bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Institutions as predictors of government discrimination
Authors: Berggren Niclas , Bjørnskov Christian 
Published: April 2024

AbstractExclusion of some groups caused by the misuse of government power remains a major problem across the world. We propose that market‐oriented institutions and policies have the capacity to reduce such exclusion. To test this, we use an overall measure derived from the V‐Dem dataset, capturing government discrimination based on political group, social group, socio‐economic group, and gender, which we combine with the Fraser Institute's Economic Freedom of the World index. The sample consists of 153 countries for 1970–2020, which we organize in a panel consisting of consecutive, non‐overlapping 5‐year periods, rendering up to about 1,200 observations. Our estimates show a clear negative association between the rule of law and government discrimination in electoral democracies and electoral autocracies but not in single‐party autocracies. There are, however, reasons for not considering the finding for electoral autocracies causal. Two further areas of economic freedom seem to matter: free trade is negatively related to government exclusion in electoral democracies, while regulatory freedom is so in both types of autocracies. Thus, it seems as if a market‐economic system may be able to constrain public officials in the direction of non‐discrimination.
Firm‐size wage‐gaps and hierarchy: Evidence from Canada
Authors: Bousmah Ibrahim 
Published: April 2024

AbstractI investigate the role of hierarchy in explaining wage differential between Canadian large and small firms. I use the confidential‐use files of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) from 2016 to 2022 and exploit the mini‐panels form to control for time‐invariant unobserved heterogeneity. The results show that the Canadian employer size wage effects for managers are approximately twice those for non‐managers which is consistent with the results of prior studies for other countries. Managers who move from a small to a large firm have earnings increase of 20%, twice the estimated size‐wage differential of non‐managers (11%). The results also demonstrate that low‐skill workers moving from a small to a large firm have earnings increase of 5.3% which is significantly lower than high‐skill workers (14.1%). Those results support the role of the hierarchy in explaining an important part of the size‐wage effect for Canadian workers.
Impact of MASLD and MetALD on clinical outcomes: A meta‐analysis of preliminary evidence
Authors: Ciardullo Stefano , Mantovani Alessandro , Morieri Mario Luca , Muraca Emanuele , Invernizzi Pietro , Perseghin Gianluca 
Published: April 2024

AbstractA recent Delphi consensus proposed a new definition for metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and introduced a disease entity called MetALD, a condition in which steatotic liver disease (SLD), metabolic dysfunction and moderate alcohol intake coexist. Given the limited available data on the prognostic implications of these disease entities, we performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of available cohort studies to evaluate the association of MASLD and MetALD with hard clinical outcomes. We included 5 studies for a total of 9 824 047 participants. Compared with participants without SLD, increased rates of all‐cause mortality and incident cardiovascular disease were present for both MASLD and MetALD. Moreover, MetALD was also associated with significantly higher risks of cancer‐related mortality (n = 2 studies, random‐effects HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.35–3.28) and cardiovascular mortality (n = 3 studies, random‐effects HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.12–1.22). Although preliminary, available evidence indicates a more unfavourable prognosis for patients with MetALD compared with those with MASLD.
Survival in nunatak and peripheral glacial refugia of three alpine plant species is partly predicted by altitudinal segregation
Authors: Rota Francesco , Carnicero Pau , Casazza Gabriele , Nascimbene Juri , Schönswetter Peter , Wellstein Camilla 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMountain biota survived the Quaternary cold stages most probably in peripheral refugia and/or ice‐free peaks within ice‐sheets (nunataks). While survival in peripheral refugia has been broadly demonstrated, evidence for nunatak refugia is still scarce. We generated RADseq data from three mountain plant species occurring at different elevations in the southeastern European Alps to investigate the role of different glacial refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). We tested the following hypotheses. (i) The deep Piave Valley forms the deepest genetic split in the species distributed across it, delimiting two peripheral refugia. (ii) The montane to alpine species Campanula morettiana and Primula tyrolensis survived the LGM in peripheral refugia, while high‐alpine to subnival Saxifraga facchinii likely survived in several nunatak refugia. (iii) The lower elevation species suffered a strong population decline during the LGM. By contrast, the higher elevation species shows long‐term stability of population sizes due to survival on permanently ice‐free peaks and small population sizes at present. We found peripheral refugia on both sides of the Piave Valley, which acted as a major genetic barrier. Demographic modelling confirmed nunatak survival not only for S. facchinii but also for montane to alpine C. morettiana. Altitudinal segregation influenced the species' demographic fluctuations, with the lower elevation species showing a significant population increase at the end of the LGM, and the higher elevation species either showing decrease towards the present or stable population sizes with a short bottleneck. Our results highlight the role of nunatak survival and species ecology in the demographic history of mountain species.
Occupying liminal spaces: The figured worlds of student affairs senior leaders in the United States
Authors: McOwen Katherine S. , Konopasky Abigail W. , Merkebu Jerusalem , Varpio Lara 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIntroductionStudent Affairs Senior Leaders (SASLs) in the United States lead offices responsible for academic advising, administrative documentation, scheduling, student health, financial aid, and transition to residency, yet they infrequently draw attention in the field's literature. We explore the role of SASLs and how they describe the social space of medical education.MethodsUsing a constructivist approach informed by Figured Worlds theory, we conducted a sequential narrative and thematic analysis of the stories SASLs tell about their roles and experiences in the world of medical education.ResultsSASLs inhabit complex roles centred on advocating for medical students' academic, personal and social well‐being. Their unique position within the medical school allows them to see the harm to vulnerable students made possible by misalignments inherent within medical education. Yet even with the challenges inherent in the environment, SASLs find reasons for hope.ConclusionSASLs' identities are full of potential contradictions, but they have a unique view into the often‐chaotic world of medical education.
Integrating perspectives in developing mycorrhizal trait databases: a call for inclusive and collaborative continental efforts
Authors: Mujica María Isabel , Silva‐Flores Patricia , Bueno C. Guillermo , Duchicela Jessica 
Published: April 2024

SummaryGlobal assessments of mycorrhizal symbiosis present large sampling gaps in rich biodiversity regions. Filling these gaps is necessary to build large‐scale, unbiased mycorrhizal databases to obtain reliable analyses and prevent misleading generalizations. Underrepresented regions in mycorrhizal research are mainly in Africa, Asia, and South America. Despite the high biodiversity and endemism in these regions, many groups of organisms remain understudied, especially mycorrhizal fungi. In this Viewpoint, we emphasize the importance of inclusive and collaborative continental efforts in integrating perspectives for comprehensive trait database development and propose a conceptual framework that can help build large mycorrhizal databases in underrepresented regions. Based on the four Vs of big data (volume, variety, veracity, and velocity), we identify the main challenges of constructing a large mycorrhizal dataset and propose solutions for each challenge. We share our collaborative methodology, which involves employing open calls and working groups to engage all mycorrhizal researchers in the region to build a South American Mycorrhizal Database. By fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and embracing a continental‐scale approach, we can create robust mycorrhizal trait databases that provide valuable insights into the evolution, ecology, and functioning of mycorrhizal associations, reducing the geographical biases that are so common in large‐scale ecological studies.
Weak links: Advancing target‐based drug discovery by identifying the most vulnerable targets
Authors: Bosch Barbara , DeJesus Michael A. , Schnappinger Dirk , Rock Jeremy M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMycobacterium tuberculosis remains the most common infectious killer worldwide despite decades of antitubercular drug development. Effectively controlling the tuberculosis (TB) pandemic will require innovation in drug discovery. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the two main approaches to discovering new TB drugs—phenotypic screens and target‐based drug discovery—and outline some of the limitations of each method. We then explore recent advances in genetic tools that aim to overcome some of these limitations. In particular, we highlight a novel metric to prioritize essential targets, termed vulnerability. Stratifying targets based on their vulnerability presents new opportunities for future target‐based drug discovery campaigns.
Multi‐targets of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy mediated by erythrosine against Staphylococcus aureus identified by proteomic approach
Authors: de Oliveira Silva João Vitor , Meneguello Jean Eduardo , Formagio Maíra Dante , de Freitas Camila Fabiano , Malacarne Luis Carlos , Marchiosi Rogério , de Mendonça Patrícia de Souza Bonfim , Zanetti Campanerut‐Sá Paula Aline , Graton Mikcha Jane Martha 
Published: April 2024

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus is a global challenge to the clinical field and food industry. Therefore, the development of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has become one of the valuable methods to control this pathogen. The antibacterial activity of photoinactivation by erythrosine (Ery) against S. aureus has been reported, but its modes of action are unclear. This study aimed to employ a proteomic approach to analyze modes of action of Ery‐aPDT against S. aureus. We determined the antibacterial effect by Ery‐aPDT assays, quantified reactive oxygen species (ROS) and injury to the cell membrane, and determined protein expression using a proteomic approach combined with bioinformatic tools. Ery‐aPDT was effective in reducing S. aureus to undetectable levels. In addition, the increment of ROS accompanied the increase in the reduction of cell viability, and damage to cellular membranes was shown by sublethal injury. In proteomic analysis, we found 17 differentially expressed proteins. These proteins revealed changes mainly associated with defense to oxidative stress, energy metabolism, translation, and protein biosynthesis. Thus, these results suggest that the effectiveness of Ery‐aPDT is due to multi‐targets in the bacterial cell that cause the death of S. aureus.
Eosin Y‐catalyzed reductive homocoupling of para‐quinone methides under visible‐light
Authors: Rekha  , Fatma Shaheen , Sharma Sonam , Anand Ramasamy Vijaya 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this manuscript, we demonstrate a visible‐light driven dimerization of para‐quinone methides using eosin Y catalyst via a reductive homocoupling process. This mild and operationally simple methodology was found to be compatible with a variety of differently substituted para‐quinone methides and a broad range of tetra‐arylethane derivatives were obtained in moderate to good yields (47%–87%).
Forest fire spreading: A nonlinear stochastic model continuous in space and time
Authors: Beneduci Roberto , Mascali Giovanni 
Published: April 2024

AbstractForest fire spreading is a complex phenomenon characterized by a stochastic behavior. Nowadays, the enormous quantity of georeferenced data and the availability of powerful techniques for their analysis can provide a very careful picture of forest fires opening the way to more realistic models. We propose a stochastic spreading model continuous in space and time that has the potentiality to use such data in their full power. The state of the forest fire is described by the subprobability densities of the green trees and of the trees on fire that can be estimated thanks to data coming from satellites and earth detectors. The fire dynamics is encoded into a kernel function that can take into account wind conditions, land slope, spotting phenomena, and so on, bringing to a system of integrodifferential equations whose solutions provide the evolution in time of the subprobability densities. That makes the model complementary to models based on cellular automata that furnish single instantiations of the stochastic phenomenon. Moreover, stochastic models based on cellular automata can be derived from the present model by space and time discretization. Existence and uniqueness of the solutions is proved by using Banach's fixed‐point theorem. The asymptotic behavior of the model is analyzed as well. By specifying a particular structure for the kernel, we obtain numerical simulations of the fire spreading under different conditions. For example, in the case of a forest fire evolving toward a river, the simulations show that the probability density of the trees on fire is different from zero beyond the river due to the spotting phenomenon. The kernel could be slightly modified to include firefighters interventions and weather changes.
Distal hamstrings tendons mechanical properties at rest and contraction using free‐hand 3‐D ultrasonography
Authors: Sahinis Chrysostomos , Kellis Eleftherios 
Published: April 2024

AbstractTendon properties impact human locomotion, influencing sports performance, and injury prevention. Hamstrings play a crucial role in sprinting, particularly the biceps femoris long head (BFlh), which is prone to frequent injuries. It remains uncertain if BFlh exhibits distinct mechanical properties compared to other hamstring muscles. This study utilized free‐hand three‐dimensional ultrasound to assess morphological and mechanical properties of distal hamstrings tendons in 15 men. Scans were taken in prone position, with hip and knee extended, at rest and during 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the knee flexors. Tendon length, volume, cross‐sectional area (CSA), and anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) widths were quantified at three locations. Longitudinal and transverse deformations, stiffness, strain, and stress were estimated. The ST had the greatest tendon strain and the lowest stiffness as well as the highest CSA and AP and ML width strain compared to other tendons. Biceps femoris short head (BFsh) exhibited the least strain, AP and ML deformation. Further, BFlh displayed the highest stiffness and stress, and BFsh had the lowest stress. Additionally, deformation varied by region, with the proximal site showing generally the lowest CSA strain. Distal tendon mechanical properties differed among the hamstring muscles during isometric knee flexions. In contrast to other bi‐articular hamstrings, the BFlh high stiffness and stress may result in greater energy absorption by its muscle fascicles, rather than the distal tendon, during late swing in sprinting. This could partly account for the increased incidence of hamstring injuries in this muscle.
Reference values for leg effort during incremental cycle ergometry in non‐trained healthy men and women, aged 19–85
Authors: Hijleh Abed A. , Wang Sophia , Berton Danilo C. , Neder‐Serafini Igor , Vincent Sandra , James Matthew , Domnik Nicolle , Phillips Devin , Nery Luiz E. , O'Donnell Denis E. , Neder J. Alberto 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHeightened sensation of leg effort contributes importantly to poor exercise tolerance in patient populations. We aim to provide a sex‐ and age‐adjusted frame of reference to judge symptom's normalcy across progressively higher exercise intensities during incremental exercise. Two‐hundred and seventy‐five non‐trained subjects (130 men) aged 19–85 prospectively underwent incremental cycle ergometry. After establishing centiles‐based norms for Borg leg effort scores (0–10 category‐ratio scale) versus work rate, exponential loss function identified the centile that best quantified the symptom's severity individually. Peak O2 uptake and work rate (% predicted) were used to threshold gradually higher symptom intensity categories. Leg effort‐work rate increased as a function of age; women typically reported higher scores at a given age, particularly in the younger groups (p < 0.05). For instance, “heavy” (5) scores at the 95th centile were reported at ~200 W (<40 years) and ~90 W (≥70 years) in men versus ~130 W and ~70 W in women, respectively. The following categories of leg effort severity were associated with progressively lower exercise capacity: ≤50th (“mild”), >50th to <75th (“moderate”), ≥75th to <95th (“severe”), and ≥ 95th (“very severe”) (p < 0.05). Although most subjects reporting peak scores <5 were in “mild” range, higher scores were not predictive of the other categories (p > 0.05). This novel frame of reference for 0–10 Borg leg effort, which considers its cumulative burden across increasingly higher exercise intensities, might prove valuable to judging symptom's normalcy, quantifying its severity, and assessing the effects of interventions in clinical populations.
Recruitment of HAB1 and SnRK2.2 by C2‐domain protein CAR1 in plasma membrane ABA signaling
Authors: Guo Ai‐Yu , Wu Wen‐Qiang , Bai Di , Li Yan , Xie Jie , Guo Siyi , Song Chun‐Peng 
Published: April 2024

SUMMARYPlasma membrane (PM)‐associated abscisic acid (ABA) signal transduction is an important component of ABA signaling. The C2‐domain ABA‐related (CAR) proteins have been reported to play a crucial role in recruiting ABA receptor PYR1/PYL/RCAR (PYLs) to the PM. However, the molecular details of the involvement of CAR proteins in membrane‐delimited ABA signal transduction remain unclear. For instance, where this response process takes place and whether any additional members besides PYL are taking part in this signaling process. Here, the GUS‐tagged materials for all Arabidopsis CAR members were used to comprehensively visualize the extensive expression patterns of the CAR family genes. Based on the representativeness of CAR1 in response to ABA, we determined to use it as a target to study the function of CAR proteins in PM‐associated ABA signaling. Single‐particle tracking showed that ABA affected the spatiotemporal dynamics of CAR1. The presence of ABA prolonged the dwell time of CAR1 on the membrane and showed faster lateral mobility. Surprisingly, we verified that CAR1 could directly recruit hypersensitive to ABA1 (HAB1) and SNF1‐related protein kinase 2.2 (SnRK2.2) to the PM at both the bulk and single‐molecule levels. Furthermore, PM localization of CAR1 was demonstrated to be related to membrane microdomains. Collectively, our study revealed that CARs recruited the three main components of ABA signaling to the PM to respond positively to ABA. This study deepens our understanding of ABA signal transduction.
Analysis of maternal Fc gamma receptor IIIb isoantibodies using immunomagnetic negative selected neutrophils
Authors: Martins Juliana Oliveira , Moritz Elyse , Abbas Samira Ali , Bayat Behnaz , Barros Melca Maria Oliveira , de Marco Renato , Machado Renata Fantini , Bordin José Orlando 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe isolation of neutrophils and subsequent detection of anti‐human neutrophil antigens (HNA) antibodies are crucial in clinical medicine for the diagnosis of autoimmune neutropenia, neonatal alloimmune neutropenia (NAIN) and transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI). This study reports two cases of maternal anti‐Fc‐gamma‐receptor‐IIIb (FcγRIIIb) isoimmunization without NAIN symptoms and compares the efficiency of immunomagnetic negative selection (IMNS) with traditional dextran/Ficoll for neutrophil isolation in HNA serological assays.Materials and MethodsInvestigating two cases of maternal anti‐FcγRIIIb isoimmunization, neutrophils from three donors were isolated from 8 mL of whole blood using IMNS and dextran/Ficoll. Serological assays included the granulocyte agglutination and immunofluorescence test, monoclonal antibody immobilization of granulocyte antigens and the LABScreen Multi (One Lambda). IMNS and dextran/Ficoll were compared in terms of cell yield, viability, time, cost and purity.ResultsMaternal anti‐FcγRIIIb isoantibodies with FCGR3B gene deletion were detected in both cases. Newborns and fathers exhibited specific gene combinations: FCGR3B*02/FCGR3B*02 (Case 1) and FCGR3B*02/FCGR3B*03 (Case 2). IMNS outperformed dextran/Ficoll, yielding four times more neutrophils (average neutrophil counts: 18.5 × 103/μL vs. 4.5 × 103/μL), efficiently removing non‐neutrophil cells and reducing processing time (30–40 min vs. 70–90 min), although it incurred a higher cost (2.7 times).ConclusionTwo cases of maternal anti‐FcγRIIIb isoantibodies, unrelated to NAIN, were identified. Although neutropenia has not been described in these cases, we emphasize the importance of identifying asymptomatic cases with the potential for severe neutropenia. Additionally, IMNS is introduced as a rapid, high‐yield, high‐purity neutrophil isolation technique, beneficial for serological assays detecting anti‐HNA antibodies.
Prevalence of canine renal crest hyperattenuation in precontrast computed tomography
Authors: Serra‐Gomez de la Serna Blanca , Schiborra Frederike , Marwood Rachel 
Published: April 2024

AbstractNormal canine kidneys are relatively homogeneous soft tissue attenuating structures on nonenhanced CT images. However, visible differences in attenuation between the renal crest and medulla are occasionally observed. This finding and its potential clinical implications have not been previously investigated. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of renal crest hyperattenuation (RCH) and investigate possible associations with signalment and laboratory parameters. Abdominal CT studies from 100 dogs, with biochemistry and urinalysis data obtained within 48 h before the CT acquisition, were categorized by two radiologists into those with and without visible RCH. The attenuation in Hounsfield units (HU) of the renal crest and renal medulla were measured. Signalment, biochemical, and urinalysis data were analyzed for associations with RCH. Correlation coefficients were calculated for measured HU and associated continuous parameters. Prevalence of RCH was 42.42% (42/99 dogs, 95% CI, 33–52%). Urinary specific gravity (USG) was significantly different between dogs with and without RCH (P = .034). Weak positive correlations were identified between left and right renal crest attenuation and USG (r = 0.233 and 0.253, respectively; P = .05). Renal crest hyperattenuation is a common finding in dogs undergoing abdominal CT. Although the correlation between the USG and renal crest HU is weak, the dogs with RCH have significantly higher USG. Renal crest hyperattenuation might, therefore, not be associated with renal insufficiency. No other specific associations of RCH were identified with parameters typically altered in a variety of diseases. Further investigation may be warranted for its relevance to specific diseases or if it indeed represents a physiological variant.