bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neural responses to reward, threat, and emotion regulation and transition to hazardous alcohol use
Authors: Kirk-Provencher Katelyn T , Sloan Matthew E , Andereas Keinada , Erickson Cooper J , Hakimi Rosa H , Penner Anne E , Gowin Joshua L 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Aims
Reward processing and regulation of emotions are thought to impact the development of addictive behaviors. In this study, we aimed to determine whether neural responses during reward anticipation, threat appraisal, emotion reactivity, and cognitive reappraisal predicted the transition from low-level to hazardous alcohol use over a 12-month period.

Methods
Seventy-eight individuals aged 18–22 with low-level alcohol use [i.e. Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) score &lt;7] at baseline were enrolled. They completed reward-based and emotion regulation tasks during magnetic resonance imaging to examine reward anticipation, emotional reactivity, cognitive reappraisal, and threat anticipation (in the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, superior frontal gyrus, and insula, respectively). Participants completed self-report measures at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up time points to determine if they transitioned to hazardous use (as defined by AUDIT scores ≥8).

Results
Of the 57 participants who completed follow-up, 14 (24.6%) transitioned to hazardous alcohol use. Higher baseline AUDIT scores were associated with greater odds of transitioning to hazardous use (odds ratio = 1.73, 95% confidence interval 1.13–2.66, P = .005). Brain activation to reward, threat, and emotion regulation was not associated with alcohol use. Of the neural variables, the amygdala response to negative imagery was numerically larger in young adults who transitioned to hazardous use (g = 0.31), but this effect was not significant.

Conclusions
Baseline drinking levels were significantly associated with the transition to hazardous alcohol use. Studies with larger samples and longer follow-up should test whether the amygdala response to negative emotional imagery can be used to indicate a future transition to hazardous alcohol use.
Debiasing Welch’s method for spectral density estimation
Authors: Astfalck Lachlan C , Sykulski Adam M , Cripps Edward J 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Welch’s method provides an estimator of the power spectral density that is statistically consistent. This is achieved by averaging over periodograms calculated from overlapping segments of a time series. For a finite-length time series, while the variance of the estimator decreases as the number of segments increases, the magnitude of the estimator’s bias increases: a bias-variance trade-off ensues when setting the segment number. We address this issue by providing a novel method for debiasing Welch’s method that maintains the computational complexity and asymptotic consistency, and leads to improved finite-sample performance. Theoretical results are given for fourth-order stationary processes with finite fourth-order moments and an absolutely convergent fourth-order cumulant function. The significant bias reduction is demonstrated with numerical simulation and an application to real-world data. Our estimator also permits irregular spacing over frequency and we demonstrate how this may be employed for signal compression and further variance reduction. The code accompanying this work is available in R and python.
Low genetic differentiation despite high habitat fragmentation in an endemic and endangered species of Iridaceae from South America: implications for conservation
Authors: Forgiarini Cristiane , Meimberg Harald , Curto Manuel , Stiehl-Alves Eudes M , Vijayan Thapasya , Engl Pia T , Bräuchler Christian , Kollmann Johannes , de Souza-Chies Tatiana T 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
To conserve threatened species effectively, it is crucial to map the genetic variation of the remaining populations. Thus, using 15 microsatellites markers, from which 10 were specially developed for this study, we investigated genetic structure and gene flow patterns of Herbertia zebrina Deble, a critically endangered species endemic from grasslands of southern Brazil. We also investigated the degree of habitat fragmentation and the impacts on levels of genetic diversity, mating system and pollinators of the species. STRUCTURE and discriminant analysis of principal components identified the existence of three genetic clusters. Populations were not isolated by distance, and genetic differentiation among populations was low (7.0%). Migration rates were also low, but no evidence of genetic bottlenecks was found. However, effective population-scaled mutation rates (Θ) were &lt; 1, suggesting that populations could be experiencing genetic drift, but the reason remains unknown. The results indicate that measurements of habitat fragmentation were not significantly correlated with genetic diversity estimates, which tend to increase with fragment size. H. zebrina was identified as an outcrossing species and specialized pollinators, such as Chalepogenus goeldianus and Lanthanomelissa betinae were rarely observed. Our findings suggest that genetic differentiation across multiple populations within the entire geographic distribution of H. zebrina is very low and populations may struggle to adapt to the current environmental and pollination changes. However, habitat fragmentation is still too recent to detect significant impacts on the levels of genetic variation. Thus, conservation plans are necessary to avoid further declines of this species.
Head motion in the UK Biobank imaging subsample: longitudinal stability, associations with psychological and physical health, and risk of incomplete data
Authors: Ward Joey , Cox Simon R , Quinn Terry , Lyall Laura M , Strawbridge Rona J , Russell Emma , Pell Jill P , Stewart William , Cullen Breda , Whalley Heather , Lyall Donald M 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Participant motion in brain magnetic resonance imaging is associated with processing problems including potentially non-useable/incomplete data. This has implications for representativeness in research. Few large studies have investigated predictors of increased motion in the first instance. We exploratively tested for association between multiple psychological and physical health traits with concurrent motion during T1 structural, diffusion, average resting-state and task functional magnetic resonance imaging in N = 52 951 UK Biobank imaging subsample participants. These traits included history of cardiometabolic, inflammatory, neurological and psychiatric conditions, as well as concurrent cognitive test scores and anthropometric traits. We tested for stability in motion in participants with longitudinal imaging data (n = 5305, average 2.64 years later). All functional and T1 structural motion variables were significantly intercorrelated (Pearson r range 0.3–0.8, all P &lt; 0.001). Diffusion motion variables showed weaker correlations around r = 0.1. Most physical and psychological phenotypes showed significant association with at least one measure of increased motion including specifically in participants with complete useable data (highest β = 0.66 for diabetes versus resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging motion). Poorer values in most health traits predicted lower odds of complete imaging data, with the largest association for history of traumatic brain injury (odds ratio = 0.720, 95% confidence interval = 0.562 to 0.923, P = 0.009). Worse psychological and physical health are consistent predictors of increased average functional and structural motion during brain imaging and associated with lower odds of complete data. Average motion levels were largely consistent across modalities and longitudinally in participants with repeat data. Together, these findings have implications for representativeness and bias in imaging studies of generally healthy population samples.
From electricity to vitality: the emerging use of piezoelectric materials in tissue regeneration
Authors: Wu Yifan , Zou Junwu , Tang Kai , Xia Ying , Wang Xixi , Song Lili , Wang Jinhai , Wang Kai , Wang Zhihong 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
The unique ability of piezoelectric materials to generate electricity spontaneously has attracted widespread interest in the medical field. In addition to the ability to convert mechanical stress into electrical energy, piezoelectric materials offer the advantages of high sensitivity, stability, accuracy and low power consumption. Because of these characteristics, they are widely applied in devices such as sensors, controllers and actuators. However, piezoelectric materials also show great potential for the medical manufacturing of artificial organs and for tissue regeneration and repair applications. For example, the use of piezoelectric materials in cochlear implants, cardiac pacemakers and other equipment may help to restore body function. Moreover, recent studies have shown that electrical signals play key roles in promoting tissue regeneration. In this context, the application of electrical signals generated by piezoelectric materials in processes such as bone healing, nerve regeneration and skin repair has become a prospective strategy. By mimicking the natural bioelectrical environment, piezoelectric materials can stimulate cell proliferation, differentiation and connection, thereby accelerating the process of self-repair in the body. However, many challenges remain to be overcome before these concepts can be applied in clinical practice, including material selection, biocompatibility and equipment design. On the basis of the principle of electrical signal regulation, this article reviews the definition, mechanism of action, classification, preparation and current biomedical applications of piezoelectric materials and discusses opportunities and challenges for their future clinical translation.
Evaluation of confocal laser scanning microscopy in histological classification and photodynamic therapy of low-risk basal cell carcinoma
Authors: Tang Zhen , Lu Tingting , Chen Xue , Lu Jianyun , Ding Shu , Guo Aiyuan , Huang Jian , Tan Lina 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is a noninvasive technique utilized for identification and analysis of skin malignancies. Several studies have applied CLSM in monitoring the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Objectives
To investigate the diagnostic value of CLSM in low-risk BCC and the evaluation of photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Methods
We diagnosed 149 patients with BCC using CLSM and histopathological examination. Based on histopathology, we summarized the classification of low-risk BCC along with imaging features observed through CLSM. Thirty-four patients with low-risk BCC underwent PDT treatment, and we used CLSM to evaluate its efficacy.

Results
Out of 149 BCCs examined by CLSM, 52 were diagnosed as the pigmented type, 87 as the nodular type and 10 as the superficial type. After histopathological examination of the 52 BCCs identified as pigmented by CLSM, 44 out of 52 were seen to be pigmented, 5 were nodular and 3 were superficial. The histopathology results were consistent with CLSM for the 87 nodular and 10 superficial BCCs. The distinguishing CLSM feature of nodular BCC was tissue fissures around the tumour, while the pigmented mass was the CLSM characteristic of the pigmented type. The simultaneous occurrence of inflammation and increased vasculature was characteristic of superficial BCC. The effective rate of PDT was 100%, and the cure rate was 68%. At the 12-month follow-up, the recurrence rate of PDT was 12%; 15% for nodular BCC, 10% for pigmented and 0% for superficial.

Conclusions
The tissue classification of CLSM for low-risk BCC was consistent with histopathology. CLSM can be used to monitor the ­efficacy of PDT for low-risk BCC.
Diagnostic accuracy of carotid plaque instability by noninvasive imaging: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pakizer David , Kozel Jiří , Taffé Patrick , Elmers Jolanda , Feber Janusz , Michel Patrik , Školoudík David , Sirimarco Gaia 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Aims
There is increasing evidence that plaque instability in the extracranial carotid artery may lead to an increased stroke risk independently of the degree of stenosis. We aimed to determine diagnostic accuracy of vulnerable and stable plaque using noninvasive imaging modalities when compared to histology in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods and results
Medline Ovid, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched for diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive imaging modalities (CT, MRI, US) in the detection of 1) vulnerable/stable plaque, and 2) vulnerable/stable plaque characteristics, compared to histology. The quality of included studies was assessed by QUADAS-2 and univariate and bivariate random-effect meta-analyses were performed. We included 36 vulnerable and 5 stable plaque studies in the meta-analysis, and out of 211 plaque characteristics from remaining studies, we classified 169 as vulnerable and 42 as stable characteristics (28 CT, 120 MRI, 104 US characteristics). We found that MRI had high accuracy [90% (95% CI: 82–95%)] in the detection of vulnerable plaque, similar to CT [86% (95% CI: 76–92%); P &gt; 0.05], whereas US showed less accuracy [80% (95% CI: 75–84%); P = 0.013]. CT showed high diagnostic accuracy in visualizing characteristics of vulnerable or stable plaques (89% and 90%) similar to MRI (86% and 89%; P &gt; 0.05); however, US had lower accuracy (77%, P &lt; 0.001 and 82%, P &gt; 0.05).

Conclusion
CT and MRI have a similar, high performance in detecting vulnerable carotid plaques, whereas US showed significantly less diagnostic accuracy. Moreover, MRI visualized all vulnerable plaque characteristics allowing for a better stroke risk assessment.

Registration
PROSPERO ID CRD42022329690
The Rise of Pass-Throughs: an Empirical Investigation
Authors: Dyrda Sebastian , Pugsley Benjamin 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Almost half of all private employment in the United States is within businesses that do not pay corporate income tax. Instead, business income passes through to the owners’ individual income taxes. This pass-through share of employment has more than tripled since the early 1980s. Using comprehensive, confidential administrative data, this paper highlights five core findings underlying this growth: (1) the rise in pass-throughs is pervasive across industries and states; (2) the pass-through share converges unconditionally across both; (3) entrants’ organisational choices drive 60% of the rise; (4) shifts in firm and organisational dynamics following the 1986 Tax Reform Act show continued effects through the 2000s; (5) organisational forms exhibit high persistence with little life-cycle variation. Our study implies that tax or regulatory policy changes might take decades to manifest fully.
Wearable device-measured moderate to vigorous physical activity and risk of degenerative aortic valve stenosis
Authors: Li Ziang , Cheng Sijing , Guo Bo , Ding Lu , Liang Yu , Shen Yinghan , Li Jinyue , Hu Yiqing , Long Tianxin , Guo Xinli , Ge Junbo , Gao Runlin , Pibarot Philippe , Zhang Bin , Xu Haiyan , Clavel Marie-Annick , Wu Yongjian 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background and Aims
Physical activity has proven effective in preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but its role in preventing degenerative valvular heart disease (VHD) remains uncertain. This study aimed to explore the dose–response association between moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) volume and the risk of degenerative VHD among middle-aged adults.

Methods
A full week of accelerometer-derived MVPA data from 87 248 UK Biobank participants (median age 63.3, female: 56.9%) between 2013 and 2015 were used for primary analysis. Questionnaire-derived MVPA data from 361 681 UK Biobank participants (median age 57.7, female: 52.7%) between 2006 and 2010 were used for secondary analysis. The primary outcome was the diagnosis of incident degenerative VHD, including aortic valve stenosis (AS), aortic valve regurgitation (AR), and mitral valve regurgitation (MR). The secondary outcome was VHD-related intervention or mortality.

Results
In the accelerometer-derived MVPA cohort, 555 incident AS, 201 incident AR, and 655 incident MR occurred during a median follow-up of 8.11 years. Increased MVPA volume showed a steady decline in AS risk and subsequent AS-related intervention or mortality risk, levelling off beyond approximately 300 min/week. In contrast, its association with AR or MR incidence was less apparent. The adjusted rates of AS incidence (95% confidence interval) across MVPA quartiles (Q1–Q4) were 11.60 (10.20, 13.20), 7.82 (6.63, 9.23), 5.74 (4.67, 7.08), and 5.91 (4.73, 7.39) per 10 000 person-years. The corresponding adjusted rates of AS-related intervention or mortality were 4.37 (3.52, 5.43), 2.81 (2.13, 3.71), 1.93 (1.36, 2.75), and 2.14 (1.50, 3.06) per 10 000 person-years, respectively. Aortic valve stenosis risk reduction was also observed with questionnaire-based MVPA data [adjusted absolute difference Q4 vs. Q1: AS incidence, −1.41 (−.67, −2.14) per 10 000 person-years; AS-related intervention or mortality, −.38 (−.04, −.88) per 10 000 person-years]. The beneficial association remained consistent in high-risk populations for AS, including patients with hypertension, obesity, dyslipidaemia, and chronic kidney disease.

Conclusions
Higher MVPA volume was associated with a lower risk of developing AS and subsequent AS-related intervention or mortality. Future research needs to validate these findings in diverse populations with longer durations and repeated periods of activity monitoring.
Role Theory, Non-Coercive Influence, and the Agency of Target States: The Case of Kazakhstan’s Ambassadorial Corps and the Russian Diplomatic Academy
Authors: Stanko John C 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
This article contributes to foreign policy analysis by applying role theory to the study of soft power, evaluating the relationship between a state’s chosen international role(s) and susceptibility to non-coercive influence. I argue that in countries where said role involves committed engagement with varied power poles, elites derive benefits from their various partners and thus abide soft power bases such as the Russian Diplomatic Academy (RDA) without violating the principle of autonomy maximization. I utilize a mixed methods approach, using logistic regression as part of a qualitative case study of Kazakhstan. Drawing on an original dataset of Kazakhstani ambassadors since 1992, I find that foreign policy role better explains the continued presence of RDA-trained diplomats within the Kazakhstani ambassadorial corps than traditional security arguments. This outcome demonstrates the promise of examining soft power through the lens of role theory, with an emphasis on the agency of potential targets of influence.
Panax notoginseng: panoramagram of phytochemical and pharmacological properties, biosynthesis, and regulation and production of ginsenosides
Authors: Wei Guangfei , Zhang Guozhuang , Li Mengzhi , Zheng Yuqing , Zheng Wenke , Wang Bo , Zhang Zhaoyu , Zhang Xiao , Huang Ziying , Wei Tengyun , Shi Liping , Chen Shilin , Dong Linlin 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Panax notoginseng is a famous perennial herb widely used as material for medicine and health-care food. Due to its various therapeutic effects, research work on P. notoginseng has rapidly increased in recent years, urging a comprehensive review of research progress on this important medicinal plant. Here, we summarize the latest studies on the representative bioactive constituents of P. notoginseng and their multiple pharmacological effects, like cardiovascular protection, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory activities. More importantly, we emphasize the biosynthesis and regulation of ginsenosides, which are the main bioactive ingredients of P. notoginseng. Key enzymes and transcription factors (TFs) involved in the biosynthesis of ginsenosides are reviewed, including diverse CYP450s, UGTs, bHLH, and ERF TFs. We also construct a transcriptional regulatory network based on multi-omics data and predicted candidate TFs mediating the biosynthesis of ginsenosides. Finally, the current three major biotechnological approaches for ginsenoside production are highlighted. This review covers advances in the past decades, providing insights into quality evaluation and perspectives for the rational utilization and development of P. notoginseng resources. Modern omics technologies facilitate the exploration of the molecular mechanisms of ginsenoside biosynthesis, which is crucial to the breeding of novel P. notoginseng varieties. The identification of functional enzymes for biosynthesizing ginsenosides will lead to the formulation of potential strategies for the efficient and large-scale production of specific ginsenosides.
Morphology and Mechanics of the Fin Whale Esophagus: The Key to Fast Processing of Large Food Volumes by Rorquals
Authors: Gil K N , Vogl A W , Shadwick R E 
Published: July 2024

Synopsis
Lunge feeding rorqual whales feed by engulfing a volume of prey laden water that can be as large as their own body. Multiple feeding lunges occur during a single foraging dive and the time between each lunge can be as short as 30 s (Goldbogen et al. 2013). During this short inter-lunge time, water is filtered out through baleen to concentrate prey in the oral cavity, and then the prey is swallowed prior to initiating the next lunge. Prey density in the ocean varies greatly, and despite the potential of swallowing a massive volume of concentrated prey as a slurry, the esophagus of rorqual whales has been anecdotally described as unexpectedly narrow with a limited capacity to expand. How rorquals swallow large quantities of food down a narrow esophagus during a limited inter-lunge time remains unknown. Here, we show that the small diameter muscular esophagus in the fin whale is optimized to transport a slurry of food to the stomach. A thick wall of striated muscle occurs at the pharyngeal end of the esophagus which, together with the muscular wall of the pharynx, may generate a pressure head for transporting the food down the esophagus to the stomach as a continuous stream rather than separating the food into individual boluses swallowed separately. This simple model is consistent with estimates of prey density and stomach capacity. Rorquals may be the only animals that capture a volume of food too large to swallow as a single intact bolus without oral processing, so the adaptations of the esophagus are imperative for transporting these large volumes of concentrated food to the stomach during a time-limited dive involving multiple lunges.
Trading with Frenemies: How Economic Diplomacy Affects Exports
Authors: Casler Don , Connelly Matthew , Hicks Raymond 
Published: July 2024

Abstracts
Trade is inherently risky, involving a commitment problem for both importers and exporters. The former must deal with ex ante uncertainty about whether exporters will deliver the goods or services as promised, while the latter has to identify an importer willing to trade a product. How, then, do firms establish trading relationships, especially in new markets? While both classical and newer trade theories tend to downplay the role of government in trade, we argue that government institutions play a crucial role in resolving this uncertainty. Specifically, export promotion agencies and embassies in foreign countries vet potential trade contacts and head off potential disputes before they get too serious, thus insuring against the basic risks of trade. We expect that this institutional backing will have stronger export-promoting effects on great powers’ trade with economically developing and politically dissimilar countries. Using a large collection of U.S. State Department cables from the 1970s that concern export promotion, we find strong evidence that promotion efforts had the largest effect when economic trade barriers were high and in countries that were politically dissimilar to the U.S. Rather than passively participating in trade, government bureaucrats play a large role in helping firms establish trading relationships.