bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ubiquitin: Not just a one‐way ticket to the proteasome, but a therapeutic dial to fine‐tune the molecular landscape of disease
Authors: Kim A. Hyun , Chiknas P. Murdo , Lee Robin E. C. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractRecently, there is a rise in studies that recognize the importance of targeting ubiquitin and related molecular machinery in various therapeutic contexts. Here we briefly discuss the history of ubiquitin, its biological roles in protein degradation and beyond, as well as the current state of ubiquitin‐targeting therapeutics across diseases. We conclude that targeting ubiquitin machinery is approaching a renaissance, and tapping its full potential will require embracing a wholistic perspective of ubiquitin's multifaceted roles.
An optimized deep learning model for a highly accurate DOA and channel estimation for massive MIMO systems
Authors: Pabbati Omkar H. , Joshi Rutvij C. 
Published: July 2024

SummaryMassive multiple‐input multiple‐output (MA‐MIMO) has been hailed as an auspicious technology for the future generation of wireless communications because it can considerably increase the capacity of the communication network. However, using the maximum likelihood (ML) direction‐of‐arrival (DOA) estimate method is severely constrained in actual systems because of the computationally expensive multi‐dimensional searching procedure. This paper proposes a novel approach to estimate DOA and channels by incorporating deep learning into the MA‐MIMO system. Here, a deep belief network (DBN) is used to learn both the spatial structures in the angle domain and the statistics of the wireless channel through both online and offline learning procedures. Also, a bald eagle search (BES) Optimization is used along with DBN to attain high precision through optimal training. The proposed model can estimate the channel based on the predicted DOA and the complex gain. According to numerical results, the suggested method performs significantly better than state‐of‐the‐art methods, particularly in tough conditions like low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and a finite number of snapshots. The proposed DBN‐BES technique accomplishes less root mean square error (RMSE) as 0.01 for SNR of 5 dB in elevation calculation and 0.02 for SNR of 5 dB in azimuth calculation. Also, the proposed algorithm greatly reduces computational complexity.
Physical seed damage, not rodent's saliva, accelerates seed germination of trees in a subtropical forest
Authors: Zhu Yunlong , Yang Xifu , Teng Yuwei , Wang Zhenyu , Zhang Zhibin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMany tree species adopt fast seed germination to escape the predation risk by rodents. Physical seed damage and the saliva of rodents on partially consumed seeds may act as cues for seeds to accelerate germination process. However, the impacts of these factors on seed germination rate and speed remain unclear. In this study, we investigated such impacts on the germination rate and speed (reversal of germination time) of four tree species (Quercus variabilis, Q. serrata, Q. acutissima, Q. glauca) after partial consumption by four rodent species (Leopoldamys edwards, Niviventer fulvescens, N. confucianus, Apodemus draco), through a series of experiments. We also examined how seed traits may affect the seed damage degree by rodents by analyzing the relationship between the germination rate and time of rodent‐damaged seed and the traits. We found that, artificially‐ and rodent‐damaged seeds exhibited a significantly higher seed germination rate and speed, compared to intact seeds. Also, the rodent saliva on seeds showed no significant effect on seed germination rate and speed. Furthermore, we observed significant positive correlations between several seed traits (including the seed mass, coat thickness, and protein content) and the seed germination rate and speed. These correlations are likely due to their beneficial traits countering seed damage by rodents. Overall, our results highlight the significant role of physical seed damage by rodents (rather than their saliva) in facilitating seed germination of tree species, and potential mutualism between rodents and trees. Additionally, our results may have some implications in forest restoration, such that intentionally sowing or dispersing slightly damaged seeds by humans or drones may increase the likelihood of successful seed regeneration.
Potential of reproductive traits in functional ecology: A quantitative comparison of variability in floral, fruit, and leaf traits
Authors: Paź‐Dyderska Sonia , Jagodziński Andrzej M. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDespite their claimed low intraspecific variability, plant reproductive traits are less frequently used in functional ecology. Here we focused on underrepresented plant organs, i.e. flowers and fruits, by comparing their traits with well‐established leaf traits. We evaluated 16 functional traits (six floral, six fruit, and four leaf traits) in a randomly selected group of woody species under comparable environmental conditions. We aimed to assess interspecific and intraspecimen variability and explore the potential of the proposed flower and fruit traits for ecological research. Traits related to the dry mass of flowers and fruits exhibited the highest interspecific variability, while carbon content traits in flowers and leaves had the lowest. At a specimen level, specific leaf area revealed the highest variation. Carbon content traits for all organs demonstrated the least intraspecimen variability, with flower carbon content being the least variable. Our study revealed connections between the newly proposed traits and widely recognized functional traits, uncovering intriguing links between the established traits and the floral and fruit traits upon which we focused. This complements the already well‐recognized variability in plant form and function with additional insights into reproductive processes.
Aboveground versus soil‐mediated effects of an invasive grass on fire‐dependent forbs in an oak woodland
Authors: Williams G. L. , Stephen Brewer J. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMost work on plant competition intensity in general has focused on how aboveground and belowground competition for resources between plants changes with soil resource availability. In contrast, much work on the competitive effects of non‐native invasive species on native species has focused on other mechanisms (e.g., allelopathy and microbial changes) and has largely ignored how these effects interact with mechanisms of resource competition along productivity gradients. We examined aboveground effects of an invasive grass, Microstegium vimineum, along with soil differences between invaded and non‐invaded areas on two native perennial herbs at a productive and an unproductive oak woodland site in north Mississippi, USA. We transplanted 32 individuals each of Helianthus silphioides and Potentilla simplex from uninvaded areas into natural patches dominated by M. vimineum at each of the sites. Each transplant was randomly assigned to a pot with either native soil or soil from around M. vimineum roots. Aboveground competition was manipulated by securing M. vimineum shoots in a non‐shading position around the transplant. We monitored survival of all transplants weekly in the growing seasons of 2020 and 2021. Transplant survival of H. silphioides was lowest in M. vimineum soil at the more productive site when M. vimineum was not pinned back. Transplant survival of P. simplex was lower at the more productive site but was mostly unresponsive to pinning and soil treatments. Synthesis. Our results suggest that soil‐mediated legacy effects of an invader may reduce some native species' ability to compete for light at productive sites.
Flight behaviour diverges more between seasonal forms than between species in Pieris butterflies
Authors: Kleckova Irena , Linke Daniel , Rezende Francisko De Moraes , Rauscher Luca , Le Roy Camille , Matos‐Maraví Pável 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn flying animals, wing morphology is typically assumed to influence flight behaviours. Whether seasonal polymorphism in butterfly morphology is linked to adaptive flight behaviour remains unresolved. Here, we compare the flight behaviours and wing morphologies of the spring and summer forms of two closely related butterfly species, Pieris napi and P. rapae. We first quantify three‐dimensional flight behaviour by reconstructing individual flight trajectories using stereoscopic high‐speed videography in an experimental outdoor cage. We then measure wing size and shape, which are characteristics assumed to influence flight behaviours in butterflies. We show that seasonal, but not interspecific, differences in flight behaviour might be associated with divergent forewing shapes. During spring, Pieris individuals are small and have elongated forewings, and generally fly at low speed and acceleration, while having a high flight curvature. On the contrary, summer individuals are larger and exhibit rounded forewings. They fly at high speed and acceleration, while having high turning acceleration and advance ratio. Our study provides one of the first quantitative pieces of evidence of different flight behaviours between seasonal forms of two Pieris butterfly species. We discuss the possibility that this co‐divergence in flight behaviour and morphology is an adaptation to distinct seasonal environments. Properly identifying the mechanisms underpinning such divergence, nonetheless, requires further investigations to disentangle the interacting effects of microhabitats, predator community, parasitoid pressure and behavioural differences between sexes.
Governance gaps and accountability traps in renewables extractivism
Authors: Park Susan , Kramarz Teresa , Johnson Craig 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe global uptake of renewable technology is both a dramatic and insufficient contribution to achieving a 1.5–2° world. However, urgently decarbonizing energy use and systems by shifting to renewables relies on intensifying global supply chains, beginning with the extraction of “critical” minerals, an industry that has a long history of generating significant social and ecological harms. This paper examines the nature of transnational governance initiatives that have emerged to regulate what has been called “renewables extractivism.” We develop a novel database of 44 transnational initiatives for governing minerals for onshore wind, solar PV, and lithium‐ion batteries, which are driving renewable energy uptake. The database reveals “governance gaps” that refer to an absence of rules for many critical minerals and “accountability traps” where actors are held responsible for processes, standards, and sanctions that reflect their own normative logics, rather than the needs of affected communities and ecosystems. Current initiatives are designed in a way that measures, evaluates, and (very rarely) sanctions governance outcomes primarily in relation to supply chain security and energy access, as opposed to mitigating the social and environmental harms of resource extraction. The result is a transnational governance architecture that operates primarily (and systematically) with minimal scrutiny, transparency, and accountability. For stakeholders directly affected by the latest mining boom cycle, the absence of effective and legitimate accountability mechanisms reinforces a pattern of uneven development that shifts the most destructive forms of extraction to the social and ecological margins of the global commodity frontier.
Phenotype and prognostic factors in geriatric and non‐geriatric patients with transthyretin cardiomyopathy
Authors: Volpentesta Eugenia , Kharoubi Mounira , Donadio Cristiano , Rebiai Kahina , Fanen Pascale , Funalot Benoit , Gendre Thierry , Audard Vincent , Canoui‐Poitrine Florence , Itti Emmanuel , Teiger Emmanuel , Planté‐Bordeneuve Violaine , Oghina Silvia , Tixier Denis , Mallet Sophie , Broussier Amaury , Damy Thibaud , Zaroui Amira 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimsTransthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR‐CM) may be an underestimated cause of heart failure among geriatric patients and represent a unique phenotype and prognostic profile.Methods and resultsThis retrospective, observational, cohort study characterizes cardiac and extracardiac disorders at diagnosis and assesses prognosis among ATTR‐CM patients based on age (geriatric vs. non‐geriatric) and amyloidosis subtype (wild type, ATTRwt and hereditary, ATTRv). In total, 943 patients with ATTR‐CM were included, of which 306 had ATTRv and 637 had ATTRwt. Among these, 331 (35.1%) were non‐geriatric (<75 years), and 612 (64.9%) were geriatric (≥75 years). The population exhibited conduction abnormalities, atrial fibrillation and ischaemic heart disease that progressively deteriorated with age. Among ATTRwt patients, peripheral neuropathy, neurovegetative symptoms, and hearing loss were present across all age groups, but reports of carpal tunnel symptoms or surgery decreased with age. Conversely, among ATTRv patients, reports of extracardiac symptoms increased with age and Val122ILe mutation was highly prevalent among geriatric patients. The 3‐year survival was higher among non‐geriatric ATTR‐CM patients (76%) than geriatric patients (55%) and predictors of 3‐year mortality differed. Notably, predictors identified among geriatric patients were alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (HR = 1.004, 95% CI: [0.001–1.100)], troponin T hs (HR = 1.005, 95% CI: [1.001–1.120)] and tricuspid insufficiency (HR = 1.194, 95% CI: [1.02–1.230)]. Whereas, among non‐geriatric patients, NT‐proBNP (HR = 1.002, 95% CI: [1.02–1.04], global longitudinal strain (HR = 0.95, 95% CI: [0.922–0.989], and glomerular filtration rate (HR = 0.984, 95% CI: [0.968–1.00) were identified. We propose a 3‐stage prognostic staging system combining troponin T hs (≥44 ng/L) and ALP levels (≥119 UI/L). In the geriatric population, this model discriminated survival more precisely than the National Amyloidosis Centre staging, particularly for classifying between stage 1 (82%), stage 2 (50%) and stage 3 (32%) for ATTRv and ATTRwt.ConclusionsThese diagnostic and prognostic indicators, along with ATTR subtype, highlight the distinct characteristics of this important, geriatric ATTR‐CM patient group. Recognizing these mortality markers can be valuable for geriatricians to improve the prognostic quality management of geriatric patients with ATTR‐CM.
Evaluating the influence of working parameters on the efficiency of a solid oxide fuel cell by conducting sensitivity analysis using electrochemical and thermodynamic modeling
Authors: Mouissi Ahmed , Touaibi Rabah , Köten Hasan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis research article presents an investigation conducted through a numerical model to analyze the influence of various operational parameters on the performance of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The parameters studied include operating temperature, current density, pressure, steam‐to‐carbon ratio, and fuel utilization. The electrochemical model employed the Butler‐Volmer equation, Fick's model, and Ohm's law to calculate concentration, activation, and ohmic losses. The primary focus was on evaluating the generated power and electrical efficiency as performance metrics. The study revealed that increasing operating temperature and pressure resulted in higher power generation and specific optimum points were identified for optimal SOFC operation. Notably, the highest power generated was 812 kW, achieved at an operating temperature of 950 K and a current density of 18100 A/m2. Additionally, decreasing the fuel utilization factor to 55% at 15250 A/m2 led to a power output of 706 kW. Similarly, at a current density of 17150 A/m2 and a pressure of 400 kPa, the fuel cell generated about 780 kW of power. Furthermore, the research demonstrated that reducing the steam‐to‐carbon ratio increased power generation, with an optimum power output of 704 kW achieved at a current density of 16000 A/m2 and a low steam‐to‐carbon ratio. Notably, this point also showcased the improved electrical efficiency of the solid oxide fuel cell. Overall, this study underscores the significance of specific operational factors that significantly impact SOFC performance. By comprehending these parameters, it becomes possible to enhance the utilization of solid oxide fuel cells across various applications.
Depression, loneliness, and lower social activity as partial mediators of the association between visual impairment and cognitive decline
Authors: Moon Katherine A. , Sol Ketlyne , Simone Stephanie M. , Zaheed Afsara B. , Krasnova Anna , Andrews Ryan M. , Vonk Jet M. J. , Widaman Keith F. , Armstrong Nicole M. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectivesSensory impairment is a hypothesized risk factor for cognitive decline; however, the psychosocial pathways are not well understood. We evaluated whether the association between visual impairment (VI) and cognitive decline was partially mediated via depressive symptoms, loneliness, or social activity.MethodsWe used data from 2601 older adults enrolled in the Memory and Aging Project in 1997 and the Minority Aging Research Study in 2004 with neuropsychological tests across five domains measured annually for up to 16 years. VI was assessed with the Rosenbaum Pocket Vision Screener. Depressive symptoms, loneliness, and social activity were self‐reported using validated scales. We used structural equation models to estimate the associations of VI with baseline and change in cognitive function, directly and indirectly through each mediator (depressive symptoms, loneliness, and social activity). We evaluated mediation via “psychological distress” using a latent variable combining depressive symptoms and loneliness.ResultsThe association between VI and global cognitive decline was mediated via lower social activity (indirect effect) [95% confidence interval (CI)] of linear slope: −0.025 (−0.048, −0.011), via loneliness (−0.011 [95% CI: −0.028, −0.002]), and via psychological distress (−0.017 [95% CI: −0.042, −0.003]). We did not find sufficient evidence for mediation via depressive symptoms alone.ConclusionsThe harmful effect of VI on cognitive decline may be partially mediated through loneliness and lower social activity.
Pet ownership and psychosocial outcomes among the oldest old in Germany during the Covid‐19 pandemic. Findings based on the nationally representative “Old Age in Germany (D80+)”
Authors: Hajek André , Peltzer Karl , Veronese Nicola , König Hans‐Helmut , Gyasi Razak M. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectivesTo examine the association between pet ownership and psychosocial outcomes among the oldest old in Germany during the Covid‐19 pandemic.Methods/DesignData from the “Old Age in Germany (D80+)” study were used, a large, nationwide representative study covering both individuals living at home and individuals in nursing homes aged 80 years and above (n = 2867 individuals). The telephone interviews were conducted from May to October 2021. Established tools (e.g., “Short Form of the Depression in Old Age Scale”, DIA‐S4) were used to quantify the outcomes. Five groups were generated: (1) no pet ownership, (2) having at least one dog (but no other pets), (3) having at least one cat (but no other pets), (4) having at least one other pet (but neither dogs nor cats), (5) having at least two different types of pets (in any combination).ResultsMultiple linear regressions showed that compared to individuals without a pet, individuals having at least one dog had significantly lower loneliness levels (β = −0.21, p < 0.01). In the fully‐adjusted models, other forms of pet ownership were not significantly associated with the outcomes examined.ConclusionParticularly living with a dog was associated with lower loneliness among the oldest old people in Germany. If living with a dog is in line with the preferences and attitudes of the very old, this could be a strategy for reducing loneliness in this age group.
Reconceptualizing threshold‐mediated runoff responses: A case study from the Humber River watershed, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Ross Cody A. , Ali Genevieve A. , Spence Christopher , Oswald Claire J. , Phillips Anna K. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWatershed‐scale runoff responses are driven by various factors including climate, geology, soils, topography and landcover. They are often threshold‐mediated, expressing significant changes in hydrologic behaviour at critical moments in time or points in space. The influence of multiple explanatory variables on rainfall‐runoff relationships is not adequately captured by commonly applied approaches portraying runoff responses as a function of one variable related to watershed storage. In this case study, a novel approach was borrowed from ecological research to quantify and better understand threshold‐mediated runoff responses. Modelled three‐dimensional surfaces depicting metrics of event runoff responses as a function of rainfall amount and intensity were analysed to quantify both the abruptness of potential thresholds (i.e., threshold strength) and the simultaneous influence of different rainfall characteristics on the response (i.e., diagonality). The approach was applied to sub‐watersheds of the Humber River (Ontario, Canada), which have a nested configuration and a strong land use gradient, providing an opportunity to explore how the interplay between rainfall amount and intensity in determining runoff response is affected by sub‐watershed physical features. The study revealed that threshold strengths and the simultaneous influence of rainfall amount and intensity varied, depending on the sub‐watershed and event‐specific conditions. There was evidence that sub‐watershed slope and imperviousness along with the watershed position relative to prevailing weather patterns influences threshold strength and diagonality. This research extends threshold analyses in hydrology to encompass multiple explanatory variables: it aligns more closely with perceptual models of runoff generation and encourages a reimagining of thresholds as discontinuities in response across various combinations of explanatory variables. The threshold strength and diagonality parameters facilitate objective comparisons of thresholds across space and time and may be valuable tools for watershed classification and inter‐comparison, and for evaluating and/or calibrating rainfall‐runoff models. These promising lines of inquiry would be best served by applying this methodology across a broader range of spatial scales and hydroclimatic conditions.
Conventional and modern markers of pregnancy of unknown location: Update and narrative review
Authors: Hou Likang , Liang Xiaowen , Zeng Lingqing , Wang Qian , Chen Zhiyi 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPregnancy of unknown location (PUL) is a temporary pathologic or physiologic phenomenon of early pregnancy that requires follow up to determine the final pregnancy outcome. Evidence indicated that PUL patients suffer a remarkably higher rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes, represented by ectopic gestation and early pregnancy loss, than the general population. In the past few decades, discussion about PUL has never stopped, and a variety of markers have been widely investigated for the early and accurate evaluation of PUL, including serum biomarkers, ultrasound imaging features, multivariate analysis, and the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy based on risk stratification. So far, machine learning (ML) methods represented by M4 and M6 logistic regression have gained a level of recognition and are continually improving. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity of PUL markers, mainly caused by the limited sample size, the differences in population and technical maturity, etc., have hampered the management of PUL. With the advancement of multidisciplinary integration and cutting‐edge technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence, prediction model development, and telemedicine), novel markers, and strategies for the management of PUL are expected to be developed. In this review, we summarize both conventional and novel markers (represented by artificial intelligence) for PUL assessment and management, investigate their advancements, limitations and challenges, and propose insights on future research direction and clinical application.