bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulation effect of acupuncture treatment on chronic neck and shoulder pain in female patients: Evidence from periaqueductal gray‐based functional connectivity
Authors: Xu Hui , Chen Yilin , Tao Yin , Zhang Yiwen , Zhao Teng , Wang Mi , Fan Lihua , Zheng Yunsong , Guo Chenguang 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAimsChronic neck and shoulder pain (CNSP) is a common neurological disorder, which females are more likely to suffer from. The periaqueductal gray (PAG) plays a key role in the descending modulation of pain. This study aimed to investigate altered PAG‐based functional connectivity (FC) in female patients with CNSP related to healthy controls (HCs) and the effect of acupuncture for female patients with CNSP using PAG‐based FC biomarkers.MethodsPAG‐based FC value was calculated based on resting‐state functional images and then compared between patients with CNSP at pre‐acupuncture, post‐acupuncture, and HCs. Then, correlational analyses were performed to examine the relationships between increased PAG‐based FC strength and improved clinical parameters in patients after acupuncture treatment.ResultsBefore acupuncture treatment, compared to HCs, patients with CSNP showed altered PAG‐based FC with widely distributed brain regions, including the left medial superior frontal gyrus, bilateral posterior insula (pIns), and cingulate gyrus. After treatment, patients with CNSP exhibited specially improved PAG‐pIns FC compared to that before treatment, and no significant difference was observed in the increased PAG‐pIns FC strength between HCs and patients with CNSP after treatment. Furthermore, pain catastrophizing reduction was significantly correlated with the increased PAG‐pIns FC strength in patients after treatment.ConclusionThe effect of acupuncture treatment may relate to the increased PAG‐pIns FC, which significantly correlated with pain catastrophizing reduction after treatment. These findings shed important mechanistic information on the role of therapeutic approaches in treating chronic neck and shoulder pain.
Improved self‐attentive Musical Instrument Digital Interface content‐based music recommendation system
Authors: Yadav Naina , Kumar Singh Anil , Pal Sukomal 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAutomatic music recommendation is an open research problem that has seen much work in recent years. A common and successful music recommendation approach is collaborative filtering, which has worked well in this domain. One major drawback of this method is that it suffers from a cold‐start problem, and it requires a lot of user‐personalized information. It is an ineffective mechanism for recommending new and unpopular songs as well as for new users. In this article, we report a hybrid methodology that uses the song's content information. We use MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) content data, a compressed version of an audio song that contains digital information about a song and is machine‐readable. We describe a model called MSA‐SRec (MIDI Based Self Attentive Sequential Music Recommendation), a latent factor‐based self‐attentive deep learning model that uses a substantial amount of sequential information as content information of the song for recommendation generation. We use MIDI data of a song that is under‐explored content information for music recommendation. We show that using MIDI as content data with user and item latent vector produces reasonable recommendations. We also demonstrate that using MIDI over other music metadata performs better with various state‐of‐the‐art models of recommendation systems.
Combined effects of climate and fire‐driven vegetation change constrain the distributions of forest vertebrates during the 21st century
Authors: Hoecker Tyler J. , Turner Monica G. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAimBiodiversity conservation relies in part on enduring habitat in protected areas. In fire‐prone ecosystems, shifts in species’ ranges will result both from changes in climate and fire‐catalysed vegetation change, which could lead to niche contraction and undermine protected‐area efficacy. We explored these dynamics for three forest species with varied niches representative of other taxa and different hypothesized responses to fire‐regime change (black‐backed woodpecker, Picoides arcticus; North American marten, Martes spp.; and red squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). We asked: How do the extent and spatial pattern of these species’ distributions change during the 21st century based on the independent and joint effects of climate and vegetation?LocationGreater Yellowstone Ecosystem (Wyoming, USA).MethodsFor each species, we developed separate distribution models based on climate and forest attributes, projected under four climate‐fire scenarios (a 2 × 2 design with moderate and high temperature and precipitation change). A spatially explicit forest landscape model calibrated for Greater Yellowstone was used to project fire and forest dynamics through 2100, and climate suitability was estimated with MaxEnt.ResultsSuitable habitat for all three species based on climate or vegetation alone frequently did not overlap on the landscape, and habitat patches became simpler in shape and farther apart. Climatically suitable habitat for the black‐backed woodpecker increased in all scenarios, and suitable forest structure expanded by a factor of 30 in dry scenarios with more fire. Climatically suitable habitat for martens declined with warming and drying; the area of suitable vegetation fell >80% with fire‐driven losses of mature forest. Red squirrel habitat was maintained in all scenarios, but was sensitive to aridity, and patches were redistributed and compacted.Main conclusionsProjections based on climate alone may misrepresent future species distributions, especially where disturbances accelerate vegetation change. Our results identify important consequences of fire‐regime change for wildlife in forests dominated by obligate‐seeder or fire‐sensitive conifers.
Virtual objective structured clinical examination during the COVID‐19 pandemic: An essential addition to dental assessment
Authors: Donn James , Scott James Alun , Binnie Vivian , Mather Craig , Beacher Nicholas , Bell Aileen 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIntroductionCOVID‐19 has profoundly affected dental undergraduate teaching and assessment. The pandemic resulted in cessation of face‐to face teaching and assessment in many countries, with an associated move online. Objective structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), an important modality for clinical assessment in dentistry and medicine, is not possible with pandemic restrictions in place. As a result, interest in virtual objective structured clinical examination (VOSCE) has been revived. Student and staff evaluation of any assessment process is important, where the views of all involved are required in establishment of authenticity. This papers aims to explore and describe the views of undergraduate dental students and staff in relation to VOSCEMaterials and MethodQualitative methods utilising online focus groups and video recording were used in this study. Five focus groups, involving 24 participants were undertaken.ResultsThematic analysis following a deductive semantic approach was carried out resulting in the identification of six themes relating to the VOSCE: VOSCE preconceptions, examination preparation, examination process, fairness, comparison with OSCE and possible improvements. Consideration of these themes, and their interaction, is likely to prove important for optimisation of this assessment modality.ConclusionsOverall, both staff and students considered the VOSCE a useful and fair examination and a suitable alternative to OSCE. The potential for a number of improvements in the assessment process was identified.
Functional connectivity and epileptogenicity of nodular heterotopias: A single‐pulse stimulation study
Authors: Boulogne Sébastien , Pizzo Francesca , Chatard Benoit , Roehri Nicolas , Catenoix Hélène , Ostrowsky‐Coste Karine , Giusiano Bernard , Guenot Marc , Carron Romain , Bartolomei Fabrice , Rheims Sylvain 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveNodular heterotopias (NHs) are malformations of cortical development associated with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy with frequent poor surgical outcome. The epileptogenic network is complex and can involve the nodule, the overlying cortex, or both. Single‐pulse electrical stimulation (SPES) during stereo‐electroencephalography (SEEG) allows the investigation of functional connectivity between the stimulated and responsive cortices by eliciting cortico‐cortical evoked potentials (CCEPs). We used SPES to analyze the NH connectome and its relation to the epileptogenic network organization.MethodsWe retrospectively studied 12 patients with NH who underwent 1 Hz or 0.2 Hz SPES of NH during SEEG. Outbound connectivity (regions where CCEPs were elicited by NH stimulation) and inbound connectivity (regions where stimulation elicited CCEPs in the NH) were searched. SEEG channels were then classified as “heterotopic” (located within the NH), “connected” (located in normotopic cortex and showing connectivity with the NH), and “unconnected.” We used the epileptogenicity index (EI) to quantify implication of channels in the seizure‐onset zone and to classify seizures as heterotopic, normotopic, and normo‐heterotopic.ResultsOne hundred thirty‐five outbound and 72 inbound connections were found. Three patients showed connectivity between hippocampus and NH, and seven patients showed strong internodular connectivity. A total of 39 seizures were analyzed: 23 normo‐heterotopic, 12 normotopic, and 4 heterotopic. Logistic regression found that “connected” channels were significantly (p = 8.4e‐05) more likely to be epileptogenic than “unconnected” channels (odds ratio 4.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.17, 10.21]) and heterotopic channels were also significantly (p = .024) more epileptogenic than “unconnected” channels (odds ratio 3.29, 95% CI [1.17, 9.23]).SignificanceSPES reveals widespread connectivity between NH and normotopic regions. Those connected regions show higher epileptogenicity. SPES might be useful to assess NH epileptogenic network.
Flexibility for fuelling reproduction in a pelagic ray (Mobula eregoodoo) suggested by bioenergetic modelling
Authors: Lawson Christopher L , Dudgeon Christine L , Richardson Anthony J , Broadhurst Matt K , Bennett Michael B 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis study investigated the measurements of energy density and bioenergetic modelling for a pelagic ray, Mobula eregoodoo, to estimate its relative allocation to various bodily processes and especially reproduction. The data revealed M. eregoodoo uses up to 21.0% and 2.5% of its annual energy budget on growth and reproduction, respectively. During pregnancy, females depleted energy reserves in the liver, which, along with their biennial reproductive cycle, aligns with general theory that ectotherms are capital breeders and thus build energy reserves before reproduction. Nonetheless, the reduction in energy reserves did not account for all reproductive costs, and therefore, gravid females supplement reproductive costs through energy derived from the diet, according to an income‐breeding strategy. These characteristics imply that M. eregoodoo exhibits some flexibility in fuelling reproduction depending on energy availability throughout the reproductive cycle, which may be prevalent in other elasmobranchs. The data represent the first estimates of both the metabolic costs of gestation in elasmobranchs and the relative cost of reproduction in rays. Energy costs and plasticity associated with highly variable reproductive strategies in elasmobranchs may influence long‐term population viability under a rapidly changing environment.
Integrins as a drug target in liver fibrosis
Authors: Rahman Syedia R. , Roper James A. , Grove Jane I. , Aithal Guruprasad P. , Pun K. Tao , Bennett Andrew J. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAs the worldwide prevalence of chronic liver diseases is high and continuing to increase, there is an urgent need for treatment to prevent cirrhosis‐related morbidity and mortality. Integrins are heterodimeric cell‐surface proteins that are promising targets for therapeutic intervention. αv integrins are central in the development of fibrosis as they activate latent TGFβ, a known profibrogenic cytokine. The αv subunit can form heterodimers with β1, β3, β5, β6 or β8 subunits and one or more of these integrins are central to the development of liver fibrosis, however, their relative importance is not understood. This review summarises the current knowledge of αv integrins and their respective β subunits in different organs, with a focus on liver fibrosis and the emerging preclinical and clinical data with regards to αv integrin inhibitors.
Malnutrition matters: Association of stunting and underweight with early childhood development indicators in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Manisha L. , Perry Kelly E. , Thapa Basant , Adhikari Ramesh P. , Weissman Amy 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMalnutrition is a threat to optimal child development, with its occurrence during foetal and infancy stages associated with poor cognitive, motor and socio‐emotional skills. However, information on the effects of various types of malnutrition on early childhood development (ECD) is limited in Nepal. To assess the association of stunting, wasting and underweight (three prominent forms of malnutrition) with the four domains of the ECD index (literacy‐numeracy, physical, social‐emotional and learning development) among children 36–59 months of age, we conducted an adjusted logistic regression using Nepal's national household Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019 data set. The study sample consisted of children aged 36–59 months (n = 2871). Children were considered developmentally on track if they met criteria in each of the four ECD domains. Regarding ECD status of children 36–59 months old, 35% of children were not developmentally on track for the ECD index. The adjusted odds ratio indicated that stunting was associated with lower odds of not being developmentally on track according to the ECD index as well as the literacy‐numeracy, physical and learning domains of the ECD index. Likewise, underweight was associated with lower odds of not being developmentally on track according to the ECD index, primarily for ECD domains of literacy‐numeracy, physical and learning. Notably, no association between wasting and ECD indicators was observed. Children's nutrition status impacts child development outcomes. Adding ECD interventions, such as responsive and stimulating caregiving, within nutrition programmes among children who are stunted and underweight could improve child development outcomes.
Positions of the horizontal and vertical centre of rotation in eyes with different refractive errors
Authors: Ohlendorf Arne , Schaeffel Frank , Wahl Siegfried 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPurposeTo determine how the position of the centre of rotation of the eyeball is related to axial length and refractive error when horizontal and vertical eye movements are performed.MethodsA custom‐built eye tracker was used that determined the centre of rotation of the eye (COR) from lateral displacements of the pupil centre. Horizontal and vertical eye movements were studied in the right eyes, and each measurement performed five times in 59 subjects (32 females) with an average age of 36.6 ± 9.1 years. Spherical equivalent refractive errors ranged from −9.7 to +6.8 D with an average error of −1.5 ± 2.9 D. Axial lengths were measured with the ZEISS IOL Master 500.ResultsThe mean horizontal centre of rotation (COR) of the right eye for a saccade from 0° to ±11.9° was 15.3 ± 1.5 mm behind the corneal apex, while the average vertical COR for the same angle of eccentricity was 12.5 ± 1.4 mm, indicating that the horizontal COR was 2.8 ± 1.7 mm behind the vertical COR. In right eyes, horizontal COR was significantly correlated with axial length (r = 0.28, p = 0.02) but not with the spherical equivalent refractive error (r = 0.39, p = 0.90). Similarly, vertical COR was significantly correlated with axial length (r = 0.25, p = 0.03) but not with the spherical equivalent refractive error (r = 0.17, p = 0.90).ConclusionsWhile it might be expected that the COR is dependent on axial length, the correlation was not strong. Interestingly, the location of the COR was substantially different for horizontal and vertical eye movements which may relate to the flatter curvature of the eyeball in the vertical meridian, compared to the horizontal, as described in previous studies.
China's anti‐corruption campaign and outward foreign direct investment by state‐owned enterprises
Authors: Qi Zhen , Kenderdine Tristan , Tang Tingfeng , Liu Qiren 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis paper explores political factors in the determination of China's State‐Owned Enterprises' (SOEs') outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). We examine China's anti‐corruption campaign as a political intervention into economic decision making. Based on reliable data on China SOEs' OFDI, we find that the anti‐corruption campaign launched by the Chinese Communist Party in 2013 has had a negative influence on the growth of SOEs' OFDI. Further statistical analysis suggests that the negative impact of the anti‐corruption campaign on SOEs' OFDI growth is greater when the anti‐corruption effort is stronger, the SOE more monopolistic, and the institutional quality of the host state greater.
Reflexiones en torno a la exigencia de la relación de causalidad entre el incumplimiento del deber de declarar el verdadero estado del riesgo y la ulterior materialización del siniestro
Authors: Jaramillo Mor Carlos Esteban 
Published: January 2022

El presente escrito tiene como finalidad primordial, tal y como su título permite anticiparlo, realizar un estudio preliminar y, por ende de aproximación, a una de las cuestiones que consideramos que revisten mayor relevancia -tanto práctica como teórica- en la actualidad en materia aseguraticia, particularmente en el ámbito de la regulación del reconocido deber de declarar el verdadero estado del riesgo en la fase precontractual, concretamente al valor que se le puede, o que se le debe dar a la eventual inexistencia de una vinculación o concatenación causal encaminada a enlazar el incumplimiento del precitado deber con la efectiva y la ulterior materialización del riesgo asegurado (siniestro). Ello, para efectos de aplicar o inaplicar los mecanismos correctivos y sancionatorios que los diferentes ordenamientos jurídicos han adoptado como respuesta al incumplimiento de tan aquilatado deber, en especial la nulidad del seguro.
Con dicho propósito, este escrito se orienta al estudio comparativo de la anunciada temática, del que se desprende que en las últimas décadas, a tono con los nuevos derroteros del Derecho de seguros en la contemporaneidad (civil law y common law), gradualmente se ha abierto camino una nueva manera de acercarse a ella en el campo legislativo, con el fin de atribuirle significación, en lo pertinente, a la exigencia de una relación causal siniestral como un requisito para dar cabida a la liberación del asegurador en los eventos en los cuales se hayan comprobado reticencias o inexactitudes, particularmente en aras de exaltar el principio de la conservación de los efectos del contrato, de tanta trascendencia hoy por hoy, previa observancia de específicas limitaciones.
En este estudio, además, sucintamente se examinarán las razones que en el Derecho comparado se han esgrimido en pro y en contra de dicha exigencia causal, ciertamente polémica y, en tal virtud no unánime, pues si bien es cierto que se en los últimos tiempos se ha evidenciado un cambio legislativo al respecto en algunas naciones, éste no se puede generalizar, toda vez que se requiere del detenido y cuidadoso examen de cada una de las legislaciones y ordenamientos individuales, de la mano de la jurisprudencia respectiva, en aras de asegurar la coherencia en el campo hermenéutico, y de favorecer la estabilidad, la certidumbre y la seguridad jurídicas. Y con mayor razón, cuando en este tema claramente hay más de una respuesta normativa: negativa, o positiva en relación con la citada exigencia causal siniestral, y más de un matiz o excepción, diversidad de respuestas y de aristas que ameritan ser tenidas muy en cuenta, para no alterar la realidad de cada legislación y de su historia normativa, tal y como justamente tiene lugar en Colombia, en la que hay que diferenciar ‘el ser’, de un eventual ‘deber ser’ legislativo, según el caso.
Endoscopic ultrasound in the monitoring of the intestinal allograft
Authors: Oltean Mihai , Hedenström Per , Varkey Jonas , Herlenius Gustaf , Sadik Riadh 
Published: January 2022

ObjectiveChronic rejection (CR) of the small intestinal allograft includes mucosal fibrosis, bowel thickening and arteriopathy in the outer wall layers and the mesentery. CR lacks non-invasive markers and reliable diagnostic methods. We evaluated endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) as a novel approach for monitoring of the intestinal allograft with respect to CR.DesignIn intestinal graft recipients, EUS and enteroscopy with ileal mucosal biopsy were performed via the ileostomy. At EUS, the wall thickness of the intestinal graft was measured in standard mode, whereas the resistive index (RI) of the supplying artery was assessed in pulsed Doppler mode. At enteroscopy, the intestinal mucosa was assessed. Findings were compared with histopathology and clinical follow-up.ResultsEUS was successfully performed in all 11 patients (adequate clinical course (AC) n=9; CR n=2) after a median interval of 1537 days (range: 170–5204), post-transplantation. The total diameter of the wall (layer I–V) was comparable in all patients. Meanwhile, the diameter of the outermost part (layer IV–V; that is, muscularis propria–serosa) was among the two CR patients (range: 1.3–1.4 mm) in the upper end of measurements as compared with the nine AC patients (range: 0.5–1.4 mm). The RI was >0.9 in both CR patients, while the RI was ≤0.8 in all AC patients. Both CR patients had abnormal findings at enteroscopy and histopathology and deceased during follow-up.ConclusionEUS is a promising tool providing detailed information on the intestinal graft morphology and rheology, which may be used for assessment of potential CR in long-term follow-up of intestinal allograft recipients.