bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microvascular changes in the recurrent cystoid macular edema secondary to posterior noninfectious uveitis on optical coherence tomography angiography
Authors: Albano Valeria , Guerriero Silvana , Furino Claudio , Sborgia Giancarlo , Sborgia Alessandra , Dammacco Rosanna , Boscia Francesco , Alessio Giovanni 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background
Posterior uveitis represents the second most frequent type of uveitis (15–30% of all uveitis). Noninfectious posterior uveitis complicated with secondary cystoid macular edema (CME) affects the visual prognosis negatively. The objective of the current study is to detect possible microvascular changes causing relapsing uveitis-related CME using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods
This is an interventional, observational, retrospective study with 1 year follow-up. Patients with noninfectious, posterior uveitis-related CME undergoing dexamethasone (DEX) implant were evaluated. Following the DEX-implant were carried out control visits after 1 month, 2-months, 4-months, 6-months, and for up 1-year. A total of 76 eyes of 38 consecutive patients with noninfectious posterior uveitis were enrolled (consecutive sample). Complicated noninfectious posterior uveitis with secondary CME was diagnosed in 56 eyes of uveitis patients (73.7%) and reviewed.

Results
Our investigation showed (1) a reduction in superficial vessel plexus (SVP) measurements within 2-month (84%), reaching 96.4% for up 1-year, (2) an irregular profile of SVP in 69.6% of cases, persisting for up 1-year; relapsing uveitis-related CME eyes with irregular superficial foveal avascular zone (FAZ) profile were in 51%, while the SVP measurements reestablished in 100% of cases. Conversely, (3) the deep vascular plexus (DVP) parameters restored in a lower number of eyes within the 2-month (39.3%), remaining abnormal in 46.4% of cases for up 1-year; despite DVP restored in 53.6% of cases for up 1 year, (4) a capillary rarefaction ring around the FAZ appeared in 80.4% of cases; the relapsing uveitis-related CME eyes with abnormal DVP parameters were present in 41% of cases, of which 92.1% showed a rarefaction ring had abnormal DVP.

Conclusions
The use of OCTA enabled the evaluation in detail of retinal microvascular changes. We suggested that the possibility of the recurrence of the uveitis-related CME depends on the persistence of modifications of the superficial and deep layers. In this regard, we propose to implement the current imaging armamentarium with OCTA for the follow-up of patients with noninfectious uveitis-related CME.
Implementing Artificial Intelligence in Traditional B2B Marketing Practices: An Activity Theory Perspective
Authors: Keegan Brendan James , Dennehy Denis , Naudé Peter 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAnecdotal evidence suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are highly effective in digital marketing and rapidly growing in popularity in the context of business-to-business (B2B) marketing. Yet empirical research on AI-powered B2B marketing, and particularly on the socio-technical aspects of its use, is sparse. This study uses Activity Theory (AT) as a theoretical lens to examine AI-powered B2B marketing as a collective activity system, and to illuminate the contradictions that emerge when adopting and implementing AI into traditional B2B marketing practices. AT is appropriate in the context of this study, as it shows how contradictions act as a motor for change and lead to transformational changes, rather than viewing tensions as a threat to prematurely abandon the adoption and implementation of AI in B2B marketing. Based on eighteen interviews with industry and academic experts, the study identifies contradictions with which marketing researchers and practitioners must contend. We show that these contradictions can be culturally or politically challenging to confront, and even when resolved, can have both intended and unintended consequences.
Obtaining QM/MM binding free energies in the SAMPL8 drugs of abuse challenge: indirect approaches
Authors: Hudson Phillip S. , Aviat Félix , Meana-Pañeda Rubén , Warrensford Luke , Pollard Benjamin C. , Prasad Samarjeet , Jones Michael R. , Woodcock H. Lee , Brooks Bernard R. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAccurately predicting free energy differences is essential in realizing the full potential of rational drug design. Unfortunately, high levels of accuracy often require computationally expensive QM/MM Hamiltonians. Fortuitously, the cost of employing QM/MM approaches in rigorous free energy simulation can be reduced through the use of the so-called “indirect” approach to QM/MM free energies, in which the need for QM/MM simulations is avoided via a QM/MM “correction” at the classical endpoints of interest. Herein, we focus on the computation of QM/MM binding free energies in the context of the SAMPL8 Drugs of Abuse host–guest challenge. Of the 5 QM/MM correction coupled with force-matching submissions, PM6-D3H4/MM ranked submission proved the best overall QM/MM entry, with an RMSE from experimental results of 2.43 kcal/mol (best in ranked submissions), a Pearson’s correlation of 0.78 (second-best in ranked submissions), and a Kendall $$\tau$$
τ
correlation of 0.52 (best in ranked submissions).
Accessory pathway properties are similar in symptomatic and asymptomatic preexcitation
Authors: Jemtrén Anette , Bergfeldt Lennart , Insulander Per , Rubulis Aigars , Tapanainen Jari , Jensen-Urstad Mats 
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Purpose
Patients with WPW syndrome have an increased mortality rate compared to the general population. Although asymptomatic preexcitation has previously been considered benign, recent studies have found that also asymptomatic patients have clinical and electrophysiological factors associated with increased risk of sudden cardiac death. This study compares the baseline electrophysiological characteristics of accessory pathways in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with preexcitation. We hypothesized that a significant proportion of asymptomatic patients has inducible orthodromic tachycardia during programmed electrical stimulation.

Methods
This retrospective study includes 1853 patients with preexcitation who underwent invasive electrophysiological testing in two Swedish University Hospitals between 1991 and 2018. The mean age was 36 ± 17 years with a range of 3–89 years. Thirty-nine percent was women. A total of 269 patients (15%) were children younger than 18 years. Electrophysiological data included effective refractory period of the accessory pathway (APERP, in 1069 patients), tachycardia cycle length, inducibility and type of tachycardia, and AP localization.

Results
A total of 1703 (93%) patients reported symptoms suggesting tachyarrhythmias before the study and 128 (7%) were asymptomatic. The proportion of potentially dangerous pathways with short APERP (≤ 250 ms) were similar in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (187/949, 20% vs. 25/108, 23%) (P = 0.40) as was the mean APERP (303 ± 68 ms vs. 307 ± 75) (P = 0.61). The proportion of patients who had inducible arrhythmia was larger in the symptomatic group (64% vs. 31%) (P < 0.001).

Conclusion
The results of this study strengthen the present guideline recommendation (IIA) to consider invasive risk assessment in patients with asymptomatic preexcitation.
Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals That Exogenous Indole-3-Butyric Acid Affects the Rooting Process During Stem Segment Culturing of Cinnamomum camphora Linalool Type
Authors: Xiao Zufei , Zhang Beihong , Wang Yanbo , Li Feng , Jin Zhinong , Lü Xiongwei , Zhang Haiyan , Zhang Jie , Zhao Jiao 
Published: May 2022

AbstractCinnamomum camphora linalool type (C. camphora linalool type) is an economically important plant that contains abundant linalool. To explore the optimal concentration of exogenously applied indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for root formation and development, morphological analyses were performed with plants after a 1-min soaking treatment with five different concentrations of IBA. When grown on the medium (laterite with plant ash) for 60 days after treatment with 3000 mg/L IBA, the root ratio and the number of roots were significantly higher than those obtained with 0, 1000, 2000, or 4000 mg/L IBA treatment. After soaking with 3000 mg/L IBA, the stem bases at five key stages of root development (0, 14, 21, 28, and 42 days) were selected for global transcriptome analyses. IBA treatment modified the expression of genes related to the auxin, brassinosteroid, and abscisic acid signalling transduction pathways. The rooting process reduced the accumulation of starch and the synthesis of linalool but promoted the metabolism of D-glucose. Our study identified the optimum concentration of IBA for a short treatment of C. camphora linalool type stem segments to regulate root formation and development at the transcriptional level.
Assessing handwriting: a method for detailed analysis of letter-formation accuracy and fluency
Authors: Fitjar Camilla L. , Rønneberg Vibeke , Torrance Mark 
Published: May 2022

AbstractEducationally-oriented measures of handwriting fluency – tasks such as written alphabet recall and sentence copying – conflate graphomotor skill and various higher-level abilities. Direct measurement of pen control when forming letters requires analysis of pen-tip velocity associated with the production of sub-letter features that, in a skilled handwriter, are typically produced in a single, smooth movement. We provide a segmentation and coding scheme that identifies these features in manuscript letters and gives criteria for whether or not a feature is accurately formed. We demonstrate that, in skilled handwriters, these features are the product of smooth movements: The velocity profiles of adult writers (N = 27 performing a letter-copying task) producing straight-line features and curved features gave modal velocity-peak counts of 1 and 2 respectively. We then illustrate the utility of our segmentation and coding scheme by describing the velocity profiles of beginning writers (176 first grade students with minimal handwriting training). This sample produced the same features with less accuracy and with a substantially greater number of velocity peaks. Inaccurate features tended to be produced more slowly and less fluently.
Assessing severity of road cracks using deep learning-based segmentation and detection
Authors: Ha Jongwoo , Kim Dongsoo , Kim Minsoo 
Published: May 2022

AbstractFor the successful operation of pavement management system, it is necessary to automate the detection, classification, and severity assessment of road cracks, which are bottlenecks in the entire process. Although good results for the detection and classification of road cracks have been published in many related studies, the number of crack types detected is still insufficient for actual field use, and studies on crack severity assessment are difficult to find. In this study, the number of crack types are expanded to five types (alligator crack, longitudinal crack, transverse crack, pothole, and patching) to meet the needs of fieldwork, and the assessment of crack severity is also included in the proposed model. In this system constructed using SqueezeNet, U-Net, and Mobilenet-SSD models together, an accuracy of 91.2% has been achieved for both crack type and severity assessment. The authors have performed segmentation of the input images using separately trained U-Nets for linear cracking and area cracking to improve object detection performance and automate crack severity assessment. With reference to the system presented in this study, it is expected that an automated pavement management system that better reflects each country’s requirements for various crack types and severity standards is possible.
Altitude shape genetic and phenotypic variations in growth curve parameters of Larix kaempferi
Authors: Zhang Yalin , Dong Leiming , Xie Yunhui , Chen Dongsheng , Sun Xiaomei 
Published: May 2022

AbstractTo study the effects of geoclimatic variables of provenances on growth phenotypes and selected plus provenances, over 3000 trees of 22-year-old Larix kaempferi were evaluated from trials established in two climate zones for provenance selection and to explore the influence of climate variables on provenance performance. The material was replicated plantings of 84 open pollinated families from six provenances distributed in the mountains of central Japan. Provenance variation was observed in most age groups and the heritability of growth traits showed large differences. The phenotypic maximum value of height and diameter were significantly positive with altitude, and mean annual precipitation being important factors. Diameter at breast height growth was significantly negative with altitude and spring rainfall. The Ina provenance of relatively high altitudes, was well adapted to a variety of climates. Altitude might be the driving force for phenotypic and genetic variations and local adaptation.
Racial differences in predictive value of the 21-gene recurrence score assay: a population-based study using the SEER database
Authors: Jung Jiwoong , Hwang Ki-Tae , Choi In Sil , Kim Byoung Hyuck , Oh Sohee , Kim Jongjin , Park Jeong Hwan , Park Jin Hyun , Paek Se Hyun , Jeon Sook Young , Yeo Tae-Hoon 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The 21-gene recurrence score (RS) assay is currently used for predicting chemotherapeutic benefits for hormone receptor-positive (HR +) early-stage breast cancer patients without consideration regarding racial differences in that predictive value. This study aimed at demonstrating racial differences in the predictive values of the 21-gene RS assay.

Methods
The study cohort was selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Breast cancer-specific mortality (BCSM) was compared between patients who received chemotherapy (the “CTx group”) and those who did not (the “no CTx group”) to estimate the predictive value of the assay. This comparison was repeated for each racial group.

Results
Among 88,498 T1 − 2N0 HR + breast cancer patients who had results of 21-gene RS, 13,123 patients had RS > 25, which included 10,697 Whites, 1282 Blacks, and 1,144 Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Chemotherapy was administered to 8364 patients (63.4%). The adjusted hazard ratio for BCSM in the CTx group (vs. no CTx group) was 0.734 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.588–0.917) in Whites, 0.748 (95% CI 0.428–1.307) in Blacks, and 1.343 (95% CI 0.558–3.233) in AAPIs. No subgroup within patients with RS > 25 among non-White women showed a significant predictive value of the 21-gene RS assay, except for Black women with grade 3 tumors.

Conclusion
The predictive value of the 21-gene RS assay for assessing chemotherapy benefit was validated in White women based on the SEER database, although the predictive value was not warranted in non-White women.
Does knowledge influence visual attention? A comparative analysis between archaeologists and naïve subjects during the exploration of Lower Palaeolithic tools
Authors: Silva-Gago María , Fedato Annapaola , Terradillos-Bernal Marcos , Alonso-Alcalde Rodrigo , Hodgson Timothy , Bruner Emiliano 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe role of experience during the exploration of lithic artefacts can be been investigated through multiple approaches. Knowledge can influence visual perception of the environment, whilst action “affordances” can be processed at the first sight of an object. In this study, we used eye tracking to analyse whether and to what extent archaeological knowledge can influence visuospatial attention whilst interacting with stone tools. Archaeologists were found to pay more visual attention to the middle region and the knapped surface. Differences between the visual exploration of choppers and handaxes were also found. Although the general pattern of distribution of the visual attention was similar to naïve subjects, participants with archaeological experience paid more attention to functionally relevant regions. Individuals with archaeological experience directed more attention to the upper region and the knapped surface of the tools, whilst naïve participants spent more time viewing the middle region. We conclude that although both groups could direct their attention to action relevant features in stone tools, functional affordances had a greater effect in subjects with previous experience. Affordances related to manipulation triggered lower attention and showed no differences between participants.
A Spatial Modeling Framework for Monitoring Surveys with Different Sampling Protocols with a Case Study for Bird Abundance in Mid-Scandinavia
Authors: Sicacha-Parada Jorge , Pavon-Jordan Diego , Steinsland Ingelin , May Roel , Stokke Bård , Øien Ingar Jostein 
Published: May 2022

AbstractQuantifying the total number of individuals (abundance) of species is the basis for spatial ecology and biodiversity conservation. Abundance data are mostly collected through professional surveys as part of monitoring programs, often at a national level. These surveys rarely follow exactly the same sampling protocol in different countries, which represents a challenge for producing biogeographical abundance maps based on the transboundary information available covering more than one country. Moreover, not all species are properly covered by a single monitoring scheme, and countries typically collect abundance data for target species through different monitoring schemes. We present a new methodology to model total abundance by merging count data information from surveys with different sampling protocols. The proposed methods are used for data from national breeding bird monitoring programs in Norway and Sweden. Each census collects abundance data following two different sampling protocols in each country, i.e., these protocols provide data from four different sampling processes. The modeling framework assumes a common Gaussian Random Field shared by both the observed and true abundance with either a linear or a relaxed linear association between them. The models account for particularities of each sampling protocol by including terms that affect each observation process, i.e., accounting for differences in observation units and detectability. Bayesian inference is performed using the Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) and the Stochastic Partial Differential Equation (SPDE) approach for spatial modeling. We also present the results of a simulation study based on the empirical census data from mid-Scandinavia to assess the performance of the models under model misspecification. Finally, maps of the expected abundance of birds in our study region in mid-Scandinavia are presented with uncertainty estimates. We found that the framework allows for consistent integration of data from surveys with different sampling protocols. Further, the simulation study showed that models with a relaxed linear specification are less sensitive to misspecification, compared to the model that assumes linear association between counts. Relaxed linear specifications of total bird abundance in mid-Scandinavia improved both goodness of fit and the predictive performance of the models.
Deletion of RBP-Jkappa gene in mesenchymal cells causes rickets like symptoms in the mouse
Authors: Gao Yan , Walker Jemma Victoria , Tredwin Christopher , Hu Bing 
Published: May 2022

AbstractCrosstalk between different signalling pathways provide deep insights for how molecules play synergistic roles in developmental and pathological conditions. RBP-Jkappa is the key effector of the canonical Notch pathway. Previously we have identified that Wnt5a, a conventional non-canonical Wnt pathway member, was under the direct transcriptional control of RBP-Jkappa in dermal papilla cells. In this study we further extended this regulation axis to the other two kind of skeletal cells: chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Mice with conditional mesenchymal deletion of RBP-Jkappa developed Rickets like symptoms. Molecular analysis suggested local defects of Wnt5a expression in chondrocytes and osteoblasts at both mRNA and protein levels, which impeded chondrocyte and osteoblast differentiation. The defects existing in the RBP-Jkappa deficient mutants could be rescued by recombinant Wnt5a treatment at both cellular level and tissue/organ level. Our results therefore provide a model of studying the connection of Notch and Wnt5a pathways with Rickets.
Archery's signature: an electromyographic analysis of the upper limb
Authors: Dorshorst Tabitha , Weir Gillian , Hamill Joseph , Holt Brigitte 
Published: May 2022

AbstractNon-technical summary:Bow and arrow technology plays a significant role in the recent evolutionary history of modern humans, but limitations of preservation make it challenging to identify archaeological evidence of early archery. Since bone structure can change in response to muscle force, archers of the past can potentially be identified through analysis of upper arm bones. However, there is limited research on how archery impacts upper limb musculature. This study offers initial insights into how archery impacts humeral musculature and highlights the need for additional research focused on archery's direct impact on humeral morphology.Technical summary:Humeral morphology has been used to support behaviour reconstructions of archery in past populations. However, the lack of experimental research concerning the impacts that archery has on the upper limb weakens skeletal morphological approaches. The goal of this study was to determine how archery impacts the activation of upper limb musculature. More specifically, this study tested: (a) whether the relative muscle activations are similar between arms; and (b) what muscles were activated on the dominant (draw) arm compared with the non-dominant (bow) arm. Data on upper arm muscle activation were collected bilaterally for nine archers using surface electromyography (EMG). Results show similar levels of muscle activation bilaterally with different muscles being activated in each arm. There were significantly higher integrated EMG and peak muscle activations of the biceps brachii muscles in the draw arm compared with the bow arm. In contrast, the lateral deltoid and the triceps brachii muscles had significantly higher integrated EMG and peak muscle activations on the bow arm compared with the draw arm. This work offers initial insights into how archery impacts humeral musculature and highlights the need for additional research focused on archery's direct impact on humeral morphology.
Assisted Suicide in Germany: The Landmark Ruling of the German Federal Constitutional Court of February 26, 2020
Authors: Göken Hanna , Zwießler Franziska 
Published: May 2022

AbstractOn February 26, 2020, the German Federal Constitutional Court (BVerfG) declared—for the first time in its history—a criminal prohibitory law (strafrechtliche Verbotsnorm) from the German Criminal Code null and void.1 The provision in question—Section 217 of the German Criminal Code—dealt with the controversial issue of assisted suicide. This case study will briefly examine the previous regulation pertaining to assisted suicide in Germany under Section 217, before scrutinizing its subsequent unconstitutionality as a consequence of the BVerfG’s landmark decision. In order to do so, this article will explore the legal background of the decision, the fundamental rights which were held to have been infringed by Section 217, and propose potential ways of regulating assisted suicide in Germany in the future.