bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association Between Modified Nordic Diet With Sleep Quality and Circadian Rhythm in Overweight and Obese Woman: A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: mousavi ahmad , Mirzababaei Atieh , Shiraseb Farideh , Mirzaei Khadijeh 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
ObjectivePrevious studies have shown the association between diet quality and sleep quality. the objective of this study was to observe the association between modified Nordic diet with sleep quality and circadian rhythm in overweight and obese woman.MethodsWe enrolled 399 overweight and obese women (body mass index (BMI): 25-40 kg/m2) aged 18-48 years in cross-sectional study. For each participant anthropometric measurements, biochemical test and food intake were evaluated. Sleep quality and circadian rhythm was measured by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Morning Evening Questionnaire (MEQ) questionnaire. Modified Nordic diet score was measured using a validated 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ).ResultsAmong all participants, Overall, 51.7% of the subjects were good sleepers (the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) < 5) while 48.3% were poor sleepers (PSQI ≥ 5). Moreover, participants were divided into 5 groups of MEQ namely, completely morning 8(2.4%), rarely morning 82(24.8%), normal 196(59.2%), rarely evening 43(13%), completely evening 2(0.6%). After controlling for confounder there was a significant association between the poor sleep quality and modified Nordic diet (OR=0.80, %95 CI=0.66-0.98, P=0.01). Moreover, a significant positive association was observed between the completely morning and modified Nordic diet (OR=1.80, %95 CI=0.54-6.00, P=0.03) and also a significant reverse association was observed between completely evening type and modified Nordic diet (OR=0.16, %95 CI=0.002-5.41, P=0.02).ConclusionsThe present study indicate that higher adherence to a modified Nordic diet decreases poor sleep quality. Also, the completely morning type associated with higher adherence to a modified Nordic diet and completely evening type associated with lower adherence to a modified Nordic diet.Levels of Evidence﻿Level IV, evidence obtained from with multiple time series analysis.
Identifying Critical Isolation Valves in a Water Distribution Network: A Socio-Technical Approach
Authors: Abdel-Mottaleb Noha , Saghand Payman Ghasemi , Wakhungu Mathews , Charkhgard Hadi , Wells E. Christian , Zhang Qiong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Isolation valves are critical for reliable functioning of water distribution networks (WDNs). However, it is challenging for utilities to prioritize valve rehabilitation and replacement given it is often unclear if certain valves are operable in a given WDN. This study uses the Gomory-hu tree of the segment-valve representation (or dual representation) of WDNs to obtain logical implications of inoperable valves (i.e., which segments would be isolated and merged unnecessarily due to valve inoperability). Multi-objective optimization is then used to identify the critical valves based on selected attributes (e.g., social vulnerability, flow volume) of segments that would be unnecessarily isolated as a result. This study developed three multi-objective formulations: first, deterministic; second, accounting for uncertainty; and third, accounting or both uncertainty and likelihood of failure of pipes within segments. Identified critical valves are compared between the three developed formulations and a method considering only a single objective. Results demonstrated that the multi-objective optimization provided additional information that can be used to discern valve importance for utilities in comparison with using a single objective. Further, though there was overlap between the results from the three formulations, the third formulation provided the most insight without overwhelming decision-makers with a large number of identified valves.
Fumigation Activity of Essential Oil of Cinnamonum Loureirii Against Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis Invicta) Workers
Authors: Xing Huanling , Hu Yingqi , Yang Liupeng , Lin Jianhao , Bai Haiyi , Li Yanqun , Bai Mei , Zhang Zhixiang , Xu Hanhong , Wu Hong 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The high toxicity, long-lasting residues, and resistance to chemical pesticides and baits used in the control of red imported fire ants could possibly harm human health and ecological balance. Natural compounds would be an excellent source of pesticides because of their good repellency and insecticidal properties. In this study, the fumigation method was used to study the insecticidal effects of essential oils from the bark and leaves of Cinnamomum loureirii Nees on red imported fire ants at different concentrations and fumigation time. The fumigation time with C. loureirii essential oils was positively correlated with the knockdown ability and mortality in red imported fire ants and was negatively correlated with grasping ability. The insecticidal activity of the essential oil extracted from C. loureirii leaves was significantly higher than that of the essential oils extracted from bark at effective concentrations. Cinnamyl acetate, an abundant component in leaf essential oil, plays an important role in improving the insecticidal activity of trans-cinnamaldehyde. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of cinnamon leaf oil as a new environmentally friendly insecticide resource for the control of red imported fire ants.
An Improved Preventive Maintenance Scheduling for a Photovoltaic Plant under Environmental Constraints
Authors: Sa'ad Aisha , Nyoungue Aime , Hajej Zied 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

To be able to supply PV power that satisfies customer demand at all times, there is need for the generating plant to be available at all time. However, with the increased age and usage of the components, the component’s reliability reduces resulting to failure. These failures were due to a range of causes such as degradation and electrical wiring aging and cuts leading to a reduced performance efficiency and reliability. Therefore, to ameliorate the reliability of the system, a combined selective and preventive maintenance actions were planned by determining the best combination (optimal preventive maintenance intervals, optimal replaced components). In this work, an optimal preventive maintenance strategy with minimal repair was developed using iterative numerical technique for a photovoltaic (PV) plant with and without considering the influence of environmental condition on the system. An algorithm was developed on MATLAB to determine the optimal number of preventive maintenance actions that yields maximum availability by selecting the components to be maintained based on the reliability threshold without considering the environmental impact on the components. The environmental elements’ criticality was introduced and the reliability reiterated based on the new technique. Finally, by maximizing the availability of the system, an optimal preventive maintenance for a finite horizon was established.
Optimized Hip-Knee-Ankle Exoskeleton Assistance Reduces the Metabolic Cost of Walking With Worn Loads
Authors: Bryan Gwendolyn M , Franks Patrick , Song Seungmoon , Reyes Ricardo , O’Donovan Meghan , Gregorczyk Karen , Collins Steven 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
BackgroundLoad carriage is a typical activity in a wide range of professions, but prolonged load carriage is associated with increased fatigue and overuse injuries. Exoskeletons could improve the quality of life of these professionals by reducing metabolic cost to combat fatigue and reducing muscle activity to prevent injuries. Current exoskeletons have reduced the metabolic cost of loaded walking by up to 23% when assisting one or two joints. Greater metabolic reductions may be possible with optimized assistance of the entire leg. MethodsWe used human-in the-loop optimization to optimize hip-knee-ankle exoskeleton assistance with no additional load, a light load (15% of body weight), and a heavy load (30% of body weight) for three participants. All loads were applied through a weight vest with an attached waist belt. We measured metabolic cost, exoskeleton assistance, kinematics, and muscle activity. We performed one-tailed paired t-tests to determine significant reductions for metabolic cost and muscle activity, and we performed an analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine significant changes across load conditions for metabolic cost and applied power. ResultsExoskeleton assistance reduced the metabolic cost of walking relative to walking in the device without assistance for all tested conditions. Exoskeleton assistance reduced the metabolic cost of walking by 47% with no load (p = 0.02), 35% with the light load (p = 0.03), and 43% with the heavy load (p = 0.02). The smaller metabolic reduction with the light load may be due to insufficient participant training or lack of optimizer convergence. The total applied positive power was similar for all tested conditions, and the positive knee power decreased slightly as load increased. Optimized torque timing parameters were consistent across participants and load conditions while optimized magnitude parameters varied. ConclusionsWhole-leg exoskeleton assistance can reduce the metabolic cost of walking while carrying a range of loads. The consistent optimized timing parameters suggest that metabolic cost reductions are sensitive to torque timing. The variable torque magnitude parameters could imply that torque magnitude should be customized to the individual, or that there is a range of useful torque magnitudes. Future work should test whether applying the load to the exoskeleton rather than the person's torso results in larger benefits.
Quercetin Inhibits Rat Epidural Fibrosis by Regulating the Biological Behavior of Fibroblasts
Authors: Cao Yile , Chen Hui , Fan Zhehao , Sun Yu 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objective: This study attempted to investigate the effects of quercetin on postoperative fibrosis in the epidural as well as any potentially relevant signaling pathways.Methods: The effect of quercetin on reducing epidural fibrosis was confirmed via histological staining and immunohistochemical analysis in vivo. Accordingly, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence and Eedu staining, TUNEL staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to detect the effects of quercetin on the proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblasts and explore the possible signal transduction pathway.Results: HE staining and Masson staining showed that quercetin could reduce the number of fibroblasts and collagen content. Moreover, LC3 immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that quercetin could induce autophagy, while CCK-8 showed that quercetin inhibited fibroblast viability in a concentration and time-dependent manner. The results of Edu staining, TUNEL staining and Western blot illustrated that quercetin could inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of fibroblasts. Additionally, immunofluorescence showed that quercetin could inhibit the migration of fibroblasts and reduce collagen content. LC3 immunofluorescence staining, Western blot and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that quercetin could induce autophagy. Furthermore, following intervention with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA, quercetin was suggested to affect the proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblasts via autophagy, possibly through the PI3K / Akt / mTOR signaling pathway.Conclusion: Quercetin can regulate fibroblast proliferation, apoptosis, migration and other biological behaviors through autophagy, thereby preventing epidural fibrosis. The specific corresponding pathway may be the PI3K / Akt / mTOR signaling pathway.
Five-year survival in patients with Glioblastoma is overestimated in registry data - A nationwide population-based Swedish survey during 1958 - 1999
Authors: Milos Peter , Visse Edward , Al-Shudifat Abdulrahman , Siesjö Peter 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background Some glioblastoma (GBM) patients survive more than five years with hitherto no clearly established epidemiological or molecular causes. Since varying rates of GBM five-year survival have been reported our aim was to assess the true prevalence of five-year survivors in Sweden from 1958 to 1999, before the introduction of concomitant temozolomide treatment.Methods After screening the Swedish Cancer Registry and the Cause of Death Register 736 out of 12765 patients with high-grade glioma were defined as five-year survivors. The full text pathology report was reviewed in 585 patients. Data on epidemiology and treatment were retrieved from the medical records of 556 patients.Results 77 five-year survivors with primary GBM were identified which corresponded to 0.60 % of the initial population. During 1990 to 1999 GBM five-year survival was 0. 90%. Younger age, Karnofsky score > 70 and non-eloquent tumour location were found in most but not all five-year survivors.Conclusion GBM five-year survival was exceedingly rare in Sweden until 2004, comprising less than 1 % of registered HGGs. Relying on registry data without reviewing the pathology report will overestimate the accurate number of five-year survivors. To our knowledge, this is the only nationwide population-based study of five-year survival in GBM patients.
Self-Directed Passive Aggressive Behaviour as an Essential Component of Depression: Findings from two observational studies
Authors: Schanz Christian Günter , Equit Monika , Schäfer Sarah Katharina , Michael Tanja 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background Self-directed passive aggressive behaviour is defined as self-harm by inactivity or omission. Based on the self-control model of depression suggesting depressive symptoms to derive from distorted self-monitoring, self-evaluation and reduced self-reward as well as increased self-punishment and reduced self-reward, a relationship between self-directed passive aggressive behaviour and depression had been assumed. First evidence for this notion derives form a recent study, demonstrating a correlation between self-directed passive aggressive behaviour and depressive symptoms. However, it remains unclear if patients with depressive disorders report more self-directed passive aggressive behaviour than patients without depressive disorders and if self-directed passive aggression mediates the associations between distorted self-monitoring and self-evaluation with depressive symptoms.Methods Study 1 compared self-directed passive aggressive behaviour levels between 220 psychotherapy outpatients with (n = 140; 67.9% female; Mage = 40.0) and without (n = 80; 65.0% female; Mage = 36.2) depressive disorders. Diagnoses were made based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM IV. Study 2 examined self-directed passive aggressive behaviour as mediator of the relationship between distorted self-monitoring and self-evaluation and depressive symptoms in 200 Psychology students.Results Compared to outpatients without depressive disorders, outpatients with depressive disorder reported significantly more self-directed passive aggression (d = 0.51). Furthermore, Study 2 verified self-directed passive aggressive behaviour as partial mediator of the relationship between dysfunctional attitudes (abcs = .22, 95%-CI = .14 − .31), attributional style (abcs = .20, 95%-CI = .13 − .27), ruminative response style (abcs = .15, 95%-CI = .09 − .21) and depressive symptoms.Conclusion Self-directed passive aggressive behaviour partially mediates the association between distorted self-monitoring and self-evaluation with depressive symptoms and might represent a core component of depressive disorders.Trial registration: Both studies were preregistered at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS000140051 and DRKS000190201).
Complete sputum smear monitoring among adults with pulmonary tuberculosis in central Uganda: evidence from a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Adrawa Norbert , Okoboi Stephen , Komuhangi Alimah , Izudi Jonathan , Nsubuga Ronald 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: People with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis require sputum smear monitoring at 2, 5, and 6 months to establish treatment outcomes. However, there is limited information about sputum smear monitoring in Uganda, similar to other developing countries. We examined factors associated with complete sputum smear monitoring among persons with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB aged ≥15 years in central Uganda.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed and abstracted data for persons with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB initiated on treatment between January 2017 and December 2019 across 11 large TB units in Masaka district in central Uganda. Complete sputum smear monitoring was measured as the receipt of three sputum smear microscopy tests at 2, 5, and 6 months of TB treatment. The data were summarized descriptively and the differences in the outcome with independent variables were examined using tests of statistical significance. The factors independently associated with the outcome were established using the modified Poisson regression analysis with robust standard errors, reported as adjusted risk ratio (aRR) along with the 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of 416 participants were enrolled, with a mean age of 37.3 ±12.9 years. Of the participants, 290 (69.7) were males, 269 (64.7) were rural residents, and 128 (30.8%) had complete sputum smear monitoring. Urban residence (aRR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.12-1.90), treatment under the community-based directly observed therapy short-course strategy (DOTS) (aRR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.25–2.92), and TB and human immunodeficiency virus (TB/HIV) comorbidity (aRR 0.45, 95% CI 0.30–0.68) were associated with complete sputum smear monitoring. Conclusions: We observed a low magnitude of complete sputum smear monitoring among persons with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB aged ≥15 years in central Uganda. Urban residence and treatment under community-based DOTS are associated with a higher likelihood of complete sputum smear monitoring while TB/HIV co-infection is associated with a lower likelihood of complete sputum smear monitoring. At rural health facilities, there is a need to develop strategies to enhance the performance of sputum smear monitoring. Additionally, TB/HIV collaboration and the implementation of community-based DOTS should be strengthened to increase the performance of sputum smear monitoring.
Exploring the Missing Heritability in Subjects With Hearing Loss, Enlarged Vestibular Aqueducts, and A Single or No Pathogenic SLC26A4 Variant
Authors: Smits Jeroen , de Bruijn Suzanne E. , Lanting Cornelis P. , Oostrik Jaap , O’Gorman Luke , Mantere Tuomo , Cremers Frans P. M. , Roosing Susanne , Yntema Helger G. , de Vrieze Erik , Derks Ronny , Hoischen Alexander , Pegge Sjoert A.H. , Neveling Kornelia , Pennings Ronald J.E. , Kremer Hannie 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Pathogenic variants in SLC26A4 have been associated with autosomal recessive hearing loss (arHL) and a unilateral or bilateral enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA). SLC26A4 is the second most frequently mutated gene in arHL. Despite the strong genotype-phenotype correlation, a significant part of SLC26A4 cases remains genetically unresolved. In this study, we investigated a cohort of 28 Dutch index cases diagnosed with HL in combination with an EVA but without (M0) or with a single (M1) pathogenic variant in SLC26A4. To explore the missing heritability, short- and long-read whole genome sequencing and optical genome mapping were performed. We found a previously described EVA-associated haplotype (Caucasian EVA (CEVA)) to be significantly enriched in our M1 patient cohort. The haplotype was also present in two M0 cases. Despite extensive genetic analyses, we were not able to prioritize any of the variants present within the haplotype as the likely pathogenic defect, and therefore additional analyses addressing the defect(s) at the RNA, protein, or epigenetic level are required. Whole genome sequencing also revealed splice-altering SLC26A4 variants in two M1 cases, which are now genetically explained, but no deep-intronic or copy number variants. With these findings, we have provided important insights that will pave the way for elucidating the missing heritability in M0 and M1 SLC26A4 cases.
Photonic RF and microwave spectral filters based on transversal filters with Kerr microcombs
Authors: Moss David 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Integrated Kerr microcombs are emerging as a powerful tool as sources of multiple wavelength channels for photonic RF and microwave signal processing mainly in the context of transversal filters. They offer a compact device footprint, very high versatility, large numbers of wavelengths, and wide Nyquist bands. Here, we present our recent progress on Kerr microcomb-based photonic RF and microwave reconfigurable filters, based both on transversal filter methods and on RF to optical bandwidth scaling. We compare and contrast results achieved with wide comb spacing combs (200GHz) with more finely spaced (49GHz) microcombs. The strong potential of optical micro-combs for RF photonics applications in terms of functions and integrability is also discussed.
Comparative Performance Analysis of Lead-Free Perovskites Solar Cells by Numerical Simulation
Authors: Srivast Shristy , Singh Anand Kumar , Kumar Prashant , Pradhan Basudev 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Research of lead-free perovskite based solar cells has gained speedy and growing attention with urgent intent to eliminate toxic lead in perovskite materials. The main purpose of this work is to supplement the research progress with comparative­­ analysis of different lead-free perovskite based solar cells by numerical simulation method using solar cell capacitance simulator (SCAPS-1D) software. In this work, the device simulation is carried out in the n-i-p configuration of FTO/[6,6]-Phenyl-C61-butyric acidmethyl ester (PCBM) /Perovskite layer/ Poly[bis(4-phenyl)(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)amine(PTAA)/Au using six different lead-free perovskite materials. The impact of different perovskite materials layers including hole and electron transport layer thickness, doping concentration on solar cell performances has thoroughly been investigated and optimized. CsSnI3 based perovskite solar cell shows the highest power conversion efficiency of 28.97 % among all the lead-free perovskite based devices. This clearly indicates that it’s possible to achieve high-performance lead-free perovskite solar cells experimentally at par with lead based perovskite solar cells in future research.
The association between driving a car and retention of brain volume in Japanese older adults
Authors: Shimada Hiroyuki , Bae Seongryu , Harada Kenji , Makino Keitaro , Chiba Ippei , Katayama Osamu , Lee Sangyoon 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objective: To examine the association between driving and structural brain volume in older individuals. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 1063 older adults. We examined global brain measures, including gray and white matter volumes and subcortical volume, using the FreeSurfer program. Participants were divided into non-drivers, those who drove < 7 days a week, and every day drivers. They were further classified into a non-driving group, an active group (drove 10 km at least once a week), and a less-active group (drove 10 km less than once a week). Results: Drivers had a larger hippocampal volume than non-drivers (p = 0.048). Low-frequency drivers had a larger occipital cortex volume than non-drivers and high-frequency drivers (p = 0.007). Active drivers had larger temporal cortex volumes than non-active drivers (p = 0.020), larger cingulate cortex volumes than non-drivers and less-active drivers (p = 0.002), and larger hippocampus volumes than non-drivers (p = 0.019). A post-hoc analysis revealed no significant between-group differences in the amygdala. Conclusions: Driving was associated with diminished hippocampal brain atrophy in older adults. Active drivers with a larger life space exhibited less brain atrophy in several regions, including the temporal and cingulate cortices.