bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen deposition suppresses ephemeral post‐fire plant diversity
Authors: Valliere Justin M. , Irvine Irina C. , Allen Edith B.
Published: January 2024

Fire is a dominant force shaping patterns of plant diversity in Mediterranean‐type ecosystems. In these biodiversity hotspots, including California's endangered coastal scrub, many species remain hidden belowground as seeds and bulbs, only to emerge and flower when sufficient rainfall occurs after wildfire. The unique adaptations possessed by these species enable survival during prolonged periods of unfavorable conditions, but their continued persistence could be threatened by nonnative plant invasion and environmental change. Furthermore, their fleeting presence aboveground makes evaluating these threats in situ a challenge. For example, nitrogen (N) deposition resulting from air pollution is a well‐recognized threat to plant diversity worldwide but impacts on fire‐following species are not well understood. We experimentally evaluated the impact of N deposition on post‐fire vegetation cover and richness for three years in stands of coastal sage scrub that had recently burned in a large wildfire in southern California. We installed plots receiving four levels of N addition that corresponded to the range of N deposition rates in the region. We assessed the impact of pre‐fire invasion status on vegetation dynamics by including plots in areas that had previously been invaded by nonnative grasses, as well as adjacent uninvaded areas. We found that N addition reduced native forb cover in the second year post‐fire while increasing the abundance of nonnative forbs. As is typical in fire‐prone ecosystems, species richness declined over the three years of the study. However, N addition hastened this process, and native forb richness was severely reduced under high N availability, especially in previously invaded shrublands. An indicator species analysis also revealed that six functionally and taxonomically diverse forb species were especially sensitive to N addition. Our results highlight a new potential mechanism for the depletion of native species through the suppression of ephemeral post‐fire bloom events.
Non‐invasive molecular biomarkers for monitoring solid organ transplantation: A comprehensive overview
Authors: Fernando Jeffy J , Biswas Raja , Biswas Lalitha
Published: January 2024

Solid organ transplantation is a life‐saving intervention for individuals with end‐stage organ failure. Despite the effectiveness of immunosuppressive therapy, the risk of graft rejection persists in all viable transplants between individuals. The risk of rejection may vary depending on the degree of compatibility between the donor and recipient for both human leucocyte antigen (HLA) and non‐HLA gene‐encoded products. Monitoring the status of the allograft is a critical aspect of post‐transplant management, with invasive biopsies being the standard of care for detecting rejection. Non‐invasive biomarkers are increasingly being recognized as valuable tools for aiding in the detection of graft rejection, monitoring graft status and evaluating the efficacy of immunosuppressive therapy. Here, we focus on the importance of molecular biomarkers in solid organ transplantation and their potential role in clinical practice. Conventional molecular biomarkers used in transplantation include HLA typing, detection of anti‐HLA antibodies, killer cell immunoglobulin–like receptor genotypes, and anti‐MHC class 1–related chain A antibodies, which are important for assessing the compatibility of the donor and recipient. Emerging molecular biomarkers include the detection of donor‐derived cell‐free DNA, microRNAs (regulation of gene expression), exosomes (small vesicles secreted by cells), and kidney solid organ response test, in the recipient's blood for early signs of rejection. This review highlights the strengths and limitations of these molecular biomarkers and their potential role in improving transplant outcomes.
The impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on jobs for people with intellectual disabilities and autism in Wales
Authors: Vigna Elisa , Meek Andrea , Beyer Stephen
Published: January 2024

Background

The study reports the impact of the Covid‐19 pandemic and lockdowns on jobs for people with intellectual disabilities and autism. The study focuses on the impact of the first and the fire‐break lockdowns and the actions taken to support young people.

Method

Data was collected from the cohort of young people currently working in Wales, and that received job coach support from the Engage to Change Project, on furlough arrangements, job retainment and job losses. Innovative initiatives to support young people are described.

Results

Review of the working situation during the pandemic was conducted for 184 jobs, evaluating the proportion of young people being furloughed or working remotely and compared with the general population in Wales.

Conclusions

Supported employment agencies adapted their practice during the COVID‐19 pandemic, offering new and innovative ways to support young people and facilitate their return to work.
The Nanling Mountains of southern China played a variable role as a barrier and refuge for birds depending upon landscape structure and timing of events
Authors: Wang Zhengzhen , Zhang Min , Zhao Xuebing , Xie Jiami , Peng Yougui , Sheldon Frederick H. , Zou Fasheng
Published: January 2024

The Nanling Mountains, an important mountain range and watershed in south China, harbor a wealth of relictual plant species, and are considered a ‘museum' of subtropical biodiversity. With respect to birds, however, the roles of the Nanling Mountains in impeding the dispersal of the subtropical birds and, as a result, shaping their population and community structures have received little consideration. To examine these roles, we compiled and analyzed two datasets. 1) To test the mountains' influence on gene flow, we undertook a comparative phylogeographic study comparing mitochondrial COI and Cytb DNA sequences of five sylvioid resident bird species of the mountains (Huet's fulvetta Alcippe hueti, red‐billed leiothrix Leiothrix lutea, greater necklaced laughingthrush Pterorhinus pectoralis, Indochinese yuhina Staphida torqueola and mountain bulbul Ixos mcclellandii). 2) To examine differential community development over the history of modern birds, we examined distributional data of all species of the Nanling region using public species occurrence records. For part 1), we sampled 327 individuals from 36 sites and conducted correlation analysis of genetic and geographic distances, taking into account the landscape of the mountains. We found that the mountains do not seriously impede gene flow among populations but influenced species differently. For part 2), comparative analysis of 446 species in 81 families indicated that family membership influenced the community composition of birds in Nanling region. Variation in family distributions is attributable to both environmental and evolutionary factors. Overall, we found that the Nanling Mountains are not currently a substantial barrier to gene flow among the species we studied but act as a corridor and refuge for these birds. However, analyses on higher ranked community data suggest the mountains acted as a barrier in older times, corresponding to the known diversification events in southeast Asian avifauna.
Acute epicardial pulmonary vein reconnection: Nondurable transmural lesion or late manifestation of conduction through intercaval bundle
Authors: Gu Wentao , Liu Weizhuo , Li Jian , Shen Jun , Liu Rongchen , Liang Weiguo , Luo Xinping , Xiong Nanqing
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Acute pulmonary vein reconnection (PVR) via epicardial fibers can be found during observation period after PV isolation, the characteristics and related factors have not been fully studied. We aimed to investigate the prevalence, locations, electrogram characteristics, and ablation parameters related to acute epicardial pulmonary vein reconnection (AEPVR).

Methods

Acute PVR was monitored during observation period after PV isolation. AEPVRs were mapped and distinguished from endocardial conduction gaps. The clinical, electrophysiological characteristics and lesion set parameters were compared between patients with and without PVR. They were also compared among AEPVR, gap‐related reconnection, and epicardial PVR in repeat procedures.

Results

A total of 56.1% acute PVR were AEPVR, which required a longer waiting period (p < .001) than endocardial gap. The majority of AEPVR were connections from the posterior PV carina to the left atrial posterior wall, followed by late manifestation of intercaval bundle conduction from the right anterior carina to right atrium. AEPVR was similar to epicardial PVR in redo procedures in distribution and electrogram characteristics. Smaller atrium (p < .001), lower impedance drop (p = .039), and ablation index (p = .028) on the posterior wall were independently associated with presence of AEPVR, while lower interlesion distance (p = .043) was the only predictor for AEPVR in acute PVR. An integrated model containing multiple lesion set parameters had the highest predictive ability for AEPVR in receiver operating characteristics analysis.

Conclusions

Epicardial reconduction accounted for the majority of acute PVR. AEPVR was associated with anatomic characteristics and multiple ablation‐related parameters, which could be explained by nondurable transmural lesion or late manifestation of conduction through intercaval bundle.
Diagnostic performance of angiography‐derived fractional flow reserve and CT‐derived fractional flow reserve: A systematic review and Bayesian network meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Zhongxiu , Zhang Junyan , Cai Yujia , Zhao Hongsen , Wang Duolao , Li Chen , He Yong
Published: January 2024

Objective

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that fractional flow reserves (FFRs) derived from invasive coronary angiograms (CA‐FFRs) and coronary computed tomography angiography‐derived FFRs (CT‐FFRs) are promising alternatives to wire‐based FFRs. However, it remains unclear which method has better diagnostic performance. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to compare the diagnostic performances of the two approaches.

Methods

The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Medline (Ovid), the Chinese China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), VIP, and WanFang Data databases were searched for relevant studies that included comparisons between CA‐FFR and CT‐FFR, from their respective database inceptions until January 1, 2023. Studies where both noninvasive FFR (including CA‐FFR and CT‐FFR) and invasive FFR (as a reference standard) were performed for the diagnosis of ischemic coronary artery disease and were designed as prospective, paired diagnostic studies, were pulled. The diagnostic test accuracy method and Bayesian hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) model for network meta‐analysis (NMA) of diagnostic tests (HSROC‐NMADT) were both used to perform a meta‐analysis on the data.

Results

Twenty‐six studies were included in this NMA. The results from both the diagnostic test accuracy and HSROC‐NMADT methods revealed that the diagnostic accuracy of CA‐FFR was higher than that of CT‐FFR, in terms of sensitivity (Se; 0.86 vs. 0.84), specificity (Sp; 0.90 vs. 0.78), positive predictive value (PPV; 0.83 vs. 0.70), and negative predictive value (NPV; 0.91 vs. 0.89) for the detection of myocardial ischemia. A cumulative ranking curve analysis indicated that CA‐FFR had a higher diagnostic accuracy than CT‐FFR in the context of this study, with a higher area under the ROC curve (AUC; 0.94 vs. 0.87).

Conclusions

Although both of these two commonly used virtual FFR methods showed high levels of diagnostic accuracy, we demonstrated that CA‐FFR had a better Se, Sp, PPV, NPV, and AUC than CT‐FFR. However, this study provided only indirect comparisions; therefore, larger studies are warranted to directly compare the diagnostic performances of these two approaches.
Diverticular disease and risk of dementia: a Danish population‐based cohort study
Authors: Dahl Sham Al‐Mashadi , Horváth‐Puhó Erzsébet , Henderson Victor W. , Erichsen Rune , Sørensen Henrik T.
Published: January 2024

Background and Aim

Patients with diverticular disease (DD) have ongoing chronic inflammation associated with changes in the gut microbiome, which might contribute to the development of dementia.

Methods

Using Danish medical and administrative registries from 1980 to 2013, we conducted a nationwide population‐based cohort study including all DD patients and a matched (5:1) general population comparison cohort without DD.

A nested case–control analysis was then conducted using a risk set sampling, matching four DD controls without dementia to each DD patient with dementia. Clinical severity was categorized as uncomplicated DD (outpatient), conservatively treated DD (inpatient), and surgically treated DD.

Results

149 527 DD patients and 747 635 general population comparators were identified. The 30‐year cumulative incidence of dementia among DD patients and general population comparators were 12.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.1–12.7) and 13.73% (95% CI 13.6–13.9), respectively. This corresponded to a 30‐year hazard ratio (HR) of 1.10 (95% CI 1.1–1.1). The highest HRs were found in the conservatively treated DD group (1.15 95% CI 1.1–1.2) and the group with young onset of DD (1.52 95% CI 1.2–2.0). In the nested case–control analysis, we identified 8875 dementia cases and 35 491 matched controls. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for conservatively treated DD was increased (1.08, 95% CI; 1.0–1.2) compared to the reference of uncomplicated DD.

Conclusions

We observed a slight increased risk of dementia in patients with young onset DD and conservatively treated DD. Findings suggest an association between disease duration, perhaps reflecting the duration of gut inflammation, and the risk of developing dementia.
Early corticosterone increases vocal complexity in a wild parrot: An organizational role of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in vocal learning?
Authors: McLean Celia R. , Mata Astolfo , Kline Richard J. , Berg Karl S.
Published: January 2024

The neuroendocrinology of vocal learning is exceptionally well known in passerine songbirds. Despite huge life history, genetic and ecological variation across passerines, song learning tends to occur as a result of rises in gonadal and non‐gonadal sex steroids that shape telencephalic vocal control circuits and song. Parrots are closely related but independently evolved different cerebral circuits for vocal repertoire acquisition in both sexes that serve a broader suite of social functions and do not appear to be shaped by early androgens or estrogens; instead, parrots begin a plastic phase in vocal development at an earlier life history stage that favors the growth, maturation, and survival functions of corticosteroids. As evidence, corticosterone (CORT) supplements given to wild green‐rumped parrotlets (Forpus passerinus) during the first week of vocal babbling resulted in larger vocal repertoires in both sexes in the remaining days before fledging. Here, we replicate this experiment but began treatment 1 week before in development, analyzing both experiments in one model and a stronger test of the organizational effects of CORT on repertoire acquisition. Early CORT treatment resulted in significantly larger repertoires compared to late treatment. Both treatment groups showed weak negative effects on the early, reduplicated stage of babbling and strong, positive effects of CORT on the later, variegated stage. Results are consistent with more formative effects of corticosteroids at earlier developmental stages and a role of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) in vocal repertoire acquisition. Given the early emergence of speech in human ontogeny, parrots are a promising model for understanding the putative role of the HPA axis in the construction of neural circuits that support language acquisition.
Spousal support, parent–nurse partnership and caregiver burden among parents of children with chronic diseases: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Kim Jihye , Chae Heemin , Kim Yoonjung
Published: January 2024

Aim

To examine the effects of spousal support and parent–nurse partnership on caregiver burden of parents of children with chronic disease.

Background

With the trend of increasing the global number of children with chronic diseases, the parental caregiver burden has become increasingly prevalent.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

The study participants included 115 parents of children diagnosed with chronic disease at a general hospital in South Korea. The study duration was 4 June 2021–30 April 2022. Self‐reported measures included the parent–nurse partnership scale, the Korean version of the Parenting Alliance Inventory and the family caregiver burden scale. T‐tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and hierarchical linear multiple regression were conducted using IBM SPSS version 26.0. This study followed STROBE guideline.

Results

Parental caregiver burden was significantly negatively associated with spousal support and parent–nurse partnership. Factors significantly influencing caregiver burden were parental alcohol consumption; child's inherited metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, disease relating to haematological tumours or kidney disease diagnosis; child's health perceived as poor by parents; child's dependency perceived as high by parents; hospitalization recency; and low spousal support. These factors accounted for 65% of caregiver burden.

Conclusion

Parental caregiver burden was related to spousal support and parent–nurse partnership, but the primary factor affecting caregiver burden was spousal support.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results highlighted the role of healthcare professionals in educating parents of children with chronic diseases to facilitate spousal support and have implications for nursing and community‐based interventions to reduce parental caregiver burden. Furthermore, they underlined that policymakers and other stakeholders should pay attention to the parental caregiver burden through government‐based, family‐centered strategies.

Patient or public contribution

Parents of children with chronic disease were recruited to perform the self‐administered survey in the phase of data collection.
Fat‐tailed DSGE models: A survey and new results
Authors: Dave Chetan , Sorge Marco M.
Published: January 2024

We review recent advances in dynamic stochastic general equilibrium theory concerned with the emergence of fat‐tailed time‐series distributions. Focusing on mechanisms that are firmly grounded in structural equilibrium models, we provide a common reference framework to organize existing contributions according to whether they entail extreme business cycle swings as an endogenous response to small and short‐lived shocks (“thin in, fat out”), or rather as an automatic consequence of large and/or heteroskedastic exogenous impulses (“fat in, fat out”). Within the former class, non‐Gaussian features of equilibrium patterns can endogenously emerge in fully rational, Gaussian environments. Using an empirically plausible real business cycle framework, we also report novel simulation‐based evidence that helps reconcile theoretical predictions with the documented higher‐order properties of time‐series data for output measures.
Reproductive outcomes after in vitro fertilization in women with cesarean section scar diverticulum: A retrospective study
Authors: Wu Qin , Wang Xiaohui , Zhao Wei
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Some studies have suggested that cesarean section diverticulum may affect the pregnancy outcomes of assisted reproductive technology through a variety of mechanisms. This study aims to explore whether previous cesarean section and uterine scar diverticulum affect pregnancy outcomes after in vitro fertilization.

Methods

This retrospective study included 954 infertile women with only one previous delivery who had in vitro fertilization treatment and underwent fresh embryo transplantation for the first time at our center between 2015 and 2019. We first divided the women into two groups by previous vaginal delivery (n = 557) or cesarean section delivery (n = 397), and the latter group included 88 women with cesarean diverticulum and 309 women without cesarean diverticulum. Baseline characteristics were compared and analyzed, and logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the different pregnancy outcomes among the above groups.

Results

Although the live birth rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and mean embryo implantation rate after in vitro fertilization were significantly reduced in patients with previous cesarean section (live birth rate: 26.45% vs. 43.99%, adjusted OR: 0.602, CI: 0.447–0.810; clinical pregnancy rate: 35.26% vs. 49.91%, adjusted OR: 0.724, CI: 0.544–0.962; mean embryo implantation rate: 0.227 ± 0.378 vs. 0.243 ± 0.397, adjusted OR: 0.860, CI: 0.514–1.439), there were no significant differences in pregnancy outcomes between the women with cesarean diverticulum and without cesarean diverticulum (p > 0.05) or between the two groups at different ages. The live birth and clinical pregnancy rates in the women with residual muscle thickness ≤2.2 mm or prolonged menstruation were reduced, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

This study showed reduced pregnancy and live birth rates after in vitro fertilization in patients with previous cesarean section, while uterine scarring did not adversely affect pregnancy and delivery outcomes after in vitro fertiliazation.
Zimberelimab combined with systemic therapy extended tumor control in post‐radiotherapy cervical cancer with brain metastases: A case report
Authors: Ni Bing‐Qiang , Pan Ming‐Mei , He Lian‐Xiang , Li Ting
Published: January 2024

Out of the total cases of cervical cancer, brain metastases (BMs) are relatively rare, with an estimated incidence rate of 0.63% (range: 0.1%–2.2%). Additionally, BMs prognosis remains poor, and the average patient survival time following a BM diagnosis is 3 to 5 months. Few studies have addressed the effect of programmed cell death‐1 inhibitors against BMs in cervical cancer, although they are an established option for recurrent/metastatic disease. Hence, we report a case involving a 54‐year‐old post‐surgery patient with cervical cancer with a body mass index of 19.5 kg/m2 and Eastern Collaborative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 3; the disease recurred with BMs 1 year later. Intensity‐modulated radiation therapy concurrent with temozolomide and bevacizumab was initiated, following which zimberelimab immunotherapy combined with anlotinib was administered to extend tumor control. The patient had a progression‐free survival duration of 10 months, the tumor response was assessed as a partial response based on the evaluation criteria for solid tumors (RECIST1.1), and the ECOG status improved to 1 after therapy. These findings suggest that immunotherapy‐based combination therapy following radiotherapy may be a good choice for patients with cervical cancer and BMs.
Local employment multipliers for large publicly subsidized firms: Evidence from a synthetic control approach
Authors: Hanson Andrew , Rohlin Shawn
Published: January 2024

This paper provides estimates of local employment multipliers from large, publicly subsidized firms. We use a synthetic control weighted difference‐in‐difference estimation procedure that matches treated areas with comparison areas to generate local employment multiplier estimates. We show that local employment multiplier estimates have a high degree of uncertainty, with a wide range of point estimates (both positive and negative) and varying degrees of statistical significance. There is a concentration of positive employment multipliers from manufacturing facilities, but little correlation between estimated multipliers and subsidy value. We demonstrate that our approach produces drastically different results than a traditional difference‐in‐difference approach.
A CONSORT‐guided, randomized controlled clinical trial of nebulized administration of dexamethasone and saline on lower airway cytokine mRNA expression in horses with moderate asthma
Authors: Bond Stephanie , Léguillette Renaud
Published: January 2024

Background

Nebulized administration of dexamethasone on cytokine regulation in horses with moderate asthma has not been investigated.

Objective

To investigate the changes in expression of inflammatory cytokine mRNA after nebulized administration of dexamethasone treatment of horses with moderate asthma.

Animals

Horses with naturally occurring moderate asthma (n = 16) and healthy control horses (n = 4). All horses were kept in a dusty environment during the study.

Methods

Prospective, parallel, randomized, controlled, blinded clinical trial. Blood endogenous cortisol, tracheal mucus, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were sampled before and after 13 days treatment with either nebulized administration of dexamethasone (15 mg once daily) or 0.9% saline (3 mL). Treatment groups were randomly allocated via randomization function (Microsoft Excel). Amplification of target mRNA in BAL fluid (IL‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12, IL‐17, IL‐23, IFN‐γ, Eotaxin‐2, and TNF‐α) was achieved by qPCR, and the relative expression software tool was used to analyze BAL inflammatory cytokine mRNA.

Results

Horses treated with nebulized administration of dexamethasone had increased relative expression of IL‐5 (1.70‐fold), IL‐6 (1.71‐fold), IL‐17 (3.25‐fold), IL‐12 (1.66‐fold), and TNF‐α (1.94‐fold), and decreased relative expression of IL‐23 (1.76‐fold; P = .04) in samples collected on Day 14, in comparison to samples collected on Day 0 (all P < .05). Horses treated with nebulized administration of saline had no significant difference in the relative expression of any gene (all P > .05).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Nebulized administration of dexamethasone was associated with increased expression of inflammatory cytokine mRNA. There was no improvement in inflammatory airway cytology associated with either dexamethasone or saline treatment.
Medial strabismus (esotropia) at rest associated with contralateral paramedian thalamic ischemic infarction in 2 dogs
Authors: Liatis Theofanis , Plessas Ioannis N. , Volk Holger , Whittaker Danielle
Published: January 2024

Pseudoabducens paralysis resulting in resting medial strabismus (esotropia) is a rare consequence of a contralateral paramedian thalamic ischemic infarction in people. To date, esotropia has been reported in dogs in association with ipsilateral abducens neuropathy or extraocular myopathy, but not secondary to thalamic lesions. A 7‐year‐old male neutered Border Collie and a 12‐year‐old female neutered cross‐breed dog were presented with peracute nonprogressive vestibular ataxia. Neurological examination identified right esotropia, nonambulatory tetraparesis, right head tilt, vestibular ataxia and nystagmus. Lesions in both dogs were localized to the vestibular system with thalamic involvement. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain identified a left paramedian thalamic lacunar ischemic infarct in both dogs. Interruption of descending inhibitory pathways that decussate in the subthalamic region and innervate the contralateral motor nucleus of the oculomotor nerve leads to hypertonicity of the medial rectus. These cases indicate that esotropia is a rare but highly localizing sign in dogs with contralateral thalamic infarcts.
Acute hypernatremia and hypocalcemia after oral sodium phosphate administration to a dog
Authors: VanDerslice Julia , Carroll Maureen
Published: January 2024

A 15‐year‐old male neutered mixed breed dog weighing 28 kg presented to a referral center after developing severe tremors and altered mentation. There was hypocalcemia and hypernatremia after oral administration of sodium phosphate as a bowel cleansing agent in preparation for colonoscopy. The dog was treated intravenously with low sodium fluids and calcium gluconate. Neurologic status and electrolyte derangements normalized over the next 12 hours. Oral administration of sodium phosphate appeared to cause clinical electrolyte derangements in this dog.
Born to care (or not): How gender role attitudes affect occupational sorting
Authors: Patrick Carlianne , Stephens Heather , Weinstein Amanda
Published: January 2024

Occupation segregation explains a significant portion of the gender wage gap, with women working in lower paid female‐dominated occupations. We examine how childhood and adolescent exposure to gender biased norms about work influence this occupational sorting. We document that early life exposure to traditional gender role attitudes, which view women's role as caretakers, increase women's likelihood of employment in care occupations and decrease the likelihood for men, thereby increasing the gender care occupation gap. A decomposition of the factors affecting this sorting shows that a primary channel is through differences in the choice of post‐secondary field of study or major. Our results suggest that traditional gender role attitudes may work to segment the labor market for men and women and contribute to the gender wage gap. This suggests that more egalitarian gender role attitudes which increase the share of men entering care occupations would increase wages for both men and women, lowering the gender wage gap.
Pleistocene diversification of unifoliolate‐leaved Lupinus (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae) in Florida
Authors: Nevado Bruno , Atchison Guy W. , Bridges Edwin L. , Orzell Steve , Filatov Dmitry , Hughes Colin E.
Published: January 2024

The importance and prevalence of recent ice‐age and post‐glacial speciation and species diversification during the Pleistocene across many organismal groups and physiographic settings are well established. However, the extent to which Pleistocene diversification can be attributed to climatic oscillations and their effects on distribution ranges and population structure remains debatable. In this study, we use morphologic, geographic and genetic (RADseq) data to document Pleistocene speciation and intra‐specific diversification of the unifoliolate‐leaved clade of Florida Lupinus, a small group of species largely restricted to inland and coastal sand ridges across the Florida peninsula and panhandle. Phylogenetic and demographic analyses alongside morphological and geographic evidence suggest that recent speciation and intra‐specific divergence within this clade were driven by a combination of non‐adaptive allopatric divergence caused by edaphic niche conservatism and opportunities presented by the emergence of new post‐glacial sand ridge habitats. These results highlight the central importance of even modest geographic isolation and short periods of allopatric divergence following range expansion in the emergence of new taxa and add to the growing evidence that Pleistocene climatic oscillations may contribute to rapid diversification in a myriad of physiographic settings. Furthermore, our results shed new light on long‐standing taxonomic debate surrounding the number of species in the Florida unifoliate Lupinus clade providing support for recognition of five species and a set of intra‐specific variants. The important conservation implications for the narrowly restricted, highly endangered species Lupinus aridorum, which we show to be genetically distinct from its sister species Lupinus westianus, are discussed.
A hybrid virtual–real traffic simulation approach to reproducing the spatiotemporal distribution of bridge loads
Authors: Zhou Junyong , Wu Wenrong , Caprani Colin C. , Tan Zeyin , Wei Bin , Zhang Junping
Published: January 2024

Current traffic simulation approaches analyze vehicle loads and load effects from a statistical perspective; however, they fail to reproduce the spatiotemporal distribution of bridge loads and resultant load effects at every moment, hindering real‐time bridge health management. This paper proposes a two‐step hybrid virtual–real traffic simulation (HvrTS) approach to reproduce the spatiotemporal distribution of bridge loads. Vehicle load sequences are first identified using computer vision based on traffic video from two surveillance cameras installed along the bridge. Next, traffic microsimulation is optimized with the identified vehicle load sequences from the two cameras serving as the known input and validated output. Using a cable‐stayed bridge under free‐flowing traffic, the HvrTS approach achieved a weighted mean square matching error of ≤0.3 m for the vehicle longitudinal location and a matching error of ≤7% for the vehicle lane position, whereas with congested traffic, the matching errors were much higher due to the inherent complexities and challenges associated with reproducing vehicle behavior in heavily congested situations. The traffic load effects calculated via HvrTS presented excellent spatiotemporal matching with those measured by a structural health monitoring system, especially in free‐flow traffic conditions. Applications on a continuous rigid frame girder bridge further validate these findings. Hence, the proposed HvrTS approach can overcome the challenge of spatiotemporal matching between vehicle loads and load effects in field monitoring.
A triple combination of latanoprost, fractional CO2 laser, and platelet‐rich plasma in localized vitiligo: A clinical and histopathologic study
Authors: Omar Salma Samir , Elmulla Khaled Fawzy , Aly Rania Gaber , Elkaffas Ahmed , Ismail Aliaa
Published: January 2024

Background

Several treatment modalities are available for the treatment of vitiligo due to the lack of a uniformly effective therapy. Topical latanoprost 0.005% is an effective topical treatment. Fractional CO2 laser alone or combined with platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) has been proposed as effective adjunctive therapies.

Objectives

We aimed to compare the efficacy of topical latanoprost 0.005% (Ioprost®, Orchidia, Egypt) combined with either add‐on fractional CO2 laser or fractional CO2‐PRP versus topical latanoprost monotherapy in the treatment of localized stable vitiligo.

Patients/Methods

The study included 60 patients randomly assigned into three equal groups. Group A patients received topical latanoprost drops only. Group B patients received topical latanoprost drops and fractional CO2 laser sessions at 2‐week interval for 3 months. Group C patients received topical latanoprost drops and fractional CO2 laser sessions combined with PRP at a 2‐week interval for 3 months. The mean improvement score by the physician was calculated 4 months after the start of the study. Punch skin biopsies were obtained before treatment and 4 months from the beginning of the study and stained with H&E and HMB‐45 antibody for evaluation of pigmentation.

Results

Significant clinical improvement of vitiligo lesions with significant increase of re‐pigmentation were reported in the three treated groups. Latanoprost in combination with fractional CO2 and PRP was associated with more significant therapeutic outcomes than either combined latanoprost and fractional CO2 or latanoprost alone.

Conclusion

Fractional CO2 laser‐PRP enhances the therapeutic efficacy of latanoprost 0.005% in the treatment of localized stable vitiligo.
What is in a smile: The role of evaluation goal and response labels in facial muscle responses to prejudiced groups
Authors: Neumann Roland , Schneider Lisa J.
Published: January 2024

Based on the assumption that valence is permanently linked to facial responses, we expected that the corrugator muscle is contracted faster in response to overweight persons than to slim persons, whereas we expected faster contractions of the zygomaticus muscle in response to slim persons rather than to overweight persons. To detect such differences, we conducted experiments with different versions of a facial stimulus–response compatibility task that required participants to respond with the two facial muscles to photos of overweight or slim persons. Contrary to the assumption that valence is permanently linked to facial responses, in Experiments 1 and 2, social categories (overweight vs. slim persons) did not influence the response latencies assessed by electromyography. Whereas in Experiments 1 and 2, neutral labels were used for the muscle responses, in Experiment 3, affective response labels (smile vs. frown) were used. In Experiment 3, faster responses with the corrugator to overweight than to slim persons and with the zygomaticus to slim than to overweight persons were obtained. The influence of task and response label is consistent with the theory of event coding that suggests a more flexible link between valence and action.
Antibody responses to immunoevasion proteins BBK32 and OspE constitute part of the serological footprint in neuroborreliosis but are insufficient to prevent the disease
Authors: Dulipati Vinaya , Kotimaa Juha , Rezola Mikel , Kontiainen Mikko , Jarva Hanna , Nyman Dag , Meri Seppo
Published: January 2024

Lyme borreliosis, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, is the most common tickborne disease. Its neuronal form, neuroborreliosis, comprises 3 to 38% of borreliosis cases in Europe. Borrelia outer surface proteins and virulence factors, OspE and BBK32, have been previously reported to help cause infection by promoting attachment to human host epithelial cells and evading complement attack. We assessed the serological responses to BBK32 and OspE in 19 individuals diagnosed with neuroborreliosis to see whether antibodies that could both target the bacteria and neutralize the virulence mechanisms on the microbial surface emerge. Results evaluate levels of total protein, IgG and the chemokine CXCL13, a determinant for B‐cell recruitment during neuroinflammation, in patients' cerebrospinal fluid samples. Antibody levels against BBK32 and OspE correlated with those against VlsE, a well‐characterized diagnostic serological marker of the disease. A dual serological profile of the patients was observed. K‐means clustering split the cohort into two discrete groups presenting distinct serological and CNS responses. One group contained young patients with low levels of anti‐BBK32 and OspE antibodies. The other group showed stronger responses, possibly following prolonged infections or reinfections. Additionally, we assessed anti‐ganglioside antibodies that could cause autoimmunity or complement dysregulation but observed that they did not correlate with neuroborreliosis in our patient cohort. The dual nature of antibody responses against the virulence factors BBK32 and OspE in neuroborreliosis patients may suggest the necessity of repeated exposures for efficient immune responses. Better protection could be achieved if the virulence factors were formulated into vaccines.
Construction of an open knowledge framework for geoscientific models
Authors: Xu Kai , Yue Songshan , Chen Qingbin , Wang Jin , Zhang Fengyuan , Wang Yijie , Ma Peilong , Wen Yongning , Chen Min , Lü Guonian
Published: January 2024

Geoscientific models have rapidly developed in recent decades as effective tools to understand the past, perceive the present, and predict the future. However, with the increasing number of models available, discovering suitable ones and applying them properly in problem‐solving situations has become more challenging. Existing materials describing geoscientific models (e.g., articles, manuals, handbooks, metadata documents, and web pages) are scattered and varied in structure and content. To help model users from different disciplinary backgrounds find, access, implement, and reuse models more conveniently, we propose an open knowledge framework for geoscientific models. The knowledge framework includes three levels: a resource level for indicating where to find a model, a connection level for indicating what materials are related to a model, and an application level for indicating how the model is applied. Through such a three‐level framework, model users can collaboratively provide descriptive information for a model, link different materials to a model (e.g., data, references, and tools), and contribute experiences regarding model application in practical cases (as reusable solutions). Thus, a web‐based community can be formed to facilitate the better use of geoscientific models. This article introduces the Open Geographic Modeling and Simulation System (OpenGMS) as the implementation of this open knowledge framework. Case studies are given to showcase the effectiveness and capability of the proposed framework.
Simulation of exceptional-point systems on quantum computers for quantum sensing
Authors: Waghela Chetan , Dasgupta Shubhrangshu
Published: January 2024

There has been debate around applicability of exceptional points (EPs) for quantum sensing. To resolve this, we first explore how to experimentally implement the non-Hermitian non-diagonalizable Hamiltonians, which exhibit EPs, in quantum computers that run on unitary gates. We propose to use an ancilla-based method in this regard. Next, we show how such Hamiltonians can be used for parameter estimation using quantum computers and analyze its performance in terms of the quantum Fisher information (QFI) at EPs, both without noise and in the presence of noise. It is well known that QFI of a parameter to be estimated is inversely related to the variance of the parameter by the quantum Cramer–Rao bound. Therefore, the divergence of the QFI at EPs promises sensing advantages. We experimentally demonstrate in a cloud quantum architecture and theoretically show, using Puiseux series, that the QFI indeed diverges in such EP systems that were earlier considered to be non-divergent.
Global shark fishing mortality still rising despite widespread regulatory change
Authors: Worm Boris , Orofino Sara , Burns Echelle S. , D’Costa Nidhi G. , Manir Feitosa Leonardo , Palomares Maria L. D. , Schiller Laurenne , Bradley Darcy
Published: January 2024

Over the past two decades, sharks have been increasingly recognized among the world’s most threatened wildlife and hence have received heightened scientific and regulatory scrutiny. Yet, the effect of protective regulations on shark fishing mortality has not been evaluated at a global scale. Here we estimate that total fishing mortality increased from at least 76 to 80 million sharks between 2012 and 2019, ~25 million of which were threatened species. Mortality increased by 4% in coastal waters but decreased by 7% in pelagic fisheries, especially across the Atlantic and Western Pacific. By linking fishing mortality data to the global regulatory landscape, we show that widespread legislation designed to prevent shark finning did not reduce mortality but that regional shark fishing or retention bans had some success. These analyses, combined with expert interviews, highlight evidence-based solutions to reverse the continued overexploitation of sharks.
Decoding the language of immunity
Authors: Alvarez Raymond A. , James Louisa K.
Published: January 2024

Optimized transfer RNA (tRNA) codon use can speed up antibody generation
In Science Journals
Authors: Lopez Bianca , Kelly Priscilla N. , Yeston Jake S. , Lavine Marc S. , Szuromi Phil , Vignieri Sacha , Wong Wei , Scanlon Seth Thomas , Stern Peter , Osborne Ian S. , Grocholski Brent , Malo Courtney
Published: January 2024

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
The hottest year was even hotter than expected
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: January 2024

Greenhouse gases, El Niño, and cleaner air fueled record heat in 2023
In vitro
activity of ibrexafungerp against clinically relevant echinocandin-resistant
Candida
strains
Authors: Aldejohann Alexander Maximilian , Menner Carolina , Thielemann Nadja , Martin Ronny , Walther Grit , Kurzai Oliver
Published: January 2024

Invasive candidiasis is a major hospital-acquired infection. Usually, echinocandins are considered first-line treatment. However, resistant phenotypes have emerged. Ibrexafungerp (IBX) is a new antifungal substance with potent anti-
Candida
activity. We challenged IBX with a library of 192 pheno-/genotypically echinocandin-resistant
Candida
isolates, focusing on the substance susceptibility, its activity on certain
FKS
hotspot (HS) mutated strains, and applying WTULs (wild-type upper limits). Therefore, a 9-year-old strain and patient data collection provided by the German National Reference Center for Invasive Fungal Infections were analyzed. Species identification was confirmed through ITS-sequencing. Molecular susceptibility testing was performed by sequencing HS of the
FKS
gene. Anidulafungin (AND) and IBX EUCAST-broth-microdilution was conducted. The four most common echinocandin-resistance mediating mutations were found in
Candida glabrata
[112/192 isolates; F659-(43×) and S663-(48×)] and
Candida albicans
[63/192 isolates; F641-(15×) and S645-(39×)]. Mutations at the HS-start sequence were associated with higher IBX MIC-values (F659 and F641 (MIC 50/90 mg/L: >4/>4 and 2/4 mg/L) in comparison to AND (F659 and F641 (MIC 50/90: 1/4 and 0.25/1 mg/L). MIC-values in HS-center mutations were almost equal [MIC50/90 in S663: 2/4 (AND and IBX); in S645: 0.5/1 (AND) and 0.25/1 (IBX) mg/L]. In total, 61 vs 78 of 192 echinocandin-resistant isolates may be classified as IBX wild type by applying WTULs, whereas the most prominent effect was seen in
C. albicans
[48% (30/63) vs 70% (44/63)]. IBX shows
in vitro
activity against echinocandin-resistant
Candida
and thus is an addition to the antifungal armory. However, our data suggest that this effect is more pronounced in
C. albicans
and strains harboring mutations, affecting the HS-center.
Evolution of
Rhodopseudomonas palustris
to degrade halogenated aromatic compounds involves changes in pathway regulation and enzyme specificity
Authors: Haq Irshad Ul , Christensen Annika , Fixen Kathryn R.
Published: January 2024

Halogenated aromatic compounds are used in a variety of industrial applications but can be harmful to humans and animals when released into the environment. Microorganisms that degrade halogenated aromatic compounds anaerobically have been isolated but the evolutionary path that they may have taken to acquire this ability is not well understood. A strain of the purple nonsulfur bacterium,
Rhodopseudomonas palustris
, RCB100, can use 3-chlorobenzoate (3-CBA) as a carbon source whereas a closely related strain, CGA009, cannot. To reconstruct the evolutionary events that enabled RCB100 to degrade 3-CBA, we isolated an evolved strain derived from CGA009 capable of growing on 3-CBA. Comparative whole-genome sequencing of the evolved strain and RCB100 revealed both strains contained large deletions encompassing
badM
, a transcriptional repressor of genes for anaerobic benzoate degradation. It was previously shown that in strain RCB100, a single nucleotide change in an alicyclic acid coenzyme A ligase gene, named
aliA
, gives rise to a variant AliA enzyme that has high activity with 3-CBA. When the RCB100
aliA
allele and a deletion in
badM
were introduced into
R. palustris
CGA009, the resulting strain grew on 3-CBA at a similar rate as RCB100. This work provides an example of pathway evolution in which regulatory constraints were overcome to enable the selection of a variant of a promiscuous enzyme with enhanced substrate specificity.

IMPORTANCE

Biodegradation of man-made compounds often involves the activity of promiscuous enzymes whose native substrate is structurally similar to the man-made compound. Based on the enzymes involved, it is possible to predict what microorganisms are likely involved in biodegradation of anthropogenic compounds. However, there are examples of organisms that contain the required enzyme(s) and yet cannot metabolize these compounds. We found that even when the purple nonsulfur bacterium,
Rhodopseudomonas palustris
, encodes all the enzymes required for degradation of a halogenated aromatic compound, it is unable to metabolize that compound. Using adaptive evolution, we found that a regulatory mutation and a variant of promiscuous enzyme with increased substrate specificity were required. This work provides insight into how an environmental isolate evolved to use a halogenated aromatic compound.