bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behavioural and physiological responses to thermal stress in a social spider
Authors: Malmos Kirsten Gade , Lüdeking Andreas Husted , Vosegaard Thomas , Aagaard Anne , Bechsgaard Jesper , Sørensen Jesper Givskov , Bilde Trine
Published: September 2021

Temperature is one of the primary environmental drivers of the distribution of species, and particularly high temperatures challenge physiological processes by disruption of cellular homoeostasis. This exerts selection on organisms to maintain cellular homoeostasis by adaptive physiological and/or behavioural responses.

The social spider Stegodyphus dumicola occurs across several climate zones in Southern Africa, and populations experience high and variable temperatures, suggesting a wide temperature niche, or alternatively that populations respond with plastic or locally adapted responses to temperature. Using a common garden design, we investigated complementary adaptive heat responses (behavioural thermoregulation and cuticle wax composition) in individuals from warmer and cooler locations.

The spiders exhibited higher temperature tolerance than most ectotherms (CTmax almost 49℃), with the individuals from warmer locations showing the highest tolerance. Analyses of cuticle wax revealed chemical compositions consistent with a higher melting temperature (e.g. increased chain length and lower occurrence of branching) and therefore improved waterproofing in spiders originating from warmer locations and acclimated at a higher temperature, as expected if local temperature drives changes in the cuticle composition to improve waterproofing.

The spiders exhibited a clear behavioural escape response from increasing temperature, with individuals from warmer locations and kept at higher acclimation temperature showing a lower threshold temperature at which this behaviour was triggered, suggesting that this threshold is under natural selection.

Our study provides evidence of both local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in physiological and behavioural traits relating to temperature tolerance. Population differences in trait expression suggest local adaptation to different thermal environments, and individuals plastically adjust cuticle wax composition and cooling behaviour in response to temperature changes.

The Bogert effect predicts that behavioural thermoregulation may relax selection for physiological adaptations. Our study instead suggests that synergistic effects of both physiological and behavioural adaptive traits shape the thermal biology of species.

Local adaptation allows existence across different climate zones. Additionally, plasticity in behavioural and physiological traits enables rapid responses to short‐term temperature fluctuations within a thermal niche. We show that adaptive and plastic responses act in concert to shape the thermal biology and distribution of species.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Unravelling biodiversity–productivity relationships across a large temperate forest region
Authors: Qiao Xuetao , Zhang Naili , Zhang Chunyu , Zhang Zhonghui , Zhao Xiuhai , von Gadow Klaus
Published: September 2021

Biodiversity–productivity relationship (BPR) has become a central issue of ecology and conservation biology. The current understanding of BPR mainly comes from local scales, which is, however, difficult to extend to the BPR pattern at the regional scale owing to the scale dependence of regional communities.

To elucidate the BPR at the regional communities across multiple spatial scales, we investigated the 328 plots with about 30,000 trees across 700,000 km2regional area in the temperate forests. In this study, thenclosest plots were aggregated to form regional clusters representing the spatial scale characterized by the spatial extent of regional communities, which were used to explore the relationships of multiple facets of biodiversity (i.e. taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity) with the productivity of regional communities.

Our study provides insight into the discrepancy among taxonomic, functional, phylogenetic biodiversity in modulating productivity across the different specific biogeographical clusters within a large regional area. We found that the spatial extent of the tree community could change the importance of the multiple facets of biodiversity on productivity. Phylogenetic diversity may be a better driver of productivity at the smaller spatial scale of the regional communities. In contrast, taxonomic diversity appears to be more predominant in affecting productivity at the broader spatial scale.

Our results suggest that the understanding of the BPR patterns benefited from the multiple facets of biodiversity. The findings highlight the scale dependence of the BPRs, representing the significance of the spatial extent of the regional communities on them. This would improve our abilities to interpret and predict temperate forest productivity across the different spatial scales of the regional communities.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
National and Sectoral Effects of a Decline in the Desirability of Investing in Australia
Authors: Gretton Paul
Published: September 2021

Australia has a long‐standing dependence on foreign investment to make up the difference between domestic saving and investment opportunities. There is, nevertheless, an ongoing debate about the merits or otherwise of inward foreign investment. There has also been a recent tightening of criteria governing foreign investment. The OECD assesses Australia's foreign direct investment regime to be one of the most restrictive in the OECD area, while broader discussions have considered the potential for a decline in Australia's credit rating. This paper uses a dynamic global general equilibrium model—GDyn‐FS—to report on the national and sectoral effects of a decline in the desirability of investing in Australia, relative to other countries.
The first chromosome‐level genome assembly of a green lacewing Chrysopa pallens and its implication for biological control
Authors: Wang Yuyu , Zhang Ruyue , Wang Mengqing , Zhang Lisheng , Shi Cheng‐Min , Li Jing , Fan Fan , Geng Shuo , Liu Xingyue , Yang Ding
Published: September 2021

Many lacewing species (Insecta: Neuroptera) are important predators of pests with great potential in biological control. So far, there is no chromosome‐level published genome available for Neuroptera. Here we report a high‐quality chromosome‐level reference genome for a green lacewing species Chrysopa pallens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), which is one of the most important insect natural enemies used in pest biocontrol. The genome was sequenced using a combination of PacBio and Hi‐C technologies and assembled into seven chromosomes with a total size of 517.21 Mb, occupying 96.07% of the genome sequence. A total of 12,840 protein‐coding genes were identified and approximately 206.21 Mb of repeated sequences were annotated. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that C. pallens diverged from its common ancestor with Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera) approximately 300 million years ago. The gene families involved in digestion, detoxification, chemoreception, carbohydrate metabolism, immunity, nerves and development were significantly expanded, revealing the potential genomic basis for the polyphagia of C. pallens and its role as an excellent biocontrol agent. This high‐quality genome of C. pallens will provide an important genomic resource for future population genetics, evolutionary and phylogenetic investigations of Chrysopidae as well as comparative genomic studies of Neuropterida and other insects.
Chromosome‐scale assembly and whole‐genome sequencing of 266 giant panda roundworms provide insights into their evolution, adaptation and potential drug targets
Authors: Han Lei , Lan Tianming , Li Desheng , Li Haimeng , Deng Linhua , Peng Zhiwei , He Shaowen , Zhou Yanqiang , Han Ruobing , Li Lingling , Lu Yaxian , Lu Haorong , Wang Qing , Yang Shangchen , Zhu Yixin , Huang Yunting , Cheng Xiaofang , Yu Jieyao , Wang Yulong , Sun Heting , Chai Hongliang , Yang Huanming , Xu Xun , Lisby Michael , Liu Quan , Kristiansen Karsten , Liu Huan , Hou Zhijun
Published: September 2021

Helminth diseases have long been a threat to the health of humans and animals. Roundworms are important organisms for studying parasitic mechanisms, disease transmission and prevention. The study of parasites in the giant panda is of importance for understanding how roundworms adapt to the host. Here, we report a high‐quality chromosome‐scale genome of Baylisascaris schroederi with a genome size of 253.60 Mb and 19,262 predicted protein‐coding genes. We found that gene families related to epidermal chitin synthesis and environmental information processes in the roundworm genome have expanded significantly. Furthermore, we demonstrated unique genes involved in essential amino acid metabolism in the B. schroederi genome, inferred to be essential for the adaptation to the giant panda‐specific diet. In addition, under different deworming pressures, we found that four resistance‐related genes (glc‐1, nrf‐6, bre‐4 and ced‐7) were under strong positive selection in a captive population. Finally, 23 known drug targets and 47 potential drug target proteins were identified. The genome provides a unique reference for inferring the early evolution of roundworms and their adaptation to the host. Population genetic analysis and drug sensitivity prediction provide insights revealing the impact of deworming history on population genetic structure of importance for disease prevention.
High quality haplotype‐resolved genome assemblies of Populus tomentosa Carr., a stabilized interspecific hybrid species widespread in Asia
Authors: An Xinmin , Gao Kai , Chen Zhong , Li Juan , Yang Xiong , Yang Xiaoyu , Zhou Jing , Guo Ting , Zhao Tianyun , Huang Sai , Miao Deyu , Ullah Khan Wasif , Rao Pian , Ye Meixia , Lei Bingqi , Liao Weihua , Wang Jia , Ji Lexiang , Li Ying , Guo Bin , Siddig Mustafa Nada , Li Shanwen , Yun Quanzheng , Keller Stephen R. , Mao Jian‐Feng , Zhang Ren‐Gang , Strauss Steven H.
Published: September 2021

Populus has a wide ecogeographical range spanning the Northern Hemisphere, and interspecific hybrids are common. Populus tomentosa Carr. is widely distributed and cultivated in the eastern region of Asia, where it plays multiple important roles in forestry, agriculture, conservation, and urban horticulture. Reference genomes are available for several Populus species, however, our goals were to produce a very high quality de novo chromosome‐level genome assembly in P. tomentosa genome that could serve as a reference for evolutionary and ecological studies of hybrid speciation throughout the genus. Here, combining long‐read sequencing and Hi‐C scaffolding, we present a high‐quality, haplotype‐resolved genome assembly. The genome size was 740.2 Mb, with a contig N50 size of 5.47 Mb and a scaffold N50 size of 46.68 Mb, consisting of 38 chromosomes, as expected with the known diploid chromosome number (2n = 2x = 38). A total of 59,124 protein‐coding genes were identified. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that P. tomentosa is comprised of two distinct subgenomes, which we deomonstrate is likely to have resulted from hybridization between Populus adenopoda as the female parent and Populus alba var. pyramidalis as the male parent, with an origin of approximately 3.93 Ma. Although highly colinear, significant structural variation was found between the two subgenomes. Our study provides a valuable resource for ecological genetics and forest biotechnology.
Managing risk and uncertainty in systematic conservation planning with insufficient information
Authors: Popov Valentin , Shah Payal , Runting Rebecca K. , Rhodes Jonathan R.
Published: September 2021

Recent advances in systematic conservation planning make use of modern portfolio theory (MPT)—a framework to construct and select optimal allocation of assets—to address the challenges posed by climate change uncertainty. However, these methods are difficult to implement for fine‐scale conservation planning when the information on future climate scenarios is insufficient. Insufficient information makes the estimators of the key inputs in the optimisation procedure unreliable leading to technical problems for the construction of optimal asset allocation.

We identify three statistical methods—constant correlation model, the Ledoit–Wolf approach and the weighted non‐negative least‐squares approach—that can overcome the lack of sufficient information and enable the use of MPT for fine‐scale conservation planning.

We illustrate the use of the three methods for identifying efficient portfolio allocation strategies, that is, strategies that give minimum amount of risk for a chosen level of return or maximum return for a chosen level of risk, using case studies of wetland conservation planning in North America and coastal conservation planning in Australia. We compare conservation planning strategies with complete information using standard portfolio theory and with insufficient information using the three methods to highlight their advantages and disadvantages. We find the Ledoit–Wolf and weighted non‐negative least‐squares approaches perform well and can identify risk‐return outcomes that are close to those identified with complete information.

The methods presented in this study broaden the range of cases where the application of MPT is possible in conservation planning to enhance its uptake and lead to more efficient allocation of conservation resources.
Androgen and oestrogen receptors in the growing antlers velvet of adult and yearling pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) males
Authors: Bielli Alejandro , Freitas‐de‐Melo Aline , Genovese Patricia , Villagrán Matías , Tasende Celia , Ungerfeld Rodolfo
Published: September 2021

To determine the presence, quantity and distribution of androgen (AR) and oestrogen receptors (ER) in the antler velvet (AV), samples were collected from adult and yearling pampas deer males, as well as skin from the ventrolateral abdominal area (ASK). Samples were analysed with ligand‐binding assays for AR and ER activity and processed for AR and ERβ immunohistochemistry. There was more content of AR in adults than in yearling males (p = 0.02), as well as a category and type of tissue interaction (p = 0.03). There was more ER content in adults than in yearling males (p = 0.005) and in the AV than in the skin (p = 0.0001). The AR‐positive score (PS) was greater in AV than in ASK in the surface stroma (p = 0.0007). In the intermediate epidermis, the AR PS was greater in adults than in yearling males (p = 0.04) and in the ASK than in the AV (p < 0.0001). There was a male category and type of tissue interaction for AR PS in the sebaceous glands (p = 0.014). The ERβ PS in the surface stroma was greater in ASK than in AV (p = 0.004) and tended to be greater in yearling than in adult males (p = 0.093). The ERβ PS in the intermediate epithelium and the sebaceous glands was greater in adults than in yearlings (p = 0.004 and p = 0.007, respectively). In conclusion, we reported for the first time the presence of AR and ER in the velvet skin of growing antlers in pampas deer males. Therefore, the velvet skin is sensitive to both androgens and oestrogens. Furthermore, the greater content of oestrogen receptors in the velvet of adult males suggests that adults are more sensitive to this hormone than yearlings, and thus, oestrogens have greater importance in velvet activity regulation in adult males.
Voluntary Earnings Notifications and Post‐earnings‐announcement Drift*
Authors: Nam Giman , Choi Sunhwa
Published: September 2021

We examine whether voluntary disclosure of earnings notifications mitigates the post‐earnings‐announcement drift (PEAD). An earnings notification, which is a firm’s voluntary announcement of the date of its earnings announcement (EA), increases investor attention to firms’ upcoming EAs and thus facilitates the incorporation of earnings news into stock prices. We find that firms with earnings notifications experience less PEAD and that the effect of earnings notifications on PEAD is greater for less visible firms. The results highlight the role of earnings notifications in improving price efficiency with respect to earnings news.
Cardiac resynchronization performed by LBBaP‐CRT in patients with cardiac insufficiency and left bundle branch block
Authors: Zu Linna , Wang Zefeng , Hang Fei , Jiang Yang , Wang Xinlu , Cheng Liting , Zhang Junmeng , Wu Yongquan
Published: September 2021

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBaP) in patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block (LBBB), and to compare the clinical effects with traditional cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods

Thirty‐two patients with dilated cardiomyopathy complicated by cardiac insufficiency and left bundle branch block were divided into CRT group and LBBaP group. Parameters including pacing threshold, R‐wave amplitude, pacing impedance and operation time, and X‐ray exposure time were recorded. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and left ventricular end‐systolic diameter (LVESD) were examined by echocardiography. The changes of QRS complex before and after operation were compared.

Results

Compared with CRT group, the LBBaP group spent less time on total operation time and X‐ray exposure time and had stable electrode parameters including pacing threshold, R‐wave amplitude, and lead impedance after 12‐month follow‐up. In addition, LBBaP can achieve narrow QRS complex (117.15 ± 9.91) ms immediately than that in CRT group (130.32 ± 12.41) ms. The change of QRS between LBBaP is (50.30 ± 23.79) ms and CRT group is (33.15 ± 20.22) ms. After 6 months' follow‐up in LBBaP group, EF was higher than that before operation. Followed up for 12 months after operation, EF and LVEDD in LBBaP group were significantly improved compared with those before operation.

Conclusion

Left bundle branch area pacing is a safe and effective resynchronization method for patients with cardiac insufficiency and asynchronization, which can achieve same clinical effects to CRT.
Quantifying surgical skill in macular surgery
Authors: Alberti Mark , Jacobsen Mads Forslund , Hermann Martin Nissen , Konge Lars , Christensen Ulrik Correll , Thomsen Ann Sofia Skou , la Cour Morten
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the relationship between patient outcome and surgical experience by developing an objective quality measure of macular hole surgery based on forceps damage to the inner retina.

Methods

We retrospectively examined 3 macular hole case series >1 year after pars plana vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade. The patients were operated by (1) a novice surgeon (<20 cases), (2) an intermediate (150+ cases) and (3) an experienced surgeon (2000+ cases). Primary outcome was inner retinal volume defect as segmented from optical coherence tomography (GCL++: thickness from internal limiting membrane to inner plexiform layer). Secondary outcome was retinal function measured by confocal microperimetry using a custom scanning protocol.

Results

Thirty‐two patients were examined: 11, 10 and 11 patients in the novice, intermediate and experienced surgeon group, respectively. Median GCL++ volume defect was 23.68 × 106 μm3 (IQR: 22.77 × 106–44.81 × 106 μm3), 8.42 × 106 μm3 (IQR: 4.86 × 106–10.03 × 106 μm3) and 3.55 × 106 μm3 (IQR: 1.44 × 103–7.94 × 106 μm3) in the novice, intermediate and experienced surgeon group, respectively (p = 0.0004). The novice surgeon volume defect differed significantly from the intermediate and experienced surgeon (p = 0.016 and p = 0.0002, respectively). A subset of 12 patients underwent microperimetry measurements demonstrating correlation between inner retinal volume defect and reduced retinal sensitivity (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Forceps induced inner retinal damage commonly occurs during initiation of internal limiting membrane peeling in macular hole surgery. Damage to the structure and function of the inner retina seems to correlate to surgical experience.
Is the Bank Lending Channel of Monetary Policy Evident in the Philippines? A Dynamic Panel Data Approach*
Authors: Armas Jean Christine A.
Published: September 2021

The paper examines the bank lending channel of the monetary transmission mechanism in the Philippines. Using the dynamic panel generalized method of moments (GMM) model on quarterly individual bank data from Q1:2006 to Q4:2017, the study finds that the bank lending channel of monetary policy in the Philippines is rather weak as highly liquid banks tend to react more to monetary tightening than less liquid banks. More liquid banks would rather hold their stock of liquid assets as buffers against crises than sustain or expand their lending activity amid monetary tightening. Banks are also risk‐sensitive in their lending behavior as the increase in the cost of borrowing following tighter monetary policy could increase the likelihood of loan default. The banks' cautious lending behavior supports the policy stance of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in terms of prudent regulatory standards to maintain the resilience of the Philippine financial system.
Association between visceral adipose tissue and major depressive disorder across the lifespan: A scoping review
Authors: Lee Jia‐In , Busler Jessica N. , Millett Caitlin E. , Principe Jessica L. , Levin Leonard L. , Corrigan Alexandra , Burdick Katherine E.
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Increasing evidence supports a bidirectional relationship between major depressive disorder (MDD) and obesity, but the role of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) as a measure of obesity in relation to MDD is not well understood. Here we review literature investigating the link between MDD and VAT in terms of biomarkers, sex differences, and aging.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL searches were conducted on December 11, 2020. No date or language limits were imposed. Major concepts searched were Depressive Disorder linked with Adipose Tissue, White, Hypothalmo–Hypophyseal System, and Pituitary–Adrenal System in addition to keywords. A final set of 32 items meeting criteria for inclusion.

Results

Converging biological evidence suggests a significant bidirectional relationship between VAT and MDD across the lifespan. In adulthood, greater VAT was associated with increased risk for depression, especially in vulnerable groups such as individuals who are overweight/obese, postmenopausal women, and individuals with comorbid medical or psychiatric illness. In older adults, sarcopenia had an impact on the relationship between abnormal VAT and risk of depression. Additionally, sex differences emerged as a potential factor affecting the strength of the association between VAT and depression.

Conclusions

Elucidating the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with increased rates of depression in obese individuals will be crucial for developing specific treatment strategies that seek to improve outcomes in individuals with comorbid depression and obesity. Moreover, identifying age‐ and sex‐specific risk factors may contribute to a more personalized medicine approach, thereby improving the quality of clinical care.
Following Seeds: Circuits and Paths of the Sateré‐Mawé Craftwork in Urban Amazonia
Authors: Sertã Ana Luísa
Published: September 2021

In the 1990s, seed craftwork became an important practice among Sateré‐Mawé women in Manaus, Brazil, following initiatives for their political and territorial organisation in the city. This article ethnographically explores how the production of seed necklaces mobilises an extensive circuit of people, plants, skills and knowledges that challenges strict divides between Amazonian cities and villages. In the city, seed variety reflects the ability of indigenous women to maintain multiple and multilocal relationships. Following the paths of the seeds, this article discusses how Sateré‐Mawé groups produce fluid spatialities and manage relations with human and non‐human ‘others’ between urban and forest areas.
Plasticity of microglia
Authors: Augusto‐Oliveira Marcus , Arrifano Gabriela P. , Delage Charlotte Isabelle , Tremblay Marie‐Ève , Crespo‐Lopez Maria Elena , Verkhratsky Alexei
Published: September 2021

Microglial cells are the scions of foetal macrophages which invade the neural tube early during embryogenesis. The nervous tissue environment instigates the phenotypic metamorphosis of foetal macrophages into idiosyncratic surveilling microglia, which are generally characterised by a small cell body and highly ramified motile processes that constantly scan the nervous tissue for signs of changes in homeostasis and allow microglia to perform crucial homeostatic functions. The surveilling microglial phenotype is evolutionarily conserved from early invertebrates to humans. Despite this evolutionary conservation, microglia show substantial heterogeneity in their gene and protein expression, as well as morphological appearance. These differences are age, region and context specific and reflect a high degree of plasticity underlying the life‐long adaptation of microglia, supporting the exceptional adaptive capacity of the central nervous system. Microgliocytes are essential elements of cellular network formation and refinement in the developing nervous tissue. Several distinct patrolling modes of microglial processes contribute to the formation, modification, and pruning of synapses; to the support and protection of neurones through microglial–somatic junctions; and to the control of neuronal and axonal excitability by specific microglia–axonal contacts. In pathology, microglia undergo proliferation and reactive remodelling known as microgliosis, which is context dependent, yet represents an evolutionarily conserved defence response. Microgliosis results in the emergence of multiple disease and context‐specific reactive states; in addition, neuropathology is associated with the appearance of specific protective or recovery microglial forms. In summary, the plasticity of microglia supports the development and functional activity of healthy nervous tissue and provides highly sophisticated defences against disease.
Synthesis and antiviral activity of diverse heterocyclic scaffolds
Authors: Sharma Shivali , Utreja Divya
Published: September 2021

Heterocyclic moieties form a major part of organic chemistry as they are widely distributed in nature and have wide scale practical applications ranging from extensive clinical use to diverse fields such as medicine, agriculture, photochemistry, biocidal formulations, and polymer science. By virtue of their therapeutic properties, they could be employed in combating many infectious diseases. Among the common infectious diseases, viral infections are of great public health importance worldwide. Thus, there is an urgent need for the discovery and development of antiviral drugs and clinical methods to prevent various viral infections so as to increase the life expectancy. This review presents the comprehensive overview of the synthesis and antiviral activity of different heterocyclic compounds 2015 onwards, which aids in present knowledge and helps the researchers and other stakeholders to explore their field.
Refractive outcomes of second‐eye adjustment methods on intraocular lens power calculation in second eye
Authors: Mao Yan , Li Jianbing , Xu Yanxin , Qin Yingyan , Liu Liangping , Wu Mingxing
Published: September 2021

Background

To investigate the refractive outcomes of second‐eye adjustment (SEA) methods in different intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas for second eye following bilateral sequential cataract surgery.

Methods

This retrospective consecutive case‐series study included 234 eyes from 234 patients who underwent bilateral sequential phacoemulsification and implantation of enVista MX60 in a hospital setting. Postoperative refraction outcomes calculated by standard formulas (SRK/T and Barrett Universal II, BUII) with SEA method were compared with those calculated by an artificial intelligence‐based IOL power calculation formula (PEARL DGS) under second eye enhancement (SEE) method. The median absolute error (MedAE), mean absolute error (MAE) and percentage prediction errors (PE) of eyes within ±0.25 diopters (D), ±0.50 D, ±0.75 D and ± 1.00 D were determined.

Results

Overall, the improvement in MedAE after SEA was significant for PEARL DGS (p < 0.01), SRK/T (p < 0.001) and BUII (p = 0.031), which increased from 74.36, 71.37, and 77.78% to 83.33, 80.34, and 79.49% of eyes within a PE of ±0.50 D, respectively. For first eyes with a medium axial length (22–26 mm), PEARL DGS with SEE had the lowest MedAE (0.21 D). For a first‐eye MAE over 0.50 D, SEA method led to significant improvement in the second eye (p < 0.01). Interocular axis length differences exceeding 0.3 mm were associated with weaker effects using SEA in the studied formulas (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Either SEA method with SRK/T and BUII formulas or second‐eye enhancement method based on the PEARL DGS formula can improve postoperative refractive outcomes in second eye.
Seeing through the hedge: Phylogenomics of Thuja (Cupressaceae) reveals prominent incomplete lineage sorting and ancient introgression for Tertiary relict flora
Authors: Li Jialiang , Zhang Yujiao , Ruhsam Markus , Milne Richard Ian , Wang Yi , Wu Dayu , Jia Shiyu , Tao Tongzhou , Mao Kangshan
Published: September 2021

The Eastern Asia (EA) – North America (NA) disjunction is a well‐known biogeographic pattern of the Tertiary relict flora; however, few studies have investigated the evolutionary history of this disjunction using a phylogenomic approach. Here, we used 2369 single copy nuclear genes and nearly full plastomes to reconstruct the evolutionary history of the small Tertiary relict genus Thuja, which consists of five disjunctly distributed species. The nuclear species tree strongly supported an EA clade Thuja standishii–Thuja sutchuenensis and a “disjunct clade”, where western NA species T. plicata is sister to an EA‐eastern NA disjunct Thuja occidentalis–Thuja koraiensis group. Our results suggested that the observed topological discordance among the gene trees as well as the cytonuclear discordance is mainly due to incomplete lineage sorting, probably facilitated by the fast diversification of Thuja around the Early Miocene and the large effective population sizes of ancestral lineages. Furthermore, approximately 20% of the T. sutchuenensis nuclear genome is derived from an unknown ancestral lineage of Thuja, which might explain the close resemblance of its cone morphology to that of an ancient fossil species. Overall, our study demonstrates that single genes may not resolve interspecific relationships for disjunct taxa, and that more reliable results will come from hundreds or thousands of loci, revealing a more complex evolutionary history. This will steadily improve our understanding of their origin and evolution.
Health insurance and the boomerang generation: Did the 2010 ACA dependent care provision affect geographic mobility and living arrangements among young adults?
Authors: Chatterji Pinka , Liu Xiangshi , Yörük Barış K.
Published: September 2021

Public policies can have unintended effects on young adults' decisions about living arrangements and migration. The Affordable Care Act dependent care provision mandated that private health insurance plans that offer dependent coverage must allow young adults to stay on parents' insurance until age 26. In this paper, we test whether the provision is associated with young adults' propensity to live with/near parents. Data come from the 2008 Survey of Income and Program Participation. Findings indicate that the provision is associated with increased likelihood that young adults live with a parent, and decreased likelihood that young adults live with other relatives/nonrelatives.
A direct classification approach to recognize stress levels in virtual reality therapy for patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Rezaee Khosro , Zolfaghari Shina
Published: September 2021

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, debilitating, and often progressive inflammatory disease of the nervous system. The disease is highly stressful, which accelerates the risk of depression in people diagnosed with it and possibly exacerbates MS activity. One approach to reducing stress levels in such patients is to utilize virtual reality (VR). Using VR technology and recording physiological signals before and after displaying different environments to the individual, this article proposed a novel therapy procedure for improving stress levels. In the first phase, by distinguishing the stress level obtained from each environment watched by the patient, their corresponding labels are determined by two psychiatrists. Accordingly, the automated model is designed based on the analysis of VR scenes and can accurately classify MS patients' stress levels after watching the 3D environment. The proposed model consists of a fractal descriptor and SVM‐RBF classifier to recognize VR scenes that can significantly reduce the stress level in MS patients. The accuracy of estimating MS patients' stress levels after watching different simulated VR environments is higher than 97%. By employing this method to classify VR scenes better and rehabilitate MS patients, it will be possible to significantly reduce their stress levels.
A narrative review of therapies for scalp dermatomyositis
Authors: Kolla Avani M. , Liu Lynn , Shaw Katharina , Shapiro Jerry , Femia Alisa , Lo Sicco Kristen
Published: September 2021

Cutaneous involvement of the scalp is a common manifestation of dermatomyositis (DM), occurring in up to 82% of adults with DM. Scalp DM predominantly affects women and is characterized by dermatitis, alopecia, pruritus, and/or burning. While cutaneous DM negatively impacts quality‐of‐life, scalp symptoms in particular are often severe, debilitating, and recalcitrant to standard DM therapies. Currently, there is a paucity of guidelines to inform management of scalp symptoms in patients with cutaneous DM. In this narrative review, we summarize the treatments utilized to manage scalp DM and highlight potential areas for future research. We identified eight studies that reported on 27 treatments focused on cutaneous DM and described outcomes on scalp symptoms. A majority of the treatments were standard therapies for cutaneous DM and resulted in no or minimal improvement in scalp symptoms. Five therapies did result in complete resolution of scalp symptoms and were recommended as potential areas of future research. These included low‐dose naltrexone and platelet‐rich plasma, as well as two frequent and one less common therapy for cutaneous DM respectively: intravenous immunoglobulin, rituximab, and apremilast. Though the literature was not systematically assessed in this review, these findings illustrate not only that strategies for refractory scalp DM are lacking, but also that those demonstrating potential efficacy are limited by low levels of evidence. Additional studies, especially randomized controlled trials, are needed to better inform management of scalp DM.
Debulking followed by intralesional 5‐fluorouracil for the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Hamad Judy , Jolly Puneet S.
Published: September 2021

Debulking followed by intralesional 5‐fluorouracil (deb‐IL5FU) is a nonsurgical modality which has been used to treat skin cancer anecdotally for many years. There are few in depth studies examining this technique and success rate of intralesional 5‐fluorouracil (IL5FU) for the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). To evaluate the response rate of deb‐IL5FU for the treatment of cSCC and to determine which patient factors were associated with tumor clearance or treatment failure. A retrospective chart analysis of patients with the diagnosis of cSCC or keratoacanthoma (KA) and subsequent deb‐IL5FU treatment. Sixty‐one patients with a total of 315 tumors (cSCC and KA), were treated using deb‐IL5FU. The overall tumor clearance rate was 89%. This was highest for well‐differentiated SCC, SCC, KA‐type SCC, and KA. Tumors on the trunk and extremities showed high clearance rates while tumors on the scalp/face/neck/ears showed lower clearance rates. Immunocompetent patients cleared more tumors compared to immunocompromised patients. Limitations included the retrospective nature of this analysis as well as a small sample size. Treatment of cSCC and KA with deb‐IL5FU demonstrated high tumor clearance rates. Lower rates of clearance were seen in males, immunosuppressed patients, tumors located on the scalp and face/neck/ears.
WiBB: an integrated method for quantifying the relative importance of predictive variables
Authors: Li Qin , Kou Xiaojun
Published: September 2021

A fundamental goal of scientific research is to identify the underlying variables that govern crucial processes of a system. This is especially difficult in ecology, which is intrinsically rich in candidate predictors. An efficient statistical procedure to evaluate the relative importance of predictors in regression models is highly desirable. However, previous studies criticised the most universally applicable method, by pointing out the low discriminating power of the importance index in simulated datasets. Here we proposed a new index, WiBB, which integrates the merits of several existing methods. WiBB combines a model‐weighting method from information theory (Wi), a standardised regression coefficient method measured by β* (B), and bootstrap resampling technique (B). We applied the WiBB in simulated datasets with known correlation structures, for both linear models (LM) and generalized linear models (GLM), to evaluate its performance. We also applied it to an empirical dataset of a plant genus Mimulus to select bioclimatic predictors of species' presence across the landscape. Results in the simulated datasets showed that the bootstrap resampling technique significantly improved the discriminant ability by correctly sorting the orders of relative importance of predictors. The WiBB method outperformed the β* and the relative sum of weights (SWi, a standardised version of sum of weights) methods in scenarios with small and large sample sizes, respectively. When testing WiBB in the empirical dataset with GLM, it sensibly identified four important predictors with high credibility out of six candidates in modelling geographical distributions of 71 Mimulus species. This integrated index has great advantages in evaluating predictor importance and hence reducing the dimensionality of data, without losing interpretive power. The simplicity of calculation of the new metric over more sophisticated statistical procedures makes it a handy method in the statistical toolbox.
Intensity patterns at the peaks of brain activity in fMRI and PET are highly correlated with neural models of spatial integration
Authors: Sadoun Amirouche , Chauhan Tushar , Zhang Yi Fan , Gallois Yohan , Marx Mathieu , Deguine Olivier , Barone Pascal , Strelnikov Kuzma
Published: September 2021

Spatial integration during the brain's cognitive activity prompts changes in energy used by different neuroglial populations. Nevertheless, the organisation of such integration in 3D ‐brain activity remains undescribed from a quantitative standpoint. In response, we applied a cross‐correlation between brain activity and integrative models, which yielded a deeper understanding of information integration in functional brain mapping. We analysed four datasets obtained via fundamentally different neuroimaging techniques (functional magnetic resonance imaging [fMRI] and positron emission tomography [PET]) and found that models of spatial integration with an increasing input to each step of integration were significantly more correlated with brain activity than models with a constant input to each step of integration. In addition, marking the voxels with the maximal correlation, we found exceptionally high intersubject consistency with the initial brain activity at the peaks. Our method demonstrated for the first time that the network of peaks of brain activity is organised strictly according to the models of spatial integration independent of neuroimaging techniques. The highest correlation with models integrating an increasing at each step input suggests that brain activity reflects a network of integrative processes where the results of integration in some neuroglial populations serve as an input to other neuroglial populations.
The Aristotelian understanding of intellectual vice: Its significance for contemporary vice epistemology
Authors: Kotsonis Alkis
Published: September 2021

Contemporary scholars working in vice epistemology attribute a motivational approach to the Aristotelian understanding of intellectual vice. My aim in this article is to show that this is not an accurate interpretation of the Aristotelian position. Toward this end, I discuss Aristotle's account of the intellectual virtues of (a) intelligence and (b) comprehension as well as their corresponding vices. In opposition to the claims of several contemporary vice epistemologists, I show that Aristotle had an obstructivist view of vice that focused on their consequences. I argue that this realization can be of significant import to contemporary vice epistemology.
Addition of sorptive mineral phases to soils decreases short‐term organic matter decomposition by reducing microbial access to substrates
Authors: Nuñez Jonathan , Moinet Gabriel Y. K. , Graham Scott L. , Turnbull Matthew H. , Grelet Gwen‐Aëlle , Whitehead David
Published: September 2021

There is increasing evidence that the accessibility of soil organic matter (SOM) to microbial decomposers is more important than chemical recalcitrance for regulating SOM stability. We show that the rapid reduction in SOM decomposition following the addition of sorptive mineral phases to soils in laboratory conditions leads to decreased accessibility of SOM to microbial decomposers due to the formation of organo‐mineral complexes. We manipulated SOM accessibility in a short‐term microcosm experiment by adding different proportions of a sorptive mineral material derived from an aluminium‐rich allophanic soil to a constant mass of soil to determine the effects on SOM decomposition after 1, 4 and 8 days. The decrease in SOM decomposition with increasing proportion of added sorptive mineral phase occurred within 1 day and did not change further at 4 and 8 days. In a second experiment, we added three proportions of the sorptive mineral phases (0%, 15% and 50%) to three soils with different carbon (C) concentrations and measured rates of SOM decomposition, changes in water extractable C, the formation of organo‐mineral complexes inferred from pyrophosphate‐extractable aluminium, and the natural abundance 13C isotopic composition of CO2 derived from SOM decomposition. We confirmed that the proportional decreases in SOM decomposition with increasing organo‐mineral complexes and decreasing microbial access to SOM was the same for the three soils, suggesting that the effects are independent of soil C concentration and pH. We also showed that the short‐term reductions in SOM accessibility led to microbial decomposition of more 13C enriched substrates, suggesting preferential stabilisation of plant‐derived (13C depleted) substrates. Our study demonstrated that SOM accessibility and decomposition could be reduced rapidly and proportionally to the amount of added sorptive mineral phases resulting from increased organo‐mineral interactions irrespective of the initial soil organic carbon concentration.

Highlights

Addition of sorptive mineral phases reduced short‐term soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition by the same proportion for three soils.

Relatively 13C depleted SOM was preferentially adsorbed onto the mineral phases.

The reduction in SOM decomposition was attributed to reduced microbial access due to increased organo‐mineral interactions.

The effects occurred rapidly and proportionally to the amount of added sorptive mineral phases.
Fine‐scale population fragmentation of a grassland butterfly Plebejus argyrognomon inhabiting agricultural field margin and riverbank in rural landscapes
Authors: Miyashita Tadashi , Matsui Fuga , Deto Hidenori , Imai Tatsuya , Kondo Natsuko I.
Published: September 2021

Evaluating the spatial genetic structure of rare species is important because it could provide information on the degree of habitat fragmentation and effective population size that are necessary for conservation planning. We examined the genetic structure of the grassland butterfly Plebejus argyrognomon that has severely declined in recent decades using single nucleotide polymorphisms obtained by the MIG‐seq method. The study region was in the southern Ina Basin located in central Japan, where P. argyrognomon inhabits grasslands in agricultural field margin as well as in riverbank. We found a positive association between genetic and geographic distances, but the pattern was nonlinear, with little change in genetic distance above 12 km. The genetic differentiation was considerable, as demonstrated by FST and Structure. Moreover, genetic diversity was positively associated with habitat connectivity index, suggesting severe genetic drift in isolated populations. Comparing two habitat types, the genetic structure tended to be similar among agricultural field margin populations while dissimilar among riverbank populations, suggesting frequent gene flow in the former. Coupled with the presence of many habitat patches in agricultural field margin, we consider that agricultural field margin populations in the northern part of the study sites appear valuable to ensure long‐term persistence of the regional P. argyrognomon population.
“I don't have much of a choice”: Low‐income single mothers' COVID‐19 school and care decisions
Authors: Radey Melissa , Langenderfer‐Magruder Lisa , Brown Speights Joedrecka
Published: September 2021

Objective

This study used a preferences and constraints framework to understand mothers' decision‐making processes around childcare and schooling during the COVID‐19 pandemic and how socioeconomic context contribute to these decisions.

Background

Despite potential long‐standing consequences of school decision making during the COVID‐19 pandemic, we know little about how parents consider childcare and education options during these times. And, these decisions are particularly important for single mothers in resource‐scarce environments whose children benefit disproportionately from appropriate care and education.

Method

This study used qualitative data gathered from semistructured interviews with low‐income, single mothers (N = 34).

Results

Approximately half of mothers selected home‐based care while the other half selected site‐based care. Findings suggest that mothers made decisions largely on the basis of constraints—safety or financial need. Given high levels of fear and system mistrust, Black mothers more commonly selected home‐based care than White mothers.

Conclusion

The COVID‐19 pandemic seems to exacerbate the restricted childcare calculus of low‐income mothers.

Implications

Partnering with communities and disseminating accurate information, particularly in Black communities, is critical for establishing trust and positioning low‐income single mothers to make current care and education decisions, as well as future decisions, such as vaccination decisions.