bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High species diversity of Phintella and Phintella‐like spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) in Vietnam revealed by DNA‐based species delimitation analyses
Authors: Phung Luong Thi Hong , Su Yong‐Chao , Yamasaki Takeshi , Li Yi‐Yen , Eguchi Katsuyuki 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSalticidae (jumping spiders) usually exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism in adult morphology, particularly body coloration and size and shape of the first legs. Consequently, the male and female from the same species might be erroneously assigned to different species or even different genera, which could generate synonymies in classification if only morphological data were used. Phintella is a species‐rich genus of Salticidae, which currently exhibits 76 named species. However, the male–female counterpart is unknown for nearly half of the species. In this study, we used a molecular approach to delineate the species boundaries for Phintella and Phintella‐like specimens collected in Vietnam, using morphological information as supporting data. We used three gene fragments (mitochondrial COI, 16S‐ND1, and nuclear 28S) and biogeographical considerations for species delimitation. A total of 22 putative species were recognized: 18 species of the genus Phintella, one species of the genus Lechia (L. squamata), and three species of the genus Phinteloides. Eleven undescribed species were discovered, of which seven have a male–female combination, two species have only males, and two species have only females. The crown age of Phintella was estimated at the Serravallian stage of the Miocene after the increase of species number around 16 MYA. The crown ages of most putative species recognized in this study were estimated in the Pleistocene, and the divergence among sister species likely occurred from the mid‐Miocene to the Pliocene. Our ancestral range reconstruction results showed that the diversification of our ingroup was governed by progressive dispersal events, i.e., Phintella and their related species in Vietnam diversified while expanding their range on the continent. Our results provide fundamental biodiversity data for a high‐diversity genus in Vietnamese Phintella spiders.
Interactive effects of agricultural landscape heterogeneity and weather conditions on breeding density and reproductive success of a diurnal raptor
Authors: Kujala Inga , Pöysä Hannu , Korpimäki Erkki 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAgricultural intensification and climate change are serious threats toward animal populations worldwide. Agricultural intensification reduces the heterogeneity of agricultural habitats by diminishing crop variation and destroying microhabitats, such as small woody features, whereas the effects of climate change range from the growing frequency of weather extremes to disrupted prey–predator dynamics. We collected long‐term ringing data from a population of Eurasian kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) located amidst agricultural areas in western Finland during 1985–2021, which we combined with density indices of their main prey species (voles), spatial data consisting of land cover classification of kestrel territories, and weather data, to study the effects of different environmental drivers on breeding density and success. We found that the density of inhabited nests rose with vole abundance and springtime snow depth, with the overall trend of population growth being stronger in areas with more heterogeneous landscapes. Clutch size was influenced negatively by the age of male parent and landscape heterogeneity, and positively by vole abundance, with rainfall having a negative influence conditional to other variables. Likewise, the number of produced fledglings was affected by male age, but it was additionally positively associated with landscape heterogeneity and its interaction with rainfall, with greater fledgling output in heterogeneous landscapes during high precipitation. The discrepancy between factors predicting large clutches and high numbers of fledglings suggests that while kestrels do not prefer heterogeneous landscapes when prospecting for territories, heterogeneous habitats provide better circumstances for foraging during the nestling period, which ensures nestling survival, particularly during adverse environmental conditions. Therefore, breeding in areas under intense agricultural use is more suboptimal to kestrels than their territory preferences would indicate. As changing climate may reduce prey availability and heighten the probability of weather extremities, agricultural intensification may lead to weaker reproductive success in densely populated farmland habitats.
Nonsignificant elevational trends of soil microbial respiration and temperature sensitivity in a subtropical forest
Authors: Zhang Bingwei , Jiang Yun , He Xianjin , Wang Youshi , Li Jiawei , Huang Xueli , Shu Zufei , Li Buhang , Chu Chengjin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSoil carbon (C) cycling plays a critical role in regulating global C budget and atmospheric CO2 concentrations. The ongoing global warming potentially accelerates soil C loss induced by microbial respiration (MR) and makes soil a large C source to the atmosphere. Quantifying the drivers of MR and its response to rising temperature (also called temperature sensitivity, Q10) should be a high priority to improve the modeling and prediction of terrestrial C cycle under global warming. In this study, we applied a standardized soil sampling along nine gradients from 410 to 1080 m in a subtropical forest in southern China. All soil samples were incubated at varying temperature gradients (10–15–20–25–20–15°C) to measure MR and Q10 every day for three weeks. Then all the measured MR was adjusted by the field temperature of each elevation gradient. Our objectives were to examine the response of MR and Q10 to the environmental change induced by elevational gradients in the subtropical forest and then quantify their main drivers. We totally collected 54 abiotic and biotic factors relative to the MR and Q10. Our results showed that the incubated MR increased from low to high elevation. However, a significant elevation trend of the adjusted MR was not examined after adjusting the field temperature of sampling sites, due to the trade‐off between increasing soil C concentration and declining temperature as elevation increased. We further found that the elevational gradients did not cause significant change in Q10. The variation in Q10 was negatively dominated by soil C quality, which declined nonlinearly along the elevation gradients. This study highlights the trade‐off between environment and biotic factors in determining soil C decomposition along elevational gradients. The uncertainty of MR measurements caused by unifying incubated temperature should not be ignored in future model development.
Deformation characteristics and reactivated failure modes of the massive Baimu ancient landslide deposit on the northern margin of the East Himalayan syntaxis
Authors: Li Yuchao , Chen Jianping , Zhou Fujun , Bao Yiding , Li Zhihai , Wang Qing 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn the Eastern Himalayan syntaxis, massive Quaternary loose deposits represent a typical product of abrupt topographic changes. Influenced by the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau uplift and rapid river incision, the partial or complete failure of these deposits is a recurrent phenomenon in alpine‐gorge regions, posing substantial threats to major infrastructure development. Through topographic interpretation and field investigation, this study clarifies the geological features and genetic mechanisms of the Baimu ancient landslide deposit (BALD), located on the northern margin of the East Himalayan syntaxis. The surface deformation time series spanning October 2017 to December 2019 was estimated using employing multitemporal synthetic aperture radar interferometry. Then, the spatiotemporal deformation characteristics of the BALD was analysed by superposing terrain factors, and hazard division was implemented. The results indicate that high‐hazard zones are mainly distributed on high and steep free faces of the BALD. Deformation evolution and rainfall time series showed obvious correlation. Lastly, a generalized failure model is established for the BALD, which will serve as a valuable reference for disaster prevention and is applicable to the study of similar deposits in the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau.
The advantages of lead‐acid battery for off‐grid design
Authors: Nasab Navid Majdi , Yazdanian Shamzin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis study assesses the viability of employing a hybrid system that combines wind and tidal turbines, connected to a microgrid, to provide electricity to coastal communities that are geographically isolated from the primary power grid. The specific focus of this research is the case study of Stewart Island, where the cost of electricity from a centralized diesel power station is comparatively higher than that of the main grid in New Zealand. While lithium‐ion batteries are generally regarded as more reliable and efficient than lead‐acid batteries, the analysis conducted indicates that, for the off‐grid storage system in Oban, lead‐acid batteries are the preferable choice. Multiple off‐grid configurations are simulated utilizing the HOMER Pro software. While lithium‐ion batteries demonstrate higher charge power and renewable fraction, it is found that lead‐acid batteries, with their longer battery life, offer advantages such as reduced fuel consumption, lower cost of electricity, discounted payback, and increased power production. The annual fuel consumption for lead‐acid battery is 867 L less compared to the lithium‐ion battery. Power generated in this case is 6780 kWh more and COE with lead‐acid battery is $0.213 in compared with lithium‐ion of $0.217. These findings suggest that for the specific context of the Oban off‐grid system, lead‐acid batteries outperform lithium‐ion batteries.
Sargassum spp. Ethanolic Extract Elicits Toxic Responses and Malformations in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos
Authors: González-Penagos Carlos E. , Zamora-Briseño Jesús Alejandro , Améndola-Pimenta Mónica , Cruz-Quintana Yanis , Santana-Piñeros Ana M. , Torres-García Jesús R. , Cañizares-Martínez Mayra A. , Pérez-Vega Juan A. , Peñuela-Mendoza Ana C. , Rodríguez-Canul Rossanna 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The amount of Sargassum spp. arriving in the Caribbean Sea has increased steadily in the last few years, producing a profound environmental impact on the ecological dynamics of the coasts of the Yucatan Peninsula. We characterized the toxicological effects of an ethanolic extract of Sargassum spp. on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos (ZFEs) in a 96-h static bioassay using T1 (0.01 mg/L), T2 (0.1 mg/L), T3 (1 mg/L), T4 (10 mg/L), T5 (25 mg/L), T6 (50 mg/L), T7 (75 mg/L), T8 (100 mg/L), T9 (200 mg/L), and T10 (400 mg/L). In this extract, we detected 74 compounds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), of which hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, and 2-pentanone 4-hydroxy-4-methyl, were the most abundant. In ZFEs, a median lethal concentration of 251 mg/L was estimated. Exposed embryos exhibited extensive morphological changes, including edema in the yolk sac, scoliosis, and loss of pigmentation, as well as malformations of the head, tail, and eyes. By integrating these abnormalities using the Integrated Biological Response (IBRv2) and General Morphological Score (GMS) indices, we were able to determine that ZFEs exposed to 200 mg/L (T9) exhibited the most pronounced biological response in comparison with the other groups. In the comparative transcriptomic analysis, 66 genes were upregulated, and 246 genes were downregulated in the group exposed to 200 mg/L compared with the control group. In the upregulated genes, we identified several gene ontology-enriched terms, such as response to xenobiotic stimuli, cellular response to chemical stimulus, transcriptional regulation, pigment metabolic process, erythrocyte differentiation and embryonic hemopoiesis, extracellular matrix organization, and chondrocyte differentiation involved in endochondral bone morphogenesis, among others. In the down-regulated genes, we found many genes associated with nervous system processes, sensory and visual perception, response to abiotic stimulus, and the nucleoside phosphate biosynthetic process. The probable connections among the morphological changes observed in the transcriptome are thoroughly discussed. Our findings suggest that Sargassum spp. exposure can induce a wide negative impact on zebrafish embryos. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1075–1089. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Effect of agricultural intensification on the genetic diversity of Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Cui Hongying , Dong Zhaoke , Song Yingying , Guo Wenxiu , Yu Yi , Li Lili , Lv Suhong , Men Xingyuan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAgricultural intensification affects natural and crop ecosystems, and increases the risk of agricultural pests in agroecosystems. Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important pest that damages a wide range of crops. However, the effect of agricultural intensification on the genetic diversity of this pest is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of the composition and configuration of the landscape on the genetic diversity of the agricultural pest H. armigera based on cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) analyses. In total, 10 haplotypes were found in 2016 and 15 haplotypes in 2021 based on COI genes. The haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were the highest in the Anqiu (AQ) region during 2016 and in the Bincheng (BC) region during 2021. Haplotype 2 and haplotype 3 (Hap2 and Hap3) were the dominant haplotypes in the H. armigera population. Agricultural intensification had no effect on the genetic diversity of H. armigera between 2016 and 2021. Our study highlights the effect of agricultural intensification on the genetic diversity of H. armigera. Understanding the genetic consequences of agricultural intensification is essential for the green control of agricultural pests and the sustainable development of agriculture.
Fully Automated Identification of Lymph Node Metastases and Lymphovascular Invasion in Endometrial Cancer From Multi‐Parametric MRI by Deep Learning
Authors: Wang Yida , Liu Wei , Lu Yuanyuan , Ling Rennan , Wang Wenjing , Li Shengyong , Zhang Feiran , Ning Yan , Chen Xiaojun , Yang Guang , Zhang He 
Published: March 2024

BackgroundEarly and accurate identification of lymphatic node metastasis (LNM) and lymphatic vascular space invasion (LVSI) for endometrial cancer (EC) patients is important for treatment design, but difficult on multi‐parametric MRI (mpMRI) images.PurposeTo develop a deep learning (DL) model to simultaneously identify of LNM and LVSI of EC from mpMRI images.Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationSix hundred twenty‐one patients with histologically proven EC from two institutions, including 111 LNM‐positive and 168 LVSI‐positive, divided into training, internal, and external test cohorts of 398, 169, and 54 patients, respectively.Field Strength/SequenceT2‐weighted imaging (T2WI), contrast‐enhanced T1WI (CE‐T1WI), and diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) were scanned with turbo spin‐echo, gradient‐echo, and two‐dimensional echo‐planar sequences, using either a 1.5 T or 3 T system.AssessmentEC lesions were manually delineated on T2WI by two radiologists and used to train an nnU‐Net model for automatic segmentation. A multi‐task DL model was developed to simultaneously identify LNM and LVSI positive status using the segmented EC lesion regions and T2WI, CE‐T1WI, and DWI images as inputs. The performance of the model for LNM‐positive diagnosis was compared with those of three radiologists in the external test cohort.Statistical TestsDice similarity coefficient (DSC) was used to evaluate segmentation results. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the performance of LNM and LVSI status identification. P value <0.05 was considered significant.ResultsEC lesion segmentation model achieved mean DSC values of 0.700 ± 0.25 and 0.693 ± 0.21 in the internal and external test cohorts, respectively. For LNM positive/LVSI positive identification, the proposed model achieved AUC values of 0.895/0.848, 0.806/0.795, and 0.804/0.728 in the training, internal, and external test cohorts, respectively, and better than those of three radiologists (AUC = 0.770/0.648/0.674).Data ConclusionThe proposed model has potential to help clinicians to identify LNM and LVSI status of EC patients and improve treatment planning.Evidence Level3Technical EfficacyStage 2
Progression of partial to complete ruptures of the Achilles tendon during rehabilitation: A study using a finite element model
Authors: Diniz Pedro , Quental Carlos , Pereira Hélder , Lopes Rodrigo , Kerkhoffs Gino M. M. J. , Ferreira Frederico C. , Folgado João 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSubstantial research on complete Achilles tendon ruptures is available, but guidance on partial ruptures is comparatively sparse. Conservative management is considered acceptable in partial tendon ruptures affecting less than 50% of the tendon's width, but supporting experimental evidence is currently lacking. Using a previously validated finite element model of the Achilles tendon, this study aimed to assess whether loading conditions simulating an early functional rehabilitation protocol could elicit progression to a complete rupture in partial ruptures of varying severity. In silico tendon rupture simulations were performed to locate the most likely rupture site for least, moderate, and extreme subtendon twist configurations. These three models were split at the corresponding rupture site and two sets of partial ruptures were created for each, starting from the medial and lateral sides, and ranging from 10% to 50% loss of continuity. Simulations were conducted with material parameters from healthy and tendinopathic tendons. Partial ruptures were considered to progress if the volume of elements showing a maximum principal strain above 10% exceeded 3 mm3. To assess whether the tendinopathic tendons typical geometric characteristics could compensate for the inferior material properties found in tendinopathy, an additional model with increased cross‐sectional area in the free tendon region was developed. Progression to complete ruptures occurred even with less than a 50% loss of continuity, regardless of subtendon twisting, and material parameters. The tendinopathic tendon model with increased cross‐sectional area showed similar results. These findings suggest the current criteria for surgical treatment of partial ruptures should be reconsidered. Statement of clinical significance: The clinical significance and most appropriate treatment of partial ruptures of the Achilles tendon is unclear. Despite the widespread use of the “50% rule” in treatment decisions of partial tendon ruptures, experimental evidence supporting it is missing. The present study provides new data, from a validated aponeurotic and free Achilles tendon finite element model, showing that partial ruptures may progress to complete ruptures under loading conditions elicited from functional rehabilitation protocols, even for partial ruptures affecting less than 50% of the tendon's width. Under these novel findings, the current criteria for surgical treatment of partial ruptures should be reconsidered.
Impact of COVID‐19 on paediatric chronic intestinal failure: A tertiary care children's hospital experience
Authors: Hilberath Johannes , Mast Anna‐Sophia , Scherer Simon , Fuchs Jörg , Schulte Johannes , Sturm Ekkehard , Warmann Steven , Slavetinsky Christoph 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectivesPaediatric patients with intestinal failure (IF) are at risk for both gastrointestinal (GI) and systemic complications, thus depending on a functioning network of multidisciplinary care. Data on the clinical impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) or the pandemic‐related restrictions are limited. We aimed to analyse the clinical course of COVID‐19 in children with IF, and to evaluate the perceived impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on IF patients and their caregivers by analysing quality of life (QoL), health‐related QoL (HRQoL) and health care.MethodsChildren with IF presenting at our intestinal rehabilitation centre were enrolled and interviewed about test‐proven COVID‐19 infection. A standardised questionnaire was offered to all caregivers of IF patients and to two control groups (children with inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal healthy children).ResultsBetween December 2020 and November 2022, 25 out of 127 patients with IF contracted COVID‐19. Forty‐eight per cent had GI symptoms, 32% required additional intravenous fluids and 20% were hospitalized. Only 25% of vaccinated children showed signs of GI dysfunction, compared to 52% of unvaccinated children. Analysis of 93 questionnaires showed a negative impact on QoL and HRQoL (>66.7% and >27.8%, respectively). IF patients frequently experienced restrictions in health care, including appointments, services and supply of parenteral nutrition or medications. Caregiver burden increased significantly more often in caregivers of children with IF (p = 0.007).ConclusionsPaediatric patients with IF contracting COVID‐19 have an increased risk for GI dysfunction which may be alleviated by vaccination. Children and their caregivers were highly burdened by pandemic‐related restrictions and reductions in health care provision.
Combination biologic therapy in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease: Safety and efficacy over a minimum 12‐month follow‐up period
Authors: Wlazlo Magdalena , Meglicka Monika , Wiernicka Anna , Osiecki Marcin , Matuszczyk Malgorzata , Kierkus Jaroslaw 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectivesThe severe course of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) refractory to advanced therapies in children results in the search for new therapeutic methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dual therapy with biologics in a cohort of children with IBD.MethodsRetrospective analysis of data from 29 children with a diagnosis of IBD, 19 with ulcerative colitis (66%), 10 with Crohn's disease (CD) (34%) qualified for dual biological therapy (DBT). The median age of patients was five (interquartile range [IQR], 1–15) years at diagnosis of IBD and 14 (IQR, 3–17) years at eligibility for dual therapy. Thirteen (45%) patients were treated with vedolizumab/adalimumab (VDZ + ADA), 13 (45%) with ustekinumab/adalimumab (UST + ADA), three (10%) with infliximab/vedolizumab (IFX + VDZ).ResultsClinical remission was achieved in 13 (45%; seven UC and six CD) and 12 (41%; seven UC and five CD) Pediatric Weighted Crohn's Disease Activity Index (wPCDAI)/Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) patients after 4 and 12 months at the initiation of dual therapy. Clinical response based on wPCDAI/PUCAI was reported in 16 (55%; nine UC and seven CD) and 12 (41% seven UC and five CD) children after 4 and 12 months of follow‐up, respectively. The median fecal calprotectin decreased significantly from 1240 µg/g (53–10,100) to 160 µg/g (5–2500; p = 0.004) between baseline and Month 4 and from 749 at baseline (57–10,100) to 17 (5–3110; p = 0.12) over 12 months. Moreover, 34% (six UC and four CD) of patients achieved endoscopic remission.ConclusionsDBT seems to be an effective alternative therapeutic option for patients with moderate and severe IBD.