bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phorid fly parasitism rates vary between individual colonies of the leaf‐cutting ant Atta laevigata
Authors: Bragança Marcos A. L. , Souza Maria Lucimar O. , Oliveira Rafael J. , Samuels Richard I. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Phorid flies are important natural enemies of leaf‐cutting ants. Female phorids lay eggs in the worker ants' bodies and the parasitoid larvae feed on the host's internal tissues.
Here we investigated the parasitism rates by four species of phorids when attacking individual Atta laevigata colonies at three different field sites in order to further understand the host‐parasitoid relationship.
There were distinct variations in parasitism rates when comparing phorid species attacking individual colonies. In 13 of the colonies sampled, parasitism by Apocephalus attophilus or Eibesfeldtphora erthali was predominant. However, in four of the colonies, Myrmosicarius grandicornis and Apocephalus vicosae were the predominant species.
Variations in parasitism rates by the four phorid species were investigated in relation to the size of the potential hosts that had been collected from the foraging trails of each colony.
When correlating the size of potential hosts to phorid species, ants with head capsule widths of >2 mm were predominantly parasitized by A. vicosae and E. erthali. Smaller ants, with head capsule widths of 2 mm or less, were predominantly parasitized by A. attophilus and M. grandicornis.
The highest parasitism rates by E. erthali were observed in individual colonies that had the highest proportions of large workers on the trails.
Although almost half the size of E. erthali, A. attophilus parasitized both large (head capsule width > 2 mm) and small workers (<2 mm). This was related to the fact that between 1 and 16 larvae can develop within an individual host, depending on host size.
M. grandicornis parasitized smaller workers (mean head capsule width = 2 mm) as these phorids are themselves small and only one larva develops within each host.
This study demonstrated that the parasitism profiles of individual A. laevigata colonies were related to the size of foragers on the trails.
Robotic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer with celiac‐arterial anomaly (Adachi type VI, group 26): Case report
Authors: Ueno Kohdai , Hara Kentaro , Endo Kazuya , Onodera Atsushi , Funatsu Nozomi , Takagi Maki , Cho Haruhiko 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn gastric cancer surgery, some celiac‐arterial anomalies are associated with a risk of anatomical misidentification and insufficient lymphadenectomy. We herein report a case of successful robotic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy based on preoperative, anatomical recognition using three‐dimensional computed tomography (3D‐CT) in a patient with advanced gastric cancer and a rare anomaly of the celiac artery. A 64‐year‐old, male patient was referred to our division with a diagnosis of advanced gastric cancer. The 3D‐CT angiography demonstrated an Adachi type VI, group 26 celiac‐arterial anomaly, in which the common hepatic artery branched from the left gastric artery but was widely dislocated from the supra‐pancreatic region. Moreover, the left gastric artery branched three gastric branches, although the right gastric artery was absent. Robotic surgery enabled the safe and precise gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy.
Against commercial‐assisted suicide
Authors: Della Croce Yoann 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe idea of commercial‐assisted suicide lives a marginal existence in the bioethical literature, despite its significant presence in popular culture. The practice of commercial‐assisted suicide (CAS) is defined as suicide assistance performed for a financial reward through a contractual agreement between a customer and a service‐provider, who does not necessarily need to be a medical professional. While CAS does indeed offer some potential solutions regarding the moral controversies surrounding physician‐assisted suicide (PAS), I defend the idea that adopting it as policy ultimately proves morally indefensible and practically inefficient. This is due to the fact that the commodification of a given good necessarily implies the creation of a market of said good; as such, what I propose in this paper is a moral and practical evaluation of a market of CAS. In order to do so, I first examine the arguments in favor of CAS as put forward by Roland Kipke, who argues that any liberal defense of PAS necessarily implies a defense of CAS. In the first section, I argue against this idea using the liberal values of autonomy and equality of opportunity. In the second section of the paper, I argue that a market of CAS would be gravely dysfunctional due to one particular characteristic of death, namely, that is not compensable ex post. I conclude by arguing that while the practice of CAS may not prove morally problematic, the inevitable market that it will create should it be legalized most certainly will.
A Case Study of Glucose Levels During Sleep Using Multilevel Fast Function on Scalar Regression Inference
Authors: Sergazinov Renat , Leroux Andrew , Cui Erjia , Crainiceanu Ciprian , Aurora R. Nisha , Punjabi Naresh M. , Gaynanova Irina 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are increasingly used to measure blood glucose levels and provide information about the treatment and management of diabetes. Our motivating study contains CGM data during sleep for 174 study participants with type II diabetes mellitus measured at a 5-min frequency for an average of 10 nights. We aim to quantify the effects of diabetes medications and sleep apnea severity on glucose levels. Statistically, this is an inference question about the association between scalar covariates and functional responses observed at multiple visits (sleep periods). However, many characteristics of the data make analyses difficult, including (1) nonstationary within-period patterns; (2) substantial between-period heterogeneity, non-Gaussianity, and outliers; and (3) large dimensionality due to the number of study participants, sleep periods, and time points. For our analyses, we evaluate and compare two methods: fast univariate inference (FUI) and functional additive mixed models (FAMMs). We extend FUI and introduce a new approach for testing the hypotheses of no effect and time invariance of the covariates. We also highlight areas for further methodological development for FAMM. Our study reveals that (1) biguanide medication and sleep apnea severity significantly affect glucose trajectories during sleep and (2) the estimated effects are time invariant.
Genomic landscape and its prognostic significance in stage III colorectal cancer: JCOG1506A1, an ancillary of JCOG0910
Authors: Shida Dai , Kuchiba Aya , Shibata Tatsuhiro , Hamaguchi Tetsuya , Yamasaki Satoshi , Ito Masaaki , Kobatake Takaya , Tonooka Toru , Masaki Tadahiko , Shiozawa Manabu , Takii Yasumasa , Uetake Hiroyuki , Okamura Shu , Ojima Hitoshi , Kazama Shinsuke , Takeyama Hiroshi , Kanato Keisuke , Shimada Yasuhiro , Murakami Yoshinori , Kanemitsu Yukihide 
Published: May 2023

AbstractLarge‐scale genomic sequencing of colorectal cancers has been reported mainly for Western populations. Differences by stage and ethnicity in the genomic landscape and their prognostic impact remain poorly understood. We investigated 534 Japanese stage III colorectal cancer samples from the Phase III trial, JCOG0910. Targeted‐capture sequencing of 171 potentially colorectal cancer‐associated genes was performed, and somatic single‐nucleotide variants and insertion–deletions were determined. Hypermutated tumors were defined as tumors with MSIsensor score >7 and ultra‐mutated tumors with POLE mutations. Genes with alterations associated with relapse‐free survival were analyzed using multivariable Cox regression models. In all patients (184 right‐sided, 350 left‐sided), mutation frequencies were TP53, 75.3%; APC, 75.1%; KRAS, 43.6%; PIK3CA, 19.7%; FBXW7, 18.5%; SOX9, 11.8%; COL6A3, 8.2%; NOTCH3, 4.5%; NRAS, 4.1%; and RNF43, 3.7%. Thirty‐one tumors were hypermutated (5.8%; 14.1% right‐sided, 1.4% left‐sided). Modest associations were observed: poorer relapse‐free survival was seen with mutant KRAS (hazard ratio 1.66; p = 0.011) and mutant RNF43 (2.17; p = 0.055), whereas better relapse‐free survival was seen with mutant COL6A3 (0.35; p = 0.040) and mutant NOTCH3 (0.18; p = 0.093). Relapse‐free survival tended to be better for hypermutated tumors (0.53; p = 0.229). In conclusion, the overall spectrum of mutations in our Japanese stage III colorectal cancer cohort was similar to that in Western populations, but the frequencies of mutation for TP53, SOX9, and FBXW7 were higher, and the proportion of hypermutated tumors was lower. Multiple gene mutations appeared to impact relapse‐free survival, suggesting that tumor genomic profiling can support precision medicine for colorectal cancer.
Tigers at a crossroads: Shedding light on the role of Bangladesh in the illegal trade of this iconic big cat
Authors: Uddin Nasir , Enoch Sam , Harihar Abishek , Pickles Rob S. A. , Hughes Alice C. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractUnsustainable wildlife trade is a major threat to many species, but quantifying trade remains challenging, as seizure data provides an incomplete understanding. For this reason, integrating multiple types of information, including interviews with actors involved in trade, is crucial if we are to understand the problem better. Hence, in this study, we digitized Bangladesh Forest Department tiger seizure records to identify trade routes and interviewed 163 individuals involved in trafficking tigers through Bangladesh's air, sea and land ports, including poachers, smugglers, and traders. We identified six ports used to import tigers, 14 ports used for tiger export and three ports showing bi‐directional trade. Elite Bangladeshis were the most important consumer group, and tigers were sourced from populations in NE India, Myanmar and Bangladesh Sundarbans to supply domestic demand. Tiger products were exported to 14 countries, including seven G20 nations, with Bangladeshi expatriates as the consumer group in three countries (United Kingdom, Germany and Qatar). Rising economic development in Bangladesh over the last decade, combined with deep‐rooted cultural ties to tiger consumption, has led to a rise in domestic demand. Additionally, rapid growth in international transport links has increased smuggling and connected local traders with global markets, increasing the complexity of global trade. These findings suggest Bangladesh is poised to play a pivotal role in tiger conservation over the next decade, requiring strong national strategies to reduce trade opportunities, disrupt networks and weaken demand.
Collective behavior in relation with changing environments: Dynamics, modularity, and agency
Authors: Gordon Deborah M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCollective behavior operates without central control, using local interactions among participants to adjust to changing conditions. Many natural systems operate collectively, and by specifying what objectives are met by the system, the idea of agency helps to describe how collective behavior is embedded in the conditions it deals with. Ant colonies function collectively, and the enormous diversity of more than 15K species of ants, in different habitats, provides opportunities to look for general ecological patterns in how collective behavior operates. The foraging behavior of harvester ants in the desert regulates activity to manage water loss, while the trail networks of turtle ants in the canopy tropical forest respond to rapidly changing resources and vegetation. These examples illustrate some broad correspondences in natural systems between the dynamics of collective behavior and the dynamics of the surroundings. To outline how interactions among participants, acting in relation with changing surroundings, achieve collective outcomes, I focus on three aspects of collective behavior: the rate at which interactions adjust to conditions, the feedback regime that stimulates and inhibits activity, and the modularity of the network of interactions. To characterize the dynamics of the surroundings, I consider gradients in stability, energy flow, and the distribution of resources and demands. I then propose some hypotheses that link how collective behavior operates with changing environments.
Bernard Williams, realistic liberalism, and the politics of “normativity”
Authors: Dannenberg Jorah 
Published: May 2023

AbstractFollowing in the footsteps of Bernard Williams, I aim to delineate and advance a more realistic, less moralistic approach to thinking about morals and politics in a liberal culture. To do so, I push back against one framing of what Williams meant in urging greater realism, and in criticizing what he saw as political theory's excessive moralism, which has recently gained traction. According to a number of recent authors, the important issue Williams raised should be understood in terms of whether there are two “kinds” or “sources” of “normativity” found in liberal politics and morality, respectively: Realists are said to accuse their Moralist opponents of countenancing only one normativity, which is moral, when in fact there are two, one of which is “distinctively political.” I show how this now popular framing leads to a number of distortions, particularly insofar as our aim is to understand Williams' moral and political thought. I go on to argue that, once these are sorted out, the term ‘normativity’ itself contributes to the problem—current usages of the term are inextricably bound up with a recognizably moralistic style of thought, of the sort that Williams encouraged us to oppose.
Single and double vaccination against Lawsonia intracellularis in foals: Investigation of the humoral immune response following different vaccination protocols
Authors: Wadephul Rica , Dohrmann Jil , Straub Janine , Freise Fritjof , Pusterla Nicola , Venner Monica 
Published: May 2023

SummaryBackgroundEquine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) is an enteric disease induced by the bacterium Lawsonia intracellularis that causes sporadically or endemically severe enteritis in foals.ObjectivesThe current study aimed to describe the kinetic of serum antibodies against Lawsonia intracellularis by Immuno‐Peroxidase‐Monolayer‐Assay (IPMA) before and after single or double intra‐rectal vaccination of foals with the attenuated live vaccine Enterisol Ileitis® in comparison to non‐vaccinated control foals. Additionally, we evaluated whether seroconversion after vaccination might provide information about the protection against EPE.Study designProspective cohort study.MethodsFive consecutive serum samples were evaluated by IPMA from all 210 foals: group 1 (single vaccination) = 70; group 2 (two vaccinations) = 69; group 3 (control group) = 71. The study period stretched from 2 weeks before to 6 weeks after the first vaccination.ResultsThe analysis showed 944 (89.9%) seronegative samples. 45 samples of group 1 (single vaccination), 56 samples of group 2 (two vaccinations) and five samples of the control group were seropositive during the study period. A total of 63/210 (30%) foals seroconverted during the study period. In foals vaccinated once (n = 70), 32 foals seroconverted, in group 2 (two vaccinations, n = 69) 28 foals seroconverted and in the control foals (n = 71), three foals seroconverted. The vaccinated foals showed significantly more often seroconversion than the control foals (p < 0.0001). After the end of the study period, a total of six foals (two vaccinated foals, and four non‐vaccinated foals) were diagnosed with EPE.Main limitationsA longer study period might have added more information on the humoral response to vaccination.ConclusionsMeasurable Lawsonia intracellularis‐antibodies can be detected after intra‐rectal vaccination, but serological testing the time around the vaccination does not seem to be a reliable method to assess the efficacy of the vaccination.
Racing performance of juvenile Thoroughbreds with femoropatellar osteochondrosis at auction: A retrospective case‐control study
Authors: Sloan Pearce B. , White Brad , Santschi Elizabeth M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundOsteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) is common in the femoropatellar joint in Thoroughbred yearlings for sale at auction and there is no consensus on the effect on racing outcomes.ObjectivesDescribe femoropatellar OCD in juvenile Thoroughbreds and compare the racing performance of affected Thoroughbred horses to siblings and unaffected horses from the same sale.Study designRetrospective case–control study of juvenile horses born 2010–2016.MethodsRadiographic reports from 27 Thoroughbred auctions of weanling (5–11 months of age) and yearling (12–22 months of age) horses were reviewed to identify femoropatellar OCD. Age and sex of cases and controls were obtained from the sales catalogue. Racing performance was obtained from an online database. Correlation between lesion characteristics and racing performance were assessed using Pearson and Spearman correlations for continuous and ordinal/categorical variables respectively. Racing performance was compared between cases and sibling controls and age‐ and sex‐matched sale number controls from the same sale with Poisson distribution and log link. Significance level of alpha = 0.05 was used.ResultsFemoropatellar OCD was identified in 429 horses with North American race records. OCD was present on 519 lateral trochlear ridges and 54 medial trochlear ridges. There were more males in the case group (70%) than in the sibling control group (47%). Case racing performance was compared to 1042 sibling and 757 hip controls. There were significant but small decreases in racing metrics of cases and increases in males for years raced, total starts, starts for 2–5 years of age, total placings, and placings at 2–4 years of age. Analysis of specific lesion metrics revealed weak correlations for performance outcomes (positive and negative) resulting in an inability to draw firm conclusions.Main limitationsRetrospective study where case management was unknown.ConclusionsFemoropatellar OCD in juvenile Thoroughbreds for sale at auction decreases some racing outcomes.
Effect of artificial aging time on torsional fatigue life and cyclic behavior of AA6351 aluminum alloy and evaluation of estimation methods
Authors: Betemps Maurício Ireno , Haskel Tatiane , Barbieri Renato , Verran Guilherme Ourique 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe effects of artificial‐aging time on monotonic properties and torsional fatigue of AA6351 aluminum alloy were studied in this paper. Fatigue tests were carried out by the strain‐controlled condition. Monotonic and cyclic torsional behavior, fatigue life, and estimation methods were verified. Results showed the distance between monotonic and cyclic curves progressively decreased as aging time increased from 1 to 2 and 6 h at 170°C. The yield strength values were subsequently 74.5, 110.7, and 142.5 MPa for monotonic torsion and 127, 145, and 160 MPa for cyclic torsion test (half‐life). Alloy in all aging times showed similar fatigue life in high cycle (N f > 105 cycles), and time 1 h, longer fatigue life in low cycle (Nf < 104 cycles). All specimens presented cyclic hardening at strain amplitudes ranges tested. The estimation methods showed good prediction for the fatigue parameters.
For corporate finance to truly advance we need more genuinely testable models
Authors: Spiegel Matthew 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCorporate finance has turned into a field where researchers produce what seem like a constant flow of disconnected papers. Theories are never confirmed or refuted. At best, empirical papers confirm models without a realistic alternative to refute. The problem is that today's models are either static or have firms that never interact directly with other firms. Most industries are oligopolies. For firms in these industries the competition's actions in the product market are likely of paramount importance. If corporate finance is going to progress, we need papers with testable dynamic oligopoly models. Models where firms compete directly with each other.
Observational constraints reduce model spread but not uncertainty in global wetland methane emission estimates
Authors: Chang Kuang‐Yu , Riley William J. , Collier Nathan , McNicol Gavin , Fluet‐Chouinard Etienne , Knox Sara H. , Delwiche Kyle B. , Jackson Robert B. , Poulter Benjamin , Saunois Marielle , Chandra Naveen , Gedney Nicola , Ishizawa Misa , Ito Akihiko , Joos Fortunat , Kleinen Thomas , Maggi Federico , McNorton Joe , Melton Joe R. , Miller Paul , Niwa Yosuke , Pasut Chiara , Patra Prabir K. , Peng Changhui , Peng Sushi , Segers Arjo , Tian Hanqin , Tsuruta Aki , Yao Yuanzhi , Yin Yi , Zhang Wenxin , Zhang Zhen , Zhu Qing , Zhu Qiuan , Zhuang Qianlai 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe recent rise in atmospheric methane (CH4) concentrations accelerates climate change and offsets mitigation efforts. Although wetlands are the largest natural CH4 source, estimates of global wetland CH4 emissions vary widely among approaches taken by bottom‐up (BU) process‐based biogeochemical models and top‐down (TD) atmospheric inversion methods. Here, we integrate in situ measurements, multi‐model ensembles, and a machine learning upscaling product into the International Land Model Benchmarking system to examine the relationship between wetland CH4 emission estimates and model performance. We find that using better‐performing models identified by observational constraints reduces the spread of wetland CH4 emission estimates by 62% and 39% for BU‐ and TD‐based approaches, respectively. However, global BU and TD CH4 emission estimate discrepancies increased by about 15% (from 31 to 36 TgCH4 year−1) when the top 20% models were used, although we consider this result moderately uncertain given the unevenly distributed global observations. Our analyses demonstrate that model performance ranking is subject to benchmark selection due to large inter‐site variability, highlighting the importance of expanding coverage of benchmark sites to diverse environmental conditions. We encourage future development of wetland CH4 models to move beyond static benchmarking and focus on evaluating site‐specific and ecosystem‐specific variabilities inferred from observations.
THE ANTHROPOCENE AND THE PLANET
Authors: Simon Zoltán Boldizsár 
Published: May 2023

ABSTRACTDipesh Chakrabarty's The Climate of History in a Planetary Age is, in three respects, far more than a synthesis of over a decade of pioneering conceptual work aimed at making sense of the Anthropocene/planetary predicament and its implications for historical understanding. First, the book makes visible an intellectual trajectory in which Chakrabarty's conceptual struggles with the Anthropocene gradually move from the centrality of the notion of the Anthropocene toward the centrality of the notion of the planet. Second, it highlights the relational complexities with which one needs to grapple when trying to make sense of the current predicament. Third, and finally, the book showcases a series of often overlapping conceptual distinctions that Chakrabarty has developed while navigating these complexities. Through a discussion of the above key aspects, this review essay highlights the achievements of The Climate of History in a Planetary Age and critically engages with its central themes. In dialogue with the book, it pays special attention to exploring the respective benefits and drawbacks of the notions of the Anthropocene and the planet, and to the character and role of human agency in the Anthropocene/planetary predicament. Finally, the essay concludes with a few thoughts concerning the question of what kind of a reinvention of historical understanding might be triggered, respectively, by the notions of the Anthropocene and the planet.