bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
E‐PoSa: A novel and effective tool for sampling pollen directly from flowers
Authors: Pioltelli E. , Guzzetti L. , Tonietti L. , Copetta A. , Biella P. , Campone L. , Galimberti A. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Pollinator insects are declining worldwide, also due to the alteration of their diet with severe implications on their health status. Pollinators diet relies mainly on flower rewards (i.e. pollen and nectar), and a precise characterization of their chemical composition is crucial in defining pollinators' nutritional ecology. In this context, the pollen represents a challenging source to investigate, especially due to operative challenges during collection operations and to the small amounts produced per flower.

Here, we designed and tested a novel, easy‐to‐assemble tool for pollen sampling: E‐PoSa (Electronic Pollen Sampler), based on the use of a portable vacuum cleaner. We compared it with some of the most used sampling methods for pollen (i.e. anthers sieving and sampling of the whole anthers) by looking at the differences in their quantitative recovery and nutritional profile. Its applicability in ecological studies was also corroborated by an assessment of its recovery rate obtained from a panel of wildflower species in an operational environment.

The data obtained showed a significantly higher pollen recovery capacity of E‐PoSa compared with the conventional sieving approach and the success in retrieving enough pollen to conduct phytochemical analyses from a broad range of flower morphologies in the field. Our results also demonstrated that high purity pollen can be collected with E‐PoSa and that the device does not introduce any significant variation in the nutritional analysis compared with the conventional sieving.

This new sampling approach represents a cheap and easy‐to‐assemble tool encouraging its future use not only in the field of pollen nutrition but also in a wide variety of other contexts related to pollination ecology. Acknowledging the potential influences of the sampling techniques and moving towards shared standardized field protocols will advance the comprehension of species interactions and foraging patterns of pollinators and their nutritional needs.
Evidence of subgroup differences in meta‐analyses evaluating medications for alcohol use disorder: An umbrella review
Authors: Wallach Joshua D. , Glick Laura , Gueorguieva Ralitza , O'Malley Stephanie S. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating medications for alcohol use disorder (AUD) often examine heterogeneity of treatment effects through subgroup analyses that contrast effect estimates in groups of patients across individual demographic, clinical, and study design‐related characteristics. However, these analyses are often not prespecified or adequately powered, highlighting the potential role of subgroup analyses in meta‐analysis. Here, we conducted an umbrella review (i.e., a systematic review of meta‐analyses) to determine the range and characteristics of reported subgroup analyses in meta‐analyses of AUD medications. We searched PubMed to identify meta‐analyses of RCTs evaluating medications for the management of AUD, alcohol abuse, or alcohol dependence in adults. We sought studies that measured drinking‐related outcomes; quality of life, function, and rates of mortality; adverse events; and dropout. We considered meta‐analyses that reported the results from formal subgroup analyses (comparing the summary effects across subgroup levels); summary effect estimates stratified across subgroup levels; and meta‐regression, regression, or correlation‐based subgroup analyses. We analyzed nine meta‐analyses that included 61 formal subgroup analyses (median = 6 per meta‐analysis), of which 33 (54%) were based on baseline participant‐level and 28 (46%) were based on trial‐level characteristics. Of the 58 subgroup analyses with either a p‐value from a subgroup test or a statement by the authors that the subgroup analyses were not statistically significant, eight (14%) were statistically significant at the p < 0.05 level. Twelve meta‐analyses reported the results of 102 meta‐regression analyses, of which 25 (25%) identified statistically significant predictors of the relevant outcome of interest; nine (9%) were based on baseline participant‐level and 93 (91%) were based on trial characteristics. Subgroup analyses across meta‐analyses of AUD medications often focus on study‐level characteristics, which may not be as clinically informative as subgroup analyses based on participant‐level characteristics. Opportunities exist for future meta‐analyses to standardize their subgroup methodology, focus on more clinically informative participant‐level characteristics, and use predictive approaches to account for multiple relevant variables.
Histochemical analysis, smooth muscle immunolocalization and volumetric density of the elastic system fibres of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) phallus
Authors: Corrêa Lanna Beatriz Neves Silva , dos Santos Clarice Machado , Abidu‐Figueiredo Marcelo , De Brito‐Gitirana Lycia , Chagas Mauricio Alves 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThere are few scientific reports on the histology of the phallus of ratite birds. The aim of this study was to conduct a histochemical analysis to determine the distribution of smooth muscle cells and the volumetric density (Vv) of the fibres of the elastic system in the ostrich phallus. Adult ostriches, 14 months old, were used. The phalluses were fixed in Bouin's solution and then transferred to a buffered formalin solution. They were then processed using standard histological stains for paraffin and slices were obtained. The following techniques were performed: HE, Picrosirius red, Alcian Blue at pH 1.0 and 2.5. The Periodic acid‐Schiff reagent and Weigert's Resorcin‐Fuchsin with previous oxidation were performed. The M42 test system was used to quantify the elastic system fibres. For immunohistochemical analysis, an anti alpha smooth muscle actin monoclonal antibody was used. The surface of the phallus is covered by a non‐keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which becomes stratified cylindrical in the region of the spermatic sulcus. No glands associated with the connective tissue were observed. The Vv of the elastic system fibres was 4.75%. Smooth muscle cells were visualized only in the walls of blood vessels through immunostaining, with an absence in the lymphatic sinuses. Despite similarities with other birds, such as the presence of a fibrous external axis, a lymphatic core, and a spermatic groove, the ostrich phallus shows marked differences, including the absence of an elastic core, a non‐keratinized lining epithelium, and the absence of glands throughout its extension.
The effect of anterior quadratus lumborum block on morphine consumption in minimally invasive colorectal surgery: a multicentre, double‐blind, prospective randomised placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Coppens S. , Somville A. , Hoogma D. F. , Dewinter G. , Neyrinck A. , Desmet M. , Vandebroek A. , D'Hoore A. , Wolthuis A. , Bislenghi G. , Fieuws S. , Rex S. 
Published: November 2023

SummaryWe investigated the efficacy and safety of a bilateral anterior quadratus lumborum block in patients undergoing minimally invasive colorectal surgery. This was a two‐centre, double‐blind, prospective, randomised, placebo‐controlled trial including 150 patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery (left‐ or right hemicolectomy, sigmoidectomy) who were enrolled in the institutional abdominal enhanced recovery programme. Before induction of anaesthesia, patients received a bilateral anterior quadratus lumborum block in the left and right lateral decubitus position under ultrasound guidance and were allocated randomly to receive 30 ml of ropivacaine 0.375% (n = 75) or placebo (saline 0.9%) (n = 75) bilaterally. Postoperatively, all patients received multimodal intravenous analgesia including paracetamol, ketorolac and patient‐controlled analgesia with morphine. The primary outcome was morphine consumption during the first 24 h after tracheal extubation. Secondary outcomes included severity of pain; presence and extent of sensory block; incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting; and hospital duration of stay. We also investigated the need for, and dose of, rescue analgesia. Safety outcomes included the incidence of adverse events. Mean (SD) 24‐hour morphine consumption was no different between patients allocated to ropivacaine and placebo (28.6 (22.3) mg vs. 28.4 (22.5) mg, p = 0.966, respectively). While a sensory block could be detected in significantly more patients allocated to the ropivacaine group, no differences were detected in pain scores or other secondary or safety endpoints. Patient satisfaction scores were high in both groups. In laparoscopic colorectal surgery, adding a bilateral anterior quadratus lumborum block to a standard multimodal analgesia regimen did not reduce opioid consumption or improve pain scores.
Risk of venous thromboembolism in pregnant patients with active malignancy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Folkins Sara , Miller Ashley , Nash Christopher M. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIntroductionCancer currently occurs in about 1 in 1000 pregnancies. Both active malignancy and pregnancy are individual risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The purpose of this systematic review/meta‐analysis was to evaluate the rate of VTE in pregnant patients with active malignancy compared with pregnant patients without malignancy.Material and methodsEmbase, Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Database, and clinicaltrial.gov were search by a trained librarian from inception until June 2021, and limited to English and French language human studies using keywords related to pregnancy, neoplasm, and thrombosis. This study was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021245886). Title, abstract, and full‐text review was performed using the Covidence data management system. Two authors reviewed the studies independently. Of the 3821 articles screened, seven cohort studies were included that reported VTE rate in patients with active malignancy in pregnancy.ResultsA total of 5928 individuals had active malignancy and pregnancy. Active malignancy in pregnancy significantly increased the odds of a VTE (odds ratio [OR] 6.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.8–12.1). Specifically, patients with thyroid (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3–6.3), cervix (OR 6.6, 95% CI 2.4–18.0), or other gynecological (OR 10.6, 95% CI 4.4–25.8) cancers; Hodgkin's lymphoma (OR 8.7, 95% CI 3.3–23.4); or acute leukemia (OR 17.1, 95% CI 10.9–26.8) all had increased odds, whereas those with brain cancer (OR 6.1, 95% CI 0.4–98.2), breast cancer (OR 2.5, 95% CI 0.3–17.4), malignant melanoma (OR 5.5, 95% CI 0.3–88.1), or non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (OR 3.2, 95% CI 0.8–12.9) malignancies did not have statistically significant increased odds for VTE. No studies reported whether prophylactic anticoagulation was used during pregnancy in this population; nor did they report timing in pregnancy of the VTE. The absolute risk for VTE in those with active malignancy was 0.9% compared with 0.2% in those without active malignancy in pregnancy.ConclusionsPregnancy with active malignancy confers a significant increased risk for VTE compared with pregnancy alone. Given this finding, prophylactic anticoagulation during pregnancy and postpartum could be considered in this patient population. Data are underpowered to make firm recommendations per cancer type.
The lived experience of immigrant parents of disabled adolescents and young adults transitioning into adulthood: A narrative inquiry
Authors: Nyikach Dominic Andrew , Hansen Ketil Lenert 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundImmigrant parents' perspectives on raising adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities during the transition to adulthood are the focus of this study. Disabled children demand more care and support as they mature and transition to adulthood. This increased care demand places significant stress on parents' wellbeing and participation in social and economic activities.MethodsQualitative interviews were undertaken with purposively sampled immigrant parents of adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities transitioning into adulthood. The study used inductive thematic analysis to identify common themes across the data set.FindingsThe birth of their disabled child marked a new beginning in a family's life, characterised first by shock and later by acceptance. Informants experienced challenges associated with language and information access, reduced service, social isolation, skewed gender roles and worrying about their children's future.ConclusionsThe intersection between migration and disability can aggravate the care burden. Knowledge about parents' experiences is crucial for designing rehabilitation programmes, promoting wellbeing and bridging gaps between services recommended by service providers and the actual needs of the family and child.
On the limits of rational expectations for policy analysis
Authors: Eichenbaum Martin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn this lecture, I review work addressing three questions. First, are predictions about macro stabilization policies robust to reasonable departures from rational expectations? Second, do people's expectations converge to a particular set of rational expectations? Third, if they do converge, how quickly? I discuss examples from the literature where the answer to the first question is no. The answer to the second question is that learning equilibria converge to the “standard” rational equilibria analyzed in new Keynesian models. Finally, I discuss circumstances under which the answer to the third question is very slowly. In the examples, learning is slowest and policy analysis based on rational expectations is least robust in the face of shocks that render the stakes of getting policy “right” the highest.
Does the Self‐Reported Behavioural Automaticity Index provide a valid measure of toothbrushing behaviour in adults?
Authors: Raison Heather , Harris Rebecca V. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundStudies to promote regular toothbrushing usually rely on self‐reports of toothbrushing frequency (SRF). However, toothbrushing frequency measures may be open to responder bias since twice‐daily toothbrushing is a commonly accepted social norm. The validity of SRF measures is unclear, meaning that their use as outcomes in interventional work may be flawed. The study's aim was to compare two different self‐reported toothbrushing measures: SRF and the Self‐Reported Behavioural Automaticity Index (SRBAI); with measurement of observed toothbrushing frequency tracked over 6 weeks. A secondary aim was to explore the interaction effect of various moderators (age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), sex, self‐efficacy, participant personality and routine preference) upon the correlation between SRBAI and observed toothbrushing frequency.MethodsOne hundred and sixty‐four adults were recruited via a number of different community groups and workplaces outside the dental setting. After consent, participants completed a questionnaire which collected demographic and participant characteristics measures (age, ethnicity, SES, sex, self‐efficacy, participant personality and routine preference) and self‐reported toothbrushing habits. Participants then attached a ‘Brushlink’ device to their toothbrush for 6 weeks to track their observed toothbrushing frequency.ResultsUsing the Pearson correlation coefficient, a moderately strong positive linear association (r = 0.65) between SRBAI and observed toothbrushing frequency was found. By comparison, the correlation between SRF and observed toothbrushing frequency was weak (r = 0.39). There was a weak positive association between self‐reported behaviour frequency and SRBAI score (r = 0.35). Using multivariable linear regression, no statistically significant interactional effect was demonstrated for any moderator variable upon the correlation coefficient of SRBAI and observed toothbrushing frequency.ConclusionsThe SRBAI provided a stronger association with observed toothbrushing frequency than the SRF measure. A moderately strong relationship between SRBAI and observed toothbrushing frequency was found, compared to a weak positive relationship between self‐reported behaviour frequency and SRBAI score. This suggests that the SRBAI score could be a suitable proxy to measure observed toothbrushing behaviour and preferable to SRF in interventional work.
Distinct Profiles for Beliefs About Religion Versus Science
Authors: Metz S. Emlen , Liquin Emily G. , Lombrozo Tania 
Published: November 2023

AbstractA growing body of research suggests that scientific and religious beliefs are often held and justified in different ways. In three studies with 707 participants, we examine the distinctive profiles of beliefs in these domains. In Study 1, we find that participants report evidence and explanatory considerations (making sense of things) as dominant reasons for beliefs across domains. However, cuing the religious domain elevates endorsement of nonscientific justifications for belief, such as ethical considerations (e.g., believing it encourages people to be good), affiliation (what loved ones believe), and intuition (what feels true in one's heart). Study 2 replicates these differences with specific scientific and religious beliefs held with equal confidence, and documents further domain differences in beliefs’ personal importance, openness to revision, and perceived objectivity. Study 3 replicates these differences, further finding that counter‐consensus beliefs about contentious science topics (such as climate change and vaccination) often have properties resembling religious beliefs, while counter‐religious beliefs about religion (e.g., “There is no God”) have properties that more closely resemble beliefs about science. We suggest that beliefs are held and justified within coherent epistemic frameworks, with individuals using different frameworks in different contexts and domains.
Artificial Intelligence: Exploring utility in detection and typing of fungus with futuristic application in fungal cytology
Authors: Singla Nidhi , Kundu Reetu , Dey Pranab 
Published: November 2023

AbstractArtificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging, transforming and revolutionary technology that has captured attention worldwide. It is translating research into precision oncology treatments. AI can analyse large or big data sets requiring high‐speed specialized computing solutions. The data are big in terms of volume and multimodal with the amalgamation of images, text and structure. Machine learning has identified antifungal drug targets, and taxonomic and phylogenetic classification of fungi based on sequence analysis is now available. Real‐time identification tools and user‐friendly mobile applications for identifying fungi have been discovered. Akin to histopathology, AI can be applied to fungal cytology. AI has been fruitful in cytopathology of the thyroid gland, breast, urine and uterine cervical lesions. AI has a huge scope in fungal cytology and would certainly bear fruit with its accuracy, reproducibility and capacity for handling big data. The purpose of this systematic review was to highlight the AI's utility in detecting fungus and its typing with a special focus on future application in fungal cytology. We also touch upon the basics of AI in brief.
Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) enhances wakefulness during active periods but facilitates sleep during resting periods in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Ono Taisuke , Nishino Naoya , Iwai Yusuke , Iwai Yumi , Sakai Noriaki , Kuroki Yutaka , Nishino Seiji 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe effects of the Eurycoma longifolia (also known as Tongkat Ali [TA]) on sleep and wakefulness was evaluated in C57BL/6 mice. While TA has been used as an aphrodisiac in males, it exhibits various pharmacological effects. The most notable effect observed with TA was wake‐enhancement during the second half of the active period, accompanied by significant elevations in core body temperature (CBT). In contrast, sleep was enhanced during the resting period (i.e., increase in rapid eye movement [REM] sleep and delta electroencephalography [EEG] power in non‐REM sleep) with significant declines in CBT. The transition of TA's effects between resting and active periods was rapid. The results of the experiments in constant darkness indicate that TA prolongs the circadian tau and that this transition is governed by circadian clock mechanisms rather than light exposure. TA did not demonstrate efficacy in aiding sleep in an acute stress‐induced insomnia model; thus, TA may be more suitable as a wake‐enhancing agent for daytime sleepiness, as sleep propensity tends to accumulate towards the end of active period. Since TA amplifies the rest‐activity pattern, prolongs circadian tau and increases REM sleep, thereby reversing some common symptoms seen in elderly subjects, it may also hold promise as a rejuvenating medicine.
Genetic and environmental drivers of migratory behavior in western burrowing owls and implications for conservation and management
Authors: Barr Kelly , Bossu Christen M. , Bay Rachael A. , Anderson Eric C. , Belthoff Jim , Trulio Lynne A. , Chromczak Debra , Wisinski Colleen L. , Smith Thomas B. , Ruegg Kristen C. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractMigration is driven by a combination of environmental and genetic factors, but many questions remain about those drivers. Potential interactions between genetic and environmental variants associated with different migratory phenotypes are rarely the focus of study. We pair low coverage whole genome resequencing with a de novo genome assembly to examine population structure, inbreeding, and the environmental factors associated with genetic differentiation between migratory and resident breeding phenotypes in a species of conservation concern, the western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea). Our analyses reveal a dichotomy in gene flow depending on whether the population is resident or migratory, with the former being genetically structured and the latter exhibiting no signs of structure. Among resident populations, we observed significantly higher genetic differentiation, significant isolation‐by‐distance, and significantly elevated inbreeding. Among migratory breeding groups, on the other hand, we observed lower genetic differentiation, no isolation‐by‐distance, and substantially lower inbreeding. Using genotype–environment association analysis, we find significant evidence for relationships between migratory phenotypes (i.e., migrant versus resident) and environmental variation associated with cold temperatures during the winter and barren, open habitats. In the regions of the genome most differentiated between migrants and residents, we find significant enrichment for genes associated with the metabolism of fats. This may be linked to the increased pressure on migrants to process and store fats more efficiently in preparation for and during migration. Our results provide a significant contribution toward understanding the evolution of migratory behavior and vital insight into ongoing conservation and management efforts for the western burrowing owl.