bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequency of Exposure Influences Accentedness and Comprehensibility in Learners’ Pronunciation of Second Language Words
Authors: Uchihara Takumi , Webb Stuart , Saito Kazuya , Trofimovich Pavel 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe current study investigated the effects of repetition on the learning of second language (L2) spoken word forms. Japanese university students learning L2 English were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions (one, three, and six exposures) and learned 40 words while hearing them and viewing their corresponding pictures. A picture‐naming test was administered before, immediately after, and approximately one week after the treatment. The elicited speech samples were evaluated for two aspects of spoken vocabulary knowledge: pronunciation (accentedness and comprehensibility) and form–meaning connection (spoken form recall). Results showed that (a) the number of exposures positively affected measures of form–meaning connection and pronunciation immediately after the treatment, and (b) cognateness moderated how strongly repetition impacted the pronunciation of L2 words. Moderate learning gains occurred for comprehensibility after six exposures to new words. However, with six exposures, only small effects of repetition were observed for accentedness.
Bipartite phosphoinositide‐dependent modulation of auxin signaling during xylem differentiation in Arabidopsis thaliana roots
Authors: von der Mark Claudia , Cruz Tiago M. D. , Blanco‐Touriñan Noel , Rodriguez‐Villalon Antia 
Published: August 2022

Summary

Efficient root‐to‐shoot delivery of water and nutrients in plants relies on the correct differentiation of xylem cells into hollow elements. While auxin is integral to the formation of xylem cells, it remains poorly characterized how each subcellular pool of this hormone regulates this process.

Combining genetic and cell biological approaches, we investigated the bipartite activity of nucleoplasmic vs plasma membrane‐associated phosphatidylinositol 4‐phosphate kinases PIP5K1 and its homolog PIP5K2 in Arabidopsis thaliana roots and uncovered a novel mechanism by which phosphoinositides integrate distinct aspects of the auxin signaling cascade and, in turn, regulate the onset of xylem differentiation.

The appearance of undifferentiated cells in protoxylem strands of pip5k1 pip5k2 is phenomimicked in auxin transport and perception mutants and can be partially restored by the nuclear residence of PIP5K1. By contrast, exclusion of PIP5K1 from the nucleus hinders the auxin‐mediated induction of the xylem master regulator VASCULAR RELATED NAC DOMAIN (VND) 7. A xylem‐specific increase of auxin levels abolishes pip5k1 pip5k2 vascular defects, indicating that the establishment of auxin maxima is required to activate VND7‐mediated xylem differentiation.

Our results describe a new mechanism by which distinct subcellular pools of phosphoinositides integrate auxin transport and perception to initiate xylem differentiation in a spatiotemporal manner.
Bioenergy sorghum stem growth regulation: intercalary meristem localization, development, and gene regulatory network analysis
Authors: Yu Ka Man Jasmine , Oliver Joel , McKinley Brian , Weers Brock , Fabich Hilary T. , Evetts Nathan , Conradi Mark S. , Altobelli Stephen A. , Marshall‐Colon Amy , Mullet John 
Published: August 2022

SUMMARYBioenergy sorghum is a highly productive drought tolerant C4 grass that accumulates 80% of its harvestable biomass in approximately 4 m length stems. Stem internode growth is regulated by development, shading, and hormones that modulate cell proliferation in intercalary meristems (IMs). In this study, sorghum stem IMs were localized above the pulvinus at the base of elongating internodes using magnetic resonance imaging, microscopy, and transcriptome analysis. A change in cell morphology/organization occurred at the junction between the pulvinus and internode where LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES (SbLOB), a boundary layer gene, was expressed. Inactivation of an AGCVIII kinase in DDYM (dw2) resulted in decreased SbLOB expression, disrupted IM localization, and reduced internode cell proliferation. Transcriptome analysis identified approximately 1000 genes involved in cell proliferation, hormone signaling, and other functions selectively upregulated in the IM compared with a non‐meristematic stem tissue. This cohort of genes is expressed in apical dome stem tissues before localization of the IM at the base of elongating internodes. Gene regulatory network analysis identified connections between genes involved in hormone signaling and cell proliferation. The results indicate that gibberellic acid induces accumulation of growth regulatory factors (GRFs) known to interact with ANGUSTIFOLIA (SbAN3), a master regulator of cell proliferation. GRF:AN3 was predicted to induce SbARF3/ETT expression and regulate SbAN3 expression in an auxin‐dependent manner. GRFs and ARFs regulate genes involved in cytokinin and brassinosteroid signaling and cell proliferation. The results provide a molecular framework for understanding how hormone signaling regulates the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation in the stem IM.
ZDF (fa/fa) rats show increasing heterogeneity in main parameters during ageing, as confirmed by biometrics, oxidative stress markers and MMP activity
Authors: Kollarova Marta , Chomova Maria , Radosinska Dominika , Tothova Lubomira , Shawkatova Ivana , Radosinska Jana 
Published: August 2022

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
The aim was to characterize Zucker diabetic fatty [ZDF (fa/fa)] rats and two control strains [Wistar and lean ZDF (fa/+) rats] during ageing.
What is the main finding and its importance?
Zucker diabetic fatty (fa/fa) rats with lower glycaemia have higher body and left ventricular weights and lower plasma gelatinase activity compared with hyperglycaemic rats. Given that type 2 diabetes is a heterogeneous metabolic disorder, the inhomogeneity of ZDF (fa/fa) rats might be beneficial in the study of its different aspects. Our experiments might promote a discussion regarding suitable normoglycaemic control animals for aged ZDF (fa/fa) rats, especially in experiments focused on myocardial tissue.
AbstractZucker diabetic fatty [ZDF (fa/fa)] rats, which are an animal model for the study of type 2 diabetes, are considered as a uniform group in most experimental studies; however, there are indications of their increasing inhomogeneity over time. The main objective of our study was to monitor biometric and biochemical parameters of ZDF (fa/fa) rats during their development of type 2 diabetes and compare them with two control strains [Wistar and lean ZDF (fa/+) rats]. According to fasting glycaemia, ZDF (fa/fa) rats were split arbitrarily into two phenotypes: obese, ZDF (fa/fa) FAT; and diabetic, ZDF (fa/fa) DIA. Glycaemia increased progressively only in the ZDF (fa/fa) DIA animals, which also exhibited higher cholesterol levels compared with ZDF (fa/fa) FAT animals. In addition, ZDF (fa/fa) FAT rats revealed more pronounced left ventricular hypertrophy and higher body weight, differentiating them from ZDF (fa/fa) DIA rats. We also investigated the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are multifunctional enzymes involved in tissue remodelling. Rats in the ZDF (fa/fa) FAT group revealed lower plasma MMP2 and MMP9 activity compared with the ZDF (fa/fa) DIA group. However, increased myocardial MMP2 activity indicated left ventricular remodelling in both ZDF phenotypes. Given that type 2 diabetes in humans is a heterogeneous metabolic disorder, the heterogeneity of ZDF (fa/fa) rats might be beneficial in the study of different aspects of this pathology. Moreover, Wistar rats could serve as a more appropriate control for aged ZDF (fa/fa) rats than the commonly used ZDF fa/+ rats, which showed an increase in left ventricular weight, carbonyl stress markers in the left myocardium and MMP2 activity in both ventricles, indicating heart remodelling processes compared with the Wistar control group.
The Influence of Womersley Number on Non-Newtonian Effects: Transient Computational Study of Blood Rheology
Authors: Simpson Joseph P. , Leylek James H. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
A properly validated computational fluid dynamics methodology is a valuable predictive tool capable of aiding in the development of new methods for treating cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although blood is a shear-thinning non-Newtonian fluid, a key assumption that remains highly contested is whether non-Newtonian blood can be approximated as a Newtonian fluid. Previously, a preliminary link was established between the effects of non-Newtonian viscosity and the Womersley number, α, which could lend an explanation to the varied conclusions from previous comparison studies. Building upon this foundation, computational fluid dynamics was utilized to perform an in-depth investigation into the link between blood rheology and α for multiple geometries. For the first time in the open literature, the present research sheds definitive light on the source of the diverse results from previous studies. It demonstrates how α can affect the severity of non-Newtonian effects when compared to Newtonian viscosity, while otherwise maintaining the same boundary conditions. These results show that an increase in α reduces the peak global importance factor, a measure of the difference between Newtonian and non-Newtonian models, by upwards of 90%. Additionally, this results in a decrease in the relative difference for disturbed flow factors, parameters linked to the initiation and progression of CVD, from upwards of 34% down to approximately 5%. This study proves that there is a significant relationship between α and blood rheology, with higher α shifting the apparent viscosity of non-Newtonian models further toward the constant Newtonian viscosity.
Symmetric Kinetostatic Behavior From Asymmetric Spatially Curved Beams
Authors: Amoozandeh Nobaveh Ali , Radaelli Giuseppe , Herder Just L. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
A cantilevered rod’s endpoint has a symmetric stiffness profile throughout its range of motion. Generally, this is not the case for spatially curved compliant beams, particularly if they are asymmetric, i.e., their fixation is not in the symmetry plane of their endpoint operating field. This paper discusses a technique for obtaining symmetric kinetostatic behavior from this type of asymmetric compliant beam over a relatively large range of motion. To accomplish this, a parametrization scheme was used to base the geometry of the beam on a limited number of control parameters. These parameters were then used as inputs for optimization in order to create beams with symmetric endpoint behavior. This process was further investigated using different sets of parameters. To validate the method’s performance, experiments on prototypes were conducted. The results demonstrated a high degree of congruence with simulations of the anticipated behavior. Comparing to the non-optimized benchmark beam, the experimental performance of the resulting shapes demonstrated up to a 68% improvement in the desired symmetric behavior.
Study protocol: assessing the association between corporate financial influence and implementation of policies to tackle commercial determinants of non-communicable diseases: a cross-sectional analysis of 172 countries
Authors: Allen Luke Nelson , Wigley Simon , Holmer Hampus 
Published: August 2022

IntroductionThere are many case studies of corporations that have worked to undermine health policy implementation. It is unclear whether countries that are more exposed to corporate financial influence are systematically less likely to implement robust health policies that target firms’ financial interests. We aim to assess the association between corporate financial influence and implementation of WHO-recommended policies to constrain sales, marketing and consumption of tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy foods.Methods and analysisWe will perform a cross-sectional analysis of 172 WHO Member States using national datasets from 2015, 2017 and 2020. We will use random effects generalised least squares regression to test the association between implementation status of 12 WHO-recommended tobacco, alcohol and diet policies, and corporate financial influence, a metric that combines disclosure of campaign donations, public campaign finance, corporate campaign donations, legislature corrupt activities, disclosure by politicians and executive oversight. We will control for GDP per capita, population aged >65 years (%), urbanisation (%), level of democracy, continent, ethno-linguistic fractionalisation, legal origin, UN-defined ‘Small Island Developing States’ and Muslim population (%) (to capture alcohol policy differences). We will include year dummies to address the possibility of a spurious relationship between the outcome variable and the independent variables of interests. For example, there may be an upward global trend in policy implementation that coincides with an upward global trend in the regulation of lobbying and campaign finance.Ethics and disseminationAs this study uses publicly available data, ethics approval is not required. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. Findings will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication in the academic literature. All data, code and syntax will be made publicly available on GitHub.
Cost-effectiveness of follow-up invasive coronary angiography after percutaneous coronary stenting: a real-world observational cohort study in Japan
Authors: Shiina Tetsuya , Goto-Hirano Keiko , Takura Tomoyuki , Daida Hiroyuki 
Published: August 2022

ObjectivesFollow-up invasive coronary angiography (FUICA) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been shown to increase the rate of early coronary revascularisation without reducing the incidence of subsequent myocardial infarction or death. However, no studies have evaluated the cost-effectiveness of FUICA in patients after coronary stenting. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of FUICA after PCI.DesignRetrospective observational cohort study.Setting497 hospitals.Participants and interventionsOverall, 558 patients who underwent coronary artery stenting between April 2014 and March 2015 were matched and included in the invasive angiographic follow-up (AF) group (n=279), in which patients underwent FUICA 6–12 months after PCI, or in the clinical follow-up alone group (CF; n=279) using propensity scores.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary endpoint was the composite outcome of death, myocardial infarction, urgent coronary revascularisation, stroke or hospitalisation for the heart failure. The secondary endpoints included all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, urgent revascularisation, coronary artery bypass grafting, stroke, hospitalisation for the heart failure and any coronary revascularisation after a minimum of 6 months of follow-up.ResultsCosts were calculated as direct medical expenses based on medical fee billing information. The cumulative 3-year incidence of the primary endpoint was 5.3% in the AF group and 4.7% in the CF group (HR 1.02; 95% CI 0.47 to 2.20; p=0.98). The total incremental cost at the 3-year endpoint in the AF group was US$1874 higher than that in the CF group (US$8947±US$5684 vs US$7073±US$6360; p≤0.001).ConclusionsFUICA increased the costs but did not improve clinical benefits. Thus, FUICA is not economically more attractive than CF alone.Trial registration numberUMIN000039768.
Protocol for an observational study investigating hormones triggering the onset of sustained lactation: the INSIGHT study
Authors: Rostom Hussam , Meng Xin , Price Helen , Fry Alexandria , Elajnaf Taha , Humphrey Robert , Guha Nishan , James Tim , Kennedy Stephen H , Hannan Fadil M 
Published: August 2022

IntroductionLactation is a hormonally controlled process that promotes infant growth and neurodevelopment and reduces the long-term maternal risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. Hormones, such as prolactin and progesterone, mediate mammary development during pregnancy and are critical for initiating copious milk secretion within 24–72 hours post partum. However, the hormone concentrations mediating lactation onset are ill defined.Methods and analysisThe primary objective of the investigating hormones triggering the onset of sustained lactation study is to establish reference intervals for the circulating hormone concentrations initiating postpartum milk secretion. The study will also assess how maternal factors such as parity, pregnancy comorbidities and complications during labour and delivery, which are known to delay lactation, may affect hormone concentrations. This single-centre observational study will recruit up to 1068 pregnant women over a 3-year period. A baseline blood sample will be obtained at 36 weeks’ gestation. Participants will be monitored during postpartum days 1–4. Lactation onset will be reported using a validated breast fullness scale. Blood samples will be collected before and after a breastfeed on up to two occasions per day during postpartum days 1–4. Colostrum, milk and spot urine samples will be obtained on a single occasion. Serum hormone reference intervals will be calculated as mean±1.96 SD, with 90% CIs determined for the upper and lower reference limits. Differences in hormone values between healthy breastfeeding women and those at risk of delayed onset of lactation will be assessed by repeated measures two-way analysis of variance or a mixed linear model. Correlations between serum hormone concentrations and milk composition and volume will provide insights into the endocrine regulation of milk synthesis.Ethics and disseminationApproval for this study had been granted by the East of England—Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee (REC No. 20/EE/0172), by the Health Research Authority (HRA), and by the Oxford University Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust. The findings will be published in high-ranking journals and presented at national and international conferences.Trial registration numberISRCTN12667795.
Canadian clinical capacity for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder assessment, diagnosis, disclosure and support to children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Dugas Erika N. , Poirier Martine , Basque Dominique , Bouhamdani Nadia , LeBreton Laure , Leblanc Nicole 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveCanadian fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) guidelines encourage an age-specific interdisciplinary diagnostic approach. However, there is currently no standard-of-care regarding FASD diagnosis disclosure and few studies document Canadian FASD clinical capacity. Our objectives were to describe clinical capacity (defined as skills and resources) for FASD assessment, diagnosis, disclosure and support in Canada.Design, setting and participantsData were drawn from the CanDiD study, a cross-sectional investigation of Canadian FASD clinical capacity. Forty-one clinics participated in the study. Data were collected in 2021 on the number and types of health professionals included in the assessment and diagnostic teams, the presence (or absence) of a minor patient when the FASD diagnosis is disclosed to parents/guardians, who is responsible for the diagnosis disclosure, the use of explanatory tools, and the types of support/counselling services available. The proportion of clinics that follow the Canadian interdisciplinary diagnostic guidelines by age group is described among participating clinics.ResultsOverall, 21, 13 and 7 specialised FASD clinics were in Western/Northern, Central and Atlantic Canada, respectively. The number of referrals per year surpassed the number of diagnostic assessments completed in all regions. Approximately, 60% of clinics who diagnosed FASD in infants and preschool children (n=4/7 and 15/25, respectively) followed the interdisciplinary guidelines compared with 80% (n=32/40) in clinics who diagnosed school-aged children/adolescents. Diagnostic reporting practices were heterogeneous, but most used an explanatory tool with children/adolescents (67%), offered support/counselling (90–95%) and used case-by-case approach (80%) when deciding who would disclose the diagnosis to the child/adolescent and when.ConclusionsLimited diagnostic capacity and lack of FASD resources across Canada highlights a critical need for continued FASD support. This study identifies gaps in assessment, diagnosis and reporting practices for FASD in children/adolescents across Canada.
Patient’s subjective knee function 3-5 years following partial meniscectomy or meniscus repair compared to a normal population: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Alerskans Sofie , Kostogiannis Ioannis , Neuman Paul 
Published: August 2022

PurposeEvaluate patient-reported knee function after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) and meniscus suture repair in two different age cohorts compared with a normal population.MethodArthroscopic meniscus surgery was performed on 421 patients at Skåne University Hospital from 2010 to 2014, with a mean (SD) follow-up of 4.2 (1.4) years. Patients and controls were divided into two age cohorts; 18–34 years (younger) and 35–54 years (middle-aged) as well as according to surgery performed; either solely meniscus surgery or with concurrent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The outcome is measured with the five subscales of the Knee and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS).ResultsNo significant difference in outcome after all studied types of meniscus surgeries between younger-aged and middle-aged patients.Younger patients with APM or meniscus suture repair, with or without, ACLR score lower than the normal population in all subscales of KOOS (p<0.001), except in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) for meniscus suture patients.Middle-aged patients with APM score lower in all subscales than the normal population (p≤0.009). Those with meniscus suture repair score lower than the normal population only for the subscales Sport/Rec and quality of life (p<0.001).Both younger-aged and middle-aged patients achieve better KOOS values after meniscus suture repair and ACLR than after all other combinations of surgery.ConclusionPatients with meniscus injuries do not reach the same KOOS score as the normal population, irrespective of age or type of meniscus surgery performed. However, combined with ACLR in younger-aged and middle-aged patients, meniscus suture gives a better subjective outcome than isolated meniscus surgery.