bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deletion of NADPH oxidase 2 in chondrocytes exacerbates ethanol‐mediated growth plate disruption in mice without major effects on bone architecture or gene expression
Authors: Pedersen K. , Watt J. , Maimone C. , Hang H. , Denys A. , Schroder K. , Suva L. J. , Chen J.‐R. , Ronis M. J. J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundExcess reactive oxygen species generated by NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) in response to ethanol exposure mediate aspects of skeletal toxicity including increased osteoclast differentiation and activity. Because perturbation of chondrocyte differentiation in the growth plate by ethanol could be prevented by dietary antioxidants, we hypothesized that Nox2 in the growth plate was involved in ethanol‐associated reductions in longitudinal bone growth.MethodsNox2 conditional knockout mice were generated, where the essential catalytic subunit of Nox2, cytochrome B‐245 beta chain (Cybb), is deleted in chondrocytes using a Cre‐Lox model with Cre expressed from the collagen 2a1 promoter (Col2a1‐Cre). Wild‐type and Cre‐Lox mice were fed an ethanol Lieber‐DeCarli‐based diet or pair‐fed a control diet for 8 weeks.ResultsEthanol treatment significantly reduced the number of proliferating chondrocytes in the growth plate, enhanced bone marrow adiposity, shortened femurs, reduced body length, reduced cortical bone volume, and decreased mRNA levels of a number of osteoblast and chondrocyte genes. Conditional knockout of Nox2 enzymatic activity in chondrocytes did not consistently prevent any ethanol effects. Rather, knockout mice had fewer proliferating chondrocytes than wild‐type mice in both the ethanol‐ and control‐fed animals. Additional analysis of tibia samples from Nox4 knockout mice showed that loss of Nox4 activity also reduced the number of proliferating chondrocytes and altered chondrocyte size in the growth plate.ConclusionsAlthough Nox enzymatic activity regulates growth plate development, ethanol‐associated disruption of the growth plate morphology is independent of ethanol‐mediated increases in Nox2 activity.
Intrahousehold preference heterogeneity and demand for labor‐saving agricultural technology
Authors: Gulati Kajal , Ward Patrick S. , Lybbert Travis J. , Spielman David J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractEvaluations of agricultural technologies rarely consider the implications of how adoption may alter the labor allocation of different individuals within a household. We examine intrahousehold decision‐making dynamics that shape smallholder households' decision to use mechanical rice transplanting (MRT), a technology that disproportionately influences demand for women's labor. To study the adoption decision, we experimentally estimate the willingness to pay for MRT services both at the individual and household level. We find that women value MRT more than men, especially when they participate in transplanting on their own farms. This preference heterogeneity is evident in the unconditional differences between women's and men's valuation and differences conditional on their individual observable characteristics. Despite having stronger preferences for MRT, women have less influence on the household's technology adoption decision than men. This differential influence over the MRT adoption decision reflects the intrahousehold power structure: in households where women have less control over assets, they also have less influence over the MRT adoption decision. Our results highlight how technological changes interact with unobserved, gender‐based intrahousehold power relations to influence agricultural production decisions and, by extension, the gendered allocation of labor and welfare of women.
Test of the lateral angle method of sex estimation on Anglo‐Saxon and medieval archaeological populations with genetically estimated sex
Authors: Thompson Jess E. , Inskip Sarah A. , Scheib Christiana L. , Bates Jessica , Ge Xiangyu , Griffith Samuel J. , Wohns Anthony Wilder , Robb John E. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe lateral angle method of sex estimation is tested on an archaeological population with genetic sex estimates. Casts of the internal auditory canal were made using a quick drying impression material on 90 individuals (76 adults and 14 nonadults) from Anglo‐Saxon and Medieval Cambridgeshire. The anterior and posterior angles of the internal auditory canal were measured, and the relationship of the angle to genetic sex was tested. The posterior angle failed intra‐observer error tests, and only the anterior angle could be analysed. Using the previously published sectioning point for unburnt remains (45°), the method did not adequately distinguish between the sexes. Furthermore, the difference between male and female was insufficient to create population‐specific discriminant functions. The anterior angle does not meet the requirements for an osteological method of sex estimation, exhibiting no statistical correlation with genetic sex in this population.
UK Haemoglobin Disorders Peer Review: A Quality Standards‐based review programme for sickle cell disease and thalassaemia
Authors: Chakravorty S. , Drasar E. , Kaya B. , Kesse‐Adu R. , Velangi M. , Wright J. , Howard J. 
Published: October 2023

SummaryWe evaluated the impact of peer reviews in driving improvement in healthcare quality for people with haemoglobinopathy in the United Kingdom. We analysed compliance to four Quality Standards (QS)‐based peer reviews from 2010 to 2020 to evaluate its impact in driving healthcare quality. Seventeen paediatric and 29 adult haemoglobinopathy centres were reviewed in 2010/11 and 2012/13 respectively; 33 paediatric and 33 adult centres were reviewed in 2014/16, and 32 paediatric and 32 adult centres were reviewed in 2018/2020. Compliance with QS and participant feedback were analysed to assess the impact of peer review programmes to drive improvement in quality of care. We noted that haemoglobinopathy centres significantly improved their compliance to QS between the first two review programmes, but not in the final review programme. In comparison to other disease‐group reviews, the haemoglobinopathy departments were less able to address critical peer review recommendations in their own institutions. The peer review programme was unable to drive sustained improvement in healthcare quality, underscoring the need for sustained development and support for haemoglobinopathy services in the National Health Service. Further work is needed to understand why disparities exist among peer review‐driven improvement initiatives within different disease groups.
Transcriptome‐level discovery of survival‐associated biomarkers and therapy targets in non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Győrffy Balázs 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackground and PurposeSurvival rate of patients with lung cancer has increased by over 60% in the recent two decades. With longer survival, the identification of genes associated with survival has emerged as an issue of utmost importance to uncover the most promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets.Experimental ApproachAn integrated database was set up by combining multiple independent datasets with clinical data and transcriptome‐level gene expression measurements. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed to identify genes with higher expression levels linked to shorter survival. The strongest genes were filtered to include only those with known druggability.Key ResultsThe entire database includes 2852 tumour specimens from 17 independent cohorts. Of these, 2227 have overall survival data and 1256 samples have progression‐free survival time. The most significant genes associated with survival were MIF, UBC and B2M in lung adenocarcinoma and ANXA2, CSNK2A2 and KRT18 in squamous cell carcinoma. We also aimed to reveal the best druggable targets in non‐smokers lung cancer. The three most promising hits in this cohort were MDK, THY1 and PADI2. The established lung cancer cohort was added to the Kaplan–Meier plotter (https://www.kmplot.com) enabling the validation of future gene expression‐based biomarkers in both the present and yet unexamined subgroups of patients.Conclusions and ImplicationsIn this study, we established a comprehensive database of transcriptome‐level data for lung cancer. The database can be utilized to identify and rank the most promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets for different subtypes of lung cancer.
Hybrid PABA‐glutamic acid conjugated 1,3,5‐triazine derivatives: Design, synthesis, and antimalarial activity screening targeting Plasmodium falciparum dihydro folate reductase enzyme
Authors: Choudhury Ayesha Aktar Khanam , Vinayagam Sathishkumar , Adhikari Nayana , Saha Ashmita , Ghosh Surajit Kumar , Bhat Hans Raj , Patgiri Saurav Jyoti 
Published: October 2023

AbstractDespite the successful reduction in the malaria health burden in recent years, it continues to remain a significant global health problem mainly because of the emerging resistance to first‐line treatments. Also because of the disruption in malaria prevention services during the COVID‐19 pandemic, there was an increase in malaria cases in 2021 compared to 2020. Hence, the present study outlined the in silico study, synthesis, and antimalarial evaluation of 1,3,5‐triazine hybrids conjugated with PABA‐glutamic acid. Docking study revealed higher binding energy compared to the originally bound ligand WR99210, predominant hydrogen bond interaction, and involvement of key amino acid residues, like Arg122, Ser120, and Arg59. Fourteen compounds were synthesized using traditional and microwave synthesis. The in vitro antimalarial evaluation against chloroquine‐sensitive 3D7 and resistant Dd2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum showed a high to moderate activity range. Compounds C1 and B4 showed high efficacy against both strains and a further study revealed that compound C1 is non‐cytotoxic against the HEK293 cell line with no acute oral toxicity. In vivo, study was performed for the most potent antimalarial compound C1 to optimize the research work and found to be effectively suppressing parasitemia of Plasmodium berghei strain in the Swiss albino mice model.
Long‐term seizure and developmental outcomes of epilepsy surgery in children under 3 years old: A single‐center study of 113 patients
Authors: Yu Hao , Liu Qingzhu , Wang Ruofan , Liu Chang , Sun Yu , Wang Yao , Ji Taoyun , Wang Shuang , Liu Xiaoyan , Jiang Yuwu , Cai Lixin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAimsTo investigate the clinical characteristics, surgical strategy, developmental and seizure outcomes, and predictors of surgical outcome in children with drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE) under 3 years old.MethodsOne hundred thirteen consecutive children younger than 3 years of age with DRE underwent curative surgical treatment after multidisciplinary preoperative evaluation using the strategy developed in the pediatric epilepsy center of Peking University First Hospital (PKFHPEC) between 2014 and 2018. These patients were selected for retrospective study. The relevant clinical data were collected and analyzed. The surgical prognoses were classified using the Engel classification, and the developmental assessment results were collected. Statistical analysis of the clinical data was performed to analyze the predictors of seizure outcomes and their correlation with developmental outcomes.ResultsAll the patients were followed up for more than 3 years, and 98 (86.7%) patients had no seizure recurrence. One year after surgery, the seizure‐free rate was 86.7%, which was as high as that at the last follow‐up. Cortical dysplasia was the most frequent etiology of DRE in this cohort, accounting for 77.0%. According to the Engel classification, acute postoperative seizure (APOS; p < 0.001) was a predictor of seizure recurrence. No deaths occurred. No unpredicted long‐term severe complications occurred except for one ventricular peritoneal shunt. The patients' neurodevelopmental statuses were improved after successful surgery, while the scores of the pre‐ and postoperative developmental assessments were closely correlated.ConclusionsFor children who are younger than 3 years old and have DRE and structural abnormalities, early curative treatment can lead to long‐term good seizure outcomes and a low complication rate. The development of appropriate strategies for both presurgical evaluation and resection is crucial for the success of surgery.
A localization method of manipulator towards achieving more precision control
Authors: Gao Hongwei , Zhang Hongyang , Jiang Yueqiu , Sun Jian , Yu Jiahui 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe monocular vision system is a crucial branch of machine vision research widely used in multiple industries as a research hotspot in the field of vision. Although the monocular vision system is of simple structure and cost‐effectiveness, its positioning accuracy is insufficient in some industries. This article researched the robot arm positioning method via monocular vision. First, we built a vision system model and designed the style of a cooperative target for target positioning. Second, a target feature screening method based on conditions is composed for the existence of interference. Furthermore, combining the principle of pose estimation on the PNP (Perspective‐n‐Point) problem with the results of the visual system calibration to realize the positioning of the target. Finally, complete the construction of the experimental platform and design accuracy evaluation experiments and positioning experiments. The experimental results show that the location measurement error range of the system in this article is below 4 mm, and the measurement error of the rotation angle is below 2. The system can adapt to the requirements of general industrial use.
Eliciting community‐preferred policy alternatives for achieving workable coexistence in a human‐dominated landscape: Insights from Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Authors: Ferdin Arockia E J , Lee Chun‐Hung , Dhungana Nabin , Chook Jia Wei , Baskaran Nagarajan , Pathak Abhinaya 
Published: October 2023

AbstractHuman‐wildlife conflict is a global issue that poses a major threat to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Wildlife adapted to human‐modified landscapes in developing countries can threaten the safety and livelihood of local communities. In such landscapes, where people and wildlife compete for resources, community involvement is promoted to achieve workable coexistence. We used a choice experiment methodology approach to identify community‐preferred policy alternatives in Chitwan National Park in south‐central Nepal. The results indicated that conflicts between the local community and wildlife are on the rise, crop damage being the highest form of damage and most perceived compensation and fencing as conflict‐mitigation tools. The choice experiment showed that residents have a positive preference for enhancing livelihood diversification skills, cultivating buffer crops, promoting alternative livelihoods, and strengthening rapid response teams. We identified concerned mitigators who are younger age group, encountered and concurred that HWC is increasing, and agreed that fencing and compensation are conflict‐mitigation tools. We designed scenario planning using community‐preferred policy alternatives to assist the park management. This is the first‐choice experiment study to design an evaluation framework under community resilience perspectives to achieve workable coexistence. Our study has potential implications for promoting coexistence in a human‐dominated landscape.
Longitudinal trajectory of medial gastrocnemius muscle growth in the first years of life
Authors: De Beukelaer Nathalie , Vandekerckhove Ines , Molenberghs Geert , Naulaers Gunnar , Thewissen Liesbeth , Costamagna Domiziana , Van Campenhout Anja , Desloovere Kaat , Ortibus Els 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAimTo define the longitudinal trajectory of gastrocnemius muscle growth in 6‐ to 36‐month‐old children with and without spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) and to compare trajectories by levels of gross motor function (Gross Motor Function Classification System, GMFCS) and presumed brain‐lesion timing.MethodTwenty typically developing children and 24 children with SCP (GMFCS levels I–II/III–IV = 15/9), were included (28/16 females/males; mean age at first scan 15.4 months [standard deviation 4.93, range 6.24–23.8]). Three‐dimensional freehand ultrasound was used to repeatedly assess muscle volume, length, and cross‐sectional area (CSA), resulting in 138 assessments (mean interval 7.9 months). Brain lesion timing was evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging classification. Linear mixed‐effects models defined growth rates, adjusted for GMFCS levels and presumed brain‐lesion timing.ResultsAt age 12 months, children with SCP showed smaller morphological muscle size than typically developing children (5.8 mL vs 9.8 mL, p < 0.001), while subsequently no differences in muscle growth were found between children with and without SCP (muscle volume: 0.65 mL/month vs 0.74 mL/month). However, muscle volume and CSA growth rates were lower in children classified in GMFCS levels III and IV than typically developing children and those classified in GMFCS levels I and II, with differences ranging from −56% to −70% (p < 0.001).InterpretationMuscle growth is already hampered during infancy in SCP. Muscle size growth further reduces with decreasing functional levels, independently from the brain lesion. Early monitoring of muscle growth combined with early intervention is needed.
Academics' motivation for joining an educational leadership training programme and their perceived effectiveness: Insights from an EU‐China cooperative project
Authors: Cheng Zhao , Caliskan Aysun , Zhu Chang 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis study illuminates the motivation and learning experience of Chinese and European academic members who attended an educational leadership training programme. Data were collected through participants' registration forms and learning reflection reports. A qualitative content analysis research method by MAXQDA2022 is adopted in this research. The findings revealed European and Chinese participants' motivation for joining the leadership training programme and their perceived effectiveness of the training programme. Drawing from the study's findings, this research examines the components of a culturally appropriate methodology for a cross‐cultural professional leadership training programme and provides insights into the interplay of factors that impact the perceived effectiveness of such a leadership training programme. Additionally, recommendations for future program design are offered.
Desmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon in the forelimb: A retrospective case study of 91 horses
Authors: Lynch Nicola , Taylor Camilla J. , McGilvray Tegan , Tucker Rachel , Bathe Andy , Elliott Christopher R. B. , Smith Roger K. W. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundDesmitis of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon (ALDDFT) is a commonly reported injury. Despite the commonality of this injury, the literature is limited to small case series, with the reported success following treatment varying from 18% to 75%.ObjectivesTo identify the prognosis and factors associated with a return to work following ALDDFT injury.Study designRetrospective case series.MethodsMedical records of horses from four equine hospitals (January 2000 and December 2018) with a diagnosis of desmitis of ALDDFT were reviewed. Data retrieved included case detail, use, history, lameness treatment and follow‐up. Success was defined as returning to work. Backward stepwise logistic regression was used to identify variables significantly associated with return to work.ResultsNinety‐one horses were included. The mean age was 13.5 years (standard deviation 4.9 years). Thirty‐four percent (28/91) of horses were sound at the initial presentation. Sixty‐eight percent (62/91) of horses were managed using controlled exercise alone, 28% (29/91) were treated with intra‐lesional injection, therapeutic ultrasound, extracorporeal shockwave therapy or desmectomy of the ALDDFT and 3% (3/91) were euthanased without treatment. Sixty‐four percent (54/85) of horses returned to work. Horses that were lame at follow‐up were less likely to return to work (odds ratio [OR] 107.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 20.06–580.61, p < 0.001) than those that returned to soundness. Identification of adhesions on ultrasonography was also associated with having reduced odds for return to work when compared to horses without adhesions (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.01–0.76, p = 0.03).Main limitationsRetrospective nature of the study, the potential of selection bias with regards to follow‐up.ConclusionSixty‐four percent (54/85) of horses returned to work following injury of the ALDDFT. Persistence of lameness and adhesion formation were significantly associated with a poor outcome.
Are sustainability‐linked loans designed to effectively incentivize corporate sustainability? A framework for review
Authors: Auzepy Alix , Bannier Christina E. , Martin Fabio 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis paper analyzes sustainability‐linked loans (SLLs), a new category of debt instrument that incorporates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. Using a large sample of loans issued between 2017 and 2022, we assess the design of SLLs by evaluating their key performance indicators (KPIs) using a comprehensive quality score. Our findings suggest that SLLs only partially rely on KPIs that generate credible sustainability incentives. We document that SLL borrowers do not significantly improve their ESG performance post issuance and show that stock markets are rather indifferent to the issuance of SLLs by EU borrowers, while SLL issuance announcements by US borrowers are met with significantly negative abnormal returns by investors. These findings call into question the beneficial sustainability and signaling effects that borrowers may hope to achieve by issuing ESG‐linked debt.
Use of Hydrogeochemistry and Isotopes for Evaluation of Groundwater in Qilian Coal Base of China
Authors: Zhao Chongqin , Li Xiangquan , Wang Zhenxing , Hou Xinwei , Ma Jianfei 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe Jiangcang Basin is an important mining area of the former Qilian Mountain large coal base in Qinghai Province, and understanding the groundwater circulation mechanism is the basis for studying the hydrological effects of permafrost degradation in alpine regions. In this study, hydrogeochemical and multiple isotope tracer analysis methods are used to understand the chemical evolution and circulation mechanisms of the groundwater in the typical alpine region of the Jiangcang Basin. The diversity of the groundwater hydrochemistry in the study area reflects the complexity of the hydrogeochemical environment in which it is located. The suprapermafrost water and intrapermafrost water are recharged by modern meteoric water. The groundwater is closely hydraulically connected to the surface water with weak evaporation overall. The high δ34S value of deep groundwater is due to SO4 reduction, and SO42−‐rich snow recharge with lixiviated sulfate minerals are the main controlling factor for the high SO42− concentration in groundwater. According to the multivariate water conversion relationships, it reveals that the river receives more groundwater recharge, suprapermafrost water is recharged by the proportion of meteoric water, which is closely related to the mountainous area at the edge of the basin, while intrapermafrost water is mainly recharged by the shallow groundwater. This study provides a data‐driven approach to understanding groundwater recharge and evolution in alpine regions, in addition to having significant implications for water resource management and ecological environmental protection in coal bases of the Tibetan Plateau.