bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of the conversion of mechanical energy into chemical energy by using piezoelectric KNbO3−x with oxygen vacancies as a novel piezocatalyst
Authors: Tan Hong-Yi , Zhan Liang , Yan Chang-Feng , Abeykoon Lahiru K , De Silva Nuwan L , Bandara Jayasundera 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Synthesis of new piezoelectric materials to harness the vibrational and thermal energies may contribute to solve the current increasing energy demands. KNbO3 is a known piezo- electric material that exhibits poor piezocatalytic activity owing to the scarcity of charge carriers in it. In order to enhance the charge carrier density in KNbO3, extra electrons were added to KNbO3 lattice. Extrinsic piezoelectric KNbO3−x having extra electrons in the lattice was synthesized via the reaction between Nb2O5 and KBH4 at elevated temperatures. The KNbO3 nanostructures formed at 450 and 550 °C contained feebly piezoelectric KNbO3−x/Nb2O5−x and piezoelectric KNbO3−x respectively. The enhanced piezocatalytic activity of KNbO3−x is demonstrated by the production of hydrogen from water by harnessing the mechanical vibrations and the observed hydrogen production rates are 0.05 and 3.19 ml h−1 g1 for KNbO3−x/Nb2O5−x and KNbO3−x respectively. The enhanced piezocatalytic activity of KNbO3−x can be attributed to the enhancement of the charge carrier density resulting from the creation of oxygen vacancies in KNbO3 that lead to enhancing the electronic conductivity as well as charge carrier separation. It is demonstrated that the piezocatalytic activity can be boosted by augmenting the charge carrier density in piezoelectric materials by synthesizing them under highly reducing reaction conditions.
Effect of nanoinclusions on the lattice thermal conductivity of SnSe
Authors: Gupta Raveena , Bera Chandan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
We theoretically investigate the effect of nanoparticle(NP) inclusion on the lattice thermal conductivity (κ

l
) of SnSe matrix. The theoretical approach involves the prediction of κ

l
by varying the radius (R), density (D
1), and volume fraction (ε) of NP in SnSe matrix. NP has strong anisotropic effect on the lattice thermal conductivity reduction along the crystallographic direction. We observe the existence of an optimal NP volume fraction that minimizes the nanocomposite's thermal conductivity. At room temperature, this value is found to be ε = 0.317 for which lattice thermal conductivity reduces by 35% with NP (R = 5 nm) compared to pure SnSe. An enhancement in the figure of merit (ZT) around room temperature opens up new opportunities for thermoelectric power generation at moderate temperatures. Even larger enhancement is possible in polycrystalline SnSe which will be helpful for thermoelectric devices.
Metrics for Evaluating Polygenic Risk Scores
Authors: Baker Stuart G 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
There is growing interest in the use of polygenic risk scores based on genetic variants to predict cancer incidence. The type of metric used to evaluate the predictive performance of polygenic risk scores plays a crucial role in their interpretation. I compare 3 metrics for this evaluation: the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), the probability of cancer in a high-risk subset divided by the prevalence of cancer in the population, which I call the subset relative risk (SRR), and the minimum test tradeoff, which is the minimum number of genetic variant ascertainments (one per person) for each correct prediction of cancer to yield a positive expected clinical utility. I show that SRR is a relabeling of AUC. I recommend the minimum test tradeoff for the evaluation of polygenic risk scores because, unlike AUC and SRR, it is directly related to the expected clinical utility.
Binaural Frequency Modulation Detection in School-Age Children, Young Adults, and Older Adults: Effects of Interaural Modulator Phase
Authors: Kane Stacey G. , Buss Emily , Grose John H. 
Published: December 2020

Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to measure low-rate binaural frequency modulation (FM) detection across the lifespan as a gauge of temporal fine structure processing. Children and older adults were expected to perform more poorly than young adults but for different reasons.

Design:
Detection of 2-Hz FM carried by a 500-Hz pure tone was measured for modulators that were either in-phase or out-of-phase across ears. Thresholds were measured in quiet and in noise. Participants were school-age children (n = 44), young adults (n = 11), and older adults (n = 17) with normal or near-normal hearing.

Results:
Thresholds were lower for out-of-phase than in-phase modulators among all listening groups. Detection thresholds improved with child age, with larger effects of age for dichotic than diotic FM. Introduction of masking noise tended to elevate thresholds; this effect was larger for the dichotic condition than the diotic condition, and larger for older adults than young adults. In noise, young adults received the greatest dichotic benefit, followed by older adults, then young children. The relative effects of noise on dichotic benefit did not differ for young adults compared to young children and older adults; however, young children saw greater reduction in benefit due to noise than older adults.

Conclusion:
The difference in dichotic benefit between children and young adults is consistent with maturation of central auditory processing. Differences in the effect of noise on dichotic benefit in young children and older adults support the idea that different factors or combinations of factors limit performance in these two groups. Although dichotic FM detection appears to be more sensitive to the effects of development and aging than diotic FM detection, the positive correlation between diotic and dichotic FM detection thresholds for all listeners suggests contribution of one or more factors common to both conditions.
Rationing and triage of scarce, lifesaving therapy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional, social media-driven, scenario-based online query of societal attitudes
Authors: Muensterer Oliver J. , Gianicolo Emilio A. , Paul Norbert W. 
Published: December 2020

Background:
The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic made us aware that medical resources are limited. When demand for essential resources surpasses availability, difficult triaging decisions are necessary. While algorithms exist, almost nothing is known on societal attitudes regarding triage criteria.

Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted via social media channels to query a broad sample of society. Participants were asked to make triage decisions in case-based vignettes, exploring a variety of factors. They also were asked to assess how sure they were about their decisions, and how such decisions should be reached.

Results:
The survey was completed in full by 1626 participants in April 2020. Median age was 39 years (range, 12–80 y), 984 (61%) were female. Patient prognosis, responsibility toward others, the absence of behavior-induced comorbidities, and younger age were rated the most important triage criteria, while participants found that insurance status, social status, and nationality should not play a substantial role. Ethics-committees and point systems were regarded potentially helpful for triage decision-making, while decisions based on order of presentation (first-come first-serve) or on a legal basis were viewed critically. Participants were least sure about their decision when dealing with age or behavior-induced comorbidities. Overall, women were surer about their decisions than men, participants of Christian faith were also more secure about their decision than atheists-agnostics.

Conclusions:
This study uses social media to generate insight into public opinion and attitudes regarding triage criteria and modalities. These findings may be helpful for the development of future medical triage algorithms.
Empirically derived back pain subgroups differentiated walking performance, pain, and disability
Authors: Butera Katie A. , Fox Emily J. , Bishop Mark D. , Coombes Stephen A. , George Steven Z. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability. However, the processes contributing to disability are not well understood. Therefore, this study (1) empirically derived LBP subgroups and (2) validated these subgroups using walking performance, pain, and disability measures. Seventy adults with LBP underwent testing for a priori determined sensory (temporal summation; conditioned pain modulation), psychological (positive affect/coping; negative coping), and motor (trunk extensor muscle activation during forward bending and walking) measures. A hierarchical cluster analysis determined subgroups that were then validated using walking (walking speed; Timed Up and Go [TUG]; TUG-Cognitive [TUG-Cog]; obstacle negotiation) and clinical (Brief Pain Inventory; Oswestry Disability Index; low back pressure pain threshold) measures. Two subgroups were derived: (1) a “Maladaptive” subgroup (n = 21) characterized by low positive affect/coping, high negative coping, low pain modulation, and atypical trunk extensor activation and (2) an “Adaptive” subgroup (n = 49) characterized by high positive affect/coping, low negative coping, high pain modulation, and typical trunk extensor activation. There were subgroup differences on 7 of 12 validation measures. The Maladaptive subgroup had reduced walking performance (slower self-selected walking speed, TUG completion, and obstacle approach and crossing speed) and worse clinical presentation (higher pain intensity, pain interference, and disability) (moderate to large effect sizes; P's < 0.05). Findings support the construct validity of this multidimensional subgrouping approach. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether the Maladaptive subgroup is predictive of poor outcomes, such as pain chronicity or persistent disability.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With a Left Ventricular Assist Device (QOLVAD) Questionnaire
Authors: Sandau Kristin E. , Lee Christopher S. , Faulkner Kenneth M. , Pozehl Bunny , Eckman Peter , Garberich Ross , Weaver Carrie E. , Joseph Susan M. , Hall Shelley , Carey Sandra A. , Chaudhry Sunit-Preet , Schroeder Sarah E. , Hoffman Russell O. , Feldman David , Birati Edo Y. , Soni Meshal , Marble Judith Feighery , Jurgens Corrine Y. , Hoglund Barbara , Cowger Jennifer A. 
Published: December 2020

Background
Patients with a left ventricular assist device are a unique and growing population who deserve their own valid, reliable instrument for health-related quality of life.

Objective
We developed and tested the Health-Related Quality of Life with a Left Ventricular Assist Device (QOLVAD) questionnaire.

Methods
In a prospective, descriptive study, patients from 7 sites completed the QOLVAD and comparator questionnaires. Construct validity was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent validity was tested using correlations of QOLVAD scores to well-established measures of subjective health status, depression, anxiety, and meaning/faith. Reliability and test-retest reliability were quantified.

Results
Patients (n = 213) were 58.7 ± 13.9 years old; 81.0% were male, 73.7% were White, and 48.0% had bridge to transplant. Questionnaires were completed at a median time of 44 weeks post ventricular assist device. The 5 QOLVAD domains had acceptable construct validity (root mean square error of approximation = 0.064, comparative and Tucker-Lewis fit indices > 0.90, weighted root mean square residual = 0.95). The total score and domain-specific scores were significantly correlated with the instruments to which they were compared. Internal consistency reliability was acceptable for all subscales (α = .79–.83) except the cognitive domain (α = .66). Unidimensional reliability for the total score was acceptable (α = .93), as was factor determinacy for multidimensional reliability (0.95). Total test-retest reliability was 0.875 (P < .001).

Conclusion
Our analysis provided initial support for validity and reliability of the QOLVAD for total score, physical, emotional, social, and meaning/spiritual domains. The QOLVAD has potential in research and clinical settings to guide decision making and referrals; further studies are needed.
Frequency-specific Electrocochleography and Traveling Wave Time as a Clinical Test for Menière's Disease
Authors: Conway Robert M. , Sugihara Eric M. , Lee David M. , Renker Jaclyn , Sioshansi Pedrom C. , Babu Seilesh C. 
Published: December 2020

Introduction:
Menière's disease is a clinical entity with no definitive objective testing. It has been hypothesized that underlying endolymphatic hydrops stiffens the basilar membrane leading to increased speed of the acoustic stimulus, therefore traveling wave velocity has been proposed as an objective test to aid in the diagnosis. The objective of this study is to compare electrocochleography frequency-specific action potential latency, basilar membrane traveling wave time, and summation to action potential (SP/AP) ratio in Menière's and non-Menière's patients.

Methods:
Tympanic electrocochleography was performed with frequency-specific action potential latency time and SP/AP ratio recorded. Patient demographics, symptoms, audiogram data, AAO-HNS classification of Menière's disease, management interventions, and follow-up were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to compare outcome measures across patient groups, demographics, and clinical data.

Results:
Ninety-one patients (182 ears) were included. There was a significant difference between a “definite” Menière's diagnosis and an “unlikely” or “probable” diagnosis by an average of 13 dB HL for the pure-tone thresholds at 250 Hz on the affected side (p = 0.006). There was no significant difference in pure-tone thresholds at any other frequency, AP latency at any frequency, or AP/SP ratio between the different Menière's classification groups.

Conclusions:
Our study fails to show significance of the traveling wave velocity as an objective test for Menière's disease. A significant correlation was found with low-frequency hearing loss between AAO-HNS Menière's classification groups.
Projected Cost Simulation in Chronic Ear Surgery: Cost in Chronic Ear Surgery
Authors: Tadokoro Kent , Bacalao Emily , Wozniak Amy , Kazemian-Marvi Elycia , Kircher Matthew L. 
Published: December 2020

Objective:
To examine the projected healthcare costs of intact canal wall (ICW) and canal wall down (CWD) tympanomastoidectomy surgery and associated clinic follow-up visits in the management of chronic ear disease.

Study Design:
A review of literature was performed to analyze the cholesteatoma recidivism rates of ICW and CWD tympanomastoidectomy. Projected Medicare cost simulation applied to representative samples of patients undergoing otologic surgery and follow-up clinic appointments projected over 15 years with an annual 25% cholesteatoma recidivism rate.

Setting:
Tertiary academic center.

Patients:
Simulated patient population status postchronic ear surgery and representative follow-up clinic visits with or without in-office mastoid debridement procedures.

Interventions:
Therapeutic and rehabilitative.

Main Outcome Measures:
Healthcare cost.

Results:
Simulation of cost for chronic ear surgery with follow-up visits produced a higher mean cost for the ICW group compared with the CWD group at year 1 ($9112.06 versus $4954.16). However, CWD patients accumulate cost over time due to routine mastoid debridements. The accumulated costs for the CWD group surpassed the ICW group at 12.54 (CI: 12.02–13.11) years.

Conclusions:
Using a projected cost analysis model, intact canal wall tympanomastoidectomy incurs a larger upfront cost than the canal wall down technique. However, long-term mastoid cavity maintenance costs accumulate to surpass the intact canal wall group at 12.54 years.
Does Cognitive Dysfunction Correlate With Dizziness Severity in Meniére's Disease Patients
Authors: Dornhoffer James R. , Liu Yuan F. , Zhao Elise E. , Rizk Habib G. 
Published: December 2020

Objective:
Characterize the relationship between cognitive dysfunction and the dizziness severity in Meniére's disease (MD) patients.

Study Design:
Retrospective review.

Setting:
University-based tertiary medical center.

Patients:
Three hundred patients were evaluated for MD from 2015 to 2019. Excluding comorbid or alternative vestibular disorders, 29 patients with definite MD and available pre- and postintervention data were included for analysis.

Interventions:
A progressive protocol of salt restriction, diuretics, steroid and/or gentamycin injection, and endolymphatic sac decompression for those refractory to medical therapy.

Main Outcome Measures:
Quality of life measured with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and cognitive function measured with the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ). Pre- and posttreatment DHI and DHI subscale scores and change in these scores were correlated with pre- and posttreatment CFQ scores and change in CFQ with therapy.

Results:
Analysis showed a number of limited associations between improvement in DHI and improvement in CFQ. Total DHI scores failed to correlate scores or variation in scores with change in CFQ (p = 0.091 and p = 0.085, respectively). Improvement in the CFQ false-triggering domain was significantly associated with improvement in the DHI physical subscale (r = 0.491, p = 0.007) and was nonsignificantly associated with improvement in total DHI and DHI emotional subscale scores (r = 0.422, p = 0.016 and r = 0.399, p = 0.032).

Conclusions:
The DHI correlates with several pre- and posttreatment measures of cognitive dysfunction (CFQ) in MD patients. However, change in DHI and CFQ with therapy correlate poorly. Overall, the commonly used DHI may fail to adequately assess cognitive dysfunction in MD patients possibly due to factors not directly implicated by measures of vestibular dysfunction, such as central nervous system or cognitive dysfunction; however, the specific physical and emotional subscales may offer helpful insight into cognitive dysfunction change/improvement with treatment.
Migraine Features in Patients With Recurrent Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Authors: Bruss David , Abouzari Mehdi , Sarna Brooke , Goshtasbi Khodayar , Lee Ariel , Birkenbeuel Jack , Djalilian Hamid R. 
Published: December 2020

Objectives:
To identify migraine features present in a cohort of patients with recurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Methods:
Patients presenting with recurrent BPPV were surveyed. Recurrent BPPV was defined as three episodes or greater in 6 months before presentation, with resolution of symptoms after Epley maneuver. Current or past migraine headache (MH) diagnosis was made according to the International Headache Society guidelines.

Results:
Fifty-eight patients with recurrent BPPV with a mean age of 53.8 ± 17.4 years were included. Half (29 patients) fulfilled criteria for MH and half (29 patients) did not meet the criteria for MH (non-MH). No statistically significant difference was found in a majority of migraine-related symptoms between the MH and non-MH cohorts with recurrent BPPV. History of migraine medication usage (p = 0.008), presence of a weekly headache (p = 0.01), and duration of dizziness after positional vertigo (p = 0.01) were the only variables that were different on multivariate analysis between the MH and non-MH cohorts.

Conclusions:
Half of recurrent BPPV patients suffer from migraine headaches. The other half presented with migraine-related symptoms, but do not meet criteria for MH. The high comorbidity of MH in our recurrent BPPV cohort as well as the absence of a statistically significant difference in a majority of migraine-related features among patients who did and did not fulfill criteria for MH may suggest that recurrent BPPV has a relationship with migraine. Recurrent BPPV may potentially be a manifestation of migraine in the inner ear, which we term otologic migraine including cochlear, vestibular, or cochleovestibular symptoms.
Audio-vestibular Abnormalities in Patients With Vitiligo: A Prospective Case-control Study
Authors: Lasheen Reham Mamdouh , Elsheikh Mohamed Nasser , Fawzy Mohamed M. , Tomoum Mohamed Osama 
Published: December 2020

Introduction:
Vitiligo is a disease that is characterized by a deficit of functional melanocytes all over the body including the inner ear.

Objectives:
To study the effect of the reduction of melanocytes on the audio-vestibular system in patients with vitiligo.

Subjects and Methodology:
Our study included 35 patients with vitiligo (study group) and 35 healthy volunteers (control group). Audiological and vestibular function assessments were performed in all the participants and the results were compared between the two groups. We assessed the auditory function utilizing pure-tone audiometry and the auditory brainstem response, while vestibular function was assessed by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, the cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP), and videonystagmography.

Results:
Twelve patients with vitiligo showed impairment of the hearing especially in high frequencies in comparison with the control group. Auditory brainstem response wave III and I–III inter-peak latencies were significantly prolonged in the study group relative to the control subjects. On cVEMP testing, waves P13 and N23 were significantly delayed in the study group and the caloric test results showed that five vitiligo patients had unilateral weakness and three patients had bilateral weakness.

Conclusion:
Vitiligo is a systemic disease that can influence the audio-vestibular system. Screening tests for early detection of audio-vestibular changes in patients with vitiligo are important, as they are more susceptible to oxidative damage of ototoxic medications, noise exposure, and age-related hearing loss.
Clinical Presentation in Children With Coeliac Disease in Central Europe
Authors: Riznik Petra , De Leo Luigina , Dolinsek Jasmina , Gyimesi Judit , Klemenak Martina , Koletzko Berthold , Koletzko Sibylle , Korponay‐Szabó Ilma Rita , Krencnik Tomaz , Not Tarcisio , Palcevski Goran , Sblattero Daniele , Werkstetter Katharina Julia , Dolinsek Jernej 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTObjectives:During the past decades, there has been a shift in the clinical presentation of coeliac disease (CD) to nonclassical, oligosymptomatic, and asymptomatic forms. We assessed clinical presentation of CD in children and adolescents in Central Europe.Methods:Paediatric gastroenterologists in 5 countries retrospectively reported data of their patients diagnosed with CD. Clinical presentation was analyzed and the differences among very young (<3 years) and older children and adolescents were studied.Results:Data from 653 children and adolescents (median age 7 years 2 months; 63.9% girls) from Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and Slovenia were available for the analysis. One fifth (N = 134) of all children were asymptomatic. In symptomatic children, the most common leading symptom was abdominal pain (33.3%), followed by growth retardation (13.7%) and diarrhoea (13.3%). The majority of symptomatic children (47.6%; N = 247) were polysymptomatic. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom in polysymptomatic (66.4%) as well as in monosymptomatic children (29.7%). Comparing clinical presentation of CD in very young children (younger than 3 years) with older children (3 years or older), we found that symptoms and signs of malabsorption were significantly more common in younger (P < 0.001), whereas abdominal pain and asymptomatic presentation were more common in older children and adolescents (both P < 0.001).Conclusion:In children with CD, abdominal pain has become the most common symptom. However, in younger children, symptoms of malabsorption are still seen frequently. This raises a question about the underlying mechanism of observed change in clinical presentation in favour of nonclassical presentation and asymptomatic disease at certain age.