bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary function changes in older adults with and without metabolic syndrome
Authors: Brandao-Rangel Maysa Alves Rodrigues , Moraes-Ferreira Renilson , Oliveira-Junior Manoel Carneiro , Santos-Dias Alana , Bachi André Luis Lacerda , Gabriela-Pereira Giovana , de Oliveira Freitas Simone , Araújo-Rosa Amanda Cristina , Oliveira Luis Vicente Franco , Frison Claudio Ricardo , do Prado Wagner Luiz , Raju Raghavan Pillai , Balagopal P Babu , Vieira Rodolfo P 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe low-grade inflammation associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) triggers functional and structural alterations in several organs. Whereas lung function impairment is well reported for older adult population, the effect of MS on functional and immunological responses in the lungs remains unclear. In this cross-sectional study we determined whether MS alters pulmonary function, and immunological responses in older adults with MS. The study sample consisted of older adults with MS (68 ± 3 years old; n = 77) and without MS (67 ± 3 years old; n = 77). Impulse oscillometry was used to evaluate airway and tissue resistance, and reactance. Biomarkers of inflammation and fibrosis were assessed in the blood and in breath condensate. The total resistance of the respiratory system (R5Hz; p < 0.009), and the resistance of the proximal (R20Hz; p < 0.001) and distal (R5Hz–R20Hz; p < 0.004) airways were higher in MS individuals compared to those without MS. Pro-inflammatory (leptin, IL-1beta, IL-8, p < 0.001; TNF-alpha, p < 0.04) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (adiponectin, IL-1ra, IL-10, p < 0.001), anti-fibrotic (relaxin 1, relaxin 3, Klotho, p < 0.001) and pro-fibrotic (VEGF, p < 0.001) factors were increased in sera and in breath condensate individuals with MS. The results show that MS adversely affect lung mechanics, function, and immunological response in older adults. The data offer a metabolic basis for the inflammaging of the lungs and suggest the lungs as a potential therapeutic target for controlling the immune response and delaying the onset of impaired lung function in older adults with MS.
Quantum private set intersection cardinality based on bloom filter
Authors: Liu Bai , Ruan Ou , Shi Runhua , Zhang Mingwu 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPrivate Set Intersection Cardinality that enable Multi-party to privately compute the cardinality of the set intersection without disclosing their own information. It is equivalent to a secure, distributed database query and has many practical applications in privacy preserving and data sharing. In this paper, we propose a novel quantum private set intersection cardinality based on Bloom filter, which can resist the quantum attack. It is a completely novel constructive protocol for computing the intersection cardinality by using Bloom filter. The protocol uses single photons, so it only need to do some simple single-photon operations and tests. Thus it is more likely to realize through the present technologies. The validity of the protocol is verified by comparing with other protocols. The protocol implements privacy protection without increasing the computational complexity and communication complexity, which are independent with data scale. Therefore, the protocol has a good prospects in dealing with big data, privacy-protection and information-sharing, such as the patient contact for COVID-19.
Collagen V insufficiency in a mouse model for Ehlers Danlos-syndrome affects viscoelastic biomechanical properties explaining thin and brittle corneas
Authors: Kling Sabine , Torres-Netto Emilio A. , Abdshahzadeh Hormoz , Espana Edgar M. , Hafezi Farhad 
Published: August 2021

AbstractEhlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a genetic disease leading to abnormalities in mechanical properties of different tissues. Here we quantify corneal biomechanical properties in an adult classic EDS mouse model using two different measurement approaches suited for murine corneal mechanical characterization and relate differences to stromal structure using Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) microscopy. Quasi-static Optical Coherence Elastography (OCE) was conducted non-invasively during ambient pressure modulation by − 3 mmHg. 2D-extensometry measurements was conducted invasively consisting of a pre-conditioning cycle, a stress-relaxation test and a rupture test. In a total of 28 eyes from a Col5a1+/− mouse model and wild-type C57BL/6 littermates (wt), Col5a1+/− corneas were thinner when compared to wt, (125 ± 11 vs 148 ± 10 μm, respectively, p < 0.001). Short-term elastic modulus was significantly increased in OCE (506 ± 88 vs 430 ± 103 kPa, p = 0.023), and the same trend was observed in 2D-extensometry (30.7 ± 12.1 kPa vs 21.5 ± 5.7, p = 0.057). In contrast, in stress relaxation tests, Col5a1+/− corneas experienced a stronger relaxation (55% vs 50%, p = 0.01). SHG microscopy showed differences in forward and backward scattered signal indicating abnormal collagen fibrils in Col5a1+/− corneas. We propose that disturbed collagen fibril structure in Col5a1+/− corneas affects the viscoelastic properties. Results presented here support clinical findings, in which thin corneas with global ultrastructural alterations maintain a normal corneal shape.
Posterior vitreous detachment and paravascular retinoschisis in highly myopic young patients detected by ultra-widefield OCT
Authors: Takahashi Hiroyuki , Nakao Noriko , Shinohara Kosei , Sugisawa Keigo , Uramoto Kengo , Igarashi-Yokoi Tae , Yoshida Takeshi , Ohno-Matsui Kyoko 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and retinoschisis (RS) in 73 highly myopic (HM) young patients age 16.4 ± 6.9 years and 24 non-HM children age 8.4 ± 1.5 years. The presence of the paravascular retinal abnormalities was determined in the images obtained by a ultra-widefield OCT (UWF OCT) instrument with an image field of 23 × 20 mm. The results showed that a partial PVD was detected in 15 (21%) of the HM patients, and the number increased significantly with increasing age (P = 0.02). PVDs of any type were not found in the non-HM eyes. The number of microvascular folds also increased with age in the HM patients (P = 0.03). Medium-reflective columnar tissues were present between the detached vitreous and inner retinal surface in 4 (5%) eyes of the HM patients. Myopic RS was found in 3 (4%) HM patients in the paravascular area but not in the macular area. These results suggest that early partial PVD may play a role in pathological and proliferative vitreous changes of HM eyes. An intense vitreoretinal traction with bridging tissues may cause the various paravascular retinal abnormalities. In HM eyes, paravascular RS is already present at an early age which may progress to macular RS with aging.
The reproductive success of bovine sperm after sex-sorting: a meta-analysis
Authors: Reese Sven , Pirez Miguel Camara , Steele Heather , Kölle Sabine 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn the three decades since its inception, the sex-sorting technology has progressed significantly. However, field studies report conflicting findings regarding reproductive outcomes. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis of all trials published between 1999 and 2021. Non-return rates after 24 or 60 d (NRR 24/60), pregnancy, calving, abortion, and stillbirth rates were compared after AI with sex-sorted vs non-sorted sperm. Additionally, the impact of recent developments in the sex-sorting technology was assessed. Of 860 studies found, 45 studies (72 trials) provided extractable data and were included. Overall, the results of this meta-analysis provided evidence that the NRR 24/60 was diminished by 13%, pregnancy rates were reduced by 23% (25% cows, 21% heifers) and calving rates were reduced by 24% when using sex-sorted sperm. Enhancing the dosage to 4 million sex-sorted sperm/straw (including recent improvements, high vs low dose) as well as using fresh sex-sorted sperm (sorted vs non-sorted) increased pregnancy rate ratios by 7 percentage points. The refinement of the sex-sorting technology after 2015 resulted in a lowered reduction of pregnancy and calving rate of 19% and 23%, respectively. Whereas abortion rates were similar, the stillbirth of male calves was increased by 6.3%.
Impact of CBCT frequency on target coverage and dose to the organs at risk in adjuvant breast cancer radiotherapy
Authors: Borm Kai J. , Junker Yannis , Düsberg Mathias , Devečka Michal , Münch Stefan , Dapper Hendrik , Oechsner Markus , Combs Stephanie E. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe current study aims to assess the effect of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) frequency during adjuvant breast cancer radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) on target volume coverage and dose to the organs at risk (OAR). 50 breast cancer patients receiving either non-hypofractionated or hypofractionated radiotherapy after lumpectomy including a SIB to the tumor bed were selected for this study. All patients were treated in volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique and underwent daily CBCT imaging. In order to estimate the delivered dose during the treatment, the applied fraction doses were recalculated on daily CBCT scans and accumulated using deformable image registration. Based on a total of 2440 dose recalculations, dose coverage in the clinical target volumes (CTV) and OAR was compared depending on the CBCT frequency. The estimated delivered dose (V95%) for breast-CTV and SIB-CTV was significantly lower than the planned dose distribution, irrespective of the CBCT-frequency. Between daily CBCT and CBCT on alternate days, no significant dose differences were found regarding V95% for both, breast-CTV and SIB-CTV. Dose distribution in the OAR was similar for both imaging protocols. Weekly CBCT though led to a significant decrease in dose coverage compared to daily CBCT and a small but significant dose increase in most OAR. Daily CBCT imaging might not be necessary to ensure adequate dose coverage in the target volumes while efficiently sparing the OAR during adjuvant breast cancer radiotherapy with SIB.
Study on the vertical bearing performance of pile across cave and sensitivity of three parameters
Authors: Chen Hui Yun , Feng Zhong Ju , Li Tie , Bai Shao Fen , Zhang Cong 
Published: August 2021

AbstractA new method was used to study the performance of pile across cave. This paper investigated the vertical bearing characteristics of piles cross caves using centrifugal model tests and a theoretical model of sensitivity. Twelve pile scenarios were selected, the first was a conventional pile, 24 cm long and 2.5 cm in diameter, with no karst cave as a control. In the other eleven scenarios the piles passed through karst caves of four different heights, of four different spans, and three different numbers of caves. The results reveal that increasing the height, span, and number of caves all are negative for vertical ultimate bearing capacity of piles. The axial force and unit shaft resistance of piles are great different. According to the ratios of the tip and shaft resistance, caves change the type of piles. The sensitivity of vertical ultimate bearing capacity to these factors from high to low is height, number, and span of caves. Importantly, the bearing characteristics of piles decrease faster once the height of the prototype karst cave is higher than 9 m, but decreases slowly when the cave’s span is greater than 9 m × 9 m.
Health-seeking and diagnosis delay and its associated factors: a case study on COVID-19 infections in Shaanxi Province, China
Authors: Zheng Wenyuan , Kämpfen Fabrice , Huang Zhiyong 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis time-to-event study examines social factors associated with health-seeking and diagnosis of 165 COVID-19 cases in response to the pandemic spread in Shaanxi Province, China. In particular, we investigate the differential access to healthcare in terms of delayed time from symptom onset to first medical visit and subsequently to diagnosis by factors such as sex, age, travel history, and type of healthcare utilization. We show that it takes more time for patients older than 60 (against those under 30) to seek healthcare after developing symptoms (+ 2.5 days, $$p<0.01$$

p
<
0.01

), surveillance on people with living or travel history to Wuhan helps shorten the time to the first doctor visit (− 0.8 days) and diagnosis (− 2.2 days, $$p<0.01$$

p
<
0.01

). A delay cut is associated with the adoption of intermediary and large hospitals rather than community-based care as primary care choices (− 1.6 days, $$p<0.1$$

p
<
0.1

and − 2.2 days, $$p<0.05$$

p
<
0.05

). One unit increase of healthcare workers per 1000 people saves patients 0.5 days ($$p<0.1$$

p
<
0.1

) for diagnosis from the first doctor visit and 0.6 days ($$p<0.05$$

p
<
0.05

) in total. Our analysis of factors associated with the time delay for diagnosis may provide a better understanding of the health-seeking behaviors of patients and the diagnosis capacity of healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The evolution of indirect reciprocity under action and assessment generosity
Authors: Schmid Laura , Shati Pouya , Hilbe Christian , Chatterjee Krishnendu 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIndirect reciprocity is a mechanism for the evolution of cooperation based on social norms. This mechanism requires that individuals in a population observe and judge each other’s behaviors. Individuals with a good reputation are more likely to receive help from others. Previous work suggests that indirect reciprocity is only effective when all relevant information is reliable and publicly available. Otherwise, individuals may disagree on how to assess others, even if they all apply the same social norm. Such disagreements can lead to a breakdown of cooperation. Here we explore whether the predominantly studied ‘leading eight’ social norms of indirect reciprocity can be made more robust by equipping them with an element of generosity. To this end, we distinguish between two kinds of generosity. According to assessment generosity, individuals occasionally assign a good reputation to group members who would usually be regarded as bad. According to action generosity, individuals occasionally cooperate with group members with whom they would usually defect. Using individual-based simulations, we show that the two kinds of generosity have a very different effect on the resulting reputation dynamics. Assessment generosity tends to add to the overall noise and allows defectors to invade. In contrast, a limited amount of action generosity can be beneficial in a few cases. However, even when action generosity is beneficial, the respective simulations do not result in full cooperation. Our results suggest that while generosity can favor cooperation when individuals use the most simple strategies of reciprocity, it is disadvantageous when individuals use more complex social norms.
Establishment of sex difference in circulating uric acid is associated with higher testosterone and lower sex hormone-binding globulin in adolescent boys
Authors: Wang Yutang , Charchar Fadi J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMen have higher circulating levels of uric acid than women. This sex difference is suspected to be a result of suppressive effects of estradiol on uric acid. If so, estradiol would be inversely associated with circulating uric acid. This study aimed to test this hypothesis. This cross-sectional study included 9472 participants (weighted sample size of 184,342,210) aged 12–80 years from the 2013 to 2016 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Associations of sex hormones with uric acid were analyzed using weighted least squares regression, adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle risk factors, and comorbidities. Neither free nor bioavailable estradiol was inversely associated with circulating uric acid in adolescent boys or girls, or adult men or women, or perimenopausal women after full adjustment. The sex difference in uric acid was established during adolescence as a result of a dramatic increase in uric acid in adolescent boys. During adolescence, the increase in estradiol in girls over time was accompanied by a relatively unchanged level of uric acid. All three fractions of estradiol (free, bioavailable, and total) were positively associated with uric acid in adolescent boys and girls after full adjustment. In adolescent boys, all three fractions of testosterone were positively associated with serum uric acid, and sex hormone-binding globulin was inversely associated with uric acid after full adjustment. These results suggest that estradiol is not inversely associated with circulating uric acid in adolescents and the establishment of sex difference in circulating uric acid during adolescence is associated with higher testosterone and lower sex hormone-binding globulin in adolescent boys.
Superior improvement in dynamic response of liquid crystal lens using organic and inorganic nanocomposite
Authors: Hsu Che Ju , Singh Bhupendra Pratap , Selvaraj Pravinraj , Antony Mareena , Manohar Rajiv , Huang Chi Yen 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this study, the response time of a 4 mm-aperture hole-patterned liquid crystal (HLC) lens has been significantly improved with doping of N-benzyl-2-methyl-4-nitroaniline (BNA) and rutile titanium dioxide nanoparticle (TiO2 NP) nanocomposite. The proposed HLC lens provides the focus and defocus times that are 8.5× and 14× faster than the pristine HLC lens, respectively. Meanwhile, the focus and defocus times of the proposed HLC lens reach the order of millisecond. Result shows that the synergistic effect of BNA and TiO2 NP induces a 78% decrement in the viscosity of pristine LC mixture that significantly shortens the focus and defocus times of HLC lens. The remarkable decrement in viscosity is mainly attributed to spontaneous polarization electric fields from the permanent dipole moments of the additives. Besides, the strengthened electric field surrounding TiO2 NP assists in decreasing the focus time of HLC lens. The focus and defocus times of HLC lens are related to the wavefront (or phase profile) bending speed. The time-dependent phase profiles of the HLC lenses with various viscosities are calculated. This result shows the decrease in wavefront bending time is not simply proportional to viscosity decrement. Furthermore, the proposed HLC lens emerges a larger tunable focus capability within smaller voltage interval than the pristine HLC lens.
Over a century since ephedrine discovery: an updated revisit to its pharmacological aspects, functionality and toxicity in comparison to its herbal extracts
Authors: Gad Mohamed Z. , Azab Samar S. , Khattab Amira R. , Farag Mohamed A. 
Published: August 2021

Overview of the covered topics: action mechanisms for ephedrine stimulation of α and β adrenoceptor, impact of processing and combination on the pharmacokinetics of its ephedrine content, and key players in pharmacokinetics.
Unprecedented neptunyl(v) cation-directed structural variations in Np2Oxcompounds
Authors: Xu Zhong-Fei , Zhang Wen-Jing , Zhang Ping , Hu Shu-Xian 
Published: August 2021

Global minimum searching on Np2Ox (x= 1–7) clusters and computational studies on their chemical bonding, suggests that the Np(v) could act as structural directing role, leading to a mixed-valent Np(iii/v) in Np2O4accessible.
Visual Modeling: A Socialization-Based Intervention to Improve Nutritional Intake Among Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Burdick Ryan , Lin Ting-fen , Shune Samantha E. 
Published: August 2021

Purpose
Malnutrition is a widespread, dangerous, and costly condition among institutionalized older adults and can be both a contributor to and consequence of dysphagia for individuals with cognitive impairment. However, interventions to maximize intake in individuals with dementia are limited and frequently problematic, with negative implications for independence and quality of life. The goal of this study was to examine a novel, socialization-grounded intervention based on visual modeling, utilizing the theoretical underpinnings of motor resonance and mimicry.

Method

To examine the impact of environment on intake, data were collected from four nursing home residents (
M
age
= 83.5 years,
SD
= 4.2; three women) with dementia. Weight of food and liquid intake was measured across 15 meals and three different mealtime conditions: the “baseline condition” in which the individual ate alone, the “watch condition” in which the individual ate in the company of a “mealtime buddy,” and the “eat” condition in which the individual consumed a meal while the “mealtime buddy” did the same.

Results
Data visualization supported a weak functional relation between eating environment and amount of intake consumed across participants. Log response ratio estimates suggested a trend for increased weight of food consumed during the eat condition as compared to baseline and the eat condition as compared to the watch condition for some participants.

Conclusions
These results preliminarily support the benefit of a visual model for increased consumption in some individuals with dementia. The presence and magnitude of the effect across conditions varied based on individual-level factors, such as cognitive status, which has implications for implementation. Overall, this study provides initial proof of concept regarding the use of visual modeling as an intervention approach, laying the foundation for larger scale future studies.
Bei der Begutachtung oft nicht bedacht: Unfallpatienten und Patienten nach einem Lärmtrauma – Eine patientenzugewandte, komplementäre Sichtweise
Authors: Schaaf Helmut , Kastellis G. , Hesse G. 
Published: August 2021

ZusammenfassungPatienten, die einen Tinnitus im Rahmen eines Unfallgeschehens, eines Lärmtraumas oder anderer externer Einflüsse erworben haben, weisen in der Behandlung wichtige Besonderheiten auf. Obwohl ihr Leiden meist ohne eigene Schuld durch äußere Umstände oder andere Menschen ausgelöst wurde, ist für sie ein von außen schwer erkennbarer dauerhafter Schaden entstanden, für den sie selbst ihre verbliebenen Ressourcen aufbieten müssen, um mit einem Leiden am Tinnitus und meist auch dem Hörschaden adäquat umgehen zu können. Ungünstig und aufrechterhaltend können sich dabei Rechtsstreitigkeiten und die in diesem Rahmen notwendigen Begutachtungsprozesse auswirken. Deren Einflüsse und Rezeption bei den Patienten sollen hier verdeutlicht werden.
Facile and Straightforward Synthesis of Racemic Version of Substituted 3-[3-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxo-1-arylpropyl]-4-hydroxycoumarins: Easy Access to a Series of Biorelevant Warfarin Analogues
Authors: Brahmachari Goutam , Mandal Mullicka , Karmakar Indrajit 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe present communication deals with a straightforward, efficient, and green synthesis of a series of racemic version of 3-[3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxo-1-arylpropyl]-4-hydroxycoumarins as biologically interesting warfarin analogues upon decarboxylative hydrolysis of bis-coumarin derivatives in aqueous potassium hydroxide solution. The salient features of this practical method are operational simplicity, avoidance of any organic solvents and tedious column chromatographic purification, clean reaction profiles, excellent yields, and gram-scale synthetic applicability.