bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ergometrine stimulates histamine H2 receptors in the isolated human atrium
Authors: Jacob Hannes , Braekow Pauline , Hofmann Britt , Kirchhefer Uwe , Forster Lisa , Mönnich Denise , Humphrys Laura J. , Pockes Steffen , Neumann Joachim , Gergs Ulrich
Published: June 2023

Ergometrine (6aR,9R)-N-((S)-1-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-7-methyl-4,6,6a,7,8,9-hexa-hydro-indolo-[4,3-fg]chinolin-9-carboxamide or lysergide acid β-ethanolamide or ergonovine) activates several types of serotonin and histamine receptors in the animal heart. We thus examined whether ergometrine can activate human serotonin 5-HT4 receptors (h5-HT4R) and/or human histamine H2 receptors (hH2R) in the heart of transgenic mice and/or in the human isolated atrium. Force of contraction or beating rates were studied in electrically stimulated left atrial or spontaneously beating right atrial preparations or spontaneously beating isolated retrogradely perfused hearts (Langendorff setup) of mice with cardiac specific overexpression of the h5-HT4R (5-HT4-TG) or of mice with cardiac specific overexpression of the hH2R (H2-TG) or in electrically stimulated human right atrial preparations obtained during cardiac surgery. Western blots to assess phospholamban (PLB) phosphorylation on serine 16 were performed. Ergometrine exerted concentration- and time-dependent positive inotropic effects and positive chronotropic effects in atrial preparations starting at 0.3 µM and reaching a plateau at 10 µM in H2-TGs (n = 7). This was accompanied by an increase in PLB phosphorylation at serine 16. Ergometrine up 10 µM failed to increase force of contraction in left atrial preparations from 5-HT4-TGs (n = 5). Ten micrometer ergometrine increased the force of contraction in isolated retrogradely perfused spontaneously beating heart preparations (Langendorff setup) from H2-TG but not 5-HT4-TG. In the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor cilostamide (1 µM), ergometrine at 10 µM exerted positive inotropic effects in isolated electrically stimulated human right atrial preparations, obtained during cardiac surgery, and these effects were eliminated by 10 µM of the H2R antagonist cimetidine but not by 10 µM of the 5-HT4R antagonist tropisetron. Furthermore, ergometrine showed binding to human histamine H2 receptors (at 100 µM and 1 mM) using HEK cells in a recombinant expression system (pKi < 4.5, n = 3). In conclusion, we suggest that ergometrine is an agonist at cardiac human H2Rs.
Fast hyperbolic wavelet regression meets ANOVA
Authors: Lippert Laura , Potts Daniel , Ullrich Tino
Published: June 2023

We use hyperbolic wavelet regression for the fast reconstruction of high-dimensional functions having only low dimensional variable interactions. Compactly supported periodic Chui–Wang wavelets are used for the tensorized hyperbolic wavelet basis. In a first step we give a self-contained characterization of tensor product Sobolev–Besov spaces on thed-torus with arbitrary smoothness in terms of the decay of such wavelet coefficients. In the second part we perform and analyze scattered-data approximation using a hyperbolic cross type truncation of the basis expansion for the associated least squares method. The corresponding system matrix is sparse due to the compact support of the wavelets, which leads to a significant acceleration of the matrix vector multiplication. In case of i.i.d. samples we can even bound the approximation error with high probability by loosing only$$\log $$log-terms that do not depend ondcompared to the best approximation. In addition, if the function has low effective dimension (i.e. only interactions of few variables), we qualitatively determine the variable interactions and omit ANOVA terms with low variance in a second step in order to increase the accuracy. This allows us to suggest an adapted model for the approximation. Numerical results show the efficiency of the proposed method.
Microbial dynamics in shallow CO2 seeps system off Panarea Island (Italy)
Authors: Saidi Amira , Banchi Elisa , Fonti Viviana , Manna Vincenzo , De Vittor Cinzia , Giani Michele , Malfatti Francesca , Celussi Mauro
Published: June 2023

Shallow-water hydrothermal vents are extreme environments characterized by high temperatures, low pH, and high CO2 concentrations; therefore, they are considered as suitable laboratories for studying the effect of global changes on marine microbes. We hypothesized a direct effect of vents on prokaryotic community structure and functioning in the Panarea Island’s hydrothermal system. Sampling was conducted along a 9-station transect characterized by three active emission points. The water column was stratified with a thermocline at 25 m depth and a deep chlorophyll maximum between 50 and 100 m. Prokaryotic abundance ranged from 0.2 to 1.5 × 109 cells L−1, prokaryotic carbon production from 2.4 to 75.4 ng C L−1 h−1, and exoenzymatic activities degrading proteins, phosphorylated compounds, and polysaccharides were on the order of 4–28, 2–31 and 0.2–4.16 nM h−1, respectively. While microbial abundance and production were shaped by the water column's physical structure, alkaline phosphatase and beta-glucosidase activities seemed to be enhanced by hydrothermal fluids. The 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing analysis identified a surface, a deep, and a vent-influenced microbial community. In terms of relative abundance members of the SAR11 group dominated the water column, alongside Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus in surface and bottom samples, respectively. Vent-influenced stations were characterized by the presence of Thiomicrorhabdus, a sulfur-oxidizer chemolithoautotroph. Overall, this study provides insights on the coupling between microbial community structure and the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients in low-pH conditions (CO2 and H2S-based), thus addressing some of the opened questions about the response of microbes to acidification.
Prediction of regional lymph node metastasis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: it’s not all about size
Authors: Kolck Johannes , Auer Timo Alexander , Walter-Rittel Thula , Hosse Clarissa , Elkilany Aboelyazid , Marth Adrian Alexander , Pelzer Uwe , Mohr Raphael , Krenzien Felix , Lurje Georg , Schöning Wenzel , Hamm Bernd , Geisel Dominik , Fehrenbach Uli
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Lymph node metastases (LNM) are frequent in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC) and worsen their prognosis even after surgery. Our aim was to investigate the predictive value of lymph node (LN) short axis, the most common discriminator for identifying LNM in tumor-imaging and to develop a predictive model for regional LNM in iCC taking computed tomography (CT) features of extranodal disease into account.

Materials and methods

We enrolled 102 patients with pathologically proven iCC who underwent CT prior to hepatic resection and hilar lymph node dissection (LND) from 2005 to 2021. Two blinded radiologists assessed various imaging characteristics and LN diameters, which were analyzed by bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to develop a prediction model for LNM.

Results

Prevalence of LNM was high (42.4 %) and estimated survival was shorter in LN-positive patients (p = 0.07). An LN short axis diameter of ≥ 9 mm demonstrated the highest predictive power for LNM. Three additional, statistically significant imaging features, presence of intrahepatic metastasis (p = 0.003), hilar tumor infiltration (p = 0.003), and tumor growth along the liver capsule (p = 0.004), were integrated into a prediction model, which substantially outperformed use of LN axis alone in ROC analysis (AUC 0.856 vs 0.701).

Conclusions

LN diameter alone proved to be a relevant but unreliable imaging-marker for LNM prediction in iCC. Our proposed prognostic model, which additionally considers intrahepatic metastases and hilar and capsular infiltration, significantly improves discriminatory power. Hilar and capsular involvement might indicate direct tumor extension to lymphatic liver structures.
Elastofibroma Dorsi: Case Series of a Rare Chest Wall Pseudotumor
Authors: Chase Leah M. , Sedighim Shaina , Lee Carlin , Hegazi Mennatalla , Keshava Hari B. , Mahtabifard Ali
Published: June 2023

Background

Elastofibroma dorsi (EFD) is a pseudotumor of the thoracic wall that can be difficult to diagnose due to its rarity. Prompt recognition can limit unnecessary workup and expedite treatment. This study retrospectively analyzed patients with a diagnosis of EFD, discussing clinical presentations and surgical outcomes.

Methods

This is an IRB‐approved single‐center retrospective study of all patients with a diagnosis of elastofibroma at our institution between 2000 and 2022.

Results

Ten patients were identified to have a pathologic diagnosis of EFD since 2000, with half presenting in the last 5 years. Our cohort had an average age of 56.8 years and was 50% female. The average age of male subjects was younger than females, 49.6–64.0 years, respectively (p = 0.10). Eighty percent (8/10) of patients had unilateral EFDs and symptoms lasted 27.1 months on average prior to diagnosis. Surgical resection was performed on 66.67% (8/12) of masses, with 87.5% (7/8) of patients who underwent surgery reporting complete resolution of their symptoms and none reporting recurrence.

Conclusions

Although EFD is a rare pseudotumor, its incidence may be increasing. As such, surgeons should be aware of the typical clinical presentation; specifically, a slow growing, predominantly unilateral, painful, subscapular mass with an inhomogeneous pattern on imaging. Originally thought to predominantly affect elderly women, our study shows that younger men may be at risk as well. If patients present with EFD, complete surgical resection should be performed to achieve favorable outcomes and resolution of symptoms.
Physical activity-related health competence and symptom burden for exercise prescription in patients with multiple myeloma: a latent profile analysis
Authors: Kuehl Rea , Koeppel Maximilian , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Maatouk Imad , Rosenberger Friederike , Wiskemann Joachim
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study is to ensure best possible supply of exercise therapy to patients with multiple myeloma (MM); it is helpful to identify patient groups with similar symptom burden and physical activity–related health competences (PAHCO). Latent profile analyses (LPA) of MM patients were used to identify profiles of patients with similar PAHCO and symptom burden. Analysis of variance was applied to investigate group differences in important covariates. N = 98 MM patients (57% male, age 64 ± 9 years) could be assigned to three distinct PAHCO profiles: 46% were patients with high PAHCO, 48% patients with moderate, and 5% were patients with low PAHCO. The mean probability to be assigned to a certain profile was over 99%. The first group showed significant higher physical activity (PA) and lower comorbidities. Regarding symptom burden, three different profiles exist, including group one (32% of patients) with very low symptom burden, profile two (40%) with medium symptom burden, and group three (15%) with very high symptom burden (mean probability ≥ 98%). Patients in profile one had a lower number of treatment lines compared to the other profiles. Patients who were assigned to the high PAHCO profile were more likely to display a milder symptoms profile. In this exploratory analysis, we identified different patient profiles for PAHCO and symptom burden that may be used to individualize exercise recommendations and supervision modalities in MM patients. PAHCO and symptom burden level may be used to stratify MM patients in order to provide more personalized and effective exercise counseling. The profiles require individualized exercise recommendations and different supervision modalities, including educational instructions tailored particularly to every patient’s needs, according to their PAHCO and symptom profile.

Trial registration number

NCT04328038.
Diets of gadoid fish in Arctic waters of Svalbard fjords during the polar night
Authors: Larsen Lars-Henrik , Cusa Marine , Eglund-Newby Sam , Berge Jørgen , Renaud Paul E. , Varpe Øystein , Geoffroy Maxime , Falk-Petersen Stig
Published: June 2023

As the climate warms, boreal fish species are expected to expand into the Arctic domain. Though water temperature is an important factor driving expansion of aquatic species, other variables may play a critical role in restricting those movements. Continuous darkness during the Arctic polar night has been suggested to impair foraging in visually searching boreal fish and may thus limit their northward expansion. We discuss feeding and diet composition of co-existing polar cod (Boreogadus saida), Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) during the polar night. The data presented cover January sampling during five consecutive years (2012–2016) in Svalbard fjords (78–80°N). Across species, more than 70% of individuals were feeding. Few stomachs were well filled, suggesting an overall moderate foraging activity or success. The endemic polar cod had the highest frequency of empty stomachs (40%), while Atlantic cod (25% empty) and haddock (21% empty) had fed most extensively. Diet composition indicated opportunistic feeding, with extensive diet overlap of the most abundant prey species (krill, Thysanoessa spp.) during years of highly abundant krill (2014–2015) but reverting to more distinct diets in a year (2016) with lower krill abundance. For all three species, presence of prey items in advanced degrees of digestion indicated feeding activity prior to each annual trawl sampling. The stomach fullness and diet overlap suggest that coexisting and similar sized gadoids feed on the same available prey resources during polar night.
Geometric morphometric analysis of Neolithic wheat grains: insights into the early development of free-threshing forms
Authors: Roushannafas Tina , Bogaard Amy , Charles Michael
Published: June 2023

Current knowledge of the origins and routes of introduction of both tetraploid and hexaploid free-threshing wheats (FTWs) from western Asia into Europe remains imprecise. Archaeobotanical distinction of ploidy level is often dependent on sparsely recovered rachis segments, while more specific identification of cultivars within ploidy groups using morphological characteristics of either grain or chaff is generally considered unreliable. This study offers a complementary approach by using geometric morphometric (GMM) analysis of grain shape to assess taxonomic and variety level distinctions in archaeobotanical FTW remains. Two substantial and well-preserved assemblages of Neolithic FTW grains from 7th millennium bce Çatalhöyük (central Anatolia, Turkey) and 6th millennium Kouphovouno (Peloponnese, Greece) were analysed with the aim of shedding light on the naked wheats cultivated by these early agricultural communities. While chaff remains from Çatalhöyük indicate a hexaploid FTW crop, no such diagnostic remains were recovered from Kouphovouno. GMM analysis of the archaeobotanical grains has corroborated early cultivation of hexaploid naked wheat at Çatalhöyük, whilst revealing that a tetraploid wheat, most closely resembling ‘unimproved’ durum wheat, was likely grown at Kouphovouno. The Kouphovouno findings are contextualised within existing theories of a Mediterranean route for introduction of tetraploid FTWs from western Asia to south-western Europe. At both sites, an assessment of the role of FTWs over time suggests changes in the cultural value attributed to these crops and/or the sustainability of the agricultural regimes they were associated with.
GOSS: towards generalized open-set semantic segmentation
Authors: Hong Jie , Li Weihao , Han Junlin , Zheng Jiyang , Fang Pengfei , Harandi Mehrtash , Petersson Lars
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we extend Open-set Semantic Segmentation (OSS) into a new image segmentation task called Generalized Open-set Semantic Segmentation (GOSS). Previously, with well-known OSS, the intelligent agents only detect unknown regions without further processing, limiting their perception capacity of the environment. It stands to reason that further analysis of the detected unknown pixels would be beneficial for agents’ decision-making. Therefore, we propose GOSS, which holistically unifies the abilities of two well-defined segmentation tasks, i.e. OSS and generic segmentation. Specifically, GOSS classifies pixels as belonging to known classes, and clusters (or groups) of pixels of unknown class are labelled as such. We propose a metric that balances the pixel classification and clustering aspects to evaluate this newly expanded task. Moreover, we build benchmark tests on existing datasets and propose neural architectures as baselines. Our experiments on multiple benchmarks demonstrate the effectiveness of our baselines. Code is made available at https://github.com/JHome1/GOSS_Segmentor.
Evaluation of cervical lymph nodes using multispectral optoacoustic tomography: a proof-of-concept study
Authors: Becker Christoph , Hardarson Johannes , Hoelzer Andrea , Geisler Antje , Schulz Tobias , Reichl Charlène , Burton Neil C. , Schuler Tobias , Kohl Peter , Zgierski-Johnston Callum
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Examination of lymph nodes is one of the most common indications for imaging in the head and neck region. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether multispectral optoacoustic tomography can be used to observe chromophore differences between benign and malignant neck lymph nodes.

Materials and methods

Proof-of-concept ex vivo study of resected cervical lymph nodes from 11 patients. The examination of lymph nodes included imaging with hybrid ultrasound and multispectral tomography system followed by spectral unmixing to separate signals from the endogenous chromophores water, lipid, hemoglobin and oxygenated hemoglobin; calculation of semi-quantitative parameters (total hemoglobin and relative oxygenation of hemoglobin). Comparison of the results from the hybrid measurement with the histopathological results.

Results

Most patients suffered from squamous cell carcinoma (n = 7), also metastasis from salivary gland adenocarcinoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma, were included. The comparison between benign cervical lymph nodes and metastases showed significant differences for the absorbers water, lipid, hemoglobin and oxygenated hemoglobin and total hemoglobin.

Conclusions

Our ex vivo study suggests that multispectral optoacoustic tomography can be used to detect differences between reactive lymph nodes and metastases. The measurement of endogenous chromophores can be used for this purpose. The examinations are non-invasively and thus potentially improve diagnostic prediction. However, potential influences from the ex vivo setting must be considered.
Stress and reward in the maternal brain of mothers with borderline personality disorder: a script-based fMRI study
Authors: Schneider Isabella , Herpertz Sabine C. , Ueltzhöffer Kai , Neukel Corinne
Published: June 2023

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with altered neural activity in regions of salience and emotion regulation. An exaggerated sensitization to emotionally salient situations, increased experience of emotions, and dysfunctional regulative abilities could be reasons for increased distress also during parenting. Mothers with BPD tend to have less reciprocal mother–child interactions (MCI) and reveal altered cortisol and oxytocin reactivity in the interaction with their child, which could indicate altered processing of stress and reward. Here, we studied underlying neural mechanisms of disrupted MCI in BPD. Twenty-five mothers with BPD and 28 healthy mothers participated in a script-driven imagery functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-paradigm. Scripts described stressful or rewarding MCI with the own child, or situations in which the mother was alone. Mothers with BPD showed larger activities in the bilateral insula and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) compared to healthy mothers during the imagination of MCI and non-MCI. Already in the precursory phase while listening to the scripts, a similar pattern emerged with stronger activity in the left anterior insula (AINS), but not in the ACC. This AINS activity correlated negatively with the quality of real-life MCI for mothers with BPD. Mothers with BPD reported lower affect and higher arousal. An exaggerated sensitization to different, emotionally salient situations together with dysfunctional emotion regulation abilities, as reflected by increased insula and ACC activity, might hinder sensitive maternal behavior in mothers with BPD. These results underline the importance for psychotherapeutic interventions to improve emotional hyperarousal and emotion regulation in patients with BPD, especially in affected mothers caring for young children.
Domestication has altered the ABA and gibberellin profiles in developing pea seeds
Authors: Balarynová Jana , Klčová Barbora , Tarkowská Danuše , Turečková Veronika , Trněný Oldřich , Špundová Martina , Ochatt Sergio , Smýkal Petr
Published: June 2023

Main conclusion

We showed that wild pea seeds contained a more diverse combination of bioactive GAs and had higher ABA content than domesticated peas.

Although the role of abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellins (GAs) interplay has been extensively studied in Arabidopsis and cereals models, comparatively little is known about the effect of domestication on the level of phytohormones in legume seeds. In legumes, as in other crops, seed dormancy has been largely or entirely removed during domestication. In this study, we have measured the endogenous levels of ABA and GAs comparatively between wild and domesticated pea seeds during their development. We have shown that wild seeds contained more ABA than domesticated ones, which could be important for preparing the seeds for the period of dormancy. ABA was catabolised particularly by an 8´-hydroxylation pathway, and dihydrophaseic acid was the main catabolite in seed coats as well as embryos. Besides, the seed coats of wild and pigmented cultivated genotypes were characterised by a broader spectrum of bioactive GAs compared to non-pigmented domesticated seeds. GAs in both seed coat and embryo were synthesized mainly by a 13-hydroxylation pathway, with GA29 being the most abundant in the seed coat and GA20 in the embryos. Measuring seed water content and water loss indicated domesticated pea seeds´ desiccation was slower than that of wild pea seeds. Altogether, we showed that pea domestication led to a change in bioactive GA composition and a lower ABA content during seed development.
A numerical framework for modelling tire mechanics accounting for composite materials, large strains and frictional contact
Authors: Cornejo A. , Mataix V. , Wriggers P. , Barbu L. G. , Oñate E.
Published: June 2023

We present a general framework for the analysis and modelling of frictional contact involving composite materials. The study has focused on composite materials formed by a matrix of rubber and synthetic or metallic fibres, which is the case of standard tires. We detail the numerical treatment of incompressibility at large deformations that rubber can experience, as well as the stiffening effect that properly oriented fibres will induce within the rubber. To solve the frictional contact between solids, a Dual Augmented Lagrangian Multiplier Method is used together with the Mortar method. This ensures a variationally consistent estimation of the contact forces. A modified Serial-Parallel Rule of Mixtures is employed to model the behaviour of composite materials. This is a simple and novel methodology that allows the blending of constitutive behaviours as diverse as rubber (very low stiffness and incompressible behaviour) and steel (high stiffness and compressible behaviour) taking into account the orientation of the fibres within the material. The locking due to the incompressibility constraint in the rubber material has been overcome by using Total Lagrangian mixed displacement-pressure elements. A collection of numerical examples is provided to show the accuracy and consistency of the methodology presented when solving frictional contact, incompressibility and composite materials under finite strains.
Relevance of organic vs. inorganic nitrogen in intra- and interspecific competition of seven central European tree species
Authors: Simon Judy
Published: June 2023

Key message

When competing for nitrogen with other tree species, organic N is more important than inorganic N for most species

Competition for nitrogen (N) in the rhizosphere is a key process regulating a seedling´s chances for growth and survival. However, only few studies have investigated this at the individual species´ level when using a community approach. In this study, 15N incubation experiments were conducted to quantify inorganic (i.e. ammonium and nitrate) and organic (i.e. glutamine-N and arginine-N) net N-uptake capacity of seven temperate woody species co-occurring on calcareous substrate and to investigate the consequences of intra- vs. interspecific competition in a woody seedling community. The results showed that short-term net inorganic and organic N uptake capacity was unrelated to a seedling´s fast or slow growth. Furthermore, competition with other tree species did not change a seedlings´ overall capacity to take up inorganic and organic N sources. Organic N was preferred over inorganic N for most species and the preferences for specific N source shifted with competition regime and tree species. Overall, this study indicates the importance of organic N sources for N uptake in woody seedlings.
Simple plication alleviates physical symptoms in patients with post-gestational rectus diastasis
Authors: Nervil G. G. , Paulsen J. F. , Kalstrup J. , Deigaard S. , Herbst I. , Lambaa S. , Hölmich L.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To evaluate our surgery for post-gestational rectus abdominis muscle diastasis using slowly absorbable monofilament suture and eight weeks of abdominal binder in terms of recurrence rate, complications, and effect on patients’ physical and cosmetic complaints.

Method

In a retrospective cohort study, all 44 patients operated between 2014 and 2020 were invited to a follow-up using ultrasound, clinical examination, and questionnaires regarding symptoms before and after surgery.

Results

89% of invited patients participated, with a median follow-up of 36 months. There was one recurrence caused by severe postoperative nausea and vomiting, which was the most common complication. Most procedures were safe, but two patients experienced Clavien–Dindo grade 3 complications. Patients reported feeling limited or taking precautions after surgery for a median of 8.5 months. Of all included patients, four responded that the operation did not alleviate their primary complaint. The remaining 35 patients (90%) experienced complete or partial alleviation of their primary complaints and would undergo the procedure again if needed.

Conclusion

Post-gestational diastasis recti can be associated with a large number of physical symptoms and functional complaints and can safely be operated using a single running plication of the anterior rectus fascia with a slowly absorbable suture, with fair cosmetic results, excellent effect on symptoms, few complications and high levels of patient satisfaction. Future research must determine which symptoms and findings should indicate surgery.
Marine extinctions and their drivers
Authors: Nikolaou Athanasios , Katsanevakis Stelios
Published: June 2023

A literature review was conducted to investigate marine global and local extinctions and their drivers; the review followed the PRISMA-EcoEvo guidelines. The data extracted was enhanced with status assessments from the IUCN Red List. We recorded local extinctions for 717 species, of which 18 were global extinctions. Most of these extinctions were recorded on very localized and sub-ecoregion scales. The taxonomic group with the most reported local extinctions was molluscs (31%), followed by cnidarians (22%), fish (17%) and macroalgae (15%). The dominant drivers of extinction differed by taxonomic group. High mobility taxa were driven extinct mainly by overexploitation, whereas low mobility taxa from pollution, climate change and habitat destruction. Most of these extinctions were recorded in the Temperate Northern Atlantic (41%) and the Central Indo-Pacific (30%). Overexploitation was historically the primary driver of marine local extinctions. However, in the last three decades, other drivers, such as climate change, climate variability, and pollution, have prevailed in the published literature. Half of the reported extinctions were of species not assessed by the IUCN Red List, and 16% were species in threatened categories. Global extinctions in the marine environment were mainly attributed to overexploitation, followed by invasive species, habitat destruction, trophic cascades, and pollution. Most extinctions reported in the literature were derived from low-confidence data. Inadequate monitoring may lead to false reports of extinctions or silent extinctions that are never reported. Improved conservation and restoration actions are urgently needed to halt biodiversity loss.
“COVID-19 and income inequality in OECD countries:” A methodological comment
Authors: Stark Oded
Published: June 2023

Wildman (2021), who identifies “a clear association between income inequality [measured by the Gini coefficient] and COVID-19 cases and deaths,” concludes that “a goal of government should be to reduce [income] inequalities and [thereby] improve [the COVID-19 outcomes /] underlying health of their populations.” In this Comment, we argue that reducing the Gini coefficient of the income distribution of a population need not weaken the population’s social stress. It is this stress which is a source of adverse health outcomes of the population. Because a measure of this stress is a component of the Gini coefficient, reducing the coefficient can leave the measure as is, or even increase the measure.
Brain works principle followed by neural information processing: a review of novel brain theory
Authors: Wang Rubin , Wang Yihong , Xu Xuying , Li Yuanxi , Pan Xiaochuan
Published: June 2023

The way the brain work and its principle of work has long been a big scientific question that scientists have dreamed of solving. However, as is known to all, the brain works at different levels, and the operation at different levels is interactional and mutually coupled. Unfortunately, until now, we still do not know how the nervous system at different levels is interacting and coupling with each other. This review provides some preliminary discussions on how to address these scientific questions, for which we propose a novel theory of the brain called neural energy. Such a theoretical and research approach can couple neural information with neural energy to address the interactions of the nervous system at various levels. Therefore, this review systematically summarizes the neural energy theories and methods proposed by our research in the field of brain science, as well as the internal relationship between mechanics and neural energy theory. Focuses on how to construct a Wang–Zhang (W–Z) neuron model equivalent to Hodgkin–Huxley (H–H) model by using the idea of analytical dynamics. Then, based on this model, we proposed a large-scale neural model and a theoretical framework of global neural coding of the brain in the field of neuroscience. It includes information processing of multiple sensory and perceptual nervous systems such as visual perception, neural mechanism of coupling between default mode network and functional network of brain, memory switching and brain state switching, brain navigation, prediction of new working mechanism of neurons, and interpretation of experimental phenomena that are difficult to be explained by neuroscience. It is proved that the new W–Z neuron model and neural energy theory have unique functions and advantages in neural modeling, neural information processing and methodology. The idea of large-scale neuroscience research with neural energy as the core will provide a potentially powerful research method for promoting the fusion of experimental neuroscience and theoretical neuroscience in the future, and propose a widely accepted brain theory system between experimental neuroscience and theoretical neuroscience. It is of great scientific significance to abandon the shortcomings of reductive and holism research methods in the field of neuroscience, and effectively integrate their respective advantages in methodology.
Forest fragmentation and its associated edge-effects reduce tree species diversity, size, and structural diversity in Madagascar’s transitional forests
Authors: Hending Daniel , Randrianarison Heriniaina , Andriamavosoloarisoa Niaina Nirina Mahefa , Ranohatra-Hending Christina , Holderied Marc , McCabe Grainne , Cotton Sam
Published: June 2023

Tropical forests are being cleared at an accelerating rate, despite being one of the most important habitats for global biodiversity. Many remaining tropical forest tracts are now highly degraded and fragmented, which presents a major problem for sensitive and threatened forest-dwelling species that depend on this habitat for survival. In this study, we assessed the impacts of forest fragmentation, and its associated edge-effects, on tree species diversity, tree size, and structural diversity within the transitional forests of north west Madagascar. Using data collected from 9,619 trees within 200 vegetation plots, we calculated species diversity indices, a range of dendrometry measurements, and Shannon-Weaver diversity indices of structure, which we compared among core and edge areas of a continuous forest and a fragmented forest. We found that species diversity, tree size, and structural diversity was significantly reduced in fragmented forest, and within forest edge areas in comparison to core, continuous forest. We also observed species diversity and structural diversity to be strongly influenced by the total size, core area size, and shape of forest fragments. Whilst we found fragmentation and edge-effects to individually impact tree species diversity, size and structural diversity, fragmentation and edge-effects are strongly correlated and affect natural forest synergistically. Our results provide evidence that forest fragmentation seriously degrades habitat quality and integrity of transitional forests, which is of great concern for the threatened species that inhabit them. Urgent conservation efforts are needed to halt ongoing forest fragmentation throughout the tropics, and reforestation and restoration efforts are required to reconnect isolated forest patches and to reduce forest edge area.
Influence of entry pathway and equity group status on retention and the student experience in higher education
Authors: Li Ian W. , Jackson Denise
Published: June 2023

Expansionary policies to widen participation in higher education have led to a growth in alternative entry pathways into university. This study considers the experiences and retention outcomes of those entering Australian universities through different pathways, and how these vary across diverse student groups. Data were drawn from linked student administrative records for 81,874 students from sixteen Australian universities who commenced a Bachelor degree in 2015, with academic enrolment status tracked over five years, as well as data from a national survey of student experience conducted in 2019. Students from alternative pathways were associated with lower retention outcomes in the first year of study and poorer course completion outcomes, except those entering via pathway provider and enabling programs who reported more favourable retention compared to secondary school entrants. Students from equity group backgrounds were also associated with poorer retention outcomes, particularly Indigenous students, mature-age students, and those with disability. Associations between entry pathways, equity group status, and student experience were mixed. For example, equity group students generally had positive assessments of student experience, apart from those with disability, yet were associated with increased probabilities of intention to dropout from study. Social and personal reasons were found to be main drivers of dropout intention across different student groups. Findings highlight the need to address the varying factors that affect students entering through different pathways and from diverse backgrounds, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The study’s recommendations inform stakeholders seeking to improve the experience and outcomes of diverse student groups entering higher education.
Looking Ahead: Predicting the Possible Ecological and Physiological Response of Galago Moholi to Environmental Change
Authors: Scheun Juan , Nowack Julia
Published: June 2023

Large scale changes to the natural environment, due to both climate change and direct human activities (e.g., urbanization), pose a great risk to biodiversity. As this realization has set in, the number of studies modelling and monitoring the effect of environmental change on species response and survival has increased significantly; however, these studies focus on flagship species, often neglecting the lesser-known, cryptic species, which include the nocturnal primates. This is especially true for the 20 species of galago who, despite their large distribution throughout Africa, have had little to no research conducted on the effect of environmental change on population fitness and long-term survival. With urbanization set to increase throughout their distribution range, along with an increase in climate change parameters (e.g., increased temperature and a decrease in annual rainfall), the most studied species of the family, namely the African lesser bushbaby Galago moholi, provides an ideal model to assess the impact of future environmental change on galago species. In this review, we discuss the possible impact of environmental change on G. moholi and specifically focus on the effect of environmental change on feeding ecology, genetics, thermal biology, and reproduction, all of which contribute to the fitness and survival of the species. We also highlight the need for specific, long-term research to be conducted on the effect of environmental change on the survival likelihood of G. moholi and other galago species.
Contribution of Fluid Substitution and Cheetah Optimizer Algorithm in Predicting Rock-Physics Parameters of Gas-Bearing Reservoirs in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, Egypt
Authors: Abd Elaziz Mohamed , Ghoneimi Ashraf , Nabih Muhammad , Bakry Ahmed , Al-Betar Mohammed Azmi
Published: June 2023

In this study, the elastic characteristics of reservoir rocks and their relationship to porosity and pore fluid were predicted using the fluid substitution method in combination with machine learning techniques. We first discarded the data at gas points to remove the erroneous effect of gas on the prediction process of Poisson’s ratio using the three proposed machine learning models. Then, the prediction was carried out after substituting the gas zones by oil and by water. As a result, the prediction was enhanced and showed stronger correlation coefficient values. The integration of fluid substitution and machine learning methods was applied in the reservoir of Scarab field as a case study from the Eastern Mediterranean to detect the effect of different pore fluids (gas, oil, and water) on Poisson's ratio estimation. The main objective of the study was to analyze the seismic and well log data to estimate and predict the Poisson’s ratio in four fluid-content cases; these are gas-bearing reservoir, reservoir after removal of log data of gas-bearing zones, and reservoirs after gas-substitution with oil and with water. These four cases were dealt with directly and by using the machine learning algorithms based on the proposed model of random vector functional link (RVFL), which was enhanced by the Cheetah optimizer (CO). This study shows how the performance of RVFL is affected by the presence or absence of gas zones. It is shown that the Poisson’s ratio value increases when gas is substituted with water more than when gas is substituted with oil. For validation of these results, regression analysis technique was used and the correlation coefficient of the CO–RVFL model increased after removing well log data of gas zones and was more enhanced after fluid substitution from gas to oil or to water.
Translation and validation of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) into the Slovenian language
Authors: Japelj Nuša , Horvat Nejc
Published: June 2023

Background

The European Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) is a self-assessment tool for standardised measurement of health literacy.

Aim

To translate HLS-EU-Q47 into the Slovenian language and to investigate its reliability and validity in Slovenia.

Method

HLS-EU-Q47 was translated into Slovenian, back-translated, and subjected to a pilot test. The accepted Slovenian version of the questionnaire was mailed to 2500 randomly selected adult residents of the Republic of Slovenia. Reliability was examined using Cronbach’s alpha for the 1-, 3-, 4-, and 12-factor models addressing health literacy, three main health contexts, four health information processing competencies, and 12 combinations, respectively. Validity was explored with confirmatory factor analysis, univariate analysis, and multiple linear regression.

Results

A total of 517 responses were collected (21% response rate). The highest Cronbach’s alpha was obtained for the 1-factor model (0.950), followed by the 3-, 4-, and 12-factor models. In the confirmatory factor analysis, the 12-factor model provided the most valid results (CFI 0.812; RMSEA 0.067, CI 0.065 to 0.070), followed by the 3-, 4-, and 1-factor models. In the multiple regression model, only the association between self-assessment of health and the health literacy index was statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The Slovenian version of HLS-EU-Q47 is a reliable instrument for measuring health literacy. All models of the questionnaire showed reasonable model fit, but none fully satisfied all validity criteria. Respondents differentiated better between the three main health contexts (health care, disease prevention, and health promotion) than the four health information processing competencies (access, understand, appraise, and apply).
A new challenge for contingentists
Authors: Roberts Alexander
Published: June 2023

Contingentism is the view that it is contingent which things exist. Despite its plausibility, advocates of contingentism face a well-known ‘challenge’ to demonstrate that they can draw what appear to be intelligible modal distinctions (Williamson Modal Logic as Metaphysics. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2013). In this article, I argue that if certain controversial modal principles fail, the challenge contingentists face becomes much more difficult. Whereas extant challenges concern contingentists’ inability to draw quite theoretical second-order modal distinctions, I present a challenge which concerns contingentists’ inability to draw simpler first-order distinctions. This indicates that in certain modal settings there may well be significant first-order barriers to maintaining contingentism.
Wavelet Monte Carlo: a principle for sampling from complex distributions
Authors: Gilks Walter R. , Cironis Lukas , Barber Stuart
Published: June 2023

We present Wavelet Monte Carlo (WMC), a new method for generating independent samples from complex target distributions. The methodology is based on wavelet decomposition of the difference between the target density and a user-specified initial density, and exploits both wavelet theory and survival analysis. In practice, WMC can process only a finite range of wavelet scales. We prove that the resulting $$L_1$$

L
1

approximation error converges to zero geometrically as the scale range tends to $$(-\infty ,+\infty )$$

(
-
∞
,
+
∞
)

. This provides a principled approach to trading off accuracy against computational efficiency. We offer practical suggestions for addressing some issues of implementation, but further development is needed for a computationally efficient methodology. We illustrate the methodology in one- and two-dimensional examples, and discuss challenges and opportunities for application in higher dimensions.
The effect of activation functions on accuracy, convergence speed, and misclassification confidence in CNN text classification: a comprehensive exploration
Authors: Emanuel Rebecca H. K. , Docherty Paul D. , Lunt Helen , Möller Knut
Published: June 2023

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have become a useful tool for a wide range of applications such as text classification. However, CNNs are not always sufficiently accurate to be useful in certain applications. The selection of activation functions within CNN architecture can affect the efficacy of the CNN. However, there is limited research regarding which activation functions are best for CNN text classification. This study tested sixteen activation functions across three text classification datasets and six CNN structures, to determine the effects of activation function on accuracy, iterations to convergence, and Positive Confidence Difference (PCD). PCD is a novel metric introduced to compare how activation functions affected a network’s classification confidence. Tables were presented to compare the performance of the activation functions across the different CNN architectures and datasets. Top performing activation functions across the different tests included the symmetrical multi-state activation function, sigmoid, penalised hyperbolic tangent, and generalised swish. An activation function’s PCD was the most consistent evaluation metric during activation function assessment, implying a close relationship between activation functions and network confidence that has yet to be explored.
Fichte’s formal logic
Authors: Schumann Andrew , Lemanski Jens
Published: June 2023

Fichte’s Foundations of the Entire Wissenschaftslehre 1794 is one of the most fundamental books in classical German philosophy. The use of laws of thought to establish foundational principles of transcendental philosophy was groundbreaking in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century and is still crucial for many areas of theoretical philosophy and logic in general today. Nevertheless, contemporaries have already noted that Fichte’s derivation of foundational principles from the law of identity is problematic, since Fichte lacked the tools to correctly present the formal parts of Foundations. In this paper, however, we argue that Fichte’s approach intuitively offers an important contribution to transcendental philosophy, and especially to philosophy of logic. We first point out the difficulties of Fichte’s logic in the Foundations and improve it in a second part on the basis of a formal system in which both propositional logic and syllogistic are combined.