bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Onabotulinum Toxin A on Gait in Parkinson’s Disease Patients with Foot Dystonia
Authors: Huang Pei , Li Yuan-Yuan , Park Jung E. , Huang Ping , Xiao Qin , Wang Ying , Chen Sheng , Chen Sheng-Di , Liu Jun , Wu Yi-Wen 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT:We investigated the effects of botulinum toxin on gait in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with foot dystonia. Six patients underwent onabotulinum toxin A injection and were assessed by Burke–Fahn–Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS), visual analog scale (VAS) of pain, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Berg Balance Test (BBT), and 3D gait analysis at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. BFMDRS (p = 0.002), VAS (p = 0.024), TUG (p = 0.028), and BBT (p = 0.034) were improved. Foot pressures at Toe 1 (p = 0.028) and Midfoot (p = 0.018) were reduced, indicating botulinum toxin’s effects in alleviating the dystonia severity and pain and improving foot pressures during walking in PD.
Estimating and Using Individual Marginal Component Effects from Conjoint Experiments
Authors: Zhirkov Kirill 
Published: March 2021

AbstractConjoint experiments are quickly gaining popularity as a vehicle for studying multidimensional political preferences. A common way to explore heterogeneity of preferences estimated with conjoint experiments is by estimating average marginal component effects across subgroups. However, this method does not give the researcher the full access to the variation of preferences in the studied populations, as that would require estimating effects on the individual level. Currently, there is no accepted technique to obtain estimates of individual-level preferences from conjoint experiments. The present paper addresses this gap by proposing a procedure to estimate individual preferences as respondent-specific marginal component effects. The proposed strategy does not require any additional assumptions compared to the standard conjoint analysis, although some changes to the task design are recommended. Methods to account for uncertainty in resulting estimates are also discussed. Using the proposed procedure, I partially replicate a conjoint experiment on immigrant admission with recommended design adjustments. Then, I demonstrate how individual marginal component effects can be used to explore distributions of preferences, intercorrelations between different preference dimensions, and relationships of preferences to other variables of interest.
ON THE TIMING OF THE OLD COPPER COMPLEX IN NORTH AMERICA: A COMPARISON OF RADIOCARBON DATES FROM DIFFERENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXTS
Authors: Pompeani David P , Steinman Byron A , Abbott Mark B , Pompeani Katherine M , Reardon William , DePasqual Seth , Mueller Robin H 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTThe Old Copper Complex (OCC) refers to the production of heavy copper-tool technology by Archaic Native American societies in the Lake Superior region. To better define the timing of the OCC, we evaluated 53 (eight new and 45 published) radiocarbon (14C) dates associated with copper artifacts and mines. We compared these dates to six lake sediment-based chronologies of copper mining and annealing in the Michigan Copper District. 14C dates grouped by archaeological context show that cremation remains, and wood and cordage embedded in copper artifacts have ages that overlap with the timing of high lead (Pb) concentrations in lake sediment. In contrast, dates in stratigraphic association and from mines are younger than those from embedded and cremation materials, suggesting that the former groups reflect the timing of processes that occurred post-abandonment. The comparatively young dates obtained from copper mines therefore likely reflect abandonment and infill of the mines rather than active use. Excluding three anomalously young samples, the ages of embedded organic material associated with 15 OCC copper artifacts range from 8500 to 3580 cal BP, confirming that the OCC is among the oldest known metalworking societies in the world.
Camera trapping reveals area of conservation significance for large and medium-sized mammals on the eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Xu Yu , Wang Bin , Gu Xiaodong , Song Dazhao , Yang Biao 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, a global biodiversity hotspot, is threatened by habitat degradation. Conservation actions are required in this region, but limited knowledge of large and medium-sized mammals is hampering conservation planning. Using 149 camera traps, we surveyed large and medium-sized mammals in Xionglongxi Provincial Nature Reserve and adjacent areas, on the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, during September 2016–May 2017. We obtained 5,752 independent captures of 29 large and medium-sized mammal species, including 13 that are globally threatened and 22 that are nationally threatened in China. Carnivores were especially diverse, with 16 species recorded. Of particular significance was our detection of seven felid species, including the leopard Panthera pardus and the snow leopard Panthera uncia. Our record of the Chinese mountain cat Felis bieti extends the known range of this species. We documented new upper elevation limits for eight species. There was elevational overlap between the leopard and the snow leopard, suggesting potential competition between the two species. The grey wolf Canis lupus and the leopard were the dominant predators, and the woolly hare Lepus oiostolus and several species of ungulates were the most frequently photographed prey species. The study area maintains a significant community of large and medium-sized mammals, which is more diverse than in other areas on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. We recommend the establishment of a larger nature reserve of national protection status in the region of the Xionglongxi Provincial Nature Reserve, to protect the unique subalpine and alpine ecosystems in this area.
Folic acid supplementation during oocytes maturation influences in vitro production and gene expression of bovine embryos
Authors: Gennari Verruma Carolina , Credendio Eiras Matheus , Fernandes Artur , Vila Reginaldo Aparecido , Libardi Miranda Furtado Cristiana , Silveira Ramos Ester , Barbosa Lôbo Raysildo 
Published: March 2021

SummaryEmbryos that are produced in vitro frequently present epigenetic modifications. However, maternal supplementation with folic acid (FA) may improve oocyte maturation and embryo development, preventing epigenetic errors in the offspring. We sought to evaluate the influence of FA supplementation during in vitro maturation of grade I (GI) and grade III (GIII) bovine oocytes on embryo production rate and the expression of IGF2 and KCNQ1OT1 genes. The oocytes were matured in vitro with different concentrations of FA (0, 10, 30 and 100 μM), followed by in vitro fertilization and embryo culture. On the seventh day (D7) of culture, embryo production was evaluated and gene expression was measured using real-time qPCR. Supplementation with 10 μM of FA did not affect embryo production for GI and GIII oocytes. Moderate supplementation (30 μM) seemed to be a positive influence, increasing embryo production for GIII (P = 0.012), while the highest dose (100 μM) reduced embryo production (P = 0.010) for GI, and IGF2 expression was not detected. In GIII, only embryos whose oocyte maturation was not supplemented with FA demonstrated detected IGF2 expression. The lowest concentration of FA (10 μM) reduced KCNQ1OT1 expression (P = 0.05) on embryos from GIII oocytes. Different FA concentrations induced different effects on bovine embryo production and gene expression that was related to oocyte quality. Despite the epigenetic effects of FA, supplementation seems to be a promising factor to improve bovine embryo production if used carefully, as concentration is an important factor, especially in oocytes with impaired quality.
Post-operative arrhythmias in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and anatomic variants: incidence, type, and course
Authors: Yimer Muluneh A. , Tisma-Dupanovic Svjetlana , Malloy-Walton Lindsey , Connelly Diana , Noel-Macdonnell Janelle , O’ Brien James , Papagiannis John 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground:Arrhythmias are common in the post-operative course of patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. We sought to determine the types, incidence, risk factors, and impact of arrhythmias in patients with HLHS and anatomic variants.Methods:We performed a retrospective chart review of 120 consecutive patients with HLHS and anatomical variants, who had single-ventricle palliation at our institution from January, 2006 to December, 2016.Results:A total of thirty-one patients (26%) had 37 episodes of arrhythmias over a median follow-up period of 3.5 years. Of the 37 episodes, 12 (32.4%) were ectopic atrial tachycardia, 9 (24.3%) were paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, 4 (10.8%) were junctional ectopic tachycardia, 5 (13.6%) were sinus node dysfunction, 3 (8.1%) were heart block, 2 (5.4%) were atrial flutter, and 2 (5.4%) were ventricular tachycardia. Twenty-four (65%) of the arrhythmias occurred at post-stage 1 surgery. Most (64.8%) of the arrhythmias were resolved. Arrhythmias that occurred at post-stage 1 surgery were more likely to resolve compared to post-stages 2 or 3 (p = 0.006). No anatomical, surgical, or clinical variables were associated with arrhythmia except for age (OR per unit decrease in age at stage 1 palliation: 1.12 (95% CI 1.003, 1.250); p = 0.0439). Arrhythmias were not associated with length of hospital stay or mortality.Conclusion:Arrhythmias are common in patients with HLHS and anatomic variants, with EAT and PSVT being the most common types. Arrhythmias were associated with younger age at surgery, but did not affect mortality or length of hospital stay.
Webinars reduce the environmental footprint of pediatric cardiology conferences
Authors: Duane Brett , Lyne Alexandra , Faulkner Theresa , Windram Jonathan D. , Redington Andrew N. , Saget Sophie , Tretter Justin T. , McMahon Colin J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground:Webinars have recently replaced in-person medical conferences, including paediatric cardiology conferences, given the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods:With increasing environmental concerns, we analysed the differences between the environmental footprint of a paediatric cardiology webinar with a hypothetical conference. Travel data was collected, with assumptions made on the amount of computer use, internet use and accordingly the overall use of electricity for both forms of conference. Life Cycle Assessment methodology was used (OpenLCA and Ecovinvent v 3.7).Results:We showed that the theoretical environmental impact of a virtual conference is significantly less (4 tons CO2 equivalent) than the traditional international face-to-face conference (192 tons CO2 equivalent). The life cycle assessment methodology showed that resource use for a face-to-face conference lasting 2.5 days for 1374 attendees is equivalent to 400 times what an average person would use in one year, the climate change and photochemical ozone formation approximately 250 times and the eutrophication terrestrial equivalent to 225 times. However, using carbon equivalent emissions to measure environmental harm from flying is an under estimate of the potential damage, when one considers the additional production of airplane contrails. Notwithstanding this, there is a 98% reduction in climate change impact when meetings are held virtually.Conclusions:While the virtual conference may never completely replace the traditional in-person paediatric cardiology conference, due to networking benefits, the significant theoretical benefits to the environment highlighted in this study, warrants consideration for the virtual conference taking a more common place in sustainable academia.
How the space environment influences organisms: an astrobiological perspective and review
Authors: Prasad Binod , Richter Peter , Vadakedath Nithya , Haag Ferdinand W. M. , Strauch Sebastian M. , Mancinelli Rocco , Schwarzwälder Achim , Etcheparre Emmanuel , Gaume Nicolas , Lebert Michael 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe unique environment of space is characterized by several stress factors, including intense radiation, microgravity, high vacuum and extreme temperatures, among others. These stress conditions individually or in-combination influence genetics and gene regulation and bring potential evolutionary changes in organisms that would not occur under the Earth's gravity regime (1 × g). Thus, space can be explored to support the emergence of new varieties of microbes and plants, that when selected for, can exhibit increased growth and yield, improved resistance to pathogens, enhanced tolerance to drought, low nutrient and disease, produce new metabolites and others. These properties may be more difficult to achieve using other approaches under 1 × g. This review provides an overview of the space microgravity and ionizing radiation conditions that significantly influence organisms. Changes in the genomics, physiology, phenotype, growth and metabolites of organisms in real and simulated microgravity and radiation conditions are illustrated. Results of space biological experiments show that the space environment has significant scientific, technological and commercial potential. Combined these potentials can help address the future of life on Earth, part of goal e of astrobiology.
Automatic analysis of insurance reports through deep neural networks to identify severe claims
Authors: Cohen Sabban Isaac , Lopez Olivier , Mercuzot Yann 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we develop a methodology to automatically classify claims using the information contained in text reports (redacted at their opening). From this automatic analysis, the aim is to predict if a claim is expected to be particularly severe or not. The difficulty is the rarity of such extreme claims in the database, and hence the difficulty, for classical prediction techniques like logistic regression to accurately predict the outcome. Since data is unbalanced (too few observations are associated with a positive label), we propose different rebalance algorithm to deal with this issue. We discuss the use of different embedding methodologies used to process text data, and the role of the architectures of the networks.
Prime ministerial autonomy and intra-executive conflict under semi-presidentialism
Authors: Yan Huang-Ting 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis article answers why intra-executive conflict varies across semi-presidential democracies. The literature verifies that intra-executive competition tends to be higher when the president holds less power to dismiss the cabinet, coexists with a minority government, or the president’s party is not represented in the cabinet. This paper, therefore, integrates these factors to construct an index of prime ministerial autonomy, proposing that its relationship with the probability of intra-executive conflict is represented by an inverted U-shaped curve. That is, when the prime minister is subordinated to an elected president, or conversely, enjoys greater room to manoeuvre in the executive affairs of the government, the likelihood of conflict is low. In contrast, significant confrontation emerges when the president claims constitutional legitimacy to rein in the cabinet, and controls the executive to a certain degree. This study verifies hypotheses using data on seventeen semi-presidential democracies in Europe between 1990 and 2015.
Mental health problems in the general population during and after the first lockdown phase due to the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic: rapid review of multi-wave studies
Authors: Richter Dirk , Riedel-Heller Steffi , Zürcher Simeon Joel 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Aims
The SARS-Cov-2 pandemic and the lockdown response are assumed to have increased mental health problems in general populations compared to pre-pandemic times. The aim of this paper is to review studies on the course of mental health problems during and after the first lockdown phase.

Methods
We conducted a rapid review of multi-wave studies in general populations with time points during and after the first lockdown phase. Repeated cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that utilised validated instruments were included. The main outcome was whether indicators of mental health problems have changed during and after the first lockdown phase. The study was registered with PROSPERO No. CRD42020218640.

Results
Twenty-three studies with 56 indicators were included in the qualitative review. Studies that reported data from pre-pandemic assessments through lockdown indicated an increase in mental health problems. During lockdown, no uniform trend could be identified. After lockdown, mental health problems decreased slightly.

Conclusions
As mental health care utilisation indicators and data on suicides do not suggest an increase in demand during the first lockdown phase, we regard the increase in mental health problems as general distress that is to be expected during a global health crisis. Several methodological, pandemic-related, response-related and health policy-related factors need to be considered when trying to gain a broader perspective on the impact of the first wave of the pandemic and the first phase of lockdown on general populations' mental health.
Ethnohistorical Archaeology and the Mythscape of the Naga in the Chiang Saen Basin, Thailand
Authors: Moonkham Piyawit 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThere is a northern Thai story that tells how the naga—a mythical serpent—came and destroyed the town known as Yonok (c. thirteenth century) after its ruler became immoral. Despite this divine retribution, the people of the town chose to rebuild it. Many archaeological sites indicate resettlement during this early historical period. Although many temple sites were constructed in accordance with the Buddhist cosmology, the building patterns vary from location to location and illustrate what this paper calls ‘nonconventional patterns,’ distinct from Theravada Buddhist concepts. These nonconventional patterns of temples seem to have been widely practiced in many early historical settlements, e.g., Yonok (what is now Wiang Nong Lom). Many local written documents and practices today reflect the influence of the naga myth on building construction. This paper will demonstrate that local communities in the Chiang Saen basin not only believe in the naga myth but have also applied the myth as a tool to interact with the surrounding landscapes. The myth is seen as a crucial, communicated element used by the local people to modify and construct physical landscapes, meaning Theravada Buddhist cosmology alone cannot explain the nonconventional patterns. As such, comprehending the role of the naga myth enables us to understand how local people, past and present, have perceived the myth as a source of knowledge to convey their communal spaces within larger cosmological concepts in order to maintain local customs and legitimise their social space.
Global Changes in 20‐Year, 50‐Year, and 100‐Year River Floods
Authors: Slater L. , Villarini G. , Archfield S. , Faulkner D. , Lamb R. , Khouakhi A. , Yin J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractConcepts like the 100‐year flood event can be misleading if they are not updated to reflect significant changes over time. Here, we model observed annual maximum daily streamflow using a nonstationary approach to provide the first global picture of changes in: (a) the magnitudes of the 20‐, 50‐, and 100‐year floods (i.e., flows of a given exceedance probability in each year); (b) the return periods of the 20‐, 50‐, and 100‐year floods, as assessed in 1970 (i.e., flows of a fixed magnitude); and (c) corresponding flood probabilities. Empirically, we find the 20‐/50‐year floods have mostly increased in temperate climate zones, but decreased in arid, tropical, polar, and cold zones. In contrast, 100‐year floods have mostly decreased in arid/temperate zones and exhibit mixed trends in cold zones, but results are influenced by the small number of stations with long records, and highlight the need for continued updating of hazard assessments.
The Unusual Stratospheric Arctic Winter 2019/20: Chemical Ozone Loss From Satellite Observations and TOMCAT Chemical Transport Model
Authors: Weber Mark , Arosio Carlo , Feng Wuhu , Dhomse Sandip S. , Chipperfield Martyn P. , Meier Andreas , Burrows John P. , Eichmann Kai‐Uwe , Richter Andreas , Rozanov Alexei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSatellite observations of relevant trace gases and meteorological data from ERA5 were used to describe the dynamics and chemistry of the spectacular Arctic 2019/20 winter/spring season. Exceptionally low total ozone values of slightly less than 220 DU were observed in mid‐March within an unusually large stratospheric polar vortex. Very high OClO and very low NO2 column amounts observed by GOME‐2A were indicative of unusually large active chlorine levels and significant denitrification, which likely contributed to large chemical ozone loss. Using results from the TOMCAT chemical transport model (CTM) and ozone observations from S5P/TROPOMI, GOME‐2 (total column), SCIAMACHY, and OMPS‐LP (vertical profiles), chemical ozone loss was evaluated and compared with the previous record Arctic winter 2010/11. The polar‐vortex‐averaged total column ozone loss in 2019/20 reached 88 DU (23%) and 106 DU (28%) based upon observations and model, respectively, by the end of March, which was similar to that derived for 2010/11. The maximum ozone loss (∼80%) observed by OMPS‐LP was near the 450 K potential temperature level (∼18 km altitude). Because of the larger polar vortex area in March 2020 compared to March 2011 (about 25% at 450 K), ozone mass loss was larger in Arctic winter 2019/20. It is shown that Arctic cap temperatures were at a record 40‐year low in winter, suggesting that Arctic cold winters are getting colder. Tropical UTLS temperatures show an apparent upward trend during the last two decades that may indicate a weakening of the Brewer‐Dobson circulation and strengthening of the polar vortex.
Transport‐Controlled Dissolution in an Evolving Fracture: The Extended Purday Solution and Fracture Flow Tests
Authors: Li Wei , Germaine John T , Einstein Herbert H. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the controlling mechanism and the resulting rate of reactive transport processes is crucial for an accurate prediction of the evolution of the rock‐fluid system in many geological processes and engineering applications. In this study, transport‐controlled dissolution in a single fracture was investigated analytically with the development of the extended Purday solution and experimentally with fracture flow tests. The extended Purday solution simulates dissolution in an evolving fracture and extends the validity domain of the Purday solution from a fracture with a uniform aperture to a fracture with aperture heterogeneity in the flow direction. The fracture flow tests include continuous effluent concentration measurements with a novel experimental setup and three‐dimensional fracture geometry analysis. The modeling and experimental results agree well and show that the high dissolution rate in the entrance region results in a converging fracture geometry (decreasing aperture in the flow direction). This converging geometry, in turn, reduces the overall dissolution rate in the fracture. The comparison between the modeling and experimental results shows that channel formation and sidewalls affect the morphology of the fracture. The resulting cross‐section geometry of the fracture also tends to reduce the overall dissolution rate. This study shows that the extended Purday solution accurately predicts the dissolution rate in an evolving fracture, and that factors, such as channel formation and sidewalls, affect fracture morphology and reduce the overall dissolution rate.