bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Language Barriers, Technology Adoption and Productivity: Evidence from Agriculture in India
Authors: Gupta Apoorv , Ponticelli Jacopo , Tesei Andrea 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
We study the effect of language barriers on the ability of farmers to access information about agricultural technologies in rural areas of India. We use the introduction of government-sponsored call centers (Kisan Call Centers) which offer agricultural advice in the official language of each Indian state. For identification, we compare geographically contiguous areas that sit across state borders, and exploit differences in the language spoken by farmers and call center advisors. We document that language barriers limit the adoption of modern agricultural technologies – such as high-yielding variety seeds – and negatively affect crop yields.
Sparse Trend Estimation
Authors: Crump Richard K. , Gospodinov Nikolay , Wieman Hunter 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The low-frequency movements of economic variables play a prominent role in policy analysis and decision-making. We develop a robust estimation approach for these slow-moving trend processes which is guided by a judicious choice of priors and is characterized by sparsity. We present novel stylized facts from longer-run survey expectations that inform the structure of the estimation procedure. The general version of the proposed Bayesian estimator with a spike-and-slab prior accounts explicitly for cyclical dynamics. We show that it performs well in simulations against relevant benchmarks and report empirical estimates of trend growth for U.S. output and annual mean temperature.
Persecution and Migrant Self-Selection: Evidence from the Collapse of the Communist Bloc
Authors: Abramitzky Ran , Baseler Travis , Sin Isabelle 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
How does persecution affect who migrates? We analyze migrants' self-selection out of the USSR and its satellite states before and after the collapse of Communism using census microdata. We find that migrants arriving before and around the time of the collapse (who were more likely to have moved because of persecution) were more educated and obtained better labor market outcomes than those arriving later. This change is not fully explained by the removal of Communist-era emigration restrictions. Instead, we show both theoretically and empirically that this pattern is consistent with more positive self-selection of migrants who are motivated by persecution.
Deutsche Kanzleisprache im mittelalterlichen Krakau – eine syntaktisch rückständige Inselsprache?
Authors: Smereka Joanna 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The aim of this article is to determine the linguistic status of German in medieval Kraków. In order to do justice to this task, progressive and regressive moments in the syntactic development of German in the medieval Polish capital city of Kraków are compared against linguistic material from Wrocław, which had already been Germanised in the late Middle Ages, with the resulting differences between the two varieties of German and their potential causes being analysed. The corpus texts were selected according to spatio-temporal criteria as well as according to the criterion of text type affiliation. The thesis commonly held in Polish research that the German used in Kraków did not participate in the syntactic developments of German as a whole due to its status as a language enclave is questioned in this study.
Standard versus Low-Level Anticoagulation Combined to Low-Dose Dipyridamole after mitral Valve Replacement
Authors: Hassouna A. , Allam H. , Awad A. , Hassaballah F. 
Published: September 2024

Background: Although the addition of 300 mg dipyridamole to oral anticoagulants has been shown to decrease thromboembolic events after cardiac valve replacement, reports of combined therapy were few and some showed significant dipyridamote-related side effects and intolerance. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical effect of a standard monotherapy (targeting an international normalized ratio — INR — between 2.5 and 3.5) to a less intensive regimen (targeting an INR between 2 and 2.5) combined to a small dose of dipyridamole (225 mg/day). Methods: Between January 1990 and December 1998, 486 young rheumatic patients with a St Jude mitral valve prosthesis were assigned to follow either standard monotherapy (294 patients) or low-level combined therapy (192 patients). Phenindione has been the anticoagulant of choice. Up to a maximum daily dose of 100 mg, patients failing to achieve their target INR range were shifted to warfarin therapy. Prothrombin time was checked monthly and asymptomatic patients with a too low or a too high INR (< 1.3 or > 5) were briefly hospitalized for INR control. Complete blood picture, renal and hepatic profiles and full echocardiographic study were done biannually. Results: With the exception of a significantly larger left atrium in patients on low-level combined therapy ( P = 0.001), both groups were comparable as regards to age and sex distribution, number of patients with atrial fibrillation, left atrial thrombus and history of stroke. Patients were monitored for 1712.6 pt yr and follow-up was 96.7% complete. No phenindione-related complications were observed (mean dose 62.3 ± 21.4 mg), 20 patients (4.1%) had failed to achieve their target INR range and were switched to warfarin and only three patients (1.6%) had tolerable dipyridamole-related side effects. Compared to standard monotherapy, patients on low-level combined therapy showed significantly lower annualized rates: thromboembolism (1.6 vs 0.43%: risk reduction 71%; p = 0.05), thromboembolism and hemorrhage (2.7 vs 0.7%: risk reduction 72%; P = 0.005), death due to valve thrombosis or stroke (1.17 vs 0.14%: risk reduction 81%; P = 0.04) as well as both non-fatal (3.3 vs 1.57%: risk reduction 51%; P= 0.04) and total late postoperative complications (5.35 vs 3.14%: risk reduction 40%; P = 0.04); respectively. However, total late mortality (32 patients; 1.8% per pt yr) was comparable among both groups. Conclusion: Low-level anticoagulation with phenindione combined to low dosage of dipyridamole was clinically more effective than the higher standard monotherapy. With respect to the prescribed doses, both drugs were well tolerated by almost all patients. Use of dipyridamole did not influence overall patients’ survival.
Routine Carotid Endarterectomy without a Shunt, Even in the Presence of a Contralateral Occlusion
Authors: Samson R. H. , Showalter D. P. , Yunis J. P. 
Published: September 2024

A 10-year prospective experience with routine non-shunting, even in the presence of a contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion, is reviewed. Method and results: Carotid endarterectomy was performed without a shunt in 654 consecutive patients: group I, 513 patients with contralateral stenosis of less than 79%; group II, 74 patients with a greater than 80% contralateral stenosis; and group III, 67 patients with a contralateral occlusion. Average cross-clamp time was 23 min. Neurological complications occurred within 30 days in 20 (3.0%) patients (10 strokes, seven transient ischemic attacks in group I, one transient ischemic attack in group II, and one stroke and one transient ischemic attack in group III). Immediate postoperative strokes, i.e. those five cases that could be implicated as caused by lack of a shunt, were rare (0.76%). There were five perioperative deaths (0.76%). Conclusion: Carotid endarterectomy may be performed safely without a shunt even in the presence of a contralateral occlusion. Age, sex, preoperative indication, anesthetic agent and contralateral stenosis were not associated with an increased risk of postoperative neurological deficit.
Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Repair of Complex Aneurysm Using the Anaconda Fenestrated Device: 1-Year Results From the French Multicenter Registry
Authors: Oliny Alexandre , Vasseur Marc-Antoine , Frisch Nicolas , Alimi Yves , Omnes Virgile , Ducasse Eric , Albertini Jean-Noël , Millon Antoine 
Published: September 2024

Purpose: This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of the fenestrated Anaconda device for the treatment of complex aortic aneurysms over 1 year in daily clinical practice. Materials and Methods: All patients who received the graft between October 2019 and October 2020 were prospectively enrolled in an observational, multicenter national registry. The primary endpoint was the aneurysm-related 1-year mortality rate. Secondary endpoints included all-cause mortality, technical success, device-related adverse events (AEs) and major complications, secondary reinterventions, endoleaks, target vessel (TV) outcomes, and a center-volume analysis comparing mortality and secondary reintervention rate between expert centers (>15 F/BEVAR per year) and nonexpert centers (≤15 F/BEVAR per year). Results: Ninety-seven patients from 28 centers were treated. Aneurysms types included juxta-renal and short neck (84.6%), pararenal (5.2%), paravisceral (3.1%), and type IV thoracoabdominal (2.5%). Configurations with 1, 2, 3, and 4 fenestrations were used in 2, 12, 18, and 65 cases, respectively, totaling 350 TVs. Technical success was 98.0%, with 1 type Ic and 1 type IIIc endoleak. Mean follow-up was 468 days. Ten patients died, with 8 deaths (8.2%) due to non-aortic causes and 2 deaths (2.1%) from unknown causes. The estimated 1-year survival rate was 92.7% (95% CI: 87.8-98.1%). The reintervention rate at 30 days was 11.3% and the estimated reintervention rate at 1 year was 21.6% (95% CI: 12.7-29.6%). No type Ia endoleak occurred during follow-up. Three type III endoleaks occurred and required reintervention. Three TV occlusion occurred, yielding a 1-year TVI-free rate of 92.4% (95% CI: 89.4-99.3). No device-related major complication was recorded, and 3 device-related AEs occurred: 1 limb migration, 1 limb kinking and 1 limb thrombosis. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality and survival without reintervention between expert and nonexpert centers (Log rank p=0.52 and p=0.16, respectively). Conclusion: The fenestrated Anaconda device demonstrated acceptable early and at 1-year safety and efficacy for treating primarily juxta-renal and short-neck aortic aneurysms, in centers with varying levels of experience. Clinical Impact The Anaconda Fenestrated, as the second commercially available custom-made device for complex endovascular aortic surgery, might adress some anatomical challenges. Following market authorization, this registry presents the 1-year outcomes of real-world device usage in a large number of centers, including small clinics. The results indicate that the device provided adequate efficacy and safety for treating mostly juxta-renal and short neck aneurysms, with notable improvement in technical success rate compared to older reports.
The Effect of Polyphenolic Extracts from 10 New Zealand Kiwifruit Cultivars in Inhibiting Tyrosinase Enzyme Activity In vitro
Authors: Carroll Andrew M. , Sawyer Gregory M. , Favre Laurie , McGhie Tony K. , Lomiwes Dominic , Hurst Roger D. 
Published: September 2024

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the ability of polyphenolic extracts from different kiwifruit genotypes to affect tyrosinase enzyme activity and determine potential relationships between tyrosinase inhibition and polyphenolic composition. To date, research on the tyrosinase inhibitory bioactivity of kiwifruit have focused on a single A. chinensis cultivar. Given the numerous genotypes of kiwifruit commercially grown have varying compositions, and a variety of polyphenolic compounds present within each of these cultivars, the full potential of the tyrosinase inhibitory of kiwifruit has not been fully evaluated. Methods The polyphenolic composition of ethanol extracts from the cortical flesh of 10 kiwifruit genotypes was characterized using high-resolution accurate mass liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The tyrosinase activity of each extract was measured spectrophotometrically in vitro. Multivariate analysis was subsequently conducted to identify kiwifruit compounds that may correlate with tyrosinase enzyme inhibition. Results The kiwifruit extracts displayed a broad range of tyrosinase inhibitory activity with some extracts having minimal or no inhibitory effect while the most potent extract showed 33.54 ± 1.59% inhibition ( P < 0.01) at a dose of 125 µg/mL. Multivariate analysis of polyphenolic and tyrosinase inhibition data identified that polymeric procyanidins likely explain the tyrosinase inhibitory ability and the differences between genotypes. This was confirmed by the high relative concentrations of these procyanidins in extracts that exhibited tyrosinase inhibitory properties, while being absent or at low concentrations in extracts that did not. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that some polyphenol kiwifruit extracts inhibit tyrosinase activity. The variability in the tyrosinase inhibitory activity of polyphenol extracts from 10 kiwifruit genotypes is attributed to the differences in the relative concentrations of polymeric procyanidins in these extracts. These results highlight that the tyrosinase inhibitory properties of kiwifruit genotypes could be examined further to support the development of kiwifruit-based cosmetic products.
Antibacterial Properties of Phytochemicals Isolated from Leaves of Alstonia boonei and Aerial Parts of Ipomoea cairica
Authors: Gumula Ivan , Kyarimpa Christine , Nanyonga Sarah Kiwanuka , Kwesiga George , Busulwa George , Opio Boniface , Heydenreich Mathias , Omara Timothy 
Published: September 2024

Objective The leaves of Alstonia boonei and aerial parts of Ipomoea cairica are used for treatment of microbial infections among other ailments in African traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial phytochemicals in A. boonei leaves and Ipomoea cairica aerial parts to validate their traditional use in Ugandan herbal medicine. Methods The plant materials were separately extracted using a dichloromethane/methanol (1:1) solvent system and subjected to repeated chromatographic separation to isolate pure compounds. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were determined through 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 2D NMR (COSY, HSQC and HMBC). The antibacterial activity of the extracts and pure compounds were assessed using the agar well diffusion method. Results Chromatographic fractionation of the extracts yielded trans-fagaramide and a pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenoid, lupeol, from A. boonei, and friedelin from I. cairica. Trans-fagaramide was identified for the first time in the Alstonia genus while friedelin was identified for the first time in I. cairica. The isolated compounds demonstrated antibacterial activity, with trans-fagaramide showing a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 125 μg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 250 μg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli. Friedelin exhibited a MIC of 125 μg/mL against Escherichia coli and 250 μg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi. Conclusion The antibacterial activities observed in this study support the traditional use of A. boonei and I. cairica by indigenous communities in Uganda for treating microbial infections.
Effects of Pilates Exercise Training on Static Balance and Lower Limbs Proprioception in Adult Females With and Without Flexible Flatfeet
Authors: Ghorbani Maryam , Yaali Rasoul , Sadeghi Hassan , Granacher Urs 
Published: September 2024

Background It is well known that flatfeet are associated with a higher incidence of lower limb injuries in different populations. Thus, we examine how Pilates exercise training affects static balance and ankle and knee proprioception in females with and without flexible flatfeet. Study Design. Case series; Level of evidence. Methods This quasi-experimental study involves 91 healthy 18- to 25-year-old female university students. The Navicular Drop Test was used to diagnose flatfeet. Pilates included core strength, balance, and flexibility exercises for 16 weeks. Static balance was assessed using the sharpened Romberg test and ankle and knee joint proprioception were measured using joint position reproduction tests. The Wilcoxon test indicated within-group pre–post improvements in static balance, and ankle and knee joint proprioception in the Pilates and the healthy control group (P < .05). Results The between-group comparisons at post-test showed significant differences for joint position reproduction test of the dorsiflexion (P < .05, η2 = 0.10) and the plantarflexion (P < 0.05, η2 = 0.08) in favor of the healthy controls group. Joint proprioception of ankle and knee was positively correlated with increasing static balance in the healthy control group. Conclusion The results showed that Pilates has the potential to improve static balance, and ankle and knee proprioception. However, it did not improve postural control and proprioception in individuals with flatfeet. Our findings advise combining Pilates with other interventions to develop flexible flatfeet in females. Levels of Evidence: Level I
Analysis on childhood fever health information seeking behaviors in online health community using a mixed-methods approach
Authors: Pan Xuan , Tang Zhuoyuan , Liu Ying , Ren Jingjing 
Published: September 2024

Objective The primary aim of this study is to analyze health information seeking behaviors of users related to child fever within online health communities. The findings will serve as a foundation for the development of targeted interventions and resources for addressing the specific information needs related to child fever. Ultimately, this will enhance parental capabilities in managing fever in children and for improving the quality of communication between healthcare professionals and parents dealing with feverish children. Methods This study employed data crawling to gather Q&A data on childhood fever from online health communities, specifically “haodf.com” between March 15, 2022, and March 15, 2023. A total of 47,781 texts were analyzed using a mixed research approach that combines qualitative text topic analysis with BERTopic algorithm. Results The health information needs regarding children's fever can be categorized into 6 primary topics and 17 secondary topics. Among them, parents’ demand for medication consultation and medical guidance (Topic A) was the highest at 45.40%, followed by information concerning the management of fever symptoms and body temperature in children (Topic B) at 30.35%. 13.24% of the data focused on examination recommendations and interpretation of results (Topic C). Conclusions This study proposes a mixed thematic analysis method combining qualitative text thematic analysis and the BERTopic topic model, which reveals parents’ information-seeking behaviors about children with fever. It emphasizes the challenges faced by parents in assessing their children's condition and highlights the necessity of continuous health information support and evidence-based medical knowledge. This can promote the improvement of medical services, optimize doctor–patient communication, strengthen patient information support, and optimize the content of online health communities.
Airway tapering in COPD
Authors: Bodduluri Sandeep , Nakhmani Arie , Kizhakke Puliyakote Abhilash S. , Reinhardt Joseph M. , Dransfield Mark T. , Bhatt Surya P. 
Published: September 2024

BackgroundLuminal narrowing is a hallmark feature of airway remodelling in COPD, but current measures focus on airway wall remodelling. Quantification of the natural increase in cumulative cross-sectional area along the length of the human airway tree can facilitate assessment of airway narrowing.MethodsWe analysed the airway trees of 7641 subjects enrolled in the multicentre COPDGene cohort. Airway luminal tapering was assessed by estimating the slope of the change in cumulative cross-sectional area along the length of the airway tree over successive generations (T-Slope). We performed multivariable regression analyses to test the associations between T-Slope and lung function, St George's Respiratory Questionnaire score, modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea score, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) change, exacerbations and all-cause mortality after adjusting for demographics, emphysema measured as the percentage of voxels with density <−950 HU on inspiratory computed tomography scans (%CT emphysema) and total airway count.ResultsThe mean±sdT-Slope decreased with increasing COPD severity: 2.69±0.70 mm−1in non-smokers and 2.33±0.70, 2.11±0.65, 1.78±0.58, 1.60±0.53 and 1.57±0.52 mm−1in GOLD stages 0 through 4, respectively (Jonckheere–Terpstra p=0.04). On multivariable analyses, T-Slope was independently associated with FEV1(β=0.13 (95% CI 0.10–0.15) L; p<0.001), 6MWD (β=15.0 (95% CI 10.8–19.2) m; p<0.001), change in FEV1(β= −4.50 (95% CI −7.32– −1.67) mL·year−1; p=0.001), exacerbations (incidence risk ratio 0.78 (95% CI 0.73–0.83); p<0.001) and mortality (hazard ratio 0.79 (95% CI 0.72–0.86); p<0.001).ConclusionT-Slope is a measure of airway luminal remodelling and is associated with respiratory morbidity and mortality.
Qin-Yu-Qing-Chang decoction reshapes colonic metabolism by activating PPAR-γ signaling to inhibit facultative anaerobes against DSS-induced colitis
Authors: Xu Feng , Hu Jingyi , Li Yanan , Cheng Cheng , Au Ryan , Tong Yiheng , Wu Yuguang , Cui Yuan , Fang Yulai , Chen Hongxin , Zhu Lei , Shen Hong 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
Qin-Yu-Qing-Chang decoction (QYQC), an herbal formula from China, is extensively employed to manage ulcerative colitis (UC) and exhibits potential benefits for colonic function. Nevertheless, the fundamental molecular mechanisms of QYQC remain largely uncharted.

Methods
The primary constituents of QYQC were determined utilizing UHPLC-MS/MS analysis and the effectiveness of QYQC was assessed in a mouse model of colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium. Evaluations of colon inflammatory responses and mucosal barrier function were thoroughly assessed. RNA sequencing, molecular docking, colonic energy metabolism, and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis were applied to uncover the complex mechanisms of QYQC in treating UC. Detect the signal transduction of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) both in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Furthermore, a PPAR-γ antagonist was strategically utilized to confirm the functional targets that QYQC exerts.

Results
Utilizing UHPLC-MS/MS, the principal constituents of the nine traditional Chinese medicinal herbs comprising QYQC were systematically identified. QYQC treatment substantially ameliorated colitis in mice, as evidenced by the improvement in symptoms and the reduction in colonic pathological injuries. Besides, QYQC treatment mitigated the inflammatory response and improved mucosal barrier function. Furthermore, QYQC enhanced the mitochondria citrate cycle (TCA cycle) by triggering PPAR-γ signaling and increasing the proportion of PPAR-γ entering the nucleus. This prevented the unconstrained expansion of facultative anaerobes, particularly pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli, family Enterobacteriaceae) and thus improved colitis. Results of molecular docking indicated that the representative chemical components of QYQC including Baicalin, Paeoniflorin, Mollugin, and Imperatorin bound well with PPAR-γ. The impact of QYQC on colitis was diminished in the presence of a PPAR-γ antagonist.

Conclusions
In summary, QYQC ameliorates UC by activating PPAR-γ signaling and increasing the proportion of PPAR-γ entering the nucleus, which enhances the energy metabolism of intestinal epithelial cells and thereby preventing the uncontrolled proliferation of facultative anaerobes.