bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Postprandial Plasma Glucose With a Fasting Time of 4–7.9 h Is Positively Associated With Cancer Mortality in US Adults
Authors: Wang Yutang , Fang Yan , Habenicht Andreas J. R. , Golledge Jonathan , Giovannucci Edward L. , Ceriello Antonio 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTAimsThis study investigated the association of postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) with cancer mortality using a general cohort of US adults.Materials and MethodsThis cohort study included 14,860 US adults who attended the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1988 to 1994, with mortality being followed up until December 31, 2019. The explanatory variable was the level of plasma glucose, including PPG with a fasting time of 0–3.9 h (PPG0–3.9h) and 4–7.9 h (PPG4–7.9h), plasma glucose with a fasting time ≥8 h (PGfasting), and plasma glucose at 2 h after oral glucose tolerance test (PG2hOGTT). Plasma glucose‐associated cancer mortality risk was assessed using Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsA 1‐natural‐log‐unit increase in PPG4–7.9h was associated with a higher multivariate‐adjusted risk for cancer mortality [hazard ratio (HR), 3.24; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.50–7.00]. However, PPG0–3.9h, PGfasting, PG2hOGTT, haemoglobin A1c, and insulin were not significantly associated with cancer mortality. The positive association of PPG4–7.9h with cancer mortality remained in those without a prior diagnosis of cancer.ConclusionsHigh PPG4–7.9h is associated with a higher cancer mortality risk in US adults. Lowering PPG4–7.9h may reduce cancer mortality.
Predation Risk Experienced by Tadpoles Shapes Personalities Before but Not After Metamorphosis
Authors: Płaskonka Barbara , Zaborowska Anna , Mikulski Andrzej , Pietrzak Barbara 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTConsistent inter‐individual differences in behaviour, that is, personalities, can emerge as a result of inter‐individual differences in ontogenetic experience, and predation risk is a potent one. As personalities develop over lifetime, however, they may also be broken by ontogenetic transitions of the individual. Here we first tested the hypothesis that consistent inter‐individual differences in larval behaviour arise under predation challenge, and are entangled with differences in body size. We then tested the hypothesis that adult behavioural type is related to body size rather than to larval behavioural phenotype. To test these hypotheses, we performed a longitudinal study following the development of about 50 moor frogs, Rana arvalis. We manipulated their larval and current environment, and recorded their behaviours repeatedly, under control conditions, invertebrate predators' chemical cues or in live predator presence. Partially in line with our predictions, the ontogenetic experience of predator presence led to personality emergence in tadpoles, yet their behaviour was not explained by their body size. This pattern was lost over metamorphosis. According to predictions, pre‐adult moor frog behaviour was affected by their body size—time to exit shelter was shorter in larger frogs—but neither by their behaviour as tadpoles nor by their larval environment, that is, tadpole predator‐exposure experience. Our results show that individual behavioural tendencies can be well decoupled between prior and post metamorphosis, which adds to the growing empirical evidence supporting adaptive decoupling hypothesis.
Adult Sex‐Ratio Bias Does Not Lead to Detectable Adaptive Offspring Sex Allocation Via Nest‐Site Choice in a Turtle With Temperature‐Dependent Sex Determination
Authors: Crowther Claudia , Adams Clare I. M. , Fondren Andy , Janzen Fredric J. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTSex‐ratio theory predicts that parents can optimise their fitness by producing offspring of the rare sex, yet there is a dearth of empirical evidence for adaptive sex allocation in response to the adult sex ratio (ASR). This is concerning, as anthropogenic disruption of the sex ratios of reproductive individuals threatens to cause demographic collapse in animal populations. Species with environmental sex determination (ESD) are especially at risk but may possess the capacity to adaptively influence offspring sex via control over the developmental environment. For example, reptiles with temperature‐dependent sex determination (TSD) could conceivably choose nest sites with thermal characteristics that produce offspring of the rare sex. To test this hypothesis, we seeded three secure outdoor ponds with different sex ratios (~M:F 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3) of adult painted turtles (Chrysemys picta), a reptile species with TSD. We then quantified nesting traits that could influence nest temperature and thus offspring sex ratio, including nesting date, nest depth, and nest canopy cover. We found no directional relationship between the ASR treatments and any measured nest traits and thus rejected our hypothesis. Interestingly, increased maternal body size was associated with reduced nest canopy cover, and this trend was more pronounced in the biased ASR treatments. If adaptive sex allocation occurs in this system, it instead may manifest via maternal epigenetic predisposition of offspring sex or in response to a phenomenon other than the ASR.
Functional and Character Disparity Are Decoupled in Turtle Mandibles
Authors: Ponstein Jasper , Hermanson Guilherme , Jansen Merlin W. , Renaudie Johan , Fröbisch Jörg , Evers Serjoscha W. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTTurtles have high shape variation of their mandibles, likely reflecting adaptations to a broad variety of food items and ingestion strategies. Here, we compare functional disparity measured by biomechanical proxies and character disparity measured by discrete morphological characters. Functional and character disparities vary between clades and ecological groups and are thus decoupled. Comparisons with cranial disparity also indicate decoupled patterns within the turtle skull. Exploration of mandibular patterns reveals that several biomechanical configurations or character state combinations can lead to the same feeding type (i.e., convergence) or that high functional disparity can be achieved at a low exhaustion of character state combinations (e.g., cryptodires). Dietary specialists show larger functional disparity than generalists, but the phylogenetically widespread generalist ecology leads to high character disparity signals in the ecotype. Whereas character disparity generally shows high phylogenetic signal, functional disparity patterns correspond to dietary specializations, which may occur convergently across different groups. Despite this, individual functional measurements have overlapping ranges across ecogroups and do not always conform to biomechanical expectations. Jaw opening and closing biomechanical advantages model trade‐offs between force transmission and opening/closing speeds, and turtles show a variety of combinations of values that we try to synthesize into several “jaw types”. Closing mechanical advantage shows that turtles retain high levels of force transmission at the anterior jaw end compared with other groups (e.g., pseudosuchians). This can possibly be explained as an evolutionary adaptation to retain high bite forces at small head sizes.
Rescue and Translocation of Hispaniola Hutia (Plagiodontia aedium) in Pueblo Viejo, Cotuí Mining Concession Area
Authors: Núñez‐Novas Miguel S. , Carreras‐De León Rosanna , Mateo Jiménez Amelia L. , Dávila Carolina , Calderón Pilar 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTTranslocation of species is a common practice used in endangered species management and conservation plans, which can have the purpose of establishing new populations which are at risk of being wiped out, increase a species chance of survival or recovery, and to preserve genetic diversity. The present study details the rescue and relocation process of Hispaniola Hutia (Plagiodontia aedium) in the municipality of Cotuí, Dominican Republic. Data are presented for eight individuals, belonging to two different families, detailing capture methods, handling, reintroduction method, and behavior, as well as data on post‐release monitoring for both families. It was found that the most efficient capture method was active capture by hand (6/8). The family groups were heterogeneous, although both families had in common the presence of a single adult male. The average weight of the individuals was 1.19 kg. Blood tests were carried out on the animals before being taken to the holding pens and compared with the values of other rodents, showing that hematic values for P. aedium were like those of another hutia species, Cynomys ludovicianus. During the period animals were held in pens before reintroduction, hutias showed trophic preferences for Clusia rosea and Guarea guidonea. The only supplementary food they consumed was Daucus carota. A fight was observed between members of different families during the acclimation period in the holding pen, between a subadult male and another dominant one, evidencing territorial behavior. Post‐release monitoring of the families showed that the selection of habitat for relocation, based on the characterization of active burrows in the area, was successful in one of the two families relocated. One of the families abandoned the selected area for translocation during the monitoring. It is important to note that accurate population data of the targeted population, such as abundance and density, are necessary to guarantee the survival of the translocated animals in the new environment. The reintroduction method used in this study may serve as a baseline for future translocation projects for the species.
Intraspecific Variation in Parental Care May Reflect Variation in Parental Quality
Authors: Pilakouta Natalie , Hanlon Elizabeth J. H. , Smiseth Per T. 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTThe existence of life‐history trade‐offs is a fundamental assumption of evolutionary biology and behavioural ecology, yet empirical studies have found mixed evidence for this. Such trade‐offs are expected when individuals vary in how they allocate their limited resource budgets between different life‐history functions (variation in resource allocation), but they may be masked when individuals vary in how many resources they have acquired that they can later allocate to life‐history functions (variation in resource acquisition). We currently lack studies on the extent to which individual differences in behaviour reflect variation between individuals in resource acquisition and resource allocation. Here, we use parental care as a case study for exploring this question. We used the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides, which exhibits facultative biparental care, comprising direct care (provisioning food or interacting with larvae) and indirect care (guarding or maintaining the carcass). We found some evidence for a positive relationship between these two components of care for both male and female parents. In addition, parents that spent more time providing care 24 h after hatching also tended to provide care for longer. Lastly, parents that provided more parental care did not experience a trade‐off of reduced lifespan after the breeding attempt. On the contrary, we found a positive relationship between the duration of care provided and parents' post‐breeding lifespan. Our finding of positive relationships between parental behaviours and between parental care and lifespan suggests that variation in care was mainly driven by differences in prior resource acquisition (i.e., parental quality) among individuals rather than differences in resource allocation. Our findings thus suggest that high intraspecific variation in parental quality can potentially mask reproductive investment trade‐offs within populations.
Succinic Acid Production With Actinobacillus succinogenes –Influence of an Electric Potential on the Intercellular NADH/NAD+ Balance
Authors: Hengsbach Jan‐Niklas , Cwienczek Marcel , Laudensack Wolfgang , Stiefelmaier Judith , Tippkötter Nils , Ulber Roland 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTBioelectrochemical systems (BESs) offer a sustainable method for chemical production, including the enhanced production of succinic acid. By combining fermentation with BES, it could be possible to achieve sustainable succinic acid production and CO2 fixation using Actinobacillus succinogenes. In literature, the potential application of BES is commonly associated with increased succinate yields, as it is expected to enhance the availability of NADH, thereby influencing the intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH/NAD+) balance. However, it remains unclear whether BES can improve NADH regeneration and achieve higher NADH/NAD+ ratios across all growth phases of A. succinogenes. This study investigates the impact of an applied electrical potential on the intracellular NADH/NAD+ ratio during an electrochemical‐assisted fermentation process. Using an adapted high‐performance liquid chromatography method with a Supelcosil LC‐18‐T column, it was demonstrated that NADH availability in BES, particularly during the stationary growth phase, improved by up to 1.98‐fold compared to the control. This enhancement in reducing power led to a succinate yield of 0.747 ± 0.01 g g−1, representing a 15.65% increase compared to a fermentation without electrochemical assistance. These findings support the expectation that the use of BES could enhance the competitiveness of bio‐based succinate production.
Intelligent generation and optimization method for the retrofit design of RC frame structures using buckling‐restrained braces
Authors: Tan Zhuang , Qin Sizhong , Hu Kongguo , Liao Wenjie , Gao Yuan , Lu Xinzheng 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAs buildings and structures age, the challenges of reinforcement and retrofitting become more significant, especially as their service life extends and the demand for seismic fortification increases. Integrating buckling‐restrained braces (BRBs) is an effective retrofit technique; however, this approach requires multiple iterations of layout adjustments and mechanical performance analysis, which are highly dependent on engineers' design expertise, resulting in low efficiency. To address this, the study proposes a two‐stage intelligent retrofit design method that integrates generative Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques with optimization algorithms for reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures using BRBs: (1) a diffusion model‐based potential BRB layout generation stage, and (2) an online learning algorithm‐based design optimization stage. In Stage 1, a diffusion model was employed to analyze architectural characteristics, identify potential BRB locations, narrow the feasible solution space for the optimization process, and ensure that the design meets empirical constraints. In Stage 2, an optimization algorithm, integrated with mechanical performance evaluation, was employed to determine the optimal locations and sizes of BRBs. Case studies revealed that these two methods enhanced efficiency by approximately 50 times compared to the direct design by engineers while maintaining design rationality and safety. Overall, these results demonstrate the feasibility and generalizability of the method in practical engineering applications, offering a reference for the intelligent design of more complex structural retrofits in the future.
Beyond body image: Self‐face recognition and negative self‐face evaluations in women at high risk for an eating disorder
Authors: Portingale Jade , Krug Isabel , Butler David 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundAlthough one's face represents a core aspect of one's physical appearance, it remains underexplored in eating disorder (ED) populations.AimsThe current study examined whether self‐face recognition accuracy and evaluations differ in those at high (vs. low) ED risk. We also explored whether recognition accuracy and evaluations are related, and whether this relationship is moderated by ED risk status.Materials & MethodsParticipants included 222 women of East/Southeast Asian (61%) and Caucasian (39%) ethnicity, stratified into low‐ED‐risk (n = 124) and high‐ED‐risk (n = 98). Participants completed measures of self‐face recognition accuracy (difficulty recognizing their face and sensitivity to seeing their facial image) and evaluations (including perceived facial adiposity and attractiveness, and head dissatisfaction).ResultsPartially consistent with hypotheses, regression analyses revealed that participants at high (vs. low) risk showed poorer self‐face recognition accuracy (greater difficulty) and more negative self‐face evaluations (higher perceived adiposity, lower perceived attractiveness, greater head dissatisfaction). However, ED risk was not significantly associated with self‐face recognition sensitivity. Inconsistent with expectations, whilst greater self‐face recognition difficulty was associated with more negative self‐face evaluations, ED risk failed to moderate such effects.Discussion & ConclusionFindings suggest the potential value of considering face and body image disturbances in ED research and interventions. Further research is encouraged.
Contextual effects of color on food choices: Red ambient color induces indulgence
Authors: Szocs Courtney , Abell Annika , Ruzeviciute Ruta , Kim Yeseul , Biswas Dipayan 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThis research examines how red ambient color in restaurants/cafeterias influences food choices. Prior research shows that red directly related to a food product (such as on nutrition labels or plates/cups) leads to avoidance of unhealthy foods. Yet, many successful fast‐food restaurants (e.g., McDonald's and Dairy Queen) use red in their ambiance, suggesting that in the context of food/eating, ambient red may have a different meaning than product‐related red. Indeed, the current research shows that consumers associate ambient red (e.g., wall color) with unhealthy restaurants. The presence of ambient red (vs. blue, gray, or white) leads to greater preference for unhealthy (i.e., high calorie, high fat, and indulgent) food options because consumers draw on ambient factors to make inferences about products sold in a retail establishment and then choose contextually appropriate products. The effect is moderated by the extent to which a consumer associates red with unhealthy restaurants. This research highlights how, in the context of food/eating, the placement of red influences its meaning and ultimately whether consumers approach or avoid unhealthy foods.
Fabrication of an antifouling and acid/alkali‐resistant sulfonated polyethersulfone (S‐PES)/polysulfate (PSE) composite ultrafiltration membrane and its application in the desalination of ulinastatin
Authors: Wang Wei , Li Peipei , Wang Jiaqi , Xu Baiyu 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDAn antifouling and acid/alkali‐resistant sulfonated polyethersulfone (S‐PES)/polysulfate (PSE) composite ultrafiltration (UF) membrane prepared via a nonsolvent‐induced phase separation (NIPS) method was used for the purification of ulinastatin (UTI) as an examplar protein‐based drug.RESULTThe effect of the content of S‐PES on the structure and UF performance of the S‐PES/PSE composite UF membrane was investigated. The acid/alkaline resistance of the S‐PES/PSE membranes was evaluated in the pH range 5–10 suitable for a UTI solution. UF desalination experiments were carried out on UTI elution collection solution, and the antifouling performance and long‐term stability of S‐PES/PSE composite UF membrane were evaluated. The results indicate that, for the optimal content of 4% S‐PES, pure water flux increased from 120 to 726 L m−2 h−1, WCA decreased from 79.3° to 51.0°, and the rejection of UTI was 95.90% ± 1.1% compared to PSE. Compared with PES and PSF membranes, the flux recovery rate of the S‐PES/PSE composite UF membrane was 80.63% (an increase of 32.48%), and the UTI adsorption was only 75.00 μg cm−2 (a decrease of 88.00%) after simulated antifouling experiments.CONCLUSIONThe S‐PES/PSE composite UF membrane has excellent long‐term stability, suggesting significant potential for application in the purification of protein‐based drugs and in large‐scale UTI purification. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Performance of ChatGPT‐3.5 and ChatGPT‐4o in the Japanese National Dental Examination
Authors: Uehara Osamu , Morikawa Tetsuro , Harada Fumiya , Sugiyama Nodoka , Matsuki Yuko , Hiraki Daichi , Sakurai Hinako , Kado Takashi , Yoshida Koki , Murata Yukie , Matsuoka Hirofumi , Nagasawa Toshiyuki , Furuichi Yasushi , Abiko Yoshihiro , Miura Hiroko 
Published: November 2024

AbstractObjectives: In this study, we compared the performance of ChatGPT‐3.5 to that of ChatGPT‐4o in the context of the Japanese National Dental Examination, which assesses clinical reasoning skills and dental knowledge, to determine their potential usefulness in dental education.Methods: ChatGPT's performance was assessed using 1399 (55% of the exam) of 2520 questions from the Japanese National Dental Examinations (111−117). The 1121 excluded questions (45% of the exam) contained figures or tables that ChatGPT could not recognize. The questions were categorized into 18 different subjects based on dental specialty. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, with McNemar's test applied to assess differences in performance.Results: A significant improvement was noted in the percentage of correct answers from ChatGPT‐4o (84.63%) compared with those from ChatGPT‐3.5 (45.46%), demonstrating enhanced reliability and subject knowledge. ChatGPT‐4o consistently outperformed ChatGPT‐3.5 across all dental subjects, with significant improvements in subjects such as oral surgery, pathology, pharmacology, and microbiology. Heatmap analysis revealed that ChatGPT‐4o provided more stable and higher correct answer rates, especially for complex subjects.Conclusions: This study found that advanced natural language processing models, such as ChatGPT‐4o, potentially have sufficiently advanced clinical reasoning skills and dental knowledge to function as a supplementary tool in dental education and exam preparation.
Introduction of a learning pathway combining passive and interactive formats in gerodontology: A pilot study
Authors: Germa Alice , Berteretche Marie‐Violaine , Gaucher Céline , Hartmann Aline , Lescaille Géraldine , Pradelle Nelly , Braud Adeline 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundDuring the 2021–2022 academic year, an integrated curriculum in gerodontology, including interactive teaching activities, has been proposed from the second to the fifth year of initial training. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the educational impact of interactive online mandatory activities including three quizzes and a serious game (SG) offered to fourth‐year students in addition to passive courses in gerodontology.Materials and methodsStudents’ participation in the quizzes and SG and their subsequent satisfaction were evaluated. Students’ performance for managing a dental visit with older patients were also assessed by using two tests proposed before and after the completion of the third quiz and the SG. Scores obtained to these tests were then submitted to a paired t‐test. Significance levels were set at p < 0.05.ResultsStudent participation in the three quizzes and SG remained high throughout the semester. The level of satisfaction with the course was high (respectively 26.7% very satisfactory and 65.5% satisfactory). Finally, mean ± SD scores of performances were 65.6 ± 9.2 before and 69.5 ± 9.8 after the completion of the third quiz and the SG (p = 0.0002, t‐test, df = 163).ConclusionThe frequency of use and the scores obtained in interactive activities suggest that students were involved in their gerodontology training during the semester. The learning outcomes of fourth‐year students were improved after the interactive activities. The introduction of a training pathway based on interactive activities could facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and skills by undergraduates in gerodontology.