bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Real‐World Experience of 3‐Year Treatment With Dupilumab: Significant Decrease in Circulating Neutrophils and Eosinophils in Japanese Patients With Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Nakajima Hideyuki , Kamata Masahiro , Okada Yoshiki , Suzuki Shoya , Ito Makoto , Watanabe Ayu , Egawa Shota , Chijiwa Chika , Hiura Azusa , Tomura Yayoi , Fukaya Saki , Hayashi Kotaro , Fukuyasu Atsuko , Tanaka Takamitsu , Ishikawa Takeko , Tada Yayoi 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTDupilumab, an anti‐interleukin (IL)‐4 receptor α‐antibody, was approved in 2018 for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in Japan. Although real‐world data have accumulated on the effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in patients with AD in the short term, real‐world data on its long‐term use are limited. In this study, we retrospectively investigated its effectiveness, safety and laboratory data in patients with AD who received dupilumab for 3 years. All adult patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD who were administered dupilumab between June 2018 and December 2020 and were treated with dupilumab for more than 3 years were included in this study. Sixty Japanese patients with AD (male, 48; female, 12) were included in this study. Their mean age was 36.6 ± 11.0 (standard deviation) years. The mean Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) was 29.9 ± 9.2. The clinical severity scales, including Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA), EASI and affected body surface area (BSA), and patient‐reported outcomes, such as Dermatology Quality Life Index (DLQI), Patient‐Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) and visual analogue scale (VAS) of pruritus, significantly improved at 3 months, and at 1, 2 and 3 years after initiating dupilumab. The total EASI score significantly decreased by a mean of 66.8% at 3 months, 81.0% at 1 year, 85.3% at 2 years and 90.0% at 3 years after initiating dupilumab. The serum levels of thymus and activation‐regulated chemokine (TARC), immunoglobulin E (IgE) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) significantly decreased at 1, 2 and 3 years. A slight decrease in circulating neutrophils was observed in patients with AD treated with dupilumab over periods from 3 months to 3 years. The number of circulating eosinophils significantly decreased at 2 and 3 years after initiating dupilumab. The most common adverse event was ocular disorders observed in 23 patients (38.3%). Our study shows the sustained effectiveness and tolerable safety of 3‐year usage of dupilumab in Japanese patients with atopic dermatitis. Furthermore, dupilumab decreased neutrophil values at 3 months and later, and reduced the number of circulating eosinophils after long‐term use (≧ 2 years).
The Use of Image‐Based Data and Abundance Modelling Approaches for Predicting the Location of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems in the South Pacific Ocean
Authors: Bennion Matthew , Rowden Ashley A. , Anderson Owen F. , Bowden David A. , Clark Malcolm R. , Althaus Franziska , Williams Alan , Geange Shane W. , Tablada Jordi , Stephenson Fabrice 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTVulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) are typically fragile and slow to recover, thereby making them susceptible to disturbance, including fishing. In the high seas, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) requested regional fishery management organisations (RFMOs) to implement measures to prevent significant adverse impacts on VMEs. Here, we predict spatial abundances of 15 taxa, 13 VME indicator taxa, in the South Pacific RFMO (SPRFMO) area. Models used seafloor imagery data, an important advance on previously developed presence‐only predictions, to provide information on spatial variation in taxa abundance that is crucial for better inferring likely location of VMEs, rather than just distribution of VME indicator taxa. Abundance models varied in predictive power (mean R2 ranged 0.02–0.40). Uncertainty estimates of model predictions were developed to inform future spatial planning processes for conservation and management of VMEs. Using the VME index concept, abundance model outputs and previously published presence‐only model predictions were weighted using vulnerability scores, to explore how modelled outputs could provide spatial estimates of likely VME distribution. Spatial predictions of abundance improved on previous modelling to provide an almost complete suite of abundance models for VME indicator taxa in the western portion of the SPRFMO Convention area. Nevertheless, to improve utility of modelled outputs, we recommend more high‐quality seafloor imagery data be gathered within the SPRFMO Convention area to (1) validate abundance models developed here with independent data from the model area, (2) update models, if necessary, (3) link abundance information to ecosystem function and (4) explore validity of the adapted VME index approach used here.
Acclimation of Photosynthesis to CO2 Increases Ecosystem Carbon Storage due to Leaf Nitrogen Savings
Authors: Smith Nicholas G. , Zhu Qing , Keenan Trevor F. , Riley William J. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTPhotosynthesis is the largest flux of carbon between the atmosphere and Earth's surface and is driven by enzymes that require nitrogen, namely, ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate (RuBisCO). Thus, photosynthesis is a key link between the terrestrial carbon and nitrogen cycle, and the representation of this link is critical for coupled carbon‐nitrogen land surface models. Models and observations suggest that soil nitrogen availability can limit plant productivity increases under elevated CO2. Plants acclimate to elevated CO2 by downregulating RuBisCO and thus nitrogen in leaves, but this acclimation response is not currently included in land surface models. Acclimation of photosynthesis to CO2 can be simulated by the photosynthetic optimality theory in a way that matches observations. Here, we incorporated this theory into the land surface component of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (ELM). We simulated land surface carbon and nitrogen processes under future elevated CO2 conditions to 2100 using the RCP8.5 high emission scenario. Our simulations showed that when photosynthetic acclimation is considered, photosynthesis increases under future conditions, but maximum RuBisCO carboxylation and thus photosynthetic nitrogen demand decline. We analyzed two simulations that differed as to whether the saved nitrogen could be used in other parts of the plant. The allocation of saved leaf nitrogen to other parts of the plant led to (1) a direct alleviation of plant nitrogen limitation through reduced leaf nitrogen requirements and (2) an indirect reduction in plant nitrogen limitation through an enhancement of root growth that led to increased plant nitrogen uptake. As a result, reallocation of saved leaf nitrogen increased ecosystem carbon stocks by 50.3% in 2100 as compared to a simulation without reallocation of saved leaf nitrogen. These results suggest that land surface models may overestimate future ecosystem nitrogen limitation if they do not incorporate leaf nitrogen savings resulting from photosynthetic acclimation to elevated CO2.
The Legal Geographies of Contracts: A Method on Formation, Substance and Enforcement
Authors: Morris Christopher 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTThe legal technology of the contract has infiltrated modern society throughout public and private realms of law: from imaginaries and practices of citizenship, to commercial and governmental practicality. Contracts, in one form or another, underpin societal interactions across time and space as they are embedded within, and construct, networks of connections that not only regulate behaviours through immediate rights and obligations, but also reflect and produce broader social, political and economic regimes of power. Contracts also make, and unmake, places through regulation of access or exclusion, control and use in accordance with private agreements. Yet express scrutiny of contracts in geographical inquiry is scarce: geographers lack an established, contract‐focused methodology. This paper proposes a blueprint for an analytical research method that focuses on three elements of contractual relationships: formation, substance and enforcement. It will argue that concentrating analysis on these aspects of contractual relationships can generate understanding of how contracts reflect and shape power dynamics across society. This analytical framework aims to encourage and facilitate collaboration between scholars and practitioners to develop knowledge that can expose and address spatial injustice.
Assessing UV/SGM Photocatalytic PFAS Destruction Using a Lines of Evidence Approach
Authors: McIntyre Hannah , Wanzek Thomas , Hawley Elisabeth , Merrill John , Deeb Rula , Hart Megan 
Published: November 2024

AbstractA recent research article described a multiple lines of evidence approach to demonstrate the effectiveness of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remediation technologies. These lines of evidence were developed by an interdisciplinary group including academic researchers, practitioners, and vendors. This article provides a brief overview of the lines of evidence approach and presents a practical application to a validated PFAS treatment technology that utilizes ultraviolet‐activated photocatalytic silica‐based granular media (UV/SGM) to filter concentrated PFAS‐containing liquids and achieve PFAS destruction. This case study illustrates the application of the lines of evidence approach and summarizes work done to validate an innovative PFAS treatment technology.
Long‐term outcomes of transvaginal mesh surgery for pelvic organ prolapse at a single center in Japan
Authors: Kato Chikako , Kuwata Tomoko , Kashihara Hiromi , Takeyama Masami 
Published: November 2024

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the long‐term effectiveness and safety of transvaginal mesh surgery for pelvic organ prolapse at a high‐volume center in Japan.MethodsPatients who underwent transvaginal mesh surgery between March 2010 and August 2015 were included and followed up for 5 years. As no mesh kits were available in our country, we used a self‐cut polypropylene mesh (Japanese‐style transvaginal mesh) for the procedures. Objective anatomical restoration and complications were evaluated during outpatient examinations.ResultsOverall, 711 patients were included in this study. Over 5 years, the recurrence rate of stage 2 or higher prolapse at the operated compartment was 8.6% (61 cases), whereas that at the other compartments was 12.8% (91 cases). The frequency of recurrence was highest at 3 months and decreased with each passing year in both compartments. During the follow‐up period, 28 patients (three at the operated compartment and 25 at the other compartments) required reoperation owing to recurrence. Overall, there were 13 cases of mesh exposure (1.8%), including two (0.28%) in the bladder, 10 (1.4%) in the vagina, and one (0.14%) in the rectum. Urinary incontinence surgery was performed in 69 patients (9.7%) during the follow‐up period.ConclusionsThe frequencies of recurrence requiring reoperation and mesh‐related complications were low, and vaginal mesh exposure was mostly asymptomatic. Therefore, the Japanese‐style transvaginal mesh is safe and effective.
Venezuelans in Peru: Adaptation attitudes, optimism and relations with host society
Authors: Stonawski Marcin 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBy August 2023, the global population of Venezuelan migrants and refugees had reached 7.7 million. This constitutes one of the world largest migration movements in the recent decades and is arguably the most significant one in the context of South–South migration. This paper investigates adaptation attitudes of Venezuelan migrants as well as the attitudes towards their adaptation among Peruvian neighbours living in Peru. Furthermore, we explore the importance of optimism and intergroup relations for the adaptation attitudes. For this purpose, we designed and conducted a survey among Venezuelan migrants and their Peruvian neighbours in Peru between April and May 2023. Significant differences in adaptation attitudes were identified between migrants and their native neighbours. Venezuelans exhibited a greater proclivity towards positive adaptation whereas their neighbours demonstrated a tendency to marginalize or separate migrants. This can potentially lead to give rise to heightened conflict between two populations, thereby becoming a significant factor driving further migration of Venezuelans to other countries. However, optimism emerged as significant factor in shaping adaptation attitudes across both populations.
Infant preference for specific phonetic cue relations in the contrast between voiced and voiceless stops
Authors: Hullebus Marc , Gafos Adamantios , Boll‐Avetisyan Natalie , Langus Alan , Fritzsche Tom , Höhle Barbara 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAcoustic variability in the speech input has been shown, in certain contexts, to be beneficial during infants' acquisition of sound contrasts. One approach attributes this result to the potential of variability to make the stability of individual cues visible. Another approach suggests that, instead of highlighting individual cues, variability uncovers stable relations between cues that signal a sound contrast. Here, we investigate the relation between Voice Onset Time and the onset of F1 formant frequency, two cues that subserve the voicing contrast in German. First, we verified that German‐speaking adults' use of VOT to categorize voiced and voiceless stops is dependent on the value of the F1 onset frequency, in the specific form of a so‐called trading relation. Next, we tested whether 6‐month‐old German learning infants exhibit differential sensitivity to stimulus continua in which the cues varied to an equal extent, but either adhered to the trading relation established in the adult experiment or adhered to a reversed relation. Our results present evidence that infants prefer listening to speech in which phonetic cues conform to certain cue trading relations over cue relations that are reversed.
Soil Mulching Practices Increased Grain‐Filling Capacity of Rainfed Maize (Zea mays L.) by Improving Soil Hydrothermal Condition and Leaf Photosynthetic Potential
Authors: Liao Zhenqi , Lai Zhenlin , Kou Hongtai , Zhang Hui , Li Zhijun , Zhang Fucang , Fan Junliang 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTGrain‐filling rate and duration largely affect the grain‐filling capacity, which determines the grain yield of maize (Zea mays L.). Nevertheless, there is little about the mechanism of how various soil mulching practices affect the leaf photosynthetic potential and subsequent grain‐filling capacity of maize. Field experiments were undertaken on rainfed summer maize in northwest China under flat cultivation without mulch (FNM), flat cultivation with straw mulch (FSM), flat cultivation with transparent film mulch (FTF), flat cultivation with black film mulch (FBF), ridge‐furrow cultivation with transparent film mulch (RTF) and ridge‐furrow cultivation with black film mulch (RBF) in 2021 and 2022. This study explored the impact of various soil mulching patterns on soil hydrothermal condition, leaf growth, photosynthetic potential, aboveground dry matter growth and grain‐filling process of rainfed maize. The dynamics of leaf area index (LAI) and grain‐filling were fitted with growth equations, and the relationships of grain‐filling rate, leaf area duration and LAI withering rate were quantified. The results showed that, compared with FNM, other five soil mulching practices improved soil hydrothermal condition, the maximum LAI and leaf expansion rate but reduced leaf withering rate, thereby increasing radiation interception rate (RI) at the grain‐filling stage. The soil mulching practices also increased leaf SPAD value, net photosynthetic rate, photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency and the aboveground dry matter. Compared with FNM, other five practices extended the effective grain‐filling period and the active period of grain‐filling, increased the maximum and mean grain‐filling rates, improved the 100‐kernel weight and the average kernel per ear (KPE), thereby increasing grain yields by 9.2%, 33.7%, 38.0%, 46.3% and 58.6%, respectively. The functional relationships of grain‐filling rate and accumulated leaf area duration (y = a/(1 + b*exp(−kx))), and the functional relationships of grain‐filling rate and LAI withering rate (y = (a + cx + ex2)/(1 + bx + dx2)) were first proposed. In conclusion, various soil mulching practices improved the soil hydrothermal condition, green leaves growth process and RI, which improved the leaf photosynthetic potential and the grain‐filling capacity, thereby increasing the 100‐kernel weight, KPE and grain yield. This study can help us quantitatively describe and better understand the maize grain‐filling process under various mulching practices.
Biogeographic Patterns in Density, Recruitment, Body Size and Zonation of Rocky Intertidal Predators Suggest Increased Population Vulnerability Near Southern Range Limits
Authors: Gravem Sarah A. , Bachhuber Silke , Bignami Sean , Chiachi Amanda E. , Field Laurel C. , Gaddam Rani N. , Raimondi Peter T. , Menge Bruce A. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTAimSurveying the demography of populations near species range edges may indicate their vulnerability to range contractions or local extinction as the climate changes. In the rocky intertidal, not only are latitudinal ranges constricted by thermal stress, but tides also create zonation or a ‘vertical range’ driven by sharp environmental gradients. By investigating demographics along the latitudinal and vertical ranges simultaneously, we can investigate whether populations may be vulnerable to a changing climate.LocationRocky intertidal habitats along west coast of the United States.TaxaOchre sea star Pisaster ochraceus, six‐armed sea star Leptasterias spp., emarginate whelks (Nucella ostrina and N. emarginata) and channeled whelk N. canaliculata.MethodsIn 2018, we surveyed the demographics of the taxa above at 33 sites spanning > 11° latitude from central Oregon to southern California, near the southern range limits of each taxon. We counted and sized individuals from the high to low intertidal zone. To understand how environmental stress changed with latitude, we evaluated intertidal temperatures in situ, as well as tidal extremes, tidal amplitude and wave exposure using offshore buoys.ResultsFor all taxa, population density, the relative proportion of smaller individuals (except for emarginate whelks) and the upper vertical limits on the shore declined from north to south as temperatures increased and high tide height, tidal amplitude and wave heights decreased. In addition, smaller individual Leptasterias spp. generally inhabited lower shore levels while smaller individual emarginate whelks inhabited higher shore levels coastwide. For N. canaliculata, smaller animals were higher on shore northward, but lower on shore southward.Main ConclusionsWhile this study is a snapshot in time and cannot assess impacts of climate change, our surveys suggest environmentally‐related demographic limitation toward southern range limits and demographically vulnerable southern populations. Therefore, a warming climate may cause local extinctions or range contractions near southern limits.
Differences in Time Usage as a Competing Hypothesis for Observed Group Differences in Accuracy with an Application to Observed Gender Differences in PISA Data
Authors: Kapoor Radhika , Fahle Erin , Kanopka Klint , Klinowski David , Ribeiro Ana Trindade , Domingue Benjamin W. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractGroup differences in test scores are a key metric in education policy. Response time offers novel opportunities for understanding these differences, especially in low‐stakes settings. Here, we describe how observed group differences in test accuracy can be attributed to group differences in latent response speed or group differences in latent capacity, where capacity is defined as expected accuracy for a given response speed. This article introduces a method for decomposing observed group differences in accuracy into these differences in speed versus differences in capacity. We first illustrate in simulation studies that this approach can reliably distinguish between group speed and capacity differences. We then use this approach to probe gender differences in science and reading fluency in PISA 2018 for 71 countries. In science, score differentials largely increase when males, who respond more rapidly, are the higher performing group and decrease when females, who respond more slowly, are the higher performing group. In reading fluency, score differentials decrease where females, who respond more rapidly, are the higher performing group. This method can be used to analyze group differences especially in low‐stakes assessments where there are potential group differences in speed.
Does the Transillumination Technique Using a Diagnostic White Tip Influence the Degree of Conversion of the Infiltrant Resin? A Case Report With In Vitro Insights
Authors: Borelli Neto Laurindo , Carneiro Taynara S. , Wendlinger Michel , Loguercio Alessandro D. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate, through a case report combined with in vitro study, whether a new diagnostic white tip for the transillumination technique during resin infiltration influences the procedure and degree of conversion (DC).Materials and MethodsA clinical case report demonstrated resin infiltration using the transillumination technique with a new white diagnostic tip (Radii Xpert LED diagnostic tip, SDI, Bayswater, VIC, AU) along with a light‐curing device to enhance aesthetic results. An in vitro study assessed the DC of two diagnostic white tips (Radii Xpert LED diagnostic tip [SDI, Bayswater, VIC, AU] and Valo Grand White Light Lens [Ultradent Prod., South Jordan, UT, USA]) compared to that achieved using conventional tips of both light‐curing devices. Statistical analysis was performed using two‐way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05).ResultsThe clinical case achieved complete masking of the white spot lesion. In vitro, the diagnostic white tips exhibited significantly lower DC values compared to conventional tips (p = 0.001), regardless of the light‐curing unit.ConclusionsThe diagnostic white tip used in the transillumination technique improves resin infiltration visibility without compromising the degree of conversion.Clinical SignificanceThe transillumination technique with the diagnostic white tip enables monitoring of resin infiltration while maintaining effective polymerization.