bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality of life of the Canadian population using the VR-12: population norms for health utility values, summary component scores and domain scores
Authors: Trenaman Logan , Guh Daphne , Bansback Nick , Sawatzky Richard , Sun Huiying , Cuthbertson Lena , Whitehurst David G. T. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Objectives
To estimate Canadian population norms (health utility values, summary component scores and domain scores) for the VR-12.

Methods
English and French speaking Canadians aged 18 and older completed an online survey that included sociodemographic questions and standardized health status instruments, including the VR-12. Responses to the VR-12 were summarized as: (i) a health utility value; (ii) mental and physical component summary scores (MCS and PCS, respectively), and (iii) eight domain scores. Norms were calculated for the full sample and by gender, age group, and province/territory (univariate), and for several multivariate stratifications (e.g., age group and gender). Results were summarized using descriptive statistics, including number of respondents, mean and standard deviation (SD), median and percentiles (25th and 75th), and minimum and maximum.

Results
A total of 6761 people who clicked on the survey link completed the survey (83.4% completion rate), of whom 6741 (99.7%) were included in the analysis. The mean health utility score was 0.698 (SD = 0.216). Mean health utility scores tended to be higher in older age groups, ranging from 0.661 (SD = 0.214) in those aged 18–29 to 0.728 (SD = 0.310) in those aged 80+. Average MCS scores were higher in older age groups, while PCS scores were lower. Females consistently reported lower mean health utility values, summary component scores and domain scores compared with males.

Conclusions
This is the first study to present Canadian norms for the VR-12. Health utility norms can serve as a valuable input for Canadian economic models, while summary component and domain norms can help interpret routinely-collected data.
Between plaza and peak: a montological perspective on verticality and urbanization in highland Peru
Authors: Haller Andreas , Branca Domenico , Cano Deyvis 
Published: November 2023

AbstractUnder the influence of concentrated and extended urbanization, Andean cities and the different altitudinal zones of their “hinterlands” are experiencing profound changes in land cover — from the central plazas up to the highest peaks. The complex regional-geographic characteristics of these socioecological systems, such as the vertical complementarity of land use, require a montological perspective on verticality and urbanization: it transcends disciplinary approaches and can be crucial to properly interpret the trajectories of land cover change and formulate hypotheses for future practice-oriented research. Which trajectories of land cover change characterized altitudinal zones of Andean cities and their surroundings over the last three decades? Are there similarities that allow for the formulation of more general hypotheses? Using the Peruvian cases of Cusco and Huaraz, and combining a traditional altitudinal zonation model of land use in Peru with direct field observations and GIS-based analyses of remotely sensed data from 1991, 2001, 2011, and 2021, this study identifies the main trajectories of land cover change in the Quechua (>2300–3500 m), Suni (>3500–4000 m), and Puna (>4000–4800 m) regions — and finds insightful similarities between Cusco and Huaraz: (1) an impressive area of built-up land substitutes grassland in the Quechua, which, following regional altitudinal zonation models, is characterized by irrigated and rain-fed cropland; (2) an unexpected expansion of irrigated cropland takes place in the Suni, which, in theory, often lacks irrigation infrastructure and is mostly used for rain-fed tuber cultivation; and (3) a clear change from “other land” to grassland occurs in the Puna — where grassland is thought to predominate, anyway, since pre-Hispanic times. Hypothesizing that these changes reflect the interplay between speculative fallow, agricultural intensification, and ecological restoration, the results can be read as vertically complementary, local manifestations of concentrated and extended urbanization in a formerly peripheral mountain region of the Global South — and they underscore the need to overcome mental city-mountain dichotomies for a socially inclusive and ecologically balanced Andean development between plaza and peak.
Glucose may Contribute to Retrieval and Reconsolidation of Contextual Fear Memory Through Hippocampal Nr4a3 and Bdnf mRNA Expression and May Act Synergically with Adrenaline
Authors: Oliveira Ana , Azevedo Márcia , Seixas Rafaela , Martinho Raquel , Serrão Paula , Moreira-Rodrigues Mónica 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAdrenaline (Ad) and glucose released into the bloodstream during stress may strengthen contextual fear memory. However, no previous studies have detached the effects of glucose from Ad in this paradigm. Using Ad-deficient mice, we aimed to evaluate the effect of glucose on contextual fear memory when endogenous Ad is absent. Fear conditioning was performed in wild-type (WT) and Ad-deficient mice (129 × 1/SvJ) administered with glucose (30 or 10 mg/kg; i.p.) or/and Ad (0.01 mg/kg; i.p.) or vehicle (0.9% NaCl; i.p.). Catecholamines were quantified using HPLC-ED. Real-time qPCR was used to assess mRNA expression of hippocampal genes. WT and Ad-deficient mice display increased contextual fear memory when administered with glucose both in acquisition and context days when compared to vehicle. Also, Nr4a3 and Bdnf mRNA expression increased in glucose-administered Ad-deficient mice. Sub-effective doses of glucose plus Ad administered simultaneously to Ad-deficient mice increased contextual fear memory, contrary to independent sub-effective doses. Concluding, glucose may be an important part of the peripheral to central pathway involved in the retrieval and reconsolidation of fear contextual memories independently of Ad, possibly due to increased hippocampal Nr4a3 and Bdnf gene expression. Furthermore, Ad and glucose may act synergically to strengthen contextual fear memory.
Improvement of operating conditions and composition of streams in gas condensate stabilization unit with the aim of reducing flare gas in Sarkhon and Qeshm gas plant
Authors: Farahbod Farshad 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe gas condensate is one of the most valuable products of gas refineries. In unit 700 of the Sarkhon gas refinery, first, the gas condensate is separated from the feed. Then, the vapor pressure of the gas condensate is stabilized by de-ethanizer and de-butanizer towers. The H-701 and H-702 furnaces act as reboilers of the towers. In this research, unit 700 is simulated by HYSYS software. The product of this unit is examined to achieve desirable conditions. In addition, the best conditions are obtained to reduce the gas loss in this unit. The desirable conditions are introduced according to the operational problems of this unit. In this study, the environmental and economic loss due to the loss of hydrocarbons from the de-butanizer tower is identified. Results of this research show that the best operating temperature and pressure of the first feed are 40 °C and 29 bar, respectively. Also, the best temperature and pressure of the second feed are 20 °C and 28 bar, respectively. Also, the best temperature and pressure of the output stream from the S-701 as a feed of the T-701 are 34.35 °C and 22.51 bar, respectively.
Safety and safety protocols for living donor nephrectomy in Italy
Authors: Napoli Niccolò , Kauffmann Emanuele F. , Ginesini Michael , Gianfaldoni Cesare , Fiaschetti Pamela , Lombardi Ilaria , Cardillo Massimo , Vistoli Fabio , Boggi Ugo 
Published: November 2023

AbstractLiving donor kidney transplantation (LDKTx) is recommended by all scientific societies. Living donor nephrectomy (LDN) is probably one of the safest surgical procedures, but it carries some risk for healthy donors. The aim of this study is to provide a snapshot of LDKTx activities in Italy and ask about safety measures implemented in LDN. Data on LDKTx were extracted from the national database. Safety measures were examined through a specific survey. Between 2001 and 2022 40,663 kidney transplants (31.4 per million population-pmp) were performed, including 4731 LDKTx (3.7 pmp). There was no postoperative death of the donor. After a median follow-up of 52.2 months [IQR:17.9–99.5], the 10-year donor survival rate was 93.38% (CI:97.52–98.94). There was evidence of renal disease in 65 donors (1.8%), including 42 (1.1%) with stage III end-stage renal disease. Twenty-nine out of 35 transplant centers (TC) involved in LDKTx responded to the survey (82.9%). Six TCs (21.4%) had a total experience of 20 or fewer LDN. Minimally invasive LDN was the first choice at 24 TC (82.8%). At 10 TC (37.0%) only one surgeon performed LDN. Nineteen TCs (65.5%) had a surgical safety checklist for LDN and 14 had a postoperative surveillance protocol. The renal artery was occluded in 3 TCs (10.3%) mainly by non-transfixion methods (including clips). Redundancy of key safety systems in the operating room was available in 22 of 29 centers (75.8%). In summary, LDKTx should be further implemented in Italy. Donor safety should be improved through the implementation of a national procedural protocol.
Graphene/polypyrrole/carbon black nanocomposite material ink-based screen-printed low-cost, flexible humidity sensor
Authors: Parthasarathy P. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe detection of humidity is crucial for various applications in industry, healthcare, and the environment. To meet the needs of many of these applications, humidity sensors must be flexible, disposable, and easily fabricated. This article introduces a cost-effective and flexible humidity sensor created on a paper substrate, using graphene-polypyrrole-carbon black ink. The sensor shows excellent sensing capabilities, with a resistance change of approximately 12.2 Ω/%RH when exposed to humidity ranging from 23%RH to 92.7%RH. Additionally, the sensor is highly flexible, stable, and repeatable for over 50 cycles, with a short response/recovery time of approximately 5 s/7 s for respiration rate monitoring. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrates good reproducibility, with minor variations of approximately ± 1 Ω/%RH. The performance of the produced humidity sensor is assessed for monitoring humidity in a spatial setting as well as monitoring soil moisture. As a result, these findings indicate that the proposed humidity sensor is resilient enough to be used in wearable and flexible electronic devices.
The role of protein arginine methylation 5 in DNA damage repair and cancer therapy
Authors: Gao Qikun , Liu Ziyi , Liu Jinyang , Yan Xuyang , Dai Junfei , Zhang Zixuan , Li Rongxiao , Basnet Shiva , Du Changzheng 
Published: November 2023

AbstractProtein arginine methylation, a post-translational modification (PTM), is fundamental in regulating protein function and stability. Among the nine protein methyl transferases (PRMT), PRMT5 plays a critical role in promoting oncogenic processes including tumor proliferation, invasiveness, immune escape and DNA damage repair through different signaling pathways. It is also a target in cancer therapy, with numerous inhibitors in clinical trial. In this review, we focus on the biological functions of PRMT5 in DNA damage repair and maintenance of genome stability in cancer, and summarize the development advance of PRMT5 inhibitors in cancer therapy.
Experimental study of the influence of pad angle on the thermal performance of a direct evaporative cooling system
Authors: Mehrabi M. , Goudarzi K. , Farahani S. Davoodabadi 
Published: November 2023

AbstractOne of the most important parts of direct evaporative cooling systems is the cooling pad. Pads vary in materials and construction features. The parameters studied in the performance of the pads are air speed, pad thickness, geometrical characteristics, and its configuration and the provided water flow rate. The performance of the pads is usually determined through saturation efficiency, pressure drop, temperature drop and humidity increase in the treated air, evaporation and water consumption, cooling capacity, coefficient of performance, and heat and mass transfer coefficients. Since the geometry and how to place the pad in the evaporative cooling system is one of the most important issues related to the performance of such systems, the present work experimentally investigates the amount of cooling and evaporation of the direct evaporative cooling system under 5 different angles of placement of the cellulose pad in relation to the vertical position. It includes angles of $$0^\circ$$

0
∘

, $$5^\circ$$

5
∘

, $$10^\circ$$

10
∘

, $$15^\circ$$

15
∘

, and $$20^\circ$$

20
∘

in 5 different air speeds, 2 different inlet water flow rates, 2 inlet air temperatures, and 2 different inlet water temperatures. Results show that the lowest output temperature, highest air relative humidity, highest coefficient of performance (about 12% more than $$0^\circ$$

0
∘

), highest saturation efficiency, and highest evaporation rate are obtained in the case of a $$15^\circ$$

15
∘

of cooling pad placement angle.
Marine conservation palaeobiology: What does the late Quaternary fossil record tell us about modern-day extinctions and biodiversity threats?
Authors: Kowalewski Michał , Nawrot Rafał , Scarponi Daniele , Tomašových Adam , Zuschin Martin 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Near-time conservation palaeobiology uses palaeontological, archaeological and other geohistorical records to study the late Quaternary transition of the biosphere from its pristine past to its present-day, human-altered state. Given the scarcity of data on recent extinctions in the oceans, geohistorical records are critical for documenting human-driven extinctions and extinction threats in the marine realm. The historical perspective can provide two key insights. First, geohistorical records archive the state of pre-industrial oceans at local, regional and global scales, thus enabling the detection of recent extinctions and extirpations as well as shifts in species distribution, abundance, body size and ecosystem function. Second, we can untangle the contributions of natural and anthropogenic processes by documenting centennial-to-millennial changes in the composition and diversity of marine ecosystems before and after the onset of major human impacts. This long-term perspective identifies recently emerging patterns and processes that are unprecedented, thus allowing us to better assess human threats to marine biodiversity. Although global-scale extinctions are not well documented for brackish and marine invertebrates, geohistorical studies point to numerous extirpations, declines in ecosystem functions, increases in range fragmentation and dwindling abundance of previously widespread species, indicating that marine ecosystems are accumulating a human-driven extinction debt.
Threats and the Public Constraint on Military Spending
Authors: DiGiuseppe Matthew , Aspide Alessia , Becker Jordan 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe public places an important constraint on funding security in Europe, and austerity risks making the constraint tighter. Several recent studies show that curtailing military spending is a popular way to reduce debt in Europe. Yet it remains unclear if military spending aversion persists when threats are salient. We fielded an original survey experiment in Italy weeks before the Russian invasion of Ukraine to examine how information about security threats influences military spending preferences and fiscal trade-offs. We found that information about threats increases support for military spending. To validate the survey experiment, we recontacted and remeasured our respondent's preferences three weeks after Russia's invasion and find evidence consistent with our initial experiment. Our findings suggest that, while public opposition to military spending remains high in Italy, external threats dampen the public's opposition to military spending, even under high debt burdens.
ETA, the Algerian FLN, and the Strategy of Political Defence between Europe and the Third World, 1950s–1970s
Authors: Casanellas Pau 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn recent years, most research on the long ’68 has underlined the importance of connections between the First World and the Third World. This article takes one of these intertwined histories into account: the one that ties ETA to the Algerian FLN. More specifically, it focuses on the strategy of political defence used in some of the trials against ETA members and their inspiration in previous FLN processes. The research pays particular attention to the Burgos Trial of December 1970, which was one of the most notable events in Europe’s long ’68. In Spain, the protests against this court martial marked a turning point in the pathway of the Franco regime. At the same time, the trial inspired an exceptional expression of international solidarity. The article stresses the key role played during the Burgos Trial – and before – by several left-wing lawyers from Spain and France. Their collective experiences and personal trajectories show the relevance of transnational interconnections and illustrate the different genealogies of the idea of political defence, based mainly on communist and anticolonial struggles. Despite pointing out the importance of these exchanges, the research also emphasizes some of their limits and contradictions, something that previous studies have insufficiently addressed.
Arthritis Patient Education: How Economic Evaluations Can Inform Health Policy
Authors: Clarke Ann E. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAs Canadian health policy-makers struggle to contain costs while maintaining quality, patient education is promoted as making patients more effective producers of health and consumers of health care. Assessment of existing psychoeducational interventions has concentrated on knowledge enhancement, behaviour modification, and health status while economic outcomes have remained unexplored. Given that such programs are likely to be effective, but costly, economic appraisals are necessary to convince cost-conscious policy-makers. This manuscript describes a cost-effectiveness evaluation of the Arthritis Self-Management Program (ASMP) that I and my collaborators are conducting by randomizing participants to the ASMP as an adjunct to usual medical care versus usual medical care. Direct and indirect costs are evaluated through self-reporting of health services utilization and diminished productivity and effectiveness through a visual analogue scale and the SF-36. To influence health policy, the results must be disseminated to public health authorities, private insurers, and patient and health professional organizations, thereby encouraging funding, increasing awareness, and promoting participation.
Frequency reconfigurable two-element MIMO antenna for cognitive radio and 5G new radio sub-6 GHz applications
Authors: Benghanem Yahia , Mansoul Ali , Mouffok Lila 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn this paper, a compact two-element reconfigurable multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna for 5G new radio sub-6 GHz is presented and discussed. The proposed MIMO antenna has four frequency operating modes: a wideband operating mode (2.41–6 GHz), a wideband operating mode with a notching band at 3.5 GHz (3.2–3.66 GHz), a low-pass filter mode that filters the higher frequencies with a wide operating band from 2.41 GHz to 4.7 GHz, and a dual-band mode with two operating narrow bands (2.41–3.16 GHz and 3.64–4.7 GHz). To improve the isolation over the entire operating band, a strip line connecting the two ground planes of the two antenna elements has been used. To validate the proposed approach, different prototypes have been fabricated and measured. The simulation results are in good agreement with the measurement results. The proposed antenna has good MIMO diversity performance with a maximum gain of 4.64 dBi. The minimum isolation is 18 dB for the four operating modes, while a measured envelope correlation coefficient of less than 0.008 is achieved. The diversity gain is near 10 dB for various operating modes. The antenna is suitable for cognitive radio and 5G sub-6 GHz applications.
Progress toward alleviating preventable waterborne diseases over the past 30 years
Authors: Ford Tim , Hamner Steve 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Over the past several decades, there have been a number of national and international meetings on waterborne diseases. Conclusions from these meetings often seem remarkably similar and suggest little progress in the field of water and health. This is both a true and a false premise, as our ability to use molecular tools to describe microbial communities has advanced to the level at which whole genome sequencing is now a routine practice and can even be deployed in the field. This article seeks to illustrate both these advances and their limitations, especially for use in low-resourced settings. What remains clear is that for most of the world, basic hygiene and sanitation measures can do more for human health than any of our current advances in molecular biology. That is not to say that these advances are not remarkable and that they can undoubtedly revolutionize risk-based testing and surveillance. Although there are many factors that contribute to increased risks from waterborne diseases, climate change above all else is creating challenges that we are ill-prepared to meet. The biggest barrier to control of these diseases is not limitations in technology but has been and continues to be the lack of political will and economic incentives.
Differences in Methanogenic Pathways and Communities in Paddy Soils Under Three Typical Cropping Modes
Authors: Shen Wanyu , Ji Yang , Huang Qiong , Zhu Xiaoli , Ma Jing , Zhang Guangbin , Xu Hua 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe methane (CH4) production process in paddy fields varies depending on different cropping modes. However, there is limited knowledge on the changes in anaerobically produced CH4 isotopic ratios (δ13CH4), the methanogenic pathways, and the dominant communities of methanogens in paddy soils under different modes. To address this, we conducted experiments using anaerobic incubation methods, stable carbon isotope fractionation through inhibition studies with fluoromethane, and high‐throughput sequencing. These methods allowed us to measure the CH4 production potential (MPP), the relative contribution of acetoclastic methanogenesis to CH4 production (fac), and the composition of the methanogen community in paddy soils under three typical cropping modes: Rice‐Wheat (RW), Rice‐Fallow (RF), and Double‐Rice (DR) in China. The results showed that MPP was 30.7 μg CH4 g−1 d−1 in DR soil, around 57% and 66% higher than that in RW and RF soils, respectively, possibly due to the lower pH, clay content, and higher abundance of the mcrA gene. Moreover, RF soil had the highest value of produced δ13CH4 (−43.9‰) but the lowest value of produced δ13CO2 (−26.3‰). Based on the carbon isotope fractionation associated with methanogenesis via H2/CO2 reduction (1.049–1.062), the values of fac estimated in the RF soil (80%–98%) were much higher than that in the RW (39%–60%) and DR soils (52%–75%). This could be supported by the finding showing that Methanosarcina, the acetoclastic methanogens, were dominant in RF soil, while Methanosarcina and Methanobacterium (the hydrogenotrophic methanogens) dominated in RW and DR soils. Redundancy analysis revealed that the community structure of methanogens was significantly affected by soil pH. The findings suggest that differences in the abundance and composition of methanogens, possibly driven by soil pH, play a key role in regulating methanogenesis in the paddy soils, and further provide valuable insights into the process of CH4 production in different cropping modes.