bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seniority and Ideological Proximity? A Longitudinal Analysis of the Appointment of Party Group Coordinators in the European Parliament
Authors: Chiru Mihail 
Published: March 2023

AbstractGroup coordinators have a key role in shaping coherent policy agendas in European Parliament (EP) committees and in building consensus about the party line among the group's specialists. They also yield considerable discretion and influence legislative outcomes through their selection of rapporteurs. This article builds and expands on previous research to analyse longitudinally the determinants of group coordinator selection. The EP's gradual empowerment to co‐legislator status has arguably increased the stakes of selecting competent group coordinators. Drawing on a unique dataset that includes all party group coordinators of the European People's Party in seven terms of the EP (1984–2019), the article shows that committee incumbency, coordinator seniority and, to a lesser extent, ideological proximity to the committee contingent influence who becomes a coordinator. The results are robust to replication of analyses on a sample of Socialists and Democrats Members of the European Parliament and to controlling for several factors associated with partisan and distributive theories of committee organisation.
Long‐term efficacy, safety and tolerability of secukinumab in children and adolescents with severe chronic plaque psoriasis: Two‐year results from a Phase III double‐blind, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Krasowska D. , Gambichler T. , Cortés C. , Horev A. , Compagno N. , Dahale S. S. , Papanastasiou P. , Keefe D. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundSecukinumab has previously demonstrated sustained efficacy and favourable safety for up to 52 weeks in paediatric patients (children and adolescents aged 6 to <18 years) with severe chronic plaque psoriasis (NCT02471144).ObjectiveTo investigate the long‐term (104 weeks) efficacy and safety of secukinumab.MethodsAfter 52 weeks, patients continued to receive secukinumab low dose (LD [75/150 mg]) or high dose (HD [75/150/300 mg]). Patients on etanercept (0.8 mg/kg) until Week 52 entered follow‐up. Data for patients receiving secukinumab LD from the beginning and those switching to secukinumab LD from placebo (‘Any secukinumab’ LD) and patients receiving secukinumab HD from the beginning and those switching to secukinumab HD from placebo (‘Any secukinumab’ HD) are presented. Assessments: Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, PASI (75/90/100) responses, Investigator's Global Assessment modified 2011 (IGA mod 2011) 0/1 response, Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) score and CDLQI 0/1 response up to Week 104, and, safety up to Week 104 for all patients and up to 4 years for some patients (~320 patient‐years [PY] of treatment).ResultsSecukinumab‐treated patients showed sustained PASI 75/90/100 and IGA mod 2011 0/1 responses up to Week 104. Throughout the second year of treatment, efficacy was similar for the ‘Any secukinumab’ LD and HD groups for PASI 75 and IGA mod 2011 0/1 responses. PASI 90/100 responses were mostly comparable between the dose groups up to Week 88, but higher in the ‘Any secukinumab’ HD than the ‘Any secukinumab’ LD group at Week 104. Patients achieved a sustained CDLQI 0/1 response that was similar between the ‘Any secukinumab’ LD (61.1%) and HD (65.0%) groups. Safety data were consistent with the established safety profile of secukinumab.ConclusionSecukinumab demonstrated sustained long‐term efficacy (up to 2 years) and a favourable safety profile (~320 PY of treatment) in paediatric patients with severe chronic plaque psoriasis.
Insecticide resistance monitoring and diagnostics of resistance mechanisms in cotton‐melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover in Central China
Authors: Shi Dandan , Wang Tiantian , Lv Haixiang , Li Xuchao , Wan Hu , He Shun , You Hong , Li Jianhong , Ma Kangsheng 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAphis gossypii Glover is one of the most serious pests in China, and the management of this pest mainly relies on insecticides. However, the resistance status of A. gossypii in Central China is still unknown. Therefore, in this study, we firstly determined the susceptibility of 15 A. gossypii field populations from Central China to six chemical insecticides using leaf‐dipping method during 2020 and 2021 and explored the potential resistance mechanisms of these populations. Most of the field populations of A. gossypii have evolved low to high levels of resistance to imidacloprid (RR = 5.98–2352.96‐fold), thiamethoxam (RR = 5.98–2194.96‐fold), flonicamid (RR = 7.18–306.07‐fold), and pirimicarb (RR = 6.90–283.00‐fold); however, 13 tested field populations remained susceptible to chlorpyrifos. For λ‐cyhalothrin, most populations have evolved low to moderate levels of resistance (RR = 5.72–47.38‐fold). The results of correlation analysis indicated that there was a prominent positive correlation between the enzyme activity of cytochrome P450 and the logarithm of LC50 to thiamethoxam and pirimicarb. Carboxylesterase (CarE) was positively correlated with λ‐cyhalothrin, while glutathione S‐transferase (GST) was negatively correlated with λ‐cyhalothrin. Furthermore, we found that multiple resistance associated target site mutations (V62I, R81T, A302S, S431F, M918L) can be detected in the field populations of A. gossypii. Aphis gossypii in Central China have developed different degrees of resistance to tested insecticides and enhanced detoxification of cytochrome P450 and carboxylesterase and co‐existed resistance mutations contribute to the multiple resistance of these field populations. Our results provide valuable information about the status of insecticide resistance in China and are helpful for designing sustainable management strategies of A. gossypii.
Online acceptance and commitment therapy as treatment for loneliness among older adults: Report of a pilot study
Authors: Zarling Amie , Kim Joseph , Russell Dan , Cutrona Carolyn 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundLoneliness has been linked to cognitive decline, cardiovascular risk, and risk of mortality among older adults. Creative approaches are needed to increase access for older adults to evidence‐based intervention programs. One possible approach is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The aim of this study was to pilot test a novel ACT‐based online intervention to decrease loneliness in older adults living in the community.MethodsA self‐paced online ACT program consisting of eight interactive modules designed to teach participants skills to address common contributors to loneliness was evaluated. It was delivered to a sample of 529 men and women, aged 65 or over, who were assessed pre‐intervention, postintervention, and at a one‐month follow‐up, with a short 10‐item version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale.ResultsFor participants who completed all eight modules of the intervention, average levels of loneliness significantly decreased from pre‐ to posttreatment, b = −0.013, t (385) = −4.69, p < 0.001 (Cohen's d = 0.30). The improvement in loneliness was maintained at the one‐month follow‐up assessment. These improvements were particularly robust for individuals who were lonely at outset (Cohen's d = 0.73). The change in loneliness among these individuals was significantly greater than that observed in members of a “hold‐out” group of lonely individuals that did not participate in the intervention (Cohen's d = 0.24).ConclusionsThis pilot investigation suggests the feasibility of this program for decreasing loneliness in older adults. Future controlled investigations with long‐term follow‐up assessments are needed to confirm the effectiveness and sustained benefits of the program.
Genotyping and antifungal susceptibility testing of Sporothrix brasiliensis isolates from Southern Brazil
Authors: Bombassaro Amanda , Spruijtenburg Bram , Medeiros Fernanda , Jacomel Favoreto de Souza Lima Bruna , Ballardin Luana Beatriz , Farias Marconi Rodrigues de , Vicente Vania Aparecida , de Queiroz‐Telles Flavio , Meis Jacques F. , de Groot Theun 
Published: March 2023

AbstractSporotrichosis is an implantation mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix and mostly involves cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues and the lymphatic vessels. Among more than 50 different species, only Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix globosa and Sporothrix brasiliensis are frequently reported to cause infections in humans. Sporothrix brasiliensis is remarkably virulent and has been spreading rapidly in Brazil and other Latin American countries. In this study, we aimed to determine the genetic relatedness and antifungal susceptibility of Sporothrix strains by analysing 89 isolates from humans and cats in Curitiba, Southern Brazil. Calmodulin sequencing identified 81 S. brasiliensis and seven S. schenckii isolates. Amplified fragment length polymorphism genotyping analysis showed feline and human isolates clustering together. In vitro susceptibility testing with seven antifungals demonstrated a broad activity against all tested S. brasiliensis isolates, with no significant differences in minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values between feline and human isolates. Resistance was solely observed in one human isolate against itraconazole and posaconazole, with MICs of ≥16 μg/mL against both antifungals. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis on this isolate and two related susceptible isolates did not reveal any unique substitutions in resistance‐associated genes, including cyp51, hmg and erg6, when compared to two related susceptible isolates. The novel antifungal olorofim exhibited excellent activity against this large isolate collection, with all isolates considered as susceptible. Altogether, we indicate zoonotic transmission based on genotyping and revealed a broad activity of seven common antifungals, including olorofim, against a large S. brasiliensis isolate collection.
Phytophthora sojae effector PsAvh113 associates with the soybean transcription factor GmDPB to inhibit catalase‐mediated immunity
Authors: Zhu Xiaoguo , Guo Liang , Zhu Ruiqing , Zhou Xiaoyi , Zhang Jianing , Li Die , He Shidan , Qiao Yongli 
Published: March 2023

SummaryPhytophthora species are the most destructive plant pathogens worldwide and the main threat to agricultural and natural ecosystems; however, their pathogenic mechanism remains largely unknown. Here, we show that Avh113 effector is required for the virulence of Phytophthora sojae and is important for development of Phytophthora root and stem rot (PRSR) in soybean (Glycine max). Ectopic expression of PsAvh113 enhanced viral and Phytophthora infection in Nicotiana benthamiana. PsAvh113 directly associated with the soybean transcription factor GmDPB, inducing its degradation by the 26S proteasome. The internal repeat 2 (IR2) motif of PsAvh113 was important for its virulence and interaction with GmDPB, while silencing and overexpression of GmDPB in soybean hairy roots altered the resistance to P. sojae. Upon binding to GmDPB, PsAvh113 decreased the transcription of the downstream gene GmCAT1, which acts as a positive regulator of plant immunity. Furthermore, we revealed that PsAvh113 suppressed the GmCAT1‐induced cell death by associating with GmDPB, thereby enhancing plant susceptibility to Phytophthora. Together, our findings reveal a vital role of PsAvh113 in inducing PRSR in soybean and offer a novel insight into the interplay between defence and counter‐defence during the P. sojae infection of soybean.
Freedom and its unavoidable trade‐off
Authors: Moen Lars J. K. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn the debate on how we ought to define political freedom, some definitions are criticized for implying that no one can ever be free to perform any action. In this paper, I show how the possibility of freedom depends on a definition that finds an appropriate balance between absence of interference and protection against interference. To assess the possibility of different conceptions of freedom, I consider the trade‐offs they make between these two dimensions. I find that pure negative freedom is clearly possible. Republican freedom might also be possible, though its protection requirement is too vague for a definitive verdict. Finally, the recently proposed ‘freedom as independence’ is impossible since it is an attempt to avoid the unavoidable trade‐off.
High‐throughput miRNA sequencing and identification of a novel ICE1‐targeting miRNA in response to low temperature stress in Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Authors: Zhang W.‐H. , Zhang Z.‐Y. , Liu Y. , Tan Z.‐Y. , Zhou Q. , Lin Y.‐Z. 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACT

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in the growth, development, morphogenesis, signal transduction, and stress response in plants. The ICE (Inducer of CBF expression)‐CBF (C‐repeat binding factor)‐COR (Cold‐regulated gene) regulatory cascade is an important signalling pathway in plant response to low temperature stress, and it remains unknown whether this pathway is regulated by miRNAs.

In this study, high‐throughput sequencing was employed for predicting and identifying the miRNAs that were likely to target the ICE‐CBF‐COR pathway in Eucalyptus camaldulensis. A novel ICE1‐targeting miRNA, eca‐novel‐miR‐259‐5p (nov‐miR259), was further analysed.

A total of 392 conserved miRNAs and 97 novel miRNAs were predicted, including 80 differentially expressed miRNAs. Of these, 30 miRNAs were predicted to be associated with the ICE‐CBF‐COR pathway. The full‐length of mature nov‐miR259 was 22 bp and its precursor gene was 60 bp in length, with a typical hairpin structure. The RNA ligase‐mediated 5′ amplification of cDNA ends (5′‐RLM‐RACE) and Agrobacterium‐mediated tobacco transient expression assays demonstrated that nov‐miR259 could cleave EcaICE1 in vivo. Moreover, qRT‐PCR and Pearson's correlation analysis further revealed that the expression levels of nov‐miR259 were almost significantly negatively correlated with those of its target gene, EcaICE1, and the other genes in the ICE‐CBF‐COR pathway.

We first identified the nov‐miR259 as a novel ICE1‐targeting miRNA, and the nov‐miR259‐ICE1 module may be involved in regulating the cold stress response in E. camaldulensis.
The role of sodium citrate during extended cold storage of platelets in platelet additive solutions
Authors: Johnson Lacey , Roan Christopher , Lei Pearl , Spinella Philip C. , Marks Denese C. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundCold‐stored platelets are increasingly being used to treat bleeding. Differences in manufacturing processes and storage solutions can affect platelet quality and may influence the shelf life of cold‐stored platelets. PAS‐E and PAS‐F are approved platelet additive solutions (PAS) in Europe and Australia, or the United States respectively. Comparative data are required to facilitate international transferability of laboratory and clinical data.Study Design and MethodsSingle apheresis platelets from matched donors (n = 8) were collected using the Trima apheresis platform and resuspended in either 40% plasma/60% PAS‐E or 40% plasma/60% PAS‐F. In a secondary study, platelets in PAS‐F were supplemented with sodium citrate, to match the concentration in PAS‐E. Components were refrigerated (2–6°C) and tested over 21 days.ResultsCold‐stored platelets in PAS‐F had a lower pH, a greater propensity to form visible (and micro‐) aggregates, and higher activation markers compared to PAS‐E. These differences were most pronounced during extended storage (14–21 days). While the functional capacity of cold‐stored platelets was similar, the PAS‐F group displayed minor improvements in ADP‐induced aggregation and TEG parameters (R‐time, angle). Supplementation of PAS‐F with 11 mM sodium citrate improved the platelet content, maintained the pH above specifications and prevented aggregate formation.DiscussionIn vitro parameters were similar during short‐term cold storage of platelets in PAS‐E and PAS‐F. Storage in PAS‐F beyond 14 days resulted in poorer metabolic and activation parameters. However, the functional capacity was maintained, or even enhanced. The presence of sodium citrate may be an important constituent in PAS for extended cold storage of platelets.
Lexical and Stylistic Derivation in Mass Media Discourse
Authors: Baranova Svitlana , Kobyakova Iryne , Brovkina Oksana 
Published: March 2023

The article deals with the mass media discourse that covers different economic, social, and political aspects of everyday life and such global issues as sustainable development goals. The purpose of the research is to study lexical and stylistic derivation in the mass media discourse. The latter is regarded as a written, monological, informative political discourse indicating society’s language culture. The article identifies the ways of word-building employed in the analyzed discourse and suggests the classification of derived units. Besides, the stylistic properties of the mass media discourse are pointed out. The meanings and functions of the secondary nomination units as units of stylistic derivation (metaphors, metonymies, periphrases, epithets, irony) in the context are described. Renomination by similarity, contiguity and contrast is mentioned. Figures of combination (oxymoron, antithesis, simile) are analyzed in the article. The stylistic potential of phraseology is also considered. The work relies on the recent linguistic research of discourse as a communicative-pragmatic pattern of speech behavior, a complex combination of the process and result, and a coherent text with pragmatic, sociocultural, psychological, and extralinguistic factors. The conclusions are based on English and Ukrainian media, their linguistic and expressive markers.
COVID-19 Containment Measures—a Step Back for Walking Mobility? A 2-Year, 60-Country Analysis of the Apple Mobility Data
Authors: Luciano Francesco , Crova Federica , Canella Francesco 
Published: March 2023

Background: COVID-19 containment measures curb viral spread but may hamper walking mobility. As a low daily step count is associated with increased noncommunicable diseases and mortality, assessing the relationship between pandemic responses and walking mobility can help trade-off public health measures. We investigated the association between containment stringency and walking mobility across 60 countries in the period between January 21, 2020 and January 21, 2022 and modeled how this could impact mortality hazard. Methods: Walking mobility was measured through the Apple Mobility Trends, containment measures stringency index through the Oxford COVID-19 response tracker (which considers local policies on closures, healthcare, and economy), and meteorological data by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather stations. Walking mobility was regressed over stringency in a mixed-effect model with weather variables as covariates. The impact of stringency on all-cause mortality due to reduced mobility was modeled based on regression results, prepandemic walking mobility, and the association between step count and all-cause mortality hazard. Results: Across the 60 countries, the average stringency was 55 (9) (mean [SD]) out of 100. Stringency was negatively associated with walking mobility; a log-linear model fitted data better than a linear one, with a regression coefficient for stringency on ln (walking mobility) (95% confidence interval) of −1.201 × 10−2 (−1.221 × 10−2 to −1.183 × 10−2). Increasing stringency, thus decreasing walking mobility, nonlinearly incremented the modeled all-cause mortality hazard by up to ∼40%. Conclusions: In this study, walking mobility was negatively associated with containment measures stringency; the relationship between stringency, mobility, and the subsequent impact on health outcomes may be nonlinear. These findings can help in balancing pandemic containment policies.
Prevalence and diagnostic significance of de-novo 12-lead ECG changes after COVID-19 infection in elite soccer players
Authors: Bhatia Raghav T , Malhotra Aneil , MacLachlan Hamish , Gati Sabiha , Marwaha Sarandeep , Chatrath Nikhil , Fyyaz Saad , Aleixo Haroldo , Al-Turaihi Samar , Babu Aswin , Basu Joyee , Catterson Paul , Cooper Robert , Daems Joelle J N , Dhutia Harshil , Ferrari Filipe , van Hattum Juliette C , Iqbal Zafar , Kasiakogias Alexandros , Kenny Antoinette , Khanbhai Tamim , Khoury Shafik , Miles Chris , Oxborough David , Quazi Kashif , Rakhit Dhrubo , Sharma Anushka , Varnava Amanda , Tome Esteban Maria Teresa , Finocchiaro Gherardo , Stein Ricardo , Jorstad Harald T , Papadakis Michael , Sharma Sanjay 
Published: March 2023

Background and aimThe efficacy of pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 infection 12-lead ECGs for identifying athletes with myopericarditis has never been reported. We aimed to assess the prevalence and significance of de-novo ECG changes following COVID-19 infection.MethodsIn this multicentre observational study, between March 2020 and May 2022, we evaluated consecutive athletes with COVID-19 infection. Athletes exhibiting de-novo ECG changes underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) scans. One club mandated CMR scans for all players (n=30) following COVID-19 infection, despite the absence of cardiac symptoms or de-novo ECG changes.Results511 soccer players (median age 21 years, IQR 18–26 years) were included. 17 (3%) athletes demonstrated de-novo ECG changes, which included reduction in T-wave amplitude in the inferior and lateral leads (n=5), inferior leads (n=4) and lateral leads (n=4); inferior T-wave inversion (n=7); and ST-segment depression (n=2). 15 (88%) athletes with de-novo ECG changes revealed evidence of inflammatory cardiac sequelae. All 30 athletes who underwent a mandatory CMR scan had normal findings. Athletes revealing de-novo ECG changes had a higher prevalence of cardiac symptoms (71% vs 12%, p<0.0001) and longer median symptom duration (5 days, IQR 3–10) compared with athletes without de-novo ECG changes (2 days, IQR 1–3, p<0.001). Among athletes without cardiac symptoms, the additional yield of de-novo ECG changes to detect cardiac inflammation was 20%.Conclusions3% of athletes demonstrated de-novo ECG changes post COVID-19 infection, of which 88% were diagnosed with cardiac inflammation. Most affected athletes exhibited cardiac symptoms; however, de-novo ECG changes contributed to a diagnosis of cardiac inflammation in 20% of athletes without cardiac symptoms.
Exposure and behavioural responses of tagged bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) to vessels in the Pacific Arctic
Authors: Martin Morgan J. , Halliday William D. , Citta John J. , Quakenbush Lori , Harwood Lois , Lea Ellen V. , Juanes Francis , Dawson Jackie , Nicoll Adrian , Insley Stephen J. 
Published: March 2023

Arctic marine mammals face many challenges linked to climate change, including increasing anthropogenic noise from vessel traffic. The bowhead whale ( Balaena mysticetus Linnaeus, 1758), an Arctic endemic cetacean, relies on acoustic communication, with documented overlapping frequencies between communication and vessel noise. Bering–Chukchi–Beaufort (BCB) bowhead whales migrate through areas with the highest levels of vessel traffic in the Pacific Arctic. Here, we document the spatial and temporal overlap between 25 satellite-tagged BCB bowhead whales and vessels during July–December, 2012–2018. We report 1332 occasions when a vessel was within 125 km of a tagged whale, and where possible, quantified changes in swim speed to investigate individual behavioural responses to vessel approaches within a 50 km radius ( n = 18 encounters). In the quantitative analysis, bowhead whales were not observed to alter swim speed within 8–50 km of vessels (we could not assess distances <8 km). Our results suggest that bowhead whales did not exhibit detectable long-range (i.e., up to 50 km) behavioural responses to vessels, consistent with observations of closely related North Atlantic right whales ( Eubalaena glacialis (Muller, 1776)), for which vessel strikes are a leading cause of mortality. More work is required to assess how bowhead whales react to vessels at closer distances.