bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term anorectal function in rectal cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy and endorectal brachytherapy
Authors: Faaborg Pia Møller , Haas Susanne , Liao Donghua , Ploen John , Jakobsen Anders , Rahr Hans Bjarke , Laurberg Soeren , Gregersen Hans , Lundby Lilli , Christensen Peter , Krogh Klaus 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimThe aim was to study anorectal function in long‐term survivors after combined, curatively intended, chemoradiotherapy and endorectal brachytherapy for low rectal cancer.MethodsThis was a case–control design. We compared anorectal function by anal manometry, anal functional lumen imaging probe (EndoFLIP) and rectal bag distension in rectal cancer patients (RCPs) and healthy, normal subjects (NSs). Symptoms were assessed by the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) and Wexner faecal incontinence scores.ResultsThirteen RCPs (12 men, median age 68 years, range 52–92) after 60 Gy radiotherapy, 5 Gy endorectal brachytherapy and oral tegafur‐uracil with complete clinical response (median time since treatment 2.8 years, range 2.2–5.6) were compared to 15 NSs (14 men, median age 64 years, range 47–75). RCPs had lower than normal anal resting pressure, 38.6 mmHg (range 8.8–67.7) versus 58.8 mmHg (25.7–105.2) (P < 0.003), and squeeze pressure, 117 mmHg (55.2–203) versus 188 mmHg (103–248) (P < 0.01). Squeeze‐induced pressure increase recorded by EndoFLIP was also lower in RCPs (q > 7.56, P < 0.001) as was the anal canal resistance to increasing distension (q = 3.13, P < 0.05). No differences in median rectal volume at first sensation (72 [22–158] vs. 82 [36–190] ml, P = 0.4) or at urge to defaecate (107 [42–227] vs. 132 [59–334] ml, P = 0.2) were found. However, maximum tolerable rectal volume was lower in RCPs (145 [59–319] vs. 222 [106–447] ml, P < 0.02). The median (range) low anterior resection syndrome score was 27 (0–39) for RCPs and 7 (0–23) for NSs (P < 0.001), while the Wexner score was 0 (0–5) versus 0 (0–4) (P = 0.56).ConclusionRadiotherapy combined with endorectal brachytherapy for rectal cancer causes long‐term anorectal symptoms, impaired anal sphincter function and reduced rectal capacity.
Dialect Diversity and Foreign Direct Investment in China
Authors: Feng Wei , Wu Yanrui , Fu Yue 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis paper examines the relationship between dialect diversity and foreign direct investment (FDI) using a dataset of 230 Chinese cities for the period 2000–2014. We find that dialect diversity and FDI absorption are negatively correlated. However, this negative relationship disappears gradually over time. Several underlying mechanisms are identified. In particular, it is found that dialect diversity impedes human capital development and hence obstructs FDI absorption. Our results also show that there are threshold and spatial spillover effects. This research increases knowledge of FDI location choice and has implications for foreign investment policymaking.
Who Will Care for Middle Aged and Elderly Parents in Rural China?
Authors: Li Menghua , Zhou Yun , Shi Xinjie 
Published: April 2021

AbstractUsing data from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, this paper analyzes how the health of parents is causally linked to the gender of their children. We find that, compared with parents with no daughters, those with one daughter are healthier by 0.155 more activities of daily living. This effect is mainly channeled through the provision of emotional comfort and financial support, and not through living with parents. We also confirm that daughters are an important source of financial and emotional support for elderly parents, regardless of whether the parents have pension insurance. This study has important policy implications for China as it focuses on the support from daughters, who historically have not been considered to be as reliable as sons in supporting their parents.
Impact of daytime light intensity on the central orexin (hypocretin) system of a diurnal rodent (Arvicanthis niloticus)
Authors: Lonstein Joseph S. , Linning‐Duffy Katrina , Tang Yuping , Moody Anna , Yan Lily 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe neuropeptide orexin/hypocretin is implicated in sleep and arousal, energy expenditure, reward, affective state and cognition. Our previous work using diurnal Nile grass rats (Arvicanthis niloticus) found that orexin mediates the effects of environmental light, particularly daytime light intensity, on affective and cognitive behaviours. The present study further investigated how daytime light intensity affects the central orexin system in male and female grass rats. Subjects were housed for 4 weeks in 12:12 hr dim light:dark (50 lux, dimLD) or in 12:12 hr bright light:dark cycle (1000 lux, brightLD). Day/night fluctuations in some orexin measures were also assessed. Despite similar hypothalamic prepro‐orexin mRNA expression across all conditions, there were significantly more orexin‐immunoreactive neurons, larger somata, greater optical density or higher orexin A content at night (ZT14) than during the day (ZT2), and/or in animals housed in brightLD compared to dimLD. Grass rats in brightLD also had higher cisternal CSF levels of orexin A. Furthermore, orexin receptor OX1R and OX2R proteins in the medial prefrontal cortex were higher in brightLD than dimLD males, but lower in brightLD than dimLD females. In the CA1 and dorsal raphe nucleus, females had higher OX1R than males without any significant effects of light condition, and OX2R levels were unaffected by sex or light. These results reveal that daytime light intensity alters the central orexin system of both male and female diurnal grass rats, sometimes sex‐specifically, and provides insight into the mechanisms underlying how daytime light intensity impacts orexin‐regulated functions.
Role of the frontal eye field in human pupil and saccade orienting responses
Authors: Hsu Tzu‐Yu , Hsu Yu‐Fan , Wang Hsin‐Yi , Wang Chin‐An 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe appearance of a salient stimulus evokes a series of orienting responses including saccades and pupil size to prepare the body for appropriate action. The midbrain superior colliculus (SC) that receives critical control signals from the frontal eye field (FEF) is hypothesized to coordinate all components of orienting. It has shown recently that the FEF, together with the SC, is also importantly involved in the control of pupil size, in addition to its well‐documented role in eye movements. Although the role of the FEF in pupil size is demonstrated in monkeys, its role in human pupil responses and the coordination between pupil size and saccades remains to be established. Through applying continuous theta‐burst stimulation over the right FEF and vertex, we investigated the role of the FEF in human pupil and saccade responses evoked by a salient stimulus, and the coordination between pupil size and saccades. Our results showed that neither saccade reaction times (SRT) nor pupil responses evoked by salient stimuli were modulated by FEF stimulation. In contrast, the correlation between pupil size and SRTs in the contralateral stimulus condition was diminished with FEF stimulation, but intact with vertex stimulation. Moreover, FEF stimulation effects between saccade and pupil responses associated with salient stimuli correlated across participants. This is the first transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) study on the pupil orienting response, and our findings suggest that human FEF was involved in coordinating pupil size and saccades, but not involved in the control of pupil orienting responses.
Seed predator effects on plants: Moving beyond time‐corrected proxies
Authors: Dylewski Łukasz , Ortega Yvette K. , Bogdziewicz Michał , Pearson Dean E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe previously demonstrated that small mammals impact plant recruitment globally via size‐dependent seed predation, generating a unimodal pattern across ecosystems. Chen et al. (2021) critiqued our seed removal analysis, advocating corrections for exposure time. We show such manipulations are unwarranted and argue for increased emphasis on plant recruitment metrics.
Marine biodiversity refugia in a climate‐sensitive subarctic shelf
Authors: Alabia Irene D. , García Molinos Jorge , Hirata Takafumi , Mueter Franz J. , Hirawake Toru , Saitoh Sei‐Ichi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe subarctic shelf of the Eastern Bering Sea (EBS) is one of the world's most productive marine environments, exposed to drastic climate changes characterized by extreme fluctuations in temperature, sea ice concentration, timing, and duration. These climatic changes elicit profound responses in species distribution, abundance, and community composition. Here, we examined the patterns of alpha and temporal beta diversity of 159 marine taxa (66 vertebrates and 93 invertebrate species) from 29 years (1990–2018) of species observations from the NOAA bottom trawl surveys in the EBS. Based on these data, we identified geographically distinct refugial zones in the northern and southern regions of the middle shelf, defined by high species richness and similarity in community species composition over time. These refugial zones harbor higher frequencies of occurrence for representative taxa relative to the regions outside of refugia. We also explored the primary environmental factors structuring marine biodiversity distributions, which underpinned the importance of the winter sea ice concentration to alpha and temporal beta diversity. The spatial biodiversity distributions between high and low winter sea ice regimes highlighted contrasting signals. In particular, the latter showed elevated species richness compared to the former. Further, the temporal beta diversity between the high and low winter sea ice periods underpinned an overall increase in the compositional similarity of marine communities in the EBS. Despite these spatiotemporal differences in biodiversity distributions, the identified refugia represent safe havens of marine biodiversity in the EBS. Distinguishing these areas can help facilitate conservation and management efforts under accelerated and ongoing climatic changes.
Cross‐generational response of a tropical sea urchin to global change and a selection event in a 43‐month mesocosm study
Authors: Uthicke Sven , Patel Frances , Petrik Chelsea , Watson Sue‐Ann , Karelitz Sam E. , Lamare Miles D. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLong‐term experimental investigations of transgenerational plasticity (TGP) and transgenerational acclimatization to global change are sparse in marine invertebrates. Here, we test the effect of ocean warming and acidification over a 25‐month period of Echinometra sp. A sea urchins whose parents were acclimatized at ambient or one of two near‐future (projected mid and end of the 21st century) climate scenarios for 18 months. Several parameters linked to performance exhibited strong effects of future ocean conditions at 9 months of age. The Ambient‐Ambient group (A‐A, both F0 and F1 at ambient conditions) was significantly larger (21%) and faster in righting response (31%) compared to other groups. A second set of contrasts revealed near‐future scenarios caused significant negative parental carryover effects. Respiration at 9 months was depressed by 59% when parents were from near‐future climate conditions, and righting response was slowed by 28%. At 10 months, a selective pathogenic mortality event led to significantly higher survival rates of A‐A urchins. Differences in size and respiration measured prior to the mortality were absent after the event, while a negative parental effect on righting (29% reduction) remained. The capacity to spawn at the end of the experiment was higher in individuals with ambient parents (50%) compared to other groups (21%) suggesting persistent parental effects. Obtaining different results at different points in time illustrates the importance of longer term and multigeneration studies to investigate effects of climate change. Given some animals in all groups survived the pathogenic event and that effects on physiology (but not behavior) among groups were eliminated after the mortality, we suggest that similar events could constitute selective sweeps, allowing genetic adaptation. However, given the observed negative parental effects and reduced potential for population replenishment, it remains to be determined if selection would be sufficiently rapid to rescue this species from climate change effects.
Multi‐scale modeling for frequency‐dependent dielectric responses of non‐uniform porous carbon fiber/mullite composites
Authors: Xia Xiaodong , Zhao Shijun , Long Lan , Li Yang , Zhou Wei 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe frequency‐dependent dielectric responses of non‐uniformly dispersed porous carbon fiber/mullite composites fabricated by gel‐casting are intensively investigated in the X‐band range. Experimental data have shown the frequency dependence of dielectric permittivity and electrical conductivity of the overall composite. The dielectric responses of non‐uniformly dispersed porous carbon fiber/mullite composites in X‐band are quantitatively modeled through a multi‐scale homogenization method based on the effective‐medium approximation. The non‐uniform dispersion of carbon fibers and micro‐pores in the mullite ceramic has been included via a corresponding multi‐scale geometric setting. The effective dielectric permittivity and electrical conductivity of the composite both enhance with the fiber volume concentration. It is demonstrated that the decreasing dielectric permittivity and increasing electrical conductivity with respect to the AC frequency can be attributed to frequency‐dependent dielectric relaxation and electron hopping effects at the interface. Furthermore, improving the uniform dispersion of carbon fibers in the mullite is essential to achieve the enhanced dielectric response of porous carbon fiber/mullite composites. The present paper can provide the directions to design the porous carbon fiber/mullite composites for micro‐electronic devices in the high‐temperature environment.
Dental biofilm of symptomatic COVID‐19 patients harbours SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Gomes Sabrina Carvalho , Fachin Sabrina , da Fonseca Juliane Gonçalves , Angst Patrícia Daniela Melchiors , Lamers Marcelo Lazzaron , da Silva Ilma Simoni Brum , Nunes Luciana Neves 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimsSARS‐CoV‐2 RNA has been recovered from different sites in the human body, including the mouth. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in the dental biofilm of symptomatic patients who tested positive in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (NASO/ORO) samples.Materials & MethodsAn observational clinical study of individuals with flu‐like symptoms was conducted between July and September 2020. Dental biofilm (BIO) samples were collected and analysed using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) to determine the virus's presence.ResultsSeventy participants (40 ± 9.8 years of age, 71.4% female) tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in NASO/ORO samples and were included in the study. Among them, 13 tested positive in BIO samples (18.6%; 95% CI: [9.5, 27.7]). The median and interquartile range of cycle quantification (Cq) for NASO/ORO and BIO samples were 15.9 [6.9] and 35.9 [4.0] (p = .001), respectively. BIO‐positive participants showed a higher virus load in NASO/ORO samples (p = .012) than those testing negative (Cq = 20.4 [6.1]).ConclusionsDental biofilms from symptomatic COVID‐19 patients harbour SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA and might be a potential reservoir with an essential role in COVID‐19 transmission.
A review on the economics of artificial intelligence
Authors: Lu Yingying , Zhou Yixiao 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) not only represents a scientific breakthrough but also has impacts on human society and economies, as well as on the development of economics. This paper focuses on the macroeconomic perspective, reviewing recent literature in order to answer three key questions. First, what approaches are being used to represent AI in economic models? Second, will AI technology have an impact on the economy different from that of previous new technologies? Third, in which aspects will AI have an impact, and what is the empirical evidence for these effects of AI?On the first question, our review reveals that the incorporation of AI into economic models raises fundamental questions on economics and economic models. On the second question, while most empirical studies cannot deny the existence of the Solow Paradox for AI technology, some studies find that AI would have a different and broader impact than previous technologies. On the third question, studies on the labor market seem to suggest a stylized fact regarding the impact of AI on employment on different levels, and income inequality across skill levels and between developing and developed countries. The impacts of AI on international trade and education have been largely neglected and are worth further research in the future. It is also important for both theoretical and empirical studies to have a clear and accurate definition of AI so that the results are not misinterpreted.
Mapping species richness of plant families in European vegetation
Authors: Večeřa Martin , Axmanová Irena , Padullés Cubino Josep , Lososová Zdeňka , Divíšek Jan , Knollová Ilona , Aćić Svetlana , Biurrun Idoia , Boch Steffen , Bonari Gianmaria , Campos Juan Antonio , Čarni Andraž , Carranza Maria Laura , Casella Laura , Chiarucci Alessandro , Ćušterevska Renata , Delbosc Pauline , Dengler Jürgen , Fernández‐González Federico , Gégout Jean‐Claude , Jandt Ute , Jansen Florian , Jašková Anni , Jiménez‐Alfaro Borja , Kuzemko Anna , Lebedeva Maria , Lenoir Jonathan , Lysenko Tatiana , Moeslund Jesper Erenskjold , Pielech Remigiusz , Ruprecht Eszter , Šibík Jozef , Šilc Urban , Škvorc Željko , Swacha Grzegorz , Tatarenko Irina , Vassilev Kiril , Wohlgemuth Thomas , Yamalov Sergey , Chytrý Milan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimsBiodiversity is traditionally studied mostly at the species level, but biogeographical and macroecological studies at higher taxonomic levels can provide valuable insights into the evolutionary processes at large spatial scales. Our aim was to assess the representation of vascular plant families within different vegetation formations across Europe.LocationEurope.MethodsWe used a data set of 816,005 vegetation plots from the European Vegetation Archive (EVA). For each plot, we calculated the relative species richness of each plant family as the number of species belonging to that family divided by the total number of species. We mapped the relative species richness, averaged across all plots in 50 km × 50 km grid cells, for each family and broad habitat groups: forests, grasslands, scrub and wetlands. We also calculated the absolute species richness and the Shannon diversity index for each family.ResultsWe produced 522 maps of mean relative species richness for a total of 152 vascular plant families occurring in forests, grasslands, scrub and wetlands. We found distinct spatial patterns for many combinations of families and habitat groups. The resulting series of 522 maps is freely available, both as images and GIS layers.ConclusionsThe distinct spatial patterns revealed in the maps suggest that the relative species richness of plant families at the community level reflects the evolutionary history of individual families. We believe that the maps and associated data can inspire further biogeographical and macroecological studies and strengthen the ongoing integration of phylogenetic, functional and taxonomic diversity concepts.
Evaluation of the validity and reliability of the Nurses' Responsibility in Healthcare Quality Questionnaire: An instrument design study
Authors: Oldland Elizabeth , Hutchinson Alison M. , Redley Bernice , Mohebbi Mohammadreza , Botti Mari 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNurses' awareness and acceptance of their professional responsibilities across the full breadth of safety and quality‐related practices and behaviors are critical for high quality healthcare delivery. The purpose of this study was to develop and psychometrically test a new instrument to measure nurses' perceptions of their responsibilities related to healthcare quality. Participants were registered nurses, enrolled in a postgraduate program at an Australian university, who completed the Likert scale instrument with items developed from nurses' professional practice standards. Steps of pilot testing, item reduction, and confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a five‐subscale, 55‐item instrument with acceptable goodness‐of‐fit indices and good internal consistency reliability. Test–retest reliability demonstrated acceptable temporal stability. The Nurses Responsibilities in Healthcare Quality Questionnaire demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability. The instrument may assist education providers and health service managers to identify gaps between nurses' beliefs and professional role expectations, and evaluate the impact of educational and clinical initiatives designed to develop nurses' knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to healthcare quality.
Treatment of asymptomatic blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI): a systematic review
Authors: Murphy Patrick B , Severance Sarah , Holler Emma , Menard Laura , Savage Stephanie , Zarzaur Ben L 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundThe management of asymptomatic blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) with respect to stroke prevention and vessel healing is challenging.ObjectivesThe aim of this systematic review was to determine if a specific treatment results in lower stroke rates and/or improved vessel healing in asymptomatic BCVI.Data sourcesAn electronic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov performed from inception to March 2020.Study eligibility criteriaStudies were included if they reported on a comparison of any treatment for BCVI and stroke and/or vessel healing rates.Participants and interventionsAdult patients diagnosed with asymptomatic BCVI(s) who were treated with any preventive medication or procedure.Study appraisal and synthesis methodsAll studies were systematically reviewed and bias was evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. No meta-analysis was performed secondary to significant heterogeneity across studies in patient population, screening protocols, and treatment selection. The main outcomes were stroke and healing rate.ResultsOf 8781 studies reviewed, 19 reported on treatment effects for asymptomatic BCVI and were included for review. Any choice of medical management was better than no treatment, but no specific differences between choice of medical management and stroke outcomes were found. Vessel healing was rare and the majority of healed vessels were following low-grade injuries.LimitationsMajority of the included studies were retrospective and at high risk of bias.Conclusions or implications of key findingsAsymptomatic BCVI should be treated medically using a consistent, local protocol. High-quality studies on the effect of individual antithrombotic agents on stroke rates and vessel healing for asymptomatic BCVI are required.