bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Finotypic plasticity: Predator‐induced plasticity in fin size, darkness and display behaviour in a teleost fish
Authors: Hulthén Kaj , Vinterstare Jerker , Nilsson P. Anders , Brönmark Christer 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Fish fins are remarkable devices of propulsion. Fin morphology is intimately linked to locomotor performance, and hence to behaviours that influence fitness, such as foraging and predator avoidance. This foreshadows a connection between fin morphology and variation in predation risk. Yet, whether prey can adjust fin morphology according to changes in perceived risk within their lifetime (a.k.a. predator‐induced plasticity) remains elusive.

Here, we quantify the structural size of five focal fins in crucian carp (Carassius carassius) following controlled manipulations to perceived predation risk (presence/absence of pike Esox lucius). We also assess if crucian carp respond to increased predation risk by shifts in dorsal fin colouration, and test for differences in how fish actively use their dorsal fins by quantifying the area of the fin displayed in behavioural trials.

We find that crucian carp show phenotypic plasticity with regards to fin size as predator‐exposed fish consistently have larger fins. Individuals exposed to perceived predation risk also increased dorsal fin darkness and actively displayed a larger area of the fin to potential predators.

Our results thus provide compelling evidence for predator‐induced fin enlargement, which should result in enhanced escape swimming performance. Moreover, fin‐size plasticity may evolve synergistically with fin colouration and display behaviour, and we suggest that the adaptive value of this synergy is to enhance the silhouette of deep‐bodied and hard‐to‐capture prey to deter gape‐limited predators prior to attack. Together, our results provide new perspectives on the role of predation risk in development and evolution of fins.
Evaluating diversionary feeding as a method to resolve conservation conflicts in a recovering ecosystem
Authors: Bamber Jack A. , Kortland Kenny , Sutherland Chris , Payo‐Payo Ana , Lambin Xavier 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The recovery of mammalian predators of conservation concern in Europe is a success story, but their impact on some prey species of conservation concern may cause conservation dilemmas. This calls for effective intervention strategies that mitigate predator impacts without compromising their recovery.

We evaluated diversionary feeding as a management intervention tool to reduce depredation on nests of rapidly declining Western capercaillies in Scotland. We studied the influence of diversionary feeding provision on the fates of artificial nests deployed using a replicated and representative randomised landscape‐scale experiment. This comprised 30 'paired' control (no diversionary feeding) and treatment (diversionary feeding applied) sites, 60 in total, each containing six artificial nests distributed across 600 km2. The experiment was replicated over 2 years, and in the second year, the control‐treatment pairs were reversed, yielding 60 treatment and 60 control sites and 720 artificial nests.

Diversionary feeding substantially reduced depredation of artificial nests, translating into an 82.5% increase in predicted nest survival over 28 days of incubation. The increase in survival was mostly accounted for by a reduction in the probability that a pine marten, the main nest predator, consumed or cached eggs. Diversionary food also significantly reduced nest predation by badgers, although the magnitude of this effect varied by year.

Synthesis and applications. Diversionary feeding is an easily employable method shown in this study to reduce predator impact (functional) without lethal (numerical) intervention. Managers should proceed with its application for conserving capercaillie in Scotland without delay.
Flight or fight: different strategies of intertidal periwinkle Littoraria sinensis coping with high temperature across populations
Authors: ZHANG Ning , MA Lin‐Xuan , DONG Yun‐Wei 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIntertidal organisms usually live near their upper thermal limits, and are vulnerable to future global warming. As a vital response to thermal stress, thermoregulatory strategy in physiological and behavioral performance is essential for organisms coping with thermal stress and surviving the changing world. To investigate the relationship between the thermoregulatory strategy and habitat temperature, in the present study, we comparatively investigated the thermal responsive strategy among different geographic populations of the supralittoral snail Littoraria sinensis by determining snails’ cardiac function and behavioral performance. Our results indicated that populations inhabiting high ambient temperatures had higher sublethal temperatures (i.e. Arrhenius breakpoint temperatures, ABTs, the temperature at which the heart rate shapely decreases with further heating) and lethal temperatures (i.e. Flatline temperatures, FLTs, the temperature at which heart rate ceases), and behaved less actively (e.g. shorter moving distances and shorter moving time) in the face of high and rising temperatures—a physiological fight strategy. On the other hand, populations at relatively low ambient temperatures had relatively lower physiological upper thermal limits with lower ABTs and FLTs and moved more actively in the face of high and rising temperatures—a behavioral flight strategy. These results demonstrate that the thermoregulatory strategies of the snails are closely related to their habitat temperatures and are different among populations surviving divergent thermal environments.
Racial and ethnic disparities in receipt of specialty treatment across risk profiles of adults with heavy alcohol use
Authors: Palzes Vanessa A. , Chi Felicia W. , Weisner Constance , Kline‐Simon Andrea H. , Satre Derek D. , Sterling Stacy 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundVariation in specialty treatment utilization for alcohol use disorder (AUD) by patient subgroups is poorly understood. This study examined whether and how patient risk profiles predict receipt of specialty treatment and whether there are disparities by race and ethnicity.MethodsThis cohort study included 206,956 adults with heavy alcohol use (that which exceeded National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism guidelines) between June 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014, using electronic health record data from Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Five risk profiles (characterized by daily or weekly heavy drinking and level of health risks) were identified in latent class analysis. Logistic regression models were fit to examine associations between risk profiles, race, ethnicity, and receipt of specialty treatment (including addiction medicine, psychiatry, or integrated behavioral health visits, and AUD pharmacotherapy), adjusting for other patient characteristics. Variation in the association between risk profiles and receipt of specialty treatment by race/ethnicity was also examined.ResultsOverall, 4.0% of patients received specialty treatment. Latino/Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander patients had lower odds of receiving specialty treatment than White patients (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] [95% CI] = 0.80 [0.75, 0.85], and 0.64 [0.59, 0.70], respectively). The substance use disorder and mental health disorder (SUD/MH) risk profile had the highest odds of receiving specialty treatment (10.46 [9.65, 11.34]). Associations between risk profiles and receipt of specialty treatment significantly differed by race/ethnicity. Black patients in the SUD/MH risk profile, and Hispanic/Latino patients in the risk profile with heavy daily drinking and more health risks, had lower odds of receiving specialty treatment than their White counterparts (adjusted ratio of odds ratios [aROR] [95% CI] = 0.69 [0.50, 0.94], and 0.79 [0.67, 0.92], respectively).ConclusionsThis study provides new insights into racial/ethnic disparities in specialty treatment utilization for alcohol problems. Findings may help inform strategies for tailoring interventions to address heavy alcohol use.
Identifying novel proteins for migraine by integrating proteomes from blood and CSF with genome‐wide association data
Authors: Niu Peng‐Peng , Zhang Rui , Zhang Chan , Li Shuo , Li Yu‐Sheng 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundProteome‐wide Mendelian randomization studies have been increasingly utilized to identify potential drug targets for diseases. We aimed to identify potential therapeutic targets for migraine and its subtypes through the application of Mendelian randomization and co‐localization analysis methods.MethodsWe utilized cis‐protein quantitative trait loci data for 1378 plasma proteins available from two studies with 7213 individuals and 35,559 individuals, respectively. Summary data for migraine and its subtypes were obtained from a genetic study involving up to 1,339,303 individuals. Proteins that passed both the discovery and validation Mendelian randomization analysis, sensitivity analysis, heterogeneity test, and pleiotropy test, were associated with ≥2 outcomes, and received strong support from co‐localization analysis (PP.H4.abf ≥0.80) and were classified as tier 1 proteins.ResultsWe identified three tier 1 proteins (LRP11, ITIH1, and ADGRF5), whose genes have not been previously identified as causal genes for migraine in genetic studies. LRP11 was significantly associated with the risk of any migraine (OR [odds ratio] = 0.968, 95% CI [confidence interval] = 0.955–0.981, p = 1.27 × 10−6) and significantly/suggestively associated with three migraine subtypes. ITIH1 was significantly associated with the risk of any migraine (OR = 1.044, 95% CI = 1.024–1.065, p = 1.08 × 10−5) and migraine with visual disturbances. ADGRF5 was significantly associated with the risk of any migraine (OR = 0.964, 95% CI = 0.946–0.982, p = 8.74 × 10−5) and suggestively associated with migraine with aura. The effects of LRP11 and ADGRF5 were further replicated using cerebrospinal fluid protein data. Apart from ADGRF5, there was no evidence of potential adverse consequences when modulating the plasma levels. We also identified another four proteins (PLCG1, ARHGAP25, CHGA, and MANBA) with no potential adverse consequences when modulating the plasma levels, and their genes were not reported by previous genetic studies.ConclusionsWe found compelling evidence for two proteins and suggestive evidence for four proteins that could be promising targets for migraine treatment without significant adverse consequences. The corresponding genes were not reported in previous genetic studies. Future studies are needed to confirm the causal role of these proteins and explore the underlying mechanisms.
Decadal change in soil carbon and nitrogen with a Miscanthus × giganteus crop on abandoned agricultural land in southeast Ohio
Authors: Adu Fosu Samuel , Davis Sarah C. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMiscanthus × giganteus (miscanthus) is considered a beneficial biomass energy crop because of its carbon (C) sequestration potential and low fertilizer requirements, but few studies in the United States have measured long‐term C sequestration of miscanthus on suboptimal agricultural lands over a decadal scale, and none have been conducted in southeast Ohio. The objective of this study was to measure the soil C sequestration on abandoned agricultural land with a miscanthus crop that is harvested annually, the long‐term changes in plant and soil nitrogen (N), and the photosynthetic capacity in the tenth year of growth. This study was conducted over a 10‐year period from 2013 through 2023. A significant amount of C was accumulated in the soil (p < 0.05) and the mean C sequestration rates were 0.83 and 1.37 Mg C ha−1 year−1 at two different sites. The amount of C accumulated in the miscanthus plots by the tenth year was also greater than soil C in unmanaged grassland soils, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant change in the amount of N found in soil and plants over 10 years (p > 0.05), but the variability in plant N was greater in some years relative to others. Even though miscanthus was grown without N fertilizers in this study, soil N at 0–30 cm depth was not depleted over 10 years of crop management. The photosynthetic capacity of miscanthus measured in this study indicated that the plants were thriving after 10 years, and C assimilation for growth was consistent with the findings of prior work that evaluated the maximum photosynthetic rates of this species. The combination of significant soil C sequestration, sustained soil N, and high photosynthetic rates has important implications for the sustainability of miscanthus as a biomass crop.
Structural Uncertainty Due to Fault Timing: A Multimodel Case Study from the Perth Basin
Authors: Bardot Kerry , Lesueur Martin , Siade Adam J. , Lang Simon C. , McCallum James L. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractFaults can fundamentally change a groundwater flow regime and represent a major source of uncertainty in groundwater studies. Much research has been devoted to uncertainty around their location and their barrier‐conduit behavior. However, fault timing is one aspect of fault uncertainty that appears to be somewhat overlooked. Many faulted models feature consistent layer offsets, thereby presuming that block faulting has occurred recently and almost instantaneously. Additionally, barrier and/or conduit behavior is often shown to extend vertically through all layers when a fault may in fact terminate well below‐ground surface. In this study, we create three plausible geological interpretations for a transect in the Perth Basin. Adjacent boreholes show stratigraphic offsets and thickening which indicate faulting; however, fault timing is unknown. Flow modeling demonstrates that the model with the most recent faulting shows profoundly different flow patterns due to aquifer juxtaposition. Additionally, multiple realizations with stochastically generated parameter sets for layer, fault core, and fault damage zone conductivity show that fault timing influences flow more than layer or fault zone conductivity. Finally, fault conduit behavior that penetrates aquitards has significant implications for transport, while fault barrier behavior has surprisingly little. This research advocates for adequate data collection where faults may cause breaches in aquitards due to layer offsets or conduit behavior in the damage zone. It also promotes the use of multiple geological models to address structural uncertainty, and highlights some of the hurdles in doing so such as computational expense and the availability of seamless geological‐flow modeling workflows.
Comparative study on the quality characteristics of wheat‐based broken rice noodles from different rice varieties
Authors: Li Limin , Wang Qingfa , Ren Zhenzhen , Liu Chong , Zheng Xueling 
Published: June 2024

SummaryMaking noodles based on broken rice (BR) is a green approach to promote the utilisation of rice byproducts (the underutilised bio‐materials with vast annual production). In this study, BR of Indica, Japonica and Glutinous varieties were semi‐dry milled to yield flour (BRI, BRJ and BRG). They were substituted for wheat flour at the level of 10% to prepare W‐BRI, W‐BRJ and W‐BRG noodles respectively. Among three varieties, BRG showed greatest whiteness, highest relative crystallinity and lowest pasting viscosities. Substitution of all BR flours decreased percentage of α‐helix but increased β‐sheet in fresh noodles. BRG substitution markedly enhanced the binding tightness of water to gluten or starch. Owing to the strongest swelling power and lowest pasting temperature (59.1 °C) of BRG, W‐BRG noodles showed shortest cooking time and highest cooking yield (190.64%). All noodles were sensorily acceptable, among which W‐BRG noodles had the greatest softness and least stickiness. W‐BRJ noodles presented more uniform and tightly packed microstructure, which might explain their lowest cooking loss (6.65%) and greater springiness. W‐BRI dough sheet had the most viscoelastic, and its noodles had the highest cohesiveness (0.65). Selective utilisation of rice variety is crucial for producing noodles with characteristic quality.
Rheological and stability of mayonnaise‐based Pickering emulsions stabilised by modified rice starch granules as a plant‐based emulsifier
Authors: Taghavi Elham , Andriani Cynthia , Nordin Nordalia , Awang Seruji Awang Zulfikar Rizal , Wan Rasdi Nadiah , Abdul Hadi Nabilah 
Published: June 2024

SummaryPolysaccharide‐based particles present a promising alternative emulsifier to egg yolk to stabilise mayonnaise. Starch granules, inherently hydrophilic, can be modified to enhance their wettability. This study aimed to characterise the rheological and stability of mayonnaise‐based Pickering emulsions stabilised by native and modified rice starch granules. The mayonnaise was formulated with 50% (w/w) olive oil and 50% (w/w) lemon juice, with varying starch concentrations (200 and 400 mg starch mL−1 of oil). The emulsifying capacity and stability of mayonnaise, such as droplet size, morphology, emulsion index, accelerated stability, rheological behaviour and long‐term storage stability of the mayonnaise were investigated at time intervals (1, 7 and 14 days). The result showed that mayonnaise stabilised by pre‐gelatinised rice starch at low‐starch concentrations (200 mg mL−1) exhibited a higher emulsion index of 100% and a smaller droplet size of 17.0 ± 10.55 μm compared to emulsions stabilised by native and OSA rice starch. All mayonnaise‐based Pickering emulsions exhibited shear‐thinning properties, with emulsions stabilised by pre‐gelatinised rice starch exhibited the highest viscosity and viscoelastic properties (G′ > G″). Thus, it contributed to greater stability in the Pickering emulsion system with longer storage stability. This study offers valuable insights into the potential of modified starch granules as an alternative plant‐based emulsifier in food applications. The use of plant‐based emulsifier (solid particles) instead of egg yolk as emulsifiers provide an insight for food industry in providing healthy plant‐based emulsion formulations.
Females have a higher risk of urinary tract infections and experience more worries than males
Authors: Lauridsen Susanne Vahr , Vaabengaard Rikke , Zeeberg R. , Jacobsen Lotte , Islamoska Sabrina 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIntroduction and ObjectivesEvidence shows differences in referral and management patterns for urinary symptoms between sexes, which seem to influence catheterization rates and that females experience more urinary tract infections (UTIs). Using patient‐reported data from clean intermittent catheter (CIC) users, we investigated sex differences in UTI symptoms, behaviour when having a UTI, and worries related to UTIs.Materials and MethodsIn March–April 2022, an online survey of 60 questions was distributed among 55 235 CIC users recruited through a customer panel in 11 European countries, Australia, and the United States. Results are based on descriptive analyses presented in proportions and percentages. The participants' data were treated with confidentiality in compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation, and the analyses were performed with aggregated anonymous data.ResultsAmong 3464 CIC users who responded to the survey, there were 37% females. The four most prevalent urinary problems among females were urinary retention (34%), urinary incontinence (34%), residual urine (32%), and overactive bladder (32%). In addition, among females, 65% had bowel dysfunction, 63% experienced minimum one antibiotic treated UTI within the last year, 53% worried about not emptying their bladder completely, while 71% worried about acquiring a UTI. The overall UTI mean in the study population was 1.88 UTIs/year (95% CI; 1.71–2.07). Females had a 43% higher risk of UTIs compared with males (relative risk: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.26–1.62).When having UTIs, there was a significant difference when comparing the reporting of UTI symptoms in females versus males, as females experienced more incontinence (33% vs. 21%), more lower abdominal pain (30% vs. 15%), more discomfort or pain when urinating (41% vs. 31%), discomfort or pain over the kidneys (29% vs. 13%), and less fever (16% vs. 29%). Females also used more supplements (36% vs. 25%), drank more fluid (66% vs. 55%), and took home urine tests (21% vs. 13%).ConclusionsFindings from this cross‐sectional study underline the sex differences in reporting of UTI symptoms, behaviour when having a UTI, and worries related to UTIs. Untreated urinary symptoms may have impactful consequences for health‐related quality of life, thus, it is important for nurses to know the sex differences in urinary symptoms to identify any risk of UTIs.Implications for nursing practice or research: Our study results add new insight to the sparse evidence about female CIC user symptoms and behaviour when having a UTI. This knowledge is useful when assessing the risk of UTIs among CIC users.
Global scale efficiency in data envelopment analysis
Authors: Aparicio Juan , Santín Daniel 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn the realm of assessing scale efficiency (SE), it tends to be computed as a firm‐specific phenomenon rather than something associated with the whole shape of the frontier of the technology under evaluation. This circumstance may lead to inaccuracies in the conclusions drawn regarding the returns to scale (RTS) exhibited across the entire frontiers since they can be biased by the location of the observations. This paper addresses this gap by defining the notion of global SE measured through projecting synthetic observations randomly generated within a unit‐hypercube against the technologies under constant and variable RTS. Our approach enables the comparison of the local SE exhibited by each firm in relation to the global expected percentage of production points that display a similar type of RTS across the production frontier. The approach is illustrated through a numerical example and applied to a set of hospitals in Spain.
Electrophysiological patterns and structural substrates of Brugada syndrome: Critical appraisal and computational analyses
Authors: Seghetti Paolo , Latrofa Sara , Biasi Niccolò , Giannoni Alberto , Hartwig Valentina , Rossi Andrea , Tognetti Alessandro 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBrugada syndrome (BrS) is a cardiac electrophysiological disease with unknown etiology, associated with sudden cardiac death. Symptomatic patients are treated with implanted cardiac defibrillator, but no risk stratification strategy is effective in patients that are at low to medium arrhythmic risk. Cardiac computational modeling is an emerging tool that can be used to verify the hypotheses of pathogenesis and inspire new risk stratification strategies. However, to obtain reliable results computational models must be validated with consistent experimental data. We reviewed the main electrophysiological and structural variables from BrS clinical studies to assess which data could be used to validate a computational approach. Activation delay in the epicardial right ventricular outflow tract is a consistent finding, as well as increased fibrosis and subclinical alterations of right ventricular functional and morphological parameters. The comparison between other electrophysiological variables is hindered by methodological differences between studies, which we commented. We conclude by presenting a recent theory unifying electrophysiological and structural substrate in BrS and illustrate how computational modeling could help translation to risk stratification.