bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cathodoluminescence of Ultrathin Twisted Ge1–xSnxS van der Waals Nanoribbon Waveguides
Authors: Sutter Peter , Khorashad Larousse Khosravi , Argyropoulos Christos , Sutter Eli 
Published: December 2020

AbstractUltrathin van der Waals semiconductors have shown extraordinary optoelectronic and photonic properties. Propagating photonic modes make layered crystal waveguides attractive for photonic circuitry and for studying hybrid light–matter states. Accessing guided modes by conventional optics is challenging due to the limited spatial resolution and poor out‐of‐plane far‐field coupling. Scanning near‐field optical microscopy can overcome these issues and can characterize waveguide modes down to a resolution of tens of nanometers, albeit for planar samples or nanostructures with moderate height variations. Electron microscopy provides atomic‐scale localization also for more complex geometries, and recent advances have extended the accessible excitations from interband transitions to phonons. Here, bottom‐up synthesized layered semiconductor (Ge1–xSnxS) nanoribbons with an axial twist and deep subwavelength thickness are demonstrated as a platform for realizing waveguide modes, and cathodoluminescence spectroscopy is introduced as a tool to characterize them. Combined experiments and simulations show the excitation of guided modes by the electron beam and their efficient detection via photons emitted in the ribbon plane, which enables the measurement of key properties such as the evanescent field into the vacuum cladding with nanometer resolution. The results identify van der Waals waveguides operating in the infrared and highlight an electron‐microscopy‐based approach for probing complex‐shaped nanophotonic structures.
New Insight into the Doped Strontium Titanate Cathode with In Situ Exsolved Nickel Nanoparticles for Electrolysis of Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Bai Lu , Li Haibin , Yan Zhen , Hao Xiaohan , Ke Minghui , Xie Kui , Li Baoguang 
Published: December 2020

AbstractOne way to avoid CO2 pollution is changing it into CO by solid oxide electrolyzers, in which doped SrTiO3 can be used as cathode materials. It is found that in situ exsolved Ni nanoparticles in doped SrTiO3 cathode can further improve the electrolysis performance. In this work, (La0.2Sr0.8)0.85Ti0.8Cr0.1Ni0.1O3−δ cathode with in situ exsolved Ni particles is investigated. A new model proposed explains the influence of exsolution process on crystal structure. Based on thermogravimetric analysis, it is estimated that about 13.6% to 37.4% Ni atoms exsolve out of original cathode. With the new cathode containing Ni nanoparticles, the yield of CO from electrolysis is improved at about 50% and the current efficiency is increased at about 10%.
Trends in growth and developmental tempo in boys aged 7 to 18 years between 1966 and 2012 in Poland
Authors: Gomula Aleksandra , Nowak‐Szczepanska Natalia , Hermanussen Michael , Scheffler Christiane , Koziel Slawomir 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo assess trends in growth in different developmental periods and trends in developmental tempo in Polish boys between 1966 and 2012.MethodsData on 34 828 boys aged 7 to 18 years were collected during Polish Anthropological Surveys conducted in 1966, 1978, 1988, and 2012. Biological parameters, related to onset of adolescent growth spurt (OGS) and peak height velocity (PHV), were derived from a Preece‐Baines 1 model (PB1). Childhood (height at 7 years of age), pre‐adolescent (height at OGS) and adolescent growth (adult height minus height at OGS) were identified.ResultsPositive secular trend between 1966 and 2012 in adult height accounted for, on average, 1.5 cm/decade, with varying intensity between the Surveys. Decline in both age at OGS and APHV between 1966 and 2012 (1.5 and 1.4 years, respectively) indicated an acceleration in developmental tempo, on average, by 0.3 year/decade. Increases in the contribution to the trend in adult height gained during growth in particular developmental periods between 1966 and 2012 were as followed—childhood: 0.6%, pre‐adolescent growth: −3.1%, adolescent growth: 3.1%.ConclusionsSecular trend in developmental tempo and growth among boys reflects changes in living conditions and socio‐political aspirations in Poland during nearly 50 years. Acceleration in tempo is already visible at age at OGS, whereas the trend in adult height occurs largely during adolescence, pointing to different regulation of developmental tempo and growth in body height. This finding emphasizes the importance of extending public health intervention into children's growth up until adolescence.
Qualitative analysis on needs of family caregivers for people with dementia
Authors: Ho‐yin Lai Frank 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundDementia is a public health challenge worldwide. Caring for a person with dementia affects different caregivers in different ways. The objective of this study was to explore the role caregivers (FCGs) for people with dementia play, along with their needs and the stress they experience, as a means of understanding their overall experience of caring. Second, to identify coping strategies employed by FCGs and to explore positive aspects of the caring relationship in relation to their quality of life, information needs, day care and respite care, and emotional support. Third, to develop a medical‐social collaboration model from socio‐ecological perspectives to provide support services to older adults with mild to moderate dementia and their FCGs at the community level.MethodDifferent support groups for older adults with dementia include hospital caregivers’ support groups, district‐based dementia care networks, and community non‐government organizations participating in this project. Through four focus groups for FCGs, qualitative data were collected.ResultFrom December 2018 to March 2019, 80 FCGs were recruited through purposeful sampling. They shared similar demographic and socio‐demographic backgrounds. Addressing the first two objectives involves exploring the role, needs, and stress of FCGs and identifying their coping strategies. Five major themes relating to FCGs’ experiences were identified through the focus groups on caregiving for older adults with dementia: a) seeking understanding, b) stabilization, c) preparation, d) implementation, and e) adaptation. In addressing the third objective, with reference to Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1977, Bronfenbrenner and Ceci, 1994), a medical‐social model was developed and to provide support services to FCGs at the community level. The facilitators and barriers identified by thematic analysis.ConclusionMany of the barriers and facilitators identified are echoed by findings from previous studies. Individuals’ needs must be integrated into future service planning and decision‐making processes.
Early candidate urine biomarkers for detecting Alzheimer’s disease before amyloid‐plaque deposition in an APP (swe)/PSEN1dE9 transgenic mouse model for effective early intervention
Authors: Zhang Fanshuang , Wei Jing , Li Xundou , Huan Yuhang , Ma Chao , Gao Youhe 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe identification of candidate biomarkers before amyloid‐ plaque deposition occurs is therefore of great importance for the early intervention of AD. Urine, which is not regulated by homeostatic mechanisms, theoretically accumulates changes associated with AD earlier than cerebrospinal fluid and blood. In this study, an APP (swe)/PSEN1dE9 transgenic mouse model was used to identify candidate biomarkers for early AD.MethodUrine samples were collected from 4‐, 6‐, and 8‐month‐old transgenic mouse models, and the urinary proteomes were profiled using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). The pathways related to differential urinary proteins were analyzed. Early intervention was tested based on the pathway analysis.ResultThe levels of 29 proteins differed significantly between wild type and 4‐month‐old mice, which had not started to accumulate amyloid‐ plaques. Among these proteins, 13 have been associated with the mechanisms of AD, while 9 have been suggested as AD biomarkers. The result of intervention is promising. The details will be available before the meeting.ConclusionOur results indicated that urine proteins enable detection of AD before amyloid‐ plaque deposition, which may present an opportunity for effective intervention.
Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, folate and cobalamin and their association with brain volumes and white matter integrity in a sample of urban adults
Authors: Beydoun May A , Shaked Danielle , Hossain Sharmin A , Beydoun Hind A , Katzel Leslie , Davatzikos Christos , Gullapalli Rao , Seliger Stephen , Erus Guray , Evans Michele K , Zonderman Alan , Waldstein Shari 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundLower vitamin D, folate and cobalamin status were linked to cognitive deficits, pending mechanistic elucidation. We explored whether serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], folate and cobalamin are related to brain volumes and white matter (WM) integrity.MethodBetween 183 and 240 community‐dwelling participants [Baltimore city, Agev1: 30‐64y] had vitamin concentrations [at visit 1(v1)] and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) measures at follow‐up (vscan), after a mean±SD=5.70y±1.90. Multivariable‐adjusted linear regression analyses were conducted using structural and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI/dMRI) with increasing segmentation specificity as outcomes and each vitamin as an exposure (v1 and annual rate of change (v2‐v1) over an average of 4.65y), stratifying by agev1 (>50y/≤50y), sex, race (Whites/African Americans) and poverty status group. Top 10 ranked adjusted associations were statistically significant if passing familywise Bonferroni (FWER) criteria at an α=0.05, while false discovery rates (FDR, q‐value)<0.10 and standardized effect size (b) criteria were used for trend findings.ResultWe found mostly significant (FWER<0.05) direct associations of 25(OH)D(v1) with WM volumes (overall/males), with occipital and parietal WM [overall, males and Agev1>50y], and with the left occipital pole volume. Folate(v1), 25(OH)D(v1) and 25(OH)D(v2‐v1) trended towards better WM integrity in several regions, mainly the anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC) and the hippocampus [q<0.10 per vitamin, b≥0.20 for 25(OH)D(v1) and Folate(v1); FWER<0.05 for 25(OH)D(v2‐v1)], while folate trended towards lower right temporal pole volume (Whites/>50y) and longitudinal increase (v2‐v1) in cobalamin trended towards larger volumes within the inferior frontal gyrus.ConclusionSerum 25(OH)D was consistently linked to greater occipital and parietal WM volumes. WM integrity in ALIC was associated with higher 25(OH)D and folate status, while folate was inversely related to temporal GM volumes. Cobalamin increase over time trended towards larger inferior frontal gyrus volumes. Future interventions should test vitamin supplementation against regional volumetric and diffusion brain markers.
Supporting people with dementia and their caregivers’ everyday occupations through home hazard identification and virtual reality‐based training
Authors: Ho‐yin Lai Frank 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundFalls are a common health hazard among older people and have become a major cause of disability. The risk of falling increases with age and many older people need extended hospital stays as a result of a fall, and some may be admitted to residential care after a fall. The interaction between the older adults with dementia, their living environment and fall is an area of concern from occupational therapy.MethodThis is a pioneer study composed of a home falls and accident screening and with two types of intervention in a 12‐month longitudinal randomized controlled trial. In the first month, participants received the psychoeducation program on home safety and fall prevention in their own home. Then for the following eleven months, participants were randomized to either control group which participants will receive bi‐weekly reviews of home safety and fall prevention. Experimental group will have regular training on the use of VR‐based home safety alertness for near miss.Result100 community dwelling moderate dementia subjects (CDR> 2) were recruited, 25 of them reported with five or more home hazards and labelled as high risk group. 32% of subjects reported with hazards which labelled as “Home Environment and Furniture”, 28% of recruited population reported with hazards in “Capability in Activities of Daily Living” and 32 % reported with hazards in “Use of devices”. In one‐year follow‐up, both experimental group showed significantly lower incidence of fall of 5 % when compared with 18% in general dementia population.ConclusionResults indicated home safety and fall prevention screening is effective to reduce home hazards. Application of VR can be a reinforcing strategy for people with dementia and can help alleviate stress of caregivers.
NeuroEPO in mild‐to‐moderate Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Pérez Leslie , Sosa Saily , Bringas Giosmany , López Danay , Valenzuela Carmen , Peñalver Ana Ivis , Dalmau Evelio , Rodríguez Teresita , Urrutia Nelky 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundNeuroEPO, is a nasal pharmaceutical solution of recombinant human erythropoietin with low sialic acid.MethodsPhase II/III, prospective, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, multicenter with adaptive design clinical trial involving patients with mild‐to‐moderate Alzheimer’s. NeuroEPO or placebo, with doses 0.5 or 1.0 mg 3 times a week for 48 weeks was administered by nasal route. The primary outcome measure was a score on the 11‐item cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer’s disease Assessment Scale (ADAS‐cog11, with scores ranging from 0 to 70 and higher scores indicating greater impairment). Secondary outcome measures were: % annual change of hippocampus volume by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, neuropsychological scales and adverse events. An interim analysis was made according to the criteria as established in the protocol.ResultsPer‐protocol‐analysis, 69 patients finished one year of treatment. 49% of the patients showed improvement, 9% remained stable and 42% got worse, according to the ADAScog11 score. Regarding the hippocampus % annual change, 48 patients were analyzed. 58% of those patients remained stable and 42% witnessed a decline in the hippocampus volume compared with the % annual change of patients with AD (∼4.4%). No serious adverse events related with NeuroEPO were reported.ConclusionsNeuroEPO improve clinical outcomes in patients with Alzheimer’s disease with good security profile. Therefore, it could be useful in the treatment of this kind of patients.
Empirically defining preclinical Alzheimer’s disease in the era of biomarkers
Authors: Kiselica Andrew M. , Kaser Alyssa , Benge Jared 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe National Institute on Aging and Alzheimer’s Association released a research framework defining an Alzheimer’s Continuum (AC) based on the presence of at least one b‐amyloid biomarker, independent of clinical symptoms. Staging of the AC will occur along 6 levels of severity. Stages 3‐6 map onto current conceptualizations of mild cognitive impairment and mild, moderate, and severe dementia. However, stages 1 and 2 are preclinical stages, which are less well characterized. These early stages are defined by three criteria: subjective cognitive complaints, transitional declines on cognitive testing, and neurobehavioral symptoms. The goals of the current study were to 1) examine base rates of these criteria among groups of individuals defined as amyloid positive (A+) and amyloid negative (A‐); 2) evaluate inter‐rater agreement for subjective cognitive complaints and neurobehavioral symptoms; and 3) assess the impact of different diagnostic standards on rates of classification into AC stages 1 and 2.MethodAnalyses were completed on a subsample of cognitively normal participants from the Uniform Data Set, categorized as A+ (n = 101) or A‐ (n = 447).ResultOverall rates of subjective cognitive complaints (A+: 34.90%, A‐: 29.90%;
χ
2
= 3.33, p = .068) and neurobehavioral symptoms (A+: 22.40%, A‐: 22.40%;
χ
2
= 0.00, p = .990) did not significantly differ across amyloid groups. Inter‐observer agreement was fair for subjective cognitive complaints (k = .24) and fair‐to‐moderate for neurobehavioral symptoms (k ranged from .34 to .53). Multivariate base rate analysis revealed that subtly low cognitive scores were more common in amyloid positive than amyloid negative individuals (e.g., the base rate of two scores £9th percentile was 38.00% for A+ individuals but only 24.90% for A‐ patients,
χ
2
= 6.98, p = .008). The rates of classification into AC stage 1 versus 2 depended on the number of criteria required for stage 2: 57.40% versus 42.60% (one criterion), 28.70% versus 71.30% (two criteria), and 6.90% versus 93.10% (all three criteria).ConclusionImplementing a two criteria standard may be preferred to provide a balance between false negatives and false positives. Directions for future research are discussed.
Correlated levels of cerebrospinal fluid pathogenic proteins in drug‐naïve Parkinson's disease
Authors: Ono Kenjiro , Murakami Hidetomo , El‐Agnaf Omar M.A. , Tokuda Takahiko , Ohmichi Takuma , Miki Ayako , Ohashi Hideaki , Owan Yoshiyuki , Saito Yu , Yano Satoshi , Tsukie Tamao , Ikeuchi Takeshi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundToxic oligomeric α‐synuclein (αS; O‐αS) has been suggested to play a central role in the pathogenesis of Lewy body diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of αS, O‐αS, total and phosphorylated tau, and amyloid β 1‐42 (Aβ1‐42) are thought to reflect the pathophysiology or clinical symptoms in PD. In this study, we examined correlations of the CSF levels of these proteins with the clinical symptoms, and with each other in drug‐naïve patients with PD.MethodTwenty‐seven drug‐naïve patients with PD were included. Motor and cognitive functions were assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (COGNISTAT). CSF levels of total αS, O‐αS, Aβ1‐42, total tau and tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (P‐tau181p) were measured. CSF levels of these proteins were compared with clinical assessments from the UPDRS, MoCA and COGNISTAT using Spearman correlation analysis. Spearman correlation coefficients among CSF protein levels were also evaluated.ResultCSF levels of αS were negatively correlated with UPDRS part III (motor score) (p < 0.05) and bradykinesia (p < 0.01), and positively correlated with COGNISTAT subtest of judgement (p < 0.01) and CSF levels of Aβ1‐42 (p < 0.001), total tau (p < 0.001) and P‐tau181p (p < 0.01). Lower CSF levels of Aβ1‐42, total tau and P‐tau181p were significantly related to worsening of some motor and/or cognitive functions. The CSF level of O‐αS showed no correlation with any motor and cognitive assessments or with CSF levels of the other proteins.ConclusionCSF levels of αS are correlated with some clinical symptoms and CSF levels of other pathogenic proteins in drug‐naïve PD patients. These correlations suggest a central role for interaction and aggregation of αS with Aβ1‐42, tau, and phosphorylated tau in the pathogenesis of PD. Although O‐αS has been shown to have neurotoxic effects, CSF levels do not reflect clinical symptoms or levels of other proteins in cross‐sectional assessment.
Atrophy patterns of hippocampal subfields in T2DM patients with cognitive impairment
Authors: Xu Yun , Zhao Hui , Li Mengchun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo identify the volume changes of hippocampus subfields in T2DM patients with cognitive impairment and to determine whether these atrophy patterns in hippocampal subfields are associated with different cognitive domain functional impairment.MethodA total of 117 individuals were recruited, including T2DM patients with cognitive impairment (T2DM‐CI) (n=34), T2DM patients without cognitive impairment (T2DM‐nonCI) (n=36) and normal controls (NC) (n=47). Hippocampal and subfield volumes were assessed using structural magnetic resonance (MR) scans Structural MR images were processed by the FreeSurfer 6.0 image analysis. Then, further correlation analyses were used to estimate the relationship between the cognitive domain and hippocampal subfield volume.ResultThe total hippocampal volume was smaller in the T2DM patient groups, especially in the T2DM‐CI group, than in the NC group. Regarding the hippocampal subfields, among the three groups, the volumes of the left subiculum, presubiculum, and fimbria and the right CA1 and molecular layer HP were significantly decreased in the T2DM‐CI group (all P values <0.05/12). Partial correlation analyses showed that the volumes of the left subiculum, left fimbria and left presubiculum were most strongly related to executive function. The right hippocampal CA1 volume was significantly correlated with memory (P values <0.05). The levels of blood glucose had no relationship with cognitive functionConclusionOur results indicated that atrophy was heterogeneous across the hippocampal subregions of T2DM patients with cognitive impairment. Among these subregions, the smaller volumes of the left subiculum, left fimbria and left presubiculum were significantly associated with lower executive function, the atrophy of the right CA1 seemed to be related to memory impairment.
A randomized control trial of activity scheduling to reduce the impact of the caring role on older adults with dementia
Authors: Ho‐yin Lai Frank 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundParticipating in meaningful activities is important to an individual’s wellbeing. Activity scheduling enables older adults with dementia and their spouse caregivers to structure their activities consistently in the directions they value.MethodThis was a 12‐week single‐blinded randomized control trial using a parallel group experimental design study. Community‐dwelling older adults with mild to moderate dementia and their spouses received the community health education program during the first two‐weeks. Then the participants were randomly assigned to one of the two groups for the following 10 weeks. In the control group, participants received 10 weekly education sessions on dementia care education. In the experimental group, participants received the same dementia care education program plus activity scheduling offered by occupational therapists with the intervention focused on scheduling events that are pleasant and improving communication.ResultFrom August 2018 to August 2019, 50 couples completed the intervention. The activity scheduling showed improvements with respect to alleviating the impact of the caregiving role, reducing the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, decreasing the caring demand and generally improving the quality of life. A significant difference between the two groups was shown regarding the impact of the caring role, and the alleviation of disruption and depression behavior, with an effect size of .61 (95% CI = .39‐.67), .45 (95% CI = .35‐.71) and .50 (95% CI = .35‐.71) respectively. The differences between the groups indicated the experimental group showed an improvement over time in alleviating the role of caring, with Cohen’s d = .64 (95% CI : .38 to .78), and alleviating disruption and depression behavior, with an effect size of .45 (95% CI = .38‐.52) and .50 (95% CI = .43‐.59) respectively. Moreover, the number of caring hours needed, dropping from 6.98 to 5.98 hours in the experimental group.ConclusionActivity Scheduling is straightforward to administer and personalized in nature. There were significant reductions in caregiving demand. Through proper coaching and regular facilitation, AS can help caregivers create pleasant events in their daily living and quality of life of people receiving care can be much enhanced.