bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of specialized devices for microbial experimental evolution
Authors: Shibai Atsushi , Furusawa Chikara 
Published: August 2024

AbstractExperimental evolution of microbial cells provides valuable information on evolutionary dynamics, such as mutations that contribute to fitness gain under given selection pressures. Although experimental evolution is a promising tool in evolutionary biology and bioengineering, long‐term culture experiments under multiple environmental conditions often impose an excessive workload on researchers. Therefore, the development of automated systems significantly contributes to the advancement of experimental evolutionary research. This review presents several specialized devices designed for experimental evolution studies, such as an automated system for high‐throughput culture experiments, a culture device that generate a temperature gradient, and an automated ultraviolet (UV) irradiation culture device. The ongoing development of such specialized devices is poised to continually expand new frontiers in experimental evolution research.
Complement anaphylatoxins: Potential therapeutic target for diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Ma Jingyuan , Yiu Wai Han , Tang Sydney C. W. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDiabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common cause of kidney failure, characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis. The complement system is increasingly implicated in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. The important complement anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a are key mediators of the innate immune system, which regulates cellular inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial homeostasis and tissue fibrosis. This review summarizes the involvement of anaphylatoxins in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease, highlights their important roles in the pathophysiologic changes of glomerulopathy, tubulointerstitial damage and immune cell infiltration, and discusses the modulatory effects of new anti‐diabetic drugs acting on the complement system. Based on available clinical data and findings from the preclinical studies of complement blockade, anaphylatoxin‐targeted therapeutics may become a promising approach for patients with DKD in the future.
Effect of semaglutide on primary prevention of diabetic kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes: A post hoc analysis of the SUSTAIN 6 randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Jingyu , Yang Juhong , Jiang Wenhui , Liu Wenyan , Shen Zewei , Gao Zhongai , Chang Baocheng 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAimEfficient primary prevention of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is currently lacking. The identification of people at high DKD risk and timely intervention are key to preventing DKD. Therefore, a model to classify people according to their risk for developing DKD was developed previously and used in the current analysis to assess the effect of semaglutide versus placebo on primary DKD prevention.MethodsParticipants with type 2 diabetes from the randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled SUSTAIN 6 trial without DKD at baseline who received 0.5/1.0 mg semaglutide or placebo were grouped by baseline DKD risk, calculated using a validated model. The main post hoc outcome was the effect of semaglutide versus placebo on the proportion of participants who developed DKD [urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥30 mg/g and/or estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2]. Additional post hoc outcomes included changes in DKD risk score, UACR and estimated glomerular filtration rate over time.ResultsOf the total 1139 participants included in the analysis, 28.7% developed DKD; more participants with a high DKD risk (952/1139) developed DKD. Semaglutide significantly reduced the risk of developing DKD in both the total [odds ratio 0.56 (95% confidence interval: 0.42; 0.74; p < 0.0001)], and high DKD risk population [odds ratio 0.51 (95% confidence interval: 0.38; 0.69; p < 0.0001)] and significantly delayed DKD development versus placebo. The beneficial effects of semaglutide were largely driven by UACR changes. The number needed to treat for semaglutide in the high DKD risk population was 7.ConclusionsThis post hoc study indicates that semaglutide may have beneficial effects on primary DKD prevention in people with T2D.
Common atrial reservoir strain during the interstage period is a predictor of poor outcomes prior to Fontan completion in hypoplastic left heart syndrome
Authors: Wang Alan P. , Polsen Cassandra , Penk Jamie , Husain Nazia , Hauck Amanda , Jone Pei‐Ni 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe atrium augments ventricular function, but the significance of atrial function in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) has not been well evaluated.ObjectiveWe investigated the association of atrial reservoir strain (common atrial strain [CAS]) to death or need for transplantation in patients with HLHS.MethodsIn this retrospective single‐center study, echocardiograms from three timepoints (pre‐stage 1 palliation [S1P], 4–8 weeks post‐S1P, and pre‐Glenn) were analyzed in infants with classic HLHS. Patients were separated based on transplant‐free survival to Fontan (survivors) versus death or heart transplant prior to Fontan (composite outcome). Echocardiographic parameters evaluated included CAS, right ventricle (RV) global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), RV fractional area change (FAC), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). An equal variance t‐test, regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed.ResultsA total of 45 HLHS patients (25 survivors, 20 patients meeting endpoint) were included in this study. There were no significant differences in any of the functional parameters during the pre‐stage 1 or post‐stage 1 timepoints. Pre‐Glenn CAS and RVGLS were significantly worse in those meeting composite endpoint compared to survivors. CAS was significantly correlated to RVGLS during the pre‐S1P and pre‐Glenn timepoints. A pre‐Glenn CAS < 19.5 had an area under the curve of .78 and a 75% sensitivity and 83% specificity for death or need for transplantation.ConclusionPre‐Glenn CAS is significantly lower in patients with mortality or need for the transplantation prior to Fontan completion and may carry prognostic significance in patients with HLHS.
Pollinator visitation decline due to pesticide application beyond threshold frequency brings down crop yield
Authors: Das Manobrata , Paul Ayan , Bhattacharya Sabyasachi , Basu Parthiba 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
The deleterious effects of pesticides on pollinating insect abundance are well established but the relationship among pesticide application, pollinator decline and the corresponding change in marketable yield is not fully understood.
In this study, we assessed what level of pesticide exposure causes maximum pollinator loss and at that level of pollinator loss if there is any crop yield loss.
We primarily assessed pollinator crop flower visitation in 27 aubergine farms with different degrees of pesticide application. Subsequently, we also observed pollinator activity and aubergine yield (fruit set) in a semi‐controlled field experiment with four different pesticide treatments.
Pesticide application frequency was the most important driver of pollinator visitation compared with quantity. Pesticide spray above once a week caused a drastic drop in pollinator visitation in a non‐linear fashion showing a threshold of pesticide application.
In high pesticide frequency experimental plots, pollinator visitation was significantly lower than in control, low and medium frequency plots. This resulted in lowering of aubergine fruit set by 27.4% in high pesticide frequency plots. Use of synthetic pesticides to safeguard yield seems to be doing just the opposite by bringing down yield from pesticide‐induced pollinator limitation.
An important problem we need to face in schools: Inflated grades and grade inflation
Authors: Kızıltaş Yusuf 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn today's schools, students can be given high grades in examinations and class performance. High grades can lead to the problem of inflated grades. Inflated grades can lead to grade inflation. The subject of this study is to investigate the existence of high grades in primary school, secondary school and high school. The main purpose of the research is to reveal the existence, causes and consequences of high grades. The study group consists of teachers (n = 203) working in primary, secondary and high school educational institutions in Van. Case study design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. According to the research results, the majority of teachers point out that inflated grades are given to cover up failures. According to the participants in this research, there is a problem of inflated grades at all levels of education. Likewise, inflated grades are common in both public and private schools.
Psychometric evaluation of clinician‐ and caregiver‐reported clinical severity assessments for individuals with CDKL5 deficiency disorder
Authors: Saldaris Jacinta M. , Jacoby Peter , Downs Jenny , Marsh Eric D. , Leonard Helen , Pestana‐Knight Elia , Rajaraman Rajsekar , Weisenberg Judith , Suter Bernhard , Olson Heather E. , Price Dana , Hong William , Prange Erin , Benke Tim A. , Demarest Scott 
Published: August 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe CDKL5 Clinical Severity Assessment (CCSA) is a comprehensive, content‐validated measurement tool capturing the diverse challenges of cyclin‐dependent kinase‐like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD), a genetically caused developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). The CCSA is divided into clinician‐reported (CCSA‐Clinician) and caregiver‐reported (CCSA‐Caregiver) assessments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factor structure of these measures through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and evaluate their validity and reliability.MethodsParticipants were recruited from the International CDKL5 Clinical Research Network to take part in an in‐clinic CCSA‐Clinician evaluation (n = 148) and/or complete the CCSA‐Caregiver questionnaire (n = 198). CFA was used to determine domains, and factor loadings and validity were assessed. For the CCSA‐Clinician, inter‐rater reliability was assessed by nine CDD experienced clinicians via 14 pre‐recorded evaluations. Eight clinicians re‐viewed and re‐scored the videos after 4 weeks to evaluate intra‐rater reliability. The CCSA‐Caregiver was completed on a second occasion by 34 caregivers after 2–4 weeks to assess test–retest reliability.ResultsCFA resulted in three domains for the CCSA‐Clinician (motor and movement, communication, vision) and four domains for the CCSA‐Caregiver (seizures, behavior, alertness, feeding), with good item loadings across both measures. Structural statistics, internal consistency, discriminant validity, and reliability were satisfactory for both measures, and scores were consistent between known groups.SignificanceThis study provides strong evidence that the CCSA measures are suitable to assess the clinical severity of individuals with CDD, supporting their use in clinical trials. Further evaluation of responsiveness to change in a longitudinal assessment is planned. Use may also be appropriate in similar DEEs but would require validation in those populations.
Association of new onset seizure and COVID‐19 vaccines and long‐term follow‐up: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Rafati Ali , Jameie Melika , Amanollahi Mobina , Pasebani Yeganeh , Salimi Nastaran , Kazemi Mohammad Hosein Feyz , Jameie Mana , Pasebani Mohammad Yazdan , Sakhaei Delaram , Feizollahi Fateme , Kwon Churl‐Su 
Published: August 2024

AbstractObjectiveSeizures have been reported as an adverse event of the COVID‐19 vaccine. However, there is no solid evidence of increased seizure occurrence compared to the general population. This study was undertaken to investigate seizure occurrence among COVID‐19 vaccine recipients compared to unvaccinated controls.MethodsA systematic search was made of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library up to April 9, 2024. Studies reporting seizure occurrence following COVID‐19 vaccination were included. This study is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses framework and was conducted using random‐ and common‐effect models. The risk of bias in the studies was evaluated by the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. The outcome of interest was new onset seizure incidence proportion compared among (1) COVID‐19 vaccine recipients, (2) unvaccinated cohorts, and (3) various types of COVID‐19 vaccines.ResultsForty studies were included, of which seven entered the meta‐analysis. Results of the pooled analysis of the new onset seizure incidence (21‐ or 28‐day period after vaccination) in 13 016 024 vaccine recipients and 13 013 262 unvaccinated individuals by pooling the cohort studies did not show any statistically significant difference between the two groups (odds ratio [OR] = .48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .19–1.20, p = .12, I2 = 95%, τ2 = .7145). Pooling four studies accounting for 19 769 004 mRNA versus 47 494 631 viral vector vaccine doses demonstrated no significant difference in terms of new onset seizure incidence between the groups (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = .78–1.78, p = .44, I2 = 0%, τ2 = .004).SignificanceThis systematic review and meta‐analysis shows no statistically significant difference in the risk of new onset seizure incidence between COVID‐19 vaccinated individuals and unvaccinated individuals.
Optimizing task allocation with temporal‐spatial privacy protection in mobile crowdsensing
Authors: Liu Yuping , Chen Honglong , Liu Xiaolong , Wei Wentao , Xue Huansheng , Alfarraj Osama , Almakhadmeh Zafer 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMobile Crowdsensing (MCS) is considered to be a key emerging example of a smart city, which combines the wisdom of dynamic people with mobile devices to provide distributed, ubiquitous services and applications. In MCS, each worker tends to complete as many tasks as possible within the limited idle time to obtain higher income, while completing a task may require the worker to move to the specific location of the task and perform continuous sensing. Thus the time and location information of each worker is necessary for an efficient task allocation mechanism. However, submitting the time and location information of the workers to the system raises several privacy concerns, making it significant to protect both the temporal and spatial privacy of workers in MCS. In this article, we propose the Task Allocation with Temporal‐Spatial Privacy Protection (TASP) problem, aiming to maximize the total worker income to further improve the workers' motivation in executing tasks and the platform's utility, which is proved to be NP‐hard. We adopt differential privacy technology to introduce Laplace noise into the location and time information of workers, after which we propose the Improved Genetic Algorithm (SPGA) and the Clone‐Enhanced Genetic Algorithm (SPCGA), to solve the TASP problem. Experimental results on two real‐world datasets verify the effectiveness of the proposed SPGA and SPCGA with the required personalized privacy protection.
Potential migration pathways of broadleaved trees across the receding boreal biome under future climate change
Authors: Lima Jacqueline Souza , Lenoir Jonathan , Hylander Kristoffer 
Published: August 2024

AbstractClimate change has triggered poleward expansions in the distributions of various taxonomic groups, including tree species. Given the ecological significance of trees as keystone species in forests and their socio‐economic importance, projecting the potential future distributions of tree species is crucial for devising effective adaptation strategies for both biomass production and biodiversity conservation in future forest ecosystems. Here, we fitted physiographically informed habitat suitability models (HSMs) at 50‐m resolution across Sweden (55–68° N) to estimate the potential northward expansion of seven broadleaved tree species within their leading‐edge distributions in Europe under different future climate change scenarios and for different time periods. Overall, we observed that minimum temperature was the most crucial variable for comprehending the spatial distribution of broadleaved tree species at their cold limits. Our HSMs projected a complex range expansion pattern for 2100, with individualistic differences among species. However, a frequent and rather surprising pattern was a northward expansion along the east coast followed by narrow migration pathways along larger valleys towards edaphically suitable areas in the north‐west, where most of the studied species were predicted to expand. The high‐resolution maps generated in this study offer valuable insights for our understanding of range shift dynamics at the leading edge of southern tree species as they expand into the receding boreal biome. These maps suggest areas where broadleaved tree species could already be translocated to anticipate forest and biodiversity conservation adaptation efforts in the face of future climate change.
Multidecadal changes in coastal benthic species composition and ecosystem functioning occur independently of temperature‐driven community shifts
Authors: Armitage Phoebe , Burrows Michael T. , Rimmer James E. V. , Blight Andrew J. , Paterson David M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractRising global temperatures are often identified as the key driver impacting ecosystems and the services they provide by affecting biodiversity structure and function. A disproportionate amount of our understanding of biodiversity and function is from short‐term experimental studies and static values of biodiversity indices, lacking the ability to monitor long‐term trends and capture community dynamics. Here, we analyse a biennial dataset spanning 32 years of macroinvertebrate benthic communities and their functional response to increasing temperatures. We monitored changes in species' thermal affinities to examine warming‐related shifts by selecting their mid‐point global temperature distribution range and linking them to species' traits. We employed a novel weighted metric using Biological Trait Analysis (BTA) to gain better insights into the ecological potential of each species by incorporating species abundance and body size and selecting a subset of traits that represent five ecosystem functions: bioturbation activity, sediment stability, nutrient recycling and higher and lower trophic production. Using biodiversity indices (richness, Simpson's diversity and vulnerability) and functional indices (richness, Rao's Q and redundancy), the community structure showed no significant change over time with a narrow range of variation. However, we show shifts in species composition with warming and increases in the abundance of individuals, which altered ecosystem functioning positively and/or non‐linearly. Yet, when higher taxonomic groupings than species were excluded from the analysis, there was only a weak increase in the measured change in community‐weighted average thermal affinities, suggesting changes in ecosystem functions over time occur independently of temperature increase‐related shifts in community composition. Other environmental factors driving species composition and abundance may be more important in these subtidal macrobenthic communities. This challenges the prevailing emphasis on temperature as the primary driver of ecological response to climate change and emphasises the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of the temporal dynamics of complex systems.
Global increase of lianas in tropical forests
Authors: Rueda‐Trujillo Manuela A. , Veldhuis Michiel P. , van Bodegom Peter M. , de Deurwaerder Hannes P. T. , Visser Marco 
Published: August 2024

AbstractLianas profoundly affect tropical forests dynamics, reducing productivity and carbon storage, which underscores the importance of monitoring change in their abundance in projecting the future of the global terrestrial carbon store. While increasing liana populations are documented within the Neotropics, the global consistency of these patterns is questioned, and remains to be determined. To evaluate pantropical trends in liana abundance comprehensively and quantitatively, we conducted a systematic literature review and meta‐analysis. This approach allowed us to synthesize data from published longitudinal studies examining liana trends across the tropics. We calculated standardized effect sizes and standard errors, and applied a Bayesian hierarchical meta‐analytic model to adjust for publication bias. Our analysis reveals an overall pan‐tropical increase in lianas abundance, occurring at an average rate of 1.7 ± 0.7 SE% per year (~10% to 24% per decade). This upward trend, confirmed to be robust against publication bias, extends beyond Neotropical regions, indicating a widespread phenomenon. Although a global trend of increasing liana abundance is evident, significant local variation exist, attributable to differences in life cycle stages, abundance metrics, forest successional stages, and biogeographical realms. Notably, increases in stem density of saplings and biomass of canopy lianas, especially in old‐growth forests, point to global climatic drivers and heightened turnover rates in tropical forests as factors promoting sustained liana growth in the canopy and clonal colonization in the understory. These trends suggest that the rise in liana abundance may not only persist but could also intensify under climate change. Considering both previous and current research on lianas, our findings confirm growing concerns about lianas' expanding impact on pan‐tropical carbon storage, highlighting their significant potential effect on global carbon dynamics.
Factors necessary for a community pharmacist to achieve interprofessional collaboration in home‐based care in Japan
Authors: Mizuno Tomohiro , Hasegawa Sho , Mizokami Fumihiro 
Published: August 2024

AimInterprofessional collaboration between medical professionals is an essential aspect of caring for Japan's super‐aging population, but studies on the subject have been geographically limited in scope. Therefore, we aimed to determine the factors necessary for pharmacists to achieve interprofessional collaboration in home‐based care in Japan.MethodsOur online questionnaire survey was conducted from February 1, 2023 to February 15, 2023. The Japan Pharmaceutical Association introduced this survey to their membership, and survey letters were sent to hospitals and community pharmacies that were not included in this association.ResultsThe study involved 1156 and 36 participants working in a community pharmacy and a hospital, respectively. These participants were divided into the collaboration group and the non‐collaboration group. Enough time for visiting patients and for preparing the first visiting plan was important to achieve interprofessional collaboration in home‐based care for a hospital pharmacist. More than 5 years of experience working in home‐based care and participation in pre‐visit conferences, discharge conferences, meetings with persons in charge of services were independent factors in collaborating with other medical staff for a community pharmacist.ConclusionHospital pharmacists with enough time to prepare and visit for home‐based care and community pharmacists working in home‐based care for more than 5 years and who share information on home‐based care with medical staff achieved interprofessional collaboration in home‐based care. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; ••: ••–••.