bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impairments of motor adaptation in Essential Tremor are linked to movement execution
Authors: Blondiaux Florence , Lebrun Louisien , Hanseeuw Bernard J. , Crevecoeur Frédéric
Published: April 2023

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Essential tremor (ET) is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary oscillations of the limbs. Previous studies have hypothesized that ET was a cerebellar disorder and reported impairments in motor adaptation. However, recent advances have highlighted that motor adaptation involved several components linked to anticipation and control, all dependent on cerebellum, and the specific alteration of adaptation of ET has not been identified. To address this question we investigated behavioural markers of adaptation in ET patients (n=20) and age-matched healthy volunteers (n=20) in saccadic and upper limb adaptation tasks, probing compensation for target jumps and for velocity-dependent force fields, respectively. We found that both groups adapted their movements to the novel contexts, however, ET patients adapted to a lesser extent compared to healthy volunteers. Importantly, we decomposed movements into components linked to anticipation, preserved here, and real-time execution, which were responsible for the adaptation deficit. Altogether, our results suggest that execution deficits may be a specific functional consequence of the alteration of neural pathways associated with ET.

Significance Statement

We tested Essential Tremor patients’ adaptation abilities in classical tasks including saccadic adaptation to target jumps and reaching adaptation to force field disturbances. Patients’ adaptation was present but impaired in both tasks. Interestingly, the deficits were mainly present during movement execution, while the anticipatory components of movements were similar to healthy volunteers. These findings reinforce the hypothesis of a cerebellar origin for essential tremor and details the motor adaptation impairments previously found in this disorder.
Regulating microbiome metabolic stability for stable indigenous liquor fermentation
Authors: Tan Yuwei , Zhu Yang , Wijffels René H. , Scott William T. , Xu Yan , Martins dos Santos Vitor
Published: April 2023

Background

Regulating microbial metabolic stability is an ever-challenging goal in the food industry to ensure the productivity and quality of fermented foods. The microbiome underlying traditional Chinese liquor fermentation is such a representative microbiome metabolism that is affected by many dynamic abiotic/biotic factors. The complex microbial activities bring beneficial qualities (complex and rich aroma profiles,etc.) to the fermented product, but can also cause unstable fermentation outcomes. Here, we designed a three-step experiment (abiotic regulation; biotic regulation; lab-scale validation) to explore which factors cause unstable fermentation outcomes and how to regulate microbiome metabolic functional stability accordingly.

Results

We found that 30.5% industrial fermentation of traditional Chinese liquor outcomes could be precisely predicted by initial abiotic factors. We could ensure the stability of partial fermentation batches by regulating the initial ratio of acidity to reducing sugar, moisture, and starch. Furthermore, in two representative unpredictable fermentation batches (named batch A and batch B), we found that unstable fermentation outcomes occurred even with similar initial abiotic factors after a dynamic three-phase fermentation. Unstable fermentation batches showed fluctuations in microbial community assembly that affected fermentation stability by altering the beneficial distribution (metabolic flux) of redundant metabolic pathways between yeasts and Lactobacilli. The metabolism of batch B was more stable than that of batch A due to the consistent overexpression of a specific set of bacterial metabolic genes. In repeated feed-batch fermentation processes, the difference in metabolic functional stability between the two batches was amplified 9.02 times. Batch B had significantly lower microbiome metabolic fluctuations than batch A, with higher robustness and lower complexity of the metabolic functional network. Moreover, we found that adjusting the initial microbial inoculation ratio could regulate both the metabolic beneficial distribution and temporal metabolic fluctuations of the microbiome to appropriately reduce the instability caused by biotic factors.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that rationally regulating initial parameters and microbial inoculation ratio is a practical strategy to optimize indigenous liquor fermentation. The stable microbial beneficial distribution and high metabolic robustness are essential to obtain the ideal microbiome metabolic stability. Our study provides insights and shows the feasibility of enhancing metabolic functional stability through initial conditions in dynamic microbial ecosystems.
Inferring the mode and strength of ongoing selection
Authors: Barroso Gustavo V. , Lohmueller Kirk E.
Published: April 2023

Genome sequence data are no longer scarce. The UK Biobank alone comprises 200,000 individual genomes, with more on the way, leading the field of human genetics toward sequencing entire populations. Within the next decades, other model organisms will follow suit, especially domesticated species such as crops and livestock. Having sequences from most individuals in a population will present new challenges for using these data to improve health and agriculture in the pursuit of a sustainable future. Existing population genetic methods are designed to model hundreds of randomly sampled sequences but are not optimized for extracting the information contained in the larger and richer data sets that are beginning to emerge, with thousands of closely related individuals. Here we develop a new method called trio-based inference of dominance and selection (TIDES) that uses data from tens of thousands of family trios to make inferences about natural selection acting in a single generation. TIDES further improves on the state of the art by making no assumptions regarding demography, linkage, or dominance. We discuss how our method paves the way for studying natural selection from new angles.
Chaotic advection mixer for capturing transient states of diverse biological macromolecular systems with time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering
Authors: Zielinski Kara A. , Katz Andrea M. , Calvey George D. , Pabit Suzette A. , Milano Shawn K. , Aplin Cody , San Emeterio Josue , Cerione Richard A. , Pollack Lois
Published: April 2023

Advances in time-resolved structural techniques, mainly in macromolecular crystallography and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), allow for a detailed view of the dynamics of biological macromolecules and reactions between binding partners. Of particular promise, are mix-and-inject techniques, which offer a wide range of experimental possibility as microfluidic mixers are used to rapidly combine two species just prior to data collection. Most mix-and-inject approaches rely on diffusive mixers, which have been effectively used within crystallography and SAXS for a variety of systems, but their success is dependent on a specific set of conditions to facilitate fast diffusion for mixing. The use of a new chaotic advection mixer designed for microfluidic applications helps to further broaden the types of systems compatible with time-resolved mixing experiments. The chaotic advection mixer can create ultra-thin, alternating layers of liquid, enabling faster diffusion so that even more slowly diffusing molecules, like proteins or nucleic acids, can achieve fast mixing on timescales relevant to biological reactions. This mixer was first used in UV–vis absorbance and SAXS experiments with systems of a variety of molecular weights, and thus diffusion speeds. Careful effort was also dedicated to making a loop-loading sample-delivery system that consumes as little sample as possible, enabling the study of precious, laboratory-purified samples. The combination of the versatile mixer with low sample consumption opens the door to many new applications for mix-and-inject studies.
The effect of crop insurance in Ecuadorian rice farming: a technical efficiency approach
Authors: Castro Marcelo , Reyes Duarte Alvaro , Villegas Andrés , Chanci Luis
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to estimate the technical efficiency of the massive and economically important crop of rice in Ecuador, and then conduct a comparison between groups of farmers with and without insurance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use an input-oriented data envelopment analysis approach (DEA) to estimate technical efficiency scores. The DEA is combined with the double bootstrap approach in Simar and Wilson (2007) to study factors that may affect technical efficiency. This method overcomes the traditional two-stage DEA approach frequently used in the efficiency literature. The authors thus research the role of insurance on rice efficiency production using this technique and sizeable field-level survey data from 376 rice farmers distributed in five provinces during the 2019 winter cycle in Ecuador.

Findings

Most uninsured rice farmers operate with increasing returns to scale, which means that farms improve their resource use efficiency by increasing their size. However, since scale efficiencies are relatively high, it appears that inefficiencies are explained by inadequate input use. Also, the authors find evidence that insured farmers have a negative relationship with technical efficiency in rice production. In other results, when exploring the influence of additional variables on efficiency, the authors find that parameters related to transplanting, high education, farm size and some locations are positive and statistically significant.

Social implications

The results of this work are relevant for policymakers interested in evaluating technology performance, risk management instruments and farm efficiency in an industry in a developing country such as rice production in Ecuador.

Originality/value

This paper is the first attempt to estimate farm-level technical efficiency employing the double bootstrap approach to assess the efficiency and its determinants of Ecuadorian rice producers.
An emotional perspective of music festival experience evaluation: a new model of emotional analysis
Authors: Oliva Jordi
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to test a new proposal of a model to analyze emotional outcomes in relation to the key factors constituting the experience of a music festival.

Design/methodology/approach

This article first examines how emotions and intangible impacts are conceptualized and analyzed by different disciplines; secondly, this article exposes the relevance of musical emotions and the contextual elements in the generation of the music festival experience; the article then proposes a new model to assess the emotional impacts of music festivals, named the Emotional Impact of Music Festivals (EIMF). Finally, this article shows the test of the model through quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Findings

The findings reveal that perceived emotions in the music festival context should be based on the definition of musical emotions. At the same time, the model combines the different sources of emotions taken from validated tools in multiple academic disciplines. The new proposal enables the emotional outcome of the music festival experience to be identified and helps to understand the weight of the experience's main elements.

Practical implications

The new proposed model facilitates the research on music festivals and illuminates the key role of music when organizing festivals to enhance attendee experience. Finally, this model reveals the main elements required to obtain an intense emotional outcome in these types of events.

Originality/value

The study expands the different scales and model proposals in live events and combines existent musical emotion models from the psychological perspective with theoretical models from the intangible impact evaluation. This study shows a genuine test for a theoretical model that can be further developed. Finally, this study shows how the new tool EIMF can help music festival organizers to understand the weight of the constituting factors of festival experience and the results in applied studies.
Lean and action learning: towards an integrated theory?
Authors: Saabye Henrik , Powell Daryl John , Coughlan Paul
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Being acquainted with both lean and action learning in theory and in practice, this study finds that the theoretical complementarity of these two research streams has traditionally been underexploited. In this conceptual paper, this study aims to advance the theoretical understanding of lean by exploring the complementarity of lean thinking and action learning leading to a proposed integrated theory of these two research streams. Target audience is the operations management research community.

Design/methodology/approach

By deliberately adopting a process of theorising, this paper explores, reflects upon and combines individual experiences of researching, teaching and engaging in lean and action learning as operations management scholars.

Findings

Having taken a gemba walk through the literature and practices of lean and action learning, this study views and notices a systematic and complementary relationship between the two domains. The overlapping theoretical and practical complementarities of lean and action learning suggest that these two research streams are ripe for synthesis into an integrated theory. This finding provides an opportunity to (1) progress towards an integrative design of interventions leading to more sustainable lean system adoptions and (2) add new depth to our theoretical explanation of the success and failures of lean system adoptions.

Originality/value

This paper contributes an original integrated theory perspective on lean and action learning.
Assessing the relationship between feedback strategies and learning improvement from a distance learning perspective
Authors: Attiogbe Esther Julia Korkor , Oheneba-Sakyi Yaw , Kwapong O.A.T.F. , Boateng John
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Feedback is crucial in a learning process, particularly in an online interaction where both learners and instructors are distantly located. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the association between feedback strategies, embedded course syllabus and learning improvement in the Sakai Learning Management System.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a survey design to collect cross-sectional data from adult distance learning students. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and a standard multiple regression model in Stata.

Findings

The results show that feedback strategies (timing, mode, quality and quantity) and embedded course syllabus have a significant relationship with learning improvement. However, the feedback strategy – target – is not significantly related to learning improvement though it is the highest feedback strategy.

Originality/value

This paper has contributed to the extant literature by providing empirical evidence to support the constructivism theory of learning from a distance learning perspective in a developing country. The study has shown that if the feedback strategies are well managed and applied, they would make a considerable impact on distance education students' academic pursuits. Hence, the paper provides a pedagogical foundation for short and long-term distance learning policy.
Numerical simulation of a fire resistance test and prediction of the flue gas leakage using CFD/FEM coupling
Authors: Prieler Rene , Pletzer Simon , Thusmer Stefan , Schwabegger Günther , Hochenauer Christoph
Published: April 2023

Purpose

In fire resistance tests (FRTs) of building materials, a crucial criterion to pass the test procedure is to avoid the leakage of the hot flue gases caused by gaps and cracks occurring due to the thermal exposure. The present study's aim is to calculate the deformation of a steel door, which is embedded within a wall made of bricks, and qualitatively determine the flue gas leakage.

Design/methodology/approach

A computational fluid dynamics/finite element method (CFD/FEM) coupling was introduced representing an intermediate approach between a one-way and a full two-way coupling methodology, leading to a simplified two-way coupling (STWC). In contrast to a full two way-coupling, the heat transfer through the steel door was simulated based on a one-way approach. Subsequently, the predicted temperatures at the door from the one-way simulation were used in the following CFD/FEM simulation, where the fluid flow inside and outside the furnace as well as the deformation of the door were calculated simultaneously.

Findings

The simulation showed large gaps and flue gas leakage above the door lock and at the upper edge of the door, which was in close accordance to the experiment. Furthermore, it was found that STWC predicted similar deformations compared to the one-way coupling.

Originality/value

Since two-way coupling approaches for fluid/structure interaction in fire research are computationally demanding, the number of studies is low. Only a few are dealing with the flue gas exit from rooms due to destruction of solid components. Thus, the present study is the first two-way approach dealing with flue gas leakage due to gap formation.
Application research of autoregressive and moving average power spectrum in mine ground‐penetrating radar structure detection data analysis
Authors: Fan Cui , Ran Wang , Baiping Chen , Lingfeng Zeng , Yi Chen
Published: April 2023

The mine roadway built in the same thick rock stratum will not change the lithologic medium in front of the roadway under the influence of the small structure of the mine, which makes the mine radar face many difficulties in structural interpretation. In the coal measure strata in southwest China, the coal seam roof is the weak aquifer of the Kayitou (T1k) group. The mine structure is the excellent drainage boundary of an aquifer, resulting in the water content of the structural belt being different from that of the surrounding rock. This paper proposes a method to identify hidden structures in mine roadways using the autoregressive and moving average power spectrum energy enveloping medium water content inversion technique. Based on the actual water content of strata in the study area, 48 roadway models are constructed. The finite‐difference time‐domain algorithm was used to obtain the forward data and calculate the volumetric water content of the model. The structure of the roadway model is accurately identified by the water content difference. In the numerical simulation study, the segmentation frequency of high‐frequency and low‐frequency envelope of the autoregressive and moving average spectrum of 100‐MHz radar antenna is determined to be 155 MHz, and the value range of water content calculation regulation parameter k is determined. The high‐ and low‐frequency envelope inversion characteristics of the autoregressive and moving average spectrum of different tunnel media models are summarized and analysed. To solve the calculation problem of energy envelope selection of autoregressive and moving average power spectrum of engineering data, the k‐nearest neighbour machine learning algorithm was used to learn and classify the power spectrum features of different tunnel models. The detection application is analysed through the whole‐rock medium and coal and rock medium roadway in the study area. The results show that the method can effectively identify the location and strike characteristics of the hidden structures in front of the roadway.
Ecosystem size filters life‐history strategies to shape community assembly in lakes
Authors: Rypel Andrew L.
Published: April 2023

Enhancing understanding of community assembly rules hinges on shared conceptualizations that operate across scales and levels of ecological organization. Knowledge of the biogeography of life‐history strategies is especially limited but crucial for building fundamental information on the relationships between trait diversity and species richness.

The goals of this study were to (i) demonstrate how life histories can be classified using a previously identified triangular continuum of evolutionary trade‐offs; (ii) test whether spatial and temporal heterogeneity in species abundances is linked to life‐history strategy; (iii) compare species‐area relationships across the primary life‐history strategist groups and (iv) explore how species life‐history niche spaces are shaped by ecosystem size and landscape architecture.

Fish communities were sampled in 40 lakes that varied widely in volume; 11 lakes were sampled annually for 28 or 42 years. Seventy‐one species were classified as equilibrium, periodic or opportunistic strategists, and species‐area curves were quantified and compared among strategy types.

As predicted by life‐history theory, relative abundances of opportunistic strategists were extremely variable over space and time, whereas abundances of equilibrium and periodic strategists were more stable. Small lakes were often dominated by only one species, usually an opportunistic strategist. Species richness increased with ecosystem size, but larger ecosystems were increasingly inhabited by equilibrium, and then, periodic strategists. Richness of periodic species increased with ecosystem size at a faster rate compared with opportunistic species showing that colonization‐extinction points fundamentally vary by strategy. Similarly, life‐history niche space increased with ecosystem size in accord with species‐area relationships but showed saturation behaviour. Niche space became increasingly crowded in large lakes, particularly in lakes with higher hydrologic connectance.

Ecosystem size mediates the assembly of communities through effects on environmental stability, hydrology and life‐history filtering. This finding provides novel insights into community assembly at multiple scales and has broad conservation applications. Because ecosystem size filters towards orthogonal and inverse life histories, conservation actions (e.g. fish stockings) that do not consider life‐history and community filtering rules will probably fail.
Revealing the extent of sea otter impacts on bivalve prey through multi‐trophic monitoring and mechanistic models
Authors: Leach Clinton B. , Weitzman Benjamin P. , Bodkin James L. , Esler Daniel , Esslinger George G. , Kloecker Kimberly A. , Monson Daniel H. , Womble Jamie N. , Hooten Mevin B.
Published: April 2023

Sea otters are apex predators that can exert considerable influence over the nearshore communities they occupy. Since facing near extinction in the early 1900s, sea otters are making a remarkable recovery in Southeast Alaska, particularly in Glacier Bay, the largest protected tidewater glacier fjord in the world. The expansion of sea otters across Glacier Bay offers both a challenge to monitoring and stewardship and an unprecedented opportunity to study the top‐down effect of a novel apex predator across a diverse and productive ecosystem.

Our goal was to integrate monitoring data across trophic levels, space, and time to quantify and map the predator–prey interaction between sea otters and butter clams Saxidomus gigantea, one of the dominant large bivalves in Glacier Bay and a favoured prey of sea otters.

We developed a spatially‐referenced mechanistic differential equation model of butter clam dynamics that combined both environmental drivers of local population growth and estimates of otter abundance from aerial survey data. We embedded this model in a Bayesian statistical framework and fit it to clam survey data from 43 intertidal and subtidal sites across Glacier Bay.

Prior to substantial sea otter expansion, we found that butter clam density was structured by an environmental gradient driven by distance from glacier (represented by latitude) and a quadratic effect of current speed. Estimates of sea otter attack rate revealed spatial heterogeneity in sea otter impacts and a negative relationship with local shoreline complexity.

Sea otter exploitation of productive butter clam habitat substantially reduced the abundance and altered the distribution of butter clams across Glacier Bay, with potential cascading consequences for nearshore community structure and function. Spatial variation in estimated sea otter predation processes further suggests that community context and local environmental conditions mediate the top‐down influence of sea otters on a given prey. Overall, our framework provides high‐resolution insights about the interaction among components of this food web and could be applied to a variety of other systems involving invasive species, epidemiology or migration.
The OBR and the March 2023 Budget: The Travails of UK Economic Growth and the Politics of Technocratic Fiscal Governance
Authors: Clift Ben
Published: April 2023

This article places the Office for Budget Responsibility's commentary on the March 2023 UK Budget in political context. It explores how increased independent expert input has transformed the UK economic policy regime, focussing on the complex relationship between rules‐based economic governance, independent oversight and fiscal discipline. The technocratic veneer that enshrines the UK fiscal watchdog obscures the inevitable politics of rules‐based fiscal governance. The recent budget revealed OBR scepticism about how far budget measures can address the UK economy's long‐term structural weaknesses. This underlined the key role for judgment inherent within technocratic fiscal oversight.
A systematic review on the flavor of soy‐based fermented foods: Core fermentation microbiome, multisensory flavor substances, key enzymes, and metabolic pathways
Authors: An Feiyu , Wu Junrui , Feng Yunzi , Pan Guoyang , Ma Yuanyuan , Jiang Jinhui , Yang Xuemeng , Xue Ruixia , Wu Rina , Zhao Mouming
Published: April 2023

The characteristic flavor of fermented foods has an important impact on the purchasing decisions of consumers, and its production mechanisms are a concern for scientists worldwide. The perception of food flavor is a complex process involving olfaction, taste, vision, and oral touch, with various senses contributing to specific properties of the flavor. Soy‐based fermented products are popular because of their unique flavors, especially in Asian countries, where they occupy an important place in the dietary structure. Microorganisms, known as the souls of fermented foods, can influence the sensory properties of soy‐based fermented foods through various metabolic pathways, and are closely related to the formation of multisensory properties. Therefore, this review systematically summarizes the core microbiome and its interactions that play an active role in representative soy‐based fermented foods, such as fermented soymilk, soy sauce, soybean paste, sufu, and douchi. The mechanism of action of the core microbial community on multisensory flavor quality is revealed here. Revealing the fermentation core microbiome and related enzymes provides important guidance for the development of flavor‐enhancement strategies and related genetically engineered bacteria.
Investigating aerial diversity of non‐fungal eukaryotes across a 40° latitudinal transect using DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Câmara Paulo Eduardo Aguiar Saraiva , Lopes Fabyano Alvares Cardoso , Bones Fábio Leal Viana , Rodrigues Luiz Antonio Costa , Carvalho‐Silva Micheline , Stech Michael , Convey Peter , Rosa Luiz Henrique
Published: April 2023

The high number of bipolar and widespread bryophyte and microbial taxa in the Antarctic flora suggests the effective Long‐Distance Dispersal (LDD) of spores and other propagules from lower latitudes and even the Northern Hemisphere to Antarctica and the sub‐Antarctic regions. However, few studies have attempted to document the transfer mechanisms by which potential newcomers may arrive in Antarctica. Commonly suggested or assumed mechanisms include transport in air currents, adventitious transfer with migrating or vagrant birds, and with human assistance. In this study, we investigated the biodiversity present in the air along a 40° latitudinal transect, from the port city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (ca. 22°S) to Comandante Ferraz Station on King George Island (South Shetland Islands, ca. 62°S), maritime Antarctica, to shed light on the potential role of LDD in species distribution. Air samples were collected in October 2021 on the Brazilian polar support vessel Ary Rongel using air filters with membranes of 0.22 μm. Total DNA was extracted from the filters and the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS2) DNA sequence was used for metabarcoding. A total of 53 non‐fungal taxa representing three kingdoms (most abundantly Viridiplantae) and six phyla (most abundantly Bryophyta and Magnoliophyta) were assigned from the sequences found. Aerial biodiversity was greater closer to the coast and generally decreased with increasing latitude, although a small increase was apparent in the South Shetland Islands. The taxa assigned are generally present in coastal biomes, although a small proportion of the assignments represented taxa of more distant origin, supporting the occurrence of LDD in the air column.
Climate as a determinant of dung beetle response to native forest replacement by cattle pastures in South America
Authors: Guerra Alonso Celeste B. , Filloy Julieta , Zurita Gustavo A.
Published: April 2023

Anthropogenic disturbance in natural ecosystems reduces the number of species in biological communities and homogenizes their composition across different regions. Climate is one of the main abiotic determinants of species distributions and different factors were proposed as the main climatic drivers. Here we explored the role of regional climate on the local response of dung beetle assemblages to the replacement of native forest by cattle pastures in South America by simultaneously contrasting three climatic hypotheses: energy, seasonality and heterogeneity. We compiled a database by searching published studies comparing dung beetle richness and composition between both native forests and cattle pastures. We calculated the proportional difference in species richness and composition between habitat types. As explanatory variables, we used seven abiotic variables grouped into the three climatic hypotheses. Energy/Productivity: mean annual temperature (°C/year) and total annual precipitation (mm/year). Seasonality: annual thermal amplitude (°C/year), the average coefficient of variation of monthly precipitation and the coefficient of average monthly variation in temperature. Heterogeneity: coefficient of variation of mean annual temperature, coefficient of variation of mean annual precipitation. Using regression analyses and a model selection procedure, we found differences in species richness between native forests and cattle pastures were explained by the coefficient of variation of mean annual precipitation, whereas changes in species composition were explained by total annual precipitation and the coefficient of variation of mean annual precipitation. The response of dung beetle assemblages to livestock grazing in South American forests was associated with precipitation variation. The heterogeneity hypothesis better explained changes in species richness following forest replacement by cattle pastures, while both energy/productivity and heterogeneity hypotheses explained the changes in species composition.
Characterising the herbivore community and its impact on Sonchus oleraceus (Asterales: Asteraceae) in its invaded range in Australia
Authors: Ollivier Mélodie , Labouyrie Maëva , Raghu Sathyamurthy , Tavoillot Johannes , Tixier Marie‐Stéphane , Lesieur Vincent
Published: April 2023

Sonchus oleraceus is an annual species native to Eurasia and Northern Africa that has become a major weed of cultivated fields and ruderal areas in Australia. Populations are difficult to manage in cropping systems because of the development of resistance to common herbicides. Biological control is being investigated as an additional tactic for managing the weed. A literature review was conducted to identify the phytophagous arthropod species already associated with the species in Australia to guide such a biological control programme. To identify opportunities for biological control agents to aid in management, we undertook field surveys across Queensland and South Australia in different environments. We also investigated factors that may influence their performance in Australia. Both the literature review and field surveys identified 21 arthropod species associated with S. oleraceus in Australia, most of them being generalist species and pests of exotic origin. Capitula were the most damaged plant part while stems were relatively free from insects, except aphids. The field surveys recorded an unexpected new interaction between S. oleraceus and the gall midge, Contarinia jongi (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). This association was surprising as the midge, only known to develop on Alstroemeria (Liliales: Alstroemeriaceae), a very distant relative to S. oleraceus (Asterales: Asteraceae), was reported in Australia only a few years ago under greenhouse conditions. The midge and the moth Eublemma cochylioides (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) were the two species that occurred most frequently in developing flower head samples. We considered their infestation rate as a proxy of herbivory and tested whether the environment surrounding the plant may influence herbivory. Both E. cochylioides and C. jongi showed the highest infestations in ruderal sites compared with the sites located in conventional farming areas. We discuss the implications of our results in the context of selecting and releasing candidates for the biological control of the weed, especially in agricultural landscapes.
Observations on the effects of fire on East African Afroalpine vegetation
Authors: van der Hoek Yntze , Bugingo Louange César , Tuyisingize Deogratias , Eckardt Winnie , Bizuru Elias , Ngiramahoro Maurice
Published: April 2023

An accidental fire that affected vegetation across an elevational gradient on the eastern slope of Mount Muhabura in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) provided a unique opportunity to compare the richness, diversity, composition and elevational distribution of plant taxa across burned and unburned Afromontane habitats 1 and 9 years after the fire. Although richness and local α‐diversity were comparable, community composition differed across burned and unburned habitats with the former having a lower cover of woody perennials and a higher cover of herbaceous annuals. We confirm the role of fire in shaping Afromontane vegetation, which is important information for protected area management.
What is the optimal range of glycemic control for non‐diabetic patients undergoing gastroenterological surgery? A single‐center randomized controlled trial using an artificial pancreas
Authors: Tanioka Nobuhisa , Maeda Hiromichi , Uemura Sunao , Munekage Masaya , Kitagawa Hiroyuki , Namikawa Tsutomu , Kuroiwa Hajime , Fujimoto Shimpei , Seo Satoru , Hanazaki Kazuhiro
Published: April 2023

Background

This study aimed to determine the optimal target range of perioperative glycemic control for gastroenterological surgery. A closed‐loop‐type artificial pancreas (AP) was used to diminish the negative impact of hypoglycemia and glycemic variability during tight glycemic control.

Methods

In this single‐center randomized trial, non‐diabetic patients were assigned to tight (80–110 mg/dL) or moderate glycemic control (110–140 mg/dL) groups between August 2017 and May 2021. AP was used from the intraoperative period until discharge from the intensive care unit. The primary endpoint was the serum interleukin (IL)‐6 level on the third postoperative day (3POD), and the secondary endpoints included clinical outcomes.

Results

Recruitment was closed before reaching the planned number of patients due to slow enrollment. Tight glycemic control (n = 62) resulted in lower mean glucose levels than moderate glycemic control (n = 66) (121.3 ± 10.8 mg/dL vs. 133.5 ± 12.0 mg/dL, p < 0.001). Insulin was administered at a 65% higher rate for tight glycemic control, achieving appropriate glucose control more than 70% of the treatment time. No hypoglycemia occurred during the AP treatment. No significant difference was observed in serum IL‐6 levels on 3POD (23.4 ± 31.1 vs. 32.1 ± 131.0 pg/mL, p = 0.64), morbidity rate, surgical mortality rate, or length of hospital stay between the two groups.

Conclusions

Clinically relevant short‐term results did not differ, implying that 80–110 and 110–140 mg/dL are permissible glycemic control ranges when using AP in non‐diabetic patients undergoing gastroenterological surgery. (Registered in UMIN; UMIN000028036).
Early clinical observation of supra‐hemodiafiltration with endogenous reinfusion in the treatment of uremic pruritus
Authors: Zha Fei , Li Wenwen , Shi Chunhua , Deng Yanyan , Shen Jianming
Published: April 2023

Background

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of supra‐hemodiafiltration with endogenous reinfusion (Supra‐HFR) for pruritus in uremic maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients and explore the possible mechanism.

Methods

This study prospectively included 60 patients with uremia who underwent maintenance hemodialysis and developed pruritus. Patients were randomly divided into a study group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases). Patients in the study group underwent dialysis once a week with Supra‐HFR and twice a week with HD. The group received HD dialysis 3 times a week. Visual analog scales (VAS) scores, 5‐D itch scale scores, and 12‐Item Pruritus Severity Scale (12‐PSS) were used to evaluate the itching degree of patients. Quality of life was assessed using KDTA and SF‐36 scores. Blood levels of hypersensitive C‐reactive protein, calcium ion (Ca2+), phosphorus ion (P3+), free parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and β2‐microglobulin (β2‐MG) were compared between the two groups before treatment and at follow‐up 24 weeks after treatment.

Results

Before treatment, there was no significant difference in VAS, 5‐D itch scale, and 12‐PSS score between the study group and the control group (all p > 0.05). After 24 weeks of treatment, the VAS score of the study group (2.82 ± 0.91) was significantly lower than that of the control group (7.47 ± 1.32, p < 0.001), the 5‐D itch scale score of the study group (9.47 ± 2.34) was significantly lower than that of the control group (18.53 ± 4.02, p < 0.001), the 12‐PSS score of the study group (11.20 ± 1.81) was significantly lower than that of the control group (16.47 ± 2.09, p < 0.001). KDTA of the study group (64.17 ± 8.07 vs. 47.83 ± 13.46, p < 0.001) and SF‐36 scores (65.37 ± 6.28 vs. 55.90 ± 14.28, p = 0.002) were significantly higher than that in the control group. The levels of hs‐CRP, P3+, iPTH, and β2‐MG in the study group after treatment were lower than those before treatment, and lower than those in the control group after treatment (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The Supra‐HFR can effectively reduce the itching symptoms of uremia patients and improve their quality of life.
The effect of commitment in the public goods game with endogenous institution formation
Authors: Inaba Misato , Kawamura Tetsuya , Ogawa Kazuhito
Published: April 2023

This study focuses on the endogenous formation of institutions for the provision of public goods. Institutions that impose a contribution on their members can increase social welfare. However, without powerful executive authority, not all players become institutional members, and those who choose not to join the institution do not contribute to public goods. Endogenous institution formation—for example, international treaties to prevent global warming—may be a solution. This study examines the effect of commitment on endogenous institution formation for solving the public goods problem. We compared two rules in which participants either committed to join or did not join an institution. Under both rules, players who proposed to form an institution could withdraw from it during the formation process. Under the breakaway rule, the institution can be formed even if some proposers withdraw, whereas under the unanimity rule, the institution is never formed if at least one proposer withdraws. Thus, the unanimity rule required the commitment of proposers for institution formation. Our experimental result showed that the unanimity rule increased the contribution to public goods, whereas the breakaway rule did not. Our findings suggest that the commitment to become a member of an institution is essential for endogenous institution formation.
Suspect severe gastroenteritis associated with ingestion of caterpillar setae fragments in a cat
Authors: Stone K , Sullivan L , Korman R
Published: April 2023

A 6‐month‐old male neutered Domestic Shorthair cat was assessed for a 24‐h history of anorexia, lethargy, depressed mentation, mild abdominal pain and persistent bradycardia. Abdominal ultrasound revealed marked thickening of the gastric wall, gastric distension, free abdominal fluid, distension and corrugation of the small intestine. Full‐thickness histopathological biopsy of the gastric wall demonstrated intralesional chitinous structures whose morphology (size and presence of obvious barbs) supports these structures being urticating hairs (setae). A processionary caterpillar is considered most likely as these are the most common urticating caterpillars in Australia. This is the first case of suspected severe gastroenteritis associated with the ingestion of caterpillar setae fragments in a cat.
Associations of pregnancy complications and neonatal characteristics with bipolar disorder in the offspring: Nationwide cohort and sibling‐controlled studies
Authors: Beer Rachael J. , Cnattingius Sven , Susser Ezra S. , Villamor Eduardo
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To investigate associations of neonatal characteristics and pregnancy complications with bipolar disorder (BPD) in offspring.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide cohort study among 2,059,578 non‐malformed singleton live‐births in Sweden born 1983–2004. Using national registries with prospectively recorded information, we followed participants for a BPD diagnosis from 13 up to 34 years of age. We compared BPD risks between exposure categories using hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) from adjusted Cox models. We also conducted sibling‐controlled analyses among 1,467,819 full siblings.

Results

There were 14,998 BPD diagnoses. Risk of BPD was 0.74% through 25 years of age. Very/extremely preterm birth (22 to 31 weeks) was related to increased BPD HRs in sibling‐controlled analyses; compared with a gestational age of 37 weeks, adjusted HR (95% CI) for 31, 28, and 22 weeks were, respectively, 1.31 (0.99, 1.74), 2.09 (1.15, 3.79), and 5.74 (1.15, 28.63). Spontaneous but not medically indicated very/extremely preterm birth was associated with increased risk. Compared with vaginal birth, caesarean section birth was associated with 1.20 (1.08, 1.33) and 1.58 (1.06, 2.36) times higher BPD risk in general and sibling cohorts, respectively. Small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) birth was related to increased BPD HRs in general cohort and sibling analyses (HRs [95% CI] were 1.22 [1.06, 1.39] and 1.68 [1.13, 2.50], respectively); only term SGA was associated with increased risk. Head circumference‐for‐gestational age, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and placental abruption were not associated with BPD.

Conclusions

Very/extremely preterm birth, caesarean birth, and SGA are related to BPD incidence.
The ethical significance of consent to postmortem organ retrieval
Authors: Łuków Paweł
Published: April 2023

Supporters of opt‐in organ procurement policies typically claim that the absence of consent to postmortem transplantable organ retrieval is a normative barrier to such retrieval. On this ground, justification of opt‐out policies is demanded. The paper shows that postmortem organ retrieval is normatively different from live organ removal, and so the doctrine of informed consent does not apply to it in the way it does in other types of cases. First, seen as the instrument of protection of autonomy or the right to self‐determination, informed consent cannot be relied on in the case of dead persons; secondly, viewed as an instrument of annulment of harm or wrong to the dead (volenti non fit injuria), informed consent relies on indefensible accounts of posthumous harm or wrong. Postmortem organ retrieval in cases of absence of the decedent's consent and refusal is governed by other norms than those related to consent. Such norms include, among others, respectful treatment of human remains (such as those found in regulations of medicine, law enforcement, and research) and avoidance of inherently wrong contexts and purposes (such as killing for the purpose of organ retrieval or trade in the human body or its parts). It is concluded that the onus probandi is on the supporters of opt‐in, rather than opt‐out, policies of posthumous organ retrieval.
Microvascular and neural alterations in carotid cavernous fistulas: An optical coherence tomography angiography study
Authors: Wen Xin , Gao Xiang , Li Zhongjun , Wang Jing , Liang Jiaqi , Zhou Chong , Cai Wangqing , Xiao Jianhui
Published: April 2023

Background

Current modalities for diagnosing carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) are inaccurate in analysing retinal microcirculations and nerve fibre changes. Retinal microvascular and neural alterations occur in CCF patients and can be quantitatively measured using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). We measured the neurovascular changes in the eyes of CCF patients and used OCTA as a supplementary method.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study studied 54 eyes of 27 unilateral CCF subjects and 54 eyes of 27 healthy age‐ and sex‐matched controls. OCTA parameters in the macula and optic nerve head (ONH) were analysed using a one‐way analysis of variance with further Bonferroni corrections. Parameters with statistical significance were included in a multivariable binary logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated.

Results

There was significantly less deep‐vessel density (DVD) and ONH‐associated capillary density in both eyes of CCF patients than in controls, while the differences between the affected and contralateral eyes were insignificant. The retinal nerve fibre layer and ganglion cell complex thickness were lower in the affected eyes than in the contralateral or controlled eyes. ROC curves identified DVD and ONH‐associated capillary density as significant parameters in both eyes of CCF patients.

Conclusion

The retinal microvascular circulation was affected in both eyes of unilateral CCF patients. Microvascular alterations occurred before retinal neural damage. This quantitative study suggests a supplementary measurement for diagnosing CCF and detecting early neurovascular impairments.
OaIF: Occlusion‐Aware Implicit Function for Clothed Human Re‐construction
Authors: Tan Yudi , Guan Boliang , Zhou Fan , Su Zhuo
Published: April 2023

Clothed human re‐construction from a monocular image is challenging due to occlusion, depth‐ambiguity and variations of body poses. Recently, shape representation based on an implicit function, compared to explicit representation such as mesh and voxel, is more capable with complex topology of clothed human. This is mainly achieved by using pixel‐aligned features, facilitating implicit function to capture local details. But such methods utilize an identical feature map for all sampled points to get local features, making their models occlusion‐agnostic in the encoding stage. The decoder, as implicit function, only maps features and does not take occlusion into account explicitly. Thus, these methods fail to generalize well in poses with severe self‐occlusion. To address this, we present OaIF to encode local features conditioned in visibility of SMPL vertices. OaIF projects SMPL vertices onto image plane to obtain image features masked by visibility. Vertices features integrated with geometry information of mesh are then feed into a GAT network to encode jointly. We query hybrid features and occlusion factors for points through cross attention and learn occupancy fields for clothed human. The experiments demonstrate that OaIF achieves more robust and accurate re‐construction than the state of the art on both public datasets and wild images.