bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring Bitcoin dynamics against the backdrop of COVID-19: an investigation of major global events
Authors: Guo Xiaochun 
Published: February 2024

AbstractCOVID-19 has significantly influenced global financial markets, including Bitcoin. Recent studies have focused on investigating the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak and accounting for market changes, which were mostly due to the pandemic. This research not only analyzes the contagion effects of COVID-19 but also considers aftermath events beyond the first pandemic wave to examine spillovers of Bitcoin. The study employs Diebold and Yilmaz’s method to explore the static and dynamic spillovers of the selected variables and identifies several major global events, including crypto-specific affairs, macroeconomic policies, and geopolitical conflicts, to explain the new market dynamics of Bitcoin using network analysis. The findings identify a few high-contagion periods related to Bitcoin. The paper also found that Bitcoin is more likely to produce extreme returns and is more connected to other markets. Contagion effects “from” and “to” other markets are asymmetrical in terms of arrival time and market response. Bitcoin is more likely to be affected by other markets in extreme situations and receives spillovers from them sooner than it transmits spillovers to others. In the context of various global events, impacts arising from developed countries are stronger. China still has some impact on cryptocurrency markets, but they are waning. Bitcoin is thus not a safe haven from the shocks of global events, but can sometimes work as a hedge or diversifier. The results offer alternative explanations for Bitcoin’s different market dynamics and enrich our understanding of Bitcoin’s safe haven, hedge, and diversifier properties within a diversified portfolio.
Profile of metabolic bone disease in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates
Authors: Nare Rajesh , Sawant Vishal Dnyaneshwar , Surve Rahul 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is an important cause of morbidity in premature, very low birth weight (VLBW), and sick infants and, if left undiagnosed, may lead to structural deformities and spontaneous fractures. The objective of the present study was to study the profile of MBD and to determine the incidence of MBD in infants ≤ 32 weeks/≤ 1250 g at birth.

Method
A total of 57 infants ≤ 32 weeks/≤ 1250 g at birth admitted in our NICU from October 2020 to July 2021 were included in the study. These infants underwent screening for MBD at 4 weeks of age. They were stratified into three groups based on their gestation (≤ 28 weeks, 29–30 weeks, 31–32 weeks).

Results
MBD was observed in 100% of extreme preterm babies and 69% of very preterm babies. Overall, the incidence of MBD was 73%. Serum phosphorus level normalized by 42–44 weeks post menstrual age (PMA) across all gestations. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels normalized by 42–44 weeks only in very preterm babies. Seventeen babies ≤ 30 weeks required inorganic phosphorus supplementation in addition to calcium phosphate supplementation in order to correct the MBD. Drugs like caffeine, steroids, and furosemide have significant impact on the development of MBD. The time to reach full feeds with fortification had no statistically significant effect on the incidence of MBD as detected by serum phosphorus level and serum ALP level.

Conclusion
The profile outlined in the present study matches the literature reports in many aspects, revealing the importance of characterizing this group for the prognosis and short- and long-term follow-up of newborns with bone metabolic disease.
Patient Sex and Origin Influence Distribution of Driver Genes and Clinical Presentation of Paraganglioma
Authors: Richter Susan , Bechmann Nicole 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Context
Sexual and ancestral differences in driver gene prevalence have been described in many cancers but have not yet been investigated in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL).

Objective
This study aims to assess whether sex and ancestry influence prevalence of PPGL driver genes and clinical presentation.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with PPGL considering studies from 2010 onwards that included minimal data of type of disease, sex, mutated gene, and country of origin. Additional features were recorded when available (age, tumor location, bilateral or multifocal, somatic or germline, and metastatic disease).

Results
We included 2162 patients: 877 in Europe and 757 in Asia. Males presented more often with germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in genes activating hypoxia pathways (P = .0006) and had more often sympathetic paragangliomas (P = .0005) and metastasis (P = .0039). On the other hand, females with PPGLs due to MAX PVs were diagnosed later than males (P = .0378) and more often developed metastasis (P = .0497). European but not Asian females presented more often with PPGLs due to PVs in genes related to kinase signaling (P = .0052), particularly RET and TMEM127. Contrary to experiences from Europe, Asian patients with PPGL due to PVs in kinase signaling genes NF1, HRAS, and FGFR1 showed a high proportion of sympathetic tumors, while European patients almost exclusively had adrenal tumors (P &lt; .005).

Conclusion
Personalized management of patients with PPGL might benefit from considering sexual and ancestral differences. Further studies with better clinically aligned cohorts from various origins are required to better dissect ancestral influences on PPGL development.
Not before Twenty-Five: Contesting Marriage and Looking for the Good Life in Contemporary Urban China
Authors: Zavoretti Roberta 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis article explores how women of different class backgrounds contest the imperative to enter heteronormative marriage in urban China. While the state and the market propose marriage as the only path to the good life, these women describe it as a risky enterprise and an unequal partnership. The social pressure they face highlights the continuing exclusionary role of marriage in present-day Chinese society, as their stand challenges the state-sponsored narrative of “leftover woman.” These women see their unmarried status not as a sacrifice or loss, but rather as a strategy for preserving their autonomy, well-being, and relationships with their own kin and friends. Accordingly, they come across as desiring subjects, though not as uncivil individualists or affectively precarious. The women's affective choices privilege bonds that exceed the patrilineal family and the conjugal couple. Although this preference may jeopardize their social respectability and limit their prospects for upward mobility, it allows them to explore different avenues to the good life.
Extended survival with metastatic pancreatic cancer under fruquintinib treatment after failed chemotherapy: Two case reports
Authors: Wu Dan , Wang Qiong , Yan Shuai , Sun Xia , Qin Ya , Yuan Ming , Wang Nan-Yao , Huang Xian-Ting 
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant disease. After decades of treatment progress, the current five-year survival rate for patients is still less than 10%. For later-line treatment, the treatment options are even more limited. Anti-angiogenic drugs can improve progression-free survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Preclinical data show that fruquintinib might improve the prognosis of advanced pancreatic cancer by targeting angiogenesis and lymphopoiesis, improving the abnormal vascular structure, and modulating the tumour immune microenvironment.
CASE SUMMARY
We present two cases of third-line fruquintinib monotherapy that brought an extraprolonged progress-free survival (PFS) of 10 months. Patient 1 took adjuvant gemcitabine-based and first-line nab-paclitaxel-based chemotherapy and then used local radiotherapy combined with programmed cell death 1 receptor (PD-1). Each line lasted approximately 7 months. Moreover, the patient took third-line fruquintinib, which was followed by stable disease for 10 months, during which no additional adverse effect was observed. The patient later refused to take fruquintinib due to difficulty urinating and lower abdominal pain after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. The patient died in February 2023. Patient 2 also took two prior lines of chemotherapy and then local radiotherapy combined with S-1. After confirmed disease progression, the patient experienced a continuous partial response after using fruquintinib monotherapy in the third line. After the patient had COVID-19 in December 2022, fruquintinib was discontinued. The patient died in January 2023 due to disease progression.
CONCLUSION
Both cases achieved a PFS benefit from later-line single-agent fruquintinib therapy. With its better safety profile, fruquintinib may be worth exploring and studying in more depth as a later-line treatment for pancreatic cancer patients.
Power-aware high-capacity elastic optical networks
Authors: Radovic Margita , Sgambelluri Andrea , Cugini Filippo , Sambo Nicola 
Published: February 2024

The power consumption of telecommunication equipment has been identified as a relevant contributor to global energy consumption. In fact, new-generation optical transponders employ power-intensive electronic application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for digital signal processing (DSP). DSP design has traditionally prioritized meeting transmission requirements over power consumption optimization. In general, the evolutions of transmission techniques and network design have always been mainly driven by traffic increase; in this context, in order to operate network resources more efficiently, margin reduction has been investigated in the past few years. Indeed, traditionally, high physical layer margins are used to ensure reliability over an extended period, resulting in overprovisioning the optical connections for both physical layer conditions and capacity. On the other hand, super-channels have emerged as a suitable solution for accommodating the continuous traffic growth. However, power consumption has not been deeply considered in the optimization of super-channel transmission. This paper first investigates the power efficiency of super-channels operated with designed and reduced margins. Low-margin operation is enabled by adapting sub-carrier spacing and filter bandwidth. Power-aware super-channel optimization is then experimentally demonstrated leveraging a 600 Gbit/s transponder in the SDN-controlled elastic optical network (EON). The results have identified a trade-off between power consumption and spectrum efficiency. Furthermore, the ongoing bandwidth demand has motivated the investigation of multi-band (MB) transmission for scaling the capacity of the existing infrastructures. However, novel networking devices (e.g., optical amplifiers operating beyond the C- and L-bands) will affect the overall power consumption. In this context, experimental power analysis of a thulium doped fiber amplifier (TDFA) is performed based on the traffic load and corresponding configuration. The results show that TDFA power consumption varies with configuration and increases with output power.
Surface plasmon resonance temperature sensor based on the conjoined-tube hollow-core anti-resonant fiber with ultra-high temperature sensitivity
Authors: Fu Haihao , Tang Zijuan , Gao Wei , Guo Yuying , Chu Paul K. , Lou Shuqin 
Published: February 2024

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) temperature sensor based on the conjoined-tube hollow-core anti-resonant fiber (HC-ARF) is designed and analyzed. The conjoined-tube HC-ARF contains two connecting tubes with a cross arrangement in the cladding. The SPR temperature sensor is constructed by inserting a metal into one of the inner layer tubes and injecting a thermo-sensitive liquid into the hollow core of the HC-ARF to enhance the temperature sensitivity by exploiting the SPR effect. The effects of the structural parameters and thermo-sensitive media and metals on the sensing properties such as the temperature sensitivity, peak loss, resolution, amplitude sensitivity, and figure of merit (FOM) are analyzed systematically. Numerical analysis reveals ultra-high temperature sensitivity of 38.8 nm/°C and FOM of 673.84∘C−1, which are approximately 10 times higher than those of sensors described in the recent literature. In addition, the sensor is capable of detecting a wide temperature range from −5∘C to 60°C with good linearity. The SPR temperature sensor with high precision, a wide temperature detection range, a simple and easily modifiable structure, as well as good manufacturing tolerance has large potential in high-precision temperature monitoring in the petrochemical and biomedical industries.
Potential selection of antimony and methotrexate cross-resistance in Leishmania infantum circulating strains
Authors: Bernardo Lorena , Ibarra-Meneses Ana Victoria , Douanne Noelie , Corbeil Audrey , Solana Jose Carlos , Beaudry Francis , Carrillo Eugenia , Moreno Javier , Fernandez-Prada Christopher 
Published: February 2024

Background
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) resolution depends on a wide range of factors, including the instauration of an effective treatment coupled to a functional host immune system. Patients with a depressed immune system, like the ones receiving methotrexate (MTX), are at higher risk of developing VL and refusing antileishmanial drugs. Moreover, the alarmingly growing levels of antimicrobial resistance, especially in endemic areas, contribute to the increasing the burden of this complex zoonotic disease.

Principal findings
To understand the potential links between immunosuppressants and antileishmanial drugs, we have studied the interaction of antimony (Sb) and MTX in a Leishmania infantum reference strain (LiWT) and in two L. infantum clinical strains (LiFS-A and LiFS-B) naturally circulating in non-treated VL dogs in Spain. The LiFS-A strain was isolated before Sb treatment in a case that responded positively to the treatment, while the LiFS-B strain was recovered from a dog before Sb treatment, with the dog later relapsing after the treatment. Our results show that, exposure to Sb or MTX leads to an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in LiWT which correlates with a sensitive phenotype against both drugs in promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes. LiFS-A was sensitive against Sb but resistant against MTX, displaying high levels of protection against ROS when exposed to MTX. LiFS-B was resistant to both drugs. Evaluation of the melting proteomes of the two LiFS, in the presence and absence of Sb and MTX, showed a differential enrichment of direct and indirect targets for both drugs, including common and unique pathways.

Conclusion
Our results show the potential selection of Sb-MTX cross-resistant parasites in the field, pointing to the possibility to undermine antileishmanial treatment of those patients being treated with immunosuppressant drugs in Leishmania endemic areas.
Evaluation of COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic tests for self-testing in Lesotho and Zambia
Authors: Bresser Moniek , Erhardt Rahel Milena , Shanaube Kwame , Simwinga Musonda , Mahlatsi Palesa Agnes , Belus Jennifer , Schaap Albertus , Amstutz Alain , Gachie Thomas , Glass Tracy Renée , Kangololo Bxyn , ’Mota John , Floyd Sian , Katende Bulemba , Klinkenberg Eveline , Ayles Helen , Reither Klaus , Ruperez Maria 
Published: February 2024

Introduction
The use of antigen rapid tests (Ag-RDTs) for self-testing is an important element of the COVID-19 control strategy and has been widely supported. However, scale-up of self-testing for COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa is still insufficient and there is limited evidence on the acceptability of self-testing and agreement between Ag-RDT self-testing and Ag-RDT testing by professional users. A joint collaboration (Botnar Research Centre for Child Health-European & Developing countries Clinical Trials Partnership)was established between Lesotho and Zambia to address these gaps in relation to Ag-RDT self-testing and contribute to increasing its use in the region.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted with qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Firstly, 14 in-depth cognitive interviews (5 in Zambia and 9 in Lesotho) were performed to assess the participants’ understanding of the instructions for use (IFU) for self-testing. In a second step, evaluation of test agreement between Ag-RDT self-testing and Ag-RDT testing by professional user using SD Biosensor STANDARD Q COVID-19 Ag-RDT was performed. In Zambia, usability and acceptability of self-testing were also assessed.

Results
Cognitive interviews in Lesotho and Zambia showed overall good understanding of IFU. In Zambia, acceptability of self-testing was high, though some participants had difficulties in conducting certain steps in the IFU correctly. Agreement between Ag-RDT self-test and Ag-RDT by professional users in Lesotho (428 participants) and Zambia (1136 participants) was high, 97.3% (403/414, 95% CI: 95.3–98.7) and 99.8% (1116/1118, 95% CI: 99.4–100) respectively.

Conclusion
Findings from this study support the use of Ag-RDT self-testing within COVID-19 control strategies in sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to increase the testing capacity and access in hard-to reach settings.
Longitudinal analysis of host protein serum signatures of treatment and recovery in pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Powell Samantha M. , Jarsberg Leah G. , Zionce Erin L. M. , Anderson Lindsey N. , Gritsenko Marina A. , Nahid Payam , Jacobs Jon M. 
Published: February 2024

Background
A better understanding of treatment progression and recovery in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) infectious disease is crucial. This study analyzed longitudinal serum samples from pulmonary TB patients undergoing interventional treatment to identify surrogate markers for TB-related outcomes.

Methods
Serum that was collected at baseline and 8, 17, 26, and 52 weeks from 30 TB patients experiencing durable cure were evaluated and compared using a sensitive LC-MS/MS proteomic platform for the detection and quantification of differential host protein signatures relative to timepoint. The global proteome signature was analyzed for statistical differences across the time course and between disease severity and treatment groups.

Results
A total of 676 proteins showed differential expression in the serum over these timepoints relative to baseline. Comparisons to understand serum protein dynamics at 8 weeks, treatment endpoints at 17 and 26 weeks, and post-treatment at 52 weeks were performed. The largest protein abundance changes were observed at 8 weeks as the initial effects of antibiotic treatment strongly impacted inflammatory and immune modulated responses. However, the largest number of proteome changes was observed at the end of treatment time points 17 and 26 weeks respectively. Post-treatment 52-week results showed an abatement of differential proteome signatures from end of treatment, though interestingly those proteins uniquely significant at post-treatment were almost exclusively downregulated. Patients were additionally stratified based upon disease severity and compared across all timepoints, identifying 461 discriminating proteome signatures. These proteome signatures collapsed into discrete expression profiles with distinct pathways across immune activation and signaling, hemostasis, and metabolism annotations. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and Integrin signaling maintained a severity signature through 52 weeks, implying an intrinsic disease severity signature well into the post-treatment timeframe.

Conclusion
Previous proteome studies have primarily focused on the 8-week timepoint in relation to culture conversion status. While this study confirms previous observations, it also highlights some differences. The inclusion of additional end of treatment and post-treatment time points offers a more comprehensive assessment of treatment progression within the serum proteome. Examining the expression dynamics at these later time periods will help in the investigation of relapse patients and has provided indicative markers of response and recovery.
Positive skill transfer in balance and speed control from balance bike to pedal bike in adults: A multiphase intervention study
Authors: Chow Gary C. C. , Ha Sophia C. W. 
Published: February 2024

Background
Learning to cycle can be challenging for adults who did not acquire the necessary skills during childhood. Balance bikes have been used to teach children how to cycle, but it was unclear whether this approach could also be effective for adults.

Purpose
To address this, a multi-phase intervention study was conducted to investigate whether healthy adults could be taught to cycle independently through the use of a balance bike.

Methods
In Phase 1, a case-control observational study was conducted in which 13 cyclists and 8 non-cyclists completed balance bike tests. Based on the findings, an 8-session intervention pre- and post-test study was conducted in Phase 2, using an 8 × 20-minute balance bike training programme to improve cycling postural stability and control. Another 11 non-cyclists completed the novel programme. The time taken to complete the balance bike tests was compared before and after the program, while their cycling confidence was recorded in each session. To assess the effectiveness of the programme, participants were invited to cycle on a pedal bike to evaluate their ability to cycle independently.

Results
The results in Phase 1 showed that cyclists performed better on the balance bike than non-cyclists, with Bayes factor analyses providing evidence of this difference, BF01 = 0.228 in the 15 m sprint test and BF01 = 0.138 in the two-turn curved sprint test. The novel training programme in Phase 2 demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in improving their balance bike riding performance, as evidenced by the Bayes factor for completion times in the repeated measures being BF01 < 0.001. All participants were able to cycle independently with confidence after the programme.

Conclusions
This study sheds light on the idea that it’s never too late for adults to learn how to ride a bike. It provides evidence that healthy adults can learn to ride independently with the help of a balance bike, a tool that’s commonly used for teaching children. The study identifies five key principles for effective balance bike training in adults, including focusing on riding speed, gliding to turn, building cycling confidence, engaging high motor skills, and using a dual-task approach. Our evidence-based training programme offers a safe, enjoyable, and effective way for adults to develop the skills and confidence they need to ride, even if they’ve never ridden before.