bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of Tail Feather Traits to Determine Sex of Adult Grey-faced Buzzards (Butastur indicus)
Authors: Horita Masaki , Imamori Tatsuya , Natsukawa Haruki , Nonaka Jun 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACT
Sex identification is an important research topic in avian ecology because easy and accurate sex identification is useful for studies of evolution, behavior, and population dynamics. We used field photographs to measure the markings on the tail feathers of adult Grey-faced Buzzards (Butastur indicus) breeding in Japan to elucidate the attributes that allow individual sex determination. We labeled the dark, horizontal bands B1, B2, and B3, starting from the tip of the tail feathers and proceeding toward the base; we designated the light, horizontal band between B1 and B2 as W1, and the light, horizontal band between B2 and B3 as W2. To clarify the difference between the tail feathers of the sexes, we measured the ratio of W2 to W1 (W2/W1) of the right tail feather 3, right tail feather 4, left tail feather 3, and left tail feather 4, and calculated the average of these four values (average W2/W1). We tested these ratios using the Brunner-Munzel test to determine whether they discriminated the sexes. We found that the four individual feather ratios differed significantly between males and females. In addition, males and females could be reliably distinguished using the average W2/W1. This method can be widely used for fast, non-invasive sexing of Grey-faced Buzzards because it does not require sophisticated techniques.
AN EXAMINATION OF NURSES’ ACCEPTANCE OF MOBILE HEALTH APPLICATIONS
Authors: KÜRTÜNCÜ Meltem , KURT Aylin , ARSLAN Nurten 
Published: November 2021

Purpose: We aimed to examine the relationship between nurses’ views about mobile health applications and acceptance of mobile applications.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 321 nurses in a Health Practices and Research Center over the period March-July 2020. Data were collected with the “Personal Data Form” and the “Mobile Applications Acceptance Model (MAAM).”
Results: Among the nurses in the study, 97.2% believed that mobile health applications should be put to more use in the hospitals. The total mean score of the nurses on MAAM was 124.69 ± 15.98, and the highest score (28.78 ± 3.23) among the subscales was in “Needs”. Nurses under the age of 30, those who worked in intensive care units, and those who owned a mobile device exhibited higher total mean scores on the MAAM (p < 0.05). The MAAM total mean scores were higher among those who thought MHA’s should be made more widespread (p < 0.04), who felt that MHA’s were effective in accessing individual health data (p < 0.001), who felt that using MHA’s was easy (p = 0.022), who believed that using MHA’s helped patients access health services without having to come to the hospital (p < 0.001) and who wanted to help patients obtain health services without coming to the hospital (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Opportunities should be created whereby nurses can use mobile health applications in the hospitals. If this can be achieved, there will be a faster and more improved provision of health services.
Analysis of Selected Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy and the Most Frequent Cardiomyopathies
Authors: Topf Albert , Mirna Moritz , Bacher Nina , Paar Vera , Motloch Lukas J. , Ohnewein Bernhard , Larbig Robert , Grueninger Janine , Hoppe Uta C. , Lichtenauer Michael , Pistulli Rudin 
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Among the causes of de novo diagnosed cardiomyopathy, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) plays a minor role, with an occurrence of 50,000–100,000 cases per annum in the United States. In clinical practice, a differentiation of a TTC toward an ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICMP) or a dilatative cardiomyopathy (DCMP) appears to be challenging, especially in a subacute setting or in atypical types of TTC.Methods: To investigate this issue, we analyzed serum levels of sST2, GDF-15, suPAR, HFABP, and clinical parameters including echocardiography in 51 patients with TTC, 52 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICMP) and 65 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP).Results: sST-2 seemed to be the most promising biomarker for prediction of a TTC in differential diagnosis to an ICMP (AUC: 0.879, p = &lt; 0.001, Cut off values: 12,140.5 pg/ml) or to a DCMP (AUC: 0.881, p = &lt; 0.001, cut off value: 14521.9 pg/ml). GDF-15 evidenced a slightly lower AUC for prediction of a TTC in differential diagnosis to an ICMP (AUC: 0.626, p = 0.028) and to a DCMP (AUC: 0.653, p = 0.007). A differential diagnostic value was found for H-FABP in the prediction of a DCMP compared to TTC patients (AUC: 0.686, p = &lt; 0.001). In propensity score matching for left ventricular ejection fraction, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors, differences in the plasma levels of sST2 and H-FABP in the matched cohort of TTC vs. DCMP remained statistically significant. In the matched cohort of TTC vs. ICMP, differences in sST2 also remained statistically significantConclusion: As medical therapy, long term prognosis, interval of follow-ups, rehabilitation program and recommendations differ completely between TTC and ICMP/DCMP, biomarkers for differential diagnosis, or rather for confirmation of diagnosis, are warranted in cases of cardiomyopathies with unsure origin. sST-2, GDF-15 and H-FABP might facilitate the classification.
Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Coronary Collateral Circulation: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Pei Junyu , Wang Xiaopu , Xing Zhenhua 
Published: November 2021

Objective: Patients with well-developed coronary collateral circulation (CC) usually have low mortality, improved cardiac function, and reduced infarct size. Currently, there is conflicting evidence on the association between traditional cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, and smoking habit) and CC.Design: We performed a meta-analysis of case-control studies to better understand such associations.Data Sources: We searched the MEDINE, EMBASE, and Science Citation Index databases to identify relevant studies.Eligibility Criteria for Selecting Studies: Case control studies reporting data on risk factors (smoking habit, hypertension, and diabetes mellites) in comparing cases between poor CC and well-developed CC groups. Well-developed CC was the primary outcome of this meta-analysisData Extraction and Synthesis: Relevant data were extracted by two independent investigators. We derived pooled odds ratios (ORs) with random effects models. We performed quality assessments, publication bias, and sensitivity analysis to ensure the reliability of our results.Results: In total, 18 studies that had 4,746 enrolled patients were analyzed. Our results showed that hypertension and smoking habit did not (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.75–1.17, p = 0.564 and OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.84–1.18, p = 0.970, respectively), and diabetes did (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.38–0.67, p = 0.00001) affect the development of CC.Conclusion: Unlike hypertension and smoking habit, diabetes was associated with poor CC formation.Trial Registration Number:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=87821, identifier: CRD42018087821.
Serum Uric Acid and Cardiovascular or All-Cause Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Liu Zhi-qiang , Huang Zhi-wen , Kang Shu-ling , Hu Chan-chan , Chen Fa , He Fei , Lin Zheng , Yang Feng , Hu Zhi-jian 
Published: November 2021

Background: Studies have shown inconsistent associations between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. We conducted this meta-analysis to determine whether SUA levels were associated with cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in PD patients.Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Database, and trial registry databases were systematically searched up to April 11, 2021. Cohort studies of SUA levels and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in PD patients were obtained. Random effect models were used to calculate the pooled adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the pooled results. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Funnel plots, Begg's tests, and Egger's tests were conducted to evaluate potential publication bias. The GRADE approach was used to rate the certainty of evidence. This study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021268739.Results: Seven studies covering 18,113 PD patients were included. Compared with the middle SUA levels, high SUA levels increased the risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.74, 95%CI: 1.26–2.40, I2 = 34.8%, τ2 = 0.03), low SUA levels were not statistically significant with the risk of all-cause or cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.04, 95%CI: 0.84–1.29, I2 = 43.8%, τ2 = 0.03; HR = 0.89, 95%CI: 0.65–1.23, I2 = 36.3%, τ2 = 0.04; respectively). Compared with the low SUA levels, high SUA levels were not statistically associated with an increased risk of all-cause or cardiovascular mortality (HR = 1.19, 95%CI: 0.59–2.40, I2 = 88.2%, τ2 = 0.44; HR = 1.22, 95%CI: 0.39–3.85, I2 = 89.3%, τ2 = 0.92; respectively).Conclusion: Compared with middle SUA levels, high SUA levels are associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in PD patients. SUA levels may not be associated with cardiovascular mortality. More high-level studies, especially randomized controlled trials, are needed to determine the association between SUA levels and cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in PD patients.Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021268739, identifier: CRD42021268739.
SBAS-InSAR-Based Analysis of Surface Deformation in the Eastern Tianshan Mountains, China
Authors: Du Qingsong , Li Guoyu , Chen Dun , Zhou Yu , Qi Shunshun , Wu Gang , Chai Mingtang , Tang Liyun , Jia Hailiang , Peng Wanlin 
Published: November 2021

Due to the unique geographical characteristics of cold alpine and high-altitude regions, glaciers, permafrost, ground ice, rock glaciers, and other periglacial geomorphology have developed with fragile habitats, and these areas are often the birthplaces of many river basins and natural hazards. With global warming and the extensive cryogenesis and physical weathering, the thermal state of permafrost and the mass balance of glaciers have been changed, and thus it can be deduced that the surface deformation is of great concern. To obtain ground subsidence or uplift over a large area to understand local surface changes, the small baseline subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SBAS-InSAR) technique was applied to process 89-scene of Sentinel-1A images ranging from December 25, 2017 to January 2, 2021 to obtain surface deformation for these 3 years for the eastern Tianshan Mountains, China. The surface deformation characteristics of the area were analyzed to provide a basic dataset for environmental protection policies and mitigation or reduction of natural hazards in this region, and to verify the applicability of SBAS-InSAR technology in alpine and high-altitude areas. The results show that the SBAS-InSAR technique processing with sentinel-1A dataset cannot be effectively used to acquire ground deformation in areas covered by trees, scrub/shrub, glaciers, snow, and ground ice, where the decohered phenomenon is serious. In other regions, SBAS-InSAR can effectively measure surface subsidence or uplift. Surface deformation is significant throughout the study area, with rates ranging from −70.7 to 50.8 mm/a and with an average rate of 1.1 mm/a. There are obvious regions of uplift in the northwest, northeast, and central sections of the study area, with uplift greater than 155.73 mm in 3 years, and three obvious regions of subsidence in the northeast and west sections of the study area, with subsidence of at least −125.20 mm in 3 years. The remaining areas of deformation are scattered, with smaller amounts of settlement and uplift and with an isolated and sporadic distribution. Areas with elevations of 3,150 to 4,275 m.a.s.l., slopes of 15°–50°, and southwest, west, and northwest aspects are geologic disaster-prone regions and should receive more attention and more field monitoring. The results of this study have important implications for local environmental protection and hazard prevention.
A Group Intervention for Individuals With Obesity and Comorbid Binge Eating Disorder: Results From a Feasibility Study
Authors: Eik-Nes Trine T. , Vrabel KariAnne , Raman Jayanthi , Clark Melinda Rose , Berg Kjersti Hognes 
Published: November 2021

PurposeA common challenge among a subgroup of individuals with obesity is binge eating, that exists on a continuum from mild binge eating episodes to severe binge eating disorder (BED). BED is common among bariatric patients and the prevalence of disordered eating and ED in bariatric surgery populations is well known. Conventional treatments and assessment of obesity seldom address the underlying psychological mechanisms of binge eating and subsequent obesity. This study, titled PnP (People need People) is a psychoeducational group pilot intervention for individuals with BED and obesity including patients with previous bariatric surgery. Design, feasibility, and a broad description of the study population is reported.Material and MethodsA total of 42 patients were from an obesity clinic referred to assessment and treatment with PnP in a psychoeducational group setting (3-hour weekly meetings for 10 weeks). Of these, 6 (14.3%) patients had a previous history of bariatric surgery. Feasibility was assessed by tracking attendance, potentially adverse effects and outcome measures including body mass index (BMI), eating disorder pathology, overvaluation of shape and weight, impairment, self-reported childhood difficulties, alexithymia, internalized shame as well as health related quality of life (HRQoL).ResultsAll 42 patients completed the intervention, with no adverse effects and a high attendance rate with a median attendance of 10 sessions, 95% CI (8.9,9.6) and 0% attrition. Extent of psychosocial impairment due to eating disorder pathology, body dissatisfaction and severity of ED symptoms were high among the patients at baseline. Additionally, self-reported childhood difficulties, alexithymia, and internalized shame were high among the patients and indicate a need to address underlying psychological mechanisms in individuals with BED and comorbid obesity. Improvement of HRQoL and reduction of binge eating between baseline and the end of the intervention was observed with a medium effectConclusionThis feasibility study supports PnP as a potential group psychoeducational intervention for patients living with BED and comorbid obesity. Assessments of BED and delivery of this intervention may optimize selection of candidates and bariatric outcomes. These preliminary results warrant further investigation via a randomized control trial (RCT) to examine the efficacy and effectiveness of PnP.
Glycosylated Hemoglobin as an Age-Specific Predictor and Risk Marker of Colorectal Adenomas in Non-Diabetic Adults
Authors: Yu Xinyan , Chen Chen , Song Xiaoxiao , Guo Yi , Tong Yuling , Zhao Yi , Song Zhenya 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundDiabetes is a risk factor for colorectal neoplasms. The association between the level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and the risk of colorectal adenomas (CRAs) in non-diabetic adults needs to be investigated.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed on non-diabetic adults with normal HbA1c level who underwent colonoscopy between January 2010 and December 2016 during health check-ups in our hospital in China. The association between HbA1c level and CRAs was assessed by multiple logistic regression models stratified by age group (&lt;40, ≥40 and &lt;50, and ≥50 years old). The age group-specified thresholds for HbA1c on elevated risk of CRAs were estimated using the piecewise logistic regression.ResultsAmong the 2,764 subjects, 445 (16.1%) had CRA. The prevalence of CRA varied across the three age groups. A higher HbA1c level was found to be significantly associated with increased CRA risk in the 40–50 years group (odds ratio [OR]=1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–2.78, p=0.035) after adjusting for other related factors, while this association was borderline significant among the 50 years and older group (OR=1.57, 95% CI 0.97–2.54, p=0.067). Based on the piecewise logistic regression analysis results, the thresholds for HbA1c on elevated risk of CRA were 5.44% for the 40–50 years group and 4.81% for the 50 years and older group, respectively.ConclusionsHigher levels of HbA1c, even within the normal range, were associated with elevated CRA risk among non-diabetic adults. The threshold effects of HbA1c on the risk of CRA varied across different age groups, and early screening colonoscopy might be needed for individuals in their 40s and with HbA1c levels ≥5.44%.
An Ultra-High Temperature Stable Solar Absorber Using the ZrC-Based Cermets
Authors: Wang Jian , Wu Zuoxu , Liu Yijie , Hou Shuaihang , Ren Zhikun , Luo Yi , Liu Xingjun , Mao Jun , Zhang Qian , Cao Feng 
Published: November 2021

Exploring the spectrally selective absorbers with high optical performance and excellent thermal stability is crucial to improve the conversion efficiency of solar energy to electricity in concentrated solar power (CSP) systems. However, there are limited reports on the selective solar absorbers utilized at 900oC or above. Herein, we developed a selective absorption coating based on the ultra-high temperature ceramic ZrC and the quasi-optical microcavity (QOM) optical structure, and experimentally achieved the absorber via depositing an all-ceramic multilayer films on a stainless steel substrate by magnetron sputtering. The prepared multi-layer selective absorber demonstrates an excellent high solar absorptance of ∼0.964 due to the multi absorptance mechanisms in the QOM, and a relatively low thermal emittance of ∼0.16 (82°C). Moreover, the coating can survive at 900oC in vacuum for 100 h with a superior spectral selectivity of 0.96/0.143 (82°C) upon annealing, resulting from the introduction of ultra-high temperature ceramic ZrC in the QOM structure. Under the conditions of a stable operating temperature of 900°C and a concentration ratio of 1,000 suns, the calculated ideal conversion efficiency using this absorber can reach around 68%, exceeding most solar selective absorbers in previous reports.
Ocular Biometry of Primary Angle-Closure Disease in Younger Patients
Authors: Lin Shufen , Zuo Chengguo , Liu Yuan , Xiao Hui , Fang Lei , Su Yihua , Chen Liming , Lin Mingkai , Ling Yunlan , Liu Xing 
Published: November 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the ocular biometric parameters of primary angle-closure disease (PACD) in younger patients and compare them with those of elderly patients.Methods: This clinic-based, cross-sectional study included 154 eyes of 154 patients with PACD, consisting of 77 eyes of patients aged 40 years or younger and 77 eyes of patients older than 40. The PACD case definition was compatible with the ISGEO definition. Anterior segment parameters were measured by ultrasound biomicroscopy, axial length (AL) and lens thickness (LT) were measured by A-scan ultrasonography measurements, and the thickness of the retina and choroid were measured by optical coherence tomography. The differences in ocular biometric parameters between different age groups were compared by independent sample t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, and the correlation between the parameters and age was analyzed.Results: Compared to older PACD patients, the lens vault(LV),LV/LT and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) of younger patients were larger, while the peripheral and mean iris thickness (IT), trabecular-ciliary angle (TCA), ciliary body thickness (CBT), AL and LT were smaller (all P &lt; 0.01). There was no significant difference in anterior chamber depth, anterior chamber width, pupil diameter, angle opening distance at 500 μm from the scleral spur, anterior chamber angle and iris convexity between the two groups (all P &gt; 0.05). AL, LT, IT, TCA and CBT were positively associated with age (all P &lt; 0.001), while LV and SFCT were negatively associated with age (P = 0.027 and P &lt; 0.001, respectively).Conclusions: Compared with elderly patients, younger PACD patients had more anteriorly positioned lenses, thinner and more anteriorly rotated ciliary bodies, thicker choroids, and shorter axial length. These characteristics might be important anatomical bases for the earlier onset of PACD and the higher risk of malignant glaucoma after filtering surgery.
Effects of the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Contraction Sequence on Motor Skill Learning-Related Increases in the Maximal Rate of Wrist Flexion Torque Development
Authors: Green Lara A. , McGuire Jessica , Gabriel David A. 
Published: November 2021

Background: The proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) reciprocal contraction pattern has the potential to increase the maximum rate of torque development. However, it is a more complex resistive exercise task and may interfere with improvements in the maximum rate of torque development due to motor skill learning, as observed for unidirectional contractions. The purpose of this study was to examine the cost-benefit of using the PNF exercise technique to increase the maximum rate of torque development.Methods: Twenty-six participants completed isometric maximal extension-to-flexion (experimental PNF group) or flexion-only (control group) contractions at the wrist. Ten of the assigned contractions were performed on each of three sessions separated by 48-h for skill acquisition. Retention was assessed with 5 contractions performed 2-weeks after acquisition. Torque and surface electromyographic (sEMG) activity were analyzed for evidence of facilitated contractions between groups, as well as alterations in muscle coordination assessed across test sessions. The criterion measures were: mean maximal isometric wrist flexion toque; the maximal rate of torque development (dτ/dtmax); root-mean-square error (RMSE) variability of the rate of torque versus torque phase-plane; the rate of wrist flexion muscle activation (Q30); a coactivation ratio for wrist flexor and extensor sEMG activity; and wrist flexor electromechanical delay (EMD).Results: There were no significant differences between groups with respect to maximal wrist flexion torque, dτ/dtmax or RMSE variability of torque trajectories. Both groups exhibited a progressive increase in maximal strength (+23.35% p &lt; 0.01, η2 = 0.655) and in dτ/dtmax (+19.84% p = 0.08, η2 = 0.150) from the start of acquisition to retention. RMSE was lowest after a 2-week rest interval (−18.2% p = 0.04, η2 = 0.198). There were no significant differences between groups in the rate of muscle activation or the coactivation ratio. There was a reduction in coactivation that was retained after a 2-week rest interval (−32.60%, p = 0.02, η2 = 0.266). Alternatively, EMD was significantly greater in the experimental group (Δ 77.43%, p &lt; 0.01, η2 = 0.809) across all sessions. However, both groups had a similar pattern of improvement to the third consecutive day of testing (−16.82%, p = 0.049, η2 = 0.189), but returned close to baseline value after the 2-week rest interval.Discussion: The wrist extension-to-flexion contraction pattern did not result in a greater maximal rate of torque development than simple contractions of the wrist flexors. There was no difference between groups with respect to motor skill learning. The main adaptation in neuromotor control was a decrease in coactivation, not the maximal rate of muscle activation.