Identity Scores Research Articles

Perceived Mistreatment and Professional Identity of Medical Students in China

Mistreatment is a common experience among medical students, with various negative consequences of such perceived mistreatment reported. However, few large-scale studies have investigated the association between perceived mistreatment and the formation of medical students' professional identities. To investigate medical students' perceived mistreatment during medical school and its association with professional identity. This repeated cross-sectional study included medical students graduating between 2019 and 2022 at 135 medical schools in China. Analyses were performed from July 25, 2023, to May 15, 2024. The China Medical Student Survey includes 5 items designed to measure students' perceived experiences of mistreatment. Professional identity was measured using a validated 7-item scale adapted from the Macleod Clark Professional Identity Scale. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine the association between perceived mistreatment and medical students' professional identity. A total of 94 153 students (53 819 female [57.2%]; 83 548 Han ethnicity [88.7%]) were analyzed, representing 67.2% of the medical graduates enrolled in all responding medical schools. Most medical students reported having experienced at least 1 mistreatment incident (79 554 students [84.5%]). Medical students reported being required to perform personal service (57 455 students [61.0%]), experiencing mistreatment by patients (67 439 students [71.6%]), being publicly humiliated (24 348 students [25.9%]), being unjustly treated (35 926 students [38.2%]), and experiencing deliberate harassment (46 082 students [48.9%]). A negative association and saturation effect (where effect size plateaus after moderate exposure of mistreatment) were found between the degree of mistreatment and medical students' professional identity scores. Compared with students who had not reported mistreatment, students who reported single (β, -0.30; 95% CI, -0.33 to -0.28; P < .001), moderate (β, -0.66; 95% CI, -0.69 to -0.63; P < .001), and high (β, -0.62; 95% CI, -0.65 to -0.58; P < .001) frequency of mistreatment were more likely to have lower professional identity scores; this association persisted but was attenuated after adjusting for students' sociodemographic characteristics and was consistent across all the types of mistreatment. In this national, repeated cross-sectional study, a high prevalence of mistreatment among medical students in China and a negative association between perceived mistreatment and medical students' professional identity was found. Further research is needed to ensure that medical schools offer supportive and respectful learning environments.

Turkish translation and validation of an interprofessional identity measure: EPIS-TR

ABSTRACT Research on interprofessional identity using the Extended Professional Identity Theory (EPIT) has shown promising results in measuring this identity, predicting interprofessional collaboration, and improving team outcomes. However, EPIT-based interprofessional identity has not been studied in Türkiye due to the absence of a Turkish version of the Extended Professional Identity Scale (EPIS). We aimed to develop and validate a Turkish EPIS, the EPIS-TR, and explore interprofessional identities across eight different professions. A cross-cultural adaptation of EPIS was made by linguistic validation, followed by analysis of psychometric properties using a sample of students from four Turkish universities and eight professions/programs (n = 405). Confirmatory factor analysis and reliability analyses were performed. Differences between professions were explored with ANOVA and a post hoc test. Three out of seven goodness-of-fit indices showed acceptable fit (x2/df = .004; RMSEA = .07; GFI = .94), and others showed excellent fit (SRMR = .04; AGFI = .91; CFI = .97; NNFI = .96). The internal consistency of the EPIS-TR is .93. The EPIS-TR scale has strong psychometric properties. The construct validity of the EPIS-TR was similar to that of the original version. The interprofessional identity scores of the different professions were mostly similar. Based on these findings, the EPIS-TR is well suited for measuring interprofessional identity.

Characterisation of C-C Ligand 7 (CCL7) as Asthma Genetic Marker in Pigtailed Monkey.

The pigtailed monkey (Macaca nemestrina) is one of the species that have potency like the cynomolgus monkey that is widely used as an animal model for asthma study. The CCL7 gene has potential as a genetic marker because of the secreted chemokine that plays a role in asthma. The aims of this research are to characterise the CCL7 gene of pigtailed monkey, compare the structure of their CCL7 gene with other primate species and determine model 3D structure protein prediction of CCL7 protein. The amplicons were sequenced, and the results were analysed by the bioinformatics technique. The 3D CCL7 protein structure was predicted using I-TASSER. We have isolated 2221 bp sequences CCL7 gene and 109 amino acids from pigtailed monkey. Variation of CCL7 gene sequence between pigtailed monkey and other primate species (Macaca fascicularis, M. mulatta and Homo sapiens) was found in exon 1, exon 2 and exon 3 as CDS (Coding DNA Sequence) region. The analysis homology of nucleotides and amino acid sequences of the CCL7 gene indicated that the pigtailed monkey and three other primate species have a high homology rate with an identity score above 90%. Meanwhile, a comparative analysis of CDS and amino acid regions showed that the pigtailed monkey also has the highest similarity with the three other primate species with more than 90% identity score. The 3D structure protein prediction model of the CCL7 pigtailed monkey revealed the highest similarity with H. sapiens with an identity value of about 95%. Therefore, the pigtailed monkey CCL7 gene has high similarity with H. sapiens, which means that based on molecular similarity, the pigtailed monkey has the potential to be an animal model for asthma study, especially the study of molecular and the role of CCL7 in asthma pathogenesis.

Bifidobacterium fermentum sp. nov. and Bifidobacterium aquikefiricola sp. nov., isolated from water kefir.

Four strains, representing two novel Bifidobacterium species, were isolated from water kefir, a fermented beverage. 16S rRNA gene analysis suggested that the novel species share high identities (98.82-98.89%) with Bifidobacterium aquikefiri LMG 28769T. Complete genomes were assembled with a short- and long-read hybrid sequencing approach. In agreement with the 16S rRNA gene analysis, phylogenetics with 117 marker genes places the novel species closest to B. aquikefiri LMG 28769T as well. The isolates have average nucleotide identity (ANI) scores ranging from 81.46 to 84.84% and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) scores from 23.9 to 38.5% with the closest related species, as well as ANI scores between the proposed new species of 80.50%, indicating that the isolates represent two novel species. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight chemotaxonomic analysis supported the gene-based taxonomic placement. We propose the names Bifidobacterium fermentum sp. nov. and Bifidobacterium aquikefiricola sp. nov. for these novel species within the Bifidobacterium genus. The proposed type strain B. fermentum WK012_4_13T (= LMG 33104T = DSM 116073T; GenBank accession number GCF_041080835.1) has a genome size of 2.43 Mbp, with a G+C content of 56.00 mol%. The proposed type strain for B. aquikefiricola WK041_4_12T (= LMG 33105T = DSM 116074T; GenBank accession number GCF_041080795.1) has a genome size of 2.36 Mbp and a G+C content of 53.94 mol%. B. fermentum cells are Gram-positive staining, non-motile, non-spore-forming, fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase (F6PPK)-positive, catalase- and oxidase-negative and bacillary club shaped. B. aquikefiricola cells are Gram-positive staining, non-motile, non-spore-forming, F6PPK-positive, catalase- and oxidase-negative and square rod shaped.

Readiness for Interprofessional Education Among Health Profession Students at a Nigerian University: A Cross-sectional Study

The implementation and sustainability of interprofessional education (IPE) depends substantially on the readiness of healthcare students. This study assessed the readiness of undergraduate healthcare students in Nigeria with regard to interprofessional practice. A cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of 300 students from a public university was conducted using a 19-item tool. Data were summarised using descriptive statistics, while differences in readiness based on students’ gender, year of study and course of study were identified using inferential statistics. The majority of the students who responded to the questionnaires (55%) were from the fifth year and had a mean age of 24.5 years old. Most of them were from Faculties of Medicine and Pharmacy (33% each). The overall median score of 80 (out of 95) showed a high readiness score among the students. A significant difference was observed in the case of the gender of the respondents as to the roles and responsibilities score (p = 0.001). Furthermore, a significant difference was observed with regard to the course of study of the respondents and their professional identity score (p = 0.012). A post hoc analysis showed a p-value of 0.007 between medicine and pharmacy students, indicating that the respondents’ professional identity had a strong influence on their readiness to practice IPE. The total score was not significantly different in all the other scenarios. Healthcare students in Nigeria are ready to undertake and showed positive attitudes towards IPE; therefore, IPE should be integrated into undergraduate healthcare professions curricula to help improve attitudes towards interprofessional practice.

Discovery of two new actinobacteria, Micromonospora palythoicola sp. nov. and Streptomyces poriticola sp. nov., isolated from marine invertebrates

Marine invertebrates represent an underexplored reservoir for actinobacteria, which are known to synthesize novel bioactive compounds. This study isolated 37 actinobacterial strains from five distinct marine invertebrate hosts, namely Chondrilla australiensis, Palythoa sp., Favia sp., Porites lutea, and Acropora cervicornis, while no strains were obtained from Lissoclinum sp. and Lithophyllon sp. These isolates were taxonomically classified into six genera: Gordonia, Microbacterium, Micromonospora, Nocardia, Rhodococcus, and Streptomyces, with Streptomyces and Micromonospora being notably predominant. Comparative genomic analysis facilitated the identification of two novel species: Micromonospora palythoicola sp. nov. (strain S2-005T = TBRC 18343T and NBRC 116545T) and Streptomyces poriticola sp. nov. (strain C6-003T, =TBRC 17807T and NBRC 116425T). Both species exhibited substantial genetic differences from their nearest known species as demonstrated by digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity scores, which fell below the thresholds of 70% and 95%, respectively. Streptomyces poriticola C6-003T displayed significant antimicrobial activity and selective cytotoxicity against human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, with reduced toxicity towards human dermal papilla cells. Micromonospora palythoicola S2-005T manifested antimicrobial properties against Streptococcus mutans and Kocuria rhizophila. These findings highlight the considerable diversity of actinobacteria within marine invertebrates and underscore their potential as a source of new species with promising biological properties for therapeutic applications.

Adaptation of the Revised Environmental Identity Scale to Adult Portuguese Native Speakers: A Validity and Reliability Study

Environmental identity is a dimension of personal identity that reflects an individual’s sense of connection with nature and personal view of nature as part of her/his identity. There is a need to adapt and validate measures that assess environmental identity, namely in Portuguese. This study analyzed the validity and reliability of the Revised Environmental Identity Scale (Revised EID) in a sample of native speakers of Portuguese from 18 to 83 years old. The survey included the Portuguese translation of the Revised EID, measures of eco-anxiety, adult attachment, affective neurobiological systems, psychological symptoms, and sociodemographic information. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to assess the construct validity of the scale. It was tied to a two-factor solution (Connectedness with Nature and Protection of Nature) found in prior research. The Revised EID was positively related to feelings of anxiety about personal impact on climate change and positive emotional systems (SEEKING, CARE, and PLAY). Older participants reported higher levels in the overall environmental identity score and the Protection of Nature factor. The results indicate that the Revised EID is an appropriate measure to assess environmental identity in adult Portuguese native speakers and should be used to conduct cross-cultural studies to drive environmental and health policies.

An online delivered running and walking group program to support low-active post-secondary students' well-being and exercise behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Examine the feasibility and acceptability of a social identity-informed, online delivered, running and walking group program to support low-active post-secondary students' exercise behavior and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. A two-arm, non-blinded, parallel pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted whereby low-active post-secondary students at a Canadian university were equally randomized to an online delivered running/walking group program or an attention control condition. Primary feasibility and acceptability outcomes included program interest, study enrolment and retention, questionnaire completion, program attendance, program satisfaction, and affective exercise attitudes. Post-program interviews were conducted to ascertain participants' experiences with the program. Secondary outcomes included well-being, exercise behavior, social identity, social support, and exercise identity. Ninety-two individuals were screened for eligibility, and 72 were equally randomized to the online group program or attention control condition. Recruitment exceeded the target sample size (60), study adherence and questionnaire completion were above 90%, program attendance was moderate (M = 5.03/8), self-report program satisfaction was moderate-to-high (M = 4.13/5), and there was no condition effect for affective attitudes. During interviews, participants expressed satisfaction with the program. They also discussed challenges with developing a shared sense of identity and social connection with group members via online platforms. There were small condition effects for exercise-related well-being and exercise identity and no condition effects for the remaining secondary outcomes. Social identity scores were moderate (M = 4.63/7). The STRIDE program was feasible and acceptable but should be delivered and piloted in-person before a full-scale efficacy trial is conducted. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04857918; 2021-04-20.

Changes in the Professional Identity and Self-Efficacy of Nursing Students Engaged in the Objective Structured Clinical Examination Using Simulation Learning.

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is widely adopted in nursing education to enhance clinical skills and professionalism. With OSCE, the learning process is important, and students who underwent OSCE felt more confident and better prepared for their next clinical training. This study aims to clarify how the self-efficacy and professional identity of nursing students change after learning through simulation education and OSCE. Clarification of these issues will allow an OSCE design utilizing simulation-based education as will be discussed. This study used a pre-post study design, and the participants were 74 nursing university students at one university in Japan who agreed to participate in the study. The total scores and subscale scores for professional identity and self-efficacy were compared before and after the OSCE using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated to examine the relationship between professional identity and self-efficacy. There were significant increases in self-efficacy scores (p<0.05) after OSCE, but there were no significant changes in the total scores of professional identities before and after the OSCE. Professional identity scores, such as choosing nursing again and desire to improve nursing skills, increased. Simulation-based OSCE effectively enhances nursing students' self-efficacy and certain aspects of professional identity, indicating its potential for nursing education.

State-Level LGBTQ + Policies and Experiences of Interpersonal Discrimination among Sexual and Gender Minority People

ObjectivesTo quantify the role of state-level lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+)-related policies on experiences of discrimination in a population-representative sample of partnered individuals.MethodsAn adjusted multilevel random-intercept logistic regression model with individuals (level-1) nested within states (level-2) and a cross-level interaction term between gender/sexual identity and policy score was used to estimate the predicted probability of any experiences of discrimination for cisgender heterosexual, transgender and non-binary, and cisgender sexual minority respondents.ResultsExperiences of discrimination in the past month were more common amongst transgender and non-binary (90.2%) respondents compared to their cisgender sexual minority (74.0%) or cisgender heterosexual (73.2%) counterparts. When compared to cisgender heterosexual respondents, the interaction term was found to be statistically significant for only transgender and non-binary (OR = 0.93, 95% CI [0.88, 0.98]) but not cisgender sexual minority respondents (OR = 0.99, 95% CI [0.97, 1.01]). Indicating that as state policy environments became more protective the odds of experiencing discrimination decreased at a more substantial rate for transgender and non-binary respondents when compared to cisgender sexual minority or cisgender heterosexual respondents.ConclusionsTransgender and non-binary individuals experience more discrimination compared to their cisgender sexual minority or cisgender heterosexual counterparts. State-level LGBTQ + policy protections amplified the relationship between gender identity and experiences of discrimination.

Deep Feed-Forward Neural Network-Based Biometric Authentication System with Biometric Identity and Reputation Score in Blockchain

The biometric authentication in today’s digital era has become a vital issue in security and privacy. Biometrics is currently becoming more significant specifically for higher security modules. Here, a deep feed-forward neural network-based biometric authentication system (DFFNN_biometric authentication system) is presented for biometric authentication utilizing a biometric fingerprint image. In blockchain network, biometric data are considered and the fingerprint images are fed as input. As an input fingerprint image, minutiae extraction is accomplished. Thereafter, a deep key is generated employing a deep residual network (DRN) for template protection. Thereafter, privacy protection template generation is conducted and the templates thus obtained are stored on a database (DB). On the other hand, a query fingerprint image is given as input in the authentication stage. The processes such as minutiae extraction, deep key generation using DRN and privacy protection template authentication are carried out as like it performed in the blockchain network. Additionally, the matching process is conducted between the output acquired in the authentication phase and image stored in DB. The reputation score is generated from authenticated biometric behavior. The DFFNN is utilized to generate a reputation score. Moreover, the DFFNN_biometric authentication system obtained a maximum accuracy of 90.8%, maximum genuine accept rate (GAR) of 0.936, minimum false acceptance rate (FAR) of 0.588, minimum false rejection rate (FRR) of 0.556 and maximum reputation score of 9.346.

Examining Identity Functioning in Anorexia Nervosa Across Illness and Recovery Stages.

Research suggests that identity functioning (i.e., sense of self) issues may be a core feature of anorexia nervosa (AN). We aimed to investigate differences in identity functioning among women with AN at varying illness and recovery stages, and women with no history of eating disorders (non-ED controls). It was hypothesized that those with current AN (AN-C), weight-restored (AN-WR), and partial recovered individuals (AN-PR) would show poorer identity functioning than fully recovered individuals (AN-FR) and non-ED controls. Women (334) with AN-C (n = 74), AN-WR (n = 90), AN-PR (n = 19), AN-FR (n = 22), and non-ED controls (n = 129) completed online self-report measures of identity functioning and ED symptom severity. The AN-C group showed significantly poorer overall identity functioning, poorer consolidated identity, and significantly worse disturbed and lack of identity, than the AN-PR, AN-FR, and non-ED Control groups. The AN-WR group showed significantly poorer overall identity function, and worse lack of identity, than the AN-FR and non-ED Controls, and poorer consolidated identity and disturbed identity than non-ED Controls. Identity scores did not significantly differ between AN-PR, AN-FR, and non-ED Controls. Differences in identity functioning are identifiable among individuals at different AN recovery stages, and thus may represent an important state-based feature of AN, making it an important area of consideration in treatment.

Professional Identity in Irish Certified Athletic Therapists

Professional identity is an important construct that considers an individual’s own values, beliefs, attitudes, and motives surrounding their own role in their profession. No research has examined this concept in athletic training/therapy beyond the U.S. context. We examined professional identity in Irish certified athletic therapists (n = 81) using the Professional Identity and Values Scale. Participants presented with a total Professional Identity and Values Scale score of 92.0 ± 9.9. Age (r = .26, p = .02; r = .27, p = .02) and years of experience (r = .29, p = .01; r = .32, p = .0004) were positively correlated with total Professional Identity and Values Scale score and professional development subscale score, respectively. No gender differences were observed (p &gt; .05). Despite being a new emerging profession, Irish athletic therapists presented with a strong professional identity.

Protein target similarity is positive predictor of in vitro antipathogenic activity: a drug repurposing strategy for Plasmodium falciparum

Drug discovery is an intricate and costly process. Repurposing existing drugs and active compounds offers a viable pathway to develop new therapies for various diseases. By leveraging publicly available biomedical information, it is possible to predict compounds’ activity and identify their potential targets across diverse organisms. In this study, we aimed to assess the antiplasmodial activity of compounds from the Repurposing, Focused Rescue, and Accelerated Medchem (ReFRAME) library using in vitro and bioinformatics approaches. We assessed the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of the compounds using blood-stage and liver-stage drug susceptibility assays. We used protein sequences of known targets of the ReFRAME compounds with high antiplasmodial activity (EC50 < 10 uM) to conduct a protein-pairwise search to identify similar Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 proteins (from PlasmoDB) using NCBI protein BLAST. We further assessed the association between the compounds' in vitro antiplasmodial activity and level of similarity between their known and predicted P. falciparum target proteins using simple linear regression analyses. BLAST analyses revealed 735 P. falciparum proteins that were similar to the 226 known protein targets associated with the ReFRAME compounds. Antiplasmodial activity of the compounds was positively associated with the degree of similarity between the compounds’ known targets and predicted P. falciparum protein targets (percentage identity, E value, and bit score), the number of the predicted P. falciparum targets, and their respective mutagenesis index and fitness scores (R2 between 0.066 and 0.92, P < 0.05). Compounds predicted to target essential P. falciparum proteins or those with a druggability index of 1 showed the highest antiplasmodial activity.

Genome-wide patterns of noncoding and protein-coding sequence variation in the major fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus.

Aspergillus fumigatus is a deadly fungal pathogen, responsible for >400,000 infections/year and high mortality rates. A. fumigatus strains exhibit variation in infection-relevant traits, including in their virulence. However, most A. fumigatus protein-coding genes, including those that modulate its virulence, are shared between A. fumigatus strains and closely related nonpathogenic relatives. We hypothesized that A. fumigatus genes exhibit substantial genetic variation in the noncoding regions immediately upstream to the start codons of genes, which could reflect differences in gene regulation between strains. To begin testing this hypothesis, we identified 5,812 single-copy orthologs across the genomes of 263 A. fumigatus strains. In general, A. fumigatus noncoding regions showed higher levels of sequence variation compared with their corresponding protein-coding regions. Focusing on 2,482 genes whose protein-coding sequence identity scores ranged between 75 and 99%, we identified 478 total genes with signatures of positive selection only in their noncoding regions and 65 total genes with signatures only in their protein-coding regions. Twenty-eight of the 478 noncoding regions and 5 of the 65 protein-coding regions under selection are associated with genes known to modulate A. fumigatus virulence. Noncoding region variation between A. fumigatus strains included single-nucleotide polymorphisms and insertions or deletions of at least a few nucleotides. These results show that noncoding regions of A. fumigatus genes harbor greater sequence variation than protein-coding regions, raising the hypothesis that this variation may contribute to A. fumigatus phenotypic heterogeneity.

Cultural Connection and Well-being for American Indian Adolescents.

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescents face health disparities resulting from historical traumas. There is a paucity of research focusing on mental health in AI/AN adolescents or the relationship between cultural connection and health. This project assesses the relationship between cultural identity and markers of mental health and well-being for AI/AN adolescents. Adolescents 12 to 18 years old from the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina participated in this mixed-methods study. Phase 1, discussed in this manuscript, involved surveys using validated instruments to assess cultural connection and markers of mental health and well-being. Characteristics of the 122 AI/AN youth who completed the survey included: mean age 14.9 years (SD = 2.0); 61% (n = 75) assigned female at birth; 56% (n = 70) identified as female; and 4.1% (n = 5) identified as non-binary. Mean tribal affiliation (TA) and ethnic identity (EI) scores suggest strong cultural connection (TA: M = 3.1/5, SD = 0.6; EI: M = 3.4/5, SD = 0.9). Sleep quality (M = 2.63/5) and positive stress management (M = 2.06/5) were low. Bivariate and logistic regression demonstrated moderate positive correlations between EI and friendship, EI and emotional support, TA and friendship, and TA and emotional support. AI/AN adolescents in this sample have a moderate-strong connection with Native culture, marked by ethnic identity and tribal affiliation, and positive markers of mental health and well-being. Data from this study may be used for policy formulation to promote increased funding and programming addressing mental health for AI/AN youth.

Perceived professional preparedness and identity among senior nursing students: a latent profile Analysis

BackgroundSenior nursing students’ perceptions of their professional preparedness help them for expectations of their future nursing role with more confidence, and professional identity may contribute to cultivating nursing students’ perceptions of professional preparedness. In this study we applied latent profile analysis to identify the latent profiles of perceived professional preparedness among senior nursing students and to examine their identity and predictors.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 319 senior nursing students from five universities in China were enrolled. Data were collected using the Perceived Professional Preparedness of Senior Nursing Students’ Questionnaire and the Professional Identity Scale for Nursing Students.ResultsThree latent profiles were identified and labeled as “low perceived professional preparedness” (n = 90, 28.2%), “low clinical competency-low EBP (Evidence-Based Practice)” (n = 190, 59.5%), and “high perceived professional preparedness” (n = 39, 12.2%). Place of residence, average clinical practicum hours per day, part-time experience, good relationships with classmates, and feeling nobility toward nursing due to COVID-19 significantly predicted profile membership. The average professional identity score was also statistically different across the three profiles (F = 54.69, p < 0.001).ConclusionsSenior nursing students’ perceptions of their professional preparedness were divided into three profiles, and out results show that promoting professional identity may effectively foster their perceived professional preparedness. This study therefore highlights the importance of targeted interventions by considering their distinct perceptions of professional preparedness patterns.

Innovative approaches for Microcystin removal: Bacterioplankton biodegradation and multi-soil-layering system performance assessment

Microcystins (MCs) pose a significant threat to human health and the environment due to their persistence and toxicity as potent cyanobacterial toxins. Effective biodegradation strategies are required for their removal and detoxification. In this study, bacterioplankton were isolated from eutrophic reservoir water used for crop irrigation and tested for their ability to degrade MCs. These bacteria are hydrologically transported from the contaminated reservoir to downstream farms where they are able to grow under the favorable conditions provided by a multi-soil-layering (MSL) system, a low-cost and locally applicable ecotechnology for the removal and detoxification of MCs. These bacteria enhance the ability of the MSL to remove MCs by forming biofilms within the MSL system. The bacterial strains were then sequenced and their partial 16S rRNA was compared to the reference strains in the NCBI database. The effectiveness of the MSL system in the removal of MCs from water was evaluated. The MSL utilizes a layered soil matrix that promotes microbial growth and physicochemical interactions that enable the removal of various contaminants. The mechanisms of MC removal in the MSL were evaluated by studying the physicochemical properties of the system substrate before and after treatment using X-ray fluorescence, zeta potential, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The microbial functional groups, including ammonifying and denitrifying bacteria, were also investigated in the MSL soil matrices before and after treatment. The results showed that seven bacterial strains exhibited high MC degradation capabilities, with MC degradation performance exceeding 97%. These isolated bacterial strains had a nucleotide identity score of 100% and an E value of 0.0 compared to reference strains. The MSL showed a 99% removal rate for MC-LR and MC-YR, as well as significant reductions in other pollutants, including COD (60%), BOD5 (60%), chlorophyll-a (96%), pheophytin (70%), organic nitrogen (80%), and nitrites (90%). After treatment, there was a statistically significant increase in the total bacterial count, as well as ammonifying and denitrifying bacteria, in the MSL soil matrices compared to their state before treatment. SEM analyses revealed the formation of dense biofilm microbiota, indicating additional biological processes besides adsorption for MC reduction. Overall, the MSL provides a low-cost alternative for the removal of MCs and cyanobacteria with minimal resource requirements and maintenance. It offers a promising solution for mitigating toxic cyanobacterial blooms, ensuring safe agricultural water reuse.

Two Novel Geminiviruses Identified in Bees (Apis mellifera and Nomia sp.).

Members of the Geminviridae family are circular single-stranded DNA plant-infecting viruses, some of which impact global food production. Geminiviruses are vectored by sap-feeding insects such as leafhoppers, treehoppers, aphids, and whiteflies. Additionally, geminivirus sequences have also been identified in other insects such as dragonflies, mosquitoes, and stingless bees. As part of a viral metagenomics study on honeybees and solitary bees (Nomia sp.), two geminivirus genomes were identified. These represent a novel citlodavirus (from honeybees collected from Westmoreland, Jamaica) and a mastrevirus-like genome (from a solitary bee collected from Tempe, Arizona, USA). The novel honeybee-derived citlodavirus genome shares ~61 to 69% genome-wide nucleotide pairwise identity with other citlodavirus genome sequences and is most closely related to the passion fruit chlorotic mottle virus identified in Brazil. Whereas the novel solitary bee-derived mastrevirus-like genome shares ~55 to 61% genome-wide nucleotide identity with other mastreviruses and is most closely related to tobacco yellow dwarf virus identified in Australia, based on pairwise identity scores of the full genome, replication-associated protein, and capsid protein sequences. Previously, two geminiviruses in the Begomovirus genus were identified in samples of stingless bee (Trigona spp.) samples. Here, we identify viruses that represent two new species of geminiviruses from a honeybee and a solitary bee, which continues to demonstrate that plant pollinators can be utilized for the identification of plant-infecting DNA viruses in ecosystems.

The impact of discrimination on the psychological wellbeing and ethnic identity of international students in North Cyprus

The social categorization theory suggests that ingroup bias is a common cognitive bias that can result in discrimination against outgroup members. In recent years there has been a notable increase in the international student body globally as well as an increase in the diversity of the students. Considering this background, it is imperative to investigate the social experiences of this group of students. The current research investigates experiences of discrimination among international students and how they influence their ethnic identity and psychological well-being. A sample of 386 students was recruited from 2 universities in Northern Cyprus using a convenience sampling technique. The findings show a positive relationship between discrimination and psychological distress. The findings also show that ethnic identity is negatively correlated with discrimination and psychological distress. International students who reported higher scores of discrimination showed higher levels of stress and depression. This is because discrimination would result in social exclusion or isolation. High levels of discrimination are associated with low ethnic identity scores among international students. The study shows that ethnic identity does not mediate the impact of discrimination on psychological well-being (psychological distress, depression, anxiety, stress). The findings also show that there are significant differences in discrimination based on race and religion this may be linked to cultural distance between the host and home countries. Considering these findings, educational institutions should increase support services offered to international students, offer awareness and sensitivity training for multicultural interactions and, also incorporate authentic sustainability curricula.