bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epigenomics: The New Science of Functional and Evolutionary Morphology
Authors: Kardong Kenneth 
Published: November 2003

AbstractOrganisms are more than the genes that look after their assembly. Chemical and mechanical inputs from the environment, epigenomic (≈epigenetic) cues, also have an effect on the final phenotype. In fact, continued environmental influences on the adult phenotype continue to affect its characteristics. Despite its importance, it is a mistake to turn then to epigenomics as a causative agent of evolutionary modification. Within a biological hierarchy, higher levels result from lower-level processes (genes up to phenotype), and lower levels result from higher-level processes (natural selection of phenotypes down to gene pools), respectively, upward and downward causation. Predictable epigenomic cues are assimilated into the genome. The evolved genome therefore incorporates epigenomic cues or the expectation of their arrival, placing the current genome in the position of determining how much epigenomic information is included, what epigenomic information is incorporated, and when epigenomic information initiates gene expression during morphogenesis of the phenotype. Consequently scientific explanations of changes in phenotypes (e.g., morphological design) are of two kinds, causes and boundary conditions. Causes are the events directly involved in producing changes in the state of a biological system; they act within limits or constraints, the boundary conditions. Confusion between these two types of explanation has misled some to equate epigenomic cues, which are boundary conditions, with natural selection, which is a causative explanation. Such confusion extends outside of biology per se where the consequences of non-equilibrium thermodynamics or chaos complexity unfortunately have been championed for their challenge to biological processes. However, because functional and evolutionary morphology employs analytical tools that describe the boundary conditions set by an integrated adaptation, the discipline is most favourably suited to providing explanations of biological diversity and evolution.
Shaping up: how vertebrates adjust their digestive system to changing environmental conditions
Authors: Starck J. Matthias 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe vertebrate gastrointestinal tract is a flexible system that can individually be modified to account for changes in amount and quality of food as well as changes in internal demands. In this paper, I summarise some recent findings and ideas about processes on the level of tissues and cells that allow vertebrates to adjust their intestines to fluctuating conditions. In mammals and birds intestinal flexibility is based on a balance of cell proliferation and cell loss. Maintenance as well as up- and down-regulation of the mucosa involves bio-production or dystrophy of tissue. Both are assumed to be energetically expensive. In contrast, up- and down-regulation of the mucosal epithelium of ectotherm sauropsids is based on configuration changes of the pseudostratified mucosal epithelium. Up-regulation of the mucosa size does not involve cell proliferation, thus it is presumably an energetically cheap process. A comparison of mammals, birds, and ectotherm sauropsids (mainly snakes) allows the development of some new ideas about the historical path of the evolution of gastrointestinal flexibility. Snakes seem to share with other basal tetrapods a phylogenetically plesiomorphic pattern. Birds and mammals have independently evolved new mechanisms that sustain flexibility at a high metabolic level.
Conflicting demands on the trophic system of Anseriformes and their evolutionary implications
Authors: van der Leeuw Angélique , Kurk Karin , Snelderwaard Peter , Bout Ron , Berkhoudt Herman 
Published: November 2003

Abstract
Within the Anseriformes, the Anatinae (ducks) shows a wide variation in diet and feeding mechanisms, in contrast to the Anserinae (geese and swans). While grazing is common in the Anserinae, only few species within the Anatinae use terrestrial grazing as their main feeding mechanism (e.g., wigeons). This may be explained by conflicting functional demands of grazing and filter-feeding on the trophic system. In this study, the feeding performance, feeding mechanisms and oropharyngeal anatomy is compared between geese, wigeon and a general filter-feeder/pecker, the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). The results show that the functional demands of filter-feeding and grazing are conflicting: filter-feeding requires a bald palatal surface and under-tongue transport for optimal functioning of the lingual cushion as a piston, whereas the transport mechanism of grazing requires large maxillary spines and over-tongue transport to retain grass during tongue protraction. The oropharyngeal anatomy of the wigeon shows a compromise in the small size of the maxillary spines that enable a sliding mechanism for the transport of a limited amount of grass. Filter-feeding is sometimes considered as a key adaptation that led to radiation in the anseriforms (Olson and Feduccia, 1980; Lack, 1974). We suggest, as an alternative hypothesis, that feeding on water plants may have led to the evolution of ridge-like structures in the bills, a sliding mandibular joint and the use of a water flow through the oropharynx (tongue pro- and retractions) for food transport in early anseriforms (cf. geese). A selection pressure on filter-feeding resulted in a large increase in efficiency of this system by the introduction of under-tongue transport of food and water (repatterning of bill and tongue movements) that enables the simultaneous intake and transport of a suspension of food particles (cf. Anatinae, a.o. Aythya and Anas). Terrestrial grazing later evolved by the development of maxillary spines, and in the case of the wigeon, a secondary change from the under tongue transport mechanism to over tongue transport for the grazing and pecking mechanisms only.
New directions in comparative embryology and the nature of developmental characters
Authors: Richardson Michael , Verbeek Fons 
Published: November 2003

AbstractDoes developmental anatomy have a future in the age of molecular biology and digital technologies? Specifically, will morphological characters continue to be used in comparative developmental biology, or will new types of character be defined? Traditionally, comparative embryology was a non-quantitative, 'portrait-gallery' science. Wilhelm His attempted to develop a character-based, more quantitative approach. Quantitative approaches to development have been also been suggested by Meinhardt and others. With the current availability of computing power and the growth of bioinformatics and phylogenetic methodology, quantitative methodologies are increasingly being applied to studies of embryonic development. Our aim in this article is to examine some of these approaches. In both anatomical and molecular studies, the parameters to be quantified are temporal and spatial. Temporal data are analysed by techniques, such as event pairing, that analyse developmental sequences. In this case, the characters are developmental events. Spatial information can be analysed using morphometrics, in combination with computer-assisted 3D reconstruction. In spatial analyses, anatomical parts may be used as the characters. A major challenge in the coming years is to develop techniques for analysing 3D patterns of developmental gene expression and to compare them between species or individuals. Such analyses have to be defined in relation to five dimensions: the 3 orthogonal spatial planes; time; and individuals. The difficulties of such analyses are complicated by problems of homology. Some possible solutions are suggested. For example, it may be possible to use voxels as characters, and to assign to them attributes according to gene expression domains. At first sight, it might seem that traditional morphological characters would no longer be required in comparative embryology. However, we believe that some kind of anatomical framework will always be needed in comparative biology. The interplay between classical morphological characters, gene expression patterns and computing methodologies will be an exciting area for future work.
&lsquo;Hirsutism&rsquo;: A Psychological Analysis
Authors: Keegan Anna , Liao Lih-Mei , Boyle Mary 
Published: November 2003

Hirsutism, i.e. ‘excess’ body hair in the ‘male’ distribution, is a medical term applied only to women. Although associated with social and psychological difficulties including anxiety, social avoidance and a confusion of gender identity and although it raises important gender issues, there has been little systematic study. No prior research has focussed on the relationship between women’s perceived degree of hirsutism and psychological distress. A survey of 53 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which often produces ‘excess’ hair growth, was carried out to assess any psychological consequences of perceived hirsutism. Results indicated raised levels of psychological distress overall, but no significant relationships between perceived hirsutism and distress. Four semi-structured interviews were then conducted to facilitate more in-depth exploration of hirsute women’s experience. Analysis suggested idealized cultural norms for hair growth prevail and excess hair growth contributes to gender inconsistencies and feelings of deviance and stigma. Effective concealment of hair growth and ‘passing’ for normal appear to facilitate relatively high levels of functioning and allows idealized cultural norms to be maintained.
Investigation of a New Pathway Forming Naphthalene by the Recombination Reaction of Cyclopentadienyl Radicals
Authors: Murakami Yoshinori , Saejung Taweesak , Ohashi Chikako , Fujii Nobuyuki 
Published: November 2003

Abstract
Mechanism of naphthalene (c-C10H8) formation by the recombination of cyclopentadienyl radicals (c-C5H5) was investigated by monitoring the time profiles of H atom behind the reflected shock of trifluoromethoxybenzene (C6H5OCF3) highly diluted with Ar. The rate constant for c-C5H5 + c-C5H5 → c-C10H8 + 2H was determined to be 3.3 × 1017 exp(−135 kJ/RT) cm3 mol−1 s−1.
Perceived Success After Participation in the Summer Health Professions Education Program
Authors: Xirau-Probert Patricia , Lai Tram , Black Erik , Fanfan Dany , Blue Amy , Rush Caronne C. , Powers Rachel , Stacciarini Jeanne-Marie R. 
Published: January 2024

ImportanceThe number of active health care professionals has not kept pace with the increasing number of minoritized individuals in the US. The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) was developed to alleviate this underrepresentation in the health workforce.ObjectiveTo evaluate students’ changes in perceived barriers and motivators for entering and succeeding in professional school after SHPEP participation.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsFor this cohort study, anonymous electronic surveys were sent to the 2017 to 2021 SHPEP participants at an academic health center at a large university in the southern US. Participants were first- and second-year undergraduates interested in the health professions and enrolled in the SHPEP. Program participants were invited to complete the study.ExposuresAn anonymous electronic survey was administered before and immediately after program completion.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe SHPEP Career Barriers Survey (SCBS) is composed of 22 questions on motivators and 20 questions on barriers to entering and succeeding in health professional school. Students responded using a 5-point Likert scale, with 1 indicating strongly disagree and 5 indicating strongly agree. Mixed analysis of variance was used to analyze the program’s latent factors.ResultsOf all 402 SHPEP participants (mean [SD] age, 19.32 [0.88] years) from 2017 to 2021, 325 completed the preprogram survey and 259 also completed the postprogram survey. Of the 325 initial participants, 4 identified as American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander (1.2%); 12 as Asian (3.7%); 188 as Black (57.8%); 95 as Hispanic or Latino (29.2%); 7 as White (2.2%); and 16 as multiracial (4.9%). Two hundred twelve participants were female (65.2%), and 226 were first-generation college students (69.5%). Results of the SCBS indicate that the SHPEP had a significant small to moderate association on perceived motivators (mean [SD] x̅ = 84.60 [9.67] vs 80.95 [8.93]; P = .001) and decreases in perceived barriers (mean [SD] x̅ = 48.02 [13.20] vs 51.72 [11.39]; P = .008). There was no significant difference in program success between studied years.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cohort study, the SHPEP appeared to provide essential support for underrepresented students as measured by improved perceived motivators and reduced perceived barriers to entering professional education. Knowledge from this study can assist educators and health care professionals who wish to implement similar enrichment programs.
Breast Cancer Incidence Among US Women Aged 20 to 49 Years by Race, Stage, and Hormone Receptor Status
Authors: Xu Shuai , Murtagh Sara , Han Yunan , Wan Fei , Toriola Adetunji T. 
Published: January 2024

ImportanceBreast cancer in young women has a less favorable prognosis compared with older women. Yet, comprehensive data on recent trends and how period and cohort effects may affect these trends among young women are not well-known.ObjectiveTo evaluate breast cancer incidence among young women in the US over a 20-year period by race and ethnicity, hormone receptor status (estrogen receptor [ER] and progesterone receptor [PR]), tumor stage, and age at diagnosis, as well as how period and cohort effects may affect these trends.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study used data from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 17 registries (2000-2019). Women aged 20 to 49 years with a primary invasive breast cancer were included. Data were analyzed between February and June 2023.Main Outcomes and MeasuresAge-standardized incidence rates (ASIR), incidence rate ratios (IRR), and average annual percent changes (AAPC) stratified by race and ethnicity, hormone receptor status, tumor stage, and age at diagnosis.ResultsOut of 217 815 eligible women (1485 American Indian or Alaska Native [0.7%], 25 210 Asian or Pacific Islander [11.6%], 27 112 non-Hispanic Black [12.4%], 37 048 Hispanic [17.0%], 126 960 non-Hispanic White [58.3%]), the majority were diagnosed with an ER+/PR+ tumor (134 024 [61.5%]) and were diagnosed with a stage I tumor (81 793 [37.6%]). Overall, invasive breast cancer incidence increased (AAPC, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.42 to 1.15), with increasing trends across almost all racial and ethnic groups. ASIR increased for ER+/PR+ (AAPC, 2.72; 95% CI, 2.34 to 3.12) and ER+/PR− tumors (AAPC, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.87), and decreased for ER−/PR+ (AAPC, −3.25; 95% CI, −4.41 to −2.07) and ER−/PR− tumors (AAPC, −0.55; 95% CI, −1.68 to 0.60). For women aged 20 to 29 and 30 to 39 years, ASIRs were highest among non-Hispanic Black women (age 20-29 years: IRR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.43 to 1.65; age 30-39 years: IRR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.18). For women aged 40 to 49 years, ASIR was lower for non-Hispanic Black women (IRR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94 to 0.97) compared with non-Hispanic White women. Incidence rates increased for stages I and IV tumors but decreased for stage II and III tumors. Age-period-cohort analysis demonstrated both cohort and period effects on breast cancer incidence (P &amp;lt; .001).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this population-based cross-sectional analysis, an increase in breast cancer incidence rates among young US women and age-related crossover between non-Hispanic White and Black women were observed. Prevention efforts in young women need to adopt a targeted approach to address racial disparities in incidence rates observed at different age phases.
Incidence of Fit Test Failure During N95 Respirator Reuse and Extended Use
Authors: Wang Ralph C. , Degesys Nida F. , Fahimi Jahan , Jin Chengshi , Rosenthal Efrat , Lazar Ann A. , Yaffee Anna Q. , Peterson Susan , Rothmann Richard E. , Jones Courtney M. C. , Tolia Vaishal , Shah Manish N. , Raven Maria C. ,   Reuse N95 Group, Harris Anna R. , Kemball Robin , Mitchner Alexis , Wong Angela , Hall Alex , Iqbal Rabbiya , Kramer Michael , Maliszewski Kendall , McBryde Breana , DeAngelis John , Corbett-Valade Emily , Castillo Edward , Maru Apoorva , Gifford Angela 
Published: January 2024

ImportanceThe COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a widespread acute shortage of N95 respirators, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop guidelines for extended use and limited reuse of N95s for health care workers (HCWs). While HCWs followed these guidelines to conserve N95s, evidence from clinical settings regarding the safety of reuse and extended use is limited.ObjectiveTo measure the incidence of fit test failure during N95 reuse and compare the incidence between N95 types.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis prospective cohort study, conducted from April 2, 2021, to July 15, 2022, at 6 US emergency departments (EDs), included HCWs who practiced N95 reuse for more than half of their clinical shift. Those who were unwilling to wear an N95 for most of their shift, repeatedly failed baseline fit testing, were pregnant, or had facial hair or jewelry that interfered with the N95 face seal were excluded.ExposuresWearing the same N95 for more than half of each clinical shift and for up to 5 consecutive shifts. Participants chose an N95 model available at their institution; models were categorized into 3 types: dome (3M 1860R, 1860S, and 8210), trifold (3M 1870+ and 9205+), and duckbill (Halyard 46727, 46767, and 46827). Participants underwent 2 rounds of testing using a different mask of the same type for each round.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was Occupational Safety and Health Administration–approved qualitative fit test failure. Trained coordinators conducted fit tests after clinical shifts and recorded pass or fail based on participants tasting a bitter solution.ResultsA total of 412 HCWs and 824 N95s were fit tested at baseline; 21 N95s (2.5%) were withdrawn. Participants’ median age was 34.5 years (IQR, 29.5-41.8 years); 252 (61.2%) were female, and 205 (49.8%) were physicians. The overall cumulative incidence of fit failure after 1 shift was 38.7% (95% CI, 35.4%-42.1%), which differed by N95 type: dome, 25.8% (95% CI, 21.2%-30.6%); duckbill, 28.3% (95% CI, 22.2%-34.7%); and trifold, 61.3% (95% CI, 55.3%-67.3%). The risk of fit failure was significantly higher for trifold than dome N95s (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.46-2.10).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cohort study of ED HCWs practicing N95 reuse, fit failure occurred in 38.7% of masks after 1 shift. Trifold N95s had higher incidence of fit failure compared with dome N95s. These results may inform pandemic preparedness, specifically policies related to N95 selection and reuse practices.
Evaluating eyewitnesses: Translating expressions of pre‐ and post‐identification confidence
Authors: Cash Daniella K. , Russell Tiffany D. , Harrison Alan T. , Papesh Megan H. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAlthough the confidence‐accuracy relationship is now well established, confidence assessments are usually taken after the lineup identification procedure. Witnesses, however, often express confidence in their potential identification accuracy at other times, such as prior to seeing a lineup. Recent research has shown that these post‐identification confidence statements are not consistently interpreted in the manner witnesses intend them. The present studies compare interpretations of pre‐ and post‐identification confidence statements, and examine whether these interpretations are similarly affected by numerical statements and featural justifications. Across four studies, participants read eyewitness confidence statements and judged how confident and accurate they perceived witnesses to be. We manipulated expression type (verbal, numerical), statement type (confidence only, confidence paired with justification), and statement time (pre‐ and post‐identification). Pre‐identification confidence statements were perceived as less confident and less likely to be accurate. Unlike post‐identification statements, pre‐identification statements were not discounted when accompanied by featural justifications.
The effects of lecture speed and note‐taking on memory for educational material
Authors: Chen Ashley , Murphy Dillon H. , Brabec Jordan A. , Bjork Robert A. , Bjork Elizabeth L. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe use of pre‐recorded lecture videos as a primary mode of instruction during online learning has allowed students flexibility in how they self‐regulate their learning. Although increasing lectures up to 2x speed has little cost on memory, it is unknown whether note‐taking at increased speeds interacts with memory. Participants watched lecture videos at 1x or 2x speed while some simultaneously took notes (Experiment 1: laptop, Experiment 2: longhand). We found that test performance numerically declined as speed increased (significant in Experiment 1) and observed a mnemonic benefit of note‐taking, regardless of modality (laptop, longhand). Post‐hoc analyses revealed no significant differences in performance between individuals who took notes at 2x speed and took no notes at 1x speed. Hence, note‐taking may help compensate for disadvantages to learning caused by greater lecture speed. Overall, when watching accelerated lecture videos, it is recommended to take notes, as it supports memory for lecture content.
Is student learning from a video lecture affected by whether the instructor wears a mask?
Authors: Leng Xiaoxue , Wang Fuxing , Mayer Richard E. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study examined whether having the instructor wear a mask during a video lecture affects learning. In Experiment 1, college students watched an instructional video on the formation of lightning, in which an instructor who either did or did not wear a mask as she stood next to slides and lectured. Learners' learning outcomes did not differ significantly, but learners spent significantly less time looking at the instructor's face when she was masked. In Experiment 2, using a 2 (the instructor wore a mask or not) × 2 (slides were displayed or not) between‐subject design, college students learned about the process of water cycle from instructional videos. There was a significant interaction in which adding slides improved learning outcomes with a masked instructor, but not with an unmasked instructor. Adding a mask lowered student ratings of social presence with the instructor. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Vascularized 3D Human Skin Models in the Forefront of Dermatological Research
Authors: Rimal Rahul , Muduli Saradaprasan , Desai Prachi , Marquez Andrea Bonnin , Möller Martin , Platzman Ilia , Spatz Joachim , Singh Smriti 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn vitro engineered skin models are emerging as an alternative platform to reduce and replace animal testing in dermatological research. Despite the progress made in recent years, considerable challenges still exist for the inclusion of diverse cell types within skin models. Blood vessels, in particular, are essential in maintaining tissue homeostasis and are one of many primary contributors to skin disease inception and progression. Substantial efforts in the past have allowed the successful fabrication of vascularized skin models that are currently utilized for disease modeling and drugs/cosmetics testing. This review first discusses the need for vascularization within tissue‐engineered skin models, highlighting their role in skin grafting and disease pathophysiology. Second, the review spotlights the milestones and recent progress in the fabrication and utilization of vascularized skin models. Additionally, advances including the use of bioreactors, organ‐on‐a‐chip devices, and organoid systems are briefly explored. Finally, the challenges and future outlook for vascularized skin models are addressed.