bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Creating a safer and better functioning system: Lessons to be learned from the Netherlands for an ethical defence of an autonomy‐only approach to assisted dying
Authors: Holzman Tessa Jane 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe proposal to allow assisted dying for people who are not severely ill reignited the Dutch end‐of‐life debate when it was submitted in 2016. A key criticism of this proposal is that it is too radical a departure from the safe and well‐functioning system the Netherlands already has. The goal of this article is to respond to this criticism and question whether the Dutch system really can be described as safe and well functioning. I will reconsider the usefulness of the suffering criterion, and I will ultimately argue this criterion should be rejected altogether. Instead, we should consider moving towards an autonomy‐only approach to assisted dying. This would resolve some significant issues occurring under the current system of assisted dying in the Netherlands and ultimately make the process safer and better functioning. I will then consider some possible objections to adopting an autonomy‐only approach and provide some preliminary responses to these also. I will finally highlight some potential areas where further research may be necessary, namely, how to mitigate the effect of external factors such as poverty or other life aspects that may have the potential to distort the individual's ability to make autonomous decisions. I will also consider some possible international lessons that can be taken from both current as well as the proposed practice in the Netherlands.
Exploring the prognostic role of complex karyotype in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients treated with venetoclax‐based regimens
Authors: Serafin Andrea , Cellini Alessandro , Cavarretta Chiara Adele , Ruocco Valeria , Angotzi Francesco , Zatta Ivan , Frezzato Federica , Bonaldi Laura , Martines Annalisa , Pravato Stefano , Piazza Francesco , Trentin Livio , Visentin Andrea 
Published: May 2024

SummaryAlthough the unfavourable prognostic role of complex karyotype (CK) in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients treated with chemoimmunotherapy has been clarified, its impact on the outcome of patients being treated with novel targeted agents, and especially with venetoclax‐based regimens, remains to be resolved. In fact, only few studies, utilizing data derived from clinical trials (e.g. MURANO, CLL14, GAIA‐CLL13), specifically focus on this topic while real‐word evidence is missing. In our real‐life retrospective study conducted on 61 patients with CLL and treated with venetoclax‐based regimens in any therapeutic line, we documented a remarkable lower progression‐free survival in patients harbouring both CK and high CK, while overall response rate (including complete remissions and partial remissions) and overall survival are not affected by CK in our population.
Outcomes of a universal germline screening program in a community urology practice
Authors: Mendhiratta Neil , Hauver Herman , Hatton Whitley , Ostrusky Andrew , Sathe Devika S. , Gurram Sandeep , Rice Patricia , Chalfin Heather 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe role of germline genetic testing in urologic oncology has expanded in recent years. However, implementation of genetic testing in community practices remains a challenge, often due to limited access to qualified genetics trained providers. In this study, we report outcomes of a universal germline screening program in a community urology practice. Between November 2021 and September 2022, all patients referred for urology clinic visits at Frederick Health (Frederick, MD, USA) were provided an online genetics screening questionnaire prior to the visit. Responses were compared against National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria for germline testing. Those who met criteria were provided educational materials at the end of the questionnaire, and then counseled by a trained urologic oncologist (HC) in the clinic or referred to a genetic counselor prior to testing. Testing was performed with a 36‐gene pan‐cancer panel (CancerNext) or a 14‐gene targeted prostate cancer panel (ProstateNext), with or without additional RNA analysis (RNAinsight) (Ambry Genetics, CA, USA). Demographic and clinical parameters, as well as genetic testing results, were retrospectively collected under IRB approval. In the study period, 765 patients were seen over 1370 clinic visits. Of these, 505 patients (66.0%) completed the screening questionnaire. The majority were completed via email (54.5%) with the remainder (45.5%) via text message. Of the patients who completed screening, 125/505 (24.7%) met NCCN criteria for germline testing. 58/125 patients (46.4%) who met criteria underwent germline testing, of whom 5/58 (8.6%) had distinct pathogenic mutations identified. These included actionable mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, and CHEK2, as well as an additional pathogenic mutation in NBN. Variants of unknown significance were identified in 8/58 patients (13.8%) in 11 total genes. Challenges to implementation of this program included meeting institutional requirements for genetic testing consent, facilitating specimen collection in clinic, and integration of results into the electronic health record. Genetic risk assessment for high‐risk individuals is feasible as part of a universal screening program in a community urology practice. Approximately 8% of tested patients were found to have pathogenic germline mutations, which is consistent with contemporary tertiary referral cohorts.
Building pondscapes for amphibian metapopulations
Authors: Moor Helen , Bergamini Ariel , Vorburger Christoph , Holderegger Rolf , Bühler Christoph , Bircher Nicolas , Schmidt Benedikt R. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe success of ponds constructed to restore ecological infrastructure for pond‐breeding amphibians and benefit aquatic biodiversity depends on where and how they are built. We studied effects of pond and landscape characteristics, including connectivity, on metapopulation dynamics of 12 amphibian species in Switzerland. To understand the determinants of long‐term occupancy (here summarized as incidence), environmental effects on both colonization and persistence should be considered. We fitted dynamic occupancy models to 20 years of monitoring data on a pond construction program to quantify effects of pond and landscape characteristics and different connectivity metrics on colonization and persistence probabilities in constructed ponds. Connectivity to existing populations explained dynamics better than structural connectivity metrics, and simple metrics (distance to the nearest neighbor population, population density) were useful surrogates for dispersal kernel‐weighted metrics commonly used in metapopulation theory. Population connectivity mediated the persistence of conservation target species in new ponds, suggesting source–sink dynamics in newly established populations. Population density captured this effect well and could be used by practitioners for site selection. Ponds created where there were 2–4 occupied ponds within a radius of ∼0.5 km had >3.5 times higher incidence of target species (median) than isolated ponds. Species had individual preferences regarding pond characteristics, but breeding sites with larger (≥100 m2) total water surface area, that temporarily dried, and that were in surroundings with maximally 50% forest benefitted multiple target species. Pond diversity will foster amphibian diversity at the landscape scale.
How does social contingency facilitate vocabulary development?
Authors: Luchkina Elena , Xu Fei 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPrevious research shows that infants of parents who are more likely to engage in socially contingent interactions with them tend to have larger vocabularies. An open question is how social contingency facilitates vocabulary growth. One possibility is that parents who speak in response to their infants more often produce larger amount of language input, which accelerates vocabulary growth. Another possibility is that the simplicity of contingent language input is especially suitable to support early word learning. A third possibility is that more evidence of the communicative nature of language, achieved through frequent contingent responses, helps infants build a link between their own words or vocalizations and others’ behaviors. This link may lead to a better understanding of the communicative nature of language and further language advances, including vocabulary growth. To distinguish between these hypotheses, we analyzed the relations between parent–infant interactions when infants were 9 months and their vocabulary size at 12 months, using a naturalistic corpus. Our findings show that the frequency of parents’ verbal contingent responses predicts receptive vocabulary size at 12 months and this predictive relation is unlikely to be due to the amount of language input or the simplicity of language within socially contingent interactions.Research Highlights
Infants of parents who respond to their vocalizations more often during the first year of life tend to have larger vocabularies in the second year.
It is an open question what drives the predictive relation between parents’ responsiveness and infants’ vocabulary; we tested three hypotheses that offer competing explanations.
More responsive parents might provide (1) more language input, (2) simpler language input, (3) more evidence of the communicative nature of language (via frequent responses).
We find support for the third hypothesis; the frequency of parents’ responses predicts infants’ vocabularies above and beyond the amount and simplicity of language input.
A challenge to the expected: Lack of longitudinal associations between the early caregiving environment, executive functions in toddlerhood, and self‐regulation at 6 years
Authors: Jónsdóttir Lilja K. , Forslund Tommie , Frick Matilda A. , Frick Andreas , Heeman Emma J. , Brocki Karin C. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPrevious research and theory indicate an importance of the quality of the early caregiving environment in the development of self‐regulation. However, it is unclear how attachment security and maternal sensitivity, two related but distinct aspects of the early caregiving environment, may differentially predict self‐regulation at school start and whether a distinction between hot and cool executive function is informative in characterizing such predictions through mediation. In a 5‐year longitudinal study (n = 108), we examined these associations using measures of maternal sensitivity and attachment security at 10–12 months, executive function at 4 years, and self‐regulation at 6 years. Surprisingly, and despite methodological rigor, we found few significant bivariate associations between the study variables. We found no credible evidence of a longitudinal association between maternal sensitivity or attachment security in infancy and self‐regulation at 6 years, or between executive function at 4 years and self‐regulation at 6 years. The lack of bivariate longitudinal associations precluded us from building mediation models as intended. We discuss our null findings in terms of their potential theoretical implications, as well as how measurement type, reliability, and validity, may play a key role in determining longitudinal associations between early caregiving factors and later self‐regulation and related abilities.Research Highlights
The early caregiving environment has been implicated in the development of later self‐regulation, which includes more basic skills, such as hot and cool executive functions (EF).
In a 5‐year longitudinal study, with a sample of 108 children, we rigorously measured aspects of early caregiving, EF, and self‐regulation.
We found no significant longitudinal associations between early caregiving and self‐regulation at 6 years, nor between EF at 4 years and self‐regulation at 6 years.
These null results highlight the complexity of modeling self‐regulation development and raise critical questions about general methodological conventions within self‐regulation development research.
God, the Churches, and the World in Motion
Authors: Agudelo Olarte Felipe 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBased on the theme of the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, “Christ's love moves the world to reconciliation and unity,” this article analyzes the concept of “movement” as a theological category on the basis of the scripture. First, it argues that it is important for the churches to be attentive to the movements and transformations taking place in societies, recognizing in them the presence of the Spirit constantly working in the world. It then points out that the presence of the Spirit in the churches should be characterized by two actions: the denunciation of injustice as a prophetic action of believers, and the ecumenical character of synodality as a movement toward encounter with other Christians and a willingness to walk with them. Finally, the article proposes that this movement of the Spirit also requires dialogue with other religions as a necessary condition for building peace in society.
Evidence of the clinical effect of commonly used intra‐articular treatments of equine osteoarthritis
Authors: Nedergaard Anne , Carlsson Lisa Emilia , Lindegaard Casper 
Published: May 2024

SummaryBackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease in equine patients that causes joint pain and loss of function. The aetiology of OA is assumed to be multifactorial. A range of medical treatments are on the market for symptomatic treatment of OA in equine patients, both biological and conventional options. Today, no true disease‐modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) is available.ObjectiveTo summarise the current evidence of the clinical effect of commonly used intra‐articular treatments of equine OA, specifically the use of intra‐articular glucocorticosteroids (IA‐GCs), intra‐articular hyaluronic acid (IA‐HA), intra‐articular platelet‐rich plasma/autologous‐conditioned plasma (IA‐PRP), intra‐articular interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist protein/autologous‐conditioned serum (IA‐IRAP) and intra‐articular mesenchymal stem cells (IA‐MSCs).Study designSystematic review.MethodsUsing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search identified 22 clinical studies where horses with OA, naturally occurring or induced, were treated with one of the mentioned intra‐articular treatments. The studies were reviewed to collect all in vivo studies with clinical follow‐up on horses with OA.ResultsIA‐GCs seem to have a beneficial short‐term clinical outcome. Treatment with IA‐HA shows varying clinical results and provides uncertain evidence for a beneficial clinical effect. IA‐PRP shows overall promising clinical results for a significant improvement. IA‐IRAP shows promising significant clinical effect, but most of the studies lack a control group for comparison. IA‐MSCs show varying clinical results, but a majority of the included studies show evidence for a significant improvement in clinical effect.ConclusionTo provide stronger evidence of the clinical effect of the five chosen treatments, further blinded, randomised and placebo‐controlled studies are needed.
Crop rotational diversity can mitigate climate‐induced grain yield losses
Authors: Costa Alessio , Bommarco Riccardo , Smith Monique E. , Bowles Timothy , Gaudin Amélie C. M. , Watson Christine A. , Alarcón Remedios , Berti Antonio , Blecharczyk Andrzej , Calderon Francisco J. , Culman Steve , Deen William , Drury Craig F. , Garcia y Garcia Axel , García‐Díaz Andrés , Hernández Plaza Eva , Jonczyk Krzysztof , Jäck Ortrud , Navarrete Martínez Luis , Montemurro Francesco , Morari Francesco , Onofri Andrea , Osborne Shannon L. , Tenorio Pasamón José Luis , Sandström Boël , Santín‐Montanyá Inés , Sawinska Zuzanna , Schmer Marty R. , Stalenga Jaroslaw , Strock Jeffrey , Tei Francesco , Topp Cairistiona F. E. , Ventrella Domenico , Walker Robin L. , Vico Giulia 
Published: May 2024

AbstractDiversified crop rotations have been suggested to reduce grain yield losses from the adverse climatic conditions increasingly common under climate change. Nevertheless, the potential for climate change adaptation of different crop rotational diversity (CRD) remains undetermined. We quantified how climatic conditions affect small grain and maize yields under different CRDs in 32 long‐term (10–63 years) field experiments across Europe and North America. Species‐diverse and functionally rich rotations more than compensated yield losses from anomalous warm conditions, long and warm dry spells, as well as from anomalous wet (for small grains) or dry (for maize) conditions. Adding a single functional group or crop species to monocultures counteracted yield losses from substantial changes in climatic conditions. The benefits of a further increase in CRD are comparable with those of improved climatic conditions. For instance, the maize yield benefits of adding three crop species to monocultures under detrimental climatic conditions exceeded the average yield of monocultures by up to 553 kg/ha under non‐detrimental climatic conditions. Increased crop functional richness improved yields under high temperature, irrespective of precipitation. Conversely, yield benefits peaked at between two and four crop species in the rotation, depending on climatic conditions and crop, and declined at higher species diversity. Thus, crop species diversity could be adjusted to maximize yield benefits. Diversifying rotations with functionally distinct crops is an adaptation of cropping systems to global warming and changes in precipitation.
Meta‐analysis reveals that the effects of precipitation change on soil and litter fauna in forests depend on body size
Authors: Martin Philip A. , Fisher Leonora , Pérez‐Izquierdo Leticia , Biryol Charlotte , Guenet Bertrand , Luyssaert Sebastiaan , Manzoni Stefano , Menival Claire , Santonja Mathieu , Spake Rebecca , Axmacher Jan C. , Yuste Jorge Curiel 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAnthropogenic climate change is altering precipitation regimes at a global scale. While precipitation changes have been linked to changes in the abundance and diversity of soil and litter invertebrate fauna in forests, general trends have remained elusive due to mixed results from primary studies. We used a meta‐analysis based on 430 comparisons from 38 primary studies to address associated knowledge gaps, (i) quantifying impacts of precipitation change on forest soil and litter fauna abundance and diversity, (ii) exploring reasons for variation in impacts and (iii) examining biases affecting the realism and accuracy of experimental studies. Precipitation reductions led to a decrease of 39% in soil and litter fauna abundance, with a 35% increase in abundance under precipitation increases, while diversity impacts were smaller. A statistical model containing an interaction between body size and the magnitude of precipitation change showed that mesofauna (e.g. mites, collembola) responded most to changes in precipitation. Changes in taxonomic richness were related solely to the magnitude of precipitation change. Our results suggest that body size is related to the ability of a taxon to survive under drought conditions, or to benefit from high precipitation. We also found that most experiments manipulated precipitation in a way that aligns better with predicted extreme climatic events than with predicted average annual changes in precipitation and that the experimental plots used in experiments were likely too small to accurately capture changes for mobile taxa. The relationship between body size and response to precipitation found here has far‐reaching implications for our ability to predict future responses of soil biodiversity to climate change and will help to produce more realistic mechanistic soil models which aim to simulate the responses of soils to global change.
Estimating the energy return on investment of forestry biomass: Impacts of feedstock, production techniques and post‐processing
Authors: Colla Martin , de Chambost Etienne , Merceron Louis , Blondeau Julien , Jeanmart Hervé , Boissonnet Guillaume 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe Energy Return On Investment (EROI) is a recognised indicator for assessing the relevance of an energy project in terms of net energy delivered to society. For woody biomass divergences remain on the right methodology to assess the EROI leading to large variations in the published estimates. This article presents an in‐depth discussion about the EROI of woody biomass in three different forms: woodchips, pellets and liquid fuels. The conceptualisation of EROI is further developed to reach a consistent definition for biomass post‐processed fuels. It considers, on top of the external energy investments, the grey energy associated with the energy used to enrich the fuel. With the proposed methodology, all woodchips have an EROI of the same order of magnitude, between 20 and 37, depending on forestry types, operations and machineries. For secondary residues, the first estimate is 170 if, as co‐products, no energy investment is allocated to the forestry operations and transport. On the basis of a mass allocation for forestry operations and transport, the EROI for secondary residues becomes of the same order of magnitude as that for wood chips. Woodchips can be further post‐processed into pellets or liquid fuels. Pellets have an EROI of 4–7 if the heat is externally supplied and 8–23 if internally supplied (self‐consumption of part of the raw material). Liquid fuels derived from primary wood and residues through gasification and Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis have an EROI between 4 and 16. Fuel enhancement with hydrogen (Power & Biomass to Liquids) impacts negatively the EROI due to the low EROI of hydrogen produced from renewable electricity. However, these fuels offer other advantages such as improved carbon efficiency. A correct estimate of EROI for forestry biomass, as proposed in this work, is a necessary dimension in assessing the suitability of a project.
30‐sit‐to‐stand power is a better tool than isometric knee extensor strength to detect motor impairment in people with haemophilic arthropathy
Authors: Cruz‐Montecinos Carlos , Moena‐León María , Durán‐Ovalle Antonio , Lizama‐Jofré Aracelli , Soto Verónica , Oyarzún Andrés , Tapia Claudio , Freitas Sandro R. , Pinto Ronei S. , Núñez‐Cortés Rodrigo , Daffunchio Carla 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIntroductionRegular assessment of motor impairments is crucial in people with haemophilic arthropathy (PwHA). This study aimed to determine if there are differences in 30‐seconds sit‐to‐stand (30‐STS) power and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the knee extensors between PwHA and healthy control group (CG). The secondary aims were to investigate the correlation between 30‐STS power and MVIC of knee extensors with clinical characteristics and to assess their effectiveness in identifying motor impairment in PwHA.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted by collecting data from PwHA (n = 17) and a sedentary CG (n = 15). MVIC (torque) and 30‐STS power were normalised to body mass. Correlation analysis and simple linear regression adjusted for age were used to assess the association between tests and clinical variables. Using z‐scores derived from the mean and standard deviation of the CG, we compared the MVIC and the 30‐STS power in PwHA.ResultsPwHA showed lower MVIC and 30‐STS power compared to CG (p < .001; large effect size d > .8). Lower 30‐STS power was associated with greater joint impairment and greater fear of movement, whereas MVIC showed no association with clinical variables. 30‐STS power showed a lower z‐score compared to MVIC (p < .001). In addition, 30‐STS power detected 47% of PwHA with motor impairment compared to 0% for MVIC (p = .002).ConclusionsOur results suggest that 30‐STS power may be more effective than knee extensors MVIC in detecting motor impairment in PwHA. Consequently, lower limb skeletal muscle power, rather than maximum knee extensor strength, appears to be more affected in PwHA.