bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between pulse wave velocity and the 10‐year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the Chinese population: A community‐based study
Authors: Yi Tieci , Gao Lan , Fan Fangfang , Jiang Yimeng , Jia Jia , Zhang Yan , Li Jianping , Huo Yong 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAccumulated evidence has shown that carotid‐femoral and brachial‐ankle PWV well predict cardiovascular events but it is still unclear if the predictability is same or not. In this cross‐sectional study based on a community atherosclerosis cohort in Beijing, China, a total of 5282 participants without previous coronary heart disease and stroke were enrolled from a community atherosclerosis cohort in Beijing, China. The 10‐year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk were calculated by the China‐PAR model, and < 5%, 5%–10% and > 10% were defined as low, intermediate, and high risk, respectively. The average baPWV and cfPWV values were 16.63 ± 3.35 m/s and 8.45 ± 1.78 m/s, respectively. The mean 10‐year ASCVD risk was 6.98% (interquartile range: 3.90%–12.01%). The patients with low, intermediate, and high 10‐year ASCVD risk accounted for 34.84% (1840), 31.94% (1687),, and 33.23% (1755) respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that for every 1 m/s increase in baPWV and cfPWV, the 10‐year ASCVD risk increased by 0.60% (95% confidence interval: 0.56%–0.65%, p < .001) and 1.17% (95% confidence interval: 1.09%–1.25%, p < .001), respectively. The diagnostic ability of the baPWV was comparable to the cfPWV (area under the curve: 0.870 [0.860–0.879] vs. 0.871 [0.861–0.881], p = .497). In conclusion, baPWV and cfPWV are positively associated with the 10‐year risk of ASCVD in the Chinese community‐based population, with a nearly identical association with a high 10‐year risk of ASCVD.
Handgrip strength is associated with 12‐month survival in male patients suffering with advanced chronic liver disease
Authors: Côrtes Daniela M. , Boulhosa Ramona S. da S. B. , L. da S. L. Paz Cláudio , Cunha Carla de M. , de Oliveira Lucivalda P. M. , Lyra André C. , Bueno Allain A. , de Jesus Rosângela P. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundAdvanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) patients are usually malnourished, and both conditions in combination increase the likelihood of unfavourable clinical outcomes. Handgrip strength (HGS) has been suggested as a relevant parameter for nutritional assessment and predictor of adverse clinical outcomes in ACLD. However, the HGS cut‐off values for ACLD patients have not yet been reliably established. The aims of this study were to preliminarily identify HGS reference values in a sample population of ACLD male patients and to assess their association with survival over a 12‐month follow‐up period.MethodsThis was a prospective observational study with preliminary analysis of outpatients and inpatients. A total of 185 male patients with a medical diagnosis of ACLD met the inclusion criteria and were invited to participate in the study. The physiological variation in muscle strength related to the age of the individuals included in the study was considered to obtain cut‐off values.ResultsAfter categorising HGS by age group (adults: 18–60 years; elderly: ≥60 years), the reference values obtained were 32.5 kg for the adults and 16.5 kg for the elderly. During the 12‐month follow‐up, 20.5% of the patients died, and 76.3% of those had been identified with reduced HGS.ConclusionsPatients with adequate HGS showed significantly higher 12‐month survival than those with reduced HGS within the same period. Our findings show that HGS is an important predictive parameter for clinical and nutritional follow‐up in ACLD male patients.
Online but unlawful sales of unapproved and misbranded prescription drugs: Internet pharmacy compliance with Food and Drug Administration warning letters
Authors: Limbu Yam B. , Huhmann Bruce A. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractConsumers increasingly use online pharmacies. However, illicit online pharmacies endanger consumer welfare with unapproved and counterfeit drugs. By linking Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter content with observations of the 1108 websites cited in those letters, we identify factors associated with FDA‐requested compliance and active/inactive website status. One in five online pharmacies failed to comply with FDA recommendations. Findings support the cost/benefit, social norm, and instrumental theories of compliance. Compliance declines with cost (e.g., when the FDA requests changes to more drug categories). Organized crime's social norms encourage law breaking; thus, illicit pharmacies comply less than other online pharmacies. Instrumental theory suggests perceived severity and certainty of penalties influences compliance. In support, when political will and attention focused on the opioid crisis, the FDA cited primarily opioid‐related violations and these opioid‐related letters increased compliance and website closures. Finally, we recommend improved consumer protection efforts to address internet pharmaceutical distribution challenges.
Efficacy of Endolift laser for arm and under abdomen fat reduction
Authors: Nilforoushzadeh Mohammad Ali , Heidari‐Kharaji Maryam , Fakhim Tannaz , Behrangi Elham , Shahverdi Mohammadhasan , Rafiee Shohreh , Nobari Niloufar Najar 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundNoninvasive laser for body fat contouring is a quickly growing field in the cosmetic dermatology. Surgical options carry disadvantages, such as the usage of anesthetics, swelling, pain and long time for recovery, so there is a growing public request for the techniques with fewer side effects and shorter recovery periods. Several new noninvasive body contouring ways have been advanced such as, cryolipolysis radiofrequency energy, suction‐massage, high‐frequency focused ultrasound, and laser therapy. Noninvasive laser improves the body's appearance by the elimination of excess adipose tissue, specifically in areas in which fat perseveres in spite of diet and exercise.MethodsIn this study the efficacy of Endolift laser was evaluated for reduction of excess fat in the arms and under abdomen. Ten patients with excess fat in the arms and under abdomen were enrolled in this study. The patients were treated by Endolift laser in the arms and under abdomen areas. The outcomes were evaluated by two blinded board certified dermatologists and by patients' satisfaction. The circumference of each arm and under abdomen was measured using a flexible tape measure.ResultsThe results showed reduction in the fat and circumference of arms and under abdomen after treatment. The treatment was considered as effective methods with high patient satisfaction. Also no severe adverse effects were reported.ConclusionEndolift laser can be a good alternative to surgical body fat contouring due to its efficacy, safety, minimal recovery time, low cost. Also Endolift laser does not require general anesthetics.
Operation early‐bird: Investigating altered light exposure in military barracks on sleep and performance—a placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Edgar David T. , Beaven C. Martyn , Gill Nicholas D. , Zaslona Jennifer L. , Driller Matthew W. 
Published: February 2023

SummaryThe manipulation of light exposure in the evening has been shown to modulate sleep, and may be beneficial in a military setting where sleep is reported to be problematic. This study investigated the efficacy of low‐temperature lighting on objective sleep measures and physical performance in military trainees. Sixty‐four officer‐trainees (52 male/12 female, mean ± SD age: 25 ± 5 years) wore wrist‐actigraphs for 6 weeks during military training to quantify sleep metrics. Trainee 2.4‐km run time and upper‐body muscular‐endurance were assessed before and after the training course. Participants were randomly assigned to either: low‐temperature lighting (LOW, n = 19), standard‐temperature lighting with a placebo “sleep‐enhancing” device (PLA, n = 17), or standard‐temperature lighting (CON, n = 28) groups in their military barracks for the duration of the course. Repeated‐measures ANOVAs were run to identify significant differences with post hoc analyses and effect size calculations performed where indicated. No significant interaction effect was observed for the sleep metrics; however, there was a significant effect of time for average sleep duration, and small benefits of LOW when compared with CON (d = 0.41–0.44). A significant interaction was observed for the 2.4‐km run, with the improvement in LOW (Δ92.3 s) associated with a large improvement when compared with CON (Δ35.9 s; p = 0.003; d = 0.95 ± 0.60), but not PLA (Δ68.6 s). Similarly, curl‐up improvement resulted in a moderate effect in favour of LOW (Δ14 repetitions) compared with CON (Δ6; p = 0.063; d = 0.68 ± 0.72). Chronic exposure to low‐temperature lighting was associated with benefits to aerobic fitness across a 6‐week training period, with minimal effects on sleep measures.
Effect of Artemisia sphaerocephala krasch gum on the functional properties of pork batters
Authors: Liu Yu , Yang Liu , Zhao Shengming , Zhao Yanyan , Kang Zhuangli , Zhu Mingming , He Hongju , Ma Hanjun 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe influence of the incorporation of Artemisia sphaerocephala krasch gum (ASK gum; 0–0.18%) on the water holding capability (WHC), texture, color, rheological property, water distribution, protein conformation and microstructure of pork batters was investigated. The results showed that the cooking yield, WHC and L* value of pork batter gels significantly increased (p < .05) with the increasing incorporation of ASK gum, and the highest value were observed at 0.15%; the a* value decreased significantly (p < .05) and no significance was obtained in b* value (p > .05); the hardness, elasticity, cohesiveness and chewiness increased first and then decreased, and reached the highest value at 0.15%. The rheological results showed that the higher G′ value was obtained in pork batters by the incorporation of ASK gum; the low field NMR analysis indicated that ASK gum significantly increased the proportion of P2b and P21 (p < .05) and decreased the proportion of P22; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated that the ASK gum significantly reduced the α‐helix content and increased the β‐sheet content (p < .05). Scanning electron microscopy results suggested that the incorporation of ASK gum could promote the formation of a more homogeneous and stable microstructure of pork batter gels. Therefore, appropriate incorporation (0.15%) of ASK gum may improve the gel properties of pork batters, and while excessive incorporation (0.18%) could weaken the gel properties.
Designing artificial intelligence policy: Comparing design spaces in Latin America
Authors: Filgueiras Fernando 
Published: February 2023

AbstractGovernments are designing policies for artificial intelligence to facilitate the digital transformation and respond to the diverse ethical and regulatory challenges that emerge with the penetration of this technology in society. This article aims to analyze the policy design dynamics focusing on national strategies for artificial intelligence in Latin America. It starts from the premise that different dynamics of political regimes and governance modes shape different design spaces, which create action situations that assign different dynamics of policy design. The article compares national strategies for artificial intelligence in Latin America, through a documentary analysis of the national strategies of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay, to identify the characteristics and dynamics of the design spaces applied to Artificial Intelligence policies in Latin America. The research findings indicate that the dynamics between political regimes and governance modes in Latin American countries delimit different outcomes for Artificial Intelligence policy.
The Kurdish Janus: The intersocietal construction of nations
Authors: Matin Kamran , Mahmoudi Jahangir 
Published: February 2023

AbstractExisting accounts of Kurdish nationalism can be mapped onto the main theories of nationalism, that is, primordialism, ethnosymbolism and modernism. These theories, however, suffer, respectively, from essentialism, circularity and aporia, manifest in their common inability to digest the Janus‐like character of nations, that is, their display of simultaneous modernity and antiquity. This paper develops an alternative account through a critical application of the theory of ‘uneven and combined development’ (UCD) to the Republic of Kurdistan of 1946. The argument unfolds in three steps. First, we argue that the failure of mainstream theories of nationalism to explain the nation's historical ambiguity lies in their ‘internalism’. Second, we show that UCD overcomes internalism through its plural social ontology and enables a retheorising of nations as interactive products of the geopolitical mediation of historical capitalism's expansion through societal multiplicity. Central to this process was the emergence of nationalism as a defensive and emulative ideology of geopolitical self‐preservation. This involved reversing the sociological and political moments of the originary formation of the British imperial nation. We argue that this historical reversal underpins the Janus‐like form of nations, including the Kurdish nation. Third, we substantiate the argument through a brief case study of the Republic of Kurdistan.
Foreign body reactions related to orofacial esthetic fillers: A systematic review
Authors: Santos Lucas Gonçalves , Jardim Luísa Comerlato , Schuch Lauren Frenzel , Silveira Felipe Martins , Wagner Vivian Petersen , Pires Fábio Ramos , Santos Jean Nunes Dos , Martins Manoela Domingues 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to systematically review the clinicopathological data regarding foreign body reactions (FBR) related to esthetic procedures in the orofacial region. Electronic searches were performed in six databases and in gray literature using PEO acronym for the review question. Case series and case reports describing FBR related to esthetic procedures in the orofacial region were included. The JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist–University of Adelaide tool was used for measuring the risk of bias. Eighty‐six studies reporting 139 cases of FBR were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 54.12 years (14–85 years), with most of the cases reported in America, North America (n = 42/30.70%) and Latin America (n = 33/23.60%), mainly occurring in women (n = 131/94.40%). Asymptomatic (n = 60/43.40%) nodules (n = 71/50.60%) were the main clinical characteristics. The lower lip represented the most affected anatomical location (n = 28/22.20%), followed by the upper lip (n = 27/21.60%). Surgical removal was the treatment of choice (n = 53/35.70%). Twelve different dermal fillers were reported in the study, and the microscopic characteristics of the cases varied according to the material used. The results based on case series and case reports showed that nodule and swelling were the main clinical characteristics of FBR related to orofacial esthetic fillers. The histological characteristics depended on the type of the filler material used.
Atrial echo beats as a novel mechanism of periodic fluctuation in cycle length of atrial tachycardia
Authors: Sekimoto Satoru , Murakami Yoshimasa , Seo Yoshihiro 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAtrial echo beats due to a dual‐atrioventricular nodal pathway are a possible cause of fluctuating tachycardia in cycle length (CL) but have not been reported so far. Here, we present a case of an 82‐year‐old man with symptomatic atrial tachycardia (AT), which was accompanied by periodic fluctuations in atrial sequence at the coronary sinus. Electrophysiological study (EPS) for atrioventricular conduction and three‐dimensional (3D) electro‐anatomical mapping system explained that the mechanism of periodic fluctuations was due to atrial echo beats through a dual‐atrioventricular nodal pathway.
VDD pacemaker: An effective and reliable physiological pacing modality in elderly patients
Authors: Martinho Sofia , António Natália , Telo Maria João , Elvas Luís , Franco Fátima , Gonçalves Lino 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundIn elderly patients, single chamber pacing may be considered. For sinus rhythm patients, VDD pacemaker (PM), by preserving atrial sensing, is a more physiological mode than VVI devices. This study aims to evaluate the long‐term performance of VDD PM in elderly patients with atrioventricular block (AVB).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, observational study of 200 elderly patients (≥75 years) with AVB and normal sinus rhythm who consecutively implanted VDD PM between 2016 and 2018. Baseline clinical characteristics were analyzed, complications related to pacemaker implantation were assessed and a 3‐years follow‐up (FUP) was made.ResultsMean age was 84 ± 5 years. After 3‐years FUP, 90.5% (n = 181) of the patients preserved their original VDD mode. Only 19 patients (9.5%) switched to VVIR mode, 5.5% (n = 11) due to P‐wave undersensing and 4% (n = 8) due to permanent AF. Those patients had a less amplitude of sensed P wave at baseline [median value of 1.30 (IQR 0.99–2.0) versus 0.97 (IQR 0.38–1.68), p = 0.04]. One third of the patients died during the FUP, 89% (n = 58) from non‐cardiovascular causes. All‐cause, CV, and non‐CV mortality did not relate with atrial sensing loss during FUP (p = 0.58, p = 0.38 and p = 0.80, respectively). However, atrial sensing loss during FUP was associated with de novo atrial fibrillation (12.7% vs. 31.6%, p = 0.038).ConclusionVDD pacing is a reliable pacing modality in elderly patients even in long‐term. The majority of VDD‐paced elderly patients maintained their original VDD mode program, with good atrial sensing.
Detailed in situ leaf energy budget permits the assessment of leaf aerodynamic resistance as a key to enhance non‐evaporative cooling under drought
Authors: Muller Jonathan D. , Rotenberg Eyal , Tatarinov Fyodor , Oz Itay , Yakir Dan 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe modulation of the leaf energy budget components to maintain optimal leaf temperature are fundamental aspects of plant functioning and survival. Better understanding these aspects becomes increasingly important under a drying and warming climate when cooling through evapotranspiration (E) is suppressed. Combining novel measurements and theoretical estimates, we obtained unusually comprehensive twig‐scale leaf energy budgets under extreme field conditions in droughted (suppressed E) and non‐droughted (enhanced E) plots of a semi‐arid pine forest. Under the same high mid‐summer radiative load, leaf cooling shifted from relying on nearly equal contributions of sensible (H) and latent (LE) energy fluxes in non‐droughted trees to relying almost exclusively on H in droughted ones, with no change in leaf temperature. Relying on our detailed leaf energy budget, we could demonstrate that this is due to a 2× reduction in leaf aerodynamic resistance. This capability for LE‐to‐H shift in leaves of mature Aleppo pine trees under droughted field conditions without increasing leaf temperature is likely a critical factor in the resilience and relatively high productivity of this important Mediterranean tree species under drying conditions.
Intensity (and backlash) of opinion on civil rights and presidential responsiveness
Authors: Rottinghaus Brandon 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIntense policy demanders will reward or punish elected officials depending on whether outcomes mesh with their preferences. In this article, we examine opinion intensity as manifested in public opinion mail (using unexplored data) to assess the impact of this opinion on civil rights policy approval during the pivotal year 1964. The more President Lyndon Johnson spoke about civil rights, the less supportive opinion mail he got the following week. The results suggest a backlash effect where ineffective attention to civil rights issues leads to less support from intense policy demanders. The findings speak to the importance of recognizing there are multiple opinion inputs to the president's agenda setting and intense policy demanders may punish as well as reward presidents.
Optimum financial areas: Retooling the governance of global finance
Authors: Underhill Geoffrey R. D. , Jones Erik 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThis article analyses the political economy of financial stability under conditions of deep cross‐border market integration, adapting the ‘joint products’ approach of Broz among others. Many argue that financial stability is a public good; we propose that it is inherently excludable and that particular conditions must obtain to ensure it is non‐diminishable for all. The difficulties of providing financial stability arise because of the ‘club goods’ nature of monetary and financial systems. We then propose six institutional preconditions that can stabilise a financial market that is integrated across multiple regulatory jurisdictions. We use case studies of Great Britain, the US and Canada to show how national governments have dealt with these political economy dilemmas to stumble towards similar arrangements to stabilise domestic financial market integration. Three criteria relate to the ‘technical substructure’ of markets, while three others focus on macro‐prudential considerations. Together they constitute necessary and sufficient conditions for the provision of financial stability. These criteria generate political economy obstacles both individually and as an interdependent package but can mitigate the costly dynamics of financial market disintegration in times of crisis. We argue that these criteria can be applied across national boundaries as well as across regulatory jurisdictions within them.
Estimating Sierra Leone’s Aggregate Import Demand Function Under Binding Foreign Exchange
Authors: Bangura Morlai , Ademisola Oluwakemi , Saibu Olufemi 
Published: February 2023

The primary objective was to evaluate the extent to which foreign exchange restraints import demand in Sierra Leone. Using time series data from 1980 to 2020, this study determined Sierra Leone's import demand function by including foreign exchange constraints in a structural model developed by Emran and Shilpi (2010). The model compensated for both short-run and long-run links by employing an ARDL bounds-testing technique with an error-correcting mechanism. The result showed that only the presence of a long-run relationship between domestic consumption and import demand was supported by empirical evidence. In the short run, domestic consumption, scarcity premium, and trade liberalization were found to be significant predictors of Sierra Leone's actual import demand. However, in the long run, only domestic consumption was found to be significant. Typically considered as the key determinants of import demand, real effective exchange rates and scarcity premiums were insignificant in both the short and long term. Therefore, the result indicates that Sierra Leone has no short-term foreign exchange constraints. This could be partially explained by the Bank of Sierra Leone's strategy over the years of providing foreign currency to the private sector to assist in the importation of essential goods. The key finding of the study is that Sierra Leone's import demand is not constrained by a shortage of foreign currency.