bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A homozygous ARMC3 splicing variant causes asthenozoospermia and flagellar disorganization in a consanguineous family
Authors: Rahim Fazal , Tao Liu , Khan Khalid , Ali Imtiaz , Zeb Aurang , Khan Ihsan , Dil Sobia , Abbas Tanveer , Hussain Ansar , Zubair Muhammad , Zhang Huan , Hui Ma , Khan Muzammil Ahmad , Shah Wasim , Shi Qinghua 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMale infertility due to asthenozoospermia is quite frequent, but its etiology is poorly understood. We recruited two infertile brothers, born to first‐cousin parents from Pakistan, displaying idiopathic asthenozoospermia with mild stuttering disorder but no ciliary‐related symptoms. Whole‐exome sequencing identified a splicing variant (c.916+1G>A) in ARMC3, recessively co‐segregating with asthenozoospermia in the family. The ARMC3 protein is evolutionarily highly conserved and is mostly expressed in the brain and testicular tissue of human. The ARMC3 splicing mutation leads to the exclusion of exon 8, resulting in a predicted truncated protein (p.Glu245_Asp305delfs*16). Quantitative real‐time PCR revealed a significant decrease at mRNA level for ARMC3 and Western blot analysis did not detect ARMC3 protein in the patient's sperm. Individuals homozygous for the ARMC3 splicing variant displayed reduced sperm motility with frequent morphological abnormalities of sperm flagella. Transmission electron microscopy of the affected individual IV: 2 revealed vacuolation in sperm mitochondria at the midpiece and disrupted flagellar ultrastructure in the principal and end piece. Altogether, our results indicate that this novel homozygous ARMC3 splicing mutation destabilizes sperm flagella and leads to asthenozoospermia in our patients, providing a novel marker for genetic counseling and diagnosis of male infertility.
Scarcity amid abundance: Navigating the waters of neoliberal austerity in Detroit
Authors: Abowd Thomas 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis article explores water politics, neoliberal austerity measures, and racial capitalism in contemporary Detroit. I detail how a city campaign of mass residential water shutoffs, begun in 2014 and effecting tens of thousands of Detroit households, has served as a weapon against poor communities of color to produce economic outcomes favorable to corporate creditors and political elites. I argue that an analysis of water politics in contemporary Detroit allows for a more nuanced understanding of how neoliberal urbanism produces its own distinctive structures of racial and gendered oppression—not class domination alone. Drawing on fieldwork with city activists and other residents impacted by water terminations, this article analyzes how capitalism has relied on race to validate myriad expressions of violence, capital accumulation, and dispossession. I submit that water is a resource whose provision and denial provides a lens through which to ascertain who is and is not regarded as fully human in the context of the neoliberalization of racial capitalism. This piece also details innovative ways in which water rights activists and other Detroit residents have resisted authoritarian water policies and crafted survival strategies to persevere in the face of abiding threats to their health and human rights.
10 years of decision‐making for biodiversity conservation actions: A systematic literature review
Authors: Beher Jutta , Treml Eric , Wintle Brendan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractDecision science emphasizes necessary elements required for robust decision‐making. By incorporating decision science principles, frameworks, and tools, it has been demonstrated that decision‐makers can increase the chances of achieving conservation aims. Setting measurable objectives, clearly documenting assumptions about the impact of available actions on a specific threat or problem, explicitly considering constraints, exploring and characterizing uncertainty, and structured deliberation on trade‐offs have been identified as key elements of successful decision‐making. We quantify the extent to which these five elements were utilized in published examples of decision making in conservation in both academic and conservation practice between 2009 and 2018. We found that less than 50% of identified examples included all five elements, with differences in the degree of decision science applied across five commonly used decision support approaches: adaptive management (AM), systematic conservation planning (SCP), structured decision making (SDM), multi‐criteria decision analysis, and cost‐effectiveness analysis. Example applications that utilized the SDM framework were limited in numbers but used on average more than 50% of the five key elements we considered. Although SCP and AM constituted the majority of examples, they were more prevalent in academic studies rather than management applications. SCP and AM examples were widespread in protected area planning, threat abatement, and restoration. Strong geographic bias exists in documented conservation activities that deploy all five decision science elements.
Neural correlates of preschoolers’ passive‐viewing false belief: Insights into continuity and change and the function of right temporoparietal activity in theory of mind development
Authors: Bowman Lindsay C. , Brandone Amanda C. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBehavioral research demonstrates a critical transition in preschooler's mental‐state understanding (i.e., theory of mind; ToM), revealed most starkly in performance on tasks about a character's false belief (e.g., about an object's location). Questions remain regarding the neural and cognitive processes differentiating children who pass versus fail behavioral false‐belief tasks and the extent to which there is continuity versus change in the ToM neural network. To address these questions, we analyzed event‐related spectral power in the electroencephalogram (EEG) to investigate how preschoolers’ neural activity during passive viewing of false‐belief scenarios related to their explicit behavioral ToM performance. We found that neural activity during passive viewing of false‐belief events (6–9 Hz EEG ‘alpha’ suppression in right temporoparietal [RTP] electrodes) strongly related to children's explicit ToM. However, children's RTP alpha suppression differed depending on their explicit behavioral ToM performance: Children who did better on a broad battery of standard ToM tasks and who passed explicit behavioral false‐belief tasks showed greater RTP alpha suppression when the character's belief first became false (during the ‘location‐change’ event); whereas children who did worse on the ToM battery and who failed explicit behavioral false‐belief tasks showed greater RTP alpha suppression only later when they could evaluate the character's behavior in the context of prior events (during the ‘active‐search’ event). Findings shed light on what differentiates preschoolers who pass versus fail explicit false‐belief tasks and raise questions about how to interpret existing neuroscience data from ToM tasks across infancy to adulthood.Research Highlights
Preschool children's neural activity (EEG 6–9 Hz suppression in right temporoparietal [RTP] electrodes) during passive‐viewing of false‐belief events was related to their explicit behavioral theory‐of‐mind performance.
Children who did better on a theory‐of‐mind (ToM) battery and passed explicit false‐belief tasks showed greater RTP alpha suppression when the character's belief first became false.
Children who performed worse on the ToM battery and failed explicit false‐belief tasks showed greater RTP alpha suppression later when observing the character's search behavior.
Findings reveal change in preschoolers’ ToM neural correlates and suggest that the presence of RTP activity does not necessarily indicate ‘mature’ theory of mind.
Dry‐wet alternation and microplastics particle size effects on and contributions to soil water and soil pore properties
Authors: Xing Xuguang , Jing Xiaoyuan , Zhao Fengyue , Jiao Sihan , Su Liuchang , Yu Miao , Zhao Long 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAgricultural soils always contain microplastics (MPs) residues and farmlands often undergo continuous drying‐wetting alternations. However, little is known about how the existing MPs and MPs particle size affect soil physical properties under drying‐wetting cycles; also their combined influences are not well understood. Hence, we completed measurements of hydraulic parameters and calculations of water characteristics and pore distributions in soil‐MPs mixtures subjecting to five drying‐wetting cycles and four MPs particle sizes. Quantitative findings indicated that both MPs and drying‐wetting cycles reduced saturated conductivity, which firstly decreased and then increased with the increase of MPs particle size and the progress of drying‐wetting cycles. The drying‐wetting cycles increased field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting coefficient (PWC), but reduced gravity water (GW) and available water content (AWC). Oppositely, the MPs reduced FC and PWC but increased GW and AWC; furthermore, the average FC and PWC overall firstly decreased and then increased with the increase in MPs particle size; however, the average GW and AWC firstly increased and then stabilized. The MPs reduced total porosity and the drying‐wetting cycle also reduced it in soil‐MPs mixtures, which whereas increased as the drying‐wetting cycles proceeded. Factors contribution analyses indicated that the drying‐wetting cycle made greater contributions than MPs particle size to the variation of soil physical properties, and their combined effects mainly made great contributions to the variation of soil hydraulic parameters. Our findings provide evidence for MPs influence on soil physical properties, which deserves attention with regard to the developments of sustainable agricultural practical managements in plastic‐polluted soil‐crop systems.
Population and community consequences of perceived risk from humans in wildlife
Authors: Smith Justine A. , McDaniels Megan E. , Peacor Scott D. , Bolas Ellen C. , Cherry Michael J. , Dorn Nathan J. , Feldman Olivia K. , Kimbro David L. , Leonhardt Emily K. , Peckham Nicole E. , Sheriff Michael J. , Gaynor Kaitlyn M. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractHuman activities catalyse risk avoidance behaviours in wildlife across taxa and systems. However, the broader ecological significance of human‐induced risk perception remains unclear, with a limited understanding of how phenotypic responses scale up to affect population or community dynamics. We present a framework informed by predator–prey ecology to predict the occurrence of non‐consumptive effects (NCE) and trait‐mediated indirect effects (TMIE) of anthropogenic disturbances. We report evidence from a comprehensive review of the different types of human‐induced behavioural and physiological phenotypic changes and their influence on vital rates and population parameters in wildlife. Evidence for human‐induced NCEs and TMIEs is mixed, with half of published studies finding a relationship between human activities, phenotypic change and population outcomes. The net effects of anthropogenic NCEs and TMIEs depend on the mismatch between the phenotypic response and the lethality of human activity. However, strong research biases in taxa, systems, human disturbance types and demographic measures prevent unified inference about the prevalence of population responses to human activities. Coexistence with and conservation of wildlife requires additional research linking human‐induced phenotypic change to population and community outcomes.
Lysogeny destabilizes computationally simulated microbiomes
Authors: Gilman R. Tucker , Muldoon Mark R. , Megremis Spyridon , Robertson David L. , Chanishvili Nina , Papadopoulos Nikolaos G. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMicrobiomes are ecosystems, and their stability can impact the health of their hosts. Theory predicts that predators influence ecosystem stability. Phages are key predators of bacteria in microbiomes, but phages are unusual predators because many have lysogenic life cycles. It has been hypothesized that lysogeny can destabilize microbiomes, but lysogeny has no direct analog in classical ecological theory, and no formal theory exists. We studied the stability of computationally simulated microbiomes with different numbers of temperate (lysogenic) and virulent (obligate lytic) phage species. Bacterial populations were more likely to fluctuate over time when there were more temperate phages species. After disturbances, bacterial populations returned to their pre‐disturbance densities more slowly when there were more temperate phage species, but cycles engendered by disturbances dampened more slowly when there were more virulent phage species. Our work offers the first formal theory linking lysogeny to microbiome stability.
Diagnostic workup of acute headache and subarachnoid hemorrhage in a Norwegian population: An observational study
Authors: Aaseth Kjersti , Dhami Sanpreet K. G. , Kravdal Gunnhild , Zarnovicky Svetozar , Faiz Kashif Waqar , Vetvik Kjersti Grøtta , Kristoffersen Espen Saxhaug 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundAcute headache may be the primary symptom of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Recent guidelines suggest that non‐contrast computed tomography (CT) is adequate to exclude aneurysmal SAH if performed within 6 h after symptom onset. However, most studies of acute headache including CT, lumbar puncture and SAH are multicenter studies from referral hospitals with highly selected patient populations. The main purpose of this study was to describe the diagnostic properties of head CT and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spectrophotometry for detecting SAH in an unselected primary hospital population with acute headache.MethodsA retrospective cross‐sectional study conducted at a large primary hospital serving roughly 10% of the Norwegian population. Diagnostic workup from consecutive patients evaluated for acute headache in 2009–2020 were collected. All CSF‐spectrophotometry reports were standardized and the same CT scanner was used during the study.ResultsA total of 3227 patients were included. Median age was 45 years and 63% were women. In total, 170 (5.3% of all acute headache patients) had SAH. Of 3071 CT‐negative patients, 2852 (93%) underwent lumbar puncture. Of the CSF reports, 2796 (98%) were negative for xanthochromia. Overall, the rate for detection of aneurysmal SAH by positive xanthochromia was 9 in 2852 cases (3‰). The miss rate for the detection of an aneurysmal SAH with a CT scan within 6 h was 0 and within 12 h 1 in 2852 cases (0.3‰).ConclusionIn acute headache, a CT scan taken within 6 h is practically 100% sensitive for detecting any SAH.
Vitamin D prophylaxis in persons with epilepsy?
Authors: Sourbron Jo , Auvin Stéphane , Cabral‐Lim Leonor , Devlin Anita , Dluglos Dennis , Hosny Hassan , Marson Tony , Meador Kimford J. , Patel Archana A. , Penell Page B. , Riney Kate , Trinka Eugen , Wiebe Samuel , Lagae Lieven 
Published: June 2024

AbstractLimited guidelines exist regarding osteoporosis prevention in the general population. Despite being a subject of controversy, the majority of research suggests that decreased vitamin D levels correlate with increased bone turnover, that is, an important risk factor for osteoporosis development. In most guidelines, daily vitamin D supplementation is recommended. In persons with epilepsy (PWE), the situation is more complex, as other factors can increase the chance of being vitamin D deficient. Currently, there are no internationally accepted guidelines regarding monitoring bone health in PWE. Our aim was to review the existing evidence in PWE on: (1) risk factors for vitamin D deficiency, (2) the identification of higher risk groups, and (3) the optimal ways to monitor bone health. Our narrative review shows that: (1) anti‐seizure medication (ASM) use, especially enzyme‐inducing ASM (EIASM) and valproic acid, is identified as an important risk factor for impaired bone health (e.g., increased risk for osteoporosis/fractures and/or vitamin D deficiency); (2) higher risk groups within the PWE population are present: intellectual or physical disability, institutionalized patients, puberty, early onset epilepsy and developmental epileptic encephalopathies, postmenopausal women, and use of multiple ASM/concomitant drugs (e.g. corticosteroids); and (3) a monitoring scheme can be suggested including laboratory tests, bone density measurements, managing of risk factors, and/or vitamin D supplementation. Overall, regular vitamin D measurement in PWE is a cost‐effective and practical method for monitoring vitamin D deficiency, whereas in high‐risk patients the combination of vitamin D measurement and bone densitometry is recommended. There is not enough evidence to advocate continuous vitamin D supplementation in all PWE. Children with epilepsy should receive the recommended daily intake of vitamin D for age and additional monitoring and supplementation if at higher risk of deficiency. There is a need for prospective trials exploring the potential benefit of vitamin D supplementation in PWE.
Genetic divergence and one‐way gene flow influence contemporary evolution and ecology of a partially migratory fish
Authors: Kobayashi Katie M. , Bond Rosealea M. , Reid Kerry , Garza J. Carlos , Kiernan Joseph D. , Palkovacs Eric P. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractRecent work has revealed the importance of contemporary evolution in shaping ecological outcomes. In particular, rapid evolutionary divergence between populations has been shown to impact the ecology of populations, communities, and ecosystems. While studies have focused largely on the role of adaptive divergence in generating ecologically important variation among populations, much less is known about the role of gene flow in shaping ecological outcomes. After divergence, populations may continue to interact through gene flow, which may influence evolutionary and ecological processes. Here, we investigate the role of gene flow in shaping the contemporary evolution and ecology of recently diverged populations of anadromous steelhead and resident rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Results show that resident rainbow trout introduced above waterfalls have diverged evolutionarily from downstream anadromous steelhead, which were the source of introductions. However, the movement of fish from above to below the waterfalls has facilitated gene flow, which has reshaped genetic and phenotypic variation in the anadromous source population. In particular, gene flow has led to an increased frequency of residency, which in turn has altered population density, size structure, and sex ratio. This result establishes gene flow as a contemporary evolutionary process that can have important ecological outcomes. From a management perspective, anadromous steelhead are generally regarded as a higher conservation priority than resident rainbow trout, even when found within the same watershed. Our results show that anadromous and resident O. mykiss populations may be connected via gene flow, with important ecological consequences. Such eco‐evolutionary processes should be considered when managing recently diverged populations connected by gene flow.
What does effective population size tell us about loss of allelic variation?
Authors: Allendorf Fred W. , Hössjer Ola , Ryman Nils 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThere are two primary measures of the amount of genetic variation in a population at a locus: heterozygosity and the number of alleles. Effective population size (Ne) provides both an expectation of the amount of heterozygosity in a population at drift‐mutation equilibrium and the rate of loss of heterozygosity because of genetic drift. In contrast, the number of alleles in a population at drift‐mutation equilibrium is a function of both Ne and census size (NC). In addition, populations with the same Ne can lose allelic variation at very different rates. Allelic variation is generally much more sensitive to bottlenecks than heterozygosity. Expressions used to adjust for the effects of violations of the ideal population on Ne do not provide good predictions of the loss of allelic variation. These effects are much greater for loci with many alleles, which are often important for adaptation. We show that there is a linear relationship between the reduction of NC and the corresponding reduction of the expected number of alleles at drift‐mutation equilibrium. This makes it possible to predict the expected effect of a bottleneck on allelic variation. Heterozygosity provides good estimates of the rate of adaptive change in the short‐term, but allelic variation provides important information about long‐term adaptive change. The guideline of long‐term Ne being greater than 500 is often used as a primary genetic metric for evaluating conservation status. We recommend that this guideline be expanded to take into account allelic variation as well as heterozygosity.
Multiple introductions of divergent lineages and admixture conferred the high invasiveness in a widespread weed (Hypochaeris radicata)
Authors: Lee Soo‐Rang , Choi Tae‐Young , Son Dong‐Chan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBiological invasion consists of spatially and temporally varying stages, accompanied by ecological and evolutionary changes. Understanding the genomics underlying invasion dynamics provides critical insights into the geographic sources and genetic diversity, contributing to successful invasions across space and time. Here, we used genomic data and model‐based approaches to characterize the invasion dynamics of Hypochaeris radicata L., a noxious weed in Korea. Genetic diversity and assignment patterns were investigated using 3563 SNPs of 283 individuals sampled from 22 populations. We employed a coalescent‐based simulation method to estimate demographic changes for each population and inferred colonization history using both phylogenetic and population genetic model‐based approaches. Our data suggest that H. radicata has been repeatedly been introduced to Korea from multiple genetic sources within the last 50 years, experiencing weak population bottlenecks followed by subsequent population expansions. These findings highlight the potential for further range expansion, particularly in the presence of human‐mediated dispersal. Our study represents the first population‐level genomic research documenting the invasion dynamics of the successful worldwide invader, H. radicata, outside of Europe.