bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Indirect impact of childhood 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in Canadian older adults: a Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) retrospective observational study
Authors: Nasreen Sharifa , Wang Jun , Marra Fawziah , Kwong Jeffrey C , McGeer Allison , Sadarangani Manish , Wilson Sarah E , Fadel Shaza A 
Published: February 2024

Background13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) has been part of publicly funded childhood immunisation programmes in Ontario and British Columbia (BC) since 2010. We assessed the indirect impact of infant PCV13 programmes on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and all-cause pneumonia hospitalisation in older adults (aged ≥65 years) using a retrospective observational study.MethodsWe extracted monthly IPD and all-cause pneumonia cases from laboratory and health administrative databases between January 2005 and December 2018. Using a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences design, we calculated the ratio of risk ratios (RRRs) using incidence rates of IPD or all-cause pneumonia cases before (pre-PCV13 period) and after (PCV13 period) 2010 with rates of fractures as controls.ResultsThe rates of all IPD or PCV serotype-specific IPD for older adults in both Ontario and BC did not change in 8 years after childhood PCV13 programme implementation. All-cause pneumonia increased in Ontario (RRR 1.38, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.71) but remained unchanged in BC.ConclusionsIndirect community protection of older adults from hospitalisation with pneumococcal disease stalled despite maturation of childhood PCV13 vaccination programmes in two Canadian provinces.
Qualitative behaviour of higher-curvature gravity with boundary terms i.e the f(Q) gravity models by dynamical system analysis
Authors: Vishwakarma Pooja , Shah Parth 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe higher-curvature gravity with boundary terms i.e the f(Q) theories, grounded on non-metricity as a fundamental geometric quantity, exhibit remarkable efficacy in portraying late-time universe phenomena. The aim is to delineate constraints on two prevalent models within this framework, namely the Log-square-root model and the Hyperbolic tangent-power model, by employing the framework of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN). The approach involves elucidating deviations induced by higher-curvature gravity with boundary terms in the freeze-out temperature ($$T_{f}$$

T
f

) concerning its departure from the standard $$\Lambda $$
Λ
CDM evolution. Subsequently, constraints on pertinent model parameters are established by imposing limitations on $$\vert \frac{\delta T_{f}}{T_{f}}\vert $$

|

δ

T
f

T
f

|

derived from observational bounds. This investigation employs dynamical system analysis, scrutinizing both background and perturbed equations. The study systematically explores the phase space of the models, identifying equilibrium points, evaluating their stability, and comprehending the system’s trajectory around each critical point. Moreover, the application of “Center Manifold Theory” facilitates the examination of stability properties at non-hyperbolic points. The principal findings of this analysis reveal the presence of a matter-dominated saddle point characterized by the appropriate matter perturbation growth rate. Subsequently, this phase transitions into a stable phase of a dark-energy-dominated, accelerating universe, marked by consistent matter perturbations. Overall, the study substantiates observational confrontations, affirming the potential of higher-curvature gravity with boundary terms as a promising alternative to the $$\Lambda $$
Λ
CDM concordance model. The methodological approach underscores the significance of dynamical systems as an independent means to validate and comprehend the cosmological implications of these theories.
Biology and Cultural Importance of the Narwhal
Authors: Nweeia Martin T. 
Published: February 2024

Though narwhal have survived multiple ice ages, including 2.5 Ma and the last interglacial period with warming temperatures, Arctic climate change during the Anthropocene introduces new challenges. Despite their evolutionary connection to Arctic Pleistocene fossils, narwhal archeocete ancestors from the Pliocene ( Bohaskaia monodontoides ) and Miocene ( Denebola and Odobenocetopsidae) inhabited warm waters. Narwhal Arctic adaptation holds valuable insights into unique traits, including thin skin; extreme diving capacity; and a unique straight, spiraled, and sensory tooth organ system. Inaccessible weather, ice conditions, and darkness limit scientific studies, though Inuit knowledge adds valuable observations of narwhal ecology, biology, and behavior. Existing and future studies in myriad fields of physical, chemical, biological, and genetic science, combined and integrated with remote sensing and imaging technologies, will help elucidate narwhal evolution, biology, and adaptation. When integrated with Qaujimajatuqangit, “the Inuit way of knowing,” these studies help describe interesting biologic expressions of the narwhal.
Comparison of Angiographic Outcomes of Woven EndoBridge and Balloon‐Assisted Coiling for the Treatment of Ruptured Wide‐Necked Aneurysms: A Multicentric Study
Authors: Rodriguez‐Calienes Aaron , Vivanco‐Suarez Juan , Galecio‐Castillo Milagros , Dibas Mahmoud , Gross Bradley , Farooqui Mudassir , Algin Oktay , Kilic Turker , Gunes Yasin Celal , Feigen Chaim , Samaniego Edgar A. , Altschul David J. , Ortega‐Gutierrez Santiago 
Published: February 2024

Background
The optimal endovascular approach for acutely ruptured wide‐neck intracranial aneurysms remains uncertain, and the use of stent‐assisted coiling or flow diversion is controversial due to antiplatelet therapy requirements and potential risks. Various techniques have been developed to address these challenges, including balloon‐assisted coiling (BAC) and intrasaccular flow‐disruption. The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) is an intrasaccular device that has shown a favorable efficacy and safety profile for ruptured aneurysms with minimal rebleeding rates. We aimed to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes between WEB and BAC in a cohort of patients with ruptured wide‐necked intracranial aneurysms.

Methods
In this international multicenter cohort study, we included consecutive patients treated for ruptured wide‐neck intracranial aneurysms with either WEB or BAC at 4 neurovascular centers. The primary effectiveness outcome was complete aneurysm occlusion at the final imaging follow‐up using the Raymond–Roy scale. Secondary outcomes included a composite of periprocedural hemorrhagic/ischemia‐related complications and favorable functional outcome.

Results

The study included 104 patients treated with WEB and 107 patients treated with BAC. Of the patients, 60.5% in the WEB group and 53% in the BAC group achieved complete occlusion, with no significant difference between the 2 groups after adjusting for covariates (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.02; 95% CI 0.46–2.25;
P
= 0.964). The odds of favorable functional outcome did not significantly differ between the WEB (74.8%) and BAC groups (77.4%, adjusted OR = 1.45; 95% CI 0.65–3.24;
P
= 0.368). Procedure‐related complications were similar in both groups (WEB: 9.6%, BAC: 10.3%,
P
= 0.872), with no significant difference observed in the rates of ischemic events (WEB: 6.7% versus BAC: 2.8%;
P
= 0.180) and hemorrhagic events (WEB: 3.8% versus BAC: 7.5%;
P
= 0.255) between the 2 groups.

Conclusion
In conclusion, both WEB and BAC techniques showed similar effectiveness and safety outcomes in treating ruptured wide‐neck intracranial aneurysms. Further prospective comparative studies are needed to better guide treatment decisions for this patient population.
Bilingual Language Control in the Brain: Evidence from Structural and Effective Functional Brain Connectivity
Authors: Wang Gongting , Tao Lily 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Experience in bilingual language control is often accompanied by changes in the structure and function of the brain. Brain structural changes are also often closely related to changes in functions. Previous studies, however, have not directly explored the relationship between structural connectivity and effective functional connectivity of the brain during bilingual language control, and whether the two types of connectivity are associated with behavioral performance of language control. Using behavioral performance, functional, and diffusion imaging techniques, we found that: (1) during language control, the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), left caudate nucleus (CN), inferior parietal lobe, precuneus, and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC)/pre-SMA were significantly activated. (2) In the language control model with left dlPFC, dACC/pre-SMA, and left CN as ROIs (selected based on activation results and language control models from previous studies), stimuli first enter dACC/pre-SMA and then to left CN. At the left CN, a bidirectional effective connectivity is formed with left dlPFC. (3) There is a nonlinear relationship between effective connectivity during language control and the structural connectivity of the second language learners' brains. Specifically, the fiber density between dACC/pre-SMA and left dlPFC has a positive influence on the bidirectional effective connectivity between left dlPFC and left CN. Findings of the present study contribute evidence toward functional effective connectivity during bilingual language control; toward structural connectivity in the brains of second language learners; as well as toward nonlinear relationships between functional effective connectivity, structural connectivity, and behavioral performance in relation to bilingual language control.
Auditory Processing of Intonational Rises and Falls in German: Rises Are Special in Attention Orienting
Authors: Lialiou Maria , Grice Martine , Röhr Christine T. , Schumacher Petra B. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This article investigates the processing of intonational rises and falls when presented unexpectedly in a stream of repetitive auditory stimuli. It examines the neurophysiological correlates (ERPs) of attention to these unexpected stimuli through the use of an oddball paradigm where sequences of repetitive stimuli are occasionally interspersed with a deviant stimulus, allowing for elicitation of an MMN. Whereas previous oddball studies on attention toward unexpected sounds involving pitch rises were conducted on nonlinguistic stimuli, the present study uses as stimuli lexical items in German with naturalistic intonation contours. Results indicate that rising intonation plays a special role in attention orienting at a pre-attentive processing stage, whereas contextual meaning (here a list of items) is essential for activating attentional resources at a conscious processing stage. This is reflected in the activation of distinct brain responses: Rising intonation evokes the largest MMN, whereas falling intonation elicits a less pronounced MMN followed by a P3 (reflecting a conscious processing stage). Subsequently, we also find a complex interplay between the phonological status (i.e., accent/head marking vs. boundary/edge marking) and the direction of pitch change in their contribution to attention orienting: Attention is not oriented necessarily toward a specific position in prosodic structure (head or edge). Rather, we find that the intonation contour itself and the appropriateness of the contour in the linguistic context are the primary cues to two core mechanisms of attention orienting, pre-attentive and conscious orientation respectively, whereas the phonological status of the pitch event plays only a supplementary role.
Neural Mechanisms Determining the Duration of Task-free, Self-paced Visual Perception
Authors: Baror Shira , Baumgarten Thomas J , He Biyu J. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Humans spend hours each day spontaneously engaging with visual content, free from specific tasks and at their own pace. Currently, the brain mechanisms determining the duration of self-paced perceptual behavior remain largely unknown. Here, participants viewed naturalistic images under task-free settings and self-paced each image's viewing duration while undergoing EEG and pupillometry recordings. Across two independent data sets, we observed large inter- and intra-individual variability in viewing duration. However, beyond an image's presentation order and category, specific image content had no consistent effects on spontaneous viewing duration across participants. Overall, longer viewing durations were associated with sustained enhanced posterior positivity and anterior negativity in the ERPs. Individual-specific variations in the spontaneous viewing duration were consistently correlated with evoked EEG activity amplitudes and pupil size changes. By contrast, presentation order was selectively correlated with baseline alpha power and baseline pupil size. Critically, spontaneous viewing duration was strongly predicted by the temporal stability in neural activity patterns starting as early as 350 msec after image onset, suggesting that early neural stability is a key predictor for sustained perceptual engagement. Interestingly, neither bottom–up nor top–down predictions about image category influenced spontaneous viewing duration. Overall, these results suggest that individual-specific factors can influence perceptual processing at a surprisingly early time point and influence the multifaceted ebb and flow of spontaneous human perceptual behavior in naturalistic settings.
COVID Impacts Cause Critical Gaps in the Indian Ocean Observing System
Authors: Sprintall Janet , Nagura Motoki , Hermes Juliet , Roxy M. K. , McPhaden Michael J. , Rama Rao E. Pattabhi , Tummala Srinivasa Kumar , Thurston Sidney , Li Jing , Belbeoch Mathieu , Turpin Victor 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Observing and understanding the state of the Indian Ocean and its influence on climate and maritime resources is of critical importance to the populous nations that rim its border. Acute gaps have occurred in the Indian Ocean Observing System, which underpins monitoring and forecasting of regional climate, since the start of the COVID pandemic. The pandemic disrupted the deployment and maintenance cruises for the observational array and also resulted in supply chain issues for procurement and refurbishment of equipment. In particular, the observational platforms that provide key measurements of upper ocean heat variability have experienced serious multiyear declines. There is now record-low data reporting and the platforms that are successfully reporting are old and quickly surpassing their expected period of reliable operation. The overall impact on the observing system will take a few years to fully comprehend. In the meantime, there is a critical need to document the gaps that have appeared over the past few years and how this will impact our ability to improve understanding and model representations of the real world that support regional weather and climate forecasts. The article outlines the expected slow road to recovery for the Indian Ocean Observing System, documents case studies of successful international collaborative efforts that will revive the observing system and provides guidelines for resilience from unexpected external factors in the future.
Influence of surface treatments and addition of a reactive agent on the properties of PLA/flax and PLA/bamboo composites
Authors: Nlandu-Mayamba Hervé , Taguet Aurélie , Perrin Didier , Joannès Sébastien , Delor-Jestin Florence , Askanian Haroutioun , Lopez-Cuesta José-Marie 
Published: February 2024

Polylactic acid (PLA) composites reinforced with 10 wt% of flax (FF) or bamboo (BF) fibers were prepared via an internal mixer and/or twin-screw extrusion. Alkali pretreated fibers were soaked in silane to improve adhesion between fibers and matrix. 0.8 wt% of Joncryl™, a grafted copolymer acting as PLA chain extender, was also used alone or in combination with silane treatment of fibers to improve interfacial adhesion. The influence of silane treatment and/or Joncryl on the composite materials on mechanical, thermal and thermomechanical properties of materials processed through injection molding was investigated. Improved adhesion of the fibers to the matrix was shown using a scanning electron microscope. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy indicated that chemical bonds were formed between the silane coupling agent and fibers. X-ray Photo-electron Spectroscopy confirmed that fibers and silane derivatives were effectively coupled. XPS also highlighted that silane coupling agent reacted in higher amounts on bamboo than flax fibers, probably due to a higher amount of lignin in the case of bamboo fibers. Thermogravimetric analyses indicated that silane-treated flax and bamboo increased the thermal stability of the corresponding composites (PLA-SFF and PLA-SFB) compared to non-treated fiber composites. The incorporation of Joncryl alone entailed a degradation of the thermal stability of the corresponding composites (PLAJ-FF and PLAJ-FB) but enhanced the PLA/fibers interfacial adhesion. The combination of Joncryl and silane treatment resulted in strong improvements of thermal stability and interfacial adhesion for the PLAJ-SFF and PLAJ-SBF composites. Increase in tensile moduli and decrease in tensile strengths with the incorporation of the pristine fibers were noted. For silane-treated fibers, the tensile modulus and the strength of the corresponding composites were improved when adding Joncryl alone or in combination with silane. From also rheological and molar weight measurements, it could be concluded that Joncryl acts both as PLA chain extender and coupling agent.
Investigation into the Relationship Between Women’s Thoughts, Stigmatizing Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors on Voluntary Abortion and Spiritual Well-Being in Turkiye
Authors: Demir Rukiye , Kaya Odabaş Resmiye 
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Although abortion can be implemented within the framework of legal rules and practices, the issue of abortion in socio-cultural, philosophical, and religious terms is one of the crucial issues that has been discussed since the existence of humanity. This study aims to examine the relationship between women’s thoughts on voluntary abortion, their stigmatizing attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and their spiritual well-being in Turkiye. Method: The sample of this analytical-cross-sectional study consisted of 300 women between the ages of 18 to 49 who had a telephone. Data were collected with the “Questionnaire Form, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Spirituality Well-Being (FACIT-Sp), and the Stigmatizing Attitudes, Beliefs and Actions Scale Toward Abortion (SABAS).” Results: The findings showed that 30.3% of the women participating in this study had voluntary abortions. The FACIT-Sp total score of women who had voluntary abortion (12.58 ± 7.99) was significantly lower than those who did not have an abortion (29.02 ± 6.36), and the SABAS total score was not associated with having a voluntary abortion. A weak, positive linear relationship was found between FACIT-Sp and SABAS total scores ( r = .115, p < .05). Discussion: Study findings showed that there was a significant relationship between having had a voluntary abortion and a lower spiritual well-being score and there was a positive relationship between spiritual well-being and stigmatizing attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors toward abortion.
Risk Factors for Rescue Opioid Prescription After Cubital Tunnel Surgery
Authors: Giberson-Chen Carew , Liu Christina , Grisdela Phillip , Liu David , Model Zina , Steele Amy , Blazar Philip , Earp Brandon E. , Zhang Dafang 
Published: February 2024

Background: Concerns regarding the ongoing opioid epidemic have led to heightened scrutiny of postoperative opioid prescribing patterns for common orthopedic surgical procedures. This study investigated patient- and procedure-specific risk factors for additional postoperative opioid rescue prescriptions following ambulatory cubital tunnel surgery. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent cubital tunnel surgery at 2 academic medical centers between June 1, 2015 and March 1, 2020. Patient demographics, comorbidities, prior opioid history, and surgical variables were recorded. The primary outcome was postoperative rescue opioid prescription. Univariate and bivariate statistical analyses were performed. Results: Two hundred seventy-four patients were included, of whom 171 (62%) underwent in situ ulnar nerve decompression and 103 (38%) underwent ulnar nerve decompression with anterior transposition. The median postoperative opioid prescription amount was 90 morphine equivalent units (MEU) for the total cohort, 77.5 MEU for in situ ulnar nerve decompression, and 112.5 MEU for ulnar nerve decompression with transposition. Twenty-two patients (8%) required additional rescue opioid prescriptions postoperatively. Female sex, fibromyalgia, chronic opioid use, chronic pain diagnosis, and recent opioid were associated with the need for additional postoperative rescue opioid prescriptions. Conclusions: While most patients do not require additional rescue opioid prescriptions after cubital tunnel surgery, chronic pain patients and patients with pain sensitivity syndromes are at risk for requiring additional rescue opioid prescriptions. For these high-risk patients, preoperative collaboration of a multidisciplinary team may be beneficial for developing a perioperative pain management plan that is both safe and effective.
Ameliorative potential of sinensetin against paraquat induced renal damage by regulating oxidative, inflammatory, apoptotic and histopathological profile in male albino rats
Authors: Ijaz Muhammad Umar , Manzoor Aqila , Hamza Ali , Khan Hammad Ahmad 
Published: February 2024

Background: Paraquat (PQ) is an extremely lethal, water-soluble and non-selective herbicide that is used globally due to its low cost and high efficacy. It exerts strong toxic effects on humans as its exposure leads to free radicals’ production. Sinensetin (SNS) is a natural flavonoid with strong anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant potentials. Objective: The present study was planned to ascertain the attenuative effect of SNS against PQ induced renal damage in rats. Methods: Forty eight rats were distributed into four groups: control group, PQ-administered group (5 mg/kg), PQ + SNS co-administered group (5 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) and SNS administered group (20 mg/kg). Results: PQ administration considerably decreased the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes i.e., catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GSR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxide (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities and glutathione (GSH) contents, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were upsurged. PQ treatment markedly augmented the levels of creatinine, urobilinogen, urea, KIM-1 and NGAL, while significantly decreased albumin protein as well as creatinine clearance. Moreover, the findings of our experiment revealed that PQ notably escalated inflammatory indices i.e., interleukin-1β (IL-1β), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity. Furthermore, PQ intoxication significantly increased Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-9 level and lowered Bcl-2 level as well as induced histopathological anomalies in kidneys. However, SNS + PQ co-treatment efficiently averted all the PQ-induced renal damages in the rats. Conclusion: The current study indicates that SNS can be used to treat PQ-instigated renal toxicity due to its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties.