bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing speech perception in noise through articulation
Authors: Perron Maxime , Liu Qiying , Tremblay Pascale , Alain Claude 
Published: June 2024

AbstractConsiderable debate exists about the interplay between auditory and motor speech systems. Some argue for common neural mechanisms, whereas others assert that there are few shared resources. In four experiments, we tested the hypothesis that priming the speech motor system by repeating syllable pairs aloud improves subsequent syllable discrimination in noise compared with a priming discrimination task involving same–different judgments via button presses. Our results consistently showed that participants who engaged in syllable repetition performed better in syllable discrimination in noise than those who engaged in the priming discrimination task. This gain in accuracy was observed for primed and new syllable pairs, highlighting increased sensitivity to phonological details. The benefits were comparable whether the priming tasks involved auditory or visual presentation. Inserting a 1‐h delay between the priming tasks and the syllable‐in‐noise task, the benefits persisted but were confined to primed syllable pairs. Finally, we demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach in older adults. Our findings substantiate the existence of a speech production–perception relationship. They also have clinical relevance as they raise the possibility of production‐based interventions to improve speech perception ability. This would be particularly relevant for older adults who often encounter difficulties in perceiving speech in noise.
ONE WOMAN: THE DAILY LIFE OF A NON‐ELITE WOMAN IN FINAL‐PALATIAL CRETE
Authors: German Senta C. 
Published: June 2024

SummaryIn the tradition of people’s history, the following is a hypothetical reconstruction of the life of a textile worker from Final‐palatial Knossos (c.1375–1050 BC). This reconstruction is built upon a broad array of archaeological, philological, ceramic, ethnographic, palaeobotanical and osteological studies. Although hypothetical, this data‐based, multidisciplinary reconstruction is offered as one way to get at lived experience of the non‐elite, and specifically of women, something presently lacking in the field of Aegean Prehistory.
Influences on e‐governance in Africa: A study of economic, political, and infrastructural dynamics
Authors: Olumekor Michael , Mangai Mary S. , Madumo Onkgopotse S. , Mohiuddin Muhammad , Polbitsyn Sergey N. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractE‐governance is considered one of the most important factors in delivering and administering public services in modern societies. However, data show that many African countries are currently lagging behind countries in other parts of the world. This manuscript investigates how various factors, including economic prosperity, government effectiveness, and infrastructural support, contribute to the growth and effectiveness of e‐governance initiatives in 54 African countries. We specifically analyze the influence of three factors: economic prosperity (measured by GDP per capita), political competence (measured by government effectiveness), and infrastructural or technological support (measured by access to electricity). Panel data covering a 5‐year period were retrieved from databases of the United Nations and World Bank, and a multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the data. We found that the three factors influenced e‐governance to varying degrees. However, while infrastructural support and political competence were statistically significant, economic prosperity was not.
Detection of huanglongbing infection in citrus using compositional analysis of volatile organic compounds
Authors: Xu Qian , Ma Lixin , Zhou Ruiyun , Wang Chen , Bai Junwen , Sun Li , Cai Jianrong 
Published: June 2024

AbstractHuanglongbing (HLB) is caused by “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” and is spread by citrus psyllids. It is a highly damaging and infectious disease of citrus for which there is no reliable treatment. Timely detection and removal of diseased trees is an effective strategy to control HLB. Various citrus cultivars infected with HLB exhibit distinct symptoms, posing a challenge to generalize HLB detection methods across multiple cultivars. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in HLB‐infected leaves from cultivars grown in different regions were comprehensively analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and gas chromatography‐ion mobility spectrometry (GC‐IMS), aiming to establish a new generalized HLB detection method applicable to a range of citrus cultivars. The changes in VOCs were analysed in leaves of four citrus cultivars after infection with HLB. The results showed that there was a similar response to HLB infection in different citrus cultivars, and this response was reflected in both the concentration and type of VOCs. By combining GC‐MS and GC‐IMS with orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) model, the accurate identification of the HLB infection status of different citrus cultivars was achieved, with the prediction indices reaching 0.994 for GC‐MS and 0.972 for GC‐IMS. In addition, 27 compounds were identified that were significantly different between citrus cultivars affected by HLB and healthy plants. This study provides valuable insights into the changes in VOCs in citrus cultivars after HLB infection and lays the theoretical foundation for VOC‐based HLB detection strategies.
2024 RECOVER Guidelines: Methods, evidence identification, evaluation, and consensus process for development of treatment recommendations
Authors: Fletcher Daniel J. , Boller Manuel , Burkitt‐Creedon Jamie M. , Fausak Erik , Van Noord Megan G. , Mears Kim , Hopper Kate , Epstein Steven E. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the methodology used by the Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation (RECOVER) to re‐evaluate the scientific evidence relevant to CPR in small and large animals, to newborn resuscitation, and to first aid and to formulate the respective consensus‐based clinical guidelines.DesignThis report describes the evidence‐to‐guidelines process employed by RECOVER that is based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach and includes Information Specialist‐driven systematic literature search, evidence evaluation conducted by more than 200 veterinary professionals, and provision of clinical guidelines in the domains of Preparedness and Prevention, Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, Post‐cardiac Arrest Care, Newborn Resuscitation, First Aid, and Large Animal CPR.SettingTransdisciplinary, international collaboration in academia, referral practice, and general practice.ResultsFor this update to the RECOVER 2012 CPR guidelines, we answered 135 Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcome (PICO) questions with the help of a team of Domain Chairs, Information Specialists, and more than 200 Evidence Evaluators. Most primary contributors were veterinary specialists or veterinary technician specialists. The RECOVER 2024 Guidelines represent the first veterinary application of the GRADE approach to clinical guideline development. We employed an iterative process that follows a predefined sequence of steps designed to reduce bias of Evidence Evaluators and to increase the repeatability of the quality of evidence assessments and ultimately the treatment recommendations. The process also allowed numerous important knowledge gaps to emerge that form the foundation for prioritizing research efforts in veterinary resuscitation science.ConclusionsLarge collaborative, volunteer‐based development of evidence‐ and consensus‐based clinical guidelines is challenging and complex but feasible. The experience gained will help refine the process for future veterinary guidelines initiatives.
Partial incision blunt scissors lamellar keratectomy under topical anesthesia for the treatment of presumed calcific corneal degeneration in dogs
Authors: Rowen Rachel C. , Curto Elizabeth M. , Gratzek Ann T. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the study was to investigate clinical features of lamellar keratectomy for presumed calcific corneal degeneration in a population of geriatric dogs using blunt scissors dissection under topical anesthesia.Animals studied and proceduresRetrospective analysis of dogs with clinically diagnosed calcific degeneration treated by keratectomy under topical anesthesia between 2015 and 2021 at two veterinary ophthalmology practices was performed. Descriptive data regarding signalment, concurrent systemic and ocular disease, complications, healing time, and recurrence were collected. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed to calculate 1‐year recurrence probability.ResultsSixty‐five eyes in 57 dogs met inclusion criteria. All 54 eyes with follow‐up healed within a median of 14 days (7–74), including 17 with complicating factors of infection or deep stromal ulceration. Globe rupture occurred intraoperatively in three eyes (4.6%), for which subsequent conjunctival graft was performed. Calculated 1‐year recurrence probability from 47 eyes followed long term was 25%. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard modeling showed a significant association between documented systemic disease and time to recurrence (p = .035), irrespective of topical EDTA use (p = .432). Median follow‐up time available for all cases was 249 days.ConclusionsBlunt lamellar dissection with corneal scissors can be performed in dogs under topical anesthesia, yielding healing times and recurrence comparable to previously reported treatments for calcific corneal degeneration. Globe rupture is an inherent risk of both the disease and procedure and occurred in 4.6% of treated eyes. This approach expands non‐anesthetic treatment options for affected patients but should only be performed with advanced microsurgical training and client counseling on individual risk and benefit.
Enhanced Method for Estimating Unknown Parameters in Single Diode Model for Solar Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: Amaidi Maria , Zaaraoui Lassaad , Mansouri Ali 
Published: June 2024

Three models of equivalent circuit are frequently applied for modelling solar cells/modules: single, double and three diode models. Among these, the single diode (SD) model is currently the most widely applied for solar cell modelling. This model is characterized by five parameters, which can be estimated using various methods. In the present work, the unknown parameters of this model are determined using an improved hybrid method. Our research introduces an innovative approach for this purpose. Our method formulates and resolves the equations defining these critical parameters. Particularly, our main objective revolves around estimating the diode's saturation current (I0), series resistance, photocurrent (Iph) and parallel resistance (Rsh), ideality factor ( through these equations. We confirmed our method reliability by thoroughly simulating the I-V curves of six PV cells, showing the credibility and the precision of our approach. This research significantly advances solar cell modelling by offering an improved technique for estimating crucial parameters within the SD model, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of solar cell performance predictions.
Study the Effects of Age, Gender, and Body Mass Index on Heart Rate
Authors: Nahdiyya Fina , Khotimah Siti Nurul 
Published: June 2024

Heart disease is one of the deadliest diseases in the world in 2019; the increase in deaths has reached 2 million to 8.9 million people since 2000. Heart rate (HR) is an essential medical helpful sign for quickly evaluating health and knowing a person's fitness. Besides cardio exercises, some non-physical activities influence HR, such as age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). This study aims to analyze the RR intervals in leads I, II, III, aVR, aVL, and aVF and determine the effect of age, gender, and BMI on HR. HR measurements were carried out using a portable ECG, the KardiaMobile 6L, during 30 seconds of recording on the subject in resting conditions and normal sinus rhythm. The number of subjects in this study was 168 people in 5 age groups, namely A (4-5 years), B (6-7 years), C (10-13 years), D (19-30 years) and E ( 55-75 years). Each age group consisted of female and male subjects, but complete BMI category variations were only found in group D. Based on the results of the HR analysis based on age, it can be concluded that with age, HR will decrease. This decrease is estimated at 4.19 bpm/year in the age range of children to adolescents (4.0 to 11.5 years) and 0.16 bpm/year in the age range of adolescents to the elderly (11.5 to 75 years). Based on gender in all age groups, it can be concluded that the average HR of women is not always higher than that of men. In group D (19-30 years), BMI in resting subjects did not affect HR. RR interval values ​​in lead I (0.6997 0.056), lead II (0.6998 0.056), lead III (0.6998 0.056), aVR (0.6998 0.056), aVL (0.6995 0.057 ) and aVF (0.6998 0.056) indicate that the RR interval values ​​for each lead are identical.
Nonfree almost finite actions for locally finite‐by‐virtually Z${\mathbb {Z}}$ groups
Authors: Li Kang , Ma Xin 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we study almost finiteness and almost finiteness in measure of nonfree actions. Let be a minimal action of a locally finite‐by‐virtually group on the Cantor set . We prove that under certain assumptions, the action is almost finite in measure if and only if is essentially free. As an application, we obtain that any minimal topologically free action of a virtually group on an infinite compact metrizable space with the small boundary property is almost finite. This is the first general result, assuming only topological freeness, in this direction, and these lead to new results on uniform property and ‐stability for their crossed product ‐algebras. Some concrete examples of minimal topological free (but nonfree) subshifts are provided.
Hierarchical determinants in cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF) toxins driving Rho G-protein deamidation versus transglutamination
Authors: Handy Nicholas B. , Xu Yiting , Moon Damee , Sowizral Jacob J. , Moon Eric , Ho Mengfei , Wilson Brenda A. 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT

The cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF) family of AB-type bacterial protein toxins catalyze two types of modification on their Rho GTPase substrates: deamidation and transglutamination. It has been established that
E. coli
CNF1 and its close homolog proteins catalyze primarily deamidation and
Bordetella
dermonecrotic toxin (DNT) catalyzes primarily transglutamination. The rapidly expanding microbial genome sequencing data have revealed that there are at least 13 full-length variants of CNF1 homologs. CNFx from
E. coli
strain GN02091 is the most distant from all other members of the CNF family with 50%–55% sequence identity at the protein level and 0.45–0.52 nucleotide substitutions per site at the DNA level. CNFx modifies RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42, and like CNF1, activates downstream SRE-dependent mitogenic signaling pathways in human HEK293T cells, but at a 1,000-fold higher EC
50
value. Unlike other previously characterized CNF toxins, CNFx modifies Rho proteins primarily through transglutamination, as evidenced by gel-shift assay and confirmed by MALDI mass spectral analysis, when coexpressed with Rho-protein substrates in
E. coli
BL21 cells or through direct treatment of HEK293T cells. A comparison of CNF1 and CNFx sequences identified two critical active-site residues corresponding to positions 832 and 862 in CNF1. Reciprocal site-specific mutations at these residues in each toxin revealed hierarchical rules that define the preference for deamidase versus a transglutaminase activity in CNFs. An additional unique Cys residue at the C-terminus of CNFx was also discovered to be critical for retarding cargo delivery.

IMPORTANCE

Cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF) toxins not only play important virulence roles in pathogenic
E. coli
and other bacterial pathogens, but CNF-like genes have also been found in an expanding number of genomes from clinical isolates. Harnessing the power of evolutionary relationships among the CNF toxins enabled the deciphering of the hierarchical active-site determinants that define whether they modify their Rho GTPase substrates through deamidation or transglutamination. With our finding that a distant CNF variant (CNFx) unlike other known CNFs predominantly transglutaminates its Rho GTPase substrates, the paradigm of “CNFs deamidate and DNTs transglutaminate” could finally be attributed to two critical amino acid residues within the active site other than the previously identified catalytic Cys-His dyad residues. The significance of our approach and research findings is that they can be applied to deciphering enzyme reaction determinants and substrate specificities for other bacterial proteins in the development of precision therapeutic strategies.
Supplemental Material: Revised geologic map and structural interpretation of the Mineral King pendant, southern Sierra Nevada, California: Evidence for kilometer-scale folding and structural imbrication of a Permian to mid-Cretaceous volcanosedimentary assemblage
Authors: Greene David C. , al. et 
Published: June 2024

<p>Figure 3. Revised geologic map of the Mineral King pendant, California, USA. Modified from Sisson and Moore (2013). </p>
Colchicine in patients with acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (CHANCE-3): multicentre, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial
Authors: Li Jiejie , Meng Xia , Shi Fu-Dong , Jing Jing , Gu Hong-Qiu , Jin Aoming , Jiang Yong , Li Hao , Johnston S Claiborne , Hankey Graeme J , Easton J Donald , Chang Liguo , Shi Penglai , Wang Lihua , Zhuang Xianbo , Li Haitao , Zang Yingzhuo , Zhang Jianling , Sun Zengqiang , Liu Dongqi , Li Ying , Yang Hongqin , Zhao Jinguo , Yu Weiran , Wang Anxin , Pan Yuesong , Lin Jinxi , Xie Xuewei , Jin Wei-Na , Li Shuya , Niu Siying , Wang Yilong , Zhao Xingquan , Li Zixiao , Liu Liping , Zheng Huaguang , Wang Yongjun 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objectives
To assess the efficacy and safety of colchicine versus placebo on reducing the risk of subsequent stroke after high risk non-cardioembolic ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack within the first three months of symptom onset (CHANCE-3).

Design
Multicentre, double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial.

Setting
244 hospitals in China between 11 August 2022 and 13 April 2023.

Participants
8343 patients aged 40 years of age or older with a minor-to-moderate ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack and a high sensitivity C-reactive protein ≥2 mg/L were enrolled.

Interventions
Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 within 24 h of symptom onset to receive colchicine (0.5 mg twice daily on days 1-3, followed by 0.5 mg daily thereafter) or placebo for 90 days.

Main outcome measures
The primary efficacy outcome was any new stroke within 90 days after randomisation. The primary safety outcome was any serious adverse event during the treatment period. All efficacy and safety analyses were by intention to treat.

Results
4176 patients were assigned to the colchicine group and 4167 were assigned to the placebo group. Stroke occurred within 90 days in 264 patients (6.3%) in the colchicine group and 270 patients (6.5%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0.98 (95% confidence interval 0.83 to 1.16); P=0.79). Any serious adverse event was observed in 91 (2.2%) patients in the colchicine group and 88 (2.1%) in the placebo group (P=0.83).

Conclusions
The study did not provide evidence that low-dose colchicine could reduce the risk of subsequent stroke within 90 days as compared with placebo among patients with acute non-cardioembolic minor-to-moderate ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack and a high sensitivity C-reactive protein ≥2 mg/L.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov,
NCT05439356
.
What is the economic and social return on investment for telephone cancer information and support services in Australia? An evaluative social return on investment study protocol
Authors: McCaffrey Nikki , White Victoria , Engel Lidia , Mihalopoulos Cathrine , Orellana Liliana , Livingston Patricia M , Paul Christine L , Aranda Sanchia , De Silva Daswin , Bucholc Jessica , Hutchinson Alison M , Steiner Anna , Ratcliffe Julie , Lane Katherine , Spence Danielle , Harper Todd , Livingstone Ann , Fradgley Elizabeth , Hutchinson Claire Louise 
Published: June 2024

IntroductionOver 50% of people affected by cancer report unmet support needs. To address unmet information and psychological needs, non-government organisations such as Cancer Councils (Australia) have developed state-based telephone cancer information and support services. Due to competing demands, evidence of the value of these services is needed to ensure that future investment makes the best use of scarce resources. This research aims to determine the costs and broader economic and social value of a telephone support service, to inform future funding and service provision.Methods and analysisA codesigned, evaluative social return on investment analysis (SROI) will be conducted to estimate and compare the costs and monetised benefits of Cancer Council Victoria’s (CCV) telephone support line, 13 11 20, over 1-year and 3-year benefit periods. Nine studies will empirically estimate the parameters to inform the SROI and calculate the ratio (economic and social value to value invested): step 1 mapping outcomes (in-depth analysis of CCV’s 13 11 20 recorded call data; focus groups and interviews); step 2 providing evidence of outcomes (comparative survey of people affected by cancer who do and do not call CCV’s 13 11 20; general public survey); step 3 valuing the outcomes (financial proxies, value games); step 4 establishing the impact (Delphi); step 5 calculating the net benefit and step 6 service improvement (discrete choice experiment (DCE), ‘what if’ analysis). Qualitative (focus groups, interviews) and quantitative studies (natural language processing, cross-sectional studies, Delphi) and economic techniques (willingness-to-pay, financial proxies, value games, DCE) will be applied.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval for each of the studies will be sought independently as the project progresses. So far, ethics approval has been granted for the first two studies. As each study analysis is completed, results will be disseminated through presentation, conferences, publications and reports to the partner organisations.