bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dose-response relationship between spino-pelvic alignment determined by sagittal modifiers and back pain-specific quality of life
Authors: Tominaga Ryoji , Kurita Noriaki , Kokubun Yoshiyuki , Nikaido Takuya , Sekiguchi Miho , Otani Koji , Iwabuchi Masumi , Shirado Osamu , Fukuhara Shunichi , Konno Shin-ichi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To determine whether abnormalities of the sagittal modifiers (SMs) of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-Schwab classification truly reflect back pain (BP)-specific quality of life (QOL), it is necessary to examine their dose–response relationships and to determine clinically impactful thresholds for declines in BP-specific QOL. This study aimed to analyse the continuous dose–response relationship between each SM and BP-specific QOL.

Methods
This cross-sectional study, using data from a Japanese population-based cohort study, included 519 community-dwelling residents aged ≥ 50 years who participated in the annual health examination. The participants completed the Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) on BP-specific QOL. Spino-pelvic alignment based on SMs was assessed by whole-spine X-ray examinations. We fitted general linear models with or without nonlinear terms to estimate the dose–response relationship between each SM and BP-specific QOL.

Results
Pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis (PI-LL), and sagittal vertical axis showed dose–response relationships with BP-specific QOL measured as the RDQ score. PI-LL was most likely to predict a minimally clinically important RDQ score when its value exceeded the 90th percentile. A nonlinear relationship between PI-LL and the BP-specific QOL score was found. RDQ increased when PI-LL exceeded 10°.

Conclusion
PI-LL might be the most sensitive of the three modifiers of the SRS-Schwab classification for determining BP-specific QOL. Moreover, BP-specific QOL worsens rapidly when the compensatory mechanism against malalignment exceeds a critical value. Therefore, we suggest that traditional classifications and surgical strategies should be re-examined regarding the dose-dependent abnormalities of the SMs to develop a more reliable classification strategy.
Ectopic fat deposition in populations of black African ancestry: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Reed Reuben M. , Nevitt Sarah J. , Kemp Graham J. , Cuthbertson Daniel J. , Whyte Martin B. , Goff Louise M. 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Aims
In populations of black African ancestry (BA), a paradox exists whereby lower visceral adipose tissue is found despite their high risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D). This systematic review investigates ethnic differences in other ectopic fat depots (intrahepatic lipid: IHL; intramyocellular lipid: IMCL and intrapancreatic lipid; IPL) to help contextualise their potential contribution to T2D risk.

Methods
A systematic literature search was performed in December 2020 to identify studies reporting at least one ectopic fat comparison between BA and one/more other ethnicity. For IHL, a meta-analysis was carried out with studies considered comparable based on the method of measurement.

Results
Twenty-eight studies were included (IHL: n = 20; IMCL: n = 8; IPL: n = 4). Meta-analysis of 11 studies investigating IHL revealed that it was lower in BA populations vs pooled ethnic comparators (MD −1.35%, 95% CI −1.55 to −1.16, I2 = 85%, P < 0.00001), white European ancestry (MD −0.94%, 95% CI −1.17 to -0.70, I2 = 79%, P < 0.00001), Hispanic ancestry (MD −2.06%, 95% CI −2.49 to −1.63, I2 = 81%, P < 0.00001) and South Asian ancestry comparators (MD −1.92%, 95% CI −3.26 to −0.57, I2 = 78%, P = 0.005). However, heterogeneity was high in all analyses. Most studies found no significant differences in IMCL between BA and WE. Few studies investigated IPL, however, indicated that IPL is lower in BA compared to WE and HIS.

Conclusion
The discordance between ectopic fat and greater risk for T2D in BA populations raises questions around its contribution to T2D pathophysiology in BA.
FUS mutations dominate TBK1 mutations in FUS/TBK1 double-mutant ALS/FTD pedigrees
Authors: Brenner David , Müller Kathrin , Lattante Serena , Yilmaz Rüstem , Knehr Antje , Freischmidt Axel , Ludolph Albert C. , Andersen Peter M. , Weishaupt Jochen H. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractMutations in FUS and TBK1 often cause aggressive early-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or a late-onset ALS and/or frontotemporal dementia (FTD) phenotype, respectively. Co-occurrence of mutations in two or more Mendelian ALS/FTD genes has been repeatedly reported. However, little is known how two pathogenic ALS/FTD mutations in the same patient interact to shape the final phenotype. We screened 28 ALS patients with a known FUS mutation by whole-exome sequencing and targeted evaluation for mutations in other known ALS genes followed by genotype–phenotype correlation analysis of FUS/TBK1 double-mutant patients. We report on new and summarize previously published FUS and TBK1 double-mutant ALS/FTD patients and their families. We found that, within a family, mutations in FUS cause ALS while TBK1 single mutations are observed in FTD patients. FUS/TBK1 double mutations manifested as ALS and without a manifest difference regarding age at onset and disease duration when compared to FUS single-mutant individuals. In conclusion, TBK1 and FUS variants do not seem to interact in a simple additive way. Rather, the phenotype of FUS/TBK1 double-mutant patients appears to be dominated by the FUS mutation.
Income loss among the self-employed: implications for individual wellbeing and pandemic policy measures
Authors: Schneck Stefan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDue to the pandemic-induced economic crisis, self-employed individuals are currently suffering considerable income losses. The self-employed and the members in their households usually form an economic unit. As a consequence, the income cuts not only affect the self-employed themselves but also the rest of their household. We used the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) to calculate how much income the self-employed are able to sacrifice to achieve a subjective barely sufficient household income, which we interpret as the minimum level to maintain the standard of living. Our results suggest that full-time self-employed are typically the bread-earners in their households and that, as a consequence, even moderate income losses of the self-employed often lead to problems in maintaining the living standards of their households. Conditional on individual and household characteristics, the self-employed with employees are found to live in households that are less resilient to income losses. Furthermore, a negative correlation between falling short of the barely adequate household income and wellbeing was discovered. Self-employed in households with less than adequate incomes also reported higher concerns about social cohesion. These results have implications for policy - especially in light of the economic crisis induced by the pandemic.
Many-valued logic and sequence arguments in value theory
Authors: Knutsson Simon 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSome find it plausible that a sufficiently long duration of torture is worse than any duration of mild headaches. Similarly, it has been claimed that a million humans living great lives is better than any number of worm-like creatures feeling a few seconds of pleasure each. Some have related bad things to good things along the same lines. For example, one may hold that a future in which a sufficient number of beings experience a lifetime of torture is bad, regardless of what else that future contains, while minor bad things, such as slight unpleasantness, can always be counterbalanced by enough good things. Among the most common objections to such ideas are sequence arguments. But sequence arguments are usually formulated in classical logic. One might therefore wonder if they work if we instead adopt many-valued logic. I show that, in a common many-valued logical framework, the answer depends on which versions of transitivity are used as premises. We get valid sequence arguments if we grant any of several strong forms of transitivity of ‘is at least as bad as’ and a notion of completeness. Other, weaker forms of transitivity lead to invalid sequence arguments. The plausibility of the premises is largely set aside here, but I tentatively note that almost all of the forms of transitivity that lead to valid sequence arguments seem intuitively problematic. Still, a few moderately strong forms of transitivity that might be acceptable lead to valid sequence arguments, although weaker statements of the initial value claims avoid these arguments at least to some extent.
Optimization of cultivation conditions of Salvia viridis L. shoots in the Plantform bioreactor to increase polyphenol production
Authors: Grzegorczyk-Karolak Izabela , Staniewska Paulina , Lebelt Liwia , Piotrowska Dorota G. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSalvia viridis is a rich source of pharmacologically-important polyphenolic compounds with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer activities. The aim of the present study was to optimise the large-scale cultivation of sage shoots in the Plantform bioreactor. It evaluated the effect of culture duration (two or three weeks), the use of a semi-continuous system and the immersion frequency in a liquid medium (every 80 or 170 min) on the growth and accumulation of secondary metabolites. The content of bioactive phenolic acids and phenylethanoids in the obtained material was determined using HPLC. The most efficient growth parameters, expressed as fresh (26.99 g) and dry weight (3.51 g) as well as proliferation ratio (18.6), were observed for shoots grown in a fed-batch system, immersed every 80 min; this approach yielded a 33-fold biomass increase within four weeks. However, the most efficient production of bioactive compounds was achieved for shoots grown for three weeks in a batch system, immersed every 80 min: total phenolic acid, total phenylethanoid and total phenol contents of 18.3, 11.4 and 29.7 mg/g DW. In these conditions, within three weeks, total phenolic acid level was almost 10 times higher than that found in the aerial parts of four-month-old soil-grown plants with a similar phenylethanoid level. Hence, the described S. viridis shoot culture cultivated in the Plantform bioreactor may be an alternative efficient source of plant material rich in valuable compounds.
Usefulness of advanced monoenergetic reconstruction technique in dual-energy computed tomography for detecting bladder cancer
Authors: Nakagawa Motoo , Naiki Taku , Naiki-Ito Aya , Ozawa Yoshiyuki , Shimohira Masashi , Ohnishi Masahiro , Shibamoto Yuta 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Detecting bladder cancer (BC) in routine CT images is important but is sometimes difficult when cancer is small. We evaluated the ability of 40-keV advanced monoenergetic images to depict BC.

Materials and methods
Fifty-two patients with a median age of 74 years (range 45–92) who were diagnosed as BC with transurethral resection or cystectomy, were included. They were examined with contrast-enhanced dual-energy CT (DE-CT) and advanced virtual monoenergetic images (40 keV) were reconstructed. For evaluating depictability of BC on 40-keV or virtual-120-kVp images, the difference in CT number between the cancer and bladder wall (BC–BW value) were calculated. We also subjectively assessed depictability of BC in virtual-120-kVp and 40-keV images using a 4-grade Likert scale (3: clear, 0: not visualized).

Results
In 42 of 52 patients, BC–BW values could be calculated because BC was detected on CT images. The mean BC–BW value at 40 keV was significantly higher than that of virtual 120 kVp [80.5 ± 54 (SD) vs. 11.4 ± 12.5 HU, P < 0.01]. Average scores of subjective evaluations in the virtual-120-kVp and 40-keV images were 1.7 ± 1.2 and 2.1 ± 1.2, respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusion
The advanced monoenergetic reconstruction technique reconstructed using DE-CT image is useful to depict BC.
Investigations of free space and deep space optical communication scenarios
Authors: Chen Shun-Ping 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe link performance of free space optical communications (FSOC) and deep space optical communications (DSOC) are investigated by considering two scenarios in space communications, for example, for the downlink and uplink between the earth ground stations and the near earth geostationary (GEO) satellites, and between the earth and spacecraft with large distance of 1 astronomical unit (AU) to the earth. Generally a distance larger than 0.01 AU or approximately 1,500,000 km from Earth is considered as deep space. In these theoretical investigations, different realistic system parameters for the optical lasers, transmitters, receivers, avalanche photodiodes (APDs), optical telescopes, atmospheric disturbances like scintillation and absorption are considered. The simulation results are compared with existing project data and valuable ESA experimental results to verify and improve the simulation models. The comparison in this paper shows that the simulation models for the link budget and the scintillation estimation are feasible for the investigations of FSOC and DSOC, and can be used to investigate improved design and implementation of DSOC projects for planned long-term and medium-term space missions.
“As an ethnic minority, you just have to work twice as hard.” Experiences and motivation of ethnic minority students in medical education
Authors: Isik Ulviye , Wouters Anouk , Verdonk Petra , Croiset Gerda , Kusurkar Rashmi A. 
Published: September 2021

Introduction Adequate representation of ethnic minority groups in the medical workforce is crucial for ensuring equitable healthcare to diverse patient groups. This requires recruiting ethnic minority medical students and taking measures that enable them to complete their medical studies successfully. Grounded in self-determination theory and intersectionality, this paper explores the experiences of ethnic minority medical students across intersections with gender and other categories of difference and how these relate to students’ motivation.
Methods An explorative, qualitative study was designed. Six focus groups were conducted with 26 ethnic minority students between December 2016 and May 2017. Thematic analysis was performed to identify, analyse and report themes within the data.
Results The findings were categorized into three main themes: the role of autonomy in the formation of motivation, including students’ own study choice and the role of their family; interactions/‘othering’ in the learning environment, including feelings of not belonging; and intersection of ethnic minority background and gender with being ‘the other’, based on ethnicity.
Discussion Ethnic minority students generally do not have a prior medical network and need role models to whom they can relate. Ensuring or even appointing more ethnic minority role models throughout the medical educational continuum—for example, specialists from ethnic minorities in teaching and/or mentoring roles in the education—and making them more visible to students is recommended. Moreover, a culture needs to be created in the educational environment in which students and staff can discuss their ethnicity-related differences.
Management of the soil-borne fungal pathogen – Verticillium dahliae Kleb. causing vascular wilt diseases
Authors: Kowalska Beata 
Published: September 2021

AbstractVascular wilt diseases caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb. are difficult to control and lead to increasing losses of many crops worldwide. It can cause disease on not only horticultural crops but also many economically important crops such vegetables, legumes, forest trees, woody and herbaceous plants. Reasons of this situation are various: (i) the specialization of crop production resulted in the accumulation of the pathogen in the soil, especially monoculture production; (ii) the lack of an efficient and safe soil fumigation method; (iii) the production in large amounts of survival structures—microslerotia and melanized hyphae that are resistant to chemical and biological degradation.Due to the lack of effective synthetic agents for eradication of V. dahliae from soil, considerable interest in this paper has been focused on biological control, especially the selection of microorganisms with mycoparasitic activity towards V. dahliae microsclerotia, that can decrease their number in soil. The main attention is paid on the Trichoderma fungi, non pathogenic Fusarium spp., Talaromyces flavus and bacteria Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Streptomyces spp. that are discussed in this review. In this work the suppressive effect of organic amendments against this soil-borne pathogen is also mentioned. In addition biofumigation using toxic plant materials, which is an approach to the soil-borne pathogen management could be an effective method to control diseases caused by V. dahliae.
Towards a theory of critical energy literacy: the Youth Strike for Climate, renewable energy and beyond
Authors: Lowan-Trudeau Gregory , Fowler Teresa Anne 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe Youth Strike for Climate raised important global attention to interconnected climate, energy and environmental issues — it also compelled us to consider what we will do to address these pressing challenges. Developed through consideration of such dynamics, we propose critical energy literacy as an emerging theory that denotes understanding of the social, environmental, political and economic challenges, benefits and impacts of various energy sources, developments and technologies. Critical energy literacy is grounded in critical and decolonising approaches to STEM education; considerations for collaborative multi-, inter- and Trans disciplinary pedagogy; critical place-based inquiry and pedagogy; critical gender perspectives and critical media literacy and engagement. Enhancing societal critical energy literacy will assist with more equitable energy, transit, construction and environmental planning by and for communities, businesses and governments. In this theory-building commentary, we share insights related to and principles for our emerging theory of critical energy literacy which coalesced through personal experience with and previous studies into related initiatives and areas of inquiry, and recent reviews of literature as well as K-12, post-secondary and not-for-profit curricula in Canada with consideration for international contexts. A discussion of renewable energy development and education focused on the Canadian province of Alberta is presented as an illuminating exemplar.
Cannabinoid Use in a Tertiary Headache Clinic: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Melinyshyn Alexander N. , Amoozegar Farnaz 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACT:Objective:This study seeks to determine the prevalence and nature of cannabis use in patients with headache in a tertiary headache clinic and to explore patients’ empiric experience in using cannabinoids therapeutically.Background:Many patients with headache report cannabinoid use as an effective abortive and/or preventive therapy. Mounting evidence implicates cannabinoids in pain mechanisms pertaining to migraine and other headache types.Methods:A cross-sectional study surveyed 200 patients presenting with any headache disorder to a tertiary headache clinic in Calgary, Alberta. Descriptive analyses were applied to capture information about headache diagnoses and the frequency, doses and methods of cannabinoid delivery employed, as well as patients’ perceptions of therapeutic benefit and selected negative side effects.Results:Active cannabinoid users comprised 34.0% of respondents. Approximately 40% of respondents using cannabinoids engaged in very frequent use (≥300 days/year). Of cannabinoid modalities, liquid concentrates were most popular (39.2%), followed by smoked cannabis (33.3%). Patients endorsed cannabinoid use for both prevention and acute therapy of headaches, often concurrently. Sixty percent of respondents felt cannabinoids reduced headache severity, while 29.2% perceived efficacy in aborting headaches. Nearly 5% of respondents volunteered that they had encountered a serious problem such as an argument, fight, accident, or work issue as a result of their cannabis use. Approximately 35.4% of users had attempted to reduce their use.Conclusion:This survey shows that over one-third of patients with headache disorders in a tertiary headache clinic use cannabis as a treatment for their headaches. Of these, about 25% and 60% perceive improvements in headache frequency and severity, respectively. The results of this survey will aid neurologists and headache specialists in understanding the landscape of cannabinoid use in a more severely affected population and inform future-controlled studies of cannabinoids in headache patients.
Infrastructuring an organizational node for a federated research and data network: A case study from a sociotechnical perspective
Authors: Harris Marcelline R. , Ferguson Lisa A. , Luo Airong 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background:
Local nodes on federated research and data networks (FR&DNs) provide enabling infrastructure for collaborative clinical and translational research. Studies in other fields note that infrastructuring, that is, work to identify and negotiate relationships among people, technologies, and organizations, is invisible, unplanned, and undervalued. This may explain the limited literature on nodes in FR&DNs in health care.

Methods:
A retrospective case study of one PCORnet® node explored 3 questions: (1) how were components of infrastructure assembled; (2) what specific work was required; and (3) what theoretically grounded, pragmatic questions should be considered when infrastructuring a node for sustainability. Artifacts, work efforts, and interviews generated during node development and implementation were reviewed. A sociotechnical lens was applied to the analysis. Validity was established with internal and external partners.

Results:
Resources, services, and expertise needed to establish the node existed within the organization, but were scattered across work units. Aligning, mediating, and institutionalizing for sustainability among network and organizational teams, governance, and priorities consumed more work efforts than deploying technical aspects of the node. A theoretically based set of questions relevant to infrastructuring a node was developed and organized within a framework of infrastructuring emphasizing enacting technology, organizing work, and institutionalizing; validity was established with internal and external partners.

Conclusions:
FR&DNs are expanding; we provide a sociotechnical perspective on infrastructuring a node. Future research should evaluate the applicability of the framework and questions to other node and network configurations, and more broadly the infrastructuring required to enable and support federated clinical and translational science.
Learning the language of science: A pilot study exploring citizen scientists’ identity and communication with researchers
Authors: Damiani Rachel , Krieger Janice L. , Treise Debbie , Walsh-Childers Kim , Fisher Carla L. , Bloodworth Shirley , Brishke Janet , Shenkman Elizabeth 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Introduction:
Although the involvement of citizen scientists in research can contribute to scientific benefits, much remains unknown about participants’ lived experiences in research. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore how citizen scientists describe their role in, motivation for, and communication with researchers.

Methods:
In-depth interviews (N = 9) were conducted with citizen scientists at a translational health research center.

Results:
Key results include that citizen scientists were invested in learning researchers’ discipline-specific language and viewed small group sizes as conducive to their active participation.

Conclusions:
Programs can apply these findings in an effort to improve citizen scientists’ long-term engagement in research.