bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Financialisation on the Rate of Profit for the US (1955–2019)
Authors: Barbieri Góes Maria Cristina , Deleidi Matteo , Bucchianico Stefano Di , Salvati Luigi 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this article is to examine the relationship between financialisation and functional income distribution. To this end, we empirically analyse the relationship between financialisation, the real wage level and the rate of profit in the US (1955–2019) using structural vector autoregressive modelling. According to our results, while an increase in financialisation leads to changes in the rate of profit with ambiguous signs and unclear statistical significance, financialisation has a clear, negative and persistent effect on the real wage level. We conclude with a reconsideration of the role of financialisation in shaping functional income distribution, as it appears to contribute directly to restraining real wage levels rather than directly impacting profitability.
Impact of experience on visual and Simpson's biplane echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Akil S. , Castaings J. , Thind P. , Åhlfeldt T. , Akhtar M. , Gonon A. T. , Quintana M. , Bouma K. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn clinical routine, health care professionals with various levels of experience assess left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by echocardiography. The aim was to investigate to what extent visual and Simpson's biplane assessment of LVEF, using two‐dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), is affected by the evaluator's experience.MethodsUltrasound images of 140 patients were assessed, visually and with Simpson's biplane method, by six evaluators divided into three groups based on echocardiographic experience level (beginner, intermediate and expert). The evaluators were blinded to each other's LVEF assessments. Bland‐Altman analyses (bias±SD) were performed to assess agreement. P‐values < 0.05 with the performed paired t‐test were considered statistically significant.ResultsLevel of agreement in LVEF was good between evaluators within the expert group: visual = LVEFexpert 1 vs LVEFexpert 2: −0.4 ± 6.4 (p = 0.46); Simpson's biplane = LVEFexpert 1 vs LVEFexpert 2: 0.96 ± 7.0 (p = 0.11), somewhat lower within the intermediate group: visual = LVEFintermediate 1 vs LVEFintermediate 2: −1.2 ± 4.4 (p = 0.004); Simpson's biplane = LVEFintermediate 1 vs LVEF intermediate 2: −3.3 ± 5.0 (p < 0.001) and lowest for beginners: visual = LVEFbeginner 1 vs LVEFbeginner 2: 2.3 ± 9.8 (p = 0.007), Simpson's biplane = LVEFbeginner 1 vs LVEF beginner 2: −1.8 ± 8.7 (p = 0.02). The agreement between LVEFexpert and LVEFs by the two other groups was: visual = LVEFexpert vs LVEFbeginner: 1.5 ± 6.0 (p = 0.005); LVEFintermediate: −3.0 ± 4.4 (p < 0.001) and Simpson's biplane = LVEFexpert vs LVEFbeginner: 3.2 ± 6.3 (p < 0.001); LVEFintermediate: −2.2 ± 4.7 (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe evaluator's level of experience affects visual and Simpson's biplane assessment of LVEF by 2D‐TTE, with highest variability being among beginners. Furthermore, a second opinion is recommended when assessing reduced LVEF even for evaluators with intermediate and expert experience.
Connectivity‐based striatal subregion microstructural changes in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: Relation to motor disability, cognitive deficits, and serum biomarkers
Authors: Chen Yujing , Sun Sujuan , Yun Yan , Sun Xiaohan , Xin Jiaxiang , Shao Kai , Lin Pengfei , Yu Dexin , Yan Chuanzhu , Liu Shuangwu 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackground and PurposeTo date, no previous studies have used multishell diffusion MRI to identify striatal microstructural damage in vivo in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Thus, in the present study, we aimed to comprehensively explore connectivity‐based selective striatal subregion microstructural damage in sporadic ALS patients and its associations with motor disability, cognitive deficits, and serum biomarkers.MethodsIn this retrospective study, 79 ALS patients and 53 healthy controls (HCs) who underwent clinical assessment, serum neurofilament light (NfL) measurement, genetic testing, and multishell diffusion MRI scanning were included. Using a probabilistic tractography approach, the striatum was segmented into six subregions based on their corticostriatal connectivity. Three neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) parameters, the neurite density index (NDI), orientation dispersion index (ODI), and isotropic volume fraction (ISO), of the connectivity‐based striatal subregions were measured.ResultsCompared with HCs, ALS patients had a significantly lower NDI in the bilateral motor and right frontal subregions, a significantly lower ODI in the right motor and frontal subregions, and a significantly higher ISO in the bilateral motor and frontal subregions of the striatum after familywise error (p < 0.05). Moreover, striatal subregion microstructural damage was significantly correlated with motor disabilities, cognitive deficits, and serum NfL levels in ALS patients (p = 0.020–0.002).ConclusionsOur study provides clear evidence demonstrating that connectivity‐based selective striatal subregion microstructural damage is a definite feature of sporadic ALS patients and suggesting that striatal damage may play an important role in motor disability and cognitive deficits in ALS patients.
The Influence of a Sudden Impact Loading on the Creep, Damage, and Fracture of Beams Made From Functionally Graded Materials
Authors: Breslavsky Dmytro , Palamarchuk Pavlo , Tatarinova Oksana , Altenbach Holm , Pellicano Francesco 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAn approach to the analysis of the influence of impact loading on creep, accumulation of hidden damage and fracture of structural elements made of functionally graded materials (FGM) is proposed. The approach is based on the analysis of additional damage caused by the impact loading and the stress redistribution caused by it. For the numerical modeling, finite element analysis was applied using algorithms for determining the size and direction of motion of macroscopic defects by means of the analysis of the time‐varying damage field. The fracture after an impact on a beam made from FGM is considered. The nature of fracture of a beam made of two‐layer metal‐ceramic material was studied. The advantages of using FGM to ensure a better long‐term response of a structural element to a non‐destructive impact loading are shown. An approach to determine the time until the complete fracture of the FGM beam by the simultaneous description of the motion of two cracks is proposed.
Climate Change and the Emergence of No‐Analog Forest Assemblages in North America
Authors: Gougherty Andrew V. , Prasad Anantha M. , Peters Matthew P. , Matthews Stephen N. , Adams Bryce T. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTFuture climate change is expected to result in tree species shifting their geographic distributions in ways that could reorganize species into assemblages with no contemporary analog. These projected no‐analog forests raise concern as their ecological function could similarly shift, which may challenge established conservation and management efforts. Here, we implement a community‐level modelling approach to identify the key climatic and topographic drivers of forest composition in North America, and then use these models to predict the distribution of “disappearing” and “novel” forest assemblages in future climate. We applied this modelling technique to both the taxonomic and phylogenetic composition of forest trees, to identify where species turnover may be greatest, and whether species are likely to be replaced with close relatives. Our work shows that approximately 11.9% of contemporary North American forests have low predicted similarity to future forests, and 26.2% of future forests could be compositionally novel compared with contemporary forests, but there was substantial geographic variability in the magnitude of these metrics across the continent. High‐elevation regions in the west tend to be nearest to their closest compositional analog, suggesting these regions may be most likely to realize the future predicted composition. This work provides a new approach to understanding how forest composition may shift in future climates in a way that avoids the need for individual species predictions and extends climate‐matching approaches with meaningful biological data.
Practical Considerations When Using Mendelian Sampling Variances for Selection Decisions in Genomic Selection Programs
Authors: Niehoff Tobias A. M. , ten Napel Jan , Calus Mario P. L. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this work was to test the application of selection criteria that consider the genetic variances of future generations. This has not been done previously in numerically large livestock breeding programs based on estimated rather than assumed known marker effects. A generic pure‐line pig breeding program was simulated in which 40 males and 400 females were selected every generation. Daily gain was used as an example trait. Three variance‐considering criteria as well as different reference population sizes were compared to investigate the effect of differences in genomic prediction accuracy on selection decisions. All variance‐considering criteria retained more genetic variance than if selection was based on estimated breeding values (max. 20%). This effect was more pronounced for higher prediction accuracies and criteria assessing the variance more generations ahead. After 20 generations, the criterion with the longest planning horizon combined with the largest reference population resulted in a 2% higher genetic level of boars selected to produce finisher pigs. While the advantage of accounting for future generations diminished with lower accuracy or shorter planning horizons, the variance‐considering criteria never performed worse than selection based on genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) with respect to commercial genetic gain. We are reporting various accuracy metrics to help judge the effectiveness of using one of our tested criteria in real breeding programs. While we did not find large benefits for genetic gain when considering future variances in selection decisions, we also did not find negative side effects, while considerably more genetic variance was maintained. This means that using variance‐considering criteria results in either equally good or better performance than truncation selection based on estimated breeding values. Our criteria can be applied to any genomic breeding program as long as phased genotypes, estimated marker effects and a genetic map are available.
Thromboembolic Complications From Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter in Pediatrics and Young Adults: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Whitehill Robert , Hill Allison C. , Baskar Shankar , Jackson Lanier , Scheiber Jonah , Yoon Ja‐Kyoung , Dresner Lily , Williams Matthew , Meziab Omar , Mah Douglas , Jimenez Erick , Dionne Audrey 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundAtrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are relatively rare in young people and the incidence of thromboembolic complications is unknown. These issues contribute to the limited utility of present guidelines regarding anticoagulation in this population.ObjectiveTo report the number of thromboembolic complications in a cohort of pediatric and young adult patients presenting with atrial fibrillation (AFib) or atrial flutter (AFl) while also assessing anticoagulation practice in a multicenter cohort of young patients with these arrhythmias.MethodsMulticenter, retrospective cohort of patients aged < 25 years old who presented with atrial flutter (AFl) or atrial fibrillation (AFib) between 2000 and 2019 to several large, quaternary pediatric centers, excluding episodes occurring within 30 days of an invasive cardiac procedure.ResultsThere were 311 episodes of AFib/AFl among 210 patients with a median age of 17 (IQR 14, 20) years. Structural heart disease (SHD) was present in 120 patients (57%) and 20 patients (10%) had a primary cardiomyopathy. Twelve AFib/AFl episodes (8 with AFL, 4 with AFib) were associated with a thrombus, of which 8 (67%) patients had SHD, 2 (17%) had cardiomyopathy and 5 (42%) ventricular dysfunction. The CHADSVASc score was 0–3 for all patients with a thrombus. Of patients with no thrombus at presentation who were cardioverted, 102 (34%) patients were discharged on aspirin and 80 (27%) on anticoagulation. Two patients had symptoms concerning for a thromboembolic event on follow‐up, but none had a newly documented thrombus.ConclusionsThromboembolic complications occur in children and young adults presenting with AFib/AFl. The majority are associated with SHD, cardiomyopathy, and/or ventricular dysfunction. CHADSVASc was calculated for each patient and was of limited utility. Thromboembolic complications at follow up after cardioversion are rare, and anticoagulation strategies at discharge varied.
Oral language intervention in the late primary school years is effective: evidence from a randomised control trial
Authors: Esposito Rosanne , Lervag Arne , Hulme Charles 
Published: December 2024

BackgroundOral language skills provide the foundation for formal education, and children may require language support over an extended period of time to maximise their education potential. Most work on language intervention, however, has focussed on the preschool or early school years. Here, we describe the development and evaluation of the Oral Language for Literacy Intervention (OLLI) programme which is designed to support children with weak language skills in the later primary school years.MethodsWe conducted a randomised control trial in 33 schools (50 classrooms). The language skills of all 8–9 year‐old children in each participating classroom (n = 1,423) were assessed using an automated app (LanguageScreen). The six children with the weakest LanguageScreen scores within each classroom (n = 296) were randomly allocated to the intervention (n = 148) or control group (n = 148). The children in the intervention group received the OLLI programme delivered in individual and small group sessions over 20 weeks. Children in the control group received their typical teaching.ResultsChildren receiving the OLLI programme made significantly larger gains than children in the control group on a preregistered latent variable reflecting standardised measures of oral language ability (d = 0.38) and on a measure of their written expression (d = 0.42).ConclusionsThese findings have important implications for improving educational attainment in children in the late primary school years. The OLLI programme is designed to be deliverable at scale and is of relatively low cost.
Line‐field confocal optical coherence tomography of basal cell carcinoma: A retrospective study on diagnostic performance
Authors: Mtimet Lyna , Boussingault Lucas , Aktas Dina , Fontaine Margot , Orte Cano Carmen , Diet Gwendoline , Lenoir Clement , Miyamoto Makiko , Cinotti Elisa , Tognetti Linda , Cartocci Alessandra , Rubegni Pietro , Puig Susana , Malvehy Josep , Perez‐Anker Javiera , Perrot Jean‐Luc , del Marmol Véronique , Suppa Mariano 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIntroductionLine‐field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC‐OCT) represents one of the newest non‐invasive in vivo skin imaging techniques. Previous studies described morphologic criteria of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) under LC‐OCT examination. Preliminary data on LC‐OCT diagnostic performance for BCC have recently been published but showed only a modest improvement compared to dermoscopy, possibly due to study limitations.ObjectivesThe main objective of this study was to find diagnostic performance parameters of LC‐OCT for differentiating BCC from its clinical/dermoscopic mimickers and for discriminating among BCC subtypes. An additional objective was to suggest a simple, user‐friendly diagnostic algorithm based on the most powerful LC‐OCT features in the field of BCC and its imitators.Materials and MethodsEquivocal BCC lesions imaged with an LC‐OCT device prior to biopsy/excision were included. Three observers blinded for histopathological diagnosis retrospectively formulated clinical, dermoscopic and LC‐OCT diagnoses and evaluated LC‐OCT features for each study lesion.ResultsA total of 303 lesions (173 BCCs and 130 non‐BCCs) from 225 patients were included. For the differentiation of BCC from BCC imitators, the use of LC‐OCT increased the diagnostic accuracy compared to clinical examination by 24% and compared to dermoscopy by 12%. For the discrimination of sBCC from other BCC subtypes, LC‐OCT increased the diagnostic accuracy compared to clinical examination by 18% and compared to dermoscopy by 12%. The presence of lobule with millefeuille pattern was a significant feature for BCC diagnosis. Lobule shape and location allowed BCC subtype discrimination.ConclusionsThe accuracy of BCC diagnosis can be increased by at least 12% with the use of LC‐OCT compared to clinical and dermoscopic examinations alone, both in terms of BCC differentiation from clinical/dermoscopic imitators and in terms of BCC‐subtype discrimination. A diagnostic algorithm based on significant features for BCC diagnosis is proposed, for which further validation is required.
A portrait of older adults in naturally occurring retirement communities in Ontario, Canada: A population‐based study
Authors: Savage Rachel D. , Huynh Tai , Hahn‐Goldberg Shoshana , Matai Lavina , Boblitz Alexa , Altaf Azmina , Bronskill Susan E. , Brown Kevin A. , Feng Patrick , Lewis‐Fung Samantha E. , Sheth Maya S. , Yu Christina , Recknagel Jen , Rochon Paula A. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundNaturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) are geographical areas that have naturally become home to a large concentration of older adults. This density means that NORCs have the potential to become a pillar for aging in place strategies, but at present, there is limited data on residents and their health needs. Our objective was to describe and compare the health and healthcare use of older adults living in high‐rise NORC buildings to those in all other housing types in the community.MethodsWe conducted a population‐based descriptive study of community‐dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years by linking a provincial NORC registry in Ontario, Canada with health administrative records. Individuals were classified as NORC residents if their residential postal code on January 1, 2020 matched the NORC registry. Sociodemographic, clinical, and healthcare use characteristics were compared by NORC status using standardized differences (STD) and stratified by rurality, and further by age and sex in urban settings.ResultsOverall, 219,995 (7.7%) of 2,869,706 older adults were NORC residents. Compared to community‐dwelling older adults, NORC residents were older (mean 77.4 vs 74.6 years; STD 0.34), and more were female (61.8% vs 52.2%; STD 0.19) and had low income (16.0% vs 9.3%; STD 0.11). NORC residents also had more active chronic conditions (mean 1.9 vs 1.5; STD 0.27), medications (mean 3.4 vs 2.8; STD 0.21), home care use (15.3% vs 9.8%; STD 0.17), and primary care visits (mean 9.7 vs 7.6 visits in prior 2 years; STD 0.22). Findings were robust across rurality, age, and sex.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that NORC residents have greater health needs than other older adults living in the community and underscore NORCs as important targets for equity‐focused strategies to support aging in place.
Vacuolar phosphate efflux transporter ZmVPEs mediate phosphate homeostasis and remobilization in maize leaves
Authors: Guo Zhenhui , Zhang Chaonan , Zhao Hongyu , Liu Yu , Chen Xiyao , Zhao Hanshu , Chen Limei , Ruan Wenyuan , Chen Yifang , Yuan Lixing , Yi Keke , Xu Lei , Zhang Jingbo 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTPhosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development. Vacuoles play a crucial role in inorganic phosphate (Pi) storage and remobilization in plants. However, the physiological function of vacuolar phosphate efflux transporters in plant Pi remobilization remains obscure. Here, we identified three ZmVPE genes (ZmVPE1, ZmVPE2a, ZmVPE2b) by combining them with transcriptome and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses, showing a relatively higher expression in older leaves than in younger leaves in maize. Moreover, the expression of the ZmVPEs was triggered by Pi deficiency and abscisic acid. ZmVPEs were localized to the vacuolar membrane and responsible for vacuolar Pi efflux. Compared with the wild‐type, Pi remobilization from older to younger leaves was enhanced in ZmVPE‐overexpression lines. zmvpe2a mutants displayed an increase in the total P and Pi concentrations in older leaves, but a decrease in younger leaves. In rice, Pi remobilization was impaired in the osvpe1osvpe2 double mutant and enhanced in OsVPE‐overexpression plants, suggesting conserved functions of VPEs in modulating Pi homeostasis and remobilization in crop plants. Taken together, our findings revealed a novel mechanism underlying Pi remobilization from older to younger leaves mediated by plant vacuolar Pi efflux transporters, facilitating the development of Pi‐efficient crop plants.
Efficacy of a Postbiotic Formulation Combined With Microneedling for Mild‐to‐Moderate Acne: A Self‐Control Study
Authors: Li Zhanhong , Li Peihui , Xu Yu , Yan Changqing , Ma Xiufen , Wang Huiying , Cheng Hong , Zeng Jing , Li Ting , Li Xinxian , Zhou Jia , Zhang Jie , Zhou Jianfeng , Yang Rongya , Wu Yan , Li Li , Lai Wei , Zhao Jiangyun , Liu Zhe , Meng Qiong 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundAcne vulgaris significantly affects young individuals globally, with its onset associated with an increased prevalence of C acnes, a naturally occurring skin bacterium. In light of the rising concerns regarding antibiotic resistance and the potential for adverse effects, pharmacological interventions may not consistently represent the most suitable option. Nonpharmacological approaches, such as microneedling, offer promising alternative treatment modalities. Furthermore, the integration of postbiotics in skincare formulations for acne management has gained traction recently. Nonetheless, there remains a lack of sufficient evidence to establish the efficacy and safety of postbiotics when combined with microneedling.ObjectiveTo assess the clinical effectiveness of a postbiotic formulation combined with microneedling in mild‐to‐moderate facial acne vulgaris.MethodsTwenty Chinese patients were enrolled, all received one treatment and were monitored 4 weeks posttreatment. The evaluation assessed symptom improvement, treatment safety, and patient satisfaction.ResultsThe global acne grading system (GAGS) score decreased more than half based on the baseline. Clinical photographs following treatment revealed improved the skin lesions and brightened skin tone. Statistics from VISIA showed excellent improvement in speckle, pore, red region, and porphyrin. No significant adverse reactions have been reported during the treatment period. Additionally, more than 85% were very satisfied or satisfied with the outcome.ConclusionOur results showed that the postbiotic formulation combined with microneedling may benefit the restoration of the skin barrier and the equilibrium of skin microbiota. This approach may help mitigate inflammation and address skin lesions, presenting a promising therapeutic avenue for the prevention and management of acne vulgaris.