bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SGLT2 Inhibitors vs GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Diabetes With/Without Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Chan Yi-Hsin , Chao Tze-Fan , Chen Shao-Wei , Lee Hsin-Fu , Li Pei-Ru , Yeh Yung-Hsin , Kuo Chi-Tai , See Lai-Chu , Lip Gregory Y H
Published: March 2024

Context

The coexistence of diabetes mellitus and atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with substantial risks of adverse cardiovascular events.

Objective

The relevant outcomes associated with the use of a sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) vs glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with/without concomitant AF remain unknown.

Methods

In this nationwide retrospective cohort study from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, there were 344 392 and 31 351 patients with T2D without AF, and 11 462 and 816 T2D patients with AF treated with SGLT2is and GLP-1RAs, respectively, from May 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019. Patients were followed from the drug index date until the occurrence of study events, discontinuation of the index drug, or the end of the study period (December 31, 2020), whichever occurred first. We used propensity score–stabilized weight to balance covariates across the 2 medication groups.

Results

The incidence rate of all study outcomes in patients with concomitant AF was much higher than in those without concomitant AF. For the AF cohort, SGLT2i vs GLP-1RA was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure (HF) (2.32 vs 4.74 events per 100 person-years; hazard ratio [HR] 0.48, 95% CI 0.36-0.66), with no benefit seen for the non-AF cohort (P for homogeneity < .01). SGLT2i vs GLP-1RA was associated with a lower risk of composite kidney outcomes both in the AF (0.38 vs 0.79 events per 100 person-years; HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.23-0.96) and the non-AF cohorts (0.09 vs 0.18 events per 100 person-years; HR 0.53; 95% CI 0.43-0.64). There were no significant differences in the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in those who received SGLT2i compared with GLP-1RA for the AF or non-AF cohorts.

Conclusion

Considering the high risk of developing HF and/or high prevalence of concomitant HF in patients with concomitant diabetes and AF, whether SGLT2is should be the preferred treatment to GLP-1RAs for such a high-risk population requires further investigation.
Making Known Again: The Rhetorical Function of Anagnorisis in Georges Perec'sLa disparition
Authors: Picherit Hervé , Thompson Jason C.
Published: March 2024

This article proposes that the main trope of Georges Perec's novel, La disparition (1969), is anagnorisis, or a scene of literary recognition. Though Perec borrows a classical trope described by Aristotle, his novel stands out in that it is not a character that the reader must recognize but an unexpected and unannounced void, namely, the absence of the letter E from the entire text. Framing this exercise in literary constraint as a modernist mystery novel, Perec aligns the stakes of noticing, or not noticing, his missing letter with postwar debates about literature's capacity to help us understand existence. On the one hand, Perec decries the inability of traditional literature to capture the complexity of a post-Holocaust world. On the other hand, he deplores the literary nihilism he attributes to the nouveau roman movement. It is to escape this impasse that Perec embarks on his mission to renew anagnorisis and, more broadly, literary meaning-making. To do so, he sets in place new forms whose ultimate purpose is to help us begin to recognize the profound meaning of the absences left behind by the traumas of the twentieth century.
Food shaped photosynthesis: Photophysiology of the sea slug Elysia viridis fed with two alternative chloroplast donors
Authors: Morelli Luca , Cartaxana Paulo , Cruz Sónia
Published: March 2024

Background Some Sacoglossa sea slugs steal and integrate chloroplasts derived from the algae they feed on into their cells where they continue to function photosynthetically, a process termed kleptoplasty. The stolen chloroplasts – kleptoplasts – can maintain their functionality up to several months and support animal metabolism. However, chloroplast longevity can vary depending on sea slug species and algal donor. In this study, we focused on Elysia viridis, a polyphagous species that is mostly found associated with the macroalga Codium tomentosum, but that was reported to eat other macroalgae, including Chaetomorpha sp. Methods We have investigated the changes in E. viridis physiology when provided with the two different food sources to evaluate to which extent the photosynthetic and photoprotective mechanisms of the algae chloroplasts matched those of the plastids once in the animal cells. To perform the study, we rely on the evaluation of chlorophyll a variable fluorescence to study the photophysiological state of the integrated kleptoplasts and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to study variations in the photosynthetic pigments. Results We observed that the photosynthetic efficiency of E. viridis is lower when fed with Chaetomorpha. Also, significant differences were observed in the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) abilities of the sea slugs. While sea slugs fed with C. tomentosum react similarly to high-light stress as the alga, E. viridis hosting Chaetomorpha chloroplasts were unable to properly recover from photoinhibition or perform a functional xanthophyll cycle (XC). Conclusions Our results showed that, even if the sea slugs fed with the two algae show photosynthetic activities like the respective algal donors, not all the photoprotective mechanisms present in Chaetomorpha can be maintained in E. viridis. This indicates that the functionality of the kleptoplasts does not depend solely on their origin but also on the degree of compatibility with the animal species integrating them.
Exploring the Impulsive Buying Behavior on TikTok Live Platform
Authors:   Management Department, Binus Business School Master Program, Bina Nusantara University, Chandra Hanry Caesar , Tanil Silviyani , Sarendra Tania Citra , Gunadi Willy
Published: March 2024

Abstract. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between Influencer Credibility on the TikTok live platform, Customers' Hedonic Motives, and Online Impulsive Buying Behavior with the moderating effect of Sensory Shopping Experience. Using a self-selection sampling method, a questionnaire was used to gather the data from TikTok users who have experienced shopping impulsively in the TikTok live shopping event where an influencer becomes the host. Out of 297 questionnaires distributed, there were 263 completed responses that can be further analyzed. SEM-PLS was used to analyze the data from 263 samples and evaluate the hypotheses. The findings showed that Influencer credibility positively influences consumers' hedonic motives, which influence online impulsive buying behavior. On the other hand, the sensory shopping experience does not have a significant effect in moderating the relationship between hedonic motives and online impulsive buying behavior. Keywords: Influencer credibility, hedonic motives, online impulsive buying behavior, sensory shopping experience
Assessment of the functional status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis as a result of the physical therapy programme
Authors: Nogas A. , Grygus I.
Published: March 2024

Annotation. A differentiated strategy for the rehabilitation treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is the development and implementation of a comprehensive therapeutic programme that includes the use of non-drug measures in addition to conservative therapy. The purpose of the paper is to evaluate the functional status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis as a result of the proposed physical therapy programme. Materials and methods. A total of 188 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were examined, with an average age of 44.9±7.6 years. All patients were randomly assigned to the control (n=92) and intervention (n=96) groups. Patients in the control group underwent rehabilitation in accordance with the recommendations of the regulatory document of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. The physical therapy programme for patients of the main group is developed in accordance with the domains of the ICF, taking into account the factors that affect the level of functional impairment, health status and quality of life. The effectiveness of the proposed physical therapy programme on the functional status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis was assessed by the results of the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire. Results. At the beginning of the study, the total score for patients in the control group was 6.3±0.7 points and for the intervention group - 6.5±9.5 points. The greatest difficulties arose in getting dressed, including tying laces and fastening buttons, opening and closing a tap, bringing a full cup to the mouth, bending over and picking up an object from the floor. After 3 months, significantly better changes occurred in patients of the main group compared to the control group. So, in the patients of the main group, the total score decreased to 3.9±11.1 points, in the control group this score was worse and amounted to 4.7±2.3 points. After the treatment and physical therapy in 6 months, the functional status of patients in both groups improved, but the total score in the main group was significantly better and closer to normal (1.8±12.2 points) than in patients in the control group (2.9±4.1 points). Significantly better results of functional status indicators in patients of the main group indicate the effectiveness of the proposed physical therapy programme. Conclusion. Increased motor activity in the joints, muscle strength in the affected upper extremities as a result of the proposed physical therapy programme contributed to the improvement of daily activities and functional status of patients in the main group, as evidenced by the results of the Stanford Health Interview. Thus, significantly better changes occurred in the patients of the main group compared to the control group, where conventional rehabilitation treatment was performed.
A PRODUÇÃO DE VÍDEOS COMO FORMA DE VALORIZAÇÃO DOS PROCESSOS HISTÓRICOS E SOCIOECOLÓGICOS DA MATA ATLÂNTICA
Authors: Fernandez Vicente Leal E. , Solórzano Alexandro
Published: March 2024

O público que frequenta as florestas da Mata Atlântica desconhece a sua história e os personagens envolvidos em sua transformação. No entanto, este mesmo desconhecimento contrasta com o grande interesse do público em saber mais sobre as histórias escondidas na floresta, o que nos permite pensar em como aproveitar essa lacuna. Os recursos audiovisuais têm se mostrado uma maneira mais direta de acessar o público para além dos muros da universidade, expondo o conteúdo científico de maneira mais lúdica e palatável. É nesse contexto que surge o presente trabalho, como uma tentativa de trazer à tona essas histórias esquecidas na mata, buscando um olhar íntimo sobre os resultados do diálogo entre cidade e floresta. Com isso, este trabalho objetiva valorizar os processos históricos e socioecológicos da Mata Atlântica através da produção de vídeos, utilizando como base as premissas da Divulgação Científica. Como resultado, foram produzidos cinco vídeos entre 19 de março de 2021 e 3 de março de 2022. Os vídeos apresentados são produto da associação entre Geografia Histórica e Divulgação Científica, abrindo possibilidades para uma Educação Ambiental que valorize os processos históricos e socioecológicos.
Balance abilities in high dynamic-sport athletes with different maximal voluntary contraction
Authors:   Sport Science, Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, Konkeaw Pornpimol , Pratanaphon Sainatee ,   Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
Published: March 2024

Background: Previous studies have shown that muscle force control during submaximal isometric contractions is associated with the ability of dynamic balance to a greater extent than static balance in healthy adults. However, the effect of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) on balance abilities of athletes with high dynamicsport, which are most popular in Thailand, needs to be addressed. Objective: To determine static and balance abilities of high dynamic-sport athletes at different levels of MVC. Materials and methods: Three groups of high dynamic-sport athletes at different levels of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), were voluntarily recruited using a sports matrix classification. Outcome measures comprised the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Correlations between BESS and SEBT and confounding variables comprised of performance time of the Mcgill core endurance tests (Core), single-leg sit-to-stand (STS) test, and flexibility were investigated using Pearson’s correlation. After controlling for Core and STS, a factorial analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to determine group differences in SEBT and BESS variables. Results: Athletes with high- and low- MVC had significantly different reaching distances in all SEBT directions (all, p<0.05). Significant differences between the high- and the moderate- MVC groups were observed in anterior and lateral directions (p<0.05). A significant difference between the moderate- and the low MVC groups was found in the medial direction (p<0.05). After controlling for Core and STS, the observed group differences disappeared, except in the posterolateral reaching distance between the high- and the low-MVC groups (p<0.05). A significant difference between the high- and the low-MVC groups was only observed in the total foam BESS scores with tandem stance (p<0.05) and then disappeared after adjusting for Core and STS (all, p>0.05). Conclusion: The observed differences in all SEBT directions among groups and the difference in the total BESS scores between the high- and the low- MVC, which were observed only in challenged conditions i.e., tandem-foam stance, suggested that dynamic, but not static balance performance of athletes with high dynamicsport appears to be associated with the magnitude of MVC. Core and STS, but not flexibility, are considered significant contributions to their balance performance.
Multifaceted validity analysis of clinical skills test in the educational field setting
Authors: Chae Han , Lee Min-jung , Kim Myung-Ho , Kim Kyuseok , Cho Eunbyul
Published: March 2024

Introduction: The importance of clinical skills training in traditional Korean medicine education is increasingly emphasized. Since the clinical skills tests are high-stakes tests that determine success in national licensing exams, it is essential to develop reliable multifaceted analysis methods for clinical skills tests in actual education settings. In this study, we applied the multifaceted validity evaluation methods to the evaluation results of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation module to confirm the applicability and effectiveness of the methods.Methods: In this study, we used internal consistency, factor analysis, generalizability theory G-study and D-study, ANOVA, Kendall's tau, descriptive statistics, and other statistical methods to analyze the multidimensional validity of a cardiopulmonary resuscitation test in clinical education settings over the past three years.Results: The factor analysis and internal consistency analysis showed that the evaluation rubric had an unstable structure and low concordance. The G-study showed that the error of the clinical skills assessment was large due to the evaluator and unexpected errors. The D-study showed that the variance error of the evaluator should be significantly reduced to validate the evaluation. The ANOVA and Kendall's tau confirmed that evaluator heterogeneity was a problem.Discussion and Conclusion: Clinical skills tests should be continuously evaluated and managed for validity in two steps of pre-production and actual implementation. This study has presented specific methods for analyzing the validity of clinical skills training and testing in actual education settings. This study would contribute to the foundation for competency-based evidence-based education in practical clinical training.
Review on Weight Loss Interventions that Can Prevent Muscle Mass Loss in Sarcopenic Obesity
Authors: Park Min-jeong , Lim Young-Woo , Kim Eunjoo
Published: March 2024

Objectives: The objective of this study was to review clinical studies conducted over the last ten years that investigated weight or fat loss interventions that can preserve muscle or fat-free mass in Sarcopenic obesity Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Research Information Sharing Service (RISS) and Korea Studies Information Service (KISS) were searched for Randomized clinical trials that had investigated all-type of interventions on the management of sarcopenic obesity from October 2013 to September 2023.Results: A total of 14 studies met all the inclusion criteria. Interventions that increase muscle mass while reducing body fat at the same time included resistance training (including using elastic bands) and whole-body electromyostimulation(WB-EMS) in exercise intervention and Hypocaloric high-protein diet in nutritional intervention, exercise and nutritional combined intervention, and combination intervention of electrical acupuncture and amino acid supplementation. Among them, the most positive method of changing the body composition in sarcopenic obesity was the electric acupuncture and amino acid supplements.Conclusion: Varying diagnostic criteria and management interventions for sarcopenic obesity in the included studies made it hard to maintain homogeneity across the studies. Well-defined criteria for diagnostic sarcopenic obesity should be considered. In addition, since all of the interventions examined did not show sufficient clinical effectiveness, follow-up studies are needed to confirm effective interventions for sarcopenic obesity patients in the future.
Questionnaire Survey on Perception and Attitude Toward of Remote Treatment by Korean Medicine Doctors
Authors: Kim Juchul , Kim Sohyun , Oh Hyunjoo , Ahn Eunji , Kim Dongsu
Published: March 2024

Objectives: Following the global COVID-19 pandemic, with the escalation of remote medical care formalization in Korea, there is a pressing need for objective data in the Korean medicine field to respond to remote treatment medical care policies. This study aims to investigate the perceptions and acceptance of remote treatments among Korean Medicine Doctors (KMDs).Methods: After expert reviews and pilot testing, the 31-question survey covered participant characteristics, experiences, forms, intentions, and perceptions related to Remote Treatments. The survey was electronically distributed to members of the Association of Korean Medicine, and 662 clinical KMDs provided valid responses.Results: Among respondents, 76.1% engaged in remote treatments, utilizing various platforms. Those with experience in Remote Treatments showed a significantly higher willingness to continue participating during the institutionalization process (p<0.001). 49.7% of respondents stated that traditional Korean medicine is competitive in remote treatments, with the main reasons being the ability for regular management after herbal medication(26.1%) and increased patient satisfaction due to sufficient counseling compared to Western medicine(25.2%). Respondents preferred Remote Treatment conditions with a treatment time of less than 10 minutes(47.6%) and equivalent fees to in-person visits(45.6%). Regarding suitable intervention tools during Remote Treatment, respondents favored non-covered herbal prescriptions(39.0%), covered herbal granules(24.6%), and non-covered herbal granules(23.0%).Conclusion: This study investigated the perceptions and acceptance of KMDs regarding remote treatments. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers aiming to establish effective policies for Remote Treatments suitable for the Korean medicine healthcare environment.
Association of Cold/Heat Sensation with Sleep Quality and Insomnia in Middle-aged Women
Authors: Mun Sujeong , Park Kihyun , Bae Kwang-Ho , Baek Younghwa , Lee Siwoo
Published: March 2024

Objectives: Cold extremities have been suggested to correlate with sleep disturbances. This study aims to explore the relationship between thermal sensations in body, encompassing both cold and heat sensations, with sleep quality and insomnia.Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were utilized to assess thermal sensations in body, sleep quality and symptoms of insomnia in middle-aged women. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to ascertain the association between thermal sensations in body and both sleep quality and insomnia symptoms.Results: Among 899 participants, 255 (28.4%) were categorized in the cold sensation group, 95 (10.6%) in the heat sensation group, 70 (7.8%) in the group with both cold and heat sensations, and 479 (53.3%) in the no-sensation group. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Insomnia Severity Index were notably higher in the group experiencing both sensations when compared to the no-sensation group. After adjustments for covariates, the odds ratios for poor sleep quality, moderate/severe insomnia, and long sleep latency were significantly elevated in the group with both sensations when compared to the no-sensation group. The odds ratios for poor sleep quality in the cold sensation group and for moderate/severe insomnia and low sleep efficiency in the heat sensation group were significantly higher when compared to the no-sensation group.Conclusions: The risk for sleep disturbances varied depending on the presence of thermal sensations in body, with the greatest risk observed for low sleep quality and insomnia in individuals experiencing both cold and heat sensations.
Status of reports of adverse events related to botanical herbal medicines with toxic precautions officially managed by Korean government: A descriptive analysis from WHO VigiAccess
Authors: Kim Mikyung
Published: March 2024

Objectives: This study was aimed to review the global status of adverse event (AE) reports and the characteristics of the reported AEs of plants managed as herbal medicines (HMs) with toxic precautions in Korea.Methods: This is a cross-sectional quantitative study that analyzed information available through VigiAccess, a website that provides summarized statistical information from the WHO's global AE database to the public. VigiAccess was searched in 8 Jan, 2024. Information on the total number of reports, number of reports by year and continent, and the age and gender of patients were obtained, and the types of frequently reported AEs were also reviewed.Results: Data on the status of report submissions were obtained for a total of 9 HMs including Aconitum ciliare, Aconitum carmichaeli, Arisaema japonicum, Pinellia ternata, Euphorbiae Lathyridis, Croton tiglium, Strychni Ignatii, Strychnons nux-vomica, and Linum usitatissimum. The number of reports per HM was from 1 to 137. The most commonly reported type of AEs were gastrointestinal disorders in most of the HMs, followed by neurological disorders. Serious adverse events were reported only in Strychni Ignatii, Strychnons nux-vomica, and Linum usitatissimum, including one case of death.Conclusions: This study shows the status of reported AEs of botanicals considered as HMs with toxic precautions in Korea based on real world data. However, when interpreting the findings of this study, readers should consider the significant limitations of this study mainly because of the characteristics of the data source.
Does the Wim Hof Method have a beneficial impact on physiological and psychological outcomes in healthy and non-healthy participants? A systematic review
Authors: Almahayni Omar , Hammond Lucy
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Wim Hof, also known as the iceman, developed a method called Wim Hof Method (WHM) which he claims to have several benefits on physical and mental health. The aim of this systematic review is to identify and synthesise the results of the studies conducted on WHM on physiological and psychological health-related outcomes.

Materials and methods

This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), registration number CRD42022333209. Medline and Web of Science were searched and included studies from January 1, 2014, to July 4, 2022. Studies were included if they met the predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria included RCTs and cohort studies published in peer-reviewed journals, studies conducted on healthy individuals and people with pre-existing medical conditions (adolescents and adults over the age of 14), studies that included all three pillars (breathing, cold exposure, and commitment) of the WHM, and studies that only focused on Wim Hof breathing method (WHBM). Exclusion criteria included studies that discussed WHM but are not original experimental research or are not peer-reviewed, studies that included children under the age of 14, and studies that used methods similar to WHM, but not actually WHM, such as tummo meditation. The articles were assessed for risk of bias using RoB 2.0 and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) tools. The effects of WHM were categorised into physiological or psychological related outcomes and narrative synthesis was conducted.

Results

Nine papers were included in this review which consisted of eight individual trials. The findings suggest that the WHM may reduce inflammation in healthy and non-healthy participants as it increases epinephrine levels, causing an increase in interleukin-10 and a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, effect of WHBM on exercise performance showed mixed findings. Effects on respiratory parameters of minute ventilation, tidal volume, and breathing frequency were mixed following bouts of exercise.

Conclusion

Taken together, the findings of this review show promising use of WHM in the inflammatory response category. The focus of future studies should further investigate the benefits of WHM in non-healthy participants with inflammatory disorders and explore the use of Wim Hof breathing method to enhance exercise performance.
Sensory function and somatosensorial system changes according to visual acuity and throwing techniques in goalball players: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Gökşen Ayşenur , İnce Gonca
Published: March 2024

The somatosensory system is a complect sensory system that differentiates individual athletes. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of visual acuity level on throwing technique, proprioceptive sense of the shoulder joint, light touch and two-point discrimination sense of the upper extremity, and sensory function (postural control and reaction time) in visually impaired goalball players. Goalball players who have different visual acuities B1(unable to perceive light or recognize its shape); B2 (has a visual field of less than 5 degrees and can recognize shapes); B3 (visual field greater than 5 degrees and less than 20 degrees) participated in the study. The sensorial system was evaluated with proprioceptive sense of the shoulder joint and sensory tests (light touch and two-point discrimination sense of the dominant hand.). Sensory function (postural control and reaction time) was evaluated with the flamingo balance test, functional reach test, and pro-agility test. The goalball players’ throwing technique was questioned. Seventeen male players, those aged 20–30 (20.8±3.9 years) who have been professionally engaged in goalball for at least three years (58.7–37.8 months) participated. Shoulder internal rotation joint position sense and the flamingo balance test were found to be different in the group with B1 visual acuity than in the group with B3 visual acuity (p = 0.042* and 0.028 respectively). There was no difference between groups with B1-B2 visual acuity (p = 0.394 and p = 0.065) and between groups with B2-B3 visual acuity (p = 0.792 and p = 0.931). There was no difference in the groups in terms of sensory tests and reaction time (p> 0.05). In goalball, joint position sense is related to throwing techniques. Although there is a general acceptance that other sensory systems should work harder to compensate for the sense of vision, fear of falling, athlete’s branch year, sports year, muscle strength, and general physical condition of the athlete may affect the measurements made, especially in the dynamic position.
Market assessment of fortified parboiled rice in Burkina Faso
Authors: Durand-Morat Alvaro , Wang Ya-Jane , Bassole Imael H. N. , Nkengla-Asi Lilian , Yang Wei
Published: March 2024

Micronutrient deficiency remains a daunting issue in many parts of the world. Effective interventions are needed to deal with the problem, which should consider production and consumption traditions and trends to improve their success. Parboil rice is a growing staple in Burkina Faso, where micronutrient deficiency remains high. This paper assesses the market feasibility of fortified rice through parboiling using a limited-water soaking method. Our findings suggest that consumers are willing to pay a premium for fortified rice versus conventional parboiled rice after they are informed about the importance of the problem and the potential benefits of fortified rice. A stylized cost analysis also reveals that the cost of producing fortified rice using a limited-water soaking method could exceed the premiums consumers are willing to pay, and therefore that public intervention may be needed to improve the odds of adoption by consumers. The findings have implication beyond Burkina Faso, and could guide market development in other regions where production and consumption of parboiled rice is well established.
To live free or being a parasite: The optimal foraging behavior may favor the evolution of entomopathogenic nematodes
Authors: Trejo-Meléndez Víctor , Contreras-Garduño Jorge
Published: March 2024

Facultative parasites can alternate between a free-living and a parasitic existence to complete their life cycle. Yet, it remains uncertain which lifestyle they prefer. The optimal foraging theory suggests that food preferences align with fitness benefits. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the facultative parasite nematode Rhabditis regina, assessing its host preference and the associated benefits. Two experiments were conducted using wild nematode populations collected from Phyllophaga polyphylla, their natural host. In the first experiment, we used a behavioral arena to assess host preference between the natural host and two experimental hosts: Spodoptera frugiperda which is an alternative host and dead Tenebrio molitor, which simulates a saprophytic environment. In the second experiment, we subjected wild nematodes to "experimental evolution" lasting 50 generations in S. frugiperda and 53 generations in T. molitor carcass. We then compared life history traits (the size, survival, number of larvae, and glycogen and triglycerides as energy reserves) of dauer larvae with those nematodes from P. polyphylla (control group). We found a significant preference for P. polyphylla, which correlated with higher values in the nematode’s life history traits. In contrast, the preference for S. frugiperda and the saprophytic environment was lower, resulting in less efficient life history traits. These findings align with the optimal foraging theory, as the nematode’s parasitic preferences are in line with maximizing fitness. This also indicates that R. regina exhibits specificity to P. polyphylla and is better adapted to a parasitic lifestyle than a free-living one, suggesting an evolutionary pathway towards parasitism.
Speeding genomic island discovery through systematic design of reference database composition
Authors: Yu Steven L. , Mageeney Catherine M. , Shormin Fatema , Ghaffari Noushin , Williams Kelly P.
Published: March 2024

Background

Genomic islands (GIs) are mobile genetic elements that integrate site-specifically into bacterial chromosomes, bearing genes that affect phenotypes such as pathogenicity and metabolism. GIs typically occur sporadically among related bacterial strains, enabling comparative genomic approaches to GI identification. For a candidate GI in a query genome, the number of reference genomes with a precise deletion of the GI serves as a support value for the GI. Our comparative software for GI identification was slowed by our original use of large reference genome databases (DBs). Here we explore smaller species-focused DBs.

Results

With increasing DB size, recovery of our reliable prophage GI calls reached a plateau, while recovery of less reliable GI calls (FPs) increased rapidly as DB sizes exceeded ~500 genomes; i.e., overlarge DBs can increase FP rates. Paradoxically, relative to prophages, FPs were both more frequently supported only by genomes outside the species and more frequently supported only by genomes inside the species; this may be due to their generally lower support values. Setting a DB size limit for our SMAll Ranked Tailored (SMART) DB design speeded runtime ~65-fold. Strictly intra-species DBs would tend to lower yields of prophages for small species (with few genomes available); simulations with large species showed that this could be partially overcome by reaching outside the species to closely related taxa, without an FP burden. Employing such taxonomic outreach in DB design generated redundancy in the DB set; as few as 2984 DBs were needed to cover all 47894 prokaryotic species.

Conclusions

Runtime decreased dramatically with SMART DB design, with only minor losses of prophages. We also describe potential utility in other comparative genomics projects.
HaplotagLR: An efficient and configurable utility for haplotagging long reads
Authors: Holmes Monica J. , Mahjour Babak , Castro Christopher P. , Farnum Gregory A. , Diehl Adam G. , Boyle Alan P.
Published: March 2024

Understanding the functional effects of sequence variation is crucial in genomics. Individual human genomes contain millions of variants that contribute to phenotypic variability and disease risks at the population level. Because variants rarely act in isolation, we must consider potential interactions of neighboring variants to accurately predict functional effects. We can accomplish this using haplotagging, which matches sequencing reads to their parental haplotypes using alleles observed at known heterozygous variants. However, few published tools for haplotagging exist and these share several technical and usability-related shortcomings that limit applicability, in particular a lack of insight or control over error rates, and lack of key metrics on the underlying sources of haplotagging error. Here we present HaplotagLR: a user-friendly tool that haplotags long sequencing reads based on a multinomial model and existing phased variant lists. HaplotagLR is user-configurable and includes a basic error model to control the empirical FDR in its output. We show that HaplotagLR outperforms the leading haplotagging method in simulated datasets, especially at high levels of specificity, and displays 7% greater sensitivity in haplotagging real data. HaplotagLR advances both the immediate utility of haplotagging and paves the way for further improvements to this important method.
Integrated transcriptome and proteome analysis reveals the unique molecular features and nutritional components on the muscles in Chinese Taihe black-bone silky fowl chicken
Authors: Xiong Guanghua , Chen Wanqing , Jiang Kai , Liu Shuyuan , Li Juan , Liao Xinjun
Published: March 2024

The Taihe Black-Bone silky fowl chicken (BB-sfc) is a renowned dietary and medicinal chicken globally recognized for its high nutritional and medicinal value. Compared to the local Black-Bone black-feathered chicken (BB-bfc), the Taihe silky fowl chicken has higher levels of amino acids, trace elements, and unsaturated fatty acids in their muscles, which offer anti-aging, anti-cancer, and immune enhancing benefits. Despite this, the unique nutritional components, genes, and proteins in Taihe silky fowl chicken muscles are largely unknown. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive transcriptome and proteome analysis of muscle development between BB-sfc and BB-bfc chickens using RNA-Seq and TMT-based quantitative proteomics methods. RNA-Seq analysis identified 286 up-regulated genes and 190 down-regulated genes in BB-sfc chickens, with oxidoreductase activity and electron transfer activity enriched in up-regulated genes, and phospholipid homeostasis and cholesterol transporter activity enriched in down-regulated genes. Proteome analysis revealed 186 significantly increased and 287 significantly decreased proteins in Taihe BB-sfc chicken muscles, primarily affecting mitochondrial function and oxidative phosphorylation, crucial for enhancing muscle antioxidant capacity. Integrated transcriptome and proteome analysis identified 6 overlapped up-regulated genes and 8 overlapped down-regulated genes in Taihe silky fowl chicken, related to improved muscle antioxidant status. Taken together, this research provides a comprehensive database of gene expression and protein information in Taihe Black-Bone silky fowl chicken muscles, aiding in fully exploring their unique economic value in the future.
Proximity to the water surface markedly enhances the force production on underwater flapping wings
Authors: Bhat Shantanu S. , Medina Albert , Tian Fang-Bao , Young John , Lai Joseph C. S. , Ravi Sridhar
Published: March 2024

The potential application of flapping wings in micro-aerial vehicles is gaining interest due to their ability to generate high lift even in confined spaces. Most studies in the past have investigated hovering wings as well as those flapping near solid surfaces. However, the presence of surface tension at the water-air interface and the ability of the water surface to move might differentiate its response to the proximity of wings, compared to that of solid surfaces. Motivated by underwater, amphibian robots and several underwater experimental studies on flapping wings, our study investigated the effects of the proximity of flapping wings to the water surface at low Reynolds numbers (Re = 3400). Experiments were performed on a rectangular wing in a water tank with prescribed flapping kinematics and the aerodynamic forces were measured. The effects of surface proximity on the wing in its both upright and inverted orientations were studied. Broadly, the mean lift and drag coefficients in both orientations decreased significantly (by up to 60%) as the distance from the water surface was increased. In the case of the upright orientation, the mean lift coefficient was slightly decreased very close to the water surface with its peak being observed at the normalized clearance of h / c ¯ = 0 . 07. Overall, the study revealed an enhancement in the aerodynamic forces closer to the water surface.
Environmental preferences and critical habitat for the velvet belly lanternshark (Etmopterus spinax) in Icelandic waters
Authors: Mattína Helga , Campana Steven E. , Jakobsdóttir Klara
Published: March 2024

The velvet belly lanternshark (Etmopterus spinax) is a small, bioluminescent shark that is caught as bycatch in many deep-sea fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean. Using data from 10,597 seasonal research survey tows spanning 11 years, the distribution, relative abundance, life history, and environmental preferences of E. spinax in Icelandic waters was examined for the first time. E. spinax (n = 8774) were only captured in relatively deep offshore waters to the south and west of Iceland. Females grew to larger sizes than males and reached 50% sexual maturity at a total length of 50 cm. Females at a late stage of maturity and very small juveniles (<20 cm) were restricted to the central south Icelandic shelf, suggesting that this might be critical habitat for the reproduction of the species. Most of the sharks were captured at depths of 400–500 m, a relatively narrow depth range, and classified as a stenothermic warm-water species with habitat temperature restricted to about 6.3–8.0°C. Teleosts, crustaceans and cephalopods made up most of the diet. There was no indication of a decline in abundance over the time span of the survey. However, climate-induced warming of the deep ocean may shift the distribution of the species to more northerly waters within Iceland.
Global reduction of snow cover in ski areas under climate change
Authors: Mitterwallner Veronika , Steinbauer Manuel , Mathes Gregor , Walentowitz Anna
Published: March 2024

Ongoing climate change substantially alters snowfall patterns with severe but diverging consequences for global ski areas. A global assessment as well as the investigation of potential implications for mountain ecosystems is currently lacking. We quantify future trends in natural snow cover days under different climate change scenarios until 2100 in seven major global skiing regions and discuss implications for mountainous biodiversity by analysing how natural snow cover days relate to regional human population density. Within all major skiing regions, snow cover days are projected to decrease substantially under every assessed climate change scenario. Thirteen percent of all current ski areas are projected to completely lose natural annual snow cover and one fifth will experience a reduction of more than 50% by 2071–2100 relative to historic baselines. Future skiable areas will concentrate in less populated areas, towards continental regions and inner parts of the mountain ranges. As skiable areas will be located at greater distances to highly populated areas in the future, we expect an expansion of infrastructure and increasing intervening actions (i.e., artificial snowmaking, slope grooming) to prolong snow duration. Our results are concerning for both the recreational and economic value of skiing as well as for mountain biodiversity since vulnerable high-altitude species might be threatened by space reductions with ski area expansion.
Quantitative measures of discrimination with application to appointment processes
Authors: Robinson P. A. , Kerr C. C.
Published: March 2024

Bias and discrimination in appointment processes such as hiring decisions (and analogous selection procedures for performance evaluations, promotions, scholarships, and awards), are quantified statistically via the binomial distribution. These statistical measures are described and an easily used webapp for calculating them is provided. The measures considered include the likelihood that a given number of appointments arose from a fair process and the likelihood that an existing process would give rise to a fair outcome if it were repeated. These methods are illustrated by applying them to sex (including gender) discrimination and racial discrimination in senior appointments in the Australian university sector; both conscious and unconscious biases are included. Significant sex discrimination is found to have existed in the appointments of university chief executives (Vice Chancellors) who were in office in 2018, but with a moderate chance that current processes will yield fair outcomes in the future. However, there is no evidence of strong sex discrimination in the country’s eight main research universities for senior appointments (i.e., Faculty Deans and members of their governing Boards or Senates) for those in office as of 2021. However, at the same dates, extreme racial discrimination was implicit in the selection procedures for both Vice Chancellors and senior appointments in all these universities. The University of Sydney’s senior appointments were found to have had the most racially biased outcomes among the country’s eight main research universities. Significantly, there is negligible statistical likelihood of achieving racially unbiased outcomes in the future in any of the contexts considered, unless the selection procedures are significantly modified.
A case study for best suitable methods of monitoring demographic structure in cervid populations to predict increasing forest damages
Authors:   Latvian State Forest Research Institute ‘Silava’, Riga street 111, Salaspils, LV-2169, Latvia, Done Gundega , Ozoliņš Jānis , Bagrade Guna , Jurģi Jansons Jurģis , Baumanis Jānis , Vecvanags Alekss , Jakovels Dainis
Published: March 2024

The overall increase of ungulate populations in modern Europe has contributed to conflicts in national economies, particularly between game management and the forestry sector. This study assessed damage risks to young pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) and aspen (Populus tremula L.) stands at two spatial scales. One level assessed the interaction between sex-age structure of cervid populations, measured by pellet group density, and forest damages, measured as the percentage of heavily browsed trees in 2040 stand surveys distributed proportionally throughout the country. The second level compared pellet counts and trail-camera-based records of moose (Alces alces L.) and red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) presence in a pilot study area. We examined whether 1) there is a correlation between damage amount and ungulate population structure and 2) are the data from trail cameras suitable for wider use in monitoring ungulate population structure. The study confirmed significantly higher moose pellet group densities in pine than in spruce and aspen stands. Pine damages were greater in stands with higher moose pellet group density, especially with female moose prevailing over male moose density index. The red deer pellet group densities were significantly higher in heavily damaged pine and spruce stands, regardless of sex-age structure. In most cases, there were no statistically significant differences between the two survey methods of ungulate population structure by using pellet count transects and trail camera fixations. Both methods provide comparable data on sex-age structure in moose and red deer populations if seasonal and habitat-predicted biases are considered. However, trail cameras are more widely applicable and easier to use by hunters than pellet counts.
Effects of forest conservation and management on timber, ecosystem carbon, dead wood and habitat suitability area in a boreal forest under climate change
Authors:   School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistokatu 7, FI-80100 Joensuu, Finland, Pikkarainen Pikkarainen , Strandman Harri , Vento Eerik , Petty Aaron , Tikkanen Olli-Pekka , Kilpeläinen Antti , Peltola Heli
Published: March 2024

We used forest ecosystem model simulations to study how forest conservation and management intensity affected timber yield, ecosystem carbon stocks, amount of dead wood, and habitat suitability area in a middle boreal forest region of Finland under changing climate over a 90-year simulation period. We used the following forest conservation and management scenarios: baseline forest management (BM), BM with 10 or 20% increase of conservation area with or without intensified forest management (i.e. improved forest regeneration material and forest fertilization). The simulations were done under current climate (reference period of 1981–2010), and Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) climate change projections under the RCP2.6 and RCP4.5 forcing scenarios. Overall, increasing the forest conservation area decreased timber yield and increased the ecosystem carbon stock, the amount of dead wood and consequently the area of suitable habitat for saproxylic species. The use of intensified forest management reduced the loss of timber yield, increased ecosystem carbon stock, the amount of dead wood and area of suitable habitat for saproxylic species. At the end of simulation period, the use of intensified forest management even overcompensated (4–6% higher) the timber loss from 10% increase of conservation area. Under changing climate, timber yield, the amount of dead wood and the area of suitable habitats for saproxylic species increased. To conclude, with intensified forest management it is possible, in the short term, to decrease the loss of timber yield through increased forest conservation area and in the long term maintain or even increase it compared to baseline forest management.