bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of low‐dose terazosin on arterial stiffness improvement: A pilot study
Authors: Guan Yuqi , Zhang Yucong , Chen Liangkai , Ren Yazhi , Nie Hao , Ji Tianyi , Yan Jinhua , Zhang Cuntai , Ruan Lei 
Published: July 2024

AbstractArterial stiffness, a prominent hallmark of ageing arteries, is a predictor of all‐cause mortality. Strategies for promoting healthy vascular ageing are encouraged. Here we conducted a pilot study to evaluate the potential effects of low‐dose Terazosin on arterial stiffness. We enrolled patients aged over 40 with elevated arterial stiffness, defined as a brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) ≥1400 cm/s, who were administered Terazosin (0.5 and 1.0 mg/day) from December 2020 to June 2023. Treatment responses were assessed every 3 months. Linear regression analysis was used to characterise the improvement. We matched cases who took Terazosin for 1 year with Terazosin‐free controls using propensity score matching (PSM). Our findings demonstrate that Terazosin administration significantly affected arterial stiffness. (1) Arterial stiffness significantly improved (at least a 5% reduction in baPWV) in 50.0% of patients at 3 months, 48.6% at 6 months, 59.3% at 9 months, and 54.4% at 12 months, respectively. (2) Those with higher baseline baPWV and hypertension exhibited a significantly reduced risk of non‐response. (3) Terazosin was associated with a reduction of baPWV at 1‐year follow‐up (linear regression: β = −165.16, p < 0.001). This pilot study offers valuable insights into the potential significance of Terazosin in improving arterial stiffness and paves the way for future randomised clinical trials in combating vascular ageing.
From silicon shield to carbon lock‐in? The environmental footprint of electronic components manufacturing in Taiwan (2015–2020)
Authors: Roussilhe Gauthier , Pirson Thibault , Xhonneux Mathieu , Bol David 
Published: July 2024

AbstractTaiwan plans to rapidly increase its industrial production capacity of electronic components while concurrently setting policies for its ecological transition. Given that the island is responsible for the manufacturing of a significant part of worldwide electronics components (including the most advanced CMOS technology nodes), the sustainability of the Taiwanese electronics industry is of critical interest. In this paper, we survey the environmental footprint of 16 Taiwanese electronic components manufacturers (ECMs) using corporate sustainability responsibility reports. Based on data from 2015 to 2020, we find out that the sample of ECMs in this study increased its greenhouse gas emissions by 7.5% per year, its final energy and electricity consumption by 8.8% and 8.9%, and its water usage by 6.1%. We show that the volume of manufactured electronic components and the environmental footprint compiled in this study are strongly correlated, which suggests that relative efficiency gains are not sufficient to curb the overall environmental footprint of ECMs on the island. Given the critical nature of the electronics industry for Taiwan's geopolitics and economics, the observed increase of energy consumption, and the slow renewable energy roll‐out, Taiwan could face a carbon lock‐in situation which will most likely prevent the achievement of carbon reduction goals and sustainability policies on the island.
The Availability of Midwifery Care in Rural United States Communities
Authors: Sheffield Emily C. , Fritz Alyssa H. , Interrante Julia D. , Kozhimannil Katy Backes 
Published: July 2024

IntroductionAccess to pregnancy‐related and childbirth‐related health care for rural residents is limited by health workforce shortages in the United States. Although midwives are key pregnancy and childbirth care providers, the current landscape of the rural midwifery workforce is not well understood. The goal of this analysis was to describe the availability of local midwifery care in rural US communities.MethodsWe developed and conducted a national survey of rural US hospitals with current or recently closed childbirth services. Maternity unit managers or administrators at 292 rural hospitals were surveyed from March to August 2021, with 133 hospitals responding (response rate 46%; 93 currently offering childbirth services, 40 recently closed childbirth services). This cross‐sectional analysis describes whether rural hospitals with current or prior childbirth services had midwifery care with certified nurse‐midwives available locally and whether rural communities with and without midwifery care differed by hospital‐level and county‐level characteristics.ResultsAmong hospitals surveyed, 55% of those with current and 75% of those with prior childbirth services reported no locally available midwifery care. Of the 93 rural communities with current hospital‐based childbirth services, those without midwifery care were more likely to have lower populations (37% vs 33%); majority populations that were Black, Indigenous, and people of color (24% vs 10%); and hospitals where at least 50% of births were Medicaid funded (77% vs 64%), compared with communities with midwifery care. Conversely, communities with midwifery care more often had greater than 30% of patients traveling more than 30 miles for hospital‐based childbirth services (38% vs 28%).DiscussionMore than half of rural hospitals surveyed reported no locally available midwifery care, and availability differed by hospital‐level and county‐level characteristics. Efforts to ensure pregnancy and childbirth care access for rural birthing people should include attention to the availability of local midwifery care.
The Mortgage‐Cash Premium Puzzle
Authors: REHER MICHAEL , VALKANOV ROSSEN 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTAll‐cash homebuyers account for one‐third of U.S. home purchases between 1980 and 2017. We use multiple data sets and research designs to robustly estimate that mortgaged buyers pay an 11% premium over all‐cash buyers to compensate home sellers for mortgage transaction frictions. A dynamic, representative‐seller model implies only a 3% premium, which would suggest an 8% puzzle. Accounting for heterogeneity in selling conditions explains half of this difference, but a puzzle holds in conditions with high transaction risk. An experimental survey of U.S. homeowners replicates these patterns and suggests that belief distortions can explain the puzzle in these high‐risk states.
Oral hypofunction and social aspects in older adults visiting frailty outpatient clinic
Authors: Kawamura Koki , Maeda Keisuke , Miyahara Shuzo , Shimizu Akio , Sakaguchi Tatsuma , Ishida Yuria , Kagaya Hitoshi , Matsui Yasumoto , Arai Hidenori , Mori Naoharu 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundOral and social problems can exacerbate long‐term care. Understanding the relationship between social aspects and oral hypofunction can help identify high‐risk factors for long‐term care.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the social aspects of oral hypofunction among medical outpatients.MethodsThis retrospective cross‐sectional study included patients who visited an outpatient clinic for frailty. The oral function was assessed using seven items: oral hygiene, occlusal force, masticatory function, tongue‐lip motor function, tongue pressure, oral dryness and swallowing function. Participants with three or more functional declines were classified as having ‘oral hypofunction’. Social aspects were assessed using 21 items in four categories: general resources, basic social needs, social resources and social behaviours/activities. We analysed the relationship between oral hypofunction and each social aspect.ResultsA total of 316 participants (age 78.5 ± 6.4 years) were included, and 128 (41%) had oral hypofunction. Participants with oral hypofunction were significantly more likely to have limited education, require long‐term care, not use transportation, depend on others for shopping, not participate in events, lack association membership and not engage in charity or volunteer work. After logistic regression analysis, ‘long‐term care’ and ‘no association membership’ remained significantly associated with oral hypofunction (odds ratios 2.3, 2.3; 95% CI 1.1–5.0, 1.1–4.7, respectively).ConclusionParticipants with oral hypofunction faced challenges in ‘general resources’ and ‘social behaviour/activities’, which were linked to oral function issues. Future longitudinal studies are necessary to further investigate this relationship.
Syntactic Adaptation and Word Learning in 3‐ to 4‐Year‐Olds
Authors: Yu Yukun , Havron Naomi , Fisher Cynthia 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn a recent study, preschoolers adapted their syntactic expectations about a familiar phrase in French; this adaptation affected later word learning. In two experiments, we probed the generality of this finding by replicating the experiment and extending it to a different expression in English. We examined the ambiguous phrase the baby, which can be followed by nouns (the baby monkeys) or verbs (the baby sleeps). In induction trials, the baby consistently preceded either familiar nouns (noun condition) or verbs (verb condition). In later novel‐word trials, children in the verb condition were more likely to interpret novel words following the baby (The baby gorps!) as verbs than were children in the noun condition. In Experiment 2, a modified design isolated the effect of experience with the critical phrase from possible effects of task structure, and an added baseline condition showed the adaptation effect to be asymmetrical, suggesting frequency or surprisal effects on adaptation.
Chromosomal inversions harbour excess mutational load in the coral, Acropora kenti, on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Zhang Jia , Schneller Nadja M. , Field Matt A. , Chan Cheong Xin , Miller David J. , Strugnell Jan M. , Riginos Cynthia , Bay Line , Cooke Ira 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe future survival of coral reefs in the Anthropocene depends on the capacity of corals to adapt as oceans warm and extreme weather events become more frequent. Targeted interventions designed to assist evolutionary processes in corals require a comprehensive understanding of the distribution and structure of standing variation, however, efforts to map genomic variation in corals have so far focussed almost exclusively on SNPs, overlooking structural variants that have been shown to drive adaptive processes in other taxa. Here, we show that the reef‐building coral, Acropora kenti, harbours at least five large, highly polymorphic structural variants, all of which exhibit signatures of strongly suppressed recombination in heterokaryotypes, a feature commonly associated with chromosomal inversions. Based on their high minor allele frequency, uniform distribution across habitats and elevated genetic load, we propose that these inversions in A. kenti are likely to be under balancing selection. An excess of SNPs with high impact on protein‐coding genes within these loci elevates their importance both as potential targets for adaptive selection and as contributors to genetic decline if coral populations become fragmented or inbred in future.
Multicategory fire damage detection of post‐fire reinforced concrete structural components
Authors: Wang Pengfei , Liu Caiwei , Wang Xinyu , Tian Libin , Miao Jijun , Liu Yanchun 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis paper introduces an enhanced you only look once (YOLO) v5s‐D network customized for detecting various categories of damage to post‐fire reinforced concrete (RC) components. These damage types encompass surface soot, cracks, concrete spalling, and rebar exposure. A dataset containing 1536 images depicting damaged RC components was compiled. By integrating ShuffleNet, adaptive attention mechanisms, and a feature enhancement module, the capability of the network for multi‐scale feature extraction in complex backgrounds was improved, alongside a reduction in model parameters. Consequently, YOLOv5s‐D achieved a detection accuracy of 93%, marking an 11% enhancement over the baseline YOLOv5s network. Comparison and ablation tests conducted on different modules, varying dataset sizes, against other state‐of‐the‐art networks, and on public datasets validate the resilience, superiority, and generalization capability of YOLOv5s‐D. Finally, an application leveraging YOLOv5s‐D was developed and integrated into a mobile device to facilitate real‐time detection of post‐fire damaged RC components. This application can integrate diverse fire scenarios and data types, expanding its scope in future. The proposed detection method compensates for the subjective limitations of manual inspections, providing a reference for damage assessment.
Rapid clearance of extensive juvenile pityriasis rubra pilaris with ixekizumab
Authors: Kim Eun Jae , Corey Kristen , Damji Yasin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractJuvenile pityriasis rubra pilaris is a rare inflammatory skin disorder currently without any FDA‐approved treatments, and lesions can be refractory to conventional treatment with topical corticosteroids, methotrexate, and oral retinoids. We herein present a case of a 6‐year‐old boy who attained clearance of extensive juvenile pityriasis rubra pilaris within 2 weeks of starting ixekizumab therapy. Therapeutic effect has been durable at 6 months, and patient continues on therapy without adverse effects. Our case highlights a new, rapidly effective treatment option for pediatric patients with this rare condition.
Apremilast treatment for pediatric inverse psoriasis
Authors: Wang Jun , Zhao Yilu , Zhang Ruzhi 
Published: July 2024

AbstractA 10‐year‐old boy presented with persistent genital erythematous plaques unresponsive to traditional topical treatments. Apremilast, an underexplored option in pediatric cases, was initiated and resulted in a significant reduction in pruritus and resolution of the lesions. This case provides insight into the potential efficacy of apremilast in refractory pediatric inverse psoriasis and underscores the necessity for further research in this specific population.
Settling moth pollination of a rare orchid in the Habenaria clade revealed with close‐focusing camera traps
Authors: Johnson S. D. , Balducci M. G. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

It is challenging to make nocturnal observations of the natural behaviour of flower‐visiting moths as they are highly sensitive to visible artificial light sources. One solution, implemented here, is to use specially‐adapted close‐focusing camera traps that rely on infrared wavelengths for detection and illumination of small insect subjects. We investigated the pollination system of Bonatea saundersiodes, a rare African terrestrial orchid that is phylogenetically nested in the large Habenaria clade.
We used modified camera traps and direct observations to study the pollination system of B. saundersioides. We quantified floral traits, including morphology, nectar, spectral reflectance and scent chemistry.
Flowers of this orchid species were found to be pollinated exclusively by settling noctuid moths. Moth visits to the orchid were recorded throughout the night, with peaks of activity after dusk and just before dawn. Pollinaria of the orchid are attached between the palps of visiting moths. Floral traits generally consistent with settling moth pollination include the relatively short floral spurs (ca. 20 mm) containing small amounts of nectar, white and green perianth segments, and the floral scent which is produced at night and is dominated by β‐ocimene and other terpenoid compounds.
This study demonstrates that close‐focusing camera traps have tremendous potential to improve our understanding of plant–pollinator interactions which are not easy to study using traditional methods.
From de jure to de facto transparency: Analyzing the compliance gap in light of freedom of information laws
Authors: Trautendorfer Julia , Hohensinn Lisa , Hilgers Dennis 
Published: July 2024

AbstractFreedom of information (FOI) laws empower citizens to access public information from public organizations, enhancing government transparency and accountability. Previous studies have evaluated government transparency and FOI compliance based on the proactive release of information and governments' responses to citizens' requests. This study extends prior research by focusing on regulatory compliance mechanisms in German public organizations. Specifically, it investigates how these organizations respond to information requests under varying legislative frameworks across Germany's 16 states (Länder). Based on six legal elements (de jure provisions), we examine FOI law stringency and investigate their association with government responsiveness to approximate de facto regulatory compliance. Based on an analysis of over 100,000 requests directed at more than 7000 German public sector organizations, we find that not all six legal elements are directly associated with responsiveness. Only those elements that signify a broader organizational commitment to transparency are linked to higher responsiveness. This study contributes to public sector transparency literature by highlighting the complex interplay between variations in FOI laws and actual compliance, and underscores the need for further research on the assumed causal relationship between FOI law stringency and transparency outcomes.
Riemann–Hilbert method to the Ablowitz–Ladik equation: Higher‐order cases
Authors: Liu Huan , Shen Jing , Geng Xianguo 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWe focus on the Ablowitz–Ladik equation on the zero background, specifically considering the scenario of pairs of multiple poles. Our first goal was to establish a mapping between the initial data and the scattering data, which allowed us to introduce a direct problem by analyzing the discrete spectrum associated with pairs of higher‐order zeros. Next, we constructed another mapping from the scattering data to a matrix Riemann–Hilbert (RH) problem equipped with several residue conditions set at pairs of multiple poles. By characterizing the inverse problem on the basis of this RH problem, we are able to derive higher‐order soliton solutions in the reflectionless case.
A new topical biotechnological phytocomplex for truncal mild‐moderate acne restores skin microbiota balance
Authors: Guerra‐Tapia Aurora , Martínez Helena , Nieto Carlos , Ruiz Alonso Carlos , Bermejo Rafael , Carrón Nerea , Garcia‐Segura Sergio , Gonzalez‐Torres Pedro , Palacios‐Martínez David , Bou Lola , Pérez Montse , De Lucas Raul 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe disruption of the microbial community or dysbiosis alters the functional composition, metabolic activity, and local distribution of the microbiota leading the development of acne. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a lotion containing a biotechnological phytocomplex, niacinamide, and succinic acid in the bacterial diversity of subjects with truncal mild‐moderate acne and its clinical benefits due to microbiota changes.Materials and MethodsOpen, clinical study in 43 subjects with truncal mild‐moderate acne treated with a lotion for 8 weeks. Bacterial diversity was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of skin samples. Clinical effects were evaluated through IGA acne severity scale, biometric measurements, and safety.ResultsAfter 56 days of product's use, an increase in richness alpha diversity was found (p = 0.005), with a decrease in Cutibacterium acnes relative abundance (66.43% vs. 58.11%, p = 0.009). The clinical results showed a decrease in IGA score (27.59% decrease; p = 0.001), the inflammatory lesions (52.12% decrease, p = 0.006) and erythema (18.33% decrease, p = 0.007), and desquamation index (63.83% decrease, p = 0.02). The responder analysis of the IGA score showed that 60.47% of patients improved by at least one point at day 56. The product was well tolerated along the study.ConclusionThe use of the lotion on acneic skin was effective on rebalancing the microbiota, inhibiting biofilm formation and other virulence factors, reducing erythema and desquamation, and improving acne's severity.
Menstrual-Cycle Symptoms and Sleep Characteristics in Elite Soccer Players
Authors: Halson Shona L. , Johnston Rich D. , Pearson Madison , Minahan Clare 
Published: July 2024

Purpose: To determine whether menstrual-cycle symptoms are associated with sleep in elite female athletes. Methods: Sleep was assessed for a minimum of 25 nights (range = 25–31) using activity monitoring and sleep diaries. Menstrual-cycle symptoms were collected over the same duration in 12 elite female professional soccer players. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the relationship between the day of the menstrual cycle (from day 1) and total menstrual-cycle symptoms on sleep characteristics. Results: There was a significant relationship between sleep duration and the day of the menstrual cycle (P = .042) and total symptoms reported that day (P < .001), with sleep duration increasing by 21 minutes for every symptom reported. There was a negative day × symptom interaction on sleep duration (P = .004), indicating that with increased symptoms, the day of the menstrual cycle had a smaller relationship with sleep duration. Sleep efficiency (P = .950), wake after sleep onset (P = .217), and subjective sleep quality (P = .080) were not related to the day of the menstrual cycle. The total symptoms reported had no relationship with sleep efficiency (P = .220), subjective sleep quality (P = .502), or sleep latency (P = .740) but did significantly relate to wake after sleep onset (P < .001), with a significant day × symptom interaction (P < .001). Conclusions: Sleep duration increased from day 1 of the menstrual cycle and was associated with the number of menstrual-cycle symptoms reported. All other sleep metrics remained unchanged; however, total symptoms reported were related to wake after sleep onset. Monitoring and managing menstrual-cycle symptoms should be encouraged due to a potential relationship with sleep characteristics.
Does “Live High–Train Low and High” Hypoxic Training Alter Stride Mechanical Pattern During Repeated Sprints in Elite Team-Sport Players?
Authors: Girard Olivier , Millet Grégoire P. , Brocherie Franck 
Published: July 2024

Purpose: We examined changes in stride temporal parameters and spring-mass model characteristics during repeated sprints following a 3-week period of “live high–train low and high” (LHTLH) altitude training in team-sport players. Methods: While residing under normobaric hypoxia (≥14 h/d; inspired oxygen fraction [FiO2] 14.5%–14.2%) for 14 days, elite field hockey players performed, in addition to their regular field hockey practice in normoxia, 6 sessions (4 × 5 × 5-s maximal sprints; 25-s passive recovery; 5-min rest) under either normobaric hypoxia (LHTLH; FiO2 ∼14.5%, n = 11) or normoxia (live high–train low; FiO2 20.9%, n = 12). A control group (live low–train low; FiO2 ∼20.9%, n = 9) residing in normoxia without additional repeated-sprint training was included. Before (Pre) and a few days (Post-1) and 3 weeks (Post-2) after the intervention, stride mechanics were assessed during an overground repeated-sprint test (8 × 20 m, 20-s recovery). Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (time [Pre, Post-1, and Post-2] × condition [LHTLH, live high–train low, and live low–train low]) were conducted. Results: Peak sprinting speed increased in LHTLH from Pre to Post-1 (+2.2% [2.0%]; P = .002) and Post-2 (+2.0% [2.4%]; P = .025), with no significant changes in live high–train low and live low–train low. There was no main effect of time (all P ≥ .062), condition (all P ≥ .771), or a significant time × condition interaction (all P ≥ .230) for any stride temporal variable (contact time, flight time, stride frequency, and stride length) or spring-mass model characteristics (vertical and leg stiffness). Conclusions: Peak sprinting speed improved in elite field hockey players following LHTLH altitude training, while stride mechanical adjustments to repeated overground sprints remained unchanged for at least 3 weeks postintervention.