bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fighting flu: novel CD8+ T‐cell targets are required for future influenza vaccines
Authors: Leong Samuel Liwei , Gras Stephanie , Grant Emma J 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSeasonal influenza viruses continue to cause severe medical and financial complications annually. Although there are many licenced influenza vaccines, there are billions of cases of influenza infection every year, resulting in the death of over half a million individuals. Furthermore, these figures can rise in the event of a pandemic, as seen throughout history, like the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic (50 million deaths) and the 1968 Hong Kong influenza pandemic (~4 million deaths). In this review, we have summarised many of the currently licenced influenza vaccines available across the world and current vaccines in clinical trials. We then briefly discuss the important role of CD8+ T cells during influenza infection and why future influenza vaccines should consider targeting CD8+ T cells. Finally, we assess the current landscape of known immunogenic CD8+ T‐cell epitopes and highlight the knowledge gaps required to be filled for the design of rational future influenza vaccines that incorporate CD8+ T cells.
A 0D parallel transport model for varying density regimes for use in 2D drift‐fluid turbulence codes
Authors: Renders Olivier , Dekeyser Wouter , Baelmans Martine 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this paper, a new model of the parallel transport in 2D drift‐fluid turbulence codes is formulated as a 3‐point model and benchmarked against SOLPS‐ITER. The model allows for the existence of parallel temperature gradients and local recycling near the target. To realize this, the volume of the flux tube is split into two zones: (1) a connection zone extending from the outer midplane to the ionization zone entrance and (2) an ionization zone covering the remaining space until the sheath edge. By assuming a linear increase of the parallel particle and conductive heat fluxes in the connection zone, and assuming an ad‐hoc relation for the electron pressure evolution, expressions for the plasma fields at the entrance of the ionization zone are obtained. The evaluation of the integral balances over the ionization zone leads to an implicit system in terms of the parallel fluxes. To benchmark the model, we compare with reference data from density, current and recycling scans for a flux tube with SOLPS‐ITER. From these scans, one observes that the model predicts well the parallel particle flux in the density and recycling scans. Discrepancies that arise at higher densities for both the conductive heat fluxes and the required floating upstream potential are analyzed and partly explained by the superlinear evolution of the heat fluxes in the SOLPS‐ITER simulations. It is concluded that the model can be used to construct the effective volumetric sink terms in 2D drift‐fluid turbulence models.
Demography and threats to population growth of Cirsium pitcheri, a threatened dune plant, in Wisconsin
Authors: Vitt Pati , Girdler E. Binney , Gorra Jeffrey M. , Knight Tiffany M. , Havens Kayri 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMulti‐year and multi‐site demographic data for rare plants allow researchers to observe threats and project population growth rates and thus long‐term persistence of the species, generating knowledge, which allows for effective conservation planning. Demographic studies across more than a decade are extremely rare but allow for the effects of threats to be observed and assessed within the context of interannual environmental variation. We collected demographic data on the Threatened plant Cirsium pitcheri in two sites from 2011–2022. These sites were chosen because one exhibited the presence of non‐native seed predators while the other did not, and we hypothesized that we would see declines and potentially extinction of the population threatened by predation. Over the course of our study, we observed additional threats, such as human trampling and high lake levels, which led to significant erosion, sand burial, and storm damage to plants. We find high interannual variation in vital rates and population growth rates for both populations, which mask the overall effects of predation. We observed dramatic declines in plant survivorship and population growth rates in both sites in the years with high lake levels. We conclude that high lake levels, which are expected to become more frequent with climate change, pose a significant threat to all near‐shore populations of C. pitcheri.
Realized thermal niche approach eliminates temperature bias in bioenergetic model estimates
Authors: Ivanova Silviya V. , Fisk Aaron T. , Johnson Timothy B. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBioenergetics models estimate ectotherm growth, production, and prey consumption – all key for effective ecosystem management during changing global temperatures. Based on species‐specific allometric and thermodynamic relationships, these models typically use the species' lab‐derived optimum temperatures (physiological optimum) as opposed to empirical field data (realized thermal niche) that reflect actual thermal experience. Yet, dynamic behavioral thermoregulation mediated by biotic and abiotic interactions may provide substantial divergence between physiological optimum and realized thermal niche temperatures to significantly bias model outcomes. Here, using the Wisconsin bioenergetics model and in‐situ year‐round temperature data, we tested the two approaches and compared the maximum attainable lifetime weight and lifetime prey consumption estimates for two salmonid species with differing life histories. We demonstrate that using the realized thermal niche is the better approach because it eliminates significant biases in estimates produced by the physiological optimum. Specifically, using the physiological optimum, slower‐growing Salvelinus namaycush maximum attainable lifetime weight was underestimated, and consumption overestimated, while fast‐growing Oncorhynchus tshawytscha maximum attainable weight was overestimated. While the physiological optimum approach is useful for theoretical studies, our results demonstrate the critical importance that models used by management utilize up‐to‐date system‐ and species‐specific field data representing actual in‐situ behaviors (i.e., realized thermal niche).
Biparental incubation behaviour under temperature extremes in sandbank nesting black skimmers
Authors: Austad Martin , Sand Sæbø Jørgen , Steen Ronny , Goodenough Katharine S. , Davenport Lisa , Haugaasen Torbjørn 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBirds nesting on riverine beaches are exposed to large temperature fluctuations, while changing water levels pose flooding risks. We used miniature temperature loggers (iButtons®) placed in nests and on the beach surface combined with time‐lapse photography to study incubation behaviour in the black skimmer (Rynchops niger) on the Manu River, Peru. Since the species exhibits sexual size dimorphism, we could identify partner switches in images and the contribution to incubation effort by each pair member. Results of the study documented that nest temperature was less affected by ambient temperature and fluctuated less than the surroundings. Despite shorter incubation bouts at midday, black skimmers maintained a close to constant presence at the nest by more frequent nest exchanges. In fact, while female black skimmers generally incubated more and for longer than males, pairs shared incubation most consistently during the hottest part of the day. Incubation probability decreased around dusk, a peak foraging time for the species and a time when beach temperature overlapped with nest temperature. A biparental incubation strategy across the diel cycle appears to allow black skimmers breeding at the Manu River to incubate in challenging thermal conditions, but further studies are needed to determine proximity to thermal limits.
The reproductive biology of Ellochelon vaigiensis from the Vietnamese Mekong Delta
Authors: Dinh Quang Minh , Truong Ngon Trong , Nguyen Ton Huu Duc , Lam Tran Thi Huyen , Nguyen Tien Thi Kieu , Jaafar Zeehan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe Squaretail mullet, Ellochelon vaigiensis, is a commercial fish species distributed throughout the Indo‐Pacific region. This species tolerates wide variations in salinity, having been reported from both freshwater and marine habitats. Although economically significant, there is little information on its reproduction, especially in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD), where it is heavily extracted. Our study elucidates the breeding pattern, seasonality, first length at maturity, as well as potential and relative fecundity of this species. Fish specimens were collected by trawl nets from November 2020 to October 2021 at four estuarine sites within the VMD. We found this species to be a synchronous spawner, with peaks in reproductive activity from June to September. In the populations we surveyed, there was significant dominance of males (1.26:1.00) based on 942 fish samples (526 males and 416 females). The length at 50% maturity for females was significantly higher than for males at all sites and ranged from 10.6 to 19.3 cm. The diameter of the eggs examined for this species exhibited slight variation, from 0.43 to 0.54 mm. The potential fecundity ranged from 246,254 ± 35,878 to 411,970 ± 54,370 eggs, corresponding to female length and weight of 26.7–32.6 cm and 102.97–234.19 g, respectively. Relative fecundity values were highest at Thanh Phu, Ben Tre (6388 ± 605 eggs), and Dong Hai, Bac Lieu (6461 ± 637 eggs), followed by Tran De, Soc Trang (4729 ± 408), and were found to be lowest at Duyen Hai, Tra Vinh (3117 ± 223 eggs). Information on reproductive behavior in this species has far‐reaching impacts on sustainable extractions, stock conservation, and aquaculture.
Predicting the potential distribution of 12 threatened medicinal plants on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, with a maximum entropy model
Authors: Yang Lucun , Zhu Xiaofeng , Song Wenzhu , Shi Xingping , Huang Xiaotao 
Published: February 2024

AbstractClimate change is a vital driver of biodiversity patterns and species distributions, understanding how organisms respond to climate change will shed light on the conservation of endangered species. In this study, the MaxEnt model was used to predict the potential suitable area of 12 threatened medicinal plants in the QTP (Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau) under the current and future (2050s, 2070s) three climate scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP8.5). The results showed that the climatically suitable habitats for the threatened medicinal plants were primarily found in the eastern, southeast, southern, and some parts of the central regions on the QTP. Moreover, 25% of the threatened medicinal plants would have reduced suitable habitat areas within the next 30–50 years in the different future global warming scenarios. Among these medicinal plants, RT (Rheum tanguticum) would miss the most habitat (98.97%), while the RAN (Rhododendron anthopogonoides) would miss the least habitat (10.15%). Nevertheless, 33.3% of the threatened medicinal plants showed an increase in their future habitat area because of their physiological characteristics which are more adaptable to a wide range of climates. The climatic suitable habitat for 50% of the threatened medicinal plants would migrate to higher altitudes or higher latitudes regions. This study provides a data foundation for the conservation of biodiversity and wild medicinal plants on the QTP.
Environmental context shapes the relationship between grass consumption and body size in African herbivore communities
Authors: Abraham Joel O. , Rowan John , O'Brien Kaedan , Sokolowski Kathryn G. , Faith J. Tyler 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThough herbivore grass dependence has been shown to increase with body size across herbivore species, it is unclear whether this relationship holds at the community level. Here we evaluate whether grass consumption scales positively with body size within African large mammalian herbivore communities and how this relationship varies with environmental context. We used stable carbon isotope and community occurrence data to investigate how grass dependence scales with body size within 23 savanna herbivore communities throughout eastern and central Africa. We found that dietary grass fraction increased with body size for the majority of herbivore communities considered, especially when complete community data were available. However, the slope of this relationship varied, and rainfall seasonality and elephant presence were key drivers of the variation—grass dependence increased less strongly with body size where rainfall was more seasonal and where elephants were present. We found also that the dependence of the herbivore community as a whole on grass peaked at intermediate woody cover. Intraspecific diet variation contributed to these community‐level patterns: common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) ate less grass where rainfall was more seasonal, whereas Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) grass consumption were parabolically related to woody cover. Our results indicate that general rules appear to govern herbivore community assembly, though some aspects of herbivore foraging behavior depend upon local environmental context.
Atmospheric pressure argon plasma jets I – Measurements of spatial distribution for visible emission spectrum and vacuum ultraviolet
Authors: Suzuki Susumu , Teranishi Kenji , Itoh Haruo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis paper describes the observed position dependent emission spectrum and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) to clarify the optical structure of argon atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APJs). Visible emission spectra of argon, nitrogen, and OH molecules were measured as a function of position from the nozzle of plasma jet generator to gas flow direction. From the results, we realized that a certain electric field is required for producing high energy excited atoms of argon in the jet from the high voltage electrode in the device to the ground positioned at downstream side. Moreover, VUV was detected along the plasma jet through the downstream direction. Thus, we could picture that the light pattern of plasma jet of which intensity weaken depend to the distance from the nozzle is sustained by the above two factors with the present steady state experiments.
Prognostic impact of residual pulmonary congestion assessed by remote dielectric sensing system in patients admitted for heart failure
Authors: Izumida Toshihide , Imamura Teruhiko , Koi Takatoshi , Nakagaito Masaki , Onoda Hiroshi , Tanaka Shuhei , Ushijima Ryuichi , Kataoka Naoya , Nakamura Makiko , Sobajima Mitsuo , Fukuda Nobuyuki , Ueno Hiroshi , Kinugawa Koichiro 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimsRemote dielectric sensing (ReDS) represents a contemporary non‐invasive technique reliant on electromagnetic energy to quantify pulmonary congestion. Its prognostic significance within the context of heart failure (HF) patients remains elusive. This study aimed to assess the prognostic implications of residual pulmonary congestion, as gauged by the ReDS system, among patients admitted due to congestive HF.Methods and resultsWe enrolled hospitalized HF patients who underwent ReDS assessments upon admission and discharge in a blinded manner, independent of attending physicians. We evaluated the prognostic impact of the ReDS ratio between admission and discharge on the primary outcome, which encompassed all‐cause mortality and HF‐related re‐hospitalizations. A cohort of 133 patients (median age 78 [72, 84] years, 78 male [59%]) was included. Over a median observation period of 363 days post‐index discharge, an escalated ReDS group (ReDS ratio > 100%), determined through statistical calculation, emerged as an independent predictor of the primary outcome, exhibiting an adjusted hazard ratio of 4.37 (95% confidence interval 1.13–16.81, P = 0.032). The cumulative incidence of the primary outcome was notably higher in the increased ReDS group compared with the decreased ReDS group (50.1% vs. 8.5%, P = 0.034).ConclusionsElevated ReDS ratios detected during the index hospitalization could serve as a promising prognostic indicator in HF patients admitted for treatment. The clinical ramifications of ReDS‐guided HF management warrant validation in subsequent studies.
Comparison of DASH diet score and total antioxidant capacity of diet on serum levels of TMPRSS‐2, inflammatory biomarkers, and disease severity in COVID‐19 patients: A case–control study
Authors: Dibaseresht Fatemeh , Alizadeh Mohammad , Moludi Jalal 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThere is evidence that healthy diets improve the immune system and lessen the severity of infectious diseases such as COVID‐19. We have investigated whether the dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) score could be associated with the occurrence and clinical outcomes of COVID‐19. This case–control study included 120 adults who were admitted to the hospital. Dietary TAC and DASH diet scores were determined by a 138‐item semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Inflammation‐related markers including C‐reactive protein (CRP) and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS‐2) differential were measured. Also, using chest radiology criteria, the severity of the disease was evaluated. The mean CRP values in the lowest and highest tertiles of either dietary TAC or DASH diet scores were 9.44 ± 11.26 and 3.52 ± 4.83 mg/dL (p = .003) or 9.04 ± 11.23 and 4.40 ± 6.23 mg/dL (p = .013), respectively. Individuals with higher dietary TAC were at a lower risk of COVID‐19 (OR: 0.06, p < ·0001). Individuals with greater DASH diet scores were also at decreased odds of COVID‐19 (OR: 0.12, p < ·0001). No significant associations were found between dietary TAC and DASH diet scores with severity of COVID‐19 disease, CRP, or TMPRSS‐2 (p > 0.05). The study found that adherence to a diet with higher dietary TAC and DASH diet scores may be protective against COVID‐19 and improve outcomes of the disease. More research is needed to corroborate these findings.
Effects of private health insurance on waiting time in public hospitals
Authors: Yang Ou , Yong Jongsay , Zhang Yuting 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe Australian government pays $6.7 billion per year in rebates to encourage Australians to purchase private health insurance (PHI) and an additional $6.1 billion to cover services provided in private hospitals. What is the justification for large government subsidies to a private industry when all Australians already have free coverage under Medicare? The government argues that more people buying PHI will relieve the burden on the public system and may reduce waiting times. However, the evidence supporting this is sparse. We use an instrumental variable approach to study the causal effects of higher PHI coverage in the area on waiting times in public hospitals in the same area. The instrument used is area‐level average house prices, which correlate with average income and wealth, thus influencing the purchase of PHI due to tax incentives, but not directly affecting waiting times in public hospitals. We use 2014–2018 hospital admission and elective surgery waiting list data linked at the patient level from the Victorian Center for Data Linkage. These data cover all inpatient admissions in all hospitals in Victoria (both public and private hospitals) and those registered on the waiting list for elective surgeries in public hospitals in Victoria. We find that one percentage point increase in PHI coverage leads to about 0.34 days (or 0.5%) reduction in waiting times in public hospitals on average. The effects vary by surgical specialities and age groups. However, the practical significance of this effect is limited, if not negligible, despite its statistical significance. The small effect suggests that raising PHI coverage with the aim to taking the pressure off the public system is not an effective strategy in reducing waiting times in public hospitals. Alternative policies aiming at improving the efficiency of public hospitals and advancing equitable access to care should be a priority for policymakers.
Patient‐reported outcome measures for dysphagia in head and neck cancer: A systematic review and appraisal of content validity and internal structure
Authors: Manduchi Beatrice , Che Zhiyao , Ringash Jolie G. , Fitch Margaret I. , Howell Doris , Martino Rosemary 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDysphagia is a major head and neck cancer (HNC) issue. Dysphagia‐related patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) are critical for patient‐centred assessment and intervention tailoring. This systematic review aimed to derive a comprehensive inventory of HNC dysphagia PROMs and appraise their content validity and internal structure. Six electronic databases were searched to February 2023 for studies detailing PROM content validity or internal structure. Eligible PROMs were those developed or validated for HNC, with ≥20% of items related to swallowing. Two independent raters screened citations and full‐text articles. Critical appraisal followed COSMIN guidelines. Overall, 114 studies were included, yielding 39 PROMs (17 dysphagia‐specific and 22 generic). Of included studies, 33 addressed PROM content validity and 78 internal structure. Of all PROMs, only the SOAL met COSMIN standards for both sufficient content validity and internal structure. Notably, the development of 18 PROMs predated the publication of COSMIN standards. In conclusion, this review identified 39 PROMs addressing dysphagia in HNC, of which only one met COSMIN quality criteria. Given that half of PROMs were developed prior to COSMIN guidelines, future application of current standards is needed to establish their psychometric quality.