bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation of age with the size of subcortical nuclei of the brain and its implication in degenerative disease: A magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Dhamija Aditij , Andrade Lydia S. , K. Prakashini , Gupta Chandni 
Published: September 2023

Background: Aging is a non-modifiable risk factor for neurodegenerative disease. It is well established that the brain undergoes physiological atrophy with age. So, this study was conducted to analyse the correlation between the age of the person and the size of the various subcortical nuclei of the brain and whether these measurements can serve as a useful indicator for physiological atrophy leading to degenerative disease in clinical practice. Methods: A total of 600 MRI scans from healthy individuals were examined and the measurements of subcortical nuclei were taken and subsequently analysed. Results: A statistically significant difference between the genders was observed in the sizes of the axial diameters of caudate nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus. Caudate nucleus transverse diameter showed a moderate negative correlation with age in males. Globus pallidus axial diameter with age showed weak positive correlation for males. Globus pallidus transverse diameter showed weak positive correlation with age for both males and females, but it was stronger for males compared to females. Conclusions: These results will help neurologists and neurosurgeons in analysing various early degenerative diseases and treat them accordingly.
Case Report: A successful surgical approach towards rare congenital left diaphragmatic hernia associated with respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Potdukhe Ashwini , Wanjari Mayur , Sharma Ranjana , Ankar Ruchira , Raut Arati , Alone Anjali 
Published: September 2023

Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a life-threatening condition. It happens when the fetal diaphragm does not develop normally during pregnancy. In CDH, the diaphragm breach permits abdominal contents to leak into the thoracic cavity. Pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary vascular disease are present in varying degrees of CHD syndrome. Typically leads to pulmonary hypertension, due to anatomical and functional pulmonary vascular abnormalities. Case presentation: Here we report a case of a 5-day-old male neonate born with respiratory distress. After undergoing radiological examination patient was diagnosed with CDH. Transabdominal surgical management was given. The prognosis was good. Conclusion: Transabdominal surgical approach was effective in the case of CDH management.
Identification of high-performing antibodies for tyrosine-protein kinase SYK for use in Western Blot, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence
Authors: Alshafie Walaa , Fotouhi Maryam , Ayoubi Riham , Southern Kathleen , Laflamme Carl ,   NeuroSGC/YCharOS collaborative group
Published: September 2023

Tyrosine-protein kinase SYK, encoded by theSYKgene, is a non-receptor type protein kinase which mediates immune signal transduction through immunoreceptors. Tyrosine-protein kinase SYK expression has been associated with the development of various inflammatory diseases, cancer and neurodegenerative conditions. The reproducibility of tyrosine-protein kinase SYK research would help elucidate the mechanism in which it causes neuroinflammation as well as its potential as a novel target to treat Alzheimer’s disease. This would be facilitated with the availability of high-quality tyrosine-protein kinase SYK. In this study, we characterized thirteen tyrosine-protein kinase SYK commercial antibodies for Western Blot, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence using a standardized experimental protocol based on comparing read-outs in knockout cell lines and isogenic parental controls. We identified many high-performing antibodies and encourage readers to use this report as a guide to select the most appropriate antibody for their specific needs.
Can Blockchain Technology Help Overcome Contractual Incompleteness? Evidence from State Laws
Authors: Chen Mark A. , Hu Shuting Sophia , Wang Joanna , Wu Qinxi 
Published: September 2023

Real-world contractual agreements between firms are often incomplete, leading to suboptimal investment and loss of value in supply chain relationships. To what extent can blockchain technology help alleviate problems arising from contractual incompleteness? We examine this issue by exploiting a quasi-natural experiment based on the staggered adoption of U.S. state laws that increased firms’ in-state ability to develop, adopt, and use blockchain technology. We find that, after exposure to a pro-blockchain law, firms with greater asset specificity exhibit more positive changes to Tobin’s Q, research and development, and blockchain-related innovation. Also, such firms appear to rely less on vertical integration, form more strategic alliances, and shift their emphasis to less geographically proximate customers. Overall, our results suggest that blockchain technology can help firms remedy constraints and inefficiencies arising from contractual incompleteness. This paper was accepted by Will Cong, Special Section of Management Science: Blockchains and Crypto Economics. Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.04139 .
Tick Size and Earnings Guidance in Small-Cap Firms: Evidence from the SEC’s Tick Size Pilot Program
Authors: Chen Yangyang , Ng Jeffrey , Ofosu Emmanuel , Yang Xin 
Published: September 2023

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s 2016 Tick Size Pilot Program was a natural experiment that imposed increases in tick size for randomly selected small-cap firms. Using a difference-in-differences research design, we examine the effect of this increase in tick size on earnings guidance. We find that after initiation of the program, treatment firms provide significantly less earnings guidance. We provide further evidence that this decrease is driven by increases in investors’ fundamental information acquisition and in firms’ financial reporting quality, consistent with firms reducing earnings guidance when investors are already more informed. The decrease is stronger for firms with higher proprietary costs of disclosure, consistent with firms being more likely to reduce costly disclosure when investors are more informed. In contrast, the decrease is weaker for firms with greater external financing needs, consistent with these firms continuing to seek the benefits of disclosure, even when investors are more informed. Taken together, our results suggest that an increase in tick size makes investors more informed, which, in turn, reduces the need for firms to provide earnings guidance, though the extent of the reduction depends on the costs and benefits of providing earnings guidance. This paper was accepted by Suraj Srinivasan, accounting. Supplemental Material: The data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4930 .
Comparison of prehospital stroke care at private homes and residential care settings
Authors: Finney Owen , McClelland Graham , Shaw Lisa , Price Chris 
Published: September 2023

Background:Suspected stroke is a common scenario among care home residents, who are typically older and have more complex health needs than the general population.Aims:The aim of this study was to describe the care of suspected stroke patients according to their residential status.Methods:Retrospective secondary analysis was carried out using a clinical record dataset from a UK ambulance service that described the care of patients labelled as having a suspected stroke between December 2021 and April 2022.Findings:Care home patients were older (median age 86 (interquartile range (IQR) 79–91) years) than those in their own homes (median age 75 (IQR 63–83) years; P≤0.001), with more comorbidities (median of five (IQR 3–6) versus median of three (IQR 2–5); P≤0.001) and taking more medications (median of six (IQR 4–9) versus median of four (IQR 1–7); P≤0.001). They were more likely to have difficulties completing the face, arms, speech, time test (17/170 (10%) versus 39/1305 (3%); P≤0.001) and present with facial droop (85/153 (55.6%) versus 506/1266 (40%); P≤0.001). Ambulance on-scene time was longer at care homes (median 41 (IQR 32–49.5) minutes versus median 35 (IQR 27–45) minutes; P≤0.001).Conclusion:Clinician awareness of characteristics associated with residential settings may be important for delivering emergency stroke care. Research is needed to optimise ambulance assessment for care home patients.
Values and preferences related to workplace mental health programs and interventions: An international survey
Authors: Murphy Jill K. , Noble Jasmine M. , Chakraborty Promit Ananyo , Michlig Georgia , Michalak Erin E. , Greenshaw Andrew J. , Lam Raymond W. 
Published: September 2023

Introduction
This study explores the perspectives of workers and managers on workplace programs and interventions that seek to promote mental wellbeing, and prevent and treat mental health conditions The results contributed supporting evidence for the development of the WHO’s first global guidelines for mental health and work, which provide evidence-based recommendations to support the implementation of workplace mental health programs and supports, to improve their acceptability, appropriateness, and uptake.

Methods
An international online survey was used to examine the values and preferences among workers and managers related to workplace mental health prevention, protection, promotion, and support programs and services. The survey was made available in English, French, and Spanish and recruitment consisted of convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the survey data. Rapid thematic qualitative analysis was used to analyse the results of open-ended questions.

Results
N = 451 responses representing all WHO regions were included in the analysis. These results provide a unique international perspective on programs and supports for mental health at work, from the standpoint of workers and managers. Results suggest that workers value interventions developed in consultation with workers (including indicated, selective and universal interventions), increased training and capacity building among managers, and targeted interventions to address the pervasive impact of stigma on perceptions about mental health at work and help-seeking.

Conclusion
The findings of this study seek to reflect the perspectives of workers and their managers, and therein to promote improved access, availability and uptake of mental health programs and supports at work and–ultimately- to support the potential of workplaces as environments that promote and support mental health.
The relationship between visual function and physical performance in the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA)
Authors: Thompson Atalie C. , Johnson Eileen , Miller Michael E. , Williamson Jeff D. , Newman Anne B. , Cummings Steve , Cawthon Peggy , Kritchevsky Stephen B. 
Published: September 2023

PurposeThe relationship of types of visual function to different aspects of physical function, especially strength and coordination, has been understudied, but delineation of these relationships could suggest potentially modifiable targets prior to the onset of disability.MethodsCross-sectional analysis of visual function (self-reported eyesight and eye disease, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity) and physical function tests in 877 older adults (mean age 76.36±5.01 years, 59.2% women, and 13.3% Black race). Separate linear regression models were constructed for short physical performance battery (SPPB), expanded SPPB (eSPPB), their components (gait speed, chair stand, balance, narrow walk), stair climb, four-square step, leg extension peak power and strength, and grip strength.ResultsIn adjusted models, worse acuity, worse contrast sensitivity, and self-reported poor vision were significantly associated with worse performance on the eSPPB and four-square step test. Worse contrast sensitivity, but not acuity, was significantly associated with shorter balance times, slower chair stand pace, longer stair climb time, and worse SPPB score. Associations of worse acuity and contrast sensitivity with weaker leg extension power, leg strength, and grip strength were attenuated by covariate adjustment. Self-reported macular degeneration, but not cataract or glaucoma, was associated with worse performance on SPPB, eSPPB, balance, stair climb, and four-square step tests in adjusted models. Worse contrast sensitivity and macular degeneration remained associated with worse SPPB and balance after controlling for visual acuity and self-reported eyesight.ConclusionsPoor contrast sensitivity was more strongly associated with worse physical performance than acuity, especially for complex tasks that dynamically challenge coordination and balance. Future studies should examine if older adults with contrast sensitivity impairment would benefit from targeted intervention to decrease their risk of disability.
Safety and tolerability of frozen, capsulized autologous faecal microbiota transplantation. A randomized double blinded phase I clinical trial
Authors: Stefansson Måns , Bladh Oscar , Flink Ola , Skolling Otto , Ekre Hans-Peter , Rombo Lars , Engstrand Lars , Ursing Johan 
Published: September 2023

Background
Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is recommended treatment for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection and is studied as a potential modifier of other gastrointestinal and systemic disorders. Autologous FMT limits the potential risks of donor transplant material and enables prophylactic treatment. Capsulized FMT is convenient and accessible, but safety data are lacking.

Aims
To describe safety and tolerability of capsules containing autologous FMT, compared to placebo, in healthy volunteers treated with antibiotics.

Method
Healthy volunteers without antibiotic exposure during the past three months, that had a negative Clostridioides difficile stool sample, were recruited. Study persons donated faeces for production of capsules containing autologous microbiota. They were then given Clindamycin for seven days to disrupt the intestinal microbiota, which was followed by a two-day washout. Study persons were then randomized (1:1) to unsupervised treatment with autologous faecal matter or placebo, with two capsules twice daily for five days. A standardized questionnaire about side effects and tolerability, daily until day 28, and on days 60 and 180, was completed.

Results
Twenty-four study persons were included, all completed the treatment. One person from the placebo and FMT groups each, were lost to follow up from days 21 and 60, respectively. No study person experienced serious side effects, but severe fatigue was reported during the antibiotic period (n = 2). Reported side effects were mild to moderate and there were no significant differences between the groups. Reported general and intestinal health improved significantly and similarly in both groups after the antibiotic treatment. Time to normalized intestinal habits were 17 and 19 days from study start in the placebo group and the FMT group, respectively (p = 0.8).

Conclusion
Capsulized frozen autologous faecal microbiota transplantation was safe and well tolerated but did not affect time to normalized intestinal habits compared to placebo.

Trial registration
EudraCT 2017-002418-30.
Aplastic Anemia in Children
Authors: Widayat Widayat , Sunarto Sunarto , Sutaryo Sutaryo , Zurghiban M. , Ismangoen Ismangoen 
Published: September 2023

During a period of 5 years (1975-1980) nine children with aplastic anemia were admitted to the Department of Child Health, Gadjah Mada University Hospital, Yogyakarta. They were 6 boys and 3 girls from 4 to 12 years of age. Of all the patients. 7 could be classified as the acquired type, and 2 as the idiopathic type. Generally, they were admitted with the following chief comptlaints: paleness, weakness and bleeding manifestations (skin bleeding 100%, bleeding of mucous membrane 44.4%). All of them showed pancytopenia. Eight patients showed normocytic normochromic anemia and one patient had microcytic hypochromic anemia. Seven patients had aplastic bone marrows, the other two hypoplastic.
All patients received prednison and oxymetholon.
Only one got remission after getting therapy for eight months. Six of nine patients died (66,6%). Four of the six death were caused by bleeding (44.7%) and two others might be caused by sepsis and bleeding (33.3%).
Utility of the Serum-Based Endoscopic Healing Index in Monitoring Therapeutic Response in Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Alsoud Dahham , Ho Jessica , Sabino João , Ferrante Marc , Vermeire Séverine , Verstockt Bram 
Published: September 2023

INTRODUCTION:
Convenient and objective noninvasive tools to monitor therapy response in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Endoscopic Healing Index [EHI], a serum test originally developed to monitor mucosal inflammation in Crohn's disease, in patients with UC.

METHODS:
Serum samples paired with endoscopic data from consecutive adult patients with UC initiating advanced therapy for active disease (Mayo Endoscopic Subscore [MES] > 1) were analyzed. EHI values were compared between groups showing endoscopic improvement, remission, and nonresponse, defined, respectively, as MES of ≤1, 0 and >1. We also assessed the association of EHI with longitudinal changes of MES and compared its performance with that of fecal calprotectin (FC) and C-reactive protein.

RESULTS:
A total of 127 patients provided 303 samples. Median EHI increased significantly with increasing MES score (P < 0.001). Median EHI was significantly lower in patients with endoscopic remission or improvement compared with patients with no response (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). A 10-point decrease in EHI was associated with 89% higher odds of 1-point decrease in MES (P < 0.001). EHI detected MES 0–1 with an area under the receiver operating curve of 77.8%, which was comparable with that of FC and C-reactive protein (85.0% [P = 0.076] and 70.6% [P = 0.055], respectively).

DISCUSSION:
EHI values are significantly responsive to changes in mucosal inflammation, also in patients with UC, and can confirm and/or rule out mucosal inflammation with an almost similar accuracy to that of FC.
Comparative effectiveness of tacrolimus and infliximab in hospitalized patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Takahashi Takahiro , Shiga Hisashi , Tarasawa Kunio , Shimoyama Yusuke , Naito Takeo , Moroi Rintaro , Kuroha Masatake , Kakuta Yoichi , Fushimi Kiyohide , Fujimori Kenji , Kinouchi Yoshitaka , Masamune Atsushi 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Introduction:
Cyclosporine or infliximab (IFX) have been used to avoid surgery in patients with severe refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). Tacrolimus (Tac) is occasionally used as an alternative to cyclosporine; however, the comparative efficacy of Tac and IFX has not been reported. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of Tac and IFX in hospitalized UC patients.

Methods:
In a propensity score (PS)-matched cohort derived from a large nationwide database, 4-year effectiveness was compared between patients initiated on Tac or IFX. The primary outcome was the colectomy rate during the index hospitalization. We also analyzed the cumulative medication discontinuation, UC-related re-hospitalization, and colectomy rates after discharge.

Results:
Among 29,239 hospitalized patients, 4,565 were extracted for eligibility, of whom 2,170 were treated with Tac and the remaining 2,395 with IFX. After PS matching, 1,787 patients were selected for each group. During the index hospitalization, excluding patients who switched to another molecular-targeted agent, the colectomy rate was higher in the Tac group than the IFX group (7.8% vs 4.2%, P <0.01). Among patients discharged without colectomy, the cumulative medication discontinuation (28.4% vs 17.1%, P <0.01) and re-hospitalization (22.4% vs 15.4%, P <0.01) rates were higher in the Tac group than the IFX group; however, there was no difference in the cumulative colectomy rate (3.3% vs 2.7%).

Conclusions:
Although Tac and IFX were effective for avoiding surgery in hospitalized UC patients, IFX was more effective than Tac. IFX also had higher long-term effectiveness. Future prospective studies comparing the efficacy of Tac and IFX is warranted.
IMC-based fractional order TID controller design for different time-delayed chemical processes: case studies on a reactor model
Authors: Meena Rammurti , Chakraborty Sudipta , Pal Vipin Chandra 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
To achieve good servo and regulatory responses, a generalized fractional-order tilt-integral-derivative (FOTID) control is developed in this study for time-delayed fractional-order processes. To enhance the closed-loop robustness, the controller parameters are calculated based on maximum sensitivity (M

s
). To check the performance and robustness of the suggested control law, several case studies on industrial processes like DC servo systems, Level-loop, Bio-reactors, Fuel cells and CSTR are performed and compared with existing designs. The robustness of the proposed controller is analysed by employing 20 percent perturbation in plant parameters. Lastly, a comparison of the closed-loop response on different error indices is included.
Discrimination of powdered herbal teas by Vis/NIR spectral reflectance and chemometrics
Authors: Steidle Neto Antonio José , Lopes Daniela C. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
The herbal tea market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.8 %, with the discrimination of these products appearing as an issue of food quality and safety. In this study the Vis/NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics was applied for discriminating five popular herbal teas (chamomile, boldo, lemon grass, carqueja, fennel) by using powdered samples. Dynamic sampling was applied for measuring the spectral signatures and different spectral pre-treatments were evaluated aiming at improving the discrimination accuracy. The Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) achieved high prediction accuracies (77.8–100 %), specificities (89.4–100 %) and sensitivities (66.1–100 %), with detrending and object-wise standardization pre-treatments correctly discriminating 100 % of the samples during the external validation. The Vis/NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometric analysis has great potential to discriminate powdered herbal teas, providing a non-destructive, fast, safe and chemical-free solution for automated quality control procedures in industries of tea processing.
Plasmonic sensing using Babinet’s principle
Authors: Riley Joseph Arnold , Horák Michal , Křápek Vlastimil , Healy Noel , Pacheco-Peña Victor 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Developing methods to sense local variations in properties of nearby materials, such as their refractive index and thickness, are important in numerous fields including chemistry and biomedical applications. Localized surface plasmons (LSPs) excited in plasmonic nanostructures have been demonstrated to be useful in this context due to the spectral location of their associated resonances being sensitive to changes in the environment near the plasmonic structures. This manuscript explores Babinet’s principle by exploiting LSP resonances excited in complementary metal-dielectric cylindrical plasmonic structures (plasmonic particle-dimers and aperture-dimers in our case). Both plasmonic structures are evaluated numerically and experimentally using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), providing a full physical understanding of the complementary nature of the excited LSP resonances. These plasmonic structures are then exploited for dielectric sensing under two configurations: when a thin dielectric film is positioned atop the plasmonic structures and when the analyte surrounds/fills the plasmonic particles/apertures. The complementary sensing performance of both proposed structures is also evaluated, showing the approximate validity of the Babinet principle with sensitivity values of up to ∼650 nm/RIU for thin dielectric sensing.