bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Causal factors for osteoarthritis risk revealed by mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Luo Qingfeng , Zhang Shiyong , Yang Qiyuan , Deng Yuyi , Yi Hengjing , Li Xingsheng 
Published: August 2024

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA), a prevalent chronic disease among the elderly, presents a complex pathogenesis and currently lacks effective treatment. Traditional observational studies are time-consuming, labor-intensive, susceptible to confounding factors, and cannot establish causal relationships. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, leveraging genetic variation to assess causal associations between exposures and outcomes, offers a cost-effective and efficient alternative. Over the past decade, large-scale genome-wide association studies have identified numerous genetic variants linked to OA risk factors, facilitating MR study design. In this review, we systematically identified 52 MR studies meeting specific criteria and evaluated their quality, exploring the impact of lifestyle, nutrition, comorbidities, circulating metabolites, plasma proteins, and other health factors on OA risk. We discuss the results and potential mechanisms of MR findings, addressing conflicting evidence based on existing literature and our prior research. With the ongoing expansion of genome-wide association data, we anticipate MR’s role in future OA studies to broaden, particularly in drug development research using targeted MR approaches. We thus aim for this paper to offer valuable insights for researchers and clinicians in related fields.
Effects of detraining on neuromuscular function and structural adaptations following once- or twice-weekly eccentric resistance training in older adults
Authors: Baxter Brett A. , Baross Anthony W. , Ryan Declan J. , Kay Anthony D. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Eccentric resistance training elicits greater preservation of training-induced muscular adaptations compared with other training modalities, however the detraining profiles of different training dosages remain unknown.

Aims
To examine the detraining effects following once- or twice-weekly eccentric-specific resistance training in older adults.

Methods
Twenty-one older adults (age = 70.5 ± 6.0 year) completed a 12-week detraining period following the 12-week eccentric training programmes with neuromuscular function and muscle structure assessed six (mid-detraining) and 12 (post-detraining) weeks following training cessation.

Results
From post-training to post-detraining, no significant regression of the training-induced improvements (collapsed group data reported) occurred in power (0%), strength (eccentric = 0%, isometric = 39%), or explosive strength over numerous epochs (0–32%), resulting in values that remained significantly greater than at pre-training. However, significant regression in the improvements in muscle thickness (91%) and fascicle angle (100%) occurred, resulting in values that were not significantly greater than pre-training.

Discussion
The limited regression in neuromuscular function following a 12-week detraining period has important implications for supporting eccentric exercise prescription in older adults who often face periods of inactivity. However, further work is required to develop an effective maintenance dosage strategy that preserves improvements in muscle structure.

Conclusions
Eccentric resistance training elicits improvements in the neuromuscular function of older adults, which are sustained for at least 12 weeks after eccentric training cessation.
On some features of quadratic unconstrained binary optimization with random coefficients
Authors: Isopi Marco , Scoppola Benedetto , Troiani Alessio 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO or UBQP) is concerned with maximizing/minimizing the quadratic form

$$H(J, \eta ) = W \sum _{i,j} J_{i,j} \eta _{i} \eta _{j}$$

H

(
J
,
η
)

=
W

∑

i
,
j

J

i
,
j

η
i

η
j

with J a matrix of coefficients,

$$\eta \in \{0, 1\}^N$$

η
∈

{
0
,
1
}

N

and W a normalizing constant. In the statistical mechanics literature, QUBO is a lattice gas counterpart to the (generalized) Sherrington–Kirkpatrick spin glass model. Finding the optima of H is an NP-hard problem. Several problems in combinatorial optimization and data analysis can be mapped to QUBO in a straightforward manner. In the combinatorial optimization literature, random instances of QUBO are often used to test the effectiveness of heuristic algorithms. Here we consider QUBO with random independent coefficients and show that if the

$$J_{i,j}$$

J

i
,
j

’s have zero mean and finite variance then, after proper normalization, the minimum and maximum per particle of H do not depend on the details of the distribution of the couplings and are concentrated around their expected values. Further, with the help of numerical simulations, we study the minimum and maximum of the objective function and provide some insight into the structure of the minimizer and the maximizer of H. We argue that also this structure is rather robust. Our findings hold also in the diluted case where each of the

$$J_{i,j}$$

J

i
,
j

’s is allowed to be zero with probability going to 1 as

$$N \rightarrow \infty $$

N
→
∞

in a suitable way.
Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Differences in Patient Reported Well-Being and Cognitive Functioning Within 3 Months of Symptomatic Illness During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Hill Mandy J. , Huebinger Ryan M. , Ebna Mannan Imtiaz , Yu Huihui , Wisk Lauren E. , O’Laughlin Kelli N. , Gentile Nicole L. , Stephens Kari A. , Gottlieb Michael , Weinstein Robert A. , Koo Katherine , Santangelo Michelle , Saydah Sharon , Spatz Erica S. , Lin Zhenqiu , Schaeffer Kevin , Kean Efrat , Montoy Juan Carlos C. , Rodriguez Robert M. , Idris Ahamed H. , McDonald Samuel , Elmore Joann G. , Venkatesh Arjun 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Differences in acute COVID-19 associated morbidity based on race, ethnicity, and gender have been well described; however, less is known about differences in subsequent longer term health-related quality of life and well-being.

Methods
This prospective cohort study included symptomatic adults tested for SARS-CoV-2 who completed baseline and 3-month follow-up surveys. Using the PROMIS-29 tool, a validated measure of health and well-being, we compared outcomes at 3 months and change in outcomes from baseline to 3 months among groups with different races, ethnicities, and/or sexes.

Results
Among 6044 participants, 4113 (3202 COVID +) were included. Among COVID + participants, compared to non-Hispanic White participants, Black participants had better PROMIS T-scores for cognitive function (3.6 [1.1, 6.2]) and fatigue (− 4.3 [− 6.6, − 2.0]) at 3 months and experienced more improvement in fatigue over 3 months (− 2.7 [− 4.7, − 0.8]). At 3 months, compared with males, females had worse PROMIS T-scores for cognitive function (− 4.1 [− 5.6, − 2.6]), physical function (− 2.1 [− 3.1, − 1.0]), social participation (− 2.8 [− 4.2, − 1.5]), anxiety (2.8 [1.5, 4.1]), fatigue (5.1 [3.7, 6.4]), and pain interference (2.0 [0.9, 3.2]). Females experienced less improvement in fatigue over 3 months (3.1 [2.0, 4.3]). Transgender/non-binary/other gender participants had worse 3-month scores in all domains except for sleep disturbance and pain interference.

Conclusions
Three months after the initial COVID-19 infection, Black participants reported better cognitive function and fatigue, while females and other gender minoritized groups experienced lower well-being. Future studies are necessary to better understand how and why social constructs, specifically race, ethnicity, and gender, influence differences in COVID-19-related health outcomes.
Trials Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04610515
Detection of new adult plant leaf rust resistance loci in a Tunisian wheat landrace Aus26670
Authors: Baranwal Deepak , Bansal Urmil , Bariana Harbans 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTransfer of leaf resistance genes into elite lines can assist in developing future wheat cultivars and mitigate economic losses caused by the leaf rust pathogen, Puccinia triticina Erikss. (Pt). Some previously reported leaf rust resistance QTL have been challenged by aggressive Pt pathotypes. This experiment aims to detect genetically diverse resistance QTL using a Tunisian landrace, Aus26670, which confers a high level of adult plant leaf rust resistance against Australian Pt pathotypes. One hundred nineteen F7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were generated after crossing Aus26670 and a susceptible line Avocet ‘S’ (AvS). The Aus26670/AvS RIL population was evaluated against mixture of five Pt pathotypes under field conditions for two years. The same RIL population was also screened using three Pt pathotypes individually in the greenhouse under controlled conditions. Genetic analysis of the seedling leaf rust response against Pt104-2,3,6, (7) confirmed the presence of an all-stage resistance (ASR) gene, Lr13. The RIL population was genotyped using a targeted genotyping-by-sequencing (tGBS) assay, and Lr13 was mapped in the 153.9–182.1 Mb region in chromosome 2BS. QTL analysis suggested the involvement of three genomic regions/adult plant resistance genes (APR) namely QLr.sun-1BL/Lr46, QLr.sun-5DL and QLr.sun-7DS, in controlling leaf rust resistance. Data of seedling assays, known marker survey, and comparison of genomic regions detected in this study with previously reported APR indicated the uniqueness of QLr.sun-5DL (559.7 Mb) and QLr.sun-7DS (11 Mb). Both QTL represent new additions to the APR toolbox.
Truly monogamous? Investigating multiple paternity in Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) in a reestablished population in Austria
Authors: Sittenthaler Marcia , Chai Min , Kruckenhauser Luise , Kropf Matthias , Parz-Gollner Rosemarie 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Knowledge on the mating system of a species is central to understand population dynamics and development. Special attention has been paid to the investigation of monogamous species and evolutionary causes and advantages of this mating system. However, social monogamy does not necessarily imply also genetic monogamy. Given the rarity of genetic monogamy in mammal species and the uncertain conclusions regarding multiple paternity in Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber), here, we undertake a further attempt to clarify the genetic monogamy of Eurasian beavers studying an Austrian beaver population by genotyping of gestating females and their foetuses at 19 microsatellite loci. Microsatellite analysis of mother–offspring groups suggest the occurrence of multiple paternity at a low level: two out of 42 litters (4.8%) were sired by two different males. We discuss the occurrence of extra-pair mating and potential drivers of multiple paternity in the light of beaver biology, population densities, territory characteristics and resulting activity ranges during reproduction period. Especially in the context of increasing beaver population densities in recovering populations and related increase of human-wildlife conflicts, sound knowledge on breeding biology, including species-specific reproduction tactics and their general applicability, is important for population monitoring.
Social Vulnerability and Water Insecurity in the Western United States: A Systematic Review of Framings, Indicators, and Uncertainty
Authors: Drakes Oronde , Restrepo‐Osorio Diana , Powlen Kathryn A. , Hines Megan 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWater insecurity poses a complex challenge for the western United States. Large populations are exposed and susceptible to physical and social factors that can leave them with precarious access to sufficient water supplies. Consideration of social issues by water managers can help ensure equitable supply. However, how social factors affect water insecurity conditions remains unclear. This paper reviews literature on how social vulnerability influences water insecurity in the western United States. Through a meta‐analysis, indicators measuring how dimensions of social vulnerability influence water insecurity were classified and hierarchical clustering was used to characterize the relationships among these vulnerability dimensions for the largest water‐users—the agricultural and municipal sectors. The study then assessed uncertainty associated with social vulnerability dimensions and their indicators. There is greatest evidence for the influence of demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and exposure. Indicators of these determinants were mainly significant and exacerbated conditions of water insecurity. Evidence for indicators of social dependence and special needs populations was limited, although studies assessing these factors showed significant agreement on their influence on water insecurity. Conceptual framings of social vulnerability and water security determined which indicators were measured, whereas studies of the water‐use sectors focused on differing associations of social vulnerability. These findings indicate the importance of recognizing the different contexts posed by water‐use sectors and diverse conceptual framings. Further, some determinants such as living conditions remain important but underexplored drivers of a community's experience of water insecurity. Understanding the uncertainty associated with these measures has implications to equitable decision making.
Tectonic Reorganization of the Caribbean Plate System in the Paleogene Driven by Farallon Slab Anchoring
Authors: Conrad Ethan M. , Faccenna Claudio , Holt Adam F. , Becker Thorsten W. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe tectonic configuration of the Caribbean plate is defined by inward‐dipping double subduction at its boundaries with the North American and Cocos plates. This geometry resulted from a Paleogene plate reorganization, which involved the abandonment of an older subduction system, the Great Arc of the Caribbean (GAC), and conversion into a transform margin during Lesser Antilles (LA) arc formation. Previous models suggest that a collision between the GAC and the Bahamas platform along the North American passive margin caused this event. However, geological and geophysical constraints from the Greater Antilles do not show a large‐scale compressional episode that should correspond to such a collision. We propose an alternative model for the evolution of the region where lower mantle penetration of the Farallon slab promotes the onset of subduction at the LA. We integrate tectonic constraints with seismic tomography to analyze the timing and dynamics of the reorganization, showing that the onset of LA subduction corresponds to the timing of Farallon/Cocos slab penetration. With numerical subduction models, we explore whether slab penetration constitutes a dynamically feasible set of mechanisms to initiate subduction in the overriding plate. In our models, when the first slab (Farallon/Cocos) enters the lower mantle, compressive stresses increase at the eastern margin of the upper plate, and a second subduction zone (LA) is initiated. The resulting first‐order slab geometries, timings, and kinematics compare well with plate reconstructions. More generally, similar slab dynamics may provide a mechanism not only for the Caribbean reorganization but also for other tectonic episodes throughout the Americas.
Influences of Background Rotation on Secondary Eyewall Formation of Tropical Cyclones in Idealized f‐Plane Simulations
Authors: Wang Yi‐Fan , Li Yuanlong 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the background rotational influences on the secondary eyewall formation (SEF) in tropical cyclones (TCs) in quiescent f‐plane environments. For given initial structures, simulated vortices tend to experience earlier SEF at lower latitudes. Yet the size of the secondary eyewall does not change monotonically with the latitudes. Specifically, ∼20°N provides the optimal amount of background rotation for the largest secondary eyewall size without considering other environmental forcings. Different background rotation rates affect SEF mainly by modulating the outer‐core convection as well as the wind structures. Specifically, the lower rotation rate causes more outer‐core surface fluxes, thus facilitating the outer rainbands (ORBs) at larger radii. Yet the secondary eyewall does not necessarily form at larger radii at lower latitudes since the transition from the ORBs to secondary eyewall is localized in a region of boundary layer (BL) convergence preceded by accelerated tangential winds. Budget analysis reveals that the differences in the acceleration of outer‐core tangential winds among vortices at different latitudes are dominated by the radial flux of absolute vorticity. Due to the non‐uniform influences of background rotation on the BL inflow and absolute vorticity, the most efficient spin‐up of outer‐core tangential winds is achieved at a medium latitude of 20°N, which leads up to SEF at the largest radii. By comparison, for TCs at lower (higher) latitudes, the lower outer‐core absolute vorticity (radial inflow) limits the acceleration of outer‐core tangential winds, thus placing SEF at smaller radii.
Mapping Dissolved Oxygen Concentrations by Combining Shipboard and Argo Observations Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Ito Takamitsu , Cervania Ahron , Cross Kaylin , Ainchwar Sanika , Delawalla Sara 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe ocean oxygen (O2) inventory has declined in recent decades but the estimates of O2 trend are uncertain due to its sparse and irregular sampling. A refined estimate of deoxygenation rate is developed using machine learning techniques and biogeochemical Argo array. The source data includes historical shipboard (bottle and CTD‐O2) profiles from 1965 to 2020 and biogeochemical Argo profiles after 2005. Neural network and random forest algorithms were trained using approximately 80% of this data and the remaining 20% for validation. The training data is further divided into 5‐fold decadal groups to perform cross validation and hyperparameter tuning. Through different combinations of algorithm types and predictor variable sets, an ensemble of gridded monthly O2 data sets was generated with similar skills (root‐mean‐square error ∼13–18 μmol/kg and R2 ∼ 0.9). The largest errors are found in the oxycline and frontal regions with strong lateral and vertical gradients. The mapping was repeated with shipboard data only and with both shipboard and Argo data. The effect of including Argo data on the estimated global deoxygenation trends has a major impact with an 56% increase while reducing the uncertainty by 40% as measured by the ensemble spread. This study demonstrates the importance of new biogeochemical Argo arrays in relatively data‐poor regions such as the Southern Ocean.
Large quantum alphabets with a tiny footprint
Authors: Nothlawala Fazilah , Forbes Andrew 
Published: August 2024

AbstractHigh-dimensional quantum states are known to offer advantages over their two-dimensional qubit counterparts, but their preparation and manipulation has been bulky and cumbersome. Now, quantum state control has been demonstrated on-chip with a ~1 μm2 footprint and nm-scale features, producing up to eight-dimensional quantum states and ushering in a new route to large quantum information encoding on a small footprint.
Improving physical activity and screen time in Australian Outside School Hours Care: Study protocol
Authors: Maher Carol , Christian Hayley , Nathan Nicole , Okely Anthony , Bogomolova Svetlana , Lewis Lucy K. , Cliff Dylan P. , Esterman Adrian , Milte Rachel , Rosenkranz Richard R. , Curtis Rachel G. , Brinsley Jacinta , Ferguson Ty , Virgara Rosa , Richardson Mandy , Brannelly Kylie , Stanley Rebecca , Schranz Natasha , Campbell Perry , Weaver R. Glenn , Noetel Michael , Wolfenden Luke 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Children’s physical activity and screen time behaviours impact their physical health and well-being. In Australia, less than half of children meet daily physical activity recommendations and only one-third meet daily screen time recommendations. Nearly half a million Australian school children aged 5-12 attend Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) weekly, activities undertaken at OSHC play a key role in meeting these recommendations. Currently, physical activity and screen time practices in OSHC vary and lack policy guidance. The Activated OSHC program is a policy-based intervention that supports OSHC services to implement the physical activity and screen time guidelines.

Methods
192 OSHC services across Australia will be recruited. 96 services will be randomly allocated to receive the Activated OSHC program. OSHC coordinators will complete online surveys examining physical activity and screen time scheduling, cost, acceptability, and feasibility. Primary outcome; changes in the proportion of intervention and control services meeting OSHC sector physical activity and screen time guidelines, and secondary outcomes; changes in children’s physical activity and screen time behaviours; changes in staff behaviour will be assessed using mixed-effects regression models.

Discussion
The aim of this study is to examine the impact of the Activated OSHC program on children’s physical activity and screen time.

Impact

Recent Australian research in Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) has identified significant inconsistency in practices related to physical activity and screen time, compounded by an absence of explicit policy guidance.

The Activated OSHC program is a policy-based intervention that supports OSHC services to implement the Australian OSHC physical activity and screen time guidelines.

This study will assess the implementation and effectiveness of the Activated OSHC program in an effectiveness-implementation hybrid type 2 trial design.

Implementation of outside school hours care sector physical activity and screen time guidelines may improve children’s physical activity and screen time behaviours.
Monkeypox virus protein H3L induces injuries in human and mouse
Authors: Chen Shaoxian , Huang Guiping , Liu Juli 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMonkeypox virus (MPV) is known to inflict injuries and, in some cases, lead to fatalities in humans. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for its pathogenicity remain poorly understood. We investigated functions of MPV core proteins, H3L, A35R, A29L, and I1L, and discovered that H3L induced transcriptional perturbations and injuries. We substantiated that H3L upregulated IL1A expression. IL1A, in consequence, caused cellular injuries, and this detrimental effect was mitigated when countered with IL1A blockage. We also observed that H3L significantly perturbed the transcriptions of genes in cardiac system. Mechanistically, H3L occupied the promoters of genes governing cellular injury, leading to alterations in the binding patterns of H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 histone marks, ultimately resulting in expression perturbations. In vivo and in vitro models confirmed that H3L induced transcriptional disturbances and cardiac dysfunction, which were ameliorated when IL1A was blocked or repressed. Our study provides valuable insights into comprehensive understanding of MPV pathogenicity, highlights the significant roles of H3L in inducing injuries, and potentially paves the way for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting IL1A.