bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association between previous use of anti‐obesity medication and semaglutide weight loss outcomes
Authors: Ghusn Wissam , Fansa Sima , Anazco Diego , Tama Elif , Cifuentes Lizeth , Gala Khushboo , De La Rosa Alan , Sacoto Daniel , Campos Alejandro , Feris Fauzi , Hurtado Daniela , Acosta Andres
Published: March 2024

Aims

To compare weight loss outcomes between patients starting semaglutide who had previously been on another anti‐obesity medication (AOM) compared to those who were AOM‐naïve.

Materials and Methods

We performed a retrospective study in patients with overweight or obesity taking semaglutide for weight loss for a duration of 3 to 12 months. Our primary endpoint was assessment of percentage of total body weight loss (TBWL) in patients who started semaglutide as their first AOM (AOM‐naïve) compared to those who started semaglutide and had previously taken another AOM (non‐AOM‐naïve). The secondary outcome was a comparison of the proportions of patients achieving ≥5%, ≥10%, ≥15% and ≥20% TBWL between the groups. Our endpoints were analysed using independent t‐tests and ANOVA/ANCOVA for continuous variables and Pearson's test for categorical variables.

Results

This study included 305 patients. Outcomes of semaglutide treatment were superior in AOM‐naïve patients (n = 231) compared to non‐AOM‐naïve patients (n = 74) at 3 (6.3% vs. 3.8%), 6 (10.6% vs. 6.7%), 9 (14.0% vs. 9.1%) and 12 months (14.3% vs. 10.6%; p < 0.0001 at 3, 6 and 9 months, and p = 0.01 at 12 months). A greater proportion of patients in the AOM‐naïve group achieved a TBWL ≥ 15% (48% vs 21%; p = 0.02) and ≥20% (27% vs 4% p < 0.01) at 12 months.

Conclusion

The use of semaglutide in patients with previous intake of other AOMs was associated with inferior weight loss outcomes in comparison to patients who were AOM‐naïve.
Comprehensive phenotypes of patients with SYNGAP1‐related disorder reveals high rates of epilepsy and autism
Authors: Wiltrout Kimberly , Brimble Elise , Poduri Annapurna
Published: March 2024

Objective

To delineate the comprehensive phenotypic spectrum of SYNGAP1‐related disorder in a large patient cohort aggregated through a digital registry.

Methods

We obtained de‐identified patient data from an online registry. Data were extracted from uploaded medical records. We reclassified all SYNGAP1 variants using American College of Medical Genetics criteria and included patients with pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) single nucleotide variants or microdeletions incorporating SYNGAP1. We analyzed neurodevelopmental phenotypes, including epilepsy, intellectual disability (ID), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), behavioral disorders, and gait dysfunction for all patients with respect to variant type and location within the SynGAP1 protein.

Results

We identified 147 patients (50% male, median age 8 years) with P/LP SYNGAP1 variants from 151 individuals with data available through the database. One hundred nine were truncating variants and 22 were missense. All patients were diagnosed with global developmental delay (GDD) and/or ID, and 123 patients (84%) were diagnosed with epilepsy. Of those with epilepsy, 73% of patients had GDD diagnosed before epilepsy was diagnosed. Other prominent features included autistic traits (n = 100, 68%), behavioral problems (n = 100, 68%), sleep problems (n = 90, 61%), anxiety (n = 35, 24%), ataxia or abnormal gait (n = 69, 47%), sensory problems (n = 32, 22%), and feeding difficulties (n = 69, 47%). Behavioral problems were more likely in those patients diagnosed with anxiety (odds ratio [OR] 3.6, p = .014) and sleep problems (OR 2.41, p = .015) but not necessarily those with autistic traits. Patients with variants in exons 1–4 were more likely to have the ability to speak in phrases vs those with variants in exons 5–19, and epilepsy occurred less frequently in patients with variants in the SH3 binding motif.

Significance

We demonstrate that the data obtained from a digital registry recapitulate earlier but smaller studies of SYNGAP1‐related disorder and add additional genotype–phenotype relationships, validating the use of the digital registry. Access to data through digital registries broadens the possibilities for efficient data collection in rare diseases.
Bond return predictability: Macro factors and machine learning methods
Authors: Jiang Ying , Liu Xiaoquan , Liu Yirong , Zhu Fumin
Published: March 2024

We investigate the impact of macroeconomic variables on bond risk premia prediction via machine learning techniques. On the basis of Chinese treasury bonds from March 2006 to December 2022, we show that adding macroeconomic factors improves bond return forecasts and generates higher economic benefits to investors. This is achieved when the nonlinear relationship between macroeconomic variables and bond returns is modelled via machine learning methods. Furthermore, the importance of macroeconomic determinants changes along the yield curve. Our study sheds new light on the information contained in macroeconomic variables for treasury bond valuation and highlights the importance of utilizing appropriate machine learning methods.
An improved particle swarm optimization algorithm for scheduling tasks in cloud environment
Authors: Wang Zi‐Ren , Hu Xiao‐Xiang , Wei Peng , Yuan Bo
Published: March 2024

Cloud computing provide services dynamically according to the contract between service providers and users. However, Inappropriateness of scheduling task on VMs can lead huge resource waste and load unbalance, which becomes a seriously challenging problem. Current Swarm intelligence algorithms like genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO) are combination of random initialization and local search algorithm. It avoids inconsistent results for different problem instances. However, existing Swarm intelligence works sometimes search the optima without analysing task scheduling situations comprehensively, global search efficiency is low and convergence is too early. In this paper, we propose SNSK‐IPSO algorithm, which develops as a two‐phases algorithm: enumerating all distributed solutions between VMs and tasks, finding the optimal solution through IPSO. It not only minimizes the execution time, but also improves resource utilization and load balance. Several experiments demonstrate that our novel algorithm outperforms others in terms of achieving load balance, higher resource utilization and lower execution times.
ADGRG1, an adhesion G protein‐coupled receptor, forms oligomers
Authors: Cevheroğlu Orkun , Demirbaş Berkay , Öğütcü Dilara , Murat Merve
Published: March 2024

G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) oligomerization is a highly debated topic in the field. While initially believed to function as monomers, current literature increasingly suggests that these cell surface receptors, spanning almost all GPCR families, function as homo‐ or hetero‐oligomers. Yet, the functional consequences of these oligomeric complexes remain largely unknown. Adhesion GPCRs (aGPCRs) present an intriguing family of receptors characterized by their large and multi‐domain N‐terminal fragments (NTFs), intricate activation mechanisms, and the prevalence of numerous splice variants in almost all family members. In the present study, bioluminescence energy transfer (BRET) and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) were used to study the homo‐oligomerization of adhesion G protein‐coupled receptor G1 (ADGRG1; also known as GPR56) and to assess the involvement of NTFs in these receptor complexes. Based on the results presented herein, we propose that ADGRG1 forms 7‐transmembrane‐driven homo‐oligomers on the plasma membrane. Additionally, Stachel motif interactions appear to influence the conformation of these receptor complexes.
Flow Spatiotemporal Moran's I: Measuring the Spatiotemporal Autocorrelation of Flow Data
Authors: Fu Qingyang , Zhou Mengjie , Li Yige , Ye Xiang , Yang Mengjie , Wang Yuhui
Published: March 2024

Flows can reflect the spatiotemporal interactions or movements of geographical objects between different locations. Measuring the spatiotemporal autocorrelation of flows can help determine the overall spatiotemporal trends and local patterns. However, quantitative indicators of flows used to measure spatiotemporal autocorrelation both globally and locally are still rare. Therefore, we propose the global and local flow spatiotemporal Moran's I (FSTI). The global FSTI is used to assess the overall spatiotemporal autocorrelation degree of flows, and the local FSTI is applied to identify local spatiotemporal clusters and outliers. In the FSTI, to reflect flow spatiotemporal adjacency relationships, we establish flow spatiotemporal weights by multiplying the spatial and temporal weights of flows considering spatiotemporal orthogonality. The flow spatial weights include contiguity‐based (considering first/higher‐order and common border) and Euclidean distance‐based weights. The temporal weights consider ordinary and lagged cases. As flow attributes may follow a long‐tail distribution, we conduct Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate the statistical significance of the results. We assess the FSTI using synthetic datasets and Chinese population mobility datasets, and compare some results with those of recent flow‐related methods. Additionally, we perform a sensitivity analysis to select a suitable temporal threshold. The results show that the FSTI can be used to effectively detect spatiotemporal variations in the autocorrelation degree and type.
Adaptation and validation of the academic motivation scale for higher education across four Eastern European countries
Authors: Kočvarová Ilona , Kalenda Jan , Vaculíková Jitka , Neupauer Zuzana , Černak Ruženka Šimonji , Włoch Anna
Published: March 2024

The article focuses on adaptation and validation of the Academic Motivation Scale questionnaire (AMS‐28) in higher education in four Eastern European countries: Czechia, Slovakia, Serbia, and Poland. The research was conducted with a total of 1711 respondents. We examined the construct validity of AMS‐28 including measurement invariance and reliability according to national, gender and age groups. Our analysis confirmed its original seven‐factor structure as well as its reliability. The tool is measurement invariant across all compared groups (gender, age, countries) except Poland, whose results are specific. The results identify new places on the world map where AMS‐28 is functional. The tool appears functional in time, space and various language mutations. Despite satisfactory results, there is still room for future examination of the AMS‐28 among different countries. In practice, the tool has a wide range of application possibilities.
The crisis of peer review: Part of the evolution of science
Authors: Horta Hugo , Jung Jisun
Published: March 2024

Peer review in journals is in crisis, and its current situation and sustainability are increasingly concerning for academics and scientific communities. We identify this crisis as part of an evolutionary step in the continuous development of science, arguing that peer review maintains a central role. We analyse the emergence and historical development of peer review, identifying its role as crucial to the legitimisation of global science, particularly in guaranteeing quality control in the scientific process of massification—despite its flaws. We then focus on the crisis as part of the recent second wave of massification stemming from ‘publish or perish’ dynamics, which overburden those involved in peer review management and activities. Based on this crisis and given that the alternative models to peer review rely on the same core ideals, we argue that the current scenario represents a golden opportunity for the peer‐review process to adapt by correcting some of its known biases, becoming more inclusive and relevant, and gaining recognition for its crucial role in career progression and in the training of the researchers of tomorrow.
Correlation of TBX21 gene polymorphisms with ankylosing spondylitis in a Chinese population
Authors: Li Lin , Shan Jiankang , Fang Haixin , An Guangqi , Zhang Min , Zhou Pengyi , Xie Kunpeng , Jin Bo , Zhu Haiyan , Jin Xuemin , Yang Peizeng , Du Liping
Published: March 2024

Genome‐wide association studies analysis has revealed associations between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and loci on the TBX21 gene across various populations. This study aimed to investigate if there is a connection between a higher risk of AS in a Chinese population and two polymorphism loci on the TBX21 gene. To achieve this, we performed a case–control investigation involving 363 patients with AS and 907 healthy individuals. Genotyping was carried out using the iPLEX Gold genotyping assay. The analysis of genotypes and haplotypes was performed using SPSS 23.0 and SHEsis software. The results revealed no statistically significant correlation between the two specified single‐nucleotide polymorphisms of TBX21 (rs11657479 C/T and rs4794067 C/T) and susceptibility to AS. However, upon conducting stratification analysis, our findings demonstrated a significant association between rs11657479 and susceptibility to human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐B27+ AS in allelic (C vs. T: odds ratio [OR] = 1.52, 95%CI = 1.09–2.11, corrected p [pc] = .028), heterozygous (CT vs. TT: OR = 1.63, 95%CI = 1.13–2.34, pc = .016) and dominant (CT + CC vs. TT: OR = 1.60, 95%CI = 1.12–2.28, pc = .018) models. Furthermore, the haplotype rs4794067/C‐rs11657479/C of TBX21 was found to increase the risk of HLA‐B27+ AS cases. In conclusion, our findings indicate a correlation between TBX21 gene polymorphism and HLA‐B27+ AS patients within the Chinese population.
The impact of early nutritional support on postoperative wound healing in patients with complex fractures: A meta‐analysis review
Authors: Bao Lizhen , Chu Ruzai , Zhang Lili , Li Jianchun , Yang Huiming , Pang Huacong
Published: March 2024

Complex fractures present significant challenges in orthopaedic surgery, particularly in terms of postoperative wound healing. Nutritional status plays a crucial role in the recovery process, with early nutritional support potentially influencing wound healing outcomes. This meta‐analysis aimed to assess the impact of early nutritional interventions on postoperative wound healing and scar formation in patients with complex fractures. From an initial pool of 1742 articles, 7 studies were selected for analysis. The results revealed that preoperative nutritional support significantly improved early wound healing, as indicated by lower REEDA scores (SMD = −14.06, 95% CI: [−16.79, −11.32], p < 0.01) 1 week post‐surgery. Furthermore, there was a notable reduction in scar formation, as demonstrated by lower Manchester Scar Scale scores (SMD = −25.03, 95% CI: [−30.32, −19.74], p < 0.01) 3 months post‐surgery. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating nutritional strategies into the management of complex fractures to optimize postoperative recovery.
HMOX1 as a therapeutic target associated with diabetic foot ulcers based on single‐cell analysis and machine learning
Authors: Chen Yiqi , Zhang Yixin , Jiang Ming , Ma Hong , Cai Yuhui
Published: March 2024

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious chronic complication of diabetes mellitus and a leading cause of disability and death in diabetic patients. However, current treatments remain unsatisfactory. Although macrophages are associated with DFU, their exact role in this disease remains uncertain. This study sought to detect macrophage‐related genes in DFU and identify possible therapeutic targets. Single‐cell datasets (GSE223964) and RNA‐seq datasets (GSM68183, GSE80178, GSE134431 and GSE147890) associated with DFU were retrieved from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database for this study. Analysis of the provided single‐cell data revealed the distribution of macrophage subpopulations in the DFU. Four independent RNA‐seq datasets were merged into a single DFU cohort and further analysed using bioinformatics. This included differential expression (DEG) analysis, multiple machine learning algorithms to identify biomarkers and enrichment analysis. Finally, key results were validated using reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and Western bolt. Finally, the findings were validated using RT‐qPCR and western blot. We obtained 802 macrophage‐related genes in single‐cell analysis. Differential expression analysis yielded 743 DEGs. Thirty‐seven macrophage‐associated DEGs were identified by cross‐analysis of marker genes with macrophage‐associated DEGs. Thirty‐seven intersections were screened and cross‐analysed using four machine learning algorithms. Finally, HMOX1 was identified as a potentially valuable biomarker. HMOX1 was significantly associated with biological pathways such as the insulin signalling pathway. The results showed that HMOX1 was significantly overexpressed in DFU samples. In conclusion, the analytical results of this study identified HMOX1 as a potentially valuable biomarker associated with macrophages in DFU. The results of our analysis improve our understanding of the mechanism of macrophage action in this disease and may be useful in developing targeted therapies for DFU.
Effectiveness of SCAR‐Q for assessment of incisional SCAR after implant‐based reconstruction in breast cancer patients: Can it be a tool for incision selection?
Authors: Suzuki Misa , Komiya Takako , Asai Maiko , Ayabe Nanako , Hanano Mai , Kawai Yuichiro , Shimada Kazuki , Ishikawa Takashi , Matsumura Hajime
Published: March 2024

Incisional scarring is a factor of cosmetic appearance evaluated after breast reconstruction, along with the shape, position, and size of the breast. This study aimed to examine the effect of the incision scar location on patient satisfaction after breast reconstruction. Using the Japanese version of the SCAR‐Q, we assessed the scar appearance, symptoms and psychosocial effects. Plastic surgeons performed assessments using the Manchester Scar Scale. The patients were divided into two groups: those with scars on the margins of the breast (MB group) and those with scars in the breast area (IB group). The results revealed that patients in the MB group reported significantly higher satisfaction with the scar appearance and psychological impact than those in the IB group. However, assessments using the Manchester Scar Scale did not reveal any significant differences between the two groups. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of patient‐reported outcomes in the evaluation of scar satisfaction after breast reconstruction. Patients tend to prefer and have higher satisfaction with scars along the breast margin, which offers valuable insights into surgical decisions. Further studies with larger and more diverse sample sizes are required for validation.
Eurasian drylands are both evolutionary cradles and museums of Nitrariaceae diversity
Authors: Wu Sheng‐Dan , Peng Huan‐Wen , Lian Lian , Ortiz Rosa Del C. , Erst Andrey S. , Jabbour Florian , Wang Wei
Published: March 2024

Aim

Drylands cover about 41% of Earth's land surface and are home to fragile biota with high levels of endemism. Two hypothetical models, i.e., cradle and museum, have been proposed to account for present‐day species diversity in an ecoregion or biome. We investigated macroevolutionary patterns to test these two different models in Nitrariaceae, a characteristic component of the Eurasian dryland ecosystem. We also used this family to explore the intercontinental disjunct distribution pattern between the deserts of Eurasia and western North America, known as the Madrean–Tethyan disjunction.

Location

Drylands in the Northern Hemisphere.

Taxon

Nitrariaceae (Sapindales, Angiosperms).

Method

We sampled all 16 of the currently recognized extant species of Nitrariaceae and 59 species from the eight other families of Sapindales. A fossil‐calibrated phylogeny was generated using 12 fossil constraints. The ancestral range and climate niche of Nitrariaceae were reconstructed, and diversification rates were estimated.

Results

The most recent common ancestor of Nitrariaceae likely inhabited arid habitats with low rainfall in the temperate zone in the Late Cretaceous, which geographically corresponds to present‐day Central Asia. The western North American Peganum mexicanum split from its Central Asian sister group at approximately 39 Ma. Net diversification rates of Nitrariaceae experienced a significant increase around 11 Ma. Within Sapindales, at least seven arid species originated markedly prior to the Miocene.

Main Conclusions

The North Atlantic land bridge and global cooling climate in the Late Eocene might have driven the formation of the present‐day disjunct distribution of Nitrariaceae between arid Central Asia and western North America. Nitrariaceae originated in the Late Cretaceous and exhibited long‐term climate niche conservatism, but experienced a rapid diversification in the late Miocene of Eurasia in response to orogenetic and climatic changes. These findings suggest that Eurasian drylands serve as both evolutionary cradles and museums for the diversity of Nitrariaceae and likely for other arid‐adapted lineages.
Cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia for untreated hypertension with comorbid insomnia disorder: The SLEEPRIGHT clinical trial
Authors: Sherwood Andrew , Ulmer Christi , Wu Jade Q. , Blumenthal James A. , Herold Emma , Smith Patrick J. , Koch Gary G. , Johnson Kristy , Viera Anthony , Edinger Jack , Hinderliter Alan
Published: March 2024

Insomnia and poor sleep are associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its precursors, including hypertension. In 2022, the American Heart Association (AHA) added inadequate sleep to its list of health behaviors that increase the risk for CVD. It remains unknown, however, whether the successful treatment of insomnia and inadequate sleep can reduce heightened CVD risk. SLEEPRIGHT is a single‐site, prospective clinical trial designed to evaluate whether the successful treatment of insomnia results in improved markers of CVD risk in patients with untreated hypertension and comorbid insomnia disorder. Participants (N = 150) will undergo baseline assessments, followed by a 6‐week run‐in period after which they will receive cognitive behavior therapy for insomnia (CBT‐I), comprised of 6 hourly sessions with an experienced CBT‐I therapist over a 6‐week period. In addition to measures of insomnia severity, as well as both subjective and objective measures of sleep, the primary outcome measures are nighttime blood pressure (BP) and BP dipping assessed by 24‐h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Secondary outcomes include several CVD risk biomarkers, including clinic BP, lipid profile, vascular endothelial function, arterial stiffness, and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. Data analysis will evaluate the association between improvements in insomnia and sleep with primary and secondary CVD risk biomarker outcomes. The SLEEPRIGHT trial (ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT04009447) will utilize CBT‐I, the current gold standard treatment for insomnia disorder, to evaluate whether reducing insomnia severity and improving sleep are accompanied by improved biomarkers of CVD risk in patients with untreated hypertension.
Association between glycated hemoglobin and risk of all‐cause mortality in community patients with type 2 diabetes: A prospective cohort study
Authors: He Qingfang , Gao Mingfei , Zhou Xiaoyan , Wang Lixin , Fang Yujia , Hu Ruying
Published: March 2024

Aims/Introduction

To analyze the association between HbA1c level and the risk of all‐cause mortality in community patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to provide a scientific basis for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the community.

Materials and Methods

Based on a Zhejiang rural community type 2 diabetes mellitus cohort, a total of 10,310 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with complete baseline and follow‐up data were selected. The Cox proportional hazards regression model and the restricted cubic spline model were used to evaluate the relationship between the HbA1c level and the risk of all‐cause mortality.

Results

During a mean follow‐up of 5.5 years, 971 patients died. With HbA1c levels of 6.5–7.0% as the reference, after adjusting for relevant confounding factors, the HR(95%CI) of all‐cause mortality with HbA1c levels of <5.5%, 5.5–6.5%, 7.0–8.0%, 8.0–9.0%, and ≥9.0% were 1.53 (1.08–2.15), 0.97 (0.79–1.21), 1.14 (0.92–1.41), 1.44 (1.14–1.83), and 2.08 (1.68–2.58), respectively. The HbA1c level was associated with the risk of all‐cause mortality in a “J‐shaped” manner. The risk of all‐cause mortality was lowest when the HbA1c was 6.5–7.0%, and increased significantly when the HbA1c was ≥ 8.0% and the HbA1c was < 5.5% (P < 0.05). The risk of all‐cause death in the HbA1c 5.5–6.5% group and the 7.0–8.0% group was not significant compared with the reference group (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The HbA1c levels were associated with the risk of all‐cause mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus in a “J‐shaped” manner, a too high or a too low HbA1c level could increase the risk of death. Attention should be paid to the individual evaluation of patients and the setting of appropriate glycemic control goals.
Dermatological patients with itch report more stress, stigmatization experience, anxiety and depression compared to patients without itch: Results from a European multi‐centre study
Authors: Zeidler C. , Kupfer J. , Dalgard F. J. , Bewley A. , Evers A. W. M. , Gieler U. , Lien L. , Sampogna F. , Tomas Aragones L. , Vulink N. , Finlay A. Y. , Legat F. J. , Titeca G. , Jemec G. B. , Misery L. , Szabó C. , Grivcheva Panovska V. , Spillekom van Koulil S. , Balieva F. , Szepietowski J. C. , Reich A. , Ferreira B. R. , Lvov A. , Romanov D. , Marron S. E. , Gracia Cazaña T. , Elyas A. , Altunay I. K. , Thompson A. R. , van Beugen S. , Ständer S. , Schut C.
Published: March 2024

Background

Itch as the most common symptom in dermatology has been shown to be related to psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and depression. Moreover, associations were found between perceived stigmatization and itch. However, studies investigating the differences between patients with dermatoses with and without itch regarding perceived stress, stigmatization, anxiety and depression are missing. Therefore, one of the aims of the second study of the European Society for Dermatology and Psychiatry (ESDaP study II) was to investigate these relationships in a large cohort of patients with different itchy dermatoses.

Results

3399 patients with 14 different itchy dermatoses were recruited at 22 centres in 17 European countries. They filled in questionnaires to assess perceived stigmatization, stress, signs of clinically relevant anxiety or depression, itch‐related quality of life, the overall health status, itch duration, frequency and intensity. The most significant association between the severity of itching and the perception of stress was observed among individuals with rosacea (correlation coefficient r = 0.314). Similarly, the strongest links between itch intensity and experiences of stigmatization, anxiety, and depression were found in patients with seborrheic dermatitis (correlation coefficients r = 0.317, r = 0.356, and r = 0.400, respectively). Utilizing a stepwise linear regression analysis, it was determined that within the entire patient cohort, 9.3% of the variation in itch intensity could be accounted for by factors including gender, levels of anxiety, depression, and perceived stigmatization. Females and individuals with elevated anxiety, depression, and perceived stigmatization scores reported more pronounced itch intensities compared to those with contrary attributes.

Conclusion

This study underscores the connection between experiencing itch and its intensity and the psychological strain it places on individuals. Consequently, psychological interventions should encompass both addressing the itch itself and the interconnected psychological factors. In specific cases, it becomes imperative for dermatologists to direct individuals towards suitable healthcare resources to undergo further psychological assessment.
Shoals in troubled waters? The impact of rising temperatures on metabolism, foraging, and shoaling behavior in mixed‐species shoals
Authors: Mukherjee Ishani , Bhat Anuradha
Published: March 2024

Rising water temperatures across aquatic habitats, in the current global climate change scenario, can directly affect metabolism and food intake in fish species. This can potentially alter their physiological, behavioral, and shoaling properties. In the current study, we examined the effects of high temperatures on metabolism, foraging, and shoaling in tropical fish. Mixed‐species (comprising flying barbs, zebrafish, and gambusia) and single‐species (flying barbs and zebrafish) shoals were conditioned for 45 days to three kinds of temperature regimes: the current temperature regime (CTR), in which shoals were maintained at water temperature of 24°C (i.e., the current mean temperature of their habitat), the predicted temperature regime (PTR) at 31°C (i.e., simulating conditions projected for their habitat in 2100), and the dynamic temperature regime (DTR), which experienced daily temperature fluctuations between 24 and 31°C (i.e., resembling rapid temperature changes expected in their natural environments). We found species‐specific responses to these temperature regimes. Flying barbs exhibited significantly lower body weight at PTR but maintained consistent muscle glycogen content across all temperature regimes. In contrast, zebrafish and gambusia displayed significantly elevated muscle glycogen content at PTR, with similar body weights across all three temperature regimes. Cohesion within flying barb shoals and cohesion/polarization in mixed‐species shoals decreased significantly at PTR. Shoals exposed to DTR exhibited intermediate characteristics between those conditioned to CTR and PTR, suggesting that shoals may be less impacted by dynamic temperatures compared to prolonged high temperatures. This study highlights species‐specific metabolic responses to temperature changes and their potential implications for larger‐scale shoal properties.
Variable trends in the distribution of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the Celtic seas
Authors: Ellis Jonathan V. , Schuchert Pia , Scantlebury D. Michael , Marshall C. Tara , Fernandes Paul G.
Published: March 2024

Despite decades of active fisheries management, many stocks of Atlantic cod in its southern range are in a depleted state and mortality estimates remain high. Recovery of these stocks, as defined by management areas, could be confounded by cod distributions shifting outside of these areas. Here, we assess data from internationally coordinated trawl surveys to investigate the distribution of three cod stocks in the Celtic Seas ecoregion, Irish Sea, Celtic Sea, and West of Scotland, from 1985 to 2021. We mapped cod densities, analyzed trends in mean weighted depth and bottom temperature, and calculated the center of gravity and equivalent area of the stocks. The distribution of the West of Scotland stock shifted north and east, spilling into the North Sea, while the Irish Sea and Celtic Sea stocks shifted west. Each stock showed decreasing trends in equivalent area, but there were no clear trends in the average depth occupied by the fish. There was no apparent relationship between temperature and the distribution of cod, as bottom temperature varied little from 1993 to 2021. Although Irish Sea cod showed a shift into warmer water, this was due to changes in survey distribution. The shift in distribution of the West of Scotland cod stock towards the North Sea whilst impairing local recovery provides further justification for the recent definition of its incorporation into a larger stock unit that includes the northwest of the North Sea. The Irish Sea and Celtic Sea cod stocks are neither shifting northwards, nor into deeper waters, but remained within current boundaries. This suggests that recent temperature conditions did not affect their distribution, but this may change as temperatures increase towards the limit for reproduction.
Mass, enthalpy, and chemical‐derived emission flows in mineral processing
Authors: Kane Seth , Miller Sabbie A.
Published: March 2024

The production of materials from mineral resources is a significant contributor to anthropogenic CO2 emissions. This contribution is driven primarily by chemical CO2 emissions from the conversion of mineral resources and emissions tied to energy demands for material processing. In this work, we synthesize the thermodynamically required enthalpy and chemically derived emissions of mineral processing and consumption in the United States. We quantify mass, enthalpy, and emissions flows for minerals described by the US Geological Survey, with 882 mass flows and 155 chemical reactions analyzed. In total, 503 PJ of enthalpy is thermodynamically required for 398 Mt of chemically converted material consumption in the United States, resulting in 129 Mt of chemically derived CO2 emissions. Additionally, 249 PJ of fuel resources such as coke are stoichiometrically required for the chemical conversion of minerals. These enthalpy requirements and CO2 emissions are primarily from high‐mass consumption materials such as cement, carbon steel, fertilizer, and aluminum. Cumulatively, the dataset synthesized in this work provides a complete view of the chemical requirements of mineral processing and can aid in guiding decarbonization or sustainable growth in critical minerals sectors, including construction materials and materials for energy storage or generation.
Effects of sensory test conditions and cooking methods on consumer acceptance, sensory profiling, and emotional response of home meal replacement foods
Authors: Oh Jungmin , Heo JeongAe , Park Seyeong , Lim Manyoel , Kwak Han Sub
Published: March 2024

The increased demand for home meal replacement (HMR) foods due to demographic changes requires research focusing on sensory evaluation. This study compares consumer acceptance, sensory profile, and emotional response of HMR based on test conditions (central location test; CLT or home‐use test; HUT) and cooking methods (microwave or pan cooking). The sensory evaluation involved 204 panels, and significant differences were observed in acceptance ratings between CLT and HUT (p < .05). Texture liking was the only significantly different attribute between cooking methods (p < .05). Sensory profiling indicated highly similar characteristics across test conditions and cooking methods. Emotional responses varied depending on the test conditions and cooking methods. In the HUT, positive emotions such as ‘active,’ ‘enthusiastic,’ and ‘happy’ were stronger than those in the CLT (p < .05). Active and positive attitudes such as ‘adventurous,’ ‘aggressive,’ ‘enthusiastic,’ ‘interested,’ and ‘wild’ were stronger in microwave cooking than in pan cooking (p < .05). The results showed that the ‘IKEA effect’ exists in the self‐cooking process, leading to higher liking scores and positive emotions in the HUT compared to the CLT, while intrinsic sensory qualities of the samples were unaffected by external factors, test conditions, and cooking methods.

Practical applications

Our research findings provide practical cooking guidelines for food developers who aim to enhance consumers' acceptance and evoke positive emotions during HMR food cooking. In addition, it was shown how the cooking process affects the evaluation of the products in liking, sensory profiling, and emotional responses by comparing CLT and HUT conditions.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour of the cerebellopontine angle in a cat
Authors: Çetin M. N. , Şirin Y. S. , Milletsever A. , Şirin M. Y. , Ipek V.
Published: March 2024

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour is an uncommon tumour in cats. The current case report aims to present the diagnosis, treatment and histopathology of a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour that developed in the cerebellopontine angle region of a cat. A 4‐year‐old 4.2‐kg female calico cat was brought to the animal hospital with the complaints of loss of balance, leaning against the wall and behavioural changes. During the neurological examination, the patient was observed to have a right‐sided head tilt accompanied by ipsilateral ventral strabismus. On magnetic resonance imaging scan, a mass was identified at the right cerebellopontine angle. The surgical removal of the mass was carried out using a caudo‐tentorial approach. The histopathological analysis revealed the presence of a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour. This case report contributes to the existing knowledge in the field presenting the characteristics of a malignant peripheral nerve tumour that was not associated with any nerve in the cerebellopontine angle in a cat.
Sperm storage organs change with female age and mating history in the Golden Silk spider Trichonephila clavipes (Araneae: Araneidae)
Authors: Land H. , Christenson T. E. , Uhl G.
Published: March 2024

Female sperm storage organs in arthropods are used as taxonomic characters since it is assumed that they do not change after maturation. However, in the Golden Silk spider, Trichonephila clavipes, the shape and sclerotization of the spermathecae change with a mating event. Moreover, mating in T. clavipes consists of several hundred copulations, but the male transfers all sperm during the first insertion of each pedipalp. Given this puzzling mating behaviour, we hypothesize that multiple copulations serve purposes other than sperm transfer and uptake, such as further altering the morphology of the storage site and/or transferring substances other than sperm. We compared virgin female T. clavipes with females after two copulations, one for each spermatheca, and after ad‐libitum mating. Each treatment consisted of two sub‐treatments in which the state of the sperm storage organs was inspected after a short (1–3 days) or a long (11 days) time interval after the female's final moult. The size of the spermathecae increased twofold in all mating treatments compared to virgin females. The thickness of the spermathecal wall increased significantly with time in all treatments similarly. The spermathecal epithelium, which releases secretion into the lumen of the spermathecae, seems most active in virgin females during the time when mating would normally occur and turns less active after mating and with age. The spermathecae contain secretion produced by the female before mating; and after mating, sperm and another secretion transferred by the male. The numerous sperm‐less matings in the ad‐libitum treatment resulted in male secretion in the copulatory ducts of the female genitalia, likely impeding sperm transfer by subsequent males. Out study shows that female genitalia can change considerably after having reached maturity and suggests that sperm‐less matings evolved in the context of sperm competition.
Polyphenols in obesity and weight management: Are they worth further research? An umbrella review
Authors: Farhat Grace
Published: March 2024

Polyphenols are widely known for their putative antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects and their potential protective role in several diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. They have also attracted significant interest as ‘anti‐obesity’ agents, although with mechanisms of action that have been exclusively demonstrated in animal and in vitro studies. This umbrella review aims to evaluate current evidence surrounding the role of polyphenols in obesity and weight management and to establish the usefulness of these agents in combatting obesity. A search of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of randomised controlled trials was carried out. Nine systematic reviews (of which eight included a meta‐analysis) were included. Evidence of polyphenols' effects on reducing bodyweight is mixed, and where the effects are significant, they are numerically small and unlikely to be of help in reducing bodyweight or preventing weight gain. Future research should focus on establishing the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects of polyphenols through well‐designed randomised controlled trials. Such research could be more valuable and cost‐effective since it has shown potential to improve human health.
The interesting case of special and extraordinary items: What are they and how do they influence municipal government finances?
Authors: Ke Laiyang , Jimenez Benedict S.
Published: March 2024

One‐shot revenue shocks influence government budget decisions and service provision. However, how governments respond to transitory income remains a theoretical and empirical puzzle. The permanent income hypothesis posits that governments save windfalls to smooth expenditures, while other models predict spending increases. Empirical findings are inconclusive as the focus has been on revenues that are not truly transitory. The case of special and extraordinary gains allows us to investigate the effects of transitory resources. Taking advantage of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board's requirement that governments report such gains in their financial statements, this study examines the effects of gains on expenses for a sample of cities across 10 years. Using a staggered adoption event study design, we find that gains stimulate spending and that the size of gains matters before one observes the stimulatory effects. These results have substantial implications for budgetary transparency and fiscal sustainability in municipal governments.
Carrot or stick, or both? Examining U.S. presidents' use of counterterrorism tools in Pakistan, 2001–2020
Authors: Jadoon Amira , Yon Richard M. , Rice Dennis J.
Published: March 2024

Within the context of eliciting partner country cooperation and interests alignment, U.S. presidents and their administrations have a wide array of policy tools at their disposal to mitigate terrorist threats emanating from other countries. Yet, the factors that account for variation in American presidents' and their administrations' specific counterterrorism policy choices to influence target states' behavior remain underexplored. To understand the underlying factors that influence the adoption of different U.S. counterterrorism tools within a given country, and their variation across administrations in the post‐9/11 era, we examine the case of Pakistan—a challenging yet enduring partner in the U.S.‐led Global War on Terror. Categorizing the counterterrorism policies and tools adopted by Presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump as punitive or nonpunitive policy decisions, we explore the extent to which each president's policy choices during the Global War on Terror were largely a continuation of predecessors or responded to specific shifting patterns of terrorism within Pakistan. Our study yields important insights regarding the extent to which path dependency or evolving security environments shape choices of counterterrorism tools.
Post exercise hot water immersion and hot water immersion in isolation enhance vascular, blood marker, and perceptual responses when compared to exercise alone
Authors: Steward Charles J. , Hill Mathew , Menzies Campbell , Bailey Stephen J. , Rahman Mushidur , Thake C. Douglas , Pugh Christopher J. A. , Cullen Tom
Published: March 2024

Exercise and passive heating induce some similar vascular hemodynamic, circulating blood marker, and perceptual responses. However, it remains unknown whether post exercise hot water immersion can synergise exercise derived responses and if they differ from hot water immersion alone. This study investigated the acute responses to post moderate‐intensity exercise hot water immersion (EX+HWI) when compared to exercise (EX+REST) and hot water immersion (HWI+HWI) alone. Sixteen physically inactive middle‐aged adults (nine males and seven females) completed a randomized cross‐over counterbalanced design. Each condition consisted of two 30‐min bouts separated by 10 min of rest. Cycling was set at a power output equivalent to 50% V̇o2 peak. Water temperature was controlled at 40°C up to the mid sternum with arms not submerged. Venous blood samples and artery ultrasound scans were assessed at 0 (baseline), 30 (immediately post stressor one), 70 (immediately post stressor two), and 100 min (recovery). Additional physiological and perceptual measures were assessed at 10‐min intervals. Brachial and superficial femoral artery shear rates were higher after EX+HWI and HWI+HWI when compared with EX+REST (p < 0.001). Plasma nitrite was higher immediately following EX+HWI and HWI+HWI than EX+REST (p < 0.01). Serum interleukin‐6 was higher immediately after EX+HWI compared to EX+REST (p = 0.046). Serum cortisol was lower at 30 min in the HWI+HWI condition in contrast to EX+REST (p = 0.026). EX+HWI and HWI+HWI were more enjoyable than EX+REST (p < 0.05). Irrespective of whether hot water immersion proceeded exercise or heating, hot water immersion enhanced vascular and blood marker responses, while also being more enjoyable than exercise alone.
Radical Collective Intelligence and the Reimagining of Cognitive Science
Authors: Rabb Nathaniel , Sloman Steven A.
Published: March 2024

To introduce our special issue How Minds Work: The Collective in the Individual, we propose “radical CI,” a form of collective intelligence, as a new paradigm for cognitive science. Radical CI posits that the representations and processes necessary to perform the cognitive functions that humans perform are collective entities, not encapsulated by any individual. To explain cognitive performance, it appeals to the distribution of cognitive labor on the assumption that the human project runs on countless interactions between locally acting individuals with specialized skills that each retain a small part of the relevant information. Some of the papers in the special issue appeal to radical CI to account for a variety of cognitive phenomena including memory performance, metacognition, belief updating, reasoning, and problem‐solving. Other papers focus on the cultural and institutional practices that make radical CI possible.
A novel nucleic acid linker for multi‐gene expression enhances plant and animal synthetic biology
Authors: Ma Xuhui , Yue Qun , Miao Liqing , Li Suzhen , Tian Jian , Si Wei , Zhang Liwen , Yang Wenzhu , Zhou Xiaojin , Zhang Junmin , Chen Rumei , Xu Yuquan , Liu Xiaoqing
Published: March 2024

The production of compact vectors for gene stacking is hindered by a lack of effective linkers. Here, we report that a 26‐nt nucleic acid linker, NAL1, from the fungus Glarea lozoyensis and its truncated derivatives could connect two genes as a bicistron, enabling independent translation in a maize protoplast transient expression system and human 293 T cells. The optimized 9‐nt NAL10 linker was then used to connect four genes driven by a bidirectional promoter; this combination was successfully used to reconstruct the astaxanthin biosynthesis pathway in transgenic maize. The short and efficient nucleic acid linker NAL10 can be widely used in multi‐gene expression and synthetic biology in animals and plants.
Lexical distance and the diffusion of technology
Authors: Wigton‐Jones Evan
Published: March 2024

This research shows that linguistic differences can influence the diffusion of technology and income between countries. I use a measure of language similarity known as the normalised Levenshtein distance to show that lexical distances closely track bilateral differences in the adoption intensities of key production technologies. This relationship holds for technologies in the transportation, information technology, steel, telecommunications and health sectors. Linguistic differences also result in larger bilateral gaps in per capita income. These results hold among higher but not low‐income nations, likely because language affects technology transfer only once a threshold level of development is surpassed.