bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pyroptotic macrophages induce disruption of glutamate metabolism in periodontal ligament stem cells contributing to their compromised osteogenic potential
Authors: Sun Li‐Juan , Qu Hong‐Lei , He Xiao‐Tao , Tian Bei‐Min , Wu Rui‐Xin , Yin Yuan , Zou Jie‐Kang , Sun Hai‐Hua , Li Xuan , Chen Fa‐Ming
Published: May 2024

Macrophage pyroptosis is of key importance to host defence against pathogen infections and may participate in the progression and recovery of periodontitis. However, the role of pyroptotic macrophages in regulating periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), the main cell source for periodontium renewal, remains unclear. First, we found that macrophage pyroptosis were enriched in gingiva tissues from periodontitis patients compared with those of healthy people through immunofluorescence. Then the effects of pyroptotic macrophages on the PDLSC osteogenic differentiation were investigated in a conditioned medium (CM)‐based coculture system in vitro. CM derived from pyroptotic macrophages inhibited the osteogenic differentiation‐related gene and protein levels, ALP activity and mineralized nodule formation of PDLSCs. The osteogenic inhibition of CM was alleviated when pyroptosis was inhibited by VX765. Further, untargeted metabolomics showed that glutamate limitation may be the underlying mechanism. However, exogenous glutamate supplementation aggravated the CM‐inhibited osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. Moreover, CM increased extracellular glutamate and decreased intracellular glutamate levels of PDLSCs, and enhanced the gene and protein expression levels of system xc− (a cystine/glutamate antiporter). After adding cystine to CM‐based incubation, the compromised osteogenic potency of PDLSCs was rescued. Our data suggest that macrophage pyroptosis is related to the inflammatory lesions of periodontitis. Either pharmacological inhibition of macrophage pyroptosis or nutritional supplements to PDLSCs, can rescue the compromised osteogenic potency caused by pyroptotic macrophages.
‘We didn't cause the opioid epidemic’: The experiences of Australians prescribed opioids for chronic non‐cancer pain at a time of increasing restrictions
Authors: Hopkins Ria E. , Campbell Gabrielle , Degenhardt Louisa , Gisev Natasa
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Many countries have implemented strategies to reduce opioid‐related harms, including policies and prescribing restrictions. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Australians prescribed opioids for chronic non‐cancer pain (CNCP) in the context of increasing restrictions for accessing opioids.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 14 Australians (aged 24–65‐years; 10 female/4 male) self‐reporting regular use of prescribed opioids for CNCP. Participants were asked to describe their experiences using prescribed opioids, and perceived and actual changes in pain management including access to treatments. Using thematic analysis, four dominant themes were identified.

Results

In ‘On them for a reason’: Opioids as a last resort, participants described the role of opioids as an important tool for pain management following unsuccessful treatment using other strategies. In ‘You're problematic’: Deepening stigma, participants described how increased attention and restrictions led to increasing stigma of opioid use and CNCP. In ‘We didn't cause the opioid epidemic’: Perceiving and redirecting blame, participants described feeling unfairly blamed for public health problems and an ‘opioid epidemic’ they described as ‘imported’ from America, drawing distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate opioid use. Finally, in ‘Where do we go from here?’: Fearing the future, participants described anticipating further restrictions and associating these with increased pain and disability.

Discussion and Conclusions

The experience of being prescribed opioids for CNCP in Australia in the context of increasing restrictions was characterised by stigma, blame and fear. There is a need to ensure people prescribed opioids for pain are considered when designing measures to reduce opioid‐related harms.
Interactions between runoff volume, timing, and annual temperatures shape migration phenology of a threatened adfluvial sucker
Authors: Walsworth Timothy E. , Fadlovich Rae , Fonken Dale , Heinle Kadie B. , May Emmanuel , Rousseau Skylar , Wallace Ellie , Landom Kevin
Published: May 2024

Migratory fish species have been particularly impacted by changes to the hydrologic and climatic cues to which migration and spawning behaviours have been adapted across generations. While conservation and recovery programs increasingly implement flow management actions to promote successful migration and spawning, uncertainty regarding how spawning migration phenology responds to changing environmental conditions can limit the ability to effectively target such recovery actions. Here, we use a Bayesian hierarchical modelling framework to analyse spawning migration phenology of individually tagged June suckers (Chasmistes liorus) – a federally threatened, long‐lived, iteroparous, adfluvial species endemic to Utah Lake (Utah, USA) and its tributaries. We then examine how annual hydrologic and thermal conditions relate to different components of annual migration phenology, including peak migration date, in‐stream residence time, and among‐individual variation in migration timing. Peak migration date occurred earlier in years with warmer spring air temperatures (a proxy for water temperatures), though this effect interacted with peak runoff timing. Both residence time and among‐individual variation in migration timing were greater in years with larger spring discharge and later peak flows. Residence time was also longer in warmer years. These results highlight how natural and anthropogenic changes to river flow and thermal regimes are likely to impact June sucker migration timing and duration, and our approach can be applied to other migratory species to identify the external drivers of the different components of migration phenology.
The spatial extent of Walleye and Lake Sturgeon spawning migrations below a dam in the lower Black Sturgeon River, Lake Superior
Authors: Kosziwka Kerri , Cooke Steven J. , Smokorowski Karen E. , Fischer Friedrich , Dunlop Erin S. , Rennie Michael D. , Pratt Thomas C.
Published: May 2024

In the Laurentian Great Lakes, the issue of barrier removal is complicated by the presence of non‐native species below barriers. A fish tracking study was conducted to guide efforts for barrier remediation decisions for the restoration of fish populations with a focus on Walleye (Scander vitreus) and Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Black Sturgeon River, a river system fragmented by a dam which blocks access of fishes to the majority of a large, otherwise barrier‐free watershed. Data from 3 years of spawning migrations (2018–2020) indicated that the Walleye population in Black Bay likely consists of both river (65%) and lake spawners (27%), with the remaining individuals spawning in the bay or river in different years. Walleye and Lake Sturgeon showed consistent differences in the extent to which individuals migrated upstream in the river during the spawning season, despite expectations that both species would spawn at the base of the dam when prevented from further migration. The dam was presumably a barrier to migration for Lake Sturgeon, as nearly all Lake Sturgeon that entered the river migrated to the base of the dam. In contrast, few Walleye entering the river during the spawning season migrated to the dam annually. These findings suggest that Walleye and Lake Sturgeon may not benefit equally, at least in the short term, from barrier remediation or dam removal.
A genealogy of politics: Vindicatory, pragmatic, and realist
Authors: Burelli Carlo , Prinz Janosch
Published: May 2024

In Western democracies, people harbor feelings of disgust or hatred for politics. Populists and technocrats even seemingly question the value of politics. Populists cry that they are not politicians and that politics is necessarily corrupt. From the opposite side, technocrats view politics as a pointless constraint on enacting the obviously right policies. Are Western democracies facing a rejection of politics? And is politics worth defending? This paper offers a vindicatory genealogy of politics, vindicating the need human beings have for this practice and clarifying the extent of its contemporary rejections. To achieve these contributions, the paper connects the literatures on pragmatic genealogy and on political realism, revealing how they can complement each other. Following pragmatic genealogy, the practice of politics is vindicated, because it meets an inevitable functional need for collectively binding decision‐making. However, and importantly, political realism allows us to see that the functional mechanisms through which politics fulfills this need vary contextually and thus require careful empirical scrutiny. The paper thus dispels confusion about seeming rejections of politics by clarifying what is unavoidable, and what is revisable about politics.
Efficient integration of perceptual variational autoencoder into dynamic latent scale generative adversarial network
Authors: Cho Jeongik , Krzyzak Adam
Published: May 2024

Dynamic latent scale GAN is an architecture‐agnostic encoder‐based generative model inversion method. This paper introduces a method to efficiently integrate perceptual VAE into dynamic latent scale GAN to improve the performance of dynamic latent scale GAN. When dynamic latent scale GAN is trained with a normal i.i.d. latent random variable and the latent encoder is integrated into the discriminator, a sum of a predicted latent random variable of real data and a scaled normal noise follows the normal i.i.d. random variable. Since this random variable is paired with real data and follows the latent random variable, it can be used for both VAE and GAN training. Furthermore, by considering the intermediate layer output of the discriminator as the feature encoder output, the VAE can be trained to minimise the perceptual reconstruction loss. The forward propagation & backpropagation for minimising this perceptual reconstruction loss can be integrated with those of GAN training. Therefore, the proposed method does not require additional computations compared to typical GAN or dynamic latent scale GAN. Integrating perceptual VAE to dynamic latent scale GAN improved the generative and inversion performance of the model.
Multiple‐scale crack propagation characteristics and failure precursor identification of freeze–thawed sandstone during loading
Authors: Zheng Daozhe , Liu Chengyu , Zhou Annan , Zhang Xiangxiang , Chen Chenghai , Huang Shengfeng
Published: May 2024

To study the effect of freeze–thaw temperature change rate on the crack propagation characteristics and failure precursor in freeze–thawed sandstone, uniaxial compression tests were simultaneous monitoring for acoustic emission (AE) and microseismic (MS) signals. The results demonstrate that increased temperature change rates resulted in accelerated crack propagation, earlier rock failure, and lower brittleness; the failure mode changes from tensile to shear‐tensile mixing; the proportion of tensile cracks decreases from 90.9% to 70.8%; and shear cracks increase from 9.1% to 29.2%. A comparative analysis of AE and MS provided insights into the evolution of crack propagation at multiple scales, enabling the classification of crack types and their relationship with propagation scale. Based on the precursor characteristic of the original waveform and time‐domain curve in AE and MS signals, the advantageous areas of early‐warming indicators for rock failure were identified. Compared with traditional indicators, the precursory indicators calculated using MS b‐values and AE energy rates can obtain a larger early warning window, with maximum windows of 20.52%–29.29% and 7.09%–13.73% in high initial damage rocks and low initial damage rocks, respectively.
A method to obtain probabilistic fatigue lives under varying strain peaks for rubber components with small samples
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Liu Zhiyong , Zeng Xiangkun , Xu You
Published: May 2024

Uniaxial tension fatigue experiments are conducted on filled natural rubber (NR) specimens. According to the test data, typical probabilistic distributions under constant strain peak are investigated. Accordingly, a small sample probabilistic fatigue life curve fitting method is proposed, where a Weibull distribution is utilized for the tested rubber. A power‐Weibull statistical model with nonconstant scatter and the conventional group method for complete data are also employed to evaluate the proposed method. It turns out that the slope and intercept relative errors from the small sample fitting method are below 7.86% and 0.943%, respectively, of the complete data methods. It indicates that the proposed method can obtain high‐precision probabilistic fatigue life curves in the case of small samples, which has a certain significance for the efficient test and reliability of rubber fatigue in engineering applications.
Macro‐meso damage cracking and energy dissipation of rock‐backfill composites: Effect of cyclic disturbance frequency
Authors: Wang Yu , Chen Zhenzhen , Yi Xuefeng , Long Dayu
Published: May 2024

This work aims to reveal the effect of cyclic disturbance frequency, i.e., 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 Hz, on damage cracking and energy dissipation characteristics of rock‐backfill composite structure specimens. Testing results show that fatigue volumetric strain and secant modulus increase with increasing disturbance frequency; low‐frequency disturbance leads to an earlier volume expansion. In addition, the strain energy density increases with increasing disturbance frequency. Most of the energy are dissipated for the specimen under high‐frequency disturbance. Finally, computed tomography scanning reveals the influence of disturbance frequency on failure modes; tensile‐splitting failure and shear failure are likely to occur at the surrounding rock subjected to high‐ and low‐ frequency disturbances. Low‐frequency‐disturbed stress seems easily to stimulate cracks at the rock‐backfill interfaces and the backfill; the backfill can absorb much more energy than high‐frequency circumstances. It is suggested that the role of backfill in energy absorption, contact support, and stress isolation is disturbance frequency dependent.
Vrba was right: Historical climate fragmentation, and not current climate, explains mammal biogeography
Authors: Gamboa Sara , Galván Sofía , Varela Sara
Published: May 2024

Climate plays a crucial role in shaping species distribution and evolution over time. Dr Vrba's Resource‐Use hypothesis posited that zones at the extremes of temperature and precipitation conditions should host a greater number of climate specialist species than other zones because of higher historical fragmentation. Here, we tested this hypothesis by examining climate‐induced fragmentation over the past 5 million years. Our findings revealed that, as stated by Vrba, the number of climate specialist species increases with historical regional climate fragmentation, whereas climate generalist species richness decreases. This relationship is approximately 40% stronger than the correlation between current climate and species richness for climate specialist species and 77% stronger for generalist species. These evidences suggest that the effect of climate historical fragmentation is more significant than that of current climate conditions in explaining mammal biogeography. These results provide empirical support for the role of historical climate fragmentation and physiography in shaping the distribution and evolution of life on Earth.
The 2021 La Palma eruption: social dilemmas resulting from life close to an active volcano
Authors: Troll Valentin R. , Aulinas Meritxell , Carracedo Juan Carlos , Geiger Harri , Perez‐Torrado Francisco J. , Soler Vicente , Deegan Frances M. , Bloszies Christin , Weis Franz , Albert Helena , Gisbert Guillem , Day James M. D. , Rodríguez‐Gonzalez Alejandro , Gazel Esteban , Dayton Kyle
Published: May 2024

Damage and destruction caused by the 2021 eruption of the Tajogaite volcano on La Palma was unprecedented relative to other historical eruptions of the last century (1909, 1949, 1971, 2011) in the Canary Islands. The devastation caused by the eruption was not a result of eruption magnitude, which was only marginally larger than other historical events, but instead an increasing vulnerability due to population growth and increasing rural land use on the slopes of the volcanically active Cumbre Vieja Ridge. Since future eruptions along the Cumbre Vieja are inevitable, it is imperative that actions are taken to ensure the safety of the island's growing population. While civil protection and emergency services managed to avert loss of life from direct volcanic impacts in 2021, loss of property for many people in the affected area remains a grave issue and requires targeted measures to safeguard against human suffering from similar future events.
Decorative stone techniques of Italian masters
Authors: Robinson Eric
Published: May 2024

Italian mastery of decorative stones can be traced through a variety of techniques, from the period of the Roman Empire through to the nineteenth century at least. Roman mosaic work was found across the Roman Empire, and the remains of mosaics are widely admired. In Roman Britain, artisans adapted their classic stone palette through the use of local stones, delivering greys, green and browns. Post‐Roman artistry is seen through the reuse of broken stones known by Cosmati mosaicists; the Cosmati pavement in Westminster Abbey, London is one of the best known of its type. Hardstone work—Pietre Dure—employing many stones in intricate detail, was brought back from Italy by all those on the Grand Tour in eighteenth century Europe are to be found in many grand houses. Finally, the incredible ledger stones of the Knights of St John in Malta are yet another example of the high art and craft of the Italian masters of decorative stone.
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) glycan isomer is predictive of HBsAg seroclearance in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Ikeda Yuji , Murata Ayato , Nago Hiroki , Yamaguchi Masahiro , Om Rihwa , Terai Yuichro , Kita Yuji , Sato Sho , Sato Shunsuke , Shimada Yuji , Genda Takuya
Published: May 2024

Aim

Measurement of O‐glycosylated middle hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg glycan isomer, HBsAgGi) has been developed to quantify hepatitis B virus (HBV) infectious virions and distinguish them from subviral particles. This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum HBsAg seroclearance and serum HBV virions measured by HBsAgGi in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods

Serum HBsAgGi levels were quantified in 232 treatment‐naïve patients with CHB genotype C. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for factors associated with HBsAg seroclearance.

Results

Baseline HBsAgGi levels showed significant differences among HBV phenotypes. During a median follow‐up period of 7.4 years, 22 of the 232 patients achieved HBsAg seroclearance. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that quantitative HBsAg, nucleoside/nucleotide analog therapy during the follow‐up period, and HBsAgGi levels were independent predictors of seroclearance. The adjusted HR indicated that the HBsAg seroclearance probability in patients with low HBsAgGi (≤3.5log ng/mL) was over five times higher than that in patients with high HBsAgGi. Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that the 10‐year probabilities of HBsAg seroclearance were 21.0% and 3.0% in patients with low and high HBsAgGi levels, respectively (p < 0.001), and that patients with high HBsAgGi levels showed low seroclearance probabilities irrespective of the other predictors.

Conclusion

Serum HBV infectious virion levels, measured using HBsAgGi, may be a novel predictor of HBsAg seroclearance.
Inside the European Union's Trade Machinery: Institutional Changes in an Age of Geoeconomics
Authors: Couvreur Sjorre
Published: May 2024

In the context of increasingly assertive behaviour in international trade policy, various scholars seem to agree on the presence of a ‘geoeconomic turn’ in European Union (EU) trade policy. Whilst various aspects of this turn have been studied, the way in which the EU's trade institution might have adapted to this new context remains unclear. Therefore, this article addresses the following research question: how has the Directorate‐General for Trade (DG Trade) adapted to the geoeconomic turn in international trade policy? Using an innovative historical institutionalist framework and directed content analysis, the article analyses EU official documents and 14 interviews with EU officials. We find that, despite apparent continuity, under President von der Leyen, a gradual process of institutional adaptation through different forms of layering and conversion has taken place within DG Trade, increasing the EU's geoeconomic capacities and geoeconomic thinking inside the EU's trade machinery.
Morphology and metabolic traits related to swimming performance in Australasian snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) selected for fast growth
Authors: Magnoni Leonardo J. , Collins Selwyn P. , Wylie Matthew J. , Black Suzanne E. , Wellenreuther Maren
Published: May 2024

Changes in body shape are linked to swimming performance and become relevant for selective breeding programmes in cultured finfish. We studied how the selection for fast growth could affect phenotypes by investigating the relationship between swimming performance and body shape. We also investigated how swimming might affect plasma metabolite concentrations. Critical swimming speed (UCrit), body traits (e.g., BW, body weight; BL, body length; K, condition factor), and plasma lactate and glucose concentrations were evaluated in two cohorts of Australasian snapper (Chrysophrys auratus): one derived from wild broodstock (F1), and the other selected for fast growth (F4). UCrit tests (n = 8) were applied in groups of 10 snapper of similar BW (71.7 g) and BL (14.6 cm). The absolute or relative UCrit values of both cohorts were similar (0.702 m⋅s−1 and 4.795 BL⋅s−1, respectively), despite the F4 cohort displaying a higher K. A positive correlation between K and absolute UCrit (Pearson's r = 0.414) was detected in the F4 cohort, but not in the F1 cohort, which may be linked to differences in body shape. A negative correlation between relative UCrit and body size (Pearson's r between −0.682 and −0.501), but no correlation between absolute UCrit and body size, was displayed in both cohorts. Plasma lactate and glucose concentrations were higher in the F4 cohort at UCrit. Whether a longer selective breeding programme could result in more changes in body shape, potentially affecting swimming performance, should be explored, along with the potential outcomes of the differences in metabolic traits detected.
SapBase: A central portal for functional and comparative genomics of Sapindaceae species
Authors: Li Jiawei , Chen Chengjie , Zeng Zaohai , Wu Fengqi , Feng Junting , Liu Bo , Mai Yingxiao , Chu Xinyi , Wei Wanchun , Li Xin , Liang Yanyang , Liu YuanLong , Xu Jing , Xia Rui
Published: May 2024

The Sapindaceae family, encompassing a wide range of plant forms such as herbs, vines, shrubs, and trees, is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. This family includes economically important crops like litchi, longan, rambutan, and ackee. With the wide application of genomic technologies in recent years, several Sapindaceae plant genomes have been decoded, leading to an accumulation of substantial omics data in this field. This surge in data highlights the pressing need for a unified genomic data center capable of storing, sharing, and analyzing these data. Here, we introduced SapBase, that is, the Sapindaceae Genome Database. SapBase houses seven published plant genomes alongside their corresponding gene structure and functional annotations, small RNA annotations, gene expression profiles, gene pathways, and synteny block information. It offers user‐friendly features for gene information mining, co‐expression analysis, and inter‐species comparative genomic analysis. Furthermore, we showcased SapBase's extensive capacities through a detailed bioinformatic analysis of a MYB gene in litchi. Thus, SapBase could serve as an integrative genomic resource and analysis platform for the scientific exploration of Sapinaceae species and their comparative studies with other plants.
Comparison of dual‐plane micro‐drop injection of botulinum toxin type A with two traditional methods for treating hypertrophic scars in the tension zone: A long‐term clinical application study
Authors: Jiang Banghong , Zhang Jianting , Yang Wenjian , Wang Yukun , Huang Sutao , Qiu Jingjing , Bian Bingzhi , Zhang Li , Zu Wenxuan
Published: May 2024

Background

Patients with hypertrophic scarring tend to experience recurrence after treatment, which often occurs in areas of the body with high skin tension.

Aims

To evaluate better treatments aimed at reducing the risk of scar recurrence in areas of high skin tension.

Methods

Patients were randomly divided into the following three treatment groups: botulinum toxin type A (BTA) via dual‐plane micro‐drop injections, triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) suspension, and CO2 via fractional CO2 laser. Interventions were implemented in all three groups once a month for three consecutive sessions. After the final treatment, scarring was evaluated at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS).

Results

The 3‐month POSAS score for each scar indicator in the treatment groups was significantly lower than that in the preoperative groups (p < 0.001). The scar score in the TAC group decreased at 3 months and increased thereafter. For other groups, the scar score continually decreased at all time points according to the Patient Scar Assessment Scale. Based on the Observer Scar Assessment Scale, the scar score continuously decreased at all time points in the BTA group; in the TAC group, it decreased at 1 month and increased thereafter; and in the CO2 group, the scar score decreased at 3 months and subsequently stabilized.

Conclusions

All three treatment methods were effective. However, the BTA group experienced a reduced risk of scar recurrence and maintained long‐term treatment effects.
Family physicians provide maternity care in and around the maternity care shortage areas, particularly rural
Authors: Walter Grace , Jetty Anuradha , Topmiller Michael , Huffstetler Alison
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study examined demographic, practice, and area‐level characteristics associated with family physicians’ (FP) provision of maternity care.

Methods

Using the American Board of Family Medicine Certification examination application survey data, we investigated the relationship between FPs’ maternity care service provision and (1) demographic (gender, years in practice, race/ethnicity), (2) practice characteristics (size, ownership, rurality), and (3) county‐level factors (percentage of reproductive‐age women, the number of obstetrician–gynecologists (OBGYNs) and certified nurse midwives (CNMs) per 100,000 reproductive‐age women). We performed summary statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

Of the 59,903 FPs in the sample, 7.5% provided maternity care. FPs practicing in rural were 2.5 times more likely to provide maternity care than those practicing in urban areas. FPs in academic (odds ratio [OR] 4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.1–5.1) and safety‐net settings (OR 1.9, 1.7–2.1) had greater odds of providing maternity care. FPs in the bottom quintile with no or fewer OBGYNs and CNMs had a higher likelihood of maternity care provision (OR 2.1, 1.8–2.3) than those in the top quintile, with more OBGYNs and CNMs.

Conclusions

FPs in high‐needs areas, such as rural and safety net settings, and areas with fewer CNMs or OBGYNs are more likely to provide maternity care, demonstrating the importance of FPs in meeting the needs of women with limited maternity care access. Our study findings highlight the importance of considering the contributions of FPs to maternity care as the organizations prioritize resource allocation to areas of highest need.
Sidewalk‐based bicycle path network design incorporating equity in cycling time
Authors: Cai Yutong , Ong Ghim Ping , Meng Qiang
Published: May 2024

Many cities find it difficult to claim enough land to build dedicated bicycle lanes. In response, this study proposes a novel framework to design a bicycle path network based on the existing sidewalks where selected sidewalk links are converted into eligible bicycle paths. The output will be a subset of the sidewalk links chosen to be converted to eligible bicycle paths with minimum cost such that all origin–destination (O‐D) pairs are connected with bicycle paths and cyclists from each O‐D pair can enjoy similar degrees of equity. The equity defined here is that cyclists from each O‐D pair will not need to travel excessively longer in time in the designed bicycle path network than in the original sidewalk network. A novel decomposition‐based dynamic dimensional search is proposed to solve the problem. The numerical experiments of a university campus and Clementi town in Singapore have shown our algorithm with varying equity parameter choices can provide tangible inclusive bicycle path network designs and improve as many as 80% equity in certain O‐D pairs with critical inequity issues.
Integrated urban land cover analysis using deep learning and post‐classification correction
Authors: Techapinyawat Lapone , Timms Aaliyah , Lee Jim , Huang Yuxia , Zhang Hua
Published: May 2024

The quantification of urban impervious area has important implications for the design and management of urban water and environmental infrastructure systems. This study proposes a deep learning model to classify 15‐cm aerial imagery of urban landscapes, coupled with a vector‐oriented post‐classification processing algorithm for automatically retrieving canopy‐covered impervious surfaces. In a case study in Corpus Christi, TX, deep learning classification covered an area of approximately 312 km2 (or 14.86 billion 0.15‐m pixels), and the post‐classification effort led to the retrieval of over 4 km2 (or 0.18 billion pixels) of additional impervious area. The results also suggest the underestimation of urban impervious area by existing methods that cannot consider the canopy‐covered impervious surfaces. By improving the identification and quantification of various impervious surfaces at the city scale, this study could directly benefit a variety of environmental and infrastructure management practices and enhance the reliability and accuracy of processed‐based models for urban hydrology and water infrastructure.
Link between parental myopia and early‐onset high myopia: Insights from a clinical retrospective analysis
Authors: Chamarty Sruthi , Kamalon Sreena , Madishetti Naveen , Verkicharla Pavan K.
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Genetic aetiology is suspected in the development of early‐onset high myopia (spherical equivalent refractive error [SER] ≤−6.00 D at ≤6 years of age), considering that the role of environmental factors in inducing high myopia is improbable at an early age. Therefore, we aimed to understand if early‐onset high myopia is associated with parental myopia in a clinical setting.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted in which information about demographics, age of apparent onset of myopia, refractive error, axial length, number of myopic parents, time spent outdoors and time spent on near‐work was obtained from electronic medical records (EMR). It included 195 myopic individuals categorised into (1) Early‐onset high myopes (EOHM): SER ≤ −6.00 D with age of presentation ≤6 years, (2) Early‐onset low myopes (EOLM): SER > −6.00 D with age of apparent onset ≤6 years, (3) Late‐onset high myopes (LOHM): SER ≤ −6.00 D with age of presentation and age of apparent onset >6 years and (4) Late‐onset low myopes (LOLM): SER > −6.00 D with age of apparent onset >6 years.

Results

Overall, 63% of individuals were found to have parental myopia. The proportion of individuals with EOHM, EOLM, LOHM and LOLM with parental myopia was 57%, 74%, 53% and 64%, respectively. After adjustment for age, gender and environmental factors, the odds of development of EOHM (Odds ratio: 0.78, 95% confidence interval: 0.25–2.48), EOLM (1.54, 0.65–3.67) or LOHM (0.70, 0.30–1.65) were similar in the presence of myopic parents, when compared with LOLM. The SER and axial length did not differ based on the number of myopic parents in any of these categories.

Conclusion

This retrospective analysis reveals that the presence of parental myopia, which was self‐reported, did not induce additional risk for early‐onset high myopia.
The long and tortuous path towards improving photosynthesis by engineering elevated mesophyll conductance
Authors: Leverett Alistair , Kromdijk Johannes
Published: May 2024

The growing demand for global food production is likely to be a defining issue facing humanity over the next 50 years. To tackle this challenge, there is a desire to bioengineer crops with higher photosynthetic efficiencies, to increase yields. Recently, there has been a growing interest in engineering leaves with higher mesophyll conductance (gm), which would allow CO2 to move more efficiently from the substomatal cavities to the chloroplast stroma. However, if crop yield gains are to be realised through this approach, it is essential that the methodological limitations associated with estimating gm are fully appreciated. In this review, we summarise these limitations, and outline the uncertainties and assumptions that can affect the final estimation of gm. Furthermore, we critically assess the predicted quantitative effect that elevating gm will have on assimilation rates in crop species. We highlight the need for more theoretical modelling to determine whether altering gm is truly a viable route to improve crop performance. Finally, we offer suggestions to guide future research on gm, which will help mitigate the uncertainty inherently associated with estimating this parameter.
The effect of oxidative degradation of Dopa‐melanin on its basic physicochemical properties and photoreactivity
Authors: Mokrzyński Krystian , Żądło Andrzej , Szewczyk Grzegorz , Sarna Michal , Camenisch Theodore G. , Ito Shosuke , Wakamatsu Kazumasa , Sarna Tadeusz
Published: May 2024

Melanin, particularly eumelanin, is commonly viewed as an efficient antioxidant and photoprotective pigment. Nonetheless, the ability of melanin to photogenerate reactive oxygen species and sensitize the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers may contribute to melanin‐dependent phototoxicity. The phototoxic potential of melanin depends on a variety of factors, including molecular composition, redox state, and degree of aggregation. Using complementary spectroscopic and analytical methods we analyzed the physicochemical properties of Dopa‐melanin, a synthetic model of eumelanin, subjected to oxidative degradation induced by aerobic photolysis or exposure to 0.1 M hydrogen peroxide. Both modes of oxidative degradation were accompanied by dose‐dependent bleaching of melanin and irreversible modifications of its paramagnetic, ion‐ and electron‐exchange and antioxidant properties. Bleached melanin exhibited enhanced efficiency to photogenerate singlet oxygen in both UVA and short‐wavelength visible light. Although chemical changes of melanin subunits, including a relative increase of DHICA content and disruption of melanin polymer induced by oxidative degradation were considered, these two mechanisms may not be sufficient for a satisfactory explanation of the elevated photosensitizing ability of the bleached eumelanin. This study points out possible adverse changes in the photoprotective and antioxidant properties of eumelanin that could occur in pigmented tissues after exposure to high doses of intense solar radiation.
Instructions for the use of L‐PRF in different clinical indications
Authors: Quirynen M. , Blanco J. , Wang H.‐L. , Donos N. , Temmerman A. , Castro A. , Pinto N.
Published: May 2024

Autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) have demonstrated clear benefits across various clinical applications, including alveolar ridge preservation, guided tissue regeneration, guided bone regeneration, sinus floor elevation (both lateral window approach and transcrestal technique), endodontic surgery, the treatment of medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw bones, and periodontal plastic surgery. To ensure an optimal clinical outcome, clinicians must adhere strictly to the protocol to prepare the APCs and, especially follow evidence‐based surgical guidelines, often simple but crucial, to minimize the likelihood of errors. The majority of clinical trials reported on second‐generation APCs [the leukocyte‐ and platelet‐rich fibrin (L‐PRF) family, including its modifications (A‐PRF, A‐PRF+, CGF, T‐PRF, H‐PRF, etc.)]. These second‐generation APCs offer additional benefits compared to the first‐generation APCs, making them the preferred choice for the development of clinical recommendations. These recommendations have been formulated through a meticulous examination of the available clinical data and the clinical experience of the authors of this paper.
Physical activity, problematic gaming behavior, and quality of life prior and during the first 9 months of the COVID‐19 pandemic: Findings from a longitudinal study among university students
Authors: Haug Ellen , Rønnestad Mathilde , Smith Otto Robert Frans
Published: May 2024

Background

Generally, there is limited information on longitudinal trends and the interrelations between physical activity (PA), problematic gaming behavior (PGB), described as a dysfunctional pattern of videogame activities, and quality of life (QoL) based on data that include measurements from both pre‐ and postpandemic onset. This is also the case for university students. As society faced unprecedented restrictions during this period, these aspects may have developed unfavorably.

Objective

To examine PA, PGB, and QoL among Norwegian University students prior to and during the initial stages of the pandemic and assess their temporal interrelations.

Method

The data are derived from the “Students' Psychological Health Over Time” study (SPOT). Linear mixed models were used to examine the development from January 2020 to November 2020 over three time points for the total sample and across gender. A traditional cross‐lagged panel model analysis was used to estimate temporal associations. Age, gender, socioeconomic status, and partner status were included as covariates.

Findings

PA and QoL decreased linearly over time (Cohen's d = 0.12 and 0.35, respectively), while only male students reported a small reduction in PGB (Cohen's d = 0.03). PA levels decreased considerably more for male students than female students (Cohen's d = 0.17 and 0.09, respectively). There was a small reciprocal negative temporal association between PA and PGB (standardized β = −0.04 and −0.05, respectively). All other temporal associations were not statistically significant in the adjusted analysis.

Conclusion

The findings highlight gender‐variant negative developments in PA and QoL and suggest a negative reciprocal interrelation between PA and PGB. The findings point to potential adverse health effects that should be taken into account when restrictive pandemic measures are considered.
Influence of intramuscular steroid receptor content and fiber capillarization on skeletal muscle hypertrophy
Authors: Van Vossel Kim , Hardeel Julie , Van der Stede Thibaux , Weyns Anneleen , Boone Jan , Blemker Silvia Salinas , Derave Wim , Lievens Eline
Published: May 2024

Multiple intramuscular variables have been proposed to explain the high variability in resistance training induced muscle hypertrophy across humans. This study investigated if muscular androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor α (ERα) and β (ERβ) content and fiber capillarization are associated with fiber and whole‐muscle hypertrophy after chronic resistance training. Male (n = 11) and female (n = 10) resistance training novices (22.1 ± 2.2 years) trained their knee extensors 3×/week for 10 weeks. Vastus lateralis biopsies were taken at baseline and post the training period to determine changes in fiber type specific cross‐sectional area (CSA) and fiber capillarization by immunohistochemistry and, intramuscular AR, ERα and ERβ content by Western blotting. Vastus lateralis volume was quantified by MRI‐based 3D segmentation. Vastus lateralis muscle volume significantly increased over the training period (+7.22%; range: −1.82 to +18.8%, p < 0.0001) but no changes occurred in all fiber (+1.64%; range: −21 to +34%, p = 0.869), type I fiber (+1.33%; range: −24 to +41%, p = 0.952) and type II fiber CSA (+2.19%; range: −23 to +29%, p = 0.838). However, wide inter‐individual ranges were found. Resistance training increased the protein expression of ERα but not ERβ and AR, and the increase in ERα content was positively related to changes in fiber CSA. Only for the type II fibers, the baseline capillary‐to‐fiber‐perimeter index was positively related to type II fiber hypertrophy but not to whole muscle responsiveness. In conclusion, an upregulation of ERα content and an adequate initial fiber capillarization may be contributing factors implicated in muscle fiber hypertrophy responsiveness after chronic resistance training.
MeGT2.6 increases cellulose synthesis and active gibberellin content to promote cell enlargement in cassava
Authors: Bao Ruxue , Zeng Changying , Li Ke , Li Mengtao , Li Yajun , Zhou Xincheng , Wang Haiyan , Wang Yajie , Huang Dongyi , Wang Wenquan , Chen Xin
Published: May 2024

Cassava, a pivotal tropical crop, exhibits rapid growth and possesses a substantial biomass. Its stem is rich in cellulose and serves as a crucial carbohydrate storage organ. The height and strength of stems restrict the mechanised operation and propagation of cassava. In this study, the triple helix transcription factor MeGT2.6 was identified through yeast one‐hybrid assay using MeCesA1pro as bait, which is critical for cellulose synthesis. Over‐expression and loss‐of‐function lines were generated, and results revealed that MeGT2.6 could promote a significant increase in the plant height, stem diameter, cell size and thickness of SCW of cassava plant. Specifically, MeGT2.6 upregulated the transcription activity of MeGA20ox1 and downregulated the expression level of MeGA2ox1, thereby enhancing the content of active GA3, resulting in a large cell size, high plant height and long stem diameter in cassava. Moreover, MeGT2.6 upregulated the transcription activity of MeCesA1, which promoted the synthesis of cellulose and hemicellulose and produced a thick secondary cell wall. Finally, MeGT2.6 could help supply additional substrates for the synthesis of cellulose and hemicellulose by upregulating the invertase genes (MeNINV1/6). Thus, MeGT2.6 was found to be a multiple regulator; it was involved in GA metabolism and sucrose decomposition and the synthesis of cellulose and hemicellulose.
Biological variation of 16 biochemical analytes estimated from a large clinicopathologic database of dogs and cats
Authors: Tamamoto Takashi , Miki Yohei , Sakamoto Mei , Yoshii Maiko , Yamada Megumi , Sudo Daisuke , Fusato Yusuke , Ozawa Junko , Satake Chikara
Published: May 2024

Background

Biochemical measurements are commonly evaluated using population‐based reference intervals; however, there is a growing trend toward reassessing results with within‐subject variation (CVI).

Objectives

We aimed to estimate the CVI of 16 biochemical analytes using a large database of dogs and cats, which refers to the results of routine health checkups.

Methods

Pairs of sequential results for 16 analytes were extracted from a database of adult patients. The second result was divided by the first result to produce the ratio of sequential results (rr), and the frequency distribution of rr was plotted. From the plots, the coefficient of variation (CVrr) was calculated. Analytical variation (CVA) was calculated using quality control data, and CVI was estimated as follows: . Estimated CVI was compared with previously reported CVI using the Bland–Altman plot analysis.

Results

From the database, 9078 data points from 3610 dogs and 3743 data points from 1473 cats were extracted, with 5468 data pairs for dogs and 2270 for cats. Sampling intervals ranged from 10 to 1970 days (median 366) for dogs and 23 to 1862 days (median 365) for cats. Bland–Altman analysis showed most CVI plots fell within the limits of agreement; however, positive fixed biases were observed in both dogs and cats.

Conclusions

Our study introduces a novel approach of estimating CVI using routine health checkup data in dogs and cats. Despite biases, our method holds promise for clinical application in assessing the significance of measurement result differences.
Ultrasonographic and CT‐scan findings of splenic active chylous effusion and postlymphangiography enhancement in a cat with chylothorax associated with splenic angiosarcoma
Authors: Roels Elodie , Pierrot Emilie , Porsmoguer Charles , Herrmann Annika , Fastrès Aline , Bolen Géraldine
Published: May 2024

A 12‐year‐old domestic shorthair cat was presented with relapsing noncardiogenic chylothorax. CT‐lymphangiography of the thorax confirmed bilateral pleural effusion without evidence of an underlying intra‐thoracic origin. Abdominal CT‐lymphangiography revealed a 2.6 cm diameter splenic mass surrounded by chylous effusion actively collecting during ultrasonographic assessment. Following splenectomy, histopathological analysis revealed that the splenic mass exhibited characteristics indicative of splenic angiosarcoma. This case report highlights the utility of advanced thoracic and abdominal imaging, notably CT‐lymphangiography, in the diagnostic evaluation of chylothorax in cats. The identification of a splenic mass encased in chylous effusion should prompt a proactive case management strategy.
Variables associated with the prevalence of self‐reported work‐related musculoskeletal disorders in veterinary laparoscopic surgeons
Authors: Smith Meghan R. , Buote Nicole J. , Sumner Julia P. , Freeman Lynetta J.
Published: May 2024

Objective

To investigate the relationship between physical attributes and difficulty performing laparoscopic maneuvers with the prevalence of self‐reported musculoskeletal injury.

Study design

Online survey.

Sample population

Surgeons (n = 140) with 3 or more years of laparoscopic experience.

Methods

Electronic survey distributed via LISTSERVEs and Facebook groups. Responses collected included surgeon attributes, presence of musculoskeletal injuries, and surgical practice data. Statistical analysis was performed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, linear regression, logistic regression, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests.

Results

A total of 52 of the 140 respondents reported a musculoskeletal injury with 38 specifying at least one injury (72%). Neck strain was the most prevalent reported musculoskeletal injury (18/52, 34.6%), followed by shoulder tendinopathies (16/52, 30.8%), arm/hand tendonitis (8/52, 15.4%), carpal tunnel (7/52, 13.5%), back pain (4/52, 7.7%) and arm/hand arthritis (1/52, 1.9%). Women were significantly more likely to report a musculoskeletal problem than men (p = .011) with the odds of women reporting a musculoskeletal injury 2.59 times greater than men. Women and surgeons with smaller glove sizes were significantly more likely to report shoulder tendonitis (p = .034, p = .1) and neck strain (p = .009, p = .001). Respondents with a musculoskeletal problem experienced significantly more difficulty using rotating cup biopsy forceps (p < .001) and perceived this as difficult a greater amount of time (p = .006).

Conclusion

Female surgeons report more musculoskeletal injuries than their male counterparts. Surgeons with musculoskeletal injuries experience more difficulty performing particular laparoscopic maneuvers.

Clinical significance

Improving ergonomics for women and surgeons with smaller glove sizes must be prioritized to improve surgeon health and laparoscopic instrument use.