bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Masting, fire‐stimulated flowering, and the evolutionary ecology of synchronized reproduction
Authors: Beck Jared J. , McKone Mark J. , Wagenius Stuart
Published: February 2024

Synchronized episodic reproduction among long‐lived plants shapes ecological interactions, ecosystem dynamics, and evolutionary processes worldwide. Two active scientific fields investigate the causes and consequences of such synchronized reproduction: the fields of masting and fire‐stimulated flowering. While parallels between masting and fire‐stimulated flowering have been previously noted, there has been little dialogue between these historically independent fields. We predict that the synthesis of these fields will facilitate new insight into the causes and consequences of synchronized reproduction. Here we briefly review parallels between masting and fire‐stimulated flowering, using two case studies and a database of 1870 plant species to facilitate methodological, conceptual, geographical, taxonomic, and phylogenetic comparisons. We identify avenues for future research and describe three key opportunities associated with synthesis. First, the taxonomic and geographic complementarity of empirical studies from these historically independent fields highlights the potential to derive more general inferences about global patterns and consequences of synchronized reproduction in perennial plants. Second, masting's well developed conceptual framework for evaluating adaptive hypotheses can help guide empirical studies of fire‐stimulated species and enable stronger inferences about the evolutionary ecology of fire‐stimulated flowering. Third, experimental manipulation of reproductive variation in fire‐stimulated species presents unique opportunities to empirically investigate foundational questions about ecological and evolutionary processes underlying synchronized reproduction. Synthesis of these fields and their complementary insights offers a unique opportunity to advance our understanding of the evolutionary ecology of synchronized reproduction in perennial plants.
Maintenance of different life stages of old‐growth forest trees in deforested tropical landscapes
Authors: Martínez‐Ruiz Marisela , Arroyo‐Rodríguez Víctor , Arasa‐Gisbert Ricard , Hernández‐Ruedas Manuel Alejandro , San‐José Miriam
Published: February 2024

Tropical tree species are increasingly being pushed to inhabit deforested landscapes. The habitat amount hypothesis posits that, in remaining forest patches, species diversity in equal‐sized samples decreases with decreasing forest cover in the surrounding landscape. We tested this prediction by taking into account three important factors that can affect species responses to forest loss. First, forest loss effects can be linear (proportional) or nonlinear, as there can be threshold values of forest loss beyond which species extirpation may be accelerated. Second, such effects are usually scale dependent and may go unnoticed if assessed at suboptimal scales. Finally, species extirpation may take decades to become evident, so the effects of forest loss can be undetected when assessing long‐lived organisms, like adult old‐growth forest trees. Here, we evaluated the linear and nonlinear effects of landscape forest loss across different spatial scales on site‐scale abundance and diversity of old‐growth forest trees, separately for four plant‐life stages (seeds, saplings, juveniles, and adults) in two rainforest regions with different levels of deforestation. We expected stronger (and negative) forest loss effects on early plant‐life stages, especially in the region with the highest deforestation. Surprisingly, in 13 of 16 study cases (2 responses × 4 life stages × 2 regions), null models showed higher empirical support than linear and nonlinear models at any scale. Therefore, the species richness and abundance of local tree assemblages seem to be weakly affected by landscape‐scale forest loss independently of the spatial scale, life stage, and region. Yet, as expected, the predictive power of forest cover was relatively lower in the least deforested region. Our findings suggest that landscape‐scale forest loss is poorly related to site‐scale processes, such as seed dispersal and seedling recruitment, or, at least, such effects are too small to shape the abundance and diversity of tree assemblages within forest patches. Therefore, our findings do not support the most important prediction of the habitat amount hypothesis but imply that, on a per‐area basis, a unit of habitat (forest) in a highly deforested landscape has a conservation value similar to that of a more forested one, particularly in moderately deforested rainforests.
A Short Synthesis of (−)‐6,7‐Secoagroclavine via Metal‐Free Reductive Coupling
Authors: Diotallevi Francesca , Bartoccini Francesca , Piersanti Giovanni
Published: February 2024

A concise, convergent, and enantioselective synthesis of (−)‐6,7‐secoagroclavine, a pivotal intermediate in the synthesis of both clavine and ergot alkaloids, was accomplished from a derivative of the renowned Uhle's ketone. The synthesis is centered on metal‐free reductive coupling of the tosylhydrazone derivative of protected 4‐amino Uhle's ketone and commercially available 2,2‐dimethylethenylboronic acid, which is used as a four‐carbon building block. This novel approach directly sets the stereochemistry on the difficult‐to‐access aryl vinyl methane carbon stereogenic center of (−)‐6,7‐secoagroclavine.
DMAPO/Boc2O‐Mediated One‐Pot Direct N1‐Acylation of Indazole with Carboxylic Acids: A Practical Synthesis of N1‐Functionalized Alkyl Indazoles
Authors: Umehara Atsushi , Shimizu Soma , Sasaki Makoto
Published: February 2024

This report describes the one‐pot direct N‐acylation of indazole with carboxylic acids using our previously developed 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)pyridine N‐oxide (DMAPO)/di‐tert‐butyl dicarbonate (Boc2O) system. This simple system provides N1‐acyl indazoles in high yield with high N1 selectivities and does not require the use of activated derivatives of carboxylic acids or high temperatures. This new method exhibits a wide substrate scope (>40 examples). In addition, a new synthesis of N1‐functionalized alkyl indazoles utilizing N1‐acyl indazoles as starting materials was achieved. This stepwise protocol is useful for the selective synthesis of structurally diverse N1‐functionalized alkyl indazoles, which are difficult to synthesize by other methods such as the Mitsunobu reaction and classical SN2 alkylation of indazole.
Surgery for nonlocalizing hyperparathyroidism in high volume center
Authors: Miller Austin B. , Frank Ethan , Simental Alfred A. , Feng Max
Published: February 2024

Background

Patients with nonlocalizing hyperparathyroidism pose a significant challenge to surgeons when undergoing neck exploration for parathyroidectomy.

Methods

We evaluated 536 patients that had parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) from 2005 to 2018 at a single tertiary academic center, and 155 (29%) had standard nonlocalizing preoperative imaging (negative ultrasound and sestamibi scans).

Results

There were a total of 102 (66%) non‐ectopic single adenomas in the nonlocalizing group and 325 (85%) single adenomas in the localizing group. There was no significant difference (p = 0.09) in adenoma quadrant between localizing and nonlocalizing single adenomas, but the most common location in both groups was right inferior. Patients with nonlocalizing scans were more likely to have double adenomas (21% vs. 9%, p < 0.001), ectopic glands (10% vs. 5%, p = 0.052), and multi‐gland disease (13% vs. 8%, p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Nonlocalizing PHPT patients experienced similar cure and complication rates as localizing PHPT, but required more bilateral explorations and increased operative time.
A Corpus Study of English Language Exam Texts: Vocabulary Difficulty and the Impact on Students' Wider Reading (or Should Students be Reading More Texts by Dead White Men?)
Authors: Jennings Beverley , Powell Daisy , Jaworska Sylvia , Joseph Holly
Published: February 2024

Students in England sit an important gateway examination in English at age 16. Major changes were made to this exam in 2017 resulting in more emphasis on the comprehension of unseen literary texts. This paper uses corpus linguistic methods to identify the kind of vocabulary encountered in these exam texts and compares it to the kind of vocabulary encountered in other sources of written language (classic literary fiction, biographies, poetry, etc.). Results showed vocabulary in the exam texts was typically low in frequency and that older literary fiction texts contained similar types of vocabulary. This suggests that students and teachers should rely more on older literary fiction to best prepare for the exam. However, this raises ethical questions about whether an exam should dictate students' reading experience, especially when older literary fiction is likely to be less diverse and dominated by dead White men.
Combining PLGA microspheres loaded with Liver X receptor agonist GW3965 with a chitosan nerve conduit can promote the healing and regeneration of the wounded sciatic nerve
Authors: Zhong Yuanwu , Li Shiqi , Chen Yanzhen , Tang Yuan , Xiao Xinmao , Nie Tao
Published: February 2024

Globally, peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a common clinical issue. Successfully repairing severe PNIs has posed a major challenge for clinicians. GW3965 is a highly selective LXR agonist, and previous studies have demonstrated its positive protective effects in both central and peripheral nerve diseases. In this work, we examined the potential reparative effects of GW3965‐loaded polylactic acid co‐glycolic acid microspheres in conjunction with a chitosan nerve conduit for peripheral nerve damage. The experiment revealed that GW3965 promoted Schwann cell proliferation and neurotrophic factor release in vitro. In vivo experiments conducted on rats showed that GW3965 facilitated the restoration of motor function, promoted axon and myelin regeneration in the sciatic nerve, and enhanced the microenvironment of nerve regeneration. These results offer a novel therapeutic approach for the healing of nerve damage. Overall, this work provides valuable insights and presents a promising therapeutic strategy for addressing PNI.
Histomolecular profile of Helicobacter pylori strains circulating in Brazzaville (Congo)
Authors: Atipo‐Ibara Bienvenu H , Boumba Anicet , Ibara Ollandzobo Ikobo Atipo , Mongo‐Onkouo Arnaud , Mimiesse Mounamou Jile F , Itoua‐Ngaporo Ngala A , Moukassa Donatien , Atipo Ibara Blaise I
Published: February 2024

Background and Aim

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is a real public health problem in the Congo. We aimed study the histomolecular profile of Hp strains circulating in Brazzaville, Congo, in order to contribute to the improvement of Hp‐infected patients in the country.

Methods

This was an analytical‐transversal study carried out from January to November 2020 (i.e. a study period of 11 months) in the endoscopy centers of Brazzaville as well as the molecular biology and anatomopathology laboratories of Pointe‐Noire and Oyo. It involved 100 symptomatic patients over the age of 18 referred for upper GI endoscopy. These patients underwent gastric biopsies for histopathological analysis according to the Sydney classification and molecular analysis using the real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The frequency of Hp infection was determined using real‐time PCR. PCR was also used to identify the Hp strains and assess their tropism in the gastric mucosa. Digestive symptoms, endoscopic lesions, and histopathological lesions associated with HP infection were studied.

Results

The incidence of Hp infection was 91%, with a female predominance of 52.75% and an average age of 46.32 years. Endoscopy revealed normal mucosa (56.14%), ulcerated lesions (12.28%), and gastritis (22.81%) in infected patients. Histopathologically, the lesions were chronic atrophic gastritis (91%), with inflammatory activity (16.46%), intestinal metaplasia (16.46%), and adenocarcinoma (3.3%). Cag A strains were present in 85.71% of cases and had no preferential tropism in the gastric mucosa. Strains carrying the Cag A gene were present in severe and serious endoscopic and histopathological lesions.

Conclusion

The prevalence of Hp infection is 91% in the Brazzaville population. Cag A strains circulate in high proportions and are implicated in the occurrence of severe lesions of the gastric mucosa.
Prognostic Value of Segmental Strain After ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Insights From the EARLY Assessment of MYOcardial Tissue Characteristics by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (EARLY‐MYO‐CMR) Study
Authors: He Jie , Kong Lingcong , An Dongaolei , Chen Binghua , Zhao Chengxu , Li Zheng , Yang Fan , Dong Jianxun , Wei Lai , Shan Peiren , Chen Yingmin , Wu Lianming , Xu Jianrong , Ge Heng , Pu Jun
Published: February 2024

Background

The prognostic value of left ventricular segmental strain (SS) in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains unclear.

Hypothesis

To assess the prognostic value and application of SS.

Study Type

Retrospective analysis of a prospective registry.

Population

Five hundred and forty‐four patients after STEMI (500 in Cohort 1, 44 in Cohort 2).

Field Strength/Sequence

3 T, balanced steady‐state free precession, gradient echo, and gradient echo contrast‐enhanced images.

Assessment

Participants underwent cardiac MR during the acute phase after STEMI. Infarct‐related artery (IRA) strain was determined based on SS obtained from cine images. The primary endpoint was the composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) after 8 years of follow‐up. In Cohort 2, SS stability was assessed by MR twice within 8 days. Contrast and non‐contrast risk models based on SS were established, leading to the development of an algorithm.

Statistical Test

Student's t‐test, Mann–Whitney U‐test, Cox and logistic regression, Kaplan–Meier analysis, net reclassification index (NRI). P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 5.2 years, 83 patients from Cohort 1 experienced a MACE. Among SS, IRA peak circumferential strain (IRA‐CS) was an independent factor for MACEs (adjusted hazard ratio 1.099), providing incremental prognostic value (NRI 0.180, P = 0.10). Patients with worse IRA‐CS (>−8.64%) demonstrated a heightened susceptibility to MACE. Additionally, IRA‐CS was significantly associated with microvascular obstruction (MVO) (adjusted odds ratio 1.084) and infarct size (r = 0.395). IRA‐CS showed comparable prognostic effectiveness to global peak circumferential strain (NRI 0.100, P = 0.39), also counterbalancing contrast and non‐contrast risk models (NRI 0.205, P = 0.05). In Cohort 2, IRA‐CS demonstrated stability between two time points (P = 0.10). Based on risk models incorporating IRA‐CS, algorithm “HJKL” was preliminarily proposed for stratification.

Data Conclusions

IRA‐CS is an important prognostic factor, and an algorithm based on it is proposed for stratification.

Level of Evidence

4

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Simultaneous Measurement of GABA, Glutathione, and Glutamate–Glutamine in the Thalamus using Edited MR Spectroscopy: Feasibility and Applications in Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Liang Xiao , Saleh Muhammad G. , Xu Su , Mayer Dirk , Roys Steven , Raghavan Prashant , Badjatia Neeraj , Gullapalli Rao P. , Zhuo Jiachen
Published: February 2024

Background

MR spectroscopy (MRS) is a noninvasive tool for evaluating biochemical alterations, such as glutamate (Glu)/gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) imbalance and depletion of antioxidative glutathione (GSH) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Thalamus, a critical and vulnerable region post‐TBI, is challenging for MRS acquisitions, necessitating optimization to simultaneously measure GABA/Glu and GSH.

Purpose

To assess the feasibility and optimize acquisition and processing approaches for simultaneously measuring GABA, Glx (Glu + glutamine (Gln)), and GSH in the thalamus, employing Hadamard encoding and reconstruction of MEscher–GArwood (MEGA)‐edited spectroscopy (HERMES).

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

28 control subjects (age: 35.9 ± 15.1 years), and 17 mild TBI (mTBI) patients (age: 32.4 ± 11.3 years).

Field Strength/Sequence

3T/T1‐weighted magnetization‐prepared rapid gradient‐echo (MP‐RAGE), HERMES.

Assessment

We evaluated the impact of acquisition with spatial saturation bands and post‐processing with spectral alignment on HERMES performance in the thalamus among controls. Within‐subject variability was examined in five controls through repeated scans within a week. The HERMES spectra in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) of controls were used as a reference for assessing HERMES performance in a reliable target. Furthermore, we compared metabolite levels and fitting quality in the thalamus between mTBI patients and controls.

Statistical Tests

Unpaired t‐tests and within‐subject coefficient‐of‐variation (CV). A P‐value <0.05 was deemed significant.

Results

HERMES spectra, acquired with saturation bands and processed with spectral alignment, yielded reliable metabolite measurements in the thalamus. The mean within‐subject CV for GABA, Glx, and GSH levels were 18%, 10%, and 16% in the thalamus (7%, 9%, and 16% in the PCC). GABA (3.20 ± 0.60 vs 2.51 ± 0.55, P < 0.01) and Glx (8.69 ± 1.23 vs 7.72 ± 1.19, P = 0.03) levels in the thalamus were significantly higher in mTBI patients than in controls, with GSH (1.27 ± 0.35 vs 1.22 ± 0.28, P = 0.65) levels showing no significant difference.

Data Conclusion

Simultaneous measuring GABA/Glx and GSH using HERMES is feasible in the thalamus, providing valuable insight into TBI.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Highly efficient expression of Rasamsonia emersonii lipase in Pichia pastoris: characterization and gastrointestinal simulated digestion in vitro
Authors: Wang Buqing , Wang Yasen , Zhou Xiaoman , Gao Xiao‐Dong , Fujita Morihisa , Li Zijie
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Acidic lipases with high catalytic activities under acidic conditions have important application values in the food, feed and pharmaceutical industries. However, the availability of acidic lipases is still the main obstacle to their industrial applications. Although a novel acidic lipase Rasamsonia emersonii (LIPR) was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, the expression level was unsatisfactory.

RESULTS

To achieve the high‐efficiency expression and secretion of LIPR in Pichia pastoris GS115, the combinatorial optimization strategy was adopted including gene codon preference, signal peptide, molecular chaperone co‐expression and disruption of vacuolar sorting receptor VPS10. The activity of the combinatorial optimization engineered strain in a shake flask reached 1480 U mL−1, which was 8.13 times greater than the P. pastoris GS115 parental strain. After high‐density fermentation in a 5‐L bioreactor, the highest enzyme activity reached as high as 11 820 U mL−1. LIPR showed the highest activity at 40 °C and pH 4.0 in the presence of Ca2+ ion. LIPR exhibited strong tolerance to methanol, indicating its potential application in biodiesel biosynthesis. Moreover, the gastrointestinal digestion simulation results demonstrated that LIPR was tolerant to pepsin and trypsin, but its activity was inhibited by sodium taurodeoxycholate.

CONCLUSION

This study provided an effective approach for the high expression of acidic lipase LIPR. LIPR was more appropriate for lipid digestion in the stomach than in intestine according to the gastrointestinal digestion simulation results. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Combination of click chemistry and Schiff base reaction: Post‐synthesis of covalent organic frameworks as an immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography platform for efficient capture of global phosphopeptides in serum with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Xu Qian , Guo Xiaoli , Wang Simeng , Feng Quanshou , Yan Shi , Yan Yinghua
Published: February 2024

Reasonable design and construction of functionalized materials are of great importance for the enrichment of global phosphopeptides. In this work, Ti4+ functionalized hydrophilic covalent organic frameworks by introducing glutathione (GSH) and 2,3,4‐trihydroxy benzaldehyde (THBA) via click chemistry and Schiff base reaction (COF‐V@GSH‐THBA‐Ti4+) was constructed and applied for selective enrichment of phosphopeptides in serum. Benefit from the high surface area, excellent hydrophilicity as well as regular mesoporous structure, COF‐V@GSH‐THBA‐Ti4+ displayed high selectivity (molar ratio of 2000:1), low limit of detection (0.5 fmol), high load capacity (100.0 mg/g) and excellent size‐exclusion effect (1:10000) for enrichment of phosphopeptides. For actual bio‐sample analysis, 15 phosphopeptides assigned to 10 phosphoproteins with 16 phosphorylated sites and 33 phosphopeptides assigned to 25 phosphoproteins with 34 phosphorylated sites were detected from the serum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and normal controls. Biological processes and molecular functions analysis further disclosed the difference of serums with phosphoproteomics between COPD and normal controls.
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in elite ski jumping reliably allow return to competition but severely affect future top performance
Authors: Oronowicz Jakub , Seil Romain , Hörterer Hubert , Moksnes Håvard , Ekas Guri R. , Cabri Jan , Mouton Caroline , Frenzel Gunter , Tischer Thomas
Published: February 2024

Purpose

In recent years, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries have been frequently observed in ski jumping. However, available data in this discipline are very scarce. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether an ACL injury in elite‐level ski jumping limits the performance level after ACL reconstruction (ACLR).

Methods

Both male and female elite‐level ski jumpers from five national A‐teams who suffered an ACL injury were identified retrospectively by searching available media reports and Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) database. World Cup (WC) results and time‐out‐of‐competition before ACL injury and after ACLR were compared. Only athletes who suffered the injury during or after the 2009–2010 season and who participated in at least one WC competition before the injury were included in this study. The level of athletes' performance from two full seasons before until three seasons after the injury was compared.

Results

Eighteen elite‐level ski jumpers (11 males/seven females) were eligible for the study. All male and four female athletes returned to professional competition after ACLR. One female athlete ended her career due to prolonged recovery and two have not yet recovered due to a recent injury. The mean return‐to‐competition (RTC) time was 14.6 months in males and 13.5 months in females. The mean WC placement decreased after the ACL injury: two seasons before injury the mean position was 17.9 ± 11.0 (n = 12), one season before it was 22.4 ± 12.8 (n = 15). After recovery, the mean placement in seasons 1–3 was: 26.4 ± 8.9 (n = 7), 25.7 ± 10.3 (n = 13), 33.6 ± 12.2 (n = 10) (p = 0.008). Among the athletes returning to competition, only six males and three females reached their preinjury level and only one male and one female (compared to seven males and three females preinjury) reached an individual top‐3 placement after ACLR, accounting for less than 10% of podiums compared to preinjury.

Conclusion

Only 60% of the professional ski jumpers reached the preinjury level and less than 15% reached a top‐3 placement after the ACL injury. These results support the fact that ACL tear during a ski jumping career may be a significant factor limiting high‐level performance. In terms of clinical relevance, the findings implicate the need to analyse the reasons of these very low rates of return to elite‐level performance, to analyse ACL injury and RTC rates at lower levels of performance and to develop specific prevention strategies in order to reduce the number of ACL injuries in this sport.

Level of Evidence

Level IV.
Environmental driving forces and phytoplankton diversity across the Ross Sea region during a summer–autumn transition
Authors: Cristi Antonia , Law Cliff S. , Pinkerton Matt , Lopes dos Santos Adriana , Safi Karl , Gutiérrez‐Rodríguez Andres
Published: February 2024

The Ross Sea is a highly productive system characterized by a seasonal succession of phytoplankton groups. However, most of the current understanding is based on observations on the continental shelf in spring and summer at relatively coarse taxonomic resolution. Here, we characterize community composition (class to species) using V4‐18S rRNA gene metabarcoding on transects to and across the Ross Sea (shelf‐slope and oceanic subregions) during two voyages covering the Austral summer–autumn progression in successive years. Phytoplankton composition shifted from low‐diversity diatom‐dominated (50%) communities during the summer to more diverse dinoflagellate‐dominated (48%) systems during the lower‐productivity autumn season. Prymnesiophyceae abundance was low on both voyages (10%), except on the southeast shelf‐slope, where Phaeocystis antarctica dominated a shallow mixed layer, contrary to its reported preference for deep‐mixing conditions. Amplicon sequence variant analysis identified distinct spatial patterns for two P. antarctica genotypes yet clustered certain species of Bacillariophyta and Prymnesiophyceae, indicating similar environmental preference for genotypes in these groups. Multivariate analysis of environmental drivers found a higher correlation of community composition variation with salinity and macronutrients, but less so with mixed layer depth, considered a primary determinant of taxonomic composition in the Ross Sea. Comparison between years established that community composition was temporally more stable in oceanic relative to shelf‐slope waters. This study of seasonal variation of phytoplankton community composition at finer taxonomic resolution provided insights into species‐ and strain‐specific distribution, ecological preferences, and relationships to environmental conditions in the wider Ross Sea to inform modeling and projection of future regional changes.
An ecological perspective for analysing rural depopulation and abandonment
Authors: Lloret Francisco , Escudero Adrián , Lloret Joan , Valladares Fernando
Published: February 2024

Population loss in rural areas is rapidly increasing in high‐income countries, raising concerns and debate, given its socio‐economic consequences. Despite the evident environmental dimension of the phenomenon, ecological knowledge has been neglected in the analysis of actions aiming to reverse rural depopulation. Particularly, cultural landscapes reflect memories of ecological processes that have configured current patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Based on ecological principles, we present a conceptual procedure to assess the behaviour of social–ecological systems subjected to depopulation, projecting their expected trajectories through time within a framework defined jointly by demographic and environmental–ecological dimensions (in our case, biodiversity, carbon storage, pollution control, water resources and soil conservation).

We applied this procedure to various alternative interventions designed to confront depopulation in Spain: (1) non‐intervention, (2) maintenance of the historical landscape configuration, (3) active conservation, (4) extensive, sustainable land use and (5) intensified land use.

We conclude that extensive, sustainable land use better optimizes criteria of demographic consolidation, environmental impact, resilience and implementation of actions confronting depopulation. We highlight the need to incorporate ecological knowledge into the assessment and application of actions confronting rural depopulation.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Patterns of filled prescriptions and the association with risk of drug‐induced death. A population‐based nested case‐control register study
Authors: Amundsen Ellen J. , Odsbu Ingvild , Skurtveit Svetlana O. , Gjersing Linn
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Opioid analgesics (OA) and other pharmaceuticals have been associated with drug‐induced deaths. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding patterns of use of these pharmaceuticals in the population and regarding such associations. We identify and describe subgroups of people with different patterns of filled prescriptions of OA and other relevant pharmaceuticals and examine associations with drug‐induced deaths. In addition, we estimate the proportion of drug‐induced deaths with a filled OA prescription and OA as cause of death.

Methods

A Norwegian population‐based nested case‐control register study with cases (drug‐induced deaths 2010–2018, N = 2388) and population controls matched for age, gender and year of inclusion (N = 21 465). Patterns of filled prescriptions for opioid analgesics (OA), benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine‐related drugs, gabapentinoids, ADHD medication and antidepressants/antipsychotics were explored by k‐means cluster analysis. Associations with drug‐induced deaths were estimated by conditional logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics. Overlap of filled OA prescriptions and OA as cause of death was estimated.

Results

Five clusters were identified: ‘few prescriptions’, ‘weak OA’, ‘ADHD medication’, ‘sedative/psychiatric morbidity’ and ‘strong OA’. The ‘strong OA’ cluster had higher socioeconomic status compared to the other groupings. The risk of drug‐induced death was also highest in this cluster (OR = 35.5; CI 25.6–49.3) and, for 68% (CI 64–73) of cases, filled prescriptions for OA was indicated as the underlying cause of death.

Conclusions

The cluster analysis identified a subgroup with filled prescriptions of OA and other pharmaceuticals and a higher socioeconomic status than other subgroups. This subgroup had a high risk of drug‐induced death that needs to be addressed.
Hyperbranched polyimide with triazole core structure for nonvolatile resistive switching memory
Authors: Tian Ye , Zhu Shiyang , Liu Huiling , Song Ying , Liu Bing , Yao Hongyan , Guan Shaowei
Published: February 2024

Hyperbranched polyimides (HBPIs) possess a unique branched structure, which can make the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMOs) degenerate and reduce the bandgap between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and LUMO energy levels. The triazole group can facilitate the charge transfer process. Thus, a novel hyperbranched polyimide (HBPI‐TZA‐6FDA) has been prepared from new triazole derivative triamine monomer (TZA) and 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA) for memory device. The memory device with the structure ITO/HBPI‐TZA‐6FDA/Al exhibits a low‐threshold voltage of −2.2 V and a high ON/OFF current ratio of about 105. Meanwhile, the memory device shows nonvolatile write once read many times (WORM) type memory behavior and excellent stability with an operation time of 104 at a continuous applied voltage of −1 V. Optical, electrochemical experiments, and molecular simulation have been carried out to illustrate the memory performance. The memory performance is governed by the charge transfer between TZA and 6FDA units. The branched structure and triazole unit can reduce the band gap between HOMO and LUMO energy levels effectively, which is favorable for improving charge transfer and reducing threshold voltage. The HBPI‐TZA‐6FDA‐based memory device is favorable for memory device applications due to its relatively low‐power consumption and high‐operation stability.
Pharmacology education in the medical curriculum: Challenges and opportunities for improvement
Authors: Fasinu Pius S. , Wilborn Teresa W.
Published: February 2024

The knowledge and application of pharmacology is essential for safe prescribing and administration of drugs. In this narrative review, the challenges to pharmacology education in the medical curricula were broadly identified to include issues around content and pedagogies. The increasing number of approved drugs and drug targets, expanding field of pharmacology and the often‐changing treatment guidelines and board‐defined competencies can make pharmacology education in the medical curriculum daunting. There has been a consensus around the deployment of innovative medical curricula with emphasis on vertical and horizontal integration. This strategy, effective as it has been, presents new challenges to pharmacology education. As a discipline often perceived by students to be hard‐to‐learn, the future of pharmacology education must include heavy reliance on active learning strategies. The continuing utilization of problem‐based, team‐based and case‐based learning can be complemented with personalized learning which aims to identify the learning gaps in individual students. Technology‐inspired student engagement can foster pharmacology learning and retention. Early exposure to pharmacology from premedical preparation through an enduring across‐the‐level integration can be an effective way to enhance pharmacology learning in the medical curricula.
Cichoric acid targets RANKL to inhibit osteoclastogenesis and prevent ovariectomy‐induced bone loss
Authors: Xian Yansi , Gao Yijie , Su Yiji , Su Yuangang , Lian Haoyu , Feng Xiaoliang , Liu Zhijuan , Zhao Jinmin , Xu Jiake , Liu Qian , Song Fangming
Published: February 2024

Background and Aim

Osteoporosis, a systemic metabolic bone disease, is characterized by the decline of bone mass and quality due to excessive osteoclast activity. Currently, drug‐targeting osteoclasts show promising therapy for osteoporosis. In this study, we investigated the effect of cichoric acid (CA) on receptor activator of nuclear kappa‐B ligand (RANKL)‐induced osteoclastogenesis and the bone loss induced by ovariectomy in mice.

Experimental Procedure

Molecular docking technologies were employed to examine the interaction between CA and RANKL. CCK8 assay was used to evaluate the cell viability under CA treatment. TRAcP staining, podosome belt staining, and bone resorption assays were used to test the effect of CA on osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast function. Further, an OVX‐induced osteoporosis mice model was employed to identify the effect of CA on bone loss using micro‐CT scanning and histological examination. To investigate underlying mechanisms, network pharmacology was applied to predict the downstream signaling pathways, which were verified by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.

Key Results

The molecular docking analysis revealed that CA exhibited a specific binding affinity to RANKL, engaging multiple binding sites. CA inhibited RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption without cytotoxic effects. Mechanistically, CA suppressed RANKL‐induced intracellular reactive oxygen species, nuclear factor‐kappa B, and mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathways, followed by abrogated nuclear factor activated T‐cells 1 activity. Consistent with this finding, CA attenuated post‐ovariectomy‐induced osteoporosis by ameliorating osteoclastogenesis.

Conclusions and Implications

CA inhibited osteoclast activity and bone loss by targeting RANKL. CA might represent a promising candidate for treating osteoclast‐related diseases, such as osteoporosis.
Statistical plasmode simulations–Potentials, challenges and recommendations
Authors: Schreck Nicholas , Slynko Alla , Saadati Maral , Benner Axel
Published: February 2024

Statistical data simulation is essential in the development of statistical models and methods as well as in their performance evaluation. To capture complex data structures, in particular for high‐dimensional data, a variety of simulation approaches have been introduced including parametric and the so‐called plasmode simulations. While there are concerns about the realism of parametrically simulated data, it is widely claimed that plasmodes come very close to reality with some aspects of the “truth” known. However, there are no explicit guidelines or state‐of‐the‐art on how to perform plasmode data simulations. In the present paper, we first review existing literature and introduce the concept of statistical plasmode simulation. We then discuss advantages and challenges of statistical plasmodes and provide a step‐wise procedure for their generation, including key steps to their implementation and reporting. Finally, we illustrate the concept of statistical plasmodes as well as the proposed plasmode generation procedure by means of a public real RNA data set on breast carcinoma patients.
Enhancing group recommender systems: A fusion of social tagging and collaborative filtering for cohesive recommendations
Authors: Wang Jian , Kamran Asif , Shahzad Fakhar , Syed Nadeem Ahmad
Published: February 2024

This study examines the challenges and opportunities of using group recommendation systems in an information overload scenario. Social network recommendation systems are increasingly important because they deliver users customized choices. Most existing solutions are geared for single users, making it difficult to propose for a group with different interests. This paper analyses group recommendation systems and exposes their flaws. This study tested whether the suggested approach outperforms the one without tagging information in recall, precision, and user satisfaction. Empirical evidence indicates that the algorithm exhibits appropriate levels of reliability and accuracy compared to conventional methods. The proposed approach has the potential to substantially enhance the existing state of social network group recommendation systems, thereby facilitating users in their quest to identify and participate in groups that align with their preferences.
Treatment Temperature and Magnetic Field Distribution for Magnetic Hyperthermia Using Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Kagami Takayuki , Kuwahata Akihiro , Yabukami Shin
Published: February 2024

A minimally invasive cancer treatment method utilizing magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and magnetic coils, magnetic hyperthermia, generates heat locally inside the body to degenerate cancer cells. The uniformity of the coil's magnetic field is a crucial factor in enhancing the therapeutic effect. In this study, we evaluated the temperature distribution of MNPs on induction heating experiments at various distances using two types of coils. We found that the 2‐turn coil with a larger outer diameter and higher magnetic field uniformity resulted in a treatment temperature region approximately twice as wide as the 4‐turn coil, indicating the enhancement of the treatment effect under the uniform magnetic field distributions. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Farm‐wide interface fatigue loads estimation: A data‐driven approach based on accelerometers
Authors: de N Santos Francisco , Noppe Nymfa , Weijtjens Wout , Devriendt Christof
Published: February 2024

Fatigue has become a major consideration factor in modern offshore wind farms as optimized design codes, and a lack of lifetime reserve has made continuous fatigue life monitoring become an operational concern. In this contribution, we discuss a data‐driven methodology for farm‐wide tower‐transition piece fatigue load estimation. We specifically debate the employment of this methodology in a real‐world farm‐wide setting and the implications of continuous monitoring. With reliable nacelle‐installed accelerometer data at all locations, along with the customary 10‐min supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) statistics and three strain gauge‐instrumented 'fleet‐leaders', we discuss the value of two distinct approaches: use of either fleet‐leader or population‐based data for training a physics‐guided neural network model with a built‐in conservative bias, with the latter taking precedence. In the context of continuous monitoring, we touch on the importance of data imputation, working under the assumption that if data are missing, then its fatigue loads should be modeled as under idling. With this knowledge at hand, we analyzed the errors of the trained model over a period of 9 months, with monthly accumulated errors always kept below
. A particular focus was given to performance under high loads, where higher errors were found. The cause for this error was identified as being inherent to the use of 10‐min statistics, but mitigation strategies have been identified. Finally, the farm‐wide results are presented on fatigue load estimation, which allowed to identify outliers, whose behavior we correlated with the operational conditions. Finally, the continuous data‐driven, population‐based approach here presented can serve as a springboard for further lifetime‐based decision‐making.
The Role of Third Parties in Regulatory Systems: Examples from Financial Services Regulation
Authors: Black Julia
Published: February 2024

Regulatory systems can include a variety of third-party intermediaries, performing a variety of roles, with variable capacities, motivations, strategic position, and authority. Third parties may be deliberately ‘enrolled’ in the regulatory system, or they may be ‘enrolled’ de facto, due to the business model/activities/markets of the regulated firms. Such third parties can be a benefit to the regulator, expanding its capacity. But as well as introducing unintended consequences, they can also introduce key dependencies, with associated risks to which the regulator needs to be alert, and which it needs to mitigate where possible through a range of formal and informal strategies.
Klimarisiken: Umgang mit Unsicherheit im gesellschaftlichen Diskurs
Authors: Renn Ortwin
Published: February 2024

Inzwischen kann die Wissenschaft mithilfe von Klimamodellen künftige Entwicklungen und Gefährdungen durch den Klimawandel relativ genau projizieren. Doch es verbleiben immer noch Unsicherheiten und Mehrdeutigkeiten, die Anlass für gesellschaftliche Debatten geben. Im Mittelpunkt dieses Kapitels steht daher die Frage, wie Individuen, Gesellschaften und die Weltgemeinschaft mit globalen Risiken umgehen und wie sie die mit Risiko verknüpften Probleme von Komplexität, Unsicherheit und Mehrdeutigkeit angehen sollen. Zudem gilt es auszuhandeln, wie viel Aufmerksamkeit und wie viele Ressourcen eine Gesellschaft aufwenden soll, um das Risiko „Klimawandel“ zu mindern, gleichzeitig aber auch die anderen gravierenden Risiken für die Menschheit nicht aus dem Auge zu verlieren.
Zielkonflikte, Synergien und negative Emissionen in der Klimapolitik
Authors: Schäfer Stefan , Scheffran Jürgen
Published: February 2024

Dieses Kapitel verdeutlicht die Verbindungen zwischen klimapolitischen Maßnahmen und anderen politischen Handlungsfeldern, wobei insbesondere auch negative Emissionen als aufkommende Strategie zur Bekämpfung des Klimawandels berücksichtig werden. Es zeigt sich, dass die Klimapolitik durch Zielkonflikte mit anderen Handlungsfeldern geprägt ist, die sich aus Strategien und Maßnahmen zur Emissionsvermeidung und Anpassung an den Klimawandel ergeben, aber auch durch die Möglichkeit, Synergien und co-benefits zu realisieren. Es ist davon auszugehen, dass in Zukunft Technologien zur Erzeugung von negativen Emissionen eine zunehmend wichtigere Rolle spielen werden. Deshalb gilt es, die damit in Zusammenhang stehenden Herausforderungen früh zu erkennen, um Synergien zu fördern und Zielkonflikte zu vermeiden.
Glauber phases in non-global LHC observables: resummation for gluon-initiated processes
Authors: Böer Philipp , Hager Patrick , Neubert Matthias , Stillger Michel , Xu Xiaofeng
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The resummation of the “Glauber series” in non-global LHC observables is extended to processes with gluons in the initial state. This series simultaneously incorporates large double-logarithmic corrections, the so-called “super-leading logarithms”, together with higher-order exchanges of pairs of Glauber gluons associated with the large numerical factor (iπ)2. On a technical level, the main part of this work is devoted to the systematic reduction of the appearing color traces and construction of basis structures, which consist of thirteen elements for gg and eleven elements for qg scattering. Numerical estimates for wide-angle gap-between-jet cross sections at the parton level show that, in particular for gg scattering at relatively small vetoes Q0, the contribution involving four Glauber exchanges gives a sizeable correction and should not be neglected.
Squeezing, chaos and thermalization in periodically driven quantum systems: the case of bosonic preheating
Authors: Chakraborty Ayan , Maity Debaprasad
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The phenomena of Squeezing and chaos have recently been studied in the context of inflation. We apply this formalism in the post-inflationary preheating phase. During this phase, the inflaton field undergoes quasi-periodic oscillation, which acts as a driving force for the resonant growth of quantum fluctuation or particle production. Furthermore, the quantum state of the fluctuations is known to have evolved into a squeezed state. In this submission, we explore the underlying connection between the resonant growth, squeezing, and chaos by computing the Out of Time Order Correlator (OTOC) of phase space variables and establishing a relation among the Lyapunov, Floquet exponents, and squeezing parameters. For our study, we consider observationally favored α-attractor E-model of inflaton coupled with the bosonic field. After the production, the system of produced bosonic fluctuations/particles from the inflaton is supposed to thermalize, and that is believed to have an intriguing connection to the nature of chaos of the system under perturbation. We conjecture a relation between the thermalization temperature ($$ {\overline{T}}_{\textrm{SS}} $$

T
¯

SS

) of the system and quantum squeezing, which is further shown to be consistent with the well-known Rayleigh-Jeans formula for the temperature symbolized as $$ {\overline{T}}_{\textrm{RJ}} $$

T
¯

RJ

, and that is $$ {\overline{T}}_{\textrm{SS}}\simeq {\overline{T}}_{\textrm{RJ}} $$

T
¯

SS

≃

T
¯

RJ

. Finally, we show that the system temperature is in accord with the well-known lower bound on the temperature of a chaotic system proposed by Maldacena-Shenker-Stanford (MSS).
Pseudo entropy under joining local quenches
Authors: Shinmyo Kotaro , Takayanagi Tadashi , Tasuki Kenya
Published: February 2024

Abstract

We compute the pseudo entropy in two-dimensional holographic and free Dirac fermion CFTs for excited states under joining local quenches. Our analysis reveals two of its characteristic properties that are missing in the conventional entanglement entropy. One is that, under time evolution, the pseudo entropy exhibits a dip behavior as the excitations propagate from the joined point to the boundaries of the subsystem. The other is that the excess of pseudo entropy over entanglement entropy can be positive in holographic CFTs, whereas it is always non-positive in free Dirac fermion CFTs. We argue that the entropy excess can serve as a measure of multi-partite entanglement. Its positivity implies that the vacuum state in holographic CFTs possesses multi-partite entanglement, in contrast to free Dirac fermion CFTs.