxa. This method has rarely been applied in the field or with ¹⁵ N to measure nitrogen assimilation. In this study, we measured genus-specific microbial nitrogen assimilation in two agricultural soils and compared field and lab ¹⁵ N qSIP methods. Our results identify taxa important for nitrogen assimilation in agricultural soils, shed light on the field relevance of lab qSIP studies, and provide guidance for the future application of qSIP to measure microbial traits in the field.

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) efficacy in medium vessel occlusion (MeVO) stroke, particularly in patients with low Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS), remains less explored. This retrospective study analyzed data from 443 AIS patients treated with MT for MeVO and low ASPECTS (4–7) at 37 centers across North America, Asia, and Europe, from September 2017 to July 2021. Patients were categorized into ASPECTS of 4–5 and 6–7. Of 443 patients, 51 (12%) had ASPECTS of 4–5, and 392 (88%) had scores of 6–7. The median age was 65 years (IQR: 46–79), with a balanced sex distribution between the groups. The most common site of initial occlusion was M2 branch in both groups (92% in ASPECTS 4–5 and 85% in ASPECTS 6–7) (p = 0.68). The ASPECTS 4–5 group had lower TICI 2c-3 achievement (31% vs. 55%, p = 0.002) and poorer functional outcomes (mRS 0–1 at 90 days: 12% vs. 29%, p = 0.03) compared to the ASPECTS 6–7 group. Intracranial hemorrhagic complications were higher in the ASPECTS 4–5 group (69% vs. 47%, p = 0.007). Multivariable analysis revealed ASPECTS 6–7 to be associated with higher odds of TICI 2c-3 (OR: 2.5; CI: 1.28 to 4.89, p = 0.007) and lower odds of intracranial hemorrhagic complications (OR: 0.4; CI: 0.19 to 0.81, p = 0.012). MT may be associated with improved outcomes in patients with moderate-to-low ASPECTS (6–7), though the lack of a control group limits definitive conclusions about its effectiveness. In patients with very low ASPECTS (4–5), higher rates of hemorrhagic complications and poorer outcomes were observed, but this does not necessarily preclude the use of MT. These findings highlight the need for further research and careful patient selection.

Object recognition is fundamental to how we interact with and interpret the world around us. The human amygdala and hippocampus play a key role in object recognition, contributing to both the encoding and retrieval of visual information. Here, we recorded single-neuron activity from the human amygdala and hippocampus when neurosurgical epilepsy patients performed a one-back task using naturalistic object stimuli. We employed two sets of naturalistic object images from leading datasets extensively used in primate neural recordings and computer vision models: we recorded 1204 neurons using the ImageNet stimuli, which included broader object categories (10 different images per category for 50 categories), and we recorded 512 neurons using the Microsoft COCO stimuli, which featured a higher number of images per category (50 different images per category for 10 categories). Together, our extensive dataset, offering the highest spatial and temporal resolution currently available in humans, will not only facilitate a comprehensive analysis of the neural correlates of object recognition but also provide valuable opportunities for training and validating computational models.

Single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET) is a powerful technique for studying the structural dynamics of protein molecules or detecting interactions between protein molecules in real time. Due to the high sensitivity in spatial and temporal resolution, smFRET can decipher sub-populations within heterogeneous native state conformations, which are generally lost in traditional measurements due to ensemble averaging. In addition, the single-molecule reconstitution allows protein molecules to be observed for an extensive period of time and can recapitulate the geometry of the cellular environment to retain biological function. Here we provide a detailed method of using smFRET to monitor the conformational dynamics of syntaxin-3b from the ribbon synapses during assembly of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex.

Purpose Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act required American colleges to implement bystander training to reduce sexual violence (SV). Our team investigated whether campuses with greater bystander programming coverage and skill-building indicators had lower SV perpetration and victimization rates. Methods Surveys and interviews with key informants charged with selecting and implementing bystander programming were used to create bystander programming coverage and skill building indicators. Electronic surveys were sent to undergraduates (2017–2019) to measure bystander training coverage, SV perpetration, and victimization. Results Of 100,846 surveys completed across 17 campuses, SV rates measuring physically forced sex ranged from 2.3–2.8% for victimization and 0.2% for perpetration. SV rates measuring drug or alcohol facilitated sex victimization ranged from 2.5–2.9% and 0.5–0.8% for perpetration. Using linear regression and adjusting for student population and campus crime rates, greater bystander training coverage and increased skill-building indicators were not associated with lower SV rates for campus level analyses. Similarly, at the student-level, there were no statistically significant reductions in SV perpetration nor victimization rates associated with increased bystander skill-building indicators. Conclusions Greater bystander skill-building indicators were not associated with lower sexual violence rates among undergraduate students. Key informant data suggested that campuses with higher SV rates required students to complete bystander training. We address the challenge of large implementation evaluations concurrent with a federal mandate for bystander training (Campus SaVE) and its impact on training variance within and across campuses. Future prospective evaluations of Campus SaVE are recommended.

Background and Purpose Prolonged venous transit (PVT), derived from computed tomography perfusion (CTP) time‐to‐maximum ( T max ) maps, reflects compromised venous outflow (VO) in acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (AIS‐LVO). Poor VO is associated with worse clinical outcomes, but pre‐treatment markers predictive of PVT are not well described. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 189 patients with anterior circulation AIS‐LVO who underwent baseline CT evaluation, including non‐contrast CT, CT angiography, and CTP. PVT was assessed on T max maps; PVT+ was defined as T max ≥ 10 s within the posterior superior sagittal sinus or torcula. Baseline clinical data were collected. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent associations between pre‐treatment markers and PVT. Results PVT+ was identified in 65 patients (34%). In multivariable analysis, higher admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.05 per point; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.11; P = 0.028) and male sex (aOR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.03–3.89; P = 0.043) were independently associated with PVT+. Conclusions Higher admission NIHSS scores and male sex are independently associated with PVT in anterior circulation AIS‐LVO, suggesting that readily available clinical markers may help identify patients with poor VO profiles.

People who are higher in conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness and lower in neuroticism tend to live longer. The present research tested the hypothesis that personality trait change in middle and older adulthood would also be associated with mortality risk, above and beyond personality trait level. Personality trait change may causally influence mortality risk through corresponding changes in health behaviors, social processes, and stress experience. Alternatively, personality trait change may be a marker of successful or unsuccessful adaptation to life circumstances, which in turn influences mortality risk, or shared risk factors may impact personality trait change and mortality risk. In the latter case, personality trait change may serve as a “psychosocial vital sign” pointing toward increased risk. In 11 samples of middle-aged and older adults (combined N = 32,348), we used multilevel growth curve models to estimate personality trait level and personality trait change across three to 11 measurement occasions spanning 6–43 years. Next, we used Cox proportional hazards models to test whether personality trait level and personality trait change were associated with mortality risk. Higher conscientiousness (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.83), extraversion (HR = 0.93), and agreeableness (HR = 0.88) were associated with longer survival while higher neuroticism was associated with shorter survival (HR = 1.22). In contrast to personality trait level, we found limited evidence for associations between personality trait change and mortality risk. We discuss conceptual and methodological implications of the present findings that may guide future research on associations between personality trait change, health, and mortality.

DNA methyltransferase and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (DNMTis, PARPis) induce a stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-dependent pathogen mimicry response (PMR) in ovarian and other cancers. Here, we showed that combining DNMTis and PARPis upregulates expression of the nucleic-acid sensor NFX1-type zinc finger-containing 1 protein (ZNFX1). ZNFX1 mediated induction of PMR in mitochondria, serving as a gateway for STING-dependent interferon/inflammasome signaling. Loss of ZNFX1 in ovarian cancer cells promoted proliferation and spheroid formation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. In patient ovarian cancer databases, expression of ZNFX1 was elevated in advanced stage disease, and ZNFX1 expression alone significantly correlated with an increase in overall survival in a phase 3 trial for therapy-resistant ovarian cancer patients receiving bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy. RNA-sequencing revealed an association between inflammasome signaling through ZNFX1 and abnormal vasculogenesis. Together, this study identified that ZNFX1 as a tumor suppressor that controls PMR signaling through mitochondria and may serve as a biomarker to facilitate personalized therapy in ovarian cancer patients.

Why do oppressive social and political systems persist for as long as they do? Critical theorists posit that the oppressed are in the grip of ideology or false consciousness, leading them voluntarily to accept their servitude. An objection to this explanation points out that we have no account of how the ruling class’s ideology comes to dominate. One common reply says that the ruling class’s ideology comes to dominate because they control major organizations such as schools, churches, and news agencies. This response is seriously flawed, I argue. I then explore an alternative, neglected answer: The ruling class’s ideology dominates because believing it is good for the oppressed. After sketching some details, I explore the implications of this account for critical theory as a research program.

This article presents an ethnographic case study of dialogues between police recruits and returning citizens facilitated in the wake of the murder of George Floyd and the January 6th Insurrection. The dialogues were part of Police Training Inside-Out (PTI-O), a program that brings police recruits/officers into prison to study as peers with incarcerated citizens. The analysis considers how a group of largely white recruits were emotionally triggered by the perspectives of their classmates—a group of entirely Black returning citizens—and how that interaction generated a negotiated dialogue in order to bring the combined group to a point of common ground. This article demonstrates how PTI-O can aid in moving past ineffective police training methods to help navigate difficult conversations between officers and the communities they serve.