bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The evolutionary history of Sinopoda spiders (Sparassidae: Heteropodinae): out of the Himalayas and down the mountain slopes
Authors: Zhang He , Zhong Yang , Zhu Yang , Wang Kai , Yan Chuan , Agnarsson Ingi , Liu Jie
Published: August 2024

Himalayan orogeny and consequent climatic changes, such as the strengthening of the Asian monsoon, are considered as two main drivers in shaping local biogeography. The mountainous Sinopoda spiders, which are widely distributed in East Asia and Southeast Asia and especially abundant in the mountains near the Himalayas, represent an ideal model lineage for investigating Himalayan biogeography. This is due to their high diversity, limited dispersal ability, and wide elevational distribution, ranging from sea level up to 3500 meters. We investigated the evolutionary history of Sinopoda spiders, focusing on ecological, molecular, and morphological traits in relation to local geological events and fluctuations in Neogene (23.0–2.6 Ma) Asian monsoon patterns. Distribution modeling results show that extant Sinopoda spiders are sensitive to humidity fluctuations. They are mainly distributed in two distinct habitats: areas with moderate precipitation at high altitude (relatively cold) and areas with high precipitation at low altitude (relatively warm). The biogeographical and elevation reconstruction analyses show that as the Himalayas rose and the Asian monsoon intensified, Sinopoda spiders (Sparassidae: Heteropodinae) moved out of the Himalayas (ca 18.1 Ma) then ‘down' the rising mountain slopes (ca 9.6 Ma). We then see a secondary return to the mountains (ca 3.3 Ma) as the severity of the East Asian monsoon decreased. We hypothesize that our ‘out of Himalaya' dispersal pattern hypothesis will also apply to closely related spider groups with limited ballooning ability (e.g. Lycosidae, Thomisidae) or other organisms with low vagility (such as herpetofauna) that are sensitive to humidity and possess similar geographical distributions.
Arthropod traits as proxies for abundance trends in the Azorean Islands
Authors: Oyarzabal Guilherme , Cardoso Pedro , Rigal François , Boieiro Mário , Santos Ana M. C. , Amorim Isabel R. , Malumbres‐Olarte Jagoba , Costa Ricardo , Lhoumeau Sébastien , Pozsgai Gábor , Gabriel Rosalina , Borges Paulo A. V.
Published: August 2024

Human activities drive ecological transformation, impacting island ecosystems from species diversity to ecological traits, mainly through habitat degradation and invasive species. Using two unique long‐term datasets we aim to evaluate whether species traits (body size, trophic level, dispersal capacity and habitat occupancy) can predict temporal variations in the abundance of endemic, indigenous (endemic and native non‐endemic) and exotic arthropods in the Azores Islands. We found that body size is crucial to predict arthropod abundance trends. Small‐bodied herbivorous arthropods showed a decrease in abundance, while large‐bodied indigenous arthropods increased in abundance, mainly in well‐preserved areas. Also, large‐bodied exotic arthropods increased in abundance across the entire archipelago. Moreover, endemic canopy dwellers increased in abundance, while endemic ground‐dwellers decreased in abundance. Simultaneously, exotic arthropods showed the opposite result, increasing in abundance in the ground while decreasing in abundance in the canopy. Finally, habitat influenced both endemic and exotic spider abundance trends. Endemic spiders that occupy solely natural habitats experienced a decline in abundance, while exotic spiders in the same habitats increased in abundance. Our study underscores the significance of arthropod species traits in predicting abundance changes in island ecosystems over time, as well as the importance of monitoring species communities. Conservation efforts must extend beyond endangered species to protect non‐threatened ones, given the increased extinction risk faced by even common species on islands. Monitoring and restoration programs are essential for preserving island ecosystems and safeguarding endemic arthropod populations.
Pollinator visitation decline due to pesticide application beyond threshold frequency brings down crop yield
Authors: Das Manobrata , Paul Ayan , Bhattacharya Sabyasachi , Basu Parthiba
Published: August 2024

The deleterious effects of pesticides on pollinating insect abundance are well established but the relationship among pesticide application, pollinator decline and the corresponding change in marketable yield is not fully understood.

In this study, we assessed what level of pesticide exposure causes maximum pollinator loss and at that level of pollinator loss if there is any crop yield loss.

We primarily assessed pollinator crop flower visitation in 27 aubergine farms with different degrees of pesticide application. Subsequently, we also observed pollinator activity and aubergine yield (fruit set) in a semi‐controlled field experiment with four different pesticide treatments.

Pesticide application frequency was the most important driver of pollinator visitation compared with quantity. Pesticide spray above once a week caused a drastic drop in pollinator visitation in a non‐linear fashion showing a threshold of pesticide application.

In high pesticide frequency experimental plots, pollinator visitation was significantly lower than in control, low and medium frequency plots. This resulted in lowering of aubergine fruit set by 27.4% in high pesticide frequency plots. Use of synthetic pesticides to safeguard yield seems to be doing just the opposite by bringing down yield from pesticide‐induced pollinator limitation.
An important problem we need to face in schools: Inflated grades and grade inflation
Authors: Kızıltaş Yusuf
Published: August 2024

In today's schools, students can be given high grades in examinations and class performance. High grades can lead to the problem of inflated grades. Inflated grades can lead to grade inflation. The subject of this study is to investigate the existence of high grades in primary school, secondary school and high school. The main purpose of the research is to reveal the existence, causes and consequences of high grades. The study group consists of teachers (n = 203) working in primary, secondary and high school educational institutions in Van. Case study design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. According to the research results, the majority of teachers point out that inflated grades are given to cover up failures. According to the participants in this research, there is a problem of inflated grades at all levels of education. Likewise, inflated grades are common in both public and private schools.
Psychometric evaluation of clinician‐ and caregiver‐reported clinical severity assessments for individuals with CDKL5 deficiency disorder
Authors: Saldaris Jacinta M. , Jacoby Peter , Downs Jenny , Marsh Eric D. , Leonard Helen , Pestana‐Knight Elia , Rajaraman Rajsekar , Weisenberg Judith , Suter Bernhard , Olson Heather E. , Price Dana , Hong William , Prange Erin , Benke Tim A. , Demarest Scott
Published: August 2024

Objective

The CDKL5 Clinical Severity Assessment (CCSA) is a comprehensive, content‐validated measurement tool capturing the diverse challenges of cyclin‐dependent kinase‐like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD), a genetically caused developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). The CCSA is divided into clinician‐reported (CCSA‐Clinician) and caregiver‐reported (CCSA‐Caregiver) assessments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factor structure of these measures through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and evaluate their validity and reliability.

Methods

Participants were recruited from the International CDKL5 Clinical Research Network to take part in an in‐clinic CCSA‐Clinician evaluation (n = 148) and/or complete the CCSA‐Caregiver questionnaire (n = 198). CFA was used to determine domains, and factor loadings and validity were assessed. For the CCSA‐Clinician, inter‐rater reliability was assessed by nine CDD experienced clinicians via 14 pre‐recorded evaluations. Eight clinicians re‐viewed and re‐scored the videos after 4 weeks to evaluate intra‐rater reliability. The CCSA‐Caregiver was completed on a second occasion by 34 caregivers after 2–4 weeks to assess test–retest reliability.

Results

CFA resulted in three domains for the CCSA‐Clinician (motor and movement, communication, vision) and four domains for the CCSA‐Caregiver (seizures, behavior, alertness, feeding), with good item loadings across both measures. Structural statistics, internal consistency, discriminant validity, and reliability were satisfactory for both measures, and scores were consistent between known groups.

Significance

This study provides strong evidence that the CCSA measures are suitable to assess the clinical severity of individuals with CDD, supporting their use in clinical trials. Further evaluation of responsiveness to change in a longitudinal assessment is planned. Use may also be appropriate in similar DEEs but would require validation in those populations.
Association of new onset seizure and COVID‐19 vaccines and long‐term follow‐up: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Rafati Ali , Jameie Melika , Amanollahi Mobina , Pasebani Yeganeh , Salimi Nastaran , Kazemi Mohammad Hosein Feyz , Jameie Mana , Pasebani Mohammad Yazdan , Sakhaei Delaram , Feizollahi Fateme , Kwon Churl‐Su
Published: August 2024

Objective

Seizures have been reported as an adverse event of the COVID‐19 vaccine. However, there is no solid evidence of increased seizure occurrence compared to the general population. This study was undertaken to investigate seizure occurrence among COVID‐19 vaccine recipients compared to unvaccinated controls.

Methods

A systematic search was made of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library up to April 9, 2024. Studies reporting seizure occurrence following COVID‐19 vaccination were included. This study is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses framework and was conducted using random‐ and common‐effect models. The risk of bias in the studies was evaluated by the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. The outcome of interest was new onset seizure incidence proportion compared among (1) COVID‐19 vaccine recipients, (2) unvaccinated cohorts, and (3) various types of COVID‐19 vaccines.

Results

Forty studies were included, of which seven entered the meta‐analysis. Results of the pooled analysis of the new onset seizure incidence (21‐ or 28‐day period after vaccination) in 13 016 024 vaccine recipients and 13 013 262 unvaccinated individuals by pooling the cohort studies did not show any statistically significant difference between the two groups (odds ratio [OR] = .48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .19–1.20, p = .12, I2 = 95%, τ2 = .7145). Pooling four studies accounting for 19 769 004 mRNA versus 47 494 631 viral vector vaccine doses demonstrated no significant difference in terms of new onset seizure incidence between the groups (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = .78–1.78, p = .44, I2 = 0%, τ2 = .004).

Significance

This systematic review and meta‐analysis shows no statistically significant difference in the risk of new onset seizure incidence between COVID‐19 vaccinated individuals and unvaccinated individuals.
Optimizing task allocation with temporal‐spatial privacy protection in mobile crowdsensing
Authors: Liu Yuping , Chen Honglong , Liu Xiaolong , Wei Wentao , Xue Huansheng , Alfarraj Osama , Almakhadmeh Zafer
Published: August 2024

Mobile Crowdsensing (MCS) is considered to be a key emerging example of a smart city, which combines the wisdom of dynamic people with mobile devices to provide distributed, ubiquitous services and applications. In MCS, each worker tends to complete as many tasks as possible within the limited idle time to obtain higher income, while completing a task may require the worker to move to the specific location of the task and perform continuous sensing. Thus the time and location information of each worker is necessary for an efficient task allocation mechanism. However, submitting the time and location information of the workers to the system raises several privacy concerns, making it significant to protect both the temporal and spatial privacy of workers in MCS. In this article, we propose the Task Allocation with Temporal‐Spatial Privacy Protection (TASP) problem, aiming to maximize the total worker income to further improve the workers' motivation in executing tasks and the platform's utility, which is proved to be NP‐hard. We adopt differential privacy technology to introduce Laplace noise into the location and time information of workers, after which we propose the Improved Genetic Algorithm (SPGA) and the Clone‐Enhanced Genetic Algorithm (SPCGA), to solve the TASP problem. Experimental results on two real‐world datasets verify the effectiveness of the proposed SPGA and SPCGA with the required personalized privacy protection.
Potential migration pathways of broadleaved trees across the receding boreal biome under future climate change
Authors: Lima Jacqueline Souza , Lenoir Jonathan , Hylander Kristoffer
Published: August 2024

Climate change has triggered poleward expansions in the distributions of various taxonomic groups, including tree species. Given the ecological significance of trees as keystone species in forests and their socio‐economic importance, projecting the potential future distributions of tree species is crucial for devising effective adaptation strategies for both biomass production and biodiversity conservation in future forest ecosystems. Here, we fitted physiographically informed habitat suitability models (HSMs) at 50‐m resolution across Sweden (55–68° N) to estimate the potential northward expansion of seven broadleaved tree species within their leading‐edge distributions in Europe under different future climate change scenarios and for different time periods. Overall, we observed that minimum temperature was the most crucial variable for comprehending the spatial distribution of broadleaved tree species at their cold limits. Our HSMs projected a complex range expansion pattern for 2100, with individualistic differences among species. However, a frequent and rather surprising pattern was a northward expansion along the east coast followed by narrow migration pathways along larger valleys towards edaphically suitable areas in the north‐west, where most of the studied species were predicted to expand. The high‐resolution maps generated in this study offer valuable insights for our understanding of range shift dynamics at the leading edge of southern tree species as they expand into the receding boreal biome. These maps suggest areas where broadleaved tree species could already be translocated to anticipate forest and biodiversity conservation adaptation efforts in the face of future climate change.
Multidecadal changes in coastal benthic species composition and ecosystem functioning occur independently of temperature‐driven community shifts
Authors: Armitage Phoebe , Burrows Michael T. , Rimmer James E. V. , Blight Andrew J. , Paterson David M.
Published: August 2024

Rising global temperatures are often identified as the key driver impacting ecosystems and the services they provide by affecting biodiversity structure and function. A disproportionate amount of our understanding of biodiversity and function is from short‐term experimental studies and static values of biodiversity indices, lacking the ability to monitor long‐term trends and capture community dynamics. Here, we analyse a biennial dataset spanning 32 years of macroinvertebrate benthic communities and their functional response to increasing temperatures. We monitored changes in species' thermal affinities to examine warming‐related shifts by selecting their mid‐point global temperature distribution range and linking them to species' traits. We employed a novel weighted metric using Biological Trait Analysis (BTA) to gain better insights into the ecological potential of each species by incorporating species abundance and body size and selecting a subset of traits that represent five ecosystem functions: bioturbation activity, sediment stability, nutrient recycling and higher and lower trophic production. Using biodiversity indices (richness, Simpson's diversity and vulnerability) and functional indices (richness, Rao's Q and redundancy), the community structure showed no significant change over time with a narrow range of variation. However, we show shifts in species composition with warming and increases in the abundance of individuals, which altered ecosystem functioning positively and/or non‐linearly. Yet, when higher taxonomic groupings than species were excluded from the analysis, there was only a weak increase in the measured change in community‐weighted average thermal affinities, suggesting changes in ecosystem functions over time occur independently of temperature increase‐related shifts in community composition. Other environmental factors driving species composition and abundance may be more important in these subtidal macrobenthic communities. This challenges the prevailing emphasis on temperature as the primary driver of ecological response to climate change and emphasises the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of the temporal dynamics of complex systems.
Global increase of lianas in tropical forests
Authors: Rueda‐Trujillo Manuela A. , Veldhuis Michiel P. , van Bodegom Peter M. , de Deurwaerder Hannes P. T. , Visser Marco
Published: August 2024

Lianas profoundly affect tropical forests dynamics, reducing productivity and carbon storage, which underscores the importance of monitoring change in their abundance in projecting the future of the global terrestrial carbon store. While increasing liana populations are documented within the Neotropics, the global consistency of these patterns is questioned, and remains to be determined. To evaluate pantropical trends in liana abundance comprehensively and quantitatively, we conducted a systematic literature review and meta‐analysis. This approach allowed us to synthesize data from published longitudinal studies examining liana trends across the tropics. We calculated standardized effect sizes and standard errors, and applied a Bayesian hierarchical meta‐analytic model to adjust for publication bias. Our analysis reveals an overall pan‐tropical increase in lianas abundance, occurring at an average rate of 1.7 ± 0.7 SE% per year (~10% to 24% per decade). This upward trend, confirmed to be robust against publication bias, extends beyond Neotropical regions, indicating a widespread phenomenon. Although a global trend of increasing liana abundance is evident, significant local variation exist, attributable to differences in life cycle stages, abundance metrics, forest successional stages, and biogeographical realms. Notably, increases in stem density of saplings and biomass of canopy lianas, especially in old‐growth forests, point to global climatic drivers and heightened turnover rates in tropical forests as factors promoting sustained liana growth in the canopy and clonal colonization in the understory. These trends suggest that the rise in liana abundance may not only persist but could also intensify under climate change. Considering both previous and current research on lianas, our findings confirm growing concerns about lianas' expanding impact on pan‐tropical carbon storage, highlighting their significant potential effect on global carbon dynamics.
Factors necessary for a community pharmacist to achieve interprofessional collaboration in home‐based care in Japan
Authors: Mizuno Tomohiro , Hasegawa Sho , Mizokami Fumihiro
Published: August 2024

Aim

Interprofessional collaboration between medical professionals is an essential aspect of caring for Japan's super‐aging population, but studies on the subject have been geographically limited in scope. Therefore, we aimed to determine the factors necessary for pharmacists to achieve interprofessional collaboration in home‐based care in Japan.

Methods

Our online questionnaire survey was conducted from February 1, 2023 to February 15, 2023. The Japan Pharmaceutical Association introduced this survey to their membership, and survey letters were sent to hospitals and community pharmacies that were not included in this association.

Results

The study involved 1156 and 36 participants working in a community pharmacy and a hospital, respectively. These participants were divided into the collaboration group and the non‐collaboration group. Enough time for visiting patients and for preparing the first visiting plan was important to achieve interprofessional collaboration in home‐based care for a hospital pharmacist. More than 5 years of experience working in home‐based care and participation in pre‐visit conferences, discharge conferences, meetings with persons in charge of services were independent factors in collaborating with other medical staff for a community pharmacist.

Conclusion

Hospital pharmacists with enough time to prepare and visit for home‐based care and community pharmacists working in home‐based care for more than 5 years and who share information on home‐based care with medical staff achieved interprofessional collaboration in home‐based care. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••–••.
L3MBTL2 maintains MYCN‐amplified neuroblastoma cell proliferation through silencing NRIP3 and BRME1 genes
Authors: Okada Ryu , Takenobu Hisanori , Satoh Shunpei , Sugino Ryuichi P. , Onuki Ritsuko , Haruta Masayuki , Mukae Kyosuke , Nakazawa Atsuko , Akter Jesmin , Ohira Miki , Kamijo Takehiko
Published: August 2024

Epigenetic alterations critically affect tumor development. Polycomb‐group complexes constitute an evolutionarily conserved epigenetic machinery that regulates stem cell fate and development. They are implicated in tumorigenesis, primarily via histone modification. Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) complexes 1–6 (PRC1.1–6) mediate the ubiquitination of histone H2A on lysine 119 (H2AK119ub). Here, we studied the functional roles of a PRC1.6 molecule, L3MBTL2, in neuroblastoma (NB) cells. L3MBTL2‐knockout and knockdown revealed that L3MBTL2 depletion suppressed NB cell proliferation via cell‐cycle arrest and gamma‐H2A.X upregulation. L3MBTL2‐knockout profoundly suppressed xenograft tumor formation. Transcriptome analysis revealed suppressed cell‐cycle‐related and activated differentiation‐related pathways. Break repair meiotic recombinase recruitment factor 1 (BRME1) and nuclear receptor interacting protein 3 (NRIP3) were notably de‐repressed by L3MBTL2‐knockout. The deletion of L3MBTL2 reduced enrichment of H2AK119ub and PCGF6 at transcriptional start site proximal regions of the targets. Add‐back studies unveiled the importance of L3MBTL2‐BRME1 and ‐NRIP3 axes for NB cell proliferation. We further manifested the association of MYCN with de‐repression of NRIP3 in an L3MBTL2‐deficient context. Therefore, this study first revealed the significance of L3MBTL2‐mediated gene silencing in MYCN‐amplified NB cells.
Differences and similarities in patient‐reported outcomes among men and women with haemophilia
Authors: Kempton Christine L. , Guasch Sara A. , Buckner Tyler W. , Mattis Shanna , Fedewa Stacey A.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Both men and women can be diagnosed with haemophilia and the experience with haemophilia may be different between men and women.

Aim

This study aimed to compare patient‐reported outcomes in men versus women with haemophilia.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study is a post‐hoc analysis of data collected as part of the Haemophilia‐related Distress Questionnaire validation study. Adults aged ≥18 years with haemophilia A or B were recruited from one of two haemophilia treatment centres between July 2017 and December 2019. Outcomes included quality of life, measures of mental and physical health, and overall health. Unadjusted and multivariable linear regression models were used to examine potential mediators of sex‐based differences in outcomes.

Results

Of the 139 study participants included (21 women, 118 men), the mean age was 36.9 years and most (89.2%) had haemophilia A. Approximately 85.7% and 26.3% of women and men had mild haemophilia, respectively.  PHQ‐9 depression and PROMIS‐29 Profile anxiety and fatigue scores were significantly higher in women than men in unadjusted and adjusted analyses. There were no statistically significant differences in other outcomes.

Conclusions

Women with haemophilia are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and fatigue than men with haemophilia. This study highlights the need for mental health services to be integrated into the care of women with haemophilia. Future research is needed to understand whether women with haemophilia are more or less likely to experience depression, anxiety, and fatigue than women without haemophilia as well as determine the impact of reduced mental health on clinical outcomes.
Public Engagement in Health Policy‐Making for Older Adults: A Systematic Search and Scoping Review
Authors: You Jeonghwa , Ganann Rebecca , Wilson Michael , Carusone Soo Chan , MacNeil Maggie , Whitmore Carly , Dafel Andrea , Dhamanaskar Roma , Ling Eugenia , Dingman Lance , Falbo A. Tina , Kirk Michael , Luyckx Joyce , Petrie Penelope , Weldon Donna , Boothe Katherine , Abelson Julia
Published: August 2024

Introduction

As the world's population ages, there has been increasing attention to developing health policies to support older adults. Engaging older adults in policy‐making is one way to ensure that policy decisions align with their needs and priorities. However, ageist stereotypes often underestimate older adults' ability to participate in such initiatives. This scoping review aims to describe the characteristics and impacts of public engagement initiatives designed to help inform health policy‐making for older adults.

Methods

A systematic search of peer‐reviewed and grey literature (English only) describing public engagement initiatives in health policy‐making for older adults was conducted using six electronic databases, Google and the Participedia website. No geographical, methodological or time restrictions were applied to the search. Eligibility criteria were purposefully broad to capture a wide array of relevant engagement initiatives. The outcomes of interest included participants, engagement methods and reported impacts.

Results

This review included 38 papers. The majority of public engagement initiatives were funded or initiated by governments or government agencies as a formal activity to address policy issues, compared to initiatives without a clear link to a specific policy‐making process (e.g., research projects). While most initiatives engaged older adults as target participants, there was limited reporting on efforts to achieve participant diversity. Consultation‐type engagement activities were most prevalent, compared to deliberative and collaborative approaches. Impacts of public engagement were frequently reported without formal evaluations. Notably, a few articles reported negative impacts of such initiatives.

Conclusion

This review describes how public engagement practices have been conducted to help inform health policy‐making for older adults and the documented impacts. The findings can assist policymakers, government staff, researchers and seniors' advocates in supporting the design and execution of public engagement initiatives in this policy sector.

Patient or Public Contribution

Older adult partners from the McMaster University Collaborative for Health and Aging provided strategic advice throughout the key phases of this review, including developing a review protocol, data charting and synthesis and interpreting and presenting the review findings. This collaborative partnership was an essential aspect of this review, enhancing its relevance and meaningfulness for older adults.
Emerging evidence on the potential of PTR‐MS as rapid, direct and high‐sensitivity sensors to promote innovation in the fermented beverages sector
Authors: Corvino Antonia , Silcock Pat , Capozzi Vittorio , Biasioli Franco
Published: August 2024

In food technology, the term ‘fermentation’ encompasses a spectrum of microbial‐driven bioprocesses that preserve and improve the quality of raw materials, transforming them into new fermented products with minimal resource consumption. Furthermore, fermentation plays a crucial role in driving the eco‐friendly transformation of the agricultural industry. Within this domain, the fermented beverage sector stands out due to its consumer‐friendly appeal. To promote innovation in this field, there is a need for cost‐effective, versatile and sustainable techniques that can accelerate research and development activities. In the bioprocess sector, innovation management requires consideration of an array of variables, including diverse raw materials, various microorganisms and different fermentation parameters. Direct injection mass spectrometry (DIMS) technologies offer solutions for bioprocess monitoring, particularly in the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are constantly improving their performance in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Among the DIMS methods, proton transfer reaction‐mass spectrometry (PTR‐MS), when coupled with autosampling and customised data handling and analysis, has demonstrated its efficiency in studying VOCs associated with fermentation. This approach brings automation to data production and management, offers exceptional versatility akin to a sensor and aligns closely with the principles of green chemistry. In this perspective paper, after reviewing key aspects of modern fermentation practice, we showcase the application of PTR‐MS as a model to demonstrate its potential as sensor‐like approach to drive innovation within the fermented beverage sector. This approach enables swift, large‐scale assessments of multiple variables while providing comprehensive insights into the quality and safety of the final products.
Effects of freeze–thaw pre‐treatment with different freezing methods on the microwave freeze drying of carrots
Authors: Li Linlin , Chen Xinyi , Cao Weiwei , Liu Wenchao , Duan Xu , Ren Guangyue , Song Chunfang
Published: August 2024

Three freeze–thaw (FT) pre‐treatments using different freezing methods that freezing at −80 °C (FT‐80), freezing at −25 °C (FT‐25) and vacuum freezing (VFT) were used for carrot slices, the effects and mechanisms of FT pre‐treatment on the drying characteristics and product quality of carrots during microwave freeze drying (MFD) were studied. The results showed that FT pre‐treatment under different freezing methods affected the water state of carrots, resulting in varying degrees of moisture loss and shortening drying time by 14.3% to 42.8%. VFT treatment caused the greatest water loss (35.33%) during FT and significantly increased the effective moisture diffusivity in the MFD process. FT treatments did not cause any significant degradation in the colour of the carrots. The VFT and FT‐80 treatments resulted in an elevated rehydration ratio, increased crispiness of MFD carrots and products with a porous microstructure and higher porosity. In contrast, the FT‐25 treatment led to a decrease in porosity due to destructive damage to the carrot cell structure. However, this damage favoured the extractability of carotenoids, resulting in a higher carotenoid content than the other treatments. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the practical implementation of FT pre‐treatment using various freezing methods on fresh foods prior to drying. It is recommended to employ VFT pre‐treatment before MFD due to its efficiency and effectiveness.
Marijuana Legalization and Truck Safety
Authors: Balthrop Andrew , Phares Jonathan , Gordon Ron , Scott Alex
Published: August 2024

Many states have legalized medical and recreational marijuana use in the past decade, which has potential consequences for roadway safety. Using a state‐level panel of heavy truck crash statistics from 2005 to 2021 and a difference‐in‐difference estimation strategy, we test whether legalization has affected crash rates. Our results show that legalization does not increase crash rates on average; however, responses are heterogeneous across states, with Colorado, New Jersey, and Washington (state) showing crash reductions, while Connecticut and Virginia saw crashes increase. These results suggest that marijuana legalization does not have a straightforward relationship with heavy truck accidents, warranting continued research and policy scrutiny.
Ventricular tachycardia ablation with pentaspline pulsed field technology in two patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Fassini Gaetano , Zito Elio , Bianchini Lorenzo , Tundo Fabrizio , Tondo Claudio , Schiavone Marco
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Due to its unique features, pulsed field ablation (PFA) could potentially overcome some limitations of current radiofrequency (RF) ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation. However, data on the use of PFA in this setting are currently scarce.

Methods

Two patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and previously failed RF VT ablations were treated with PFA.

Results

A total of 18 bipolar applications (case1) and seven bipolar applications (case2) were delivered to the infero‐lateral and infero‐septal areas (case1) and to the apical lateral left ventricular (LV) wall (case2), placing the catheter adjacent to the LV wall in the flower configuration. A rapid cessation of VT and restoration of sinus rhythm were observed during PFA delivery in both cases. Further applications were delivered to achieve complete elimination of late potentials. In case 1, during the in‐hospital stay, ECG monitoring did not show VT recurrences. Six‐month follow‐up was uneventful, with no VT recurrences at ICD interrogation. In case 2, due to postdischarge VT recurrences, a second RF procedure was scheduled 1 month later. The voltage map performed in sinus rhythm showed a low‐voltage zone located at the anterolateral wall, near the previous ablation site. Numerous late potentials were recorded. At the 6‐month follow‐up, no further VT recurrences were documented after RF redo ablation.

Conclusion

While the speed of application and potential transmural effect can facilitate the ablation of large diseased endocardial areas, early loss of contact due to difficult pentaspline catheter manipulation in the LV could lead to insufficient contact force and, consequently, inadequate energy penetration.
Blood pressure behavior during exercise in patients with diastolic dysfunction and a hypertensive response to exercise
Authors: Würzburger Laura , Stouwe Jan Gerrit van der , Ghidoni Céline , Wiech Patrick , Moser Georg , Petrasch Gloria , Schweiger Victor , Bohm Philipp , Rossi Valentina A. , Templin Christian , Caselli Stefano , Schmied Christian M. , Niederseer David
Published: August 2024

A hypertensive response to exercise is a precursor leading to hypertension, which is a major risk factor for the development of heart failure and diastolic dysfunction. Herein, we aimed to assess blood pressure (BP) in patients with a hypertensive response to exercise and different degrees of diastolic dysfunction. Between January 2009 and December 2014, 373 patients with a hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) and echocardiographic data assessing diastolic function were enrolled at the University Hospital of Zurich. ANCOVA was used to assess the changes in BP response during exercise testing in individuals with different degrees of diastolic dysfunction. Normalization of systolic BP was blunted in patients with grade II and III diastolic dysfunction after 3 min of recovery in univariable [β (95%) ‐ 9.2 (‐13.8 to ‐ 4.8) p < .001, ‐16.0 (‐23.0 to 9.0) p < .001, respectively] and adjusted models. In fully adjusted models, when taking maximal effort into account, there were no differences with regard to systolic BP during exercise. Patients without diastolic dysfunction achieved higher heart rates (HRs) [both in absolute terms (p < .001) and as a percentage of the calculated maximum (p = .003)] and greater wattage (p < .001) at maximum exertion. The findings of this cross‐sectional study suggest that exercise capacity is compromised in patients with diastolic dysfunction. A hypertensive response to exercise and the finding of a blunted BP recovery may help identify patients at risk of developing heart failure.
Time‐varying copula‐based compound flood risk assessment of extreme rainfall and high water level under a non‐stationary environment
Authors: Song Mingming , Zhang Jianyun , Liu Yanli , Liu Cuishan , Bao Zhenxin , Jin Junliang , He Ruimin , Bian Guodong , Wang Guoqing
Published: August 2024

Quantifying flood risk depends on accurate probability estimation, which is challenging due to non‐stationarity and the combined effects of multiple factors in a changing environment. The threat of compound flood risks may spread from coastal areas to inland basins, which have received less attention. In this study, a framework based on time‐varying copulas was introduced for the treatment of compound flood risk and bivariate design in non‐stationary environments. Archimedean copulas were developed to diagnose the non‐stationary trends of flood risk. Return periods, average annual reliabilities, and bivariate designs were estimated. Model uncertainty was analyzed by comparing the results for stationary and non‐stationary conditions. The case study investigated the extreme rainfall and water level series from the Qinhuai River Basin and the Yangtze River in China. The results showed that marginal distributions and correlations are non‐stationary in all bivariate combinations. Ignoring composite effects may lead to inappropriate quantification of flood risk. Excluding non‐stationarity may lead to risk over or underestimation. It showed the limitations of the 1‐day scale and quantified the uncertainty of non‐stationary models. This study provided a flood risk assessment framework in a changing environment and a risk‐based design technique, which is essential for climate change adaptation and water management.
One year of COVID‐19: A longitudinal study of individual and relational factors of psychological adjustment of individuals living in a romantic relationship in Portugal during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Relvas Ana Paula , Portugal Alda , Lacomba‐Trejo Laura , Major Sofia , Sotero Luciana , Agostinho Rafaela , Moreira Marta , Randall Ashley K.
Published: August 2024

This longitudinal study explored the impact of COVID‐19 on individuals in romantic relationships. The sample spans three waves: first confinement (n = 52), deconfinement (n = 49), and second confinement (n = 26). The study tested sociodemographic factors, psychological adjustment (anxiety, depression, stress, well‐being), COVID‐19 threat perception, dyadic coping, and relationship quality. Results from repeated measures ANOVA and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) models revealed a decline in anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms, coupled with improved relationship quality over time. Well‐being and dyadic coping remained stable, while COVID‐19 threat perception increased. QCA models emphasized the predictive power of initial mental states (anxiety, depression, stress, and well‐being at W1) on subsequent adjustment. Notably, shorter relationship duration, healthcare worker status, and not having children, when combined with prior mental states, explained increased symptoms and diminished well‐being. The study underscores the significance of addressing these factors in individuals navigating romantic relationships during the pandemic.
Evaluating the combination of in‐person and electronic social networking services for family caregivers of stroke survivors: A quasi‐experimental analysis
Authors: Kuo Wen‐Yu , Chen Chen‐Yin , Wang Jeng , Wang Chin‐Man , Chen Min‐Chi , Chang Ting‐Yu
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The effectiveness of health interventions delivered via a combination of in‐person and electronic social networking services for caregivers of stroke survivors remains uncertain. This study evaluates the feasibility of implementing educational and peer support programs for these caregivers through such platforms.

Design

Quasi‐experimental design.

Methods

This study included 105 caregiver–survivor dyads, with 54 dyads allocated to the intervention group and the remaining 51 to the control group. The LINE intervention comprised a combination of in‐person and electronic social networking services including stroke and rehabilitation education, problem‐solving skills training, long‐term care information support, and 24‐h peer and professional support for caregivers. The outcomes were assessed at baseline, after 1 month, and after 3 months, and encompassed caregivers' care burden, depressive symptoms, perceived social support, and quality of life, as well as the rehabilitation adherence and depressive symptoms of stroke survivors. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine group differences. The data were collected between August 2021 and October 2022.

Results

The average age of the caregivers was 48.3 years. Caregivers in the intervention group reported reduced care burdens and enhanced perceptions of social support and quality of life as compared to those in the control group. Additionally, stroke survivors in the intervention group were less likely to exhibit high‐risk depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Delivering a stroke caregiver support intervention via in‐person and electronic social networking services, such as LINE, effectively reduced the care burden for caregivers of stroke survivors. Additionally, it enhanced caregivers' perceived social support and quality of life.

Clinical Relevance

This study demonstrated that caregiver education and peer support programs administered through a combination of in‐person and electronic social networking services can serve as an effective support system for the psychosocial health of stroke caregivers. These findings support the integration of such interventions into standard clinical practice by healthcare providers or governmental bodies.
Artificial intelligence in cosmetic dermatology
Authors: Kania Barbara , Montecinos Karen , Goldberg David J.
Published: August 2024

Background

Cosmetic dermatology is a growing field as more patients are seeking treatments for esthetic concerns. Traditionally, practitioners and patients utilize their own perceptions, current beauty standards, and manual observation to determine their satisfaction with cosmetic interventions. Artificial intelligence (AI) can be introduced into cosmetic dermatology to provide objective data‐driven recommendations to both dermatologists and patients.

Objective

The purpose of this paper is to compose a unified review that illustrates the various facets of artificial intelligence and formulate a hypothesis regarding the new implications of artificial intelligence in cosmetic dermatology specifically.

Methods

A comprehensive search on PubMed was conducted to identify the available information related to AI in cosmetic dermatology. The search was conducted using a combination of keywords including “cosmetic dermatology” and “artificial intelligence.”

Results

The current literature indicates that AI models offer personalized, efficient, and result‐driven outputs that can enhance cosmetic outcomes, patient satisfaction, and overall experience.

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence integration in cosmetic dermatology shows a promising future, offering the ability to analyze vast data sets and deliver a tailored patient experience. By incorporating AI into cosmetic dermatology, there is an opportunity to balance evidence‐based decision‐making with the artistic human touch of cosmetic dermatologists.
Apparent digestibility and calcium and phosphorus in urine after feeding different combinations of calcium and phosphorus sources to adult dogs
Authors: Hofmann Celina , Dobenecker Britta , Kienzle Ellen
Published: August 2024

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the combination of a water‐soluble calcium (Ca) source (CaCl2) with a water‐soluble phosphorus (P) source (NaH2PO4*2H2O, diet soluble, SOL) in comparison to a water‐insoluble P source (CaHPO4*2H2O, diet insoluble, INS) on apparent digestibility and renal excretion of Ca and P in dogs. The Ca intake was 226 mg/kg bodyweight (bw), the Ca/P ratio 1.9/1 in SOL and 2.0/1 in INS. The percentage of Ca from CaCl2 was 60% in SOL and 33% in INS. Eight adult Foxhound‐crossbred dogs FBI, (3–5 years, bw 24–32 kg) were available. Standard digestion trials were carried out (10 days adaptation, 5 days total faecal collection). Spontaneously excreted urine was collected pre‐ and postprandially. In vitro water solubility of P in the mineral premixes was determined. The Ca digestibility was negative in both trials without significant differences between the groups. Apparent P digestibility was increased in group SOL (26% vs. 20% in INS). In both groups, P content in urine was higher pre‐ compared to postprandial, with higher concentrations in group SOL. The same was true for the P/Crea ratio. The water solubility of P in the mineral premixes used in the trials showed considerable differences: The P in premix INS was insoluble in water after 1 and after 90 min. By contrast, the P in the premix SOL was highly soluble (98%) after 1 minute. After 90 min, however, the P solubility decreased to 43%, suggesting the formation of insoluble CaP salts, presumably from CaCl2 and NaH2PO4*2H2O. In conclusion, in the present study, apparent Ca digestibility in dogs was not affected by the solubility of Ca and P, while P digestibility and renal P excretion increased.
Two decades of increasing functional and phylogenetic richness in a mountaintop flora in central Norway
Authors: Vanneste Thomas , Graae Bente J. , Kyrkjeeide Magni O. , Lindmo Sigrid , Michelsen Ottar , Naranjo‐Orrico Domenica J. , Ray Courtenay A. , Vandersteene Matthias , Verheyen Kris , De Frenne Pieter
Published: August 2024

Questions

Analysing how multiple facets of biodiversity vary across space and time can help to predict the vulnerability of mountaintop floras to future environmental changes. Here we addressed the following questions: (a) Are elevational patterns of mountaintop plant diversity consistent across taxonomy, function and phylogeny? (b) How have the taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic dimensions of mountaintop plant communities changed over the past two decades? (c) Is the magnitude of these temporal trends dependent on elevation?

Location

Dovrefjell, central Norway.

Methods

The floristic composition of four mountaintops, spread across an elevational gradient from the tree line to the uppermost margins of vascular plant life, was surveyed every 7 years between 2001 and 2022. Six metrics of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic richness and differentiation were calculated for each mountaintop and survey. Using these data, we assessed how richness and differentiation metrics varied over space (across the elevational gradient) and over time (between surveys).

Results

All diversity metrics decreased towards higher elevations, except phylogenetic differentiation which increased significantly by 7% per 100 m elevational gain. Taxonomic richness remained virtually stable between 2001 and 2022, whereas phylogenetic richness increased by 7.5% per decade. Functional richness also increased, but mainly on the lowest mountaintop, by 17% per decade. No significant temporal trends in taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic differentiation were detected.

Conclusions

Our findings underpin rearrangements in the functional and phylogenetic structure of mountain plant communities over the past two decades that cannot be predicted from trends in taxonomic richness alone. This highlights the necessity to look beyond species richness and consider multiple facets of biodiversity when studying environmental change impacts on mountain biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.