bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building bridges in the conversation on eponymous common names of North American birds
Authors: Liu Irene A. , Gulson‐Castillo Eric R. , Wu Joanna X. , Demery Amelia‐Juliette C. , Cortes‐Rodriguez Nandadevi , Covino Kristen M. , Lerman Susannah B. , Gill Sharon A. , Ruiz Gutierrez Viviana
Published: March 2024

Like many other fields, ornithology and birding are addressing their legacy of colonialism, including re‐examining their naming practices. Discussions about eponyms, when species are named to honour people, sit at the intersection of nomenclatural stability and social justice concerns. In response to a charged debate about the future of eponymous common names, members of the American Ornithological Society (AOS)'s Diversity and Inclusion Committee held one‐on‐one listening sessions in 2020 with stakeholder groups across the birding and ornithology community and, in 2021, organized a Community Congress where stakeholders shared thoughts with a public audience. These two events aimed to create spaces for thoughtful dialogue around an inflamed topic and to identify areas of consensus for moving forward. Here we summarize the main findings from these two activities. We found broad agreement among stakeholders that (1) social justice is a valid reason to change names, (2) many issues – especially the technical, decision‐making and public‐engagement aspects of name changes – need to be considered, and (3) educational opportunities are not only abundant but critical in any name‐change process to achieve the stated goals of increasing diversity and belonging in birding and ornithology. Our work highlights the importance of including many voices in conversations when proposed changes to public use systems, such as common names, appear to conflict with current decision‐making methods. By creating a space away from knee‐jerk reactions, our listening sessions and the Community Congress found that the scientists, birders, educators, data/wildlife managers and field guide authors we spoke with are willing to engage in crucial conversations of how to deal with eponymous common names, as part of engaging with ornithology's colonialist history.
Associations of radiologic characteristics of the neonatal hypothalamus with early life adiposity gain
Authors: Sewaybricker Leticia E. , Melhorn Susan J. , Entringer Sonja , Buss Claudia , Wadhwa Pathik D. , Schur Ellen A. , Rasmussen Jerod M.
Published: March 2024

Background

The mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) is a key brain area for regulation of energy balance. Previous neuroimaging studies suggest that T2‐based signal properties indicative of cellular inflammatory response (gliosis) are present in adults and children with obesity, and predicts greater adiposity gain in children at risk of obesity.

Objectives/Methods

The current study aimed to extend this concept to the early life period by considering if, in full‐term healthy neonates (up to n = 35), MRI evidence of MBH gliosis is associated with changes in early life (neonatal to six months) body fat percentage measured by DXA.

Results

In this initial study, neonatal T2 signal in the MBH was positively associated with six‐month changes in body fat percentage.

Conclusion

This finding supports the notion that underlying processes in the MBH may play a role in early life growth and, by extension, childhood obesity risk.
Parecoxib decreases cellular growth and Bcl‐2 protein levels in primary cultures of keloid fibroblasts
Authors: Grella Roberto , Lanzano Giuseppe , Faenza Mario , Ferraro Giuseppe , Pieretti Gorizio
Published: March 2024

Keloids seem to overexpress cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), suggesting a role in its deregulated pathway in inducing an altered epithelial‐mesenchymal interaction, which may be responsible for the overgrowth of dermal components resulting in scars or keloid lesions. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Parecoxib, a COX‐2 inhibitor, on cell growth in fibroblast primary cultures obtained from human keloid tissues. Tissue explants were obtained from patients who underwent intralesional excision of untreated keloids; central fractions were isolated from keloid tissues and used for establishing distinct primary cultures. Appropriate aliquots of Parecoxib, a COX‐2 inhibitor were diluted to obtain the concentration used in the experimental protocols in vitro (1, 10 or 100 μM). Treatment with Parecoxib (at all concentrations) caused a significant decrease in cellular growth from 24 hours onwards, and with a maximum at 72 hours (P < .02). Moreover, at 72 hours Parecoxib significantly reduced cellular vitality. Parecoxib treatment also induced an increase in fragmented nuclei with a maximum effect at 100 μM and a significant decrease in Bcl‐2 and an increase in activated caspase‐3 protein levels at 72 hours compared with control untreated cultures. Our findings suggest a potential use of the COX‐2 inhibitor, Parecoxib, as the therapy for keloids.
The RING zinc finger protein LbRZF1 promotes salt gland development and salt tolerance in Limonium bicolor
Authors: Yang Zongran , Zhang Ziwei , Qiao Ziqi , Guo Xueying , Wen Yixuan , Zhou Yingxue , Yao Chunliang , Fan Hai , Wang Baoshan , Han Guoliang
Published: March 2024

The recretohalophyte Limonium bicolor thrives in high‐salinity environments because salt glands on the above‐ground parts of the plant help to expel excess salt. Here, we characterize a nucleus‐localized C3HC4 (RING‐HC)‐type zinc finger protein of L. bicolor named 
RING 
ZINC 
FINGER PROTEIN 
1 (LbRZF1). LbRZF1 was expressed in salt glands and in response to NaCl treatment. LbRZF1 showed no E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. The phenotypes of overexpression and knockout lines for LbRZF1 indicated that LbRZF1 positively regulated salt gland development and salt tolerance in L. bicolor. lbrzf1 mutants had fewer salt glands and secreted less salt than did the wild‐type, whereas LbRZF1‐overexpressing lines had opposite phenotypes, in keeping with the overall salt tolerance of these plants. A yeast two‐hybrid screen revealed that LbRZF1 interacted with LbCATALASE2 (LbCAT2) and the transcription factor LbMYB113, leading to their stabilization. Silencing of LbCAT2 or LbMYB113 decreased salt gland density and salt tolerance. The heterologous expression of LbRZF1 in Arabidopsis thaliana conferred salt tolerance to this non‐halophyte. We also identified the transcription factor LbMYB48 as an upstream regulator of LbRZF1 transcription. The study of LbRZF1 in the regulation network of salt gland development also provides a good foundation for transforming crops and improving their salt resistance.
Hypoalbuminemia, but not derived neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), predicts overall survival in neuroendocrine tumours undergoing peptide receptor radionuclide therapy: A retrospective, cohort study of 557 patients
Authors: Papantoniou Dimitrios , Fröss‐Baron Katarzyna , Garske‐Román Ulrike , Sundin Anders , Thiis‐Evensen Espen , Grönberg Malin , Welin Staffan , Tiensuu Janson Eva
Published: March 2024

Several inflammation scores have shown association with survival outcomes for patients with neuroendocrine tumours (NET) treated with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). However, whether these scores add value to established prognostic factors remains unknown. In this retrospective, cohort study of 557 NET patients undergoing PRRT in a tertiary referral centre from 2005 to 2015, we examined inflammatory markers and scores previously associated with cancer outcomes, using Cox proportional hazard models and Akaike's information criterion. Lower albumin (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], .91 [.87–.95] per unit), as well as higher C‐reactive protein (CRP; 1.02 [1.01–1.02]), Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS; 1 vs. 0: 1.67 [1.14–2.44], 2 vs. 0 3.60 [2.24–5.79]), CRP/albumin ratio (1.84 [1.43–2.37]) and platelet count (Plt) × CRP, but not white blood cell, neutrophil and thrombocyte counts or derived neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), were associated with shorter median overall survival (OS) in an adjusted analysis. The addition of parameters based on albumin and CRP, but not dNLR, to a base model including age, chromogranin A, the cell proliferation marker Ki‐67, performance status, tumour site and previous treatments improved the predictive accuracy of the base model. In an exploratory analysis of patients with available erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and CRP, ESR emerged as the most powerful predictor. When added to a prognostic model for OS in NET patients treated with PRRT, most inflammation scores further improved the model. Albumin was the single marker adding most value to the set of established prognostic markers, whereas dNLR did not seem to improve the model's prognostic ability.
Impact effects of COVID‐19 pandemic on chronic disease patients: A longitudinal prospective study
Authors: García‐Lara Rubén A. , Suleiman‐Martos Sami , Dominguez‐Vías Germán , Romero‐Béjar José Luis , Garcia‐Morales Victoria , Gómez‐Urquiza José Luis , Suleiman‐Martos Nora
Published: March 2024

Aims

To assess the effects of COVID‐19 pandemic on clinical variables as part of the routine clinical monitoring of patients with chronic diseases in primary care.

Design

A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in primary care centres of the Andalusian Health Service.

Methods

Data were recorded before the pandemic (T1), during the declaration of the state of emergency (T2) and in the transition phase (T3). The Barthel index and the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) were used to analyse functional and cognitive changes at the three time points. HbA1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, BMI and lipid levels were assessed as clinical variables. Descriptive statistics and non‐parametric chi‐square test were used for analysis. STROBE checklist was used for the preparation of this paper.

Results

A total fo148 patients with chronic conditions were included in the analysis. Data analysis revealed in T2 only significant reductions in BMI, total levels of cholesterol and HDL during the onset of the pandemic. Barthel Index, SPMSQ, blood pressure and triglycerides and LDL levels worsened in T2, and the negative effects were maintained in T3. Compared to pre‐pandemic values, HbA1c levels improved in T3, but HDL levels worsened.

Conclusions

COVID‐19 has drastically disrupted several functional, cognitive and biological variables. These results may be useful in identifying clinical parameters that deserve closer attention in the case of a new health crisis. Further studies are needed to assess the potential impacts of each specific chronic condition.

Impact

Cognitive and functional status, blood pressure and triglycerides and LDL levels worsen in short term, maintaining the negative effects in medium‐term.
Honokiol induces ferroptosis in ovarian cancer cells through the regulation of YAP by OTUB2
Authors: Liu Fang , Zhang Yufang , Xia Xinyi , Han Jing , Cao Linyan
Published: March 2024

Background

Ovarian cancer (OVCA) is prevalent in female reproductive organs. Despite recent advances, clinical outcomes remain poor, warranting fresh treatment avenues. Honokiol has an inhibitory effect on proliferation, invasion, and survival of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, this study intended to explore specific molecular mechanism by which honokiol affected OVCA progression.

Methods

Bioinformatics analyzed the drug honokiol that bound to OTU deubiquitinase, ubiquitin aldehyde binding 2 (OTUB2). Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) verified the binding relationship between honokiol and OTUB2. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK‐8) tested the IC50 value and cell viability of OVCA cells after honokiol treatment. Corresponding assay kits determined malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and Fe2+ levels in OVCA cells. Flow cytometry measured reactive oxygen species levels. Western blot detected OTUB2, SLC7A11, and transcriptional co‐activators Yes‐associated protein (YAP) expression, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) detected OTUB2 expression. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) detected the expression level of Ki67 protein in tumor tissues.

Results

Honokiol was capable of inducing ferroptosis in OVCA cells. CETSA confirmed that honokiol could bind to OTUB2. Further cell functional and molecular experiments revealed that honokiol induced ferroptosis in OVCA cells via repression of YAP signaling pathway through binding to OTUB2. In addition, in vivo experiments have confirmed that honokiol could inhibit the growth of OVCA.

Conclusion

Honokiol induced ferroptosis in OVCA cells via repression of YAP signaling pathway through binding to OTUB2, implicating that OTUB2 may be an effective target for OVCA treatment, and our study results may provide new directions for development of more effective OVCA treatment strategies.
Bridging semantics and medical ontology in the definition of bruxism: An argument for a holistic definition
Authors: Skarmeta Nicolás P.
Published: March 2024

Objective

The objective of this commentary is to advocate for a holistic, ontology‐based definition of bruxism. The intention is to synthesise the best aspects of current definitions into a structured ontological model, thereby refining and enhancing a comprehensive understanding of the full spectrum of bruxism.

Materials and Methods

The commentary elaborates on the process of integrating these insights into a hierarchical ontology that aligns with ontological principles.

Settings and Sample Population

Not directly applicable as this is a commentary.

Results/Conclusion

The proposed ontology‐based definition of bruxism aims to clarify communication within the medical community and advance research by enabling a comprehensive ontology‐based classification of bruxism. By aligning with ontological principles, this approach aspires to act as a catalyst for further research, discussion and consensus in the field.
Welcome to fuckin' Letterkenny: Conceptualizing a modern Progymnasmata
Authors: Rachal Kimberly
Published: March 2024

Crave TV's niche hit Letterkenny is packed with exercises in wordplay and examinations of semantics that serve various functions in its presentation of life in small‐town Canada. This article examines how the progymnasmata of classical rhetorical education and the linguistic comedy bits in Letterkenny serve a similar role in preparing their users (and viewers) to both engage in a specific type of dialogue and establish and enforce moral boundaries as are accepted in the society in which they live and participate, and how fan circulation of these language memes reflects the transference of those morals to the culture.
Peripheral and intestinal T lymphocyte subsets in dogs with chronic inflammatory enteropathy
Authors: Agulla Beatriz , Villaescusa Alejandra , Sainz Ángel , Díaz‐Regañón David , Rodríguez‐Franco Fernando , Calleja‐Bueno Lydia , Olmeda Patricia , García‐Sancho Mercedes
Published: March 2024

Background

Dysregulated T lymphocyte response is thought to play a key role in chronic intestinal inflammation (CIE).

Objectives

To evaluate the presence of changes in peripheral and intestinal T lymphocyte subsets and to describe potential immune and inflammatory biomarkers in dogs with CIE.

Animals

Sixteen healthy dogs and 26 dogs were diagnosed with CIE.

Methods

Prospective case‐control study evaluating peripheral and intestinal T lymphocytes using flow cytometry and inflammatory markers obtained from complete blood cell counts.

Results

Dogs with CIE had higher peripheral activated T helper (Th) lymphocytes (87/μL [18‐273] CIE, 44/μL [16‐162] healthy control (HC, P = .013) and regulatory T cells (Treg; 108/μL [2‐257] CIE, 34/μL [1‐114] HC, P = .004). In the intestinal epithelium, CIE dogs presented lower percentages of Th (4.55% [1.75‐18.67] CIE, 8.77% [3.79‐25.03] HC, P = .002), activated Th cells (0.16% [0.02‐0.83] CIE, 0.33% [0.05‐0.57] HC, P = .03) and CD4/CD8 ratio (0.08 [0.02‐0.39] CIE, 0.21 [0.07‐0.85] HC, P = .003). Conversely, higher percentage of activated T cytotoxic cells (20.24% [3.12‐77.12] CIE, 12.32% [1.21‐39.22] HC, P = .04) and interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) producing T lymphocytes (7.36% [0.63‐55.83] CIE, 1.44% [0.00‐10.56] HC, P = .01) within the epithelium was observed. In the lamina propria the percentage of Treg lymphocytes was higher (6.02% [1.00‐21.48] CIE, 3.52% [0.18‐10.52] HC, P = .02).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Systemic and intestinal immune alterations occur in dogs with CIE suggesting that blood IFN‐γ producing T lymphocytes and the systemic immune‐inflamation index (SII) could potentially serve as biomarkers for the disease.
A simulation study comparing common methods for analyzing species–habitat associations of plants
Authors: Hesselbarth Maximilian H. K. , Wiegand Kerstin
Published: March 2024

Question

Species‐specific habitat associations are one of several processes that lead to a clustered spatial pattern of plant populations. This pattern occurs in tropical and temperate forests. To analyze species–habitat associations, four methods are commonly used when determining species–habitat associations from spatial point pattern and environmental raster data. Two of the methods randomize the spatial point pattern of plants, and two randomize the raster data of habitat patches. However, the strengths and weaknesses of the four methods have never been analyzed in detail.

Methods

We conducted a simulation study to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the four most used methods. The methods are the gamma test, pattern reconstruction, the torus‐translation test and the randomized‐habitats procedure. We simulated neutral landscapes representing habitat patches and point patterns representing fine‐scale plant distributions. We built into our simulations known positive and negative species–habitat associations.

Results

All four methods were equally good at detecting species–habitat associations. Detected positive associations better than negative ones. Furthermore, correct detections were mostly influenced by the initial spatial distribution of the point patterns, landscape fragmentation and the number of simulated null model randomizations.

Conclusions

The four methods have advantages and disadvantages, and which is the most suitable method largely depends on the characteristics of the available data. However, our simulation study shows that the results are consistent between methods.
In‐house molecular diagnosis of diffuse glioma updating the revised WHO classification by a platform of the advanced medical care system, Senshin‐Iryo
Authors: Hata Nobuhiro , Fujioka Yutaka , Otsuji Ryosuke , Kuga Daisuke , Hatae Ryusuke , Sangatsuda Yuhei , Amemiya Takeo , Noguchi Naoki , Sako Aki , Fujiki Minoru , Mizoguchi Masahiro , Yoshimoto Koji
Published: March 2024

Since the World Health Organization (WHO) 2016 revision, the number of molecular markers required for diffuse gliomas has increased, placing a burden on clinical practice. We have established an in‐house, molecular diagnostic platform using Senshin‐Iryo, a feature of Japan's unique healthcare system, and partially modified the analysis method in accordance with the WHO 2021 revision. Herein, we review over a total 5 years of achievements using this platform. Analyses of IDH, BRAF, and H3 point mutations, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 1p/19q and chromosomes 10 and 17, and MGMT methylation were combined into a set that was submitted to Senshin‐Iryo as “Drug resistance gene testing for anticancer chemotherapy” and was approved in August 2018. Subsequently, in October 2021, Sanger sequencing for the TERT promoter mutation was added to the set, and LOH analysis was replaced with multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to analyze 1p/19q codeletion and newly required genetic markers, such as EGFR, PTEN, and CDKN2A from WHO 2021. Among the over 200 cases included, 54 were analyzed after the WHO 2021 revision. The laboratory has maintained a diagnostic platform where molecular diagnoses are confirmed within 2 weeks. Initial expenditures exceeded the income from patient copayments; however, it has gradually been reduced to running costs alone and is approaching profitability. After the WHO 2021 revision, diagnoses were confirmed using molecular markers obtained from Senshin‐Iryo in 38 of 54 cases (70.1%). Among the remaining 16 patients, only four (7.4%) were diagnosed with diffuse glioma, not elsewhere classified, which was excluded in 12 cases where glioblastoma was confirmed by histopathological diagnosis. Our Senshin‐Iryo trial functioned as a salvage system to overcome the transition period between continued revisions of WHO classification that has caused a clinical dilemma in the Japanese healthcare system.
Effectiveness of HealthTracker for post‐caesarean section surgical site infection surveillance: An intervention study
Authors: Ohr Se Ok , Ball Jean , Teber Erdahl , Ferguson John K. , Petherbridge Rachael , Giles Michelle
Published: March 2024

This intervention study aimed to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of HealthTracker, a post‐discharge surgical site infection surveillance system. Participants were 730 women birthing by caesarean section at a large hospital over a 6‐month period. Data were downloaded from clinical data systems and HealthTracker. Receiver operating characteristics were used to assess HealthTracker. Over a 6‐month period, 382 women completed HealthTracker, with 83 scoring ≥6, indicating signs and symptoms of surgical site infection. Of this 83, 58 sought advice from health professionals, 29 returned to hospital, and 45 received antibiotics. A total of 20 infections from a total population of 730 were confirmed, with 14 out of 382 respondents confirmed via HealthTracker. Receiver operating characteristics identified HealthTracker as an excellent indicator of surgical site infection. HealthTracker is a feasible mHealth option for monitoring post‐discharge surgical site infection post‐caesarean section. In addition, by providing alerts, advising women to monitor their symptoms and seek treatment if necessary, HealthTracker has the potential to enhance self‐efficacy for surgical wound monitoring at home.
The emergence of cultural safety within kidney care for Indigenous Peoples in Australia
Authors: Arnold‐Ujvari Melissa , Rix Elizabeth , Kelly Janet
Published: March 2024

Cultural safety is increasingly recognised as imperative to delivering accessible and acceptable healthcare for First Nations Peoples within Australia and in similar colonised countries. A literature review undertaken to inform the inaugural Caring for Australians with Renal Insufficiency (CARI) guidelines for clinically and culturally safe kidney care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples revealed a timeline of the emergence of culturally safe kidney care in Australia. Thirty years ago, kidney care literature was purely biomedically focused, with culture, family and community viewed as potential barriers to patient ‘compliance' with treatment. The importance of culturally informed care was increasingly recognised in the mid‐1990s, with cultural safety within kidney care specifically cited from 2014 onwards. The emergence timeline is discussed in this paper in relation to the five principles of cultural safety developed by Māori nurse Irihapeti Ramsden in Aotearoa/New Zealand. These principles are critical reflection, communication, minimising power differences, decolonisation and ensuring one does not demean or disempower. For the kidney care workforce, culturally safe care requires ongoing critical reflection, deep active listening skills, decolonising approaches and the eradication of institutional racism. Cultural safety is the key to truly working in partnership, increasing Indigenous Governance, respectful collaboration and redesigning kidney care.
Dressed for the occasion! Ecotypic divergence, phenotypic plasticity and taxonomic value of capitulum characters of Scorzoneroides autumnalis (Asteraceae)
Authors: Ingimundardóttir Gróa Valgerður , Tyler Torbjörn , Cronberg Nils , Hedrén Mikael , Andersson Stefan
Published: March 2024

Scorzoneroides autumnalis is a highly polymorphic perennial with several described infraspecific taxa, largely differing in involucre colour and indumentum intensity. Here, we examine the role of ecotypic divergence and phenotypic plasticity in shaping large‐scale geographical variation in these characters. We collected phenotypic data from herbarium specimens and garden‐grown plants of S. autumnalis, representing several habitats throughout Scandinavia and Iceland, and subjected progenies from controlled crosses within a subset of the common garden material to different temperature regimes to assess patterns of phenotypic plasticity. Our results strongly suggest that colour and indumentum of involucral bracts, as well as the size of capitula (measured by ligule length), are environmentally plastic and much affected by temperature. Reduced temperature resulted in significantly larger capitula, with both thicker and darker involucre indumentum. Since dark colouration, dense indumentum and large floral structures have been shown to facilitate heat retention and insect visitation in other plant species growing in cold climate, we hypothesize that plants of S. autumnalis benefit from possessing these features under cool conditions, and that much of the geographical variation in capitulum characters reflects adaptive phenotypic plasticity rather than ecotypic divergence. For this reason, we deem these characters to have a low taxonomic value for distinguishing infraspecific taxa within S. autumnalis.
Ferdinand Schur's taxa of Iridaceae, their revision and effective typification of names
Authors: Nachychko Viktor O. , Danylyk Ivan M. , Pachschwöll Clemens , Stoie Andrei
Published: March 2024

A taxonomic and nomenclatural account on taxa of Iridaceae proposed by Ferdinand Schur, a famous investigator of the flora of Transylvania (present‐day Romania), is presented. Types are designated for 12 names, namely lectotypes for Crocus banaticus var. niveus, C. exiguus, Iris fieberi var. monantha, I. × binata, I. × cucullata, I. pseudocyperus, I. transsilvanica, I. sibirica var. salina, and neotypes for C. banaticus var. concolor, C. banaticus var. pictus, C. banaticus var. versicolor and I. pumila var. albiflora. Based on a broad examination of Schur's original and authentic material, the taxonomic application of these names, as well as of his invalidly published and unpublished names (appearing only on herbarium labels), are clarified. It is proposed to treat I. fieberi var. monantha as a taxonomic synonym of I. aphylla, I. pumila var. albiflora and I. transsilvanica as synonyms of I. pumila, and I. sibirica var. salina as a synonym of I. spuria. The names I. × binata and I. × cucullata are accepted for the hybrids I. aphylla × pumila and I. × germanica × pallida, respectively. The treatment of I. pseudocyperus as a distinct subspecies within I. graminea is supported. All names validly published by Schur in Crocus are treated as synonyms of C. heuffelianus s.l. until an adequate taxonomic revision covering the southern Carpathian allotetraploid C. cf. heuffelianus (2n = 18) is implemented. If this polyploid deserves the rank of a distinct species, the name C. exiguus, which seems to be the earliest validly published, should be accepted for this taxon.
Monocots and eudicots have more conservative flower water use strategies than basal angiosperms
Authors: Ke Y. , Zhang Y.‐B. , Zhang F.‐P. , Yang D. , Wang Q. , Peng X.‐R. , Huang X.‐Y. , Sher J. , Zhang J.‐L.
Published: March 2024

Water balance is crucial for the growth and flowering of plants. However, the mechanisms by which flowers maintain water balance are poorly understood across different angiosperm branches.

Here, we investigated 29 floral hydraulic and economic traits in 24 species from ANA grade, magnoliids, monocots, and eudicots. Our main objective was to compare differences in flower water use strategies between basal angiosperms (ANA grade and magnoliids) and derived group (monocots and eudicots).

We found that basal angiosperms had richer petal stomatal density, higher pedicel hydraulic diameter, and flower mass per area, but lower pedicel vessel wall reinforcement and epidermal cell thickness compared to monocots and eudicots. We also observed significant trade‐offs and coordination among different floral traits. Floral traits associated with reproduction, such as floral longevity and size, were strongly linked with physiological and anatomical traits.

Our results systematically reveal the variation in flower economic and hydraulic traits from different angiosperm branches, deepening understanding of flower water use strategies among these plant taxa. We conclude that basal angiosperms maintain water balance with high water supply, whereas monocots and eudicots maintain a more conservative water balance.
Homonormativity in Peripheral Spaces: LBT Women's Processes of Becoming Political Subjects
Authors: Hartal Gilly , Krauz Shany
Published: March 2024

Homonormativity refers to the ratification and endorsement of heteronormative institutions and structures into lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) lives, culture and discourse. While homonormativity is commonly manifested in (relatively) privileged, White, able‐bodied gay men, this paper focuses on lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LBT) women's experiences in Israeli peripheral and rural spaces. As a concept, homonormativity has the potential of reducing lived experiences into a widely criticized category. Instead, we voice the geographical, temporal and gendered potential of homonormative processes to articulate varied ways for leading a queer life under capitalism. Based on 61 qualitative interviews with LBT women living in the Israeli peripheries, we argue that LBT women employ two major homonormative processes of becoming political subjects to negotiate their sexualities in a space fraught with LGBTphobia. These homonormative processes are comprised of assimilation and contestation, revealing a nuanced mode of political subjectivity, shaped by ongoing experiences of LGBTphobia.
Outcomes of dogs with apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma treated via modified closed anal sacculectomy (2015–2022)
Authors: Davey Emma L. , Prpich Cassandra Y.
Published: March 2024

Objective

To evaluate the postoperative complication rate and local recurrence rate of apocrine gland anal sac adenocarcinoma (AGASACA) in dogs surgically treated with a modified closed anal sacculectomy technique between 2015 and 2022.

Study design

Observational clinical retrospective study.

Animal population

Forty‐seven client‐owned dogs histologically diagnosed with AGASACA.

Methods

Medical records were evaluated for patient demographics and history, physical examination findings, diagnostic imaging, incidence of concurrent neoplasia, postoperative complications, and incidence and time to local recurrence. Dogs with at least 150 days of follow‐up were included in evaluation of local recurrence.

Results

Two dogs were euthanized at 4 and 11 days after surgery. Forty‐five dogs were included for long‐term local recurrence evaluation, with a median of 364 days of follow‐up (range 156–2156 days). Only one dog (2.2%) developed local recurrence with a time to recurrence of 90 days. Postoperative complications were reported in 15 dogs (31.9%) and were considered minor in 14 dogs (93.3%) and major in one dog (6.7%). Mean survival time for the 20 dogs that were deceased as of November 1, 2022 was 521 days (range 156–1409 days) and the median survival time was 388 days.

Conclusion

The modified closed anal sacculectomy technique resulted in a lower AGASACA local recurrence rate than previously reported in the veterinary literature with a comparable postoperative complication rate.

Clinical significance

Given the low recurrence rate found in this study, the modified closed anal sacculectomy technique may reduce the need for adjuvant radiation therapy and potentially chemotherapy in AGASACA patients.
Adaptive shifts in Phanaeini dung beetles of the Mexican plateau cenocron in the Mexican transition zone
Authors: Lizardo Viridiana , Escobar Federico , Martínez‐Meyer Enrique , Morrone Juan J.
Published: March 2024

The Mexican Transition Zone is a biogeographically complex area where old and new lineages of Neotropical and Nearctic affinities overlap. Its biota was assembled by successive dispersal events of cenocrons, which are sets of taxa that dispersed during a given time interval from both North and South America and then diversified in the area. The Mexican Plateau cenocron, with Neotropical affinities, is found in temperate and dry climates in the Nearctic region. We hypothesised that it underwent an adaptive shift in environmental niche. We tested this hypothesis using a phylogenetic comparative framework, measuring phylogenetic signal and fitting to single optima macroevolutionary models, and an Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck macroevolutionary model with multiple optima. We used phylogenetic and distributional information of the tribe Phanaeini to assess whether there exists a distinction in conservatism between the earliest (Mexican Plateau) and most recent (Typical Neotropical) cenocrons within the Mexican Transition Zone (MTZ) as this tribe stands as a classic example of the dispersal and diversification patterns of cenocrons originating in the Neotropics. We identified different shifts in environmental requirements that match the niche description of the Mexican Plateau cenocron, suggesting that it was established through multiple adaptive shifts in the Mexican Transition Zone.
Consequence of Red Blood Cells Deformability on Heat Sink Effect of Blood in a Three-Dimensional Bifurcated Vessel
Authors: Das Sidharth Sankar , Mahapatra Swarup Kumar
Published: March 2024

Several diseases like Sickle Cell Anemia, Thalassemia, Hereditary Spherocytosis, Malaria, and Micro-angiopathic Hemolytic Anemia can alter the normal shape of red blood cells (RBCs). The objective of this study is to gain insight into how a change in RBC deformability can affect blood heat transfer. The heat sink effect in a bifurcated vessel with two asymptotic cases (case 1: deformable and case 2: nondeformable RBCs) is being studied during hyperthermia treatment in a three-dimensional bifurcated vessel, whose wall is being subjected to constant heat flux boundary condition. Euler–Euler multiphase method along with the granular model and Kinetic theory is used to include the particle nature of RBCs during blood flow in the current model. To enhance the efficiency of the numerical model, user-defined functions (UDFs) are imported into the model from the C++ interface. The numerical model used is verified with the experimental results from (Carr and Tiruvaloor, 1989, “Enhancement of Heat Transfer in Red Cell Suspensions In Vitro Experiments,” ASME J. Biomech. Eng., 111(2), pp. 152–156; Yeleswarapu et al. 1998, “The Flow of Blood in Tubes: Theory and Experiment,” Mech. Res. Commun., 25(3), pp. 257–262). The results indicate that the deformability of RBCs can change both the flow dynamics and heat sink effect in a bifurcated vessel, which subsequently affects the efficacy and efficiency of the thermal ablation procedure. Both spatial and transient Nusselt numbers of blood flow with deformable RBCs are slightly higher compared to the one with nondeformable RBCs.
Estimation of Piston Surface Temperature During Engine Transient Operation for Emissions Reduction
Authors: Yang Zhijia , Mason Byron , Bae Brian Wooyeol , Bonatesta Fabrizio , Winward Edward , Burke Richard , Chappell Edward
Published: March 2024

Piston surface temperature is an important factor in the reduction of harmful emissions in modern gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines. In transient operation, the piston surface temperature can change rapidly, increasing the risk of fuel puddling. The prediction of the piston surface temperature can provide the means to significantly improve multiple-pulse fuel injection control strategies through the avoidance of fuel puddling. It could also be used to intelligently control the piston cooling jet (PCJ), which is common in modern engines. Considerable research has been undertaken to identify generalized engine heat transfer correlations and to predict piston and cylinder wall surface temperatures during operation. Most of these correlations require in-cylinder combustion pressure as an input, as well as the identification of numerous model parameters. These requirements render such an approach impractical. In this study, the authors have developed a thermodynamic model of piston surface temperature based on the global energy balance (GEB) methodology, which includes the effect of PCJ activation. The advantages are a simple structure and no requirement for in-cylinder pressure data, and only limited experimental tests are needed for model parameter identification. Moreover, the proposed model works well during engine transient operation, with maximum average error of 6.68% during rapid transients. A detailed identification procedure is given. This and the model performance have been demonstrated using experimental piston crown surface temperature data from a prototype 1-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged GDI engine, operated in both engine steady-state and transient conditions with an oil jet used for piston cooling turned both on and off.
Development of a machine learning detector for North Atlantic humpback whale song
Authors: Kather Vincent , Seipel Fabian , Berges Benoit , Davis Genevieve , Gibson Catherine , Harvey Matt , Henry Lea-Anne , Stevenson Andrew , Risch Denise
Published: March 2024

The study of humpback whale song using passive acoustic monitoring devices requires bioacousticians to manually review hours of audio recordings to annotate the signals. To vastly reduce the time of manual annotation through automation, a machine learning model was developed. Convolutional neural networks have made major advances in the previous decade, leading to a wide range of applications, including the detection of frequency modulated vocalizations by cetaceans. A large dataset of over 60 000 audio segments of 4 s length is collected from the North Atlantic and used to fine-tune an existing model for humpback whale song detection in the North Pacific (see Allen, Harvey, Harrell, Jansen, Merkens, Wall, Cattiau, and Oleson (2021). Front. Mar. Sci. 8, 607321). Furthermore, different data augmentation techniques (time-shift, noise augmentation, and masking) are used to artificially increase the variability within the training set. Retraining and augmentation yield F-score values of 0.88 on context window basis and 0.89 on hourly basis with false positive rates of 0.05 on context window basis and 0.01 on hourly basis. If necessary, usage and retraining of the existing model is made convenient by a framework (AcoDet, acoustic detector) built during this project. Combining the tools provided by this framework could save researchers hours of manual annotation time and, thus, accelerate their research.
Application of a seismic network to baleen whale call detection and localization in the Panama basin–a Bryde's whale example
Authors: Tary Jean Baptiste , Peirce Christine , Hobbs Richard W. , Bonilla Walker Felipe , De La Hoz Camilo , Bird Anna , Vargas Carlos Alberto
Published: March 2024

Baleen whales use sounds of various characteristics for different tasks and interactions. This study focuses on recordings from the Costa Rica Rift, in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, made by 25 ocean-bottom seismographs and a vertical array of 12 hydrophones between January and February 2015. The whale calls observed are of two kinds: more commonly, repetitive 4–5 s–long signals separated into two frequency bands centered at ∼20 and ∼36 Hz; less commonly, a series of ∼0.5 to 1.0 s–long, lower amplitude signals with frequencies between 80 and 160 Hz. These characteristics are similar to calls attributed to Bryde's whales which are occasionally sighted in this region. In this study, the repetitive calls are detected using both the short-term average/long-term average approach and a network empirical subspace detector. In total, 188 and 1891 calls are obtained for each method, demonstrating the value of the subspace detector for highly similar signals. These signals are first localized using a non-linear grid search algorithm and then further relocalized using the double-difference technique. The high-resolution localizations reveal the presence of at least seven whales during the recording period, often crossing the instrument network from southwest to northeast.
Dr Charles J. (Chuck) Dillman: A Remembrance
Authors: Shapiro Robert , Gregor Robert , Challis John
Published: March 2024

In August 2023, the biomechanics community suffered a significant loss with the death of Dr Charles J. Dillman. His work in the area of sport biomechanics was groundbreaking. In this tribute, 10 former students and 9 former colleagues remember “Chuck” and his impact on their lives, careers, and the field of biomechanics.
Venom trade-off shapes interspecific interactions, physiology, and reproduction
Authors: Surm Joachim M. , Birch Sydney , Macrander Jason , Jaimes-Becerra Adrian , Fridrich Arie , Aharoni Reuven , Rozenblat Rotem , Sharabany Julia , Appelbaum Lior , Reitzel Adam M. , Moran Yehu
Published: March 2024

The ability of an animal to effectively capture prey and defend against predators is pivotal for survival. Venom is often a mixture of many components including toxin proteins that shape predator-prey interactions. Here, we used the sea anemone
Nematostella vectensis
to test the impact of toxin genotypes on predator-prey interactions. We developed a genetic manipulation technique to demonstrate that both transgenically deficient and a native
Nematostella
strain lacking a major neurotoxin (Nv1) have a reduced ability to defend themselves against grass shrimp, a native predator. In addition, secreted Nv1 can act indirectly in defense by attracting mummichog fish, which prey on grass shrimp. Here, we provide evidence at the molecular level of an animal-specific tritrophic interaction between a prey, its antagonist, and a predator. Last, this study reveals an evolutionary trade-off, as the reduction of Nv1 levels allows for faster growth and increased reproductive rates.
Metal-organic frameworks with fine-tuned interlayer spacing for microwave absorption
Authors: Zhang Xue , Tian Xuelei , Wu Na , Zhao Shanyu , Qin Yutian , Pan Fei , Yue Shengying , Ma Xinyu , Qiao Jing , Xu Wei , Liu Wei , Liu Jiurong , Zhao Meiting , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) , Zeng Zhihui
Published: March 2024

Designing a functional, conductive metal-organic framework (cMOF) is highly desired. Substantial efforts have been dedicated to increasing the intralayer conjugation of the cMOFs, while less dedication has been made to tuning the interlayer charge transport of the metal-organic nanosheets for the controllable dielectric property. Here, we construct a series of conductive bimetallic organic frameworks of (Zn
x
Cu
3-x
) (hexahydroxytriphenylene)
2
(ZnCu-HHTP) to allow for fine-tuned interlayer spacing of two-dimensional frameworks, by adjusting the ratios of Zn and Cu metal ions. This approach for atomistic interlayer design allows for the finely control of the charge transport, band structure, and dielectric properties of the cMOF. As a result, Zn3Cu1-HHTP, with an optimal dielectric property, exhibits high-efficiency absorption in the gigahertz microwave range, achieving an ultra-strong reflection loss of −81.62 decibels. This study not only advances the understanding of the microstructure-function relationships in cMOFs but also offers a generic nanotechnology–based approach to achieving controllable interlayer spacing in MOFs for the targeted applications.
Wireless flow-powered miniature robot capable of traversing tubular structures
Authors: Hong Chong , Wu Yingdan , Wang Che , Ren Ziyu , Wang Chunxiang , Liu Zemin , Hu Wenqi , Sitti Metin
Published: March 2024

Wireless millimeter-scale robots capable of navigating through fluid-flowing tubular structures hold substantial potential for inspection, maintenance, or repair use in nuclear, industrial, and medical applications. However, prevalent reliance on external powering constrains these robots’ operational range and applicable environments. Alternatives with onboard powering must trade off size, functionality, and operation duration. Here, we propose a wireless millimeter-scale wheeled robot capable of using environmental flows to power and actuate its long-distance locomotion through complex pipelines. The flow-powering module can convert flow energy into mechanical energy, achieving an impeller speed of up to 9595 revolutions per minute, accompanied by an output power density of 11.7 watts per cubic meter and an efficiency of 33.7%. A miniature gearbox module can further transmit the converted mechanical energy into the robot’s locomotion system, allowing the robot to move against water flow at an average rate of up to 1.05 meters per second. The robot’s motion status (moving against/with flow or pausing) can be switched using an external magnetic field or an onboard mechanical regulator, contingent on different proposed control designs. In addition, we designed kirigami-based soft wheels for adaptive locomotion. The robot can move against flows of various substances within pipes featuring complex geometries and diverse materials. Solely powered by flow, the robot can transport cylindrical payloads with a diameter of up to 55% of the pipe’s diameter and carry devices such as an endoscopic camera for pipeline inspection, a wireless temperature sensor for environmental temperature monitoring, and a leak-stopper shell for infrastructure maintenance.
PRPF19 mRNA Encodes a Small Open Reading Frame That Is Important for Viability of Human Cells
Authors: Shepelev N. M. , Kurochkina A. O. , Dontsova O. A. , Rubtsova M. P.
Published: March 2024

High-throughput ribosome profiling demonstrates the translation of thousands of small open reading frames located in the 5′ untranslated regions of messenger RNAs (upstream ORFs). Upstream ORF can both perform a regulatory function by influencing the translation of the downstream main ORF and encode a small functional protein or microprotein. In this work, we showed that the 5′ untranslated region of the PRPF19 mRNA encodes an upstream ORF that is translated in human cells. Inactivation of this upstream ORF reduces the viability of human cells.
Are children living with obesity more likely to experience musculoskeletal symptoms during childhood? A linked longitudinal cohort study using primary care records
Authors: Firman Nicola , Homer Kate , Harper Gill , Robson John , Dezateux Carol
Published: March 2024

Objective

To assess whether there is a higher incidence of musculoskeletal consultations in general practice among children with obesity.

Design

Longitudinal

Setting

285 north-east London general practitioners (GPs).

Participants

63 418 (50.9% boys) Reception and 55 364 (50.8% boys) Year 6 National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) participants, linked to GP electronic health records (EHRs).

Main outcome measure

A GP consultation with a recorded musculoskeletal symptom or diagnosis.

Methods

We calculated proportions with a musculoskeletal consultation by ethnic-adjusted weight status (underweight <2nd; overweight ≥91st; obese ≥98th centile), sex, ethnicity, and area-level deprivation. We estimated mutually-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using Cox’s proportional regression models stratified by school year and sex.

Results

We identified 1868 (3.0%) Reception and 4477 (8.1%) Year 6 NCMP participants with at least one musculoskeletal consultation. In adjusted analyses, Reception year girls with a body mass index (BMI) classified as overweight (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.52) or obese (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.35 to 2.06) were more likely to have at least one musculoskeletal consultation. Year 6 girls with obesity were more likely (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.35), and boys with a BMI in the underweight range were less likely (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.73), to have a musculoskeletal consultation.

Conclusions

Girls living with obesity at the start or end of primary school are more likely to attend their GP for a musculoskeletal consultation. Routine linkage of NCMP data to EHRs provides useful insights into childhood health conditions related to excess weight in early childhood. Recognition of obesity as a contributing factor for musculoskeletal symptoms may inform clinical management, particularly in girls.