bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epilepsy centers in China: Current status and ways forward
Authors: Lin Yicong , Hu Shimin , Hao Xueya , Duan Lirong , Wang Wei , Zhou Dong , Wang Xuefeng , Xiao Bo , Liu Xiaoyan , Wang Yi , Zhou Liemin , Fu Xianming , Jiang Yuwu , Zhang Jianguo , Deng Yanchun , Wang Wenzhi , Wu Xun , Fang Xianghua , Hong Zhen , Li Shichuo , Wang Yuping ,   for the Commission on Standardized Development of Epilepsy Centers, China Association Against Epilepsy
Published: September 2021

SummaryObjectiveChina has the largest population of patients with epilepsy worldwide, which imposes a heavy burden on the public and health care systems. Several epidemiological surveys on epilepsy have been performed in China. Although these surveys grossly describe the prevalence and gap in treatment of epilepsy, the status of epilepsy centers is unclear. The number of epilepsy centers has increased substantially in recent decades. Therefore, a nationwide investigation of the scale and distribution, personnel, equipment, and epilepsy care capacity of each epilepsy center is of great value.MethodsIn 2017–2018, a multicenter cross‐sectional survey was performed by the Commission on Standardized Development of Epilepsy Centers, China Association Against Epilepsy in 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. The survey consisted of 74 questions divided into four sections: (1) overview, (2) personnel, (3) essential equipment and facilities, and (4) epilepsy care service capacity. The questions ranged from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.ResultsThere were 358 epilepsy centers for the 1.38 billion national population in 2016. Three quarters were in the eastern and western regions, and >90% were in tertiary hospitals. There were 9688 doctors engaged in epilepsy care, and 4.8% of doctors and electrophysiological physicians/technicians passed the national test for electroencephalography technical accreditation. A total of 9667 patients underwent resective surgeries in 2016. There were 888 vagus nerve stimulation procedures and 275 deep brain stimulation procedures.SignificanceThis study is the first unique survey of epilepsy centers in China. Despite their rapid development, epilepsy centers cannot meet patients' needs at this stage. The results provide data‐based evidence for the formulation of policies related to epilepsy service planning.
Does the presence of a conspecific increase or decrease fear? Neophobia and habituation in zebra finches
Authors: St. Lawrence Sophia , Rojas‐Ferrer Isabel , Morand‐Ferron Julie 
Published: September 2021

AbstractNeophobia, defined as the fear of novelty, can be exhibited when individuals encounter unfamiliar stimuli in their environment. Neophobia has been shown to both increase and decrease when individuals are with conspecifics. An increase in latency to contact new objects can be explained by the negotiation hypothesis, which proposes that individuals in groups will negotiate who will approach novelty first, thereby delaying the first contact. This negotiation process could co‐occur with and mask a potential effect of risk dilution, where individuals in groups should approach novel objects faster due to lower perceived risk in a social than non‐social context. Here, we aimed to test the risk dilution hypothesis using an experimental set‐up that precluded negotiation among group members by physically separating dyads during social trials. We presented zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) with different novel objects in both social and non‐social contexts. We also repeated the presentation of each object to investigate, for the first time to our knowledge, the effect of social context on the change in neophobia over repeated encounters (i.e., habituation). We found that social context increased the latency to approach a novel object upon first presentation of objects (i.e., increased neophobia), but these latencies decreased faster over repeated presentations of the objects (i.e., faster habituation) compared to the non‐social context. These results do not provide support for the risk dilution hypothesis regarding first encounters with objects (neophobia) but seem to support it over repeated object presentations (habituation). This suggests that the effect of social context is different on neophobia and habituation, possibly because they recruit different cognitive mechanisms. Future studies should investigate the impact of ecological and social conditions on decision‐making upon first versus subsequent encounters with a novel object in social animals, as both processes can impact fitness costs and benefits of novelty responses.
Non‐invasive evaluation of subjective sensitive skin by transcriptomics using mRNA in skin surface lipids
Authors: Uehara Yuya , Inoue Takayoshi , Ota Noriyasu , Ikeda Shigaku , Murase Takatoshi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSensitive skin is a condition characterized by hypersensitivity to environmental stimuli, and its pathophysiology has not been fully elucidated. Questionnaires based on subjective symptoms, intervention tests, and measuring devices are used to diagnose sensitive skin; however, objective evaluation methods, including biomarkers, remain to be established. This study aimed to investigate the molecular profiles of self‐reported sensitive skin, understand its pathophysiology and explore its biomarkers. Here, we analysed RNAs in skin surface lipids (SSL‐RNAs), which can be obtained non‐invasively by wiping the skin surface with an oil‐blotting film, to compare the transcriptome profiles between questionnaire‐based “sensitive” (n = 11) and “non‐sensitive” (n = 10) skin participants. Exactly 417 differentially expressed genes in SSL‐RNAs from individuals with sensitive skin were identified, of which C‐C motif chemokine ligand 17 and interferon‐γ pathways were elevated, while 50 olfactory receptor (OR) genes were downregulated. The expression of the detectable 101 OR genes was lower in individuals with sensitive skin compared to that in those with non‐sensitive skin and was particularly associated with the subjective sensitivity among skin conditions. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve demonstrated that the mean expression levels of OR genes in SSL‐RNAs could discriminate subjective skin sensitivity with an area under the ROC curve of 0.836. SSL‐RNA profiles suggest a mild inflammatory state in sensitive skin, and overall OR gene expression could be a potential indicator for sensitive skin.
Global gross nitrification rates are dominantly driven by soil carbon‐to‐nitrogen stoichiometry and total nitrogen
Authors: Elrys Ahmed S. , Wang Jing , Metwally Mohamed A. S. , Cheng Yi , Zhang Jin‐Bo , Cai Zu‐Cong , Chang Scott X. , Müller Christoph 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSoil gross nitrification (GN) is a critical process in the global nitrogen (N) cycle that results in the formation of nitrate through microbial oxidation of ammonium or organic N, and can both increase N availability to plants and nitrous oxide emissions. Soil GN is thought to be mainly controlled by soil characteristics and the climate, but a comprehensive analysis taking into account the climate, soil characteristics, including microbial characteristics, and their interactions to better understand the direct and indirect controlling factors of GN rates globally is lacking. Using a global meta‐analysis based on 901 observations from 330 15N‐labeled studies, we show that GN differs significantly among ecosystem types, with the highest rates found in croplands, in association with higher pH which stimulates nitrifying bacteria activities. Autotrophic and heterotrophic nitrifications contribute 63% and 37%, respectively, to global GN. Soil GN increases significantly with soil total N, microbial biomass, and soil pH, but decreases significantly with soil carbon (C) to N ratio (C:N). Structural equation modeling suggested that GN is mainly controlled by C:N and soil total N. Microbial biomass and pH are also important factors controlling GN and their effects are similar. Precipitation and temperature affect GN by altering C:N and/or soil total N. Soil total N and temperature drive heterotrophic nitrification, whereas C:N and pH drive autotrophic nitrification. Moreover, GN is positively related to nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide emissions. This synthesis suggests that changes in soil C:N, soil total N, microbial population size, and/or soil pH due to anthropogenic activities may influence GN, which will affect nitrate accumulation and gaseous emissions of soils under global climate and land‐use changes.
Climate change and deforestation increase the vulnerability of Amazonian forests to post‐fire grass invasion
Authors: De Faria Bruno L. , Staal Arie , Silva Carlos A. , Martin Philip A. , Panday Prajjwal K. , Dantas Vinicius L. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAimWe aimed to evaluate the vulnerability of the Amazon forest to post‐fire grass invasion under present and future climate scenarios.LocationAmazon Basin.Time period1981–2017 and 2070–2099.Major taxa studiedPlants.MethodsWe combined a fire–ecosystem model with remote sensing data and empirically‐derived equations to evaluate the effects of a high‐intensity fire (i.e., during an extreme drought) and logging in forest edges on tree canopy, and exotic grass cover under present and unmitigated climate change scenarios. We also contrasted simulated vegetation recovery time (as a function of climate variability) and current fire return intervals to identify areas in which fire–grass feedbacks could lock the system in a grass‐dominated state.ResultsUnder current climatic conditions, 14% of the Amazon was found to be vulnerable to post‐fire grass invasion, with the south‐eastern Amazon at the highest risk of invasion. We found that under unmitigated climate change, by the end of the century, 21% of the Amazon would be vulnerable to post‐fire grass invasion. In 3% of the Amazon, fire return intervals are already shorter than the time required for grass exclusion by canopy recovery, implying a high risk of irreversible shifts to a fire‐maintained degraded forest grassy state. The south‐eastern region of the Amazon is currently at highest risk of irreversible degradation.Main conclusionsAlthough resilience is evident in areas with low fire activity, increased fire frequency and intensity could push large Amazon forest areas towards a tipping point, causing transitions to states with low tree and high grass cover.
The recurrence rate ofHelicobacter pyloriin recent 10 years: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhao Haitong , Yan Peijing , Zhang Na , Feng Lufang , Chu Xiajing , Cui Gecheng , Qin Yu , Yang Chaoqun , Wang Shizhong , Yang Kehu 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo update and evaluate the recurrence rate ofHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) eradication therapy in recent 10 years.MethodsA systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and Web of science was performed to identify the studies of recurrence rate ofH. pyloripublished from 2010 to 2019. Stata 15.0 was used for analysis.ResultsA total of 31 studies (16,797 participants) were analyzed. The recurrence rate ofH. pyloriwas 9% (95% CI, 8–11%), and it showed an upward trend with the time elapsed after eradication. The annual recurrence rate was 4%, and there was a stable trend with the time elapsed after eradication. Subgroup analyses showed that the recurrence rate ofH. pylorieradication by triple therapy was higher than that of quadruple therapy (14% [95% CI, 9–19] vs 12% [95% CI, 7–17]); urban was higher than that of rural (8% [95% CI, 1–14] vs 5% [95% CI, 1–9]); males were higher than that of females (11% [95% CI, 8–14] vs 10% [95% CI, 7–14]); Europe had the highest recurrence rate (16% [95% CI, −1 to 42]), and Africa had the lowest (1% [95% CI, 0–2]). The recurrence rate ofH. pyloriwas inversely related to the human development index.ConclusionsThe recurrence rate ofH. pylorishowed an increasing trend in recent 10 years, and it is still a knotty public health problem worldwide. The recurrence rate ofH. pylorishowed an upward trend with the time elapsed after eradication, and the recurrence rate ofH. pylorivaries by area, gender, and eradication methods.
Higher education widening access initiatives—An estimation of wage returns from Scottish Articulation
Authors: Lalley Christopher , Adetutu Morakinyo O. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWe estimate the wage returns of undergraduates who attained their degree via Scotland's Further Education College Articulation policy. We contribute to existing literature by adding to the research on varying returns based on paths to acquiring a degree, while also being the first paper to examine the returns associated with Scottish Articulation. While Articulation students receive a wage premium relative to college students, we find lower returns for Articulation students relative to those from older and higher ranking university institutions in Scotland. This result questions whether improving educational equality, translates to improved income equality between low versus higher income backgrounds.
Research on the factors that influence patients with colorectal cancer participating in the prevention and control of surgical site infection: Based on the extended theory of planned behaviour
Authors: Yao Lili , Xiao Mingzhao , Luo Yetao , Yan Lupei , Zhao Qinghua , Li Yuerong 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe most common and severe type of nosocomial infection in patients with colorectal cancer is surgical site infection (SSI). Patient‐related factors are an important components of SSI. So it is necessary to participate in SSI prevention and control. It is important to identify the factors that influence patients' participation behaviour and to explore the mechanism of these effects.MethodsA total of 580 patients with colorectal cancer completed relevant measures. Based on the extended theory of planned behaviour, a structural equation model was used to analyse the relationship among the influencing factors.ResultsThe factors influencing participation of patients with colorectal cancer in SSI prevention and control were participation intention, participation ability, self‐efficacy, participation attitude, perceived medical staff support, trust in physicians and social support. The direct effect coefficients of participation intention, participation ability and physician trust on SSI prevention and control behaviour were 0.67, 0.21 and 0.11, respectively. Self‐efficacy, participation attitude, perceived medical staff support and social support indirectly affect participation behaviour through participation intention, and their effect values are 0.21, 0.11, 0.11 and 0.08, respectively.ConclusionsBased on the structural equation model developed in this study, targeted intervention measures should be implemented to mobilize the intention and enthusiasm of patients with colorectal cancer to participate in the prevention and control of SSI.Patient or Public ContributionPatients or public contribute to spreading research findings, and promote broad participation in the implementation of policies or strategies.
Insights into how Malaysian adults with limited health literacy self‐manage and live with asthma: A Photovoice qualitative study
Authors: Salim Hani , Young Ingrid , Lee Ping Yein , Shariff‐Ghazali Sazlina , Pinnock Hilary ,   RESPIRE collaboration
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundAdjusting to life with a chronic condition is challenging, especially for people with limited health literacy, which is associated with low compliance with self‐management activities and poor clinical outcomes.ObjectiveWe explored how people with limited health literacy understand asthma and undertake self‐management practices.DesignWe adapted the arts‐based qualitative methodology Photovoice.Setting and ParticipantsWe sampled ethnically diverse adults with asthma and limited health literacy from four primary healthcare clinics in Malaysia. After a semistructured in‐depth interview, a subset of participants took part in the Photovoice component in which participants undertook a 2‐week photo‐taking activity and subsequent photo‐interview. Interviews, conducted in participants' preferred language, were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated and analysed thematically. We used the Sorensen's framework (Domains: access, understand, appraise, apply) to describe participants' experience of living with asthma, what they understood about asthma and how they decided on self‐management practices.ResultsTwenty‐six participants provided interviews; eight completed the Photovoice activities. Participants with limited health literacy used various sources to access information about asthma and self‐management. Doctor–patient communication had a pivotal role in helping patients understand asthma. The lack of appraisal skills was significant and experiential knowledge influenced how they applied information. Self‐management decisions were influenced by sociocultural norms/practices, stigmatizing experiences, and available social support.ConclusionLocally tailored multilevel interventions (interpersonal, health system, community and policy) will be needed to support people with limited health literacy to live optimally with their asthma in an ethnically diverse population.Patient/Public ContributionPatients were involved in the study design, recruitment, analysis and dissemination.
Comparative study of titanate syntheses by the organic steric entrapment method
Authors: Rosczyk Benjamin R. , Lee Sang‐Jin , Kriven Waltraud M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractHomogeneous and stable, one‐, two‐, and three‐component titanate powders can be synthesized by an ethylene glycol or polyvinyl alcohol steric entrapment method. The powders synthesized were titania (TiO2), and titanates of barium (BaTiO3), strontium (SrTiO3), aluminum (Al2TiO5), dysprosium (Dy2O5), calcium (CaTiO3) as well as lead zirconate titanate of stoichiometry Pb(Zr0.44Ti0.56)O3or “PZT.” Titanium isopropoxide and other metal ionic salts were dissolved in ethylene glycol without any precipitation, where the organic carrier, ethylene glycol, sterically entrapped and immobilized the metal ions. At the optimum amount of polymer, the metal ions were dispersed in solution and a homogeneous polymeric network was formed. The ternary PZT compound was prepared by an aqueous route, where water soluble Pb and Zr cations were dissolved in a polyvinyl alcohol solution containing titania nanoparticles around which the aqueous phase precipitated upon water removal. This method is a relatively simple process for making any titanate oxides of complex chemistry.
Temperature‐stable BaAl2Si2O8–CaSnSiO5 microwave dielectric ceramics
Authors: Zhou Hai‐Tao , Xu Zhe‐Nan , Yan Jian‐Yun , Huang Hao , Guo Yan‐Bo , Du Kang , Lu Wen‐Zhong , Lei Wen 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn the present study, (1 − x)BaAl2Si2O8−xCaSnSiO5−y wt.% LiF microwave dielectric ceramics were prepared through the traditional solid‐state sintering at 950−1395°C for 5 h. The BaAl2Si2O8 phase could coexist with the CaSnSiO5 phase at (1 − x)BaAl2Si2O8−xCaSnSiO5 (.2 ≤ x ≤ .6) ceramics, and no other secondary phase was observed. The CaSnSiO5, as a τf regulator, adjusted the negative τf value of BaAl2Si2O8 to near zero. Excellent microwave dielectric properties (εr = 8.1, Q × f = 37 560 GHz, and τf = −1.5 ppm/°C) were obtained from the 0.6BaAl2Si2O8−0.4CaSnSiO5 ceramic. The sintering temperature of 0.6BaAl2Si2O8−0.4CaSnSiO5 ceramic decreased from 1375°C to 950°C by introducing 2 wt.% LiF. The 0.6BaAl2Si2O8−0.4CaSnSiO5−2 wt% LiF ceramic exhibited remarkable microwave dielectric properties (εr = 7.6, Q × f = 17 420 GHz, and τf = −12.2 ppm/°C) and could be applied to the low‐temperature co‐fired ceramic (LTCC) field.
Microstructures and corrosion behavior of HVOF‐sprayed WC‐12%Cr3C2‐6%Ni coatings before and after sealing
Authors: Liu Yu‐Wan , Sun Wan‐Chang , Tian Sha‐Sha , Xiao Yan , Jia Ya‐Peng 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe WC‐12%Cr3C2‐6%Ni coatings are prepared by high‐velocity oxygen‐fuel spraying technology on 42CrMo steel substrate, and then the sealing treatment is carried out by sol‐gel aluminum phosphate inorganic sealing agent. The composition, phase structure, morphologies, and porosities of the coatings are characterized by energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and metallographic gray‐scale methods. Results show that the corrosion current density and corrosion rates of WC‐12%Cr3C2‐6%Ni coatings in different media are lessened by the aluminum phosphate sealing treatment, which can improve the corrosion resistance of the coating. The corrosion rates of unsealed and sealed coatings immersed in 3.5% Na2SO4 solution at 35℃ for 28 days are 0.99 and 0.38 g·m–2·h–1, and the porosity of the coatings is significantly decreased by the aluminum phosphate sealing treatment, which is lower than 2%. During the immersion corrosion, the sealed and unsealed coatings surface form oxide films with different compositions, which can slow down the corrosion along the normal direction of the coating surface in the process of continuous destruction and regeneration, and no obvious coating/substrate interface corrosion occurs.
Enhanced high‐temperature resistance and magnetic property of SiFeC nanocomposites containing a small amount of boron
Authors: Yang Le , Feng Yao , Riedel Ralf , Yu Zhaoju 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this paper, the boron‐modified polyferrocenylcarbosilanes (namely HBPFCS‐Bs) with hyperbranched structure, as single‐source‐precursors, were successfully prepared by using 9‐borabicyclo [3, 3, 1] nonane (9‐BBN) and polyferrocenylcarbosilanes (HBPFCSs) as starting materials. The obtained HBPFCS‐Bs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC), providing that the boron element can be introduced into the HBPFCS chains by the hydroboration (B‐H/C = C) reaction. Then, the structural evolution of HBPFCS‐Bs and the boron‐containing SiFeC ceramics at different temperatures (1100–1500°C) was further investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the incorporation of a small amount of boron (1 wt%) into precursors significantly improves the properties of the final ceramics, including the significant increase of the ceramic yield, enhanced high‐temperature resistance, as well as the higher ceramic densification. Finally, the saturation magnetization of the HBPFCS‐Bs‐derived ceramics was also enhanced by the introduction of boron.
Pressureless joining of SiC ceramics with magnesia‐alumina‐silica glass ceramics
Authors: Malik Rohit , Ryu Eui‐Hyoun , Kim Young‐Wook 
Published: September 2021

AbstractLiquid phase sintered SiC ceramics were joined using magnesia‐alumina‐silica (MAS) glass‐ceramic fillers without applied pressure. Four different filler compositions with 9.3–25.2 wt.% MgO, 20.7–33.6 wt.% Al2O3, and 49.2–68.1 wt.% SiO2 were studied. The effects of filler composition and joining temperature (1450–1600°C) on the joint strength were investigated. All compositions exhibited an optimum joining temperature at which the maximum joint strength was obtained. A low joining temperature resulted in poor wetting of the SiC substrate due to the high viscosity of the filler. Whereas a high joining temperature caused dewetting and large unfilled sections in the interlayer due to the deleterious interfacial reactions. The joint strength was inversely proportional to the interlayer thickness, which was a function of filler composition and joining temperature. The SiC ceramic joined at 1525°C with MgO‐25 wt.% Al2O3‐60 wt.% SiO2 filler exhibited a four‐point bending strength of 286 ± 40 MPa.