bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unlocking Vision Care Accessibility: Evaluating Caregivers' Willingness to Pay in Specialised Eye Clinics for Family Members With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Hou Chiun‐Ho , Chou Yueh‐Ching , Pu Christy 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundPeople with intellectual disabilities (IDs) require more vision care but encounter considerable challenges during eye examinations. Specialised clinics established specifically for people with IDs are generally limited. This study aims to evaluate primary family caregivers' willingness to pay (WTP) for specialised ophthalmology services designed for people with IDs.MethodsBetween 15 August and 5 October 2023, we conducted a face‐to‐face survey targeting primary family caregivers of people with IDs in two local authorities in Taiwan. We obtained a probability sample through stratified random sampling. A total of 657 family caregivers completed this survey, with a response rate of 82.6%. WTP was evaluated using a contingent valuation method in a hypothetical ophthalmology clinic conceptualised through a qualitative study. Two‐part models were estimated.ResultsThe WTP for specialised ophthalmology services designed for people with IDs varied from NT$96.9 (US$3.2) to NT$217.7 (US$7.3) for the lowest‐income group (p < 0.001) and from NT$513.0 (US$17.1) to NT$648.6 (US$21.6) for the highest‐income group (p < 0.001). Factors such as family income, self‐reported financial satisfaction and concern for the ocular health of family members with IDs significantly influenced WTP.ConclusionsCaregivers' WTP is low relative to the minimum operational costs of specialised ophthalmology clinics within the Taiwanese National Health Insurance scheme. This finding highlights the need for public funding to support such clinics and ensure that they can address the vision health disparity observed between people with and without IDs.
Compressive electron backscatter diffraction imaging
Authors: Broad Zoë , Robinson Alex W. , Wells Jack , Nicholls Daniel , Moshtaghpour Amirafshar , Kirkland Angus I. , Browning Nigel D. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractElectron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) has developed over the last few decades into a valuable crystallographic characterisation method for a wide range of sample types. Despite these advances, issues such as the complexity of sample preparation, relatively slow acquisition, and damage in beam‐sensitive samples, still limit the quantity and quality of interpretable data that can be obtained. To mitigate these issues, here we propose a method based on the subsampling of probe positions and subsequent reconstruction of an incomplete data set. The missing probe locations (or pixels in the image) are recovered via an inpainting process using a dictionary‐learning based method called beta‐process factor analysis (BPFA). To investigate the robustness of both our inpainting method and Hough‐based indexing, we simulate subsampled and noisy EBSD data sets from a real fully sampled Ni‐superalloy data set for different subsampling ratios of probe positions using both Gaussian and Poisson noise models. We find that zero solution pixel detection (inpainting un‐indexed pixels) enables higher‐quality reconstructions to be obtained. Numerical tests confirm high‐quality reconstruction of band contrast and inverse pole figure maps from only 10% of the probe positions, with the potential to reduce this to 5% if only inverse pole figure maps are needed. These results show the potential application of this method in EBSD, allowing for faster analysis and extending the use of this technique to beam sensitive materials.
A Retrospective Review of Children Admitted With Acute Severe Asthma to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital Between 2009 and 2019
Authors: Salie Moegamad , Salie Shamiel 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTAimThere is limited data on the PICU outcomes of children with acute severe asthma (ASA) in South Africa. This study aims to describe the profiles and treatment of all children admitted to our PICU with ASA.MethodsA retrospective audit of all children admitted with ASA to the PICU at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital between 01 January 2009 and 31 December 2019.ResultsThere were 14 592 PICU admissions over the 11‐year period, of which 180 admissions (1.2%) were for ASA. The median, interquartile range (IQR) age on admission was 67 (37–93) months. Almost all children received nebulisations, steroids and magnesium sulphate before PICU admission. Half of the patients were loaded with intravenous salbutamol (n = 96; 53.3%) and about a third (n = 61; 34%) received a salbutamol infusion before PICU admission. Similar proportions received nebulisations and steroids in PICU, 34 children (19%) received magnesium sulphate again in PICU and a total of 130 children (72.2%) received a salbutamol infusion. Most children received non‐invasive respiratory support (n = 167; 90.3%), and 18 children (9.7%) required mechanical ventilation for a median (IQR) of 3 (2–4) days. The median PICU stay was 1 (IQR 1–2) day and median hospital stay was 4 (IQR 3–6) days. No children died.ConclusionThere has been an increasing number of children admitted to PICU with ASA over the 11‐year period. There has been increased use of HFNC and the duration of PICU support is short.
Clinical characteristics associated with cervical hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion in dogs
Authors: Lin Megan , Hong Christopher X. , Rishniw Mark , Davies Emma S. , Wood Jonathan H. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundClinical characteristics of cervical hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion (HNPE) in dogs compared to other causes of cervical myelopathy are not well described.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo evaluate for clinical characteristics and mechanical ventilation likelihood associated with HNPE compared to other causes of cervical myelopathy.AnimalsThree hundred seventy‐seven client‐owned dogs from 2010 to 2022. Cases included 46 HNPE, 192 IVDE (intervertebral disc extrusion), 30 FCEM (fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy), 66 CSM (cervical spondylomyelopathy), and 43 neoplasia.MethodsRetrospective study with record review and bivariate analyses. Dogs with signs of cervical myelopathy and an MRI diagnosis of HNPE, IVDE, FCEM, CSM, or neoplasia were included.ResultsWhen compared to dogs with other cervical myelopathies, dogs with HNPE were more likely to be older and of lower weight (median age 10 vs 8 years, P < .001; median weight 9.1 vs 20.2 kg, P < .001), be nonambulatory (89% vs 54%, P < .001), have signs of central cord syndrome (35% vs 16%, P = .002), and have nonlateralizing signs of myelopathy (65% vs 48%, P = .029). When compared to dogs with IVDE, dogs with HNPE were more likely to present with lower pain scores (30% vs 15% nonpainful, P = .002), and require mechanical ventilation (4/46 HNPE, 2/192 IVDE; odds ratio [OR] 9.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6‐51.0).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceCompared to dogs with other cervical myelopathies, dogs with HNPE have differences in clinical characteristics, presentation and likelihood of requiring mechanical ventilation. These differences are important to consider for case management.
Effect of additional dimensions and views in the echocardiographic determination of 3‐dimensional left ventricular volume in myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs
Authors: Hsue Weihow , Pelzek Cortney E. , Siess Samantha , Terhaar Benjamin A. , Mintz Shana B. , Pariaut Romain 
Published: January 2025

AbstractBackgroundLeft ventricular (LV) volumes can be calculated from various linear, monoplane, and multiplane echocardiographic methods, and the same method can be applied to different imaging views. However, these methods and their variations have not been comprehensively evaluated against real‐time 3‐dimensional echocardiography (RT3D).Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo identify the LV volumetric approaches that produce the least bias and the best agreement with RT3D, and to assess interoperator reproducibility between an experienced and an inexperienced operator.AnimalsFifty‐nine client‐owned dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (38 Stage B1, 13 Stage B2, 8 Stages C/D) received echocardiograms, with a subset of 28 dogs (14 Stage B1, 10 Stage B2, 4 Stages C/D) imaged by 2 operators.MethodsProspective method comparison study. Body weight‐indexed end‐diastolic and end‐systolic LV volumes using linear methods in long‐ and short‐axis views (Teichholz, cube, modified cube), monoplane methods in right parasternal and left apical views (area‐length and Simpson's method of discs), biplane Simpson's method of discs, and real‐time triplane (RT3P) were compared against RT3D.ResultsThe RT3P method exhibited no bias and demonstrated the highest agreement with RT3D. The linear methods showed significant bias and lower agreements for end‐diastolic volumes, end‐systolic volumes, or both. Volumes derived from different imaging views using the same method showed poor agreement. Both RT3P and RT3D methods demonstrated poor interoperator reproducibility.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceIncorporating additional dimensions improves bias and agreement in LV volume quantification, but comprehensive clinical experience with RT3P and RT3D is needed to improve consistency across all operators.
Prediction of coastal barren plant species richness and functional diversity by environmental variability across scales
Authors: Clarke Madeline , Heim Amy , Lundholm Jeremy 
Published: January 2025

AbstractQuestionsThe relationships between environmental heterogeneity and plant diversity may be negative or neutral at fine spatial scales but positive across broader areas. How do the relationships between spatial environmental variability and mean environmental conditions, plant species richness and functional diversity change across spatial scales?LocationCoastal barrens landscape in Nova Scotia, eastern Canada.MethodsWe sampled plant species composition and environmental variables in nested areas at three scales: 0.25 m2, 1 m2 and 50 m2. At each scale, subsamples of environmental variables (including elevation, soil moisture and depth) were used to calculate average and standard deviation; plant species richness was also determined for each sample. Plant traits at the species level were used to calculate functional dispersion for each of five traits (specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, leaf thickness, plant height and canopy width) and a combined index of total functional dispersion. Functional dispersion and species richness were predicted at each scale by environmental variables using linear mixed models.ResultsEnvironmental heterogeneity had low predictive power for plant diversity at the 0.25‐m2 scale but was unimodally related to species richness and functional‐diversity variables at the 1‐m2 scale. The shape of the unimodal relationships suggested a leveling off of diversity at higher levels of environmental variability rather than a decline in diversity (monotonic or asymptotic). There was a strong positive relationship between elevation (topographic) variability and species richness at the 50‐m2 scale. Functional dispersion was most strongly related to environmental variables at the 1‐m2 scale.ConclusionsPositive or non‐linear asymptotic relationships between environmental heterogeneity, richness and functional diversity at the 1‐m2 scale provide some support for niche‐based explanations of species coexistence in plant neighborhoods. At broader sampling extents, greater topographic heterogeneity may allow distinct plant communities to co‐occur within a sample, increasing richness but not functional diversity because functional diversity in leaf and canopy traits are already high within each plant community.
Incidental Nonspeech Auditory Learning Scaffolds Phonetic, Category, and Word Learning in a Foreign Language Classroom
Authors: Wiener Seth , Murphy Timothy K. , Holt Lori L. 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThere is considerable lab‐based evidence for successful incidental learning, in which a learner's attention is directed away from the to‐be‐learned stimulus and towards another stimulus. In this study, we extend incidental learning research into the language learning classroom. Three groups of adult second language (L2) learners (N = 52) engaged in structured classroom Mandarin learning took part in an 8‐week study. One group served as a classroom‐only control group. The second group underwent additional intentional auditory training involving Mandarin speech and explicit feedback. The third group underwent additional incidental learning combined with nonspeech “perceptual building block” categories—categories that share critical perceptual dimensions with target L2 speech categories but that are not perceived as speech. We demonstrate that when supplemented with structured classroom learning, incidental learning involving nonspeech analogs promotes phonetic, category, and word learning equivalent to learning from more traditional intentional auditory training.
Papain‐Like Cysteine Proteases Contribute to Functional Cleavage of Begomoviral V2 Effector Required for Relevant Virulences
Authors: Zhang Jie , Shang Pengxiang , Yuan Linkai , Li Dingshan , Liu Shunmin , Du Zhenguo , Zhuang Jun , Wu Zujian 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe begomoviral V2 protein is known to be multifunctional, including its interaction with and inhibition of CYP1, a papain‐like cysteine protease (PLCP). However, the effect of this interaction on viral pathogenicity remains unclear. Cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMuV), a typical monopartite begomovirus associated with a betasatellite, is one of the main pathogens responsible for cotton leaf curl disease. This study verifies the interaction between CLCuMuV V2 and NbCP15, a PLCP homologue in Nicotiana benthamiana. The results show that V2 can be cleaved by NbCP15 in vitro, with the N‐terminal cleavage site located between the second and third amino acids. Using an Agrobacterium‐mediated inoculation method, we investigated the influence of cleavage sites on viral pathogenicity. The findings indicate that mutation of the third amino acid in V2 (V2D3A) reduced the pathogenicity of both heterologous PVX and CLCuMuV. Additionally, the NbCP15 gene mutation in N. benthamiana (nbcp15) also resulted in reduced CLCuMuV pathogenicity. These results suggest that CLCuMuV V2 may promote viral infection through its interaction with plant PLCPs.
A Challenging Case of IgG4‐Related Kidney Disease Accompanied With Positive Serologic Tests of Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Jeerangsapasuk Wankawee , Charoenpitakchai Mongkon , Sornwiboonsak Pakpiengpen , Chatkrailert Aphichat 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe case report presents a male patient in his mid‐60s with a history of hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic kidney disease (CKD). He presented with gradually increasing serum creatinine levels and hyperglobulinemia, leading to suspicion of multiple myeloma. However, subsequent testing revealed features consistent with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and IgG4‐related kidney disease (IgG4‐RKD). The patient's laboratory results included anaemia, positive ANA and anti‐dsDNA and elevated serum IgG4 levels. A kidney biopsy showed extensive interstitial fibrosis, plasma cell infiltration and a high number of IgG4‐positive plasma cells, suggesting the diagnosis of IgG4‐RKD overlapping with SLE. Treatment involved prednisolone, mycophenolate mofetil for IgG4‐RKD and hydroxychloroquine for SLE. The patient's case highlights the challenges in diagnosing overlapping IgG4‐RKD and SLE. The current criteria for diagnosing these diseases may be complicated by atypical presentations, leading to potential diagnostic confusion. This report underscores the importance of histopathological confirmation and comprehensive diagnostic criteria to differentiate between overlapping autoimmune conditions. Immunosuppressive therapy remains the cornerstone for managing both IgG4‐related disease and SLE, with treatment tailored based on disease severity and organ involvement. The patient's response to treatment and follow‐up monitoring are crucial for assessing outcomes and adjusting management to minimise disease relapse and therapy‐related complications.
Exploring Health Sciences Students' Perspectives on Using Generative Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Fawaz Mirna , El‐Malti Wassim , Alreshidi Salman M. , Kavuran Esin 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThe widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in academic settings has the potential to revolutionize learning experiences, enhance educational outcomes, and streamline academic processes. The aim of this research was to explore the perceptions of Lebanese health sciences students regarding the use of generative AI in higher education. A qualitative descriptive research design informed by descriptive phenomenology was employed. Semi‐structured interviews were carried out among 23 health sciences students at one major private university in Beirut. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted over the period of 3 months. The inductive thematic analysis generated two themes, and eight subthemes highlighting the benefits and concerns in using AI; customized, self‐paced, and autonomous learning, improved language and writing skills, development of innovative concepts, enhanced efficiency, accuracy of information, overreliance on AI, equitable access, unclear policies. Results from this study emphasized the importance of combined efforts across sectors to close access gaps, encourage inclusiveness, and develop well framed policies that enable students to utilize these new technologies for their maximum benefits.
Flexible or fortified? How lichens balance defence strategies across climatic harshness gradients
Authors: de Jonge Inger K. , Convey Peter , Klarenberg Ingeborg J. , Cornelissen Johannes H. C. , Bokhorst Stef 
Published: January 2025

SummaryLichens play important roles in habitat formation and community succession in polar and alpine ecosystems. Despite their significance, the ecological effects of lichen traits remain poorly researched. We propose a trait trade‐off for managing light exposure based on climatic harshness. In the harshest cold environments, where abiotic stress predominates over biotic pressures, lichens should rely on photostable, recalcitrant and immobile substances such as allomelanin and hydrophobic compounds. These compounds provide durable protection without the need for continual synthesis. In milder conditions where biotic interactions – e.g. competition and pathogen presence – become increasingly pronounced, lichens should retain flexibility and produce simple protective secondary compounds that, in addition to functioning as light screens, can leach out to influence their direct environment. Preliminary empirical findings for Antarctic lichen species distribution are consistent with this hypothesised trade‐off, in that lichens producing soluble compounds dominate in milder regions and are less represented at higher southern latitudes, where species producing insoluble compounds with a melanised thallus dominate. As climate change progresses, increasing temperatures and precipitation could make the currently coldest and driest areas more hospitable, allowing the ranges of lichens producing soluble compounds to expand, with cascading effects on rock weathering, nutrient cycling and other ecosystem processes.
Integrative molecular and physiological insights into the phytotoxic impact of liquid crystal monomer exposure and the protective strategy in plants
Authors: Jiang Dong , Yang Guoqun , Huang Li‐Jun , Peng Xia , Cui Chuantong , Kuzyakov Yakov , Li Ning 
Published: January 2025

SummaryLiquid crystal monomers (LCMs), the integral components in the manufacture of digital displays, have engendered environmental concerns due to extensive utilization and intensive emission. Despite their prevalence and ecotoxicity, the LCM impacts on plant growth and agricultural yield remain inadequately understood. In this study, we investigated the specific response mechanisms of tobacco, a pivotal agricultural crop and model plant, to four representative LCMs (2OdF3B, 5CB, 4PiMeOP, 2BzoCP) through integrative molecular and physiological approaches. The findings reveal specific impacts, with 4PiMeOP exerting the most pronounced effects, followed by 2BzoCP, 5CB, and 2OdF3B. LCM exposure disrupts the photosynthetic apparatus, exacerbating reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in leaves, which in turn triggers the upregulation of antioxidative enzymes and the synthesis of antioxidant substances. Additionally, LCMs strongly stimulate the expression of genes involved in abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis and signalling pathways. The AI‐assisted meta‐analysis implicates ABA as a critical regulator in the tobacco response to LCMs. Notably, exogenous application of ABA alleviates LCM‐induced toxicities, highlighting the pivotal role of ABA in stress amelioration. Our study provides novel insights into the toxicity and tolerance mechanisms of LCMs in plants, shedding light on both their harmful effects on the ecosystems and potential adaptation responses. This is crucial to develop sustainable agricultural systems by reducing the negative environmental impacts caused by emerging organic pollutants.
Spatial Price Integration and Spillover Linkages Between Regional Grain Markets in Nigeria
Authors: Kassouri Yacouba , Fofana N' Zué Felix 
Published: January 2025

ABSTRACTThis paper aims to characterize the spatial set‐up of Nigeria's grain market integration from January 2002 to December 2013 across 19 Nigerian regions. Using market price data of maize, sorghum, and millet, two hypotheses are tested: (i) the law of one price across market pairs, and (ii) the leader market hypothesis in any network of market pairs. The results suggest that integration fails to hold in many cases for over 60% of market pairs, while perfect integration is found to be considerably stronger for organized local markets such as Abuja and Lagos than for remote markets. There is evidence that Northeastern markets subject to the Boko Haram insurgency are weakly integrated with the other markets. Only three Northwest rural markets exhibit leading status in volatility prediction in different markets. The findings suggest that maize and millet markets located in Abuja and Lagos are the net receivers of price volatilities, and they are more exposed to price shocks originating from other markets. The pricing policy should mainly concentrate on leading markets as it will be efficiently transmitted to the followers.
Structuring wicked problems in science communication
Authors: Kirschke Sabrina , Kosow Hannah 
Published: January 2025

AbstractPublic policy scholars increasingly deal with wicked problems and how diverse actors structure these problems in policy processes. However, the role of actors at the interface of science and society such as science communicators in structuring wicked problems remains widely unclear. This paper analyzes how science communicators translate wicked problems in their science communication activities focusing on two research questions: How do science communicators understand the problem territories they are dealing with in terms of their wickedness? And to what degree do science communicators aim to tame or communicate wickedness to the public? To answer these two questions, 20 science communication projects implemented within the German Science Year 2022 “Participate” were analyzed. Data were collected through 20 online interviews with science communicators, including both open and closed questions. Results reveal that the wickedness of public policy problems only partly translates into science communication practice: Science communicators understand problems rather broadly, crystallizing in a rather medium degree of wickedness. At the same time, science communicators tend to tame wicked problems by addressing specific facets of problems rather than translating the overall wickedness they perceive. Results add to research about the role of different actors in structuring wicked public policy problems and the role of intermediary actors in these processes, in particular.