bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of foreign direct investments in agriculture, forestry and fishing in developing countries
Authors: Nyiwul Linus , Koirala Niraj P. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe primary sector is vital for growth and sustainable development in emerging countries. The combined effects of COVID-19 and geopolitical uncertainty on capital flows are likely to have profound impacts on many developing countries. In particular, decreased capital inflows into agriculture will negatively affect food security and growth. However, there remain limited literature on the role of capital inflows in this sector. In this paper, we examine the role that foreign capital inflows play in the development of the agricultural, forestry and fishing sectors in developing countries. Specifically, we use the panel vector autoregression approach that accounts for endogeneity. Using data from sixteen developing economies, we find that there exists bidirectional causality between foreign direct investments in agriculture, forestry and fishing and value added in these sectors. These bidirectional relationships reflect a cyclical effect between FDI and value added in the agriculture, forestry and fishing. The effect of FDI on value added in agriculture, forestry and fishing remains positive for up to five years in our model. This implies FDI has a medium- to long-term positive impact on value added in agriculture, forestry and fishing. The implication of this result is that countries with currently high FDI transaction costs or that have a generally less conducive investment environment can improve agriculture by eliminating these obstacles. This is because FDIs can lead to improved technologies and technical expertise, practices, management and other systems that benefit the host countries.
Analysis of the frequency of Martin–Gruber anastomosis in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Mohamed Hager El-Shehawy , Abdel-Monem Samia M. , Hammad Gamal Abdel-Ghafaar , Mahgoub Marwa Yahia 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Martin–Gruber anastomosis (MGA) is one of the most common anomalous innervations of the upper limb. It may alter the usual clinical picture and electrophysiological characteristics of median nerve (MN) injury or ulnar nerve (UN) injury.

Aim
To determine the mutual relation between MGA and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) regarding their association and to explore whether certain patterns of MGA are more prevalent in patients with CTS.

Methods
This study included 100 forearms of 64 subjects. They were 37 subjects complaining of unilateral or bilateral clinical symptoms of idiopathic CTS according to the criteria of the American Academy of Neurology and 27 subjects healthy or having traumatic lesions in either the upper or lower limbs with no neurological disorders. Electrophysiological studies of the MN and UN for the confirmation of CTS as well as the validation of MGA were done.

Results
By electrophysiological examination, MGA was encountered in 22% forearms of all the studied groups, mostly females. MGA type II and type III were the commoner types, each occurring in 40.9%, while type I and type IV each occurred in 9.1%. MGA type II was prevalent in the control group, while type III associated subjects with only clinical CT symptoms.

Conclusion
MGA is not prevalent in patients with CTS. Different types of MGA are present in CTS, but MGA was not implicated in the occurrence, severity, or electrodiagnostic features of CTS.
Distribution of Cancer and Cancer Screening and Treatment Services in Lagos: A 10-Year Review of Hospital Records
Authors: Omosun Adenike , Abayomi Akin , Ogboye Olusegun , Lajide Dayo , Oladele David , Popoola Abiodun , Banjo Adekunbiola A. , Chugani Bindiya , Mabadeje Bilikisu , Abdur-Razaak Hussein , Wellington Orebusola , Andu Lateefah , Adepase Abiola , Adesina Funke , Olonire Olorunfemi , Fetuga Adedoyin , Onasanya Oluwatosin , Awosika Flora , Folarin-Williams Omobosola , Anya Samuel E. 
Published: October 2022

PURPOSE In Lagos State, Nigeria, the population distribution of cancers is poorly described because studies are conducted at a few tertiary hospitals. Therefore, this study aims to map all health facilities where cancer screening takes place and describe the cases of cancer screened for and treated. METHODS A cross-sectional survey to identify facilities involved in screening and management of cancers was performed followed by extraction of data on individual cases of cancer screened for and treated at these facilities from 2011 to 2020. All health care facilities in the state were visited, and the survey was performed using standardized national tools modified to capture additional information on cancer screening and treatment. Data analysis was performed using STATA version 14 and R version 3.6.3. RESULTS Cervical cancer was the commonest cancer, accounting for 55% of 2,420 cancers screened, followed by breast (41%), prostate (4%), and colorectal cancers (0.2%). Of the 7,682 cancers treated among Lagos residents, the top five were breast (45%), colorectal (8%), cervical (8%), prostate (5%), and ovarian (4%). The female:male ratio of cancer cases was 3:1. The peak age for cancer among females and males was in the 40- to 49-year age group and 60- to 69-year age group, respectively. The Ikorodu local government area had the highest rate of reported cancer per million population. CONCLUSION Cancer screening is poor with a significant gap in screening for breast cancer since it is the commonest cancer in the state. The findings indicate the urgent need for the establishment of organized screening programs for the predominant cancers in the state and the prioritization of cancer research that addresses key policy and program questions.
Quantifying the Value of the Molecular Tumor Board: Discordance Recommendation Rate and Drug Cost Avoidance
Authors: Walters Mary K. , Ackerman Andrew T. , Weese James L. , Ruggeri Antony , Mullane Michael P. , Hunt Alicia , Wilson Amanda , Ramczyk Brenda L. , Thompson Michael A. 
Published: October 2022

PURPOSE Molecular tumor boards (MTBs) provide interventions that assist the patient's primary oncologist's interpretation and application of precision oncology and avoid clinical and financial toxicities of prescribing inappropriate targeted therapy. In this article, we describe a novel method for illustrating MTBs value and recommendation discordance rate and report associated drug cost avoidance data. METHODS From January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021, patients assessed by our program's MTB were retrospectively evaluated. Recommendation discordance was defined as any disagreement between MTB therapeutic recommendations and those provided in the next-generation sequencing vendor's report. RESULTS In 2021, our program processed 1,119 next-generation sequencing orders via external vendors for 1,029 unique patients with a variety of solid tumor and hematologic malignancies. During this period, 962 patients were reviewed through our MTB process. MTB recommendation discordance rate was high (229 of 502; 45.6%) and varied across test vendors. Rationales for discordance included the following: low level of evidence (88% of patients), alternative standard of care available (60%), and tolerability concerns (42%), among others. Discordance was highest for Vendor C (30%), followed by Vendor A (24%) and Vendor B (8%). The most common drug classes not supported were mTOR, PARP, MEK, and PIK3CA inhibitors when recommended by vendors in off-label settings. MTB interventions accounted for $3,209,070 in US dollars in potential drug cost avoidance. CONCLUSION Therapeutic recommendation discordance rates can provide quantitative insight into the benefit of MTB. Discordance-associated drug cost avoidance further demonstrates MTB's financial value. These measures may be used as part of the justification for this service line within a cancer care program.
A size-consistent Grüneisen-quasiharmonic approach for lattice thermal conductivity
Authors: Gan Chee Kwan , Koh Eng Kang 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
We propose a size-consistent Grüneisen-quasiharmonic approach (GQA) to calculate the lattice thermal conductivity

where the Grüneisen parameters that measure the degree of phonon anharmonicity are calculated directly using first-principles calculations. This is achieved by identifying and modifying two existing equations related to the Slack formulae for

that suffer from the size-inconsistency problem when dealing with non-monoatomic primitive cells (where the number of atoms in the primitive cell n is greater than one). In conjunction with other thermal parameters such as the acoustic Debye temperature

that can also be obtained within the GQA, we predict

for a range of materials taken from the diamond, zincblende, rocksalt, and wurtzite compounds. The results are compared with that from the experiment and the quasiharmonic Debye model (QDM). We find that in general the prediction of

is rather consistent among the GQA, experiment, and QDM. However, while the QDM somewhat overestimates the Grüneisen parameters and hence underestimates

for most materials, the GQA predicts the experimental trends of Grüneisen parameters and

more closely. We expect the GQA with the modified Slack formulae could be used as an effective and practical predictor for

, especially for crystals with large n.
Active colloids in harmonic optical potentials
(a)
Authors: Buttinoni I. , Caprini L. , Alvarez L. , Schwarzendahl F. J. , Löwen H. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
We study the motion of active Janus colloids in an optical trap using experiments, theory and numerical simulations. To achieve isotropic and harmonic confinement, we prototype microparticles with a nearly uniform refractive index and verify that, in the absence of activity, the confined motion is identical to that of optically homogeneous Brownian particles. If the activity is turned on by means of vertical AC fields, the density distributions are described by Boltzmann-like statistics (Gaussian with effective temperature) only for strongly confining traps, whereas weaker potentials give rise to non-Gaussian distributions with a bimodal shape. Our results showcase a simple way to study active soft matter in optical potential landscapes eliminating the optical torque.
Universal algorithms for quantum data learning
Authors: Fanizza Marco , Skotiniotis Michalis , Calsamiglia John , Muñoz-Tapia Ramon , Sentís Gael 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Operating quantum sensors and quantum computers would make data in the form of quantum states available for purely quantum processing, opening new avenues for studying physical processes and certifying quantum technologies. In this Perspective, we review a line of works dealing with measurements that reveal structural properties of quantum datasets given in the form of product states. These algorithms are universal, meaning that their performances do not depend on the reference frame in which the dataset is provided. Requiring the universality property implies a characterization of optimal measurements via group representation theory.
Differences in Inflammatory Pathways Between Dutch South Asians vs Dutch Europids With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Straat Maaike E , Martinez-Tellez Borja , van Eyk Huub J , Bizino Maurice B , van Veen Suzanne , Vianello Eleonora , Stienstra Rinke , Ottenhoff Tom H M , Lamb Hildo J , Smit Johannes W A , Jazet Ingrid M , Rensen Patrick C N , Boon Mariëtte R 
Published: October 2022

AbstractContextSouth Asian individuals are more prone to develop type 2 diabetes (T2D) coinciding with earlier complications than Europids. While inflammation plays a central role in the development and progression of T2D, this factor is still underexplored in South Asians.ObjectiveThis work aimed to study whether circulating messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts of immune genes are different between South Asian compared with Europid patients with T2D.MethodsA secondary analysis was conducted of 2 randomized controlled trials of Dutch South Asian (n = 45; age: 55 ± 10 years, body mass index [BMI]: 29 ± 4 kg/m2) and Dutch Europid (n = 44; age: 60 ± 7 years, BMI: 32 ± 4 kg/m2) patients with T2D. Main outcome measures included mRNA transcripts of 182 immune genes (microfluidic quantitative polymerase chain reaction; Fluidigm Inc) in fasted whole-blood, ingenuity pathway analyses (Qiagen).ResultsSouth Asians, compared to Europids, had higher mRNA levels of B-cell markers (CD19, CD79A, CD79B, CR2, CXCR5, IGHD, MS4A1, PAX5; all fold change &gt; 1.3, false discovery rate [FDR] &lt; 0.008) and interferon (IFN)-signaling genes (CD274, GBP1, GBP2, GBP5, FCGR1A/B/CP, IFI16, IFIT3, IFITM1, IFITM3, TAP1; all FC &gt; 1.2, FDR &lt; 0.05). In South Asians, the IFN signaling pathway was the top canonical pathway (z score 2.6; P &lt; .001) and this was accompanied by higher plasma IFN-γ levels (FC = 1.5, FDR = 0.01). Notably, the ethnic difference in gene expression was larger for women (20/182 [11%]) than men (2/182 [1%]).ConclusionSouth Asian patients with T2D show a more activated IFN-signaling pathway compared to Europid patients with T2D, which is more pronounced in women than men. We speculate that a more activated IFN-signaling pathway may contribute to the more rapid progression of T2D in South Asian compared with Europid individuals.
Impaired Cognitive Function in Patients With Autonomous Cortisol Secretion in Adrenal Incidentalomas
Authors: Liu Meng-si , Tian Zhao-yang , Zhang Zhou , Yang Fan , Lou Yuan , Wang Yi-jie , Zeng Yang-jie , Zhang Zi-wei , Zhu Da-long , Li Ping 
Published: October 2022

AbstractContextGlucocorticoids have potent effects on the central nervous system. However, while patients with Cushing syndrome frequently report impairments in cognitive function, studies investigating cognitive function in patients with autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) in adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) are scarce.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to evaluate neurocognitive function in patients with ACS.MethodsWe prospectively recruited 63 patients with AI, 36 patients with nonfunctional adrenal adenoma (NFA) (46.5 ± 10.5 years), and 27 patients with ACS (48.6 ± 9.1 years); these patients underwent a battery of validated neuropsychological tests. ACS was diagnosed when serum cortisol levels after a 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (cortisol1 mg DST) ≥ 50 nmol/L.ResultsPatients with ACS had higher frequency of subjective memory complaints (40.7% vs 13.9%, P &lt; 0.05) and higher proportion of mild cognitive impairment (22.2% vs 2.8%, P &lt; 0.05) than patients with NFA. Furthermore, patients with ACS had worse performance on working memory and the visuospatial/constructional domain than patients with NFA (all P &lt; 0.05). Serum cortisol1 mg DST was negatively correlated with working memory and visuospatial/constructional domains (r = −0.307 and −0.306, respectively, all P &lt; 0.05). Performance on working memory and visuospatial/constructional domains gradually deteriorated with increases in serum cortisol1 mg DST (all P values for trend &lt; 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that serum cortisol1 mg DST was a significant risk factor for impairment of working memory and visuospatial/constructional domains (B = −0.006 and −0.043, respectively, all P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionThis study is the first to report that ACS is accompanied by impaired cognitive function. Consequently, cognitive function assessment should be incorporated into the clinical evaluation of patients with ACS.Clinical trial registration numberNCT05357456.
Association Between Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Primary Hypothyroidism: Evidence from Complementary Genetic Methods
Authors: Liu Xue , Yuan Jie , Zhou Huizhi , Wang Yuyao , Tian Guoyu , Liu Xueying , Wang Xinhui , Tang Mulin , Meng Xue , Kou Chunjia , Yang Qingqing , Li Juyi , Zhang Li , Ji Jiadong , Zhang Haiqing 
Published: October 2022

AbstractIntroductionSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and hypothyroidism often coexist in observational studies; however, the causal relationship between them remains controversial.MethodsComplementary genetic approaches, including genetic correlation, Mendelian randomization (MR), and colocalization analysis, were conducted to assess the potential causal association between SLE and primary hypothyroidism using summary statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies. The association between SLE and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was further analyzed to help interpret the findings. In addition, findings were verified using a validation data set, as well as through different MR methods with different model assumptions.ResultsThe linkage disequilibrium score regression revealed a shared genetic structure between SLE and primary hypothyroidism, with the significant genetic correlation estimated to be 0.2488 (P = 6.00 × 10−4). MR analysis with the inverse variance weighted method demonstrated a bidirectional causal relationship between SLE and primary hypothyroidism. The odds ratio (OR) of SLE on primary hypothyroidism was 1.037 (95% CI, 1.013-1.061; P = 2.00 × 10−3) and that of primary hypothyroidism on SLE was 1.359 (95% CI, 1.217-1.520; P &lt; 0.001). The OR of SLE on TSH was 1.007 (95% CI, 1.001-1.013; P = 0.032). However, TSH was not causally associated with SLE (P = 0.152). Similar results were found using different MR methods. In addition, colocalization analysis suggested that shared causal variants existed between SLE and primary hypothyroidism. The results of the validation analysis indicated a bidirectional causal relationship between SLE and primary hypothyroidism, as well as shared loci.ConclusionIn summary, a bidirectional causal relationship between SLE and primary hypothyroidism was observed with complementary genetic approaches.
Pulpit of Performative Reason
Authors: Lofton Kathryn 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis essay observes that a hostile relationship to religion is an elemental component of contemporary debates about gender and sexuality, and this hostility has its origin in a specific movement, freethought. A long line of Anglophone self-described freethinkers argues that human beings embrace religions because they cannot think without direction. TERF voices echo this explanation as they seek to right what they determine are wrong figurations of gender. The freethinker's ritual presentation requires standing at a pulpit determined by their claimed associations with and commitment to reason, and then correcting someone else's view of themselves with a red pen in front of a crowd. Understanding TERFs, and their ability to declare what gender is and is not, requires a foray into the history of religions to perceive why this is such a tenacious prejudicial rite of modernity.
Drug-based mobilisation of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells improves cardiac function post myocardial infarction
Authors: Todorova Veneta B. , Baxan Nicoleta , Delahaye Matthew , Harding Sian E. , Rankin Sara M. 
Published: October 2022

ABSTRACT
There is an unmet need for treatments that prevent the progressive cardiac dysfunction following myocardial infarction. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are under investigation for cardiac repair; however, culture expansion prior to transplantation is hindering their homing and reparative abilities. Pharmacological mobilisation could be an alternative to MSC transplantation. Here, we report that endogenous MSCs mobilise into the circulation at day 5 post myocardial infarction in male Lewis rats. This mobilisation can be significantly increased by using a combination of the FDA-approved drugs mirabegron (β3-adrenoceptor agonist) and AMD3100 (CXCR4 antagonist). Blinded cardiac magnetic resonance imaging analysis showed the treated group to have increased left ventricular ejection fraction and decreased end systolic volume at 5 weeks post myocardial infarction. The mobilised group had a significant decrease in plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels, a decrease in interstitial fibrosis, and an increase in the border zone blood vessel density. Conditioned medium from blood-derived MSCs supported angiogenesis in vitro, as shown by tube formation and wound healing assays. Our data suggest a novel pharmacological strategy that enhances myocardial infarction-induced MSC mobilisation and improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction.
A scientific methodology course for advanced medical students: an eight-year perspective
Authors: Bartesaghi Silvina , Garcés Gastón , Barrios Enrique , Radi Rafael 
Published: October 2022

Background: Exponential increases in the development of medical knowledge, the expansion of areas where medicine develops its activities, the emergence of new pathologies (e.g., COVID-19), novel diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies, together with the appearance of multiple communication and information technologies, determined that the education of future physicians required targeted training in scientific methodology. Methods: The design and execution of a course in scientific methodology in the curriculum of Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Uruguay, is described. The course is carried out at an advanced stage of the medical studies for all the students, in which they develop a 10-month research project supervised by the medical school faculty. Students undergo all stages of a research endeavor: generation of hypothesis or general aim, elaboration of a research protocol, submission to the Research Ethics and Animal Welfare Committees, data recollection, analysis, interpretation and publication of the results. Results: The course is undertaken at the Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Uruguay, the main university of the country, with high numbers of students enrolled. The course involves the participation of 600 students and up to 300 professors per year, which implies a huge institutional effort. Conclusions: The scientific methodology course resulted in one of the most important incorporations of the current 2008 curriculum. Local students, faculty and international evaluators have qualified this activity as an educational breakthrough, being a gratifying and productive experience. The course represented the first exposure of medical students to the research methodology, scientific literature and publication rules, and emphasized the dynamic nature of medical knowledge within modern medical education. Moreover, for some students it constituted the onset of academic research careers. An additional positive outcome was the reactivation of some faculty research projects, in a way that largely exceeded the boundaries of the course.
Dokumenty osobiste a doświadczenie migracji. Refleksje metodologiczne
Authors: Bukraba-Rylska Izabella 
Published: October 2022

Metoda pamiętnikarska (zwana też metodą dokumentów osobistych) jest często wykorzystywana w roli narzędzia badania rzeczywistości społecznej, ale sama stosunkowo rzadko staje się przedmiotem refleksji metodologicznej i teoretycznej. Tymczasem wciąż warte namysłu są podstawowe pytania, takie jak: co jest dokumentem osobistym? w jaki sposób może on być używany i analizowany? jakie normy etyczne wiążą badacza? Prezentowany tekst porusza te kwestie, przypominając klasyczne i współczesne ustalenia badaczy używających tej metody (np. zasada współczynnika humanistycznego F. Znanieckiego), a następnie czyniąc pamiętnik Władka Wiśniewskiego zamieszczony w trzecim tomie Chłopa polskiego W. Thomasa i F. Znanieckiego egzemplifikacją najważniejszych dylematów. Wskazanie ograniczenia najczęściej stosowanego podejścia do dokumentów osobistych (traktowanych jako źródło wiedzy o obiektywnej rzeczywistości, jej wierne i neutralne „odbicie”) prowadzi do naszkicowania możliwości innego podejścia, zwanego pragmatycznym.