bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Domain‐specific knowledge and domain‐general abilities in children's science problem‐solving
Authors: Schäfer Jonas , Reuter Timo , Karbach Julia , Leuchter Miriam
Published: December 2023

Background

Problem‐solving in early and middle childhood is of high relevance for cognitive developmental research and educational support. Previous research on science problem‐solving has focussed on the process and strategies of children handling challenging tasks, but less on providing insights into the cognitive network that enables science problem‐solving.

Aims

In this study, we aimed to investigate whether performance in science problem‐solving is mainly determined by domain‐specific rule knowledge, by domain‐general cognitive abilities or both.

Methods

In our study, 215 6‐ to 8‐year‐old children completed a set of three domain‐specific rule knowledge tasks and three corresponding problem‐solving tasks that were content‐coherent, as well as a vocabulary task, and a reasoning task.

Results

Correlational and regression analyses revealed a negligible impact of domain‐specific rule knowledge on corresponding problem‐solving tasks. In contrast, the associations between problem‐solving performance in different domains and the associations between problem‐solving performance and domain‐general abilities (vocabulary and reasoning) were comparably strong.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that science problem‐solving in primary school children primarily relies on domain‐general cognitive abilities. Implications of these findings are discussed with regard to cognitive theories and early science education.
Collaborative dialogue patterns of pair programming and their impact on programming self‐efficacy and coding performance
Authors: Tan Jinbo , Wu Lei , Ma Shanshan
Published: December 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the collaborative dialogue patterns of pair programming and their impact on programming self‐efficacy and coding performance for both slow‐ and fast‐paced students. Forty‐six postgraduate students participated in the study. The students were asked to solve programming problems in pairs; those pairs' conversations were recorded when they worked on their tasks. Data analysis methods, including lag sequential analysis, cluster analysis and paired t‐test, were employed, and the results showed that (1) four collaborative dialogue patterns emerged: Lecture, Guide, Question and Answer (Q&A), and Inquiry patterns; (2) Guide and Inquiry patterns significantly increased programming self‐efficacy for both fast‐ and slow‐paced students while Lecture and Q&A patterns significantly increased programming self‐efficacy for slow‐paced students but not for fast‐paced students; (3) Guide and Inquiry patterns played a significant role in improving coding performance for slow‐paced students. The study reveals a complex relationship between collaborative dialogue patterns with programming self‐efficacy and coding performance, critically affecting students' pair programming quality. Further details of the findings are also discussed.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Pair programming is promising in promoting problem solving and knowledge transfer and is widely used in programming education.

There are different patterns observed in the pair programming process.

Collaborative dialogue patterns found in “expert‐novice” pair programming were derived from a single programming task.

What this paper adds

Four collaborative dialogue patterns of pair programming emerged by increasing the different tasks and experiment duration and expanding the sample size, which further verified the stability of the similar patterns in previous studies.

Four collaborative dialogue patterns showed different significant impacts on different students' programming self‐efficacy and coding performance.

This study presents the finer‐grained characteristics of collaborative interaction in programmer pairs and contributes to the explanation regarding the different effects of pair programming reported in previous studies.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Four collaborative dialogue patterns can help the teachers understand the collaborative process of pair programming between fast‐ and slow‐paced students.

The collaborative dialogue patterns can be used to formulate effective intervention strategies to stimulate the process of collaboration in pairs and applied in future programming education to provide a new path for cultivating and promoting students' programming abilities.

It is worth further investigating the impact of collaborative dialogue patterns on students' computational thinking.
Impacts of coprophagic foraging behaviour on the avian gut microbiome
Authors: Dunbar Alice , Drigo Barbara , Djordjevic Steven P. , Donner Erica , Hoye Bethany J.
Published: December 2023

Avian gut microbial communities are complex and play a fundamental role in regulating biological functions within an individual. Although it is well established that diet can influence the structure and composition of the gut microbiota, foraging behaviour may also play a critical, yet unexplored role in shaping the composition, dynamics, and adaptive potential of avian gut microbiota. In this review, we examine the potential influence of coprophagic foraging behaviour on the establishment and adaptability of wild avian gut microbiomes. Coprophagy involves the ingestion of faeces, sourced from either self (autocoprophagy), conspecific animals (allocoprophagy), or heterospecific animals. Much like faecal transplant therapy, coprophagy may (i) support the establishment of the gut microbiota of young precocial species, (ii) directly and indirectly provide nutritional and energetic requirements, and (iii) represent a mechanism by which birds can rapidly adapt the microbiota to changing environments and diets. However, in certain contexts, coprophagy may also pose risks to wild birds, and their microbiomes, through increased exposure to chemical pollutants, pathogenic microbes, and antibiotic‐resistant microbes, with deleterious effects on host health and performance. Given the potentially far‐reaching consequences of coprophagy for avian microbiomes, and the dearth of literature directly investigating these links, we have developed a predictive framework for directing future research to understand better when and why wild birds engage in distinct types of coprophagy, and the consequences of this foraging behaviour. There is a need for comprehensive investigation into the influence of coprophagy on avian gut microbiotas and its effects on host health and performance throughout ontogeny and across a range of environmental perturbations. Future behavioural studies combined with metagenomic approaches are needed to provide insights into the function of this poorly understood behaviour.
Changes in thyroid function and evolution of subclinical thyroid disease in older men
Authors: Tan Stephanie Y. , Chubb S. A. Paul , Flicker Leon , Almeida Osvaldo P. , Golledge Jonathan , Hankey Graeme J. , Yeap Bu B.
Published: December 2023

Objective

Prevalence of subclinical thyroid disease increases with age, but optimal detection and surveillance strategies remain unclear particularly for older men. We aimed to assess thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) concentrations and their longitudinal changes, to determine the prevalence and incidence of subclinical thyroid dysfunction in older men.

Design, Participants and Measurements

Longitudinal study of 994 community‐dwelling men aged ≥70 years without known or current thyroid disease, with TSH and FT4 concentrations assessed at baseline and follow‐up (after 8.7 ± 0.9 years). Factors associated with incident subclinical thyroid dysfunction were examined by logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses.

Results

At baseline, 85 men (8.6%) had subclinical hypothyroidism and 10 (1.0%) subclinical hyperthyroidism. Among 899 men euthyroid at baseline (mean age 75.0 ± 3.0 years), 713 (79.3%) remained euthyroid, 180 (20.0%) developed subclinical/overt hypothyroidism, and 6 (0.7%) subclinical/overt hyperthyroidism. Change in TSH correlated with baseline TSH (r = .16, p < .05). Change in FT4 correlated inversely with baseline FT4 (r = −0.35, p < .05). Only higher age and baseline TSH predicted progression from euthyroid to subclinical/overt hypothyroidism (fully‐adjusted odds ratio [OR] per year=1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02‐1.17, p = .006; per 2.7‐fold increase in TSH OR = 65.4, CI = 31.9‐134, p < .001). Baseline TSH concentration ≥2.34 mIU/L had 76% sensitivity and 77% specificity for predicting development of subclinical/overt hypothyroidism.

Conclusions

In older men TSH concentration increased over time, while FT4 concentration showed little change. Subclinical or overt hypothyroidism evolved in one fifth of initially euthyroid men, age and higher baseline TSH predicted this outcome. Increased surveillance for thyroid dysfunction may be justified in older men, especially those with high‐normal TSH.
Association of early‐stage incidence and mortality in malignant melanoma – a population‐based ecological study
Authors: Schumann Laura , Eisemann Nora , Augustin Jobst , Kieschke Joachim , Meyer Martin , Kajüter Hiltraud , Katalinic Alexander
Published: December 2023

Background

Germany‐wide skin cancer screening was introduced in 2008 to reduce skin cancer mortality and morbidity. However, the effectiveness of the program is still unclear. We explore the relationship between early‐stage melanoma incidence and melanoma mortality in subsequent years, using early‐stage melanoma incidence as surrogate for screening participation and early detection.

Patients and Methods

Data on melanoma incidence for 2005–2016 and melanoma mortality for 2005–2018 were obtained for 244 German counties. We investigated the correlation between several measures of incidence and mortality with correlation analyses and linear regressions.

Results

Melanoma incidence of early stages (in situ and T1) rose by 69% between pre‐screening (2005–2007) and screening period (2008–2010). In contrast, there was no temporal trend in mortality over time. Correlation coefficients between incidence and mortality variables ranged between –0.14 and 0.10 (not significant). Linear regression indicated that mortality 6 years after screening introduction decreases with increasing change in early‐stage incidence (b = –0.0029, 95% confidence interval [–0.0066, 0.0007]).

Conclusions

The estimated population‐based effects of skin cancer screening on melanoma mortality were minimal and not significant. A potential effectiveness cannot be demonstrated.
Zusammenhang zwischen der Inzidenz früher Stadien und der Mortalität beim malignen Melanom – eine bevölkerungsbasierte ökologische Studie
Authors: Schumann Laura , Eisemann Nora , Augustin Jobst , Kieschke Joachim , Meyer Martin , Kajüter Hiltraud , Katalinic Alexander
Published: December 2023

Hintergrund

In Deutschland wurde 2008 ein flächendeckendes Hautkrebsscreening eingeführt, um die Hautkrebsmortalität und ‐morbidität zu senken. Noch unklar ist jedoch die Wirksamkeit des Programms. Wir untersuchen den Zusammenhang zwischen der Inzidenz von Melanom‐Frühstadien und Melanom‐Mortalität in den Folgejahren, wobei die Inzidenz von Melanom‐Frühstadien als Surrogatparameter für Screening‐Teilnahme und Früherkennung verwendet wird.

Methodik

Für 244 deutsche Landkreise wurden Daten zur Melanom‐Inzidenz von 2005–2016 und zur Melanom‐Mortalität von 2005–2018 erhoben. Die Zusammenhänge zwischen verschiedenen Maßen der Inzidenz und Mortalität wurden mit Korrelationsanalysen und linearen Regressionen untersucht.

Ergebnisse

Die Melanom‐Inzidenz früher Stadien (in situ und T1) stieg nach Einführung des Screenings (2005–2007 vs. 2008–2010) um 69%. Im Gegensatz dazu gab es bei der Mortalität keinen zeitlichen Trend. Die Korrelationen zwischen Inzidenz‐ und Mortalitätsvariablen lagen zwischen –0,14 und 0,10 (nicht signifikant). Die linearen Regressionsanalysen ergaben, dass die Mortalität sechs Jahre nach Einführung des Screenings mit zunehmendem Anstieg der Inzidenz früher Stadien abnimmt (b  =  –0,0029, 95%‐Konfidenzintervall [–0,0066; 0,0007]).

Schlussfolgerungen

Die geschätzten bevölkerungsbezogenen Auswirkungen des Hautkrebsscreenings auf die Melanom‐Mortalität waren minimal und nicht signifikant. Eine mögliche Wirksamkeit kann daher nicht nachgewiesen werden.
Endogenous property rights and the nature of the firm
Authors: Guerriero Carmine , Pignataro Giuseppe
Published: December 2023

While focusing on residual control rights, the property rights theory of the firm overlooks that the legal protection of each party's input shapes its ex post bargaining power. To evaluate this issue, we assume that the property rights on the inputs are selected by a legislator to maximize full investment and, conditional on this goal being reached, minimize inefficient deviations to intermediate investment profiles. Our model delivers three key novel implications. First, the strength of a party's property rights is related negatively to the strength of its residual control rights and determines entirely its ex ante incentives to invest. Second, the legislator tends to protect a firm less when its default payoff under its preferred ownership structure is larger and when its contribution to the relationship is the greatest. Finally, the extent of integration falls weakly with the default payoffs and displays an inverted U‐shaped link with the intensity of the downstream firm's investment activity. Crucially, these predictions are consistent with the relationships between proxies for the strength of the downstream firms' property rights and firms' presence in the value chain, and measures of asset specificity and R&D intensity for 119 countries observed over the 2006–18 period.
Laboratory evaluation of interspecific mating between Zeugodacus fruit flies and Bactrocera dorsalis
Authors: Huang Yu‐Bing , Hong Chuan‐Jie , Chou Ming‐Yi
Published: December 2023

The increasing number of tephritid pest invasions worldwide highlights the importance of interspecific interactions among tephritid pests. The melon fly [Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett)], the pumpkin fruit fly [Zeugodacus tau (Walker)], and the oriental fruit fly [Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)] (all Diptera: Tephritidae) are neotropical fruit flies with overlapping distributions. Their interactions during mating hours have rarely been observed in nature due to their nocturnal behavior. Here, laboratory studies were conducted under no‐choice and choice conditions to quantify interspecific mating. The interactions during mating hours resulted in interspecific mating, which reduced conspecific mating success and interrupted mating activity patterns. Successful interspecific mating pairs of Z. cucurbitae and Z. tau were recorded in no‐choice and choice tests. Interspecific mating between male Z. cucurbitae and female Z. tau significantly reduced conspecific mating in Z. tau. Observations of the diel mating activity patterns showed that male Z. cucurbitae initiated calling behaviors earlier than Z. tau males, giving Z. cucurbitae more chances to court Z. tau. Though males of neither Zeugodacus species formed mating pairs with B. dorsalis, Zeugodacus males reduced conspecific mating in B. dorsalis in the choice trials. Thus, interspecific interactions among Z. cucurbitae, Z. tau, and B. dorsalis affected conspecific mating; interrupted conspecific mating activity patterns were recorded in all three species. This information could be used to improve management practices.
Impact of gaming disorder on first episode psychosis patients' evolution: Protocol for a multicentered prospective study
Authors: Huot‐Lavoie Maxime , Desmeules Charles , Corbeil Olivier , Béchard Laurent , Brodeur Sébastien , Essiambre Anne‐Marie , Thériault Chantale , Anderson Elizabeth , Bachand Lauryann , Haider Zain Al‐Aabideen , Abdel‐Baki Amal , Khazaal Yasser , Giroux Isabelle , Demers Marie‐France , Roy Marc‐André
Published: December 2023

Aims

The objective of this study is to underline the impact of Gaming Disorder on the clinical evolution of patients with First Episode Psychosis. The specific aims of the study are to determine the prevalence of gaming disorder among those patients and assess the consequences of gaming on their clinical trajectory.

Methods

This is a prospective multicenter cohort study that will enrol 800 patients diagnosed with a first episode psychosis, with a follow‐up period of up to 3 years. Using a systematic screening procedure for gaming disorder, the clinical staff will assess patients gaming habits at admission and every 6 months thereafter. Information from patients' medical records will also be extracted using the same timeframe.

Results

The patients' characteristics at admission and during follow‐up will be presented in the form of descriptive statistics and compared between different subgroups of patients using uni‐ and multivariate logistic regression models. Repeated measures ANCOVA will also be performed to analyse the impact of gaming disorders on patients' clinical path as assessed by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the Clinical Global Impression scale, considering covariates such as psychiatric diagnosis, pharmacological treatment, age, sex/gender, and duration of untreated psychosis.

Conclusion

These findings will guide the development of prevention, detection, and treatment strategies for the comorbidity between gaming disorder and first episode psychosis, ultimately improving the patients' recovery.
A systematic review of ChatGPT use in K‐12 education
Authors: Zhang Peng , Tur Gemma
Published: December 2023

This systematic review, adhering to the PRISMA framework, investigated the utilisation of ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI, throughout Kindergarten to 12th grade (K‐12) educational settings. The review synthesises findings from 13 selected papers, encompassing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of ChatGPT's implementation in K‐12 education, implications for various stakeholders, and practical recommendations. It is highlighted that ChatGPT could empower educators through curriculum, lesson planning, materials generation, differentiation, and optimising student learning experience through personalised learning. However, concerns regarding academic integrity and output quality must be addressed. The paper provides pedagogical recommendations and ethical considerations to utilise ChatGPT better. It contributes to the ongoing discourse about AI, particularly ChatGPT's role in K‐12 education, further inspiring future research and educational practices and facilitating the effective integration of ChatGPT into K‐12 educational settings where collaboration arises as a key role, in particular under the approach of co‐design for learning.
Beta‐ and gamma‐band cortico‐cortical interactions support naturalistic reading of continuous text
Authors: Kujala Jan , Mäkelä Sasu , Ojala Pauliina , Hyönä Jukka , Salmelin Riitta
Published: December 2023

Large‐scale integration of information across cortical structures, building on neural connectivity, has been proposed to be a key element in supporting human cognitive processing. In electrophysiological neuroimaging studies of reading, quantification of neural interactions has been limited to the level of isolated words or sentences due to artefacts induced by eye movements. Here, we combined magnetoencephalography recording with advanced artefact rejection tools to investigate both cortico‐cortical coherence and directed neural interactions during naturalistic reading of full‐page texts. Our results show that reading versus visual scanning of text was associated with wide‐spread increases of cortico‐cortical coherence in the beta and gamma bands. We further show that the reading task was linked to increased directed neural interactions compared to the scanning task across a sparse set of connections within a wide range of frequencies. Together, the results demonstrate that neural connectivity flexibly builds on different frequency bands to support continuous natural reading.
Niche differentiation, reproductive interference, and range expansion
Authors: Grether Gregory F. , Finneran Ann E. , Drury Jonathan P.
Published: December 2023

Understanding species distributions and predicting future range shifts requires considering all relevant abiotic factors and biotic interactions. Resource competition has received the most attention, but reproductive interference is another widespread biotic interaction that could influence species ranges. Rubyspot damselflies (Hetaerina spp.) exhibit a biogeographic pattern consistent with the hypothesis that reproductive interference has limited range expansion. Here, we use ecological niche models to evaluate whether this pattern could have instead been caused by niche differentiation. We found evidence for climatic niche differentiation, but the species that encounters the least reproductive interference has one of the narrowest and most peripheral niches. These findings strengthen the case that reproductive interference has limited range expansion and also provide a counterexample to the idea that release from negative species interactions triggers niche expansion. We propose that release from reproductive interference enables species to expand in range while specializing on the habitats most suitable for breeding.
Prediction tools and risk stratification in epilepsy surgery
Authors: Hadady Levente , Sperling Michael R. , Alcala‐Zermeno Juan Luis , French Jacqueline A. , Dugan Patricia , Jehi Lara , Fabó Dániel , Klivényi Péter , Rubboli Guido , Beniczky Sándor
Published: December 2023

Objective

This study was undertaken to conduct external validation of previously published epilepsy surgery prediction tools using a large independent multicenter dataset and to assess whether these tools can stratify patients for being operated on and for becoming free of disabling seizures (International League Against Epilepsy stage 1 and 2).

Methods

We analyzed a dataset of 1562 patients, not used for tool development. We applied two scales: Epilepsy Surgery Grading Scale (ESGS) and Seizure Freedom Score (SFS); and two versions of Epilepsy Surgery Nomogram (ESN): the original version and the modified version, which included electroencephalographic data. For the ESNs, we used calibration curves and concordance indexes. We stratified the patients into three tiers for assessing the chances of attaining freedom from disabling seizures after surgery: high (ESGS = 1, SFS = 3–4, ESNs > 70%), moderate (ESGS = 2, SFS = 2, ESNs = 40%–70%), and low (ESGS = 2, SFS = 0–1, ESNs < 40%). We compared the three tiers as stratified by these tools, concerning the proportion of patients who were operated on, and for the proportion of patients who became free of disabling seizures.

Results

The concordance indexes for the various versions of the nomograms were between .56 and .69. Both scales (ESGS, SFS) and nomograms accurately stratified the patients for becoming free of disabling seizures, with significant differences among the three tiers (p < .05). In addition, ESGS and the modified ESN accurately stratified the patients for having been offered surgery, with significant difference among the three tiers (p < .05).

Significance

ESGS and the modified ESN (at thresholds of 40% and 70%) stratify patients undergoing presurgical evaluation into three tiers, with high, moderate, and low chance for favorable outcome, with significant differences between the groups concerning having surgery and becoming free of disabling seizures. Stratifying patients for epilepsy surgery has the potential to help select the optimal candidates in underprivileged areas and better allocate resources in developed countries.
Detection of native, activated Notch receptors in normal human apocrine‐bearing skin and in hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Stabell Siri Hansen , Renzi Anastasia , Nilsen Hogne Røed , Antonsen Olaf Harald , Fosse Johanna Hol , Haraldsen Guttorm , Sundnes Olav
Published: December 2023

Notch signalling has generated considerable interest as a pathogenetic factor and a drug target in a range of human diseases. The gamma‐secretase complex is crucial in the activation of Notch receptors by cleaving the intracellular domain allowing nuclear translocation. In recent years several mutations in gamma‐secretase components have been discovered in patients with familial hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). This has led to hypotheses that impaired Notch signalling could be an important driver for HS in general, not only in the monogenic variants. However, no study has examined in situ Notch activation per se in HS, and some reports with conflicting results have instead been based on expression of Notch receptors or indirect measures of Notch target gene expression. In this study we established immunostaining protocols to identify native, activated Notch receptors in human skin tissue. The ability to detect changes in Notch activation was confirmed with an ex vivo skin organ model in which signal was reduced or obliterated in tissue exposed to a gamma‐secretase inhibitor. Using these methods on skin biopsies from healthy volunteers and a general HS cohort we demonstrated for the first time the distribution of active Notch signalling in human apocrine‐bearing skin. Quantification of activated NOTCH1 & NOTCH2 revealed similar levels in non‐lesional and peri‐lesional HS to that of healthy controls, thus ruling out a general defect in Notch activation in HS patients. We did find a variable but significant reduction of activated Notch in epidermis of lesional HS with a distribution that appeared related to the extent of surrounding tissue inflammation.
Epigenetic mechanisms driving the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis and dermatomyositis
Authors: Zhang Yusheng , Maskan Bermudez Narges , Sa Brianna , Maderal Andrea D. , Jimenez Joaquin J.
Published: December 2023

Autoimmune connective tissue disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis (SSc) and dermatomyositis (DM), often manifest with debilitating cutaneous lesions and can result in systemic organ damage that may be life‐threatening. Despite recent therapeutic advancements, many patients still experience low rates of sustained remission and significant treatment toxicity. While genetic predisposition plays a role in these connective tissue disorders, the relatively low concordance rates among monozygotic twins (ranging from approximately 4% for SSc to about 11%–50% for SLE) have prompted increased scrutiny of the epigenetic factors contributing to these diseases. In this review, we explore some seminal studies and key findings to provide a comprehensive understanding of how dysregulated epigenetic mechanisms can contribute to the development of SLE, SSc and DM.
Mechanistic implications of the ternary complex structural models for the photoenzyme protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase
Authors: Taylor Aoife , Zhang Shaowei , Johannissen Linus O. , Sakuma Michiyo , Phillips Robert S. , Green Anthony P. , Hay Sam , Heyes Derren J. , Scrutton Nigel S.
Published: December 2023

The photoenzyme protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR) is an important enzyme for understanding biological H‐transfer mechanisms. It uses light to catalyse the reduction of protochlorophyllide to chlorophyllide, a key step in chlorophyll biosynthesis. Although a wealth of spectroscopic data have provided crucial mechanistic insight, a structural rationale for POR photocatalysis has proved challenging and remains hotly debated. Recent structural models of the ternary enzyme–substrate complex, derived from crystal and electron microscopy data, show differences in the orientation of the protochlorophyllide substrate and the architecture of the POR active site, with significant implications for the catalytic mechanism. Here, we use a combination of computational and experimental approaches to investigate the compatibility of each structural model with the hypothesised reaction mechanisms and propose an alternative structural model for the cyanobacterial POR ternary complex. We show that a strictly conserved tyrosine, previously proposed to act as the proton donor in POR photocatalysis, is unlikely to be involved in this step of the reaction but is crucial for Pchlide binding. Instead, an active site cysteine is important for both hydride and proton transfer reactions in POR and is proposed to act as the proton donor, either directly or through a water‐mediated network. Moreover, a conserved glutamine is important for Pchlide binding and ensuring efficient photochemistry by tuning its electronic properties, likely by interacting with the central Mg atom of the substrate. This optimal ‘binding pose’ for the POR ternary enzyme–substrate complex illustrates how light energy can be harnessed to facilitate enzyme catalysis by this unique enzyme.
Persisting in extreme environments: What are the drivers of body conditions of introduced fish in high mountain lakes?
Authors: Vagnon Chloé , Sentis Arnaud , Gerfand Benjamin , Guillard Jean , Raymond Jean‐Claude , Loheac Bertrand , Proner Damien , Vallat Manuel , Frossard Victor
Published: December 2023

Salmonids are introduced in various ecosystems, including mountain lakes characterised by extreme environmental constraints. Although these constraints can affect salmonid body condition through direct and indirect pathways, they remain seldom explored despite their importance for understanding salmonid fitness and long‐term establishment.

In order to fill this gap, we firstly fitted species‐specific weight–length relationships for three salmonid species in nine mountain lakes, and compared their allometric coefficients with those of 362 salmonid populations worldwide to identify potential differences in growth trajectory of salmonids in the studied lakes. We then investigated how thermal characteristics and lake morphometry could influence salmonid body conditions, both directly and indirectly through salmonid density, the presence of forage fish and resource densities. We calculated salmonid relative body condition Kn and used a structural equation model (SEM) to disentangle these direct and indirect effects.

The values of allometric coefficients for the three species did not differ from those of most salmonids worldwide although ontogenetic changes in Salvelinus alpinus weight gain was observed. Kn differed significantly among the populations studied. The strongest effects were related to direct and indirect effects of lake morphometry, while thermal characteristics had mostly indirect effects on Kn. The strength and the sign of the indirect effects of morphometry and temperature were mediated by the direct effects of resource and salmonid densities on Kn.

Kn estimates were greater in lakes with shallow basin slopes than those with steep slopes. Shallow basin slopes probably provide habitats that support high prey availability and require lower energy expenditure by salmonids compared to lakes with steep slopes dominated by pelagic habitats. Complementarily, higher winter and summer temperatures favour Kn by supporting higher prey densities and longer periods of feeding activity. Our results may help managers to select lakes that optimise sustainability of salmonid populations based on the joint effects of basin morphometry and the expected thermal modifications induced by global change.
Merging trait‐based ecology and regime shift theory to anticipate community responses to warming
Authors: Weisberg Sarah J. , Pershing Andrew J. , Grigoratou Maria , Mills Katherine E. , Fenwick Ileana F. , Frisk Michael G. , McBride Richard , Lucey Sean M. , Kemberling Adam , Beltz Brandon , Nye Janet A.
Published: December 2023

Anthropogenic warming is altering species abundance, distribution, physiology, and more. How changes observed at the species level alter emergent community properties is an active and urgent area of research. Trait‐based ecology and regime shift theory provide complementary ways to understand climate change impacts on communities, but these two bodies of work are only rarely integrated. Lack of integration handicaps our ability to understand community responses to warming, at a time when such understanding is critical. Therefore, we advocate for merging trait‐based ecology with regime shift theory. We propose a general set of principles to guide this merger and apply these principles to research on marine communities in the rapidly warming North Atlantic. In our example, combining trait distribution and regime shift analyses at the community level yields greater insight than either alone. Looking forward, we identify a clear need for expanding quantitative approaches to collecting and merging trait‐based and resilience metrics in order to advance our understanding of climate‐driven community change.
Sex differences in symptom presentation and their impact on diagnostic accuracy in Werner syndrome
Authors: Kaneko Hiyori , Maezawa Yoshiro , Tsukagoshi‐Yamaguchi Ayano , Koshizaka Masaya , Takada‐Watanabe Aki , Nakamura Rito , Funayama Shinichiro , Aono Kazuto , Teramoto Naoya , Sawada Daisuke , Maeda Yukari , Minamizuka Takuya , Hayashi Aiko , Ide Kana , Ide Shintaro , Shoji Mayumi , Kitamoto Takumi , Takemoto Minoru , Kato Hisaya , Yokote Koutaro
Published: December 2023

Aim

Whether sex differences exist in hereditary progeroid syndromes remains unclear. In this study, we investigated sex differences in patients with Werner syndrome (WS), a model of human aging, using patient data at the time of diagnosis.

Methods

The presence of six cardinal signs in the diagnostic criteria was retrospectively evaluated.

Results

We found that the percentage of patients with all cardinal signs was higher in males than in females (54.2% vs. 21.2%). By the age of 40 years, 57.1% of male patients with WS presented with all the cardinal signs, whereas none of the female patients developed all of them. In particular, the frequency of having a high‐pitched, hoarse voice, a characteristic of WS, was lower in female patients. The positive and negative predictive values for clinical diagnosis were 100% for males and females, indicating the helpfulness of diagnostic criteria regardless of sex. More female patients than male (86.7% vs. 64%) required genetic testing for their diagnosis because their clinical symptoms were insufficient, suggesting the importance of genetic testing for females even if they do not show typical symptoms of WS. Finally, the frequency of abnormal voice was lower in patients with WS harboring the c.3139‐1G > C homozygous mutation.

Conclusion

These results indicate, for the first time, that there are sex differences in the phenotypes of hereditary progeroid syndromes. The analysis of this mechanism in this human model of aging may lead to the elucidation of sex differences in the various symptoms of normal human aging. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 161–167.
Thermal shock resistance and dimensional stability of zirconia‐corundum‐mullite composites for solar thermal storage
Authors: Zhou Yang , Wu Jianfeng , Li Jingwen , Xu Xiaohong , Shen Yaqiang , Yu Jiaqi
Published: December 2023

Zirconia‐corundum‐mullite composites were prepared from andalusite, ZrO2, and α‐Al2O3 and evaluated for application as solar thermal storage materials in this study. The effects of ZrO2 concentration (0–25 wt%) and sintering temperature(1500–1650°C) on the bending strength, phase composition, microstructure, dimensional stability, and thermal shock resistance of the samples were investigated. The results showed that sample C2 (containing 10 wt% ZrO2) sintered at 1600°C exhibited the best properties. A portion of Y2O3 existed in ZrO2, which excited a small amount of t‐ZrO2 in the sample after sintering, while the other portion of Y2O3 was separated from ZrO2 and participated in the formation of a high‐temperature liquid phase. The liquid phase reduced the dimensional stability of the sample. However, the liquid phase could also promote sintering, reducing the optimal sintering temperature, with lower sintering temperatures increasing the dimensional stability of the sample. Once again, the C2 sample exhibited the highest thermal shock resistance, with a strength loss of 2.76 MPa after 30 thermal shock tests. The thermal storage density(25–1100°C) of C2 was 1121 kJ/kg. In summary, sample C2 exhibits a high degree of dimensional stability and thermal shock resistance and can thus be used as a reliable solar thermal storage material.
The microwave dielectric properties of the low‐temperature firing BaZnP2O7 ceramics with Co2+ substitution
Authors: Huang Fangyi , Tang Xiaoli , Zhang Qin , Huo Xingyu , Li Yuanxun , Jian Xian , Su Hua
Published: December 2023

In this study, the microwave dielectric properties of Co2+‐substituted BaZnP2O7 ceramics prepared through conventional solid‐state synthesis were investigated. X‐ray diffraction, Rietveld refinement, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy all indicated that BaZn1−xCoxP2O7 ceramics sintered at 875°C were composed of a single phase. The lattice strain and crystallite size were estimated using Williamson–Hall (W–H) method. Both the scanning electron microscopy images and density measurements showed that Co2+ ions had an effect on the grain growth and densification of ceramics. The microwave dielectric properties were influenced by the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that varied with the increase of x value. An optimal performance (εr = 7.62, Q × f = 600 45 GHz, and τf = −74 ppm/°C) was achieved at x = .01. The porosity and relative density played a significant role in the dielectric constant εr: the denser the ceramic structure, the larger the dielectric constant. The Q × f and τf values were negatively correlated with the full width at half maximum of the Raman vibrational peak at approximately 1049 cm−1. Moreover, the Q × f value was improved compared to that of the undoped BaZnP2O7 ceramics. Therefore, cobalt ion substitution is an effective strategy to enhance the performance of microwave dielectric ceramics.
The role of reticence in the comprehension of metaphorical taboo expressions in the foreign language
Authors: Suñer Ferran , De Cock Barbara
Published: December 2023

The present study focuses on the influence of L2 learners’ attitudes toward and perception of sexual taboos on their comprehension of metaphorical taboo expressions. Other aspects such as the presence of contextual information and the L2 learners’ stay‐abroad experience were also included in the study design. A total of 53 students of Spanish as a foreign language were presented with metaphorical taboo expressions from the MadSex corpus. They also were asked to rate their reticence to talk about sex and to use sexual taboo expressions. The results show that a higher degree of reticence to talk about sex is associated with a worse performance on the metaphor comprehension test. Furthermore, learners with a stay‐abroad experience outperformed their counterparts on the comprehension test, but they did not guess the meaning from the context more successfully. Finally, participants with stay‐abroad experience found it more acceptable to use sexual taboo expressions.
Linking motivation and willingness to communicate in online L3 learning context: The influence of emotions and perceived positive language interaction
Authors: Lei Fei , Chen Xinjie , Fan Xitao
Published: December 2023

The importance of “willingness to communicate” (WTC) in foreign language learning has been widely discussed. However, the current research on WTC mainly focuses on traditional classrooms, and there is insufficient attention to WTC in L3 online learning. This study explored the psychological process among motivation, WTC, foreign language enjoyment (FLE), foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA), and perceived positive language interaction (PPLI). Based on data collected from 492 college students who were taking the online L3 course, results showed that: (1) L3 learners were somewhat willing to use L3 for communicating in online classes; (2) motivation was positively related to WTC; (3) FLE and FLCA mediated the relationship between motivation and WTC differently; (4) PPLI had moderating effects on both the relationship between FLE and WTC and between FLCA and WTC. Implications of online foreign language learning were discussed.
Evaluation of a virtual ward model of care and readmission characteristics during the COVID‐19 pandemic within an Australian tertiary hospital
Authors: Farquhar Drew , Choong Keat , Anderson James , Peters Sandra , Subedi Shradha
Published: December 2023

Background

Virtual ward (VW) models of care established during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic provided safe and equitable provision of ambulatory care for low‐risk patients; however, little is known about patients who require escalation of care to hospitals from VWs.

Aim

To assess our VW model of care and describe the characteristics of patients admitted to the hospital from the VW.

Methods

Observational study of all patients admitted to a tertiary hospital COVID‐19 VW between 1 December 2021 and 30 June 2022. Utilisation and epidemiological characteristics were assessed for all patients while additional demographics, assessments, treatments and outcomes were assessed for patients admitted to the hospital from the VW.

Results

Of 9494 patient admissions, 269 (2.83%) patients identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and 1774 (18.69%) were unvaccinated. The median length of stay was 5.10 days and the mean Index of Relative Socio‐economic Advantage and Disadvantage decile was 5.73. One hundred sixty (1.69%) patients were admitted to the hospital from the VW, of which 25 were adults admitted to medical wards. Of this cohort, prominent comorbidities were obesity, hypertension, asthma and frailty, while the main symptoms on admission to the VW were cough, fatigue, nausea and sore throat. High Pandemic Respiratory Infection Emergency System Triage (PRIEST), Veterans Health Administration COVID‐19 (VACO), COVID Home Safely Now (CHOSEN) and 4C mortality scores existed for those readmitted.

Conclusions

This VW model of care was both safe and effective when applied to a broad socioeconomic population during the COVID‐19 pandemic. While readmission to the hospital was low, this study identified key characteristics of such presentations, which may assist future triaging, escalation and resource allocation within VWs during the COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond.
Concentration dependent cyan emission by europium‐doped borosilicate glasses
Authors: Cui Jiuzhi , Sun Xin‐Yuan , Wen Yufeng , Zhang Chenxi , Chen Runchuan , Wu Miaochun , Yu Meidong , Li Chaoyuan , Xiao Zhuohao , Wang Jing
Published: December 2023

At present, doping of different alkaline‐earth metal ions is mainly used to tune the emission peak of europium (Eu) ions in glasses. However, the optimization of Eu‐doped glasses is hindered due to limited discussion on the relationship between local glass network structure, concentration of Eu ion dopants, and visible light emission by Eu ions. In this study, we prepared two series of borosilicate glasses doped with Eu ions, by varying the ratio of SiO2 to B2O3 and adjusting the concentration of Eu ion dopants to obtain cyan emission. The optical properties, structure, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the investigated glasses were systematically studied. With gradual increase in the content of SiO2, red shifting from 471 nm to 492 nm was observed under excitation at 410 nm, with the introduction of Eu2O3 also causing a redshift from 471 nm to 488 nm. The spectral results also revealed that under excitation at 410 nm all the glass samples exhibited cyan emission, with the optimal cyan peak at 492 nm (Si‐45) and the strongest cyan emission at Eu‐0.4 (480 nm). By adjusting the concentration ratios of Si to B in europium‐doped borosilicate glass, it was observed that by altering the [SiO4] tetrahedra, [BO4] tetrahedra, and [BO3] triangles within the glass ultimately cyan emission can be achieved. By varying the doping concentration of Eu ion to change the degree of local Eu ion clustering in the glass system, cyan emission can be achieved by tuning the emission peak.
Eutectoid decompositions in Ce‐containing ABO3 perovskites: Part I, the case of cooperative growth in CeAlO3
Authors: Johnston‐Peck Aaron C. , Maier Russell A.
Published: December 2023

Oxidation of perovskite CeAlO3 results in the eutectoid transformation to CeO2 and Al2O3. This phase transformation was recorded using thermal gravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning transmission electron microscopy. Lamellar features in the resultant microstructure indicate cooperative growth. Processing conditions dictate the lamellae sizes, which can be as small as a few nanometers, and coarsen into large domains with additional high temperature annealing.
Significant improvement of slag corrosion resistance and thermal shock resistance of corundum‐based dry vibratable refractory by addition of Fe–Si3N4
Authors: Qi Gang , Li Peilin , Li Minghui , Chen Ruoyu , Ding Yi , Li Saisai , Lv Siwei , Li Canhua
Published: December 2023

Fe–Si3N4 was introduced to improve the service performance of corundum‐based dry vibratable refractories in the casting industry, specifically enhancing their thermal shock resistance and resistance to slag corrosion. The study analyzed the effects of Fe–Si3N4 powder content on the refractories’ mechanical properties, phase compositions, slag corrosion resistance, and microstructures. The addition of Fe–Si3N4 facilitated the production of magnesium aluminate spinel in the refractory matrix, while also decreasing the wettability between the molten slag and refractory. Increasing the Fe–Si3N4 content resulted in accelerating the replacing Mg2+ (0.072 nm) with Al3+ (0.053 nm) in the spinel. Simultaneously, Fe3+ (0.055 nm) was effectively dissolved into the alumina crystals. The bulk density, compressive strength, and slag corrosion resistance of the refractories were improved. However, the thermal shock resistance initially increased but then decreased. In industrial tests, a corundum‐based dry vibratable refractory with a 1 wt.% Fe–Si3N4 content effectively prolonged the lifespan of an induction melting furnace when used as a lining refractory. Importantly, the refractory did not spall or generate cracks in the matrix after induction melt furnace industrial test.
Reminders of an agentic ingroup buffer disease uncontrollability
Authors: Relke Susanne , Fritsche Immo , Masson Torsten , Greenaway Katharine H.
Published: December 2023

Chronic illness has negative impacts beyond those on physical health. In particular, because it is often experienced as uncontrollable, chronic illness might reduce people's general sense of personal control and, subsequently, personal well‐being. Drawing on recent theory and research, we proposed and tested in four experiments (Ntotal = 1323) a potential buffer to these negative effects: thinking about an agentic social ingroup in one's life. In Study 1, patients suffering from a chronic illness that was either high or low in medical disease controllability were asked either to think about an agentic ingroup or a personal issue. Low perceived disease‐related control was associated with low perceived personal control only when participants' personal self, but not when their ingroup, was salient. In three follow‐up vignette studies, we asked participants to take the perspective of a person who suffered from a health problem of low medical disease controllability and attended a self‐help group that was described as either high or low in agency. The findings supported the predicted buffering effect: participants who reflected on a target suffering from a low control disease thought that the target would experience more personal control when the agentic (vs. the nonagentic) self‐help group was salient. These findings suggest ingroups can serve as a source of personal control in the context of health‐related threats to the extent that they are perceived as agentic. Thus, focusing on agentic properties of (health‐related) ingroups might be a promising novel strategy when designing effective group‐based interventions to cope with chronic illness.