bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exceptional longevity in Okinawa: Demographic trends since 1975
Authors: Poulain Michel , Herm Anne 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDemographers have studied the Japanese mortality pattern since Japan became the most longevous population worldwide, half a century ago. Nutrition and lifestyle were considered by epidemiologists, gerontologists and other scientists as the most important reasons explaining the Japanese superiority. In Okinawa, the mortality pattern is even more exceptional, but few demographers have pointed out this exception. Other scientists proposed different explanations – for example some genetic characteristics, less salt and more animal protein in the food, a mild climate, a higher level of activity, a better consideration of the oldest in the population and, globally speaking, a more traditional lifestyle. At the end of the 1980s, lower improvements of mortality among young adults were identified in Okinawa. In 2002, Okinawa fell from the 4th to the 26th place in the ranking of the 47 Japanese prefectures by male life expectancy. This has been considered by the population of Okinawa as a ‘shock’. Our in‐depth analysis of available life tables and associated mortality rates proves that the population of Okinawa is divided into two groups of generations: those born before World War II and those born after. The older generations clearly experience a highly favourable mortality pattern, whereas the younger generations show mortality levels that are definitively higher compared to mainland Japan. This contribution considers which factors may explain such a situation, including the plausible invalidation of the age of some oldest in the population. We plea for in‐depth demographic age validation that will enhance all scientific findings so far and boost the exceptional longevity in Okinawa.
Taxonomy and nomenclature of Oophila amblystomatis (Chlorophyceae, Chlamydomonadales)
Authors: Bishop Cory D. , Garbary David J. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe unicellular green alga Oophila amblystomatis was named by Lambert in 1905 based upon its association with egg masses of the spotted salamander Ambystoma maculatum. We collected algal cells from Lambert's original egg capsule preparations that were contributed to Phycotheca Boreali‐Americana (PBA) in 1905 and subjected them to DNA extraction and PCR with O. amblystomatis‐specific 18S rRNA gene primers. DNA amplified from these preparations was cloned and nine clones were sequenced. Along with representative sequences from the Oophila clade and Chlorophyceae, a phylogenetic tree was inferred. Seven sequences clustered within the Oophila clade and two clustered with Chlamydomonas moewusii, which is included in a sister clade to Oophila. By sequencing algal material from the egg capsules of representative type material we can unambiguously characterize O. amblystomatis and define a monophyletic clade centered on this type material. Accordingly, we reject a recent proposal that this species be transferred to Chlorococcum.
Concentration–effect relationships of plasma caffeine on EEG delta power and cardiac autonomic activity during human sleep
Authors: Baur Diego M. , Dornbierer Dario A. , Landolt Hans‐Peter 
Published: January 2024

SummaryAcute caffeine intake affects brain and cardiovascular physiology, yet the concentration–effect relationships on the electroencephalogram and cardiac autonomic activity during sleep are poorly understood. To tackle this question, we simultaneously quantified the plasma caffeine concentration with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography, as well as the electroencephalogram, heart rate and high‐frequency (0.15–0.4 Hz) spectral power in heart rate variability, representing parasympathetic activity, with standard polysomnography during undisturbed human sleep. Twenty‐one healthy young men in randomized, double‐blind, crossover fashion, ingested 160 mg caffeine or placebo in a delayed, pulsatile‐release caffeine formula at their habitual bedtime, and initiated a 4‐hr sleep opportunity 4.5 hr later. The mean caffeine levels during sleep exhibited high individual variability between 0.2 and 18.4 μmol L−1. Across the first two non‐rapid‐eye‐movement (NREM)–rapid‐eye‐movement sleep cycles, electroencephalogram delta (0.75–2.5 Hz) activity and heart rate were reliably modulated by waking and sleep states. Caffeine dose‐dependently reduced delta activity and heart rate, and increased high‐frequency heart rate variability in NREM sleep when compared with placebo. The average reduction in heart rate equalled 3.24 ± 0.77 beats per minute. Non‐linear statistical models suggest that caffeine levels above ~7.4 μmol L−1 decreased electroencephalogram delta activity, whereas concentrations above ~4.3 μmol L−1 and ~ 4.9 μmol L−1, respectively, reduced heart rate and increased high‐frequency heart rate variability. These findings provide quantitative concentration–effect relationships of caffeine, electroencephalogram delta power and cardiac autonomic activity, and suggest increased parasympathetic activity during sleep after intake of caffeine.
The benefits, barriers and facilitators of mentoring programs for first‐year doctors: A systematic review
Authors: Winderbaum Joelle , Coventry Linda L. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIntroductionThe transition from medical student to first‐year doctor is notoriously difficult, yielding a high rate of transition failure, burn‐out and mental health deterioration. Doctors in this cohort experience unique challenges during this time, which manifest through performance gaps, issues of professional identity, new occupational pressures, and cultural expectations. Mentoring programs are commonly utilised in the medical profession to foster personal and professional development and improve psychosocial well‐being and career satisfaction. However, there exist no systematic reviews examining the use of mentorship specifically for the first‐year doctor cohort, given the unique transition challenges faced by this vulnerable group.PurposeDue to their transition difficulties, evaluate the research on mentorship specifically for first‐year doctors, and identify the emerging themes that can inform the benefits to this group, the barriers that impede program implementation and the facilitators that contribute to successful mentorship programs for this cohort.Materials and MethodsThe PEO (population, exposure outcome) framework was adopted to develop the research inquiry, after which, a systematic review was conducted, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. The search strategy was conducted with assistance from an experienced university librarian. Screening and selection were completed independently against inclusion/exclusion criteria, by two reviewers. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using Joanna Briggs critical appraisal instruments. Data sources used included Web of Science Medline, Ebsco Cinahl Plus, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection and Ovid Journals. Search parameters were restricted to English language and peer‐reviewed; date range was unobstructed up to 26 August 2022.ResultsA total of 4137 articles were retrieved, with 13 considered to have met full inclusion criteria. An integrative review synthesis identified three major themes; benefits of mentoring for first‐year doctors, intrinsic and extrinsic barriers to mentoring programs and facilitating factors that improve successful program implementation.ConclusionFirst‐year doctors report untenable and highly strenuous working conditions, that result in poor mental health and high attrition rates. Formalised, near‐peer, tier mosaic mentoring programs provide significant psychosocial and career benefits to this cohort specifically, bridge the training gap from medical student to first‐year doctor and ameliorate patterns of intergenerational bullying, hierarchy and emotional inhibition. However, mentorship is inextricably interrelated to societal–cultural considerations of identity. Mentorship alone cannot overcome endemic cultural challenges within medicine without broader systemic change; however, programs are a valuable option towards positive support for first‐year doctors.
Diethyl ether anaesthesia inhibits de‐etiolation of barley seedlings by locking them in intermediate skoto‐photomorphogenetic state
Authors: Pavlovič Andrej , Kopečná Martina , Hloušková Lucie , Koller Jana , Hřivňacký Martin , Ilík Petr , Bartoš Jan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractLight is an essential environmental signal for plant development called photomorphogenesis. Here, we show that diethyl ether anaesthesia inhibits the de‐etiolation process in barley (Hordeum vulgare) seedlings. Illuminated seedlings exposed to diethyl ether accumulated significantly less chlorophylls and chlorophyll‐binding proteins, and exhibited reduced maximum quantum yield of photosystem II photochemistry (Fv/Fm). Although the direct effect of light necessary for the greening process, i.e. for the photoreduction of protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) to chlorophyllide (Chlide) catalysed by light‐dependent protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase A (PORA), was not inhibited, the RNA‐seq and qPCR analyses showed that light‐induced expression of photosynthesis‐associated nuclear genes (PhANGs) and genes encoding enzymes for chlorophyll biosynthesis were attenuated. On the other hand, transcription of chloroplast‐encoded genes was not negatively affected by diethyl ether treatment during greening. Among the genes negatively regulated by light, PORA and PHYA were only slightly affected by diethyl ether. The effect of diethyl ether was fully reversible and, after its removal, the greening process was fully restored. Our data indicate that diethyl ether had two effects on greening: i) it inhibited the expression of PhANGs and chlorophyll biosynthesis‐related genes irrespective of light conditions, ii) it blocked the light‐induced expression of these genes and greening process of etiolated seedlings. Our study indicates that diethyl ether affects plastid biogenesis, which alters the orchestration of negative and positive regulators affecting phytochrome and/or retrograde signalling and does not allow expression of PhANGs. Thus, the plants are locked in an intermediate skoto‐photomorphogenetic state in the light.
Ukrainians as “Aliens” (Inorodtsy): Governmental Regulation of Ukrainian Cultural Associations, 1905–17
Authors: Kotenko Anton 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis article presents a history of the imperial government’s regulation of Ukrainian cultural associations, which appeared around the Romanov Empire in the aftermath of the 1905 Revolution. It centers on the prehistory, drafting, and implementation of Circular No. 2 (1910), issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and signed by Petr Stolypin on January 20, 1910, which labeled Ukrainian associations “alien.” By studying the document in a wider chronological and geographical context than in previous scholarship, I argue that even though the circular aimed at curbing any non‐Russian nationalist activity irrespective of national group, its more specific goal was to avert a break‐up of the tripartite Russian nation by preventing the inhabitants of the southwestern provinces from becoming Ukrainians. Therefore, the circular’s characterization of Ukrainians as “aliens” was neither an accident nor a bureaucratic mistake, as is suggested in the historiography, but should be considered as a manifestation of the embrace of Russian nationalism by the highest officials of the empire. Additionally, the haphazard implementation of the circular further revealed the multilayered nature of the late imperial bureaucracy, as well as the empire’s inconsistent nationalization on the eve of the First World War.
What goes up must come down? The effect of ‘2020’ on university students' academic performance trajectories
Authors: Whitelaw Emma , Branson Nicola 
Published: January 2024

AbstractUsing longitudinal, institutional data, we estimate the effects of pandemic‐related closures on the academic performance trajectories of undergraduate students at a university in South Africa. Leveraging data from both the 2020 and 2021 academic years, and using difference‐in‐difference models, we find that performance gains made in 2020 are reversed in 2021, with performance dropping relative to pre‐pandemic trends. Moreover, we find a widening achievement gap between students from differing socio‐economic backgrounds, suggesting household inequalities played out in student performance differentials to a greater extent in 2021—despite the reopening of campus residences that year. This result persists even when accounting for the fact that dropout rates in 2021 are substantially lower compared with previous years. Together, results suggest that the improvements observed in 2020 did not reflect true learning gains and support hypotheses that a reduction in content taught, increased marker leniency and a reduction in credit loads were likely drivers of improved performance in the 2020 academic year.
Causal role of immune cells in alopecia areata: A two‐sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Xu Wen , Shen Yuqing , Sun Jiayi , Wei Dongfan , Xie Bo , Song Xiuzu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundPrevious research has highlighted an association between alopecia areata (AA) and the collapse of hair follicle immune privilege, however, the causal linkage to specific immune cell traits remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the causal influence of immune cell traits on AA utilizing a two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.MethodsLeveraging GWAS summary statistics of 731 immunological traits (n = 3757) and AA data (n = 211,428), MR analyses were conducted employing inverse‐variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, and MR‐Egger regression methodologies. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken using Cochran's Q test, MR‐Egger intercept test, and MR‐PRESSO analysis. A reverse MR analysis was performed for immune cell traits identified in the initial MR analysis.ResultsOur study unveiled multiple immune traits associated with AA. Protective associations were observed for CD62L‐ CD86+ myeloid dendritic cells (DCs), TD CD4+%CD4+ T cells, and others, with ORs ranging from 0.63 to 0.78. Conversely, traits like CD62L on CD62L+ plasmacytoid DCs, HLA‐DR on CD14‐ CD16+ monocytes, HLA‐DR on monocytes, and others, were determined to augment the risk of AA, with ORs ranging from 1.13 to 1.46. Reverse MR analysis signified a reduction in BAFF‐R on IgD‐CD24‐B cells post‐AA onset (OR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–1.00), with no identified heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy among the instrumental variables (IVs).ConclusionsOur findings suggests that CD62L on certain subpopulations of DCs and HLA‐DR on monocytes may epitomize risk factors for AA, offering potential therapeutic targets for alleviating AA.
Risk of Low Energy Availability in New Zealand National Team and U20 Female Football Representatives
Authors: Coombes Isabella , Badenhorst Claire E. 
Published: January 2024

Background: Rates of low energy availability (LEA) in female footballers range from 12% to 66%, studies are limited, and no research has yet looked at the prevalence of LEA in a cohort of international players. Due to the negative consequences of LEA, more research is needed for a thorough investigation into prevalence rates and the associated risk factors of LEA within international environments. Methods: Twenty-two members of the New Zealand under 20 (U20) and National Women’s football teams (20.8 ± 3.5 years) participated in this study. Participants completed an online questionnaire composed of five independent validated surveys to assess LEA risk (Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire), eating disorder risk (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire), sleep quality (Athlete Sleep Score Questionnaire), nutrition knowledge, (Abridged Sport Nutrition Questionnaire), and mood (Profile of Mood States Questionnaire). Results: 59.1% (n = 13) of participants were identified as being at risk of problematic LEA. Players reporting menstrual disturbances (amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea) were 2.25 times more likely to be at risk of LEA than those who did not report a menstrual disturbance. Menstrual status (R = −.46, p = .030) and Profile of Mood States Questionnaire (r = −.46, p = .032) were significantly and positively associated with risk of LEA (R = −.46, p = .030). Conclusions: A significant proportion (59.1%) of players in the New Zealand national and U20 female football team are at risk of LEA. The positive and predictive relationship observed between mood disturbances, menstrual status, and risk of LEA suggests that regular monitoring of mood and menstrual cycle health may be used for the early identification of problematic LEA in national-level female footballers in New Zealand.
Fast and Slow Jump Training Methods Induced Similar Improvements in Measures of Physical Fitness in Young Females
Authors: Thapa Rohit K. , Sarmah Bhargav , Chaware Utsav , Afonso José , Moran Jason , Chaabene Helmi , Ramirez-Campillo Rodrigo 
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to contrast the impacts of an exercise intervention using either bounce drop jump (DJ; fast stretch-shortening cycle exercise) or countermovement jump (CMJ; slow stretch-shortening cycle exercise) on measures of physical fitness in young females. A total of 23 young females (age: 19.7 ± 1.0 years, height: 159.8 ± 4.2 cm, body mass: 54.3 ± 14.3 kg) were randomly assigned to either DJ (n = 12) or CMJ (n = 11) training, which spanned 6 weeks. Pre- and posttraining assessments were conducted for 10 m and 30 m linear sprints, change-of-direction speed, CMJ, DJ (jump height, contact time, and reactive strength index), standing long jump, triple-hop distance, and isometric strength. Apart from the variance in jump technique, both interventions were standardized in terms of total repetitions, intensity, and surface type. No significant Group × Time effect was observed in any dependent variables (all p > .05). A significant time effect was observed in 10 m (p < .001, effect size [ES] = 0.70) and 30 m (p < .001, ES = 0.79) linear sprint, CMJ height (p = .012, ES = 0.34), DJ contact time (p = .012, ES = 0.34), and triple-hop distance (p = .006, ES = 0.38). Both DJ and CMJ training interventions led to comparable improvements in linear sprints, CMJ height, DJ contact time, and triple-hop distance. These findings suggest that the duration of ground contact during intervention exercises (i.e., fast vs. slow stretch-shortening cycle) did not significantly influence initial (6 weeks) physical fitness adaptations in young females. However, extending these results to highly trained groups (e.g., athletes) warrants further investigation.
Metaproteomics analysis of anaerobic digestion of food waste by the addition of calcium peroxide and magnetite
Authors: Zhu Lirong , Li Wen , Liu Yongli , Li Jinze , Xu Linji , Gu Li , Chen Cong , Cao Yang , He Qiang 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Adding trace calcium peroxide and magnetite into a semi-continuous digester is a new method to effectively improve the anaerobic digestion of food waste. However, the microbial mechanism in this system has not been fully explored. Metaproteomics further revealed that the most active and significantly regulated genus
u_p_Chloroflexi
had formed a good cooperative relationship with
Methanomicrobiales
and
Methanothrix
in the system.
u_p_Chloroflexi
decomposed more organic compounds into CO
2
, acetate, amino acids, and other substances by alternating between short aerobic-anaerobic respiration. It perceived and adapted to the surrounding environment by producing biofilm, extracellular enzymes, and accelerating substrate transport, formed a respiratory barrier, and enhanced iron transport capacity by using highly expressed cytochrome C. The methanogens formed reactive oxygen species scavengers and reduced iron transport to prevent oxidative damage. This study provides new insight for improving the efficiency of anaerobic digestion of food waste and identifying key microorganisms and their regulated functional proteins in the calcium peroxide-magnetite digestion system.

IMPORTANCE
Previous study has found that the combination of calcium peroxide and magnetite has a good promoting effect on the anaerobic digestion process of food waste. Through multiple omics approaches, information such as microbial population structure and changes in metabolites can be further analyzed. This study can help researchers gain a deeper understanding of the digestion pathway of food waste under the combined action of calcium peroxide and magnetite, further elucidate the impact mechanisms of calcium peroxide and magnetite at the microbial level, and provide theoretical guidance to improve the efficiency and stability of anaerobic digestion of food waste, as well as reduce operational costs. This research contributes to improving energy recovery efficiency, promoting sustainable management and development of food waste, and is of great significance to environmental protection.
Studies of Isotopic Fractionation of D/H Water Ice in Lunar Regolith
Authors: Sevastyanov V. S. , Krivenko A. P. , Voropaev S. A. , Marov M. Ya. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
In order to study the processes related to the origin and retention of water on the surface of the Moon, an experimental setup has been created at the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences (GEOKHI RAS), for the analysis of (re)sublimation processes of water ice in a vacuum at low temperatures. The temperature range for (re)sublimation varies from –100 to 0°C. The setup is connected to an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS), which allows for measuring the isotopic composition of the vapor of the evaporating substance and providing an estimation of the (re)sublimation rate under specific physicochemical conditions. The direct introduction of gases into the mass spectrometer in real-time mode sets the developed setup apart from foreign counterparts. The setup is equipped with a transparent quartz window through which the surface of the studied substance can be heated using a halogen lamp, simulating the movement of solar rays on the surface of mineral grain compositions under conditions similar to those on the lunar surface. In addition to studying gas (de)sorption on the surfaces of mineral grains of various compositions, the setup can also be used for researching the (re)sublimation of gas hydrates and CO2.
Oscillator-based optimization: design, emulation, and implementation
Authors: Al Beattie Bakr , Noll Maximiliane , Kohlstedt Hermann , Ochs Karlheinz 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The emergence of digital computers has profoundly reshaped our interactions with technology and the processing of information. Despite excelling in data processing and arithmetics, these computers face limitations in tackling complex nondeterministic-polynomial (NP) problems. In response, researchers have started searching for new computational paradigms that possess the natural tendency of solving these problems. Oscillator-based optimizers are one such paradigm, where the idea is to exploit the parallelism of oscillators networks in order to efficiently solve NP problems. This involves a process of mapping a given optimization task to a quadratic unconstrained binary optimization program and then mapping the resulting program onto an inter-oscillator coupling circuit encoding its coefficients. This paper presents a comprehensive approach to constructing oscillator-based optimizers, offering both the rationale for employing oscillator networks and formulas for linking optimization coefficients to inter-oscillator coupling. Here, we cover most aspects of oscillator-based optimization starting from the design of the network up to its technical implementation. Moreover, we provide a platform-independent wave digital algorithm, which allows for emulating our network’s behavior in a highly parallel fashion.

Graphical Abstract