bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Forest cover and environment type shape functional diversity of insectivorous birds within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Manzoli Enzo C , Gaspar Lucas P , Melo Marcos A , Adorno Bruno FCB , Ribeiro Milton C , Piratelli Augusto J 
Published: March 2024

SummaryTropical insectivorous birds comprise a diverse group that has a distinct response to habitat degradation. However, knowledge on birds’ ecological functions and their large-scale functional responses to human impacts across various habitats is scarce. We sampled 22 1-km-radius buffer landscapes within the Cantareira-Mantiqueira region (south-east Brazil), including native forests, pastures and marshes, to assess how landscape and habitat characteristics might affect insectivorous birds within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We studied whether bird species and functional diversity might respond to habitat turnover and nestedness and to native forest cover using generalized linear mixed models. We found negative effects of increased native forest cover on functional diversity indices. Bird communities in pastures show more nestedness, whereas marsh areas exhibit higher turnover. Forest areas receive a balanced contribution from both nestedness and turnover. These results are attributable to the predominantly secondary growth and early successional stages of the native forest fragments in the region, emphasizing the connection between landscape characteristics, habitat types and bird functional diversity in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.
Asylum Marginalisation Renewed: ‘Vulnerability Backsliding’ at the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Hudson Ben 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIt is now over ten years since the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR or Court) first established that asylum seekers are inherently and particularly vulnerable on account of their very situation as asylum seekers. This occurred in its Grand Chamber judgment in the case of M.S.S. v Belgium and Greece. This article critically examines the Court’s subsequent asylum jurisprudence through the lens of vulnerability. The analysis reveals that the Court has engaged in ‘vulnerability backsliding’. Specifically, it traces the ways in which the Court has surreptitiously reversed the very principle of asylum vulnerability it itself established in M.S.S. The consequence of this backsliding is not only that the judicially recognised concept of asylum vulnerability is undermined, but that some of the most vulnerable applicants that come before the Court suffer renewed marginalisation, and, in some circumstances, exclusion from the ‘special protection’ to which they were previously afforded courtesy of M.S.S.
Carers’ and therapists’ views of internet-delivered guided self-help acceptance and commitment therapy for family carers of people with dementia (iACT4CARERS): a qualitative study in the context of ethnic minority families
Authors: Kishita Naoko , Czyznikowska Barbara , Riggey Megan , Van Hout Elien , Richmond Erica , Gould Rebecca L. , McCracken Lance M. , Farquhar Morag 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
This study aimed to explore the views of family carers of people living with dementia from ethnic minority groups and their therapists on internet-delivered, self-help acceptance and commitment therapy for family carers (iACT4CARERS), enhanced with additional therapist guidance. To achieve this, a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews was employed with ethnic minority carers who completed Enhanced iACT4CARERS (n=9) and therapists who supported them throughout the programme (n=5). The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using framework analysis. Four over-arching themes were identified: (1) Value of the programme to ethnic minority carers, (2) Barriers for ethnic minority carers, (3) Sense of connectedness through written feedback, and (4) Sense of connectedness through one-to-one sessions. Theme 1 reflected that ethnic minority carers valued ACT techniques, highlighting their usefulness and simplicity, leading to perceived benefits. Theme 2 revealed the irrelevance of examples provided of carer experiences throughout the programme due to differences in family carers’ experiences of providing care within ethnic minority communities. Theme 3 highlighted that carers’ engagement with the programme was facilitated by feelings of validation and encouragement received from their therapist via weekly written feedback. Finally, Theme 4 highlighted that additional one-to-one support sessions allowed both carers and therapists to develop strong therapeutic relationships. This enhanced subsequent text-based online interactions, allowing carers to be more open and engaged. Also, therapists reported that a strong sense of connectedness helped them to tailor their feedback. Enhanced iACT4CARERS that uses carers’ experiences more relevant to ethnic minority communities may be more acceptable.

Key learning aims

(1)
To understand the views of family carers of people living with dementia from ethnic minority groups and their therapists on internet-delivered, self-help acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which has been found to be feasible and acceptable with White British carers.

(2)
To understand whether additional one-to-one support can help develop effective therapeutic relationships and thus improve the experiences of carers in completing the programme.

(3)
To learn whether any cultural adaptations are needed to improve the acceptability of internet-delivered self-help ACT among this population.
Requesting conflicts of interest declarations from the European Medicines Agency: 3-year follow-up status
Authors: Boesen K. , Gøtzsche P. C. , Ioannidis J. P. A. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Aims
We have previously described the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration’s guidelines, each for a specific psychiatric indication, on how to design pivotal drug trials used in new drug applications. Here, we report on our efforts over 3 years to retrieve conflicts of interest declarations from EMA. We wanted to assess potential internal industry influence judged as the proportion of guideline committee members with industry conflicts of interest.

Methods
We submitted Freedom of Information requests in February 2020 to access EMA’s lists of committee members (and their declared conflicts of interest) involved in drafting the 13 ‘Clinical efficacy and safety’ guidelines available on EMA’s website pertaining to psychiatric indications. In our request, we did not specify the exact EMA committees. Here, we describe the received documents and report the proportion of members with industry interests (i.e. defined as any financial industry relationship). It is a follow-up paper to our first report (http://doi.org/10.1017/S2045796021000147).

Results
After 2 years and 9 months (November 2022), the EMA sent us member lists and corresponding conflicts of interest declarations from the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human use (CHMP) from 2012, 2013 and 2017. These member lists pertained to 3 of the 13 requested guidelines (schizophrenia, depression and autism spectrum disorder). The 10 remaining guidelines were published before 2011 and EMA stated that they needed to require permission from their expert members (with unknown retrieval rate) and foresaw excessive workload and long wait. Therefore, we withdrew our request. The CHMPs from 2012, 2013 and 2017 had from 34 to 36 members; 39%–44% declared any interests and we judged 14%–18% as having industry interests. For the schizophrenia guideline, we identified two members with industry interests to companies who submitted feedback on the guideline. We did not receive declarations from the Central Nervous System (CNS) Working Party, the CHMP appointed expert group responsible for drafting and incorporating feedback into the guidelines.

Conclusions
After almost 3 years, we received information, which only partly addressed our request. We recommend EMA to improve transparency by publishing the author names and their corresponding conflicts of interest declarations directly in the ‘Clinical efficacy and safety’ guidelines and to not remove conflicts of interest declarations after 1 year from their website to reduce the risk of stealth corporate influence during the development of these influential guidelines.
Can Glacial Sea‐Level Drop‐Induced Gas Hydrate Dissociation Cause Submarine Landslides?
Authors: Liu Jinlong , Gupta Shubhangi , Rutqvist Jonny , Ma Yikai , Wang Shuhong , Wan Kuiyuan , Fan Chaoyan , Yan Wen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe conducted two‐dimensional numerical simulations to investigate the mechanisms underlying the strong spatiotemporal correlation observed between submarine landslides and gas hydrate dissociation due to glacial sea‐level drops. Our results suggest that potential plastic deformation or slip could occur at localized and small scales in the shallow‐water portion of the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). This shallow‐water portion of the GHSZ typically lies within the area enclosed by three points: the BGHSZ–seafloor intersection, the seafloor at ∼600 m below sea level (mbsl), and the base of the GHSZ (BGHSZ) at ∼1,050 mbsl in low‐latitude regions. The deep BGHSZ (>1,050 mbsl) could not slip; therefore, the entire BGHSZ was not a complete slip surface. Glacial hydrate dissociation alone is unlikely to cause large‐scale submarine landslides. Observed deep‐water (much greater than 600 mbsl) turbidites containing geochemical evidence of glacial hydrate dissociation potentially formed from erosion or detachment in the GHSZ pinch‐out zone.
How comparable are patient outcomes in the “real-world” with populations studied in pivotal AML trials?
Authors: Tiong Ing Soo , Wall Meaghan , Bajel Ashish , Kalro Akash , Fleming Shaun , Roberts Andrew W. , Thiagarajah Nisha , Chua Chong Chyn , Latimer Maya , Yeung David , Marlton Paula , Johnston Amanda , Enjeti Anoop , Fong Chun Yew , Cull Gavin , Larsen Stephen , Kennedy Glen , Schwarer Anthony , Kipp David , Ramanathan Sundra , Verner Emma , Tiley Campbell , Morris Edward , Hahn Uwe , Moore John , Taper John , Purtill Duncan , Warburton Pauline , Stevenson William , Murphy Nicholas , Tan Peter , Beligaswatte Ashanka , Mutsando Howard , Hertzberg Mark , Shortt Jake , Szabo Ferenc , Dunne Karin , Wei Andrew H. ,   Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG)
Published: March 2024

AbstractDespite an increasing desire to use historical cohorts as “synthetic” controls for new drug evaluation, limited data exist regarding the comparability of real-world outcomes to those in clinical trials. Governmental cancer data often lacks details on treatment, response, and molecular characterization of disease sub-groups. The Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group National Blood Cancer Registry (ALLG NBCR) includes source information on morphology, cytogenetics, flow cytometry, and molecular features linked to treatment received (including transplantation), response to treatment, relapse, and survival outcome. Using data from 942 AML patients enrolled between 2012–2018, we assessed age and disease-matched control and interventional populations from published randomized trials that led to the registration of midostaurin, gemtuzumab ozogamicin, CPX-351, oral azacitidine, and venetoclax. Our analyses highlight important differences in real-world outcomes compared to clinical trial populations, including variations in anthracycline type, cytarabine intensity and scheduling during consolidation, and the frequency of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in first remission. Although real-world outcomes were comparable to some published studies, notable differences were apparent in others. If historical datasets were used to assess the impact of novel therapies, this work underscores the need to assess diverse datasets to enable geographic differences in treatment outcomes to be accounted for.
Fast and flexible profiling of chromatin accessibility and total RNA expression in single nuclei using Microwell-seq3
Authors: Ye Fang , Zhang Shuang , Fu Yuting , Yang Lei , Zhang Guodong , Wu Yijun , Pan Jun , Chen Haide , Wang Xinru , Ma Lifeng , Niu Haofu , Jiang Mengmeng , Zhang Tingyue , Jia Danmei , Wang Jingjing , Wang Yongcheng , Han Xiaoping , Guo Guoji 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSingle cell chromatin accessibility profiling and transcriptome sequencing are the most widely used technologies for single-cell genomics. Here, we present Microwell-seq3, a high-throughput and facile platform for high-sensitivity single-nucleus chromatin accessibility or full-length transcriptome profiling. The method combines a preindexing strategy and a penetrable chip-in-a-tube for single nucleus loading and DNA amplification and therefore does not require specialized equipment. We used Microwell-seq3 to profile chromatin accessibility in more than 200,000 single nuclei and the full-length transcriptome in ~50,000 nuclei from multiple adult mouse tissues. Compared with the existing polyadenylated transcript capture methods, integrative analysis of cell type-specific regulatory elements and total RNA expression uncovered comprehensive cell type heterogeneity in the brain. Gene regulatory networks based on chromatin accessibility profiling provided an improved cell type communication model. Finally, we demonstrated that Microwell-seq3 can identify malignant cells and their specific regulons in spontaneous lung tumors of aged mice. We envision a broad application of Microwell-seq3 in many areas of research.
Ecological countermeasures to prevent pathogen spillover and subsequent pandemics
Authors: Plowright Raina K. , Ahmed Aliyu N. , Coulson Tim , Crowther Thomas W. , Ejotre Imran , Faust Christina L. , Frick Winifred F. , Hudson Peter J. , Kingston Tigga , Nameer P. O. , O’Mara M. Teague , Peel Alison J. , Possingham Hugh , Razgour Orly , Reeder DeeAnn M. , Ruiz-Aravena Manuel , Simmons Nancy B. , Srinivas Prashanth N. , Tabor Gary M. , Tanshi Iroro , Thompson Ian G. , Vanak Abi T. , Vora Neil M. , Willison Charley E. , Keeley Annika T. H. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSubstantial global attention is focused on how to reduce the risk of future pandemics. Reducing this risk requires investment in prevention, preparedness, and response. Although preparedness and response have received significant focus, prevention, especially the prevention of zoonotic spillover, remains largely absent from global conversations. This oversight is due in part to the lack of a clear definition of prevention and lack of guidance on how to achieve it. To address this gap, we elucidate the mechanisms linking environmental change and zoonotic spillover using spillover of viruses from bats as a case study. We identify ecological interventions that can disrupt these spillover mechanisms and propose policy frameworks for their implementation. Recognizing that pandemics originate in ecological systems, we advocate for integrating ecological approaches alongside biomedical approaches in a comprehensive and balanced pandemic prevention strategy.
Predicting and improving complex beer flavor through machine learning
Authors: Schreurs Michiel , Piampongsant Supinya , Roncoroni Miguel , Cool Lloyd , Herrera-Malaver Beatriz , Vanderaa Christophe , Theßeling Florian A. , Kreft Łukasz , Botzki Alexander , Malcorps Philippe , Daenen Luk , Wenseleers Tom , Verstrepen Kevin J. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe perception and appreciation of food flavor depends on many interacting chemical compounds and external factors, and therefore proves challenging to understand and predict. Here, we combine extensive chemical and sensory analyses of 250 different beers to train machine learning models that allow predicting flavor and consumer appreciation. For each beer, we measure over 200 chemical properties, perform quantitative descriptive sensory analysis with a trained tasting panel and map data from over 180,000 consumer reviews to train 10 different machine learning models. The best-performing algorithm, Gradient Boosting, yields models that significantly outperform predictions based on conventional statistics and accurately predict complex food features and consumer appreciation from chemical profiles. Model dissection allows identifying specific and unexpected compounds as drivers of beer flavor and appreciation. Adding these compounds results in variants of commercial alcoholic and non-alcoholic beers with improved consumer appreciation. Together, our study reveals how big data and machine learning uncover complex links between food chemistry, flavor and consumer perception, and lays the foundation to develop novel, tailored foods with superior flavors.
Enantioselective total synthesis of (‒)-lucidumone enabled by tandem prins cyclization/cycloetherification sequence
Authors: Liao Xian-Zhang , Wang Ran , Wang Xin , Li Guang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe Ganoderma meroterpenoids are a growing class of natural products with architectural complexity, and exhibit a wide range of biological activities. Here, we report an enantioselective total synthesis of the Ganoderma meroterpenoid (‒)-lucidumone. The synthetic route features several key transformations, including a) a Cu-catalyzed enantioselective silicon-tethered intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloaddition to construct the highly functionalized bicyclo[2.2.2]octane moiety; b) Brønsted acid promoted tandem O-deprotection/Prins cyclization/Cycloetherification sequence followed by oxidation to install concurrently the tetrahydrofuran and the fused indanone framework; c) Fleming-Tamao oxidation to generate the secondary hydroxyl; d) an iron-catalyzed Wacker-type oxidation of hindered vinyl group to methyl ketone.
Synergistic morphology and feedback control for traversal of unknown compliant obstacles with aerial robots
Authors: Aucone Emanuele , Geckeler Christian , Morra Daniele , Pallottino Lucia , Mintchev Stefano 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAnimals traverse vegetation by direct physical interaction using their entire body to push aside and slide along compliant obstacles. Current drones lack this interaction versatility that stems from synergies between body morphology and feedback control modulated by sensing. Taking inspiration from nature, we show that a task-oriented design allows a drone with a minimalistic controller to traverse obstacles with unknown elastic responses. A discoid sensorized shell allows to establish and sense contacts anywhere along the shell and facilitates sliding along obstacles. This simplifies the formalization of the control strategy, which does not require a model of the interaction with the environment, nor high-level switching conditions for alternating between pushing and sliding. We utilize an optimization-based controller that ensures safety constraints on the robot’s state and dampens the oscillations of the environment during interaction, even if the elastic response is unknown and variable. Experimental evaluation, using a hinged surface with three different stiffness values ranging from 18 to 155.5 N mm rad−1, validates the proposed embodied aerial physical interaction strategy. By also showcasing the traversal of isolated branches, this work makes an initial contribution toward enabling drone flight across cluttered vegetation, with potential applications in environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, and search and rescue.
Spatial transcriptomics reveals molecular dysfunction associated with cortical Lewy pathology
Authors: Goralski Thomas M. , Meyerdirk Lindsay , Breton Libby , Brasseur Laura , Kurgat Kevin , DeWeerd Daniella , Turner Lisa , Becker Katelyn , Adams Marie , Newhouse Daniel J. , Henderson Michael X. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA key hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is Lewy pathology. Composed of α-synuclein, Lewy pathology is found both in dopaminergic neurons that modulate motor function, and cortical regions that control cognitive function. Recent work has established the molecular identity of dopaminergic neurons susceptible to death, but little is known about cortical neurons susceptible to Lewy pathology or molecular changes induced by aggregates. In the current study, we use spatial transcriptomics to capture whole transcriptome signatures from cortical neurons with α-synuclein pathology compared to neurons without pathology. We find, both in PD and related PD dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and in the pre-formed fibril α-synucleinopathy mouse model, that specific classes of excitatory neurons are vulnerable to developing Lewy pathology. Further, we identify conserved gene expression changes in aggregate-bearing neurons that we designate the Lewy-associated molecular dysfunction from aggregates (LAMDA) signature. Neurons with aggregates downregulate synaptic, mitochondrial, ubiquitin-proteasome, endo-lysosomal, and cytoskeletal genes and upregulate DNA repair and complement/cytokine genes. Our results identify neurons vulnerable to Lewy pathology in the PD cortex and describe a conserved signature of molecular dysfunction in both mice and humans.
Electricity generation from carbon dioxide adsorption by spatially nanoconfined ion separation
Authors: Wang Zhuyuan , Hu Ting , Tebyetekerwa Mike , Zeng Xiangkang , Du Fan , Kang Yuan , Li Xuefeng , Zhang Hao , Wang Huanting , Zhang Xiwang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSelective ion transport underpins fundamental biological processes for efficient energy conversion and signal propagation. Mimicking these ‘ionics’ in synthetic nanofluidic channels has been increasingly promising for realizing self-sustained systems by harvesting clean energy from diverse environments, such as light, moisture, salinity gradient, etc. Here, we report a spatially nanoconfined ion separation strategy that enables harvesting electricity from CO2 adsorption. This breakthrough relies on the development of Nanosheet-Agarose Hydrogel (NAH) composite-based generators, wherein the oppositely charged ions are released in water-filled hydrogel channels upon adsorbing CO2. By tuning the ion size and ion-channel interactions, the released cations at the hundred-nanometer scale are spatially confined within the hydrogel network, while ångström-scale anions pass through unhindered. This leads to near-perfect anion/cation separation across the generator with a selectivity (D-/D+) of up to 1.8 × 106, allowing conversion into external electricity. With amplification by connecting multiple as-designed generators, the ion separation-induced electricity reaching 5 V is used to power electronic devices. This study introduces an effective spatial nanoconfinement strategy for widely demanded high-precision ion separation, encouraging a carbon-negative technique with simultaneous CO2 adsorption and energy generation.