bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Tale of Two Centuries? Expanding Constitutional Labour Rights in Canada and Their Impact on Legislation, Conflict and Wages
Authors: Weinberg Bradley R. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTUsing collective agreement and strike data from the Canadian Federal and provincial jurisdictions for the years 1978–2019, this study examines the effect that various legislative regimes that govern public‐sector bargaining disputes have on the incidence, duration and cost of conflict. This study seeks to replicate and improve previous estimates related to this topic but also extends the analysis to examine changes to the legal environment in Canada in which labour rights have been increasingly enshrined in constitutional law through the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This study finds, in contrast to previous studies, that the legislative regime impacts the way agreements are settled when disputes occur but not the likelihood of a directly negotiated agreement prior to impasse. It also highlights some differences in contract and wage settlements prior to and after the constitutionalization of labour rights in Canada.
The p. S178L mutation in Tbc1d24 disrupts endosome‐mediated synaptic vesicle trafficking of cochlear hair cells and leads to hearing impairment in mice
Authors: Chen Penghui , Hou Shule , Li Gen , Lin Yuzhe , Lu Jiawen , Song Lei , Li Geng‐Lin , Pang Xiuhong , Wu Hao , Yang Tao 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe ribbon synapses of cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) employ efficient vesicle resupply to enable fast and sustained release rates. However, the molecular mechanisms of these physiological activities remain unelucidated. Previous studies showed that the RAB‐specific GTPase‐activating protein TBC1D24 controls the endosomal trafficking of the synaptic vesicles (SVs) in Drosophila and mammalian neurons, and mutations in TBC1D24 may lead to non‐syndromic hearing loss or hearing loss associated with the DOORS syndrome in humans. In this study, we generated a knock‐in mouse model for the p. S178L mutation in TBC1D24, which leads to autosomal dominant non‐syndromic hearing loss (DFNA65). The p.S178L mutant mice show mild hearing loss and progressively declined wave I amplitude of the auditory brainstem responses. Despite the normal gross and cellular morphology of the cochlea, transmission electron microscopy reveals accumulation of endosome‐like vacuoles and a lower‐than‐normal number of SVs directly associated with the ribbons in the IHCs. Consistently, patch clamp of the IHCs shows reduced exocytosis under prolonged stimulus. ARF6, a TBC1D24‐interacting protein also involved in endosomal membrane trafficking, was underexpressed in the cochleae of the mutant mouse and has weakened in vitro interaction with the p.S178L mutant TBC1D24. Our results suggest an important role of TBC1D24 in maintaining endosomal‐mediated vesicle recycling and sustained exocytosis of hair cell ribbon synapses.
Grammar and Expectation in Active Dependency Resolution: Experimental and Modeling Evidence From Norwegian
Authors: Kobzeva Anastasia , Kush Dave 
Published: October 2024

AbstractFiller‐gap dependency resolution is often characterized as an active process. We probed the mechanisms that determine where and why comprehenders posit gaps during incremental processing using Norwegian as our test language. First, we investigated why active filler‐gap dependency resolution is suspended inside island domains like embedded questions in some languages. Processing‐based accounts hold that resource limitations prevent gap‐filling in embedded questions across languages, while grammar‐based accounts predict that active gap‐filling is only blocked in languages where embedded questions are grammatical islands. In a self‐paced reading study, we find that Norwegian participants exhibit filled‐gap effects inside embedded questions, which are not islands in the language. The findings are consistent with grammar‐based, but not processing, accounts. Second, we asked if active filler‐gap processing can be understood as a special case of probabilistic ambiguity resolution within an expectation‐based framework. To do so, we tested whether word‐by‐word surprisal values from a neural language model could predict the location and magnitude of filled‐gap effects in our behavioral data. We find that surprisal accurately tracks the location of filled‐gap effects but severely underestimates their magnitude. This suggests either that mechanisms above and beyond probabilistic ambiguity resolution are required to fully explain active gap‐filling behavior or that surprisal values derived from long‐short term memory are not good proxies for humans' incremental expectations during filler‐gap resolution.
Unsupervised news analysis for enhanced high‐frequency food insecurity assessment
Authors: van Wanrooij Cascha , Cruijssen Frans , Olier Juan Sebastian 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis article introduces an artificial intelligence (AI)‐based system for forecasting food insecurity in data‐limited settings, employing unsupervised neural networks for topic modeling on news data. Unlike traditional methods, our system operates without relying on expert assumptions about food insecurity factors. Through a case study in Somalia, we show that the method can yield competitive performance, even in the absence of traditional food security indicators such as food prices. This system is valuable in supporting expert assessments of food insecurity, unlocking a wealth of untapped information from news outlets, and offering a path toward more frequent and automated food insecurity monitoring for timely crisis intervention.
Comparative Temporal Infrared Thermography of Arboricultural Materials for Sun‐Induced Trunk Injury Prevention in Broad‐Leaved Woody Plants
Authors: Park Junhyung , Seo Dahye , Kim Ki Woo 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTUsing an infrared (IR) thermal camera, we evaluated the efficacy of six arboricultural materials for preventing sunscald and frost crack. The trunks of adult Yoshino cherry (Prunus × yedoensis) and Japanese zelkova (Zelkova serrata) were treated with (i–iii) three paint types (white water paint [P–W], white latex paint [P–L], and quicklime [P–Q]), (iv and v) two band wrap types [brown tree wrap (B–B) and white tree wrap (B–W)], and (vi) a wound paste: thiophanate‐methyl paste (TP) in the shape of a band 10 cm thick. Outdoor IR thermographs were captured four times a day at 3 h intervals (09:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 03:00 p.m. and 06:00 p.m.) over four consecutive days in late October 2019. Bark temperatures recorded for P–W, P–L, P–Q and B–W treatments were consistently lower than those for untreated trunks. The mean temperature difference between B–W and untreated bark (up to 4.57°C) remained pronounced between 09:00 a.m. and 06:00 p.m. for both tree species each day. Conversely, no significant differences in bark temperatures were observed under B–B and TP treatments compared with untreated bark (p = 0.01). Elevated bark temperature was observed on the south side compared with the other three cardinal directions; however, temperatures were similar in all directions at 06:00 p.m. These findings suggest that white tree wrapping may provide a viable approach to prevent sun‐induced trunk injuries, leveraging the light reflectivity of the white colour and thermal insulation properties of the wrapping material.
Let's fail better: Using philosophical tools to improve neuroscientific research in psychiatry
Authors: Abalo‐Rodríguez Inés , Blithikioti Chrysanthi 
Published: October 2024

AbstractDespite predictions that neuroscientific discoveries would revolutionize psychiatry, decades of research have not yet led to clinically significant advances in psychiatric care. For this reason, an increasing number of researchers are recognizing the limitations of a purely biomedical approach in psychiatric research. These researchers call for reevaluating the conceptualization of mental disorders and argue for a non‐reductionist approach to mental health. The aim of this paper is to discuss philosophical assumptions that underly neuroscientific research in psychiatry and offer practical tools to researchers for overcoming potential conceptual problems that are derived from those assumptions. Specifically, we will discuss: the analogy problem, questioning whether mental health problems are equivalent to brain disorders, the normativity problem, addressing the value‐laden nature of psychiatric categories and the priority problem, which describes the level of analysis (e.g., biological, psychological, social, etc.) that should be prioritized when studying psychiatric conditions. In addition, we will explore potential strategies to mitigate practical problems that might arise due to these implicit assumptions. Overall, the aim of this paper is to suggest philosophical tools of practical use for neuroscientists, demonstrating the benefits of a closer collaboration between neuroscience and philosophy.
Plant Silicon Defences Suppress Herbivore Performance, but Mode of Feeding Is Key
Authors: Johnson Scott N. , Waterman Jamie M. , Hartley Susan E. , Cooke Julia , Ryalls James M. W. , Lagisz Malgorzata , Nakagawa Shinichi 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTThe performance of herbivorous animals depends on the nutritional and defensive traits of the plants they consume. The uptake and deposition of biogenic silicon in plant tissues is arguably the most basic and ubiquitous anti‐herbivore defence used by plants, especially grasses. We conducted meta‐analyses of 150 studies reporting how vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores performed when feeding on silicon‐rich plants relative to those feeding on low‐silicon plants. Silicon levels were 52% higher and 32% more variable in silicon‐rich plants compared to plants with low silicon, which resulted in an overall 33% decline in herbivore performance. Fluid‐feeding herbivore performance was less adversely impacted (−14%) than tissue‐chewing herbivores, including mammals (−45%), chewing arthropods (−33%) and plant‐boring arthropods (−39%). Fluid‐feeding arthropods with a wide diet breadth or those feeding on perennial plant species were mostly unaffected by silicon defences. Unlike many other plant defences, where diet specialisation often helps herbivores overcome their effects, silicon negatively impacts chewing herbivores regardless of diet breadth. We conclude that silicon defences primarily target chewing herbivores and impact vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores to a similar degree.
Regional‐scale disturbances drive long‐term decline of inshore coral reef fish assemblages in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Authors: Ceccarelli Daniela M. , Logan Murray , Evans Richard D. , Jones Geoffrey P. , Puotinen Marji , Petus Caroline , Russ Garry R. , Sinclair‐Taylor Tane , Srinivasan Maya , Williamson David H. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAnthropogenic pressure is increasing the variety and frequency of environmental disturbance events, limiting recovery and leading to long‐term declines in wild plant and animal populations. Coral reefs and associated fish assemblages are inherently dynamic due to their susceptibility to a host of disturbances, but regional‐scale nuances in the drivers of long‐term change frequently remain poorly resolved. Here, we examine the effects of multiple potential drivers of change in coral reef fish assemblages across 4 inshore regions of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP), Australia, over 12–14 years (2007–2021). Each region had a unique disturbance history, in conjunction with long‐term changes in physical and habitat variables. Phases of recovery were apparent in the years between disturbance events at all locations, but these were not long enough to prevent substantial declines in reef fish density (by 33%–72%) and species richness (by 41%–75%) throughout the study period. The main drivers of change in fish assemblages varied among regions; however, the most rapid changes followed cyclone and flood events. Limited recovery periods resulted in temporal shifts in fish species composition from typically coral‐associated to algae‐associated. Most trophic groups declined in density except farmers, grazers, omnivores and parrotfish. No‐take marine reserves (NTMRs) had small and inconsistent effects on total fish assemblages, but delivered benefits for fishery‐targeted piscivores. Our findings suggest that coral reef responses to local stressors and cumulative escalating climate change impacts are highly variable at regional scales, and that small NTMRs are unlikely to mitigate the impacts of increasingly frequent climatic disturbances. Nearshore coral reefs worldwide are high‐value habitats that are either already degraded or vulnerable to degradation and the loss of important fish groups. Global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions must be coupled with effective local management that can support the functioning and adaptive capacity of coral reefs.
How Climate Change May Impact Plant Reproduction and Fitness by Altering the Temporal Separation of Male and Female Flowering
Authors: Buonaiuto D. M. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTThe temporal separation of male and female flowering—known as dichogamy—is a widespread adaptation across the plant kingdom that increases reproductive success and enhances plant fitness. Differences in timing between male and female flowering can be highly sensitive to environmental variation—and with widespread evidence of shifts in seasonal timing of flowering (i.e., phenology) due to anthropogenic warming—climate change may alter the sequences of male and female flowering for a diversity of taxa around the globe. However, we currently lack a broad understanding of both the extent to which climate change may alter patterns of dichogamy and the potential implications of these shifts for plant reproduction. Here I present evidence that links variation in dichogamy to variation in temperature for a variety of plant taxa. I synthesize the limited number of studies that have investigated shifts in dichogamy specifically in the context of climate change, and detail the physiological, genetic, and developmental factors that control the relative timing of male and female flowering. The literature indicates that dichogamy is highly plastic and sensitive to temperature variation. Plasticity in dichogamy is observed across species with different sexual systems and growth habits, and in both female‐first and male‐first flowering taxa, but at present, no clear patterns of dichogamy shifts related to these associated traits are discernible. Together, these lines of evidence suggest that sequences of male and female flowering are likely to shift with climate change. However, more research is needed to better understand and predict the ecological consequences of shifting patterns of dichogamy in the context of global change.
Exploring the Experiences, Perceptions and Social Dynamics of Electronic Cigarette Users: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Gürsoy Ersan , Kaya Rıdvan 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionElectronic cigarettes, or e‐cigarettes, are rapidly gaining popularity throughout the globe as safer alternatives to traditional cigarette smoking. There are significant public health concerns due to the uncertainty of long‐term health consequences. This study aims to examine the experiences, attitudes and social dynamics of e‐cigarette users to provide guidance for public health policies and interventions.MethodsIn this qualitative descriptive study, semi‐structured interviews were conducted. Fifteen e‐cigarette users were recruited using a snowball sampling strategy, where initial participants referred other suitable users. All participants had at least 6 months of regular e‐cigarette use. Data were collected through face‐to‐face interviews with open‐ended questions. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and reviewed by the researchers. This review identified four main themes and eight sub‐themes.ResultsThe four main themes identified as a result of the analysis are as follows: (1) initiation and usage experiences; (2) perceptions of health effects; (3) social and environmental factors and (4) addiction and future plans. Participants primarily began using e‐cigarettes out of curiosity, due to the appealing fragrance and the belief that they were less harmful than traditional cigarettes. Usage patterns varied among participants, with some reporting minimal cravings in the early morning hours. Opinions on the long‐term health effects of e‐cigarettes were diverse, with many participants acknowledging uncertainty. Peers and family members perceived e‐cigarettes as more socially acceptable than traditional smoking, resulting in fewer negative reactions. Finally, participants' levels of addiction and intentions to quit varied, with some expressing a desire to reduce or cease usage due to health concerns.ConclusionThe findings of this study indicate that the adoption of e‐cigarettes is influenced by a confluence of factors, including curiosity, the perception of reduced damage in comparison to conventional cigarettes and social acceptance. Notwithstanding these claimed advantages, users have a diverse array of beliefs and understandings concerning the enduring health consequences of e‐cigarettes. The presence of varying levels of addiction and the corresponding aspirations to cease the behaviour highlight the necessity for focused public health interventions.Patient or Public ContributionE‐cigarette users were actively involved in this study, providing essential insights and feedback throughout. Their first‐hand experiences shaped the interview guide and contributed to the identification of key themes. Participants also reviewed and confirmed the accuracy of the interview transcripts, ensuring the reliability of the data.
Immune repertoire profiling in myasthenia gravis
Authors: He Ting , Chen Kangzhi , Zhou Qian , Cai Haobing , Yang Huan 
Published: October 2024

AbstractMyasthenia gravis (MG) is the most frequent immune‐mediated neurological disorder, characterized by fluctuating muscle weakness. Specific recognition of self‐antigens by T‐cell receptors (TCRs) and B‐cell receptors (BCRs), coupled with T–B cell interactions, activates B cells to produce autoantibodies, which are critical for the initiation and perpetuation of MG. The immune repertoire comprises all functionally diverse T and B cells at a specific time point in an individual, reflecting the essence of immune selectivity. By sequencing the nucleotide sequences of TCRs and BCRs, it is possible to track individual T‐ and B‐cell clones. This review delves into the generation of autoreactive TCRs and BCRs in MG and comprehensively examines the applications of immune repertoire sequencing in understanding disease pathogenesis, developing diagnostic and prognostic markers and informing targeted therapies. We also discuss the current limitations and future potential of this approach.
There and Back Again: How UK–EU De‐Institutionalisation After Brexit Shaped Re‐Engagement After Ukraine
Authors: Sus Monika , Martill Benjamin 
Published: October 2024

AbstractRussia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 disrupted the status quo of the European security order and brought about a re‐engagement in the UK–EU security relationship. However, co‐operation remains informal and ad hoc in ways that diverge from theoretical expectations of security co‐operation in the face of external threats. Applying insights from Historical Institutionalism and drawing on semi‐structured elite interviews with UK and EU officials from 2017 to 2023, our article explains why a shock as severe as the Russian invasion was not sufficient to bring about the wholesale renewal of UK–EU co‐operation. Our analysis demonstrates that the exogenous shock of conflict interacted with path‐dependent dynamics stemming from the Brexit process, shaping the institutional outcomes and limiting co‐operation in important ways. We show that co‐operation has intensified only when problematic Brexit legacies have been removed, arguing that UK–EU security re‐engagement represents a phased process rather than a linear one.
Spatial and Single‐Cell Transcriptomics Reveals the Regional Division of the Spatial Structure of MASH Fibrosis
Authors: Li Jin‐zhong , Yang Liu , Xiao Min‐xi , Li Ni , Huang Xin , Ye Li‐hong , Zhang Hai‐cong , Liu Zhi‐quan , Li Jun‐qing , Liu Yun‐yan , Liang Xu‐jing , Li Tao‐yuan , Li Jie‐ying , Cao Yang , Pan Yun , Lin Xun‐ge , Dai Hai‐mei , Dai Er‐hei , Li Min‐ran 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo elucidate the regional distribution of metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis (MASH) fibrosis within the liver and to identify potential therapeutic targets for MASH fibrosis.MethodsLiver sections from healthy controls, patients with simple steatosis and MASH patients were analysed using spatial transcriptomics integrated with single‐cell RNA‐seq.ResultsSpatial transcriptomics analysis of liver tissues revealed that the fibrotic region (Cluster 9) was primarily distributed in lobules, with some fibrosis also found in the surrounding area. Integration of the single‐cell‐sequencing data set (GSE189175) showed a greater proportion of inflammatory cells (Kupffer cells and T cells) and myofibroblasts in MASH. Six genes, showing high‐ or low‐specific expression in Cluster 9, namely, ADAMTSL2, PTGDS, S100A6, PPP1R1A, ASS1 and G6PC, were identified in combination with pathology. The average expression levels of ADAMTSL2, PTGDS and S100A6 on the pathological HE staining map were positively correlated with the increase in the degree of fibrosis and aligned strongly with the distribution of fibrosis. ADAMTSL2+ myofibroblasts play a role in TNF signalling pathways and in the production of ECM structural components. Pseudotime analysis indicated that in the early stages of MASH, infiltration by T cells and Kupffer cells triggers a significant inflammatory response. Subsequently, this inflammation leads to the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), transforming them into myofibroblasts and promoting the development of liver fibrosis.ConclusionThis study is the first to characterise lineage‐specific changes in gene expression, subpopulation composition, and pseudotime analysis in MASH fibrosis and reveals potential therapeutic targets for this condition.
Dietary intake and growth of HIV exposed and unexposed 6–12 months old infants in South Africa
Authors: Tshiambara Phumudzo , Hoffman Marinel , Legodi Heather , Balakrishna Yusentha , Feucht Ute 
Published: October 2024

AbstractFactors affecting the growth of HIV‐exposed‐uninfected (HEU) children are multi‐factorial, with limited information available on the dietary intake from 6 months. This study compared the dietary intake, micronutrient composition of breastmilk, and growth of HEU and HIV‐unexposed‐uninfected (HUU) infants aged 6 and 12 months in an urban setting. A repeated cross‐sectional study used structured questionnaires to collect socio‐demographic, dietary intake, food group data, and anthropometric measurements in the Siyakhula study. The HEU (48%) and HUU (52%) infants were included (total n = 181). At 6 months, HEU infants had lower weight‐for‐age z‐scores (WAZ) (−0.6 ± 1.1 vs. 0.1 ± 1.2; p < 0.001), length‐for‐age z‐scores (−0.8 ± 1.4 vs. −0.1 ± 1.2; p < 0.001), and mid‐upper‐arm circumference‐for‐age z‐scores (MUACAZ) (0.5 ± 1.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.9; p < 0.001) than HUU infants. At 12 months, HEU infants had lower WAZ, MUACAZ, and weight‐for‐length z‐scores compared to HUU infants (p < 0.05). Stunting was found at 6 (15%) and 12 (12%) months in HEU infants. The micronutrient composition of breastmilk fed to both groups was similar. Breastfeeding rates were lower in HEU than in HUU infants at 6 (49% vs. 64%; p = 0.005) and 12 (24% vs. 46%; p = 0.002) months. Less than 3% of HEU and HUU infants achieved minimal dietary diversity scores at 12 months. Dietary intake of fat was similar in all breastfed infants, but iron and vitamin B12 were higher in non‐breastfed HEU infants at 12 months. HEU infants had lower breastfeeding rates than HUU infants. A lack of dietary diversity was found in all infants. Nutrition education and counselling in the complementary feeding phase are essential for optimal growth.