bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sysmex‐derived COVID‐19 prognostic score as an early prognostic marker for severity of the COVID‐19 disease
Authors: Blažek Martin , Vrbacký Filip , Fátorová Ilona , Mirská Klára , Žák Pavel 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a life‐threatening disease with a heterogeneous course. Even some young patients are at increased risk of severe course or death, as they can face severe complications. It would be very useful to have a cheap and easily available marker to predict COVID‐19 course in the early stages of the disease. The COVID‐19 prognostic score could be a very useful clinical indicator available at the time of primary contact with the patient.MethodsThe COVID‐19 prognostic score and the clinical condition together with selected laboratory parameters were evaluated in patients with respiratory tract infection and a positive PCR test for the SARS‐CoV‐2 during the first contact with the patient. Prognostic significance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC). Selected parameters of the blood count and hemostasis, as well as selected biochemical indicators, were examined too.ResultsThirty‐seven of 164 patients developed serious symptoms. The COVID‐19 score had one of the highest AUC values (0.855) of all markers. The highest combination of sensitivity (91.9%) and specificity (71.7%) for identifying patients with a subsequent moderate and severe course of the disease was achieved at the threshold 1.5. The predictive value of a negative test is beneficial too (0.968).ConclusionsThe COVID‐19 prognostic score is a promising indicator stratifying patients with COVID‐19 into prognostic groups at the time of the first contact, thus allowing the timely provision of increased care in patients at high risk of severe development.
Immunology across two islands: understanding the research landscape of Aotearoa (New Zealand)
Authors: Kirman Joanna R , Weinkove Robert , Borger Jessica G 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn the unique landscape of immunology research in New Zealand, this article explores the collaborative networks spanning the two main islands, through a conversation with Associate Professor Joanna Kirman and Dr Robert Weinkove. The discussions delve into their dynamic collaborations with countries such as Asia, Australia and the United States, from their laboratories at the University of Otago and the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, respectively, provides insight into the translational research landscape of New Zealand, and the integration of Māori culture into all aspects of scientific research and clinical practise. Kirman's work in understanding immunological memory in tuberculosis and Weinkove's research in cancer immunotherapies, particularly CAR‐T cells, are highlighted. The natural beauty and accessibility of New Zealand supports its research diversity.
Sky‐Blue Pink*
Authors: HUNT R.W.G. 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACTThe appearance of colours is affected by both instantaneous and gradual adaptations. Instantaneous adaptation can result in a projected white light looking both sky‐blue and pink when seen as shadows in superimposed orange and green light. Gradual adaptation can contribute markedly to the colour constancy of illuminants in the tungsten‐light to daylight range. In colour photographic reflection prints and projected transparencies, naming and scaling techniques have been used to determine the chromaticities of subjective grey‐points and preferred and acceptable reproductions of blue sky, green grass, and Caucasian skin. The use of haploscopic matching to determine, and Von Kries types of transformation to predict, equivalent stimuli for different adaptations is discussed: it is suggested that colour scaling is preferable to haploscopic matching because haploscopic results have been shown to be dependent on the matching technique adopted; it is also argued that, because adaptation cannot be adequately represented by a Von Kries type of transformation, equivalent stimuli are better defined by means of grids of lines of constant hue and saturation for various adaptation conditions.
Enhanced properties of nanocrystalline alumina ceramic with compressive prestress and coherently aligned nanograins
Authors: Xu Haiyue , Zou Ji , Crookes Robert , Ke Boren , Li Yulin , Zhu Qiqi , Wang Qihang , Zhang Jinyong , Wang Weimin , Ji Wei , Wu Houzheng , Fu Zhengyi 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPrestress strategy is effective to inhibit crack advancement and toughen structural materials such as concrete and glass. However, it is difficult to be utilized in ceramic because of the solid‐state processing. In this work, nanocrystalline alumina ceramic with high compressive prestress and coherently aligned nanograins were successfully prepared by the ultra‐high pressure sintering technology. The as‐prepared ceramics exhibited remarkably enhanced mechanical properties, including hardness of 25.9 GPa and fracture toughness of 3.2 MPa·m1/2, which were respectively 36% and 51% higher than corresponding parameters of sapphire. Ultra‐high pressure generated compressive prestress as large as several hundred megapascal, and coherent nanograins in the dimensions of 10–15 nm, which markedly contributed to the simultaneously enhancement in toughness and hardness for ceramic materials. The prestressing strategy provides a new opportunity for fabricating advanced ceramics with high failure resistance.
Delayed dinnertime impairs glucose tolerance in healthy young adults
Authors: Nakamura Fuzuki , Shimba Yuki , Toyonaga Saki , Kuroda Chiemi , Yamato Asuka , Yamada Yuhi , Hosaka Toshio 
Published: November 2023

AbstractTo explore the relationship between mealtime delays of up to 3 h and subsequent glucose fluctuations, healthy young adults were allocated to three delayed dinnertimes in randomized order. Participants consumed test meals for lunch and dinner. After assessing the glucose responses using intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring devices (isCGM), the peak glucose elevation, and incremental area under the curve (iAUC) of postprandial glucose during certain intervals increased significantly when the time between lunch and dinner was delayed by 1 h or more. Our results support the importance of improving irregular mealtime habits, such as late eating.
The Role of Multistakeholder Initiatives in the Radicalization of Resistance: The Forest Stewardship Council and the Mapuche Conflict in Chile
Authors: Maher Rajiv , Pedemonte‐Rojas Nicolás , Gálvez Diego , Banerjee Subhabrata Bobby 
Published: November 2023

AbstractMulti‐stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) that address sustainability concerns have grown in importance in recent years. These private governance measures involving market, state and civil society actors aim to resolve disagreements between stakeholders through stakeholder engagement practices. However, our empirical study of the Mapuche conflict in Chile shows how a multi‐stakeholder initiative contributed to the radicalization of a protest movement leading to an escalation of violence that left all actors worse off. The implementation of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification scheme, perhaps the best known MSI, exacerbated existing political discontent among the Indigenous Mapuche peoples who were resisting the expansion of industrial forest on their lands in southern Chile. Our findings indicate that MSIs cannot address the needs of marginalized stakeholders and may further undermine their interests. Our analysis enhances our understanding of the outcomes of MSIs by describing processes of radicalization as well as the role of the state in conflicts. The FSC certification scheme was incapable of addressing the key Mapuche demand for land rights. Instead, it raised false expectations, which coupled with corporate irresponsibility and state repression led to an escalation of violence. The increasing reliance on private governance measures in natural resource management, especially in countries of the so‐called Global South, can further exacerbate existing conflicts and hence it is important to understand how and why MSIs lead to negative outcomes.
To Anglicize and Angelize the Rape of Nanking
Authors: Ma Sheng‐mei 
Published: November 2023

AbstractChinese narratives of the Rape of Nanking gravitate to a secular, nationalist mode of martyrdom. With China's rise, fiction and films revisit the Japanese atrocity in a global context, which means fiction written in or translated into English, as well as films featuring Western missionaries and the English language. These narratives include Nanjing Requiem; The Flowers of War the novel and the film; and City of Life and Death. The English and Christian epistemology intertwines to bracket such representations. Both the tongue and the God of whites are ways of meaning‐making to sublimate a historical trauma of unfathomable horror.
Chronic hepatitis B beyond clinical burden: Psychosocial effects and impact on quality of life
Authors: Natour Randa Taher , Midlej Amir , Mahajna Elisabeth , Kopelman Yael , Abo‐Mouch Saif , Baker Fadi Abu 
Published: November 2023

AbstractChronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection has far‐reaching implications for patients' quality of life (QOL), regardless of cirrhosis or complications. However, limited research exists on the psychosocial impact of CHB, particularly in asymptomatic, noncirrhotic patients. Noncirrhotic CHB patients without comorbidities affecting QOL were evaluated in hepatology clinics. Patients underwent a standardized interview and completed the Short Form‐12 (SF‐12) questionnaire. Multiple social and psychological parameters were compared between patients receiving chronic treatment and untreated controls with HBeAg‐negative chronic infections. A total of 41 CHB patients were included in the study, with 41% in the treatment group and 59% in the control group. Both groups showed a male predominance, and their average age, ethnic distribution and family status were comparable. High unemployment rates and discrimination at work due to HBV status were prevalent, with many patients feeling their career choices were influenced by HBV, particularly among untreated patients. Treated patients reported significantly lower scores in general health perception (41% vs. 13%; p = .06) and limitation of usual activity secondary to CHB (29% vs. 0%; p = .008), resulting in a substantial impact on overall health‐related QOL. This study highlights the psychosocial implications of CHB in asymptomatic, noncirrhotic patients, underscoring the importance of comprehensive support and increased awareness. Additionally, addressing challenges related to long‐term treatment, such as adherence and cost, may have the potential to improve patient well‐being and outcomes.
Pharmacokinetics of letrozole and effects of its increasing doses on gonadotropins in ewes during the breeding season
Authors: Kivrak Mehmet Bugra , Corum Orhan , Yuksel Murat , Turk Erdinc , Durna Corum Duygu , Tekeli Ibrahim Ozan , Uney Kamil 
Published: November 2023

AbstractLetrozole is a non‐steroidal, third‐generation aromatase inhibitor used in humans. Although letrozole is not approved for use in animals, it is used off‐label in cases of synchronization and infertility. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of letrozole after a single intravenous administration at three different doses in ewes during the breeding season and its effect on gonadotropins (luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH)) at the beginning of proestrus. The study was carried out on 24 healthy Merino ewes. Ewes were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6) as control, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg. Plasma concentrations of letrozole were measured using HPLC‐UV and were analyzed by non‐compartmental analysis. LH and FSH concentrations were measured with a commercial ELISA kit. The terminal elimination half–life (t1/2ʎz) was significantly prolonged from 11.82 to 18.44 h in parallel with the dose increase. The dose‐normalized area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) increased, and total body clearance (ClT) decreased at the 1 and 2 mg/kg doses (0.05 L/h/kg) compared with the 0.5 mg/kg dose (0.08 L/h/kg). There were no differences in the volume of distribution at steady‐state and initial (C0.083h) plasma concentration values between dose groups. The decreased ClT, prolonged t1/2ʎz, and increased AUC at increasing doses showed the nonlinear kinetic behavior of letrozole. Letrozole significantly reduced LH concentration without affecting FSH concentration at all doses. As a result, letrozole has the potential to be used in synchronization methods and manipulation of the follicular waves due to its effect on LH secretion.
RecA levels modulate biofilm development in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Ching Carly , Brychcy Merlin , Nguyen Brian , Muller Paul , Pearson Alicyn Reverdy , Downs Margaret , Regan Samuel , Isley Breanna , Fowle William , Chai Yunrong , Godoy Veronica G. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractInfections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii, a Gram‐negative opportunistic pathogen, are difficult to eradicate due to the bacterium's propensity to quickly gain antibiotic resistances and form biofilms, a protective bacterial multicellular community. The A. baumannii DNA damage response (DDR) mediates the antibiotic resistance acquisition and regulates RecA in an atypical fashion; both RecALow and RecAHigh cell types are formed in response to DNA damage. The findings of this study demonstrate that the levels of RecA can influence formation and dispersal of biofilms. RecA loss results in surface attachment and prominent biofilms, while elevated RecA leads to diminished attachment and dispersal. These findings suggest that the challenge to treat A. baumannii infections may be explained by the induction of the DDR, common during infection, as well as the delicate balance between maintaining biofilms in low RecA cells and promoting mutagenesis and dispersal in high RecA cells. This study underscores the importance of understanding the fundamental biology of bacteria to develop more effective treatments for infections.
Dormancy, germination, and associated seed ecological traits of 25 Fabaceae species from northern India
Authors: Jayasuriya K. M. G. G. , Phartyal S. S. 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

Fabaceae produce seeds with water‐impermeable seed coats, i.e., physical dormancy (PY). We hypothesized that the proportion of PY seeds will increase with the dryness of the habitat, and some key seed ecological traits will be strongly associated with different levels of PY.

Fresh seed of 25 Fabaceae species collected in northern India were used for imbibition and germination experiments to determine the proportion of seeds with PY and of nondormant (ND) seeds compared to their Sri Lankan congeners. Seed coat:seed mass ratio (SCR), 1000 seed weight, seed shape index (SSI), embryo type and median germination time of ND seeds were determined.

Four imbibition and germination patterns were identified among seeds of the studied species. Seeds collected from Indian populations had a higher proportion of PY seeds than those of Sri Lankan populations. We identified a type of embryo called ‘spatulate axile’ that had not been identified before among the studied species. Species with ND seeds had a lower SCR and a higher SSI than those with PY.

Our hypothesis was confirmed since populations from drier habitats in India produce a higher proportion of PY seeds than those from Sri Lanka. A low SCR ensures minimal resistance to germinating seeds, while seeds with a high SSI have a lower tendency to incorporate into the soil seed bank. Thus, these seed traits aid the fast germination of ND seeds, often dispersed just before the rainy season.
Cohort profile update: The Canadian Maternal–Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Child Development study (MIREC‐CD PLUS)
Authors: Fisher Mandy , Muckle Gina , Lanphear Bruce , Arbuckle Tye E. , Braun Joseph M. , Zidek Angelika , Vélez Maria P. , Lupien Nicole , Bastien Stephanie , Ashley‐Martin Jillian , Oulhote Youssef , Borghese Michael M. , Walker Mark , Asztalos Elizabeth , Bouchard Maryse F. , Booij Linda , Palmert Mark R. , Morrison Katherine M. , Cummings Elizabeth A. , Khatchadourian Karine , Panagiotopoulos Constadina , Glendon Gord , Shutt Robin , Abdul‐Fatah Ammanie , Seal Kelsey , Fraser William D. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe pan‐Canadian Maternal–Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) study was established to determine whether maternal environmental chemical exposures were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in 2001 pregnant women.ObjectivesThe MIREC‐Child Development (CD PLUS) study followed this cohort with the goal of assessing the potential effects of prenatal exposures on anthropometry and neurodevelopment in early childhood.PopulationMIREC families with children between the ages of 15 months and 5 years who had agreed to be contacted for future research (n = 1459) were invited to participate in MIREC–CD PLUS which combines data collected from an online Maternal Self‐Administered Questionnaire with biomonitoring and neurodevelopment data collected from two in‐person visits.Preliminary ResultsBetween April 2013 and March 2015, 803 children participated in the Biomonitoring visit where we collected anthropometric measures, blood, and urine from the children. The Behavioural Assessment System for Children‐2, Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function, MacArthur‐Bates Communicative Development Inventories and the Communication subscale of the Adaptive Behaviour Scale from the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development‐III are available on close to 900 children. There were 610 singleton children who completed in‐person visits for neurodevelopment assessments including the Social Responsiveness Scale, Wechsler Preschool Primary Scale of Intelligence‐III and NEuroPSYchological assessments (NEPSY). Currently, we are following the cohort into early adolescence to measure the impact of early life exposures on endocrine and metabolic function (MIREC–ENDO).ConclusionsData collection for the MIREC–CD PLUS study is complete and analysis of the data continues. We are now extending the follow‐up of the cohort into adolescence to measure the impact of early life exposures on endocrine and metabolic function (MIREC–ENDO). MIREC–CD PLUS is limited by loss to follow‐up and the fact that mothers are predominately of higher socioeconomic status and ‘White’ ethnicity, which limits our generalizability. However, the depth of biomonitoring and clinical measures in MIREC provides a platform to examine associations of prenatal, infancy and childhood exposures with child growth and development.
Levothyroxine initiation and the risk of pregnancy loss among pregnant women with subclinical hypothyroidism: An observational study emulating a target trial
Authors: Grandi Sonia M. , Yu Ya‐Hui , Reynier Pauline , Platt Robert W. , Yu Oriana H. Y. , Filion Kristian B. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundWhile the benefits of levothyroxine are well‐established for overt hypothyroidism, they are unclear for subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) among pregnant women.ObjectiveTo estimate the effect of initiation of levothyroxine on pregnancy loss among women with SCH with an emulated target trial using observational data.MethodsWe emulated a target trial using the United Kingdom's Clinical Practice Research Datalink to account for the staggered timing of diagnosis and treatment of SCH and the time of entry of women into prenatal care. We emulated multiple nested trials (at each gestational week) and used an intention‐to‐treat approach to define levothyroxine use (≥1 prescription in the 7 days prior to trial entry), with eligible users matched to non‐users (1:4) on time of diagnosis, gestational week of the first eligible trial and high‐dimensional propensity score. Pregnancy losses included spontaneous abortion and stillbirth. A pooled logistic regression model with bootstrap resampling was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsBased on 159,177 eligible person‐trials (5781 women), the matched cohort included 181 initiators and 640 non‐initiators of levothyroxine, with 57 pregnancy losses occurring during follow‐up. Overall, the mean age of women was 32.2 years (SD 5.4), 25% were obese, 8% had type 2 diabetes and about 50% were nulliparous. After matching, women who initiated levothyroxine versus not had higher thyroid‐stimulating levels during pregnancy and were more likely to have a history of hypothyroidism. The cumulative incidence of pregnancy loss was lower in initiators versus non‐initiators of levothyroxine. The adjusted HR for pregnancy loss was 0.87 (95% CI 0.22, 1.56).ConclusionsAlthough our assessment of the effect of initiation of levothyroxine for SCH in pregnancy precludes any definitive conclusions due to wide confidence intervals, this study illustrates the feasibility of using the target trial emulation framework to examine the effectiveness of medication use in pregnancy.
Comparative effects of drought stress on leaf gas exchange, foliar ABA and leaf orientation in four grapevine cultivars grown in Northern Italy
Authors: Gaiotti Federica , Nerva Luca , Fila Gianni , Lovat Lorenzo , Belfiore Nicola , Chitarra Walter 
Published: November 2023

AbstractDrought tolerance varies greatly across Vitis vinifera cultivars, depending on physiological responses and structural and morphological adaptations. In this study, responses to water stress were examined in three extensively cultivated varieties from Northern Italy. Over the course of two seasons, mature potted vines were subjected to a 12 or 13‐day period of water restriction. Vine water relations were investigated using measures of water potential, gas exchanges, and leaf ABA content. Leaf angle response to increasing water stress was analysed in the four cultivars as a mechanism that improves stress tolerance. Different physiological responses were observed among cultivars, suggesting a near‐isohydric water‐use strategy for Moscato and a near‐anisohydric one for Garganega, Glera and Merlot. Results of leaf ABA analysis highlighted a variability among the studied varieties, indicating higher contents and lower sensitivity to ABA for the anisohydric ones. In all varieties, a similar increase in midday leaf inclination was observed in response to decreasing stem water potentials, indicating that leaf angle adjustments may represent a common adaptive response to drought. These findings increase the understanding of the leaf physiological and structural mechanisms that contribute to water stress tolerance in grapevine, supporting a more efficient cultivar selection to cope with the expected changes in Mediterranean climate.
The wrong of refugee containment
Authors: Trautmann Micah 
Published: November 2023

AbstractEncampment continues to be one of the dominant modes of responding to refugee situations. I suggest that we would do well to conceive of the wrongfulness of refugee camps not just in terms of their effects, but also in terms of their function. I endorse the view that camps currently function primarily to contain displaced persons and develop a novel conception of the wrong of encampment in terms of that function. Drawing on Heidegger's account of the spatiality proper to different entities, I argue that practices of containment reduce refugees to the status of objects to be, in effect, immobilized and stored away for an indeterminate amount of time.