bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid integration of face detection and task set in visually guided reaching
Authors: Mekhaiel David Y. , Goodale Melvyn A. , Corneil Brian D. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe superior colliculus (SC) has been increasingly implicated in the rapid processing of evolutionarily relevant stimuli like faces, but the behavioural relevance of such processing is unclear. The SC has also been implicated in the generation of express visuomotor responses (EVR), which are very short‐latency (~80 ms) bursts of muscle activity time‐locked to visual target presentation. These observations led us to investigate the influence of faces on EVRs. We recorded upper limb muscle activity from healthy participants as they reached toward targets in the presence of a distractor. In some experiments, faces were used as stimuli. Across blocks of trials, we varied the instruction as to which stimulus served as the target or distractor. Doing so allowed us to assess the impact of instruction on muscle recruitment given identical visual stimuli. We found that responses were uniquely modulated in tasks involving high‐contrast faces, promoting reaches toward or away from a face depending on instruction. Follow‐up experiments confirmed that the phenomenon required highly salient repeated faces and was not observed to non‐facial stimuli nor to faces expressing different affects. This study extends the hypothesis that the SC mediates the EVR by demonstrating that faces impact muscle recruitment at short latencies that precede cortical activity for face perception. Our results constitute direct evidence for the behavioural relevance of face detection in the brainstem, and also implicate a role for top‐down cortical pre‐setting of the EVR depending on task context.
How do organizations refine their post‐merger integration routines over consecutive acquisitions?
Authors: Abravanel Ika , Biron Michal , Brueller Nir N. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe post‐merger integration (PMI) phase of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) can determine M&A success. Little is known about how organizations refine their PMI routines with accumulated M&A experience. This study proposes a process model of PMI‐routine development, where the outcomes of routines enacted in earlier acquisitions shape routines in subsequent acquisitions. We test the model using 312 instances of routine implementation, across five consecutive acquisitions by the same acquiring company, and make two key scholarly contributions. First, we advance prior research by identifying how a routine's level of complexity moderates the association between routine adherence and routine outcomes. Second, we elucidate the effect of learning from failure—uncovering a learning process with performance feedback as input. Specifically, negative routine outcomes at the focal acquisition strengthened the positive effect of the improvisation (low adherence) enacted in the focal acquisition on the subsequent modifications to the codified routine, which are likely to improve its performance in future acquisitions.
Significance of lignin and fungal markers in the Devonian (407 Ma) Rhynie Chert
Authors: Holman Alex I. , Poropat Stephen F. , Greenwood Paul F. , Bhandari Rajendra , Tripp Madison , Hopper Peter , Schimmelmann Arndt , Brosnan Luke , Rickard William D. A. , Wolkenstein Klaus , Grice Kliti 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe Rhynie Chert (Lower Devonian, Scotland) hosts a remarkably well‐preserved early terrestrial ecosystem. Organisms including plants, fungi, arthropods, and bacteria were rapidly silicified due to inundation by silica‐rich hot spring fluids. Exceptional molecular preservation has been noted by many authors, including some of the oldest evidence of lignin in the fossil record. The evolution of lignin was a critical factor in the diversification of land plants, providing structural support and defense against herbivores and microbes. However, the timing of the evolution of lignin decay processes remains unclear. Studies placing this event near the end of the Carboniferous are contradicted by evidence for fungal pathogenesis in Devonian plant fossils, including from the Rhynie Chert. We conducted organic geochemical analyses on a Rhynie Chert sample, including hydropyrolysis (HyPy) of kerogen and high‐resolution mass spectrometric mapping of a thin section, to elucidate the relationship between lignin and the potential fungal marker perylene. HyPy of kerogen showed an increase in relative abundance of perylene supporting its entrapment within the silicate matrix of the chert. Lignin monomers were isolated through an alkaline oxidation process, showing a distribution dominated by H‐type monomers. G‐ and S‐type monomers were also detected, preserved by rapid silicification. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons including perylene, a known marker for lignin‐degrading fungi, were also concentrated in the kerogen and found to be localized within silicified plant fragments. Our results strongly link perylene in the Rhynie Chert to the activity of phytopathogenic fungi, demonstrating the importance of fungal degradation processes as far back as the Early Devonian.
Thermal refugia reinforce macroalgal resilience against climate change in the southeastern Bay of Biscay
Authors: Arriaga O. , Wawrzynkowski P. , Muguerza N. , Díez I. , González J. , Gorostiaga J. M. , Quintano E. , Becerro M. A. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractRising global temperatures present unprecedented challenges to marine ecosystems, demanding a profound understanding of their ecological dynamics for effective conservation strategies. Over a comprehensive macroalgal assessment spanning three decades, we investigated the spatiotemporal evolution of shallow‐water benthic communities in the southern Bay of Biscay, uncovering climate‐resilient areas amidst the ongoing phase shift in the region. Our investigation identified seven locations serving as potential climate refugia, where cold‐affinity, canopy‐forming macroalgal species persisted and community structure was similar to that observed in 1991. We unveiled a clear association between the emergence of these refugia, sea surface temperature (SST), and the Community Temperature Index, positioning SST as a significant driver of the observed phase shift in the region. Warming processes, defined as tropicalization (increase of warm‐affinity species) and deborealization (decrease of cold‐affinity species), were prominent outside refugia. In contrast, cooling processes, defined as borealization (increase of cold‐affinity species) and detropicalization (decrease of warm‐affinity species), prevailed inside refugia. Refugia exhibited approximately 35% lower warming processes compared to non‐refuge areas. This resulted in a dominance of warm‐affinity species outside refugia, contrasting with the stability observed within refugia. The persistence of canopy‐forming species in refuge areas significantly contributed to maintaining ecosystem diversity and stability. These findings underscored the pivotal role of climate refugia in mitigating climate‐driven impacts. Prioritizing the protection and restoration of these refugia can foster resilience and ensure the preservation of biodiversity for future generations. Our study illustrates the importance of refining our understanding of how marine ecosystems respond to climate change, offering actionable insights essential for informed conservation strategies and sustainable environmental management.
A New Look at Diffusion in Vapor Intrusion Assessments; Passive Adsorptive Diffusion Samplers
Authors: Niemet Michael , Thompson Ben , Rabe Katie , O'Neill Harry 
Published: August 2024

AbstractVapor intrusion of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from subsurface soil vapor, through a building slab/floor, and into the indoor air is an important environmental contaminant transport mechanism. It is widely believed that advective flow, driven by the pressure differential between the subslab and indoor air, is the primary mechanism of subslab soil vapor entry into buildings. This paper explores the hypothesis that molecular diffusion through the slab may potentially play a larger role in vapor intrusion than previously believed and may even be the predominant vapor intrusion mechanism when the subslab vapor source strength is sufficiently high or the pressure differential is relatively low. A novel sampling device, referred to as a Passive Adsorptive Diffusion Sampler (PADS), is presented for the purpose of directly measuring the diffusion of VOCs through a building slab. A vacant warehouse was identified as a case study site where historical sampling had determined that vapor intrusion of trichloroethene (TCE) was adversely impacting the indoor air. Calculations using Fick's First Law of Diffusion are presented which demonstrate that diffusion alone can theoretically account for all the TCE observed in the indoor air at this building based on an effective diffusion coefficient for concrete that was calculated from the Johnson and Ettinger Model. Two groups of nine replicate PADS were deployed at two areas on the slab and used to measure the flux and effective diffusion coefficient at each of the 18 total points, which showed an order of magnitude variability within each area and over two orders of magnitude variability overall. These results indicate that diffusion through concrete is inherently variable when measured at a sub‐meter scale. However, when combined over both areas, the overall average approached that calculated from the Johnson and Ettinger Model. An additional 12 PADS were deployed across the building slab (for a total of 30) to quantify the overall building‐wide diffusive flux. This area‐weighted average diffusive flux was consistent with the predicted diffusive flux as calculated from Fick's First Law and the vapor intrusion mass input required to achieve the observed indoor air TCE concentration. The results of this study show that PADS provides a simple way to measure diffusive flux directly without having to drill through the slab. However, significant variability in the measured flux should be expected and will need to be accounted for by the inclusion of a relatively large number of samples including replicates. When using PADs at a new site, the collection of traditional subslab vapors at a select number of locations is recommended for the verification of a building‐specific effective diffusion coefficient, which may not necessarily be the same as for this building.
What can an analysis of Australian tropical rainforest bark beetles suggest about the missing millions of Earth's insect species?
Authors: Stork Nigel E. , Boyle Michael J. W. , Wardhaugh Carl , Beaver Roger A. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Only 20% of the estimated 5 million species of insects on Earth are named and yet insects are poorly represented in protected area assessments, and insect declines are of concern globally.
Here, we explore how to increase the discovery of new species and understanding of this group through analysis of 10,097 tropical rainforest bark beetles (Scolytinae) from eight different ecological studies between 2000 and 2018 in the Australian Wet Tropics.
Of the 107 species identified, 58 are undescribed: an increase of 37% on the 156 species known from Australia. Rarefaction indicates doubling sampling would increase the number of species by 17. As hypothesised, new species are significantly smaller, less abundant and less widespread than described species making them more extinction‐prone than named species.
Flight interception traps collected 84% of individuals and 98% of species confirming the effectiveness of a single sampling method for some beetles. Increased locations and collection from the canopy may sample further species rather than additional collecting methods.
Scolytines are relatively well studied with taxonomists at the forefront of using modern methods to resolve formerly intractable groups. Hence, these new species are more likely to be named than others in many other beetle groups where taxonomy has largely stalled.
To increase species description rates and to avoid most species becoming extinct before being named, we call on taxonomists to use new character systems provided by DNA methods and advances in the rapidly developing field of artificial intelligence.
Ethical Consumption: A Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Arman Saleh Md , Mark‐Herbert Cecilia 
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACTEthical consumption is a domain of consumer research that focuses on individuals' ethical concerns when making consumption decisions. Owing to its enormous potential as a research domain, ethical consumption has gained increasing importance, especially in view of the impact of consumption choices on the environment and society as a whole. This study consolidates the existing body of information on ethical consumption through a systematic literature review (SLR) employing the SPAR‐4‐SLR methodology in conjunction with the ADO‐TCM framework. An extensive search was conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science databases, carefully selecting 125 publications related to ethical consumption from 2002 to 2023. Next, a comprehensive descriptive analysis was conducted to identify the most substantial gaps in the literature and propose concrete directions for future research. Scholars across academic fields can utilize these findings and guidelines to inform their research, while practitioners can implement ethical consumption behavioral philosophies in their sustainable business practices.
Hair cortisol concentrations are associated with greater adiposity in late adolescence amongst non‐Hispanic White individuals
Authors: Sidote Melissa N. , Bornkamp Nicole , Rifas‐Shiman Sheryl L. , Hivert Marie‐France , Oken Emily , Nichols Amy R. , Zhang Mingyu 
Published: August 2024

SummaryIntroductionHair cortisol concentration (HCC) is a biomarker of long‐term stress. Higher HCC is associated with higher adiposity in adults; however, associations are not well characterized in adolescents.ObjectiveTo examine cross‐sectional associations of HCC with adiposity in late adolescence.MethodsAmongst 336 non‐Hispanic White participants (48.5% female, mean 17.7 years) in Project Viva, we used multivariable linear regression models, overall and sex‐stratified, to estimate associations of HCC with body mass index (BMI), bioelectric impedance (BIA) percent body fat, waist circumference (WC) and dual X‐ray absorptiometry‐measured percent and total fat or trunk fat mass. We adjusted models for age and known predictors of adiposity.ResultsMedian (interquartile range) HCC was 2.1 pm/mg (1.0–4.5) and mean (SD) BMI was 23.1 kg/m2 (3.9), BIA %body fat 20.2% (9.9) and WC 80.6 cm (10.9). In adjusted models, higher HCC (per doubling) was associated with higher BMI (β = 0.19 kg/m2; 95%CI 0.00, 0.37) and BIA percent body fat (β = 0.41%; 95%CI 0.04, 0.77). We observed no evidence of effect modification by sex.ConclusionsHigher HCC was associated with greater adiposity in late adolescence. Further research is needed to disentangle the relationship between HCC and adolescent adiposity, including the temporal direction of the relationship and sex‐specific associations.
Self‐reported sleep duration and quality and cardiovascular diseases among middle‐aged and older Chinese: A 7‐year longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Lv Zhe , Ji Yuqiang , Li Chao , Zhao Zhao , Jia Wanru , Hou Jingjing , Yan Hong 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death worldwide, and several studies have attempted to identify its risk factors. This study aimed to investigate the association between sleep duration and sleep quality, and the 7‐year incidence of CVD among middle‐aged and older Chinese individuals. A total of 6682 participants aged 45–90 years from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study database were included in this study. The authors estimated sleep duration and quality based on self‐reported data of night sleep hours and disturbance symptoms, and examined the associations between them and the composite outcome of CVD using logistic regression models. A total of 1692 participants (25.32%) reported new CVD events during follow‐up. Short sleep duration (< 6 h/night) was significantly associated with a higher risk of CVD in all three models (p < .05). However, this was not observed for long sleep duration (> 8 h/night). Additionally, participants with mild sleep disturbance in all three models, and severe sleep disturbance in Models 2 and 3 had a significantly higher risk of CVD (p < .05). After stratification by age and daytime napping, we still found a significant association between short sleep duration and CVD in individuals aged 45–59 years, and between sleep disturbance and CVD in non‐nappers (p < .05). However, these associations were not significant in individuals aged ≥60 years or in nappers (p > .05). In conclusion, short sleep duration and sleep disturbance are both associated with an increased risk of CVD in middle‐aged and older Chinese individuals.
Fasting hypertriglyceridemia in relation to mortality in an elderly male Chinese population
Authors: Wang Xin‐Yu , Ye Xiao‐Fei , Wang Wen‐Yuan‐Yue , Zhang Wei , Sheng Chang‐Sheng , Huang Qi‐Fang , Li Yan , Wang Ji‐Guang 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWe investigated fasting hypertriglyceridemia as predictors of all‐cause, cardiovascular, and non‐cardiovascular mortality in an elderly male Chinese population, while accounting for various conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Our participants were elderly men recruited from residents living in a suburban town of Shanghai (≥60 years of age, n = 1583). Hypertriglyceridemia was defined as a fasting serum triglycerides concentration ≥1.70 mmol/L. Subgroup analyses were performed according to current smoking (yes vs. no), alcohol intake (yes vs. no), and the presence and absence of hypertension and hyperglycemia. During a median of 7.9 years follow‐up, all‐cause, cardiovascular, and non‐cardiovascular deaths occurred in 279, 112, and 167 participants, respectively. After adjustment for confounding factors, fasting hypertriglyceridemia was not significantly (p ≥ .33) associated with the risk of all‐cause, cardiovascular, and non‐cardiovascular mortality. However, there was significant (p = .03) interaction between hypertriglyceridemia and the presence and absence of hypertension in relation to all‐cause mortality. In normotensive, but not hypertensive individuals, hypertriglyceridemia was significantly associated with a higher risk of all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.06–2.31). In further non‐parametric analyses in normotensive individuals, the age‐standardized rate for all‐cause mortality increased from 18.9 in quartile 1 to 20.0, to 24.7, and to 39.9 per 1000 person‐years in quartiles 2, 3, and 4 of serum triglycerides concentration, respectively (ptrend = .0004). Similar results were observed for cardiovascular mortality. Our study in elderly male Chinese showed that fasting hypertriglyceridemia was associated with a higher risk of all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with normotension but not those with hypertension.
Machine learning and experimental validation of novel biomarkers for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and cancers
Authors: Dai Hualei , Liu Ying , Zhu Meng , Tao Siming , Hu Chengcheng , Luo Peng , Jiang Aimin , Zhang Guimin 
Published: August 2024

AbstractHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a hereditary cardiac disorder marked by anomalous thickening of the myocardium, representing a significant contributor to mortality. While the involvement of immune inflammation in the development of cardiac ailments is well‐documented, its specific impact on HCM pathogenesis remains uncertain. Five distinct machine learning algorithms, namely LASSO, SVM, RF, Boruta and XGBoost, were utilized to discover new biomarkers associated with HCM. A unique nomogram was developed using two newly identified biomarkers and subsequently validated. Furthermore, samples of HCM and normal heart tissues were gathered from our institution to confirm the variance in expression levels and prognostic significance of GATM and MGST1. Five novel biomarkers (DARS2, GATM, MGST1, SDSL and ARG2) associated with HCM were identified. Subsequent validation revealed that GATM and MGST1 exhibited significant diagnostic utility for HCM in both the training and test cohorts, with all AUC values exceeding 0.8. Furthermore, a novel risk assessment model for HCM patients based on the expression levels of GATM and MGST1 demonstrated favourable performance in both the training (AUC = 0.88) and test cohorts (AUC = 0.9). Furthermore, our study revealed that GATM and MGST1 exhibited elevated expression levels in HCM tissues, demonstrating strong discriminatory ability between HCM and normal cardiac tissues (AUC of GATM = 0.79; MGST1 = 0.86). Our findings suggest that two specific cell types, monocytes and multipotent progenitors (MPP), may play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of HCM. Notably, GATM and MGST1 were found to be highly expressed in various tumours and showed significant prognostic implications. Functionally, GATM and MGST1 are likely involved in xenobiotic metabolism and epithelial mesenchymal transition in a wide range of cancer types. GATM and MGST1 have been identified as novel biomarkers implicated in the progression of both HCM and cancer. Additionally, monocytes and MPP may also play a role in facilitating the progression of HCM.
Unraveling the role of oligodendrocytes and myelin in pain
Authors: Kim Woojin , Angulo María Cecilia 
Published: August 2024

AbstractOligodendrocytes, the myelin‐producing cells in the central nervous system (CNS), are crucial for rapid action potential conduction and neuronal communication. While extensively studied for their roles in neuronal support and axonal insulation, their involvement in pain modulation is an emerging research area. This review explores the interplay between oligodendrocytes, myelination, and pain, focusing on neuropathic pain following peripheral nerve injury, spinal cord injury (SCI), chemotherapy, and HIV infection. Studies indicate that a decrease in oligodendrocytes and increased cytokine production by oligodendroglia in response to injury can induce or exacerbate pain. An increase in endogenous oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) may be a compensatory response to repair damaged oligodendrocytes. Exogenous OPC transplantation shows promise in alleviating SCI‐induced neuropathic pain and enhancing remyelination. Additionally, oligodendrocyte apoptosis in brain regions such as the medial prefrontal cortex is linked to opioid‐induced hyperalgesia, highlighting their role in central pain mechanisms. Chemotherapeutic agents disrupt oligodendrocyte differentiation, leading to persistent pain, while HIV‐associated neuropathy involves up‐regulation of oligodendrocyte lineage cell markers. These findings underscore the multifaceted roles of oligodendrocytes in pain pathways, suggesting that targeting myelination processes could offer new therapeutic strategies for chronic pain management. Further research should elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms to develop effective pain treatments.
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