bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What is new about Japan’s new migration policy? From recruitment of “nonlabor” workers to selection by neoliberal meritocracy
Authors: Higuchi Naoto 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Japan experienced major reforms in its migration policy in 2018. This study aims to examine the novelty of the new migration policy by tracing the shift in the legal status of two “nonlabor” migrant workers: fourth-generation Japanese descendants (Nikkeijin) and technical interns. While fourth-generation young adults have been allowed to work in Japan since 2018, their rights are more restricted than those of third-generation Nikkeijin. Simultaneously, the government prepared a path for technical interns to upgrade their visas to specified skilled workers. The new migration policy is characterized by the convergence of the status of the two groups. Superficially, the reformed immigration program appears to signify a shift toward a more liberal immigration policy that allows previously excluded groups to settle in the country. A more important feature is the rise of the neoliberal meritocracy as a new principle of admission. Both groups have the potential to improve their legal status; however, long-term settlement is unattainable until they undergo rigorous selection. They are expected to overcome hurdles independently because the government is reluctant to provide commensurate support with higher demands for changes in legal status.
Rural Road Infrastructure and Women’s Empowerment in India
Authors: Nandwani Bharti , Roychowdhury Punarjit 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The paper examines the impact of a rural road construction program in India on a range of outcomes that capture women’s empowerment comprehensively. While spatial integration can ease mobility constraints and provide women with increased education and employment opportunities, the extent of benefits might be limited by underlying gender norms. The paper identifies the impact of the policy by exploiting the program rule that assigned roads based on the village population in a two-way fixed effect framework. The results suggest that the policy reduces mobility restrictions faced by women and improves norms around domestic violence and intra-household agency. It also finds a positive impact of the policy on female education; however, there is limited impact on female employment. Additionally, the study documents gendered impact of the policy—men benefit more in terms of employment than women. The paper offers important policy prescription on how investment in rural roads can affect women’s lives.
Glaucoma‐inducing retinal ganglion cell degeneration alters diurnal rhythm of key molecular components of the central clock and locomotor activity in mice
Authors: Barsanele Pietra Souza , de Assis Leonardo Vinícius Monteiro , da Silva Juliano Jefferson , Furtado Eliz Maria de Oliveira , Fernandes Paola , Cipolla‐Neto José , Poletini Maristela Oliveira , Moraes Maria Nathália 
Published: October 2024

AbstractGlaucoma is a chronic optic neuropathy characterized by the progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGC). These cells play a crucial role in transmitting visual and non‐visual information to brain regions, including the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), responsible for synchronizing biological rhythms. To understand how glaucoma affects circadian rhythm synchronization, we investigated potential changes in the molecular clock machinery in the SCN. We found that the progressive increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) negatively correlated with spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA). Transcriptome analysis revealed significant alterations in the SCN of glaucomatous mice, including downregulation of genes associated with circadian rhythms. In fact, we showed a loss of diurnal oscillation in the expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (Vip), its receptor (Vipr2), and period 1 (Per1) in the SCN of glaucomatous mice. These findings were supported by the 7‐h phase shift in the peak expression of arginine vasopressin (Avp) in the SCN of mice with glaucoma. Despite maintaining a 24‐h period under both light/dark (LD) and constant dark (DD) conditions, glaucomatous mice exhibited altered SLA rhythms, characterized by decreased amplitude. Taken altogether, our findings provide evidence of how glaucoma affects the regulation of the central circadian clock and its consequence on the regulation of circadian rhythms.
Brief Report on Outpatient Treatment of Adolescent Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Kaliamurthy Sivabalaji , Straton Emma , Kumar Prianka , Carleen Anna 
Published: October 2024

Objectives
Adolescents are experiencing an increase in substance-related overdose fatalities, with most attributed to fentanyl and an increase in the prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD). We know little about the characteristics of adolescents who use fentanyl, develop OUD, and seek addiction treatment. Here, we present demographic data and retention data on adolescent patients (≤18 years) who were treated at a pediatric addiction clinic.

Methods
We included all patients who presented to an intake appointment at the pediatric addiction clinic between January 3, 2023, and October 17, 2023, and were diagnosed with OUD. We collected data on demographics, decision to start medicine for OUD (MOUD), choice of MOUD, and retention in treatment based on clinic visits at 1 month and 3 months postintake.

Results
Patients are consisted of 24 adolescents (M
age at intake = 16.8 ± 1.0 years, 67% Hispanic/Latinx, 75% public insurance) who met the criteria for moderate to severe OUD with known fentanyl use. All were offered MOUD, and 21 patients agreed to MOUD treatment; 16 adolescents selected buprenorphine/naloxone, and 5 selected naltrexone. At 3 months postintake, 14 patients (58%) were retained in treatment.

Conclusions
Adolescent and family acceptance of MOUD treatment was high, and most patients were retained in treatment at 3 months postintake. More studies are needed to understand how to retain and support adolescent patients in outpatient treatment for OUD given the emergence of fentanyl.
Key roles of the superficial zone in articular cartilage physiology, pathology, and regeneration
Authors: Guo Li , Li Pengcui , Rong Xueqin , Wei Xiaochun 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The superficial zone (SFZ) of articular cartilage is an important interface that isolates deeper zones from the microenvironment of the articular cavity and is directly exposed to various biological and mechanical stimuli. The SFZ is not only a crucial structure for maintaining the normal physiological function of articular cartilage but also the earliest site of osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage degeneration and a major site of cartilage progenitor cells, suggesting that the SFZ might represent a key target for the early diagnosis and treatment of OA. However, to date, SFZ research has not received sufficient attention, accounting for only about 0.58% of cartilage tissue research. The structure, biological composition, function, and related mechanisms of the SFZ in the physiological and pathological processes of articular cartilage remain unclear. This article reviews the key role of the SFZ in articular cartilage physiology and pathology and focuses on the characteristics of SFZ in articular cartilage degeneration and regeneration in OA, aiming to provide researchers with a systematic understanding of the current research status of the SFZ of articular cartilage, hoping that scholars will give more attention to the SFZ of articular cartilage in the future.
Management of Plastic Surgery Complications at a Tertiary Medical Center after Aesthetic Procedures
Authors: Belza Caitlyn C. , Lopes Kelli , Benyamein Paige , Harfouche Cyril , Dean Riley , Geter Santaria , Lee Clara J. , Neubauer Dan , Reid Chris M. , Suliman Ahmed , Gosman Amanda A. 
Published: October 2024

Background:
The aesthetic plastic surgery industry has seen tremendous growth, with Americans spending an estimated 20 billion dollars on procedures in 2020. However, the effect of complications from these procedures on the healthcare system is poorly understood. This study aims to create awareness regarding aesthetic procedure complications through the scope of plastic surgeons at a tertiary medical facility.

Methods:
A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who received care at a single academic tertiary referral center over 5 years for complications from a cash-paid aesthetic procedure at an outside facility. Physician and hospital billing data were analyzed for relevant encounters.

Results:
Patients in this study (n = 40) presented to the emergency department most frequently with complications secondary to abdominoplasty (35%), breast augmentation (27.5%), and injectable fillers (17.5%). The most common complications were infection (32.5%) and wound dehiscence (22.5%). Of those evaluated, 50% required inpatient admission. Additionally, 42.5% required surgical intervention. The distribution of payors included Medicaid (55%), commercial insurance (30%), and Medicare (7.5%), and 7.5% were uninsured. For physician billing, the total gross collection ratio was 21.3%, whereas the hospital billing total gross collection ratio was 25.16%.

Conclusions:
Larger referral hospitals are well-suited to support the aesthetic community with complication management; however, the care required to serve this population is resource-intensive. These data advocate for thorough closed-loop patient–surgeon communication regarding risk–benefit analysis and detailed courses of action should complications arise. Likewise, stronger communication between ambulatory surgical centers and tertiary referral centers may also help minimize complications and subsequent healthcare needs.
Reconstruction of Extensive Scalp and Skull Defects with Dural Exposure: Report of a Series of Cases and Literature Review
Authors: Nassar Aref , Abou Zeid Samer , El Feghaly Charbel , Kassouf Elia , Naba Joy , Nasr Marwan , Sleilati Fadi 
Published: October 2024

Background:
Large scalp and calvarial defects pose significant challenges for reconstruction. Successful reconstruction necessitates soft tissue restoration capable of withstanding radiation following tumor resection. Free flaps allow preserving and maintaining the structural and functional status of the reconstructed area. This article presents our experience with microsurgical free tissue transfer for scalp and calvarial defects as well as a literature review on the subject.

Methods:
A retrospective study was conducted to retrieve the files of all the extensive scalp/forehead defects with dural exposure treated in the plastic surgery department of Hotel Dieu de France University Hospital from September 2006 to December 2023.

Results:
Twelve free tissue transfers were performed in 11 patients between 2006 and 2023. In 3 cases, a 2-stage procedure was performed with the transfer of the free flap in the first stage and the ablative surgery in the second stage 1 week later. A muscular latissimus dorsi flap was used in 9 cases. In 3 patients, the defect involved the forehead and required cutaneous flaps: 2 radial forearm flaps and 1 parascapular flap. Complications included 1 flap venous thrombosis, 2 hematomas, 1 subdural hematoma, and 2 cases of distal flap necrosis.

Conclusions:
Free tissue transfer is indispensable for addressing large defects of the scalp and calvaria. A 2-stage operation is warranted for debilitated patients with a high risk of complications. The latissimus dorsi muscle flap is the flap of choice to cover extensive defects. Delayed cranioplasty is preferable in contaminated wounds.
ROLE OF VISUAL EVOKED POTENTIAL AND OCULAR TRAUMA SCORE AS PREDICTORS OF VISUAL RECOVERY IN EYE GLOBE INJURIES
Authors: Vofo Brice N. , Katzir Ayala , Homiedat Mohammad , Rivera Antonio , Estrella Fernando , Khateb Samer , Jaouni Tareq 
Published: October 2024

Purpose:
Evaluate visual evoked potential (VEP) and ocular trauma score efficacy in predicting visual potential in globe trauma without optic nerve involvement.

Methods:
A retrospective cohort study analyzed clinical data from eye globe injury cases undergoing flash VEP between January 2000 and May 2021. Inclusion criteria: flash VEP completion within 48 hours and presurgical intervention. Exclusion criteria: head trauma and optic nerve injuries. Abnormal VEP: amplitudes <7 µV and latencies >120 milliseconds. The ocular trauma score was computed, and penetrating injuries were categorized.

Results:
Of 85 eyes meeting the criteria (mean age: 31.9 ± 20.6 years, 82.4% male), the median follow-up was 22 months. Ocular trauma score directly correlated with the amount of Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters gained at follow-up and was inversely correlated with ocular penetration extent and VEP signal amplitude. Visual evoked potential amplitude is inversely correlated with maintaining/improving visual acuity. Positive predictive value for normal VEP predicting maintained/improved visual acuity: 75.6%, negative predictive value: 21.3%. In blunt trauma, baseline VEP amplitude had superior predictive value compared with penetrating injury.

Conclusion:
This study highlights a correlation between VEP signal amplitude and ocular trauma score with visual outcomes in traumatic eye injuries without optic nerve involvement. Ocular trauma score emerges as a reliable VEP substitute, particularly in blunt trauma cases, where baseline VEP amplitude predicts visual recovery more accurately than penetrating injuries.
Screening for hemoglobin disorders and investigating their hematological and demographic profile among patients attending a tertiary-care hospital in southern India—a descriptive study
Authors: Kuppusamy Dheebika , Vinod Kolar Vishwanath , Kar Rakhee 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background:
Hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias are widely prevalent autosomal inherited recessive disorders of the structure and synthesis of hemoglobin, respectively. Given the regional heterogeneity of these disorders, this study was undertaken to elucidate the patterns and prevalence of these disorders from this region.

Methods:
This was a tertiary-care hospital-based study in southern India over 4 years. Screening for hemoglobin (Hb) disorders was done using Hb high-performance liquid chromatography in patients based on initial screening of complete blood count parameters and for clinically indicated cases.

Results:
A normal Hb HPLC pattern was observed in 404 (72.1%) and abnormal in 156 (27.9%) of 560 cases studied. The abnormalities seen were heterozygous β-thalassemia in 73 (46.8%), homozygous β-thalassemia in 19 (12.2%), heterozygous α-thalassemia in 7 (4.5%), HbH disease and heterozygous δβ-thalassemia in 1 (0.6%) each, sickle cell trait in 9 (5.8%), sickle cell anemia in 8 (5.1%), sickle β-thalassemia in 17 (10.9%), HbS+ Hb D-Punjab in 1 (0.6%), heterozygous HbE in 6 (3.8%), homozygous HbE in 2 (1.3%), HbE β-thalassemia in 3 (1.9%), Hb J-Meerut in 1 (0.6%), Hb Kirksey in 4 (2.6%), unknown α-hemoglobinopathy in 2 (1.3%), and Hb Lepore in 2 (1.3%) cases. Most of the patients were from the neighboring districts, and some were referred from other states.

Conclusion:
The most common hemoglobin disorders were heterozygous β-thalassemia in 73 cases (46.8%) and sickle hemoglobinopathy in 35 cases (22.4%). A heterogeneous group of hemoglobin disorders, including uncommon α-hemoglobinopathies, was found in the study population, likely due to the referral of patients from various regions.
Atypical Foot Swelling in Metastatic Endometrial Carcinoma: Role of FDG PET/CT
Authors: Chuang Tzyy-Ling , Wang Yuh-Feng 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
An 83-year-old woman with a history of endometrial carcinoma (EMC), treated with surgery and chemotherapy in August 2020, presented with a 1-year history of left foot swelling, tenderness, and heat. Despite multiple consultations, no diagnosis was made, and she developed painful swelling with a limping gait. A biopsy was done on July 14, 2023, confirmed metastatic EMC. FDG PET/CT revealed widespread metastases, including in the lungs, pleura, mediastinal, hilar, inguinal, right external iliac nodes, left labia majora, left iliac bone, left tibia, and left foot. Excision of left inguinal and vulvar tumors also confirmed metastatic EMC.
Adaptive optical correction forin vivotwo-photon fluorescence microscopy with neural fields
Authors: Kang Iksung , Kim Hyeonggeon , Natan Ryan , Zhang Qinrong , Yu Stella X. , Ji Na 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAdaptive optics (AO) restore ideal imaging performance in complex samples by measuring and correcting optical aberrations, but often require custom-built microscopes with carefully aligned wavefront sensing/shaping devices and can be susceptible to sample motion. Here we describe NeAT, a computational framework using neural fields for AO two-photon fluorescence microscopy. NeAT estimates wavefront aberration and recovers sample structure from a 3D image stack without requiring external datasets for training. Incorporating motion correction in learning and correcting conjugation errors commonly found in commercial microscopes, NeAT is designed for deployment in biological laboratories forin vivoimaging. We validate NeAT’s performance using a custom-built microscope with a wavefront sensor under varying signal-to-noise ratios, aberration, and motion conditions. With a commercial microscope, we demonstrate real-time aberration correction forin vivomorphological and functional imaging in the living mouse brain, with NeAT improving signal and accuracy of glutamate and calcium imaging of synapses and neurons.
From single species to communities: microsatellite amplicon sequencing to monitor felids using Feliplex
Authors: Rana Divyashree , Boyer Frédéric , Barba Marta De , Taberlet Pierre , Ramakrishnan Uma 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe current biodiversity crisis demands a shift from single-species to multispecies approaches in conservation, particularly for rare and endangered species. However, this transition requires tools optimised for multispecies research, which are currently limited.Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies and bioinformatics have enabled efficient and robust acquisition of genetic data. Amplicon sequencing approaches, in particular, have demonstrated potential for enhancing non-invasive genetic studies of endangered species, but their application has been mostly limited to single species.To enable multispecies genetic research, we introduce a cost-effective and robust HTS-based amplicon sequencing approach for genotyping multiple species simultaneously, designed for population monitoring, including individual identification and ascertaining patterns of population structure.We developed Feliplex, a multiplex panel of 85 co-amplifying tetranucleotide microsatellite markers for cross-genotypingFelidaespecies, to demonstrate the utility of our approach. Feliplex was validated on known samples from nine Indian felid species across the generaPanthera, Prionailurus, andFelis. We applied it to invasive (blood and tissue) and non-invasive (hair and faeces) DNA extracts from 173 wild individuals obtaining respectively 70% and 56% multilocus genotyping success rates. The panel accurately identified known population clusters in tigers (Panthera tigris, n=19) and revealed hitherto unknown genetic structure in fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus, n=40).Feliplex’s wide applicability acrossFelidaeallows reliable multispecies genotyping from low-quality/quantity samples, while supporting cost-effective genetic studies and conservation monitoring of lesser-known species like small cats. Our approach has a broad applicability and can be adapted to develop similar multispecies panels for closely related species groups.
Toden-E: Topology-Based and Density-Based Ensembled Clustering for the Development of Super-PAG in Functional Genomics using PAG Network and LLM
Authors: Li Qi , Nichols Cody , Welner Robert S , Chen Jake Y. , Ku Wei-Shinn , Yue Zongliang 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe integrative analysis of gene sets, networks, and pathways is pivotal for deciphering omics data in translational biomedical research. To significantly increase gene coverage and enhance the utility of pathways, annotated gene lists, and gene signatures from diverse sources, we introduced pathways, annotated gene lists, and gene signatures (PAGs) enriched with metadata to represent biological functions. Furthermore, we established PAG-PAG networks by leveraging gene member similarity and gene regulations. However, in practice, high similarity in functional descriptions or gene membership often leads to redundant PAGs, hindering the interpretation from a fuzzy enriched PAG list. In this study, we developed todenE (topology-based and density-based ensemble) clustering, pioneering in integrating topology-based and density-based clustering methods to detect PAG communities leveraging the PAG network and Large Language Models (LLM). In computational genomics annotation, the genes can be grouped/clustered through the gene relationships and gene functions via guilt by association. Similarly, PAGs can be grouped into higher-level clusters, forming concise functional representations called Super-PAGs. TodenE captures PAG-PAG similarity and encapsulates functional information through LLM, in characterizing network-based functional Super-PAGs. In synthetic data, we introduced a metric called the Disparity Index (DI), measuring the connectivity of gene neighbors to gauge clusterability. We compared multiple clustering algorithms to identify the best method for generating performance-driven clusters. In non-simulated data (Gene Ontology), by leveraging transfer learning and LLM, we formed a language-based similarity embedding. TodenE utilizes this embedding together with the topology-based embedding to generate putative Super-PAGs with superior performance in semantic and gene member inclusiveness.
Investigating curvature sensing by the Nt17 domain of Huntingtin protein
Authors: Nanajkar Neha , Sahoo Abhilash , Frey Shelli L. , Matysiak Silvina 
Published: October 2024

AbstractNt17, the N-terminal domain of the huntingtin protein (htt), has garnered significant attention for its role in htt’s membrane binding and aggregation processes. Previous studies have identified a nuclear export sequence within the Nt17 domain and demonstrated its localization at various cellular organelles. Recent evidence suggests that, like other amphipathic helices, Nt17 can sense and preferentially bind to curved membranes. Gaining deeper insight into this behavior is essential to fully understand the function of this domain.In this study, we combine coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations with circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy to investigate the mechanism behind Nt17’s curvature sensing. We generated a unique hemispherical-planar membrane model, where 36% of the upper leaflet surface is curved, allowing us to evaluate Nt17’s binding preferences. Our findings show that Nt17 exhibits a strong preference for curved regions, with approximately 78 ± 7 % of peptides binding to these areas. This interaction is primarily mediated by the terminal Phe residues, indicating that Nt17’s curvature sensing is driven by its ability to detect lipid packing defects. Furthermore, Nt17 not only senses these defects but also amplifies them by coalescing smaller pockets. Mutating the Phe residues to methionine, a smaller hydrophobic residue, significantly reduces Nt17’s curvature sensitivity, resulting in equal binding to both curved and planar regions. CD spectroscopy corroborates these results, showing that Nt17 binds more strongly to highly curved small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) compared to larger, less curved large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs).