bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential effects of traffic noise on anuran call characteristics in Louisiana, USA during winter
Authors: Kunberger Jane M. , Price Ty J. , Crawford Chloe , Vestal‐Laborde Allison A. , Long Ashley M. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractUrban environments expose wildlife to levels of anthropogenic noise they would not experience in rural areas (e.g., traffic noise), and research suggests that many species adjust their acoustic signals for optimal transmission in urban soundscapes. However, our understanding of anuran (order Anura) responses to noise pollution in urban environments of the southeastern United States is limited, particularly for species that can breed during winter. Our goal was to examine how vocal anuran advertisement call characteristics during winter varied with increasing distance from roadways in bottomland hardwoods of Louisiana, USA. We deployed acoustic recording units at two sites (i.e., rural and urban) perpendicular to Interstate 10 at 200‐, 400‐, and 600‐m intervals (i.e., close, middle, and far) from November 2019 to January 2020. We detected Cajun Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris fouquettei) and Cricket Frogs (Acris spp.) at our rural site, and only detected Cricket Frogs at our urban site. At the rural site, Cajun Chorus Frogs produced longer duration notes at the far location compared to the middle location. At the urban site, Cricket Frogs produced higher dominant frequency calls at the close location compared to the far and middle locations and longer duration notes at the far location compared to the close location. We were unable to account for additional factors in our models (e.g., temperature, noise levels), but our results generally align with previous research. Our study provides baseline data for future research to examine the potential effects of traffic noise on winter advertisement calls in locations with similar environmental conditions and species.
Synthesis and Conformational Analysis of α,β‐Dichlorocarbonyl Compounds
Authors: Kobayashi Shunta , Prakoso Nurcahyo Iman , Zheng Xin , Noro Shin‐ichiro , Hashimoto Masaru , Morozumi Tatsuya , Umezawa Taiki 
Published: July 2024

Abstractα,β‐Dichlorocarbonyl compounds were synthesized by facile dichlorination of α,β‐unsaturated amides with TCIA‐PPh3 and the resultant amides were converted to ketones. Conformational analyses of the products were performed to confirm our previous hypothesis regarding vicinal dichlorinated carbonyl compounds. The compounds exhibited 1H NMR signals with large coupling constants (7–11 Hz) for the 1,2‐anti‐configuration and small coupling constants (3–4 Hz) for the 1,2‐syn‐configuration. The syn‐pentane interaction enabled rational conformational analysis of the α,β‐dichlorinated carbonyl compounds, although some interesting exceptions were observed. Consideration of these conformations is helpful in assigning relative configurations of α,β‐dihalogenated carbonyl compounds in general.
Strength characteristics in faster change of direction basketball players: A comparison across cutting angles
Authors: Barrera‐Domínguez Francisco J. , del‐Cuerpo Indya , Riego‐Ruiz Antonio , Martínez‐García Darío , Jerez‐Mayorga Daniel , Javier Chirosa‐Ríos Luís , Molina‐López Jorge 
Published: July 2024

AbstractChange of directions (COD) involves multidirectional and complex actions, with performance influenced by multiple factors. As lower limb strength is one of the most determinant of COD performance, the present study aimed to (a) explore the differences in strength outcomes across different lower limb muscle actions between faster and slower basketball players in COD actions at different angles and (b) analyse the relationship between isometric, concentric and eccentric strength outcomes and COD performance at different cutting angles. Twenty‐five basketball players (44% female) completed a battery of tests, encompassing isokinetic and isometric squat strength assessments, along with COD tests at 45°, 90° and 180°. Players were categorised as ‘low‐performance’ and ‘high‐performance’ groups based on execution time in COD, facilitating a comparison between performance groups. Results indicated that concentric strength showed the greatest differences between performance groups at 45° COD (effect size ≥ 0.813; p ≤ 0.034). Isometric and eccentric strength demonstrated a moderate‐to‐large relationship with 90° COD performance (Rho ≥ 0.394; p ≤ 0.045), and all muscle actions exhibited a large relationship with 180° COD (Rho ≥ 0.445; p ≤ 0.030). Moreover, the fastest players showed higher levels of concentric strength relative to eccentric strength, regardless of the cutting angle. These findings hold practical applications, suggesting that basketball coaches should train a specific kind of muscle action depending on the individual players' COD demands, focusing on improving the rapid eccentric force application while striving to reduce the eccentric/concentric ratio.
Multifunctional diamond‐based catalysts: Promising candidates for energy conversions in extreme environments—A mini‐review
Authors: Zhao Ziwei , Gao Xiaowu , Zhang Hansong , Jiao Keran , Song Pengfei , Zhang Yumin , Wang Yongjie , Zhu Jiaqi 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn order to properly utilize the abundant CO2 and water resources, various catalytic materials have been developed to convert them into valuable chemicals as renewable fuels electrochemically or photochemically. Currently, most studies are conducted under mild laboratory conditions, but for some extreme environments, such as Mars and space stations, there is an urgent need to develop new catalysts satisfying such special requirements. Conventional catalytic materials mainly focus on metals and narrow bandgap semiconductor materials, while the research on wide and ultrawide bandgap materials that can inherently withstand extreme conditions has not received enough attention. Given the robust stability and excellent physico‐chemical properties of diamond, it can be expected to perform in harsh environments for electrocatalysis or photocatalysis that has not been investigated thoroughly. Here, this review summarizes the catalytic functionality of diamond‐based electrodes with various but tunable product selectivity to obtain the varied C1 or C2+ products, and discusses some important factors playing a key role in manipulating the catalytic activity. Moreover, the unique solvation electron effect of diamond gives it a significant advantage in photocatalytic conversions which is also summarized in this mini‐review. In the end, prospects are made for the application of diamond‐based catalysts under various extreme conditions. The challenges that may be faced in practical applications are also summarized and future breakthrough directions are proposed at the end.
Predictiveness of preoperative laboratory values for postoperative delirium
Authors: Guttenthaler Vera , Fidorra Jacqueline , Wittmann Maria , Menzenbach Jan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundPostoperative delirium (POD) is a common postoperative complication, especially in patients over 60 years, with an incidence ranging from 15% to 50%. In most cases, POD manifests in the first 5 days after surgery. Multiple contributing risk factors for POD have been detected. Besides the predisposing factors such as higher age, cognitive impairment, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and past stroke, pathophysiological mechanisms like neuroinflammation are also considered as contributing factors.MethodsIn a subanalysis of the “PRe‐
Operative
Prediction of postoperative
DElirium by appropriate
SCreening” (PROPDESC) study, the preoperative laboratory values of sodium, potassium, total protein, hemoglobin concentration (Hgb), and white blood cells as well as the biomarkers creatinine, HbA1c, NT‐pro‐BNP, high sensitive Troponin T (hsTnT), and C‐reactive protein (CRP) were assessed to investigate a possible relationship to the occurrence of POD.ResultsAfter correction for age, physical status classification, surgery risk after Johns Hopkins, and operative discipline (cardiac surgery vs. noncardiac surgery), male patients with a Hgb <13 g/dL had significantly higher odds for POD (p = 0.025). Furthermore, patients with CRP ≥ 10 mg/L, HbA1c value ≥ 8.5% as well as patients with hypernatraemia (>145 mmol/L) presented significantly higher odds to develop POD (p = 0.011, p < 0.001, and p = 0.021, respectively). A raised (>14−52 ng/L) or high (>52 ng/L) hsTnT value was also associated with a significantly higher chance for POD compared to the patient group with hsTnT <14 ng/L (p < 0.001 and p = 0.016, respectively).ConclusionsPreoperative Hgb, CRP, HbA1c, sodium, and hsTnT could be used to complement and refine the preoperative screening for patients at risk for POD. Further studies should track these correlations to investigate the potential of targeted POD protection and enabling hospital staff to initiate POD‐preventing measures in time.
The impact of ICT development on economic resilience during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A country level analysis
Authors: Chen Leida , Lertwachara Kaveepan , Ayanso Anteneh 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis research explores the relationship between information and communications technology (ICT) development and its impact on a country's economy during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study has two primary objectives: (1) to understand how ICT development influences a country's economic resilience during a crisis, and (2) to examine the interrelationships between various country‐level ICT development measures. We use multi‐year, country‐level data made available by the United Nations, the World Bank, and World Health Organization to empirically examine our research model. Partial least squares path analysis is the primary research methodology employed in this study. Our results suggest that ICT development has a positive impact on economic resilience in the face of the COVID‐19 pandemic. In addition, our results specify the interrelationships between individual ICT development measures and economic resilience. This research contributes to the extant body of knowledge on the impact of country‐level ICT development on economy by empirically validating a research model that explores the relationships between the various measures of ICT development and economic resilience of countries during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Divergent Biochemical Properties and Disparate Impact of Arrhythmogenic Calmodulin Mutations on Zebrafish Cardiac Function
Authors: Da'as Sahar I. , Thanassoulas Angelos , Calver Brian L. , Saleh Alaaeldin , Abdelrahman Doua , Hasan Waseem , Safieh‐Garabedian Bared , Kontogianni Iris , Nasrallah Gheyath K. , Nounesis George , Lai F. Anthony , Nomikos Michail 
Published: July 2024

AbstractCalmodulin (CaM) is a ubiquitous, small cytosolic calcium (Ca2+)‐binding sensor that plays a vital role in many cellular processes by binding and regulating the activity of over 300 protein targets. In cardiac muscle, CaM modulates directly or indirectly the activity of several proteins that play a key role in excitation‐contraction coupling (ECC), such as ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2), l‐type Ca2+ (Cav1.2), sodium (NaV1.5) and potassium (KV7.1) channels. Many recent clinical and genetic studies have reported a series of CaM mutations in patients with life‐threatening arrhythmogenic syndromes, such as long QT syndrome (LQTS) and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). We recently showed that four arrhythmogenic CaM mutations (N98I, D132E, D134H, and Q136P) significantly reduce the binding of CaM to RyR2. Herein, we investigate in vivo functional effects of these CaM mutations on the normal zebrafish embryonic heart function by microinjecting complementary RNA corresponding to CaMN98I, CaMD132E, CaMD134H, and CaMQ136P mutants. Expression of CaMD132E and CaMD134H mutants results in significant reduction of the zebrafish heart rate, mimicking a severe form of human bradycardia, whereas expression of CaMQ136P results in an increased heart rate mimicking human ventricular tachycardia. Moreover, analysis of cardiac ventricular rhythm revealed that the CaMD132E and CaMN98I zebrafish groups display an irregular pattern of heart beating and increased amplitude in comparison to the control groups. Furthermore, circular dichroism spectroscopy experiments using recombinant CaM proteins reveals a decreased structural stability of the four mutants compared to the wild‐type CaM protein in the presence of Ca2+. Finally, Ca2+‐binding studies indicates that all CaM mutations display reduced CaM Ca2+‐binding affinities, with CaMD132E exhibiting the most prominent change. Our data suggest that CaM mutations can trigger different arrhythmogenic phenotypes through multiple and complex molecular mechanisms.
Later life employment: Benefits and challenges experienced by older immigrants from Sub‐Saharan Africa living in Georgia
Authors: Amin Rebecca Marfawtem 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis study examines the integration of older African immigrants in the United States through work, which provides them autonomy in later life. The study utilizes qualitative data from 27 older African immigrants from Sub‐Saharan Africa living in Georgia. The older adults are 55 or older and immigrated to the United States after 1990. The participants are from five countries (Cameroon, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, and Zambia). Their ages range from 55 to 85 years old. There are 18 men and nine women. Six participants had doctoral degrees, nine had master's degrees, six had associate or college degrees, six had vocational training, and some had college, secondary, or primary education or no formal education. Eighteen participants were employed full‐time. I apply thematic analysis to highlight emerging themes. The findings demonstrate the importance of the push and pull factors in determining immigrants' decisions to migrate in later life. Other findings highlight the challenges older adults, especially African immigrants, encounter to remain active and gainfully employed. The challenges include problems of language and accent and the classification of foreign credentials in the job market. The participants expressed the necessity to work because of family and societal obligations or perceived obligations back in their countries of origin, most notably the desire to achieve autonomy in later life. This paper contributes to the literature on the diverse aging population by expounding on the contributions made by older immigrants in the workforce, their families, and society. With the information acquired from older African immigrants, we can continue advancing policies that address the concerns of our diverse aging population. Policies should aim at training that targets older adults from diverse linguistic, educational, and cultural backgrounds. Policies should also lay out clearer pathways to financial independence, including education on the role of social security and other safety net programs for older Americans. Policies must reflect the importance of healthcare in later life, so healthcare policies should address issues on cultural competencies in training healthcare providers and educating older adult immigrants on navigating the healthcare system.
Physiological and behavioral responses to novel saline conditions in an invasive treefrog
Authors: Messerly Addy E. , Mularo Andrew J. , Longo Ana V. , Bernal Ximena E. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSalinity can be an environmental stressor for anurans, as their highly permeable skin makes them prone to osmotic stress when exposed to saline conditions. However, certain anuran species have colonized areas near saltwater habitats, suggesting an ability to acclimate to saline conditions. Here, we evaluated physiological and behavioral responses to saline conditions in adult Cuban treefrogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis), an invasive anuran found throughout Florida. To examine their response to salinity, adult frogs were maintained in two treatments simulating a freshwater (0.5 ppt) or brackish (8.0 ppt) environment for 6 weeks. To assess their physiological response to this potential stressor, all frogs were submerged in a brackish solution to quantify individual weight change every 2 weeks. We found that frogs maintained in brackish solution lost more weight at Weeks 2 and 6 when compared to Week 0, suggesting that salinity may be an environmental stressor for Cuban treefrogs. Yet, the weight change at Week 4 was similar to the pre‐exposure period, which may indicate that constant exposure to salinity may alter their physiological response to saline conditions. To supplement the physiological analyses, we investigated avoidance behavior toward saline conditions by offering individuals a choice between freshwater or brackish environments. Our results showed that Cuban treefrogs chose freshwater environments more frequently and may thus avoid saline ones. This study reveals that salinity may induce plastic and avoidance responses in Cuban treefrogs, potentially allowing them to expand their range into areas typically stressful for most anurans.
Clinical guideline highlights for the hospitalist: Management of COVID‐19
Authors: Thomas Stephanie , Clark Danielle 
Published: July 2024

GUIDELINE TITLE: 2023 IDSA Guidelines on the Treatment and Management of Patients with COVID‐19RELEASE DATE: 06/26/2023PRIOR VERSION (S): 2021DEVELOPER: Infectious Diseases Society of AmericaFUNDING SOURCE: Infectious Diseases Society of AmericaTARGET POPULATION: Patients with COVID‐19 Infection
Near full‐length genome analysis of HEV 4b subtype in pigs showed a similarity up to 99.944% compared to a patient in Guangdong province, China
Authors: Deng Haohui , Chen Yuanting , Liang Shuzhen , Liang Xiaoting , Dang Shuyuan , Liu Huiyuan , Qiu Jiuxiang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHepatitis E virus (HEV) is a prevalent pathogen responsible for acute viral hepatitis, HEV genotypes 3 and 4 infections causing zoonotic infections. Currently, the nucleotide similarity analysis between humans and pigs for HEV genotype 4 is limited. In this study, stool samples from an HEV‐infected patient who is a pig farmer and from pigs were collected to obtain the near full‐length genome of HEV, phylogenetic trees were constructed for genotyping, and similarity of HEV sequences was analyzed. The results showed that HEV‐RNA was detected in the stool samples from the patient and six pigs (6/30, 20.0%). Both HEV subtype in the patient and pigs was 4b. Additionally, similarity analysis showed that the range was 99.875%–99.944% between the patient and pigs at the nucleotide level. Four isolates of amino acid sequences (ORFs 1–3) from pigs were 100% identical to the patient. Phylogenetic tree and similarity analysis of an additional nine HEV sequences isolated from other patients in this region showed that the HEV sequence from the pig farmer had the closest relationship with the pigs from his farm rather than other sources of infection in this region. This study provides indirect evidences for HEV subtype 4b can be transmitted from pigs to humans at the nucleotide level. Further research is needed to explore the characteristics of different HEV subtypes.
The prediagnostic general practitioner care of sarcoma patients: A real‐world data study
Authors: Holthuis Emily I. , van der Graaf Winette T. A. , Drabbe Cas , van Houdt Winan J. , Schrage Yvonne M. , Hartman Tim C. Olde , Uijen Annemarie A. , Bos Isabelle , Heins Marianne , Husson Olga ,   and other members of the Study Group
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundLimited understanding exists regarding early sarcoma symptoms presented during general practitioner (GP) consultations. The study explores GP visit patterns and recorded diagnoses in the 12 months preceding sarcoma diagnosis.MethodsSarcoma cases diagnosed from 2010 to 2020 were identified through the Netherlands Cancer Registry alongside general practice data. Sarcoma cases were age and gender matched to cancer‐free controls (2:1 or 1:1 ratio).ResultsA total of 787 individuals with soft‐tissue sarcoma (STS) and 188 individuals with bone sarcoma (BS) were identified. There was a significant difference in monthly GP contacts from 4 months to the last month before STS diagnosis, and 2 months before BS diagnosis between cases and controls. Most prevalent diagnoses recorded by the GP for STS cases included musculoskeletal neoplasm (26.6%), uncomplicated hypertension (15.6%), and cystitis/other urinary infections (12.2%). For BS cases, musculoskeletal neoplasm (42.8%), knee symptoms/complaints (9.7%), and shoulder symptoms/complaints (9.7%) were most frequent.Conclusions and DiscussionA significant difference in GP contacts between cases and controls preceding sarcoma diagnosis. STS cases were predominantly diagnosed with nonspecific symptoms, whereas BS cases with diagnoses more suggestive of BS. Better understanding of the prediagnostic trajectory could aid GPs in early identification of sarcoma
Effects of stand structure on ecological benefits and tree growth of Haloxylon ammodendron plantations: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Huang Nan , Li Xin Ying , Liu Hong Yan , Tang Jin Nian , Ji Yong Fu , Zhao Chang Ming , Li Jin Hua 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHaloxylon ammodendron is a typical tree species in arid region for windbreak and sand fixation. Understanding how stand structure (i.e., afforestation density, forest type, and stand age) of H. ammodendron impacts ecological benefits and tree growth status has great implications for desertification control in arid area. We obtained a dataset of 446 observations from 79 studies related to H. ammodendron plantations for meta‐analysis. Stand age was the key factor affecting performances of windbreak, tree canopy, and soil properties while afforestation density was more important in determining tree survival rate. Wind speed in H. ammodendron plantations was reduced by 52% in general compared to that at the site without any plantations and decreased as the increasing density. With the increase of stand age, soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus accumulated continuously, but soil moisture in 0–60 cm depth decrease when trees grew up to nearly 20 years. Within 4000 plants ha−1, responses of survival rate, tree height, ground diameter, and canopy decreased with the increase of afforestation density. Compared with mono‐species plantation, mixed afforestation was more beneficial to windbreak and survival, while it damaged tree growth. Combining the ecological functions and tree growth of H. ammodendron plantations, the afforestation density and forest age should be controlled to 450–900 plants ha−1 and 20 years, respectively, as the upper limit. Therefore, besides reasonable afforestation density, management measures for regulations of forest age and existing stand density were important to maintain higher ecological benefits and better tree growth of H. ammodendron plantations.
Knowing your limits: Patterns and drivers of nutrient limitation and nutrient–chlorophyll relationships in US lakes
Authors: McCullough Ian M. , Sun Xinyu , Hanly Patrick J. , Soranno Patricia A. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAlthough understanding nutrient limitation of primary productivity in lakes is among the oldest research priorities in limnology, there have been few broad‐scale studies of the characteristics of phosphorus (P)‐, nitrogen (N)‐, and co‐limited lakes and their environmental context. By analyzing 3342 US lakes with concurrent P, N, and chlorophyll a (Chl a) samples, we showed that US lakes are predominantly co‐limited (43%) or P‐limited (41%). Majorities of lakes were P‐limited in the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Southeast, and co‐limitation was most prevalent in the interior and western United States. N‐limitation (16%) was more prevalent than P‐limitation in the Great Basin and Central Plains. Nutrient limitation was related to lake, watershed, and regional variables, including Chl a concentration, watershed soil, and wet nitrate deposition. N and P concentrations interactively affected nutrient–chlorophyll relationships, which differed by nutrient limitation. Our study demonstrates the value of considering P, N, and environmental context in nutrient limitation and nutrient–chlorophyll relationships.