bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the implementation of personalised outcomes forecasts to optimise supervised exercise therapy in patients with intermittent claudication in the Netherlands: a multimethods study
Authors: Marcellis Laura H M , Sinnige Anneroos , Rutgers Katrien M , Kittelson Andrew , Spruijt Steffie , Teijink Joep A W , van der Wees Philip J , Hoogeboom Thomas J 
Published: February 2024

BackgroundTo support the optimisation of supervised exercise therapy (SET) in patients with intermittent claudication, we developed personalised outcomes forecasts (POFs), which visualise estimated walking distance and quality of life for individual patients. The POFs may enable healthcare professionals, such as physical and exercise therapists, to improve shared decision-making and patient outcomes.ObjectivesTo assess differences in patient outcomes (functional walking distance, maximal walking distance and health-related quality of life) and the level of shared decision-making before and after the implementation of POFs in the conservative treatment of patients with intermittent claudication.MethodsAn interrupted time series design was used to compare preimplementation and postimplementation differences on patient outcomes. Using routinely collected data, differences from baseline to 6 months were compared between patients before and patients after the implementation. To compare levels of shared decision-making, we conducted observations of initial consults within a sample of physical or exercise therapists both before and after the implementation. Audiorecords of observations were scored on shared decision-making using the OPTION-5 instrument.ResultsDifferences in improvements between patients with whom POFs were discussed (n=317) and patients before the implementation of POFs (n=721) did not reach statistical significance for both functional walking distance (experimental vs. control=+23%, p=0.11) and maximal walking distance (experimental vs. control=+21%, p=0.08). For health-related quality of life, the POFs-informed patients showed a statistically significant greater improvement of 4% (p=0.04). Increased levels of shared decision-making were observed in postimplementation consults (n=20) when compared with preimplementation consults (n=36), as the median OPTION-5 total score showed a statistically significant increase from 45 to 55 points (p=0.01).ConclusionsIntegrating POFs into daily practice of SET for patients with intermittent claudication could assist in improving health-related quality of life and enhancing patient involvement. Using POFs did not result in statistically significant different improvements between groups on walking distances.Trial registration numberNL8838.
Modification of the Paediatric Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom and Quality of Life Questionnaire (PGSQ) for children with cerebral palsy: a preliminary study
Authors: Mills Sarah , Tuffrey Catherine , Tbaily Lee , Tighe Mark 
Published: February 2024

ObjectiveGastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common condition affecting children, characterised by the passage of gastric contents into the oesophagus causing pain, vomiting and regurgitation. Children with neurodisability (such as cerebral palsy; CP) are predisposed to more severe GORD due to coexisting gut dysmotility and exclusive/supplementary liquid diet; however, there are no existing tools or outcome measures to assess the severity of GORD in this patient group. For children without CP, the ‘Paediatric Gastro-oesophageal Symptom and Quality of Life Questionnaire’ (PGSQ) assesses symptoms and response to treatment, but the questions are not suitable for children with significant cognitive impairment. We aimed to adapt the existing PGSQ assessment tool to enable use in evaluating children with CP and GORD.Patients/interventionsCognitive interviews were conducted by the research team with six parents/carers of children (aged 3–15) with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System level V) who have current or past symptoms of reflux. They were asked to interpret the questionnaire using a ‘think-aloud technique,’ and offer suggestions on alterations to questions. Reasons for changing questions included confusing/difficult to understand questions, differing interpretations of questions and response choices not applying to the patient group.ResultsThe PGSQ was modified iteratively following each interview. Overall, parents/carers reported that it was acceptable to recall information over the past 7 days. In the final version, it was felt the questions were relevant, useful and related to symptoms that they observed. It was easy to comprehend with no uncomfortable questions. Suggestions for future work included a section specifically focusing on the school day answered by school staff and home life answered by carers who assist them in the home.ConclusionsWe have adapted the PGSQ to improve relevance and acceptability for families/carers of children with symptoms of GORD and neurodisability. Further work is needed to validate the questionnaire for this patient group.
Patients with ankylosing spondylitis present a distinct CD8 T cell subset with osteogenic and cytotoxic potential
Authors: Martini Veronica , Silvestri Ylenia , Ciurea Adrian , Möller Burkhard , Danelon Gabriela , Flamigni Flavio , Jarrossay David , Kwee Ivo , Foglierini Mathilde , Rinaldi Andrea , Cecchinato Valentina , Uguccioni Mariagrazia 
Published: February 2024

ObjectivesAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease affecting mainly the axial skeleton. Peripheral involvement (arthritis, enthesitis and dactylitis) and extra-musculoskeletal manifestations, including uveitis, psoriasis and bowel inflammation, occur in a relevant proportion of patients. AS is responsible for chronic and severe back pain caused by local inflammation that can lead to osteoproliferation and ultimately spinal fusion. The association of AS with the human leucocyte antigen-B27 gene, together with elevated levels of chemokines, CCL17 and CCL22, in the sera of patients with AS, led us to study the role of CCR4+T cells in the disease pathogenesis.MethodsCD8+CCR4+T cells isolated from the blood of patients with AS (n=76) or healthy donors were analysed by multiparameter flow cytometry, and gene expression was evaluated by RNA sequencing. Patients with AS were stratified according to the therapeutic regimen and current disease score.ResultsCD8+CCR4+T cells display a distinct effector phenotype and upregulate the inflammatory chemokine receptors CCR1, CCR5, CX3CR1 and L-selectin CD62L, indicating an altered migration ability. CD8+CCR4+T cells expressing CX3CR1 present an enhanced cytotoxic profile, expressing both perforin and granzyme B. RNA-sequencing pathway analysis revealed that CD8+CCR4+T cells from patients with active disease significantly upregulate genes promoting osteogenesis, a core process in AS pathogenesis.ConclusionsOur results shed light on a new molecular mechanism by which T cells may selectively migrate to inflammatory loci, promote new bone formation and contribute to the pathological ossification process observed in AS.
Increasing aerobic exercise intensity fails to consistently improve the glycemic response in people living with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus: the INTENSITY trial
Authors: Hrubeniuk Travis J. , Bouchard Danielle R. , Gurd Brendon J. , Sénéchal Martin 
Published: February 2024

Some individuals with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who engage in exercise will not experience the anticipated improvements in glycemic control, referred to as non-responders. Increasing exercise intensity may improve the proportion of individuals who become responders. The objectives were to ( i) identify responders and non-responders based on changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in individuals with prediabetes or T2DM following 16 weeks of aerobic exercise; ( ii) investigate if increasing exercise intensity enhances the responders’ status for individuals not previously responding favourably to the intervention. Participants ( n = 40; age = 58.0 years (52.0–66.0); HbA1c = 7.0% (6.0–7.2)) engaged in a two-phase, randomized study design. During phase one, participants performed 16 weeks of treadmill-based, supervised, aerobic exercise at 4.5 metabolic equivalents (METs) for 150 min per week. Thereafter, participants were categorized as responders, non-responders, or unclear based on the 90% confidence interval above, below, or crossing a 0.3% reduction in HbA1c. For phase two, participants were randomized to a maintained intensity (4.5 METs) or increased intensity (6.0 METs) group for 12 weeks. Following phase one, two (4.1%) participants were categorized as responders, four (8.2%) as non-responders, and 43 (87.7%) as unclear. Following phase two, two from the increased intensity group and one from the maintained intensity group experienced an improvement in response categorization. There were no significant between or within group (maintained vs. increased) differences in HbA1c. For most people with prediabetes or T2DM, increasing exercise intensity by 1.5 METs does not improve response categorization.
Constraints on the speed of sound in the k-essence model of dark energy
Authors: Dinda Bikash R. , Banerjee Narayan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe consider a k-essence scalar field model for the late-time cosmic acceleration in which the sound speed, parametrized as $$c_s$$

c
s

is constant. We compute the relevant background and perturbation quantities corresponding to the observables like cosmic microwave background, type Ia supernova, cosmic chronometers, baryon acoustic oscillations, and the $$f\sigma _8$$

f

σ
8

. We put constraints on the $$c_s^2$$

c
s
2

parameter from these observations along with other parameters. We find lower values of $$c_s^2$$

c
s
2

which are close to zero are tightly constrained. Particularly, we find mean value of $$\log _\textrm{10} (c_s^2)$$

log
10

(

c
s
2

)

to be $$-0.61$$

-
0.61

and $$c_s^2 \le 10^{-3}$$

c
s
2

≤

10

-
3

is more than 3$$\sigma $$
σ
away from this mean value. This means these observations favor a homogeneous dark energy component compared to the clustering one.
Comment on “photons can tell ‘contradictory’ answer about where they have been”
Authors: Reznik Gregory , Versmold Carlotta , Dziewior Jan , Huber Florian , Weinfurter Harald , Dressel Justin , Vaidman Lev 
Published: February 2024

AbstractYuan and Feng (Eur. Phys. J. Plus 138:70, 2023) recently proposed a modification of the nested Mach–Zehnder interferometer experiment performed by Danan et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 111:240402, 2013) and argued that photons give “contradictory” answers about where they have been, when traces are locally imprinted on them in different ways. They concluded that their results are comprehensible from what they call the “three-path interference viewpoint,” but difficult to explain from the “discontinuous trajectory” viewpoint advocated by Danan et al. We argue that the weak trace approach (the basis of the “discontinuous trajectory” viewpoint) provides a consistent explanation of the Yuan–Feng experiment. The contradictory messages of the photons are just another example of photons lying about where they have been when the experimental method of Danan et al. is applied in an inappropriate setup.
Simultaneous Gamma-Neutron Vision device: a portable and versatile tool for nuclear inspections
Authors: Lerendegui-Marco Jorge , Babiano-Suárez Víctor , Balibrea-Correa Javier , Caballero Luis , Calvo David , Ladarescu Ion , Domingo-Pardo César 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis work presents GN-Vision, a novel dual γ-ray and neutron imaging system, which aims at simultaneously obtaining information about the spatial origin of γ-ray and neutron sources. The proposed device is based on two position sensitive detection planes and exploits the Compton imaging technique for the imaging of γ-rays. In addition, spatial distributions of slow- and thermal-neutron sources (<100 eV) are reconstructed by using a passive neutron pin-hole collimator attached to the first detection plane. The proposed gamma-neutron imaging device could be of prime interest for nuclear safety and security applications. The two main advantages of this imaging system are its high efficiency and portability, making it well suited for nuclear applications were compactness and real-time imaging is important. This work presents the working principle and conceptual design of the GN-Vision system and explores, on the basis of Monte Carlo simulations, its simultaneous γ-ray and neutron detection and imaging capabilities for a realistic scenario where a 252Cf source is hidden in a neutron moderating container.
ANXA3-Rich Exosomes Derived from Tumor-Associated Macrophages Regulate Ferroptosis and Lymphatic Metastasis of Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Xu Licheng , Li Wenjing , Liu Danxi , Cao Jing , Ge Jingchun , Liu Xinyu , Wang Yue , Teng Yujian , Liu Pengyan , Guo Xinyue , He Chen , Liu Ming , Tian Linli 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) induce immunosuppression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). The interaction between LSCC cells and TAMs affects the progression of laryngeal cancer through exosomes, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Proteomics analysis of TAMs isolated from human laryngeal tumor tissues obtained from patients with confirmed lymphatic metastasis revealed an upregulation of annexin A3 (ANXA3). In TAMs, ANXA3 promoted macrophages to polarize to an M2-like phenotype by activating the AKT–GSK3β–β-catenin pathway. In addition, ANXA3-rich exosomes derived from TAMs inhibited ferroptosis in laryngeal cancer cells through an ATF2–CHAC1 axis, and this process was associated with lymphatic metastasis. Mechanistically, ANXA3 in exosomes inhibited the ubiquitination of ATF2, whereas ATF2 acted as a transcription factor to regulate the expression of CHAC1, thus inhibiting ferroptosis in LSCC cells. These data indicate that abnormal ANXA3 expression can drive TAM reprogramming and promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment in LSCC. Meanwhile, ANXA3-rich exosomes inhibit ferroptosis of LSCC cells and promote lymphatic metastasis, thus promoting tumor progression.
Simplifying the electronic wedge brake system model through model order reduction techniques
Authors: Che Hasan Mohd Hanif , Hassan Mohd Khair , Ahmad Fauzi , Marhaban Mohammad Hamiruce , Haris Sharil Izwan , Arasteh Ehsan 
Published: February 2024

The electronic wedge brake (EWB) uses self-reinforcement principles to optimise stopping power, but its mathematical model has various actuation angles and system dynamics making controller design complex and computationally burdensome. Therefore, the model order reduction (MOR) is made based on three factors that may have a negligible influence on the EWB system: the motor inductance, lead screw axial damping, and wedge mass. Six reduced order model (ROM) types were proposed when one, two, or all factors were ignored. The ROM accuracy was analysed using the frequency and time domain. The percentage of root means square error (RMSE) response value between the EWB benchmark model, and the predicted response based on the ROM was found to be less than 2%, with ROM size reduced from 5 to 2 orders. It guarantees that the new ROM series will be useful for simpler EWB controller design. The proposed ROM simplifies the original model drastically while retaining accuracy at an adequate level. Even though the simplest EWB model is a 2nd order linear system, the best ROM vary depending on EWB design parameters.
Forgotten Circulation: Reduced Mesenteric Venous Capacitance in Hypertensive Rats Is Improved by Decreasing Sympathetic Activity
Authors: Emans Tonja W. , Moraes Davi J.A. , Ben-Tal Alona , Barrett Carolyn J. , Paton Julian F.R. , McBryde Fiona D. 
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND:
The mesenteric venous reservoir plays a vital role in mediating blood volume and pressure changes and is richly innervated by sympathetic nerves; however, the precise nature of venous sympathetic regulation and its role during hypertension remains unclear. We hypothesized that sympathetic drive to mesenteric veins in spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats is raised, increasing mean circulatory filling pressure (MCFP), and impairing mesenteric capacitance.

METHODS:
Arterial pressure, central venous pressure, mesenteric arterial, and venous blood flow were measured simultaneously in conscious male Wistar and SH rats. MCFP was assessed using an intraatrial balloon. Hemodynamic responses to volume changes (±20%) were measured before and after ganglionic blockade and carotid body denervation. Sympathetic venoconstrictor activity was measured in situ.

RESULTS:

MCFP in vivo (10.8±1.6 versus 8.0±2.1 mm Hg;
P
=0.0005) and sympathetic venoconstrictor drive in situ (18±1 versus 10±2 µV;
P
<0.0001) were higher in SH rats; MCFP decreased in SH rats after hexamethonium and carotid body denervation (7.6±1.4;
P
<0.0001 and 8.5±1.0 mm Hg;
P
=0.0045). During volume changes, arterial pressure remained stable. With blood loss, net efflux of blood from the mesenteric bed was measured in both strains. However, during volume infusion, we observed net influx in Wistar (+2.3±2.6 mL/min) but efflux in SH rats (−1.0±1.0 mL/min;
P
=0.0032); this counterintuitive efflux was abolished by hexamethonium and carotid body denervation (+0.3±1.7 and 0.5±1.6 mL/min, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:
In SH rats, excessive sympathetic venoconstriction elevates MCFP and reduces capacitance, impairing volume buffering by mesenteric veins. We propose selective targeting of mesenteric veins through sympathetic drive reduction as a novel therapeutic opportunity for hypertension.
Remarks on Ángel Pinillos’s Why We Doubt
Authors: Fitelson Branden 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In these brief remarks, I describe the author’s Bayesian explication of the narrow function of the meta-cognitive, heuristic algorithm (pbs) that is at the heart of his psychological explanation of why we entertain skeptical doubts. I provide some critical remarks, and an alternative Bayesian approach that is (to my mind) somewhat more elegant than the author’s.
Facilitating (Further) Inhumanity: On the Prospect of Losing Article 3 echr, a Vital Guarantee for the Under-Protected
Authors: Mavronicola Natasa 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Article 3 of the echr encompasses an absolute right not to be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. This right proscribes, and demands protection from, treatment which is antithetical to human dignity. Over the years, what amounts to such treatment – and the obligations flowing therefrom – has been the subject of extensive interpretation by the ECtHR and domestic courts. Applicable in many contexts beyond the conventional scenario of interrogational torture, the right’s significance – and much of the backlash it has attracted – lies chiefly in the protections it demands for persons who fall through the cracks of the political process. This comment contemplates what is at stake, in terms of Article 3’s protections, in a potential UK departure from the echr, and concludes that a loss of the protection offered under Article 3 echr would facilitate (further) inhumanity, particularly against persons who are already othered, under-protected, and victimised.
Linguistic Parallels Between the Lexemes of the Polish “Kilkanaście” and the Lithuanian “Keliolika” on the Basis of Data from Multilingual Parallel Corpora
Authors: Roszko Danuta , Roszko Roman 
Published: February 2024

Linguistic Parallels Between the Lexemes of the Polish Kilkanaście and the Lithuanian Keliolika on the Basis of Data from Multilingual Parallel Corpora
The exponents of quantitative indefiniteness: Polish kilkanaście and Lithuanian keliolika form a lexical linguistic parallel. The meaning of both lexemes, indicating an approximate value in the range from 11 to 19 inclusive, is sporadically noted in natural languages. All examples of the use of these forms extracted from known multilingual parallel corpora or Polish–Lithuanian language pair were subjected to a contrastive analysis. The aim was to determine whether the convergence of the dictionary meanings of the two lexemes is reflected in the use of these forms in mutually corresponding Polish and Lithuanian sentences/segments.

Paralele językowe leksemów polskiego kilkanaście i litewskiego keliolika w świetle danych wielojęzycznych korpusów równoległych
Wykładniki nieokreśloności ilościowej: polskie kilkanaście i litewskie keliolika tworzą leksykalną paralelę językową. Znaczenie obu leksemów, wskazujące na przybliżoną wartość z zakresu od 11 do 19 włącznie, jest sporadycznie notowane w językach naturalnych. Analizie kontrastywnej poddano wszystkie wyekscerpowane ze znanych wielojęzycznych korpusów równoległych przykłady użycia tych form. Celem jest rozstrzygnięcie, czy zbieżność znaczeń słownikowych obu leksemów znajduje odbicie w jednoczesnym użyciu tych form we wzajemnie sobie odpowiadających segmentach polskich i litewskich.
Identifying the Probability Distribution of Exchange Rates in Sri Lanka
Authors: Basnayake B. R. P. M. , Chandrasekara N. V. 
Published: February 2024

The exchange rate is one of the main components that represents the status of a country’s economic condition. This study mainly focuses on identifying an appropriate distribution that can capture the asymmetric behaviour of important currency exchange rates related to Sri Lanka. The true behaviour of the exchange rates of USD, EURO, JPY, AUD, GBP, CHF, SGD and CAD in terms of LKR was determined using flexible distributions of generalised lambda distribution (GLD), Normal Inverse Gaussian and Skew-Normal. The parameter estimation was carried out by maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), while for GLD, few more parameter estimation techniques were applied. To understand how well the fitted distributions identify the real behaviour of data, we conducted the goodness-of-fit (GOF) tests. The results from Cramer–Von Mises (CvM) and Anderson–Darling (AD) GOF tests pointed out that the exchange rates data follow a GLD with the parameter estimation of maximum product of spacings (MPS). Further, plots of histograms with theoretical densities, cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) with empirical CDF and Quantile–Quantile plots illustrated the same idea. This study presented the findings based on different suitable parameter estimation techniques and this study is the first investigation on the distribution identification of exchange rates in Sri Lanka. JEL Codes: C12,C13,G10