bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No sign of reproductive cessation in the old workers of a queenless ponerine ant
Authors: Kishino Kodai , Sakiyama Keiko , Fujioka Haruna , Okada Yasukazu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn many social hymenopterans, workers of different ages engage in different tasks; younger workers remain inside the nest as intranidal workers, while older workers go outside the nest as extranidal workers (i.e., age polyethism). Previous studies have shown that ovarian activity is diminished in old, extranidal workers, but it remains unclear whether workers’ reproductive ability persists for life or whether they exhibit post-reproductive lifespans. In this study, we investigated the age-dependence of worker reproductive ability in a monomorphic ponerine antDiacammacf.indicum. InDiacammaants, all females in a colony have reproductive ability, but effective reproduction is limited to one or a few dominant females, and the remaining females act as sterile helpers. Using long-term laboratory rearing, we investigated whether worker reproductive ability lasts throughout a worker’s lifetime. The ages of workers were accurately tracked, and the reproductive ability of young and old workers was examined by creating several gamergate-less sub-colonies. Results showed that at least one individual in each sub-colony developed ovaries, even in the sub-colonies that solely consisted of very old workers (> 252 days old). Interestingly, in the presence of younger workers, old workers rarely showed ovarian development. Besides age, we found a positive correlation between the amount of fat (i.e., nutritional condition) and ovarian development in old workers. Our data suggest that reproductive activity of old workers is low but maintained throughout their life inDiacamma.Significance statementFemales of social animals, such as cetaceans, are known to stop reproducing before the end of their lifespan. It is suggested that the reproductive ability of ant queens does not decline and is maintained throughout their lives; however, it is unclear whether this is also true in ant workers. We maintained ant colonies for more than 500 days and then tested whether the reproductive ability of ant workers is maintained throughout their lifespan. Even in small groups composed of only very old workers (> 252 days old), at least one individual in each group always reproduced actively. Interestingly, the presence of young workers seemed to suppress the reproduction of old workers. In addition, fat content was positively associated with the individual’s reproductive potential.
Comparing transfusion reactions between pre-storage and post-storage leukoreduced apheresis platelets: an analysis using propensity score matching
Authors: Chien Sheng-Hsuan , Huang Hsin-Yi , Chen Ying-Ju , Tsai Yu-Chen , Lu Shu-Hua , Lee Li-Hsuan , Liu Hsueng-Mei , Chen Wen-Chun , Liu Yao-Chung , Lin Ting-An , Liu Chun-Yu 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTransfusion reactions induced by platelet transfusions may be reduced and alleviated by leukocyte reduction of platelets. Although leukoreduction of apheresis platelets can be performed either pre-storage or post-storage, seldom studies directly compare the incidence of transfusion reaction in these two different blood products. We conducted a retrospective study to compare the transfusion reactions between pre-storage and post-storage leukoreduced apheresis platelets. We reviewed the general characteristics and the transfusion reactions, symptoms, and categories for inpatients who received pre-storage or post-storage leukoreduced apheresis platelets. Propensity-score matching was performed to adjust for baseline differences between groups. A total of 40,837 leukoreduction apheresis platelet orders were reviewed. 116 (0.53%) transfusion reactions were reported in 21,884 transfusions with pre-storage leukoreduction, and 174 (0.91%) reactions were reported in 18,953 transfusions with post-storage leukoreduction. Before propensity-score matching, the odds ratio for transfusion reactions in the pre-storage group relative to the post-storage group was 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45–0.72, P < 0.01); the odds ratio after matching was 0.63 (95% CI 0.49–0.80, P < 0.01). A two-proportion z-test revealed pre-storage leukoreduction significantly decreases the symptoms of chills, fever, itching, urticaria, dyspnea, and hypertension as compared with those in post-storage leukoreduction. Pre-storage leukoreduced apheresis platelet significantly decreased febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction as compared with post-storage groups. This study suggests pre-storage leukoreduction apheresis platelet significantly decreases the transfusion reaction as compared with those in post-storage leukoreduction.
Statistical analysis of flow field variations via independent component analysis
Authors: Laichter J. , Kranz P. , Kaiser S. A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe link between in-cylinder flow and subsequent combustion in a single-cylinder gasoline spark-ignition engine is analyzed via independent component analysis (ICA). Experimentally, the two in-plane components of the velocity are measured in the central cylinder plane by high-speed particle image velocimetry (PIV) with the engine running slightly lean at 1500 rpm in skip-fired mode. In 213 cycles, measurements are made during the late compression stroke before ignition with approximately 1° crank-angle temporal resolution. ICA then decomposes the set of 213 flow fields at each time step, yielding a set of “source” flow patterns—the independent components (IC). The temporal coherence between the ICs is then examined in a persistence analysis, comparing each IC with the one from the previous time step starting at ignition timing and going backwards in time. The results show which ICs persist how long throughout the compression stroke. To investigate the link between the ICs and combustion, the crank angle at which 10% of the fuel are burned (CA10) in each cycle is correlated with the extent to which a given IC can be found in each flow field. The most persistent IC can be traced over more than half of the 70 degrees crank angle over which images were acquired. The IC that correlates best with CA10 visually more resembles some of the flow features found in conditional averaging of fast-burning versus slow-burning cycles.
Impact of olfactory disorders on personal safety and well-being: a cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Lee Liam , Luke Louis , Boak Duncan , Philpott Carl 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Objectives
Investigate safety perceptions, quantify hazardous events, and analyse their manifestations in individuals with olfactory dysfunction through an online cross-sectional survey.

Methods
An online survey, available from 25th February to 28th September 2022, captured data on demographics, olfactory disorder causes, safety concerns, and experienced hazardous events. Distributed via Fifth Sense channels, it targeted individuals with self-claimed olfactory dysfunction.

Results
Of 432 responses, the majority were female (79.6%), aged 41–70, with 20.6% non-UK residents from 21 countries. Leading causes of dysfunction were Covid-19 (22%), idiopathic (20.8%), and congenital (14.4%). Safety concerns were high (85.9%), with gas, smoke, and food as major worries. Over 5 years, 32.2% faced ≥ 1 food incident, 14.8% ≥ 1 gas incident, 34.5% ≥ 1 gas scare, and 18.5% ≥ 1 work incident. Preventative measures were taken by 60.2% at home. Key limitations of this study were self-reported data and sampling bias of charity members.

Conclusion
This study highlights the significant impact of smell loss on personal safety and emotional well-being. There is an unmet need in mitigating safety concerns/events for individuals with olfactory dysfunction. We suggest collaborate strategies such as educating the public sector and high-risk sectors (e.g. gas companies), and introducing safety ‘scratch and sniff’ cards as a screening method. Regular assessment of an individual’s olfactory ability, similar to routine assessments for other sensory systems (sight, hearing) may allow proactive identification of at-risk people and corrective measures to take place.
Effect of exercise intensity and apnea on splenic contraction and hemoglobin increase in well-trained cross-country skiers
Authors: Lindblom Hampus , Pernett Frank , Schagatay Erika , Holmström Pontus 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe human spleen acts as a reservoir for red blood cells, which is mobilized into the systemic circulation during various conditions such as hypoxia and physical exertion. Cross-country (XC) skiers, renowned for their exceptional aerobic capacity, are regularly exposed to high-intensity exercise and local oxygen deficits. We investigated a putative dose-dependent relationship between splenic contraction and concomitant hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) elevation across four exercise intensities in well-trained XC skiers. Fourteen male XC skiers voluntarily participated in a 2-day protocol, encompassing a serial apnea test and a $$\dot{V}$$

V
˙

O2max test (day 1), followed by three submaximal exercise intensities on a roller skiing treadmill corresponding to 55, 70, and 85% of $$\dot{V}$$

V
˙

O2max (day 2). Spleen volume was measured via ultrasonic imaging, and venous blood samples were used to determine [Hb] levels. Baseline spleen volume was similar (266(35) mL) for all conditions (NS). Notably, all conditions induced significant splenic contractions and transient [Hb] elevations. The $$\dot{V}$$

V
˙

O2max test exhibited the most pronounced splenic contraction (35.8%, p < 0.001) and a [Hb] increase of 8.1%, while the 85% exercise intensity led to 27.1% contraction and the greatest [Hb] increase (8.3%, < 0.001) compared to baseline. The apnea test induced relatively smaller responses (splenic contraction: 20.4%, [Hb] = 3.3%, p < 0.001), akin to the response observed at the 70% exercise intensity (splenic contraction = 23%, [Hb] = 6.4%, p < 0,001) and 55% (splenic contraction = 20.0%, [Hb] = 4.8%, p < 0.001). This study shows a discernible dose-dependent relationship between splenic contraction and [Hb] increase with levels of exercise, effectively distinguishing between submaximal and maximal exercise intensity.
Outcomes of patients with gallbladder cancer presenting with acute cholecystitis
Authors: Franco Nunzio F , Lau Ngee-Soon , Liu Wai M , Rahim Aadil , Fadia Mitali , Chua Yu Jo , Jain Ankit , Yip Desmond , Gananadha Sivakumar 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The main purpose of this study is to explore the outcomes of patients found to have gallbladder cancer during investigation and diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. The incidence of primary gallbladder cancer co-existing in acute cholecystitis is not well defined in the literature, with anecdotal reports suggesting that they experience worse outcomes than patients with gallbladder cancer found incidentally.

Methods
A retrospective review of all patients with gallbladder cancer managed at the Canberra Health Service between 1998 and May 2022 were identified and reviewed.

Results
A total of 65 patients were diagnosed with primary gallbladder cancer during the study period with a mean age of 70.4 years (SD 11.4, range 59–81.8 years) and a female preponderance (74% versus 26%) with a ratio of 2.8. Twenty (31%) patients presented with acute calculus cholecystitis and were found to have a primary gallbladder cancer. This group of patients were older and predominantly female, but the difference was not statistically significant. The overall 5-year survival in the cohort was 20% (stage 1 63%, stage 2 23%, stage 3 16%, and stage 4 0%). There was no statistically significant difference in survival between those who presented with acute cholecystitis vs other presentations.

Conclusions
A third of the patients with gallbladder cancer presented with acute cholecystitis. There was no statistically significant difference in survival in those with bile spillage during cholecystectomy as well those presenting with acute cholecystitis.
The assessment of fatigue and sleep quality among children and adolescents with familial Mediterranean fever: A case-control and correlation study
Authors: İncesu Çağla , Kayaalp Gülşah Kavrul , Demirkan Fatma Gül , Köker Oya , Çakmak Figen , Akgün Özlem , Ayaz Nuray Aktay , Ömeroğlu Rukiye Nurten 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTo evaluate the sleep quality and fatigue levels in children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in comparison to healthy children. The Pediatric Quality of Life Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (PedsQL-MFS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were the instruments utilized to assess fatigue and sleep quality in children with FMF and controls, respectively. Spearman’s rank coefficient was decisive in determining the association between patient-reported outcome measures and disease-related features. Two hundred twenty-five (59.3% female) patients and 182 (51.6% female) healthy counterparts were enrolled in the study. In PSQI, where high scores indicate sleep disturbance, the median score was significantly higher in the patient group (5; 3–6) than the control group (3; 2–4) (p < 0.001). PEDsQL-MFS demonstrated significantly lower fatigue levels in the control group than patients (p = 0.01). The level of fatigue in the patient group was found to increase in correlation with sleep problems (r: − 0.750, p < 0.001). Additionally, a high correlation was present between the PSQI/PedsQL-MFS scores and the number of attacks in the last year (r: − 0.645, p < 0.001/r: 0.721, p < 0.001, respectively). There was no difference in terms of fatigue and sleep disorders between mutations (homozygous, heterozygous, or compound heterozygous) in the MEFV gene (p > 0.05). Conclusion: High disease activity has a significant negative impact on the sleep quality and fatigue levels of patients with FMF. This study emphasizes the importance of assessing fatigue and sleep quality with objective outcome tools periodically in FMF patients throughout the disease course.

What is Known:• Fatigue is a common matter that often accompanies rheumatic diseases and causes disability.• Chronic rheumatic diseases often experience poor sleep quality.

What is New:• In high correlation with the disease severity of familial Mediterranean fever, sleep quality decreases and fatigue level increases significantly.• In familial Mediterranean fever patients, a negative correlation is present between age and the general fatigue and sleep/rest related fatigue scores (low scores indicating greater fatigue) and sleep quality is poorer in the adolescent age group.
Gastrointestinal challenges in nephropathic cystinosis: clinical perspectives
Authors: Joseph Mark W. , Stein Deborah R. , Stein Adam C. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractGastrointestinal (GI) sequelae, such as vomiting, hyperacidity, dysphagia, dysmotility, and diarrhea, are nearly universal among patients with nephropathic cystinosis. These complications result from disease processes (e.g., kidney disease, cystine crystal accumulation in the GI tract) and side effects of treatments (e.g., cysteamine, immunosuppressive therapy). GI involvement can negatively impact patient well-being and jeopardize disease outcomes by compromising drug absorption and patient adherence to the strict treatment regimen required to manage cystinosis. Given improved life expectancy due to advances in kidney transplantation and the transformative impact of cystine-depleting therapy, nephrologists are increasingly focused on addressing extra-renal complications and quality of life in patients with cystinosis. However, there is a lack of clinical data and guidance to inform GI-related monitoring, interventions, and referrals by nephrologists. Various publications have examined the prevalence and pathophysiology of selected GI complications in cystinosis, but none have summarized the full picture or provided guidance based on the literature and expert experience. We aim to comprehensively review GI sequelae associated with cystinosis and its treatments and to discuss approaches for monitoring and managing these complications, including the involvement of gastroenterology and other disciplines.
Adaptive neuro-fuzzy based hybrid classification model for emotion recognition from EEG signals
Authors: Bardak F. Kebire , Seyman M. Nuri , Temurtaş Feyzullah 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEmotion recognition using physiological signals has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential applications in various domains, such as healthcare and entertainment. EEG signals have been particularly useful in emotion recognition due to their non-invasive nature and high temporal resolution. However, the development of accurate and efficient algorithms for emotion classification using EEG signals remains a challenging task. This paper proposes a novel hybrid algorithm for emotion classification based on EEG signals, which combines multiple adaptive network models and probabilistic neural networks. The research aims to improve the recognition accuracy of three and four emotions, which has been a challenge for existing approaches. The proposed model consists of N adaptively neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) classifiers designed in parallel, in which N is the number of emotion classes. The selected features with the most appropriate distribution for classification are given as input vectors to the ANFIS structures, and the system is trained. The outputs of these trained ANFIS models are combined to create a feature vector, which provides the inputs for adaptive networks, and the system is trained to acquire the emotional recognition output. The performance of the proposed model has been evaluated for classification on well-known emotion benchmark datasets, including DEAP and Feeling Emotions. The study results indicate that the model achieves an accuracy rate of 73.49% on the DEAP datasets and 95.97% on the Feeling Emotions datasets. These results demonstrate that the proposed model efficiently recognizes emotions and exhibits a promising classification performance.
3D basin modeling of the Hils Syncline, Germany: reconstruction of burial and thermal history and implications for petrophysical properties of potential Mesozoic shale host rocks for nuclear waste storage
Authors: Castro-Vera Leidy , Amberg Sebastian , Gaus Garri , Leu Katharina , Littke Ralf 
Published: February 2024

AbstractJurassic sedimentary sequences suitable for nuclear waste storage in northern Germany consist of organic-lean claystone and were uplifted to < 100 m depth in the Hils Syncline area (southern Lower Saxony Basin). This Hils Syncline, showcasing a northwestward increase in thermal maturity, facilitates the study of shale petrophysical properties influenced by burial history. This study introduces a 3D-thermally calibrated numerical model of the Hils Syncline area to analyze its geodynamic evolution and maturity variations. It provides new vitrinite reflectance and sonic velocity data for modeling calibration and erosion estimation. The Hils Syncline area has undergone continuous subsidence, interrupted by a Cretaceous uplift documented by an erosional unconformity. During the latest Early Cretaceous, Jurassic rocks underwent maximum burial reaching up to several thousand meters depth and temperatures up to 160 °C in the northwest. The Late Cretaceous inversion caused stronger erosion towards the northwest removing up to 3300 m of sediment compared to about 1300 m in the south, according to vitrinite reflectance-based estimations. Numerical modeling results along the study area indicate decreasing porosity and permeability northwestward with increasing thermal maturity. Porosity and vertical permeability decreased to 5–14% and 2.8 × 10–23 to 1.5 × 10–19 m2 [1 mD = 10−15 m2], respectively, while vertical thermal conductivity increased to 1.30–2.12 (W/m/K). These trends of porosity/permeability and thermal conductivity with burial align with sonic velocity and published experimental porosity data, except for the thermally most mature region (Haddessen). This anomaly is tentatively attributed here to localized overpressure generation in the Posidonia Shale during maximum burial, affecting both the underlying Pliensbachian and overlying Doggerian units.
Graphical abstract

3D numerical model of the Hils Syncline and surrounding area revealing that a northwestward increase in maximum burial resulted in higher temperatures and varying maturity levels. While most locations align well with calibration data (i.e. measured vitrinite reflectance and porosity), discrepancies arise in the Haddessen/Bensen area. The mismatch between porosity, vitrinite reflectance, and sonic velocity response indicates local overpressure in the northernmost region mainly during the Cretaceous. It was likely caused by gas generation in the Posidonia Shale affecting nearby Lower and Middle Jurassic units.
SNAT2-mediated regulation of estrogen and progesterone in the proliferation of goat mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Jiang Tingting , Ma Xiaoyue , Liu Hanling , Jia Qianqian , Chen Jianguo , Ding Yi , Sun Ming , Zhu Hongmei 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe development of the goat mammary gland is mainly under the control of ovarian hormones particularly estrogen and progesterone (P4). Amino acids play an essential role in mammary gland development and milk production, and sodium-coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2) was reported to be expressed in the mammary gland of rats and bovine mammary epithelial cells, which may affect the synthesis of milk proteins or mammary cell proliferation by mediating prolactin, 17β-estradiol (E2) or methionine function. However, whether SNAT2 mediates the regulatory effects of E2 and P4 on the development of the ruminant mammary gland is still unclear. In this study, we show that E2 and P4 could increase the proliferation of goat mammary epithelial cells (GMECs) and regulate SNAT2 mRNA and protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. Further investigation revealed that SNAT2 is abundantly expressed in the mammary gland during late pregnancy and early lactation, while knockdown and overexpression of SNAT2 in GMECs could inhibit or enhance E2- and P4-induced cell proliferation as well as mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. We also found that the accelerated proliferation induced by SNAT2 overexpression in GMECs was suppressed by the mTOR signaling pathway inhibitor rapamycin. This indicates that the regulation of GMECs proliferation mediated by SNAT2 in response to E2 and P4 is dependent on the mTOR signaling pathway. Finally, we found that the total content of the amino acids in GMECs changed after knocking-down and overexpressing SNAT2. In summary, the results demonstrate that the regulatory effects of E2 and P4 on GMECs proliferation may be mediated by the SNAT2-transported amino acid pathway. These results may offer a novel nutritional target for improving the development of the ruminant mammary gland and milk production.