bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the potential of novel and classical opioids to induce respiratory depression in mice
Authors: Hill Rob , Sanchez Julie , Lemel Laura , Antonijevic Mirjana , Hosking Yselkla , Mistry Shailesh N. , Kruegel Andrew C. , Javitch Jonathan A. , Lane J. Robert , Canals Meritxell
Published: July 2023

Background and Purpose

Opioid‐induced respiratory depression limits the use of μ‐opioid receptor agonists in clinical settings and is the main cause of opioid overdose fatalities. The relative potential of different opioid agonists to induce respiratory depression at doses exceeding those producing analgesia is understudied despite its relevance to assessments of opioid safety. Here we evaluated the respiratory depressant and anti‐nociceptive effects of three novel opioids and relate these measurements to their in vitro efficacy.

Experimental Approach

Respiration was measured in awake, freely moving male CD‐1 mice using whole body plethysmography. Anti‐nociception was measured using the hot plate test. Morphine, oliceridine and tianeptine were administered intraperitoneally, whereas methadone, oxycodone and SR‐17018 were administered orally. Receptor activation and arrestin‐3 recruitment were measured in HEK293 cells using BRET assays.

Key Results

Across the dose ranges examined, all opioids studied depressed respiration in a dose‐dependent manner, with similar effects at the highest doses, and with tianeptine and oliceridine showing reduced duration of effect, when compared with morphine, oxycodone, methadone and SR‐17018. When administered at doses that induced similar respiratory depression, all opioids induced similar anti‐nociception, with tianeptine and oliceridine again showing reduced duration of effect. These data were consistent with the in vitro agonist activity of the tested compounds.

Conclusion and Implications

In addition to providing effective anti‐nociception, the novel opioids, oliceridine, tianeptine and SR‐17018 depress respiration in male mice. However, the different potencies and kinetics of effect between these novel opioids may be relevant to their therapeutic application in different clinical settings.
Metabolic stress‐induced reciprocal loop of long noncoding RNA ZFAS1 and ZEB1 promotes epithelial–mesenchymal transition and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Zhuo Wenfeng , Zeng Zhu , Hu Yuhang , Hu Ping , Han Shengbo , Wang Decai , Wang Fan , Zhao Yong , Huang Yan , Wang Jie , Lv Guozheng , Wang Hongda , Li Yang , Zhao Eryang , Cai Kailin , Zhao Gang
Published: July 2023

Pancreatic cancer (PC) development faces significant metabolic stress due to metabolic reprogramming and a distinct hypovascular nature, often leading to glucose and glutamine depletion. However, the adaption mechanisms by which PC adapts to these metabolic challenges have not yet been completely explored. Here, we found that metabolic stress induced by glucose and glutamine deprivation led to an overexpression of ZNFX1 antisense RNA 1 (ZFAS1). This overexpression played a significant role in instigating PC cell epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis. Mechanistically, ZFAS1 enhanced the interaction between AMPK, a key kinase, and ZEB1, the primary regulator of EMT. This interaction resulted in the phosphorylation and subsequent stabilization of ZEB1. Interestingly, ZEB1 also reciprocally influenced the transcription of ZFAS1 by binding to its promoter. Furthermore, when ZFAS1 was depleted, the nutrient deprivation‐induced EMT of PC cells and lung metastasis in nude mice were significantly inhibited. Our investigations also revealed that ZFAS1‐rich exosomes released from cells suffering glucose and glutamine deprivation promoted the EMT and metastasis of recipient PC cells. Corroborating these findings, a correlated upregulation of ZFAS1 and ZEB1 expression was observed in PC tissues and was associated with a poor overall survival rate for patients. Our findings highlight the involvement of a long noncoding RNA‐driven metabolic adaptation in promoting EMT and metastasis of PC, suggesting ZFAS1 as a promising novel therapeutic target for PC metabolic treatment.
What else is dentition telling us? A new specimen‐level phylogeny of Mesotheriidae (Mammalia, Notoungulata)
Authors: Armella Matías Alberto , Deforel Facundo
Published: July 2023

Mesotheriidae (Panperissodactyla, Notoungulata) are an extinct clade (early Oligocene–Pleistocene) of small to medium‐sized herbivorous mammals that were widely distributed in South America. Although two subfamilies traditionally have been recognized (Trachytheriinae and Mesotheriinae), recent cladistic analyses based on discrete characters have indicated that “Trachytheriinae” is a paraphyletic assemblage. Given the availability of a large number of specimens and the fact that dental characters are the most common characters used in mesotheriid phylogenies, we performed specimen‐level cladistic analyses combining discrete, continuous and geometric morphometrics‐based dental characters. The aim was to: (1) include new scored morphological characters to solve the phylogenetic relationships of Mesotheriidae; (2) compare the results of the upper and lower dentition analyses as different character partitions and in combination, to establish phylogenetic hypotheses; and (3) trace the evolution of dental traits. Phylogenetic analyses employing characters of associated upper and lower dentitions recovered one most parsimonious tree with Archaeohyracidae (outgroup) as the sister group of Pan‐Mesotheriidae (= Mesotheriidae; converted clade name), this latter composed of trachytheriines (stem‐mesotheriine) + Mesotheriinae (converted clade name). Within Mesotheriinae, we recovered two main lineages phylogenetically defined here as Bolivarini and Pampaini (new clade names). Analyses of isolated upper and lower dentition sub‐datasets each resulted in one most parsimonious tree congruent with the associated dentition. Our study emphasizes the use of geometric morphometrics characters to resolve additional clades in phylogenetic analyses, provides information on the evolution of size and morphology of teeth, and exposes specimen assignment issues at a taxonomic level. The integration of osteological characters might be crucial to further understanding the evolution of Mesotheriidae.
Determinants of poverty among Indigenous people in Mexico's Guerrero Mountain Region
Authors: Mora‐Rivera Jorge , Fierros‐González Isael , García‐Mora Fernando
Published: July 2023

Motivation

The eradication of poverty is one of Mexico's greatest challenges. This challenge is even greater for Indigenous communities, where seven out of 10 people were living in poverty in 2018. Despite the economic, social, and cultural impacts on Indigenous people, there has been scant literature addressing the determinants of Indigenous poverty in Mexico, while studies on the Guerrero Mountain Region (GMR) are scarcer still.

Purpose

This study aims to identify the socioeconomic and contextual determinants of income and multidimensional poverty in the GMR, one of the poorest regions in Mexico and Latin America, inhabited primarily by Indigenous people.

Methods and approach

We use data on 989 individuals in the GMR, collected during the 2018 Socioeconomic Conditions Module of Mexico's National Household Income and Expenditure Survey. To examine the main determinants of individual poverty, we use Bayesian logistic regression (BLR), which allows us to use the data to update information about the parameters and evaluate their distributional properties. The method simplifies multi‐causal elements by classifying them into categories of well‐being that incorporate more than economic factors.

Findings

The income‐poor population is also multidimensionally poor. Education helps to reduce poverty as households that spend more on schooling are less likely to be poor. Households with many members, those with high dependency ratios, and those with members living with disability all tend to be poor. Households with access to landlines and the internet are less likely to be poor.

Policy implications

More diagnosis of poverty is needed. This should consider overlapping vulnerabilities (institutional, socioeconomic, environmental, and sociocultural) in this region for each Indigenous group. Public policies need to be monitored for performance.
Whose policy coherence counts? Assessing sustainable fisheries in Ghana and the European Union's engagement
Authors: Keijzer Niels , Galvis Lina , Delputte Sarah
Published: July 2023

Motivation

Promoting coherence for sustainable development (PCSD) is a key means of implementation for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, yet it has been overlooked as policy discussions have focused predominantly on the financing of the agenda. The literature and policy debates about PCSD largely focus on processes and on OECD countries, and they neglect their political and normative dimensions. This article complements recent literature on PCSD by elaborating and testing a relational perspective on the concept.

Purpose

To address these issues, this article elaborates a relational perspective that responds to the misrepresentation of third countries as passive recipients of (in)coherent OECD policy preferences.

Methods and approach

The analysis presented summarizes the literature on the related concepts of PCSD and Policy Coherence for Development (PCD). On this basis, the article articulates a relational perspective on policy coherence that complements other critical perspectives in the literature. Subsequently, it explores the potential and relevance of this relational perspective by analysing how the fisheries policy preferences of the European Union interact with those of Ghana.

Findings

Overall, the analysis shows that a commitment to sustainable fisheries cannot be assumed for either the EU or Ghana. Furthermore, assessing the responsibilities of the EU and Ghana around sustainability and degrees of adherence is difficult due to the presence of other fishing nations and influences. In the context of the EU's ambitious policy framework, the continued overfishing in Ghanaian waters negatively affects the credibility and justification of its continued involvement. Policy dialogue between the EU and the Ghanaian government and accompanying EU technical assistance have supported changes to Ghanaian fisheries policies, but overfishing continues.

Policy implications

Discussions on promoting PCSD should be supported by more empirical research into the extent and manner that policy preferences consider by policy‐makers to be coherent with the 2030 Agenda contribute to advancing the agenda in different country and regional contexts.
A test of the green wave hypothesis in omnivorous brown bears across North America
Authors: Bowersock Nathaniel R. , Ciarniello Lana M. , Deacy William W. , Heard Doug C. , Joly Kyle , Lamb Clayton T. , Leacock William B. , McLellan Bruce N. , Mowat Garth , Sorum Mathew S. , van Manen Frank T. , Merkle Jerod A.
Published: July 2023

Herbivorous animals tend to seek out plants at intermediate phenological states to improve energy intake while minimizing consumption of fibrous material. In some ecosystems, the timing of green‐up is heterogeneous and propagates across space in a wave‐like pattern, known as the green wave. Tracking the green wave allows individuals to prolong access to higher‐quality forage. While there is a plethora of empirical support for such behavior in herbivorous taxa, the green wave hypothesis (GWH) is nuanced based on factors such as body morphometrics and digestive capacity. Furthermore, little is known about whether other taxa, such as omnivores, track the green wave. Our objective was to assess whether the GWH can be extended to explain the movements of omnivores. Using GPS collar data from seven populations (n = 127 individuals) of brown bears Ursus arctos across their entire North American range, we first tested whether bears tracked the green wave. Using conditional resource selection functions (RSFs), we found that variation in proxies of vegetative forage quality better explained movement and habitat selection than proxies of forage biomass in over half of the bears in our study, providing evidence of green wave tracking. Second, we assess factors that explained variation in green wave tracking using linear mixed effects models. Green wave tracking in brown bears was explained by the variation in availability of green‐up within spring home ranges, and how green‐up transitioned across those home ranges. Our results demonstrate that the GWH can partially explain movement of a non‐migratory omnivorous species, extending the generality of the GWH as a broad predictor of animal space use. The green wave is another resource wave brown bears track, and our findings help predict brown bear space use, which can be used to guide conservation and habitat restoration efforts.
Credit information sharing and cost of debt: Evidence from the introduction of credit bureaus in developing countries
Authors: Fosu Samuel , Agyei‐Boapeah Henry , Ciftci Neytullah
Published: July 2023

We investigate the effect of credit information sharing on cost of debt, with particular focus on the introduction of credit bureaus in developing countries. Using a large dataset of firms from 28 developing countries over the period 2004–2019, we find that firms’ average cost of debt significantly declines following the introduction of credit bureaus. This finding is robust to an alternative measure of cost of debt, several firm‐ and country‐level controls and to firm‐ and year‐fixed effects. The reduction in cost of debt is more pronounced for less transparent firms and for firms domiciled in countries with weak institutional framework.
Dissolved organic carbon bioreactivity and DOC:DIN stoichiometry control ammonium uptake in an intermittent Mediterranean stream
Authors: Peñarroya Xavier , Lupon Anna , Triadó‐Margarit Xavier , Martí Eugènia , Ledesma José L. J. , Ribot Miquel , Soler Montserrat , Casamayor Emilio O. , Bernal Susana
Published: July 2023

Heterotrophic organisms in streams use dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) from the water column to meet their growth and energy requirements. However, the role of DOC availability in driving DIN uptake in headwater streams is still poorly understood. In this study, we focus on how DOC:DIN stoichiometry and DOC bioreactivity control ammonium (NH4+) uptake and heterotrophic aerobic respiration, and how this influence varies among seasons in a forested Mediterranean headwater stream.

We estimated in‐stream NH4+ uptake rates seasonally by conducting whole‐reach constant‐rate additions of NH4+ with and without amendments of either lignin (recalcitrant DOC) or acetate (labile DOC). During each addition, we characterised microbial community composition by molecular analyses, stream metabolism with the single‐station method, and heterotrophic aerobic respiration by adding a metabolic tracer (resazurin).

The stream was heterotrophic (net ecosystem production <0) regardless of the season, with a microbial community mostly composed of heterotrophic bacteria. In‐stream NH4+ uptake rates were not related to either background NH4+ or DOC concentrations. Instead, these rates increased with increasing the molar ratio of NH4+ to nitrate (NO3−) (NH4+:NO3−) and DOC to DIN (DOC:DIN).Whole‐reach heterotrophic aerobic respiration rates showed the same relationship against stoichiometric ratios as NH4+ uptake rates. Furthermore, in‐stream NH4+ uptake rates were from 5% to >800% higher during the co‐additions of acetate than when adding NH4+ either alone or with lignin.

Our results indicate that in‐stream NH4+ uptake was largely controlled by heterotrophic bacteria, and that the stoichiometric balance between organic resources and nutrients was key to explaining the variability of in‐stream NH4+ uptake and heterotrophic aerobic respiration. Moreover, the observed increase in NH4+ uptake during acetate additions suggests that heterotrophic activity was limited by labile DOC availability.

Our study highlights that both DOC:DIN stoichiometry and DOC bioreactivity are relevant factors driving the seasonal pattern of in‐stream N processing in this forested Mediterranean headwater stream.
Preemptive anticoagulation of pulmonary embolism
Authors: Woo Christopher , Sun Wei , Thein Paul , Chong Mae Yi , Tan Ethan , Junckerstorff Ralph
Published: July 2023

Background

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life‐threatening disease where preemptive anticoagulation is recommended by guidelines for patients with intermediate to high pretest risk of PE.

Aims

The primary objective of our study was to describe the use of preemptive anticoagulation from the emergency department (ED) or inpatient wards stratified by risk assessment score.

Methods

We performed a retrospective observational cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for investigation of PE. Patients were classified as either ED patients or hospital ward patients based on where the CTPA was requested. The pretest risk of PE was calculated using the Revised Geneva Score (RGS) and patients were divided into low and intermediate to high risk.

Results

A total of 392 consecutive patients who underwent CTPA at Monash Health were reviewed. There were 108 (27.6%) patients who were categorised as low risk (RGS 0–3) and 284 (72.4%) categorised as intermediate to high risk (RGS >3). There were 29 (7.4%) patients overall who received preemptive anticoagulation. Diagnostic yield of CTPA in the ED was low, with only four of 144 (2.8%) CTPA scans positive for PE. The yield of CTPA was higher in ward patients, with 63 of 248 (25.4%) being diagnostic of PE.

Conclusions

The use of preemptive anticoagulation for suspected PE was uncommon and was not influenced by the pretest probability of PE as determined by a validated clinical prediction tool. This may reflect concerns regarding haemorrhagic complications without any clear evidence of benefit. Diagnostic yield of CTPA performed in the ED was low.
Pancreatic stellate cell‐derived exosomal tRF‐19‐PNR8YPJZ promotes proliferation and mobility of pancreatic cancer through AXIN2
Authors: Cao Wenpeng , Dai Shisi , Ruan Wanyuan , Long Tingting , Zeng Zhirui , Lei Shan
Published: July 2023

The pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play an important role in the development of pancreatic cancer (PC) through mechanisms that remain unclear. Exosomes secreted from PSCs act as mediators for communication in PC. This study aimed to explore the role of PSC‐derived exosomal small RNAs derived from tRNAs (tDRs) in PC cells. Exosomes from PSCs were extracted and used to detect their effects on PC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Exosomal tDRs profiling was performed to identify PSC‐derived exosomal tDRs. ISH and qRT‐PCR were used to examine the tRF‐19‐PNR8YPJZ levels and clinical value in clinical samples. The biological function of exosomal tRF‐19‐PNR8YPJZ was determined using the CCK‐8, clone formation, wound healing and transwell assays, subcutaneous tumour formation and lung metastatic models. The relationship between the selected exosomal tRF‐19‐PNR8YPJZ and AXIN2 was determined by RNA sequencing, luciferase reporter assay. PSC‐derived exosomes promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PC cells. Novel and abundant tDRs are found to be differentially expressed in PANC‐1 cells after treatment with PSC‐derived exosomes, such as tRF‐19‐PNR8YPJZ. PC tissue samples showed markedly higher levels of tRF‐19‐PNR8YPJZ than normal controls. Patients with PC exhibiting high tRF‐19‐PNR8YPJZ expression had a highly lymph node invasion, metastasis, perineural invasion, advanced clinical stage and poor overall survival. Exosomal tRF‐19‐PNR8YPJZ from PSCs targeted AXIN2 in PC cells and decreased its expression, thus activating the Wnt pathway and promoting proliferation and metastasis. Exosomal tRF‐19‐PNR8YPJZ from PSCs promoted proliferation and metastasis in PC cells via AXIN2.
Inactivation of foodborne and other pathogenic bacteria with pyrrolidine based fatty acid amide derivatives
Authors: Olanya Ocen M. , Yosief Hailemichael O. , Ashby Richard D. , Niemira Brendan A. , Sarker Majher I. , Ukuku Dike O. , Mukhopadhyay Sudarsan , Msanne Joseph , Fan Xuetong
Published: July 2023

Foodborne pathogens are a persistent threat to food and consumer safety. To mitigate outbreaks and contamination incited by these pathogens, the development of novel preventative safety controls and biorational inactivation measures are paramount. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the efficacy of pyrrolidine‐based amide derivatives of decanoic (DEPY), lauric (LAPY), myristic (MYPY) and palmitic (PAPY) fatty acids for in‐vitro inhibition and inactivation of various Gram‐positive bacterial strains including Listeria monocytogenes (typically associated with foodborne illness), Bacillus subtilis, and Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus (both normally present in the oral cavity and involved with dental caries). Compared to no treatment (control), significant differences (P < 0.05) in the growth of Listeria strains were seen in‐vitro with increased inhibition at higher amide concentrations (10,000–20,000 ppm). Furthermore, in‐vitro growth inhibition of B. subtilis, S. sobrinus, and S. mutans was also observed with an effectiveness of LAPY>MYPY>PAPY>DEPY. In co‐inoculation assays, LAPY treatment significantly reduced Listeria growth from 1.55 to >5.0 Log CFU/mL when a concentration range of 5 to 250 ppm was applied. Moreover, Listeria populations on pathogen‐inoculated produce were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced from 0.51 to >3.00 Log CFU/g with greater inactivation on carrots compared to alfalfa, soybean, and pistachio. These results demonstrated the potential value of these FA amides against Gram‐positive pathogenic bacteria. Biorational applications of antibacterial FA amides on fresh produce as a postharvest intervention process offers a great potential for enhancement of food safety.
Hypoxia caused by unilateral nasal obstruction decreases mandibular density in rats through inhibition of Cyp1a1 expression
Authors: Xu Yixin , Wang Yixin , Xiao Hui , Li Yongming
Published: July 2023

Background

Oral breathing has an important impact on morphology and bone mineral density (BMD) in a mandible. This study aimed to investigate the hub genes and mechanism regulating the mandibular BMD decrease induced by nasal obstruction.

Methods

A unilateral nasal obstruction model was established in 1‐week‐old Wistar rats by electrocautery obstruction. BMD of the mandible was determined by micro‐computed tomography. Transcriptome analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Hub genes were identified by building protein–protein interaction network and verified by western blot. A hypoxic cell model was established in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) by using CoCl2. The expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), NF‐kB ligand–receptor activator (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and Cyp1a1 was detected by western blot.

Results

The mandibular BMD of rats in the unilateral nasal obstruction group was significantly decreased. A total of 38 DEGs were identified in nasal obstruction rats compared with normal rats. A ratio of RANKL/OPG in the mandible was elevated by nasal obstruction, while the Cyp1a1 was decreased. In vitro, the HIF‐1α expression and RANKL/OPG ratio were upregulated by hypoxia while the Cyp1a1 expression was decreased. Pretreatment with Cyp1a1 activator, FICZ, could increase the expression of Cyp1a1 while attenuating the activation of HIF‐1α and RANKL.

Conclusion

Respiratory changes caused by nasal obstruction contribute to the decrease in Cyp1a1 expression in the mandible of juvenile rats, which is associated with disturbances in bone homeostasis controlled by the RANKL/OPG ratio.
No doctor is an island
Authors: Looman Natasja , Battal Noël , Vanstone Meredith
Published: July 2023

In this commentary, the authors highlight the importance of intraprofessional communities of practice (CoPs) for specialists and family physicians practicing comprehensive evidence‐based care. The authors explore how power dynamics can be meaningfully incorporated into continuing medical education to reap the multi‐perspectival benefit of intraprofessional CoPs for continuing professional development and medical education.

The authors highlight how power dynamics can be meaningfully incorporated into intraprofessional communities of practice to reap benefits for comprehensive evidence‐based care
Patients' recollections of helmet‐CPAP treatment during COVID‐19 pandemic: A qualitative study
Authors: Lucchini Alberto , Villa Marta , Fumagalli Letizia , Carra Agnese , Magri Denise , Mariconti Ilenia , Napoli Stefania , Elli Stefano , Giani Marco , Bambi Stefano
Published: July 2023

Background

During the pandemic outbreak, helmet continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was widely used as respiratory support for COVID‐19 patients, inside and outside of intensive care units. The available literature suggests specific interventions to improve the comfort of patients treated with helmet‐CPAP. Few reports are available on the experiences of patients undergoing this treatment.

Aim

This qualitative study aimed to explore the views and recollections of COVID‐19 patients undergoing helmet‐CPAP.

Study Design

We conducted semi‐structured interviews with thematic analysis. Participants were recruited from the follow‐up programme for COVID‐19 patients discharged from an Italian general intensive care unit. Participants were interviewed by telephone. Data analysis followed the principles of thematic synthesis approach.

Findings

We conducted 29 phone calls in patients eligible for the study. Five participants declared that they did not remember the time spent in hospital on helmet‐CPAP. Twenty‐four patients were then included. Two themes and six subthemes were generated from their interview data: (1) The helmet‐CPAP as a life‐saving treatment (subthemes: recognition of the usefulness of treatment and resilience); (2) the negative feelings related to helmet‐CPAP application (subthemes: communication problems, entrapment, mental confusion, fear of dying). Each patient's experience was unique, but some discomfort elements such as noise, gas flow turbulence, choking sensation and thirst were found to be very common.

Conclusions

The application of helmet‐CPAP treatment generated positive and negative memories and feelings in COVID‐19 patients during the pandemic. The patients' experience has provided an overview of the main factors of discomfort. This can be a starting point for taking corrective measures to promote greater helmet tolerance and subsequent treatment success.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

This study has provided an insight into the patient's recollections about helmet‐CPAP treatment during a worldwide pandemic. The findings suggested strict applications of interventions aimed to reduce some issues that participants reported, to improve their compliance to treatment. Results from this study could help nurses in understanding the needs of patients treated with helmet‐CPAP and may foster a care focused on patient‐centred outcomes.
A new hemiparasitic species of Pedicularis (Orobanchaceae) from North Sikkim, India
Authors: Garg Arti , Shukla Achuta Nand
Published: July 2023

The new species Pedicularis revealiana, is described from Katao in Sikkim Himalaya, India. The new species is hemiparasitic and possesses a combination of characters which makes it unique among all Pedicularis species as it has a perennial caespitose habit, stout and woody stems with decumbent branches and congested internodes, evanescent radical leaves and smaller and fewer cauline leaves with linear pinnae, 3–5 flowered and subcapitate or fascicled inflorescence, pedicillate bracts, minute flowers, hairy calyx with crestate‐dentate and recurved lobes, stipitate and arcuate galea with truncate apex and papillose surface, gland‐dotted labium with very large lateral lobes, unequal filament pairs inserted near top of the corolla tube, stipitate stigma which is bilobed and woolly and monocolpate pollen grains which are large and fusiform in shape with rugulose‐punctate surface. With these combination of characters, it is differentiated from the only allied species Pedicularis gracilis.
Geomorphological habitat type drives variation in temporal species turnover but not temporal nestedness in Amazonian fish assemblages
Authors: Bogotá‐Gregory Juan D. , Jenkins David G. , Lima Flávio C. T. , Magurran Anne E. , Crampton William G. R.
Published: July 2023

Explaining the mechanisms underlying spatial and temporal variation in community composition is a major challenge. Nevertheless, the processes controlling temporal variation at a site (i.e. temporal β‐diversity, including its turnover and nestedness components) are less understood than those affecting variation among sites (i.e. spatial β‐diversity). Short‐term temporal turnover (e.g. throughout an annual cycle) is expected to correlate positively with seasonal environmental variability and landscape connectivity, but also species pool size (γ‐diversity). We use the megadiverse Amazonian freshwater ichthyofauna as a model to ask whether seasonality and landscape connectivity drive variation in temporal species turnover among geomorphological habitat types, while accounting for between‐habitat variation in γ‐diversity. We collected 11 397 fish representing 260 species during a year‐long sampling program from an area containing the lowland Amazon's four major geomorphological habitat types: rivers, floodplains, terra firme streams, and shield streams. River‐floodplain systems exhibit strong but predictable seasonality (via a high‐amplitude annual flood pulse), high connectivity, and high species richness with many rare species. Terra firme and shield streams exhibit low seasonality, low connectivity, and low species richness with proportionally fewer rare species. Based on these parameters we predicted that river‐floodplain systems should have higher temporal turnover than stream systems. Using a null model approach combined with β‐deviation calculations, we confirmed that rivers and floodplains do exhibit higher turnover (but not nestedness) than terra firme and shield streams, even when controlling for the potentially confounding effect of higher species richness in river‐floodplain systems. All habitats exhibit low temporal nestedness, indicating that short‐term changes in community composition result primarily from temporal species turnover. Our results provide a timely reminder that efforts to conserve the Amazon's threatened aquatic biodiversity should account for the distinct temporal dynamics of habitat types and variation in hydrological seasonality.
Heat shock and iron limitation modulate the metabolic profile of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa NIES‐88
Authors: Balloo Nandani , Mehjabin Jakia Jerin , Phan Chin‐Soon , Okino Tatsufumi
Published: July 2023

The freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa NIES‐88, which can produce microcystins, micropeptins, and argicyclamides, was subjected to a one strain many compounds (OSMAC) analysis. We report its response to two environmental stressors, temperature and iron limitation, by means of untargeted and targeted metabolomics. The results demonstrated a slower specific growth rate of 0.20 per day and 0.16 per day in adverse conditions of 37°C and iron limitation, respectively. The metabolic signature of M. aeruginosa was highly dependent on incubation temperatures. Production of microcystins LR and RR was severely downregulated while that of argicyclamide B was significantly upregulated, with a highest 10‐fold increase on day 14 of heat shock treatment. M. aeruginosa NIES‐88 was found to produce a new compound, argicyclamide D (1), in iron limited medium, which has the same macrocyclic structure as the previously reported analogs. Hence, it is proposed that acclimation of M. aeruginosa to environmental stressors might be mediated by a change in the metabolic pathways as well as modulation of the levels of their expressed metabolites.
Social support, self‐efficacy, self‐esteem, and well‐being during COVID‐19 lockdown: A two‐wave study of Danish students
Authors: Ozer Simon
Published: July 2023

Societal lockdown due to the COVID‐19 pandemic has transformed everyday life across the globe, including requirements of social distancing that might limit the social support people derive from social interaction. Social support has proven to be a vital resource for well‐being (i.e., perceived stress and satisfaction with life) and coping during societal challenges. The present study examined how social support is associated with perceived stress and life satisfaction through self‐efficacy and self‐esteem among Danish students (N = 204). These psychological constructs were examined both during and after lockdown, assessing the possible aversive psychological effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Results did not yield any significant changes in either the mean scores of the constructs or the indirect effects model across the two time points. Moreover, the results indicate that social support derived from a significant person, family, and friends – but not student peers – is negatively linked with perceived stress and positively associated with life satisfaction through both self‐efficacy and self‐esteem. Although societal lockdown did not yield significant psychological impact, the results highlight the importance of social support among students, both during and after lockdown.
Association of perceived and objective neighborhood walkability with accelerometer‐measured physical activity and sedentary time in the Maastricht Study
Authors: Chan Jeffrey Alexander , Bosma Hans , Drosinou Connie , Timmermans Erik J. , Savelberg Hans , Schaper Nicolaas , Schram Miranda T. , Stehouwer Coen D. A. , Lakerveld Jeroen , Koster Annemarie
Published: July 2023

Background

We investigated the association of neighborhood walkability with accelerometer‐measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) and examined whether objective and subjective measures of walkability resulted in similar findings.

Methods

PA and SB from the first 7689 Maastricht Study participants ages 40–75 from 2010 to 2017 were measured using accelerometers for 7 days. Mean daily step count, light‐intensity PA, moderate‐ to vigorous‐ intensity PA (MVPA), and SB were calculated. Objective walkability was measured by the 7‐component Dutch Walkability Index within 500 m Euclidean buffers around residential addresses of participants. Subjective walkability was obtained from the Abbreviated Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale. Linear regression models analyzed the associations of walkability with PA and SB, controlling for potential confounders.

Results

Objective walkability was negatively associated with light intensity PA in the most walkable quartile (b = −14.58, 95% CI = −20.94, −8.23). Compared to participants living in the least walkable neighborhoods, those in the most walkable quartile had statistically significantly higher SB levels (b = 11.64, 95% CI = 4.95, 18.32). For subjective walkability, mean daily step count was significantly higher in the most walkable quartile (b = 509.60, 95% CI = 243.38, 775.81). Higher subjective walkability was positively associated with MVPA (b = 4.40, 95% CI = 2.56, 6.23).

Conclusion

Living in a neighborhood with higher objective walkability was associated with lower levels of PA and higher SB levels while higher subjective walkability was associated with higher levels of PA. These results show discordant findings and thus, the effect of walkability on participant PA and SB within our sample is to be determined.
Blinded by trust in close others: Examining the effect of social closeness on cooperative behaviors during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Côté Éloïse , Dorfman Anna , Lacourse Éric , Lina Jean‐Marc , Pelletier‐Dumas Mathieu , Stolle Dietlind , de la Sablonnière Roxane
Published: July 2023

In the context of public health crises such as the COVID‐19 pandemic, it is essential that individuals cooperate by complying with preventive measures (e.g., wearing a mask). The current research examines how high trust in close others is linked to less cooperation—that is, less compliance with measures—and thus, undermines collective interests. Specifically, we test whether individuals are less willing to comply with preventive measures when interacting with close others they trust. We conducted two experiments in which participants read a vignette depicting a social interaction with either close others (e.g., family) or strangers. Participants had to report the extent to which they would (1) trust the other people in the situation and (2) comply with the mask wearing and physical distancing measures during this interaction. In both experiments, we find that when individuals are considering an interaction with close others, they report experiencing higher trust which is then linked to lower compliance with preventive measures. In Experiment 2, we further demonstrate that participants report less compliance with preventive measures around close others, even when they perceive non‐compliance with the measures as morally “wrong”. Our findings shed light on the challenges that compliance with preventive measures poses during social interactions in a context of high trust.
HLA‐B*51:380, a novel HLA‐B allele with one exonic mutation identified in a Greek individual
Authors: Kouniaki Diamanto , Athanassiades Theofilos , Fotopoulos Konstantinos , Kitsiou Vasiliki , Tsirogianni Alexandra
Published: July 2023

Characterization of the novel HLA‐B*51:380 allele in a Greek individual using next‐generation sequencing.
Genomic sequence of the HLA‐A*24:587 allele identified in a Greek individual
Authors: Kouniaki Diamanto , Athanassiades Theofilos , Fotopoulos Konstantinos , Tsirogianni Alexandra
Published: July 2023

Characterization of the novel HLA‐A*24:587 allele in a Greek individual using next‐generation sequencing.
Validation of storage and shipping of feline blood samples for analysis on the Platelet Function Analyzer‐200 for determining the effect of clopidogrel
Authors: Kornya Matthew R. , Abrams‐Ogg Anthony C. G. , Blois Shauna L. , Wood R. Darren
Published: July 2023

Background

The Platelet function analyzer‐200 (PFA‐200) can determine the effect of clopidogrel in cats, but analysis traditionally must be performed at point‐of‐care (POC). The ability to ship samples of blood to a laboratory would allow widespread access.

Objectives

We aimed to validate the shipping of blood samples for PFA‐200 analysis in cats to determine the effect of clopidogrel.

Methods

Twenty healthy cats and 10 cats receiving clopidogrel were recruited. Blood was collected from cats and aliquoted into two samples, one was analyzed at POC within 2 hours using the PFA‐200, and the other was packaged and transported to a location 4 km away, stored, and transported back to the lab for analysis the following day.

Results

Median closure times (CTs) with the collagen/adenosine diphosphate (COL/ADP) cartridge in healthy cats were 51.5 seconds (POC) and 78.8 seconds (shipped), which were significantly different (P < 0.001), and for cats on clopidogrel, median CTs were 147.5 seconds (POC) and 190 seconds (shipped), which were not significantly different (P = 0.131). Median CTs with the P2Y cartridge in healthy cats were 50.5 seconds (POC) and 64.9 seconds (shipped), which were significantly different (P = 0.03), and in cats receiving clopidogrel, median CTs were 300 seconds (POC) and 300 seconds (shipped) which were not significantly different (P = 1.000). Reference intervals for CTs differed for COL/ADP at POC (19.8–89.7 seconds) and shipped (50.9–161.6 seconds) and for P2Y at POC (35.5–118.8 seconds) and shipped (35.1–108.9 seconds). Receiver operating characteristics showed similar areas under the curve (AUCROCs) regarding the effect of clopidogrel for COL/ADP at POC (0.994 seconds) and shipped (0.932) and for P2Y at POC (0.904 seconds) and shipped (0.975 seconds). When classifying for the presence of clopidogrel effects, Cohen's Kappa was 0.62 for COL/ADP and 1.00 for P2Y.

Conclusions

Shipping blood samples for PFA analysis are feasible with similar performance to POC analyses for determining the effect of clopidogrel in cats.
On Shen Jiaben’s View of Law: An Investigation of Human Rights
Authors: Huang Danmin
Published: July 2023

During the late Qing Dynasty, the switch from conventional legislation to contemporary legislation was exemplified by Shen Jiaben’s human rights-focused legal perspective. Under the background of comprehensively governing the country according to law, learning from excellent traditional legal thoughts and culture is a critical way to construct a creative rule of law. Shen Jiaben oversaw the ten years of legislation modification towards the conclusion of the Qing Dynasty, which lasted the entirety of modern China. He transformed traditional Chinese law into a Western-compatible contemporary legal framework, closely related to his excellent legal thoughts. Specifically, Shen Jiaben pushed for preserving human rights in the research and creation of the legal system in contemporary China. His reasoning was based on the actual situations of modern countries, which is quite pioneering. Focusing on the social reality at that time, Shen Jiaben’s legal thought of human rights doctrine criticized and inherited the traditional Chinese legal thought of “benevolent government” while fully absorbing the essence of foreign legal culture of human rights doctrine and promoting the gradual reform of the modern legal system. Learning from Shen Jiaben’s legal view of the rights of individuals doctrine is helpful to deepen further our understanding of human rights and the rule of law in the new era and help promote the integrated construction of a country, a government, and a society under the rule of law.
A Lightweight Pre-Crash Occupant Injury Prediction Model Distills Knowledge From Its Post-Crash Counterpart
Authors: Wang Qingfan , Li Ruiyang , Shang Shi , Zhou Qing , Nie Bingbing
Published: July 2023

Accurate occupant injury prediction in near-collision scenarios is vital in guiding intelligent vehicles to find the optimal collision condition with minimal injury risks. Existing studies focused on boosting prediction performance by introducing deep-learning models but encountered computational burdens due to the inherent high model complexity. To better balance these two traditionally contradictory factors, this study proposed a training method for pre-crash injury prediction models, namely, knowledge distillation (KD)-based training. This method was inspired by the idea of knowledge distillation, an emerging model compression method. Technically, we first trained a high-accuracy injury prediction model using informative post-crash sequence inputs (i.e., vehicle crash pulses) and a relatively complex network architecture as an experienced “teacher”. Following this, a lightweight pre-crash injury prediction model (“student”) learned both from the ground truth in output layers (i.e., conventional prediction loss) and its teacher in intermediate layers (i.e., distillation loss). In such a step-by-step teaching framework, the pre-crash model significantly improved the prediction accuracy of occupant's head abbreviated injury scale (AIS) (i.e., from 77.2% to 83.2%) without sacrificing computational efficiency. Multiple validation experiments proved the effectiveness of the proposed KD-based training framework. This study is expected to provide reference to balancing prediction accuracy and computational efficiency of pre-crash injury prediction models, promoting the further safety improvement of next-generation intelligent vehicles.
Attractors' Analysis and Bifurcation Diagrams for an Impacting Inverted Pendulum in the Presence of a Two-Terms Harmonic Excitation
Authors: Petrini Milena , Demeio Lucio , Lenci Stefano
Published: July 2023

In this work, we examine the nonlinear dynamics of an inverted pendulum between lateral rebounding barriers. We continue the numerical investigation started in (Demeio et al., 2006, “Response Scenario and Non-Smooth Features in the Nonlinear Dynamics of an Impacting Inverted Pendulum,” ASME J. Comput. Nonlin. Dyn., 1(1), pp. 56–64) by adding the contribution of the second harmonic in the external forcing term. We investigate the behavior of the periodic attractors by bifurcation diagrams with respect to each amplitude and by behavior charts of single attractors in the amplitude parameters plane for fixed frequency. We study the effects of the second harmonic term on the existence domain of each attractor, on local bifurcations, and on the changes in the basins of attraction. The behavior of some robust chaotic attractor is also considered. In the evolution of the periodic attractors we have observed that the addition of the second harmonic generates a rich variety of behaviors, such as loss of stability and formation of isolas of periodic orbits. In the case of chaotic attractors, we have studied one attractor at high frequency, ω = 18, and one at low frequency, ω = 3. In the high frequency case we detect a transition from a scattered to a confined attractor, whereas at the lower frequency the chaotic attractor is present over a wide range of the second harmonic's amplitude. Finally, we extend the investigation of the chaotic attractors by bifurcation diagrams with respect to the frequency.
Investigation on the Printability of Recycled Thermoplastic Polyurethane/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites
Authors: Stan Felicia , Sandu Ionut-Laurentiu , Fetecau Catalin
Published: July 2023

Although the production of polymer/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites has grown exponentially over the last years for a variety of applications, the availability of polymer/CNT filaments for use in commercial 3D printing systems is very limited, and, currently, little is known about the printability of recycled polymer/CNT nanocomposites. In this respect, the fused filament fabrication (FFF) of recycled thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/CNT nanocomposites was investigated with a special focus on the piezoresistive behavior. Mechanically recycled and virgin TPU/CNT nanocomposites with different CNT contents (0.5, 1, 3, and 5 wt% by weight) were subjected to filament extrusion and FFF, and the changes induced by mechanical recycling, CNT contents, and infill orientation were monitored by melt flow index, thermal, mechanical, electrical, and piezoresistive properties. It was found that the recycled TPU nanocomposites exhibit very good printability with mechanical and electrical properties that are generally comparable with those for the virgin nanocomposites, the decrease of the elongation at break at 5 wt% CNTs being the primary challenge for the mechanical recycling of TPU/CNT nanocomposites. The 3D-printed recycled TPU/CNT nanocomposites with 3 wt% and 5 wt% CNTs have very good strain sensing behavior with tunable sensitivity by varying the printing conditions. When targeting strains that suit the human motion (0–68%), the recycled TPU/CNT film sensors printed with 0-infill orientation show higher sensitivity (gauge factor up to 115 and 20 for 3 wt% and 5 wt%, respectively) compared with the virgin TPU/CNT film sensors (gauge factor up to 50 and 15 for 3 wt% and 5 wt%, respectively). The findings of this work provide guidance for assessing the potential of using recycled TPU/CNT nanocomposites for 3D printing strain sensors for a wide range of human motions.