bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vestibular Tests Related to Tumor Volume in 137 Patients With Small to Medium‐Sized Vestibular Schwannoma
Authors: Nilsen Kathrin Skorpa , Nordahl Stein Helge Glad , Berge Jan Erik , Dhayalan Dhanushan , Goplen Frederik Kragerud 
Published: June 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe video head impulse test (vHIT) and cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP and oVEMP) are new methods for measuring peripheral vestibular function. The objectives of this study were to compare these tests and the traditionally used caloric test in patients with small and medium‐sized untreated vestibular schwannoma (VS) and to measure the correlation between the tests' results and tumor volume.Study DesignNational cross‐sectional study.SettingTertiary university clinic.MethodsPrevalence of abnormal cVEMP, oVEMP, caloric test, and 6‐canal vHIT results on the tumor side and the nontumor side were compared and related to tumor volume with regression analyses in 137 consecutive VS patients assigned to a wait‐and‐scan protocol in the period 2017 to 2019.ResultsThe sensitivity of 6‐canal vHIT, caloric test, cVEMP, and oVEMP to detect vestibulopathy in VS patients was 51%, 47%, 39%, and 25%, respectively. Normal tests were found in 21% of the patients. The results of vHIT and caloric test were related to tumor volume, but this was not found for cVEMP and oVEMP.ConclusionThe caloric test and 6‐canal vHIT showed the highest sensitivity in detecting vestibulopathy in untreated VS patients. vHIT, and particularly the posterior canal, was limited with a high prevalence of abnormal results on the nontumor side. A combination of cVEMP and caloric test was favorable in terms of a relatively high sensitivity and low prevalence of abnormal results on the nontumor side. Larger tumors had a higher rate of pathology on caloric testing and vHIT.
Investigating racial disparities in quality‐of‐life years after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Authors: Shah Anuj , Regan Christina , Suwarno Serena , Foote Janet , Bernaud Victoria , Stahlecker Jennifer , Miller Holly , Booth Natalie , Giralt Daniella , Salzberg Dana , Sinno Mohamad G. , Campbell Courtney , Beebe Kristen , Schwalbach Charlotte , Adams Roberta H. , Ngwube Alexander 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundWhile racial disparities in the clinical outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients have been explored, racial disparities in quality of life (QoL) during the re‐adjustment phase after transplant are yet to be investigated in pediatric patients. The objective of this study was to examine the role of patient race in QoL at least 2 years after pediatric HSCT.ProcedureWe conducted a retrospective chart review of patients under 21 years of age at diagnosis who received an allogeneic transplant at our institution between January 2007 and December 2017. Patient QoL was assessed using the Pediatric Quality‐of‐Life Inventory Generic Score Scales (PedsQL TM 4.0) at least 2 years post transplant. Patient demographic, treatment, and transplant outcome data were obtained for subsequent analysis, where patient race was categorized as either Black, White, Hispanic, or Native American.ResultsData were collected on 86 pediatric patients who underwent HSCT. Forty patients (46.5%) were non‐Hispanic White, 29 (33.7%) Hispanic, 10 (11.6%) Black, and seven (8.1%) Native American. Where preliminary analyses indicated a difference in QoL by patient race, there were no significant differences in physical, emotional, social, and school functioning by patient race after adjusting for transplant characteristics (age at transplant, sex, diagnosis, donor type, and conditioning regimen) and determinants of socioeconomic status (insurance type, estimated household income).ConclusionsPediatric patients had comparable QoL, regardless of race, at a median of 3 years after HSCT in our study cohort.
A pilot exome sequencing study suggests that germline variants influence methotrexate‐induced toxicities in pediatric patients with localized osteosarcoma
Authors: Minnai Francesca , Noci Sara , Mangano Nunzia , De Cecco Loris , Meazza Cristina , Terenziani Monica , Massimino Maura , Colombo Francesca 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIntroductionOsteosarcoma (OS) is a rare pediatric cancer for which therapeutic approaches, including chemotherapy and surgery, show a wide interindividual variability in patient response, both in terms of adverse events and therapy efficacy. There is growing evidence that this individual variable response to therapies is also influenced by inherited genetic variations. However, the results obtained to date in these pediatric cancers have been contradictory and often lack validation in independent series. Additionally, these studies frequently focused only on a limited number of polymorphisms in candidate genes.MethodsIn order to identify germline coding variations associated with individual differences in adverse events occurrence in pediatric patients affected by localized OS, we carried out an exome‐wide association study in 24 OS patients treated with methotrexate, cisplatin, and doxorubicin, using the SNP‐Set (Sequence) Kernel Association Test (SKAT), optimized for small sample size.ResultsGene sets significantly associated (FDR < .05) with neutropenia and hepatotoxicity induced by methotrexate were identified. Some of the identified genes map in loci previously associated with similar phenotypes (e.g., leukocyte count, alkaline phosphatase levels).ConclusionFurther studies in larger series and with functional characterization of the identified associations are needed; nonetheless, this pilot study prompts the relevance of broadly investigating variants along the whole genome, to identify new potential pharmacogenes, beyond drug metabolism, transport, and receptor candidate genes.
Consequence analysis of CNG leakage at joint refueling and charging stations
Authors: Luo Zhenmin , Liu Lu , Su Bin , Song Fangzhi , Hao Ruolin , Zhang Chunyan , Kang Xiaofeng , Zhang Anbang 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe number of new‐energy vehicles is steadily increasing worldwide, and joint refueling and charging stations will be increasingly constructed and developed in China. A CNG leakage at joint stations can lead to superimposed consequences, including fire (flash fire, pool fire, jet fire), explosion, and release of toxic and hazardous gases. Based on FLACS and SAFETI, the impact of leakage aperture and wind direction on CNG leakage diffusion are analyzed by modeling a joint refueling and charging station in Shaanxi, China. The safe distance between charging piles and leakage points is investigated in the worst case scenario. The superimposed consequences of leakage in joint stations under different scenarios are analyzed, and the individual risk is analyzed at stations. This study shows that the larger the leakage aperture, the larger the CNG leakage dispersion range under the same wind directions and wind speeds, and the higher the wind speed, the more volatile the gas under the same leakage apertures. The safety distance of the charging pile should reach at least 37 and 40 m considering leaks in the tanker and gas storage well, respectively. The impact range of superimposed consequences shows the descending order of jet fire > flash fire > pool fire.
Salvianolic acid A diminishes LDHA‐driven aerobic glycolysis to restrain myofibroblasts activation and cardiac fibrosis via blocking Akt/GSK‐3β/HIF‐1α axis
Authors: Hailiwu Renaguli , Zeng Hao , Zhan Meiling , Pan Ting , Yang Hua , Li Ping 
Published: June 2023

AbstractMyofibroblasts activation intensively contributes to cardiac fibrosis with undefined mechanism. Salvianolic acid A (SAA) is a phenolic component derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza with antifibrotic potency. This study aimed to interrogate the inhibitory effects and underlying mechanism of SAA on myofibroblasts activation and cardiac fibrosis. Antifibrotic effects of SAA were evaluated in mouse myocardial infarction (MI) model and in vitro myofibroblasts activation model. Metabolic regulatory effects and mechanism of SAA were determined using bioenergetic analysis and cross‐validated by multiple metabolic inhibitors and siRNA or plasmid targeting Ldha. Finally, Akt/GSK‐3β‐related upstream regulatory mechanisms were investigated by immunoblot, q‐PCR, and cross‐validated by specific inhibitors. SAA inhibited cardiac fibroblasts‐to‐myofibroblasts transition, suppressed collage matrix proteins expression, and effectively attenuated MI‐induced collagen deposition and cardiac fibrosis. SAA attenuated myofibroblasts activation and cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting LDHA‐driven abnormal aerobic glycolysis. Mechanistically, SAA inhibited Akt/GSK‐3β axis and downregulated HIF‐1α expression by promoting its degradation via a noncanonical route, and therefore restrained HIF‐1α‐triggered Ldha gene expression. SAA is an effective component for treating cardiac fibrosis by diminishing LDHA‐driven glycolysis during myofibroblasts activation. Targeting metabolism of myofibroblasts might occupy a potential therapeutic strategy for cardiac fibrosis.
“This is a Very Sensitive Point”: Bilingual Teachers' Interactions with Neo‐Nationalism in a Two‐Way Immersion Program in the United States
Authors: Lima Becker Mariana , Oliveira Gabrielle 
Published: June 2023

AbstractConcurrent with the rise in U.S. neo‐nationalism is the growing influx of im/migrant children in the nation's schools. This article explores how a group of eight K‐3 Brazilian bilingual teachers in a Portuguese‐English Two‐Way Immersion (TWI) program in the United States interact with neo‐nationalist discourses pertaining to the theme of immigration. Drawing on recent theorizing about the intersections of neo‐nationalism, language, and bilingual education, this multi‐year ethnographic study leverages multiple formal interviews and informal conversations with TWI educators to understand their perspectives and classroom practices. We found that most of the interviewed teachers were keenly aware that their im/migrant students regularly shared complex narratives of immigration in their classrooms, at times during whole‐group instruction. However, these educators consistently evaded opportunities to engage in conversations about immigration with their students due to a range of perceived obstacles. The teachers also expressed willingness to eventually include a narrow range of “positive” or “neutral” images of immigration in their curriculum and instruction, which further decoupled issues of immigration from U.S. neo‐nationalism. Findings bear implications for language education researchers and practitioners since they indicate how neo‐nationalist discourses may shape elementary‐school educators' orientations and daily moves within bilingual classrooms designed to better serve racialized bilingual students.
When the sum is greater than the parts: Using a curriculum revision to enable improvements in undergraduate traditional instruction
Authors: Boyd Evelyn A. , Olsen Taimi , Trogden Bridget G. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis chapter focuses on intentional educational development activities designed to prepare faculty for effective teaching and assessment of student learning. Some benefits of such activities include improved alignment of courses with programmatic outcomes, higher success rates in course reviews, and better demonstration of student learning on common outcomes.
Sedimentänderung wurde ein signifikantes Wasserbewirtschaftungsthema im Donaueinzugsgebiet – basierend auf dem EU-Projekt DanubeSediment
Authors: Habersack H. , Gmeiner P. , Krapesch M. , Baranya S. , Holubova K. , Mravcova K. , Vartolomei F. , Hödl E. , Liska I. , Mühlmann H. , Haimann M. 
Published: June 2023

ZusammenfassungIn vielen Flusseinzugsgebieten ist eine zunehmende Diskrepanz zwischen Überschuss und Defizit an Sedimenten zu beobachten. Dies führt zu einem Anstieg des Hochwasserrisikos, einer Einschränkung der Schifffahrtsmöglichkeiten und der Stromerzeugung aus Wasserkraft und wirkt sich negativ auf die Ökologie aus. Eine Hauptaufgabe des Wasserbaus ist daher die Verbesserung des Sedimentmanagements und der Flussmorphologie. Um bestehende Wissenslücken zu schließen, wurden entlang der gesamten Donau quantitative Sedimentdaten erhoben und analysiert. Es wurde eine Sedimentbilanz erstellt, die die Probleme aufzeigt, die sich aus der Sedimentdiskontinuität ergeben. Das Einzugsgebiet der Donau stellt insbesondere aufgrund der Unausgewogenheit des Sedimentregimes ein stark gestörtes System dar. Der Eintrag von Schwebstoffen in das Schwarze Meer wurde beispielsweise von rund 40 bis 60 Mio. Tonnen pro Jahr auf etwa 15 bis 20 Mio. Tonnen pro Jahr verringert, was zu einer verstärkten Küstenerosion führte. Darüber hinaus wurden in den letzten 200 Jahren lange Abschnitte der Donau eingeengt, reguliert und von den Überflutungsflächen abgetrennt sowie morphologisch degradiert. Dies hat zu erhöhten Sohlschubspannungen und in der Folge zu einer erhöhten Sedimenttransportkapazität geführt. Als Folge der longitudinalen und lateralen Unterbrechungen des Sedimentkontinuums und der zusätzlichen Auswirkungen der Regulierung sind die verbleibenden frei-fließenden Abschnitte der Sohlerosion ausgesetzt. Dies führt im Allgemeinen zu einem Verlust von Strukturen im Fluss, mit einem Verschwinden von Kiesbänken an der oberen Donau und Veränderungen von Sandbänken an der unteren Donau. In den Stauräumen herrscht das Gegenteil, nämlich Sedimentation, die teilweise auch Hochwasserschutzprobleme mit sich bringt. Da die Donau ein in Summe gestörtes Sedimentregime aufweist wurde im dritten Donau-Flussgebietsbewirtschaftungsplan die Änderung der Sedimentverhältnisse als signifikantes Wasserbewirtschaftungsthema verankert. Mögliche Antworten auf diese Probleme werden durch einen Maßnahmenkatalog gegeben.
Artisanal gold mining in Kakamega and Vihiga counties, Kenya: potential human exposure and health risk
Authors: Ondayo Maureene Auma , Watts Michael J. , Hamilton Elliott M. , Mitchell Clive , Mankelow Joseph , Osano Odipo 
Published: June 2023

AbstractArtisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) represents 20% of gold supply and 90% of gold mining workforce globally, which operates in highly informal setups. Pollutants from mined ores and chemicals introduced during gold processing pose occupational and inadvertent health risks to the extent that has not been well elucidated in Africa. Trace and major elements were analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in soil, sediment and water samples from 19 ASGM villages in Kakamega and Vihiga counties. Associated health risks for residents and ASGM workers were assessed. This paper focuses on As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni and Pb for which 96% of soil samples from mining and ore processing sites had As concentrations up to 7937 times higher than the US EPA 12 mg kg−1 standard for residential soils. Soil Cr, Hg and Ni concentrations in 98%, 49% and 68% of the samples exceeded respective USEPA and CCME standards, with 1–72% bioaccessibility. Twenty-five percentage of community drinking water sources were higher than the WHO 10 µg L−1 drinking water guideline. Pollution indices indicated significant enrichment and pollution of soils, sediment and water in decreasing order of As > Cr > Hg > Ni > Pb > Cd. The study revealed increased risks of non-cancer health effects (98.6) and cancer in adults (4.93 × 10−2) and children (1.75 × 10−1). The findings will help environment managers and public health authorities better understand the potential health risks in ASGM and support evidence-based interventions in ASGM processes, industrial hygiene and formulation of public health policy to protect residents and ASGM workers’ health in Kenya.
Inferring test models from user bug reports using multi-objective search
Authors: Guizzo Giovani , Califano Francesco , Sarro Federica , Ferrucci Filomena , Harman Mark 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBug reports are used by software testers to identify abnormal software behaviour. In this paper, we propose a multi-objective evolutionary approach to automatically generate finite state machines (FSMs) based on bug reports written in natural language, to automatically capture incorrect software behaviour. These FSMs can then be used by testers to both exercise the reported bugs and create tests that can potentially reveal new bugs. The FSM generation is guided by a Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm (MOEA) that simultaneously minimises three objectives: size of the models, number of unrealistic states (over-generalisation), and number of states not covered by the models (under-generalisation). We assess the feasibility of our approach for 10 real-world software programs by exploiting three different MOEAs (NSGA-II, NSGA-III and MOEA/D) and benchmarking them with the baseline tool KLFA. Our results show that KLFA is not practical to be used with real-world software, because it generates models that over generalise software behaviour. Among the three MOEAs, NSGA-II obtained significantly better results than the other two for all 10 programs, detecting a greater number of bugs for 90% of the programs. We also studied the differences in quality and model performance when MOEAs are guided by only two objectives rather than three during the evolution. We found that the use of under-approximation (or over-approximation) and size as objectives generates infeasible solutions. On the other hand, using as objectives over-approximation and under-approximation generates feasible solutions yet still worse than those obtained using all three objectives for 100% of the cases. The size objective acts as a diversity factor. As a consequence, an algorithm guided by all three objectives avoids local optima, controls the size of the models, and makes the results more diverse and closer to the optimal Pareto set.
Does omega-3 supplementation improve the inflammatory profile of patients with heart failure? a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Prokopidis Konstantinos , Therdyothin Atiporn , Giannos Panagiotis , Morwani-Mangnani Jordi , Ferentinos Panagiotis , Mitropoulos Alexandros , Isanejad Masoud 
Published: June 2023

AbstractOmega-3 fatty acids are potential anti-inflammatory agents that may exert beneficial outcomes in diseases characterised by increased inflammatory profile. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively evaluate the existing research on the effectiveness of n-3 fatty acid supplementation in lowering levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines in patients with heart failure (HF). From the beginning until October 2022, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were the subject of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library literature search. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation vs. placebo were compared in eligible RCTs to see how they affected patients with HF in terms of inflammation, primarily of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and c-reactive protein (CRP). A meta-analysis employing the random effects inverse-variance model and standardised mean differences was performed to assess group differences. Ten studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Our main analysis (k = 5) revealed a beneficial response of n-3 fatty acid supplementation on serum TNF-a (SMD: − 1.13, 95% CI: − 1.75– − 0.50, I2 = 81%, P = 0.0004) and IL-6 levels (k = 4; SMD: − 1.27, 95% CI: − 1.88– − 0.66, I2 = 81%, P < 0.0001) compared to placebo; however, no changes were observed in relation to CRP (k = 6; SMD: − 0.14, 95% CI: − 0.35–0.07, I2 = 0%, P = 0.20). Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may be a useful strategy for reducing inflammation in patients with HF, but given the paucity of current studies, future studies may increase the reliability of these findings.
Improved spectral resolution of [13C,1H]-HSQC spectra of aromatic amino acid residues in proteins produced by cell-free synthesis from inexpensive 13C-labelled precursors
Authors: Van Raad Damian , Huber Thomas , Otting Gottfried 
Published: June 2023

AbstractCell-free protein synthesis using eCells allows production of amino acids from inexpensive 13C-labelled precursors. We show that the metabolic pathway converting pyruvate, glucose and erythrose into aromatic amino acids is maintained in eCells. Judicious choice of 13C-labelled starting material leads to proteins, where the sidechains of aromatic amino acids display [13C,1H]-HSQC cross-peaks free of one-bond 13C–13C couplings. Selective 13C-labelling of tyrosine and phenylalanine residues is achieved simply by using different compositions of the reaction buffers.
An exploration of reversible septenary number-conserving cellular automata: a survey of known methods
Authors: Wolnik Barbara , Dzedzej Adam , Dziemiańczuk Maciej , Wardyn Aleksander , De Baets Bernard 
Published: June 2023

AbstractLittle is known about the dynamics of k-ary (binary, ternary, quaternary, quinary, etc.) reversible number-conserving cellular automata. Here, we present some preliminary results in the case of seven states. In particular, we examine one of the most complex seven-state reversible and number-conserving rules and provide a full description of its dynamics.
Who accepts Savage’s axiom now?
Authors: Humphrey Steven J. , Kruse Nadia-Yasmine 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWe report the results of an experimental test of whether preaching the normative appeal of the sure-thing principle leads decision-makers to make choices that satisfy it. We use Allais-type decision problems to observe the incentive-compatible choices of 147 subjects, which either violate the sure-thing principle or adhere to it. Subjects are presented with normative arguments that support the counterfactual behaviour and then repeat their decisions. We observe violations of the sure-thing principle are robust to its normative justification. This result replicates a famous small-sample observation using hypothetical tasks that was published by Paul Slovic and Amos Tversky almost half a century ago. We argue that this finding is as relevant now as it was then and that their design can be usefully applied to address contemporary issues in behavioural economics.