bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the response of marine fish communities to climate change and fishing
Authors: Huang Mingpan , Chen Yiting , Zhou Wenliang , Wei Fuwen
Published: May 2024

Globally, marine fish communities are being altered by climate change and human disturbances. We examined data on global marine fish communities to assess changes in community‐weighted mean temperature affinity (i.e., mean temperatures within geographic ranges), maximum length, and trophic levels, which, respectively, represent the physiological, morphological, and trophic characteristics of marine fish communities. Then, we explored the influence of climate change and fishing on these characteristics because of their long‐term role in shaping fish communities, especially their interactive effects. We employed spatial linear mixed models to investigate their impacts on community‐weighted mean trait values and on abundance of different fish lengths and trophic groups. Globally, we observed an initial increasing trend in the temperature affinity of marine fish communities, whereas the weighted mean length and trophic levels of fish communities showed a declining trend. However, these shift trends were not significant, likely due to the large variation in midlatitude communities. Fishing pressure increased fish communities’ temperature affinity in regions experiencing climate warming. Furthermore, climate warming was associated with an increase in weighted mean length and trophic levels of fish communities. Low climate baseline temperature appeared to mitigate the effect of climate warming on temperature affinity and trophic levels. The effect of climate warming on the relative abundance of different trophic classes and size classes both exhibited a nonlinear pattern. The small and relatively large fish species may benefit from climate warming, whereas the medium and largest size groups may be disadvantaged. Our results highlight the urgency of establishing stepping‐stone marine protected areas to facilitate the migration of fishes to habitats in a warming ocean. Moreover, reducing human disturbance is crucial to mitigate rapid tropicalization, particularly in vulnerable temperate regions.
Does a requirement to offer retirement plans help low‐income workers save for retirement? Early evidence from the OregonSaves program
Authors: Dao Ngoc
Published: May 2024

This study examines the first implementation of the state‐run retirement savings program in Oregon, known as OregonSaves, in 2017. It offers early insights into the substantial impact of this mandated program on retirement savings among previously uncovered private workers. Results from difference‐in‐difference models using SIPP data indicate a 12 percent increase in Individual Retirement Account (IRA) ownership among Oregon workers after the program's roll‐out. Notably, the study discerns significant gains for lower‐income, single, and older workers, as well as workers of small‐size firms who previously lacked retirement savings plan coverage. Findings also suggest additional savings resulting from the mandate.
Risk assessments underestimate threat of pesticides to wild bees
Authors: Shahmohamadloo René S. , Tissier Mathilde L. , Guzman Laura Melissa
Published: May 2024

Ecological risk assessments (ERAs) are crucial when developing national strategies to manage adverse effects from pesticide exposure to natural populations. Yet, estimating risk with surrogate species in controlled laboratory studies jeopardizes the ERA process because natural populations exhibit intraspecific variation within and across species. Here, we investigate the extent to which the ERA process underestimates the risk from pesticides on different species by conducting a meta‐analysis of all records in the ECOTOX Knowledgebase for honey bees and wild bees exposed to neonicotinoids. We found the knowledgebase is largely populated by acute lethality data on the Western honey bee and exhibits within and across species variation in LD50 up to 6 orders of magnitude from neonicotinoid exposure. We challenge the reliability of surrogate species as predictors when extrapolating pesticide toxicity data to wild pollinators and recommend solutions to address the (a)biotic interactions occurring in nature that make such extrapolations unreliable in the ERA process.
CircST6GAL1 knockdown alleviates pulmonary arterial hypertension by regulating miR‐509‐5p/multiple C2 and transmembrane domain containing 2 axis
Authors: Zhang Xing , Qin Hao , Ma Qiang , Zhang Junbo , Tian Hongyan , Meng Yan
Published: May 2024

Background

Hypertension is a main contributing factor of cardiovascular diseases; deregulated circular RNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Herein, we evaluated the function and mechanism of circST6GAL1 in PAH process.

Methods

Human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) were cultured in hypoxic environment for functional analysis. The cell counting kit‐8, 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine, wound healing, and flow cytometry assays were used to investigate cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. qRT‐PCR and Western blotting analyses were used for level measurement of genes and proteins. The binding between miR‐509‐5p and circST6GAL1 or multiple C2 and transmembrane domain containing 2 (MCTP2) was analyzed by dual‐luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation, and pull‐down assays. The monocrotaline (MCT)‐induced PAH mouse models were established for in vivo assay.

Results

CircST6GAL1 was highly expressed in PAH patients and hypoxia‐induced HPASMCs. Functionally, circST6GAL1 deficiency reversed hypoxia‐induced proliferation and migration, as well as apoptosis arrest in HPASMCs. Mechanistically, circST6GAL1 directly targeted miR‐509‐5p, and MCTP2 was a target of miR‐509‐5p. Rescue assays showed that the regulatory effects of circST6GAL1 deficiency on hypoxia‐induced HPASMCs were abolished. Moreover, forced expression of miR‐509‐5p suppressed HPASMC proliferation and migration and induced cell apoptosis under hypoxia stimulation, while these effects were abolished by MCTP2 overexpression. Moreover, circST6GAL1 silencing improved MCT‐induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and PAH.

Conclusion

CircST6GAL1 deficiency reversed hypoxia‐induced proliferation and migration, as well as apoptosis arrest in HPASMCs, and alleviated pulmonary vascular remodeling in MCT‐induced PAH mouse models through the miR‐509‐5p/MCTP2 axis, indicating a potential therapeutic target for PAH.
The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on calls to an alcohol and drug helpline in Victoria, Australia, for alcohol, methamphetamine and cannabis use concerns
Authors: Peart Annette , Grigg Jasmin , Greenwood Christopher J. , Killian Jessica J. , Ogeil Rowan P. , Lubman Dan I.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Helplines are often the first contact with the alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment system. We examined call data from an AOD helpline in Victoria, Australia, to explore the association between COVID‐19 lockdown measures and frequency of calls.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of AOD helpline data collected between January 2018 and September 2020, for alcohol, methamphetamine and cannabis use concerns. Linear and logistic regression analyses examined differences in pre‐COVID‐19 (January 2018 to March 2020) and during COVID‐19 (March 2020 to September 2020) caller characteristics, and interrupted time‐series analyses examined changes in frequency of calls relative to lockdown measures.

Results

There were 14,340 calls for alcohol (n = 10,196, 71.10%), methamphetamine (n = 2522, 17.59%) and cannabis (n = 1622, 11.31%). Relative to pre‐COVID‐19, during COVID‐19 there was an increase in the rate of change over time in number of alcohol calls (b = 0.39), increase in first‐time alcohol callers (OR = 1.29), and reduction in first‐time methamphetamine callers (OR = 0.80). During COVID‐19, alcohol callers had lower Socio‐Economic Indicators for Areas scores (b = −3.06) and cannabis callers were younger (b = −2.07). During COVID‐19, there were reductions in alcohol calls involving counselling/support (OR = 0.87) and information provision (OR = 0.87), cannabis calls involving information provision (OR = 0.71) and methamphetamine calls involving referral (OR = 0.80).

Discussion and conclusions

In the first 6 months of the pandemic, frequency of alcohol‐related calls increased over time, and first‐time alcohol‐related callers increased. The number of calls for cannabis and methamphetamine remained stable. Results suggest the helpline was not used to its full capacity, suggesting a role for further promotion during times of crises.
Mapping skills between symbols and quantities in preschoolers: The role of finger patterns
Authors: Orrantia Josetxu , Muñez David , Sánchez Rosario , Matilla Laura
Published: May 2024

Mapping skills between different codes to represent numerical information, such as number symbols (i.e., verbal number words and written digits) and non‐symbolic quantities, are important in the development of the concept of number. The aim of the current study is to investigate children's mapping skills by incorporating another numerical code that emerges at early stages in development, finger patterns. Specifically, the study investigates (i) the order in which mapping skills develop and the association with young children's understanding of cardinality; and (ii) whether finger patterns are processed similarly to symbolic codes or rather as non‐symbolic quantities. Preschool children (3‐year‐olds, N = 113, Mage = 40.8 months, SDage = 3.6 months; 4‐year‐olds, N = 103, Mage = 52.9 months, SDage = 3.4 months) both cardinality knowers and subset‐knowers, were presented with twelve tasks that assessed the mappings between number words, Arabic digits, finger patterns, and quantities. The results showed that children's ability to map symbolic numbers precedes the understanding that such symbols reflect quantities, and that children recognize finger patterns above their cardinality knowledge, suggesting that finger patterns are symbolic in essence.

Research Highlights

Children are more accurate in mapping between finger patterns and symbols (number words and Arabic digits) than in mapping finger patterns and quantities, indicating that fingers are processed holistically as symbolic codes.

Children can map finger patterns to symbols above their corresponding cardinality level even in subset‐knowers.

Finger patterns may play a role in the process by which children learn to map symbols to quantities.

Fingers patterns’ use in the classroom context may be an adequate instructional and diagnostic tool.
On the impact of institutional change: Rights reassignment and career length
Authors: Schmidt Martin B.
Published: May 2024

Rottenberg argued that the reassignment of negotiating rights from owners to players, that would accompany free agency in professional sports, would have little impact on locational or market outcomes. Empirical investigations into such reassignment have produced mixed results. The present paper examines the impact such reassignment had on professional sports athletes' career length. By examining the univariate time series and panel data behavior of Major League Baseball players' average tenure and retention rates, we find that the increased negotiating power associated with the advent of free agency had the impact of shortening average player career length.
Climate‐competition tradeoffs shape the range limits of European beech and Norway spruce along elevational gradients across the Carpathian Mountains
Authors: Schurman Jonathan , Janda Pavel , Rydval Myloš , Mikolaš Martin , Svoboda Miroslav , Babst Flurin
Published: May 2024

Basic ecological theory suggests that a tradeoff between competitiveness and stress tolerance dictates species range limits at regional extents. However, empirical support for this key theory remains deficient because the necessary spatial and temporal coverage and scalability of field observations has rarely been achieved. We harnessed an extensive dendroecological network (> 22 000 tree‐ring samples from 816 forest inventory plots) to disentangle competition‐limited from climate‐limited growth in both overstory and understory trees. Growth synchrony among trees thereby served as an integral metric of climate sensitivity, an approach that we justify in supplementary analyses of growth responses to temperature, precipitation, and the standardized precipitation‐evapotranspiration index. Sampling plots were arranged along elevational climate and vegetation gradients throughout the Carpathian Mountains, ranging from mixed‐species lowland forests to coniferous forests at high elevations. With mixed‐effect modelling, we also identified non‐climatic factors (stand characteristics, species diversity, and disturbance history) that modulate spatial patterns in the growth rate and synchrony of European beech Fagus sylvatica and Norway spruce Picea abies. Beech exhibited reduced growth and increased climate sensitivity towards higher elevations but performed better when species diversity was higher. The growth of spruce increased towards its lower range boundary, but understory cohorts grew poorly under interspecific competition. Overall, climate sensitivity was lower in more productive stands with benign climatic conditions and in recently disturbed sites with reduced stand density. These contrasting performances at mid‐elevations where the two species overlap (900–1300 m a.s.l.) reflect their evolutionary history, which enables them to be competitive (beech) or cold‐stress tolerant (spruce). This history will affect interactions between the two species under climate warming and shape macroecological patterns in the Carpathian ecoregion and likely other parts of Europe. Our findings point to a growing advantage of competitively stronger species in montane and subalpine vegetation zones.
Pupil's role in educational design: Exploring what it means to have a say in primary school
Authors: Agustian Hendra Y.
Published: May 2024

This case study aims to explore the role of pupils in educational design and what it means to have a say in primary school. Although many educational offers use the slogan ‘pupil‐centred’ approach, examples are scarce in which children are seen as partners, let alone co‐designers. It is therefore important to investigate to what extent pupils are involved in the design process and decision‐making in a primary school context. Concepts such as co‐determination, participation, room for choice and competence were discussed. This small‐scale study shows that the school policy regarding participation and co‐design mainly concerns parents but not pupils as much. Teachers have different perspectives about the importance of children's participation. In general, they would like to involve the pupils more in the design process. The lack of time and educational inspection's demand for standardised outcomes are limiting factors. The pupils believe that they sometimes influence how lessons are conducted at school and are allowed to choose how they work on the subject. In general, they feel positive about their competence.
Soil condition determines how crop residues affect soil compressive characteristics
Authors: An Jing , Shao Shuai , Yu Na , Fan Qingfeng , Zhang Yuling , Zou Hongtao
Published: May 2024

Excessive soil compaction is a major cause of environmental problems and reduced agricultural soil productivity. Soil conditions can affect soil compressive characteristics. The application of organic materials reduces soil susceptibility to compaction. However, the direct effect of incorporated organic matter and interactions among soil conditions and incorporated organic materials on soil compressive characteristics are poorly understood. In this study, uniaxial compressive experiments were conducted to determine the compression curves of repacked brown earth from Northeast China. The effect of variable levels of incorporated corn straw (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 g kg−1) and soil conditions (moisture content 0.14, 0.18, and 0.22 g g−1, and bulk density 1.20, 1.30, 1.45, and 1.60 g cm−3) on the compressive characteristics were investigated. The results showed that compressive characteristics were directly affected by soil conditions and corn straw‐derived organic matter (p < 0.01). Compressive characteristics were also significantly influenced by the interaction between soil conditions and corn straw‐derived organic matter (p < 0.01). By constructing a Entropy Weight Method (EWM) Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution model (EWM‐TOPSIS), the conflicting indicators of soil resistance was comprehensively evaluated. The evaluation results indicated that moisture content at 0.14 g g−1, bulk density at 1.30 g cm−3 and corn straw‐derived organic matter at 34 g kg−1 was the optimal mode for soil resistance in our experiment. The results suggested that the interaction of soil conditions and incorporated organic matter should be considered to evaluate the susceptibility to compaction in the fields accurately.
Multi‐armed bandit based online model selection for concept‐drift adaptation
Authors: Wilson Jobin , Chaudhury Santanu , Lall Brejesh
Published: May 2024

Ensemble methods are among the most effective concept‐drift adaptation techniques due to their high learning performance and flexibility. However, they are computationally expensive and pose a challenge in applications involving high‐speed data streams. In this paper, we present a computationally efficient heterogeneous classifier ensemble entitled OMS‐MAB which uses online model selection for concept‐drift adaptation by posing it as a non‐stationary multi‐armed bandit (MAB) problem. We use a MAB to select a single adaptive learner within the ensemble for learning and prediction while systematically exploring promising alternatives. Each ensemble member is made drift resistant using explicit drift detection and is represented as an arm of the MAB. An exploration factor controls the trade‐off between predictive performance and computational resource requirements, eliminating the need to continuously train and evaluate all the ensemble members. A rigorous evaluation on 20 benchmark datasets and 9 algorithms indicates that the accuracy of OMS‐MAB is statistically at par with state‐of‐the‐art (SOTA) ensembles. Moreover, it offers a significant reduction in execution time and model size in comparison to several SOTA ensemble methods, making it a promising ensemble for resource constrained stream‐mining problems.
Effects of rolling process and microstructure on the brittle crack initiation and arrest of a marine steel under low‐temperature
Authors: Xue Chunyang , Yang Mengmeng , Liu Peng , Yan Ling , Shang Xinchun , Liang Zhiguo , Ren Xuechong
Published: May 2024

The effects of the rolling process and microstructure on the brittle crack initiation and arrest of marine steel were systematically investigated. The microstructures of two steel plates produced by different rolling processes were observed and analyzed. The results demonstrated that the rolling process significantly influenced the microstructure. As the rolling temperature decreased, the grain size decreased, the high‐angle grain boundary (HAGB) content increased, and the average grain misorientation angle increased. The brittle crack initiation and the arrest abilities were evaluated by initiation fracture toughness and crack arrest toughness, respectively. The initiation fracture toughness and crack arrest toughness increased with the decreasing grain size and the increasing content of HAGBs. Finally, the influence of microstructure on the brittle crack initiation and arrest ability was explained from two aspects: (1) the critical event of crack initiation at low temperatures, and (2) the hindering effect of HAGB on the propagation of brittle cracks.
Global evidence for joint effects of multiple natural and anthropogenic drivers on soil nitrogen cycling
Authors: Zhang Yong , Cheng Xiaoli , Terrer Cesar , Choi Woo‐Jung , Chen Ji , Luo Yiqi , Ciais Philippe
Published: May 2024

Global soil nitrogen (N) cycling remains poorly understood due to its complex driving mechanisms. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of global soil δ15N, a stable isotopic signature indicative of the N input–output balance, using a machine‐learning approach on 10,676 observations from 2670 sites. Our findings reveal prevalent joint effects of climatic conditions, plant N‐use strategies, soil properties, and other natural and anthropogenic forcings on global soil δ15N. The joint effects of multiple drivers govern the latitudinal distribution of soil δ15N, with more rapid N cycling at lower latitudes than at higher latitudes. In contrast to previous climate‐focused models, our data‐driven model more accurately simulates spatial changes in global soil δ15N, highlighting the need to consider the joint effects of multiple drivers to estimate the Earth's N budget. These insights contribute to the reconciliation of discordances among empirical, theoretical, and modeling studies on soil N cycling, as well as sustainable N management.
Framing social movements: A geographical perspective
Authors: Chakraborty Souvik Lal
Published: May 2024

The geographical concepts of scale, space and place have informed and refined the theory of “framing” in the social movement literature. Going beyond the conventional approach of understanding social movements, this article aims to bring discussions on relational ontology into conversation with the geographical literature on scale and spatial strategies in social movements, proposing a theoretical framework that goes beyond established approaches in the literature on collective action framing. This article proposes for a holistic cross‐disciplinary dialog among political and development geographers and with activists and scholars from other cognate disciplines of social science to understand the complexities of framing in social movements.
The de‐domestication of Ornithopus sativus Brot. to develop cultivars with physical dormancy (hardseed)
Authors: Harrison Robert J. , Nutt Bradley J. , Yates Ronald J. , Hackney Belinda F. , Howieson John G.
Published: May 2024

Ornithopus sativus Brot. (French serradella) is a forage legume that is well adapted to acidic coarse textured soils (sands) which are characterized by poor nutrition and an inability to retain water. During the process of domestication of O. sativus, there was an unintentional loss of seed physical dormancy (PY) thus compromising its self‐regeneration after a cropping interval. Through mass screening of seed, we identified for the first time that heritable sources of PY exist in three populations of O. sativus. This rare genetic material was then incorporated into suitable genetic backgrounds of differing maturity through targeted hybridization. We demonstrated that the heritability of PY was dominant in the population of 97ZAF5sat but inconsistently recessive in the population of cv. Emena. Flowering time was variable in each source population, with a large variation in time to emergence of first flowers (95–175 days). Selection for early flowering maturity was heritable and stable. F6 generations selected for PY in different maturity classes were then evaluated in situ to establish whether PY would allow a proportion of seeds to survive in the soil through consecutive seasons exposed to a Mediterranean climate. The breeding lines FHS3, 7 and 23 remained dormant, thus viable, in the soil for up to 3 years, indicating the likelihood that O. sativus with PY could survive and persist in a ley farming system. The de‐domestication program in O. sativus has resulted in commercially successful cultivars (most recently cv. Fran2o) suited to sustainable dryland agriculture in a Mediterranean climate.
Serum branched‐chain amino acid levels are associated with fracture risk in Japanese women
Authors: Urano Tomohiko , Kuroda Tatsuhiko , Uenishi Kazuhiro , Shiraki Masataka
Published: May 2024

Aim

Branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs) have been shown to exert beneficial effects on muscle and bone metabolism; however, no studies to date have investigated whether BCAAs have beneficial effects on bone fractures. Herein, we aim to prospectively investigate the relationship between serum BCAA concentrations and the occurrence of vertebral fractures (VFs) in Japanese women.

Methods

During the observation period (7.5 ± 6.1 years), 188 of 983 participants experienced VF. Kaplan–Meier analyses were conducted to examine time‐dependent variations in the vertebral compression fracture occurrence rate. Patients were stratified into quartiles based on serum BCAA concentration for this analysis.

Results

The analysis results indicated that the group with the lowest BCAA level developed VFs significantly earlier and with a higher frequency than the other groups (P < 0.001). A Cox proportional hazards model showed that BCAA concentration was a significant risk factor for incident fracture, even after adjusting for possible confounding factors. A series of multiple regression analyses were performed to identify factors related to serum BCAA concentration, with the results identifying levels of glycated hemoglobin (P < 0.001), adiponectin (P < 0.001), and NOx (P = 0.011) as significant factors associated with serum BCAA.

Conclusions

Overall, the present study revealed that a lower serum BCAA level was an independent risk factor for incident VF in postmenopausal women. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 603–608.
The re‐organization of care and working lives during the pandemic: Lived experiences of the COVID‐19 policy context in the UK
Authors: Stovell Clare , Daskalaki Maria , Hawthorne Alexis , Tzanakou Charikleia
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we propose that the reproduction of labor‐power, achieved through the expropriation of women's work at home and in the community, is acutely relevant to the analysis of the consequences of the COVID‐19 crisis. Capitalist structures of exploitation rely heavily on undervaluing women's and other marginalized peoples' work, specifically tasks related to social reproduction and care. In this paper, we assess the effects of COVID‐19 remedial state policies on the re‐organization of care and working lives during the pandemic within the UK, an example of a neoliberal regime with an individualist approach to responsibility for care. Drawing on data from the European H2020 project RESISTIRÉ (RESpondIng to outbreakS through co‐creaTIve inclusive equality stRatEgies), we first assess the policies brought in by the UK government in response to the pandemic from a gender perspective, with a particular focus on the extent to which the work–care nexus has been considered. We then draw on the personal narratives of women in the UK, who were differentially affected by the pandemic, to analyze the lived experiences of this policy context and the challenges faced in “reconciling” paid work and care. These experiences demonstrate that any attempt to effectively respond to and reverse structural inequalities needs to address the dynamic interrelationship of paid and unpaid work, and particularly unpaid care work that women undertake at home and beyond. This is crucial in our attempt to challenge neoliberal capitalist organizing, transform societies and build a fairer, more inclusive post‐pandemic future.
A nation‐wide medical record database study: Value of hepatitis B surface antigen loss in chronic hepatitis B patients in Japan
Authors: Okada Kinya , Nakayama Yoshikazu , Xu Jennings , Cheng Yang , Tanaka Junko
Published: May 2024

Aim

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance is considered to be one of the best surrogate endpoints of functional cure for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, evidence regarding the relationship between achieving HBsAg seroclearance or a low baseline HBsAg level, and long‐term clinical outcomes in Japanese patients with chronic HBV infection remains to be confirmed in a real‐world setting.

Methods

A retrospective observational cohort study was performed with an electronic medical record database, including data from 230 hospitals across Japan. Chronic HBV infection was defined as two consecutive, positive HBsAg laboratory measurements for HBV infection. The date of the second positive was used as a baseline to identify subsequent HBsAg seroclearance and liver disease progression.

Results

In the database, 2523 patients with chronic HBV infection were identified as the chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cohort. Among the CHB cohort with an average observational period of 5.19 ± 3.87 years, 202 patients (8%) achieved HBsAg seroclearance after baseline. They had a lower risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.206, p < 0.01) and cirrhosis (aHR 0.361, p < 0.01). When the CHB cohort was stratified into two groups based on baseline HBsAg levels (<100 IU/mL and ≥100 IU/mL), patients with a lower baseline level of HBsAg (<100 IU/mL) had a lower risk of developing liver disease (HCC aHR 0.600, p < 0.01; cirrhosis aHR 0.618, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

These results confirm the clinical significance of HBsAg seroclearance and low HBsAg level at baseline with respect to long‐term outcomes of patients with CHB in the Japanese population.
Artificial intelligence enhances whole‐slide interpretation of PD‐L1 CPS in triple‐negative breast cancer: A multi‐institutional ring study
Authors: Li Jinze , Dong Pei , Wang Xinran , Zhang Jun , Zhao Meng , Shen Haocheng , Cai Lijing , He Jiankun , Han Mengxue , Miao Jiaxian , Liu Hongbo , Yang Wei , Han Xiao , Liu Yueping
Published: May 2024

Background and aims

Evaluation of the programmed cell death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) combined positive score (CPS) is vital to predict the efficacy of the immunotherapy in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC), but pathologists show substantial variability in the consistency and accuracy of the interpretation. It is of great importance to establish an objective and effective method which is highly repeatable.

Methods

We proposed a model in a deep learning‐based framework, which at the patch level incorporated cell analysis and tissue region analysis, followed by the whole‐slide level fusion of patch results. Three rounds of ring studies (RSs) were conducted. Twenty‐one pathologists of different levels from four institutions evaluated the PD‐L1 CPS in TNBC specimens as continuous scores by visual assessment and our artificial intelligence (AI)‐assisted method.

Results

In the visual assessment, the interpretation results of PD‐L1 (Dako 22C3) CPS by different levels of pathologists have significant differences and showed weak consistency. Using AI‐assisted interpretation, there were no significant differences between all pathologists (P = 0.43), and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value was increased from 0.618 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.524–0.719] to 0.931 (95% CI = 0.902–0.955). The accuracy of interpretation result is further improved to 0.919 (95% CI = 0.886–0.947). Acceptance of AI results by junior pathologists was the highest among all levels, and 80% of the AI results were accepted overall.

Conclusion

With the help of the AI‐assisted diagnostic method, different levels of pathologists achieved excellent consistency and repeatability in the interpretation of PD‐L1 (Dako 22C3) CPS. Our AI‐assisted diagnostic approach was proved to strengthen the consistency and repeatability in clinical practice.
Smooth muscle hyperplasia in protein kinase C‐fused blue naevi: Report of 12 cases
Authors: Goutas Dimitrios , Hayenne Pauline , Tirode Franck , Pissaloux Daniel , Yeh Iwei , de la Fouchardiere Arnaud
Published: May 2024

Background and aims

PKC‐fused blue naevi are a recently described group of melanocytic tumours that have distinctive morphological features, including a pigmented epithelioid melanocytoma‐like junctional component or a dermal biphasic architecture associating with naevocytoid nests surrounded by dendritic and spindled pigmented melanocytes (so‐called ‘combined common and blue naevus’). There have been reports of smooth muscle hyperplasia in a hamartoma‐like pattern in cases of combined blue naevi without genetic exploration.

Materials and methods

Herein, we describe 12 cases of protein kinase C (PKC)‐fused blue tumours associated with a co‐existing smooth muscle hyperplasia, identified from a total of 98 PKC‐fused melanocytic tumours. Archived slides of PKC‐fused blue naevi with haematoxylin, eosin and phloxin staining, immunohistochemistry and molecular confirmation of a PKC‐fusion by fluorescence in‐situ hybridisation (FISH) or RNAseq were re‐evaluated for identification of notable smooth muscle hyperplasia. Fifty‐one of these slides had already been studied in a previous publication from our group.

Results

The hyperplasia ranged from hypertrophic arrector pili muscles to extensive horizontal bundles of disorganised fibres constantly associated and limited within a biphasic dermal melanocytic component. At least one arrector pili muscle was always visible within the tumour, with occasionally direct extension of the hyperplastic fibres from the main muscle body. These muscle fibres were devoid of a PKC‐fusion signal by FISH. PKC molecules are involved in the regulation of smooth muscle function, offering an explanatory framework.

Conclusions

These data suggest incorporating smooth muscle hyperplasia as a diagnostic morphological feature of PKC‐fused blue melanocytic tumours.
A vision for academic and third sector collaboration in (criminal) justice
Authors: Annison Harry , Paradine Kate
Published: May 2024

In this article we sketch a vision that might guide academic and third sector collaboration. We do so by drawing on a project that involved collaboration with a range of stakeholders, in order to stimulate ongoing discussion about how academics and the third sector might work together to seek positive change. Our findings show that there are keenly felt challenges, but also a sense of resilient optimism. A key finding among our stakeholders was a sense that there is an absence of an overarching shared vision, which was experienced by many of our respondents as consequential. Therefore, in the spirit of constructive provocation we set out such a vision, which was collaboratively developed with our respondents: opening a dialogue, rather than providing a conclusive position.
Labeling and consumer purchases
Authors: Calderon‐Monge Esther , Ramírez‐Hurtado José M. , Cuesta Inés Ramos
Published: May 2024

Labeling information and its presentation are intended to guide consumers at a store toward a choice of food that is healthier than they might otherwise buy. Consumer reactions to labeling are examined in this study through the Nutri‐Score (food) label, the efficacy and utility of which is still under debate. The aim is to analyze the degree of approval of Nutri‐Score through the Technology Acceptance Model, applying structural equation modeling to data gathered from a questionnaire administered to a sample of 478 Spanish consumers. All the hypotheses of the theoretical model were validated. The results of the proposed Nutri‐Score Acceptance Model affirmed that perceived usefulness is a direct predictor of consumer attitude and purchasing behavior, when consumers are evaluating the contents of the Nutri‐Score label. In turn, perceived ease of use had an indirect influence on the two previous variables. In this study, it is confirmed that Nutri‐Score is an effective system for guiding consumer purchase decisions on packaged food. The usefulness of the label generates positive attitudes toward intention of use among consumers.
Analysis of the relationship between fear of coronavirus and hand hygiene beliefs and practices of surgical nurses: A descriptive and cross‐sectional study
Authors: Eksici Ilayda , Tastan Sevinc
Published: May 2024

Aim

This study aimed to analyse the relationship between fear of COVID‐19 and hand hygiene beliefs and practices of surgical nurses.

Method

This article is a descriptive correlational study. It was conducted between February and May 2021 with 306 surgical nurses working at public and private hospitals in Northern Cyprus. A personal information form, Fear of COVID‐19 Scale, Hand Hygiene Belief Scale and Hand Hygiene Practices Inventory were used for data collection.

Results

Of the participants in the study, 25.41% were 29 years old or younger and 85.15% were female. The mean scores obtained from the Fear of COVID‐19 Scale, Hand Hygiene Belief Scale and the Hand Hygiene Practices Inventory were 23.12 ± 8.03, 81.33 ± 7.67 and 69.15 ± 1.94, respectively. The Fear of COVID‐19 Scale scores were negatively correlated with the Hand Hygiene Belief Scale scores and positively correlated with the Hand Hygiene Practices Inventory scores.

Conclusion

Hand hygiene practices were better for nurses with higher level of COVID‐19 fear. Therefore, a high level of seriousness and awareness of nurses about hand hygiene, which was achieved during the COVID‐19 pandemic, should be sustained to maintain proper hand hygiene practices.
B‐1 lymphocytes in adipose tissue as innate modulators of inflammation linked to cardiometabolic disease
Authors: Meher Akshaya K. , McNamara Coleen A.
Published: May 2024

Fat is stored in distinct depots with unique features in both mice and humans and B cells reside in all adipose depots. We have shown that B cells modulate cardiometabolic disease through activities in two of these key adipose depots: visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). VAT refers to the adipose tissue surrounding organs, within the abdomen and thorax, and is comprised predominantly of white adipocytes. This depot has been implicated in mediating obesity‐related dysmetabolism. PVAT refers to adipose tissue surrounding major arteries. It had long been thought to exist to provide protection and insulation for the vessel, yet recent work demonstrates an important role for PVAT in harboring immune cells, promoting their function and regulating the biology of the underlying vessel. The role of B‐2 cells and adaptive immunity in adipose tissue biology has been nicely reviewed elsewhere. Given that, the predominance of B‐1 cells in adipose tissue at homeostasis, and the emerging role of B‐1 cells in a variety of disease states, we will focus this review on how B‐1 cells function in VAT and PVAT depots to promote homeostasis and limit inflammation linked to cardiometabolic disease and factors that regulate this function.
Allochronic reproductive cycles among colonies of the Caribbean octocoral Antillogorgia americana
Authors: Lasker Howard R. , Calderón Julio
Published: May 2024

The reproductive biology of the branching octocoral Antillogorgia americana was studied at a site on the Caribbean coast of Panama in 1990–1991 by examining the reproductive status of 11 colonies across 14 months. Colonies were gonochoric. The presence of large and mature eggs or spermaries was allochronic across colonies and months, with peak gonad volumes occurring in months ranging from October through May. Reproductive effort varied between branches on a colony, with variation between branches and branchlets accounting for 25% of the random variation between polyps. Branchlets at the tip of the colony had fewer mature eggs than those lower on the branch, and polyps at the tips of the branchlets had fewer still. Although the simultaneous release of eggs and sperm is critical to reproductive success, the lack of synchrony among colonies on the scale of months may reflect less need for all colonies to spawn in a single event among abundant species that release large numbers of gametes. Such a strategy also spreads the risk of reproductive failure due to environmental conditions during any single month. The presence of multiple spawning episodes can also drive the reproductive isolation of populations and may reflect the presence of cryptic species within the taxon. Studies of reproductive timing can be an important adjunct in identifying variation in life history strategies as well as assessing the validity of species boundaries.
Cyclic fatigue behavior of Y‐TZP nanostructures with non‐homogeneous yttria distribution
Authors: Goulart Celso Antonio , Piza Mariana Miranda de Toledo , Carvalho Laura Firmo , Bonfante Estevam Augusto , Lisboa Filho Paulo Noronha
Published: May 2024

Nanostructured Y‐TZP samples with Non‐Homogeneous Yttria Distribution (NNHYD) were prepared by mixing co‐precipitated 3Y‐TZP powder (Tosoh TZ‐3Y) with yttria‐free monoclinic powder (Tosoh TZ‐0), yielding an overall yttria content of 2 mol%. The cyclic fatigue behavior of NNHYD was evaluated by Step‐Stress Accelerated Life Testing (SSALT) and mechanical cycling in a biaxial flexural strength test (BFST) setup and compared to Conventional Submicrometric 3Y‐TZP (CS). Physical, structural, microstructural, and mechanical characterizations of all groups were also evaluated and compared before and after artificial aging in autoclave. NNHYD presented a higher capacity for damage accumulation and maintenance of phase transformation potential than CS, associated with elevated resistance to the propagation of Low‐Temperature Degradation (LTD). A nanostructured 3Y‐TZP surface layer introduced in NNHYD by dip coating (DC‐NNHYD) improved resistance to LTD at the cost of reduced reliability under cyclic fatigue by increasing the stability of the tetragonal phase. This surface alteration highlights the impact of surface properties on mechanical performance. The results of this study present practical possibilities to help achieve the ideal balance between strength, toughness, and LTD resistance to improve the lifetime of zirconia‐based biomaterials.
High‐entropy strategies boosting dielectric temperature stability in (Na0.4K0.1Bi0.5)TiO3 ceramics
Authors: Meng Meng , Zhang Leiyang , Huang Yunyao , Yang Yule , Laletin Vladimir , Shur Vladimir , Wei Xiaoyong , Jin Li
Published: May 2024

Utilizing a high‐entropy strategy, we propose a novel approach for synthesizing (Na0.4K0.1Bi0.5)TiO3 (NKBT)‐based ceramics endowed with exceptional dielectric stability at elevated temperatures. The high‐entropy effect induces a random tilt in the oxygen octahedra of NKBT ceramics, leading to a broad dielectric response characterized by diffuse phase transitions. By weakening the dielectric abnormal peak at Ts of BNT, the dielectric stability of high‐entropy NKBT ceramics is significantly enhanced. Notably, at 100 kHz, the temperature stability range of (Na0.4K0.1Bi0.5)(Ti0.65Zr0.1Sn0.15Hf0.1)O3, synthesized through the traditional solid reaction method, reaches an impressive 311°C, surpassing undoped NKBT by 257%. This significant enhancement underscores the feasibility of our high‐entropy strategy in improving dielectric performance. Our work demonstrates a straightforward and cost‐effective method for significantly improving the dielectric temperature stability of NKBT ceramics.
Evaluation of breeding strategies to reduce the inbreeding rate in the Friesian horse population: Looking back and moving forward
Authors: Steensma Marije J. , Doekes Harmen P. , Pook Torsten , Derks Martijn F. L. , Bakker Nynke , Ducro Bart J.
Published: May 2024

In the past, small population sizes and unequal ancestor contributions have resulted in high inbreeding rates (ΔF) in the Friesian horse. Two decades ago, the studbook implemented a mating quota and started publishing individual kinships and reduced ΔF below 1% per generation. However, since then, the breeding population size has decreased and this raises the question whether current breeding strategies are sufficient to keep ΔF below desired rates. The aim of this study was to (1) reflect on past inbreeding trends and their main determinants, using pedigree analysis and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of the current and additional breeding strategies using stochastic simulations. We estimated the current ΔF (2013–2022) at 0.72% per generation. While the total contribution of the top 10 sires to the number of offspring per year has decreased from 75% in 1980 to 35% in 2022, this was mainly due to an increased number of approved studbook sires, and not due to more equalized contributions among sires. Of the simulated breeding strategies, selecting only breeding stallions with a below average mean kinship (i.e., “mean kinship selection”) was most effective to decrease ΔF (from 0.66% to 0.33%). Increasing the number of breeding sires only had an effect when also a mating quota was applied. However, its effect remained limited. For example, a ~1.5 fold increase, combined with a mating quota of 80 offspring per sire per year, reduced ΔF from 0.55% to 0.51%. When increasing the number of breeding mares, a practically unfeasible large increase was needed for a meaningful reduction in ΔF (e.g. twice as many mares were needed to reduce ΔF from 0.66% to 0.56%). Stratified mating quotas, a novel approach in which we assigned each sire a mating quota (of 60, 80, 100 or 120 offspring per year) based on its mean kinship to recently born foals, resulted in a lower ΔF (0.43%) than a general mating quota of 90 offspring per sire per year (0.55%). Overall, while the current ΔF is below 1%, we recommend to implement additional strategies to further reduce ΔF below 0.5% in the Friesian horse population. For this breed and similar populations, we recommend to focus on breeding strategies based on kinship levels to effectively reduce ΔF.
Species boundaries of the whiptail catfish Rineloricaria (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Paraíba do Sul River drainage, southeastern Brazil, with species redescriptions and description of a new species
Authors: Mejia Eduardo , Buckup Paulo A.
Published: May 2024

Species of the catfish genus Rineloricaria are common in the Paraíba do Sul River basin, in southeastern Brazil; here we present a revision of the taxonomic diversity and geographic distribution of the species of the genus inhabiting the basin, based on novel morphologic and molecular data. Five species delimitation methods based on cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 nucleotide sequences yielded comparable molecular operational taxonomic units. The automatic barcode gap discovery, assemble species by automatic partitioning, barcode index number, and Bayesian implementation of the Poisson tree process methods supported the recognition of five evolutionary lineages. These taxonomic units were assigned to the previously described Rineloricaria nigricauda, Rineloricaria steindachneri, Rineloricaria zawadzkii, and Rineloricaria nudipectoris, and an additional undescribed species. R. zawadzkii was further divided into two intraspecific geographically structured lineages using the generalized mixed Yule coalescent delimitation method. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis revealed that the five lineages from the Paraíba do Sul have closer relationships to different species from southern and southeastern Brazil (Ribeira de Iguape, Lagoa dos Patos, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Parana river basins) than to each other. Based on the analysis of lectotypes, recently collected material, and specimens from ichthyological collections, the poorly described R. nigricauda and R. steindachneri are redescribed following current descriptive standards. The undescribed species from the middle and upper Paraíba do Sul River basin is formally described. The description of a new species, along with the description of species boundaries in R. nigricauda and R. steindachneri, contributes to the knowledge of the ichthyofauna of the Paraíba do Sul River basin and adjacent coastal drainages of southeastern Brazil. An identification key for the species of Rineloricaria occurring in the Paraíba do Sul River basin is provided.