bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“Hidden” biodiversity: a new amphipod genus dominates epifauna in association with a mesophotic black coral forest
Authors: Navarro-Mayoral Sandra , Gouillieux Benoit , Fernandez-Gonzalez Victoria , Tuya Fernando , Lecoquierre Ninon , Bramanti Lorenzo , Terrana Lucas , Espino Fernando , Flot Jean-François , Haroun Ricardo , Otero-Ferrer Francisco 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBlack corals are important components of mesophotic and deep-water marine habitats. Their presence at great depths (e.g., 50 to 200 m) makes accessibility difficult, limiting our understanding of the associated biodiversity. Amphipods dominate vagile epifauna in marine habitats around the world, fulfilling important ecosystem functions. However, there are no studies on amphipods exclusively associated with black corals, including relationships between their ecological patterns (e.g., abundances) and the size of coral colonies. We investigated the epifaunal composition and abundance associated with black coral colonies of Antipathella wollastoni in the subtropical eastern Atlantic Ocean. In total, 1,736 epifaunal individuals were identified, of which 1,706 (98.27%) were amphipods, belonging to 6 taxa. We identified and described a new amphipod genus and species within the Stenothoidae family, Wollastenothoe minuta gen. nov., sp. nov., which outnumbered the amphipod assemblage (86.15%) and provided a complete taxonomic key of Stenothoidae family including this new finding. For the first time, the association between an amphipod species and a black coral was described, including a strong correlation between coral colony size and amphipod abundances. This study demonstrates that epifauna associated with mesophotic black corals remains largely undescribed.
Early diagnosis of solitary functioning kidney: comparing the prognosis of kidney agenesis and multicystic dysplastic kidney
Authors: Flogelova Hana , Bouchalova Katerina , Smakal Oldrich , Halek Jan , Langova Katerina , Cizkova Katerina 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Individuals with congenital solitary functioning kidney (SFK) are at an increased risk of kidney damage. According to some studies, the risk is higher in unilateral kidney agenesis (UKA) than in unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney (UMCDK). We hypothesized that with early detection of children with UKA and UMCDK, there would be no difference in the presence of hypertension, proteinuria, and reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) between UKA and UMCDK.

Methods
Based on a long-term follow-up protocol, we evaluated a cohort of 160 children followed from birth for SFK (84 with UKA and 76 with UMCDK) detected by prenatal or routine neonatal ultrasound screening. Hypertension, proteinuria, and reduced GFR were monitored as markers of kidney damage. We compared the characteristics and outcomes of the subgroups of children with UKA and UMCDK.

Results
GFR was reduced in 42 (26.2%) children, of whom 41 showed only mild reduction. Hypertension and proteinuria were found in 22 (13.8%) and 14 (8.8%) children, respectively. Combined kidney damage was present in 57 (35.6%) children. The UMCDK and UKA subgroups differed in GFR at final examination, with UMCDK patients being significantly more likely to have normal GFR compared to UKA patients (82% vs. 67%; p = 0.039).

Conclusions
One third of the children showed signs of SFK damage, albeit mild. Patients with UKA had reduced GFR significantly more often than those with UMCDK, but did not differ in the rates of hyperfiltration injury or congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) in SFK.

Graphical Abstract
Small Subgraphs with Large Average Degree
Authors: Janzer Oliver , Sudakov Benny , Tomon István 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this paper we study the fundamental problem of finding small dense subgraphs in a given graph. For a real number$$s>2$$s>2, we prove that every graph onnvertices with average degree$$d\ge s$$d≥scontains a subgraph of average degree at leastson at most$$nd^{-\frac{s}{s-2}}(\log d)^{O_s(1)}$$nd-ss-2(logd)Os(1)vertices. This is optimal up to the polylogarithmic factor, and resolves a conjecture of Feige and Wagner. In addition, we show that every graph withnvertices and average degree at least$$n^{1-\frac{2}{s}+\varepsilon }$$n1-2s+εcontains a subgraph of average degree at leastson$$O_{\varepsilon ,s}(1)$$Oε,s(1)vertices, which is also optimal up to the constant hidden in theO(.) notation, and resolves a conjecture of Verstraëte.
Is the Yermak Plateau a continental fragment from North America? Constraints from Cretaceous and early Eocene magmatic events
Authors: Estrada Solveig , Koglin Nikola , Riefstahl Florian , Nopper Hannah , Geissler Wolfram , Spiegel Cornelia 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe Yermak Plateau (YP) north of Svalbard is a prominent bathymetric feature in the Eurasia Basin of the Arctic Ocean, forming the northwesternmost margin of the Eurasian plate. Seismic data indicate that the YP comprises continental basement; however, little is known about its geology. New petrographic, geochemical, Sr–Nd isotopic, and Ar–Ar geochronological data were obtained on rock fragments, which were previously recovered from basement highs of the northeastern and southwestern YP and are dominantly of magmatic origin. These new data combined with available literature data, and comparisons with volcanic and sedimentary rocks from onshore and offshore areas adjacent to the YP indicate that the northeastern YP and the southwestern YP are different regarding their geological evolution. The southwestern YP comprises an alkaline basaltic suite for which an Ar–Ar biotite age of 51 Ma was previously reported. The suite was formed in a continental extensional regime offshore northern Svalbard. Associated sedimentary rocks (sandstone, several limestones) show petrographic similarity with rocks of the Devonian Old Red Sandstone on Svalbard. From the northeastern YP, in contrast, we recovered mildly alkaline basaltic rocks with mid-Cretaceous Ar–Ar ages (102 ± 3 and 98 ± 3 Ma). The rocks show certain geochemical characteristics (partial enrichments of P, Ba, and Eu), which overlap with similar-aged Cretaceous basaltic rocks from northern Ellesmere Island of Canada and North Greenland. We suggest that the northeastern YP is a continental fragment derived from the North American plate, which was separated from the conjugate Morris Jesup Rise and juxtaposed to the geologically distinct southwestern YP by the propagation of the Gakkel Ridge spreading center since the early Oligocene.Graphical Abstract
The biochemical pattern defines MASLD phenotypes linked to distinct histology and prognosis
Authors: Ampuero Javier , Aller Rocío , Gallego-Durán Rocío , Crespo Javier , Calleja Jose Luis , García-Monzón Carmelo , Gómez-Camarero Judith , Caballería Joan , Lo Iacono Oreste , Ibañez Luis , García-Samaniego Javier , Albillos Agustín , Francés Rubén , Fernández-Rodríguez Conrado , Maya-Miles Douglas , Diago Moisés , Poca Maria , Andrade Raúl J. , Latorre Raquel , Jorquera Francisco , Morillas Rosa María , Escudero Desamparados , Hernández-Guerra Manuel , Pareja-Megia María Jesús , Banales Jesús M. , Aspichueta Patricia , Benlloch Salvador , Rosales José Miguel , Turnes Juan , Romero-Gómez Manuel ,   on behalf of HEPAmet Registry
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
MASLD can manifest as hepatocellular damage, which can result in mild elevation of aminotransferases. However, in some patients, MASLD presents with cholestatic pattern.

Objective
To assess the impact of the biochemical pattern on the natural course of MASLD, including liver damage in histology, the accuracy of non-invasive tests(NITs), and prognosis.

Methods
Multicenter study enrolling 2156 patients with biopsy-proven MASLD, who were classified based on their[ALT/ULN)]/[(ALP/ULN)] levels at the time of biopsy: (a) hepatocellular pattern(H), > 5; (b) mixed pattern(M),2–5; (c) cholestatic pattern(C), < 2. Outcomes: (a) histological evaluation of the single components of NAS, MASH, and fibrosis; (b) NITs and transient elastography assessing advanced fibrosis; (c) prognosis determined by the appearance of decompensated cirrhosis and death.

Results
Out of the 2156 patients, 22.9% exhibited the H-pattern, whilst 31.7% exhibited the C-pattern. Severe steatosis, ballooning, lobular inflammation, and MASH (56.4% H vs. 41.9% M vs. 31.9% C) were more common in H-pattern (p = 0.0001),whilst C-pattern was linked to cirrhosis (5.8% H vs. 5.6% M vs. 10.9% C; p = 0.0001). FIB-4(0.74(95% CI 0.69–0.79) vs. 0.83 (95% CI 0.80–0.85); p = 0.005) and Hepamet Fibrosis Score(0.77 (95% CI 0.69–0.85) vs. 0.84 (95% CI 0.80–0.87); p = 0.044)exhibited lower AUROCs in the H-pattern. The C-pattern[HR 2.37 (95% CI 1.12–5.02); p = 0.024], along with age, diabetes, and cirrhosis were independently associated with mortality. Most patients maintained their initial biochemical pattern during the second evaluation.

Conclusions
The H-pattern exhibited greater necro-inflammation in the histology than the C-pattern, whereas the latter showed more cirrhosis. The accuracy of NITs in detecting fibrosis was decreased in H-pattern. The occurrence of decompensated events and mortality was predominant in C-pattern. Therefore, identifying MASLD phenotypes based on the biochemical presentation could be relevant for clinical practice.
Effect of different positive end expiratory pressure levels on optic nerve sheath diameter in patients with or without midline shift who are undergoing supratentorial craniotomy
Authors: Fenerci Adem , Akcil Eren Fatma , Tunali Yusuf , Dilmen Ozlem Korkmaz 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Purpose
In general, high levels of PEEP application is avoided in patients undergoing craniotomy to prevent a rise in ICP. But that approach would increase the risk of secondary brain injury especially in hypoxemic patients. Because the optic nerve sheath is distensible, a rise in ICP is associated with an increase in the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD). The cutoff value for elevated ICP assessed by ONSD is between 5.6 and 6.3 mm. We aimed to evaluate the effect of different PEEP levels on ONSD and compare the effect of different PEEP levels in patients with and without intracranial midline shift.

Methods
This prospective observational study was performed in aged 18–70 years, ASA I–III, 80 patients who were undergoing supratentorial craniotomy. After the induction of general anesthesia, the ONSD’s were measured by the linear transducer from 3 mm below the globe at PEEP values of 0–5–10 cmH2O. The ONSD were compered between patients with (n = 7) and without midline shift (n = 73) at different PEEP values.

Results
The increases in ONSD due to increase in PEEP level were determined (p < 0.001). No difference was found in the comparison of ONSD between patients with and without midline shift in different PEEP values (p = 0.329, 0.535, 0.410 respectively). But application of 10 cmH2O PEEP in patients with a midline shift increased the mean ONSD value to 5.73 mm. This value is roughly 0.1 mm higher than the lower limit of the ONSD cutoff value.

Conclusions
The ONSD in adults undergoing supratentorial tumor craniotomy, PEEP values up to 5 cmH2O, appears not to be associated with an ICP increase; however, the ONSD exceeded the cutoff for increased ICP when a PEEP of 10 cmH2O was applied in patients with midline shift.
Spatio-temporal trajectory data modeling for fishing gear classification
Authors: Rodriguez-Albala Juan Manuel , Peña Alejandro , Melzi Pietro , Morales Aythami , Tolosana Ruben , Fierrez Julian , Vera-Rodriguez Ruben , Ortega-Garcia Javier 
Published: April 2024

AbstractInternational Organizations urge the protection of our oceans and their ecosystems due to their immeasurable importance to humankind. Since illegal fishing activities, commonly known as IUU fishing, cause irreparable damage to these ecosystems, concerned organisms are pushing to detect and combat IUU fishing practices. The automatic identification system allows to locate the position and trajectory of fishing vessels. In this study we address the task of detecting vessels’ fishing gears based on the trajectory behavior defined by GPS position data, a useful task to prevent the proliferation of IUU fishing practices. We present a new database including trajectories that span 7 different fishing gears and analyze these as in a time sequence analysis problem. We leverage from feature extraction techniques from the online signature verification domain to model vessel trajectories, and extract relevant information in the form of both local and global feature sets. We show how, based on these sets of features, the kinematics of vessels according to different fishing gears can be effectively classified using common supervised learning algorithms with accuracies up to $$90\%$$

90
%

. Furthermore, motivated by the concerns raised by several organizations on the adverse impact of bottom trawling on marine biodiversity, we present a binary classification experiment in which we were able to distinguish this kind of fishing gear with an accuracy of $$99\%$$

99
%

. We also illustrate in an ablation study the relevance of factors such as data availability and the sampling period to perform fishing gear classification. Compared to existing works, we highlight these factors, especially the importance of using sampling periods in the order of minutes instead of hours.
Figure-ground segmentation based on motion in the archerfish
Authors: Volotsky Svetlana , Segev Ronen 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Figure-ground segmentation is a fundamental process in visual perception that involves separating visual stimuli into distinct meaningful objects and their surrounding context, thus allowing the brain to interpret and understand complex visual scenes. Mammals exhibit varying figure-ground segmentation capabilities, ranging from primates that can perform well on figure-ground segmentation tasks to rodents that perform poorly. To explore figure-ground segmentation capabilities in teleost fish, we studied how the archerfish, an expert visual hunter, performs figure-ground segmentation. We trained archerfish to discriminate foreground objects from the background, where the figures were defined by motion as well as by discontinuities in intensity and texture. Specifically, the figures were defined by grating, naturalistic texture, and random noise moving in counterphase with the background. The archerfish performed the task well and could distinguish between all three types of figures and grounds. Their performance was comparable to that of primates and outperformed rodents. These findings suggest the existence of a complex visual process in the archerfish visual system that enables the delineation of figures as distinct from backgrounds, and provide insights into object recognition in this animal.
Determining a musculoskeletal system’s pre-stretched state using continuum–mechanical forward modelling and joint range optimization
Authors: Avci Okan , Röhrle Oliver 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe subject-specific range of motion (RoM) of a musculoskeletal joint system is balanced by pre-tension levels of individual muscles, which affects their contraction capability. Such an inherent pre-tension or pre-stretch of muscles is not measureable with in vivo experiments. Using a 3D continuum mechanical forward simulation approach for motion analysis of the musculoskeletal system of the forearm with 3 flexor and 2 extensor muscles, we developed an optimization process to determine the muscle fibre pre-stretches for an initial arm position, which is given human dataset. We used RoM values of a healthy person to balance the motion in extension and flexion. The performed sensitivity study shows that the fibre pre-stretches of the m. brachialis, m. biceps brachii and m. triceps brachii with $$91\%$$

91
%

dominate the objective flexion ratio, while m. brachiradialis and m. anconeus amount $$7.8\%$$

7.8
%

and $$1.2\%$$

1.2
%

. Within the multi-dimensional space of the surrogate model, 3D sub-spaces of primary variables, namely the dominant muscles and the global objective, flexion ratio, exhibit a path of optimal solutions. Within this optimal path, the muscle fibre pre-stretch of two flexors demonstrate a negative correlation, while, in contrast, the primary extensor, m. triceps brachii correlates positively to each of the flexors. Comparing the global optimum with four other designs along the optimal path, we saw large deviations, e.g., up to 15$$^{\circ }$$

∘

in motion and up to 40% in muscle force. This underlines the importance of accurate determination of fibre pre-stretch in muscles, especially, their role in pathological muscular disorders and surgical applications such as free muscle or tendon transfer.
Transitional chelal digit patterns in saprophagous astigmatan mites
Authors: Bowman Clive E. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractChanges in the functional shape of astigmatan mite moveable digit profiles are examined to test if Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acaridae) is a trophic intermediate between a typical micro-saprophagous carpoglyphid (Carpoglyphus lactis) and a common macro-saprophagous glycyphagid (Glycyphagus domesticus). Digit tip elongation in these mites is decoupled from the basic physics of optimising moveable digit inertia. Investment in the basal ramus/coronoid process compared to that for the moveable digit mastication length varies with feeding style. A differentiated ascending ramus is indicated in C. lactis and in T. putrescentiae for different trophic reasons. Culturing affects relative investments in C. lactis. A markedly different style of feeding is inferred for the carpoglyphid. The micro-saprophagous acarid does not have an intermediate pattern of trophic functional form between the other two species. Mastication surface shape complexity confirms the acarid to be heterodontous. T. putrescentiae is a particularly variably formed species trophically. A plausible evolutionary path for the gradation of forms is illustrated. Digit form and strengthening to resist bending under occlusive loads is explored in detail. Extensions to the analytical approach are suggested to confirm the decoupling of moveable digit pattern from cheliceral and chelal adaptations. Caution is expressed when interpreting ordinations of multidimensional data in mites.
Altered lactate/pyruvate ratio may be responsible for aging-associated intestinal barrier dysfunction in male rats
Authors: Papila Berrin , Karimova Ayla , Onaran Ilhan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSome evidence points to a link between aging-related increased intestinal permeability and mitochondrial dysfunction in in-vivo models. Several studies have also demonstrated age-related accumulation of the of specific deletion 4834-bp of “common” mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in various rat tissues and suggest that this deletion may disrupt mitochondrial metabolism. The present study aimed to investigate possible associations among the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) common deletion, mitochondrial function, intestinal permeability, and aging in rats. The study was performed on the intestinal tissue from (24 months) and young (4 months) rats. mtDNA4834 deletion, mtDNA copy number, mitochondrial membrane potential, and ATP, lactate and pyruvate levels were analyzed in tissue samples. Zonulin and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) levels were also evaluated in serum. Serum zonulin and I-FABP levels were significantly higher in 24-month-old rats than 4-month-old rats (p = 0.04, p = 0.026, respectively). There is not significant difference in mtDNA4834 copy levels was observed between the old and young intestinal tissues (p > 0.05). The intestinal mitochondrial DNA copy number was similar between the two age groups (p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed in ATP levels in the intestinal tissue lysates between old and young rats (p > 0.05). ATP levels in isolated mitochondria from both groups were also similar. Analysis of MMP using JC-10 in intestinal tissue mitochondria showed that mitochondrial membrane potentials (red/green ratios) were similar between the two age groups (p > 0.05). Pyruvate tended to be higher in the 24-month-old rat group and the L/P ratio was found to be approximately threefold lower in the intestinal tissue of the older rats compared to the younger rats (p < 0.002). The tissue lactate/pyruvate ratio (L/P) was three times lower in old rats than in young rats. Additionally, there were significant negative correlations between intestinal permeability parameters and L/P ratios. The intestinal tissues of aged rats are not prone to accumulate mtDNA common deletion, we suggest that this mutation does not explain the age-related increase in intestinal permeability. It seems to be more likely that altered glycolytic capacity could be a link to increased intestinal permeability with age. This observation strengthens assertions that the balance between glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism may play a critical role in intestinal barrier functions.
The Design of Emission Taxes in Markets with New Firm Acquisitions
Authors: Gautier Luis , Fikru Mahelet G. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn the 1990s there was a great deal of interest in the study of the role of endogenous market structure under oligopoly in the characterization of emission taxes. This interest was instrumental in providing policy guidance on the design of emission taxes based on market characteristics. However, the literature has been silent on offering policy recommendations on the design of emission taxes under endogenous market structure in the presence of new firm acquisitions. We build a model where new firms enter the market where some are acquired by an incumbent multi-plant firm, altering the initial market structure. In this framework, we characterize the second-best emission tax and examine the role of the resulting market structure, in particular the role of acquiring more/fewer of the new firms, in the optimal design of emission tax. We argue that, under certain conditions, the acquisition of new firms may lead to higher taxation consistent with the Pigouvian rule or even exceed marginal damages. Our contribution is at the intersection of emission tax design and M &A (new firm acquisition) literature.
The impact of law on moral and social norms: evidence from facemask fines in the UK
Authors: Berneri Chiara , Larcom Shaun , Peng Congmin , She Po-Wen 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWe measure the extent that a prevailing law can affect moral and social norms. We use variations in facemask fines in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study, as it presents us with many features of a natural experiment. Our analysis provides two important findings. First, we find that the legal status of a behaviour, that is whether the behaviour is illegal or not, is important in influencing stated compliance and moral and social norms. In contrast we find no evidence that a variation in penalties has any effect on stated compliance or moral or social norms. We consider these results are important for law makers and society, as both moral and social norms are known to be important drivers of social change, and our results show that legality influences both—thus highlighting an endogenous relationship between the law—and moral and social norms.