bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of dental visits in older Japanese adults receiving public assistance
Authors: Kino Shiho , Ueno Keiko , Nishioka Daisuke , Kondo Naoki , Aida Jun 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectivesExemption from paying dental care costs among recipients of public assistance contributes to universal health care coverage. Although this system might reduce the financial barriers to dental care among patients, there are still several other barriers for public assistance recipients. Therefore, this study examined whether receiving public assistance was associated with a higher prevalence of dental visits for any reason, treatment and prevention.MethodsData were obtained from 16 366 respondents from the 2019 wave of a nationwide cohort study on older adults in Japan. Poisson regression analyses with robust error variance were used to examine the associations between receiving public assistance and dental visits, adjusting for number of teeth, dental pain, periodontal conditions, age, sex, number of family members, education, equivalent household income, working status, instrumental activities of daily living, medical conditions, depressive symptoms, instrumental support and geographical variations.ResultsMore than half of the non‐recipients of public assistance visited a dentist for some reason in the past 6 months. Meanwhile, only 37% of the recipients visited a dentist. In addition, almost half of the non‐recipients had treatment visits, while only 34% of the recipients visited. Furthermore, 46% of the non‐recipients had dental visits for prevention, while 32% of the recipients had preventive visits. In the fully adjusted models, compared to non‐recipients, public assistance recipients were 24% (Prevalence Ratio [PR]: 0.76, 95% Confidence Intervals [CI]: 0.64, 0.90), 23% (PR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.92) and 21% (PR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.95) less likely to have dental visits for any reason, treatment, and prevention, respectively.ConclusionsAlthough recipients were exempted from dental treatment fees, receiving public assistance was associated with a lower prevalence of dental visits for any reason, treatment and prevention. Future studies should identify the barriers to accessing dental care among public assistance recipients to improve dental visits.
Growth hormone therapy is associated with improved uterine dimensions in girls with Turner syndrome prior to oestrogen replacement
Authors: Mondal Sunetra , Gargari Piyas , Nagendra Lakshmi , Mandal Santanu , Kumar Rathin C. , Shah Pooja , Haldar Mandira , Chowdhury Subhankar , Mukhopadhyay Satinath 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundAdult women with Turner syndrome (TS) have high rates of miscarriage, presumably due to the abnormal size and shape of the uterus. There is a paucity of data regarding the determinants of uterine volume (UtVol) in young girls with TS before the initiation of oestrogen replacement therapy (ERT).MethodsWe performed a cross‐sectional study on premenarchal girls with TS, aged 5–15 years, pubertal stage B1–B3, not having received ERT (n = 73) and 50 age‐matched healthy controls. Anthropometric parameters and a history of growth hormone (GH) therapy (≥1 year) were noted. Uterine length (UtL), UtVol, and mean‐ovarian‐volume (MOV) standard‐deviation scores (SDS) were determined from transabdominal ultrasonography data.ResultsGirls with TS had lower median UtVol‐SDS (−1.07 vs. 0.86; p < .001), UtL‐SDS (−3.72 vs. −0.41; p < .001) and MOV‐SDS (−5.53 vs. 1.96; p < .001) compared to age‐matched controls. Among TS girls, recipients of GH (n = 38) had higher UtVol‐SDS (−0.63 vs. −1.39; p = .0001), UtL‐SDS (−1.73 vs. −6.49; p < .0001) but similar MOV‐SDS compared to nonrecipients (n = 35). Those with normal uterine volume for age (NUVA, n = 29) had earlier initiation (7.8 vs. 9.3 years; p = .03) and a longer duration of GH (3.71 vs. 2.14 years; p = .002) than those with low UtVol for age (n = 44). UtVol‐SDS correlated with duration of GH (ρ = 0.411, p = .01) and negatively with age at GH initiation (ρ = −0.479, p = .003). In a model adjusted for pubertal status, karyotype and height‐SDS, GH use could independently predict having NUVA (odds ratio: 5.09, confidence interval: 1.63–15.94, p = .005).ConclusionGH therapy has a stimulatory effect on uterine dimensions in pre‐and peripubertal girls with TS. Earlier initiation and longer duration of GH is important in TS girls before ERT.
Genetic testing and gene therapy in retinal diseases: Knowledge and perceptions of optometrists in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Britten‐Jones Alexis Ceecee , Mack Heather G. , Vincent Andrea L. , Hill Lisa J. , Edwards Thomas L. , Ayton Lauren N. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWith advances in gene‐based therapies for heritable retinal diseases, primary eye care clinicians should be informed on ocular genetics topics. This cross‐sectional survey evaluated knowledge, attitudes, and concerns regarding genetic testing and gene therapy for retinal diseases among optometrists in Australia and New Zealand. Survey data included practitioner background, attitudes and practices towards genetic testing for monogenic inherited retinal disease (IRDs) and age‐related macular degeneration, and knowledge of ocular genetics and gene therapy. Responses were received from 516 optometrists between 1 April and 31 December 2022. Key perceived barriers to accessing genetic testing were lack of clarity on referral pathways (81%), cost (65%), and lack of treatment options if a genetic cause is identified (50%). Almost all respondents (98%) believed that ophthalmologists should initiate genetic testing for IRDs and fewer understood the role of genetic counsellors and clinical geneticists. This study found that optometrists in Australia and New Zealand have a high level of interest in ocular genetics topics. However, knowledge gaps include referral pathways and awareness of genetic testing and gene therapy outcomes. Addressing perceived barriers to access and promoting sharing of knowledge between interdisciplinary networks can set the foundation for genetic education agendas in primary eye care.
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation improves working memory in temporal lobe epilepsy: A randomized double‐blind study
Authors: Pan Liping , Wang Jiajing , Wu Wenjuan , Wang Yunfan , Zhu Yujing , Song Yijun 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAimsThis study investigated the impact of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on working memory (WM) in refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (rTLE) and the underlying mechanisms.MethodsIn this randomized double‐blind study, 28 rTLE patients were subjected to an active or sham taVNS (a/s‐taVNS) protocol for 20 weeks (a‐taVNS group, n = 19; s‐ta VNS group, n = 9). Patients performed visual WM tasks during stimulation and neural oscillations were simultaneously recorded by 19‐channel electroencephalography.ResultsCompared with the baseline state, reaction time was significantly shorter after 20 weeks of taVNS in the a‐taVNS group (p = 0.010), whereas no difference was observed in the s‐taVNS group (p > 0.05). The power spectral density (PSD) of the theta frequency band in the Fz channel decreased significantly after a‐taVNS during WM‐encoding (p = 0.020), maintenance (p = 0.038), and retrieval (p = 0.039) phases, but not in the s‐taVNS group (all p > 0.05).ConclusionNeural oscillations during WM were altered by taVNS and WM performance was improved. Alterations in frontal midline theta oscillations may be a marker for the effect of taVNS on cognitive regulation.
RIPK3 activation promotes DAXX‐dependent neuronal necroptosis after intracerebral hemorrhage in mice
Authors: Bai Qingqing , Wang Shuoyang , Rao Dongmei , Zhou Zhiming , Wang Jianfei , Wang Qi , Qin Yu , Chu Zhaohu , Zhao Shoucai , Yu Dijing , Xu Yang 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundNecroptosis induced by receptor‐interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) is engaged in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) pathology. In this study, we explored the impact of RIPK3 activation on neuronal necroptosis and the mechanism of the death domain‐associated protein (DAXX)‐mediated nuclear necroptosis pathway after ICH.MethodsPotential molecules linked to the progression of ICH were discovered using RNA sequencing. The level of DAXX was assessed by quantitative real‐time PCR, ELISA, and western blotting. DAXX localization was determined by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays. The RIPK3 inhibitor GSK872 and DAXX knockdown with shRNA‐DAXX were used to examine the nuclear necroptosis pathway associated with ICH. Neurobehavioral deficit assessments were performed.ResultsDAXX was increased in patients and mice after ICH. In an ICH mouse model, shRNA‐DAXX reduced brain water content and alleviated neurologic impairments. GSK872 administration reduced the expression of DAXX. shRNA‐DAXX inhibited the expression of p‐MLKL. Immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays showed that RIPK3 and AIF translocated into the nucleus and then bound with nuclear DAXX.ConclusionsRIPK3 revitalization promoted neuronal necroptosis in ICH mice, partially through the DAXX signaling pathway. RIPK3 and AIF interacted with nuclear DAXX to aggravate ICH injury.
Multiple foci of dilated vessels as a new predictor of metachronous esophageal cancer
Authors: Kawakami Yushi , Ishihara Ryu , Matsuno Kenshi , Waki Kotaro , Shichijo Satoki , Yoshii Shunsuke , Kanesaka Takashi , Yamamoto Sachiko , Takeuchi Yoji , Higashino Koji , Uedo Noriya , Michida Tomoki , Tanaka Yasuhito 
Published: August 2023

ObjectivesPrediction of the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by endoscopic findings without iodine staining, which is irritating to the esophagus, would be beneficial. In a previous retrospective study, we found that multiple foci of dilated vascular areas (MDV) of the esophageal mucosa, seen in narrow‐band imaging (NBI)/blue laser imaging (BLI), are associated with iodine‐unstained lesions and, thus, may be a predictor of esophageal SCC. This prospective study aimed to investigate the association between MDV and metachronous esophageal SCC.MethodsPatients with a history of endoscopic resection for esophageal SCC were included in the study. First, evaluation of the MDV using NBI or BLI was conducted during the initial endoscopy. The patients were then monitored for metachronous esophageal SCC by endoscopic surveillance. The association between the number of MDV and incidence of metachronous esophageal SCC was investigated.ResultsFrom February 2018 to May 2019, 206 patients were enrolled and 201 patients were included in the analysis. Patients were followed up until October 2022. The median (interquartile range) endoscopic follow‐up period was 1260 (1105–1348) days. The incidence of metachronous esophageal SCC at 2 years was 7.1% in patients with MDV ≤4 and 13.9% in patients with MDV ≥5 (P < 0.01). In the multivariate analysis, MDV was an independent predictor of metachronous esophageal SCC, with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 2.37 (1.06–5.31).ConclusionMultiple foci of dilated vascular area is a useful predictor for stratifying the risk of metachronous esophageal SCC.
On the relationship between financial inclusion and bank performance
Authors: Sha'ban Mais , Girardone Claudia , Sarkisyan Anna , Arun Thankom 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis study examines the relationship between various financial inclusion measures and banks' performance across multiple countries with varying institutional, regulatory and income levels. To construct an aggregate bank performance index, we employ principal component analysis, which utilises a set of critical indicators summarised by the CAMEL rating system, including banks' solvency, asset quality, efficiency, profitability and liquidity. Our primary findings indicate that different measures of financial inclusion exhibit varying associations with bank performance. Specifically, there is a trade‐off between bank performance and credit deepening, especially in high‐income nations. Conversely, in low‐income nations, higher financial inclusion, measured by deposits to GDP, number of deposits, and number of borrowers, does not affect bank performance adversely. Banks in low‐income nations could achieve significant gains by improving financial access and enhancing regulatory environments.
Ultrasonographic technique and appearance of presumptively normal clinically relevant lymph nodes in horses
Authors: Gremillet Bérengère , Vandersmissen Maxime , Dancot Michaël , Evrard Laurence , Charles Alexandre , Busoni Valeria 
Published: August 2023

SummaryBackgroundLymph nodes are routinely assessed ultrasonographically in humans and small animals. The ultrasonographic assessment of equine lymph nodes has only been sporadically reported.ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to establish anatomical landmarks, ultrasonographic technique and normal ultrasonographic appearance of clinically relevant equine lymph nodes difficult to assess by palpation and to provide a useful reference for equine practitioners.Study designThis was prospective observational study.MethodsMedial retropharyngeal, cranial and caudal deep cervical, and caecal lymph nodes were visualised using transcutaneous ultrasonography in 19 clinically healthy horses, and lymph nodes of the iliosacral lymphocentre were visualised using transrectal ultrasonography in nine horses with no metabolic or infectious disorders. Anatomical landmarks, size and echogenicity were recorded.ResultsA total of 268 lymph nodes were visualised and measured in 25 horses. Lymph nodes were ovoid with regular contour and homogeneous parenchyma, hypoechoic to isoechoic to the surrounding tissue. The visualised lymph nodes of the sacroiliac lymphocentre were the smallest (mean ± standard deviation: 2.4 ± 0.9 × 5.9 ± 1.8 mm), and the largest were the caudal deep cervical lymph nodes (mean ± standard deviation: 5.1 ± 1.9 × 10.9 ± 5.6 mm). The short‐to‐long‐axis ratio varied from 0.44 to 0.60 among the lymph nodes examined.Main limitationsNormality of lymph nodes was not confirmed by histopathology.ConclusionsThis study describes the ultrasonographic technique, anatomical landmarks and appearance of presumptively normal medial retropharyngeal, cranial and caudal deep cervical, caecal lymph nodes and caudal lymph nodes of the iliosacral lymphocentre.
Evaluating significant features in context‐aware multimodal emotion recognition with XAI methods
Authors: Khalane Aaishwarya , Makwana Rikesh , Shaikh Talal , Ullah Abrar 
Published: August 2023

AbstractExpert systems are being extensively used to make critical decisions involving emotional analysis in affective computing. The evolution of deep learning algorithms has improved the potential for extracting value from multimodal emotional data. However, these black‐box algorithms do not often explain the heuristics behind processing the input features for achieving certain outputs. This study focuses on the risks of using black‐box deep learning models for critical tasks, such as emotion recognition, and describes how human understandable interpretations of the workings of these models are extremely important. This study utilizes one of the largest multimodal datasets available–CMU‐MOSEI. Many researchers have used the pre‐extracted features provided by the CMU Multimodal SDK with black‐box deep learning models making it difficult to interpret the contribution of its individual features. This study describes the implications of significant features from various modalities (audio, video, text) identified using XAI in Multimodal Emotion Recognition. It describes the process of curating reduced feature models by using the Gradient SHAP XAI method. These reduced models with highly contributing features achieve comparable and at times even better results compared to their corresponding all‐feature models as well as the baseline model GraphMFN. This study reveals that carefully selecting significant features for a model can help filter out irrelevant features, and attenuate the noise or bias caused by them, leading to an improved performance efficiency of the expert systems by making them transparent, easily interpretable, and trustworthy.
Improve the application of reinforcement learning and multi‐modal information in music sentiment analysis
Authors: Yang Qi , Liu Songhu , Gong Tianzhuo 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn order to improve the effect of music sentiment analysis, this paper proposes a music sentiment classification method based on lyrics and comments. This method combines lyrics and comment texts to mine richer sentiment information, and comprehensively considers the influence of the word frequency, sentiment strength and part of speech of sentiment words on sentiment classification when constructing sentiment vectors. Moreover, it matches the lyrics of the music and the substantive words in the comment with the emotional dictionary to obtain the emotional category and emotional weight of each substantive word, and calculates the statistical value of each emotional category. In addition, this paper combines reinforcement learning and multi‐modal information technology to construct a music emotion research model.
Researching what we practice—The paradigm of systemic family research: Part 2
Authors: Whittaker Kristoffer , Stokkebekk Jan , Lorås Lennart , Tilden Terje 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis is the second of two articles focusing on ideological and philosophical preferences for relating to and conducting research in the field of systemic couple and family therapy (CFT). To emphasize the need for the field of systemic CFT to be based on the best available knowledge, in the first article, we argue the benefits of applying the principles of evidence‐based practice, and in the current article, we present the rationale behind the contents of a program for systemic family therapy research that safeguards methodological multiplicity. The need for multi‐methodological systemic research is also recognized on the basis of the authors' self‐reflexive accounts of overcoming barriers to learning skills and deepening their understanding of quantitative methods. We thus argue that trans‐methodological reflexivity is necessary and we argue a preference for methodological multiplicity that includes statistical competency as regards the interdependence of observations (i.e., nonindependence), and we further argue that these are crucial components of a systemic research program.
Developmental coordination disorder: What can we learn from RI mice using motor learning tasks and QTL analysis
Authors: Gill Kamaldeep , Rajan Jeffy Rajan Soundara , Chow Eric , Ashbrook David G. , Williams Robert W. , Zwicker Jill G. , Goldowitz Daniel 
Published: August 2023

AbstractDevelopmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of unknown etiology that affects one in 20 children. There is an indication that DCD has an underlying genetic component due to its high heritability. Therefore, we explored the use of a recombinant inbred family of mice known as the BXD panel to understand the genetic basis of complex traits (i.e., motor learning) through identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The overall aim of this study was to utilize the QTL approach to evaluate the genome‐to‐phenome correlation in BXD strains of mice in order to better understand the human presentation of DCD. Results of this current study confirm differences in motor learning in selected BXD strains and strains with altered cerebellar volume. Five strains – BXD15, BXD27, BXD28, BXD75, and BXD86 – exhibited the most DCD‐like phenotype when compared with other BXD strains of interest. Results indicate that BXD15 and BXD75 struggled primarily with gross motor skills, BXD28 primarily had difficulties with fine motor skills, and BXD27 and BXD86 strains struggled with both fine and gross motor skills. The functional roles of genes within significant QTLs were assessed in relation to DCD‐like behavior. Only Rab3a (Ras‐related protein Rab‐3A) emerged as a high likelihood candidate gene for the horizontal ladder rung task. This gene is associated with brain and skeletal muscle development, but lacked nonsynonymous polymorphisms. This study along with Gill et al. (same issue) is the first studies to specifically examine the genetic linkage of DCD using BXD strains of mice.
A distinctive latitudinal trend of nitrogen isotope signature across urban forests in eastern China
Authors: Xia Nan , Du Enzai , Tang Yang , Guo Hongbo 
Published: August 2023

AbstractRapid urbanization has greatly altered nitrogen (N) cycling from regional to global scales. Compared to natural forests, urban forests receive much more external N inputs with distinctive abundances of stable N isotope (δ15N). However, the large‐scale pattern of soil δ15N and its imprint on plant δ15N remain less well understood in urban forests. By collecting topsoil (0–20 cm) and leaf samples from urban forest patches in nine large cities across a north–south transect in eastern China, we analyzed the latitudinal trends of topsoil C:N ratio and δ15N as well as the correlations between tree leaf δ15N and topsoil δ15N. We further explored the spatial variation of topsoil δ15N explained by corresponding climatic, edaphic, vegetation‐associated, and anthropogenic drivers. Our results showed a significant increase of topsoil C:N ratio towards higher latitudes, suggesting lower N availability at higher latitudes. Topsoil δ15N also increased significantly at higher latitudes, being opposite to the latitudinal trend of soil N availability. The latitudinal trend of topsoil δ15N was mainly explained by mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, and atmospheric deposition of both ammonium and nitrate. Consequently, tree leaf δ15N showed significant positive correlations with topsoil δ15N across all sampled plant species and functional types. Our findings reveal a distinctive latitudinal trend of δ15N in urban forests and highlight an important role of anthropogenic N sources in shaping the large‐scale pattern of urban forest 15N signature.
Design, characterization, and incorporation of geopolymer binders in refractory ceramic compositions
Authors: Bezerra Breno Parente , Morelli Márcio Raymundo , Luz Ana Paula 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe development of cement‐free refractories has gained attention in recent years. Geopolymers (GP) are cold‐setting binders that may be applied in the manufacturing of such ceramics. However, a systemic comparison between calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and GP‐bonded formulations is still necessary to understand the strengths and limitations of these novel binders. In this study, three GP were designed and characterized, and the most promising composition was incorporated into an alumina refractory. A corresponding CAC‐containing formulation was also evaluated as a reference material. The physico‐mechanical properties of the prepared ceramics were analyzed after heat treatments ranging from 40–1250°C. Among the designed GP, the sodium‐containing binder showed the best performance, although its addition to alumina refractory resulted in cured samples with low mechanical strength. However, with the progression of liquid formation, sintering, and densification during firing at 1100–1250°C, the GP‐bonded refractory displayed enhanced flexural strength, surpassing the performance of the CAC‐containing composition.