bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive factors for thyroid complications after radiation therapy—data from a cohort of cancer patients closely followed since they were irradiated
Authors: Duarte Vitoria , Maciel Joana , Cavaco Daniela , Donato Sara , Damásio Inês , Pinheiro Sara , Figueiredo Ana , Ferreira Ana , Pereira Joana S. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIntroductionCancer survivors are at an increased risk of adverse outcomes, including thyroid neoplasms, given the high radiosensitivity of this gland. The aim of this study is to assess the incidence and timeframe of thyroid complications in cancer patients, followed systematically since their radiation therapy, and to identify risk factors for the development of hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study, including 282 subjects, who received neck, craniospinal, or total body irradiation (TBI). Patients were grouped into four primary diagnostic clusters: leukaemia, Hodgkin's disease, central nervous system, and head and neck tumours.ResultsHypothyroidism was observed in 56.7% of patients, on average 6.8 ± 5.9 years after the treatment. Neck and craniospinal irradiation presented a 3.5‐fold increased risk for the development of hypothyroidism compared to TBI. Papillary thyroid cancer was diagnosed in 8.5% of the patients, on average, 18.5 ± 4.9 years after radiotherapy (RT). Female gender, younger age, and lower irradiation doses were independently associated with thyroid cancer development.ConclusionOur study provides useful information about the risk of hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer after RT, as it was performed in a cohort of patients closely followed since the oncological therapies, and, thus, may give new insights into the follow‐up management of these patients.
Hair cortisol levels in schizophrenia and metabolic syndrome
Authors: van den Heuvel Leigh Luella , Smit Anna Margaretha , Stalder Tobias , Kirschbaum Clemens , Seedat Soraya , Emsley Robin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAimIndividuals with schizophrenia demonstrate higher rates of metabolic syndrome (MetS) than the general population. Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) reflect longer‐term cortisol secretion and can provide additional insights into the role of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis in schizophrenia and co‐occurring MetS.MethodsIn a case–control study of 16 patients with schizophrenia (11 first episode psychosis [FEP] and 5 chronic) and 21 controls hair samples, representing a 3‐month retrospective window of cortisol, were collected and analysed utilizing liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. We investigated whether schizophrenia and MetS co‐occurrence were associated with HCC utilizing multivariate regression models. We also explored the longitudinal trajectory of HCC in FEP patients by conducting a mixed models analysis.ResultsAt baseline HCC were significantly lower (Cohen's d = 0.88) in patients with schizophrenia than in controls (p = .014). HCC increased from baseline to month‐12 in FEP patients compared to controls, demonstrating a trend towards significance (p = .097). MetS was not associated with HCC at baseline, but HCC increased significantly from baseline to month‐12 in relation to MetS (p = .037).ConclusionsIn a subgroup of schizophrenia patients, psychosis may be associated with a blunted HPA axis with lower long‐term cortisol output. MetS was associated with an increase in HCC and elevated cortisol levels observed in schizophrenia may be related to increased rates of MetS in schizophrenia patients.
The role of food odor in invertebrate foraging
Authors: Zjacic Nicolina , Scholz Monika 
Published: January 2022

AbstractForaging for food is an integral part of animal survival. In small insects and invertebrates, multisensory information and optimized locomotion strategies are used to effectively forage in patchy and complex environments. Here, the importance of olfactory cues for effective invertebrate foraging is discussed in detail. We review how odors are used by foragers to move toward a likely food source and the recent models that describe this sensory‐driven behavior. We argue that smell serves a second function by priming an organism for the efficient exploitation of food. By appraising food odors, invertebrates can establish preferences and better adapt to their ecological niches, thereby promoting survival. The smell of food pre‐prepares the gastrointestinal system and primes feeding motor programs for more effective ingestion as well. Optimizing resource utilization affects longevity and reproduction as a result, leading to drastic changes in survival. We propose that models of foraging behavior should include odor priming, and illustrate this with a simple toy model based on the marginal value theorem. Lastly, we discuss the novel techniques and assays in invertebrate research that could investigate the interactions between odor sensing and food intake. Overall, the sense of smell is indispensable for efficient foraging and influences not only locomotion, but also organismal physiology, which should be reflected in behavioral modeling.
Centring transatlantic slavery in Scottish historiography
Authors: Mullen Stephen 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe historiography of Scotland's connections with transatlantic slavery across the British Empire has flourished in the last 20 years, promoting wider public discussion and civic recognition. Nevertheless, the view that historians of Scotland omitted slavery from Scottish historiography remains part of popular discourse. This article adds nuance by considering the absences and eventual centring of slavery in Scottish historiography. In the 1960s, it was argued by historians that foreign trade—and by extension Atlantic slavery—had a limited effect on the economic development of 18th‐century Scotland. However, studies of the Atlantic trades and merchant capital undermined that orthodoxy in the 1970s, although works of that era that addressed Scotland's Atlantic economy tended to acknowledge slavery only in tokenistic fashion, if at all. Nevertheless, whilst slavery was not centred in these works, they established the view that Atlantic commerce and merchant capital were central to Scottish economic development. In the last 25 years, slavery has been centred in Scottish historiography and earlier works have taken on new significance. Studies after 1997 have revealed the involvement of Scots with the slave trade in Scotland and across the Atlantic world, patterns of Scottish slave‐ownership in the Caribbean, the repatriation of slavery‐derived wealth, the effects of West India fortunes and investments. Scottish historiography lagged behind the comparative body of work for England, although it is now generally accepted that Atlantic commerce and slavery affected Scottish economic development in a more substantial way. Historians of Scotland have led the way in transforming understandings of Scotland's Atlantic history in general, and chattel slavery in particular, and these ideas are increasingly part of popular consciousness.
The effect of few historical data on the performance of sample average approximation method for operating room scheduling
Authors: Coban Elvin , Kayış Enis , Dexter Franklin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractWe model the scheduling problem of a single operating room for outpatient surgery, with uncertain case durations and an objective function comprising waiting time, idle time, and overtime costs. This stochastic scheduling problem has been studied in diverse forms. One of the most common approaches used is the sample average approximation (SAA). Our contribution is to study the use of SAA to solve this problem under few historical data using families of log t distributions with varying degrees of freedom. We analyze the results of the SAA method in terms of optimality convergence, the effect of the number of scenarios, and average computational time. Given the case sequence, computational results demonstrate that SAA with an adequate number of scenarios performs close to the exact method. For example, we find that the optimality gap, in units of proportional weighted time, is relatively small when 500 scenarios are used: 99% of the instances have an optimality gap of less than 2.6 7% (1.74%, 1.23%) when there are 3 (9, many) historical samples. Increasing the number of SAA scenarios improves performance, but is not critical when the case sequence is given. However, choosing the number of SAA scenarios becomes critical when the same method is used to choose among sequencing heuristics when there are few historical data. For example, when there are only three (nine, many) historical samples, 99% of the instances have less than 25.38% (13.15%, 6.87%) penalty in using SAA with 500 scenarios to choose the best sequencing heuristic.
Probabilistic selling and manufacturer encroachment in retail markets with vertical‐differentiated products
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Wang Junbin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis study investigates the adoption of a probabilistic selling strategy in a vertical‐differentiated marketing channel. We build a styled model in a retail market in which a manufacturer sells two vertical‐differentiated products solely through a retailer, and the manufacturer can encroach on the end market by selling probabilistic products or continue to sell them through the retailer. Our findings indicate that the manufacturer can benefit from the probabilistic selling strategy only when the expenditure of building the direct‐selling channel is low, but the retailer is always worse off. Furthermore, when the quality of the low‐end product is relatively low, the manufacturer prefers to choose the traditional selling format. Finally, the consumer surplus is higher when the retailer adopts the probabilistic selling strategy.
Vichy volcanic mineralizing water has unique properties to strengthen the skin barrier and skin defenses against exposome aggressions
Authors: Rasmont V. , Valois A. , Gueniche A. , Sore G. , Kerob D. , Nielsen M. , Berardesca E. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractExposome aggressions are known to weaken certain skin functions, such as skin barrier and skin defense functions. Vichy volcanic mineralizing water (VVMW) percolates through volcanic and magmatic rocks in the Auvergne region in France to create a pure, highly mineralized water containing 15 minerals for a total mineral concentration of 5.2 g/L. Here, we provide an overview of the main results of in vitro and ex vivo studies (keratinocyte cultures, 3D reconstructed skin model, skin explants) and clinical studies to evaluate the effect of VVMW on key skin functions to help elucidate how it counteracts exposome aggressions on the skin. Properties to strengthen the skin barrier: VVMW stimulated the synthesis of tight junction proteins and keratinocyte differentiation markers in vitro. In clinical studies, VVMW accelerated cell turnover and improved skin hydration. Properties to strengthen skin antioxidant defense: VVMW stimulated the expression of antioxidant defense markers and had a higher stimulatory effect than a competitor thermal water on the expression of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in keratinocytes in vitro. In vivo, VVMW restored endogenous catalase activity after exposure to UVA radiation. Anti‐inflammatory action: VVMW reduced substance P‐induced inflammation ex vivo and lactic acid‐induced stinging in vivo. Topical application of VVMW in subjects with sensitive skin showed soothing and decongestant effects by reducing skin dryness and erythema. After sodium lauryl sulfate ‐induced skin barrier disruption, recovery from redness and erythema was faster following application of VVMW compared to a competitor water or untreated skin. These studies illustrate that VVMW has unique properties to repair and regenerate the skin barrier, as well as to strengthen antioxidant and immune defenses, which help protect the skin against exposome aggressions.
The effects of post‐frozen‐thawed embryo transfer pregnancy on early fetal development
Authors: Suga Naoko , Oba Mari S. , Kikuchi Iwaho , Natori Michiya , Hisamatsu Kazuhiro , Hayashi Satoshi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAimFrozen‐thawed embryo transfer (FET) has gained popularity as an assistive reproductive technology despite its increased risk of large‐for‐gestational‐age offspring. This study aimed to analyze the effect of FET on fetal development, particularly the growth rate and estimated fetal weight (EFW) throughout pregnancy.MethodsThis was a single‐center, retrospective study that examined 97 patients with FET conception and 477 patients with natural conception (NC) who underwent labor and delivery at our clinic between December 2015 and June 2019. Crown‐rump length (CRL) in the first trimester and EFW measurements in the second and third trimesters were obtained from transabdominal ultrasound records. Birthweight was adjusted for sex, parity, and gestational age. Regression coefficients of CRL, EFW, and birthweight were compared between the FET and NC groups to examine the growth rate. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between birth size and baseline characteristics.ResultsThe growth rate was higher in the first trimester in the FET group than in the NC group (difference: 0.19 mm/day, p = 0.018). CRL, EFW, and adjusted birthweight were higher in the FET group than in the NC group throughout pregnancy. The factors associated with the development of larger offspring through FET than through NC were advanced maternal age, primiparity, cesarean section delivery, and high birthweight.ConclusionsThroughout pregnancy, FET resulted in a larger offspring than in NC, with accelerated growth observed only during the first trimester. Thus, FET highly affects early fetal development.
Endogenous income distribution and aggregate demand: Empirical evidence from heterogeneous panel structural vector autoregression
Authors: Mutlugün Betül 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis paper presents a novel empirical investigation into demand and distribution dynamics using a heterogeneous panel structural vector autoregression model for a panel of 10 emerging economies during the 1970–2017 period. Following the Kaleckian tradition, the theoretical analysis is based on a dynamic macro model where distributive shares and labor productivity are determined endogenously by introducing conflicting‐claims theory of inflation and Kaldor–Verdoorn effects. The paper indicates profit‐led demand regime only in the short run and profit‐squeeze effects when allowing for the contemporaneous effect of labor share on capacity utilization and capital accumulation. However, after incorporating the contemporaneous effect of demand on labor share and thus controlling for the short‐term effect of pro‐cyclical labor productivity on labor share, the results provide evidence for wage‐led demand and wage‐squeeze effects. These results underline how the importance of addressing endogeneity issues when estimating demand and distribution regimes and how different assumptions about the interactions among demand, distribution, and labor productivity result in diverse findings.
Resource curse hypothesis: fresh evidence from OPEC member countries
Authors: Inuwa Nasiru , Modibbo Haruna Usman , Adamu Sagir , Sani Mohammed Bello 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis study investigated the impact of natural resources on economic growth among the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) by controlling for institutional quality and financial development during the period 2008–2018. The study applied the recent generalised method of moment estimation method proposed by Kripfganz (2019, Generalized method of moments estimation of linear dynamic panel data models. London Stata Conference, pp. 1–128). The results revealed a negative and significant impact of natural resource rents on economic growth. However, oil rents showed a positive and statistically significant impact on economic growth. Similarly, institutional quality has been found to have positive and significant contribution to economic growth. Finally, financial development has also been found to have positive and significant impact on economic growth of the OPEC member countries.
Evaluating systemic immune‐inflammation index in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Hayıroğlu Mert İlker , Çınar Tufan , Çinier Göksel , Pay Levent , Yumurtaş Ahmet Çağdaş , Tezen Ozan , Eren Semih , Kolak Zeynep , Çetin Tuğba , Çiçek Vedat , Tekkeşin Ahmet İlker 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundPro‐inflammatory pathways play an important role in the follow‐ups of patients with intracardiac defibrillators (ICDs) for heart failure (HF) reduced with ejection fraction (HFrEF). A newly defined index ‐ the systemic immune‐inflammation index (SII)—has recently been reported to have prognostic value in patients with cardiovascular disease. This study's aim is to evaluate the SII value regarding its association with long‐term mortality and appropriate ICD therapy during a 10‐year follow‐up.MethodsThis retrospective study included 1011 patients with ICD for HFrEF. The SII was calculated as the neutrophil—to—lymphocyte ratio × total platelet count in the peripheral blood. The study population was divided into two groups according to the SII's optimal cut‐off value to predict long‐term mortality. The long‐term prognostic impact of SII on these patients was evaluated regarding mortality and appropriate ICD therapy.ResultsThe patients with a higher SII (≥1119) had significantly higher long‐term mortality and appropriate ICD therapy rates. After adjustment for all confounding factors, the long‐term mortality rate was 5.1 for a higher SII. (95% CI: 2.9–8.1). The long‐term appropriate ICD therapy rate was 2.0 for a higher SII (95% CI: 1.4–3.0).ConclusionSII may be an independent predictive marker for both long‐term mortality and appropriate ICD therapy in patients with HFrEF.
How does warfare affect firms' productivity?
Authors: Jola‐Sanchez Andres F. 
Published: January 2022

Warfare afflicts millions and creates unparalleled operational challenges in the developing world. With data from war‐torn Colombia, I examine the effects of civil war on firms' total factor productivity (TFP) using propensity score and conflict hotspot models. I find that warfare increases TFP in service firms, such as public administration and defense, by up to 12.68%, whereas it decreases TFP in manufacturing and other nonservice companies by up to 3.64% a year after a violent episode occurs. This effect stems from intellectual capital growth and service firms' ability to create value from customer input.
The Politicization Conversation: A Call to Better Define and Measure the Concept
Authors: Limbocker Scott , Richardson Mark D. , Selin Jennifer L. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAcross disciplines and contexts, scholars vary in their conception of politicization. This variation reveals a need for more consistent concept definition and measurement of the extent to which politics influence administration. We engage this need by providing a typology of politicization that includes consideration of the actions of elected officials, political appointees, and merit‐based administrators. We then assess dynamic differences across the typology in the United States using personnel records spanning four decades, measures of insulation derived from statutory language, and three surveys of senior federal executives. Our analysis provides a research agenda for scholars who seek to examine the politicization of the executive branch.
Transfer of a single fresh in vitro‐produced embryo may prevent twin pregnancy without compromising the fertility of the cow
Authors: López‐Gatius Fernando , Saleri Roberta , De Rensis Fabio , Llobera‐Balcells Monica , Garcia‐Ispierto Irina 
Published: January 2022

ContentsThis study examines whether the transfer of a fresh in vitro‐produced (IVP) embryo can avoid the risk of twin pregnancy without reducing the fertility of a cow. The study population was comprised of 416 lactating dairy cows synchronized for oestrus: 294 were fixed‐time inseminated (AI cows), and 122 were given GnRH treatment at the time of embryo transfer (ET) an IVP embryo (ET cows). Of the 416 cows, 167 (40.1%) became pregnant. Twin pregnancy was recorded in 20.8% of the AI pregnant cows (21/101), whereas no ET cows had twins (0/66). Significant interaction (p < .01) was observed between breeding technique and the period of the year for the likelihood of pregnancy. This meant that using AI cows during the warm period (May–September) as reference, the odds ratio for pregnancy in ET cows during the warm period was 3.4 (p = .001). In conclusion, transfer of a single fresh IVP embryo proved useful to prevent the risk of twin pregnancy without affecting fertility.
Interstitial lung diseases associated with mutations of poly(A)‐specific ribonuclease: A multicentre retrospective study
Authors: Philippot Quentin , Kannengiesser Caroline , Debray Marie Pierre , Gauvain Clément , Ba Ibrahima , Vieri Margherita , Gondouin Anne , Naccache Jean‐Marc , Reynaud‐Gaubert Martine , Uzunhan Yurdagul , Bondue Benjamin , Israël‐Biet Dominique , Dieudé Philippe , Fourrage Cécile , Lainey Elodie , Manali Effrosyne , Papiris Spyros , Wemeau Lidwine , Hirschi Sandrine , Mal Hervé , Nunes Hilario , Schlemmer Frédéric , Blanchard Elodie , Beier Fabian , Cottin Vincent , Crestani Bruno , Borie Raphaël ,   The OrphaLung Network
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackground and objectivePoly(A)‐specific ribonuclease (PARN) mutations have been associated with familial pulmonary fibrosis. This study aims to describe the phenotype of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and heterozygous PARN mutations.MethodsWe performed a retrospective, observational, non‐interventional study of patients with an ILD diagnosis and a pathogenic heterozygous PARN mutation followed up in a centre of the OrphaLung network.ResultsWe included 31 patients (29 from 16 kindreds and two sporadic patients). The median age at ILD diagnosis was 59 years (range 54 to 63). In total, 23 (74%) patients had a smoking history and/or fibrogenic exposure. The pulmonary phenotypes were heterogenous, but the most frequent diagnosis was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n = 12, 39%). Haematological abnormalities were identified in three patients and liver disease in two. In total, 21 patients received a specific treatment for ILD: steroids (n = 13), antifibrotic agents (n = 11), immunosuppressants (n = 5) and N‐acetyl cysteine (n = 2). The median forced vital capacity decline for the whole sample was 256 ml/year (range −363 to −148). After a median follow‐up of 32 months (range 18 to 66), 10 patients had died and six had undergone lung transplantation. The median transplantation‐free survival was 54 months (95% CI 29 to ∞). Extra‐pulmonary features were less frequent with PARN mutation than telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) or telomerase RNA component (TERC) mutation.ConclusionIPF is common among individuals with PARN mutation, but other ILD subtypes may be observed.