bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Impact of Cochlear Implantation on Cognitive Function in Older Adults
Authors: Gurgel Richard K. , Duff Kevin , Foster Norman L. , Urano Kaitlynn A. , deTorres Alvin 
Published: November 2021

Objectives/HypothesisWe hypothesize that treating hearing loss through cochlear implantation in older adults will improve cognitive function.Study DesignProspective, interventional study.MethodsThirty‐seven participants aged 65 years and older who met criteria for cochlear implantation were enrolled. Subjects underwent preoperative cognitive testing with a novel arrangement of standard neuropsychological tests, including tests of general cognition and mood (Mini‐Mental Status Exam [MMSE]), tests of verbally based stimuli and responses (Digit Span, Stroop, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test‐Revised [HVLT‐R], Hayling Sentence Completion), and comparable visually based tests (Spatial Span, d2 Test of Attention, Brief Visuospatial Memory Test [BVMT], Trails A and B). Testing was repeated 12 months postoperatively.ResultsOne year postoperatively, subjects showed a statistically significant improvement in hearing and on the following tests of cognitive function: concentration performance of the d2 Test of Attention, Hayling Sentence Completion Test, HVLT‐R (total and delayed recall), Spatial Span (backward), and Stroop Color Word Test. A subgroup analysis was performed comparing 13 participants with preoperative cognitive impairment (MMSE ≤ 24) to 24 participants with normal cognition (MMSE ≥ 25). In this subgroup analysis, a greater magnitude of improvement was seen in those with impaired cognition, with statistically significant improvement in Digit Span (scaled score), Stroop Word (T‐score), Stroop Color‐Word (residual and T‐score), HVLT‐R, and Hayling (overall). All verbally based test scores improved, and 75% of the visually based test scores improved.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the cognitive benefits of cochlear implantation in older adults 1 year after surgery. For older adults with cognitive impairment prior to cochlear implantation, the cognitive benefits were even greater than in subjects with normal cognition.Level of Evidence3, nonrandomized controlled cohort Laryngoscope, 132:S1–S15, 2022
Is it necessary for clinical tumor volume including neck muscles in target volume delineation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
Authors: Chen Fei , Kong Xiangquan , Wu Haixia , Fang Weining , Fei Zhaodong , Wu Zhupeng , Zhao Dan , Ma Liqin 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo calculate the shrinkage of the neck muscles and dosimetric changes and to clarify the necessity of covering part of the muscle in neck node region delineation for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy.MethodsIn total, 44 patients with NPC were enrolled. Distances between the lateral border of the neck muscles and longitudinal midline were measured on every selected slice. This process was repeated three times, and the mean values of the three distances of planning computed tomography (CT) images and repeated CT images were adopted (labeled d1 and d2). The mean value of the differences between d1 and d2 was regarded as the medial shrinkage of the neck muscles. The initial clinical target volume of cervical lymph nodes (CTV‐n) was shifted medially with the value of shrinkage, yielding a new CTV‐n. Doses that covered 95% of the planning tumor volume (PTV) (D95), 99% of the PTV (D99), mean dose (Dmean), and maximum dose (Dmax) were used to calculate the dosimetric variation between the initial and new CTV‐n. Comparisons were performed using the paired samples t test.ResultsThe median d1 was 3.81 cm (range: 1.19‐8.20 cm), and the median d2 was 3.68 cm (range: 0.94‐9.59 cm), with a statistically significant difference (P < .001). The mean difference between d1 and d2 was 1.5 ± 3.1 mm (SD). The D95 and D99 of PTV of initial CTV‐n decreased by 0.38% and 0.62% (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively).ConclusionPatients with NPC experienced medial shrinkage of the neck muscles by 1.5 mm, and the consequent dose variation was negligible. It is unnecessary to cover part of the muscles in the delineation of the CTV‐n.
Hydrogen‐assisted fatigue crack propagation behavior of equiatomic Co–Cr–Fe–Mn–Ni high‐entropy alloy
Authors: Xiao Huijin , Zeng Qiang , Xia Lin , Fu Zhenghong , Zhu Shaowei 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe equiatomic Co–Cr–Fe–Mn–Ni high‐entropy alloy (HEA) shows well hydrogen embrittlement resistance under monotonic tensile load. However, the fracture behavior under cyclic load is still unclear. In this study, combining with the fracture features analysis by electron back‐scattered diffraction and electron channeling contrast imaging techniques, the hydrogen‐assisted fatigue crack propagation behavior of equiatomic Co–Cr–Fe–Mn–Ni HEA under in situ electrochemical hydrogen charging was investigated. The results suggest that the hydrogen had significant accelerating effects on the fatigue crack growth rate of Co–Cr–Fe–Mn–Ni HEA. Intergranular cracking with the formation of dislocation cells was observed at low stress intensity range (ΔK) area, while transgranular cracking with deformation twins was observed at a high ΔK area. The formation of these deformation features was assisted by hydrogen‐assisted dislocation emission.
Generic expansion of an abelian variety by a subgroup
Authors: d'Elbée Christian 
Published: November 2021

AbstractLet A be an abelian variety in an algebraically closed field of characteristic 0. We prove that the expansion of A by a generic divisible subgroup of A with the same torsion exists provided A has few algebraic endomorphisms, namely . The resulting theory is NSOP1 and not simple. Note that there exist abelian varieties A with of any genus.
Topology selection of switch‐type phase shifter units for wideband Ka‐band 5‐bit phase shifter with low RMS errors
Authors: Lin Yen‐Heng , Tsai Zuo‐Min 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis article discusses different topologies of switch‐type phase shifter units and the effects of such units on phase accuracy and loss variation for wideband operation. It is observed that the optimal selection of topology depends on the value of phase shift. This article discusses a Ka‐band 5‐bit switch‐type phase shifter MMIC with T‐type high‐pass topology, T‐type low‐pass topology, and high‐pass/low‐pass switched‐path‐type topology. This circuit was implemented through a 65‐nm CMOS process. This phase shifter has low RMS phase error of 2.4°–6.2° and low RMS amplitude error of 0.48–0.66 dB over the 32–41 GHz.
Quantitative susceptibility mapping and R1 measurement: Determination of the myelin volume fraction in the aging ex vivo rat corpus callosum
Authors: Cho Hwapyeong , Lee Hansol , Gong Yelim , Kim Young Ro , Cho Junghun , Cho Hyung Joon 
Published: November 2021

In studies of the white matter (WM) in aging brains, both quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and direct R1 measurement offer potentially useful ex vivo MRI tools that allow volumetric characterization of myelin content changes. Despite the technical importance of such MRI methods in numerous age‐related diseases, the supposed linear relationship between the estimates of either the QSM or R1 method and age‐affected myelin contents has not been validated. In this study, the absolute myelin volume fraction (MVF) was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as a gold standard measure for comparison with the values obtained by the aforementioned MR methods. To theoretically evaluate and understand the MR signal characteristics, QSM simulations were performed using the finite perturber method (FPM). Specifically, the simulation geometry modeling was based on TEM‐derived structures aligned orthogonally to the main magnetic field, the construct of which was used to estimate the magnetic field shift (ΔB) changes arising from the conjectured myelin structures. Experimentally, ex vivo corpus callosum (CC) samples from rat brains obtained at 6 weeks (n = 3), 4 months (n = 3), and 20 months (n = 3) after birth were used to establish the relationship between changes quantified by either QSM or R1 with the absolute MVF by TEM. From the ex vivo brain samples, the scatterplot of mean MVF versus R1 was fitted to a linear equation, where R1mean = 0.7948 × MVFmean + 0.8118 (Pearson's correlation coefficient r = 0.9138; p < 0.01), while the scatterplot of mean MVF versus MRI‐derived magnetic susceptibility (χ) was also fitted to a line where χmeasured,mean = −0.1218 × MVFmean − 0.006345 (r = −0.8435; p < 0.01). As a result of the FPM‐based QSM simulations, a linearly proportional relationship between the simulated magnetic susceptibility, χsimulated,mean, and MVF (r = −0.9648; p < 0.01) was established. Such a statistically significant linear correlation between MRI‐derived values by the QSM (or R1) method and MVF demonstrated that variable myelin contents in the WM (i.e., CC) can be quantified across multiple stages of aging. These findings further support that both techniques based on QSM and R1 provide an efficient means of studying the brain‐aging process with accurate volumetric quantification of the myelin content in WM.
Attenuated efficacy of pediatric obesity treatment during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Appelhans Bradley M. , French Simone A. , Martin Molly A. , Lui Karen , Janssen Imke 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined whether the efficacy of a standard‐of‐care pediatric obesity treatment was affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsAnalyses leveraged data from an ongoing pediatric obesity treatment trial involving 230 lower‐income, urban children aged 6 to 12 years. Mixed‐effects regression models compared children who participated in a 12‐month weight‐management intervention before versus during the COVID‐19 pandemic on change from baseline in BMI z score (ΔzBMI) at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.ResultsThe observed pattern of ΔzBMI was significantly different before versus during the pandemic (χ2 = 22.73, p < 0.0001). Children treated before the pandemic maintained an average weight loss of −0.06 ΔzBMI at 12 months, whereas children treated during the pandemic steadily gained weight over time, averaging a net gain of 0.11 ΔzBMI at 12 months (χ2 = 34.99, p < 0.0001). Treatment session completion did not differ before versus during the pandemic (60.4% vs. 55.7%, respectively; p = 0.30) or account for differences in ΔzBMI.ConclusionsSimilar reductions in intervention efficacy may be anticipated in other pediatric obesity treatment trials conducted during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Many families that have struggled with managing their child’s weight during this period may need encouragement to continue engaging in structured weight management as society renormalizes.
Influence of the Template Removal Method on the Mechanical Stability of SBA‐15
Authors: Beurer Ann‐Katrin , Bruckner Johanna R. , Traa Yvonne 
Published: November 2021

AbstractRemoving the template from the pores after the polycondensation of the silica precursor is a necessary step in the synthesis of mesoporous silica materials. In our previous work, we developed a method for the efficient and spatially controlled functionalization of SBA‐15. First, the silanol groups on the particle surface and in the pore entrances were passivated. After extraction of the template, a pretreatment step in N2 converted the silanol groups to the single and geminal state. Afterwards, an azide functionality was introduced exclusively into the mesopores. This ensured that the catalyst could afterwards be immobilized unambiguously in the mesopores. The mechanical stability of a material functionalized in such a spatially controlled manner is studied and compared to other template removal methods. Even though several studies investigated the influence of the calcination temperature, the presence or the absence of oxygen during the template removal, the specific conditions used during the herein reported selective functionalization procedure have not been covered yet.
Computational prediction of microstructures in α‐alumina/PMMA composites and its experimental verification
Authors: Saito Ken , Sato Kimiyasu , Tominaga Yuichi , Imai Yusuke 
Published: November 2021

AbstractProcessing, structure, property, and performance have been acknowledged in a linearly linked picture for materials manufacturing. It is promising to harness the processing‐structure relationship to accelerate the development of functional materials. In the present study, we attempted to predict microstructures of a polymer composite via computational simulations, because functions of the polymer composite would respond to its microstructures. A program KAPSEL, which has been widely utilized to calculate dynamics of solid particles in coherent fluids, was slightly amended to handle parameters related to interfacial science. Constituents of the target polymer composite were α‐alumina and poly(methyl methacrylate). When proper parameter values are given, the program yielded microstructural features similar to those found in an experiment. Nimbleness and affordability of the simulation scheme would allow us to omit experimental trial‐and‐error for functional polymer composites.
Upscaling of perovskite solar modules: The synergy of fully evaporated layer fabrication and all‐laser‐scribed interconnections
Authors: Ritzer David B. , Abzieher Tobias , Basibüyük Agit , Feeney Thomas , Laufer Felix , Ternes Simon , Richards Bryce S. , Bergfeld Stefan , Paetzold Ulrich W. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractGiven the outstanding progress in research over the past decade, perovskite photovoltaics (PV) is about to step up from laboratory prototypes to commercial products. For this to happen, realizing scalable processes to allow the technology to transition from solar cells to modules is pivotal. This work presents all‐evaporated perovskite PV modules with all thin films coated by established vacuum deposition processes. A common 532‐nm nanosecond laser source is employed to realize all three interconnection lines of the solar modules. The resulting module interconnections exhibit low series resistance and a small total lateral extension down to 160 μm. In comparison with interconnection fabrication approaches utilizing multiple scribing tools, the process complexity is reduced while the obtained geometrical fill factor of 96% is comparable with established inorganic thin‐film PV technologies. The all‐evaporated perovskite minimodules demonstrate power conversion efficiencies of 18.0% and 16.6% on aperture areas of 4 and 51 cm2, respectively. Most importantly, the all‐evaporated minimodules exhibit only minimal upscaling losses as low as 3.1%rel per decade of upscaled area, at the same time being the most efficient perovskite PV minimodules based on an all‐evaporated layer stack sequence.
Influence of maternal vomiting during early pregnancy on school‐age respiratory health
Authors: Poeran‐Bahadoer Sunayna D. , van Meel Evelien R. , Gaillard Romy , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. , Duijts Liesbeth 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundHyperemesis gravidarum, a clinical entity characterized by severe nausea and excess vomiting, might lead to a suboptimal maternal nutritional status during pregnancy and subsequently to adverse respiratory health in the offspring. The role of common vomiting symptoms on offspring's respiratory health is unclear. We examined the associations of maternal daily vomiting during early pregnancy with childhood respiratory outcomes, and potential explaining factors.MethodsThis study was embedded in a population‐based prospective cohort study from early pregnancy onwards among 4232 mothers and their children. Maternal vomiting during early pregnancy was assessed by a questionnaire. At age 10 years, information on current wheezing and ever asthma was obtained by a questionnaire, and lung function was measured by spirometry at our research center. We used multiple regression analyses to assess the associations of maternal daily vomiting during early pregnancy with childhood respiratory outcomes.ResultsCompared to children from mothers without daily vomiting during early pregnancy, children from mothers with daily vomiting during early pregnancy had a higher forced expiratory flow when 75% of the forced vital capacity (FVC) is exhaled (Z‐score difference [95% confidence interval, CI]: 0.13 [0.03, 0.23]), and an increased risk of current wheezing and ever asthma ([odds ratio, OR] [95% CI]: 1.75 [1.10, 2.79] and 1.61 [1.13, 2.31], respectively). These associations were fully explained by sociodemographic factors, but not sex or lifestyle‐, infectious‐, or growth‐related factors. Maternal daily vomiting during early pregnancy was not associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FVC, and FEV1/FVC.ConclusionOnly sociodemographic factors explain the associations of maternal daily vomiting during early pregnancy with childhood respiratory outcomes.
Building therapeutic alliances with patients in treatment for low back pain: A focus group study
Authors: Unsgaard‐Tøndel Monica , Søderstrøm Sylvia 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackground and PurposeLow back pain is a multidimensional disorder and a biopsychosocial management approach is recommended. However, recent data indicates that physiotherapists mainly focus on biomechanical aspects in treatment and struggle with addressing psychosocial barriers for recovery. We wanted to explore how physiotherapists express their experiences of building therapeutic alliances within a biopsychosocial perspective of low back pain.MethodsQualitative focus‐group interviews were performed with five physiotherapists on two occasions with 6 months in between. Data were analyzed within a hermeneutical perspective with decontextualization and recontextualization, and identification of themes.ResultsFour main themes were identified from the analyses: (1) An ideal standard: Presence, empathy and applying the biopsychosocial perspective is central for building therapeutic alliance. (2) Time‐consuming: Active listening and personally adapted treatment is important and time‐consuming. (3) Challenging area: Advanced clinical reasoning is needed to understand and modify complex barriers for recovery. Clinical experience is sometimes necessary to integrate the psychological and social domains into physiotherapy management. (4) The art of balancing: Important to apply sensitive communication to help patients gain new insight. Some heavy psychosocial demands on patients may be outside physiotherapists' professional competence.DiscussionThe physiotherapists in this focus group study expressed a shared view that therapeutic alliance should build upon person‐centering, motivational communication, and facilitation of lifestyle adjustments within a biopsychosocial perspective of low back pain. Complex clinical reasoning necessary as the optimal cause‐corrective treatment strategies were often not obvious. Time and tools to uncover and modify relevant psychological obstacles for recovery were perceived challenging and partly dependent on clinical experience. Addressment of psychosocial obstacles for recovery should be included in basic as well as postgraduate curriculums for physiotherapists. Collaborative practice support strategies like peer guidance and better platforms for interprofessional collaboration and decision support could contribute to improve practice in the psychosocial domain.
Root treatment with a vitamin K3 derivative: a promising alternative to synthetic fungicides against Botrytis cinerea in tomato plants
Authors: García‐Machado Francisco J , García‐García Ana L , Borges Andrés A , Jiménez‐Arias David 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDBotrytis cinerea, the causal agent of gray mold has a great economic impact on several important crops. This necrotrophic fungus causes disease symptoms during vegetative growth and also into postharvest stages. The current method to combat this disease is fungicide application, with high economic costs and environmentally unsustainable impacts. Moreover, there is an increasing general public health concern about these strategies of crop protection. We studied the protection of tomato plants against B. cinerea by previous root treatment with menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB), a known plant defense activator.RESULTSRoot treatment 48 h before inoculation with MSB 0.6 mmol L−1 reduced leaf lesion diameter by 30% and notably cell deaths, compared to control plants 72 h after inoculation. We studied the expression level of several pathogenesis‐related (PR) genes from different defense transduction pathways, and found that MSB primes higher PR1 expression against B. cinerea. However, this stronger induced resistance was impaired in transgenic salicylic acid‐deficient NahG line. Additionally, in the absence of pathogen challenge, MSB increased tomato plant growth by 28% after 10 days. Our data provide evidence that MSB protects tomato plants against B. cinerea by priming defense responses through the salicylic acid (SA)‐dependent signaling pathway and reducing oxidative stress.CONCLUSIONThis work confirms the efficacy of MSB as plant defense activator against B. cinerea and presents a novel alternative to combat gray mold in important crops.
Differentiation of disaccharide isomers via a combination of IR and UV photodissociation mass spectrometry
Authors: Du Mengying , Zhang Kailin , Jiao Luyang , Xu Yicheng , Kong Xianglei 
Published: November 2021

RationaleThe challenge of glycan identification due to their structural complexity and diversity has profited enormously from recent developments in mass spectrometry (MS)‐related methods. For photodissociation MS, infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) lasers can generate complementary fragment ions, so an effective combination of the two methods may provide rich and valuable fragmentation patterns for glycan analysis.MethodsA 7.0 T Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer equipped with a double‐beam laser system was applied for the experiments. 3,5‐Diiodo‐L‐tyrosine was selected as the assistant molecule to form complex ions with ten isomeric disaccharides through electrospray ionization. The complex ions were further isolated and irradiated by IR and UV lasers separately or continuously in the FTICR cell.ResultsBy combining the two complementary fragment spectra generated from the IR and UV lasers, a clear identification of all the ten isomers was achieved using their binary codes based on their fragmentation patterns. The double‐beam method simplifies the experiment by introducing the two lasers sequentially in one experiment, providing richer fragmentation patterns and making the full discrimination easier.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the capabilities of the combination of IR and UV photodissociation MS in the identification of diverse glycan isomers. The double‐beam photodissociation method described here distinguished compositional, configurational and connectivity disaccharide isomers successfully. Compared with the data accumulation method based on separate IR and UV experiments, this method is simpler, faster, more flexible and also characterized by richer fragmentation patterns.