bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Covariate Balance with Small Sample Sizes
Authors: Hripcsak George , Zhang Linying , Chen Yong , Li Kelly , Suchard Marc A. , Ryan Patrick B. , Schuemie Martijn J.
Published: April 2024

Propensity score adjustment addresses confounding by balancing covariates in subject treatment groups through matching, stratification, or weighting. Diagnostics test the success of adjustment. For example, if the standardized mean difference (SMD) for a relevant covariate exceeds a threshold like 0.1, the covariate is considered imbalanced and the study may be invalid. Unfortunately, for studies with small or moderate numbers of subjects, the probability of falsely rejecting the validity of a study because of chance imbalance—the probability of asserting imbalance by using a cutoff for SMD when no underlying imbalance exists—can be grossly larger than a given nominal level like 0.05. In this paper, we illustrate that chance imbalance is operative in real-world settings even for moderate sample sizes of 2000. We identify a previously unrecognized challenge that as meta-analyses increase the precision of an effect estimate, the diagnostics must also undergo meta-analysis for a corresponding increase in precision. We propose an alternative diagnostic that checks whether the standardized mean difference statistically significantly exceeds the threshold. Through simulation and real-world data, we find that this diagnostic achieves a better trade-off of type 1 error rate and power than standard nominal threshold tests and not testing for sample sizes from 250 to 4000 and for 20 to 100,000 covariates. We confirm that in network studies, meta-analysis of effect estimates must be accompanied by meta-analysis of the diagnostics or else systematic confounding may overwhelm the estimated effect. Our procedure supports the review of large numbers of covariates, enabling more rigorous diagnostics.
Stability of axion-dilaton wormholes
Authors: Jonas Caroline , Lavrelashvili George , Lehners Jean-Luc
Published: April 2024

We study the perturbative stability of Euclidean axion-dilaton wormholes that asymptotically approach flat space, both with a massless and a massive dilaton, and focus on homogeneous perturbations. We find massless wormholes to always be perturbatively stable. The phenomenologically more relevant case of a massive dilaton presents us with a wide variety of wormhole solutions, depending on the dilaton coupling and mass, and on the axion charge. We find that the solutions with the smallest dilaton potential are perturbatively stable and dominant, even in cases where the wormhole solutions are not continuously connected to the massless case by decreasing the mass. For branches of solutions emanating from a bifurcation point, one side of the branch always contains a negative mode in its spectrum, rendering such solutions unstable. The existence of classes of perturbatively stable wormhole solutions with massive dilaton sharpens the puzzles associated with Euclidean wormholes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Simple formulation of no-cloning and no-hiding that admits efficient and robust verification
Authors: Girling Matthew , Cîrstoiu Cristina , Jennings David
Published: April 2024

Incompatibility is a feature of quantum theory that sets it apart from classical theory, and the inability to clone an unknown quantum state is one of the most fundamental instances. The no-hiding theorem is another such instance that arises in the context of the black-hole information paradox, and can be viewed as being dual to no-cloning. Here, we formulate both of these fundamental features of quantum theory in a single form that is amenable to efficient verification, and that is robust to errors arising in state preparation and measurements. We extend the notion of unitarity—an average figure of merit that for quantum theory captures the coherence of a quantum channel—to general physical theories. Then, we introduce the notion of compatible unitarity pair (CUP) sets, that correspond to the allowed values of unitarities for compatible channels in the theory. We show that a CUP set constitutes a simple “fingerprint” of a physical theory, and that incompatibility can be studied through them. We derive information-disturbance constraints on quantum CUP sets that encode both the no-cloning/broadcasting and no-hiding theorems of quantum theory. We then develop randomized benchmarking protocols that efficiently estimate quantum CUP sets and provide simulations using IBMQ of the simplest instance. Finally, we discuss ways in which CUP sets and quantum no-go theorems could provide additional information to benchmark quantum devices.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Qutrit quantum battery: Comparing different charging protocols
Authors: Gemme Giulia , Grossi Michele , Vallecorsa Sofia , Sassetti Maura , Ferraro Dario
Published: April 2024

Motivated by recent experimental observations carried out in superconducting transmon circuits, we compare two different charging protocols for three-level quantum batteries based on time-dependent classical pulses. In the first case, the complete charging is achieved through the application of two sequential pulses, while in the second the charging occurs in a unique step applying the two pulses simultaneously. The latter approach is characterized by a shorter charging time, and consequently by a greater charging power. Moreover, both protocols are analytically solvable, leading to a complete control on the dynamics of the quantum system and opening unique perspectives in the manipulation of the so-called qutrits. To support this analysis, we have tested both protocols on IBM quantum devices based on superconducting circuits in the transmon regime. The minimum achieved charging time represents one of the fastest stable charging reported so far in solid-state quantum batteries.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
High-Field Optical Cesium Magnetometer for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Stærkind Hans , Jensen Kasper , Müller Jörg H. , Boer Vincent O. , Polzik Eugene S. , Petersen Esben T.
Published: April 2024

We present a novel high-field optical quantum magnetometer based on saturated absorption spectroscopy on the extreme angular-momentum states of the cesium D2 line. With key features including continuous readout, high sampling rate, and sensitivity and accuracy in the ppm range, it represents a competitive alternative to conventional techniques for measuring magnetic fields of several teslas. The prototype has four small separate field probes, and all support electronics and optics are fitted into a single 19-inch rack to make it compact, mobile, and robust. The field probes are fiber coupled and made from nonmetallic components, allowing them to be easily and safely positioned inside a 7 T MRI scanner. We demonstrate the capabilities of this magnetometer by measuring two different MRI sequences, and we show how it can be used to reveal imperfections in the gradient coil system, to highlight the potential applications in medical MRI. We propose the term EXAAQ (EXtreme Angular-momentum Absorption-spectroscopy Quantum) magnetometry, for this novel method.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Crystal structure of human peptidylarginine deiminase type VI (PAD6) provides insights into its inactivity
Authors: Ranaivoson Fanomezana M. , Bande Rieke , Cardaun Isabell , De Riso Antonio , Gärtner Annette , Loke Pui , Reinisch Christina , Vogirala Prasuna , Beaumont Edward
Published: April 2024

Human peptidylarginine deiminase isoform VI (PAD6), which is predominantly limited to cytoplasmic lattices in the mammalian oocytes in ovarian tissue, is essential for female fertility. It belongs to the peptidylarginine deiminase (PAD) enzyme family that catalyzes the conversion of arginine residues to citrulline in proteins. In contrast to other members of the family, recombinant PAD6 was previously found to be catalytically inactive. We sought to provide structural insight into the human homologue to shed light on this observation. We report here the first crystal structure of PAD6, determined at 1.7 Å resolution. PAD6 follows the same domain organization as other structurally known PAD isoenzymes. Further structural analysis and size-exclusion chromatography show that PAD6 behaves as a homodimer similar to PAD4. Differential scanning fluorimetry suggests that PAD6 does not coordinate Ca2+ which agrees with acidic residues found to coordinate Ca2+ in other PAD homologs not being conserved in PAD6. The crystal structure of PAD6 shows similarities with the inactive state of apo PAD2, in which the active site conformation is unsuitable for catalytic citrullination. The putative active site of PAD6 adopts a non-productive conformation that would not allow protein–substrate binding due to steric hindrance with rigid secondary structure elements. This observation is further supported by the lack of activity on the histone H3 and cytokeratin 5 substrates. These findings suggest a different mechanism for enzymatic activation compared with other PADs; alternatively, PAD6 may exert a non-enzymatic function in the cytoplasmic lattice of oocytes and early embryos.
Biophysical and structural study of La Crosse virus endonuclease inhibition for the development of new antiviral options
Authors: Feracci Mikael , Hernandez Sergio , Garlatti Laura , Mondielli Clemence , Vincentelli Renaud , Canard Bruno , Reguera Juan , Ferron François , Alvarez Karine
Published: April 2024

The large Bunyavirales order includes several families of viruses with a segmented ambisense (−) RNA genome and a cytoplasmic life cycle that starts by synthesizing viral mRNA. The initiation of transcription, which is common to all members, relies on an endonuclease activity that is responsible for cap-snatching. In La Crosse virus, an orthobunyavirus, it has previously been shown that the cap-snatching endonuclease resides in the N-terminal domain of the L protein. Orthobunyaviruses are transmitted by arthropods and cause diseases in cattle. However, California encephalitis virus, La Crosse virus and Jamestown Canyon virus are North American species that can cause encephalitis in humans. No vaccines or antiviral drugs are available. In this study, three known Influenza virus endonuclease inhibitors (DPBA, L-742,001 and baloxavir) were repurposed on the La Crosse virus endonuclease. Their inhibition was evaluated by fluorescence resonance energy transfer and their mode of binding was then assessed by differential scanning fluorimetry and microscale thermophoresis. Finally, two crystallographic structures were obtained in complex with L-742,001 and baloxavir, providing access to the structural determinants of inhibition and offering key information for the further development of Bunyavirales endonuclease inhibitors.
Identifying and avoiding radiation damage in macromolecular crystallography
Authors: Shelley Kathryn L. , Garman Elspeth F.
Published: April 2024

Radiation damage remains one of the major impediments to accurate structure solution in macromolecular crystallography. The artefacts of radiation damage can manifest as structural changes that result in incorrect biological interpretations being drawn from a model, they can reduce the resolution to which data can be collected and they can even prevent structure solution entirely. In this article, we discuss how to identify and mitigate against the effects of radiation damage at each stage in the macromolecular crystal structure-solution pipeline.
Refugees', asylum seekers' and migrants' experiences of finding meaningful work in the Australian construction industry: a Bourdieusean analysis
Authors: Alkilani Suhair , Loosemore Martin , Hammad Ahmed W.A. , Kerr Sophie-May
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use Bourdieu’s Theory of Capital–Field–Habitus to explore how refugees, asylum seekers and migrants accumulate and mobilise social, cultural, symbolic and economic capital to find meaningful work in the Australian construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports the results of a survey of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants who have either successfully or unsuccessfully searched for employment in the Australian construction industry.

Findings

The findings dispel widely held negative stereotypes of about this group by describing a highly capable workforce which could address significant skills shortages in the industry, while concurrently diversifying the workforce. However, it is found that refugees, asylum seekers and migrants face considerable barriers to finding meaningful employment in the construction industry. In circumventing these barriers, education institutions, charities and community-based organisations play an especially important role, alongside friends and family networks. They do this by helping refugees, asylum seekers and migrants accumulate and deploy the necessary capital to secure meaningful work in the construction industry. Disappointingly, it is also found that the construction industry does little to help facilitate capital accumulation and deployment for this group, despite the urgent need to address diversity and critical skills shortages.

Originality/value

Employing Pierre Bourdieu’s Theory of Capital–Field–Habitus, the findings make a number of new theoretical and practical contributions to the limited body of international research relating to the employment of refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers in the construction. The results are important because meaningful employment is widely accepted to be the single most factor in the successful integration of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants into a host society and the construction industry represents an important source of potential employment for them.
Pore properties and moisture loss of repair mortars under low-impact microwave curing
Authors: Abubakri Shahriar , Mangat Pritpal S. , Grigoriadis Konstantinos , Starinieri Vincenzo
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Microwave curing (MC) can facilitate rapid concrete repair in cold climates without using conventional accelerated curing technologies which are environmentally unsustainable. Accelerated curing of concrete under MC can contribute to the decarbonisation of the environment and provide economies in construction in several ways such as reducing construction time, energy efficiency, lower cement content, lower carbonation risk and reducing emissions from equipment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates moisture loss and pore properties of six cement-based proprietary concrete repair materials subjected to MC. The impact of MC on these properties is critically important for its successful implementation in practice and current literature lacks this information. Specimens were microwave cured for 40–45 min to surface temperatures between 39.9 and 44.1 °C. The fast-setting repair material was microwave cured for 15 min to 40.7 °C. MC causes a higher water loss which shows the importance of preventing drying during MC and the following 24 h.

Findings

Portland cement-based normal density repair mortars, including materials incorporating pfa and polymer latex, benefit from the thermal effect of MC on hydration, resulting in up to 24% reduction in porosity relative to normal curing. Low density and flowing repair materials suffer an increase in porosity up to 16% due to MC. The moisture loss at the end of MC and after 24h is related to the mix water content and porosity, respectively.

Originality/value

The research on the application of MC for rapid repair of concrete is original. The research was funded by the European commission following a very rigorous and competitive review process which ensured its originality. Original data on the parameters of porosity and moisture loss under MC are provided for different generic cementitious repair materials which have not been studied before. Application of MC to concrete construction especially in cold climates will provide environmental, economic and energy benefits.
Electric current stressing enhanced damping properties in Sn5Sb solder
Authors: Liu Linqiang , Chen Feng , Li Wangyun
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of electric current stressing on damping properties of Sn5Sb solder.

Design/methodology/approach

Uniformly shaped Sn5Sb solders were prepared as samples. The length, width and thickness of the samples were 60.0, 5.0 and 0.5 mm, respectively. The damping properties of the samples were tested by dynamic mechanical analyzer with a cooling system to control the test temperature in the range of −100 to 100°C. Simultaneously, electric current was imposed to the tested samples using a direct current supply. After tests, the samples were characterized using scanning electron microscope, electron backscatter diffraction and transmission electron microscope, which was aimed to figure out the damping mechanism in terms of electric current stressing induced microstructure evolution.

Findings

It is confirmed experimentally that the increase in damping properties is due to Joule heating and athermal effects of current stressing, in which Joule heating should make a higher contribution. G–L theory can be used to explain the damping properties of strain amplitude under current stressing by quantitative description of geometrically necessary dislocation density. While the critical strain amplitude and high temperature activation energy decrease with increasing electric current.

Originality/value

These results provide a new method for vibration reliability evaluation of high-temperature lead-free solders in serving electronics. Notably, this method should be also inspiring for the mechanical performance evaluation and reliability assessment of conductive materials and structures serving under electric current stressing.
Validation and comparison of 5th edition World Health Organization classification (WHO 2022) and International Consensus Classification proposals for MDS‐SFB31
Authors: Liu Linlin , Li Bing , Xu Zefeng , Qin Tiejun , Jia Yujiao , Qu Shiqiang , Zhang Yudi , Wu Junying , Cai Wenyu , Pan Lijuan , Gao Qingyan , Jiao Meng , Xiao Zhijian
Published: April 2024

The criteria of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with mutated SFB31 (MDS‐SFB31) proposed by the 5th edition of the WHO classification (WHO 2022) and the International Consensus Classification (ICC) need validation. We analysed 125 consecutive MDS cases with SFB31 mutation or ring sideroblasts (RS) ≥15% without excess blasts. We found that SFB31‐negative MDS with RS had significantly different clinical features and worse prognosis. According to WHO 2022, the detection of ≥15% RS may substitute for SF3B1 mutation and our analyses support this proposal for similar prognosis of two groups after excluding high‐risk genetic features referred by WHO 2022. Patients with variant allele frequency (VAF) <10% SFB31 tend to have briefer survival, supporting the VAF 10% threshold of ICC. Patients with multilineage dysplasia (MLD) had significantly shorter OS than those with single lineage dysplasia. MLD is still a powerful morphological marker of worse outcome in WHO 2022 and ICC‐defined MDS‐SF3B1.
A triple cysteine motif as major determinant of the modulation of neuronal KV7 channels by the paracetamol metabolite N‐acetyl‐p‐benzo quinone imine
Authors: Ray Sutirtha , Stampf Jan‐Luca , Kudlacek Oliver , Yang Jae‐Won , Schicker Klaus W. , Graf Yvonne , Losgott Thomas , Boehm Stefan , Salzer Isabella
Published: April 2024

Background and Purpose

The analgesic action of paracetamol involves KV7 channels, and its metabolite N‐acetyl‐p‐benzo quinone imine (NAPQI), a cysteine modifying reagent, was shown to increase currents through such channels in nociceptors. Modification of cysteine residues by N‐ethylmaleimide, H2O2, or nitric oxide has been found to modulate currents through KV7 channels. The study aims to identify whether, and if so which, cysteine residues in neuronal KV7 channels might be responsible for the effects of NAPQI.

Experimental Approach

To address this question, we used a combination of perforated patch‐clamp recordings, site‐directed mutagenesis, and mass spectrometry applied to recombinant KV7.1 to KV7.5 channels.

Key Results

Currents through the cardiac subtype KV7.1 were reduced by NAPQI. Currents through all other subtypes were increased, either by an isolated shift of the channel voltage dependence to more negative values (KV7.3) or by such a shift combined with increased maximal current levels (KV7.2, KV7.4, KV7.5). A stretch of three cysteine residues in the S2‐S3 linker region of KV7.2 was necessary and sufficient to mediate these effects.

Conclusion and Implication

The paracetamol metabolite N‐acetyl‐p‐benzo quinone imine (NAPQI) modifies cysteine residues of KV7 subunits and reinforces channel gating in homomeric and heteromeric KV7.2 to KV7.5, but not in KV7.1 channels. In KV7.2, a triple cysteine motif located within the S2‐S3 linker region mediates this reinforcement that can be expected to reduce the excitability of nociceptors and to mediate antinociceptive actions of paracetamol.
Gut microbiota and its relationship with early vascular ageing in a Spanish population (MIVAS study)
Authors: Salvado Rita , Santos‐Minguez Sandra , Lugones‐Sánchez Cristina , Gonzalez‐Sánchez Susana , Tamayo‐Morales Olaya , Quesada‐Rico José A. , Benito Rocío , Rodríguez‐Sánchez Emiliano , Gómez‐Marcos Manuel A. , Casado‐Vicente Verónica , Guimarães‐Cunha Pedro , Hernandez‐Rivas Jesús M. , Mira Alex , García‐Ortiz Luis ,   MIVAS investigators
Published: April 2024

Background

Gut microbiota and its by‐products are increasingly recognized as having a decisive role in cardiovascular diseases. The aim is to study the relationship between gut microbiota and early vascular ageing (EVA).

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was developed in Salamanca (Spain) in which 180 subjects aged 45–74 years were recruited. EVA was defined by the presence of at least one of the following: carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity (cf‐PWV), cardio‐ankle vascular index (CAVI) or brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (ba‐PWV) above the 90th percentile of the reference population. All other cases were considered normal vascular ageing (NVA). Measurements: cf‐PWV was measured by SphygmoCor® System; CAVI and ba‐PWV were determined by Vasera 2000® device. Gut microbiome composition in faecal samples was determined by 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing.

Results

Mean age was 64.4 ± 6.9 in EVA group and 60.4 ± 7.6 years in NVA (p < .01). Women in EVA group were 41% and 53% in NVA. There were no differences in the overall composition of gut microbiota between the two groups when evaluating Firmicutes/Bacteriodetes ratio, alfa diversity (Shannon Index) and beta diversity (Bray‐Curtis). Bilophila, Faecalibacterium sp.UBA1819 and Phocea, are increased in EVA group. While Cedecea, Lactococcus, Pseudomonas, Succiniclasticum and Dielma exist in lower abundance. In logistic regression analysis, Bilophila (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.12–2.6, p = .013) remained significant.

Conclusions

In the studied Spanish population, early vascular ageing is positively associated with gut microbiota abundance of the genus Bilophila. No relationship was found between phyla abundance and measures of diversity.
Biscogniauxia rosacearum: A newly identified pathogen of strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) in North Africa
Authors: Yangui Islem , Hlaiem Sawssen , khadraoui Hadil , Messaoud Chokri , Ben Jamâa Mohamed Lahbib , Ezzine Olfa
Published: April 2024

Biscogniauxia species are opportunistic pathogens primarily associated with Quercus species dieback in the Mediterranean basin. Among these species, Biscogniauxia mediterranea stands out as the only species previously documented in Tunisia, affecting Quercus suber and Erica multiflora. This study unveils a novel finding, reporting the presence of Biscogniauxia rosacearum on Strawberry trees in Tunisia. The identification of B. rosacearum isolates was confirmed based on DNA sequence data (ITS, TUB2 and ACT) and morphological traits. Artificial inoculation trials on leaves confirmed the pathogenicity of the fungus towards Arbutus unedo. This finding emphasizes the significance of implementing proactive measures to effectively combat this pathogen because of the polyphagous nature of Biscogniauxia species that raises concerns about its potential spread within vulnerable hosts in Tunisian oak forests.
Microbes alter substrate from mineral‐associated carbon to litterfall with nitrogen additions and warming
Authors: Min Kyungjin , Billings Sharon A.
Published: April 2024

Nitrogen (N) additions often decrease soil respiration and increase soil organic carbon (C) stock. However, it is unclear how microbial substrates may shift with N additions and increasing temperature. Leveraging 12 years of N fertilization experiments and the associated shift in the dominant vegetation from C4 to C3, we explored the δ13C‐CO2 and temperature sensitivities of respired CO2 and extracellular enzyme activities in control and fertilized soils. N additions increased cellulose‐decaying extracellular enzyme activity while respiration remained similar between the control and fertilized soils. Temperature sensitivity of cellulose‐decaying extracellular enzyme activity decreased with the N additions. The δ13C‐CO2 data reveal that, as temperature increased, microbes in fertilized soils changed their dominant substrate from bulk soil organic C to plant litterfall. Our results suggest that long‐term N fertilization imposed C limitation on microbes, leading to enhanced microbial efforts to acquire C. This study highlights how long‐term N additions can promote the relative preservation of organic C in mineral soil while litterfall, the precursor to mineral‐associated C, is increasingly decayed as temperatures increase.
Thanks to repetition, dustbathing detection can be automated combining accelerometry and wavelet analysis
Authors: Fonseca Rocio Guadalupe , Bosch Maria Candelaria , Spanevello Florencia Cecilia , de la Fuente Maria Victoria , Marin Raul Hector , Barberis Lucas , Kembro Jackelyn Melissa , Flesia Ana Georgina
Published: April 2024

Birds from at least a dozen orders engage in dustbathing, including Galliformes. Dustbathing is generally considered a behavioural need for poultry. It involves a precise and orderly sequence of movements repeated over time. The most characteristic movement involves tossing the dust with the wings and undulating the body beneath the dust shower. Thus, repetitive changes in body position during dustbathing could be automatically detected through data processing of body‐mounted accelerometer recordings. The approach was tested in 13 adult male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) fitted with a body mounted triaxial accelerometer. Behaviour was video‐recorded for at least 6 h. Observations showed that when the animal lies on its left‐ or right‐side during dustbathing, the lateral (swaying) component of the acceleration vector adopts values of +1 or −1, respectively. Analysis shows that the bird repeats these shifts in body position every 25–60 s. The wavelet analysis (i.e. complex Morlet continuous wavelet transform (CWT)) detected this oscillatory behaviour within the time series as higher power values. This characteristic was used to automate the detection of dustbathing events, for which a threshold value for the maximum power value estimated was established for the corresponding range of scales between 25 and 60 s. The overall general accuracy of this classification method for dustbathing detection was 80%, with individual variations falling within the range of 66%–100%. Finally, an example of the potential of this method in the study of temporal dynamics, such as daily rhythms of dustbathing, is provided. Our results show that combining accelerometry and wavelet analysis could be useful for the assessment of intra‐ and inter‐individual variability in dustbathing dynamics over long‐term studies, even within large complex environments, such as natural habitats or breeding facilities. Moreover, this approach could open doors for future in‐depth studies exploring the relationship between dustbathing and poultry welfare.
Hurricanes pose a substantial risk to New England forest carbon stocks
Authors: Tumber‐Dávila Shersingh Joseph , Lucey Taylor , Boose Emery R. , Laflower Danelle , León‐Sáenz Agustín , Wilson Barry T. , MacLean Meghan Graham , Thompson Jonathan R.
Published: April 2024

Nature‐based climate solutions (NCS) are championed as a primary tool to mitigate climate change, especially in forested regions capable of storing and sequestering vast amounts of carbon. New England is one of the most heavily forested regions in the United States (>75% forested by land area), and forest carbon is a significant component of climate mitigation policies. Large infrequent disturbances, such as hurricanes, are a major source of uncertainty and risk for policies relying on forest carbon for climate mitigation, especially as climate change is projected to alter the intensity and extent of hurricanes. To date, most research into disturbance impacts on forest carbon stocks has focused on fire. Here, we show that a single hurricane in the region can down between 121 and 250 MMTCO2e or 4.6%–9.4% of the total aboveground forest carbon, much greater than the carbon sequestered annually by New England's forests (16 MMTCO2e year−1). However, emissions from hurricanes are not instantaneous; it takes approximately 19 years for downed carbon to become a net emission and 100 years for 90% of the downed carbon to be emitted. Reconstructing hurricanes with the HURRECON and EXPOS models across a range of historical and projected wind speeds, we find that an 8% and 16% increase in hurricane wind speeds leads to a 10.7‐ and 24.8‐fold increase in the extent of high‐severity damaged areas (widespread tree mortality). Increased wind speed also leads to unprecedented geographical shifts in damage, both inland and northward, into heavily forested regions traditionally less affected by hurricanes. Given that a single hurricane can emit the equivalent of 10+ years of carbon sequestered by forests in New England, the status of these forests as a durable carbon sink is uncertain. Understanding the risks to forest carbon stocks from disturbances is necessary for decision‐makers relying on forests as a NCS.
Co‐encapsulated of potential probiotic yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus and peanut skin polyphenolic extract as a functional ingredient
Authors: Centomo Antonella M. , Diaz Vergara Ladislao I. , Rossi Yanina E. , Vanden Braber Noelia L. , Bodoira Romina , Maestri Damián , Cavaglieri Lilia R. , Montenegro Mariana A.
Published: April 2024

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the bioactive properties and storage stability of microcapsules (MCs) obtained by co‐encapsulation of the potential probiotic yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus VM004 and peanut skin polyphenolic extract (PSE) by spray drying, using whey protein concentrate (WPC) and water‐soluble chitosan (WSCh) as wall materials. The results showed that the selected wall materials provided protection to yeast during spray drying, storage, and simulated gastrointestinal conditions, obtaining better results for WPC and higher concentrations of PSE. Moreover, all formulations demonstrated cytoprotective effects against menadione‐induced oxidative stress in normal rat ileum epithelial cells (IEC‐18) at all concentrations and storage temperatures evaluated. These results suggest that the obtained MCs could be potential functional food ingredients, considering their antioxidant, cytoprotective, and potential probiotic properties.
Post‐glacial recolonization and multiple scales of secondary contact contribute to contemporary Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) genomic variation in North America
Authors: Nugent Cameron M. , Kess Tony , Langille Barbara L. , Beck Samantha V. , Duffy Steven , Messmer Amber , Smith Nicole , Lehnert Sarah J. , Wringe Brendan F. , Kent Matthew , Bentzen Paul , Bradbury Ian R.
Published: April 2024

Aim

In northern environments, periods of isolation during Pleistocene glaciations and subsequent recolonization and secondary contact have had a significant influence on contemporary diversity of many species. The recent advent of high‐resolution genomic analyses allows unprecedented power to resolve genomic signatures of such events in northern species. Here, we provide the highest resolution genomic characterization of Atlantic salmon in North America to date to infer glacial refugia and the geographic scales of post‐glacial secondary contact.

Location

North America.

Taxon

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar.

Methods

Samples were collected for 5455 individuals from 148 populations, encompassing the majority of the Atlantic salmon's native range in North America, from Labrador to Maine. Individuals were genotyped using a 220K single nucleotide polymorphism array aligned to the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) genome. Spatial genetic structure (principal component analysis, k‐means clustering, admixture) was evaluated in conjunction with genomic comparisons of these identified lineages to infer the refugia during the last glacial maximum and regions of secondary contact following recolonization.

Results

Spatial genomic analyses identified three phylogeographic groups, consistent with the northward recolonization from two southern glacial refugia in North America (a western Maritime lineage and an eastern Newfoundland and Labrador lineage), with subsequent differentiation of the eastern lineage into two separate groups. Secondary contact among these North American groups was observed within the northern Gulf of St. Lawrence, and evidence of trans‐Atlantic secondary contact was detected within the eastern Newfoundland and Labrador lineage. Comparison of groups from insular Newfoundland with those from mainland Labrador suggests genomic regions displaying high differentiation were characterized by elevated European admixture, suggesting a possible role of European secondary contact in population divergence.

Main Conclusions

These findings present the first evidence suggesting that genomic diversity in extant North American Atlantic salmon populations has resulted from allopatric isolation in two glacial refugia followed by both regional and trans‐Atlantic recolonization and secondary contact and demonstrate the power of genomic tools to resolve historical drivers of diversity in wild populations.
Does inclusion of miracle fruit powder within a model beverage affect taste of solutions subsequently consumed?
Authors: Greenaway Ruth E. , Beyts Pam , Mercogliano Christopher P. , Prakash Indra , Roberts Ashley , Sanderson Tracey
Published: April 2024

Miraculin is a glycoprotein present in miracle fruit berries (Richadella dulcifica or Synsepalum dulcificum) known to have taste modifying properties: conversion of sour into sweet taste. So far, research has shown that the effects occur when consuming miracle fruit powder or miracle fruit berries prior to consumption of a sour drink or food product. However, limited research has examined the effects of miraculin consumed within a food or drink product and if there might be any taste‐modifying effects on other food and drinks consumed subsequently. This research looks at miraculin, from freeze‐dried miracle fruit powder, served within model soft drink formulations at concentrations ethically approved for consumption in soft drink beverages (50 and 80 ppm miracle fruit powder). Three experiments were carried out. The first investigated how long any taste‐modifying effects would last following consumption and whether the effects were dose‐dependent. Experiment 2 looked at the effect of repeated exposure on perception of sweet, sour, and bitter tastes, whilst experiment 3 explored whether the receptor binding of miraculin in miracle fruit powder would affect sweetness perception of other sweeteners. All results showed minimal effects of using freeze‐dried miracle fruit powder within a model beverage at the 50 and 80 ppm levels suggesting that future water‐based beverages produced containing low levels of miraculin protein will have little or no taste‐modifying effects on foods and beverages subsequently consumed.

Practical Applications

Miraculin, derived from miracle fruit berries, acts as a taste modifier and can change food or drink from tasting sour to tasting sweet. This property is known to occur if either a fresh or freeze‐dried powder of miraculin is ingested before food or drink. Miraculin has potential as an ingredient in water‐based beverages to enhance sweetness, reduce the undesirable aftertaste associated with some high‐potency sweeteners, and to add mouthfeel. However, until now, it was unknown whether, by adding miraculin to a beverage at levels considered safe for human consumption, the taste of other foods consumed with or after the beverage would be affected. Here, we show that a low level of miraculin protein within a water‐based beverage has little to no taste‐modifying effects on products that are subsequently consumed. Our study therefore opens new avenues for using miraculin as a taste modifier.
The epidemiology of tick infestation in dog breeds in the UK
Authors: O'Neill D. G. , Komutrattananon R. , Church D. B. , Hartley A. N. , Brodbelt D. C.
Published: April 2024

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to report the prevalence and risk factors for tick infestation in dogs in the UK based on anonymised electronic patient records.

Materials and Methods

Clinical records of dogs under veterinary care in 2016 at clinics participating in the VetCompass Programme were followed over a 5‐year period to identify cases of tick infestation. Risk factor analysis used multivariable logistic regression modelling.

Results

The study included 905,553 dogs. From a random sample, 1903 tick infestation cases were identified. The estimated 5‐year (2014 to 2018) period prevalence was 2.03% (95% confidence interval: 2.00 to 2.06). Sixteen breeds showed increased odds compared with non‐designer‐crossbreed dogs. Breeds with the highest odds included Cairn terrier (odds ratio 2.86, 95% confidence interval 1.64 to 4.98), standard poodle (odds ratio 2.80, 95% confidence interval 1.25 to 6.29) and Goldendoodle (odds ratio 2.63, 95% confidence interval 1.17 to 5.91). Six breeds showed reduced odds, with lowest odds shown by Staffordshire bull terrier (odds ratio 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.25 to 0.50), Rottweiler (odds ratio 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.15 to 0.85) and Chihuahua (odds ratio 0.38, 95% confidence interval 0.26 to 0.55). Males had 1.24 (95% confidence interval 1.13 to 1.36) times the odds of females. Compared with non‐designer‐crossbred dogs, designer‐crossbreed dogs had increased odds (odds ratio 1.81, 95% confidence interval 1.52 to 2.15). Compared with breeds with short coats, breeds with medium length coats (odds ratio 2.20, 95% confidence interval 1.96 to 2.48) showed increased odds. Breeds with V‐shaped drop and pendulous ear carriage had higher odds compared with breeds with erect ear carriage.

Clinical Significance

These findings provide an evidence base for veterinary professionals to raise awareness of tick infestation as a preventable disorder in dogs in the UK and to support more effective prevention and therapeutic protocols based on targeted approaches.
Best practices for iatrogenic anaemia prevention in the intensive care unit: Blood‐sparing techniques
Authors: Raurell‐Torredà Marta , Fernández‐Castillo Rafael‐Jesús , Rodríguez‐Delgado María‐Esther , Arias‐Rivera Susana , Basco‐Prado Luis
Published: April 2024

Anaemia is a common issue in patients who are admitted to intensive care units and worsens their condition throughout the stay due to the extraction of blood for diagnostic purposes. It is also well‐known that an important amount of the carbon dioxide produced by health services is likely attributable to blood donation, testing and manufacture, storage or distribution of blood components. This must be taken into account to perform nursing interventions consistent with the idea of sustainable health care. In this regard, within patient blood management bundles, with the objective of minimizing the use of blood products, it is recommended to use blood‐sparing techniques: small volume tubes (SVT) or closed‐blood sampling devices (CBSD). Published studies before 2014 (excepting two more recent ones) have shown that by themselves, both techniques reduce drawn volume but do not decrease haemoglobin reduction and/or need of transfusion. Given the lack of cost‐effectiveness studies, it may be easier to implement the use of CBSD as it does not require prior consensus on the discard volume or adaptations in the processing of laboratory tests, as is the case with SVT.
Evidentialism, justification, and knowledge‐first
Authors: Bird Alexander
Published: April 2024

This paper examines the relationship between evidentialism, knowledge‐first epistemology, (E=K) in particular, and justification. Evidentialism gives an account of justified belief in terms of evidence but is silent on the nature of evidence. Knowledge‐first tells us what evidence is but stands in need of an agreed account of justification. So each might be able to supply what the other lacks. I argue that the combination of evidentialism, (E=K), and some plausible principles leads to the scepticism familiar from the Agrippan trilemma. I develop an Evidentialist Knowledge‐First view of justification that avoids scepticism by rejecting the entailment of justification by knowledge. This combination turns out to have unpalatable consequences. Nonetheless, the process of reaching that conclusion teaches lessons both to the evidentialist (regarding what evidence could be) and to the knowledge‐firster (regarding what justification is).
Elevated [CO2] and temperature augment gas exchange and shift the fitness landscape in a montane forb
Authors: Denney Derek A. , Patel Pratik , Anderson Jill T.
Published: April 2024

Climate change is simultaneously increasing carbon dioxide concentrations ([CO2]) and temperature. These factors could interact to influence plant physiology and performance. Alternatively, increased [CO2] may offset costs associated with elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the interaction between elevated temperature and [CO2] may differentially affect populations from along an elevational gradient and disrupt local adaptation.

We conducted a multifactorial growth chamber experiment to examine the interactive effects of temperature and [CO2] on fitness and ecophysiology of diverse accessions of Boechera stricta (Brassicaceae) sourced from a broad elevational gradient in Colorado. We tested whether increased [CO2] would enhance photosynthesis across accessions, and whether warmer conditions would depress the fitness of high‐elevation accessions owing to steep reductions in temperature with increasing elevation in this system. Elevational clines in [CO2] are not as evident, making it challenging to predict how locally adapted ecotypes will respond to elevated [CO2].

This experiment revealed that elevated [CO2] increased photosynthesis and intrinsic water use efficiency across all accessions. However, these instantaneous responses to treatments did not translate to changes in fitness. Instead, increased temperatures reduced the probability of reproduction for all accessions. Elevated [CO2] and increased temperatures interacted to shift the adaptive landscape, favoring lower elevation accessions for the probability of survival and fecundity.

Our results suggest that elevated temperatures and [CO2] associated with climate change could have severe negative consequences, especially for high‐elevation populations.
Occupational Mobility of Routine Workers
Authors: Maczulskij Terhi
Published: April 2024

This paper demonstrates that the decline in routine occupations and concurrent rise in abstract occupations are largely due to workers changing jobs. The reduction in routine manual tasks is further explained by workers transitioning to unemployment or retirement. In contrast, the increase in non‐routine manual occupations is primarily driven by the entry of young or unemployed individuals into the workforce. Plant closure information is used to identify involuntary job separations. These findings indicate that routine cognitive workers can adjust to smaller employment disruptions compared to routine manual workers among women. However, a contrasting pattern is observed for men.
LncRNA in periodontal tissue‐derived cells on osteogenic differentiation in the periodontitis field
Authors: Du Yuanhang , Guan Xiaoyan , Zhu Yinci , Jin Suhan , Liu Jianguo
Published: April 2024

Objective

Periodontitis can lead to the destruction of periodontal tissues and potentially tooth loss. Numerous periodontal tissue‐derived cells display osteogenic differentiation potential. The presence of differentially expressed long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in these cells indicate their ability to regulate the process of osteogenic differentiation. We aim to elucidate the various lncRNA‐mediated regulatory mechanisms in the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal tissue‐derived cells in the field of periodontitis at epigenetic modification, transcriptional, and post‐transcriptional levels.

Subjects and Methods

We systematically searched the PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases to identify relevant literature in the field of periodontitis discussing the role of lncRNAs in regulating osteogenic differentiation of periodontal tissue‐derived cells. The identified literature was subsequently summarized for comprehensive review.

Results

In this review, we have comprehensively summarized the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs in the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal tissue‐derived cells in the field of periodontitis and discussed how these lncRNAs provide novel perspectives for understanding the pathogenesis and progression of periodontitis.

Conclusion

These results indicate the pivotal role of lncRNAs as regulators in the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal tissue‐derived cells, providing a solid basis for future investigations on the role of lncRNAs in the periodontitis field.
Detecting change in graffiti using a hybrid framework
Authors: Wild Benjamin , Verhoeven Geert , Muszyński Rafał , Pfeifer Norbert
Published: April 2024

Graffiti, by their very nature, are ephemeral, sometimes even vanishing before creators finish them. This transience is part of graffiti's allure yet signifies the continuous loss of this often disputed form of cultural heritage. To counteract this, graffiti documentation efforts have steadily increased over the past decade. One of the primary challenges in any documentation endeavour is identifying and recording new creations. Image‐based change detection can greatly help in this process, effectuating more comprehensive documentation, less biased digital safeguarding and improved understanding of graffiti. This paper introduces a novel and largely automated image‐based graffiti change detection method. The methodology uses an incremental structure‐from‐motion approach and synthetic cameras to generate co‐registered graffiti images from different areas. These synthetic images are fed into a hybrid change detection pipeline combining a new pixel‐based change detection method with a feature‐based one. The approach was tested on a large and publicly available reference dataset captured along the Donaukanal (Eng. Danube Canal), one of Vienna's graffiti hotspots. With a precision of 87% and a recall of 77%, the results reveal that the proposed change detection workflow can indicate newly added graffiti in a monitored graffiti‐scape, thus supporting a more comprehensive graffiti documentation.