bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microhabitat use, daily activity pattern, and diet of Liolaemus etheridgei Laurent, 1998 (Reptilia: Liolaemidae) in the Andean Polylepis forests of Arequipa, Peru
Authors: Llanqui Irbin B. , Edwards Bryn , Tejeda Evaristo López 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis study describes the microhabitat use, daily activity pattern, and diet of Liolaemus etheridgei Laurent, 1998 in the El Simbral and Tuctumpaya Polylepis forests in Arequipa, Peru. El Simbral is a fragmented forest, whereas Tuctumpaya is unfragmented. Our results reveal that L. etheridgei shows no positive selection for any of the microhabitats we identified in Polylepis forests; on the contrary, it selects negatively against Polylepis trees and nonthorny bushes. The daily activity patterns indicate a bimodal pattern with peaks at 9:00–10:59 and 13:00–13:59 h. The diet of L. etheridgei consists mainly of plant material, and the most important animal prey category is Lygaeidae: Hemiptera, which is selected for positively. In particular, microhabitat selection varied for nonthorny bushes, which were selected negatively in the Tuctumpaya population but neither positively nor negatively in the El Simbral population. According to the proportions of plant material found, the L. etheridgei from El Simbral were found to be omnivorous, whereas the Tuctumpaya population was herbivorous. However, the percentage of plant material consumed in the El Simbral population was close to the critical value for herbivory–omnivory. We conclude that the three ecological aspects of L. etheridgei studied here are virtually identical in El Simbral and Tuctumpaya; therefore, this species is not affected significantly by the current fragmentation of forest.
Where are the seeds? Lack of floral morphs prevent seed production by the tristylous Pontederia cordata in South Africa
Authors: Wansell Sage N. L. , Geerts Sjirk , Coetzee Julie A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractReproduction is a crucial part of the successful establishment and spread of an invasive species. Invasive plants often produce seeds prolifically to spread into new ranges, yet the invasive macrophyte, Pontederia cordata L., does not appear to produce seeds in South Africa, limiting its invasive potential. Here, we aimed to determine what limits seed production of the tristylous P. cordata in South Africa, where it is widespread with impacts on the ecology of wetlands it invades, South Africa. We measured floral traits and pollen grain size from populations throughout the invasive range in South Africa to determine the relative proportion of tristylous morphs. We speculated that the absence of specialist native pollinators in the invasive range may be responsible for the absence of sexual reproduction and thus conducted a pollination study to determine whether flowers were visited. Thereafter, we hand pollinated 8865 flowers to conclude whether P. cordata exhibited an incompatibility system, which prevented seed production. The floral traits and pollen grain measurements were similar to those reported for short‐morphed flowers from the native range. The pollination study confirmed the absence of specialist insect visitors, while the hand‐pollination experiments resulted in no seed production. Only short‐morphed plants are present in South Africa, and the illegitimate pollination of short‐morphed plants prevents seed production. Vegetative spread through rhizome production is thus responsible for the invasion of P. cordata throughout South Africa. These findings suggest that control programs should target the plants' rhizomes to prevent and reduce spread. More importantly, preventing the introduction of medium‐ and long‐morphed plants into South Africa is crucial to preclude P. cordata from producing seeds and enhancing invasion.
Convergent evolution of the gut microbiome in marine carnivores
Authors: Wang Xibao , Wu Xiaoyang , Shang Yongquan , Mei Xuesong , Zhou Shengyang , Wei Qinguo , Sun Guolei , Dong Yuehuan , Zhang Honghai 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe gut microbiome can help the host adapt to a variety of environments and is affected by many factors. Marine carnivores have unique habitats in extreme environments. The question of whether marine habitats surpass phylogeny to drive the convergent evolution of the gut microbiome in marine carnivores remains unanswered. In the present study, we compared the gut microbiomes of 16 species from different habitats. Principal component analysis (PCA) and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) separated three groups according to their gut microbiomes: marine carnivores, terrestrial carnivores, and terrestrial herbivores. The alpha diversity and niche breadth of the gut microbiome of marine carnivores were lower than those of the gut microbiome of terrestrial carnivores and terrestrial herbivores. The gut microbiome of marine carnivores harbored many marine microbiotas, including those belonging to the phyla Planctomycetes, Cyanobacteria, and Proteobacteria, and the genus Peptoclostridium. Collectively, these results revealed that marine habitats drive the convergent evolution of the gut microbiome of marine carnivores. This study provides a new perspective on the adaptive evolution of marine carnivores.
Sacubitril/valsartan and loop diuretic requirement in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the PARAGON‐HF trial
Authors: Chatur Safia , Claggett Brian L. , Vardeny Orly , Jering Karola , Desai Akshay S. , Pfeffer Marc A. , Lefkowitz Martin , McMurray John J.V. , Solomon Scott D. , Vaduganathan Muthiah 
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACTAimsAs sacubitril/valsartan may potentiate early natriuresis, expert consensus documents recommend diuretic dose reduction on first initiation. However, there are limited data on the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on the background of varying diuretic regimens or on diuretic requirements over time in heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).Methods and resultsIn this post hoc analysis of PARAGON‐HF, of the 4796 patients, background diuretic therapy was distributed as follows: 341 (7%) on no diuretic, 698 (15%) on non‐loop diuretic, and 3757 (78%) were on loop diuretics (1255, 1589, and 913 were on <40, 40 and >40 mg furosemide equivalent doses, respectively). The primary composite outcome of total HF hospitalizations and cardiovascular death was analysed using semiparametric proportional rates methods. The cumulative incidence of the primary composite outcome (first events) was lowest in patients on no diuretic and highest in those on >40 mg of loop diuretic (p < 0.001). The effects of sacubitril/valsartan (vs. valsartan) on the primary composite outcome (recurrent events) did not significantly vary by baseline diuretic use (pinteraction = 0.65). Treatment effects on safety outcomes were similar across diuretic categories. Sacubitril/valsartan reduced new loop diuretic initiations over the course of the trial (hazard ratio 0.83; 95% confidence interval 0.68–1.00, p = 0.055), with similar mean loop diuretic dose and rates of diuretic discontinuation between treatment groups in follow‐up. Patients randomized to sacubitril/valsartan experienced a slight early reduction in diuretic initiation or dose escalation at 30 days after initiation (net reduction 1.7%, p = 0.02), but these differences were not sustained beyond this timepoint.ConclusionsPatients with HFpEF on higher baseline diuretic doses were at heightened risk of HF events, but similarly benefited from sacubitril/valsartan with a consistent safety profile across a range of diuretic doses. Initiation of sacubitril/valsartan was associated with modestly lower new loop diuretic requirement in follow‐up.
Topology optimization of convective heat transfer by the lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Luo Ji‐Wang , Chen Li , He An , Tao WenQuan 
Published: October 2022

AbstractTopology optimization (TO) is a dependable approach to obtain innovative designs with improved performance. This study presents a TO method based on the adjoint lattice Boltzmann method (ALBM) and the level set method which is developed for both one‐way coupled and two‐way coupled convective heat transfer problems. The adjoint lattice Boltzmann model for fully coupled natural convection system is derived, and the coupled solution strategy is applied in the ALBM. The forward model is validated by the finite element simulation, while the adjoint model and the sensitivity expression is validated by a finite difference check, and the whole TO method is validated by a typical pure fluid flow optimization problem given in the literature. The validated TO method is then applied to enhance the heat transfer of forced convection in a two‐dimensional open chamber, and the Pareto frontier of the bi‐objective optimization is further presented and the effects of the blockages at the inlet and outlet on the overall performance are revealed. Finally, the two‐dimensional natural convection process in a closed cavity is optimized, in which the effective heat transfer coefficient can be increased to 3.96 ∼ 6.11 times of that without the optimized design when the Grashof number ranges from 1.7 to 4.2 × 105. Moreover, effects of Grashof number, porosity limitation and solid thermal diffusivity on the optimization results are analyzed in detail. Physically reasonable designs are obtained for both forced convection and natural convection systems under various parameter settings, demonstrating the effectiveness and robustness of the presented TO method.
Commodity momentum decomposition
Authors: Iwanaga Yasuhiro , Sakemoto Ryuta 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis study decomposes the momentum factor (MOM) in the commodity futures market. A high‐to‐price (HTP) factor generates a higher Sharpe ratio than a price‐to‐high (PTH) factor. We uncover that the profitability mechanisms across three momentum factors are different. The positive returns on MOM and PTH are associated with overconfidence and strong self‐attribution. In contrast, HTP is linked to investors' underreaction and the information diffusion process. Moreover, we find that positive demand shocks raise the return on HTP.
Do sugar‐sweetened beverage taxes improve public health for high school aged adolescents?
Authors: Flynn James 
Published: October 2022

AbstractSugar‐sweetened beverage taxes have become an increasingly popular policy to combat the worldwide obesity epidemic, but relatively little is known about their impact on health outcomes, particularly among high school aged students. In this paper, I use public‐use data from the Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System to determine whether high school students living in three of the American cities which have implemented Sugar‐sweetened beverage taxes have experienced public health improvements. Using an event‐study design that compares outcomes in treated districts to a group of similar control districts, I find reductions in soda consumption in Philadelphia and average body mass index in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Oakland, with suggestive evidence that the improvements are concentrated among female and non‐white respondents in both cases.
Factors associated with long‐acting reversible contraception usage: Results from the National Survey of Family Growth
Authors: Qureshey Emma J. , Chen Han‐Yang , Wagner Stephen M. , Chauhan Suneet P. , Fishel Bartal Michal 
Published: October 2022

AbstractObjectiveThe authors aimed to identify factors associated with long‐acting reversible contraception (LARC) usage.MethodsThe current cross‐sectional study used data from the National Survey of Family Growth from 2011 to 2019. Respondents aged 15 to 44 years were included. Those with previous sterilization, infertility, or pregnant were excluded. The outcome evaluated was use of a LARC.ResultsOf 61 543 814 women, 44 287 911 (72.0%) met inclusion criteria. The rate of LARC use was 13.4%. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of LARC usage were married/living with a partner (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.18 [95% CI, 1.02–1.37]), perceived good health (aRR, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.13–1.84]), year of survey 2017 to 2019 (aRR, 1.53, [95% CI, 1.28–1.83]), one or two past pregnancies (aRR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.24–2.12]) or three or more past pregnancies (aRR, 1.67 [95% CI, 1.22–2.28]), age at first live birth <20 years (aRR, 1.58 [95% CI, 1.20–2.08]) or 20 to 24 years (aRR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.13–1.87]), age at onset of sexual activity 13–19 years (aRR, 1.50 [95% CI, 1.26–1.78]), and a 0‐ to 5‐month period of nonintercourse in the past year (aRR, 1.63 [95% CI, 1.40–1.90]). Factors associated with decreased LARC usage were age ≥ 35 years (aRR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.65–0.85]), being non‐Hispanic Black (aRR, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.62–0.89]) or non‐Hispanic other (aRR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.59–0.88]), intending to have children (aRR, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.57–0.74]), and never being sexually active (aRR, 0.10 [95% CI, 0.06–0.16]).ConclusionsUsing a nationally representative sample of women in the United States, the authors identified modifiable factors associated with LARC use. Results may be used to plan interventional trials to increase LARC usage.
Evaluating the filial behaviour scale across three cultural groups using exploratory structural equation modelling
Authors: Zong Xiaoli , Ingoglia Sonia , Lo Coco Alida , Tan Jo‐Pei , Inguglia Cristiano , Liga Francesca , Cheah Charissa S. L. 
Published: October 2022

Filial piety is a Confucian concept that guides how children treat and take care of their parents. The Filial Behaviour Scale (FBS) is a 25‐item instrument developed in the Chinese context measuring behavioural manifestations of filial piety. Although the components of filial piety have been found to be relevant across cultures, little research has investigated the psychometric properties of the FBS in other cultural contexts. The present study evaluated the factor structure, internal consistency, measurement invariance and construct validity of the FBS across three cultural groups: the United States, Italy and Malaysia. Participants were 1090 emerging adults (67% females; Mage = 21.29 years, SD = 1.97; White Americans: n = 455, White Italians: n = 428, Malays: n = 328). A two‐factor structure emerged across groups: Obedience/Obligation (behaviours showing obedience and obligation towards parents) and Relationship (behaviours expressing affection and promoting positive parent–child relationships). The two factors demonstrated adequate internal consistency, full configural, partial metric and partial scalar invariance, as well as unique associations with depressive symptoms and parent–child relationships across groups. These findings yielded a more nuanced understanding of filial behaviour and supported the utility of a two‐factor FBS among emerging adults in various cultural contexts.
Interaction between environmental pollutants and cancer drug efficacy: Bisphenol A, Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether and Perfluorooctanoic acid reduce vincristine cytotoxicity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells
Authors: Lagunas‐Rangel Francisco Alejandro , Liu Wen , Schiöth Helgi B. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractEvery day, we are exposed to many environmental pollutants that can enter our body through different routes and cause adverse effects on our health. Epidemiological studies suggest that these pollutants are responsible for approximately nine million deaths per year. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) represents one of the major cancers affecting children, and although substantial progress has been made in its treatment, relapses are frequent after initial treatment and are now one of the leading causes of cancer‐related death in pediatric patients. Currently, relatively little attention is paid to pollutant exposure during drug treatment and this is not taken into account for dose setting or regulatory purposes. In this work, we investigated how bisphenol A (BPA), its derivative bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) alter vincristine treatment in ALL when administered before or together with the drug. We found that these three pollutants at nanomolar concentrations, lower than those established by current regulations, can reduce the cytotoxic effects of vincristine on ALL cells. Interestingly, we found that this is only achieved when exposure to pollutants occurs prior to administration of the chemotherapeutic drug. Moreover, we found that this effect could be mediated by activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and stabilization of microtubules. This work strengthens the idea of starting to take into account exposure to pollutants to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy treatments.
Long Bones Exhibit Adaptive Responses to Chronic Low‐Dose‐Rate Ionizing Radiation despite its Lifespan‐Shortening and Carcinogenic Effects on C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Kohzaki Masaoki , Ootsuyama Akira , Abe Toshiaki , Tsukamoto Manabu , Umata Toshiyuki , Okazaki Ryuji 
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACTIonizing radiation (IR) is a well‐known carcinogen. High‐dose‐rate (HDR) IR is known to damage long bones (in terms of mass and structure), but the relationships among dose rates (particularly low‐dose‐rate [LDR] IR), long‐bone condition, cancer incidence, and lifespan shortening remain elusive. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of LDR‐IR on long‐bone condition by comparing the long‐term consequences of HDR‐ and LDR‐IR exposure in mice. We utilized micro–computed tomography (μCT) scans of the long bones at similar ages (mean 77–96 weeks) to compare mice receiving approximately equivalent total doses of internal LDR‐IR or external HDR‐IR starting at 4 weeks of age, and their respective control groups. The lifespan‐shortening effects of LDR‐IR and HDR‐IR were similar in these mixed‐sex cohorts. Notably, compared to HDR‐IR mice, mice internally exposed to chronic LDR‐IR with continuous hypohematopoiesis showed a significantly higher trabecular bone connective density [femur: 247% (p = 0.0042), tibia: 169% (p = 0.0005)] and midshaft cortical bone thickness/area (femur: 130% [p = 0.0079]/120% [p = 0.021], tibia: 148% [p = 0.0004]/129% [p = 0.002]). Consistent with this result, when comparing 26–32 weeks post‐IR with 2–8 weeks post‐IR, compared to HDR‐IR‐treated mice, LDR‐IR‐treated mice exhibited higher levels of an osteoblast marker (OPG; p = 0.67 for HDR‐IR, p = 0.068 for LDR‐IR) and lower levels of an osteoclast marker (CTX‐I; p = 0.0079 for HDR‐IR, p = 0.72 for LDR‐IR) despite significantly higher levels of inflammatory markers (CCL2 and CXCL1; p = 0.36–0.8 for HDR‐IR, p = 0.013–0.041 for LDR‐IR). These results suggest that long bones under chronic LDR‐IR stress may exhibit an adaptive response to stresses such as chronic inflammation associated with IR‐induced lifespan shortening. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Characterizing the excited states of large photoactive systems by exciton models
Authors: Wang Ke , Ma Jing , Ma Haibo 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe theoretical investigation of excited state for large photoactive systems plays the fundamental role in understanding various optical processes in material and biological system. Frenkel exciton (FE) model describing the excitation of the whole system as a collective effect of quasi‐particles of excitons, that is, bound electron–hole pairs, is well‐known as a simple but powerful theoretical scheme to present a clear and insightful physical picture for complicated excited state problems. In this mini‐review, we summarize our recent developments of quantum chemical methods based on exciton models and their related applications for large photoactive systems. It is shown that our developed ab initio renormalized exciton model (REM) and block interaction product state (BIPS) schemes provide new efficient and automatic low‐scaling excited state methods for both localized and delocalized excited states in large systems. Illustrative examples including simulations of both absorption and emission spectrum in large sized molecular aggregates, indicate the exciton model based methods provide promising computational tools for unravel the mechanism of photophysical and photochemical processes in large photoactive systems.
GRAP2 is a prognostic biomarker and correlated with immune infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Song Shimao , Deng Xinzhou , Jiang Shan , Tian Chao , Han Jiahui , Chai Jingjing , Li Na , Yan Yutao , Luo Zhiguo 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundGRAP2 is an adaptor protein involved in leukocyte signal activation; however, the prognostic value of GRAP2 and its correlation with immune infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) are unclear.MethodsOriginal data were downloaded from the TCGA database and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. GRAP2 expression was analyzed with the TCGA and TIMER databases. We evaluated the influence of GRAP2 on clinical prognosis using the Kaplan–Meier plotter, GEO, and GEPIA database. The TIMER and TISIDB databases were used to investigate correlations between GRAP2 expression and cancer immune characteristics. Finally, we confirmed the expression of GRAP2 in LUAD by immunohistochemistry staining.ResultsThe transcription levels of GRAP2 were significantly lower in several human cancer types, including LUAD, than in adjacent normal tissues. Immunohistochemistry staining confirmed that LUAD tumor tissues had lower GRAP2 protein expression levels than adjacent normal tissues. GRAP2 downregulation was associated with poorer overall survival, pathologic stage, T stage, N stage, and primary therapy outcome in LUAD. Mechanistically, we found a hub gene set that included a total of 91 genes coexpressed with GRAP2, which were closely related to the immune response in LUAD. The expression levels of GRAP2 were positively correlated with the infiltration levels of multiple immune cells and the cumulative survival time of a few immune cells. GRAP2 expression was found to be positively correlated with that of multiple immune markers, chemokines, chemokine receptors, and MHC molecules in LUAD.ConclusionsGRAP2 can be used as a biomarker for assessing prognosis and immune infiltration levels in LUAD.
Hsa_hsa_circ_0081069 promotes the progression of colorectal cancer through sponging miR‐665 and regulating E2F3 expression
Authors: Xie Jingjing , Jin Dan , Xu Jinyin , Yang Fei , Jin Jianying 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundCircular RNAs (circRNAs) have been implicated in the initiation and development of various cancers. This study explored the potential contribution of hsa_hsa_circ_0081069 in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC).MethodsThe gene expression was analyzed by qRT‐PCR. Functional roles of hsa_circ_0081069 were examined by shRNA‐mediated silencing using CCK‐8 proliferation assay, Transwell migration and invasion assay, tube formation assay. The tumorigenesis and metastasis of CRC cells were assess in a xenograft mouse model.ResultsHsa_circ_0081069 was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues and cells. Hsa_circ_0081069 knockdown suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion in CRC cells, as well as the angiogenesis. Silencing hsa_circ_0081069 also impaired the tumorigenesis of CRC cells in a xenograft mouse model. Furthermore, miR‐665 was identified as an interacting partner of hsa_circ_0081069, which was negatively regulated by hsa_circ_0081069. miR‐665 targeted the mRNA of E2F3 to suppress its expression. We further demonsatred that miR‐665/E2F3 axis mediated the functional role of hsa_circ_0081069 in regulating the malignant phenotype of CRC cells.ConclusionsCollectively, our study suggests that hsa_circ_0081069 could serve as a prognostic marker in progression of CRC. Targeting hsa_circ_0081069 and miR‐665/E2F3 axis could serve as potential therapeutic strategies for CRC treatment.