bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oil price shocks, protest, and the shadow economy: Is there a mitigation effect?
Authors: Ishak Phoebe W. , Farzanegan Mohammad Reza 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this study, we look at how oil price shocks affect the incidence of protests in a country and how the size of a country's shadow economy influences this relationship. Using panel data from 144 countries, from the period of 1991–2015, we find evidence that negative oil price shocks significantly increase protests in countries with small shadow economies. The effect dissipates as the size of the shadow economy increases and eventually vanishes in countries with a shadow economy representing more than 35% of gross domestic product. Our analysis departs from existing literature by emphasizing the moderating role of a shadow economy on the effects of negative oil shocks on the incidence of protests in oil‐dependent economies. The results are robust to various specifications and their broader implications are discussed.
Rapid colonisation post‐displacement contributes to native fish resilience
Authors: Alford Samantha L. , Walters Annika W. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractNative freshwater fish are experiencing global declines. Determining what drives native fish resilience to disturbance is crucial to understanding their persistence in the face of multiple stressors. Fish colonisation ability may be one factor affecting population resilience after disturbance. We conducted displacement experiments in headwater streams in Wyoming, USA, to evaluate mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdii) and mountain sucker (Catostomus platyrhynchus) colonisation ability. Specifically, we (1) determined whether fish could colonise sites rapidly after displacement, (2) evaluated site‐level factors affecting colonisation, and (3) compared species‐level differences in movement and colonisation capabilities. Mountain sucker recovered to pre‐displacement abundances within 6–11 weeks, but mottled sculpin were still at slightly reduced abundances. For both species, the majority of colonists were unmarked new individuals and size–structure was similar to pre‐displacement size–structure. Fish colonisation was best predicted by pre‐displacement abundance and an interaction between per cent riparian cover and species identity. The slower colonisation rate of mottled sculpin may relate to movement ability as average daily movement rate and movement extent were significantly greater for mountain sucker. Our results demonstrate that colonisation is one mechanism allowing fish populations to be resilient in the face of disturbance and that species' traits provide insight into fish colonisation capabilities. Experimental approaches provide mechanistic insight into colonisation dynamics, enhancing our understanding of native fish resilience in degraded stream ecosystems and their response to restoration actions.
Using quizzes to provide an effective and more enjoyable dental education: A pilot study
Authors: Pereira Andresa Costa , Dias da Silva Marco Antonio , Patel Upen S. , Tanday Ajit , Hill Kirsty B. , Walmsley Anthony Damien 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIntroductionIncreasingly, dental education is using digital strategies to deliver teaching; however, not all of these learning materials are engaging and effective.AimTo evaluate the perception and knowledge retention of undergraduate dental students after using two different digital learning tools: quizzes and PDF.MethodsThirty‐three students from a Dental School in the United Kingdom took part in the research. They received learning material derived from the Prosthodontic (Kennedy classification) or Paediatric dentistry content (Tooth classification). The same content was delivered in two different formats: quiz game (n = 17) and PDF file (n = 16). The PDF file had ten images and their classifications, whilst the quiz had the same images with a question about the classification, along with alternatives (single best answer).ResultsAll students gave similar performances on the knowledge assessment; however, their perception about the learning material differed. Students using quizzes (88%) agreed that they were fun and an interesting way of learning, while only 37.5% had this opinion about PDF material (p = .002). When using quizzes, learners were more motivated and confident. They would frequently recommend quizzes to other colleagues; however, the use of PDF was not suggested as frequently (p = .039). As a learning strategy, 100% of the students using quizzes wanted more of the same to study other dental subjects. This was not the case with the PDF format (p = .005).ConclusionDespite quizzes and PDF files resulting in a similar understanding of dental subjects, learners prefer quizzes to supplement their studies. Educators should consider using this interactive digital tool to engage students, instead of PDF files.
Outcome data from >10 000 multiple myeloma patients in the Danish and Swedish national registries
Authors: Blimark Cecilie Hveding , Vangsted Annette Juul , Klausen Tobias W. , Gregersen Henrik , Szabo Agoston Gyula , Hermansen Emil , Wålinder Göran , Knut‐Bojanowska Dorota , Zang Chenyang , Turesson Ingemar ,   the Real‐World Evidence Group within the Nordic Myeloma Study Group (NMSG)
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectiveWe describe real‐world evidence (RWE) from the nationwide Swedish and Danish registries that provide important information on incidence and outcome in multiple myeloma (MM).MethodFirst line treatment data on more than 10.000 MM patients from Denmark and Sweden between 2005–2018 are presented. Key results from research conducted within the Swedish and Danish myeloma registries are summarized, describing subgroups of patients with comorbidity, myeloma complications, and early relapse.ResultsWe show that national guidelines, generated on results from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are rapidly implemented and improve overall survival (OS). We find that both the incidence of MM and the median age at diagnosis is higher in national registries compared to results from referral centres, indicating a more complete coverage. This highlights the need of validation of prognostic scoring systems and indices in e.g., SMM and high‐risk MM in a real‐ world‐population. We show that these subgroups are unlikely to be captured in RCTs with narrow inclusion and exclusion criteria, that they have worse survival, and are in need of new treatment approaches.ConclusionNational registries that include all MM patients are an important source of knowledge on epidemiology, treatment and outcome with implications for the planning of MM care. Despite the introduction of new and better treatments, rapidly implemented in our countries, our registries uncover subgroups of patients that still have inferior outcome. Our RWE can help to identify important research questions to be studied in further clinical trials also in patients currently not included in RCTs.
Dysfunction of oligodendrocyte inwardly rectifying potassium channel in a rat model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Peric Mina , Nikolic Ljiljana , Andjus Pavle R. , Bataveljic Danijela 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by the death of motor neurons in the spinal cord and the brain. Although this disease is characterized by motoneuron degeneration, non‐neuronal cells such as oligodendrocytes play an important role in the disease onset and progression. The aim of our study was to examine functional properties of oligodendrocytes in the SOD1G93A rat model of ALS with a particular focus on the inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir4.1 that is abundantly expressed in these glial cells and plays a role in the regulation of extracellular K+. First, we demonstrate that the expression of Kir4.1 is diminished in the spinal cord oligodendrocytes of the SOD1G93A rat. Moreover, our data show an elevated number of dysmorphic oligodendrocytes in the ALS spinal cord that is indicative of a degenerative phenotype. In order to assess physiological properties of oligodendrocytes, we prepared cell cultures from the rat spinal cord. Oligodendrocytes isolated from the SOD1G93A spinal cord display similar ramification of the processes as the control but express a lower level of Kir4.1. We further demonstrate an impairment of oligodendrocyte functional properties in ALS. Remarkably, whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings revealed compromised membrane biophysical properties and diminished inward currents in the SOD1G93A oligodendrocytes. In addition, the Ba2+‐sensitive Kir currents were decreased in ALS oligodendrocytes. Altogether, our findings provide the evidence of impaired Kir4.1 expression and function in oligodendrocytes of the SOD1G93A spinal cord, suggesting oligodendrocyte Kir4.1 channel as a potential contributor to the ALS pathophysiology.
Pupil dynamics: A potential proxy of neural preparation for goal‐directed eye movement
Authors: Pandey Pragya , Ray Supriya 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe pupils reflexively constrict or dilate to regulate the influx of light on the retinae. Pupillary light reflex (PLR) is susceptible to many non‐visual cognitive processes including covert orientation of attention and planning rapid saccadic eye movement. The frontal eye field (FEF) and superior colliculus (SC), which also send projections to the PLR pathway, are two important areas in primate's brain for planning saccade and orientation of attention. The saccadic reaction time (SRT) and the rate of increase in activity of movement neurons in these areas are inversely correlated. This study addressed how pupil dynamics, activity in the FEF and SC and SRT are related in a saccadic decision‐making task. The rate of visually evoked pupil constriction was found inversely related to SRT. This was further verified by simulating a homeomorphic biomechanical model of pupillary muscle plants, wherein we projected signals similar to build‐up activity in the FEF and SC to the parasympathetic (constriction) and sympathetic (dilation) division of the PLR pathway, respectively. A striking similarity between simulated and observed dynamics of pupil constriction suggests that PLR is a potential proxy of saccade planning by movement neurons in the FEF and SC. Indistinguishable pupil dynamics when planned saccades were elicited versus when they were cancelled eliminated the possibility that the obligatory pre‐saccadic shift of attention alone influenced the rate of pupil constriction. Our study envisages a mechanism of how the oculomotor system influences the autonomic activity in an attempt to timely minimize saccadic visual transients by regulating the influx of light.
Background white noise and speech facilitate visual working memory
Authors: Han Sizhu , Zhu Ruizhen , Ku Yixuan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn contrast to background white noise, the detrimental effects of background speech on verbal working memory (WM) were often explained by speech interference in the same verbal modality. Yet, those results were confounded with potential differences between arousal levels induced by speech and white noise. To address the role of arousal, in the present study, we minimized the verbal interference by using a visual WM task to test the influence of background speech or white noise. Electrodermal activity (EDA) was recorded simultaneously to indicate participants' arousal levels. Results showed that both background speech and white noise significantly improved visual WM performance, which further correlated with individuals' changes of EDA signals. Taken together, our results suggest that background sounds of both speech and white noise facilitate visual WM by raising the arousal level.
Evolutionary legacies in contemporary tetrapod imperilment
Authors: Greenberg Dan A. , Pyron R. Alexander , Johnson Liam G. W. , Upham Nathan S. , Jetz Walter , Mooers Arne Ø. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe Tree of Life will be irrevocably reshaped as anthropogenic extinctions continue to unfold. Theory suggests that lineage evolutionary dynamics, such as age since origination, historical extinction filters and speciation rates, have influenced ancient extinction patterns – but whether these factors also contribute to modern extinction risk is largely unknown. We examine evolutionary legacies in contemporary extinction risk for over 4000 genera, representing ~30,000 species, from the major tetrapod groups: amphibians, birds, turtles and crocodiles, squamate reptiles and mammals. We find consistent support for the hypothesis that extinction risk is elevated in lineages with higher recent speciation rates. We subsequently test, and find modest support for, a primary mechanism driving this pattern: that rapidly diversifying clades predominantly comprise range‐restricted, and extinction‐prone, species. These evolutionary patterns in current imperilment may have important consequences for how we manage the erosion of biological diversity across the Tree of Life.
Too simple models may predict the island rule for the wrong reasons
Authors: Diniz‐Filho José Alexandre F. , Meiri Shai , Hortal Joaquin , Santos Ana M. C. , Raia Pasquale 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBiddick & Burns (2021) proposed a null/neutral model that reproduces the island rule as a product of random drift. We agree that it is unnecessary to assume adaptive processes driving island dwarfing or gigantism, but several flaws make their approach unrealistic and thus unsuitable as a stochastic model for evolutionary size changes.
Exploring the causal inference of migraine on stroke: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Lee Keon‐Joo , Lee Soo Ji , Bae Hee‐Joon , Sung Joohon 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackground and purposePrevious observational studies have reported that patients with migraine have an increased risk of stroke. We explored whether migraine has a causal effect on stroke using a two‐sample Mendelian randomization approach.MethodsGenetic instruments were selected from large genome‐wide association studies of migraine and stroke. A two‐sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed, along with sensitivity analysis. We used migraine subtypes (any migraine, migraine with aura, migraine without aura) as risk factors and stroke, ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke as outcomes for this analysis. Ischemic stroke subtypes were also included to explore the underlying pathogenesis linking migraine to stroke.ResultsMigraine did not show any association with stroke (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87–1.03), ischemic stroke (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.85–1.02), or hemorrhagic stroke (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.84–1.91), suggesting that the observed association may not be causal. Neither migraine with aura nor without aura showed causal relationship with outcomes. The sensitivity analysis supported the results of the primary analysis. Regarding ischemic stroke subtypes, migraine seemed to have a negative association with large‐artery atherosclerosis (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.68–0.95), whereas associations with small‐vessel occlusion or cardioembolism were not evident.ConclusionsContrary to previous observational studies, we were unable to find any causal relationship between migraine and stroke. However, the suggested negative association of migraine in large‐artery atherosclerosis warrants further research.
Soticlestat, a novel cholesterol 24‐hydroxylase inhibitor, reduces seizures and premature death in Dravet syndrome mice
Authors: Hawkins Nicole A. , Jurado Manuel , Thaxton Tyler T. , Duarte Samantha E. , Barse Levi , Tatsukawa Tetsuya , Yamakawa Kazuhiro , Nishi Toshiya , Kondo Shinichi , Miyamoto Maki , Abrahams Brett S. , During Matthew J. , Kearney Jennifer A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectiveDravet syndrome is a severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) most often caused by de novo pathogenic variants inSCN1A. Individuals with Dravet syndrome rarely achieve seizure control and have significantly elevated risk for sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Heterozygous deletion ofScn1ain mice (Scn1a+/−) recapitulates several core phenotypes, including temperature‐dependent and spontaneous seizures, SUDEP, and behavioral abnormalities. Furthermore,Scn1a+/−mice exhibit a similar clinical response to standard anticonvulsants. Cholesterol 24‐hydroxlase (CH24H) is a brain‐specific enzyme responsible for cholesterol catabolism. Recent research has indicated the therapeutic potential of CH24H inhibition for diseases associated with neural excitation, including seizures.MethodsIn this study, the novel compound soticlestat, a CH24H inhibitor, was administered toScn1a+/−mice to investigate its ability to improve Dravet‐like phenotypes in this preclinical model.ResultsSoticlestat treatment reduced seizure burden, protected against hyperthermia‐induced seizures, and completely prevented SUDEP inScn1a+/−mice. Video–electroencephalography (EEG) analysis confirmed the ability of soticlestat to reduce occurrence of electroclinical seizures.SignificanceThis study demonstrates that soticlestat‐mediated inhibition of CH24H provides therapeutic benefit for the treatment of Dravet syndrome in mice and has the potential for treatment of DEEs.
Vegetation responses to climate extremes recorded by remotely sensed atmospheric formaldehyde
Authors: Morfopoulos Catherine , Müller Jean‐François , Stavrakou Trissevgeni , Bauwens Maite , De Smedt Isabelle , Friedlingstein Pierre , Prentice Iain Colin , Regnier Pierre 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAccurate monitoring of vegetation stress is required for better modelling and forecasting of primary production, in a world where heatwaves and droughts are expected to become increasingly prevalent. Variability in formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations in the troposphere is dominated by local emissions of short‐lived biogenic (BVOC) and pyrogenic volatile organic compounds. BVOCs are emitted by plants in a rapid protective response to abiotic stress, mediated by the energetic status of leaves (the excess of reducing power when photosynthetic light and dark reactions are decoupled, as occurs when stomata close in response to water stress). Emissions also increase exponentially with leaf temperature. New analytical methods for the detection of spatiotemporally contiguous extremes in remote‐sensing data are applied here to satellite‐derived atmospheric HCHO columns. BVOC emissions are shown to play a central role in the formation of the largest positive HCHO anomalies. Although vegetation stress can be captured by various remotely sensed quantities, spaceborne HCHO emerges as the most consistent recorder of vegetation responses to the largest climate extremes, especially in forested regions.
Influence of presintering temperature on magnesium aluminate spinel transparent ceramics fabricated by solid‐state reactive sintering
Authors: Jing Yanqiu , Liu Qiang , Mao Xinyu , Su Sha , Li Xiaoying , Liu Xin , Xie Tengfei , Li Jiang 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTransparent magnesium aluminate spinel (MgO·1.1Al2O3) ceramics were successfully prepared by the solid‐state reactive sintering method using commercial γ‐Al2O3 and MgO powders as raw material. The extra alumina compared with stoichiometric spinel was found efficient to improve the optical quality of transparent spinel ceramics. The influence of presintering temperature on the phase formation, densification process, microstructure evolution, and optical quality of MgO·1.1Al2O3 was systematically investigated. The α‐Al2O3 phase was found in the ceramics calcined at 800°C. With the calcination temperature exceeding 1000°C, the magnesium aluminate spinel ceramics were all pure spinel phase. The density increased from 3.05 to 3.53 g/cm3 and the average grain size increased from 0.5 to 1.9 μm with the increase of presintering temperature from 1450°C to 1600°C. The transparent MgO·1.1Al2O3 ceramic sample presintered at 1550°C for 3 h and hot isostatic pressing posttreated at 1600°C for 3 h showed the best in‐line transmittance of 86.5% at 1100 nm and 84.3% at 800 nm.
The effect of CaCO3 in the formation of carbon nanotubes via electrolysis of molten Li2CO3/CaCO3 mixtures
Authors: Arcaro Sabrina , Guaglianoni Waleska , Alves Annelise Kopp , Bergmann Carlos Pérez 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe development of new technologies to reduce emissions and capture or store CO2 emitted into the atmosphere is constantly expanding. In this sense, the electrolytic synthesis in molten carbonates enables converting CO2 into carbonaceous materials with economic value. The detailed study of the synthesis parameters allows the control of the product properties. Most studies in this area use lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) as an electrolyte. However, it is expensive and may limit the effective application. In this work, the effect of electrolyte composition and synthesis time was investigated. The amount of Li2CO3 used was reduced. For this, Li2CO3 (95, 90, and 85 wt%) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) (5, 10, and 15 wt%) mixtures were employed as electrolytes. The electrolysis was conducted at 1 A for different times (1, 2, or 4 h). Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy were performed to assess the properties of the obtained carbon nanomaterials. The results showed that it was possible to obtain multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with diameter in the range of 53 ± 4 to 117 ± 8 nm. The CNTs with smaller diameters (53 ± 4 nm) and fewer defects (ID/IG = .67) were obtained for the electrolyte containing 10% of CaCO3 and synthesis time of 2 h.
Comparative study of reactive and nonreactive spark plasma sintering routes for the production of TaB2‐TaC composites
Authors: Kaplan Akarsu Melis , Akin Ipek , Sahin Filiz , Goller Gultekin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe influence of two different spark plasma sintering (SPS)‐based processing routes (i.e., reactive SPS [RSPS] and nonreactive SPS) on the properties of TaB2‐TaC composites was investigated. Ta2O5 and B4C powders were used as starting materials in the RSPS method, and synthesis and densification of TaB2‐TaC composites were accomplished in a facile single step. The effect of sintering temperature and time on the microstructure and densification of the in‐situ RSPS were investigated. The obtained results were compared with nonreactive spark plasma sintered TaB2‐TaC composites. The highest densification (∼99.5%) was achieved for the TaB2‐TaC composite with 6.64 vol.% TaC after reactive sintering at 1550°C under 40 MPa with a 5 min holding time. Although lower SPS temperature was used in the RSPS method, better densification and higher Vickers hardness were obtained compared to the nonreactive SPS. While platelet‐shaped TaC formation was observed in both processes, the average grain size was smaller in the RSPS method. On the other hand, no significant difference was detected in the oxidation behavior of the composites produced by RSPS and nonreactive SPS.