Reduction of chemokine CXCL9 expression by omega-3 fatty acids via ADP-ribosylhydrolase ARH3 in MIN6 insulin-producing cells.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the autoimmune destruction of the insulin producing ß cells of the pancreas. Omega-3 fatty acids protect ß cells and reduce the incident of T1D. However, how omega-3 fatty acids act on ß cells is not well understood. We have shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine-mediated ß-cell apoptosis by upregulating the expression of the ADP-ribosylhydrolase ARH3. Here, we further investigate the ß-cell protection mechanism by ARH3 by performing siRNA of its gene Adprhl2 in MIN6 insulin-producing cells followed by treatment with a cocktail of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß + IFN-γ + TNF-α, and proteomics analysis. ARH3 regulated proteins from several pathways related to the nucleus (splicing, RNA surveillance and nucleocytoplasmic transport), mitochondria (metabolic pathways) and endoplasmic reticulum (protein folding). ARH3 also regulated the levels of cytokine-signaling proteins related to the antigen processing and presentation, and chemokine-signaling pathway. We further studied the role of ARH in regulating the chemokine CXCL9. We confirmed that ARH3 reduces the cytokine-induced expression of CXCL9 by ELISA. We also found that CXCL9 expression is regulated by omega-3 fatty acids. In conclusion, we showed that omega-3 fatty acids regulate CXCL9 expression via ARH3, which might have a role in protecting ß cells from immune attack and preventing T1D development.

Assessing the Impacts of Lead Corrosion Control on the Microbial Ecology and Abundance of Drinking-Water-Associated Pathogens in a Full-Scale Drinking Water Distribution System.

Increases in phosphate availability in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) from the use of phosphate-based corrosion control strategies may result in nutrient and microbial community composition shifts in the DWDS. This study assessed the year-long impacts of full-scale DWDS orthophosphate addition on both the microbial ecology and density of drinking-water-associated pathogens that infect the immunocompromised (DWPIs). Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and droplet digital PCR, drinking water microbial community composition and DWPI density were examined. Microbial community composition analysis suggested significant compositional changes after the orthophosphate addition. Significant increases in total bacterial density were observed after orthophosphate addition, likely driven by a 2 log 10 increase in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Linear effect models confirmed the importance of phosphate addition with phosphorus concentration explaining 17% and 12% of the variance in NTM and L. pneumophila density, respectively. To elucidate the impact of phosphate on NTM aggregation, a comparison of planktonic and aggregate fractions of NTM cultures grown at varying phosphate concentrations was conducted. Aggregation assay results suggested that higher phosphate concentrations cause more disaggregation, and the interaction between phosphate and NTM is species specific. This work reveals new insight into the consequences of orthophosphate application on the DWDS microbiome and highlights the importance of proactively monitoring the DWDS for DWPIs.

A proteomic meta-analysis refinement of plasma extracellular vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles play major roles in cell-to-cell communication and are excellent biomarker candidates. However, studying plasma extracellular vesicles is challenging due to contaminants. Here, we performed a proteomics meta-analysis of public data to refine the plasma EV composition by separating EV proteins and contaminants into different clusters. We obtained two clusters with a total of 1717 proteins that were depleted of known contaminants and enriched in EV markers with independently validated 71% true-positive. These clusters had 133 clusters of differentiation (CD) antigens and were enriched with proteins from cell-to-cell communication and signaling. We compared our data with the proteins deposited in PeptideAtlas, making our refined EV protein list a resource for mechanistic and biomarker studies. As a use case example for this resource, we validated the type 1 diabetes biomarker proplatelet basic protein in EVs and showed that it regulates apoptosis of ß cells and macrophages, two key players in the disease development. Our approach provides a refinement of the EV composition and a resource for the scientific community.

Fatty acid-mediated signaling as a target for developing type 1 diabetes therapies.

INTRODUCTION: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic signaling drive the death of the insulin-producing ß cells. This complex signaling is regulated in part by fatty acids and their bioproducts, making them excellent therapeutic targets. AREAS COVERED: We provide an overview of the fatty acid actions on ß cells by discussing how they can cause lipotoxicity or regulate inflammatory response during insulitis. We also discuss how diet can affect the availability of fatty acids and disease development. Finally, we discuss development avenues that need further exploration. EXPERT OPINION: Fatty acids, such as hydroxyl fatty acids, ω-3 fatty acids, and their downstream products, are druggable candidates that promote protective signaling. Inhibitors and antagonists of enzymes and receptors of arachidonic acid and free fatty acids, along with their derived metabolites, which cause pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic responses, have the potential to be developed as therapeutic targets also. Further, because diet is the main source of fatty acid intake in humans, balancing protective and pro-inflammatory/cytotoxic fatty acid levels through dietary therapy may have beneficial effects, delaying T1D progression. Therefore, therapeutic interventions targeting fatty acid signaling hold potential as avenues to treat T1D.

Systematic review of type 1 diabetes biomarkers reveals regulation in circulating proteins related to complement, lipid metabolism, and immune response.

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from an autoimmune attack of the pancreatic ß cells that progresses to dysglycemia and symptomatic hyperglycemia. Current biomarkers to track this evolution are limited, with development of islet autoantibodies marking the onset of autoimmunity and metabolic tests used to detect dysglycemia. Therefore, additional biomarkers are needed to better track disease initiation and progression. Multiple clinical studies have used proteomics to identify biomarker candidates. However, most of the studies were limited to the initial candidate identification, which needs to be further validated and have assays developed for clinical use. Here we curate these studies to help prioritize biomarker candidates for validation studies and to obtain a broader view of processes regulated during disease development. METHODS: This systematic review was registered with Open Science Framework ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/N8TSA ). Using PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of proteomics studies of T1D in the PubMed to identify putative protein biomarkers of the disease. Studies that performed mass spectrometry-based untargeted/targeted proteomic analysis of human serum/plasma of control, pre-seroconversion, post-seroconversion, and/or T1D-diagnosed subjects were included. For unbiased screening, 3 reviewers screened all the articles independently using the pre-determined criteria. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies met our inclusion criteria, resulting in the identification of 266 unique proteins, with 31 (11.6%) being identified across 3 or more studies. The circulating protein biomarkers were found to be enriched in complement, lipid metabolism, and immune response pathways, all of which are found to be dysregulated in different phases of T1D development. We found 2 subsets: 17 proteins (C3, C1R, C8G, C4B, IBP2, IBP3, ITIH1, ITIH2, BTD, APOE, TETN, C1S, C6A3, SAA4, ALS, SEPP1 and PI16) and 3 proteins (C3, CLUS and C4A) have consistent regulation in at least 2 independent studies at post-seroconversion and post-diagnosis compared to controls, respectively, making them strong candidates for clinical assay development. CONCLUSIONS: Biomarkers analyzed in this systematic review highlight alterations in specific biological processes in T1D, including complement, lipid metabolism, and immune response pathways, and may have potential for further use in the clinic as prognostic or diagnostic assays.

Systematic review of type 1 diabetes biomarkers reveals regulation in circulating proteins related to complement, lipid metabolism, and immune response.

Aims: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from an autoimmune attack of the pancreatic ß cells that progresses to dysglycemia and symptomatic hyperglycemia. Current biomarkers to track this evolution are limited, with development of islet autoantibodies marking the onset of autoimmunity and metabolic tests used to detect dysglycemia. Therefore, additional biomarkers are needed to better track disease initiation and progression. Multiple clinical studies have used proteomics to identify biomarker candidates. However, most of the studies were limited to the initial candidate identification, which needs to be further validated and have assays developed for clinical use. Here we curate these studies to help prioritize biomarker candidates for validation studies and to obtain a broader view of processes regulated during disease development. Methods: This systematic review was registered with Open Science Framework (DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/N8TSA). Using PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of proteomics studies of T1D in the PubMed to identify putative protein biomarkers of the disease. Studies that performed mass spectrometry-based untargeted/targeted proteomic analysis of human serum/plasma of control, pre-seroconversion, post-seroconversion, and/or T1D-diagnosed subjects were included. For unbiased screening, 3 reviewers screened all the articles independently using the pre-determined criteria. Results: A total of 13 studies met our inclusion criteria, resulting in the identification of 251 unique proteins, with 27 (11%) being identified across 3 or more studies. The circulating protein biomarkers were found to be enriched in complement, lipid metabolism, and immune response pathways, all of which are found to be dysregulated in different phases of T1D development. We found a subset of 3 proteins (C3, KNG1 & CFAH), 6 proteins (C3, C4A, APOA4, C4B, A2AP & BTD) and 7 proteins (C3, CLUS, APOA4, C6, A2AP, C1R & CFAI) have consistent regulation between multiple studies in samples from individuals at pre-seroconversion, post-seroconversion and post-diagnosis compared to controls, respectively, making them strong candidates for clinical assay development. Conclusions: Biomarkers analyzed in this systematic review highlight alterations in specific biological processes in T1D, including complement, lipid metabolism, and immune response pathways, and may have potential for further use in the clinic as prognostic or diagnostic assays.

Longitudinal assessment of mental health after a flood: roles of social support, hope, recovery stressors, and prior lifetime trauma.

OBJECTIVES: Severe weather events have mental health consequences for survivors that may change over time. We assessed post-flood mental health longitudinally in three groups of mostly middle-aged and older adults who varied in current and prior severe weather experiences. METHOD: Predictors of central interest were age, perceived social support, state hope (including agency and pathways), recovery stressors, and prior lifetime trauma. Criterion variables included symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and worry. RESULTS: Analyses of variance yielded significant Disaster Exposure Group x Wave interactions for depression and PTSD symptoms. Those with flooded homes and properties had elevated symptoms at Wave 1 which were reduced at Wave 2. Older age was associated with fewer symptoms of depression, PTSD, and worry. Recovery stressors and lifetime trauma predicted more PTSD symptoms. Greater agency predicted less PTSD and depression symptoms, whereas pathways predicted less worry. CONCLUSION: These data show that mental health symptoms may decrease over time for those directly impacted by severe flooding. State hope appears to contribute to better mental health after exposure to a devastating flood. Implications for understanding the dynamic relationships among risk variables and positive factors that promote post-disaster mental health in the years after a flood are considered.

Religiosity and Social Support Predict Resilience in Older Adults After a Flood.

In this study, we examined religiosity and social support as predictors of resilience after a devastating flood. Three flood exposure groups of primarily middle-aged and older adults were compared: (1) non-flooded adults as controls, (2) once-flooded adults with structural damage to homes and property in the 2016 flood, and (3) twice-flooded adults who had relocated inland because of prior catastrophic losses in the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and then flooded again in 2016. Resilience was assessed using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Correlation analyses confirmed that older age was correlated with higher religiosity, charitable work done for others, and resilience. Regression analyses indicated that religious beliefs and coping, social support, and charitable work done for others were associated with higher levels of resilience, whereas flood damage was unrelated to resilience. Implications for current views on post-disaster adversity and resilience in later life are discussed.

Deconfounding serial recall: Response timing and the overarching role of grouping.

We used the timing of serial recall in several situations to reveal important aspects of recall groupings that participants construct and the reasons those groupings occur. We examined the timing of responses in the recall of digit strings within two published experiments. Cowan, Saults, Elliott, and Moreno (2002) examined memory for nine-item lists in a way that deconfounded the presentation modality, input versus output serial position (using a varied starting point of recall), memory load from items not yet recalled (using whole vs. partial recall), and the presence or absence of the temporal grouping of the lists into triads. Accuracy was strikingly different in the two modalities, with grouping drastically changing recall of acoustic lists but with little difference between grouped versus ungrouped visual lists. Despite the modality difference in recall, the present timing results show that participants imposed a similar grouped structure in recall for both modalities. When errors were made, the original grouping structure still was maintained in the output timing. Cowan et al. (2005, Experiment 1) presented ungrouped acoustic lists of varying lengths in a span task. In this case, there was never a grouping structure presented to the participant and the accuracy data did not reveal evidence of grouping, but we show clear grouping in the timing structure. This grouping structure varied with both the list length and an individual's span. Timing in both experiments shows that a grouping structure is imposed on responses in a manner that is dependent on several factors not present in the stimuli. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploring the Impacts of Full-Scale Distribution System Orthophosphate Corrosion Control Implementation on the Microbial Ecology of Hydrologically Connected Urban Streams.

Many cities across the nation are plagued by lead contamination in drinking water. As such, many drinking water utilities have undertaken lead service line (LSL) replacement to prevent further lead contamination. However, given the urgency of lead mitigation, and the socioeconomic challenges associated with LSL replacement, cities have used phosphate-based corrosion inhibitors (i.e., orthophosphate) alongside LSL replacement. While necessary to ensure public health protection from lead contamination, the addition of orthophosphate into an aging and leaking drinking water system may increase the concentration of phosphate leaching into urban streams characterized by century-old failing water infrastructure. Such increases in phosphate availability may cascade into nutrient and microbial community composition shifts. The purpose of this study was to determine how this occurs and to understand whether full-scale distribution system orthophosphate addition impacts the microbial ecology of urban streams. Through monthly collection of water samples from five urban streams before and after orthophosphate addition, significant changes in microbial community composition (16S rRNA amplicon sequencing) and in the relative abundance of typical freshwater taxa were observed. In addition, key microbial phosphorus and nitrogen metabolism genes (e.g., two component regulatory systems) were predicted to change via BugBase. No significant differences in the absolute abundances of total bacteria, Cyanobacteria, and "Candidatus Accumulibacter" were observed. Overall, the findings from this study provide further evidence that urban streams are compromised by unintentional hydrologic connections with drinking water infrastructure. Moreover, our results suggest that infiltration of phosphate-based corrosion inhibitors can impact urban streams and have important, as-yet-overlooked impacts on urban stream microbial communities. IMPORTANCE Elevated lead levels in drinking water supplies are a public health risk. As such, it is imperative for cities to urgently address lead contamination from aging drinking water supplies by way of lead service line replacements and corrosion control methods. However, when applying corrosion control methods, it is also important to consider the chemical and microbiological effects that can occur in natural settings, given that our water infrastructure is aging and more prone to leaks and breaks. Here, we examine the impacts on the microbial ecology of five urban stream systems before and after full-scale distribution system orthophosphate addition. Overall, the results suggest that infiltration of corrosion inhibitors may impact microbial communities; however, future work should be done to ascertain the true impact to protect both public and environmental health.

Examining an Alternative Scoring Procedure for a Clinical Working Memory Measure.

The Digit Span test is a widely used working memory measure. However, when using standardized scoring procedures, previous studies have demonstrated inconsistent relationships between Digit Span subtests and working memory measures frequently used in cognitive psychology experiments. Partial scoring involves awarding credit for all digits recalled in the correct serial location, whereas traditional scoring involves only awarding credit for a trial if all digits are recalled in the correct serial location. The current study compared the traditional all-or-nothing scoring method and the partial scoring method on Digit Span with other working memory measures and with measures of general fluid intelligence. The results showed that when differences were found, partial scoring was associated with stronger relationships with Digit Span Backwards but weaker relationships with Digit Span Forward and Sequencing compared with traditional scoring. These results support previous findings identifying differences between the Digit Span subtests and the utility of examining traditional scoring procedures.

Lexical access speed and the development of phonological recoding during immediate serial recall.

A recent Registered Replication Report (RRR) of the development of verbal rehearsal during serial recall (Elliott et al., 2021) revealed that children verbalized at younger ages than previously thought (Flavell et al., 1966), but did not identify sources of individual differences. Here we use mediation analysis to reanalyze data from the 934 children ranging from 5 to 10 years old from the RRR for that purpose. From ages 5 to 7, the time taken for a child to label pictures (i.e. isolated naming speed) predicted the child's spontaneous use of labels during a visually-presented serial reconstruction task, despite no need for spoken responses. For 6- and 7-year-olds, isolated naming speed also predicted recall. The degree to which verbalization mediated the relation between isolated naming speed and recall changed across development. All relations dissipated by age 10. The same general pattern was observed in an exploratory analysis of delayed recall for which greater demands are placed on rehearsal for item maintenance. Overall, our findings suggest that spontaneous phonological recoding during a standard short-term memory task emerges around age 5, increases in efficiency during the early elementary school years, and is sufficiently automatic by age 10 to support immediate serial recall in most children. Moreover, the findings highlight the need to distinguish between phonological recoding and rehearsal in developmental studies of short-term memory.

Disaster stressors and psychological well-being in older adults after a flood.

We examined the inoculation and stress sensitization explanations concerning mental health outcomes in 223 predominately middle-aged and older adults after a flood (M age = 49.6 years, SD = 17.7 years, range: 18-88 years). In multiple linear regression models, having flood damage was associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms, while social support was associated with fewer symptoms. Greater lifetime trauma and flood-related stress were associated with more symptoms of depression and PTSD, respectively. Older age was associated with more religious coping and fewer depressive and worry symptoms. Future directions for research on postdisaster vulnerabilities and resilience are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

High-fat diet induces an ovulatory defect associated with dysregulated endothelin-2 in mice.

High-fat diet (HFD) consumption in female rodents causes impaired estrous cyclicity, fewer pups per litter, and dysregulation of key ovulatory genes suggesting that HFD-induced subfertility may be due to ovulatory dysfunction. To test this hypothesis female mice were fed chow or HFD for 10 weeks at which point ovulation and ovarian gene expression of endothelin-2 (Edn2), a gene critical for ovulation, were assessed. After 10 weeks of HFD, both mice that remained lean and those that became obese had fewer ovulated oocytes than chow controls (P = 0.041, P = 0.0030, respectively). In chow controls, Edn2 was expressed as expected with basal levels during diestrus and proestrus, increased 11.6-fold during estrus, and decreased to basal levels during metestrus. In HFD mice, Edn2 was dysregulated across the entire estrous cycle as were other Edn2 system components (endothelin converting enzyme 1 (Ece-1), and the endothelin receptors (Ednra, Ednrb)). Interestingly, we found dysregulation of key ovarian steroidogenic genes after HFD. We also found that estradiol treatment in prepubertal mice increased Edn2 expression in the ovary (P = 0.030), suggesting that impaired steroidogenesis may be involved in the HFD-induced dysregulation of ovarian Edn2. In conclusion, HFD leads to ovulatory dysfunction regardless of the development of obesity, which appears to be mediated through dysregulation of ovarian Edn2 expression.

SODAPOP: A Metacognitive Mnemonic Framework to Teach Antimicrobial Selection.

Mnemonics are used widely throughout medical education to help manage large amounts of information and to promote a systematic approach to complex problems. SODAPOP is a metacognitive mnemonic that offers learners a framework for veterinary clinical decision making to support optimal antimicrobial selection. SODAPOP has students consider the source and organism before they decide to treat; then they consider the antimicrobials to which the organism is susceptible with regard to contraindications in the patient; and, ultimately, the options are weighed and a plan is formulated. A preliminary study showed that students' perception of SODAPOP was favorable and that exposure to SODAPOP improved student confidence levels. Further research is needed to determine whether SODAPOP improves students' optimal antimicrobial selection. SODAPOP could be a potentially helpful teaching tool because it can be mapped to the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges competency-based veterinary education framework under subcompetencies 1.3 and 4.2. A mnemonic such as SODAPOP could be integrated throughout the veterinary curriculum both in basic science courses (microbiology) and with real cases during clinical rotations.

Strategic encoding and retrieval processes in verbal recall among middle-aged and older adults.

The authors used an analysis of individual differences to examine the role of executive control in strategic encoding and retrieval in verbal recall. Participants enrolled in the Louisiana Healthy Aging Study completed measures of working memory (WM), cognitive status, vocabulary, and free recall of words. Indices of clustering in free recall were calculated to permit inferences on strategic encoding and retrieval processes. We hypothesized that WM would be more strongly associated with strategic encoding and retrieval metrics than vocabulary based on the assumption that successful remembering requires executive control in WM. Regression analyses, together with a variance portioning procedure, confirmed that WM had comparable levels of unique and shared variance with the strategic encoding and retrieval metrics, and both exceeded vocabulary. Theoretical and clinical implications of these data are considered, with the suggestion of future research in lifespan samples as opposed to exclusively young adult or older adult samples.

Fluorescence Imaging of the Ureter in Minimally Invasive Pelvic Surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Determine near-optimal dose, safety, and efficacy of nerindocianine in pelvic ureter detection with near-infrared fluorescence imaging in women undergoing minimally invasive pelvic surgery with 3 Food and Drug Administration-cleared imaging systems. DESIGN: Open label, phase 1/2a study. SETTING: University of Alabama at Birmingham. PATIENTS: Forty-one female subjects undergoing minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects received a single dose of nerindocianine sodium, starting at 0.06-mg/kg body weight and increased/decreased until the near-optimal dose was determined (part A). Examine the degree of concordance between endoscopic and robotic devices (part B). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In part A, composite scores were collected every 10 minutes for 30 minutes and then every 15 minutes through 90 minutes using a scale measuring the anatomy/laterality of ureter visualization. In part B (paired imaging system efficacy), 2 cohorts of 8 subjects each received the near-optimal dose. Composite scores for visualization of the ureter were collected at 10 and 30 minutes postinfusion with the Firefly Imaging System and either the PINPOINT or 1588 AIM endoscope. Composite scores were compared to examine the degree of concordance between devices. Part A comprised 25 total subjects enrolled in dosing groups 1, 2, and 3 (0.06-, 0.12-, and 0.045-mg/kg, respectively). Median time to first ureter visualization was 10 minutes (all groups). The nerindocianine 0.06-mg/kg and 0.12-mg/kg groups had longer length of time of visualization than the 0.045-mg/kg group, resulting in the selection of 0.06 mg/kg as the near-optimal dose. Part B enrolled 16 total subjects in 2 groups dosed at 0.06 mg/kg. Efficacy analysis showed no statistically significant difference in composite scores with Firefly versus PINPOINT or 1588 AIM. CONCLUSION: Nerindocianine was well tolerated with visualization of the ureter demonstrated in 88.9% of the subjects through 90 minutes postdosing. No meaningful visualization differences were observed among the Food and Drug Administration-cleared surgical imaging systems used.

A 7000-year record of floods and ecological feedbacks in Weeks Bay, Alabama, USA.

Climate change, sea-level rise, and human activities present major concerns for coastal environments. Paleoenvironmental records allow us to extend the instrumented record and study recent environmental impacts in a long-term context with natural pre-industrial conditions. Here, we investigate grain size, stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes, elemental composition, and diatom abundance in sediments to construct a 7000-year paleoenvironmental history of Weeks Bay, Alabama, a NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve. Four major floods of the Fish River since 1986 CE are independently identified in the Weeks Bay sediment record, validating the bay setting as an archive of flood events. Thirty-four flood events were identified over the last 5000 years, with two periods of intense flood activity coinciding with the Medieval Climate Anomaly and the Little Ice Age, indicating association of relatively short-term climate events and enhanced storm activity. Further, multiple paleoenvironmental proxies indicate marine conditions during formation of the bay ~6600 calendar years Before Present (cal yr BP) and a brackish transition as the estuary became restricted ~2000 cal yr BP. High total organic carbon/nitrogen values indicate nitrogen limitation in Weeks Bay. Increase in organic content, diatoms, and redox- and nutrient-associated elemental proxies over the last 300 years, with dramatic increase in algal abundance since the 1980s, strongly suggest that human activities (i.e. land clearing, agriculture) increased ecological feedbacks in the bay. Comparing past and present environmental conditions of coastal estuaries advances our understanding of estuarine response to climate change and sea level, floods, and human activities, which is important for environmental management and wetland conservation policy.

Musical training mediates the relation between working memory capacity and preference for musical complexity.

Previous research has examined the relationships among cognitive variables and musical training, but relatively less attention has addressed downstream effects of musical training on other psychological domains, such as aesthetic preference, and the potential impact of domain-general constructs, such as working memory. Accordingly, the present study sought to draw links between musical training, working memory capacity, and preference for musical complexity. Participants were assessed for their experience with musical training, their working-memory capacity, and their preference for musical complexity. Diverging from predictions based on vision research, our analyses revealed that musical training significantly mediated the association between working memory capacity and preference for music complexity. This significant mediation held even after a variety of sociodemographic variables (gender, education, socioeconomic status) were taken into account. Furthermore, the role of working memory capacity was domain general, such that the mediation was significant regardless of which measure of working memory capacity was used (tone, operation, or symmetry span). The current results develop a model of aesthetic preference that illuminates differences between vision and audition in terms of the multifaceted effects of complex skills training on cognition and affect. Moreover, they drive new work aimed at better understanding how domain-general constructs such as working memory capacity might interact with domain-specific cognition.

Multiyear Measurements on Δ17O of Stream Nitrate Indicate High Nitrate Production in a Temperate Forest.

Nitrification is a crucial step in ecosystem nitrogen (N) cycling, but scaling up from plot-based measurements of gross nitrification to catchments is difficult. Here, we employed a newly developed method in which the oxygen isotope anomaly (Δ17O) of nitrate (NO3-) is used as a natural tracer to quantify in situ catchment-scale gross nitrification rate (GNR) for a temperate forest from 2014 to 2017 in northeastern China. The annual GNR ranged from 71 to 120 kg N ha-1 yr-1 (average 94 ± 10 kg N ha-1 yr-1) over the 4 years in this forest. This result and high stream NO3- loss (4.2-8.9 kg N ha-1 yr-1) suggest that the forested catchment may have been N-saturated. At the catchment scale, the total N output of 10.7 kg N ha-1 yr-1, via leaching and gaseous losses, accounts for 56% of the N input from bulk precipitation (19.2 kg N ha-1 yr-1). This result indicates that the forested catchment is still retaining a large fraction of N from atmospheric deposition. Our study suggests that estimating in situ catchment-scale GNR over several years when combined with other conventional flux estimates can facilitate the understanding of N biogeochemical cycling and changes in the ecosystem N status.