bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deep brain stimulation of globus pallidus internus and subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson’s disease: a multicenter, retrospective study of efficacy and safety
Authors: Mainardi Michele , Ciprietti Dario , Pilleri Manuela , Bonato Giulia , Weis Luca , Cianci Valeria , Biundo Roberta , Ferreri Florinda , Piacentino Massimo , Landi Andrea , Guerra Andrea , Antonini Angelo 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established therapeutic option in advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). Literature data and recent guidelines remain inconclusive about the best choice as a target between the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the globus pallidus internus (GPi).

Materials and methods
We retrospectively reviewed the clinical efficacy outcomes of 48 DBS-implanted patients (33 STN-DBS and 15 GPi-DBS) at a short- (<1 year from the surgery) and long-term (2–5 years) follow-up. Also, clinical safety outcomes, including postoperative surgical complications and severe side effects, were collected.

Results
We found no difference between STN-DBS and GPi-DBS in improving motor symptoms at short-term evaluation. However, STN-DBS achieved a more prominent reduction in oral therapy (l-dopa equivalent daily dose, P = .02). By contrast, GPi-DBS was superior in ameliorating motor fluctuations and dyskinesia (MDS-UPDRS IV, P < .001) as well as motor experiences of daily living (MDS-UPDRS II, P = .03). The greater efficacy of GPi-DBS on motor fluctuations and experiences of daily living was also present at the long-term follow-up. We observed five serious adverse events, including two suicides, all among STN-DBS patients.

Conclusion
Both STN-DBS and GPi-DBS are effective in improving motor symptoms severity and complications, but GPi-DBS has a greater impact on motor fluctuations and motor experiences of daily living. These results suggest that the two targets should be considered equivalent in motor efficacy, with GPi-DBS as a valuable option in patients with prominent motor complications. The occurrence of suicides in STN-treated patients claims further attention in target selection.
Video games for environmental awareness: the accessibility gap
Authors: Larreina-Morales María Eugenia , Gunella Chiara 
Published: August 2023

AbstractVideo games addressing environmental issues have the potential to raise awareness among players about the pressing ecological crisis and motivate them to take individual and collective action towards sustainability. For these games to generate change on a large scale, everyone should be able to play them. However, persons with disabilities often encounter accessibility barriers that prevent or hinder their access to these games. This paper aims to bridge the gap between environmental awareness and accessibility by analysing three video games: Plasticity, Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, and The Sims 4: Eco Lifestyle. First, their environmental themes are examined. Second, their accessibility features are listed and assessed using a mixed-methods tool that combines a quantitative checklist with a user qualitative evaluation. Results show that these three games are similar in their exploration and slow-paced mechanics but lack a specific focus on accessibility, particularly regarding visual, hearing, and haptic stimuli. This leads to a reduced gaming experience for some players, and complete unplayability for others, especially users in need of visual accessibility features. To improve the situation, accessibility should be co-created with users and implemented from the design stage of the game. Future research includes analysing a larger selection of games, directly involving players in the assessment of accessibility features, and reception research examining the impact of environmental awareness on players with and without disabilities. In short, to bridge the accessibility gap in environmental awareness, it is crucial to prioritise inclusivity in video games so that everyone can participate in creating a more sustainable world.
Efficient multiple-precision computation of the scaled complementary error function and the Dawson integral
Authors: Zaghloul Mofreh R. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe present algorithms to approximate the scaled complementary error function, $$\mathit{exp}\left({x}^{2}\right)erfc(x)$$

exp

x

2

e
r
f
c

(
x
)

, and the Dawson integral, $${e}^{{-x}^{2}}\underset{0}{\overset{x}{\int }}{e}^{{t}^{2}}dt$$

e

-
x

2

∫
x

0

e

t

2

d
t

, to the best accuracy in the standard single, double, and quadruple precision arithmetic. The algorithms are based on expansion in Chebyshev subinterval polynomial approximations together with expansion in terms of Taylor series and/or Laplace continued fraction. The present algorithms, implemented as Fortran elemental modules, have been benchmarked versus competitive algorithms available in the literature and versus functions built-in in modern Fortran compilers, in addition to comprehensive tables generated with variable precision computations using the Matlab™ symbolic toolbox. The present algorithm for calculating the scaled complementary error function showed an overall significant efficiency improvement (factors between 1.3 and 20 depending on the compiler and tested dataset) compared to the built-in function “Erfc_Scaled” in modern Fortran compilers, whereas the algorithm for calculating the Dawson integral is exceptional in calculating the function to 32 significant digits (compared to 19 significant digits reported in the literature) while being more efficient than competitive algorithms as well.
Emotions of the pandemic: phenomenological perspectives
Authors: Dolezal Luna , Ratcliffe Matthew 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis article provides an introduction to the special issue “Emotions of the Pandemic: Phenomenological Perspectives”. We begin by outlining how phenomenological research can illuminate various forms of emotional experience associated with the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we propose that a consideration of pandemic experience, in all its complexity and diversity, has the potential to yield wider-ranging phenomenological insights. We go on to discuss the thirteen contributions that follow, identifying common themes and points of complementarity.
Renegotiating in good faith: How international treaty revisions can deepen cooperation
Authors: Castle Matthew A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractInternational agreements are often understood to help governments make credible commitments to future policy by limiting their ability to renege on their promises. Renegotiations of agreements are accordingly viewed as a threat to cooperation, since renegotiations call past commitments into question. But we know little about the frequency or nature of treaty renegotiations. When are international agreements renegotiated, and what effect does renegotiation have on international cooperation? Do most renegotiations indeed aim to backtrack on past commitments? Using the topical context of the trade regime, I collect new data on international treaty revisions, covering 310 preferential trade agreements signed since the year 2000. Around a quarter of these agreements have been amended in some form, and the supermajority of amendments result not in scaled back agreements, but in deeper commitments. Survival analysis shows that ‘like-minded’ countries with a shared language and similar voting patterns at the UN General Assembly are most likely to revise their commitments. In contrast, I do not find evidence to support the view of PTA revisions as ‘backsliding’ on past commitments. The effects of revisions on trade cooperation support the more cooperative view of revisions. An error-correction model shows revisions are associated with a long-run increase in export volumes. Renegotiations are not breakdowns in international relations, but opportunities for governments to renew their commitment to cooperation.
Sensitivity analysis and validation of a genetic approach to enhance ergonomics in assembly lines
Authors: Dalle Mura Michela , Dini Gino 
Published: August 2023

AbstractManual assembly processes are largely performed today in the industry to benefit from human features of dexterity and flexibility. For this reason, the human factor should be properly regarded when designing assembly processes and systems, where repetitive and physically demanding operations are frequent. This work aims to present and validate a software tool for solving a bi-objective version of the assembly line balancing problem, in which, besides the efficiency of the process, the optimization of ergonomics is pursued. The software, based on a genetic algorithm, aims to distribute assembly tasks on the line to smooth the energetic workload among the different workers assigned to manual workstations, considering their physical capabilities and limits. To validate the system and assess its robustness, tests for different case studies taken from the industrial reality are presented and discussed, together with a sensitivity analysis conducted on problem parameters. Experimental results show that the developed tool optimizes the two objectives in different scenarios, thus demonstrating its profitable use in the industrial reality for planning manual assembly processes that do not overload workers assigned to the line.
Propofol Suppresses LPS-induced BBB Damage by Regulating miR-130a-5p/ZO-1 Axis
Authors: Gan Ning , Zhou Ying , Li Jing , Wang Aizhong , Cao Yiyun 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective semi-permeable barrier that separates circulating blood from the extracellular fluid of the brain and central nervous system, which is crucial for maintaining brain homeostasis. This study aimed to explore the role of propofol in BBB damage and further evaluate the underlying molecular mechanism. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered to mice to create an in vivo BBB damage mice model. Additionally, hCMEC/D3 cells as brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) were treated with LPS to establish the in vitro BBB damage cell model. Subsequently, propofol was used for the BBB damage model. Evans blue staining and fluorescein sodium were utilized in the in vivo experiments to demonstrate BBB leakage and BBB permeability. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to assess cell viability and the trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) value was measured using an epithelial voltmeter. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure the levels of the inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). The levels of miR-130a-5p and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in brain tissues and cells were detected using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot, or immunofluorescence staining. Furthermore, a dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to demonstrate the association between miR-130a-5p and ZO-1. Propofol treatment suppressed BBB leakage, the amount of fluorescein sodium, and the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the LPS-induced BBB damage mice model. Meanwhile, propofol treatment increased the TEER value in the LPS-induced hCMEC/D3 cells. Additionally, propofol treatment significantly down-regulated miR-130a-5p and up-regulated ZO-1. More importantly, miR-130a-5p directly targeted ZO-1 and negatively regulated ZO-1 expression in hCMEC/D3 cells. Furthermore, miR-130a-5p mimic partially reversed the effect of propofol on the TEER value and the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and TNF-α in the LPS-induced hCMEC/D3 cells. Propofol suppressed LPS-induced BBB damage by regulating miR-130a-5p/ZO-1 axis. These findings suggested a potentially effective treatment approach for BBB damage.
A multi-criteria performance assessment of concentrated solar power plants for site and technology selection in Egypt
Authors: Bayoumi S. , Moharram N. A. , Shehata A. I. , Imam M. M. , El-Maghlany W. M. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe objective of this research is to investigate the implementation of two concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies in the 28 devoted locations in Egypt, in order to select the optimum site-specific CSP technology. This may be achieved by a validated thermo-economic simulation of power plants using the Sam advisory model and an investigation of the two proposed CSP technologies’ configurations to fulfill the power plant’s thermal demand. Simulations take into consideration the environmental, technical, financial, and economic aspects of the projects. Among many simulated parameters, three are considered to compare the two proposed technologies' configurations in the 28 locations utilizing geographic information system aid. Those parameters are the annual power production, the levelized cost of energy, and water consumption. A comparative analysis indicated that the solar tower requires 25% more land than the parabolic trough. The additional collecting area raised the net capital cost of the solar tower system by 15% over the parabolic trough model. As a result, the solar tower arrangement reduces the levelized cost of energy while increasing the yearly power generated and water required by the power plant. Simulation results favored the proposed solar tower configuration over the parabolic trough and recommended the implementation of such concentrated solar power projects in the central and eastern locations of Egypt.
An adaptive finite element method for Riesz fractional partial integro-differential equations
Authors: Adel E. , El-Kalla I. L. , Elsaid A. , Sameeh M. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe Riesz fractional derivative has been employed to describe the spatial derivative in a variety of mathematical models. In this work, the accuracy of the finite element method (FEM) approximations to Riesz fractional derivative was enhanced by using adaptive refinement. This was accomplished by deducing the Riesz derivatives of the FEM bases to work on non-uniform meshes. We utilized these derivatives to recover the gradient in a space fractional partial integro-differential equation in the Riesz sense. The recovered gradient was used as an a posteriori error estimator to control the adaptive refinement scheme. The stability and the error estimate for the proposed scheme are introduced. The results of some numerical examples that we carried out illustrate the improvement in the performance of the adaptive technique.
Beyond Pandering: Investment Project Quality, Voter Support, and the Use of Investment Incentives
Authors: Jud Stefano 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWhy are politicians selective in granting investment incentives to foreign direct investment (FDI) projects? One understudied reason is that politicians want to minimize backlash from voters. In this article, I present the first study to systematically analyze voter preferences toward investment incentives. I theorize that voters should be more likely to support investment incentives for FDI projects that they perceive as “high quality”—that is, projects that voters perceive to be highly effective in improving the living standards of their communities. As a result, I expect that politicians who support low-quality FDI projects with incentives will lose voter support. A factorial survey experiment in the United States provides evidence in favor of this argument. Voters reward politicians only if they provide investment incentives to high-quality projects. An additional conjoint survey experiment highlights the importance of project characteristics that indicate high quality in increasing the approval of investment incentives. To demonstrate the external validity of these experimental results, I present descriptive evidence that illustrates the consistencies between the determinants of investment incentives for FDI projects and voter preferences.
The economics of species extinction: An economist’s viewpoint
Authors: Fraser Iain M. , Roberts David L. , Brock Michael 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
There is growing evidence to suggest that there is an increase in species extinction occurring globally. In this article, we briefly review the literature on the economics of species extinction, examining what is meant by extinction before explaining how economics has conceptualised this. The initial economics literature on species extinction focuses largely on renewable resources, in particular fisheries, but has subsequently evolved to cover many aspects of biodiversity across all physical scales, employing an increasing array of methodological tools. We also consider aspects of cultural and societal extinctions (e.g. local languages, local knowledge) and how this is positively correlated with loss of biodiversity, as well as an economist’s outlook on the potential to re-capture value post-extinction.
Hegel and the Paradox of Presence
Authors: Sares James 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This essay evaluates Hegel's claim that the phenomenon of time exhibits a quantitative logic in the context of a paradox concerning temporal presence. On the one hand, in time, the present always is. It seems that the very nature of time, assuming that it is really passing, requires us to assent to the continuous being of the present. If time is always passing, there must always be a present when the passing actually occurs and thus when beings actually exist. On the other hand, any particular moment of presence, as a point or an interval, immediately ceases to be or has not yet come to be. And, because of this, no delineated moment can be purely self-present. Conceived as an unextended point, presence would be nothing enduring of its own against time's passing, while, conceived as an interval, presence contains before and after within itself, meaning as an interval that is not actually present at once. The paradox is therefore that time's passing demands we think being present and presence as being, while being present, strictly speaking, seems impossible due precisely to that passing. Hegel claims to reconcile the self-same form of presence, a presence that always is, with continuous change under the category of quantity. However, I argue that the non-identity between the logical category and the phenomenon of time renders this reconciliation ineffective against the paradox, breaking down, more specifically, as it concerns the formation of a temporal magnitude. I evaluate alternative Hegelian interpretations for determining whether the irresolvability of the paradox proves problematic after all, arguing that the paradox in fact presents a significant problem for the conceivability of temporal existence.
Support for wildlife consumption bans and policies in China post-Covid-19
Authors: Rizzolo Jessica Bell , Zhu Annah Lake , Chen Ruishan 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe Covid-19 pandemic, which probably arose from zoonotic sources, has provoked wide-ranging discussion on which wildlife policies can best prevent future pandemics. More work needs to be done to investigate support for regulatory frameworks in China post-Covid-19 and specifically to model how perceptions of the relationship between wildlife consumption and risk of zoonotic diseases combine with other variables to influence support for wildlife policies. We report on a 2021 quantitative survey conducted in China. The objectives were to measure attitudes towards the current wildlife consumption ban and wildlife regulations in China and to model which variables correlate with support for bans on wild-caught and farmed wildlife. The sample was almost evenly split between considering the ban on wild animal consumption in China to be adequate (45%) or not strict enough (42%). Protection against future pandemics and protection of the environment were motivators for supporting the ban for c. 80% of respondents. The results also indicated strong support for wildlife bans. A majority of respondents supported bans of both wild-caught and farmed wildlife, although support for bans of wild-caught animals was greater for most taxa. Furthermore, the perceived zoonotic risk of a taxon was a more prevalent correlate of support for a ban for wild-caught wildlife than for farmed wildlife. Our results indicate substantial support for the current wildlife consumption ban in China, and opportunities to further mitigate the environmental and zoonotic risks of wildlife consumption.
Neural correlates of context-dependent extinction recall in social anxiety disorder: relevance of intrusions in response to aversive social experiences
Authors: Fricke Susanne , Seinsche Rosa J. , Neudert Marie K. , Schäfer Axel , Zehtner Raphaela I. , Stark Rudolf , Hermann Andrea 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundThere are phenomenological similarities between social anxiety disorder (SAD) and posttraumatic stress disorder, such as a provoking aversive event, posttraumatic stress symptoms (e.g. intrusions) in response to these events and deficient (context-dependent) fear conditioning processes. This study investigated the neural correlates of context-dependent extinction recall and fear renewal in SAD, specifically in patients with intrusions in response to an etiologically relevant aversive social event.MethodsDuring functional magnetic resonance imaging a two-day context-dependent fear conditioning paradigm was conducted in 54 patients with SAD and 54 healthy controls (HC). This included fear acquisition (context A) and extinction learning (context B) on one day, and extinction recall (context B) as well as fear renewal (contexts C and A) one day later. The main outcome measures were blood oxygen level-dependent responses in regions of interest and skin conductance responses.ResultsPatients with SAD showed reduced differential conditioned amygdala activation during extinction recall in the safe extinction context and during fear renewal in the acquisition context compared to HC. Patients with clinically relevant intrusions moreover exhibited hypoactivation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) during extinction learning, extinction recall, and fear renewal in a novel context, while amygdala activation more strongly decreased during extinction learning and increased during fear renewal in the acquisition context compared with patients without intrusions.ConclusionsOur study provides first evidence that intrusions in SAD are associated with similar deficits in context-dependent regulation of conditioned fear via the vmPFC as previously demonstrated in posttraumatic stress disorder.
Performance pay and non-native language comprehension: Can we learn to understand better when we’re paid to listen?
Authors: Afghani Chasen , Baese-Berk Melissa M. , Waddell Glen R. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractNon-native speech is difficult for native listeners to understand. While listeners can learn to understand non-native speech after exposure, it is unclear how to optimize this learning. Experimental subjects transcribed non-native speech and were paid either a flat rate or based on their performance. Participants who were paid based on performance demonstrated improved performance overall and faster learning than participants who were paid a flat rate. These results suggest that exposure alone is not sufficient to optimize learning of non-native speech and that current models of this process must be revised to account for the effects of motivation and incentive.