bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate is changing, are European bats too? A multispecies analysis of trends in body size
Authors: Russo Danilo , Jones Gareth , Martinoli Adriano , Preatoni Damiano G. , Spada Martina , Pereswiet‐Soltan Andrea , Cistrone Luca 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAnimal size, a trait sensitive to spatial and temporal variables, is a key element in ecological and evolutionary dynamics. In the context of climate change, there is evidence that some bat species are increasing their body size via phenotypic responses to higher temperatures at maternity roosts. To test the generality of this response, we conducted a >20‐year study examining body size changes in 15 bat species in Italy, analysing data from 4393 individual bats captured since 1995. In addition to examining the temporal effect, we considered the potential influence of sexual dimorphism and, where relevant, included latitude and altitude as potential drivers of body size change. Contrary to initial predictions of a widespread increase in size, our findings challenge this assumption, revealing a nuanced interplay of factors contributing to the complexity of bat body size dynamics. Specifically, only three species (Myotis daubentonii, Nyctalus leisleri, and Pipistrellus pygmaeus) out of the 15 exhibited a discernible increase in body size over the studied period, prompting a reassessment of bats as reliable indicators of climate change based on alterations in body size. Our investigation into influencing factors highlighted the significance of temperature‐related variables, with latitude and altitude emerging as crucial drivers. In some cases, this mirrored patterns consistent with Bergmann's rule, revealing larger bats recorded at progressively higher latitudes (Plecotus auritus, Myotis mystacinus, and Miniopterus schreibersii) or altitudes (Pipistrellus kuhlii). We also observed a clear sexual dimorphism effect in most species, with females consistently larger than males. The observed increase in size over time in three species suggests the occurrence of phenotypic plasticity, raising questions about potential long‐term selective pressures on larger individuals. The unresolved question of whether temperature‐related changes in body size reflect microevolutionary processes or phenotypic plastic responses adds further complexity to our understanding of body size patterns in bats over time and space.
Experimental evidence for adaptive divergence in response to a warmed habitat reveals roles for morphology, allometry and parasite resistance
Authors: Smith Bethany A. , Costa Ana P. B. , Kristjánsson Bjarni K. , Parsons Kevin J. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEctotherms are expected to be particularly vulnerable to climate change–driven increases in temperature. Understanding how populations adapt to novel thermal environments will be key for informing mitigation plans. We took advantage of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) populations inhabiting adjacent geothermal (warm) and ambient (cold) habitats to test for adaptive evolutionary divergence using a field reciprocal transplant experiment. We found evidence for adaptive morphological divergence, as growth (length change) in non‐native habitats related to head, posterior and total body shape. Higher growth in fish transplanted to a non‐native habitat was associated with morphological shape closer to native fish. The consequences of transplantation were asymmetric with cold sourced fish transplanted to the warm habitat suffering from lower survival rates and greater parasite prevalence than warm sourced fish transplanted to the cold habitat. We also found divergent shape allometries that related to growth. Our findings suggest that wild populations can adapt quickly to thermal conditions, but immediate transitions to warmer conditions may be particularly difficult.
Complex erosional response to uplift and rock strength contrasts in transient river systems crossing an active normal fault revealed by 10Be and 26Al cosmogenic nuclide analyses
Authors: Boulton Sarah J. , Rodés Ángel , Fabel Derek , Alçiçek M. Cihat , Whittaker Alexander C. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractUnderstanding the influence of bedrock lithology on the catchment‐averaged erosion rates of normal fault‐bounded catchments and the effect that different bedrock erodibilties have on the evolution of transient fluvial geomorphology remain major challenges. To investigate this problem, we collected 18 samples for 10Be and 26Al cosmogenic nuclide analysis to determine catchment‐averaged erosion rates along the well‐constrained Gediz Fault system in western Türkiye, which is experiencing fault‐driven river incision owing to a linkage event ~0.8 Ma and has weak rocks overlying strong rocks in the footwall. Combined with existing cosmogenic data, we show that the background rate of erosion of the pre‐incision landscape can be constrained as <92 mMyr−1, and erosion rates within the transient reach vary from 16 to 1330 mMyr−1. Erosion rates weakly scale with unit stream power, steepness index and slip rate on the bounding fault, although erosion rates are an order of magnitude lower than slip rates. However, there are no clear relationships between erosion rate and relief or catchment slope. Bedrock strength is assessed using Schmidt hammer rebound and Selby Rock Mass Strength Assessments; despite a 30‐fold difference in erodibility, there is no difference in the erosion rate between strong and weak rocks. We argue that, for the Gediz Graben, the strong lithological contrast affects the ability of the river to erode the bed, resulting in a complex erosional response to uplift along the graben boundary fault. Weak covariant trends between erosion rates and various topographic factors potentially result from incomplete sediment mixing or pre‐existing topographic inheritance. These findings indicate that the erosional response to uplift along an active normal fault is a complex response to multiple drivers that vary spatially and temporally.
Pharmacist‐led intervention to reduce inappropriate continuation of targeted medications initiated in the acute care setting at hospital and ICU discharge
Authors: Patel Nandini , Dannemiller Robert E. , Kovacevic Mary P. , Dube Kevin M. , Lupi Kenneth E. , Blum Rachel C. , Crowley Kaitlin E. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractPharmacist‐led interventions may reduce the inappropriate continuation of acid‐suppressive agents and antipsychotics temporarily initiated in the intensive care unit (ICU), but limited data exist for other medications. This study evaluated the impact of a pharmacist‐led intervention on the number of medications inappropriately continued upon ICU and hospital discharge. This was a single‐center, pre‐post intervention analysis conducted in the medical and surgical ICUs at a tertiary academic medical center. The pre‐ and post‐intervention groups included adults who were newly initiated on medications used for stress ulcer prophylaxis, delirium, agitation, wakefulness, sedation, and insomnia from December 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022 and December 12, 2022 to February 13, 2023, respectively. In the post‐intervention group, pharmacists identified patients who were newly initiated on a medication of interest and documented in patients' charts via an electronic handoff tool utilizing a standardized template. The appropriateness of those medications was assessed daily, and pharmacists intervened when necessary. The number of medications inappropriately continued at ICU and hospital discharge and ICU and hospital lengths of stay were compared. Overall, 399 encounters were included in the final analysis, and a total of 459 medications were newly initiated in the ICU. There was no significant difference in the number of medications inappropriately continued at hospital discharge [22 (8.4%) vs. 10 (5.1%); p = 0.17]. Significantly fewer medications were inappropriately continued at ICU discharge in the post‐intervention group [85 (32.3%) vs. 37 (18.9%); p < 0.01]. The median ICU length of stay was significantly greater in the post‐intervention group [4 (2–8) vs. 2 (1–6) days; p < 0.01]. No significant difference was found in the median hospital length of stay [14 (7–26.5) vs. 16 (9–33.75) days; p = 0.08]. Use of an electronic handoff tool was associated with a significant reduction in the number of medications inappropriately continued at ICU discharge.
A comparative economic analysis of industrial fisheries targeting small pelagic fish in Mauritanian waters: Free license versus charter regime
Authors: Ball Abou Ciré , Kane Elimane Abou , Brehmer Patrice 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIndustrial fisheries targeting small pelagic fish have significant socio‐economic implications for North West African countries. This study examines the economic performance of fleets operating in Mauritania's exclusive economic zone under the free license and chartering systems. Using national production data from 1989 to 2010 and economic indicator ratios from European pelagic fishing vessels, we assess the economic performance of pelagic fisheries over one decade. Our findings show that vessel characteristics have rapidly evolved, with free‐licenced vessels having a higher average fishing capacity than chartered vessels. The nominal number of free licenses increased from under 8% in 1995; the year of free licencing began in Mauritania, to over 80% in 2010. The estimated average economic output for 2000–2010 was US$ 231 million, with free licenses contributing over 80% of the total turnover (US$ 187 million). Vessels operating under free licenses made a greater contribution to wealth creation than the chartering regime. Foreign ship owners generated US$ 40.7 million (22%) in income, while chartering yielded US$ 3.6 million (8%). However, the chartering regime was more fiscally advantageous, contributing over 68% of pelagic fisheries tax revenues (estimated at over US$ 29 million). The small pelagic fishery has been subject to a system of total allowable catches and fishing quotas since 2015. This study provides insights into the economic dynamics of the small pelagic fishery, informing decision‐making and potential strategies to enhance the sector's performance and overall economic impact.
Genetic and acquired sucrase‐isomaltase deficiency: A clinical review
Authors: Danialifar Tanaz Farzan , Chumpitazi Bruno P. , Mehta Devendra I. , Di Lorenzo Carlo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractGenetic sucrase‐isomaltase deficiency (GSID) is an inherited deficiency in the ability to digest sucrose and potentially starch due to mutations in the sucrase‐isomaltase (SI) gene. Congenital sucrase‐isomaltase deficiency is historically considered to be a rare condition affecting infants with chronic diarrhea as exposure to dietary sucrose begins. Growing evidence suggests that individuals with SI variants may present later in life, with symptoms overlapping with those of irritable bowel syndrome. The presence of SI genetic variants may, either alone or in combination, affect enzyme activity and lead to symptoms of different severity. As such, a more appropriate term for this inherited condition is GSID, with a recognition of a spectrum of severity and onset of presentation. Currently, disaccharidase assay on duodenal mucosal tissue homogenates is the gold standard in diagnosing SI deficiency. A deficiency in the SI enzyme can be present at birth (genetic) or acquired later, often in association with damage to the enteric brush‐border membrane. Other noninvasive diagnostic alternatives such as sucrose breath tests may be useful but require further validation. Management of GSID is based on sucrose and potentially starch restriction tailored to the individual patients' tolerance and symptoms. As this approach may be challenging, additional treatment with commercially available sacrosidase is available. However, some patients may require continued starch restriction. Further research is needed to clarify the true prevalence of SI deficiency, the pathobiology of single SI heterozygous mutations, and to define optimal diagnostic and treatment algorithms in the pediatric population.
Optimization of Zwitterionic Polymers for Cell Cryopreservation
Authors: Kato Yui , Uto Takuya , Ishizaki Takeru , Tanaka Daisuke , Ishibashi Kojiro , Matsuda Yuya , Onoda Issei , Kobayashi Akiko , Hazawa Masaharu , Wong Richard W. , Takahashi Kenji , Hirata Eishu , Kuroda Kosuke 
Published: February 2024

AbstractCryopreservation techniques are valuable for the preservation of genetic properties in cells, and the development of this technology contributes to various fields. In a previous study, an isotonic freezing medium composed of poly(zwitterion) (polyZI) has been reported, which alleviates osmotic shock, unlike typical hypertonic freezing media. In this study, the primitive freezing medium composed of emerging polyZI is optimized. Imidazolium/carboxylate‐type polyZI (VimC3C) is the optimal chemical structure. The molecular weight and degree of ion substitution (DSion) are not significant factors. There is an impediment with the primitive polyZI freezing media. While the polyZI forms a matrix around the cell membrane to protect cells, the matrix is difficult to remove after thawing, resulting in low cell proliferation. Unexpectedly, increasing the poly(VimC3C) concentration from 10% to 20% (w/v) improves cell proliferation. The optimized freezing medium, 20% (w/v) poly(VimC3C)_DSion(100%)/1% (w/v) NaCl aqueous solution, exhibited a better cryoprotective effect.
Effects of green supplier integration and development in competing supply chains
Authors: Guo Yu , Bai Chunguang , Sun Minghe 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis work develops a Cournot game model to study two competing supply chains, each consisting of one manufacturer and one supplier, producing and selling substitutable green products. The manufacturers decide whether to adopt the green supplier integration (GSI) strategy and the green supplier development (GSD) investment level to improve the product greenness degree. The interaction between the GSD decisions and the GSI strategies are analyzed with different manufacturer GSD capacities and market greenness sensitivity. The results indicate that the manufacturer with a higher GSD capacity will always adopt the GSI strategy to maximize GSD investment level or profit, and the manufacturer with a lower GSD capacity decides whether to adopt the GSI strategy by comparing the GSD capacities of the two manufacturers. The game model is extended from dedicated sourcing to diversified sourcing and hybrid sourcing to obtain optimal sourcing options jointly reached by the two manufacturers. Under these extensions, the GSI strategy always leads to higher GSD investment levels, and adopting the GSI strategies by both manufacturers becomes the only Nash equilibrium strategy combination. Manufacturers choose different sourcing options by judging the difference in their GSD capacities under different criteria, and choose hybrid sourcing when their GSD capacity gap is sufficiently large in a weakly competitive market.
Impacts of background wind on the interactions between urban breeze circulation and convective cells: Ensemble large‐eddy simulations
Authors: Hong Seong‐Ho , Jin Han‐Gyul , Baik Jong‐Jin 
Published: February 2024

AbstractUrban breeze is produced by the temperature difference between urban and surrounding rural areas, and its interactions with other atmospheric phenomena are of great interest. In this study, the impacts of background wind on the interactions between urban breeze circulation (UBC) and convective cells are numerically investigated. For this, a large number of idealized ensemble simulations are performed using the Weather Research and Forecasting‐large‐eddy simulation model, where the initial background wind speed varies from 0 to 5 m·s−1 in 0.5 m·s−1 intervals. As the background wind speed increases, the location of the strongest updraft moves from the urban center to the downwind boundary of the urban area. This is associated with different interactions between the UBC and convective cells under different background wind speeds. For no background wind, the UBC is relatively strong and its center is located at the urban center, producing a strong updraft there. Convective cells are advected toward the UBC center and merge with the strong updraft, further intensifying it. For weak background wind, the UBC is relatively weak and its center is located near the downwind urban boundary. Convective cells passing the urban area merge with each other and intensify, and after they pass the downwind urban boundary, the strong vertical wind shear in the right part of the UBC tilts and weakens them. For strong background wind, the UBC is very weak and convective cells are advected mainly by the strong background wind. These changes in the characteristics of convective cells in and around the urban area with background wind speed may lead to the changes in the preferred location of cloud initiation and cloud development.
Accurate cell type annotation for single‐cell chromatin accessibility data via contrastive learning and reference guidance
Authors: Li Siyu , Tang Songming , Wang Yunchang , Li Sijie , Jia Yuhang , Chen Shengquan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractRecent advances in single‐cell chromatin accessibility sequencing (scCAS) technologies have resulted in new insights into the characterization of epigenomic heterogeneity and have increased the need for automatic cell type annotation. However, existing automatic annotation methods for scCAS data fail to incorporate the reference data and neglect novel cell types, which only exist in a test set. Here, we propose RAINBOW, a reference‐guided automatic annotation method based on the contrastive learning framework, which is capable of effectively identifying novel cell types in a test set. By utilizing contrastive learning and incorporating reference data, RAINBOW can effectively characterize the heterogeneity of cell types, thereby facilitating more accurate annotation. With extensive experiments on multiple scCAS datasets, we show the advantages of RAINBOW over state‐of‐the‐art methods in known and novel cell type annotation. We also verify the effectiveness of incorporating reference data during the training process. In addition, we demonstrate the robustness of RAINBOW to data sparsity and number of cell types. Furthermore, RAINBOW provides superior performance in newly sequenced data and can reveal biological implication in downstream analyses. All the results demonstrate the superior performance of RAINBOW in cell type annotation for scCAS data. We anticipate that RAINBOW will offer essential guidance and great assistance in scCAS data analysis. The source codes are available at the GitHub website (BioX‐NKU/RAINBOW).
Land cover, stream discharge, and wastewater effluent impacts on baseflow sediment and nutrient concentrations in SW Ohio streams
Authors: Spahr Rachel E. , Lazar Jeffrey A. , Grudzinski Bartosz P. , Fisher Thomas J. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractElevated nutrient and suspended sediment concentrations often result in negative environmental impacts within freshwater environments. Studies that directly compare suspended sediment and bioavailable nutrients between predominantly agricultural and predominantly urban watersheds during baseflow conditions are largely lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine the impacts of land cover, stream discharge, and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharge on nutrient and sediment concentrations, across a large land cover gradient in Southwest Ohio streams. Weekly baseflow samples were collected from eight streams over 1 year from November, 2016 through November, 2017. Total suspended sediment, nitrate, and phosphate concentrations were measured. Results indicate that agricultural land cover and WWTPs increase nitrate and phosphate concentrations in the study area. Total suspended sediment and nitrate concentrations increased with discharge, and discharge was a relatively weak predictor of phosphate concentrations. Seasonal water quality trends varied by parameter and land use also had unique impacts on seasonal water quality trends. Results suggest that to improve water quality in the study area, efforts should focus on improving WWTP effluent treatment and agricultural land management.
Distribution analysis of adult and larval Calopteryx japonica using unmanned aerial vehicle acquired water temperature distribution
Authors: Niwa Hideyuki , Kanaya Tsuyoshi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn rivers, water temperature has a significant impact on aquatic organisms. Thermal infrared sensors mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which can measure surface temperatures over an area with high spatial resolution, provide new ways to investigate river water temperatures. Therefore, we analyzed the high‐spatial‐resolution water temperature distribution acquired by UAV as an environmental factor affecting Calopteryx japonica inhabiting the river. The study site was a 9‐km section of the Sasayama River in the Kako River system, Japan. Adult and larval C. japonicas were counted walking along the water's edge. The water temperature distribution was determined by taking UAV photographs in August, when river temperatures were estimated to be the highest of the year, and in February, when river temperatures were estimated to be the lowest in the study area. The number of adult and larval C. japonicas were used as the objective variable, and water temperature, vegetation, and water area classification were used as variables in RandomForest analysis. These findings are consistent with existing research on C. japonica ecology. The analysis revealed that the water temperature distribution acquired by UAV can be used as an environmental factor in the analysis of aquatic organisms. This method has the potential to be applied to the analysis of other aquatic organisms.
A Cyclical Magneto‐Responsive Massage Dressing for Wound Healing
Authors: Zhu Meng , Hu Zihe , Liu Nian , Yao Ke , Hong Gaoying , Li Yuanrong , Chen Yuewei , He Honghui , Wu Wenzhi , Zhou Yanyan , Shi Jue , He Yong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTissue development is mediated by a combination of mechanical and biological signals. Currently, there are many reports on biological signals regulating repair. However, insufficient attention is paid to the process of mechanical regulation, especially the active mechanical regulation in vivo, which has not been realized. Herein, a novel dynamically regulated repair system for both in vitro and in vivo applications is developed, which utilizes magnetic nanoparticles as non‐contact actuators to activate hydrogels. The magnetic hydrogel can be periodically activated and deformed to different amplitudes by a dynamic magnetic system. An in vitro skin model is used to explore the impact of different dynamic stimuli on cellular mechano‐transduction signal activation and cell differentiation. Specifically, the effect of mechanical stimulation on the phenotypic transition of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts is investigated. Furthermore, in vivo results verify that dynamic massage can simulate and enhance the traction effect in skin defects, thereby accelerating the wound healing process by promoting re‐epithelialization and mediating dermal contraction.