bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reshaping gender norms: Exploring the ripple effect of refugeeism on women's empowerment
Authors: Alhalawani Sarah , Al‐Serhan Amani
Published: August 2024

Motivation

Displacement significantly disrupts physical environments, social structures, and personal identities, profoundly impacting people's well‐being. Recent studies indicate that displacement can also reshape gender dynamics, highlighting the potential of displacement to transform traditional roles and relationships.

Purpose

This study investigates the transformative impact of displacement on gender roles in the context of the Za'atari camp in Jordan. Specifically, it examines how humanitarian aid and forced displacement converge to alter gender relations and enhance women's autonomy.

Approach and Methods

The research draws on qualitative interviews with 15 women residing in the Za'atari camp. By exploring their experiences, the study aims to understand how displacement can act as a catalyst for empowerment and self‐sufficiency, despite the inherent challenges faced by these women.

Findings

The study reveals that displacement increases independence and self‐awareness, and improves decision‐making among women, facilitating their active participation in society. Humanitarian interventions, particularly educational and vocational programmes, play a crucial role in empowering women by improving self‐confidence, communication skills, and legal awareness. These initiatives also provide access to the labour market, challenging traditional gender norms.

Policy Implications

Despite the positive impacts, significant obstacles persist. Women often assume greater responsibilities as primary breadwinners, which can erode their control within personal spheres and increase vulnerabilities. Traditional norms continue to hinder complete gender parity. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive and sustainable humanitarian interventions to support and sustain positive changes in gender dynamics in displacement settings.
The Unity of the Moral Domain
Authors: Fix Jeremy David
Published: August 2024

What is the function of morality—what is it all about? What is the basis of morality—what explains our moral agency and patiency? This essay defends a unique Kantian answer to these questions. Morality is about securing our independence from each other by giving each other equal discretion over whether and how we interact. The basis of our moral agency and patiency is practical reason. The first half addresses objections that this account cannot explain the moral patiency of beings who are not also moral agents such as infantile, elderly, and infirm human beings and the other animals. The second half argues that this account is preferable, on grounds of consistency with the basic Kantian account of the function and content of morality, to the familiar account of our moral patiency, popular especially though not exclusively with contemporary Kantians, in terms of the value of humanity.
Response of the emerald‐spotted wood‐dove to the song of conspecific males and sympatric congeners
Authors: Niśkiewicz Małgorzata , Szymański Paweł , Zampa Lia , Budka Michał , Osiejuk Tomasz S.
Published: August 2024

Bird song contains crucial information that enables recognition of conspecific individuals from a distance, which facilitates subsequent complex behaviors related to mate attraction and rival deterrence. Loud broadcast signals of non‐learning bird species are usually treated as less complex than songs of Oscines, but several studies have revealed that song learning is not necessary for the evolution of complex signaling. Here, we focused on a species of African wood‐dove which produces superficially simple songs consisting of short notes organized into two parts of different amplitude. Our model was a population of emerald‐spotted wood‐doves (Turtur chalcospilos) that live in the same area as the physically and vocally similar blue‐spotted wood‐dove (Turtur afer). We tested the responses of male emerald‐spotted wood‐doves to different playbacks simulating territorial intrusion. We used songs of the focal species and of the congener, two types of artificially mixed songs with different parts belonging to the focal or congeneric species, and a control song. We aimed to assess (i) whether the focal species responds only to its own species' song or exhibits interspecific territoriality, and (ii) which part of the song is responsible for coding species identity. We found that male emerald‐spotted wood‐doves responded strongly to playback, but almost exclusively approached only the playback of their own species' song. Additionally, only conspecific song caused a decrease in song rate during playback and an increase in song output after playback. Our results suggest that emerald‐spotted wood‐doves are able to discriminate their own songs from those of congeners and do not exhibit interspecies territoriality. We were unable to identify a single part of the song that codes species‐specificity, as mixed songs of any kind did not substantially increase responsiveness to playback in comparison to the congener song or the control. We discuss these results in the context of current hypotheses regarding interspecific territoriality and the evolution of species‐identity coding.
Liquid–liquid phase separation of alpha‐synuclein increases the structural variability of fibrils formed during amyloid aggregation
Authors: Ziaunys Mantas , Sulskis Darius , Veiveris Dominykas , Kopustas Aurimas , Snieckute Ruta , Mikalauskaite Kamile , Sakalauskas Andrius , Tutkus Marijonas , Smirnovas Vytautas
Published: August 2024

Protein liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a rapidly emerging field of study on biomolecular condensate formation. In recent years, this phenomenon has been implicated in the process of amyloid fibril formation, serving as an intermediate step between the native protein transition into their aggregated state. The formation of fibrils via LLPS has been demonstrated for a number of proteins related to neurodegenerative disorders, as well as other amyloidoses. Despite the surge in amyloid‐related LLPS studies, the influence of protein condensate formation on the end‐point fibril characteristics is still far from fully understood. In this work, we compare alpha‐synuclein aggregation under different conditions, which promote or negate its LLPS and examine the differences between the formed aggregates. We show that alpha‐synuclein phase separation generates a wide variety of assemblies with distinct secondary structures and morphologies. The LLPS‐induced structures also possess higher levels of toxicity to cells, indicating that biomolecular condensate formation may be a critical step in the appearance of disease‐related fibril variants.
The relationship between receptive and productive knowledge of L2 English collocations
Authors: Lee Senyung
Published: August 2024

This study investigated the gap between receptive and productive knowledge of second language (L2) collocations across different L2 proficiency levels and whether the two types of knowledge constitute distinct constructs or not. Four groups of adult learners of English (n = 205) and two groups of native speakers of English (n = 85) completed four written tasks: a sentence writing task, fill‐in‐the‐blank task, multiple‐choice task, and Yes/No acceptability judgment task. Each task addressed 64 academic English collocations, including verb–noun, adverb–adjective, adjective–noun, and adverb–verb collocations. Results showed that the gap between receptive and productive knowledge gradually decreased as learners’ L2 proficiency increased. Implicational scaling analysis showed an acquisition order of four different types of collocation knowledge and suggested that recall mastery of collocations should not be considered equivalent to productive mastery of collocations. Results from confirmatory factor analysis showed that receptive and productive knowledge of L2 collocations are two distinct constructs.
The ‘Paternal body’: Reviewing the corporeal impact of new fatherhood on employed men
Authors: Gatrell Caroline
Published: August 2024

This review proposes a new concept, the ‘Paternal body’, to illuminate the corporeal impact, on employed men, of new fatherhood. It explores literatures on fatherhood, employment and health to reveal how fathers experience pregnancy, birth and infant‐care (infancy defined, here, as up to age two). In contrast to well‐established notions regarding Maternal (pregnant and post‐birth) bodies, there exists within management studies no similar concept to facilitate understanding of recent fatherhood, the body and employment. The proposed concept ‘Paternal body’ addresses this lack, offering a strategic platform for theorizing how fatherhood impacts men's lived, bodily experience of balancing paternity with paid work. Drawing upon interdisciplinary perspectives from sociology and health literatures, the paper reviews research on paternal corporeality in the context of employment in neo‐liberal (market‐oriented) economies (typified by the USA and UK). It identifies related and important health symptoms (such as sleep deprivation) that pose risks to paternal health and employment. Yet the review shows how expectant/recent fathers are pressured, at work, to live up to a mythical image of hegemonic masculinity that requires them to display strong work‐orientation, denying ill‐health and working long hours away from home. The paper coins the term: ‘Absent warrior’ to represent this illusion of a ‘manly’ father (warrior) who is absent from infant‐care and from his home, but bodily present at work: a father who is supposed to deny the materiality of inhabiting a Paternal body. Recommendations are made for further exploration of fathers’ embodied health needs through the concept of the lived ‘Paternal body’.
The Rpfor gene modulates the locomotory activity and host‐seeking behaviour of Rhodnius prolixus
Authors: Marliére Newmar P. , Lorenzo Marcelo G. , Guarneri Alessandra A.
Published: August 2024

The molecular bases of animal behaviour are intricate due to the pleiotropic nature of behaviour‐modulating genes, which are often expressed across multiple tissues. The foraging gene (for) encodes a cGMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKG), pivotal in regulating downstream target proteins through phosphorylation. In insects, for has been implicated in various behavioural contexts and physiological processes regarding searching for food. Rhodnius prolixus, a hematophagous bug that transmits Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, exhibits specific activity patterns associated with its hematophagous behaviour. Our previous work demonstrated a correlation between locomotor activity profiles and the expression of Rpfor, suggesting its involvement in modulating triatomine locomotion. In this study, we investigated the impact of Rpfor knockdown on locomotory activity, host‐seeking behaviour, feeding performance and lipid metabolism in R. prolixus nymphs. Using RNA interference, we achieved a significant reduction of Rpfor expression in both the brain and fat body of R. prolixus nymphs. Knocked‐down nymphs exhibited diminished non‐oriented locomotory activity compared with controls, without altering the characteristic bimodal pattern of activity. Additionally, they displayed an increased tendency to approach a host, suggesting a role for Rpfor in modulating host‐seeking behaviour. Feeding performance and lipid metabolism remained unaffected by Rpfor knockdown. Our findings underscore the multifaceted role of Rpfor in modulating locomotor activity and host‐seeking behaviour in R. prolixus nymphs, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms underlying their hematophagous behaviour and potential implications for disease transmission. Further research is necessary to elucidate the intricate interplay between Rpfor expression, behaviour and physiological processes in triatomine bugs.
How deviant policies produce precarious immigrant workers: The case of Brazilians in Ireland
Authors: Machado Igor José de Renó
Published: August 2024

The objective of this paper is to explore the precariousness of immigrant labour through the concept of ‘deviant policies’. These policies are not explicitly intended to regulate the employment of foreigners, but they lead to the creation of uncertain zones of exploitation and vulnerability for immigrants. To achieve this aim, we conducted an ethnographic investigation of Brazilian immigrants with Irish study visas. The findings of our study indicate that the Irish study visa functions as a deviant policy that gives rise to precarious workers and a network of exploitation that encompasses everything from English language schools to unscrupulous employers.
Midwifery Students’ Experiences of Bias in the Clinical Setting: Prevalence, Types, and Impact
Authors: Loomis Heidi , Hackley Barbara , Alexander‐Delpech Paula , McGahey Emily , Perlman Dana
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Exposure to bias in clinical learning environments may undermine students’ confidence, cause emotional harm, impede learning, and potentially delay graduation. However, little is known about the prevalence of bias experienced by midwifery students in the United States. This cross‐sectional, descriptive study aimed to quantify clinical midwifery students’ experiences of bias based on 7 self‐identified characteristics (gender identity, race or ethnicity, body size, age, sexual orientation, religion, and occupational background). Additionally, this research explored the impact of bias on student well‐being, learning, and professional commitment.

Methods

The survey consisted of 39 items addressing (1) prevalence and types of bias, (2) emotional impact and influence on clinical learning, (3) ways students coped, (4) whether anyone spoke up at the time bias occurred, (5) whether students reported bias to faculty, and (6) impact of bias on commitment to midwifery. The survey was distributed to midwifery students and recent graduates in 2022 via American College of Nurse‐Midwives email discussion lists and social media. Participants were eligible if they were in a clinical rotation in an Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education‐accredited midwifery program between 2019 and 2022.

Results

Surveys were returned by 383 participants, with 301 meeting inclusion criteria. Most participants (66.5%) reported personally experiencing or witnessing bias against at least 1 of 7 personal characteristics. The most commonly reported biases were related to gender, occupational background, age, and race or ethnicity. Only half of the participants reported these occurrences to someone with academic authority, and nearly a third considered withdrawing from their educational programs.

Discussion

In this study bias was common and significantly impacted students. These results underscore the need for creative and bold interventions at personal, educational, and institutional levels to prevent and mitigate bias. Safeguarding clinical learning environments will enable students to thrive, graduate with confidence and competence, and thereby contribute to the diversification and strengthening of the midwifery profession.
Pharmacologic activation of activating transcription factor 6 contributes to neuronal survival after spinal cord injury in mice
Authors: Chang Yong , Chen Lu , Zhang Mingzhe , Zhang Shiji , Liu Renshuai , Feng Shiqing
Published: August 2024

The impact of primary and secondary injuries of spinal cord injury (SCI) results in the demise of numerous neurons, and there is still no efficacious pharmacological intervention for it. Recently, studies have shown that endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) plays a pivotal role in recovery of neurological function after spinal cord injury. As a process to cope with intracellular accumulation of misfolded and unfolded proteins which triggers ERS, the unfolded protein response (UPR) plays an important role in maintaining protein homeostasis. And, a recently disclosed small molecule AA147, which selectively activates activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), has shown promising pharmacological effects in several disease models. Thus, it seems feasible to protect the neurons after spinal cord injury by modulating UPR. In this study, primary neurons were isolated from E17‐19 C57BL/6J mouse embryos and we observed that AA147 effectively promoted the survival of neurons and alleviated neuronal apoptosis after oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in vitro. This was evident through a decrease in the proportion of PI‐positive and TUNEL‐positive cells, an increase in BCL‐2 expression, and a decrease in the expression of BAX and C‐caspase3. In in‐vivo experiments, these findings were corroborated by TUNEL staining and immunohistochemistry. It was also found that AA147 enhanced three arms of the unfolded protein response with reduced CHOP expression. Besides, AA147 mitigated the accumulation of ROS in neurons probably by upregulating catalase expression. Furthermore, spinal cord injury models of C57BL/6J mice were established and behavioral experiments revealed that AA147 facilitated the recovery of motor function following SCI. Thus, pharmacologic activation of ATF6 represents a promise therapeutic approach to ameliorate the prognosis of SCI.

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Targeting the PAC1 receptor mitigates degradation of myelin and synaptic markers and diminishes locomotor deficits in the cuprizone demyelination model
Authors: Jansen Margo I. , Mahmood Yasir , Lee Jordan , Broome Sarah Thomas , Waschek James A. , Castorina Alessandro
Published: August 2024

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with a strong neuroinflammatory component. Current treatments principally target the immune system but fail to preserve long‐term myelin health and do not prevent neurological decline. Studies over the past two decades have shown that the structurally related neuropeptides VIP and PACAP (vasoactive intestinal peptide and pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide, respectively) exhibit pronounced anti‐inflammatory activities and reduce clinical symptoms in MS disease models, largely via actions on their bivalent VIP receptor type 1 and 2. Here, using the cuprizone demyelination model, we demonstrate that PACAP and VIP, and strikingly the PACAP‐selective receptor PAC1 agonist maxadilan, prevented locomotor deficits in the horizontal ladder and open field tests. Moreover, only PACAP and maxadilan were able to prevent myelin deterioration, as assessed by a reduction in the expression of the myelin markers proteolipid protein 1, oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2, quaking‐7 (APC) and Luxol Fast Blue staining. Furthermore, PACAP and maxadilan (but not VIP), prevented striatal synaptic loss and diminished astrocyte and microglial activation in the corpus callosum of cuprizone‐fed mice. In vitro, PACAP or maxadilan prevented lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced polarisation of primary astrocytes at 12–24 h, an effect that was not seen with maxadilan in LPS‐stimulated microglia. Taken together, our data demonstrates for the first time that PAC1 agonists provide distinctive protective effects against white matter deterioration, neuroinflammation and consequent locomotor dysfunctions in the cuprizone model. The results indicate that targeting the PAC1 receptor may provide a path to treat myelin‐related diseases in humans.

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“Doing authority”: Stories of parental authority across three generations
Authors: Born Victoria de Leon , Vasbø Kristin Beate
Published: August 2024

Objective

This article tracks changes in stories of parental authority in Norway from a youth perspective, comparing how three generations talked about their own relationships with their parents while growing up.

Background

Previous research has described contemporary youth–parent relationships as being characterized by both diminution of parental authority, due to a democratization of family life, and by more covert forms of parental control. In addition to shedding light on generational differences in youths' perspectives on parental authority, the analysis reveals important nuances with regard to the ambiguous dynamics of power in contemporary youth–parent relationships.

Method

Through a narrative analysis of the stories of 67 participants, the article maps out how the three generations talked about different ways of “doing authority,” connoting how parental authority was relationally constructed and normatively anchored in their stories.

Results

Although the successive democratization of the youth–parent relationship is visible across the three generations, this democratization does not entail a corresponding loss in parental authority.

Conclusion

The normative sources by which youth legitimize parental authority have changed to include ideals of the equal and close parent who is deserving of respect and hence retains an emotional authority.
Intracranial meningioma: A review of recent and emerging data on the utility of preoperative imaging for management
Authors: Beutler Bryce D. , Lee Jonathan , Edminster Sarah , Rajagopalan Priya , Clifford Thomas G. , Maw Jonathan , Zada Gabriel , Mathew Anna J. , Hurth Kyle M. , Artrip Drew , Miller Adam T. , Assadsangabi Reza
Published: August 2024

Meningiomas are the most common neoplasms of the central nervous system, accounting for approximately 40% of all brain tumors. Surgical resection represents the mainstay of management for symptomatic lesions. Preoperative planning is largely informed by neuroimaging, which allows for evaluation of anatomy, degree of parenchymal invasion, and extent of peritumoral edema. Recent advances in imaging technology have expanded the purview of neuroradiologists, who play an increasingly important role in meningioma diagnosis and management. Tumor vascularity can now be determined using arterial spin labeling and dynamic susceptibility contrast‐enhanced sequences, allowing the neurosurgeon or neurointerventionalist to assess patient candidacy for preoperative embolization. Meningioma consistency can be inferred based on signal intensity; emerging machine learning technologies may soon allow radiologists to predict consistency long before the patient enters the operating room. Perfusion imaging coupled with magnetic resonance spectroscopy can be used to distinguish meningiomas from malignant meningioma mimics. In this comprehensive review, we describe key features of meningiomas that can be established through neuroimaging, including size, location, vascularity, consistency, and, in some cases, histologic grade. We also summarize the role of advanced imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance perfusion and spectroscopy, for the preoperative evaluation of meningiomas. In addition, we describe the potential impact of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, on meningioma diagnosis and management. A strong foundation of knowledge in the latest meningioma imaging techniques will allow the neuroradiologist to help optimize preoperative planning and improve patient outcomes.
Two new species of Dulcicalothrix (Nostocales, Cyanobacteria) from India and erection of Brunnivagina gen. nov., with observations on the problem of using multiple ribosomal operons in cyanobacterial taxonomy
Authors: Saraf Aniket , Singh Prashant , Kumar Naresh , Pal Sagarika , Johansen Jeffrey R.
Published: August 2024

Two new species of Dulcicalothrix, D. adhikaryi sp. nov. and D. iyengarii sp. nov., were discovered in India and are characterized and described in accordance with the rules of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN). As a result of phylogenetic analysis, Calothrix elsteri is reassigned to Brunnivagina gen. nov. During comparison with all Dulcicalothrix for which sequence data were available, we observed that the genus has six ribosomal operons in three orthologous types. Each of the three orthologs could be identified based upon indels occurring in the D1–D1′ helix sequence in the ITS rRNA region between the 16S and 23S rRNA genes, and in these three types, there were operons containing ITS rRNA regions with and without tRNA genes. Examination of complete genomes in Dulcicalothrix revealed that, at least in the three strains for which complete genomes are available, there are five ribosomal operons, two with tRNA genes and three with no tRNA genes in the ITS rRNA region. Internal transcribed spacer rRNA regions have been consistently used to differentiate species, both on the basis of secondary structure and percent dissimilarity. Our findings call into question the use of ITS rRNA regions to differentiate species in the absence of efforts to obtain multiple operons of the ITS rRNA region through cloning or targeted PCR amplicons. The ITS rRNA region data for Dulcicalothrix is woefully incomplete, but we provide herein a means for dealing with incomplete data using the polyphasic approach to analyze diverse molecular character sets. Caution is urged in using ITS rRNA data, but a way forward through the complexity is also proposed.
Local application of 0.8% hyaluronic acid gel as an adjunct to minimally invasive nonsurgical treatment of periodontal intrabony defects—A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Gundogdu Ezer Umran , Gunpinar Sadiye
Published: August 2024

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) gel application as an adjunct to minimally invasive nonsurgical treatment (MINST) in intrabony defects ≥3 mm.

Methods

A total of 36 patients were included and randomly assigned to two groups: (a) MINST + HA (test; n = 17) and (b) MINST (control, n = 19). Subgingival 0.8% HA gel was applied in intrabony defects of test group and repeated 4 weeks following MINST protocol. Clinical measurements including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival recession (GR) were recorded at baseline and repeated at 3 and 6 months. Radiographic evaluation was performed at baseline and 6 months.

Results

Test group showed significantly greater reduction in PD and gain in CAL at 3 months compared to baseline than that of controls (p < .05), but the changes (Δ) at 6 months compared to baseline did not differ between the groups (p > .05). Although, both groups showed statistically significant GR in all evaluated time periods (p < .05), control group showed higher ΔGR than that of test group (p < .05). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of radiographic defect fill/bone gain (p > .05).

Conclusions

The additional use of 0.8% HA gel in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects did not provide additional benefits in clinical and radiographic parameters. On the other hand, GR measurements showed favorable results in the test group.
Metabolomic profiling of pheochromocytomas in dogs: Catecholamine phenotype and tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites
Authors: van den Berg Marit F. , Bechmann Nicole , Kooistra Hans S. , van Wolferen Monique E. , Timmermans‐Sprang Elpetra P. M. , Peitzsch Mirko , Galac Sara
Published: August 2024

Background

In humans with pheochromocytomas (PCCs), targeted metabolomics is used to determine the catecholamine phenotype or to uncover underlying pathogenic variants in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle genes such as succinate dehydrogenase subunits (SDHx).

Hypothesis/Objectives

To analyze catecholamine contents and TCA cycle metabolites of PCCs and normal adrenals (NAs).

Animals

Ten healthy dogs, 21 dogs with PCC.

Methods

Prospective observational study. Dogs diagnosed with PCC based on histopathological and immunohistochemical confirmation were included. Tissue catecholamine contents and TCA metabolites in PCCs and NAs were measured by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry or electrochemical detection.

Results

Compared to NAs, PCCs had significantly higher tissue proportion of norepinephrine (88% [median: range, 38%‐98%] vs 14% [11%‐26%]; P < .001), and significantly lower tissue proportion of epinephrine (12% [1%‐62%] vs 86% [74%‐89%]; P < .001). Pheochromocytomas exhibited significantly lower fumarate (0.4‐fold; P < .001), and malate (0.5‐fold; P = .008) contents than NAs. Citrate was significantly higher in PCCs than in NAs (1.6‐fold; P = .015). One dog in the PCC group had an aberrant succinate : fumarate ratio that was 25‐fold higher than in the other PCCs, suggesting an SDHx mutation.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

This study reveals a distinct catecholamine content and TCA cycle metabolite profile in PCCs. Metabolite profiling might be used to uncover underlying pathogenic variants in TCA cycle genes in dogs.
Geographic variation in developmental plasticity among populations of the canyon treefrog in response to temperature and pond‐drying
Authors: Hernández‐Herrera C. I. , Pérez‐Mendoza H. A. , Fornoni J.
Published: August 2024

Understanding how species respond to environmental changes, particularly in the context of climate change, is crucial for biodiversity conservation. This study focuses on the plastic responses of canyon tree frog (Dryophytes arenicolor) larvae to variations in temperature and pond‐drying, examining potential consequences of climate change. Frog larvae serve as an excellent model due to their high responsiveness to environmental cues during development. We analysed the impact of temperature and pond‐drying on morphological and life‐history traits, via a common garden experiment with individuals from three distinct populations with different ecological conditions. The experiments revealed significant differences in responses among populations, indicating geographic variation in plasticity. Pond‐drying treatments led to reduced survival and reduction of morphological traits and growth, challenging the assumption that tadpoles have adaptive responses to drying conditions. In contrast, temperature treatments showed variable effects, with elevated temperatures generally favouring growth rates, reducing metamorphosis time, and having population‐specific morphological shifts. We emphasize the importance of considering both morphological and life‐history traits, as well as geographic variation, in assessing species' vulnerability to climate change. Furthermore, the integration of environmental standardized plasticity index (ESPI) and relative distances plasticity index (RDPI) in amphibian developmental plasticity will allow to quantify and compare plastic responses among populations and even other amphibian species in which these metrics are obtained in the future. Our results underscore the complexity of phenotypic plasticity, revealing genotype–environment interactions. These findings contribute valuable insights into the potential adaptability of D. arenicolor populations to ongoing climate changes, highlighting the need for comprehensive inter‐population studies for a more nuanced understanding of species' responses to environmental change, and suggest that certain populations may be more vulnerable to extinction or better equipped to handle climate change based on their ability to adapt to environmental change.
How many sequences should I track when applying the random encounter model to camera trap data?
Authors: Palencia P. , Barroso P.
Published: August 2024

The random encounter model (REM) is a camera trapping method to estimate population density (i.e. number of individuals per unit area) without the need for individual recognition. The REM can be applied considering camera trap data only by tracking the passages of animals in front of the camera (i.e. sequences). However, it has not been assessed how the number of sequences tracked (i.e. trajectory of the animal reconstructed) influences the REM estimates. In this context, we aimed to gain further insights into the relationship between the number of sequences tracked and reliability in REM estimates to optimize its applicability. We monitored multiple species using camera traps, and we applied REM to estimate population density. We considered red fox Vulpes vulpes, roe deer Capreolus capreolus, fallow deer Dama dama, red deer Cervus elaphus and wild boar Sus scrofa as model species. We tracked from a minimum of 154 (red fox) to a maximum of 527 (red deer) sequences per species, and we then sampled the dataset to simulate different scenarios in which a lower number of sequences were tracked (20, 40, 80 and 160). We also assessed the effect of adjusting the survey period to the minimum necessary to record the desired number of sequences. Our results suggest that tracking around 100 sequences returns a precision level equivalent to the one obtained by tracking a considerably higher number of sequences and reduced and optimized the human effort necessary to apply REM. Tracking less than 40 sequences could result in low precise density estimates. Our results also highlighted the relevance of considering study periods of ca. 2 months to increase the number of sequences recorded and tracking a random sample of them. Our results contribute to the optimization and harmonization of REM as a reference method to estimate wildlife population density without the need for individual identification. We make clear recommendations on the cost‐effective sample size for estimating REM parameters, optimizing the human effort when applying REM, and discouraging REM applications based on low sample sizes.
The Greenland–Scotland Ridge in a Changing Ocean: Time to Act?
Authors: Pampoulie Christophe , Brix Saskia , Randhawa Haseeb S.
Published: August 2024

The Greenland–Scotland Ridge is a submarine mountain that rises up to 500 m below the sea surface and extends from the east coast of Greenland to the continental shelf of Iceland and across the Faroe Islands to Scotland. The ridge not only separates deeper ocean basins on either side, that is, the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans, but also forms a geomorphological barrier between the cold arctic water masses of the Nordic Seas and the comparably contrastingly warmer water of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is therefore situated at a strategic geographical position in relation to the effect of climate change in the Arctic region. Both the Arctic and the Atlantic subpolar ecosystems are facing each other at the ridge, creating oceanic fronts in the Denmark Strait and in the Iceland–Faroe ridge alike. This ridge in the subarctic area forms the southern boundary of the North Atlantic Gateway to the Arctic Ocean, affecting exchanges of oceanic currents and of marine organisms between the two main ecosystems in the Nordic polar region. For example, the appearance of natural invasive species such as the Atlantic mackerel in this region mainly occurred along the ridge, with arrival through the Scotland–Faroe Islands mount with subsequent waves of colonization which eventually reached the southern tip of Greenland. With the increasing impacts of climate change, such natural colonization through the ridge is likely to happen more frequently and affect regional ecosystems. Yet, the human resources and the economy of the local nations on the ridge are rather limited compared to neighboring countries. With a total of less than half a million people inhabiting the area and a total ocean surface of circa 3 million km2 of continental shelf, Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Scotland will face critical challenges in the coming years with respect to biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of marine resources. Here is a summary of what we know, what we might expect, and an opening to potential discussions for the future of research in this region. The main objective of this paper is calling attention to much needed additional research effort on the marine environment around the Greenland–Scotland Ridge, instead of presenting a comprehensive overview of research in this area.
Delivery platforms for reaching adolescents with nutrition interventions in low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Khizar Mahum , Ruel‐Bergeron Julie , Zavala Eleonor , Chang Karen , Kang Yunhee , de Pee Saskia , Black Robert E. , Christian Parul
Published: August 2024

Adolescents in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) are a vulnerable population given increased nutritional needs as puberty approaches. School‐based nutrition programs exist in some settings, but the comprehensive provision of nutrition services requires knowledge of the mechanisms to reach out‐of‐school adolescents. A comprehensive scoping review was performed using formal and informal search strategies to landscape all potential delivery platforms with nutrition services to reach adolescents. Peer‐reviewed studies, institutional strategies, program evaluations, and programmatic reports in LMICs were reviewed, including gray literature. A total of 87 out of 270 identified publications and reports describing nutrition programs for adolescents were identified. Although nutrition programs targeted at adolescents were sparse, various innovative and inclusive delivery platforms were included, such as school feeding programs, school‐based anemia control, and nutrition‐friendly school initiatives; health facility–based, youth‐friendly health and nutrition services; social safety nets targeted at adolescents; community‐based approaches targeting youth development and peer education within youth centers and faith‐based settings; and technology‐based platforms, including digital health services and mass media communication sensitization and mobilization efforts. Existing delivery mechanisms and platforms in health and other sectors that target adolescents offer great potential to extend nutrition interventions to this vulnerable yet hard‐to‐reach population.
The vacuolar sulfate transporter PsSULTR4 is a key determinant of seed yield and protein composition in pea
Authors: Bachelet Fanélie , Sanchez Myriam , Aimé Delphine , Naudé Florence , Rossin Nadia , Ourry Alain , Deulvot Chrystel , Le Signor Christine , Vernoud Vanessa , Neiers Fabrice , Wirtz Markus , Gallardo‐Guerrero Karine
Published: August 2024

Pea is a grain legume crop with a high potential to accelerate the food transition due to its high seed protein content and relatively well‐balanced amino acid composition. The critical role of external sulfur (S) supply in determining seed yield and seed quality in pea makes it essential to understand the impact of whole plant S management on the trade‐off between these two traits. Here, we investigated the physiological relevance of vacuolar sulfate remobilization by targeting PsSULTR4, the only pea sulfate transporter showing substantial similarity to the vacuolar sulfate exporter AtSULTR4;1. Five mutations in PsSULTR4 were identified by TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes), two of which, a loss of function (W78*) and a missense (E568K), significantly decreased seed yield under S deprivation. We demonstrate that PsSULTR4 triggers S distribution from source tissues, especially lower leaves, to reproductive organs to maintain seed yield under S deficiency. Under sufficient S supply, sultr4 seeds display lower levels of the S‐rich storage protein PA1 at maturity. They also overaccumulate sulfate in the endosperm at the onset of seed filling. These findings uncover a role of PsSULTR4 in the remobilization of vacuolar sulfate during embryo development, allowing the efficient synthesis of S‐rich proteins. Our study uncovers that PsSULTR4 functions (i) in source tissues to remobilize stored vacuolar sulfate for seed production under low S availability and (ii) in developing seeds well supplied with S to fine‐tune sulfate remobilization from the endosperm as a critical control point for storage activities in the embryo.
Corrective Exercise Programming Impact on Improving Functional Movement Scores Within the Tactical Population: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Stiltner Sara , Thompson Adam J. , Cripps Andrea E.
Published: August 2024

Clinical Scenario: Police, fire, emergency medical services, and military personnel encompass a tactical population practice setting in athletic training. Due to occupational demands within this demographic, these patients experience musculoskeletal or career-altering injuries at an alarming rate. A main contributor to the incidence of musculoskeletal injury is a lack of functional movement. Clinical Question: What parameters of corrective exercise programming improve tactical participants’ functional movement scores on the Functional Movement Screen? Summary of Key Findings: Three studies met the inclusion criteria set forth by the authors. Two studies used an 8-week regimented corrective exercise program while one study used a 4-week corrective exercise program. Two of three corrective exercise programs utilized progressions. All corrective exercise programs noted statistically significant improvements in Pre- and Post-functional Movement Screen scores. Clinical Bottom Line: Functional movement is essential to effective occupational interventions in tactical medicine; therefore, corrective exercise programs should be regimented for a minimum of 4 weeks, 3 days a week to show improvement in functional movement. Available evidence to answer this clinical question met a 2B minimum. Collective findings to answer this clinical question align with letter B strength of recommendation.
Regenerative cell therapy with 3D bioprinting
Authors: Zhang Yu Shrike , Dolatshahi-Pirouz Alireza , Orive Gorka
Published: August 2024

In situ additive biomanufacturing of structures may boost regenerative medicine
Engineered deletions of HIV replicate conditionally to reduce disease in nonhuman primates
Authors: Pitchai Fathima N. Nagoor , Tanner Elizabeth J. , Khetan Neha , Vasen Gustavo , Levrel Clara , Kumar Arjun J. , Pandey Shilpi , Ordonez Tracy , Barnette Philip , Spencer David , Jung Seung-Yong , Glazier Joshua , Thompson Cassandra , Harvey-Vera Alicia , Son Hye-In , Son Hye-In , Strathdee Steffanie A. , Holguin Leo , Urak Ryan , Burnett John , Burgess William , Busman-Sahay Kathleen , Estes Jacob D. , Hessell Ann , Fennessey Christine M. , Keele Brandon F. , Haigwood Nancy L. , Weinberger Leor S.
Published: August 2024

Antiviral therapies with reduced frequencies of administration and high barriers to resistance remain a major goal. For HIV, theories have proposed that viral-deletion variants, which conditionally replicate with a basic reproductive ratio [R
0
] > 1 (termed “therapeutic interfering particles” or “TIPs”), could parasitize wild-type virus to constitute single-administration, escape-resistant antiviral therapies. We report the engineering of a TIP that, in rhesus macaques, reduces viremia of a highly pathogenic model of HIV by >3log
10
following a single intravenous injection. Animal lifespan was significantly extended, TIPs conditionally replicated and were continually detected for >6 months, and sequencing data showed no evidence of viral escape. A single TIP injection also suppressed virus replication in humanized mice and cells from persons living with HIV. These data provide proof of concept for a potential new class of single-administration antiviral therapies.
Remapping science
Authors: Culotta Elizabeth , Chakradhar Shraddha , Ortega Rodrigo Pérez
Published: August 2024

Researchers reckon with a colonial legacy
Impact of luteoma during pregnancy on fetal development and its long-term effects into adulthood
Authors: Mavrantoni Ioanna , Borneman Rebecca , Hittelman Adam B , Vash-Margita Alla
Published: August 2024

A woman in her 30s presents to the Differences in Sexual Development Programme at a tertiary care academic medical centre with vaginal stenosis and scarring. Her medical history is significant for virilisation in utero due to a maternal luteoma of pregnancy. Laboratory investigations at the time of birth showed elevated androgens in both mother and daughter. During infancy, she underwent clitoroplasty and vaginoplasty for correction of posterior vaginal fusion. She represented as an adult with vaginal stenosis, with associated physical and psychosocial implications. She was not able to insert a tampon or have penetrative intercourse. After examination and shared decision-making, the patient underwent cystoscopy, vaginoscopy and posterior vaginoplasty with the goal to create a normal calibre vagina. Postoperative dilator use was recommended to prevent restenosis of the introitus. In clinic follow-up, the patient was observed to have a normal calibre vagina.
Intake of sugar sweetened beverages among children and adolescents in 185 countries between 1990 and 2018: population based study
Authors: Lara-Castor Laura , Micha Renata , Cudhea Frederick , Miller Victoria , Shi Peilin , Zhang Jianyi , Sharib Julia R , Erndt-Marino Josh , Cash Sean B , Barquera Simon , Mozaffarian Dariush
Published: August 2024

Objective

To quantify global intakes of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) and trends over time among children and adolescents.

Design

Population based study.

Setting

Global Dietary Database.

Population

Children and adolescents aged 3-19 years in 185 countries between 1990 and 2018, jointly stratified at subnational level by age, sex, parental education, and rural or urban residence.

Results

In 2018, mean global SSB intake was 3.6 (standardized serving=248 g (8 oz)) servings/week (1.3 (95% uncertainly interval 1.0 to 1.9) in south Asia to 9.1 (8.3 to 10.1) in Latin America and the Caribbean). SSB intakes were higher in older versus younger children and adolescents, those resident in urban versus rural areas, and those of parents with higher versus lower education. Between 1990 and 2018, mean global SSB intakes increased by 0.68 servings/week (22.9%), with the largest increases in sub-Saharan Africa (2.17 servings/week; 106%). Of 185 countries included in the analysis, 56 (30.3%) had a mean SSB intake of ≥7 servings/week, representing 238 million children and adolescents, or 10.4% of the global population of young people.

Conclusion

This study found that intakes of SSBs among children and adolescents aged 3-19 years in 185 countries increased by 23% from 1990 to 2018, parallel to the rise in prevalence of obesity among this population globally. SSB intakes showed large heterogeneity among children and adolescents worldwide and by age, parental level of education, and urbanicity. This research should help to inform policies to reduce SSB intake among young people, particularly those with larger intakes across all education levels in urban and rural areas in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the growing problem of SSBs for public health in sub-Saharan Africa.