bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TMS-evoked EEG potentials demonstrate altered cortical excitability in migraine with aura
Authors: Helling Robert M. , Perenboom Matthijs J. L. , Bauer Prisca R. , Carpay Johannes A. , Sander Josemir W. , Ferrari Michel D. , Visser Gerhard H. , Tolner Else A. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMigraine is associated with altered sensory processing, that may be evident as changes in cortical responsivity due to altered excitability, especially in migraine with aura. Cortical excitability can be directly assessed by combining transcranial magnetic stimulation with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG). We measured TMS evoked potential (TEP) amplitude and response consistency as these measures have been linked to cortical excitability but were not yet reported in migraine.We recorded 64-channel EEG during single-pulse TMS on the vertex interictally in 10 people with migraine with aura and 10 healthy controls matched for age, sex and resting motor threshold. On average 160 pulses around resting motor threshold were delivered through a circular coil in clockwise and counterclockwise direction. Trial-averaged TEP responses, frequency spectra and phase clustering (over the entire scalp as well as in frontal, central and occipital midline electrode clusters) were compared between groups, including comparison to sham-stimulation evoked responses.Migraine and control groups had a similar distribution of TEP waveforms over the scalp. In migraine with aura, TEP responses showed reduced amplitude around the frontal and occipital N100 peaks. For the migraine and control groups, responses over the scalp were affected by current direction for the primary motor cortex, somatosensory cortex and sensory association areas, but not for frontal, central or occipital midline clusters.This study provides evidence of altered TEP responses in-between attacks in migraine with aura. Decreased TEP responses around the N100 peak may be indicative of reduced cortical GABA-mediated inhibition and expand observations on enhanced cortical excitability from earlier migraine studies using more indirect measurements.
Acute Biomechanical Effects of Empagliflozin on Living Isolated Human Heart Failure Myocardium
Authors: Amesz Jorik H. , Langmuur Sanne J. J. , Epskamp Nina , Bogers Ad J. J. C. , de Groot Natasja M. S. , Manintveld Olivier C. , Taverne Yannick J. H. J. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Purpose

Multiple randomized controlled trials have presented SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) as novel pharmacological therapy for patients with heart failure, resulting in reductions in hospitalization for heart failure and mortality. Given the absence of SGLT2 receptors in the heart, mechanisms of direct cardioprotective effects of SGLT2i are complex and remain to be investigated. In this study, we evaluated the direct biomechanical effects of SGLT2i empagliflozin on isolated myocardium from end-stage heart failure patients.

Methods
Ventricular tissue biopsies obtained from 7 patients undergoing heart transplantation or ventricular assist device implantation surgery were cut into 27 living myocardial slices (LMS) and mounted in custom-made cultivation chambers with mechanical preload and electrical stimulation, resulting in cardiac contractions. These 300 µm thick LMS were subjected to 10 µM empagliflozin and with continuous recording of biomechanical parameters.

Results
Empagliflozin did not affect the maximum contraction force of the slices, however, increased total contraction duration by 13% (p = 0.002) which was determined by prolonged time to peak and time to relaxation (p = 0.009 and p = 0.003, respectively).

Conclusion
The addition of empagliflozin to LMS from end-stage heart failure patients cultured in a biomimetic system improves contraction and relaxation kinetics by increasing total contraction duration without diminishing maximum force production. Therefore, we present convincing evidence that SGLT2i can directly act on the myocardium in absence of systemic influences from other organ systems.
Between welcome culture and border fence
Authors: Blokker Nico , Blessing André , Dayanik Erenay , Kuhn Jonas , Padó Sebastian , Lapesa Gabriella 
Published: February 2023

AbstractNewspaper reports provide a rich source of information on the unfolding of public debates, which can serve as basis for inquiry in political science. Such debates are often triggered by critical events, which attract public attention and incite the reactions of political actors: crisis sparks the debate. However, due to the challenges of reliable annotation and modeling, few large-scale datasets with high-quality annotation are available. This paper introduces DebateNet2.0, which traces the political discourse on the 2015 European refugee crisis in the German quality newspaper taz. The core units of our annotation are political claims (requests for specific actions to be taken) and the actors who advance them (politicians, parties, etc.). Our contribution is twofold. First, we document and release DebateNet2.0 along with its companion R package, . Second, we outline and apply a Discourse Network Analysis (DNA) to DebateNet2.0, comparing two crucial moments of the policy debate on the “refugee crisis”: the migration flux through the Mediterranean in April/May and the one along the Balkan route in September/October. We guide the reader through the methods involved in constructing a discourse network from a newspaper, demonstrating that there is not one single discourse network for the German migration debate, but multiple ones, depending on the research question through the associated choices regarding political actors, policy fields and time spans.
Macroinvertebrate assemblages from a stream-wetland complex: a case study with implications for assessing restored hydrologic functions
Authors: Braccia Amy , Lau Jamie , Robinson Jesse , Croasdaile Michael , Park Jeong , Parola Art 
Published: February 2023

AbstractLegacies of past land use persist today in the form of incised, single-threaded stream channels with dramatically different hydrologic functions of pre-colonial stream valleys. Restoration practices that aim to return lost hydrologic functions by re-establishing floodplain and groundwater connections should result in stream habitat and biological assemblages that differ from modern, single-threaded channels. The aim of this case study was to identify attributes of macroinvertebrate assemblages that might serve as biological indicators of improved hydrologic functions following the restoration of a stream-wetland complex, similar to a Stage 0 restoration, of a headwater valley in the Western Allegheny region of the USA. We monitored hydrologic functions and macroinvertebrate assemblages from stream reaches of a restored and unrestored site over multiple years during the early years following restoration. Reduced bed mobility and increased flow duration indicated improved hydrologic functions from the restored site. Aggregate metrics that capture functional attributes of macroinvertebrate assemblage (i.e., density and biomass) were consistently greater from the restored site. EPT biomass from restored pools was 3–4 × greater than amounts from the unrestored site as a result of consistently greater mayfly abundance. Restored pools also supported a subassemblage of taxa with life history attributes that are aligned with habitat conditions created from improved hydrologic functions. Results from this case study demonstrate the importance of habitat-specific sampling designs that report the absolute abundance of potential biological indicators. Findings from this case study should help guide the development of rapid biological indicators of improved hydrologic functions.
The Role of Animals in Buffering Against Cisgenderism in and Beyond Family Contexts for Trans Young People Living in Australia
Authors: Riggs Damien W. , Rosenberg Shoshana , Taylor Nik , Fraser Heather 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study reported in this paper was to explore the role of animals in buffering against cisgenderist violence experienced by trans young people.

Method
Interviews were conducted with 17 Australian trans young people and one of their parents who spoke with us about their relationships with their animals living in the home, including in terms of animals providing a protective function against the negative effects of cisgenderism. The transcribed interviews were analyzed thematically.

Results
Thematic analysis resulted in the development of three themes. First, at the psychological level, animals helped young people to combat feelings of dysphoria, wrought by the violent effects of social norms about gender. Second, at the interpersonal level, animals helped to soothe young people when they were faced with less than supportive or indeed hostile responses from family members and other people in their lives. Third, at the community level, the companionship provided by animals offered a buffer against feelings of marginalization premised on cisgenderist social norms.

Conclusions
All three themes speak to the importance of conceptualizing violence in family contexts as more than just the obvious: as encompassing more subtle forms of marginalization that in their net effect may constitute forms of violence or microaggressions. As a counter to these subtle forms of violence, animals are thus perceived as playing an important role as confidantes, as offering a place of non-judgemental safety, and as a touchstone to the more-than-human.
Adding Structured Components to Home Visitation to Reduce Mothers’ Risk for Child Maltreatment: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: van der Stouwe Trudy , Leijten Patty , Asscher Jessica J. , Deković Maja , van der Put Claudia E. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Home visitation program effects are generally small, which may be caused by flexible intervention content leading to inconsistent outcomes. In this study we therefore examined whether the effectiveness of a Dutch home visitation program (i.e., Supportive Parenting) can be improved by adding structured intervention components targeting key risk factors for child maltreatment: parental sense of competence, perceived stress, parental anger, and PTSD symptoms.

Method
Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 74) that received four additional intervention components in two home visits, or a control group (n = 60) that received regular Supportive Parenting. Outcomes were assessed before (T1) and after (T2) the first, and before (T3) and after (T4) the second home visit. Effects were examined using ANCOVA for primary outcomes: parental sense of competence, perceived stress, parental anger, and PTSD symptoms, and secondary outcomes: risk of child maltreatment, parental warmth, and negative parenting. Moderation effects were examined for T1 scores, child temperament and life events.

Results
Mothers who received the intervention components showed less stress compared to the control group at T3 and T4. There were no differences between groups on other outcomes and no moderation effects, although parental sense of competence reduced and anger increased within the experimental group specifically.

Conclusion
The structured components may enhance the effectiveness of Supportive Parenting to reduce parenting stress. Future research into how other outcomes can be improved is needed.
Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of Mango tilapia (Sarotherodon galilaeus: Cichlidae)
Authors: Fiteha Yosur G. , Rashed M. A. , Ali R. A. M. , Magdy M. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background
Sarotherodon galilaeus (Linné, 1758) is a member of the family Cichlidae, which is considered the most important aquaculture freshwater species endemic to Africa and the Middle East. The genetics and molecular biology of this species are rare. This requires more comprehensive mitochondrial genomes-based phylogenetics to enhance understanding of the relationship and delineate this species.

Methods and results
Here, we assembled the complete mitogenome of S. galilaeus using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology. The mango tilapia mitogenome was 16,631 bp in length with an AT composition of 53.4% and 46.4% GC content. It encodes 37 genes comprising two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) as well as the D-loop known as the control region. The phylogenetic tree was conducted to provide a relationship within the haplotilapiine lineage based on the maximum likelihood method, and the newly sequenced S. galilaeus was clustered with other Sarotherodon species.

Conclusion
Our results provide a new perception of the genetic basis of S. galilaeus species for further research on systematics, evolution, population genetics, and molecular ecology.
A first insight into the Polish Bochnia Salt Mine metagenome
Authors: Lach Jakub , Królikowska Klaudyna , Baranowska Monika , Krupińska Magdalena , Strapagiel Dominik , Matera-Witkiewicz Agnieszka , Stączek Paweł 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The Bochnia Salt Mine is one of the oldest mines in Europe. It was established in the thirteenth century, and actively operated until 1990. The mine has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Previous research describing Polish salt mines has been focused on bioaerosol characteristics and the identification of microorganisms potentially important for human health. The use of Polish salt mines as inhalation chambers for patients of health resorts has also been investigated. Nevertheless, the biodiversity of salt mines associated with biotechnological potential has not been well characterized. The present study paper examines the biodiversity of microorganisms in the Bochnia Salt Mine based on 16S rRNA gene and shotgun sequencing. Biodiversity studies revealed a significantly higher relative abundance of Chlamydiae at the first level of the mine (3.5%) compared to the other levels (< 0.1%). Patescibacteria microorganisms constituted a high percentage (21.6%) in the sample from site RA6. Shotgun sequencing identified 16 unique metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). Although one was identified as Halobacterium bonnevillei, the others have not yet been assigned to any species; it is possible that these species may be undescribed. Preliminary analyses of the biotechnological and pharmaceutical potential of microorganisms inhabiting the mine were also performed, and the biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) profiles and antimicrobial peptide (AMP) coding genes in individual samples were characterized. Hundreds of BGCs and dozens of AMP coding genes were identified in metagenomes. Our findings indicate that Polish salt mines are promising sites for further research aimed at identifying microorganisms that are producers of potentially important substances with biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.
Evaluating instruments for assessing healthspan: a multi-center cross-sectional study on health-related quality of life (HRQL) and frailty in the companion dog
Authors: Chen Frances L. , Ullal Tarini V. , Graves Jessica L. , Ratcliff Ellen R. , Naka Alexander , McKenzie Brennen , Carttar Tennery A. , Super Kaitlyn M. , Austriaco Jessica , Weber Sunny Y. , Vaughn Julie , LaCroix-Fralish Michael L. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractDeveloping valid tools that assess key determinants of canine healthspan such as frailty and health-related quality of life (HRQL) is essential to characterizing and understanding aging in dogs. Additionally, because the companion dog is an excellent translational model for humans, such tools can be applied to evaluate gerotherapeutics and investigate mechanisms underlying longevity in both dogs and humans. In this multi-center, cross-sectional study, we investigated the use of a clinical questionnaire (Canine Frailty Index; CFI; Banzato et al., 2019) to assess frailty and an owner assessment tool (VetMetrica HRQL) to evaluate HRQL in 451 adult companion dogs. Results demonstrated validity of the tools by confirming expectations that frailty score increases and HRQL scores deteriorate with age. CFI scores were significantly higher (higher frailty) and HRQL scores significantly lower (worse HRQL) in old dogs (≥ 7 years of age) compared to young dogs (≥ 2 and < 6 years of age). Body size (small < 11.3 kg (25 lbs) or large > 22.7 kg (50 lbs)) was not associated with CFI or total HRQL score. However, older, larger dogs showed faster age-related decline in HRQL scores specific to owner-reported activity and comfort. Findings suggest that the clinician-assessed CFI and owner-reported VetMetrica HRQL are useful tools to evaluate two determinants of healthspan in dogs: the accumulation of frailty and the progressive decline in quality of life. Establishing tools that operationalize the assessment of canine healthspan is critical for the advancement of geroscience and the development of gerotherapeutics that benefit both human and veterinary medicine.
Graphical abstract
Browsing into a Panamanian tropical rainforest: micro- and mesowear study of Central American red brocket deer
Authors: Martínez-Polanco María Fernanda , Rivals Florent 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe Mazama genus is one of the more diverse genera among deer (Cervidae); its classification is controversial because of its complex phylogenetic relationships. The Central American red brocket deer (Mazama temama) is distributed from Central America to the northwest of South America. Studying the diet of mammals gives us information about the environment in which they live, considering that animals select food according to the resources available in the surrounding environment. Mesowear and microwear provide complementary data because they present direct evidence of feeding behaviour on different time scales. The use of extant animals as control samples or baselines allows for the interpretation of the results of a study performed using the archaeological record. For this reason, the aim of this paper was to study the diet of extant M. temama from Darien and to compare it with our previous results on ancient deer from Pedro Gonzalez Island archaeological site (6060–5620 cal yr BP) and extant individuals from San Jose Island (Panama). Evidence from the meso- and microwear analyses of M. temama from Darien suggests that they were browse-dominated mixed feeders during the last years of their lives and during the days before their death. There was no evidence of seasonal variation in their diets and between sexes. This paper exemplifies the potential of studying extant materials housed in museum collections as a reference to compare them to archaeological remains. The use of the same methods allows to construct baselines to better understand the archaeological record in the Neotropics.
Graphical Abstract
Religiosity over the Life Course and Flourishing: Are There Educational Differences?
Authors: Upenieks Laura , Schieman Scott 
Published: February 2023

Background Human flourishing offers a more inclusive and comprehensive assessment of well-being beyond the absence of mental illness. Research on religion and well-being has generally focused on singular measure of mental or physical well-being and emphasized different stages rather than longer stretches of the life course. This study seeks to address these gaps. Purpose We focus on the interaction between transitions in religiosity and educational attainment in predicting flourishing in mid-life adults. By positioning the effects of transitions in religiosity across levels of education—a common axis of stratification for religious belief and behavior—we test the enhanced resource perspective that the better educated may benefit more from sustained or increased religiosity over the life course. Methods Data for this study come from MIDUS, a nationally representative sample of United States adults (N = 3030). We created a composite measure of flourishing across the psychological, social, and emotional domains and conducted a series of regression models. Results We observed that people with stable high religiosity between childhood and adulthood had the best flourishing profiles, suggesting that the association between religiosity and flourishing may begin to take shape in childhood. We found that both stable high or increases in religiosity between childhood and adulthood were found to be most beneficial for the flourishing scores of the college educated compared to those with less than a college degree. We found no support for the hypothesis that the less educated “substitute” religion as a compensatory mechanism for their deficiency in secular resources. Conclusion and Implications While flourishing has typically been excluded as an outcome of study in the burgeoning religion-health literature, the results of the current study suggest much could be learned from its inclusion. At the population level, studying flourishing—with attention to differences by educational and religious dimensions—might represent a more useful way to understand how people can achieve a state of happiness and come to realize more meaningful lives.
Understanding Hematopoietic Stem Cell Dynamics—Insights from Mathematical Modelling
Authors: Pedersen Rasmus K. , Andersen Morten , Stiehl Thomas , Ottesen Johnny T. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Purpose of review
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) drive blood-cell production (hematopoiesis). Out-competition of HSCs by malignant cells occurs in many hematologic malignancies like acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Through mathematical modelling, HSC dynamics and their impact on healthy blood cell formation can be studied, using mathematical analysis and computer simulations. We review important work within this field and discuss mathematical modelling as a tool for attaining biological insight.

Recent findings
Various mechanism-based models of HSC dynamics have been proposed in recent years. Key properties of such models agree with observations and medical knowledge and suggest relations between stem cell properties, e.g., rates of division and the temporal evolution of the HSC population. This has made it possible to study how HSC properties shape clinically relevant processes, including engraftment following an HSC transplantation and the response to different treatment.

Summary
Understanding how properties of HSCs affect hematopoiesis is important for efficient treatment of diseases. Mathematical modelling can contribute significantly to these efforts.