bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Air pollution exposure when cooking with electricity compared to gas
Authors: Gould Carlos F. , Dávila Lissete , Bejarano M. Lorena , Burke Marshall , Jack Darby W. , Schlesinger Samuel B. , Mora José R. , Valarezo Alfredo 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe report small-sample evidence from a randomized experiment among a set of urban Ecuadorian households who owned both electric induction and gas stoves. We randomly assigned households to cook only with one stove during a prescribed two-day monitoring period, and then cook only with the other stove in a subsequent two-day period. The order of stove use was randomized, and air pollution was measured during each period. We found that mean 48-hour personal NO2exposure was 9.9 ppb higher (95% CI, 4.5-15.3) — a 50% increase over the 48-hour induction mean — when households were randomized to gas as compared to induction. Mean kitchen area NO2concentrations were 1 ppb higher (95% CI, 0.4-2.1) (a 6% increase) and mean personal PM2.5exposure was 11μgm−3higher (95% CI, -0.1-22.8) (a 44% increase) during study periods when randomized to gas. We use time-resolved cooking and pollution data to illustrate that these differences are driven by LPG cooking, which was associated with a 5.0 ppb increase in 5-minute average NO2kitchen area concentrations (95% CI, 3.4-6.7) and a 20.8μgm−3increase in 5-minute average personal PM2.5exposure (95% CI 8.9-32.6). In contrast, cooking with induction was not associated with changes to short-term NO2kitchen area concentrations, though it was associated with short-term increased personal PM2.5exposure (10.8, 95% CI, 5.7-15.9).
Effect of face-covering use on adherence to other COVID-19 protective behaviours: a systematic review
Authors: Millest Adam , Saeed Sidra , Symons Charles , Carter Holly 
Published: April 2023

AbstractDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns were raised that face covering use may elicit risk compensation; a false sense of security resulting in reduced adherence to other protective behaviours such as physical distancing. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of face covering use on adherence to other COVID-19 related protective behaviours. Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, EmCare, medRxiv preprints, Research Square and WHO COVID-19 Research Database were searched. All primary research studies published from 1 January 2020 to 17thMay 2022 which investigated the effect of face covering use on adherence to other protective behaviours in public settings during the COVID-19 pandemic were included. Papers were selected and screened in accordance with the PRISMA framework. Backwards and forwards citation searches of included papers were also conducted on 16thSeptember 2022, with eligible papers published between 1stJanuary 2020 and that date being included. A quality appraisal including risk of bias was assessed using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Quality Criteria Checklist. This review is registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42022331961. 47 papers were included, with quality ranging from low to high. These papers investigated the effects of face covering use and face covering policies on adherence to six categories of behaviour: physical distancing; mobility; face-touching; hand hygiene; close contacts; and generalised protective behaviour. Results reveal no consistent evidence for or against risk compensation, with findings varying according to behaviour and across study types. There is a suggestion that face covering use might reduce face-touching and face covering mandates might increase mobility, though the lack of robust evidence means these are tentative claims. Evidence on the other protective behaviours is largely inconsistent, and therefore confident conclusions cannot be made in these areas. Any policy decisions related to face coverings must consider the inconsistencies and caveats in this evidence base.
Randomized, Crossover Clinical Trial on the Safety, Feasibility, and Usability of the ABLE Exoskeleton: A Comparative Study with Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses
Authors: Rodríguez-Fernández Antonio , Lobo-Prat Joan , Tolrà-Campanyà Mariona , Pérez-Cañabate Florentina , Font-Llagunes Josep M. , Guirao-Cano Lluis 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWearable exoskeletons are emerging as a new tool for gait training. However, comparisons between exoskeletons and conventional orthoses in terms of safety and feasibility are scarce. This study assessed the safety, feasibility, usability, and learning process of using the ABLE Exoskeleton in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) while comparing it with knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs). In this randomized, crossover clinical trial, 10 patients with chronic complete SCI (T4-T12) conducted a 10-session training and assessment protocol with each device: KAFOs and the ABLE Exoskeleton. Outcomes on safety (adverse events), and feasibility and usability (level of assistance, donning/doffing, therapy activities) were recorded for both devices. Evaluation sessions included standard clinical tests (Timed Up and Go, 10-Meter Walk Test, and 6-Minute Walk Test) to assess gait performance. The therapy metrics (number of steps, distance, gait speed, and standing and walking time) were recorded at each session for the robotic device. Participants quickly learned how to use the ABLE Exoskeleton, showing improvements in all therapy metrics (p<0.05) and the 6-Minute Walk Test (p<0.05). The robotic device reported less adverse events than KAFOs (17 and 31, respectively). Total donning and doffing time was 43 seconds faster with the robotic device using comparable levels of assistance. The time to complete the therapy activities was very similar between devices. Overall, participants needed 1 to 4 training sessions to perform essential therapy activities (sit/stand transitions, walking 10 meters, turning around) with both devices using minimum assistance or less. The results of this study show that it is feasible and safe for people with motor complete paraplegia due to SCI (T4-T12) to use the ABLE Exoskeleton for gait training in a rehabilitation hospital setting. The ABLE Exoskeleton proved to be safer than KAFOs in terms of adverse events, and as practical and easy to use as the conventional orthoses.
High preoperative CEA and Systemic Inflammation Response Index(C-SIRI) Predict Unfavorable Survival of Resectable Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Cai Hao , Chen Yu , Zhang Qiao , Liu Yang , Jia HouJun 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundCEA and systemic inflammation were reported to correlate with proliferation, invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer. This study investigated the prognostic significance of the preoperative CEA and systemic inflammation response index (C-SIRI) in patients with resectable colorectal cancer.Methods217 CRC patients were recruited from Chongqing Medical University, the first affiliated hospital, between January 2015 and December 2017. Baseline characteristics, preoperative CEA level and peripheral monocyte, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were retrospectively reviewed. The optimal cutoff value for SIRI was defined as 1.1, and for CEA, the best cutoff values were 4.1 ng/l and 13.0 ng/l. Patients with low levels of CEA (<4.1 ng/l) and SIRI (<1.1) were assigned a value of 0, those with high levels of CEA (≥13.0 ng/l) and SIRI (≥1.1) were assigned a value of 3, Those with CEA in the (4.1-13.0 ng/l) and SIRI (≥1.1), CEA (≥13.0 ng/l) and SIRI (<1.1) were assigned a value of 2. Those with CEA (<4.1 ng/l) and SIRI (≥1.1), CEA in the (4.1-13.0 ng/l) and SIRI (<1.1) were assigned a value of 1. The prognostic value was assessed based on univariate and multivariate survival analysis.ResultsPreoperative C-SIRI was significantly correlated with gender, site, stage, CEA, OPNI, NLR, PLR, and MLR. However, no difference was observed between C-SIRI and age, BMI, family history of cancer, adjuvant therapy, and AGR groups. Among these indicators, the correlation between PLR and NLR is the strongest. In addition, high preoperative C-SIRI was significantly correlated with poorer overall survival (OS) (HR: 2.782, 95%CI: 1.630-4.746, P<0.001) based on univariate survival analysis. Moreover, it remained an independent predictor for OS (HR: 2.563, 95%CI: 1.419-4.628, p=0.002) in multivariate Cox regression analysis.ConclusionOur study showed that preoperative C-SIRI could serve as a significant prognostic biomarker in patients with resectable colorectal cancer.
Long-Term follow up of Myocardial Function in VA-ECMO
Authors: Yang Cheng-Ta , Cheng Yu-Ting , Chan Yi-Hsin , Wu Victor Chien-Chia , Chen Dong-Yi , Hung Kuo-Chun , Hsiao Fu-Chih , Tung Ying-Chang , Lin Chia-Pin , Chu Pao-Hsien , Chen Shao-Wei 
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjective:There is limited evidence regarding the association between myocardial function and long-term survival rate in patients who reach hospital discharge. This study aimed to investigate the association between myocardial function parameters collected at different times from weaning to long-term follow-up and the long-term mortality rate.Method:A cohort of 403 patients successfully weaned from VA-ECMO was identified from a total of 1300 patients who underwent VA-ECMO between 2000-2018 after applying exclusion criteria for age and indications not of interest in the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Research Database. A retrospective analysis was performed to investigate the effect of ejection fraction timing on long-term mortality.Results:Percentile improvement in EF between ECMO placement and successful weaning is significantly associated with lower cumulative mortality, while the EF value before discharge was significantly associated with better survival. Lastly, the association of lower long-term mortality with EF change from discharge to midterm follow-up and the maximum EF at midterm follow-up was found to be non-significant.Conclusions:This is the first study to provide a comprehensive analysis of echo-cardiographic parameters collected at different times and long-term cumulative mortality in patients who survived VA-ECMO. Improvements in cardiac function and better baseline cardiac function are associated with lower long-term mortality.
PhenoCellPy: A Python package for biological cell behavior modeling
Authors: Gianlupi Juliano F. , Sego T.J. , Sluka James P. , Glazier James A. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPhysiCell, a mechanistic center-based agent-based modeling framework, describes sequences of cell behaviors in a very elegant way with its phenotype submodel. However, its phenotypes are not usable in other frameworks, and the creation of a new phenotype is not straight forward. PhenoCellPy is an open-source Python package that implements PhysiCell’s phenotypes and their methods in a general way, that is easily extended and embedded into other python-based models. PhenoCellPy defines methods for modeling sequences of cell behaviors and states (e.g., the cell cycle, or the Phases of cellular necrosis). PhenoCellPy defines Python classes for the Cell Volume (which it subdivides between the cytoplasm and nucleus) and its evolution, the state of the cell and the behaviors the cell displays in each state (called the Phase), and the sequence of behaviors (called the Phenotype). PhenoCellPy’s can extend existing modeling frameworks as an embedded model. It integrates with the frameworks by defining the cell states (phases), signaling when a state change occurs, if division occurs, and by receiving information from the framework (e.g., how much interferon the cell is exposed to). PhenoCellPy can function with any python-based modeling framework that supports Python 3, NumPy and SciPy.
More than just an Eagle Killer: The freshwater cyanobacteriumAetokthonos hydrillicolaproduces highly toxic dolastatin derivatives
Authors: Schwark Markus , Martínez Yerena José A. , Röhrborn Kristin , Hrouzek Pavel , Divoká Petra , Štenclová Lenka , Delawská Kateřina , Enke Heike , Vorreiter Christopher , Wiley Faith , Sippl Wolfgang , Sobotka Roman , Saha Subhasish , Wilde Susan B. , Mareš Jan , Niedermeyer Timo H. J. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCyanobacteria are infamous producers of toxins. While the toxic potential of planktic cyanobacterial blooms is well documented, the ecosystem level effects of toxigenic benthic and epiphytic cyanobacteria are an understudied threat. The freshwater epiphytic cyanobacteriumAetokthonos hydrillicolahas recently been shown to produce the “eagle killer” neurotoxin aetokthonotoxin causing the fatal neurological disease Vacuolar Myelinopathy. The disease affects a wide array of wildlife in the southeastern United States, most notably waterfowl and birds of prey, including the bald eagle. In an assay for cytotoxicity, we found the crude extract of the cyanobacterium to be much more potent than pure aetokthonotoxin, prompting further investigation. Here, we describe the isolation and structure elucidation of the aetokthonostatins, linear peptides belonging to the dolastatin compound family, featuring a unique modification of the C-terminal phenylalanine derived moiety. Using immunofluorescence microscopy and molecular modeling, we confirmed that aetokthonostatin acts as a potent tubulin binder. We also show that aetokthonostatin inhibits reproduction of the nematodeC. elegans, resulting in increased population lethality of the combined action of the two toxins produced byA. hydrillicola. Bioinformatic analysis revealed the aetokthonostatin biosynthetic gene cluster encoding a non-ribosomal peptide synthe-tase/polyketide synthase accompanied by a unique tailoring machinery. The biosynthetic activity of a specific N-terminal methyltransferase was confirmed byin vitrobiochemical studies, establishing a mechanistic link between the gene cluster and its product.Significance StatementCyanotoxins have adverse effects on ecosystems. Our understanding of their potential risk has recently been expanded by the discovery of aetokthonotoxin, produced by the cyanobacteriumAetokthonos hydrillicolagrowing on invasive plants. Via trophic transfer, it acts as a neurotoxin causing mortality in animals including top predators like Bald Eagles. Closer examination ofA. hydrillicolarevealed that it also produces highly toxic dolastatin derivatives.A. hydrillicolais the first cultured cyanobacterium producing dolastatin derivatives, allowing us to uncover biosynthetic gene clusters of this compound family. In contrast to all other known dolastatin-producers, which are marine cyanobacteria,A. hydrillicolathrives in freshwater reservoirs, making it a potential threat also for human health. Monitoring of the cyanobacterium and its toxins is strongly recommended.
Re-thinking recreational fishing – how a natural disaster presents insights and opportunities for achieving sustainability and equity objectives
Authors: Orchard Shane , Gerrity Shawn , Schiel David R. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPāua (abalone) are a treasured natural resource that supports a recreational fishery worth $2 million annually to the local economy of the Kaikōura district in New Zealand. From 2016, the fishery was closed for 5 years in response to widespread mortality caused by co-seismic uplift in the 7.8 MwKaikōura earthquake. The fishery re-opened in 2021 for an initial 3-month open season with a recreational fishing allocation of 5 tonnes. We constructed scenario models informed by fishing pressure observations and show that this catch target was severely exceeded (by a factor of 9-10). We then evaluated a range of alternative management settings involving daily bag limit adjustments and temporal controls that shift opening times away from high visitation periods and favourable weather conditions as a means to reduce peaks in fishing pressure. Temporal control strategies reduced seasonal catch by up to 45% in comparative analyses using the 2021 fishing effort as a base-case scenario, and can be used in combination with daily bag limit adjustments and longer-term protected areas. When applied to a Total Allowable Catch, these solutions also produce equity effects that increase the proportional allocation accruing to local fishers. We discuss the potential role of these insights in designing temporal controls for managing seasonal influxes of fishing effort driven by tourism, and highlight the role of natural disasters and recovery periods as a trigger for new policy directions. In this case, they were needed to address an unexpected loss that illustrates a more general need for reliable fishery management that is responsive to environmental change in the long term.
Parallel shifts in flight-height associated with altitude across incipientHeliconiusspecies
Authors: Rivas-Sánchez David F , Gantiva-Q Carlos H. , Pardo-Diaz Carolina , Salazar Camilo , Montgomery Stephen H , Merrill Richard M 
Published: April 2023

AbstractVertical gradients in microclimate, resource availability and interspecific interactions are thought to underly stratification patterns in tropical insect communities. However, only a few studies have explored the adaptive significance of vertical space use during early population divergence. We analysed flight-height variation across speciation events inHeliconiusbutterflies representing parallel instances of divergence between low and high-altitude populations. We measured flight-height in wildH. erato venus andH. chestertonii, lowland and mountain specialists respectively, and found thatH. chestertoniiconsistently flies at a lower height. We compared these data with previously published results forH. e. cyrbiaandH. himera, the latter of which flies lower and, likeH. chestertonii, recently colonised high-altitude, dry forests. We show that these repeated trends largely result from shared patterns of selection across equivalent environments, producing parallel trait-shifts inH. himeraandH. chestertonii. Although our results imply a signature of local adaptation, we did not find an association between resource distribution and flight-height inH. e. venusandH. chestertonii. We discuss how this pattern may be explained by variation in forest structure and microclimate. Overall, our findings underscore the importance of behavioural adjustments during early divergence mediated by altitude-shifts.
Discovering Cognitive Strategies with Tiny Recurrent Neural Networks
Authors: Ji-An Li , Benna Marcus K. , Mattar Marcelo G. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractNormative modeling frameworks such as Bayesian inference and reinforcement learning provide valuable insights into the fundamental principles governing adaptive behavior. While these frameworks are valued for their simplicity and interpretability, their reliance on few parameters often limits their ability to capture realistic biological behavior, leading to cycles of handcrafted adjustments that are prone to research subjectivity. Here, we present a novel modeling approach leveraging recurrent neural networks to discover the cognitive algorithms governing biological decision-making. We show that neural networks with just 1-4 units often outperform classical cognitive models and match larger neural networks in predicting the choices of individual animals and humans across six well-studied reward learning tasks. Critically, we then interpret the trained networks using dynamical systems concepts, enabling a unified comparison of cognitive models and revealing detailed mechanisms underlying choice behavior. Our approach also estimates the dimensionality of behavior and offers insights into algorithms implemented by AI agents trained in a meta-reinforcement learning setting. Overall, we present a systematic approach for discovering interpretable cognitive strategies in decision-making, offering insights into neural mechanisms and a foundation for studying both healthy and dysfunctional cognition.
Sex-biased gene regulation varies across human populations as a result of adaptive evolution
Authors: Reynolds Adam Z. , Niedbalski Sara D. 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACTHuman males and females exhibit a wide range of diversity in biology and behavior. However, studies of sexual dimorphism and gender disparities in health generally emphasize ostensibly universal molecular sex differences, such as sex chromosomes and circulating hormone levels, while ignoring the extraordinary diversity in biology, behavior, and culture acquired by different human populations over their unique evolutionary histories. Using RNA-Seq data and whole genome sequences from 11 human populations, we investigate variation in sex-biased gene expression across human populations and test whether population-level variation in sex-biased expression may have resulted from adaptive evolution in sex-specific regulatory regions. In tests for differential expression, we find that sex-biased gene expression in humans is highly variable, mostly population-specific, and demonstrates between-population reversals. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping reveals sex-specific regulatory regions with evidence of recent positive natural selection, suggesting that variation in sex-biased expression may have evolved as an adaptive response to ancestral environments experienced by human populations. These results indicate that sex-biased gene expression is more flexible than previously thought and is not generally shared among human populations. Instead, molecular phenotypes associated with sex depend on complex interactions between population-specific molecular evolution and physiological responses to contemporary socioecologies.
Biomaterial based implants caused remote liver fatty deposition through activated blood-derived Kupffer cells
Authors: Peng Zhi , Xie Chang , Jin Shucheng , Hu Jiajie , Yao Xudong , Ye Jinchun , Zhang Xianzhu , Lim Jia Xuan , Wu Bingbing , Wu Haoyu , Liang Renjie , Wen Ya , Huang Jiahui , Zou Xiaohui , Ouyang Hongwei 
Published: April 2023

AbstractUnderstanding the foreign-body response (FBR) of biomaterials is a prerequisite for the prediction of its clinical application, and the present assessments mainly rely on in vitro cell culture and in situ histopathology. However, remote organs responses after biomaterials implantation is unclear. Here, by leveraging body-wide-transcriptomics data, we performed in-depth systems analysis of biomaterials - remote organs crosstalk after abdominal implantation of polypropylene and silk fibroin using a rodent model, demonstrating local implantation caused remote organs responses dominated by acute-phase responses, immune system responses and lipid metabolism disorders. Of note, liver function was specially disturbed, defined as hepatic lipid deposition. Combining flow cytometry analyses and liver monocyte recruitment inhibition experiments, we proved that blood derived monocyte-derived Kupffer cells in the liver underlying the mechanism of abnormal lipid deposition induced by local biomaterials implantation. Moreover, from the perspective of temporality, the remote organs responses and liver lipid deposition of silk fibroin group faded away with biomaterial degradation and restored to normal at end, which highlighted its superiority of degradability. These findings were further indirectly evidenced by human blood biochemical examination from 141 clinical cases of hernia repair using silk fibroin mesh and polypropylene mesh. In conclusion, this study provided knowledge of biomaterials-body interactions. It is of great important for future development of biomaterial devices for clinical application.One Sentence SummaryAbdominal local biomaterials implantation induces remote organ fatty deposition through activated blood-derived Kupffer cells.