bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Depth‐based correlation analysis between the density of lineaments in the crystalline basement's weathered zones and groundwater occurrences within the Voltaian basin, Ghana
Authors: Yaw Amponsah Theophilus , Wemegah David Dotse , Danuor Sylvester Kojo , Forson Eric Dominic 
Published: August 2023

AbstractGeological structures have been shown by studies to have influence on the occurrence, storage and transportation of groundwater. Understanding the structural network of an area unearths a deep insight into the groundwater dynamics of the area. A geological structural analysis was carried out to reveal the geological structural network of Ghana's Voltaian basin. Using aeromagnetic data, structural density models were generated using the Center for Exploration Targeting grid analysis technique for two depth ranges (that is up to 100 m and 300 m) over the Voltaian basin. The total length of geological structures (lineaments) delineated at depths up to 100 m and 300 m were more than 5000 km and more than 8000 km, respectively. Given this, the study area was observed to be structurally dense at each of the aforementioned depths. The structural density models were discretized into five classes (very low, low, moderate, moderately high and very high regions), each of which was evaluated to determine their spatial association with known locations of groundwater occurrences within the study area using the frequency ratio technique. Frequency ratio results for both structural density models derived at 100 m and 300 m depths show the existence of a strong correlation between high structural density model classes and the known groundwater occurrences. The structural density models were further evaluated using the receiver operating characteristics curve. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve scores indicates that, although both structural density models showed very good performance (with receiver operating characteristics scores greater than 0.7), the 300‐m depth structural density model performed better than the structural density model generated at a depth of 100 m (with their receiver operating characteristics scores being 0.721 and 0.715, respectively). The obtained results corroborate with literature assertion that groundwater occurrence within the Voltaian basin is mainly associated with structural features. It is expected that the outputs of this study would guide future groundwater exploration programmes within the study area.
Reanalysis indicates little evidence of reduction in eagle mortality rate by automated curtailment of wind turbines
Authors: Huso Manuela , Dalthorp Daniel 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Unintended consequences of renewable energy development include collision‐caused deaths of birds and bats. Energy companies may risk prosecution if protected species are among the casualties. Shutting down turbines during high collision‐risk conditions could reduce mortality rates, and several companies are developing systems to identify such conditions.

A recent peer‐reviewed article published in the Journal of Applied Ecology reported a remarkable ‘82% (75%–89%) reduction in the fatality rate’ of eagles at a wind energy facility due to a device marketed as Identiflight®—remarkable because of the impressive effect size and the extremely high level of precision. We show that reported results stem from four major errors, which, when corrected, give an unremarkable estimate of 50% (−159%, 89%) reduction (or possible increase) in the fatality rate.

The errors include the following: (i) Ignoring annual variation. They compare the average number of eagle fatalities over 4 years before activation of Identiflight® to the number in a single year after, ignoring annual variation in fatalities. (ii) Unfounded causal inference. Lack of replication (one treatment year at one site) is ignored, leading to unwarranted causal inference. (iii) Inflated effect size. Effect size is inflated by assuming (without providing evidence) that the difference in fatality relative to the mean at a neighbouring site would be exactly repeated at the treatment site. Furthermore, the observed difference in fatalities at the control site depends strongly on the arbitrarily chosen date distinguishing the ‘Before’ and ‘After’ periods, yielding unreliable results. (iv) Inconsistency of data. It is unclear why 7 of 42 reported eagle fatalities were not included in the data analyzed, potentially further inflating the estimated effect size.

Synthesis and applications. The recent claim, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, that ‘Eagle fatalities are reduced by automated curtailment of wind turbines’ is not supported by the data but stems from errors that led to strongly overstated effect size and precision, and unfounded inference. In theory, automated curtailment has obvious potential for reducing eagle fatalities, but several more years of data at several locations and appropriate statistical analyses will be required to evaluate its effectiveness and to inform management prescriptions involving this technology.
Wildlife as sentinels of compliance with law: An example with GPS‐tagged scavengers and sanitary regulations
Authors: Mateo‐Tomás Patricia , Rodríguez‐Pérez Jorge , Fernández‐García María , García Emilio J. , Valente e Santos João Pedro , Gutiérrez Iván , Olea Pedro P. , Rodríguez‐Moreno Beatriz , López‐Bao José Vicente 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Monitoring compliance with environmental laws is essential to overcoming possible implementation shortfalls jeopardizing their effectiveness. Besides improving our ecological understanding of wildlife, remote tracking technologies also allow us to take advantage of such ecological knowledge to use wildlife as sentinels of compliance with law.

We illustrate this sentinel potential of wildlife using GPS tracking of large scavengers with complementary functional traits (i.e. 21 griffon vultures and 13 wolves) to assess compliance with EU sanitary regulations allowing livestock carcass disposal in the field.

Wildlife sentinels allowed the systematic evaluation of 489 livestock carcasses left in the field, which revealed an important mismatch between on‐paper and in‐reality implementation of these regulations. While <45% of the carcasses were placed in authorized areas, compliance with all the criteria required by the regulations on livestock carcass disposal (e.g. from carcass characteristics such as species, age or production system to its location far away from water, buildings or roads) ranged from 0% to 4.2%, with no major differences between regions with uneven implementation.

Major gaps in compliance pointed towards insufficient and over‐bureaucratized designation of scavenger feeding zones, where livestock carcass disposal is authorized. The indiscriminate nature of distance criteria from carcasses to watercourses, buildings and infrastructure further affected compliance.

Synthesis and applications. GPS‐tagged scavengers allow the on‐ground monitoring of carcasses, the addressing of potential risks for wildlife, livestock and human health, the quantitative assessment of compliance with the law and would improve estimates of carcass availability, substantially contributing to more effective legislation enforcement. Our results show the huge potential of GPS‐tagged wildlife as sentinels for monitoring compliance to enhance the environmental rule of law.
Reanalysis ignores pertinent data, includes inappropriate observations, and disregards realities of applied ecology: Response to Huso and Dalthorp (2023)
Authors: McClure Christopher J. W. , Rolek Brian W. , Dunn Leah , McCabe Jennifer D. , Martinson Luke , Katzner Todd E. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

We recently demonstrated efficacy of automated curtailment of wind turbines in reducing fatalities of eagles at a study site in Wyoming, USA. Huso and Dalthorp criticize our work, asserting that there are several ‘major errors’ that render our previous work as providing ‘no meaningful support’ for automated curtailment. As we show here, our data do indeed provide support for the efficacy of automated curtailment.

The purported major errors they identify include: having only 1 year of post‐treatment data, having only one control and one treatment site, using the control site for inference, choosing an arbitrary demarcation date between the ‘before’ and ‘after’ periods, analysing the number, rather than the rate, of fatalities, and not including data they consider pertinent. These claims are unsupported because all result from misreading our study, ignoring realities of causal inference in field ecology, or are matters of preference.

Most importantly, we did not fail to include pertinent data and we provided sufficient criteria in the manuscript to explain inclusion of carcasses in our study. As stated in our previous study, the eagle carcasses we did not include were found either outside of search areas or incidentally, and thus did not meet criteria for inclusion. Further, Huso and Dalthorp present a standard for spatial and temporal replication that is inconsistent with their own recent work and many other studies in this field. Finally, their reanalysis of our data ignores the control site while including inappropriate data and thus is not suitable for inference.

We appreciate the unusually thorough critique of our work provided by Huso and Dalthorp. Despite the major errors in their argument, this discussion provides a platform for further evaluation of our original work.

Synthesis and applications. We show that incorporating control site data and using our a priori demarcation of before and after periods into Huso and Dalthorp's reanalysis returns meaningful support for automated curtailment. We also direct the reader to an updated analysis that uses components of the approach Huso and Dalthorp suggest, along with additional data and a number of other analytical improvements, to validate and strengthen our original conclusions.
Employment, income, and skill alignment of humanitarian migrants in the Australian labour market: Metropolitan and regional contexts, 2000–2016
Authors: Tan Yan , Rudd Dianne , Lester Laurence 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHumanitarian migration to Australia has reached new levels, accompanied by unprecedented complexity and diversity. Little is known about labour market integration for these newcomers, nor about how well their skills match those required for or relevant to their employment. Here we analyse how labour force engagement and skill alignment are influenced by migration status, including migration scheme, region of birthplace, applicant status, year of arrival, citizenship, and internal migration after settlement, and metropolitan versus regional geographic location of settlement. In particular, we focus on employed humanitarian visa holders who arrived between 2000 and 2016. Using the 2016 Australian Census and Migrants Integrated Dataset (ACMID) for quantitative analysis, our modelling established that they were not as likely to be in the labour force as skilled visa holders. Similarly, humanitarian visa holders who were employed were less likely to be in jobs that matched their skills and more likely to have lower income levels. Moreover, there were significant differences in skill alignment between those settling in metropolitan and in regional areas. The relative probability of being over‐skilled was correlated with migration scheme, origin, duration since arrival, internal movement in the year preceding the census, proficiency in spoken English, family status, and gender. Labour market outcomes varied by visa subtype and by metropolitan versus regional settlement. We conclude that the design of migration policy requires further important consideration, both to improve the outlook for this vulnerable population and to address chronic skill shortages in Australia.
Tofacitinib and pirfenidone as rescue therapies for severe COVID‐19 in a patient with previously stable interstitial lung disease associated with Sjögren syndrome
Authors: Tsao Yu‐Chuan , Chuang Shih‐Han , Tseng Chih‐Wei 
Published: August 2023

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) can lead to pulmonary fibrosis due to the inflammatory process in the lung, resulting in a series of respiratory consequences. Patients with underlying systemic diseases or pre‐existing pulmonary diseases are particularly at risk of severe respiratory distress and persistent pulmonary abnormalities. Pirfenidone, a well‐known anti‐fibrotic agent recognized for its therapeutic effect on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, could be a feasible option in severe COVID‐19 cases given the similar pathophysiological features shared with interstitial lung diseases. In this paper, we share our experience of early administration of pirfenidone in combination with tofacitinib in a 61‐year‐old female patient with severe COVID‐19 pneumonia. Pirfenidone was initiated because of persistent dependence on high‐flow oxygen support and even the requirement for mechanical ventilation due to disease progression after initial standard COVID‐19 treatment. The patient was successfully extubated 15 days after the initiation of pirfenidone, and 13 days after extubation, she was completely weaned off supplemental oxygen. A series of chest radiographs and computed tomography scans demonstrated notable improvements in her lung condition. We propose a strategy of using pirfenidone plus tofacitinib as a rescue therapy in the management of patients with severe COVID‐19.
Alcohol use and grey matter structure: Disentangling predispositional and causal contributions in human studies
Authors: Baranger David A. A. , Paul Sarah E. , Hatoum Alexander S. , Bogdan Ryan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAlcohol use is a growing global health concern and economic burden. Alcohol involvement (i.e., initiation, use, problematic use, alcohol use disorder) has been reliably associated with broad spectrum grey matter differences in cross‐sectional studies. These findings have been largely interpreted as reflecting alcohol‐induced atrophy. However, emerging data suggest that brain structure differences also represent pre‐existing vulnerability factors for alcohol involvement. Here, we review evidence from human studies with designs (i.e., family‐based, genomic, longitudinal) that allow them to assess the plausibility that these correlates reflect predispositional risk factors and/or causal consequences of alcohol involvement. These studies provide convergent evidence that grey matter correlates of alcohol involvement largely reflect predisposing risk factors, with some evidence for potential alcohol‐induced atrophy. These conclusions highlight the importance of study designs that can provide causal clues to cross‐sectional observations. An integrative model may best account for these data, in which predisposition to alcohol use affects brain development, effects which may then be compounded by the neurotoxic consequences of heavy alcohol use.
Extreme weather and agricultural management decisions among smallholder farmers in rural Thailand and Vietnam
Authors: Liebenehm Sabine , Jaretzky Huong , Waibel Hermann 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn this article, we explore whether and to what extent smallholder farmers in Northeastern Thailand and Central Vietnam adjust their farm‐level management strategies in response to droughts. We hereby consider adjustments in flexible adaptive strategies including water management, fertilizer and pesticide application, labor, and machine use in response to a contemporaneous drought, and adjustments in crop diversification and investments in response to a previous year drought. To that end, we combine longitudinal household data from the two regions from 2007 to 2017 with monthly high‐resolution rainfall and temperature data to characterize droughts at the subdistrict level. We find that Thai farmers scale down input costs in terms of fertilizer and hired labor and outsource tasks to service providers with equipment such as a combine, especially when exposed to extreme droughts. Their diversification and investment response seems, however, muted. While Vietnamese farmers are also reducing fertilizer use, they are expanding both the number of hired laborers and rented machinery services. They are also diversifying their cropping portfolio and investing in agricultural equipment.
Integrated HBV DNA and cccDNA maintain transcriptional activity in intrahepatic HBsAg‐positive patients with functional cure following PEG‐IFN‐based therapy
Authors: Gao Na , Guan Guiwen , Xu Ganlin , Wu Haishi , Xie Chan , Mo Zhishuo , Deng Hong , Xiao Shuying , Deng Zhicong , Peng Liang , Lu Fengmin , Zhao Qiyi , Gao Zhiliang 
Published: August 2023

SummaryBackgroundHepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance marks regression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, more than one‐fifth of patients with functional cure following pegylated interferon‐based therapy may experience HBsAg seroreversion. The mechanisms causing the HBV relapse remain unclear.AimTo investigate the level and origin of HBV transcripts in patients with functional cure and their role in predicting relapse.MethodsLiver tissue obtained from patients with functional cure, as well as uncured and treatment‐naïve HBeAg‐negative patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were analysed for intrahepatic HBV markers. HBV capture and RNA sequencing were used to detect HBV integration and chimeric transcripts.ResultsCovalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) levels and the proportion of HBsAg‐positive hepatocytes in functionally cured patients were significantly lower than those in uncured and treatment‐naïve HBeAg‐negative patients. Integrated HBV DNA and chimeric transcripts declined in functionally cured patients compared to uncured patients. HBsAg‐positive hepatocytes present in 25.5% of functionally cured patients, while intrahepatic HBV RNA remained in 72.2%. The levels of intrahepatic HBV RNA, integrated HBV DNA, and chimeric transcripts were higher in functionally cured patients with intrahepatic HBsAg than in those without. The residual intrahepatic HBsAg in functionally cured patients was mainly derived from transcriptionally active integrated HBV DNA; meanwhile, trace transcriptional activity of cccDNA could also remain. Two out of four functionally cured patients with intrahepatic HBsAg and trace active cccDNA experienced HBV relapse.ConclusionIntegrated HBV DNA and cccDNA maintain transcriptional activity and maybe involved in HBsAg seroreversion in intrahepatic HBsAg‐positive patients with functional cure and linked to virological relapse.
Risk and predictors of hepatic decompensation in grey zone patients by the Baveno VII criteria: A competing risk analysis
Authors: Lin Huapeng , Lai Jimmy Che‐To , Wong Grace Lai‐Hung , Delamarre Adèle , Ahn Sang Hoon , Li Guanlin , Kim Beom Kyung , Liang Lilian Yan , Lee Hye Won , Song Sherlot Juan , Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , de Lédinghen Victor , Kim Seung Up , Yip Terry Cheuk‐Fung 
Published: August 2023

SummaryBackgroundBaveno VII was proposed for non‐invasive identification of clinically significant portal hypertension. However, a substantial proportion of patients is classified in the grey zone (i.e., liver stiffness 15–24.9 kPa and/or platelet count <150 × 109/L).AimsTo evaluate the risk and predictors of hepatic decompensation in patients in the grey zone, and to determine the prognostic role of spleen stiffness measurement.MethodsWe included prospective cohorts (from Hong Kong, Korea and France) of patients who had undergone transient elastography examination for chronic liver disease. We estimated risk of hepatic decompensation using competing risk regression with hepatocellular carcinoma and non‐liver‐related death as competing events.ResultsWe identified 2763 patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD). There were 1243 (44.9%) and 536 (19.4%) patients in the Baveno VII grey zone and high‐risk groups, respectively. The cumulative incidence of decompensation at 5 years was significantly different among low‐risk (0.6% [95% CI: 0.2%–1.3%]), grey zone 4.2% (95% CI: 3.1%–5.4%) and high‐risk groups (11.4% [95% CI: 8.7%–14.6%]). By competing risk analysis, aetiology of liver disease (alcohol‐related liver disease), albumin–bilirubin score and alkaline phosphatase level were independently associated with decompensation among patients in the grey zone. The combination of Baveno VII and spleen stiffness significantly reduced patients classified into grey zone (12.8% in cACLD patients), while maintaining high discrimination of decompensation in low‐ and high‐risk groups.ConclusionsPatients in grey zone of Baveno VII criteria remain at high risk of hepatic decompensation. Clinical risk factors and spleen stiffness can further stratify the risk in such patients.
Evans syndrome caused by a deleterious mutation affecting the adaptor protein SASH3
Authors: Novak Wolfgang , Berner Jakob , Svaton Michael , Jimenez‐Heredia Raul , Segarra‐Roca Anna , Frohne Alexandra , Guiliani Sarah , Rouhani David , Eder Sebastian K. , Rottal Arno , Trapin Doris , Scheuchenstuhl Anja , Pickl Winfried F. , Simonitsch‐Klupp Ingrid , Kager Leo , Boztug Kaan 
Published: August 2023

SummaryIncreasing evidence suggests multilineage cytopenias (also known as Evans syndrome) may be caused by inborn errors of immunity (IEI) with immune dysregulation. We studied a patient with autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and immune thrombocytopenia and identified a germline mutation in SASH3 (c.862C>T;p.Arg288Ter), indicating a recently identified IEI. Immunohistochemistry performed after clinically indicated splenectomy revealed severe hypoplasia/absence of germinal centres. The autoimmune phenotype was associated with an increased CD21lowT‐bet+CD11c+ subset along with decreased regulatory T cells, impaired T‐cell proliferation and T‐cell exhaustion. The younger brother carries the same SASH3 mutation and shares immunophenotypic features but is currently clinical asymptomatic, indicating heterogeneity of SASH3 deficiency.
Clinical significance of antinuclear antibodies in primary immune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Moulis Guillaume , Aladjidi Nathalie , Godeau Bertrand 
Published: August 2023

SummaryThere are discrepancies across guidelines about whether the dosage of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) is of use at the diagnosis of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). This review describes the current knowledge about ANA prevalence in patients with primary ITP, and their potential usefulness as biomarkers for ITP evolution, response to treatments and increased risk of subsequent development of systemic lupus and thrombosis.
Angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma: Novel recurrent mutations and prognostic biomarkers by cell‐free DNA profiling
Authors: Zhang Chunlan , Mou Biqin , Xu Juan , Wang Jie , Liu Qinyu , Yang Yunfan , Tang Wenjiao , Zhong Xushu , Xu Caigang 
Published: August 2023

SummaryMolecular and clinical stratification of patients with angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma (AITL) is unsatisfactory, which hinders the development of personalized therapies. This study aimed to identify molecular biomarkers for AITL based on peripheral cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) that could be used to predict prognosis and guide treatment non‐invasively. A customized panel containing 46 genes was used to study pretreatment cfDNA and paired tumour tissues in 64 Chinese AITL patients from three clinical centres, and gene mutations in cfDNA and tumour tissue were assessed for concordance (34 paired samples). Then, the association of gene mutations and prognosis was analysed, and a functional enrichment analysis was performed. The sequencing results showed good consistency between cfDNA samples and paired tissue samples. KDM5A, STAT1, FANCM, ERBB4, PIK3R5 and NSD1 were identified as novel recurrent mutations. Mutations in FANCM or combinations of RHOA, KDM5A and FAT1 were associated with poor prognosis. Additionally, functional analysis revealed that RHOAG17 might serve as a predictive biomarker of PD‐1 blockade respondence. Our findings confirmed the role of cfDNA as a liquid biopsy in AITL, and revealed novel molecular determinants that can stratify patients and guide treatment options.