bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Getting under the skin: Social isolation and biological markers in the National Health and Aging Trends Study
Authors: Cudjoe Thomas K. M. , Selvakumar Sruthi , Chung Shang‐En , Latkin Carl A. , Roth David L. , Thorpe Roland J. , Boyd Cynthia M. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundSocial isolation is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality comparable to well‐established risk factors including smoking, hypertension, and a sedentary lifestyle. The specific biological mechanisms that connect social isolation to morbidity and mortality remain unclear. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) are biological markers that are upregulated during inflammation and can have long‐term negative consequences for the health of individuals as they age.MethodsUtilizing Round 7 (2017) data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), we examine the relationship between social isolation and two biological markers: IL‐6 and high‐sensitivity CRP. This study included a nationally representative sample of 4648 Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and older who provided samples using dried blood spot (DBS) techniques. We defined social isolation utilizing a multi‐domained typology that considers living arrangement, core discussion network, religious attendance, and social participation. IL‐6 and CRP were obtained via DBS that were collected in Round 7 of the NHATS. We performed linear regression to examine the association between social isolation and biological markers IL‐6 and CRP.ResultsAfter adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, tobacco use, body mass index, and chronic conditions, we found that severe social isolation and social isolation were significantly associated with higher levels of IL‐6 and CRP values among older adults.ConclusionsSocial isolation is associated with higher levels of biological markers (IL‐6 and CRP). Our findings inform the pathway between social isolation and morbidity and mortality among older adults. IL‐6 or CRP could be a proximal outcome measures for future clinical and social interventions that seek to alter the trajectory of social isolation and its associated health outcomes.
Comparative examination of pinniped craniofacial musculature and its role in aquatic feeding
Authors: Kienle Sarah S. , Cuthbertson Roxanne D. , Reidenberg Joy S. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSecondarily aquatic tetrapods have many unique morphologic adaptations for life underwater compared with their terrestrial counterparts. A key innovation during the land‐to‐water transition was feeding. Pinnipeds, a clade of air‐breathing marine carnivorans that include seals, sea lions, and walruses, have evolved multiple strategies for aquatic feeding (e.g., biting, suction feeding). Numerous studies have examined the pinniped skull and dental specializations for underwater feeding. However, data on the pinniped craniofacial musculoskeletal system and its role in aquatic feeding are rare. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to conduct a comparative analysis of pinniped craniofacial musculature and examine the function of the craniofacial musculature in facilitating different aquatic feeding strategies. We performed anatomic dissections of 35 specimens across six pinniped species. We describe 32 pinniped craniofacial muscles—including facial expression, mastication, tongue, hyoid, and soft palate muscles. Pinnipeds broadly conform to mammalian patterns of craniofacial muscle morphology. Pinnipeds also exhibit unique musculoskeletal morphologies—in muscle position, attachments, and size—that likely represent adaptations for different aquatic feeding strategies. Suction feeding specialists (bearded and northern elephant seals) have a significantly larger masseter than biters. Further, northern elephant seals have large and unique tongue and hyoid muscle morphologies compared with other pinniped species. These morphologic changes likely help generate and withstand suction pressures necessary for drawing water and prey into the mouth. In contrast, biting taxa (California sea lions, harbor, ringed, and Weddell seals) do not exhibit consistent craniofacial musculoskeletal adaptations that differentiate them from suction feeders. Generally, we discover that all pinnipeds have well‐developed and robust craniofacial musculature. Pinniped head musculature plays an important role in facilitating different aquatic feeding strategies. Together with behavioral and kinematic studies, our data suggest that pinnipeds’ robust facial morphology allows animals to switch feeding strategies depending on the environmental context—a critical skill in a heterogeneous and rapidly changing underwater habitat.
Ethnic competition in a divided America: The wall and the “Hispanic threat”
Authors: Serrano Fernando , Schiavon Jorge A. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractDuring his electoral campaign and while in office, President Donald Trump expressed his desire to build a wall along the US–Mexico border to control migration. Analyzing the conditions, circumstances, and demands of those Americans who want a wall with Mexico and Latin America is an imperative to understand better US–Latin American relations and ethnic competition not only during the Trump administration, but also in Joseph Biden's presidency. In this article, we argue, through quantitative analysis, that multiple factors, both individual and contextual, have a significant effect on the stance that US citizens have about immigration and the construction of the wall. Our study demonstrates that, in addition to sociodemographic variables, the distribution of the Hispanic population across the 50 US states generates a “Hispanic threat” which, as understood through ethnic competition theory, is a significant factor affecting Americans' views on the wall and immigration.
The role of fishery management and environmental variables on the fish fauna in floodplain lakes in the lower Purus River, Amazon Basin, Brazil
Authors: Morales Bruno Ferezim , Deus Cláudia Pereira de 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPeriodically flooded environments in the Amazon River basin are recognized as being highly productive because of their limnological dynamics and ecological heterogeneity. They also have been historically impacted by fishery activities, therefore being crucial ecosystems to be considered in small‐scale conservation policies. Previous studies, however, did not detect or assess significant or consistent positive effects of combinations between protected areas or environmental variables on ichthyofauna. Accordingly, the present study analysed the effects of fishery management (hereafter categorization of lakes) and environmental characteristics on the attributes of fish assemblages in 20 floodplain lakes (eight categorized as open access; 12 categorized as protected lakes) inserted in a legally protected area, the Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Piagaçu‐Purus (RDS‐PP) in the lower Purus River, Amazonas State, Brazil. The results of the present study indicated depth, surface area and lake categorization synergistically influenced the ichthyofauna of these floodplain lakes. It also suggests this influence should not be treated separately in management policies. It was concluded that the potential effectiveness of fishery management in floodplain lakes is closely related to small‐scale (i.e. local) interventions, with emphasis on the role of the lakes as a unit of effective management of ichthyofauna in floodplains. Furthermore, participatory decisions during the process of elaborating management plans for floodplain lakes should consider environmental attributes relevant to biological communities and traditional knowledge.
Transcription factor SsFoxE3 activating SsAtg8 is critical for sclerotia, compound appressoria formation, and pathogenicity in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Jiao Wenli , Yu Huilin , Cong Jie , Xiao Kunqin , Zhang Xianghui , Liu Jinliang , Zhang Yanhua , Pan Hongyu 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSclerotinia sclerotiorum, the notorious necrotrophic phytopathogenic fungus with wide distribution, is responsible for sclerotium disease in more than 600 plant species, including many economic crops such as soybean, oilseed rape, and sunflower. The compound appressorium is a crucial multicellular infection structure that is a prerequisite for infecting healthy tissues. Previously, the Forkhead‐box family transcription factors (FOX TFs) SsFoxE2 and SsFKH1 were shown to play a key regulatory role in the hyphae growth, sexual reproduction, and pathogenicity of S. sclerotiorum. However, little is known about the roles of SsFoxE3 regulating growth and development and pathogenicity. Here, we report SsFoxE3 contributes to sclerotium formation and deletion of SsFoxE3 leads to reduced formation of compound appressoria and developmental delays. Transcripts of SsFoxE3 were greatly increased during the initial stage of infection and SsFoxE3 deficiency reduced virulence on the host, while stabbing inoculation could partially restore pathogenicity. The SsFoxE3 mutant showed sensitivity to H2O2, and the expression of reactive oxygen species detoxification and autophagy‐related genes were reduced. Moreover, expression of SsAtg8 was also decreased during the infection process of the SsFoxE3 mutant. Yeast 1‐hybrid tests suggested that SsFoxE3 interacted with the promoter of SsAtg8. Disruption of SsAtg8 resulted in a phenotype similar to that of the SsFoxE3 mutant. Comparative analysis of the level of autophagy in the wild type and SsFoxE3 mutant showed that N starvation‐induced autophagy was reduced in the SsFoxE3 mutant. Taken together, our findings indicate that SsFoxE3 plays an important role in compound appressorium formation and is involved in transcriptional activation of SsAtg8 during infection by S. sclerotiorum.
The Angiosperm Terrestrial Revolution and the origins of modern biodiversity
Authors: Benton Michael J. , Wilf Peter , Sauquet Hervé 
Published: October 2021

SummaryBiodiversity today has the unusual property that 85% of plant and animal species live on land rather than in the sea, and half of these live in tropical rainforests. An explosive boost to terrestrial diversity occurred from c. 100–50 million years ago, the Late Cretaceous and early Palaeogene. During this interval, the Earth‐life system on land was reset, and the biosphere expanded to a new level of productivity, enhancing the capacity and species diversity of terrestrial environments. This boost in terrestrial biodiversity coincided with innovations in flowering plant biology and evolutionary ecology, including their flowers and efficiencies in reproduction; coevolution with animals, especially pollinators and herbivores; photosynthetic capacities; adaptability; and ability to modify habitats. The rise of angiosperms triggered a macroecological revolution on land and drove modern biodiversity in a secular, prolonged shift to new, high levels, a series of processes we name here the Angiosperm Terrestrial Revolution.
Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus in salmonids: Molecular epidemiology and host response to infection
Authors: Tapia David , Eissler Yoanna , Reyes‐Lopez Felipe E. , Kuznar Juan , Yáñez José Manuel 
Published: October 2021

AbstractInfectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) is one of the most pervasive pathogens in aquaculture worldwide. It causes a highly contagious disease in salmonids that has a significant economic impact in almost every country where salmonid fish are farmed. For decades IPNV studies have focussed on the molecular characterisation of isolates collected from around the world and the discovery of molecular markers associated with virulence and pathogenicity. The great success of selective breeding for resistance to IPNV has caused special emphasis to be put on the immune response of salmon genetically resistant/susceptible to IPNV. In this work, we review the classification of IPNV, summarise virulence markers and add recent findings about the molecular epidemiology and worldwide distribution of the virus. We also review genetic improvements for IPNV resistance, the kinetics of the immune response to IPNV and the transcriptomic response of salmonids, made possible through the use high‐throughput technologies.
Seminal characterization of white‐lipped peccary (Tayassu peccary)
Authors: Vieira Renan Luiz Albuquerque , Feliciano Marcus Antônio Rossi , Moreira Rennan Herculano Rufino , Costa Cristiana Morais 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWhite‐lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) is a neotropical mammal that plays a fundamental role in maintaining the integrity of tropical forest systems. However, due to hunting and deforestation the species is currently classified as vulnerable. As there are reports of difficulties in captive reproduction, it was proposed to use assisted reproduction techniques for later reintroduction into their natural habitat. Therefore, the objective was to describe the physical, chemical, morphological and functional characteristics of its semen. Sixteen adult male, white‐lipped peccary, aged between three and seven years old, distributed in three groups, were used in this study. After physical and chemical retainment, semen was collected by electroejaculation from 16 individuals. It was evaluated by computer analysis (CASA). The mean values recorded were as follows: volume 0.5 ± 0.6 ml, pH 7.2 ± 0.3, sperm concentration 967.2 ± 947.3 × 106 spermatozoon/ml and total motility of 75.4 ± 16.2. The average sperm reactive to the hypo‐osmotic test was 85.3% ± 21.0%, and 62.4% ± 43.9% of the cells presented intact membranes in the structural integrity test. Additionally, the semen showed milky consistency (80%), yellowish colour (40%) and sui generis odour (100%). The sperm parameters of the white‐lipped peccary are within the desirable standards, allowing them to be considered as potentially fertile for the development of assisted reproduction techniques that may contribute to the conservation of the species.
Addressing learner anxiety via reflective practice
Authors: Siden Jonathan Y. , Murphy Jennifer , Wolff Meg 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundMedical students experience anxiety when learning the pelvic, breast and male genitourinary exam (also known as sensitive physical exams). Reflection can help students process emotionally challenging learning experiences and help give those experiences meaning. We describe the development of a reflection module to enhance reflection during sensitive exam instruction.ApproachWe developed this module following Kern's Six Step Method for curriculum development, including a targeted needs assessment. Informed by educational reflection theory, the module addressed all elements of reflection. The module was optional, asynchronous and administered online, requiring minimal administrative support. Prior to sensitive exam instruction, participants identified goals and values and named emotions. Following exam instruction, participants again named their emotions and then self‐evaluated whether they had met their goals and upheld their values.EvaluationParticipants found the module to be a useful modality to reflect. Most notably, they identified the naming of emotions, goals and values clarification and the opportunity to reflect both prior to and after an educational experience as helpful. Younger students found the module particularly helpful.ImplicationsAn online, low‐resource, asynchronous reflection module is feasible and can be a way for students to reflect on challenging learning experiences. In addition to using with sensitive exam instruction, the module can be applied to activities such as anatomic dissection, ethics workshops or clinical learning.
Cleaning up, and Moving Past, Simple Swamping
Authors: Perrine Timothy 
Published: October 2021

AbstractMany philosophers believe that true belief is of epistemic value, but that knowledge is of even more epistemic value. Some claim that this surplus value is instrumentally valuable to the value of true belief. I call the conjunction of these claims the instrumentalist's conjunction. The so‐called swamping problem is meant to show that instrumentalist's conjunction is inconsistent. Crudely put, the problem is that if knowledge only has surplus value to the value of true belief, and a belief is true because known, then knowledge cannot be of any more value than true belief. Given the inconsistency, most philosopher reject the claim the surplus value of knowledge is instrumental to the value of true belief. This paper argues that the Swamping Problem is illusory. Once we clean up the problem and pay attention to the distinction between token/type properties, we can see that instrumentalist's conjunction is perfectly coherent.
UK trade in the time of COVID‐19: A review
Authors: Du Jun , Shepotylo Oleksandr 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis paper offers a detailed review of the UK’s trade performance during the COVID‐19 crisis and reflects on how this may be revived. During 2020, UK goods exports contracted more sharply than those of its international peers. Statistics suggest that UK had a deeper decline and slower recovery than Germany, Italy, Spain and the US. Further, the trends from 2017 to 2019 show a weakening in the UK’s global competitiveness, suggesting a more persistent development against the backdrop of productivity slowdown and Brexit uncertainty. We analyse the confluence of internal and external factors that impact on UK trade and emphasise the importance of boosting productivity in the recovery from the COVID crisis and Brexit.
Molecular markers of risk of subsequent invasive breast cancer in women with ductal carcinoma in situ: protocol for a population-based cohort study
Authors: Rohan Thomas E , Ginsberg Mindy , Wang Yihong , Couch Fergus J , Feigelson Heather S , Greenlee Robert T , Honda Stacey , Stark Azadeh , Chitale Dhananjay , Wang Tao , Xue Xiaonan , Oktay Maja H , Sparano Joseph A , Loudig Olivier 
Published: October 2021

IntroductionDuctal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast is a non-obligate precursor of invasive breast cancer (IBC). Many DCIS patients are either undertreated or overtreated. The overarching goal of the study described here is to facilitate detection of patients with DCIS at risk of IBC development. Here, we propose to use risk factor data and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) DCIS tissue from a large, ethnically diverse, population-based cohort of 8175 women with a first diagnosis of DCIS and followed for subsequent IBC to: identify/validate miRNA expression changes in DCIS tissue associated with risk of subsequent IBC; evaluate ipsilateral IBC risk in association with two previously identified marker sets (triple immunopositivity for p16, COX-2, Ki67; Oncotype DX Breast DCIS score); examine the association of risk factor data with IBC risk.Methods and analysisWe are conducting a series of case–control studies nested within the cohort. Cases are women with DCIS who developed subsequent IBC; controls (2/case) are matched to cases on calendar year of and age at DCIS diagnosis. We project 485 cases/970 controls in the aim focused on risk factors. We estimate obtaining FFPE tissue for 320 cases/640 controls for the aim focused on miRNAs; of these, 173 cases/346 controls will be included in the aim focused on p16, COX-2 and Ki67 immunopositivity, and of the latter, 156 case–control pairs will be included in the aim focused on the Oncotype DX Breast DCIS score®. Multivariate conditional logistic regression will be used for statistical analyses.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Boards of Albert Einstein College of Medicine (IRB 2014-3611), Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Henry Ford Health System, Mayo Clinic, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute and Hackensack Meridian Health, and from Lifespan Research Protection Office. The study results will be presented at meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals.
Analyses of serum and urinary metabolites in individuals with peripheral artery disease (PAD) consuming a bean-rich diet: relationships with drug metabolites
Authors: Wang Le , Goldberg Erin M. , Taylor Carla G. , Zahradka Peter , Aliani Michel 
Published: October 2021

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) has high morbidity and mortality rates. A metabolomics approach was employed to determine whether consumption of bean-rich diets for 8 weeks would impact the metabolomic profile of individuals with PAD. Serum and urine, collected from 54 participants with clinical PAD at baseline and after 8 weeks on 0.3 cups beans/day (n = 19), 0.6 cups beans/day (n = 20), or control (n = 23) diet, and the beans were extracted and analyzed using LC-QTOF-MS. As a result, PGE2 p-acetamidophenyl ester, PGF2α diethyl amide and 5-l-glutamyl-l-alanine were significantly changed in the serum or urine of bean groups compared with control. Significant changes (P < 0.05) in the profile and/or levels of 22 flavonoids present in bean extracts showed the potential importance of the mixture of beans used in this study. In a subset of participants taking metoprolol, after 8 weeks the bean-rich diets significantly elevated metoprolol in the serum while reducing it in urine compared with baseline. In addition, the diets significantly enhanced the urinary excretion of metformin. In conclusion, several biochemical pathways including prostaglandins and glutathione were affected by bean consumption. Significant changes in the metabolism of metoprolol and metformin with bean consumption suggested the presence of diet-drug interactions that may require adjustment of the prescribed dose. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01382056. Novelty: Bean consumption by people with PAD alters the levels of certain metabolites in serum and urine. Different bean types (black, red kidney, pinto, navy) have unique flavonoid profiles. Metabolomics revealed potential diet–drug interactions as serum and/or urinary levels of metoprolol and metformin are modified by bean consumption.
A tomographic test of cosmic anisotropy with the recently-released quasar sample
Authors: Zhao Dong , Xia Jun-Qing 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWe test the cosmic anisotropy in the dipole-modulated$$\Lambda $$ΛCDM model and Finslerian cosmological model with the recently-released quasar sample. Based on the redshift tomographic method, the quasar sample is divided into two subsets$$z \le z_{cut}$$z≤zcutand$$z > z_{cut}$$z>zcutby different cutting redshifts. The dipole amplitudes of the two cosmological models from the subsets$$z \le z_{cut}$$z≤zcutare very weak. We find that quasars at a higher redshift range may provide more detailed information about the dipole amplitude$$A_D$$AD. The dipole directions of each cosmological model from the subsets$$z \le 1.1$$z≤1.1and$$z > 1.1$$z>1.1are deviated by$$1\sigma $$1σlevel. The Pantheon sample is combined with the two subsets. The dipole amplitude from the two combined datasets is also very weak. In the dipole-modulated$$\Lambda $$ΛCDM model, the dipole direction from the combined dataset quasar at$$z \le 1.1$$z≤1.1and Pantheon sample is far away from the one given by the Pantheon sample. In the Finslerian cosmological model, the dipole directions from the two combined datasets are close to the one in the Pantheon sample.