bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parthenogenesis, identity, and value
Authors: Simkulet William 
Published: April 2024

AbstractParthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction in which a gamete (ovum or sperm) develops without being fertilized. Tomer Jordi Chaffer uses parthenogenesis to challenge Don Marquis' future‐like‐ours (FLO) argument against abortion. According to Marquis, (1) what makes it morally wrong to kill us is that it would deprive us of a possible future that we might come to value—a future “like ours” (FLO) and (2) human fetuses are numerically identical to any adult human organism they may develop into, and thus have a FLO. Chaffer contends that if human ova are capable of parthenogenesis, then they would have a FLO, which contraception may deprive them of, but contends this is absurd. Bruce P. Blackshaw challenges Chaffer, contending sexually fertilized embryos are not identical to unfertilized ovum, but this would yield a more absurd implication, that fertilization deprives an ovum of a FLO! Here I show Marquis' account of identity rules out both Chaffer's and Blackshaw's accounts.
Early erythroferrone levels can predict the long‐term haemoglobin responses to erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents
Authors: Xu Peng , Wong Raymond S. M. , Yan Xiaoyu 
Published: April 2024

Background and PurposeOur previous study reported that erythroferrone (ERFE), a newly identified hormone produced by erythroblasts, responded to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) sensitively but its dynamics was complicated by double peaks and circadian rhythm. This study intends to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for the double peaks of ERFE dynamics and further determine whether early ERFE measurements can predict haemoglobin responses to rHuEPO.Experimental ApproachBy using the purified recombinant rat ERFE protein and investigating its deposition in rats, the production of ERFE was deconvoluted. To explore the role of iron in ERFE production, we monitored short‐term changes of iron status after injection of rHuEPO or deferiprone. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modelling was used to confirm the mechanisms and examine the predictive ability of ERFE for long‐term haemoglobin responses.Key ResultsThe rRatERFE protein was successfully purified. The production of ERFE was deconvoluted and showed two independent peaks (2 and 8 h). Transient iron decrease was observed at 4 h after rHuEPO injection and deferiprone induced significant increases of ERFE. Based on this mechanism, the PK/PD model could characterize the complex dynamics of ERFE. In addition, the model predictions further revealed a stronger correlation between ERFE and haemoglobin peak values than that for observed values.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe complex dynamics of ERFE should be composited by an immediate release and transient iron deficiency‐mediated secondary production of ERFE. The early peak values of ERFE, which occur within a few hours, can predict haemoglobin responses several weeks after ESA treatment.
Increased mortality in acromegaly is due to vascular and respiratory disease and is normalised by control of GH levels—A retrospective analysis from the UK Acromegaly Register 1970–2016
Authors: Orme Steve , McNally Richard , James Peter W. , Davis Jessica , Ayuk John , Higham Claire , Wass John ,   the UK Acromegaly Register Study Group
Published: April 2024

AbstractContextEpidemiological studies involving patients with acromegaly have yielded conflicting results regarding cancer incidence and causes of mortality in relation to control of growth hormone (GH) excess.ObjectiveThe objective of this retrospective cohort study is to clarify these questions and identify goals for treatment and monitoring patients.MethodsWe studied 1845 subjects from the UK Acromegaly Register (1970–2016), obtaining cancer standardised incidence rates (SIR) and all causes standardised mortality rates (SMR) from UK Office for National Statistics, to determine the relationship between causes of mortality—age at diagnosis, duration of disease, post‐treatment and mean GH levels.ResultsWe found an increased incidence of all cancers (SIR, 1.38; 95% CI: 1.06–1.33, p < .001), but no increase in incidence of female breast, thyroid, colon cancer or any measure of cancer mortality. All‐cause mortality rates were increased (SMR, 1.35; 95% CI: 1.24–1.46, p < .001), as were those due to vascular and respiratory diseases. All‐cause, all cancer and cardiovascular deaths were highest in the first 5 years following diagnosis. We found a positive association between post‐treatment and mean treatment GH levels and all‐cause mortality (p < .001 and p < .001), which normalised with posttreatment GH levels of <1.0 µg/L or meantreatment GH levels of <2.5 µg/L.ConclusionAcromegaly is associated with increased incidence of all cancers but not thyroid or colon cancer and no increase in cancer mortality. Excess mortality is due to vascular and respiratory disease. The risk is highest in the first 5 years following diagnosis and is mitigated by normalising GH levels.
Identifying minimum freshwater habitat conditions for an endangered fish using life cycle analysis
Authors: Polansky Leo , Mitchell Lara , Nobriga Matthew L. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIdentifying the most important factors affecting population growth in animal life cycles is an important tool of species conservation. Delta Smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus), an annual fish endemic to the San Francisco Estuary in California (USA), has been provided legal protection since 1993 but 30 years later exists in a conservation‐reliant state on the brink of extinction. Despite considerable controversies about what factors are most responsible for the species' decline, no population growth rate sensitivity comparisons between the most important factors regulating growth have been done. Nor has anyone attempted to quantitatively identify habitat conditions needed to support positive population growth. We developed a set of stage‐structured population models to link habitat indices regulating recruitment of new generations of fish as they metamorphosed into juveniles and the subsequent survival of those fish over several seasons until they reached adulthood. These models are used to quantify drivers of growth rate variation over 30 years. Several complimentary sensitivity analyses indicated freshwater outflow to the estuary during summer had the largest potential to change population growth. Multiple habitat metrics (e.g., food availability, temperature) influencing recruitment and life stage specific survival rates across different seasons interacted in nonlinear ways to determine habitat conditions and water management targets associated with positive population growth. We discuss the implications for freshwater management, Delta Smelt conservation, and the challenges climate change poses for co‐implementation of these two societal priorities.
International imports and climatic filtering drive compositional variation in non‐native insect establishments
Authors: Yamanaka Takehiko , Turner Rebecca M. , Bertelsmeier Cleo , Blake Rachael E. , Brockerhoff Eckehard G. , Nahrung Helen F. , Pureswaran Deepa S. , Roques Alain , Seebens Hanno , Liebhold Andrew M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAimInvasions of non‐native insects can have substantial impacts on agriculture, forestry, human health and biodiversity with considerable economic and environmental consequences. To understand the causes of these invasions, it is important to quantify the relative influence of principal drivers such as international imports and climatic effects.LocationNorth America, Chile, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.Time Period1881–2020.MethodsTo evaluate the relative contributions of various factors in explaining global variation in numbers of non‐native insect establishments in different world regions, we conducted two multivariate regression analyses to quantify temporal changes in family‐level composition and native ranges of established non‐native species in several world regions.ResultsThere were temporal changes in the family‐level composition of non‐native species assemblages. Prior to 1900, invasions were dominated by scale insects, subsequently shifting to a more diverse set of species, except in North America, which had relatively small compositional change over time compared to other regions. Spatial and temporal variation in the composition of established species was associated with differences in the origin of imports and climatic factors, each explaining 26.3% and 27.4% of the total variation, respectively. The analysis of native ranges of non‐native species indicated that there was no consistent temporal variation across all regions. Established species in New Zealand were predominantly native to Australasia and species in North America and Chile were mainly from Europe. Non‐native species in Europe mainly originated from the Nearctic region while those in Japan and Australia generally originated from multiple regions. Climatic factors in the destination regions had a primary effect (66.3%) on variation in the native range of established species, although imports also had substantial effects (45.4%).Main ConclusionsGeographical variation in climate and imports act together as drivers of establishment success for non‐native insects in all six regions.
Management practices and partial government ownership in the Middle East and North Africa
Authors: Islam Asif M. , Gatti Roberta 
Published: April 2024

AbstractA wealth of evidence has shown the positive effects of better management practices on firms. More recent evidence has highlighted that ownership matters for several developing and advanced economies. However, this relationship has not been studied extensively for economies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), a region where the presence of the government in the productive sphere looms large. This study addresses a gap in the literature by exploring how partial government ownership can influence management practices of medium and large formal firms in the MENA. Using two waves of Enterprise Surveys undertaken in 2013 and 2019/2020, the evidence points at a negative relationship between partial government ownership and management practices in the developing MENA region. The findings pass several robustness checks.
Role of dopamine neurons in familiarity
Authors: Fleury Sixtine , Kolaric Rhonda , Espera Justin , Ha Quan , Tomaio Jacquelyn , Gether Ulrik , Sørensen Andreas Toft , Mingote Susana 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDopamine neurons signal the salience of environmental stimuli and influence learning, although it is less clear if these neurons also determine the salience of memories. Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons increase their firing in the presence of new objects and reduce it upon repeated, inconsequential exposures, marking the shift from novelty to familiarity. This study investigates how dopamine neuron activity during repeated familiar object exposure affects an animal's preference for new objects in a subsequent novel object recognition (NOR) test. We hypothesize that a single familiarization session will not sufficiently lower dopamine activity, such that the memory of a familiar object remains salient, leading to equal exploration of familiar and novel objects and weaker NOR discrimination. In contrast, multiple familiarization sessions likely suppress dopamine activity more effectively, reducing the salience of the familiar object and enhancing subsequent novelty discrimination. Our experiments in mice indicated that multiple familiarization sessions reduce VTA dopamine neuron activation, as measured by c‐Fos expression, and enhance novelty discrimination compared with a single familiarization session. Dopamine neurons that show responsiveness to novelty were primarily located in the paranigral nucleus of the VTA and expressed vesicular glutamate transporter 2 transcripts, marking them as dopamine–glutamate neurons. Chemogenetic inhibition of dopamine neurons during a single session paralleled the effects of multiple sessions, improving NOR. These findings suggest that a critical role of dopamine neurons during the transition from novelty to familiarity is to modulate the salience of an object's memory.
AI based fuzzy MCDM models: Comparison and evaluation of dissimilar outcomes, an application to enhance pilot recruitment process
Authors: Taylan Osman , Guloglu Bulent , Alkabaa Abdulaziz S. , Sarp Salih , Alidrisi Hassan M. , Milyani Ahmad H. , Alidrisi Hisham , Balubaid Mohammed 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPilot recruitment is critical as they pose a multifaceted challenge for civilian and military organizations due to the complex traits impacting their missions and performance. In this study, a novel set of criteria and sub‐criteria were determined to compare twelve candidate pilots. Numerically immeasurable, imprecise, and non‐linear continuous fuzzy linguistic traits (variables) were studied which make the work unique and challenging due to individual preferences and disagreements between decision‐makers (DMs). The outcomes of three distinct fuzzy multiple criteria decision‐making (MCDM) approaches; fuzzy TOPSIS, fuzzy VIKOR, and fuzzy PROMETHEE were evaluated with trapezoidal fuzzy numbers (TFNs) to sort the positions of candidate pilots. Moreover, a unique defuzzification ranking method was employed to adjust the results of fuzzy MCDM methods for the synthesis and evaluation of outcomes of the pilot selection problem. All these efforts make the paper original and outstanding. Our findings and analysis suggested that fuzzy TOPSIS and PROMETHEE methods' outcomes showed maximum close similarity for ranking positions. However, substantial distinctions were noted when comparing these outcomes with the fuzzy VIKOR approach. Yet, the mission of predicting and revealing the best candidates is related to several traits, their weights, and the methods selected. Therefore, since vague information and ambiguous preferences match fuzzy superiority, a comprehensive and unbiased evaluation was achieved, ensuring the integrity of the decision‐making process. The results can be employed to enhance the safety and efficiency of airline operations and ensure that the most qualified and competent pilots are selected for the job.
The transnational engagement of Afghan diaspora organizations: Drivers of diaspora specialization
Authors: Safi Ali Ahmad , Czaika Mathias 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis article delves into the engagement of Afghans in Europe in diaspora organizations (DOs) and examines the factors influencing the varying levels of transnational involvement aiming Afghan DOs (ADOs). Through a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) of 85 ADOs across Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom, this study explores intricate configurations leading to transnational activities. Drawing from a diverse range of qualitative data sources, this study deciphers different causal pathways underlying diasporic transnational activities. The results show that although individual conditions do not singularly drive transnational activities, the analysis identifies specific configurations where external funding notably shapes these transnational activities. Particularly, the research reveals that organizations in Germany and the Netherlands have stronger transnational ties to their country of origin compared to ADOs in Austria and Sweden, which focus primarily on local activities.
Relationship between plasma tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI) levels, thrombin generation and clinical risk of bleeding in patients with severe haemophilia A or B
Authors: Tardy‐Poncet Brigitte , Montmartin Aurélie , Chambost Hervé , Lienhart Anne , Frotscher Birgit , Morange Pierre‐Emmanuel , Falaise Céline , Collange Fanny , Dargaud Yesim , Toussaint‐Hacquard Marie , Ardillon Laurent , Wibaut Bénédicte , Jeanpierre Emmanuelle , Nguyen Philippe , Volot Fabienne , Tardy Bernard 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIntroductionBleeding severity in severe haemophilic patients, with low thrombin generation (TG) capacity, can vary widely between patients, possibly reflecting differences in tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) level.AimTo compare free TFPI (fTFPI) levels in patients with severe haemophilia A (sHA) and severe haemophilia B (sHB) and to investigate in these patients as a whole the relationships between bleeding and TG potential, between TG potential and fTFPI level and between fTFPI level and bleeding tendency.MethodsData on bleeding episodes retrospectively recorded during follow‐up visits over 5–10 years were collected and used to calculate the annualised joint bleeding rate (AJBR). fTFPI levels and basal TG parameters were determined in platelet‐poor plasma (PPP) and platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) using calibrated automated tomography (CAT).ResultsMean fTFPI levels did not differ significantly between sHA (n = 34) and sHB (n = 19) patients.Mean values of endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and thrombin peak (peak) in PPP and PRP were two‐fold higher when fTFPI levels < 9.4 versus > 14.3 ng/mL. In patients treated on demand, ETP and peak in PRP were doubled when AJBR was , AJBR being halved in patients with a low fTFPI level (9.4 ng/mL). In patients on factor prophylaxis, no association was found between TG parameters and either fTFPI level or AJBR.ConclusionIn patients treated on demand, bleeding tendency was influenced by fTFPI levels, which in turn affected basal TG potential. In patients on prophylaxis, bleeding tendency is probably determined primarily by the intensity of this treatment.
Efficacy of antiviral therapy for the prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of hepatitis B virus and the risk of postpartum hepatitis flare after discontinuation of antiviral therapy
Authors: Kawamura Hayato , Matsuura Kentaro , Ito Koichi , Sugiura Tokio , Suzuki Takanori , Fujiwara Kei , Kataoka Hiromi , Tanaka Yasuhito 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe use of nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) is recommended for mothers with a high viral load of hepatitis B virus (HBV) during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. However, postpartum hepatitis flares can occur in some cases. We examined the efficacy of NA administration for the prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of hepatitis B virus, and evaluated the risk of postpartum hepatitis flares in mothers after NA discontinuation. Nine pregnant women with a high viral load (HBV DNA ≥5.3 log IU/mL) received tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) at approximately 28 weeks of gestation, and TDF was discontinued at 4–10 weeks after delivery. We evaluated the virological and biochemical parameters in mothers after TDF discontinuation. Hepatitis flares in mothers were defined as alanine transaminase level ≥60 U/L. None of the infants developed any congenital anomaly or acquired HBV infection during infancy. Hepatitis flares occurred within 6 months after TDF discontinuation in five of seven cases, whereas two cases were lost to follow‐up. Furthermore, three cases required the resumption of NA use. NA administration was highly effective against mother‐to‐child‐transmission of HBV in pregnant women with high HBV DNA levels. However, hepatitis flares were commonly observed after NA discontinuation in the postpartum period. Patients should be followed up carefully after NA discontinuation, and NA resumption should be considered based on a comprehensive assessment of virological and biochemical parameters.
Concordance between ER, PR, Ki67, and HER2‐low expression in breast cancer by MammaTyper RT‐qPCR and immunohistochemistry: implications for the practising pathologist
Authors: Badr Nahla M , Zaakouk Mohamed , Zhang Qi , Kearns Daniel , Kong Anthony , Shaaban Abeer M 
Published: April 2024

BackgroundThere are limited data on the role of multigene tests and their correlation with immunohistochemistry (IHC), especially on core biopsy. MammaTyper is a quantitative conformite Europeeanne (CE) marked, National Institute for Health and Care excellence (NICE) approved, in in vitro diagnostic quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) test for assessment of mRNA expression of four biomarkers (ESR1, PGR, ERBB2, MKI67).MethodsWe evaluated the concordance of MammaTyper with oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, and Ki67 by IHC on 133 core needle biopsies of breast cancer. HER2 was positive if IHC 3+ or 2+ and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)‐amplified. Global and hotspot Ki67 expression was analysed using a cutoff of ≥20% assessed manually and by digital image analysis. Agreements were expressed as overall percent agreement (OPA), positive percent agreement (PPA), negative percent agreement (NPA), and Cohen's kappa.ResultsRT‐qPCR results of ESR1 were highly concordant with IHC with OPA of 94.7% using 1% cutoff and 91.7% when the low ER‐positive category was included. The PPA and NPA between RT‐qPCR and IHC for PR was 91.5% and 88.0%, respectively, when using the 1% cutoff. For ERBB2/HER2, the OPA was 95% and the PPA was 84.6%. 40 of 72 HER2 IHC score 0 tumours were classified as ERBB2 low. Best concordance between MKI67 by MammaTyper and Ki67 IHC was achieved using hotspot digital image analysis (OPA: 87.2%, PPA: 90.6%, NPA: 80%).ConclusionRT‐qPCR‐based assessment of the mRNA expression of ESR1, PGR, ERBB2, and MKI67 showed high concordance with IHC, suggesting that the MammaTyper test on core needle biopsies represents a reliable, efficient, and reproducible alternative for breast cancer classification and refining HER2 low categorisation.
Discovering fine flavour in Asian single‐origin cocoa: fast GC electronic‐nose aroma fingerprinting of cocoa liquors and consumer acceptability of Tablea in the Philippines
Authors: Juvinal Joel G. , Schouteten Joachim J. , Muhammad Dimas Rahadian Aji , Tayag Geraldine G. , de Leon Alma A. , De Steur Hans , Dewettinck Koen , Gellynck Xavier 
Published: April 2024

SummaryThe recent global cocoa supply decline calls for investigating disease‐resistant and single‐origin cocoa varieties in Asia. While genetic analysis has identified promising clones, information on bean quality and flavour remains limited. This research aims to analyse quality attributes of single‐origin cocoa beans and key volatile organic compounds in cocoa liquors and to determine consumer acceptability of indigenous cocoa beverage (Tablea) from single‐origin cocoa in the Philippines. Aroma fingerprinting of cocoa clones (UF18, BR25, W10) using fast GC electronic nose revealed distinctive profiles. Cocoa clone UF18 exhibited high‐fat content (52.1%), surpassing African cocoa clones. Even more important is the discovery of elevated levels of desirable volatile compounds in cocoa clone W10 such as methyl decanoate (fruity) and phenylacetaldehyde (honey, floral), which marks the first study that identified fine aroma components in single‐origin cocoa beans in Asia. Harnessing potential of these cocoa clones ensures consumer acceptability of the cocoa beverage Tablea.